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At least 577 records · Page 32

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NASA NTRS1991

Liquid drop behavior in dense and dilute clusters

It is argued that models of droplet clusters must be flexible enough to accommodate both dilute and dense configurations, and cluster drop number density influences many of the crucial aspects of combustion. Current models of drop interactions are described, and it is shown that they have limitations that prevent their being used as subgrid models. An approach for modeling drop interactions which has the potential for use as a subgrid model is presented.

Bellan, Josette↗

NASA NTRS1992

Studies of the effects of curvature on dilution jet mixing

An analytical program was conducted using both three-dimensional numerical and empirical models to investigate the effects of transition liner curvature on the mixing of jets injected into a confined crossflow. The numerical code is of the TEACH type with hybrid numerics; it uses the power-law and SIMPLER algorithms, an orthogonal curvilinear coordinate system, and an algebraic Reynolds stress turbulence model. From the results of the numerical calculations, an existing empirical model for the temperature field downstream of single and multiple rows of jets injected into a straight rectangular duct was extended to model the effects of curvature. Temperature distributions, calculated with both the numerical and empirical models, are presented to show the effects of radius of curvature and inner and outer wall injection for single and opposed rows of cool dilution jets injected into a hot mainstream flow.

Holdeman, James D.↗

NASA NTRS1991

Role of valence electrons in phase transformation kinetics of thallium and its dilute alloys

The kinetics of the phase transformation of thallium and its dilute alloys were investigated using XRD and calorimetry. Pure thallium exhibits a beta(bcc) to alpha(hcp) phase transformation on cooling at 508 K. With alloying additions, the crystal structure for each phase does not change, although the size of the unit cell increases. The enthalpy and the temperature of phase transformation of each alloy have been determined. The chemical free energy change associated with the phase transformation of each alloy was calculated. The valence electrons make an outstanding contribution to the chemical free energy change required for the phase change.

Ahmed, R.↗

NASA NTRS1992

Numerical studies of dilute and dense spray characteristics

Several issues involving the improvement of physical submodels and the computational efficiency in modeling dilute and dense spray combustion are discussed. First, the implementations of a dispersion width approach accounting for turbulent dispersion within each computational parcel is discussed. This is essentially a statistical transport model and the testings of this model confirm the capability of accurately representing dispersion in nearly-homogeneous and inhomogeneous turbulent flows with improved efficiency over the delta function stochastic separated flow model. To account for the dense spray effects, an existing drop collision and coalescence model and a Taylor analogy breakup (TAB) model were employed. These models were incorporated into a state-of-the-art multiphase all-speed transient flow solution procedure. Several examples including nonevaporating, evaporating, and burning dense spray cases were studied. The numerical results show reasonably good comparisons with available experimental data in terms of spray penetration, drop sizes, and overall configuration of a spray flame.

Kim, Y. M.↗

NASA NTRS1994

On the various forms of the energy equation for a dilute, monatomic mixture of nonreacting gases

In the case of gas mixtures, the governing equations become rather formidable and a complete listing of the equations in their various forms and methods to evaluate the transport coefficients is difficult to find. This paper seeks to compile common, as well as less well known, results in a single document. Various relationships between equations describing conservation of energy for a dilute, monatomic, nonreacting gas in local equilibrium are provided. The gas is treated as nonrelativistic, not subject to magnetic or electric fields, or radiative effects.

Kennedy, Christopher A.↗

NASA NTRS1996

Chain Dynamics in a Dilute Magnetorheological Fluid

The structure, formation, and dynamics of dilute, mono-dispersive ferrofluid emulsions in an external magnetic field have been investigated using dynamic light scattering techniques. In the absence of the magnetic field, the emulsion particles are randomly distributed and behave like hard spheres in Brownian motion. An applied magnetic field induces a magnetic dipole moment in each particle. Dipolar interactions between particles align them into chains where correlation functions show two decay processes. The short-time decay shows the motion of straight chains as a whole where the apparent chain length increases with the applied magnetic field and the particle volume fraction. Good scaling results are obtained showing that the apparent chain length grows with time following a power law with exponent of 0.6 and depends on the applied field, particle volume fraction, and diffusion constant of the particles. The long-time decay in the correlation function shows oscillation when the chains reach a certain length with time and stiffness with threshold field This result shows that chains not only fluctuate, but move in a periodic motion with a frequency of 364 Hz at lambda = 15. It may suggest the existence of phonons. This work is the first step in the understanding of the structure formation, especially chain coarsening mechanism, of magnetorheological (MR) fluids at higher volume fractions.

