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NASA NTRS2000

Effects of Melt Convection and Solid Transport on Macrosegregation and Grain Structure in Equiaxed Al-Cu Alloys

Macrosegregation in metal casting can be caused by thermal and solutal melt convection, and the transport of unattached solid crystals resulting from nucleation in the bulk liquid or dendrite fragmentation. To develop a comprehensive numerical model for the casting of alloys, an experimental study has been conducted to generate benchmark data with which such a solidification model could be tested. The objectives were: (1) experimentally study the effects of solid transport and thermosolutal convection on macrosegregation and grain size; and (2) provide a complete set of boundary conditions temperature data, segregation data, and grain size data - to validate numerical models. Through the control of end cooling and side wall heating, radial temperature gradients in the sample and furnace were minimized. Thus the vertical crucible wall was adiabatic. Samples at room temperature were 24 cc and 95 mm long. The alloys used were Al-1 wt. pct. Cu, and Al- 10 wt. pct. Cu; the starting point for solidification was isothermal at 710 and 685 C respectively. To induce an equiaxed structure various amounts of the grain refiner TiB2 were added. Samples were either cooled from the top, or the bottom. Several trends in the data stand out. In attempting to model these experiments, concentrating on these trends or differences may be beneficial.

Rerko, Rodney S.↗
NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Sensitivity of Simulated Radiative Emission from Nitrogen Flows to Chemical Parameters

Numerical models of hypersonic flows rely on chemistry data inferred from experiments and quantum calculations. Experiments from NASA's Electric Arc Shock Tube (EAST) measure the spectral emission of strong shocks in pure nitrogen flows. These spectral profiles are only approximately captured by numerical simulations. To address these discrepancies, one wishes to calibrate some of the chemical parameters to better match experiment. Because there are hundreds of parameters in the numerical model, a sensitivity analysis was carried out on the entire chemistry database to determine which parameters are most important to analyze in the future. In order to perform this work it was necessary to generate a consistent chemical database that interfaced with both the CFD and line-by-line radiation solver. Using Monte Carlo methods, the total Sobol index was calculated for important parameters. Twenty parameters were identified as important across the nitrogen system. However, it was noted that in some spectral regions, the parametric uncertainty was unable to bound EAST measurements. Further improvements could be made by increasing the parameter uncertainties or addressing other sources of modeling error.

Kaelan B Hansson↗
NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Sensitivity of Simulated Radiative Emission from Nitrogen Flows to Chemical Parameters

Numerical models of hypersonic flows rely on chemistry data inferred from experiments and quantum calculations. Experiments from NASA's Electric Arc Shock Tube (EAST) measure the spectral emission of strong shocks in pure nitrogen flows. These spectral profiles are only approximately captured by numerical simulations. To address these discrepancies, one wishes to calibrate some of the chemical parameters to better match experiment. Because there are hundreds of parameters in the numerical model, a sensitivity analysis was carried out on the entire chemistry database to determine which parameters are most important to analyze in the future. In order to perform this work it was necessary to generate a consistent chemical database that interfaced with both the CFD and line-by-line radiation solver. Using Monte Carlo methods, the total Sobol index was calculated for important parameters. Twenty parameters were identified as important across the nitrogen system. However, it was noted that in some spectral regions, the parametric uncertainty was unable to bound EAST measurements. Further improvements could be made by increasing the parameter uncertainties or addressing other sources of modeling error.

Kaelan Hansson↗
NASA NTRS1978

Numerical experiments on the climatic sensitivity of an atmospheric hydrologic cycle

It is shown for an intermediate numerical model that fractional cloudiness and relative humidity decrease with increasing temperature. The fractional cloudiness decreases at a rate about 1 per deg K. This occurs in spite of an increase in the evaporation, water transport, condensation, precipitation and cloud water content with increasing temperature. These results are quite similar to those found from models with more highly parameterized clouds, notably the NCAR model. The fractional cloudiness in this model is measured by the fractional coverage of total cloud water and the fractional coverage of positive condensation, in addition to the relative humidity. It is also shown that some of the characteristics of a temperate climate can be simulated in an intermediate numerical model with periodic, antisymmetric and symmetric boundary conditions on an f plane. Intermediate models of this sort may therefore be useful to investigate general questions about the earth's hydrologic cycle on climatic space and time scales

