Engineering Papers⌕ Search

SEARCH · Engineering Papers

Results for “velocity model evaluation”

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.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 793 records · Page 44

Analytic_Deflection_of_Asteroids_by_NEDs

This package evaluates an analytic formula for the change in velocity imparted to an asteroid by a 1 or 2 keV black body source given the radius of the asteroid, the standoff distance, the x-ray yield, the density of the asteroid, and the fit coefficients for the 1 or 2 keV black body source (provided in the module). Three variations of the formula are given; the "original" form, the "modified" form that accounts for the angle of incidence in calculating the melt depth, and a form based on an "impulse" model. Each formula is fit to simulations of spherical asteroids of uniform composition illuminated by black body x-rays.

Managan, RobertA↗

Computational Analysis of the Impact of Boundary Conditions on a Particle-Laden Flow: A Case Study in a Pressurized Oxy-Coal Combustor

Designing an effective burner is vital for the development of coal combustion technologies. Because of high pressure, the volumetric fraction of the coal particles in the injected fuel in a pressurized oxy-combustion (POC) burner approaches or even exceeds the limitations allowed by the commercial computational fluid dynamics codes (e.g., Ansys Fluent). Consequently, for such high particle volumetric fractions, the interplay between the particles, the fluid flow, and the burner wall needs to be re-evaluated. The present computational work is a first step in a systematic analysis of the roles of various characteristics involved in the POC process, such as the method of particle release, its location, and the particle size. Specifically, pulverized coal is burned under an elevated pressure of 15 bar in an O 2 /CO 2 environment. A 100 kW, a POC combustor, is modeled with Ansys Fluent using the Reynolds-averaged Navier−Stokes approach. It is revealed that for this pilot-scale, pressurized burner, the gas phase flow velocity in the near-wall region exhibits anomalies. With the major focus on POC, this work aims to eliminate/reduce the impact of high particle loading on the gas-phase flow. To scrutinize the role of particle loading in the near-wall region and eliminate the impact of this velocity on POC downstream, the particle−gas interplay in the boundary layer is investigated by means of the computational simulations incorporating the coupling between the turbulent flow and the particles. It is found that the tuning of the particle release location makes the gas-phase flow velocity in the presence of particles consistent with the pure gas flow velocity profile. The particles size is also found to have a significant impact on the particle trajectory.

CFD↗

A tomographic technique for aerodynamics at transonic speeds

Computer aided tomography (CAT) provides a means of noninvasively measuring the air density distribution around an aerodynamic model. This technique is global in that a large portion of the flow field can be measured. A test of the applicability of CAT to transonic velocities was studied. A hemispherical-nose cylinder afterbody model was tested at a Mach number of 0.8 with a new laser holographic interferometer at the 2- by 2-Foot Transonic Wind Tunnel. Holograms of the flow field were taken and were reconstructed into interferograms. The fringe distribution (a measure of the local densities) was digitized for subsequent data reduction. A computer program based on the Fourier-transform technique was developed to convert the fringe distribution into three-dimensional densities around the model. Theoretical aerodynamic densities were calculated for evaluating and assessing the accuracy of the data obtained from the tomographic method.

Lee, G.↗

A tomographic technique for aerodynamics at transonic speeds

Computer aided tomography (CAT) provides a means of noninvasively measuring the air density distribution around an aerodynamic model. This technique is global in that a large portion of the flow field can be measured. A test of the applicability of CAT to transonic velocities was studied. A hemispherical-nose cylinder afterbody model was tested at a Mach number of 0.8 with a new laser holographic interferometer at the 2- by 2-Foot Transonic Wind Tunnel. Holograms of the flow field were taken and were reconstructed into interferograms. The fringe distribution (a measure of the local densities) was digitized for subsequent data reduction. A computer program based on the Fourier-transform technique was developed to convert the fringe distribution into three-dimensional densities around the model. Theoretical aerodynamic densities were calculated for evaluating and assessing the accuracy of the data obtained from the tomographic method.

