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At least 829 records · Page 46

Innovative Approach for Developing Spacecraft Interior Acoustic Requirement Allocation

The Orion Multi-Purpose Crew Vehicle (MPCV) is an American spacecraft for carrying four astronauts during deep space missions. This paper describes an innovative application of Power Injection Method (PIM) for allocating Orion cabin continuous noise Sound Pressure Level (SPL) limits to the sound power level (PWL) limits of major noise sources in the Environmental Control and Life Support System (ECLSS) during all mission phases. PIM is simulated using both Statistical Energy Analysis (SEA) and Hybrid Statistical Energy Analysis-Finite Element (SEA-FE) models of the Orion MPCV to obtain the transfer matrix from the PWL of the noise sources to the acoustic energies of the receivers, i.e., the cavities associated with the cabin habitable volume. The goal of the allocation strategy is to control the total energy of cabin habitable volume for maintaining the required SPL limits. Simulations are used to demonstrate that applying the allocated PWLs to the noise sources in the models indeed reproduces the SPL limits in the habitable volume. The effects of Noise Control Treatment (NCT) on allocated noise source PWLs are investigated. The measurement of source PWLs of involved fan and pump development units are also discussed as it is related to some case-specific details of the allocation strategy discussed here.

Chu, S. Reynold↗

Integrated Physics-based Modeling and Experiments for Improved Prediction of Combustion Dynamics in Low-Emission Systems

Concurrent simulation and experiment was undertaken to assess the ability of a hybrid RANS-LES model to predict combustion dynamics in a single-element lean direct-inject (LDI) combustor showing self-excited instabilities. High frequency pressure modes produced by Fourier and modal decomposition analysis were compared quantitatively, and trends with equivalence ratio and inlet temperature were compared qualitatively. High frequency OH PLIF and PIV measurements were also taken. Submodels for chemical kinetics and primary and secondary atomization were also tested against the measured behavior. For a point-wise comparison, the amplitudes matched within a factor of two. The dependence on equivalence ratio was matched. Preliminary results from simulation using an 18-reaction kinetics model indicated instability amplitudes closer to measurement. Analysis of the simulations suggested a band of modes around 1400 Hz were due to a vortex bubble breakdown and a band of modes around 6 kHz were due to a precessing vortex core hydrodynamic instability. The primary needs are directly coupled and validated ab initio models of the atomizer free surface flow and the primary atomization processes, and more detailed study of the coupling between the 3D swirling flow and the local thermoacoustics in the diverging venturi section.

combustion↗

Development and Validation of Two-Phase CFD Models for Key Elements of Propellant Tank CFM Operations in 1G and Microgravity –An Overview

This paper presents an overview of the state-of-the-art two-phase CFD models that have been developed for various propellant tank storage and transfer operations in 1g, partial gravity, and microgravity. The models are developed in the framework of the industry standard ANSYS/Fluent CFD code, the capabilities of which have been significantly enhanced and customized through the incorporation of unique submodels via User Defined Functions (UDF)s to satisfy the requirements of its intended variable gravity Cryogenic Fluid Management (CFM) applications. These models/submodels have been validated against experimental data that cross spatial scales, fluid types, and gravity levels in order to properly anchor the models’ physical and numerical fidelity. The CFM application/processes that have been modeled include tank self-pressurization, tank autogenous pressurization, tank pressure control using both subcooled jet mixing and droplet spray injection mechanisms, tank chilldown/filling, tank drainage, tank slosh for both volatile and non-volatile fluids. The strength and shortcomings of the two-phase models for each application are highlighted and discussed briefly.

Computational Fluid Dynamics↗

Characterization of an Optically Accessible RP/GOx Rotating Detonation Engine

The accurate characterization of the dynamic response of liquid jets to transient detonation wave passage is crucial for optimizing and modeling liquid-fueled rotating detonation combustors. To address this need, we have developed an optically accessible rocket RDE (RP-RDE), which utilizes liquid RP-1 and gaseous oxygen as propellants and operates at elevated pressures. The experimental setup features optical access from the oxidizer injection plenum to the combustor exit, allowing for detailed characterization of injection, mixing, and combustion processes and their impact on the detonation wave structure. To design and develop the liquid injection scheme for the RP-RDE test article, we employed a combined experimental and numerical approach that included cold-flow simulations. Our aim was to optimize the liquid injection process and ensure that the resulting fuel-oxidizer mixture is homogeneous and stable. To this end, high-speed optical imaging will be employed to provide qualitative visualization of the liquid and gaseous phases of the propellant as well as the local heat release during detonation wave propagation through the non-premixed medium. This work will provide critical insights into the behavior of the transient detonation waves in more relevant rocket conditions, which is essential for the optimization and modeling of rotating detonation combustors.

