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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 91 records · Page 5
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2014

A magnetic particle time-of-flight (MagPTOF) diagnostic for measurements of shock- and compression-bang time at the NIF (invited)

A magnetic particle time-of-flight (MagPTOF) diagnostic has been designed to measure shock- and compression-bang time using D{sup 3}He-fusion protons and DD-fusion neutrons, respectively, at the National Ignition Facility (NIF). This capability, in combination with shock-burn weighted areal density measurements, will significantly constrain the modeling of the implosion dynamics. This design is an upgrade to the existing particle time-of-flight (pTOF) diagnostic, which records bang times using DD or DT neutrons with an accuracy better than ±70 ps [H. G. Rinderknecht et al., Rev. Sci. Instrum. 83, 10D902 (2012)]. The inclusion of a deflecting magnet will increase D{sup 3}He-proton signal-to-background by a factor of 1000, allowing for the first time simultaneous measurements of shock- and compression-bang times in D{sup 3}He-filled surrogate implosions at the NIF.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗
DOE OSTI2014

Analysis of shockless dynamic compression data on solids to multi-megabar pressures: Application to tantalum

Magnetically-driven, planar shockless-compression experiments to multi-megabar pressures were performed on tantalum samples using a stripline target geometry. Free-surface velocity waveforms were measured in 15 cases; nine of these in a dual-sample configuration with two samples of different thicknesses on opposing electrodes, and six in a single-sample configuration with a bare electrode opposite the sample. Details are given on the application of inverse Lagrangian analysis (ILA) to these data, including potential sources of error. The most significant source of systematic error, particularly for single-sample experiments, was found to arise from the pulse-shape dependent free-surface reflected wave interactions with the deviatoric-stress response of tantalum. This could cause local, possibly temporary, unloading of material from a ramp compressed state, and thus multi-value response in wave speed that invalidates the free-surface to in-material velocity mapping step of ILA. By averaging all 15 data sets, a final result for the principal quasi-isentrope of tantalum in stress-strain was obtained to a peak longitudinal stress of 330 GPa with conservative uncertainty bounds of ±4.5% in stress. The result agrees well with a tabular equation of state developed at Los Alamos National Laboratory.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗
DOE OSTI2015

Stabilization of high-compression, indirect-drive inertial confinement fusion implosions using a 4-shock adiabat-shaped drive

Hydrodynamic instabilities and poor fuel compression are major factors for capsule performance degradation in ignition experiments on the National Ignition Facility. Using a recently developed laser drive profile with a decaying first shock to tune the ablative Richtmyer-Meshkov (ARM) instability and subsequent in-flight Rayleigh-Taylor growth, we have demonstrated reduced growth compared to the standard ignition pulse whilst maintaining conditions for a low fuel adiabat needed for increased compression. Using in-flight x-ray radiography of pre-machined modulations, the first growth measurements using this new ARM-tuned drive have demonstrated instability growth reduction of ∼4× compared to the original design at a convergence ratio of ∼2. Corresponding simulations give a fuel adiabat of ∼1.6, similar to the original goal and consistent with ignition requirements.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2021

Computational Fluid Dynamics Simulation of Compressible Non-Newtonian Biomass in a Compression-Screw Feeder

Compression-screw feeders play a critical role in biorefineries to transport lignocellulosic biomass feedstocks from the feeding hoppers to biomass-conversion reactors in order to pretreat and convert biomass to hydrocarbon liquid biofuels and other power and energy resources. One of the main challenges in the operation of screw feeder is plugging and jamming of compressed biomass with high concentration of insoluble solids. The focus of this paper is to numerically investigate the screw feeder at these challenging operating conditions and help with the optimization of the screw feeder design to avoid operation failure. In this work a customized CFD model based on open-source OpenFOAM package [1] was developed to simulate the concentrated biomass as a highly viscous non-Newtonian fluid in the screw feeder. The biomass is modeled as a single-phase compressible Bingham fluid with a plastic viscosity as well as a density-dependent yield stress. The compressibility formulation (pressure-dependent density) and the density-dependent yield stress formulation in the governing equations follow the suggestions from a recent study by Duncan et al. [2]. A pilot-scale hopper/screw feeding system at NREL [3] is used to compare the experimental observations with our simulation results. The auger is 280 mm long and tapered with outer diameter changing from 80 mm to 35 mm. The auger rotates from 10 to 60 rpm in a conical throat which contains anti-rotational bars. The simulations predicted the required torque for the screw feeder and the pressure increase at the exit for biomass feedstocks with various fluid viscosity properties and auger rotating speeds. The analysis of the stress forces helped to identify the critical conditions were the screw feeder excessive wear or jamming could occur.

