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At least 559 records · Page 31

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NASA NTRS1977

Current status of droplet and liquid combustion

The present understanding of spray combustion in rocket engine, gas turbine, Diesel engine and industrial furnace applications is reviewed. In some cases, spray combustion can be modeled by ignoring the details of spray evaporation and treating the system as a gaseous diffusion flame; however, in many circumstances, this simplification is not adequate and turbulent two-phase flow must be considered. The behavior of individual droplets is a necessary component of two-phase models and recent work on transient droplet evaporation, ignition and combustion is considered, along with a discussion of important simplifying assumptions involved with modeling these processes. Methods of modeling spray evaporation and combustion processes are also discussed including: one-dimensional models for rocket engine and prevaporized combustion systems, lumped zone models (utilizing well-stirred reactor and plug flow regions) for gas turbine and furnace systems, locally homogeneous turbulent models, and two-phase models. The review highlights the need for improved injector characterization methods, more information of droplet transport characteristics in turbulent flow and continued development of more complete two-phase turbulent models

Faeth, G. M.↗

NASA NTRS1978

Investigation of the fracture mechanism of Ti-5Al-2.5Sn at cryogenic temperatures

Fractography and metallographic sectioning were used to investigate the influence of microstructure on the fracture mechanism and fracture toughness (KIC) of normal interstitial and extra low interstitial (ELI) Ti-5Al-25Sn at 20 K (-423 F) and 77 K (-320 F). Plates of each grade were mill annealed at 815 C followed by either air or furnace cooling. These variations in composition and cooling rate resulted in differences in the volume fraction and internal structure of the dispersed beta phase and in the ordering of the alpha matrix. The ELI alloys were tougher than the normal interstitial plates. KIC of the furnace-cooled ELI plate was 25% lower than that of the air-cooled ELI material. Variations in cooling rate had no influence of KIC of the normal interstitial alloys. Fractography showed that a large portion of the fracture surfaces were covered with elongated dimples. Metallographic sections of specimens deformed at 77 K showed that these features form at the intersections of slip bands or deformation twins with grain or twin boundaries. Ordering and higher interstitial levels increase the local strain in slip bands resulting in void nucleation at lower macroscopic strains and lower KIC values.

Van Stone, R. H.↗

NASA NTRS1978

Static and dynamic cyclic oxidation of 12 nickel-, cobalt-, and iron-base high-temperature alloys

Twelve typical high-temperature nickel-, cobalt-, and iron-base alloys were tested by 1 hr cyclic exposures at 1038, 1093, and 1149 C and 0.05 hr exposures at 1093 C. The alloys were tested in both a dynamic burner rig at Mach 0.3 gas flow and in static air furnace for times up to 100 hr. The alloys were evaluated in terms of specific weight loss as a function of time, and X-ray diffraction analysis and metallographic examination of the posttest specimens. A method previously developed was used to estimate specific metal weight loss from the specific weight change of the sample. The alloys were then ranked on this basis. The burner-rig test was more severe than a comparable furnace test and resulted in an increased tendency for oxide spalling due to volatility of Cr in the protective scale and the more drastic cooling due to the air-blast quench of the samples. Increased cycle frequency also increased the tendency to spall for a given test exposure. The behavior of the alloys in both types of tests was related to their composition and their tendency to form scales. The alloys with the best overall behavior formed alpha-Al2O3 aluminate spinels.

Barrett, C. A.↗

NASA NTRS1978

Applications of thermal energy storage to process heat and waste heat recovery in the iron and steel industry

The system identified operates from the primary arc furnace evacuation system as a heat source. Energy from the fume stream is stored as sensible energy in a solid medium (packed bed). A steam-driven turbine is arranged to generate power for peak shaving. A parametric design approach is presented since the overall system design, at optimum payback is strongly dependent upon the nature of the electric pricing structure. The scope of the project was limited to consideration of available technology so that industry-wide application could be achieved by 1985. A search of the literature, coupled with interviews with representatives of major steel producers, served as the means whereby the techniques and technologies indicated for the specific site are extrapolated to the industry as a whole and to the 1985 time frame. The conclusion of the study is that by 1985, a national yearly savings of 1.9 million barrels of oil could be realized through recovery of waste heat from primary arc furnace fume gases on an industry-wide basis. Economic studies indicate that the proposed system has a plant payback time of approximately 5 years.