Propulsion↗

Foam Fracturing Study for Stimulation Development of Enhanced Geothermal Systems

This is a final technical report for the project: Foam Fracturing Study for Stimulation Development of Enhanced Geothermal Systems (EGS). The goal is to demonstrate the feasibility of foam fracturing in EGS applications. The project, led by Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), was conducted in collaboration with Temple University. The report describes the research activities with Task 1 at ORNL: foam fracturing testing system development and experimental study on foam fracturing, and Task 2 at Temple University: foam testing and foam characterization. Main findings are: 1. A foam fracturing test system has been developed at ORNL, which can be used to perform foam fracturing under pressure up to 6,000 psi. The system monitors foam density during fracturing online and is capable of testing materials in both monotonic and cyclic (up to 50 Hz) injections. 2. Foam fracturing tests were carried out on Charcoal black granite specimens with a blind borehole to the middle length. Two diameters of blind borehole were tested; G2 series: 9.53 mm and G3 series: 4.76 mm. N2-in-water foam was used with AOS as a surfactant. 3. There was a hole-size effect on fracture initiation pressure. The effect is smaller in the case of foam, which was influenced by the high penetrability of gas in foam. Breakdown pressure showed a behavior just as that of fracture pressure; namely an increased value for small hole samples, while the effect in water fracture was more impressive than in foam fracture. 4. Water mass was reduced in foam fracturing within similar range of breakdown pressures. In G2 series, it was decreased from 10.44 g for water fracturing to 5.17 g, representing more than 50% water reduction. Therefore, there is the potential to reduce water use in EGS stimulation through foam fracturing. 5. Use of cyclic injection has the potential to reduce the breakdown pressure and seismicity in EGS application. Experiments using 4-s cycle period found that specimens can be fractured with a low number of cycles. The fatigue pressure was approximately 64 - 77% of monotonic breakdown pressure for water fracturing and 58 - 94% of the breakdown pressure for foam fracturing. 6. A foam stability testing system has been developed that can test foam at 220 Deg C to 2,000 psi. Tested components of candidate foams included two gases: N2 and CO2; 4 surfactants: AOS, SDS, NP-40 and CTAC; 5 stabilizing agents: guar, bentonite clay, borate salt, silica NPs, and GO. 7. N2 and AOS provided the most stable performance over the tested ranges. Furthermore, the AOS foam with stabilizing agents of guar and borate salt (crosslinker) offered the highest half-life of 20 minutes at 200 Deg C and 1,000 psi. 8. Arrhenius equation and modified power law have been demonstrated to fit well the half-time vs. temperature and pressure data, respectively. These relations can be useful to provide the suggestion for future foam stability study. This submission contains the supporting data developed during the project: 1) A final technical report 2) Granite fracturing data in monotonic and cyclic injections with water and N2 foam Foam performance data in various temperatures and pressures, including half-time, is submitted separately.

15 GEOTHERMAL ENERGY↗

Effect of flameholder pressure drop on emissions and performance of premixed-prevaporized combustors

Parametric tests were conducted to determine the effects of flameholder pressure drop on the emissions and performance of lean premixed-prevaporized combustors. A conical flameholder mounted in a diverging duct was tested with two values of flameholder blockage. Emissions of nitrogen oxides, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, and unburned hydrocarbons were measured for combustor entrance conditions of 600 to 800 K air temperature, 0.3 MPa to 0.5 MPa pressure, and 20 m/sec to 35 m/sec reference velocity. Jet A fuel was injected at flow rates corresponding to an equivalence ratio range from 0.8 down to the lean stability limit. Emission results for the high-blockage flameholder were a substantial improvement over the low-blockage emission results. A correlation of combustion efficiency with flameholder pressure drop was developed for pressure drops less than 9 percent.

