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At least 775 records · Page 43

Characteristics of Vaporizing Cryogenic Sprays for Rocket Combustion Modeling

Experimental measurements of the volume-median drop diameter, Dv.5e, of vaporizing cryogenic sprays were obtained with a drop size measuring instrument developed at NASA Lewis Research Center. To demonstrate the effect of atomizing-gas properties on characteristic drop size, a two-fluid fuel nozzle was used to break up liquid-nitrogen, LN2, jets in high-velocity gasflows of helium argon and gaseous nitrogen, GN2. Also, in order to determine the effect of atomizing-gas temperature on specific surface-areas of LN2 sprays, drop size measurements were made at gas temperatures of 111 and 293 K.

Ingebo, Robert D.↗

Thin Film CuInS2 Prepared by Spray Pyrolysis with Single-Source Precursors

Both horizontal hot-wall and vertical cold-wall atmospheric chemical spray pyrolysis processes deposited near single-phase stoichiometric CuInS2 thin films. Single-source precursors developed for ternary chalcopyrite materials were used for this study, and a new liquid phase single-source precursor was tested with a vertical cold-wall reactor. The depositions were carried out under an argon atmosphere, and the substrate temperature was kept at 400 C. Columnar grain structure was obtained with vapor deposition, and the granular structure was obtained with (liquid) droplet deposition. Conductive films were deposited with planar electrical resistivities ranging from 1 to 30 Omega x cm.

Jin, Michael H.↗

Ion heating in the PISCES-RF liquid-cooled high-power, steady-state, helicon plasma device

Radio frequency (RF) driven helicon plasma sources are commonly used for their ability to produce high-density argon plasmas ( n > 10 19 m -3 ) at relatively moderate powers (typical RF power < 2 kW). Typical electron temperatures are <10 eV and typical ion temperatures are <0.6 eV. A newly designed helicon antenna assembly (with concentric, double-layered, fully liquid-cooled RF-transparent windows) operates in steady-state at RF powers up to 10 kW. We report on the dependence of argon plasma density, electron temperature and ion temperature on RF power. At 10 kW, ion temperatures >2 eV in argon plasmas are measured with laser induced fluorescence, which is consistent with a simple volume averaged 0D power balance model. 1D Monte Carlo simulations of the neutral density profile for these plasma conditions show strong neutral depletion near the core and predict neutral temperatures well above room temperatures. The plasmas created in this high-power helicon source (when light ions are employed) are ideally suited for fusion divertor plasma-material interaction studies and negative ion production for neutral beams.

Physics↗

Development of a process for high capacity arc heater production of silicon for solar arrays

A high temperature silicon production process using existing electric arc heater technology is discussed. Silicon tetrachloride and a reductant, liquid sodium, were injected into an arc heated mixture of hydrogen and argon. Under these high temperature conditions, a very rapid reaction occurred, yielding silicon and gaseous sodium chloride. Techniques for high temperature separation and collection of the molten silicon were developed. The desired degree of separation was not achieved. The electrical, control and instrumentation, cooling water, gas, SiCl4, and sodium systems are discussed. The plasma reactor, silicon collection, effluent disposal, the gas burnoff stack, and decontamination and safety are also discussed. Procedure manuals, shakedown testing, data acquisition and analysis, product characterization, disassembly and decontamination, and component evaluation are reviewed.

Meyer, T. N.↗

Optical memory development. Volume 1: prototype memory system

The design, development, and implementation of a prototype, partially populated, million bit read-write holographic memory system using state-of-the-art components are described. The system employs an argon ion laser, acoustooptic beam deflectors, a holographic beam splitter (hololens), a nematic liquid crystal page composer, a photoconductor-thermoplastic erasable storage medium, a silicon P-I-N photodiode array, with lenses and electronics of both conventional and custom design. Operation of the prototype memory system was successfully demonstrated. Careful attention is given to the analysis from which the design criteria were developed. Specifications for the major components are listed, along with the details of their construction and performance. The primary conclusion resulting from this program is that the basic principles of read-write holographic memory system are well understood and are reducible to practice.

