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At least 685 records · Page 38

Numerical Modeling of Turbulent Combustion

The work in numerical modeling is focused on the use of the random vortex method to treat turbulent flow fields associated with combustion while flame fronts are considered as interfaces between reactants and products, propagating with the flow and at the same time advancing in the direction normal to themselves at a prescribed burning speed. The latter is associated with the generation of specific volume (the flame front acting, in effect, as the locus of volumetric sources) to account for the expansion of the flow field due to the exothermicity of the combustion process. The model was applied to the flow in a channel equipped with a rearward facing step. The results obtained revealed the mechanism of the formation of large scale turbulent structure in the wake of the step, while it showed the flame to stabilize on the outer edges of these eddies.

Ghoneim, A. F.↗

Model-Based, Multiscale Self-Tuning Controller Developed for Active Combustion Control

New challenges concerning system health-monitoring and life-extending robust controls for the Ultra-Efficient Engine Technology Project, as well as other advanced engine and power system concepts at NASA and elsewhere, have renewed the control community s interest in smart, model-based methods. In particular, these challenges have further motivated efforts at the NASA Glenn Research Center to exploit the versatility and superiority of the dynamic features extraction of multiscale analysis for controls--such as with "wavelets" and "wavelet filter-banks.' The accomplishments reported herein pertain to the active suppression of combustion instabilities in liquid-fuel combustors via fuel modulation. The fundamentals and initial success of this innovation were reported for a unique demonstration of active combustion control (a research collaboration of NASA Glenn with Pratt & Whitney and the United Technologies Research Center, UTRC). This demonstration, conducted in 2002 at UTRC on the NASA single nozzle rig (SNR) combustor, was the first known suppression of high-frequency instability with a liquid-fueled combustor. The SNR is based on a high-powered military engine combustor that exhibited well-known instabilities.

Le, Dzu K.↗

Techno-economic analysis of advanced small modular nuclear reactors

Here, small modular nuclear reactors (SMRs) represent a robust opportunity to develop low-carbon and reliable power with the potential to meet cost parity with conventional power systems. This study presents a detailed, bottom-up economic evaluation of a 12 × 77 MW e (924 MW e total) light-water SMR (LW-SMR) plant, a 4 × 262 MW e (1,048 MW e ) gas-cooled SMR (GC-SMR) plant, and a 5 × 200 MW e (1,000 MW e total) molten salt SMR (MS-SMR) plant. Cost estimates are derived from equipment costs, labor hours, material inputs, and process-engineering models. The advanced SMRs are compared to natural gas combined cycle plants with and without post-combustion carbon capture and a conventional large nuclear reactor. Overnight capital cost (OCC) and levelized cost of energy (LCOE) estimates are developed. The OCC of the LW-SMR, GC-SMR, and MS-SMR are found to be $\$4,844$/kW, $\$4,355$/kW, and $\$3,985$/kW respectively. The LCOE of the LW-SMR, GC-SMR, and MS-SMR are found to be $\$89.6$/MWh, $\$81.5$/MWh, and $\$80.6$/MWh respectively. A Monte Carlo analysis is performed, for which the OCC and construction time of the LW-SMR is found to have a lower mean and standard deviation than a conventional large reactor. The LW-SMR OCC is found to have a mean of $\$5,233$/kW with a standard deviation of $\$658$/kW and a 90 % probability of remaining between $\$4,254$/kW and $\$6,399$/kW, while the construction duration is found to have a mean of 4.5 years with a standard deviation of 0.8 years and a 90 % probability of remaining between 3.4 and 6.0 years. The economic impact of economies of scale, simplification, modularization, and construction time for SMRs are discussed. Additionally, policy implications for direct SMR capital subsidies and the impact of a carbon tax on natural gas emissions are explored.

22 GENERAL STUDIES OF NUCLEAR REACTORS↗

Forecast of jet engine exhaust emissions for future high altitude commercial aircraft

Projected minimum levels of engine exhaust emissions that may be practicably achievable for future commercial aircraft operating at high altitude cruise conditions are presented. The forecasts are based on: (1) current knowledge of emission characteristics of combustors and augmentors; (2) the current status of combustion research in emission reduction technology; (3) predictable trends in combustion systems and operating conditions as required for projected engine designs that are candidates for advanced subsonic or supersonic commercial aircraft. Results are presented for cruise conditions in terms of an emission index, g pollutant/kg fuel. Two sets of engine exhaust emission predictions are presented: the first, based on an independent NASA study and the second, based on the consensus of an ad hoc committee composed of industry, university, and government representatives. The consensus forecasts are in general agreement with the NASA forecasts.