Duerr, R. A.↗

Flow visualization study of the effect of injection hole geometry on an inclined jet in crossflow

A flow visualization was studied by using neutrally buoyant, helium-filled soap bubbles, to determine the effect of injection hole geometry on the trajectory of an air jet in a crossflow and to investigate the mechanisms involved in jet deflection. Experimental variables were the blowing rate, and the injection hole geometry cusp facing upstream (CUS), cusp facing downstream (CDS), round, swirl passage, and oblong. It is indicated that jet deflection is governed by both the pressure drag forces and the entrainment of free-stream fluid into the jet flow. For injection hole geometries with similar cross-sectional areas and similar mass flow rates, the jet configuration with the larger aspect ratio experienced a greater deflection. Entrainment arises from lateral shearing forces on the sides of the jet, which set up a dual vortex motion within the jet and thereby cause some of the main-stream fluid momentum to be swept into the jet flow. This additional momentum forces the jet nearer the surface. Of the jet configurations, the oblong, CDS, and CUS configutations exhibited the largest deflections. The results correlate well with film cooling effectiveness data, which suggests a need to determine the jet exit configuration of optimum aspect ratio to provide maximum film cooling effectiveness.

Simon, F. F.↗

Flow visualization study of the effect of injection hole geometry on an inclined jet in crossflow

A flow visualization was studied by using neutrally buoyant, helium-filled soap bubbles, to determine the effect of injection hole geometry on the trajectory of an air jet in a crossflow and to investigate the mechanisms involved in jet deflection. Experimental variables were the blowing rate, and the injection hole geometry cusp facing upstream (CUS), cusp facing downstream (CDS), round, swirl passage, and oblong. It is indicated that jet deflection is governed by both the pressure drag forces and the entrainment of free-stream fluid into the jet flow. For injection hole geometries with similar cross-sectional areas and similar mass flow rates, the jet configuration with the larger aspect ratio experienced a greater deflection. Entrainment arises from lateral shearing forces on the sides of the jet, which set up a dual vortex motion within the jet and thereby cause some of the main-stream fluid momentum to be swept into the jet flow. This additional momentum forces the jet nearer the surface. Of the jet configurations, the oblong, CDS, and CUS configurations exhibited the largest deflections. The results correlate well with film cooling effectiveness data, which suggests a need to determine the jet exit configuration of optimum aspect ratio to provide maximum film cooling effectiveness.

Simon, Frederick F.↗

Probing oil recovery in shale nanopores with small-angle and ultra-small-angle neutron scattering

Increasing oil production from unconventional shale reservoirs is crucial to meet growing energy demands while achieving lower carbon emission than conventional crude oil. Enhanced oil recovery (EOR) has been proposed to improve hydrocarbon recovery rates through the injection of a fluid into the reservoir to facilitate residual oil release from the shale formation. However, economical and sustainable implementation of EOR requires advanced knowledge of fluid behavior in nano-sized pore spaces in shale. In this study, we utilize small-angle neutron scattering (SANS) and ultra-small-angle neutron scattering (USANS) as experimental probes to examine decane removal from a shale nano- to micro-porous matrix, utilizing methane as the injectant. The extent of decane saturation and recovery post-methane pressurization is quantified for clay-rich and carbonate-rich shale samples. A key finding is that extraction of decane by methane on depressurization is related to the methane-decane critical point. Furthermore, we found that although clay-rich shale had a much higher porosity of 5.6%, compared with 1.2% for carbonate-rich shale, decane was more easily removed from the carbonate-rich matrix, leading to similar hydrocarbon yields. These promising results demonstrate the ability of SANS and USANS to provide key insights into oil recovery from nano- to micron-sized pores in shale matrices. Combined with effects of various fractures on fluid behavior in shale, this experimental technique can be used to assess the viability of EOR injectants.

04 OIL SHALES AND TAR SANDS↗

Utah FORGE: Temperature-Dependent Fracture Seismicity from Fluid Injection Experiments

This dataset contains experimental data from fluid injection experiments conducted to investigate the influence of temperature on fracture seismicity. The experiments were performed on granite samples from Utah FORGE. The samples were prepared with a 30-degree inclined fracture and subjected to controlled stress and temperature conditions. Data were collected under three distinct temperature settings: 24 C, 78 C, and 137 C. During the experiments, a constant confining pressure of 10 MPa and a constant shear stress at 80% of the shear strength of the sample were maintained. Pore pressure was incrementally increased at a rate of 300 kPa every three minutes to simulate fluid injection. Temperature was raised rapidly and then stabilized for the duration of each test. The dataset includes shear stress and displacement measurements under each temperature condition, along with supplementary figures illustrating the experimental setup and time-series plots of pressures and temperature.