Cosentino, L. S.↗

Homogeneous alignment of nematic liquid crystals by ion beam etched surfaces

A wide range of the ion beam etch parameters are capable of producing uniform homogeneous alignment of nematic liquid crystals on SiO2 films. The alignment surfaces were generated by obliquely incident argon ions; a smaller range of ion beam parameters was also investigated with ZrO2 films and found suitable for homogeneous alignment. Extinction ratios were very high, and twist and tilt-bias angles were very small. The SEM results indicate a parallel oriented surface structure on the ion beam etched surfaces which may determine alignment.

Wintucky, E. G.↗

Experimental investigations of argon and xenon ion sources

The multipole thruster was used to investigate the use of argon and xenon propellants as possible alternatives to the electric thruster propellants of mercury and cesium. The multipole approach was used because of its general high performance level. The design employed, using flat and cylindrical rolled sections of sheet metal, was selected for ease of fabrication, design, assembly, and modification. All testing was conducted in a vacuum facility and the pumping was accomplished by a 0.8 m diffusion pump together with liquid nitrogen cooled liner. Minimum discharge losses were in the 200-250 ev. ion range for both argon and xenon. Flatness parameters were typically in the 0.70-0.75 range.

Kaufman, H. R.↗

Stainless Steel NaK-Cooled Circuit (SNaKC) Fabrication and Assembly

An actively pumped Stainless Steel NaK Circuit (SNaKC) has been designed and fabricated by the Early Flight Fission Test Facility (EFF-TF) team at NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center. This circuit uses the eutectic mixture of sodium and potassium (NaK) as the working fluid building upon the experience and accomplishments of the SNAP reactor program from the late 1960's The SNaKC enables valuable experience and liquid metal test capability to be gained toward the goal of designing and building an affordable surface power reactor. The basic circuit components include a simulated reactor core a NaK to gas heat exchanger, an electromagnetic (EM) liquid metal pump, a liquid metal flow meter, an expansion reservoir and a drain/fill reservoir To maintain an oxygen free environment in the presence of NaK, an argon system is utilized. A helium and nitrogen system are utilized for core, pump, and heat exchanger operation. An additional rest section is available to enable special component testing m an elevated temperature actively pumped liquid metal environment. This paper summarizes the physical build of the SNaKC the gas and pressurization systems, vacuum systems, as well as instrumentation and control methods.

Godfroy, Thomas J.↗

Spray measurements of aerothermodynamic effect on disintegrating liquid jets

An experimental investigation was made to determine the effect of atomizing gas mass flux and temperature on liquid jet breakup in sonic velocity gas flow. Characteristic drop size data were obtained by using the following atomizing gases: nitrogen, argon, and helium to breakup water jets in high velocity gas flow. A scattered light scanning instrument developed at Lewis Research Center was used to measure Sauter mean diameter (SMD). The three gases gave a molecular weight range of 4 to 40 and atomizing gas mass flux and temperature were varied from 6 to 50 g/sq cm and 275-400 K, respectively. The ratio of liquid jet diameter to SMD, D(sub 0)/D(sub 32), was correlated with aerodynamic and liquid-surface force ratios, i.e., the product of the Weber and Reynolds number, We Re, the gas to liquid density ratio, rho(sub g)/rho(sub 1) g and also the molecular scale dimensionless group, rho(sub 1)(Vm exp 3)/ mu(sub 1) g, to give the following expression: D(sub 0)/D(sub 32) = 0.90 x 10(exp -8) x (We Re rho sub g/rho sub 1)exp 0.44 x (rho sub 1 Vm exp 3/mu sub 1 g)exp 0.67 where We Re = ((rho sub g)exp 2(D sub 0)exp 2(V sub C)exp3))/ mu sub 1 sigma, mu sub 1 is liquid viscosity, sigma is surface tension, V sub C is the acoustic gas velocity, V sub m is the RMS velocity of gas molecules, and g is the acceleration of gas molecules due to gravity. Good agreement was obtained with atomization theory for liquid-jet breakup in the regime of aerodynamic stripping. Also, due to its low molecular weight and high acoustic velocity, helium was considerably more effective than nitrogen or argon in producing small-droplet sprays with values of D(sub 32) on the order of 5 microns.

