Engineering Papers⌕ Search

SEARCH · Engineering Papers

Results for “GASKETS”

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 91 records · Page 5
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2022

Multi-scale nonlinear stress analysis of Nb 3 Sn superconducting accelerator magnets

A multi-scale nonlinear procedure to analyze the stress in Nb 3 Sn superconducting accelerator magnets is presented to address one of the most challenging obstacles currently facing the successful development of high-field superconducting magnets—the issue of stress management. The study demonstrates that gaskets (special nonlinear materials) are capable of modeling the complex nonlinear deformation behavior of insulation layers within the Nb 3 Sn coil block and that Hill materials (orthotropic materials utilizing the Hill yield criterion) are suitable to enable homogenization of the filamentary regions and the resin-impregnated Nb 3 Sn Rutherford cables. With the whole magnet under preload, cool-down, and Lorentz forces, the nonlinear behavior of the Nb 3 Sn coil was simulated, in three orthongonal axes, by the combined properties of the gaskets (insulation layers) and Hill materials (resin-impreganted cable). The procedure entailes minimal material assumptions because it incorporated measured stress-strain curves in the analysis. The coil was simulated to a high level of detail consisting of the insulation layers and resin-impregnated cables. The computed compressive azimuthal stresses of the cables were used to assess the stress-induced performance degradation. Through submodeling, the area-weighted average axial strains of the strands were computed and employed to evaluate the strain-induced performance degradation. The overall performance degradation of the Nb 3 Sn coil was thus obtained, and this information was subsequently used to guide the design of the overall magnet. Besides Nb 3 Sn magnets, this procedure can also be employed in the design of LTS, HTS, and room temperature magnets or in any composite structures.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗
DOE OSTI2015

Twenty years of dry interim storage of spent nuclear fuel (SNF) in Germany- History and developments - 15575

According to article 6 of the German Atomic Energy Act, storage of nuclear fuel requires a license granted by the competent authority in this field, which is the Federal Office of Radiation Protection. In 1983 a license to store spent nuclear fuel (SNF) and later expanded for vitrified high level waste (HAW) for the interim storage facility in Gorleben was granted. Dry Interim storage at the NPP sites in its actual form started in 2002 in the interim storage facility next to the NPP Lingen. Since this time each NPP erected its own storage facility and three central storage facilities have been built. All of these facilities use dry storage in metallic casks. The actual storage licenses for SNF and the HAW (which is stored in Gorleben and Rubenow) are limited to 40 years starting with the first cask emplacement. As no opening of the cask is intended during the storage period the condition of the inventory and the cask before loading has to be known in detail. This requires for instance detailed knowledge of the history of the SNF loaded as well as supervision of the manufacturing process of the cask. Within the last twenty years several mishaps influenced the regulatory point of view. During a loading campaign in a boiling water reactor traces of pool water remained in the gasket slot and during the drying procedure crystalline boron salts prevented the required tightness. After that event a long-term experiment was started and is still going on which studies the effects of water and minor damages to the gasket. As well changes in the loading procedure have been introduced. The pressure switch used to monitor the pressure in the space between primary and secondary lid has a self surveillance function. This indicated a malfunction 23 times in the last twenty years. Examinations of all events indicated no systematic failure, but a weak point seems to be the plug-in connection. The manufacturer introduced some modifications to improve the system. Introduction of FEM methods in safety analysis to amend the existing methods of testing allowed a new view on and in the cask safety analysis. Progress in this field is closely connected to the available computing capacity and stipulates experts to ongoing improvement. After expiring of the storage license which will be the case for the first cask loaded in 1992 and stored in Ahaus 2032 an extension or a new license can only be granted if the at this time relevant requirements are met. This will require detailed knowledge about the happenings and accidents during the previous storage period. All experience of the periodic safety assessment (PSA) which started in 2013 and accompanying experiments conducted till now and during the licensed storage time will be needed. (authors)

12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE W↗
DOE OSTI2023

Moisture ingress in commercial steel drums: Water content determination, diffusion modelling and predicted permeation rates