Katter, L. B.↗

NASA NTRS1978

Fire toxicology program. JSC methodology

Toxicological testing of spacecraft materials was initiated in 1965. Toxicological evaluations of the pyrolysis/combustion products of candidate spacecraft materials were performed using a modified 142 liter Bethlehem Chamber equipped with a Linberg Model 55031 furnace external to the chamber. In all of the assessments, lethality was chosen as the endpoint. A new pyrolysis/combustion chamber was developed for toxicological testing and ranking of both spacecraft and aircraft materials. The pyrolysis/combustion chamber permits the use of both behavior and physiological measurements as indicators of incapacitation. Methods were developed which employ high resolution gas chromatography/mass spectrometry to generate chamber atmospheric profiles which indicate the reproductibility of pyrolysate concentrations. The atmospheric volatile profiles in combination with CO, CO2, and O2 analysis indicates that small chamber equipped with an internal furnace will give reproducible results.

Schneider, H.↗

NASA NTRS1979

An investigation of the initiation stage of hot corrosion in Ni-base alloys

The mechanisms which lead to the destruction of a normally protective scale during the initial stages of hot corrosion of 14 nickel-base alloys contaminated with Na2SO4 and other condensed deposits were investigated. A continuous reading microbalance was used to record weight changes at temperatures between 900 C and 1000 C at 1 atmosphere pressure of slowly flowing oxygen. The reaction was initiated by raising a preheated furnace around the quartz tube in which the specimen was supported with oxygen flowing. The furnace was raised in a time period of seconds. At 900 C, the system and specimen came to thermal equilibrium in less than one minute. Oxidized specimens were studied using optical and scanning electron metallography and X-ray diffraction techniques. Transmission electron microscopy and electron diffraction spectroscopy were also used to identify the structure of carbides in some of the commercial alloys.

Huang, T. T.↗

NASA NTRS1979

Automated Array Assembly, Phase 2

The large scale production of silicon solar cell array panels is discussed. The cost and performance of three manufacturing sequences designed to convert silicon sheet and wafers into solar panels is analyzed. The production of ion implanted and furnace annealed solar cells made using solar grade n- and p-type wafers is examined. The performance of production size lots is examined with regard to the relationship between the ion implant and furnace anneal parameters and the ability to form consistently good thick film screen printed contacts. The spray on antireflection coating process is evaluated. The performance of several lots of cells before and after coating is measured. The structure and refractive index of the RCA I (TiO2) coating is compared with commercial solutions. Sensitivity of coated, screen printed cells to the post heat treatment required to cure the films is assessed.

Daiello, R. V.↗

NASA NTRS1979

A New Method of Metallization for Silicon Solar Cells

The determination of the firing cycle in a horizontal tube furnace for MoO3: Sn ink composition applied by silk screening process on P or N structured solar cells is presented. In comparison with the strip heater used to determine the reaction mechanism, the reduction of MoO3 in the tube furnace progresses at a much faster rate and the Sn:Mo alloy forms at a much lower temperature. The device characteristics determined by the V-I curve showed a high resistance (approx. 10 Ohms) at peak temperatures between 600 C and 800 C. The high series resistance is attributed to the lack of formation of MoSi2 within the used temperature range.

