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At least 559 records · Page 31

CF6 Jet Engine Performance Improvement: High Pressure Turbine Active Clearance Control

An active clearance control system was developed which reduces fuel consumption and performance degradation. This system utilizes compressor discharge air during takeoff and fan discharge air during cruise to impinge on the shroud structure to improve the thermal response. The system was evaluated in component and engine tests. The test results demonstrated a performance improvement of 0.7 percent in cruise SFC.

Rich, S. E.↗

Examination of entrainment, combustibility, and heat transfer due to cell venting inside simplified battery energy storage enclosures

Battery energy storage systems (ESS) assembled of modules containing lithium-ion batteries can pose fire and explosion hazards during thermal runaway because vented gases may accumulate, combust, or escape enclosures. Here, we propose a prototypical configuration composed of the main components of an ESS rack, where modules are represented as rectangles within an enclosure and vent gas is injected steadily through the top of a module. This idealized geometry allows for exploration of how rack-level characteristics can influence smaller single-cell or module-level scales. Through this geometry, we conduct numerical simulations to understand how variations in the vent velocity, temperature, and vertical location affect entrainment rates, fraction of uncombusted fuel, rich-gas coverage, and heat flux to other modules. At lower vent velocities and vertical positions, buoyancy drives enough entrainment and mixing to react with most of the vent gases on the converging plenum. As jet momentum increases and/or buoyancy decreases via higher vent position in the rack, vent gases can propagate into and burn in the divergence plenum. Heat flux to the impinged module scales strongly with vent momentum and temperature, while heat transfer to upper modules peaks when flames in the diverging plenum reach the surface and declines when combustion is suppressed.

Computational fluid dynamics↗

Angular particle impingement studies of thermoplastic materials at normal incidence

Scanning electron microscope studies were conducted to characterize the erosion resistance of polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), polycarbonate (PC), polytetrafluorethylene (PTFE), and ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene (UHMWPE). Erosion was caused by a jet of angular microparticles of crushed glass at normal incidence. Material built up above the original surface on all of the materials. As erosion progressed, this buildup disappeared. UHMWPE was the most resistant material and PMMA the least. The most favorable properties for high erosion resistance were high values of ultimate elongation, maximum service temperature, and strain energy and a low value of the modulus of elasticity. Erosion-rate-versus-time curves of PC and PTFE exhibited incubation, acceleration, and steady-state periods. PMMA also exhibited a deceleration period, and an incubation period with deposition was observed for UHMWPE.

Rao, P. V.↗

Overview of CFD Analyses Supporting the Reusable Solid Rocket Motor (RSRM) Program at MSFC

During the past year, various computational fluid dynamic (CFD) analyses were performed at Marshall Space Flight Center to support the Reusable Solid Rocket Motor program. The successful completion of these analyses involved application of the CFD codes FDNS and CELMINT. The topics addressed by the analyses were: (1) the design and prediction of slag pool accumulation within the five inch test motor, (2) prediction of slag pool behavior and its response to lateral accelerations, (3) the clogging of potential insulation debonds within the nozzle by slag accumulation, (4) the behavior of jets within small voids inside nozzle joint gaps, (5) The effect of increased inhibitor stiffness on motor acoustics, and (6) the effect of a nozzle defect on particle impingement enhanced erosion. The emphasis of this presentation will be to further discuss the work in topics 3, 4, and 5.

Stewart, Eric↗

Solar rocket plume/mirror interactions

The extent to which the plume from a solar thermal rocket will impinge on the solar collector is studied by flow field analysis. Such interaction can adversely affect collector performance through fouling, excessive heat loading, or pressure loads that deform the delicate structures. The geometrical shape of the collector is such that only the flow from the nozzle boundary layer can reach it, but the thrust levels of interest lead to very viscous nozzle flows with thick boundary layers. Reasonable accuracy in solving these flows requires a fully coupled viscous-inviscid procedure. Results show that the fraction of the plume that hits the collector can be well estimated by continuum theory, but that transitional and rarefied phenomena will have some impact on how it is distributed over the surface. Initial results for one representative condition show that approx. 4 percent of the total flow in the jet makes its way to the collector. The pressures on the collector, however, remain quite low because of its distance from the engine. Additional work is needed to document the effect of thrust scaling and wall cooling on impingement.