Roads, J. O.↗
NASA NTRS1995

Observational and numerical studies of extreme frontal scale contraction

The general objective of this effort is to increase understanding of how frontal scale contraction processes may create and sustain intense mesoscale precipitation along intensifying cold fronts. The five-part project (an expansion of the originally proposed two-part project) employed conventional meteorological data, special mesoscale data, remote sensing measurements, and various numerical models. First an idealized hydrostatic modeling study of the scale contraction effects of differential cloud cover on low-level frontal structure and dynamics was completed and published in a peer-reviewed journal. The second objective was to complete and publish the results from a three dimensional numerical model simulation of a cold front in which differential sensible heating related to cloud coverage patterns was apparently crucial in the formation of a severe frontal squall line. The third objective was to use a nonhydrostatic model to examine the nonlinear interactions between the transverse circulation arising from inhomogeneous cloud cover, the adiabatic frontal circulation related to semi-geostrophic forcing, and diabatic effects related to precipitation processes, in the development of a density current-like microstructure at the leading edge of cold fronts. Although the development of a frontal model that could be used to initialize such a primitive equation model was begun, we decided to focus our efforts instead on a project that could be successfully completed in this short time, due to the lack of prospects for continued NASA funding beyond this first year (our proposal was not accepted for future funding). Thus, a fourth task was added, which was to use the nonhydrostatic model to test tentative hypotheses developed from the most detailed observations ever obtained on a density current (primarily sodar and wind profiler data). These simulations were successfully completed, the findings were reported at a scientific conference, and the results have recently been submitted to a peer-reviewed journal. The fifth objective was to complete the analysis of data collected during the Cooperative Oklahoma Profiler Studies (COPS-91) field project, which was supported by NASA. The analysis of the mesoscale surface and sounding data, Doppler radar imagery, and other remote sensing data from multi frequency wind profiler, microwave radiometer, and the Radio Acoustic Sounding System has been completed. This study is a unique investigation of processes that caused the contraction of a cold front to a microscale zone exhibiting an undular bore-like structure. Results were reported at a scientific conference and are being prepared for publication. In summary, considerable progress has been achieved under NASA funding in furthering our understanding of frontal scale contraction and density current - gravity wave interaction processes, and in utilizing models and remotely sensed data in such studies.

Koch, Steven E.↗
NASA NTRS1995

Modeling and numerical simulation of microwave pulse propagation in air breakdown environment

It is shown that ionization occurs wherever the field intensity of the pulse exceeds the local breakdown threshold field of the background air. The produced plasma then attenuates the pulse and gives rise to a tail erosion phenomenon that plays the primary role in limiting the energy transfer of the pulse from source to destination. A theoretical model describing the propagation of an intense microwave pulse in an air breakdown environment is developed that includes the possible focusing effect introduced by either using phase array antennas or the other arrangements. The self-consistent description of the propagation process is provided by a set of two modal equations. These include a continuity equation (Poynting's equation) for the energy density of the pulse and a rate equation of the electron density. A forward wave approximation is used to simplify Poynting's equation, and a semiempirical formula is used for the ionization frequency, nu(sub i). This frequency provides the coupling between the two modal equations, and is used to express the electron rate equation explicitly. In terms of the relevant parameters of the atmosphere, these two equations are normalized for numerical analysis of pulse propagation in the atmosphere. The dependencies of the propagation characteristics of the pulse on intensity, frequency, width, and shape of the pulse are determined. The numerical simulations lead to a useful empirical relation p(exp 3)w = alpha = constant, where p and w are the incident power and width of the pulse and alpha depends on the percentage of pulse energy transferred from the source point to a destined position. The density distribution of the pulse's self-generated plasma is also evaluated. The results also show that for ionization caused by a single unfocused microwave pulse transmitted upwards from the ground, the maximum electron density produced at, for example, 50 km altitude is limited by the tail erosion effect to below 10(exp 6) cm(exp -3). Repetitive pulse and focused beam approaches are also examined. Both approaches can increase the maximum electron density by no more than an order of magnitude. A scheme using two obliquely propagating pulses intersecting at the destined height, e.g. 50 km, is considered. It is shown that the electron density generated at the lowest intersecting position can easily reach a value of 6.6 x 10(exp 8) cm(exp -3), which is considered to be high enough for artificial ionospheric mirror (AIM) application.

