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At least 73 records · Page 4

Computer-aided analysis of nonlinear problems in transport phenomena

The paper describes algorithms for equilibrium and steady-state problems with coefficients in the expansions derived by the Galerkin weighted residual method and calculated from the resulting sets of nonlinear algebraic equations by the Newton-Raphson method. Initial approximations are obtained from nearby solutions by continuation techniques as parameters are varied. The Newton-Raphson technique is preferred because the Jacobian of the solution is useful for continuation, for analyzing the stability of solutions, for detecting bifurcation of solution families, and for computing asymptotic estimates of the effects on any solution of small changes in parameters, boundary conditions, and boundary shape.

Brown, R. A.↗

Mass Transport Phenomena Between Bubbles and Dissolved Gases in Liquids Under Reduced Gravity Conditions

The long term objective of the experiment is to observe the dissolution of isolated, immobile gas bubbles of specified size and composition in a solvent liquid of known concentration in the reduced gravity environment of earth orbit. Preliminary bubble dissolution experiment conducted both in the NASA Lewis 2.2 sec drop tower and in normal gravity using SO2 - Toluene system were not completely successful in their objective. The method of gas injection and lack of bubble interface stabiliy experienced due to the extreme solubility of SO in Toluene has the effects of changing the problem from that of bubble dissolution to one of bubble formation stability and subsequent dissolution in a liquid of unknown initial solute concentration. Current work involves further experimentation in order to refine the bubble injection system and to investigate the concept of having a bubble with a critical radius in a state of unstable equilibrium.

Dewitt, K. J.↗

Study of non-equilibrium transport phenomena

Nonequilibrium phenomena due to real gas effects are very important features of low density hypersonic flows. The shock shape and emitted nonequilibrium radiation are identified as the bulk flow behavior parameters which are very sensitive to the nonequilibrium phenomena. These parameters can be measured in shock tubes, shock tunnels, and ballistic ranges and used to test the accuracy of computational fluid dynamic (CFD) codes. Since the CDF codes, by necessity, are based on multi-temperature models, it is also desirable to measure various temperatures, most importantly, the vibrational temperature. The CFD codes would require high temperature rate constants, which are not available at present. Experiments conducted at the NASA Electric Arc-driven Shock Tube (EAST) facility reveal that radiation from steel contaminants overwhelm the radiation from the test gas. For the measurement of radiation and the chemical parameters, further investigation and then appropriate modifications of the EAST facility are required.

Sharma, Surendra P.↗

Mass transport phenomena between bubbles and dissolved gases in liquids under reduced gravity conditions

The experimental and analytical work that was done to establish justification and feasibility for a shuttle middeck experiment involving mass transfer between a gas bubble and a liquid is described. The experiment involves the observation and measurement of the dissolution of an isolated immobile gas bubble of specified size and composition in a thermostatted solvent liquid of known concentration in the reduced gravity environment of earth orbit. Methods to generate and deploy the bubble were successful both in normal gravity using mutually buoyant fluids and under reduced gravity conditions in the NASA Lear Jet. Initialization of the experiment with a bubble of a prescribed size and composition in a liquid of known concentration was accomplished using the concept of unstable equilibrium. Subsequent bubble dissolution or growth is obtained by a step increase or decrease in the liquid pressure. A numerical model was developed which simulates the bubble dynamics and can be used to determine molecular parameters by comparison with the experimental data. The primary objective of the experiment is the elimination of convective effects that occur in normal gravity.

Dewitt, Kenneth J.↗

Slip effects associated with Knudsen transport phenomena in porous media

Porous media used in phase separators and thermomechanical pumps have been the subject of characterization efforts based on the Darcy permeability of laminar continuum flow. The latter is not always observed at low speed, in particular at permeabilities below 10 to the -9th/squared cm. The present experimental and theoretical studies address questions of slip effects associated with long mean free paths of gas flow at room temperature. Data obtained are in good agreement, within data uncertainty, with a simplified asymptotic Knudsen equation proposed for porous plugs on the basis of Knudsen's classical flow equation for long mean free paths.