Yu, Sheng-Tao↗

Spherical micro-glass particle impingement studies of thermoplastic materials at normal incidence

Light optical and scanning electron microscope studies were conducted to characterize the erosion resistance of polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), polycarbonate (PC), polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) and ultra-high-molecular-weight-polyethylene (UHMWPE). Erosion was caused by a jet of spherical micro-glass beads at normal impact. During the initial stages of damage, the surfaces of these materials were studied using a profilometer. Material buildup above the original surface was observed on PC and PMMA. As erosion progressed, this buildup disappeared as the pit became deeper. Little or no buildup was observed on PTFE and on UHMWPE. UHMWPE and PTFE are the most resistant materials and PMMA the least. Favorable properties for high erosion resistance seem to be high values of ultimate elongation, and strain energy and a low value of the modulus of elasticity. Erosion-rate-versus-time curves of PC and PTFE exhibit incubation, acceleration and steady state periods. A continuously increasing erosion rate period was observed however for PMMA instead of a steady state period. At early stages of damage and at low impact pressure material removal mechanisms appear to be similar to those for metallic materials.

Rao, P. V.↗

Spherical microglass particle impingement studies of thermoplastic materials at normal incidence

Light optical and scanning electron microscope studies were conducted to characterize the erosion resistance of polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), polycarbonate (PC), polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) and ultra-high-molecular-weight-polyethylene (UHMWPE). Erosion was caused by a jet of spherical micro-glass beads at normal impact. During the initial stages of damage, the surfaces of these materials were studied using a profilometer. Material buildup above the original surface was observed on PC and PMMA. As erosion progressed, this buildup disappeared as the pit became deeper. Little or no buildup was observed on PTFE and on UHMWPE. UHMWPE and PTFE are the most resistant materials and PMMA the least. Favorable properties for high erosion resistance seem to be high values of ultimate elongation, and strain energy and a low value of the modulus of elasticity. Erosion-rate-versus-time curves of PC and PTFE exhibit incubation, acceleration and steady state periods. A continuously increasing erosion rate period was observed however for PMMA instead of a steady state period. At early stages of damage and at low impact pressure material removal mechanisms appear to be similar to those for metallic materials.

Veerabhadra Rao, P.↗

Experimental Investigation of Water Droplet Impingement on Airfoils, Finite Wings, and an S-duct Engine Inlet

Validation of trajectory computer codes, for icing analysis, requires experimental water droplet impingement data for a wide range of aircraft geometries as well as flow and icing conditions. This report presents improved experimental and data reduction methods for obtaining water droplet impingement data and provides a comprehensive water droplet impingement database for a range of test geometries including an MS(1)-0317 airfoil, a GLC-305 airfoil, an NACA 65(sub 2)-415 airfoil, a commercial transport tail section, a 36-inch chord natural laminar flow NLF(1)-0414 airfoil, a 48-inch NLF(1)-0414 section with a 25 percent chord simple flap, a state-of-the-art three-element high lift system, a NACA 64A008 finite span swept business jet tail, a full-scale business jet horizontal tail section, a 25 percent-scale business jet empennage, and an S-duct turboprop engine inlet. The experimental results were obtained at the NASA Glenn Icing Research Tunnel (IRT) for spray clouds with median volumetric diameter (MVD) of 11, 11.5, 21, 92, and 94 microns and for a range of angles of attack. The majority of the impingement experiments were conducted at an air speed of 175 mph corresponding to a Reynolds number of approximately 1.6 million per foot. The maximum difference of repeated tests from the average ranged from 0.24 to 12 percent for most of the experimental results presented. This represents a significant improvement in test repeatability compared to previous experimental studies. The increase in test repeatability was attributed to improvements made to the experimental and data reduction methods. Computations performed with the LEWICE-2D and LEWICE-3D computer codes for all test configurations are presented in this report. For the test cases involving median volumetric diameters of 11 and 21 microns, the correlation between the analytical and experimental impingement efficiency distributions was good. For the median volumetric diameters of 92 and 94-micron cases, however, the analysis produced higher impingement efficiencies and larger impingement limits than the experiment. It is speculated that this discrepancy is due to droplet splashing and breakup experienced by large droplets during impingement.