Liu, Jing↗

NASA NTRS1996

Self-Diffusion of Drops in a Dilute Sheared Emulsion

Self-diffusion coefficients that describe cross-flow migration of non-Brownian drops in a dilute sheared emulsion were obtained by trajectory calculations. A boundary integral formulation was used to describe pairwise interactions between deformable drops; interactions between undeformed drops were described with mobility functions for spherical drops. The results indicate that drops have large anisotropic self-diffusivities which depend strongly on the drop viscosity and modestly on the shear-rate. Pairwise interactions between drops in shear-flow do not appreciably promote drop breakup.

Loewenberg, Michael↗

NASA NTRS1999

Effects of Gravity on the Double-Diffusive Convection during Directional Solidification of a Non-Dilute Alloy with Application to the HgCdTe

General 2-D and 3-D finite element model of non-dilute alloy solidification was used to simulate growth of HgCdTe in terrestrial and microgravity conditions. Parametric research was undertaken to investigate effects of gravity level, gravity vector orientation and growth velocity on the pattern of melt convection, shape of crystal/melt interface and radial thermal gradient. Verification of the model was undertaken by comparison with previously published results. For low growth velocities plane front solidification occurs. The location and the shape of the interface was determined using melting temperatures obtained from the HgCdTe liquidus curve. The low thermal conductivity of the solid HgCdTe causes thermal short circuit through the ampoule walls, resulting in curved isotherms in the vicinity of the interface. Double-diffusive convection in the melt is caused by radial temperature gradients and by material density inversion with temperature. Cooling from below and the rejection at the solid-melt interface of the heavier HgTe-rich solute each tend to reduce convection. Because of these complicating factors dimensional rather then non-dimensional modeling was performed. For gravity levels higher then 10(exp -7) of terrestrial one it was found that the maximum convection velocity is extremely sensitive to gravity vector orientation and can be reduced at least by 50% by choosing proper orientation of the ampoule. The predicted interface shape is in agreement with one obtained experimentally by quenching.

Bune, Andris↗

NASA NTRS1999

Effects of Gravity on the Double-Diffusive Convection During Directional Solidification of a Non-Dilute Alloy with Application to HgCdTe

A general 2-D and 3-D finite element model of non-dilute alloy solidification was used to simulate growth of HgCdTe in terrestrial and microgravity conditions. Verification of the 3-D model was undertaken by comparison with previously published results on convection in an inclined cylinder. For low growth velocities, plane front solidification occurs. The location and the shape of the interface were determined using melting temperatures obtained from the HgCdTe liquidus curve. The low thermal conductivity of the solid HgCdTe causes a thermal short circuit through the ampoule walls, resulting in curved isotherms in the vicinity of the interface. Double-diffusive convection in the melt is caused by radial temperature gradients and by material density inversion due to the combined effects of composition and temperature. Cooling from below and the rejection at the solid-melt interface of the heavier HgTe-rich solute each tend to reduce convection. Because of these complicating factors, dimensional rather than non-dimensional modeling was performed. the predicted interface shape is in agreement with one obtained experimentally by quenching.

Bune, Andris V.↗

NASA NTRS1998

3-D Modeling of Double-Diffusive Convection During Directional Solidification of a Non-Dilute Alloy with Application to the HgCdTe Growth Under Microgravity Conditions

A numerical calculation for a non-dilute alloy solidification was performed using the FIDAP finite element code. For low growth velocities plane front solidification occurs. The location and the shape of the interface was determined using melting temperatures from the HgCdTe liquidus curve. The low thermal conductivity of the solid HgCdTe causes thermal short circuit through the ampoule walls, resulting in curved isotherms in the vicinity of the interface. Double-diffusive convection in the melt is caused by radial temperature gradients and by material density inversion with temperature. Cooling from below and the rejection at the solid-melt interface of the heavier HgTe-rich solute each tend to reduce convection. Because of these complicating factors dimensional rather then non-dimensional modeling was performed. Estimates of convection contributions for various gravity conditions was performed parametrically. For gravity levels higher then 1 0 -7 of earth's gravity it was found that the maximum convection velocity is extremely sensitive to gravity vector orientation and can be reduced at least by factor of 50% for precise orientation of the ampoule in the microgravity environment. The predicted interface shape is in agreement with one obtained experimentally by quenching. The results of 3-D modeling are compared with previous 2-D finding. A video film featuring melt convection will be presented.