Grobman, J.↗

Jet engine exhaust emissions of high altitude commercial aircraft projected to 1990

Projected minimum levels of engine exhaust emissions that may be practicably achievable for future commercial aircraft operating at high-altitude cruise conditions are presented. The forecasts are based on:(1) current knowledge of emission characteristics of combustors and augmentors; (2) the status of combustion research in emission reduction technology; and (3) predictable trends in combustion systems and operating conditions as required for projected engine designs that are candidates for advanced subsonic or supersonic commercial aircraft fueled by either JP fuel, liquefied natural gas, or hydrogen. Results are presented for cruise conditions in terms of both an emission index (g constituent/kg fuel) and an emission rate (g constituent/hr).

Grobman, J.↗

Forecast of jet engine exhaust emissions for future high altitude commercial aircraft

Projected minimum levels of engine exhaust emissions that may be practicably achievable for future commercial aircraft operating at high altitude cruise conditions are presented. The forecasts are based on: (1) current knowledge of emission characteristics of combustors and augmentors; (2) the current status of combustion research in emission reduction technology; and (3) predictable trends in combustion systems and operating conditions as required for projected engine designs that are candidates for advanced subsonic or supersonic commercial aircraft. Results are presented for cruise conditions in terms of an emission index, g pollutant/kg fuel. Two sets of engine exhaust emission predictions are presented: the first, based on an independent NASA study and the second, based on the consensus of an ad hoc committee composed of industry, university, and government representatives. The consensus forecasts are in general agreement with the NASA forecasts.

Grobman, J.↗

Overview of the Center for Advanced Space Propulsion

The mission of the Center for Advanced Space Propulsion (CASP), a Center for the Commercial Development of Space (CCDS), is to strengthen U.S. competitiveness in space technology, foster cooperative research with industry and government, assist industry in developing commercial products and services, and perform research in advanced space propulsion. Current areas of focus are (1) advanced chemical propulsion, including high area ratio nozzle performance, variable thrust engine performance, and spray combustion stability; (2) artificial intelligence propulsion applications, including health monitoring of rocket engines, fault pattern detection and diagnosis, and intelligent hypertext applications; (3) microgravity fluid management, including liquid storage and transfer, a subscale orbital fluid transfer experiment, and helical, two-phase flow; (4) electric propulsion, including magnetic annular arc thruster, ion thrustor, and electrostatic plasma accelerator; and (5) laser materials processing.

George W Garrison↗

Phase Stability and Thermal Conductivity of Composite Environmental Barrier Coatings on SiC/SiC Ceramic Matrix Composites

Advanced environmental barrier coatings are being developed to protect SiC/SiC ceramic matrix composites in harsh combustion environments. The current coating development emphasis has been placed on the significantly improved cyclic durability and combustion environment stability in high-heat-flux and high velocity gas turbine engine environments. Environmental barrier coating systems based on hafnia (HfO2) and ytterbium silicate, HfO2-Si nano-composite bond coat systems have been processed and their stability and thermal conductivity behavior have been evaluated in simulated turbine environments. The incorporation of Silicon Carbide Nanotubes (SiCNT) into high stability (HfO2) and/or HfO2-silicon composite bond coats, along with ZrO2, HfO2 and rare earth silicate composite top coat systems, showed promise as excellent environmental barriers to protect the SiC/SiC ceramic matrix composites.

Benkel, Samantha↗

Rocket combustion chamber life-enhancing design concepts

NASA continues to pursue technologies which can lead to an increase in life and reduce the costs of fabrication of the Space Shuttle Main Engine. The joint NASA/Air Force Advanced Launch System Program has set its prime objectives to be high reliability and low cost for their new advanced booster engine. In order to meet these objectives, NASA will utilize the results of several ongoing programs to provide the required technologies. An overview is presented of those programs which address life enhancing design concepts for the combustion chamber. Seven different design concepts, which reduce the thermal strain and/or increase the material strength of the combustion chamber liner wall are discussed. Subscale rocket test results are presented, where available, for life enhancing design concepts. Two techniques for reducing chamber fabrication costs are discussed, as well as issues relating to hydrocarbon fuels/combustion chamber liner materials compatibility.

Quentmeyer, Richard J.↗

Rocket combustion chamber life-enhancing design concepts

NASA continues to pursue technologies which can lead to an increase in life and reduce the costs of fabrication of the Space Shuttle Main Engine. The joint NASA/Air Force Advanced Launch System Program has set its prime objectives to be high reliability and low cost for their new advanced booster engine. In order to meet these objectives, NASA will utilize the results of several ongoing programs to provide the required technologies. An overview is presented of those programs which address life enhancing design concepts for the combustion chamber. Seven different design concepts, which reduce the thermal strain and/or increase the material strength of the combustion chamber liner wall are discussed. Subscale rocket test results are presented, where available, for life enhancing design concepts. Two techniques for reducing chamber fabrication costs are discussed, as well as issues relating to hydrocarbon fuels/combustion chamber liner materials compatibility.