Papadakis, Michael↗

Shock-wave-induced mixing enhancement in scramjet combustors

An experimental study of the interaction between a weak shock wave and a supersonic shear layer was carried out to determine the possibility of shock-induced mixing enhancement. A supersonic (Mach 2.5) stream of nitrogen was mixed with a sonic helium jet downstream of a rearward-facing step to simulate the mixing region in the vicinity of a SCRAMJET flameholder. A small wedge was used to generate an oblique shock wave that impinges on the mixing layer. Schlieren flow visualization and Rayleigh scattering concentration measurements were carried out. The results indicate that significant spreading of the shear layer may occur downstream of the shock/shear layer interaction region. Further study is required to determine the mechanism of the observed spreading and the extent of the increase in mixing efficiency. Since there are shock-induced losses, an optimum mixing enhancement configuration will have to be determined before the method can be validated and successfully implemented in a SCRAMJET combustor.

Menon, S.↗

Space Shuttle hypersonic flight research and the comparison to ground test results

Aerodynamic and aerothermodynamic comparisons between flight and ground test for the Space Shuttle at hypersonic speeds are discussed. All of the comparisons are taken from papers published by researchers active in the Space Shuttle program. The aerodynamic comparisons include stability and control derivatives, center-of-pressure location, and reaction control jet interaction. Comparisons are also discussed for various forms of heating including catalytic, boundary layer, top centerline, side fuselage, OMS pod, wing leading edge, and shock interaction. The jet interaction and center-of-pressure location flight values exceeded not only the predictions but the uncertainties of the predictions. Predictions were significantly exceeded for the heating caused by the vortex impingement on the OMS pods and for heating caused by the wing leading-edge shock interaction.

Iliff, Kenneth W.↗

Space Shuttle hypersonic aerodynamic and aerothermodynamic flight research and the comparison to ground test results

Aerodynamic and aerothermodynamic comparisons between flight and ground test for the Space Shuttle at hypersonic speeds are discussed. All of the comparisons are taken from papers published by researchers active in the Space Shuttle program. The aerodynamic comparisons include stability and control derivatives, center-of-pressure location, and reaction control jet interaction. Comparisons are also discussed for various forms of heating, including catalytic, boundary layer, top centerline, side fuselage, OMS pod, wing leading edge, and shock interaction. The jet interaction and center-of-pressure location flight values exceeded not only the predictions but also the uncertainties of the predictions. Predictions were significantly exceeded for the heating caused by the vortex impingement on the OMS pods and for heating caused by the wing leading-edge shock interaction.

Iliff, Kenneth W.↗

Method for Thermal Spraying of Coatings Using Resonant-Pulsed Combustion

A method has been devised for high-volume, high-velocity surface deposition of protective metallic coatings on otherwise vulnerable surfaces. Thermal spraying is used whereby the material to be deposited is heated to the melting point by passing through a flame. Rather than the usual method of deposition from the jet formed from the combustion products, this innovation uses non-steady combustion (i.e. high-frequency, periodic, confined bursts), which generates not only higher temperatures and heat transfer rates, but exceedingly high impingement velocities an order of magnitude higher than conventional thermal systems. Higher impingement rates make for better adhesion. The high heat transfer rates developed here allow the deposition material to be introduced, not as an expensive powder with high surface-area-to-volume, but in convenient rod form, which is also easier and simpler to feed into the system. The nonsteady, resonant combustion process is self-aspirating and requires no external actuation or control and no high-pressure supply of fuel or air. The innovation has been demonstrated using a commercially available resonant combustor shown in the figure. Fuel is naturally aspirated from the tank through the lower Tygon tube and into the pulsejet. Air for starting is ported through the upper Tygon tube line. Once operation commences, this air is no longer needed as additional air is naturally aspirated through the inlet. A spark plug on the device is needed for starting, but the process carries on automatically as the operational device is resonant and reignites itself with each 220-Hz pulse.

Paxson, Daniel E.↗

Noise tests on an externally blown flap with the engine in front of the wing

Noise tests were conducted with a nozzle exhausting over a small scale model of an externally blown flap (EBF) lift-augmentation system, with exhaust impingement on the wing leading edge. Two series of tests were conducted: with wing leading edge inside the nozzle; and with leading edge set back from the nozzle exit plane 1 diameter on the jet axis. The results indicated no significant differences in spectral shape, level, or directivity pattern. Static lift and thrust tests were conducted on the same model indicated considerable flow attachment on both configurations, with slightly greater attachment and turning for the wing outside the nozzle. Finally, a comparison with engine-above- and engine-below-the-wing EBF's tested by previous investigators shows the acoustic performance of the configurations tested for this report to lie between the other two.