Commercial steel drums underpin the global economy, playing a pivotal role in the storage and transportation of critical materials. Transported and stored materials, such as food, chemical and nuclear waste, can be sensitive to ambient conditions, particularly moisture that can enhance negative effects such as corrosion and material degradation. Although international standards and regulations are in place for the qualification of steel drums, there are no current testing requirements, established limits or boundaries for the permeation of moisture into the drums during transportation or storage. This work aims to provide insights into the moisture ingress over time into properly sealed steel drums and provides estimated moisture ingress rates over time through extrapolation. Water vapour transmission rate (WVTR) measurements through the gasket material at 10–40°C were 0.11–2.1 g/m 2 /day resulting in a permeation activation energy of 30.2 kJ/mol. Water sorption measurements and Karl Fischer titration (KFT) on ethylene propylene diene monomer (EPDM) gasket material revealed a decrease in equilibrium moisture saturation with increasing temperature. KFT measurements also revealed the presence of moisture within the adhesive and drum wall after exposure to ambient conditions. KFT and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) show that moisture will desorb from the EPDM and drum wall after exposure to desiccating conditions, although a minimal amount of moisture will remain present. When sealed to the manufacturer's recommendations, the steel drums are effective in minimizing moisture ingress. In conclusion, in sealed empty drums, moisture ingress rates for 19-L drums were 0.4–1.5 mg/day at 25°C 15% relative humidity (RH) and increased to 7.1–8.8 mg/day at 40°C 90% RH, and moisture ingress rates for 210-L drums were 2.5 and 3.5 mg/day at field deployment conditions of 15.5°C 51.5% RH and 23°C 40% RH, respectively.

42 ENGINEERING↗
DOE OSTI2021

A review of functions, attributes, properties and measurements for the quality control of proton exchange membrane fuel cell components

Quality control (QC) is an essential part of fuel cell technology industrialization, providing means to reduce cost of components, enhancing the reliability of the final product, and offering specification guidance for new entrants in the supply chain. The membrane electrode assembly (MEA), including membrane, catalyst layer (CL), and gas diffusion layer (GDL), as well as bipolar plate (BP), are key components of a proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cell, and the attributes of each component strongly correlate with the cell performance and longevity. To ensure the quality of the fuel cell, it is of great importance to characterize the properties with respect to the standardization of component/sub-component specifications. In collaboration with the fuel cell industry, this work aims at establishing compendiums of attributes, or so-called books of attributes, of key fuel cell components for the QC of PEM fuel cells through reviewing, identifying, categorizing, and prioritizing the main attributes/properties that determine their functionalities. The books of attributes for the major PEM fuel cell components include catalyst coated membrane (CCM) as a sub-assembly, GDL, and BP. To address the full spectrum of fuel cell components, gaskets and sub-gaskets are also included.

25 ENERGY STORAGE↗
DOE OSTI2022

ORGANIC RANKINE CYCLE TURBINE AND HEAT EXCHANGER SIZING FOR LIQUID AIR COMBINED CYCLE

Cryogenic energy storage offers several opportunities to design turbomachinery and other equipment for novel cycles. This paper presents the design and analysis of turbomachinery and heat exchangers for an Organic Rankine Cycle (ORC) subsystem for a hybrid energy storage concept. The Liquid Air Combined Cycle is an energy storage system that stores air at cryogenic conditions at times with high variable renewable energy to be dispatched along with a gas turbine to recover the exhaust heat. In order to re-vaporize the air, the liquid air is coupled with an ORC as an additional bottoming cycle. The ORC turbine is expected to expand the fluid with a pressure ratio of nearly 30 and a flow rate of approximately 45 kg/s. Sizing calculations for both a radial and axial turbine solution were performed over a range of speeds and stages to determine the optimal design point. The results show that either an axial (8- or 9-stage) or radial (four stages at two shaft speeds) turbine are capable of handling the pressure ratios. Further trades of the two configurations would be required to determine the best option. The ORC system also incorporates five heat exchangers to distribute heat, vaporize the liquid air, or recover exhaust heat from the gas turbine. Three heat exchangers were analyzed to understand the size of heat exchangers and pressure drop for the overall system. Different types of heat exchangers were explored for the different purposes, including plate-fin heat exchangers, gasketed plate heat exchangers and shell-in-tube heat exchangers. It was determined that the ORC recuperator, liquid-air vaporizer, and vaporized air pre-heater would be counter-flow heat exchangers using a gasketed plate design. Keywords: Energy Storage, Liquid Air Energy Storage, Organic Rankine Cycle

