Engineering Papers⌕ Search

SEARCH · Engineering Papers

Results for “boilers”

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 577 records · Page 32
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1984

Long Life Nickel Electrodes for a Nickel-hydrogen Cell: Cycle Life Tests

In order to develop a long life nickel electrode for a Ni/H2 cell, cycle life tests of nickel electrodes were carried out in Hi/H2 boiler plate cells. A 19 test cell matrix was made of various nickel electrode designs including three levels each of plaque mechanical strength, median pore size of the plaque, and active material loading. Test cells were cycled to the end of their life (0.5v) in a 45-minute low earth orbit cycle regime at 80% depth-of-discharge. The results show that the active material loading level affects the cycle life the most with the optimum loading at 1.6 g/cc void. Mechanical strength did not affect the cycle life noticeably in the bend strength range of 400 to 700 psi. The best plaque type appears to be one which is made of INCO nickel powder type 287 and has a median pore size of 13 micron.

Lim, H. S.↗
NASA NTRS1984

Cogeneration Technology Alternatives Study (CTAS). Volume 2: Comparison and evaluation of results

CTAS compared and evaluated various advanced energy conversion systems that can use coal or coal-derived fuels for industrial cogeneration applications. The principal aim of the study was to provide information needed by DOE to establish research and development (R&D) funding priorities for advanced-technology systems that could significantly advance the use of coal or coal-derived fuels in industrial cogeneration. Steam turbines, diesel engines, open-cycle gas turbines, combined cycles, closed-cycle gas turbines, Stirling engines, phosphoric acid fuel cells, molten carbonate fuel cells, and thermionics were studied with technology advancements appropriate for the 1985-2000 time period. The various advanced systems were compared and evaluated for a wide diversity of representative industrial plants on the basis of fuel energy savings, annual energy cost savings, emissions savings, and rate of return on investment (ROI) as compared with purchasing electricity from a utility and providing process heat with an on-site boiler.

Source record↗
NASA NTRS1983

Long life nickel electrodes for a nickel-hydrogen cell. I Initial performance

In order to develop a long life nickel electrode for a Ni/H2 cell, an investigation was begun to study the effects of sinter structure and active material loading level on the long life performance of nickel electrodes. This paper is a report on the initial performance of these electrodes as a part of an accelerated life test program. Seven different types of nickel plaques were made which included three levels of both their mechanical strength and median pore size. These plaques were impregnated with three levels of active material loading. The resultant electrodes were tested by a 200-cycle stress test which was conducted in flooded electrolyte, and also for initial performance in a Ni/H2 boiler plate cell. An interesting and unexpected observation was that an increased initial utilization of the active material was due more to its complete discharge to the lower average oxidation state than its increased charge acceptance in the charged state.

Lim, H. S.↗
NASA NTRS1985

Corrosive Effects of Burning Fuels

Literature synthesized to develop corrosion predictions for unconventional fuels. Report presents studies of probable corrosive effects of such unconventional fuels as liquefied coal. Report prepared by analyzing probable composition of fuels when they come into wide use, identifying important compounds, and searching literature for information about corrosion problems associated with compounds in environments like those in industrial and commercial boilers and furnaces.

Bellan, J.↗
NASA NTRS1985

Other Challenges in the Development of the Orbiter Environmental Control Hardware

Development of the Space Shuttle orbiter environmental control and life support system (ECLSS) included the identification and resolution of several interesting problems in several systems. Some of these problems occurred late in the program, including the flight phase. Problems and solutions related to the ammonia boiler system (ABS), smoke detector, water/hydrogen separator, and waste collector system (WCS) are addressed.

Gibb, J. W.↗
NASA NTRS1985

Carbon granule probe microphone for leak detection

A microphone which is not subject to corrosion is provided by employing carbon granules to sense sound waves. The granules are packed into a ceramic tube and no diaphragm is used. A pair of electrodes is located in the tube adjacent the carbon granules and are coupled to a sensing circuit. Sound waves cause pressure changes on the carbon granules which results in a change in resistance in the electrical path between the electrodes. This change in resistance is detected by the sensing circuit. The microphone is suitable for use as a leak detection probe in recovery boilers, where it provides reliable operation without corrosion problems associated with conventional microphones.