Macha, M.↗

NASA NTRS1980

Glass shell manufacturing in space

Residual gases always found in glass shells are CO2, O2 and N2. In those cases where high water vapor pressure is maintained in the furnace, water is also found in the shells. Other evidence for the existence of water in shells is the presence of water-induced surface weathering of the interior shell surface. Water and CO2 are the predominant volatiles generated by the pyrolysis of both inorganic and hydrolyzed metal-organic gels. The pyrolysates of unhydrolyzed metal-organic gels also contain, in addition to water and CO2, significant levels of organic volatiles, such as ethanol and some hydrocarbons; on complete oxidation, these produce CO2 and water as well. Water is most likely the initial blowing agent, it is produced copiously during the initial stages of heating. In the later stages, CO2 becomes the dominant gas as H2O is lost at increasing rates. Water in the shell arises mainly from gel dehydration, CO2 by sodium bicarbonate/carbonate decomposition and carbon oxidation, and O2 and N2 by permeation of the ambient furnace air through the molten shell wall.

Nolen, R. J.↗

NASA NTRS1980

Atomization of a liquid by a spray nozzle

The theory of atomization by mechanical and pneumatic (or vapor) spray nozzles is discussed. Basic design recommendations resulting from generalization of the material and confirmed by experiments are given. Sprayers which are widely used in the furnaces of stationary steam boilers, the combustion chambers of gas turbines, and industrial furnaces are examined.

Kutateladze, S. S.↗

NASA NTRS1980

Study program to improve the open-circuit voltage of low resistivity single crystal silicon solar cells

The results of a 14 month program to improve the open circuit voltage of low resistivity silicon solar cells are described. The approach was based on ion implantation in 0.1- to 10.0-ohm-cm float-zone silicon. As a result of the contract effort, open circuit voltages as high as 645 mV (AMO 25 C) were attained by high dose phosphorus implantation followed by furnace annealing and simultaneous SiO2 growth. One key element was to investigate the effects of bandgap narrowing caused by high doping concentrations in the junction layer. Considerable effort was applied to optimization of implant parameters, selection of furnace annealing techniques, and utilization of pulsed electron beam annealing to minimize thermal process-induced defects in the completed solar cells.

Minnucci, J. A.↗

NASA NTRS1979

Development of pulsed processes for the manufacture of solar cells

Low-energy ion implantation processes for the automated production of silicon solar cells were investigated. Phosphorus ions at an energy of 10 keV and dose of 2 x 10 to the 15th power/sq cm were implanted in silicon solar cells to produce junctions, while boron ions at 25 keV and 5 x 10 to the 15th power were implanted in the cells to produce effective back surface fields. An ion implantation facility with a beam current up to 4 mA and a production throughput of 300 wafers per hour was designed and installed. A design was prepared for a 100 mA, automated implanter with a production capacity of 100 MW sub e/sq cm per year. Two process sequences were developed which employ ion implantation and furnace or pulse annealing. A computer program was used to determine costs for junction formation by ion implantation and various furnace annealing cycles to demonstrate cost effectiveness of these methods.

Minnucci, J. A.↗

NASA NTRS1980

Glass shell manufacturing in space

A heat transfer model was developed that mathematically describes the heating and calculates the thermal history of a gel particle in free-fall through the furnace. The model parameters that greatly affect the calculations were found to be gel particle mass, geometry, specific heat, and furnace gas. Empirical testing of the model has commenced. The code calculations and the initial empirical testing results both indicate that the gel-to-shell transformation occurs early and rapidly in the thermal history of the gel particle, and that for current work the heat transfer rate is not a limitation in shell production.

Nolen, R. L., Jr.↗

NASA NTRS1980

A study of the factors which control the efficiency of ion-implanted silicon solar cells

The objective of this work was to determine experimentally the ion-implantation parameters and furnace annealing conditions required to produce high-efficiency solar cells. A comprehensive experimental study was conducted in which the optimum ion-implantation parameters were found by a systematic variation of the implant parameters followed by detailed studies of solar-cell devices. Two furnace heat-treatment techniques were found which effectively anneal the implanted layers and at the same time preserve or improve the diffusion length in the bulk silicon. Detailed characteristics of both the junction and bulk properties of solar cells fabricated over the spectrum of implant parameters are discussed. Optimized implant parameters and annealing conditions were found which allow for the fabrication of 14-15-percent (AM1) efficient solar cells.