Ingebo, Robert D.↗

MSTEC: Molten Salt Thermophysical Examination Capability

Technical Description – a shielded modular hotcell with an inert argon atmosphere, housing characterization equipment for determining thermophysical and thermochemical properties of high temperature liquids not limited to but focusing on irradiated fuel salts Location – MFC, FCF, rm 35 Compatible Materials: Chloride, fluoride salts Fresh fuel salts and irradiated fuel salts Pyrophoric material - U, Pu metal Gases – H2, HCl, Cl2, HF, F2, NF3 Beryllium containing salts Many others

22 GENERAL STUDIES OF NUCLEAR REACTORS↗

MSTEC: Molten Salt Thermophysical Examination Capability

Description – shielded modular hotcell with an inert argon atmosphere, housing characterization equipment for determining thermophysical and thermochemical properties of high temperature liquids not limited to but focusing on TRU and irradiated fuel salts

22 GENERAL STUDIES OF NUCLEAR REACTORS↗

Liquid-metal magnetohydrodynamic system evaluation

The present study emphasizes a direct coal-fired design using a bubbly two-component flow of sodium and argon in the MHD generator and a Rankine steam-bottoming plant. Two basic cycles were studied, corresponding to argon temperatures of 922 and 1089 K at the duct inlet. The MHD duct system consisted of multiple ducts arranged in clusters and separated by iron magnet pole pieces. The ducts, each with an output of about 100 MW, were parallel to the flow, but were connected in series electrically to provide a higher MHD voltage. With channel efficiencies of 80%, a pump efficiency of 90%, and a 45% efficient steam-bottoming plant, the overall efficiency of the 1089 K liquid-metal MHD power plant was 43%.

Holman, R. R.↗

Noble Gases in Iddingsite from the Lafayette Meteorite: Evidence for Liquid Water on Mars in the Last Few Hundred Million Years

We analyzed noble gases from 18 samples of weathering products ("iddingsite") from the Lafayette meteorite. Potassium-argon ages of 12 samples range from near zero to 670 +/- 91 Ma. These ages confirm the martian origin of the iddingsite, but it is not clear whether any or all of the ages represent iddingsite formation as opposed to later alteration or incorporation of martian atmospheric Ar-40. In any case, because iddingsite formation requires liquid water, this data requires the presence of liquid water near the surface of Mars at least as recently as 1300 Ma ago, and probably as recently as 650 Ma ago. Krypton and Xe analysis of a single 34 microg sample indicates the presence of fractionated martian atmosphere within the iddingsite. This also confirms the martian origin of the iddingsite. The mechanism of incorporation could either be through interaction with liquid water during iddingsite formation or a result of shock implantation of adsorbed atmospheric gas.

Swindle, T. D.↗

Removal of Residual Chromium from Aluminum Oxide by Containerless Liquid-phase Processing

Berneuil sapphire was purified of Cr 3+ by containerless melting and processing at ca. 2550 K in high purity argon, dry air and pure oxygen. Recovered material was examined by laser induced fluorescence and Raman spectroscopy. The Cr 3+ fluorescence intensity decreased in processed specimens at rates proportional to the chromium concentration and p(O 2 ) 0.21 . The initial chromium concentration was ca. 5 ppm and decreased by factors of ca. 50, 3000, and 2x10 5 after processing for 300 seconds in argon, air and oxygen, respectively. Evidence is presented that the Cr 3+ was removed predominantly as CrO 2 (g) and not by conversion to other oxidation states of chromium in the condensed phase. A comparison of the Raman peak shifts for as-received and processed samples indicates that considerable stress was retained during containerless solidification of the highly undercooled melts.

sapphire↗

Gas density effect on dropsize of simulated fuel sprays

Two-phase flow in pneumatic two-fluid fuel nozzles was investigated experimentally to determine the effect of atomizing-gas density and gas mass-flux on liquid-jet breakup in sonic-velocity gas-flow. Dropsize data were obtained for the following atomizing-gases: nitrogen; argon; carbon dioxide; and helium. They were selected to cover a gas molecular-weight range of 4 to 44. Atomizing-gas mass-flux ranged from 6 to 50 g/sq cm-sec and four differently sized two-fluid fuel nozzles were used having orifice diameters that varied from 0.32 to 0.56 cm. The ratio of liquid-jet diameter to SMD, D sub o/D sub 32, was correlated with aerodynamic and liquid-surface forces based on the product of the Weber and Reynolds number, We*Re, and gas-to-liquid density ratio, rho sub g/rho sub l. To correlate spray dropsize with breakup forces produced by using different atomizing-gases, a new molecular-scale dimensionless group was derived. The derived dimensionless group was used to obtain an expression for the ratio of liquid-jet diameter to SMD, D sub o/D sub 32. The mathematical expression of this phenomenon incorporates the product of the Weber and Reynolds number, liquid viscosity, surface tension, acoustic gas velocity, the RMS velocity of gas molecules, the acceleration of gas molecules due to gravity, and gas viscosity. The mathematical expression encompassing these parameters agrees well with the atomization theory for liquid-jet breakup in high velocity gas flow. Also, it was found that at the same gas mass-flux, helium was considerably more effective than nitrogen in producing small droplet sprays with SMD's in the order of 5 micrometers.