Karchmer, A. M.↗

Automating an orbiter approach to Space Station Freedom to minimize plume impingement

The Space shuttle orbiter Reaction Control System's (RCS) plume impingement during proximity operations with Space Station Freedom (SSF) is a structural design driver for the SSF solar panels and radiators. A study underway at JSC is investigating whether the use of an automated approach controller could result in the reduction of plume impingement induced loads during orbiter approach to SSF. Ongoing real time person-in-the-loop (PIL) simulations of an orbiter approaching the SSF show that orbiter trajectory control can vary significantly from one pilot to the next. This variation is a cause for concern since current analyses predict that plume impingement loads resulting from PIL orbiter approaches may exceed the solar panel and radiator load limits. The use of an automated approach controller is expected to reduce peak loads by both minimizing orbiter translational jet firings in certain directions and controlling the frequency at which they occur during various phases of the approach.

Spehar, Peter T.↗

Experimental Measurements of Soot and Soot Precursors of Sustainable Aviation Fuels

Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAFs) are promising for decarbonizing the challenging-to-electrify aerospace sector and reducing yearly greenhouse gas emissions by thousands of tons. Developing predictive detailed chemical kinetic models for SAF (and traditional) fuel mixtures necessitates a robust experimental database to elucidate the intricate pyrolysis and oxidation chemistry of SAF fuel blend components. Two critical components of SAF surrogate mixtures are iso-dodecane isomers and trans-decalin. This report characterizes the structure of three slightly sooting, laminar, non-premixed, nitrogen-diluted Planar Mixing Layer Flames (PMLFs) fueled by either pure ethylene, ethylene doped with 1500ppm of either 2,2,4,6,6-pentamethyl-heptane or trans-decalin. The flames have the same stoichiometric mixture fraction and total mole fraction of fuels in the fuel stream (X F,F = X C2H4,F + X Dopant,F = 0.26), resulting in approximately the same maximum temperature (T max ≈ 1800 K) to highlight the effect of doping on soot and its gaseous precursors. The PMLF is unconfined and established between adjacent planar jets of the fuel and oxidizer streams surrounded by annular shielding nitrogen. The flow is stabilized by exhausting the hot buoyant flame products through a slot in a downstream plate onto which the cold flow impinges. Importantly, any horizontal cross-section of the PMLF has a self-similar thermochemical structure of a reactive boundary layer that grows at increasing Height Above the Burner (HAB). Therefore, the horizontal cross-sections of a PMLF can be modeled as a One-Dimensional Counterflow Flame (1D-CF) with very low strain rates which are unachievable in traditional CFs and yield a structure that is several millimeters thick. In brief, the PMLF is ideal for performing spatially resolved measurements with minimal effects of the sampling-induced perturbations, to develop and validate detailed chemical kinetic models on time scales of a few tens of milliseconds that are relevant in aviation applications. The horizontal profiles of C0-C18 gaseous species at HAB = 50 mm and soot volume fraction at 25 and 50 mm are measured using capillary sampling followed by GC-MS analyses and Laser Induced Emission Spectroscopy (LIES), respectively. Additionally, the Elastic Laser Light Scattering (E-LLS) coefficient is measured at HAB = 50 mm and 25 mm to determine the strain rates of the 1D-CFs equivalent to the characterized PMLF horizontal cross sections and the profile of the E-LLS equivalent diameter of soot. The comparison of the results in the base PMLF fueled only by ethylene with those in either doped PMLF in which 1500 ppm of ethylene are replaced with 2,2,4,6,6-pentamethyl-heptane or trans-decalin, reveals that the doping increases the mole fraction of several Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) at both HABs by a factor of approximately 2.5, and the soot volume fraction at both HABs by factors of ~1.5 for 2,2,4,6,6-pentamethyl-heptane and ~1.25 for trans-decalin doping, respectively. Conversely, doping causes a near doubling of the soot equivalent diameter only at HAB = 50 mm, without significant effects at 25 mm. The experimental results partially validate the tested state-of-the-art detailed chemical kinetic model and also point toward the further improvement of its predictive capabilities.