Lee, G.↗

Three dimensional modeling of cirrus during the 1991 FIRE IFO 2: Detailed process study

A three-dimensional model of cirrus cloud formation and evolution, including microphysical, dynamical, and radiative processes, was used to simulate cirrus observed in the FIRE Phase 2 Cirrus field program (13 Nov. - 7 Dec. 1991). Sulfate aerosols, solution drops, ice crystals, and water vapor are all treated as interactive elements in the model. Ice crystal size distributions are fully resolved based on calculations of homogeneous freezing of solution drops, growth by water vapor deposition, evaporation, aggregation, and vertical transport. Visible and infrared radiative fluxes, and radiative heating rates are calculated using the two-stream algorithm described by Toon et al. Wind velocities, diffusion coefficients, and temperatures were taken from the MAPS analyses and the MM4 mesoscale model simulations. Within the model, moisture is transported and converted to liquid or vapor by the microphysical processes. The simulated cloud bulk and microphysical properties are shown in detail for the Nov. 26 and Dec. 5 case studies. Comparisons with lidar, radar, and in situ data are used to determine how well the simulations reproduced the observed cirrus. The roles played by various processes in the model are described in detail. The potential modes of nucleation are evaluated, and the importance of small-scale variations in temperature and humidity are discussed. The importance of competing ice crystal growth mechanisms (water vapor deposition and aggregation) are evaluated based on model simulations. Finally, the importance of ice crystal shape for crystal growth and vertical transport of ice are discussed.

Jensen, Eric J.↗

Large eddy simulations of compressible turbulent flows

An evaluation of existing models for Large Eddy Simulations (LES) of incompressible turbulent flows has been completed. LES is a computation in which the large, energy-carrying structures to momentum and energy transfer is computed exactly, and only the effect of the smallest scales of turbulence is modeled. That is, the large eddies are computed and the smaller eddies are modeled. The dynamics of the largest eddies are believed to account for most of sound generation and transport properties in a turbulent flow. LES analysis is based on an observation that pressure, velocity, temperature, and other variables are the sum of their large-scale and small-scale parts. For instance, u(i) (velocity) can be written as the sum of bar-u(i) and u(i)-prime, where bar-u(i) is the large-scale and u(i)-prime is the subgrid-scale (SGS). The governing equations for large eddies in compressible flows are obtained after filtering the continuity, momentum, and energy equations, and recasting in terms of Favre averages. The filtering operation maintains only large scales. The effects of the small-scales are present in the governing equations through the SGS stress tensor tau(ij) and SGS heat flux q(i). The mathematical formulation of the Favre-averaged equations of motion for LES is complete.

Porter-Locklear, Freda↗

Structure of the Magnetotail Current Sheet

An orbit tracing technique was used to generate current sheets for three magnetotail models. Groups of ions were followed to calculate the resulting cross-tail current. Several groups then were combined to produce a current sheet. The goal is a model in which the ions and associated electrons carry the electric current distribution needed to generate the magnetic field B in which ion orbits were traced. The region -20 R(E) less than x less than -14 R(E) in geocentric solar magnetospheric coordinates was studied. Emphasis was placed on identifying the categories of ion orbits which contribute most to the cross-tail current and on gaining physical insight into the manner by which the ions carry the observed current distribution. Ions that were trapped near z = 0, ions that magnetically mirrored throughout the current sheet, and ions that mirrored near the Earth all were needed. The current sheet structure was determined primarily by ion magnetization currents. Electrons of the observed energies carried relatively little cross-tail current in these quiet time current sheets. Distribution functions were generated and integrated to evaluate fluid parameters. An earlier model in which B depended only on z produced a consistent current sheet, but it did not provide a realistic representation of the Earth's middle magnetotail. In the present study, B changed substantially in the x and z directions but only weakly in the y direction within our region of interest. Plasmas with three characteristic particle energies were used with each of the magnetic field models. A plasma was found for each model in which the density, average energy, cross-tail current, and bulk flow velocity agreed well with satellite observations.

Larson, Douglas J.↗

Structure of the Magnetotail Current Sheet

An orbit tracing technique was used to generate current sheets for three magnetotail models. Groups of ions were followed to calculate the resulting cross-tail current. Several groups then were combined to produce a current sheet. The goal is a model in which the ions and associated electrons carry the electric current distribution needed to generate the magnetic field B in which ion orbits were traced. The region -20 R(sub E) less than x less than - 14 R(sub E) in geocentric solar magnetospheric coordinates was studied. Emphasis was placed on identifying the categories of ion orbits which contribute most to the cross-tail current and on gaining physical insight into the manner by which the ions carry the observed current distribution. Ions that were trapped near z = 0, ions that magnetically mirrored throughout the current sheet, and ions that mirrored near the Earth all were needed. The current sheet structure was determined primarily by ion magnetization currents. Electrons of the observed energies carried relatively little cross-tail current in these quiet time current sheets. Distribution functions were generated and integrated to evaluate fluid parameters. An earlier model in which B depended only on z produced a consistent current sheet, but it did not provide a realistic representation of the Earth's middle magnetotail. In the present study, B changed substantially in the x and z directions but only weakly in the y direction within our region of interest. Plasmas with three characteristic particle energies were used with each of the magnetic field models. A plasma was found for each model in which the density, average energy, cross-tail current, and bulk flow velocity agreed well with satellite observations.

