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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.

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At least 793 records · Page 44
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1987

Optimization of a heat-pipe-cooled space radiator for use with a reactor-powered Stirling engine

The design optimization of a reactor-Stirling heat-pipe-cooled radiator is presented. The radiator is a self-deploying concept that uses individual finned heat pipe 'petals' to reject waste heat from a Stirling engine. Radiator optimization methodology is presented, and the results of a parametric analysis of the radiator design variables for a 100-kW(e) system are given. The additional steps of optiminzing the radiator resulted in a net system mass savings of 3 percent.

Moriarty, Michael P.↗
NASA NTRS1987

Onset of runaway nucleation in aerosol reactors

The onset of homogeneous nucleation of new particles from the products of gas phase chemical reactions was explored using an aerosol reactor in which seed particles of silicon were grown by silane pyrolysis. The transition from seed growth by cluster deposition to catastrophic nucleation was extremely abrupt, with as little as a 17 percent change in the reactant concentration leading to an increase in the concentration of measurable particles of four orders of magnitude. From the structure of the particles grown near this transition, it is apparent that much of the growth occurs by the accumulation of clusters on the growing seed particles. The time scale for cluster diffusion indicates, however, that the clusters responsible for growth must be much smaller than the apparent fine structure of the product particles.

Wu, Jin Jwang↗
NASA NTRS1987

Analysis of closed cycle megawatt class space power systems with nuclear reactor heat sources

The analysis and integration studies of multimegawatt nuclear power conversion systems for potential SDI applications is presented. A study is summarized which considered 3 separate types of power conversion systems for steady state power generation with a duty requirement of 1 yr at full power. The systems considered are based on the following conversion cycles: direct and indirect Brayton gas turbine, direct and indirect liquid metal Rankine, and in core thermionic. A complete mass analysis was performed for each system at power levels ranging from 1 to 25 MWe for both heat pipe and liquid droplet radiator options. In the modeling of common subsystems, reactor and shield calculations were based on multiparameter correlation and an in-house analysis for the heat rejection and other subsystems.

Juhasz, A. J.↗
NASA NTRS1986

Mechanisms of cell damage in agitated microcarrier tissue culture reactors

Cells growing on microcarriers may be damaged by collisions of the microcarrier against another microcarrier or the reactor agitator. Bead-bead collisions are caused by small-scale turbulence, which can also cause high local shear stress on the cells. The cells are also exposed to 10-20 Hz cyclic shear stress by bead rotation.

Cherry, Robert S.↗
NASA NTRS1987

Power conditioning for space nuclear reactor systems

This paper addresses the power conditioning subsystem for both Stirling and Brayton conversion of space nuclear reactor systems. Included are the requirements summary, trade results related to subsystem implementation, subsystem description, voltage level versus weight, efficiency and operational integrity, components selection, and shielding considerations. The discussion is supported by pertinent circuit and block diagrams. Summary conclusions and recommendations derived from the above studies are included.

Berman, Baruch↗
NASA NTRS1987

Measurements of natural circulation flow in a scale model PWR reactor system during postulated degraded core accidents using laser anemometry

The natural circulation of a single-phase fluid in a scale-model pressurized water reactor system was studied during a postulated degraded core accident. A half section of a one-seventh scale model with a plexiglass adiabatic window was employed. Water and SF6 were used as the fluid. LDA was used to perform velocity measurements along the center plane of the model at five elevations. It was found that the recirculation flow patterns are nearly symmetric except near the hot legs and in the upper head and that the fluid in the upper plenum is well mixed.

Kadambi, J. R.↗
NASA NTRS1988

Modelling ignition characteristics of rich H2/O2 mixture in a monolithic catalytic reactor

Ignition of rich hydrogen-oxygen mixture in a monolithic catalytic reactor is studied using a transient combustion model. The model assumes a quasi-steady gas phase and a thermally-thin substrate. The ignition time lag is due to the thermal inertia of the substrate. One-step global chemical reaction is assumed both on the surface and in the gas phase. An effectiveness factor is introduced to account for the transition from a kinetically-limited catalytic surface reaction to a diffusion-limit one during ignition. Results presented include a catalytic ignition boundary, ignition delay time and the transient response in the catalytic bed.

Tien, Ta-Ching↗
NASA NTRS1989

Ozone/Ultraviolet-Photo-Oxidation Reactor

Experimental chemical-processing system destroys waste hydrazine in water by use of ozone in ultraviolet-photo-oxidation reactor. New process reduces concentrations of hydrazines and intermediate decomposition products in effluent liquid and gas to below limit of detectability. Liquid sprayed in reaction chamber past ultraviolet lamps, against flow of oxygen and ozone. Hydrazines and intermediate decomposition products oxidized to harmless substances. Effectiveness and speed of process depends on maintenance of circulating liquid at correct pH, determines lower limit of oxidation by ozone.