Parthasarathy, S. P.↗
NASA NTRS1984

Long life nickel electrodes for a nickel-hydrogen cell. III - Results of an accelerated test and failure analyses

Nineteen different designs of nickel electrodes were tested in Ni/H2 boiler plate cells in an accelerated low earth orbit cycle regime to the end of their life. The failure analyses of these cells showed that the major performance changes due to the cycling was a severe reduction of their high rate discharge capability rather than an absolute capacity reduction. Many physical changes of the nickel electrodes were observed after the cycling test. These changes include dimensional expansion, sinter rupture, loose black powdering of the active material, morphology changes, active material migration, increase of pore volume, change of pore distribution, and increase of surface area. All of these were caused by active material expansion with cycling. Among these changes, the morphology change which involves migration of active material away from the current collecting nickel sinter appears to be that most responsible for the reduction of the rate capability.

Lim, H. S.↗
NASA NTRS1985

Langley Research Center Standard for the Evaluation of Socket Welds

A specification utilized for the nondestructive evaluation of socket type pipe joints at Langley Research Center (LaRC) is discussed. The scope of hardware shall include, but is not limited to, all common pipe fittings: tees, elbows, couplings, caps, and so forth, socket type flanges, unions, and valves. In addition, the exterior weld of slip on flanges shall be inspected using this specification. At the discretion of the design engineer, standard practice engineer, Fracture Mechanics Engineering Section, Pressure Systems Committee, or other authority, four nondestructive evaluation techniques may be utilized exclusively, or in combination, to inspect socket type welds. These techniques are visual, radiographic, magnetic particle, and dye penetrant. Under special circumstances, other techniques (such as eddy current or ultrasonics) may be required and their application shall be guided by the appropriate sections of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code (B&PVC).

Berry, R. F., Jr.↗
NASA NTRS1985

Long life nickel electrodes for a nickel-hydrogen cell: Cycle life tests

In order to develop a long life nickel electrode for a Ni/H2 cell, the cycle life of nickel electrodes was tested in Ni/H2 boiler plate cells. A 19 test cell matrix was made of various nickel electrode designs including three levels each of plaque mechanical strength, median pore size of the plaque, and active material loading. Test cells were cycled to the end of their life (0.5v) in a 45 minute low Earth orbit cycle regime at 80% depth-of-discharge. It is shown that the active material loading level affects the cycle life the most with the optimum loading at 1.6 g/cc void. Mechanical strength does not affect the cycle life noticeably in the bend strength range of 400 to 700 psi. It is found that the best plaque is made of INCO nickel powder type 287 and has median pore size of 13 micron.

Lim, H. S.↗
NASA NTRS1986

A mathematical approach for evaluating nickel-hydrogen cells

A mathematical equation is presented which gives a quantitative relationship between time-voltage discharge curves, when a cell's ampere-hour capacity is determined at a constant discharge current. In particular the equation quantifies the initial exponential voltage decay; the rate of voltage decay; the overall voltage shift of the curve and the total capacity of the cell at the given discharge current. The results of 12 nickel-hydrogen boiler plate cells cycled to 80 percent depth-of-discharge (DOD) are discussed in association with these equations.

Leibecki, H. F.↗
NASA NTRS1984

Characterization of sprays

It is pointed out that most practical power generation and propulsion systems involve the burning of different types of fuel sprays, taking into account aircraft propulsion, industrial furnaces, boilers, gas turbines, and diesel engines. There has been a lack of data which can serve as a basis for spray model development and validation. A major aim of the present investigation is to fill this gap. Experimental apparatus and techniques for studying the characteristics of fuel sprays are discussed, taking into account two-dimensional still photography, cinematography, holography, a laser diffraction particle sizer, and a laser anemometer. The considered instruments were used in a number of experiments, taking into account three different types of fuel spray. Attention is given to liquid fuel sprays, high pressure pulsed diesel sprays, and coal-water slurry sprays.

Chigier, N.↗
NASA NTRS1985

KOH concentration effect on the cycle life of nickel-hydrogen cells

Effects of KOH concentration on the cycle life of a sintered-type nickel electrode were studied in a boiler plate nickel-hydrogen cell at 23 C using an accelerated 45-min cycle regime at 80 percent depth of discharge. The cycle life improved greatly as the KOH concentration decreased, although the initial capacity of the cell decreased slightly. The cycle life improved by a factor of two or more when the KOH concentration was reduced from 36 to 31 percent and by a similar factor from reductions of 31 to 26 percent. For many applications, this life improvement may outweigh the initial capacity decrease.