Larson, Douglas J.↗

Temperatures and Stresses on Hollow Blades For Gas Turbines

The present treatise reports on theoretical investigations and test-stand measurements which were carried out in the BMW Flugmotoren GMbH in developing the hollow blade for exhaust gas turbines. As an introduction the temperature variation and the stress on a turbine blade for a gas temperature of 900 degrees and circumferential velocities of 600 meters per second are discussed. The assumptions onthe heat transfer coefficients at the blade profile are supported by tests on an electrically heated blade model. The temperature distribution in the cross section of a blade Is thoroughly investigated and the temperature field determined for a special case. A method for calculation of the thermal stresses in turbine blades for a given temperature distribution is indicated. The effect of the heat radiation on the blade temperature also is dealt with. Test-stand experiments on turbine blades are evaluated, particularly with respect to temperature distribution in the cross section; maximum and minimum temperature in the cross section are ascertained. Finally, the application of the hollow blade for a stationary gas turbine is investigated. Starting from a setup for 550 C gas temperature the improvement of the thermal efficiency and the fuel consumption are considered as well as the increase of the useful power by use of high temperatures. The power required for blade cooling is taken into account.

Pollmann, Erich↗

Electronic energy loss and ion velocity correlation effects in track production in swift-ion-irradiated LiNbO3: A quantitative assessment between structural damage morphology and energy deposition

The primary motivation for studying how irradiation modifies the structures and properties of solid materials involves the understanding of undesirable phenomena, including irradiation-induced degradation of components in nuclear reactors and space exploration, and beneficial applications, including material performance tailoring through ion beam modification and defect engineering. In this work, the formation mechanism of latent tracks with different damage morphologies in LiNbO 3 crystals under 0.09–6.17 MeV/u ion irradiation with an electronic energy loss from 2.6–13.2 keV/nm is analyzed by experimental characterizations and numerical calculations. Irradiation-induced damage is preliminarily evaluated via the prism coupling technique to analyze the correlation between the dark-mode spectra and energy loss profiles of irradiated regions. Under the irradiation conditions of different ion velocities and electronic energy losses, different damage morphologies, from individual spherical defects to discontinuous and continuous tracks, are experimentally characterized. During ion penetration process, the ion velocity determines the spatiotemporal distribution of deposited irradiation energy induced by electronic energy loss, meaning that the two essential factors including electronic energy loss and ion velocity co-affect the track damage. The inelastic thermal spike model is used to numerically calculate the spatiotemporal evolutions of energy deposition and the corresponding atomic temperature under different irradiation conditions, and a quantitative relationship is proposed by comparison with corresponding experimentally observed track damage morphologies. Additionally, the obtained quantitative relationship between irradiation conditions and track damage provides deep insight and guidance for understanding the damage behavior of crystal materials in extreme radiation environments and selecting irradiation parameters, including ion species and energies, for ion beam technique application in atomic-level defect manipulation, material modification, and micro/nanofabrication.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

A linear quadratic Gaussian with loop transfer recovery proximity operations autopilot for spacecraft

An automatic control scheme for spacecraft proximity operations is presented. The controller is capable of holding the vehicle at a prescribed location relative to a target, or maneuvering it to a different relative position using straight line-of-sight translations. The autopilot uses a feedforward loop to initiate and terminate maneuvers, and for operations at nonequilibrium set-points. A multivariate feedback loop facilitates precise position and velocity control in the presence of sensor noise. The feedback loop is formulated using the Linear Quadratic Gaussian (LQG) with Loop Transfer Recovery (LTR) design procedure. Linear models of spacecraft dynamics, adapted from Clohessey-Wiltshire Equations, are augmented and loop shaping techniques are applied to design a target feedback loop. The loop transfer recovery procedure is used to recover the frequency domain properties of the target feedback loop. The resulting compensator is integrated into an autopilot which is tested in a high fidelity Space Shuttle Simulator. The autopilot performance is evaluated for a variety of proximity operations tasks envisioned for future Shuttle flights.