Frederking, T. H. K.↗

Extraterrestrial materials processing and related transport phenomena

Several concepts for significant cost reductions in extraterrestrial resource utilization are described. After an introduction of the desirability of in situ resource utilization, several candidate chemical processes are mentioned. It is brought out that many of the key processes require fluid dynamics and heat transfer processes under reduced- and microgravity. These aspects are discussed within the broad framework of a two-phase thermal control systems. Another important aspect of space processing is that reliability and self-repairability are mandatory; automation aspects are discussed. In addition to these general considerations, the paper includes several specific processes that vary from solid electrolytic production of oxygen from carbon dioxide, to plasma-augmented reactions for reducing ilmenite on the moon.

Ramohalli, K. N. R.↗

Transport phenomena in the crystallization of lysozyme by osmotic dewatering and liquid-liquid diffusion in low gravity

Two methods of protein crystallization, osmotic dewatering and liquid-liquid diffusion, like the vapor diffusion (hanging-drop and sessile-drop) methods allow a gradual approach to supersaturation conditions. The crystallization of hen egg-white lysozyme, an extensively characterized protein crystal, in the presence of sodium chloride was used as an experimental model with which to compare these two methods in low gravity and in the laboratory. Comparisons of crystal growth rates by the two methods under the two conditions have, to date, indicated that the rate of crystal growth by osmotic dewatering is nearly the same in low gravity and on the ground, while much faster crystal growth rates can be achieved by the liquid-liquid diffusion method in low gravity.

Todd, Paul↗

The roles of fluid motion and other transport phenomena in the morphology of materials

Two crystallization problems were studied: the growth of protein crystals, in particular the influence of colloidal forces and convection, and the influence of interface resistance on the growth of dendritic crystals. The protein study involved both experimental and theoretical work; the work of dendrites was entirely theoretical. In the study of protein crystallization, experiments were carried out where crystals were grown in the presence and absence of natural convection. No evidence was found that convection retards crystal growth. The theoretical study focused on the influence of colloidal forces (electrostatic and London-van der Waals) on the interaction between a protein molecule and a flat crystal surface. It was shown that the interaction is extremely sensitive to colloidal forces and that electrostatic interactions play a strong role in deciding whether or not a molecule will find a favorable site for adsorption. In the study of dendritic growth, the role of an interfacial resistance on the selection processes was examined. Using a computational scheme, it was found that the selected velocity is strongly dependent on the magnitude of the interfacial resistance to heat transfer. This is a possible explanation for discrepancies between the theoretical and experimental results on succinonitrile.

Saville, D. A.↗

Mass transport phenomena in microgravity: Preliminary results of the first MEPHISTO flight experiment

The MEPHISTO space program is the result of a cooperative effort that involves the French nuclear and space agencies (Commissariat a l'energie atomique, CEA - Centre National d'Etudes Spatiales, CNES) and the American National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). The scientific studies and apparatus development were funded in the frame of the GRAMME agreement between CEA and CNES, the flight costs being taken in charge by NASA. Six flight opportunities are scheduled, with alternating French and American principal investigators. It is the purpose of this paper to briefly present MEPHISTO along with the preliminary results obtained during its first flight on USMP-1 in October 1992.

Favier, Jean Jacques↗

Transport phenomena in stratified multi-fluid flo w in the presence and absence of gravity

An experiment is being conducted to study the effects of buoyancy on planar stratified flows. A wind tunnel has been designed and constructed to generate planar flows with separate heating for the top and bottom planar air jets emerging from slot nozzles separated by an insulating splitter plate. The objective is to generate planar jet flows with well defined and well controlled velocity and temperature profiles. Magnitudes of velocity and temperature will be varied separately in each flow for both laminar and turbulent flow conditions. Both stably and unstably stratified flows will be studied by changing the temperature distributions in each air stream. This paper reports on the design of the apparatus and initial measurements of velocity and turbulence made by laser Doppler velocimetry.