Ingebo, Robert D.↗

Gas density effect on dropsize of simulated fuel sprays

Two-phase flow in pneumatic two-fluid fuel nozzles was investigated experimentally to determine the effect of atomizing-gas density and gas mass-flux on liquid-jet breakup in sonic-velocity gas-flow. Dropsize data were obtained for the following atomizing-gases: nitrogen; argon; carbon dioxide; and helium. They were selected to cover a gas molecular-weight range of 4 to 44. Atomizing-gas mass-flux ranged from 6 to 50 g/sq cm-sec and four differently sized two-fluid fuel nozzles were used having orifice diameters that varied from 0.32 to 0.56 cm. The ratio of liquid-jet diameter to SMD, D sub o/D sub 32, was correlated with aerodynamic and liquid-surface forces based on the product of the Weber and Reynolds number, and gas-to-liquid density ratio, rho sub g/rho sub 1. To correlate spray dropsize with breakup forces produced by using different atomizing-gases, a new molecular-scale dimensionless group was derived. The derived dimensionless group was used to obtain an expression for the ratio of liquid-jet diameter to SMD, D sub o/D sub 32. The mathematical expression of this phenomenon incorporates the product of the Weber and Reynolds number, liquid viscosity, surface tension, acoustic gas velocity, the RMS velocity of gas molecules, the acceleration of gas molecules due to gravity, and gas viscosity. The mathematical expression encompassing these parameters agrees well with the atomization theory for liquid-jet breakup in high velocity gas flow. Also, it was found that at the same gas mass-flux, helium was considerably more effective than nitrogen in producing small droplet sprays with SMD's in the order of 5 micrometers.

Ingebo, Robert D.↗

Improved Facility for Producing Silicon Web

Growth of continuous silicon dendritic web that is up to 5 cm wide instead on only 1.3 cm is formed by freezing of supercooled liquid silicon between two needlelike dendritic crystals. Growth takes place in a work chamber filled with argon gas. As web grows, it is drawn out of chamber through a duct and guided to a storage reel.

Duncan, C. S.↗

PISCES-RF: a liquid-cooled high-power steady-state helicon plasma device

Radio-frequency (RF) driven helicon plasma sources can produce relatively high-density plasmas (n > 1019 m -3 ) at relatively moderate powers (<2 kW) in argon. However, to produce similar high-density plasmas for fusion relevant gases such as hydrogen (H), deuterium (D) and helium (He), much higher RF powers are needed. For very high RF powers, thermal issues of the RF-transparent dielectric window, used in the RF source design, limit the plasma operation timescales. To mitigate this constraint, we have designed, built and tested a novel helicon plasma source assembly with a fully liquid-cooled RF-transparent window which allows steady state operations at high power (up to 20 kW) and successfully produces high-density plasma with both argon and H. Deionized (DI) water, flowing between two concentric dielectric RF windows, is used as the coolant. We show that a full azimuthal blanket of DI water does not prevent high-density plasma production. From calorimetry on the DI water, we measure the net heat removed by the coolant at steady state conditions. Using infra-red imaging, we calculate the constant plasma heat deposition and measure the final steady state temperature distribution patterns on the inner surface of the ceramic layer. The heat deposition pattern follows the helical shape of the antenna. We also show the consistency between the heat absorbed by the DI water, as measured by calorimetry, and the total heat due to the combined effect of the plasma heating and the absorbed RF. These results are being used to answer critical engineering questions for the 200 kW RF device materials plasma exposure experiment being designed at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory as a next generation plasma material interaction device.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