Chen, George T.↗

Application of CFD Analysis to Design Support and Problem Resolution for ASRM and RSRM

The use of Navier-Stokes CFD codes to predict the internal flow field environment in a solid rocket motor is a very important analysis element during the design phase of a motor development program. These computational flow field solutions uncover a variety of potential problems associated with motor performance as well as suggesting solutions to these problems. CFD codes have also proven to be of great benefit in explaining problems associated with operational motors such as in the case of the pressure spike problem with the STS-54B flight motor. This paper presents results from analyses involving both motor design support and problem resolution. The issues discussed include the fluid dynamic/mechanical stress coupling at field joints relative to significant propellant deformations, the prediction of axial and radial pressure gradients in the motor associated with motor performance and propellant mechanical loading, the prediction of transition of the internal flow in the motor associated with erosive burning, the accumulation of slag at the field joints and in the submerged nozzle region, impingement of flow on the nozzle nose, and pressure gradients in the nozzle region of the motor. The analyses presented in this paper have been performed using a two-dimensional axisymmetric model. Fluent/BFC, a three dimensional Navier-Stokes flow field code, has been used to make the numerical calculations. This code utilizes a staggered grid formulation along with the SIMPLER numerical pressure-velocity coupling algorithm. Wall functions are used to represent the character of the viscous sub-layer flow, and an adjusted k-epsilon turbulence model especially configured for mass injection internal flows, is used to model the growth of turbulence in the motor port. Conclusions discussed in this paper consider flow field effects on the forward, center, and aft propellant grains except for the head end star grain region of the forward propellant segment. The field joints and the submerged nozzle are discussed as well. Conclusions relative to both the design evaluation of the ASRM and the RSRM scenarios explaining the pressure spikes were based on the flow field solutions presented in this paper.

Dill, Richard A.↗

Predicting NonInertial Effects with Algebraic Stress Models which Account for Dissipation Rate Anisotropies

Three types of turbulence models which account for rotational effects in noninertial frames of reference are evaluated for the case of incompressible, fully developed rotating turbulent channel flow. The different types of models are a Coriolis-modified eddy-viscosity model, a realizable algebraic stress model, and an algebraic stress model which accounts for dissipation rate anisotropies. A direct numerical simulation of a rotating channel flow is used for the turbulent model validation. This simulation differs from previous studies in that significantly higher rotation numbers are investigated. Flows at these higher rotation numbers are characterized by a relaminarization on the cyclonic or suction side of the channel, and a linear velocity profile on the anticyclonic or pressure side of the channel. The predictive performance of the three types of models are examined in detail, and formulation deficiencies are identified which cause poor predictive performance for some of the models. Criteria are identified which allow for accurate prediction of such flows by algebraic stress models and their corresponding Reynolds stress formulations.

Jongen, T.↗

New Representation of Bearings in LS-DYNA

Non-linear, dynamic, finite element analysis is used in various engineering disciplines to evaluate high-speed, dynamic impact and vibration events. Some of these applications require connecting rotating to stationary components. For example, bird impacts on rotating aircraft engine fan blades are a common analysis performed using this type of analysis tool. Traditionally, rotating machines utilize some type of bearing to allow rotation in one degree of freedom while offering constraints in the other degrees of freedom. Most times, bearings are modeled simply as linear springs with rotation. This is a simplification that is not necessarily accurate under the conditions of high-velocity, high-energy, dynamic events such as impact problems. For this reason, it is desirable to utilize a more realistic non-linear force-deflection characteristic of real bearings to model the interaction between rotating and non-rotating components during dynamic events. The present work describes a rolling element bearing model developed for use in non-linear, dynamic finite element analysis. This rolling element bearing model has been implemented in LS-DYNA as a new element, *ELEMENT_BEARING.

bearings↗

Evaluating the feasibility of tidal energy extraction at non-operational gas platforms and effects of sedimentation and sea ice in Cook Inlet (Abstract)

Littoral Power Systems (LPS) has been granted a FERC preliminary permit for the Upper Cook Inlet Tidal Energy Project in an area that includes existing non-producing natural gas platforms. LPS is working to understand the feasibility of a 2 MW tidal energy project and is considering multiple technologies, the viability of using the platforms to support deployment and operation of the technologies, as well as the environmental conditions that will interact with tidal energy devices. The proposed TEAMER work will conduct a modeling study to understand 1) current velocity and turbulence; 2) the distribution of sea ice trajectories around the platform; and 3) the likelihood of seabed erosion and deposition through an analysis of shear stress in the seabed near the platforms. The results of this work will contribute to determining the feasibility of the site for tidal energy development.