biofuels↗
DOE OSTI2023

Simulations of biomass compression-screw feeding using a compressible non-Newtonian constitutive model

There is global interest in the conversion of biomass into sustainable low-carbon-footprint fuels and chemicals as an alternative to non-renewable fossil feedstocks. Feeding biomass solids into pressurized reactors is one of the key steps in biomass conversion. Predicting mechanical failure and energy requirements for this step helps avoid upstream processing bottlenecks and enables efficient operation of a biorefinery. Here, in this work, we developed a predictive computational model for biomass screw feeders that capture the highly viscous, non-Newtonian and compressible behavior of biomass slurries. Biomass compressible behavior is formulated by an equation of state and the non-Newtonian rheology is represented by a density-dependent viscosity model. Experimental data from two compression screw-feeder systems are presented as a validation for our model. Our model successfully predicted the location of the compressed biomass “plug”, biomass flow rate, and the required torque at different operating conditions for the experimental conditions studied in this work.

09 BIOMASS FUELS↗
DOE OSTI2018

Twinning and Dislocation Evolution during Shock Compression and Release of Single Crystals: Real-Time X-Ray Diffraction

Determining the temporal evolution of twinning and/or dislocation slip, in real time (nanoseconds), in single crystals subjected to plane shock wave loading is a long-standing scientific need. Non-cubic crystals pose special challenges because they have many competing slip and twinning systems. Here, we report on time-resolved, in situ, synchrotron Laue x-ray diffraction measurements during shock compression and release of magnesium single crystals that are subjected to compression along the c-axis. Significant twinning was observed directly during stress release following shock compression; during compression, only dislocation slip was observed. Our measurements unambiguously distinguish between twinning and dislocation slip on nanosecond timescales in a shocked hexagonal-close-packed metal.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2015

A Multicomponent Blend as a Diesel Fuel Surrogate for Compression Ignition Engine Applications

A mixture of n-dodecane and m-xylene is investigated as a diesel fuel surrogate for compression ignition engine applications. Compared to neat n-dodecane, this binary mixture is more representative of diesel fuel because it contains an alkyl-benzene which represents an important chemical class present in diesel fuels. A detailed multi-component mechanism for n-dodecane and m-xylene was developed by combining a previously developed n-dodecane mechanism with a recently developed mechanism for xylenes. The xylene mechanism is shown to reproduce experimental ignition data from a rapid compression machine and shock tube, speciation data from the jet stirred reactor and flame speed data. This combined mechanism was validated by comparing predictions from the model with experimental data for ignition in shock tubes and for reactivity in a flow reactor. The combined mechanism, consisting of 2885 species and 11754 reactions, was reduced to a skeletal mechanism consisting 163 species and 887 reactions for 3D diesel engine simulations. The mechanism reduction was performed using directed relation graph (DRG) with expert knowledge (DRG-X) and DRG-aided sensitivity analysis (DRGASA) at a fixed fuel composition of 77% of n-dodecane and 23% m-xylene by volume. The sample space for the reduction covered pressure of 1 – 80 bar, equivalence ratio of 0.5 – 2.0, and initial temperature of 700 – 1600 K for ignition. The skeletal mechanism was compared with the detailed mechanism for ignition and flow reactor predictions. Finally, the skeletal mechanism was validated against a spray flame dataset under diesel engine conditions documented on the Engine Combustion Network (ECN) website. These multidimensional simulations were performed using a Representative Interactive Flame (RIF) turbulent combustion model. In conclusion, encouraging results were obtained compared to the experiments with regards to the predictions of ignition delay and lift-off length at different ambient temperatures.