15 GEOTHERMAL ENERGY↗

Physical mechanisms for the transition from type-III to large ELMs induced by impurity injection on EAST

Transition from type-III to large-amplitude ELMs induced by neon injection has been observed in the EAST tokamak at overlapping q 95 space between large and small ELMs. With neon injection, pedestal density gradient shows a remarkable increase accompanied by some decrease of pedestal electron temperature, and consequently the pressure gradient increases moderately and edge bootstrap current has minimal change. Further experiment demonstrates that the occurrence of large ELMs after neon injection is highly correlated with the change in edge density. Linear peeling-ballooning stability analysis indicates that the large ELM case is more unstable than the type-III ELM case during the ELM transition. A scan of pedestal density gradient in linear stability analysis shows that the direct destabilizing effect of steep pedestal density gradient on peeling-ballooning instabilities via two-fluid effects could also facilitate the transition to large ELMs. In conclusion, these results could provide more insight into the role of pedestal density gradient on pedestal stability and ELM behavior.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗

Apparatus and method for gas turbine active combustion control system

An Active Combustion Control System and method provides for monitoring combustor pressure and modulating fuel to a gas turbine combustor to prevent combustion dynamics and/or flame extinguishments. The system includes an actuator, wherein the actuator periodically injects pulsed fuel into the combustor. The apparatus also includes a sensor connected to the combustion chamber down stream from an inlet, where the sensor generates a signal detecting the pressure oscillations in the combustor. The apparatus controls the actuator in response to the sensor. The apparatus prompts the actuator to periodically inject pulsed fuel into the combustor at a predetermined sympathetic frequency and magnitude, thereby controlling the amplitude of the pressure oscillations in the combustor by modulating the natural oscillations.

Umeh, Chukwueloka↗

Spontaneous Ignition of Hydrothermal Flames in Supercritical Ethanol Water Solutions

Results are reported from recent tests where hydrothermal flames spontaneously ignited in a Supercritical Water Oxidation (SCWO) Test Cell. Hydrothermal flames are generally categorized as flames that occur when appropriate concentrations of fuel and oxidizer are present in supercritical water (SCW); i.e., water at conditions above its critical point (218 atm and 374 C). A co-flow injector was used to inject fuel, comprising an aqueous solution of 30-vol to 50-vol ethanol, and air into a reactor held at constant pressure and filled with supercritical water at approximately 240 atm and 425 C. Hydrothermal flames auto-ignited and quickly stabilized as either laminar or turbulent diffusion flames, depending on the injection velocities and test cell conditions. Two orthogonal views, one of which provided a backlit shadowgraphic image, provided visual observations. Optical emission measurements of the steady state flame were made over a spectral range spanning the ultraviolet (UV) to the near infrared (NIR) using a high-resolution, high-dynamic-range spectrometer. Depending on the fuel air flow ratios varying degrees of sooting were observed and are qualitatively compared using light absorption comparisons from backlit images.

hydrothermal flame↗

Planar shock-induced bubble collapse and jetting in water captured via X-ray phase contrast imaging

Shock wave–bubble interactions in water manifest rich dynamics driven by a combination of strong pressure and density mismatches. They have a wide variety of applications, including the injection of pharmaceuticals, and through scaling, enable the exploration of various aspects of high-energy-density systems such as inertial confinement fusion. In this work, the interaction between a micrometric nitrogen bubble and a planar shock wave, characterized by a Mach number of M = 1.24 and a peak pressure of p max = 0.57 , is experimentally recorded using ultra-high-speed x-ray phase contrast imaging. Highly resolved radiographs provide access to all phase discontinuities along the beam path, offering quantities such as the time-varying bubble size, the speed of a jet produced during the bubble collapse, and the time evolution of the shock wave front, which are critical benchmark data for numerical scheme validation. This study addresses the lack of well-characterized, repeatable, and high spatiotemporal resolution experiments at negative Atwood numbers by providing shock–bubble visualization and corresponding numerical simulation.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗

Low NOx, Lean Direct Wall Injection Combustor Concept Developed

The low-emissions combustor development at the NASA Glenn Research Center is directed toward advanced high-pressure aircraft gas turbine applications. The emphasis of this research is to reduce nitrogen oxides (NOx) at high-power conditions and to maintain carbon monoxide and unburned hydrocarbons at their current low levels at low-power conditions. Low-NOx combustors can be classified into rich burn and lean burn concepts. Lean burn combustors can be further classified into lean-premixed-prevaporized (LPP) and lean direct injection (LDI) combustors. In both concepts, all the combustor air, except for liner cooling flow, enters through the combustor dome so that the combustion occurs at the lowest possible flame temperature. The LPP concept has been shown to have the lowest NOx emissions, but for advanced high-pressure-ratio engines, the possibly of autoignition or flashback precludes its use. LDI differs from LPP in that the fuel is injected directly into the flame zone and, thus, does not have the potential for autoignition or flashback and should have greater stability. However, since it is not premixed and prevaporized, the key is good atomization and mixing of the fuel quickly and uniformly so that flame temperatures are low and NOx formation levels are comparable to those of LPP.

Tacina, Robert R.↗

Provisions for nonintrusive flow-evaluation tools in the National Transonic Facility

The national transonic facility fan driven, closed circuit, continuous flow, pressurized wind tunnel is examined. The test section is 2.500 m x 2.500 m and 7.620 m long with a slotted wall configuration. There are six slots each in the top and bottom walls and two slots per sidewall. To maintain good flow quality and aerodynamic efficiency over the wide range of test capabilities the test section geometry is variable. The position of the test section and bottom walls, the reentry flaps at the rear of the test section slots, and the step height for reentering slot flow are remotely controlled. The test gas may be dry air or nitrogen, which for the elevated temperature (340 K) mode of operation the test medium is normally air, and heat removal is by a water cooled heat exchanger (cooling coil) located at the upstream end of the settling chamber. For the cryogenic mode of operation, heat removal is by evaporation of liquid nitrogen, which is sprayed into the circuit upstream of the fan. By utilizing liquid nitrogen as a coolant, the tunnel test temperature range is variable from 340 to 78 K. When nitrogen is injected into the circuit, venting must occur to maintain a constant pressure. Thermal insulation is installed internal to the pressure shell to minimize energy consumption.

Fuller, D. E.↗

Reacting viscous-shock-layer solutions with multicomponent diffusion and mass injection

Numerical solutions of the viscous-shock-layer equation where the chemistry is treated as being either frozen, equilibrium, or nonequilibrium are presented. Also the effects of the diffusion model, surface catalysis, and mass injection on surface transport and flow parameters are considered. The flow is treated as a mixture of five inert and thermally perfect species. The viscous-shock-layer equations are solved by using an implicit-difference scheme. All calculations are for hyperboloids with included angles of 20 and 45. The flight conditions are those for various altitudes and velocities in the earth's atmosphere. Data are presented to show the effects of the chemical models; diffusion models; surface catalysis; and mass injection of air on heat transfer; skin friction; shock standoff distance; wall pressure distribution; and tangential velocity, temperature, and species profiles. The results show that an equilibrium analysis can substantially overpredict the heat-transfer rates for flow conditions experienced by earth-orbital entry vehicles. Moreover, at such conditions surface catalysis significantly influences heat-transfer and flow-field properties. If a binary rather than a multicomponent diffusion model is assumed, negligible errors in most flow properties result. Quantitative results are presented that show the effect of mass injection on flow properties within and downstream of the injection region.

Moss, J. N.↗

Evaluation of seals for high-performance cryogenic turbomachines

An approach to computing flow and dynamic characteristics for seals or bearings is discussed. The local average velocity was strongly influenced by inlet and exit effects and fluid injection, which in turn drove zones of secondary flow. For the restricted three-dimensional model considered, the integral averaged results were in reasonable agreement with selected data. Unidirectional pressure measurements alone were insufficient to define such flow variations. However, for seal and bearing leakage correlations the principles of corresponding states were found to be useful. Also discussed are three phenomena encountered during testing of three eccentric nonrotating seal configurations for the Space Shuttle Main Engine (SSME) Program. Fluid injection, choking within a seal, and pressure profile crossover are related to postulated zones of secondary flow or separation and to direct stiffness.

Hendricks, R. C.↗