16 TIDAL AND WAVE POWER↗

Generation of the TSL for Zirconium Hydrides from Ab Initio Methods

Zirconium hydride (ZrHx) is a moderator material used in TRIGA and other reactors that may exist in multiple phases with varying stoichiometry, which include the δ phase and the ϵ phase. Current ENDF/B-VIII.0 ZrHx thermal scattering law (TSL) evaluations do not distinguish between phases. These sub-libraries were generated with the LEAPR module of NJOY using historic phonon spectra derived from a central force model and assume incoherent elastic scattering for both bound hydrogen and zirconium, which neglects the effects of crystal structures important for scattering from zirconium bound in ZrHx. In this work, the TSLs for hydrogen and zirconium bound in δ-ZrHx and ϵ-ZrH2 were generated from phonon spectra derived from modern ab initio lattice dynamics methods and ab initio molecular dynamics. Subsequently, TSLs for hydrogen and zirconium in ZrHx and ZrH2 were generated using the Full Law Analysis Scattering System Hub (FLASSH) code. The built-in generalized coherent elastic routine was used to generate the previously neglected elastic contribution from zirconium for this material. The present TSLs provide both a re-evaluation of the current ZrH sub-libraries and expansion of the set of TSLs available for the examination of neutrons in systems with zirconium hydride, permitting explicit treatment of δ and ϵ phases.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗

High-Resolution Near-Surface Imaging at the Basin Scale Using Dark Fiber and Distributed Acoustic Sensing: Toward Site Effect Estimation in Urban Environments

Near-surface seismic structure, particularly the shear wave velocity (V s ), can strongly affect local site response, and should be accurately estimated for ground motion prediction during seismic hazard assessment. The Imperial Valley (California), occupying the southern end of the Salton Trough, is a seismically active basin with thick surficial lacustrine sedimentary deposits. In this study, we utilize ambient noise records and local earthquake events for high-resolution near-surface characterization and site effect estimation with an unlit fiber-optic telecommunication infrastructure (dark fiber) in Imperial Valley by using the distributed acoustic sensing (DAS) technique. We apply ambient noise interferometry to retrieve coherent surface waves from DAS records, and evaluate performances of three different surface wave methods on DAS ambient noise dispersion imaging. We develop a quality control workflow to improve the dispersion measurement of noisy portions of the DAS data set by using a data selection strategy. Using the joint inversion of both the fundamental mode and higher overtones of Rayleigh waves, a high resolution two-dimensional (2D) V s structure down to 70 m depth is obtained. We successfully achieve an improved V s 30 (the time-averaged shear-wave velocity in the top 30 m) model with higher spatial-resolution and reliability compared to the existing community model for the area. We also explore the potential for utilizing DAS earthquake events for site amplification estimation. The preliminary results reveal a clear anti-correlation between the approximated site response and the V s 30 profile. In conclusion, our results indicate the potential utility of DAS deployed on dark fiber for near-surface characterization in appropriate contexts.

58 GEOSCIENCES↗

Three Dimensional Compressible Turbulent Flow Computations for a Diffusing S-Duct With/Without Vortex Generators

Numerical investigations on a diffusing S-duct with/without vortex generators and a straight duct with vortex generators are presented. The investigation consists of solving the full three-dimensional unsteady compressible mass averaged Navier-Stokes equations. An implicit finite volume lower-upper time marching code (RPLUS3D) has been employed and modified. A three-dimensional Baldwin-Lomax turbulence model has been modified in conjunction with the flow physics. A model for the analysis of vortex generators in a fully viscous subsonic internal flow is evaluated. A vortical structure for modeling the shed vortex is used as a source term in the computation domain. The injected vortex paths in the straight duct are compared with the analysis by two kinds of prediction models. The flow structure by the vortex generators are investigated along the duct. Computed results of the flow in a circular diffusing S-duct provide an understanding of the flow structure within a typical engine inlet system. These are compared with the experimental wall static-pressure, static- and total-pressure field, and secondary velocity profiles. Additionally, boundary layer thickness, skin friction values, and velocity profiles in wall coordinates are presented. In order to investigate the effect of vortex generators, various vortex strengths are examined in this study. The total-pressure recovery and distortion coefficients are obtained at the exit of the S-duct. The numerical results clearly depict the interaction between the low velocity flow by the flow separation and the injected vortices.

Cho, Soo-Yong↗