Bune, Andris V.↗

NASA NTRS1999

The Effects of Buoyancy and Dilution on the Structure and Lift-Off of Coflow Laminar Diffusion Flames

The ability to predict the coupled effects of complex transport phenomena with detailed chemical kinetics in diffusion flames is critical in the modeling of turbulent reacting flows and in understanding the processes by which soot formation and radiative transfer take place. In addition, an understanding of those factors that affect flame extinction in diffusion flames is critical in the suppression of fires and in improving engine efficiency. A goal of this work is to bring to microgravity flame studies the detailed experimental and numerical tools that have been used to study ground-based systems. This will lead to a more detailed understanding of the interaction of convection, diffusion and chemistry in a nonbuoyant environment. To better understand these phenomena, experimental and computational studies of a coflow laminar diffusion flame have been carried out. To date, these studies have focused on a single set of flow conditions, in which a nitrogen-diluted methane fuel stream (65% methane by volume) was surrounded by an air coflow, with exit velocities matched at 35 cm/s. Of particular interest is the change in flame shape due to the absence of buoyant forces, as well as the amount of diluent in the fuel stream and the coflow velocity. As a sensitive marker of changes in the flame shape, the number densities of excited-state CH (A(exp 2 delta) denoted CH*), and excited-state OH (A(exp 2 sigma, denoted OH*) are measured. CH* and OH* number densities are deconvoluted from line-of-sight chemiluminescence measurements made on the NASA KC135 reduced-gravity aircraft. Measured signal levels are calibrated, post-flight, with Rayleigh scattering. In extending the study to microgravity conditions, improvements to the computational model have been made and new calculations performed for a range of gravity conditions. In addition, modifications to the experimental approach were required as a consequence of the constraints imposed by existing microgravity facilities. Results from the computations and experiments are presented.

Walsh, Kevin T.↗

NASA NTRS2000

Modeling of a Non-Dilute Alloy Solidification Under Terrestrial and Microgravity Conditions

A general finite element model of non-dilute alloy solidification was used to simulate growth of HgCdTe from the melt. 2-D and 3-D models with and without Oberbeck-Boussinesq (O-B) approximation were used. Verification of the 3-D model was based on experimental data. The location and the shape of the interface were determined using melting temperatures obtained from the HgCdTe liquidus curve. Double-diffusive convection in the melt is caused by radial temperature gradients and by rejection at the solid-melt interface of the heavier HgTe-rich solute. Because of these complicating factors, dimensional rather than non-dimensional modeling was performed. Models based on complete set of Navier-Stokes equations for compressible media are superior to the O-B approximation in microgravity, because they provide more accurate estimation of convection.

Bune, Andris V.↗

NASA NTRS2001

Helium Dilution Cryocooler for Space Applications

NASA's New Millenium Program Space Technology presents the Helium Dilution Cryocooler for Space Applications. The topics include: 1) Capability; 2) Applications; and 3) Advantages. This paper is in viewgraph form.

Roach, Pat↗

NASA NTRS1984

Dilution Jets in Accelerated Cross Flows

Results of flow visualization experiments and measurements of the temperature field produced by a single jet and a row of dilution jets issued into a reverse flow combustor are presented. The flow in such combustors is typified by transverse and longitudinal acceleration during the passage through its bending section. The flow visualization experiments were designed to examine the separate effects of longitudinal and transverse acceleration on the jet trajectory and spreading rate. A model describing a dense single jet in a lighter accelerating cross flow is developed. The model is based on integral conservation equations, including the pressure terms appropriate to accelerating flows. It uses a modified entrainment correlation obtained from previous experiments of a jet in a cross stream. The flow visualization results are compared with the model calculations in terms of trajectories and spreading rates. Each experiment is typified by a set of three parameters: momentum ratio, density ratio, and the densimetric Froude number. When injection velocities are large or densities are small, the Froude number becomes very large and hence, unimportant. Therefore, the Froude number is generally significant in describing liquid experiments but is unimportant for the gas experiments in the combustor. Agreement between test and calculated results is encouraging but tends to become poorer with increasing momentum ratio. The temperature measurements are presented primarily in the form of consecutive normalized temperature profiles. Some interpolated isothermal contours are also shown. The single jet trajectories are consistently found to be swept towards the inner wall of the bend, whether injection is from the outer or the inner wall. This behavior is explained by a drifting effect which consists of a transverse velocity component across the combustor due to the developing nature of the flow along it. Plots of lateral temperature distributions of the jet indicate that under longitudinal acceleration conditions the thermal spreading of the jet may be completely suppressed. Comparison between combustor experimental results and model calculations shows poor agreement due to the drifting effect which is not taken into consideration in the model calculations. The row of jets experiments are characterized by two additional parameters: spacing ratio and confinement parameter. The results are shown in the form of consecutive normalized temperature profiles. The confinement parameter appears to become increasingly important with decreasing spacing ratio, in particular when its effect is enhanced by the drifting phenomenon and associated pressure field. A tightly spaced row of jets injected from the inner wall, prior to the bend, is surprisingly kept attached to the inner wall in spite of the strong turning. A similar attachment for a jet injected from the outer wall is not observed.