Chigier, Norman↗

Transport Phenomena in Stratified Multi-Fluid Flow in the Presence and Absence of Gravity

Experiments are being conducted to study the effects of buoyancy on planar density-stratified shear flows. A wind tunnel generates planar flows separated by an insulating splitter plate, with either flow heated, which emerge from a two-dimensional nozzle. The objective is to isolate and define the effect of gravity and buoyancy on a stratified shear layer. To this end, both stably and unstably stratified layers will be investigated. This paper reports on the results of temperature and velocity measurements across the nozzle exit plane and downstream along the nozzle center plane.

Chigier, Norman↗

Membrane Transport Phenomena (MTP)

The development of the seal between the membrane and the Fluid Optical Cells (FOC) has been a high priority activity. This seal occurs at an interface in the instrument where three key functions must be realized: (1) physical membrane support, (2) fluid sealing, and (3) unobscured optical transmission.

Mason, Larry W.↗

Fluid Physics and Transport Phenomena in a Simulated Reduced Gravity Environment

We describe a ground-based apparatus that allows the cancellation of gravity on a fluid using magnetic forces. The present system was designed for liquid oxygen studies over the range 0.001 - 5 g s. This fluid is an essential component of any flight mission using substantial amounts of liquid propellant, especially manned missions. The apparatus has been used to reduce the hydrostatic compression near the oxygen critical point and to demonstrate inverted phase separation. It could also be used to study pool boiling and two-phase heat transfer in Martian, Lunar or near-zero gravity, as well as phenomena such as Marangoni flow and convective instabilities. These studies would contribute directly to the reliability and optimization of the Moon and Mars flight programs.

Lipa, J.↗

Transport Phenomena in Thin Rotating Liquid Films Including: Nucleate Boiling

In this grant, experimental, numerical and analytical studies of heat transfer in a thin liquid film flowing over a rotating disk have been conducted. Heat transfer coefficients were measured experimentally in a rotating disk heat transfer apparatus where the disk was heated from below with electrical resistance heaters. The heat transfer measurements were supplemented by experimental characterization of the liquid film thickness using a novel laser based technique. The heat transfer measurements show that the disk rotation plays an important role on enhancement of heat transfer primarily through the thinning of the liquid film. Experiments covered both momentum and rotation dominated regimes of the flow and heat transfer in this apparatus. Heat transfer measurements have been extended to include evaporation and nucleate boiling and these experiments are continuing in our laboratory. Empirical correlations have also been developed to provide useful information for design of compact high efficiency heat transfer devices. The experimental work has been supplemented by numerical and analytical analyses of the same problem. Both numerical and analytical results have been found to agree reasonably well with the experimental results on liquid film thickness and heat transfer Coefficients/Nusselt numbers. The numerical simulations include the free surface liquid film flow and heat transfer under disk rotation including the conjugate effects. The analytical analysis utilizes an integral boundary layer approach from which

Faghri, Amir↗

Numerical and Experimental Study of Transport Phenomena in Directional Solidification of Succinonitrile

A numerical and experimental study of the growth of succinonitrile (SCN) using a horizontal Bridginan furnace and transparent glass ampoule was conducted. Two experiments were considered: one in which the temperature profile was fixed relative to the ampoule (no-growth case); and a second in which the thermal profile was translated at a constant rate (steady growth case). Measured temperature profiles on the outer surface of the ampoule were used as thermal boundary conditions for the modelling. The apparent heat capacity formulation combined with the variable viscositymeth~ was used to model the phase change in SeN. Both 2-D and 3-D models were studied and numerical solutions obtained using the commercial finite element code, FIDAP1. Comparison of the numerical results to experimental data showed excellent agreement. The complex 3-D shallow-cavity flow in the melt, differences between 2-D and 3-D models, effects of natural convection on the thermal gradient and shape of the solid/liquid interface, and the sensitivity of simulations to specific assumptions, are also discussed.

de Groh, Henry C., III↗