Kim, J.↗
NASA NTRS2000

Effect of Elevated Pressure on the Heat Transfer and Power Requirements During Bridgman Growth of PMN-PT Crystals

Performance of the furnace during Bridgman growth of the lead magnesium niobate-lead titanate crystal (PMN-PT) is analyzed. PMN-PT is electrostrictive ceramic that has near ideal strain-voltage function. Furthermore piezoelectric (2000 to 2300 pC/N) and coupling (92 to 95%) constants are exceptionally good. Due to these properties PMN-PT has wide range of applications - from sonars to transducers in a high precision optical systems. In this research first attempt to crystallize PMN-PT in a Mellen type vertical Bridgman furnace was not successful, as melting temperature of precursor materials was not achieved. At this point choice was between building a new more powerful facility or finding ways to enhance performance of the existing furnace. Besides adjusting power supply to the individual heating elements, redesigning ampoule holding cartridge and improving furnace insulation one more radical improvement was proposed. The entire furnace was placed into the high pressure chamber. Further experiments confirmed that temperature inside the furnace was increased sufficiently to melt precursor materials to obtain PMN-PT. Numerical modeling is undertaken to find limitations of this technique and to predict temperature distribution inside the ampoule. It is of interest also to account for main factors contributing to a higher temperatures achieved in the furnace under the higher pressure (up to 10 atm.). Numerical model of the furnace is based on general purpose finite - element code FIDAP and on previous efforts to model Bridgman type furnace with multiply heaters. In order to account for all heat transfer mechanism involved - conduction, convection and radiation - different parts of the furnace are modeled in accordance with expected dominant mode of heat transfer - conduction in the solid parts, conduction and radiation in the ampoule, gas convection and conduction in the furnace openings complemented with wall-to-wall radiation. Because of these complicating factors, dimensional rather than non-dimensional modeling is performed using steady-state 2-D and 3-D models. Particular attention is paid to the modeling of radiation in a semitransparent material of ampoule 7 sapphire. The radiation model is validated by solving realistic test problem - conduction and radiation heat transfer in the fused quartz. Results are in agreement with both experimental and analytical data.

Bune, Andris↗
NASA NTRS1990

Extension of transonic flow computational concepts in the analysis of cavitated bearings

An analogy between the mathematical modeling of transonic potential flow and the flow in a cavitating bearing is described. Based on the similarities, characteristics of the cavitated region and jump conditions across the film reformation and rupture fronts are developed using the method of weak solutions. The mathematical analogy is extended by utilizing a few computational concepts of transonic flow to numerically model the cavitating bearing. Methods of shock fitting and shock capturing are discussed. Various procedures used in transonic flow computations are adapted to bearing cavitation applications, for example, type differencing, grid transformation, an approximate factorization technique, and Newton's iteration method. These concepts have proved to be successful and have vastly improved the efficiency of numerical modeling of cavitated bearings.

Vijayaraghavan, D.↗
NASA NTRS1990

Extension of transonic flow computational concepts in the analysis of cavitated bearings

An analogy between the mathematical modeling of transonic potential flow and the flow in a cavitating bearing is described. Based on the similarities, characteristics of the cavitated region and jump conditions across the film reformation and rupture fronts are developed using the method of weak solutions. The mathematical analogy is extended by utilizing a few computational concepts of transonic flow to numerically model the cavitating bearing. Methods of shock fitting and shock capturing are discussed. Various procedures used in transonic flow computations are adapted to bearing cavitation applications, for example, type differencing, grid transformation, an approximate factorization technique, and Newton's iteration method. These concepts have proved to be successful and have vastly improved the efficiency of numerical modeling of cavitated bearings.