Pryor, Owen↗
DOE OSTI2026

Redesign of Nuclear Material Storage Container with Additive Manufacturing

The goal of this project is to reduce worker dose and improve criticality safety by improving nuclear material storage containers. The current method of medium to long term (up to 15 years) storage of small amounts of nuclear material is to store it in a stainless-steel flat tube with a copper crush gasket. These containers use 10 bolts to fasten the lid, and the crush gasket must be replaced after every use. Stainless-steel acts as a gamma shield, but there is not any material to account for neutron dose. A redesign of this container should prioritize reducing radiation doses to handlers of the container by reducing the amount of time handlers are exposed to the container and introducing material with effective neutron and gamma shielding mechanics.

42 ENGINEERING↗
NASA NTRS1971

Liquid-hydrogen/nuclear-radiation resistant seals

Seal employs aromatic heterocyclic polymer, polyquinoxaline, and features resin starved laminate consisting of alternate layers of woven glass fabric and polymer film. Design gives gasket a mechanical spring characteristic, eliminating cold flow and resulting in elastic recovery when gasket is unloaded.

Van Auken, R.↗
NASA NTRS1975

Copper emissions from a high volume air sampler

High volume air samplers (hi vols) are described which utilize a brush-type electric motor to power the fans used for pulling air through the filter. Anomalously high copper values were attributed to removal of copper from the commutator into the air stream due to arcing of the brushes and recirculation through the filter. Duplicate hi vols were set up under three operating conditions: (1) unmodified; (2) gasketed to prevent internal recirculation; and (3) gasketed and provided with a pipe to transport the motor exhaust some 20 feet away. The results of 5 days' operation demonstrate that hi vols can suddenly start emitting increased amounts of copper with no discernible operational indication, and that recirculation and capture on the filter can take place. Copper levels found with hi vols whose exhaust was discharged at a distance downwind were among the lowest found, and apparently provides a satisfactory solution to copper contamination.

King, R. B.↗
NASA NTRS1979

Window with integral seal

Installation concept needed for airtight, watertight, laminated window does away with O-rings and sealants needed for effective edge seal. Pliable inner layer of laminating adhesive extends to form build-in gasket. Technique is usable for plastic or glass windows where space for gaskets and sealing rings is limited, canopies, and shields for military, marine, and land transportation vehicles.

Behar, J. M.↗
NASA NTRS1987

Pressure-Assisted Seal for Castings

Modification of widely used pressure-assisted gasket ensures tight seal even when one sealed surface somewhat rough or porous. Modified U-cross-section gasket has thin lips increasing sealing area and conform to slightly rough surface. Lips provide wider sealing area and extend highly loaded region at tip. Coating of polytetrafluoroethylene on tip and lip augments conformance.

Stuck, Donald E.↗
NASA NTRS1987

The stability of a sample in a diamond anvil cell

A theoretical analysis of the stability of a gasketed sample in a diamond anvil cell is reported, demonstrating that the stability of the sample depends principally on the yield strength and the thickness of the gasket, the bulk modulus and the radius of the sample, and the geometry of the culet. The results yield a simple methodology that can be used to obtain stable samples in a diamond anvil cell.