Quentmeyer, R. J.↗

Advanced Environmental Barrier Coating Development for SiC/SiC Ceramic Matrix Composites: NASA's Perspectives

This presentation reviews NASA environmental barrier coating (EBC) system development programs and the coating materials evolutions for protecting the SiC/SiC Ceramic Matrix Composites in order to meet the next generation engine performance requirements. The presentation focuses on several generations of NASA EBC systems, EBC-CMC component system technologies for SiC/SiC ceramic matrix composite combustors and turbine airfoils, highlighting the temperature capability and durability improvements in simulated engine high heat flux, high pressure, high velocity, and with mechanical creep and fatigue loading conditions. The current EBC development emphasis is placed on advanced NASA 2700F candidate environmental barrier coating systems for SiC/SiC CMCs, their performance benefits and design limitations in long-term operation and combustion environments. Major technical barriers in developing environmental barrier coating systems, the coating integrations with next generation CMCs having the improved environmental stability, erosion-impact resistance, and long-term fatigue-environment system durability performance are described. The research and development opportunities for advanced turbine airfoil environmental barrier coating systems by utilizing improved compositions, state-of-the-art processing methods, and simulated environment testing and durability modeling are discussed.

Ceramic Matrix Composites↗

Evaluation of methods for characterizing the fine particulate matter emissions from aircraft and other diffusion flame combustion aerosol sources

The U. S. Environmental Protection Agency in collaboration with the U. S. Air Force Arnold Engineering Development Complex conducted the VAriable Response In Aircraft nvPM Testing (VARIAnT) 3 and 4 test campaigns to compare nvPM emissions measurements from a variety of diffusion flame combustion aerosol sources (DFCASs), including a Cummins diesel engine, a diesel powered generator, two gas turbine start carts, a J85-GE-5 turbojet engine burning multiple fuels, and a Mini-CAST soot generator. The VARIAnT research program has conducted four test campaigns to date with the VARIAnT 3 and 4 test campaigns focusing on BC mass instrument performance, use of gas turbine engine sources for BC mass instrument calibration, and the characterization of the aerosols produced from the combustion sources. Results from both campaigns revealed agreement of about 20% between the AVL Micro-Soot Sensor, the Cavity Attenuated Phase Shift (CAPS PMSSA) monitor and the thermal-optical reference method for elemental carbon (EC), independent of the calibration source used. For the Artium LII-300, the measured mass concentrations in VARIAnT3 fall within 18% and in VARIAnT4 fall within 32% of the reference EC mass concentration when calibrated on a combustor rig in VARIAnT3 and on a LGT-60 start cart in VARIAnT4, respectively. It was also found that the three mass instrument types (MSS, CAPS PMSSA, and LII-300) can exhibit different BC to reference EC ratios depending on the emission source that appear to correlate to particle geometric mean mobility diameter, morphology, or some other parameter associated with particle geometric mean diameter (GMD) with the LII-300 showing a slightly stronger apparent trend with GMD. Systematic differences in LII-300 measured mass concentrations have been reduced by calibrating with a turbine combustion source (combustor or turbine engine). With respect to the particle size measurements made, the sizing instruments (TSI SMPS, TSI EEPS, and Cambustion DMS 500) were found to be in general agreement in terms of size distributions and concentrations with some exceptions. Teflon filter measurements of the total aerosol mass produced by the various DFCASs differed from the reference EC, BC, and integrated particle sized distribution measured aerosol masses. The Teflon filter measured mass was 30 to 40% greater than the reference EC and 50 to 60% greater than the BC mass for the J85 in both test campaigns. The measurements of particle size distributions and single particle analysis by miniSPLAT indicated the presence of large particles (>100 nm) having more compact morphologies, higher effective density, and a composition dominated by OC and ash. This increased large particle fraction is also associated with higher values of single scattering albedo measured by the CAPS PMSSA instrument and higher OC/EC measurements. These measurements indicate gas turbine engine emissions can be a more heterogeneous mix of particle types beyond the original E31 assumption that it is mainly composed of black carbon.