Vijayaraghavan, D.↗
NASA NTRS1998

The NASA-Langley Wake Vortex Modelling Effort in Support of an Operational Aircraft Spacing System

Two numerical modelling efforts, one using a large eddy simulation model and the other a numerical weather prediction model, are underway in support of NASA's Terminal Area Productivity program. The large-eddy simulation model (LES) has a meteorological framework and permits the interaction of wake vortices with environments characterized by crosswind shear, stratification, humidity, and atmospheric turbulence. Results from the numerical simulations are being used to assist in the development of algorithms for an operational wake-vortex aircraft spacing system. A mesoscale weather forecast model is being adapted for providing operational forecast of winds, temperature, and turbulence parameters to be used in the terminal area. This paper describes the goals and modelling approach, as well as achievements obtained to date. Simulation results will be presented from the LES model for both two and three dimensions. The 2-D model is found to be generally valid for studying wake vortex transport, while the 3-D approach is necessary for realistic treatment of decay via interaction of wake vortices and atmospheric boundary layer turbulence. Meteorology is shown to have an important affect on vortex transport and decay. Presented are results showing that wake vortex transport is unaffected by uniform fog or rain, but wake vortex transport can be strongly affected by nonlinear vertical change in the ambient crosswind. Both simulation and observations show that atmospheric vortices decay from the outside with minimal expansion of the core. Vortex decay and the onset three-dimensional instabilities are found to be enhanced by the presence of ambient turbulence.

Proctor, Fred H.↗
NASA NTRSDate not supplied

A Simplified Model of VIPER Thermal Management System. Part I: Loop Heat Pipe

NASA’s Volatiles Investigating Polar Exploration Rover (VIPER) uses a combination of loop heat pipes (LHPs) and heaters as the primary hardware to modulate the temperature of the electronic boxes and payloads instruments. LHPs have been designed and instrumented to be capable of passive and active shutdown. The goal of the passive shutdown, using a thermal control valve (TCV) to limit the flow of the working fluid, is to preserve thermal energy and avoid unnecessary heat leaks during lunar night. The goal of the active shutdown on the other hand, is to forcefully increase the vehicle internal temperature to bakeout the payload instruments. Several numerical modeling tools are available to analyze LHP performance under the complex set of operational requirements and environments levied on the VIPER Thermal Management System (TMS). Yet, while those numerical modeling tools are capable of detailed performance analysis, they tend to take large computational resources and long computational time. In this paper, a model of a single LHP developed based on control volume approach is presented. By using the control volume approach, the complex geometry of the LHP, and the components attached to it, are reduced to thermal lump capacitances, thus reducing the computation effort. This paper also describes the effort to correlate the proposed LHP model using thermal vacuum (TVAC) test data.

Loop Heat Pipe↗
NASA NTRSDate not supplied

A Simplified Model of VIPER Thermal Management System. Part I: Loop Heat Pipe

NASA’s Volatiles Investigating Polar Exploration Rover (VIPER) uses a combination of loop heat pipes (LHPs) and heaters as the primary hardware to modulate the temperature of the electronic boxes and payloads instruments. LHPs have been designed and instrumented to be capable of passive and active shutdown. The goal of the passive shutdown, using a thermal control valve (TCV) to limit the flow of the working fluid, is to preserve thermal energy and avoid unnecessary heat leaks during lunar night. The goal of the active shutdown on the other hand, is to forcefully increase the vehicle internal temperature to bakeout the payload instruments. Several numerical modeling tools are available to analyze LHP performance under the complex set of operational requirements and environments levied on the VIPER Thermal Management System (TMS). Yet, while those numerical modeling tools are capable of detailed performance analysis, they tend to take large computational resources and long computational time. In this paper, a model of a single LHP developed based on control volume approach is presented. By using the control volume approach, the complex geometry of the LHP, and the components attached to it, are reduced to thermal lump capacitances, thus reducing the computation effort. This paper also describes the effort to correlate the proposed LHP model using thermal vacuum (TVAC) test data.