Douglas, E. C.↗

NASA NTRS1980

Ion-implanted laser annealed silicon solar cells

Development of low cost solar cells fabrication technology is being sponsored by NASA JPL as part of the Low Cost Solar Array Project (LSA). In conformance to Project requirements ion implantation and laser annealing were evaluated as junction formation techniques offering low cost-high throughput potential. Properties of cells fabricated utilizing this technology were analyzed by electrical, transmission electron microscopy, Rutherford backscattering and secondary ion mass spectrometry techniques. Tests indicated the laser annealed substrates to be damage free and electrically active. Similar analysis of ion implanted furnace annealed substrates revealed the presence of residual defects in the form of dislocation lines and loops with substantial impurity redistribution evident for some anneal temperature/time regimes. Fabricated laser annealed cells exhibited improved spectral response and conversion efficiency in comparison to furnace annealed cells. An economic projection for LSA indicates a potential for considerable savings from laser annealing technology.

Katzeff, J. S.↗

NASA NTRS1979

Potential for improved silicon ribbon growth through thermal environment control

The Ribbon-to-Ribbon (RTR) process for growth of silicon ribbon is described. This process involves the fabrication of a microcrystalline ribbon of silicon and subsequent grain size enhancement through a laser recrystallization process. The microribbon is obtained from a Thermal Expansion Shear Separation (TESS) process which allows a CVD layer of silicon to be separated from a temporary molybdenum substrate. Efforts to achieve increased solar cell efficiencies and higher area production rates have been problematical. Furnaces, which are necessary for thermal stress control, have been shown to contribute contamination to substrates resulting in degraded efficiencies. Recent results with a new furnace design indicate efficiencies in excess of 9% will be routine. Limitations to area throughput arise due to fundamental linear velocity limitations and width limitations necessary to prevent the occurrence of thermal buckling. Calculations are reported which show the influence of thermal profile on buckling tendencies, and a proposed electron beam technique is considered which promises high throughput with minimal buckling.

Gurtler, R. W.↗

NASA NTRS1982

Heat-Exchanger Method of Crystal Growth

Large crystals of silicon are grown from melt, in either vacuum or pressurized atmosphere, without moving crucible, furnace, or anything else. Seed crystal is mounted on helium-cooled heat exchanger, which prevents seed from melting when furnace melts rest of silicon material in crucible; heat exchanger draws off heat from melt so that a solid ingot grows outward from seed in a regular crystal structure. Bottom of crucible is insulated so that heat exchanger cools only seed.

Khattak, C. P.↗

NASA NTRS1980

Effects of varying oxygen partial pressure on molten silicon-ceramic substrate interactions

The silicon sessile drop contact angle was measured on hot pressed silicon nitride, silicon nitride coated on hot pressed silicon nitride, silicon carbon coated on graphite, and on Sialon to determine the degree to which silicon wets these substances. The post-sessile drop experiment samples were sectioned and photomicrographs were taken of the silicon-substrate interface to observe the degree of surface dissolution and degradation. Of these materials, silicon did not form a true sessile drop on the SiC on graphite due to infiltration of the silicon through the SiC coating, nor on the Sialon due to the formation of a more-or-less rigid coating on the liquid silicon. The most wetting was obtained on the coated Si3N4 with a value of 42 deg. The oxygen concentrations in a silicon ribbon furnace and in a sessile drop furnace were measured using the protable thoria-yttria solid solution electrolyte oxygen sensor. Oxygen partial pressures of 10 to the minus 7 power atm and 10 to the minus 8 power atm were obtained at the two facilities. These measurements are believed to represent nonequilibrium conditions.

Ownby, D. P.↗