Swartz, Ari Ben↗
NASA NTRS1988

Nuclear reactor power as applied to a space-based radar mission

The SP-100 Project was established to develop and demonstrate feasibility of a space reactor power system (SRPS) at power levels of 10's of kilowatts to a megawatt. To help determine systems requirements for the SRPS, a mission and spacecraft were examined which utilize this power system for a space-based radar to observe moving objects. Aspects of the mission and spacecraft bearing on the power system were the primary objectives of this study; performance of the radar itself was not within the scope. The study was carried out by the Systems Design Audit Team of the SP-100 Project.

Jaffe, L.↗
NASA NTRS1988

Nuclear reactor power as applied to a space-based radar mission

A space-based radar mission and spacecraft are examined to determine system requirements for a 300 kWe space nuclear reactor power system. The spacecraft configuration and its orbit, launch vehicle, and propulsion are described. Mission profiles are addressed, and storage in assembly orbit is considered. Dynamics and attitude control and the problems of nuclear and thermal radiation are examined.

Jaffe, L.↗
NASA NTRS1988

Systems aspects of a space nuclear reactor power system

Various system aspects of a 300-kW nuclear reactor power system for spacecraft have been investigated. Special attention is given to the cases of a reusable OTV and a space-based radar. It is demonstrated that the stowed length of the power system is important to mission design, and that orbital storage for months to years may be needed for missions involving orbital assembly.

Jaffe, L.↗
NASA NTRS1988

Extended SP-100 reactor power systems capability

The SP-100 space nuclear power system development program and the NASA Civil Space Technology Initiative (CSTI) are discussed. The advanced technologies being developed for the CSTI high capacity nuclear reactor power system are outlined. The relationship between the CSTI and the Pathfinder project is considered.

Bloomfield, H. S.↗
NASA NTRS1988

Surface-catalyzed air oxidation reactions of hydrazines: Tubular reactor studies

The surface-catalyzed air oxidation reactions of hydrazine, monomethylhydrazine, unsymmetrical dimethylhydrazine, symmetrical dimethylhydrazine, trimethylhydrazine and tetramethylhydrazine were investigated in a metal-powder packed turbular flow reactor at 55 plus or minus 3 C. Hydrazine was completely reacted on all surfaces studied. The major products of monomethylhydrazine (MMH) oxidation were methanol, methane and methyldiazene. The di-, tri- and tetra-methyl hydrazines were essentially unreactive under these conditions. The relative catalytic reactivities toward MMH are: Fe greater than Al2O3 greater than Ti greater than Zn greater than 316 SS greater than Cr greater than Ni greater than Al greater than 304L SS. A kinetic scheme and mechanism involving adsorption, oxidative dehydrogenation and reductive elimination reactions on a metal oxide surface are proposed.

Kilduff, Jan E.↗
NASA NTRS1989

The SP-100 space reactor as a power source for Mars exploration missions

This paper argues that many of the power requirements of complex, relatively long-duration space missions such as the exploration of Mars may best be met through the use of power systems which use nuclear reactors as a thermal energy source. The development of such a power system, the SP-100, and its application in Mars mission scenarios is described. The missions addressed include a freighter mission and a mission involving exploration of the Martian surface.

Isenberg, Lon↗
NASA NTRS1991

Evolving the SP-100 reactor in order to boost large payloads to GEO and to low lunar orbit via nuclear-electric propulsion

In striving to reduce exploration cost and exploration risks, a crucial aspect of the plans is program continuity, i.e., the continuing application of a given technology over a long period so that experience will accumulate from extended testing here on Earth and from a diversity of applications in space. An integrated view needs to be formed of the missions SEI will carry out, near term as well as far, and of the ways in which these missions can mutually support one another. Near term programs should be so constituted as to provide for the long term missions both the enabling technologies and the accumulation of experience they need. In achieving this, missions in Earth orbit should both evolve and show the technologies crucial to long term missions on the lunar surface, and the program for the lunar labs should evolve and show the enabling technologies for exploration of the surface of Mars and for flights of human beings to Mars and return. In the near term, the program for the Space Station should be directed and funded to develop and demonstrate the solar Brayton power plant that will be most useful as the power generator for the SP-100 nuclear reactor.

English, Robert E.↗
NASA NTRS1990

Startup thaw concept for the SP-100 space reactor power system

A thaw concept for a space reactor power system which employs lithium as a circulant for both the heat-transport and the heat-rejection fluid loops is presented. An exemplary thermal analysis for a 100-kWe (i.e., SP-100) system is performed. It is shown that the design of the thaw system requires a thorough knowledge of the various physical states of the circulant throughout the system, both spatially and temporally, and that the design has to provide adequate margins for the system to avoid a structural or thermally induced damage.

Kirpich, A.↗
NASA NTRS1990

Three-dimensional numerical modelling of transport in horizontal MOCVD reactors

A systematic three-dimensional study for the MOCVD of gallium arsenide is presented. Numerical solutions, obtained for the system of equations governing the steady state heat, momentum, and mass transfer in horizontal reactors with large and small aspect ratio, are compared with experimental growth rate distributions. The effects on layer thickness uniformity of lateral thermal boundary conditions and susceptor tilt are explored. The validity of a parabolic flow approximation of the equations is also investigated by comparison with the complete three-dimensional treatment.

Ouazzani, Jalil↗