10 SYNTHETIC FUELS↗

Simulation of preburner sprays, volumes 1 and 2

The present study considered characteristics of sprays under a variety of conditions. Control of these sprays is important as the spray details can control both rocket combustion stability and efficiency. Under the present study Imperial College considered the following: (1) Measurement of the size and rate of spread of the sprays produced by single coaxial airblast nozzles with axial gaseous stream. The local size, velocity, and flux characteristics for a wide range of gas and liquid flowrates were measured, and the results were correlated with the conditions of the spray at the nozzle exit. (2) Examination of the effect of the geometry of single coaxial airblast atomizers on spray characteristics. The gas and liquid tube diameters were varied over a range of values, the liquid tube recess was varied, and the shape of the exit of the gaseous jet was varied from straight to converging. (3) Quantification of the effect of swirl in the gaseous stream on the spray characteristics produced by single coaxial airblast nozzles. (4) Quantification of the effect of reatomization by impingement of the spray on a flat disc positioned around 200 mm from the nozzle exit. This models spray impingement on the turbopump dome during the startup process of the preburner of the SSME. (5) Study of the interaction between multiple sprays without and with swirl in their gaseous stream. The spray characteristics of single nozzles were compared with that of three identical nozzles with their axis at a small distance from each other. This study simulates the sprays in the preburner of the SSME, where there are around 260 elements on the faceplate of the combustion chamber. (6) Design an experimental facility to study the characteristics of sprays at high pressure conditions and at supercritical pressure and temperature for the gas but supercritical pressure and subcritical temperature for the liquid.

Hardalupas, Y.↗

Simulation of preburner sprays, volume 1

Under the present contract a study was made on the characteristics of the sprays of coaxial injectors with particular emphasis on those aspects relevant to the performance of rocket engines. The technical effort was performed primarily by Imperial College of Science and Technology and the details of this effort are contained in the accompanying technical report by Hardalupas and Whitelaw, which forms Vol. 2 of the report. The role of Scientific Research Associates was review of material, initial direction of the technical effort and review of all reports. The study considered characteristics of sprays under a variety of conditions. Control of these sprays is important as the spray details can control both rocket combustion stability and efficiency. Imperial College considered the following: first, measurement of the size and rate of spread of the sprays produced by single coaxial airblast nozzles with axial gaseous stream. The local size, velocity and flux characteristics for a wide range of gas and liquid flowrates were measured and the results were correlated with the conditions of the spray at the nozzle exit. Second, examination of the effect of the geometry of single coaxial airblast atomizers on spray characteristics. The gas and liquid tube diameters were varied over a range of values, the liquid tube recess was varied and the shape of the exit of the gaseous jet was varied from straight to converging. Third, quantification of the effect of swirl in the gaseous stream on the spray characteristics produced by single coaxial airblast nozzles. Fourth, quantification of the effect of reatomization by impingement of the spray on a flat disc positioned around 200 mm from the nozzle exit. This models spray impingement on the turbopump dome during the startup process of the preburner of the Space Shuttle Main Engine (SSME). Fifth, study of the interaction between multiple sprays without and with swirl in their gaseous stream. The spray characteristics of single nozzles were compared with that of three identical nozzles with their axis at a small distance from each other. This study simulates the sprays in the preburner of the SSME, where there are around 260 elements on the faceplate of the combustion chamber. And lastly, design an experimental facility to study the characteristics of sprays at high pressure conditions and at supercritical pressure and temperature for the gas but supercritical pressure and subcritical temperature for the liquid.

Source record↗

The whistler nozzle phenomenon

The whistler nozzle is a simple device which can induce jet self-excitations of controllable amplitudes and frequencies and appears highly promising for many applications involving turbulent transport, combustion and aerodynamic noise. The characteristics of this curious phenomenon are documented for different values of the controlling parameters and attempts to explain the phenomenon. It is shown that the whistler excitation results from the coupling of two independent resonance mechanisms: shear-layer tone resulting from the impingement of the pipe-exit shear layer on the collar lip, and organ-pipe resonance of the pipe-nozzle. The crucial role of the shear-layer tone in driving the organ-pipe resonance is proven by reproducing the event in pipe-ring and pipe-hole configurations in the absence of the collar. It is also shown that this phenomenon is the strongest when the self-excitation frequency matches the preferred mode of the jet.

Hussain, A. K. M. F.↗