30 DIRECT ENERGY CONVERSION↗
DOE OSTI2017

Transformation of shock-compressed graphite to hexagonal diamond in nanoseconds

The graphite-to-diamond transformation under shock compression has been of broad scientific interest since 1961. The formation of hexagonal diamond (HD) is of particular interest because it is expected to be harder than cubic diamond and due to its use in terrestrial sciences as a marker at meteorite impact sites. However, the formation of diamond having a fully hexagonal structure continues to be questioned and remains unresolved. Using real-time (nanosecond), in situ x-ray diffraction measurements, we show unequivocally that highly oriented pyrolytic graphite, shock-compressed along the c axis to 50 GPa, transforms to highly oriented elastically strained HD with the (100)HD plane parallel to the graphite basal plane. These findings contradict recent molecular dynamics simulation results for the shock-induced graphite-to-diamond transformation and provide a benchmark for future theoretical simulations. Additionally, our results show that an earlier report of HD forming only above 170 GPa for shocked pyrolytic graphite may lead to incorrect interpretations of meteorite impact events.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
NASA NTRS2009

Splanchnic Compression Improves the Efficacy of Compression Stockings to Prevent Orthostatic Intolerance

Purpose: Post-spaceflight orthostatic intolerance (OI) is observed in 20-30% of astronauts. Previous data from our laboratory suggests that this is largely a result of decreased venous return. Currently, NASA astronauts wear an anti-gravity suit (AGS) which consists of inflatable air bladders over the calves, thighs and abdomen, typically pressurized from 26 to 78 mmHg. We recently determined that, thigh-high graded compression stockings (JOBST , 55 mmHg at ankle, 6 mmHg at top of thigh) were effective, though to a lesser degree than the AGS. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the addition of splanchnic compression to prevent orthostatic intolerance. Methods: Ten healthy volunteers (6M, 4F) participated in three 80 head-up tilts on separate days while (1) normovolemic (2) hypovolemic w/ breast-high compression stockings (BS)(JOBST(R), 55 mmHg at the ankle, 6 mmHg at top of thigh, 12 mmHg over abdomen) (3) hypovolemic w/o stockings. Hypovolemia was induced by IV infusion of furosemide (0.5 mg/kg) and 48 hrs of a low salt diet to simulate plasma volume loss following space flight. Hypovolemic testing occurred 24 and 48 hrs after furosemide. One-way repeated measures ANOVA, with Bonferroni corrections, was used to test for differences in blood pressure and heart rate responses to head-up tilt, stand times were compared using a Kaplan-Meyer survival analysis. Results: BS were effective in preventing OI and presyncope in hypovolemic test subjects ( p = 0.015). BS prevented the decrease in systolic blood pressure seen during tilt in normovolemia (p < 0.001) and hypovolemia w/o countermeasure (p = 0.005). BS also prevented the decrease in diastolic blood pressure seen during tilt in normovolemia (p = 0.006) and hypovolemia w/o countermeasure (p = 0.041). Hypovolemia w/o countermeasure showed a higher tilt-induced heart rate increase (p = 0.022) than seen in normovolemia; heart rate while wearing BS was not different than normovolemia (p = 0.353). Conclusion: BS may be an effective countermeasure to post-space flight OI. The addition of splanchnic compression is more effective than the previous thigh-high garments. These stockings are readily available, inexpensive, and can be worn for days following landing as astronauts re-adapt to Earth gravity.

Platts, Steven H.↗
DOE OSTI2018

A localized artificial diffusivity method to simulate compressible multiphase flows using the stiffened gas equation of state: A localized artificial diffusivity method to simulate compressible multiphase flows using the stiffened gas equation of state

The development of numerical approaches to perform direct numerical simulations of compressible multiphase flows has been an active field of research for several years. Proper treatment of fluid interfaces is crucial as important physics occur in this infinitesimally small region. Furthermore, the compressibility of the fluid requires proper treatment of discontinuities. Artificial diffusivity is among a number of methods widely used for compressible flows. This study develops a general form of consistent artificial diffusion fluxes and extends the localized artificial diffusivity method for high-order central schemes to solve multiphase flows with an interface-capturing method. These fluxes ensure an oscillation-free interface for pressure, velocity, and temperature without employing a sharpening technique. Moreover, the high-order representation of all scales in the flow helps capture the wide range of instabilities inherent in these flows. The goal is to develop an approach capable of performing high-fidelity simulations supported by physics-driven validation. lastly, this is achieved by solving the five-equation model with the stiffened-gas equation of state using the proposed method for multicomponent and multiphase flows on a variety of 1D and 2D problems.