Loop Heat Pipe↗
NASA NTRS2002

Fractionation of the Early Terrestrial Atmospheres: Dynamical Escape

Hydrodynamic escape may have played a significant role in the early fractionation of the atmospheres of the terrestrial planets. This possibility has been demonstrated in the last two decades by numerous models that show radial, transonic flow of hydrogen can occur in the presence of sufficient solar EUV Hydrodynamic escape may have played a significant role in the early fractionation of the atmospheres of the terrestrial planets. This possibility has been demonstrated in the last two decades by numerous models that show radial, transonic flow of hydrogen can occur in the presence of sufficient solar EUV flux, thought to exist in the first 500 My. The models show that the larger the solar flux the greater the mass of the fractionating species, which are accelerated to escape speeds by the hydrogen wind through drag processes. As the atmospheres evolve and the solar EUV flux wanes, the maximum mass of flowing gas constituents decreases until all gases become static. We show that fractionation can continue beyond this point when non-radial flow and dynamically enhanced Jeans escape are considered. For example, the early terrestrial atmospheres are thought to have had large hydrogen contents, resulting in exobase altitudes of a planetary radius or more. In this case, rotational speeds at the exobases of Earth and Mars would be large enough so that light constituents would "spin" off and fractionate, especially at equatorial latitudes. Also, in the presence of transonic flow of hydrogen only, non-radial expansion throws heavier gases to high altitudes in the exosphere, accompanied by strong bulk speeds at the exobase, which results in enhanced thermal escape fluxes and fractionation. flux, thought to exist in the first 500 My. The models show that the larger the solar flux the greater the mass of the fractionating species, which are accelerated to escape speeds by the hydrogen wind through drag processes. As the atmospheres evolve and the solar EUV flux wanes, the maximum mass of flowing gas constituents decreases until all gases become static. We show that fractionation can continue beyond this point when non-radial flow and dynamically enhanced Jeans escape are considered. For example, the early terrestrial atmospheres are thought to have had large hydrogen contents, resulting in exobase altitudes of a planetary radius or more. In this case, rotational speeds at the exobases of Earth and Mars would be large enough so that light constituents would "spin" off and fractionate, especially at equatorial latitudes. Also, in the presence of transonic flow of hydrogen only, non-radial expansion throws heavier gases to high altitudes in the exosphere, accompanied by strong bulk speeds at the exobase, which results in enhanced thermal escape fluxes and fractionation.

Hartle, Richard E.↗
NASA NTRS1985

Sea breeze-induced mesoscale systems and severe weather

The relationship between thunderstorm activity during the summer months along coastal regions of the Atlantic and Gulf coasts and the dry sea breeze circulation was investigated. Satellite composites of thunderstorm activity for synoptically undisturbed conditions have been obtained for south Florida for a series of days in the summer of 1983. These data were catalogued into different low level synoptic flow regimes. Five synoptic flow regimes were found from the data. A three-dimensional mesoscale numerical model was used for each sysnoptic flow regime to quantitatively predict the location of enhanced thunderstorm activity. This model includes a parameterization of vegetation and soil moisture feedbacks as well as a sophisticated planetary boundary layer representation. Using the results of the satellite image composites, spatial and temporal characteristics of deep convective cloud patterns and their variation with synoptic flow are described. The results from the numerical model have provided explanations for the observed patterns.