Lipshitz, Abraham↗

NASA NTRS2003

The Solidification Velocity of Undercooled Nickel and Titanium Alloys with Dilute Solute

The study of solidification velocity is important for two reasons. First, understanding the manner in which the degree of undercooling of the liquid and solidification velocity affect the microstructure of the solid is fundamental. Second, there is disagreement between theoretical predictions of the relationship between undercooling and solidification velocity and experimental results. Thus, the objective of this research is to accurately and systematically quantify the solidification velocity as a function of undercooling for dilute nickel-and titanium-based alloys. The alloys chosen for study cover a wide range of equilibrium partition coefficients, and the results are compared to current theory.

Algoso, Paul R.↗

NASA NTRS2003

Determination of Mercury Content in a Shallow Firn Core from Summit, Greenland by Isotope Dilution Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry

The total mercury Hg content was determined in 6 cm sections of a near-surface 7 m firn core and in surrounding surface snow from Summit, Greenland (elevation: 3238 m, 72.58 N, 38.53 W) in May 2001 by isotope dilution cold-vapor inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ID-CV-ICP-MS). The focus of this research was to evaluate the capability of the ID-CV-ICPMS technique for measuring trace levels of Hg typical of polar snow and firn. Highly enriched Hg-201 isotopic spike is added to approximately 10 ml melted core and thoroughly mixed. The Hg(+2) in the sample is reduced on line with tin (II) chloride (SnCl2) and the elemental Hg (Hg(0)) vapor pre-concentrated on to gold gauze using a commercial amalgam system. The Hg is then thermally desorbed and introduced into a quadrupole ICP-MS. The blank corrected Hg concentrations determined for all samples ranged from 0.25 ng/L to 1.74 ng/L (ppt) (average 0.59 ng/L plus or minus 0.28 ng/L) and fall within the range of those previously determined by Boutron et al., 1998 (less than or equal to 0.05 ng/L to 2.0 ng/L) for the Summit site. The average blank value was 0.19 ng/L plus or minus 0.045 ng/L (n=6). The Hg values specifically for the firn core range from 0.25 ng/L to 0.87 ng/L (average 0.51 ng/L plus or minus 0.13 ng/L) and show both values declining with time and larger variability in concentration in the top 1.8 m.

Mann, Jacqueline L.↗

NASA NTRS2003

Sooting Limits Of Diffusion Flames With Oxygen-Enriched Air And Diluted Fuel

Oxygen-enhanced combustion permits certain benefits and flexibility that are not otherwise available in the design of practical combustors, as discussed by Baukal. The cost of pure and enriched oxygen has declined to the point that oxygen-enhanced combustion is preferable to combustion in air for many applications. Carbon sequestration is greatly facilitated by oxygen enrichment because nitrogen can be eliminated from the product stream. For example, when natural gas (or natural gas diluted with CO2) is burned in pure oxygen, the only significant products are water and CO2. Oxygen-enhanced combustion also has important implications for soot formation, as explored in this work. We propose that soot inception in nonpremixed flames requires a region where C/O ratio, temperature, and residence time are above certain critical values. Soot does not form at low temperatures, with the threshold in nonpremixed flames ranging from about 1250-1650 K, a temperature referred to here as the critical temperature for soot inception, Tc. Soot inception also can be suppressed when residence time is short (equivalently, when the strain rate in counterflow flames is high). Soot induction times of 0.8-15 ms were reported by Tesner and Shurupov for acetylene/nitrogen mixtures at 1473 K. Burner stabilized spherical microgravity flames are employed in this work for two main reasons. First, this configuration offers unrestricted control over convection direction. Second, in steady state these flames are strain-free and thus can yield intrinsic sooting limits in diffusion flames, similar to the way past work in premixed flames has provided intrinsic values of C/O ratio associated with soot inception limits.

Sunderland, P. B.↗

NASA NTRS2003

Investigation of electrolyte measurement in diluted whole blood using spectroscopic and chemometric methods

The feasibility of using near-infrared (NIR) spectroscopy in combination with partial least-squares (PLS) regression was explored to measure electrolyte concentration in whole blood samples. Spectra were collected from diluted blood samples containing randomized, clinically relevant concentrations of Na+, K+, and Ca2+. Sodium was also studied in lysed blood. Reference measurements were made from the same samples using a standard clinical chemistry instrument. Partial least squares (PLS) was used to develop calibration models for each ion with acceptable results (Na+, R2 = 0.86, CVSEP = 9.5 mmol/L; K+, R2 = 0.54, CVSEP = 1.4 mmol/L; Ca2+, R2 = 0.56, CVSEP = 0.18 mmol/L). Slightly improved results were obtained using a narrower wavelength region (470-925 nm) where hemoglobin, but not water, absorbed indicating that ionic interaction with hemoglobin is as effective as water in causing measurable spectral variation. Good models were also achieved for sodium in lysed blood, illustrating that cell swelling, which is correlated with sodium concentration, is not required for calibration model development.

Non-NASA Center↗