42 ENGINEERING↗
DOE OSTI2015

A practical discrete-adjoint method for high-fidelity compressible turbulence simulations

Methods and computing hardware advances have enabled accurate predictions of complex compressible turbulence phenomena, such as the generation of jet noise that motivates the present effort. However, limited understanding of underlying physical mechanisms restricts the utility of such predictions since they do not, by themselves, indicate a route to design improvements. Gradient-based optimization using adjoints can circumvent the flow complexity to guide designs, though this is predicated on the availability of a sufficiently accurate solution of the forward and adjoint systems. These are challenging to obtain, since both the chaotic character of the turbulence and the typical use of discretizations near their resolution limits in order to efficiently represent its smaller scales will amplify any approximation errors made in the adjoint formulation. Formulating a practical exact adjoint that avoids such errors is especially challenging if it is to be compatible with state-of-the-art simulation methods used for the turbulent flow itself. Automatic differentiation (AD) can provide code to calculate a nominally exact adjoint, but existing general-purpose AD codes are inefficient to the point of being prohibitive for large-scale turbulence simulations. Here, we analyze the compressible flow equations as discretized using the same high-order workhorse methods used for many high-fidelity compressible turbulence simulations, and formulate a practical space–time discrete-adjoint method without changing the basic discretization. A key step is the definition of a particular discrete analog of the continuous norm that defines our cost functional; our selection leads directly to an efficient Runge–Kutta-like scheme, though it would be just first-order accurate if used outside the adjoint formulation for time integration, with finite-difference spatial operators for the adjoint system. Its computational cost only modestly exceeds that of the flow equations. We confirm that its accuracy is limited by computing precision, and we demonstrate it on the aeroacoustic control of a mixing layer with a challengingly broad range of turbulence scales. For comparison, the error from a corresponding discretization of the continuous-adjoint equations is quantified to potentially explain its limited success in past efforts to control jet noise. The differences are illuminating: the continuous-adjoint is shown to suffer from exponential error growth in (reverse) time even for the best-resolved largest turbulence scales. Implications for jet noise reduction and turbulence control in general are discussed.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗
DOE OSTI2022

Quantitative measurements of density in shock-compressed silver up to 330 GPa using x-ray diffraction

This work presents a structural study of shock-compressed states in Ag to 331 GPa, accessed via laser shock compression. Structures of the resulting crystalline phases and the average atomic distribution of the liquid state are determined using in situ x-ray diffraction. We employ structure factor analysis, adapted for a non-monochromatic x-ray source, to determine the density of the liquid phase from analysis of x-ray diffraction data for the first time in shock compressed Ag. We also present a detailed analysis of the crystalline phases, which shows good agreement with the phase boundaries reported in previous experimental and theoretical works. We utilize the whole powder pattern fitting approach implemented in the MAUD package to constrain stacking faults in the face centered cubic structure. We observe the ambient fcc structure up to a stress of 146 GPa before a transition to a body-centered cubic structure and liquid phase at 179 GPa, with full melting above 212 GPa.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗
DOE OSTI2019

A new approach for drying moist air: The ideal Claridge-Culp-Liu dehumidification process with membrane separation, vacuum compression and sub-atmospheric condensation; Une nouvelle approche pour assécher l’air humide: Le procédé idéal de déshumidification Claridge-Culp-Liu avec séparation membranaire, compression sous vide et condensation sous-atmosphérique

The Claridge-Culp-Liu Dehumidification Process is a novel and efficient approach to removing water vapor from air using a combination of membrane separation, vacuum compression and sub-atmospheric condensation. The basic theory of this process is to separate water vapor from moist air flowing across one side of a membrane by applying a partial vacuum to the opposite side of the membrane and then compressing the water vapor to its saturation pressure at the wet-bulb temperature of the ambient air so as to facilitate condensation. We report this process has a fundamental efficiency limit that approximates the Carnot limit, but for eight different ideal dehumidification-only cases examined herein, the process requires only 26–56% the energy required by a Carnot vapor-compression system. Furthermore, the limiting energy required by an ideal 5-stage membrane system is 16–31% that of a Carnot system for the same cases. Of special importance, the ideal Claridge-Culp-Liu Dehumidification Process requires less than 5% of the energy required by an ideal desiccant process for all cases treated. The Claridge-Culp-Liu Dehumidification Process can also be combined with evaporative cooling to provide dehumidification and sensible cooling with the temperature and humidity controlled independently. Of special importance, this system uses no HFC refrigerants, and it generates pure water as a by-product.

42 ENGINEERING↗