Pielke, R. A.↗
NASA NTRS2003

Martian Atmospheric Circulation and Climate

This proposal is focused on using Mars Global Surveyor (MGS) data and numerical models to address issues of atmospheric mixing of volatiles and aerosols, on defining the mean state of the atmosphere and the degree of variability, and on the processes which exchange volatiles and aerosols between the surface and atmosphere. Specifically, five areas of research were defined: In the first, we proposed to use TES data to examine the general circulation of the atmosphere both through retrieval of the residual circulation, and by comparison of the TES data with a Mars General Circulation Model (GCM). In the second, we proposed to look at synoptic and mesoscale atmospheric mixing processes (baroclinic storms, etc.) by combining TES and MOC Wide Angle data, and by employing a Mars Mesoscale Model. In the third section, we proposed to examine the record of the Martian atmospheric state provided by MGS, Viking, and Mariner 9 - as well as published ground-based observations - in order to assess the nature of interannual variability. In the forth section, we proposed to compare numerical models of the Martian water and dust cycles with TES and MOC data, specifically looking at water ice cloud distributions, dust distribution, etc. In the fifth section, we propose to use the mesoscale model to study the Mars Pathfinder Lander data. This work has now concluded its final of three years.

Ingersoll, Andrew P.↗
NASA NTRS1992

Sunspot: A program to model the behavior of hypervelocity impact damaged multilayer insulation in the Sunspot thermal vacuum chamber of Marshall Space Flight Center

The development of a computer program to predict the degradation of the insulating capabilities of the multilayer insulation (MLI) blanket of Space Station Freedom due to a hypervelocity impact with a space debris particle is described. A finite difference scheme is used for the calculations. The computer program was written in Microsoft BASIC. Also described is a test program that was undertaken to validate the numerical model. Twelve MLI specimens were impacted at hypervelocities with simulated debris particles using a light gas gun at Marshall Space Flight Center. The impact-damaged MLI specimens were then tested for insulating capability in the space environment of the Sunspot thermal vacuum chamber at MSFC. Two undamaged MLI specimens were also tested for comparison with the test results of the damaged specimens. The numerical model was found to adequately predict behavior of the MLI specimens in the Sunspot chamber. A parameter, called diameter ratio, was developed to relate the nominal MLI impact damage to the apparent (for thermal analysis purposes) impact damage based on the hypervelocity impact conditions of a specimen.

Rule, W. K.↗
NASA NTRS2000

Laser Lightcraft Performance

The purpose of this study is to establish the technical ground for modeling the physics of laser powered pulse detonation phenomenon. The principle of the laser power propulsion is that when high-powered laser is focused at a small area near the surface of a thruster, the intense energy causes the electrical breakdown of the working fluid (e.g. air) and forming high speed plasma (known as the inverse Bremsstrahlung, IB, effect). The intense heat and high pressure created in the plasma consequently causes the surrounding to heat up and expand until the thrust producing shock waves are formed. This complex process of gas ionization, increase in radiation absorption and the forming of plasma and shock waves will be investigated in the development of the present numerical model. In the first phase of this study, laser light focusing, radiation absorption and shock wave propagation over the entire pulsed cycle are modeled. The model geometry and test conditions of known benchmark experiments such as those in Myrabo's experiment will be employed in the numerical model validation simulations. The calculated performance data will be compared to the test data.

Chen, Yen-Sen↗
NASA NTRS1990

Observation simulation experiments with regional prediction models

Research efforts in FY 1990 included studies employing regional scale numerical models as aids in evaluating potential contributions of specific satellite observing systems (current and future) to numerical prediction. One study involves Observing System Simulation Experiments (OSSEs) which mimic operational initialization/forecast cycles but incorporate simulated Advanced Microwave Sounding Unit (AMSU) radiances as input data. The objective of this and related studies is to anticipate the potential value of data from these satellite systems, and develop applications of remotely sensed data for the benefit of short range forecasts. Techniques are also being used that rely on numerical model-based synthetic satellite radiances to interpret the information content of various types of remotely sensed image and sounding products. With this approach, evolution of simulated channel radiance image features can be directly interpreted in terms of the atmospheric dynamical processes depicted by a model. Progress is being made in a study using the internal consistency of a regional prediction model to simplify the assessment of forced diabatic heating and moisture initialization in reducing model spinup times. Techniques for model initialization are being examined, with focus on implications for potential applications of remote microwave observations, including AMSU and Special Sensor Microwave Imager (SSM/I), in shortening model spinup time for regional prediction.

Diak, George↗