33 ADVANCED PROPULSION SYSTEMS↗

A Review of LOX/Kerosene Combustion Instability in American and Russian Combustion Devices in Application to Next-Generation Launch Technology

The Next-Generation Launch Technology (NGLT) project was introduced with its objectives. To meet the objectives, NASA has directed aerospace industry to perform advances and risk reduction of relevant technologies, including propulsion. Originally, the propulsion industry focused on producing both LOWLH2 and LOWkerosene flight engine technology demonstrators. These flight engine technology demonstrators were briefly reviewed. NASA recently redirected this focus to Lowkerosene only. Discussion of LOWkerosene combustion devices was and is prefaced by grave concerns about combustion instability. These concerns have prompted a review of LOWkerosene combustion instability in American and Russian combustion devices. In the review of the Russian propulsion industry's experience in eliminating LOWkerosene combustion instabilities, the history of principal Russian rocket scientists and their role in the development of LOXkerosene combustion devices is presented. The innovative methods implemented by the Russians of eliminations combustion instabilities in LOXkerosene combustion devices were reviewed. The successful elimination of these combustion instabilities has resulted in two generations of Russian-produced, high-performance LOWkerosene combustion devices.

Rocker, Marvin↗

Critical research and advanced technology (CRT) support project

A critical technology base for utility and industrial gas turbines by planning the use of coal-derived fuels was studied. Development tasks were included in the following areas: (1) Combustion - investigate the combustion of coal-derived fuels and methods to minimize the conversion of fuel-bound nitrogen to NOx; (2) materials - understand and minimize hot corrosion; (3) system studies - integrate and focus the technological efforts. A literature survey of coal-derived fuels was completed and a NOx emissions model was developed. Flametube tests of a two-stage (rich-lean) combustor defined optimum equivalence ratios for minimizing NOx emissions. Sector combustor tests demonstrated variable air control to optimize equivalence ratios over a wide load range and steam cooling of the primary zone liner. The catalytic combustion of coal-derived fuels was demonstrated. The combustion of coal-derived gases is very promising. A hot-corrosion life prediction model was formulated and verified with laboratory testing of doped fuels. Fuel additives to control sulfur corrosion were studied. The intermittent application of barium proved effective. Advanced thermal barrier coatings were developed and tested. Coating failure modes were identified and new material formulations and fabrication parameters were specified. System studies in support of the thermal barrier coating development were accomplished.

Furman, E. R.↗

Hafnia-Based Materials Developed for Advanced Thermal/Environmental Barrier Coating Applications

Thermal and environmental barrier coatings (T/EBCs) will play a crucial role in advanced gas turbine engine systems because of their ability to significantly increase engine operating temperatures and reduce cooling requirements, and thus help achieve engine goals of low emissions and high efficiency. Under the NASA Ultra-Efficient Engine Technology (UEET) Project, advanced T/EBCs are being developed for low-emission SiC/SiC ceramic matrix composite (CMC) combustor applications by extending the CMC liner and vane temperature capability to 1650 C (3000 F) in oxidizing and water-vaporcontaining combustion environments. The coating system is required to have increased phase stability, lower lattice and radiation thermal conductivity, and improved sintering and thermal stress resistance under high-heat-flux and thermal-cycling engine conditions. Advanced heat-flux testing approaches (refs. 1 to 4) have been established at the NASA Glenn Research Center for 1650 C coating developments. The simulated combustion water-vapor environment is also being incorporated into the heat-flux test capabilities (ref. 3).

Zhu, Dongming↗

Durability testing at one atmosphere of advanced catalysts and catalyst supports for automotive gas turbine engine combustors, part 1

The durability of catalysts and catalyst supports in a combustion environment was experimentally demonstrated. A test of 1000 hours duration was completed with two catalysts, using diesel fuel and operating at catalytically supported thermal combustion conditions. The performance of the catalysts was determined by monitoring emissions throughout the test, and by examining the physical condition of the catalyst core at the conclusion of the test. The test catalysts proved to be capable of low emissions operation after 1000 hours diesel aging, with no apparent physical degradation of the catalyst support.

Heck, R. M.↗

Advanced numerics for multi-dimensional fluid flow calculations

In recent years, there has been a growing interest in the development and use of mathematical models for the simulation of fluid flow, heat transfer and combustion processes in engineering equipment. The equations representing the multi-dimensional transport of mass, momenta and species are numerically solved by finite-difference or finite-element techniques. However despite the multiude of differencing schemes and solution algorithms, and the advancement of computing power, the calculation of multi-dimensional flows, especially three-dimensional flows, remains a mammoth task. The following discussion is concerned with the author's recent work on the construction of accurate discretization schemes for the partial derivatives, and the efficient solution of the set of nonlinear algebraic equations resulting after discretization. The present work has been jointly supported by the Ramjet Engine Division of the Wright Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, and the NASA Lewis Research Center.

Vanka, S. P.↗