Lim, H. S.↗
NASA NTRS1986

Evaluation of the importance of the relative velocity during evaporation of drops in sprays

The importance of relative velocity past individual drops composing a burning spray with an envelope flame is estimated by applying the Bellan and Cuffel (1983) spray evaporation model to an ambient flow going around the spray without penetrating it. The model assumes a spherical spray composed of monodisperse uniformly distributed droplets which all move at the same speed, and relative gas/spray velocities, and spray radii used were representative of boiler and furnace operations. Numerical calculations indicate that the spray is more prone to ambient flow penetration for leaner mixtures (particularly for n = 1/cu cm), lower initial temperatures of gas phase and droplet, and more dilute spray configurations.

Bellan, J.↗
NASA NTRS1986

Acceptance criteria for welds in ASTM A106 grade B steel pipe and plate

Based on the RECERT Program findings, NASA-Langley funded a fatigue study of code-unacceptable welds. Usage curves were developed which were based on the structural integrity of the welds. The details of this study are presented in NASA CR-178114. The information presented is a condensation and reinterpretation of the information in NASA CR-178114. This condensation and reinterpretation generated usage curves for welds having: (1) indications 0.20 -inch deep by 0.40-inch long, and (2) indications 0.195-inch deep by 8.4-inches long. These curves were developed using the procedures used in formulating the design curves in Section VIII, Division 2 of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code.

Hudson, C. M.↗
NASA NTRS1987

Static and dynamic characteristics of parallel-grooved seals

Presented is an analytical method to determine static and dynamic characteristics of annular parallel-grooved seals. The governing equations were derived by using the turbulent lubrication theory based on the law of fluid friction. Linear zero- and first-order perturbation equations of the governing equations were developed, and these equations were analytically investigated to obtain the reaction force of the seals. An analysis is presented that calculates the leakage flow rate, the torque loss, and the rotordynamic coefficients for parallel-grooved seals. To demonstrate this analysis, we show the effect of changing number of stages, land and groove width, and inlet swirl on stability of the boiler feed water pump seals. Generally, as the number of stages increased or the grooves became wider, the leakage flow rate and rotor-dynamic coefficients decreased and the torque loss increased.

Iwatsubo, Takuzo↗
NASA NTRS1987

Sources of atmospheric nitrous oxide from combustion

Emissions of nitrous oxide (N2O) have been analyzed from industrial boilers and from a large experimental combustor burning natural gas, oil, or coal. Production of N2O and production of NO(x) were observed to be correlated, with an average molar ratio of 0.58:1 (N2O-N:NO). In conventional single-stage combustors, about 14 percent of fuel nitrogen is converted to N2O and 24 percent is converted to NO(x). Conversion of fuel nitrogen to N2O was much less efficient in a two-stage experimental combustor and in wood fires. A model is presented describing emissions of N2O globally, from the beginning of the industrial revolution to the present. It is expected that concentrations of N2O should rise more than 20 percent to about 367 ppb by the year 2050, based on conservative projections of world energy consumption.

Hao, W. M.↗
NASA NTRS1987

Design and test of a mechanically pumped two-phase thermal control flight experiment

A flight experiment of a mechanically pumped two-phase ammonia thermal control system, incorporating a number of new component designs, has been assembled and tested in a 1-g environment. Additional microgravity tests are planned on the Space Shuttle when Shuttle flights are resumed. The primary purpose of this experiment is to evaluate the operation of a mechanically pumped two-phase ammonia system, with emphasis on determining the performance of an evaporative Two-Phase Mounting Plate. The experiment also evaluates the performance of other specially designed components, such as the two-phase reservoir for temperature control, condensing radiator/heat sink, spiral tube boiler, and pressure drop experiment. The 1-g tests have shown that start-up of the two-phase experiment is easily accomplished with only a partial fill of ammonia. The experiment maintained a constant mounting plate temperature without flow rate controls over a very wide range of heat loads, flow rates, inlet flow conditions and exit qualities. The tests also showed the successful operation of the mounting plate in the heat sharing condensing mode.

Grote, M. G.↗
NASA NTRS1988

Preassembly Of Insulating Tiles

Concept for preassembling high-temperature insulating tiles speeds and simplifies installation and repair and reduces damage from handling. Preassembly concept facilitates placement of tiles on gently contoured surfaces as well as on flat ones. Tiles bonded to nylon mesh with room-temperature-vulcanizing silicon rubber. Spacing between tiles is 0.03 in. Applications include boilers, kilns, and furnaces.

Izu, Y. D.↗