Moss, William C.↗
NASA NTRS1990

Igniter adapter-to-igniter chamber deflection test

Testing was performed to determine the maximum RSRM igniter adapter-to-igniter chamber joint deflection at the crown of the inner joint primary seal. The deflection data was gathered to support igniter inner joint gasket resiliency predictions which led to launch commit criteria temperature determinations. The proximity (deflection) gage holes for the first test (Test No. 1) were incorrectly located; therefore, the test was declared a non-test. Prior to Test No. 2, test article configuration was modified with the correct proximity gage locations. Deflection data were successfully acquired during Test No. 2. However, the proximity gage deflection measurements were adversely affected by temperature increases. Deflections measured after the temperature rise at the proximity gages were considered unreliable. An analysis was performed to predict the maximum deflections based on the reliable data measured before the detectable temperature rise. Deflections to the primary seal crown location were adjusted to correspond to the time of maximum expected operating pressure (2,159 psi) to account for proximity gage bias, and to account for maximum attach and special bolt relaxation. The maximum joint deflection for the igniter inner joint at the crown of the primary seal, accounting for all significant correction factors, was 0.0031 in. (3.1 mil). Since the predicted (0.003 in.) and tested maximum deflection values were sufficiently close, the launch commit criteria was not changed as a result of this test. Data from this test should be used to determine if the igniter inner joint gasket seals are capable of maintaining sealing capability at a joint displacement of (1.4) x (0.0031 in.) = 0.00434 inches. Additional testing should be performed to increase the database on igniter deflections and address launch commit criteria temperatures.

Cook, M.↗
NASA NTRS1946

Effect of Fuel Composition, Engine Operating Variables, and Spark-Plug Type and Condition on Preignition-Limited Performance of an R-2800 Cylinder

The preignition characteristics of the R-2800 cylinder, as effected by fuel consumption, engine operating variables, and spark plug type and condition, were evaluated. The effects on preignition-limited performance of various percentages of aromatics (benzene, toluene, cumene, xylene) in a base fuel of triptane were investigated. Two paraffins (triptane and S + 6.0 ml TEL/gal) and two refinery blends (28-R and 33-R) were preignition rated. The effect of changes in the following engine operating variables on preignition limit was determined: inlet-air temperature, rear spark plug gasket temperature, engine speed, spark advance, tappet clearance, and oil consumption. Preignition limits of the R-2800 cylinder using Champion C34S and C35S and AC-LS86, LS87, and LS88 spark plugs were established and the effect of spark plug deterioration was investigated. No definite trends in preignition-limited indicated mean effective pressure were indicated for aromatics as a class when increased percentages of different aromatics were added to a base fuel of triptane. Three types of fuel (aromatics, paraffins, and refinery blends) showed a preignition range for this cylinder from 65 to 104 percent when based on the performance of S plus 6.0 ml TEL per gallon as 100 percent. The R-2800 cylinder is therefore relatively insensitive to fuel composition when compared to a CFR F-4 engine, which had a pre-ignition range from 72 to 100 percent for the same fuels. Six engine operating variables were investigated with the following results: preignition-limited indicated mean effective pressure decreased, with increases in engine speed, rear spark plug gasket temperature, inlet-air temperature, and spark advance beyond 20 F B.T.C. and was unaffected by rate of oil consumption or by tappet clearance. Spark plugs were rated over a range of preignition-limited indicated mean effective pressure from 200 to 390 pounds per square inch at a fuel-air ratio of 0.07 in the following order of increased resistance to preignition: AC-LS97, AC-LS88, Champion C358, AC-LS86, and Champion C34S. Spark plug deterioration in the form of cracks in the porcelain had been broken away from the center electrode and were retained in the spark plug cavity, the preignition limit was decreased as much as 57 percent. When the broken pieces had been removed, the preignition limit increased from that of the undamaged porcelain as the weight of removed porcelain was increased.

Pfender, John F.↗
NASA NTRS1997

Enclosure for thermoelectric refrigerator and method

An enclosed structure is provided for use with a refrigerator having a door assembly. The enclosed structure preferably contains superinsulation materials and a plurality of matching drawers. The enclosed structure preferably includes corner joints which minimize thermal energy transfer between adjacent superinsulation panels. The refrigerator may include a cooling system having a thermoelectric device for maintaining the temperature within the refrigerator at selected values. If desired, a fluid cooling system and an active gasket may also be provided between the door assembly and the enclosed structure. The fluid cooling system preferably includes a second thermoelectric device to maintain the temperature of fluid flowing through the active gasket at a selected value. The drawers associated with the refrigerator may be used for gathering, processing, shipping and storing food or other perishable items.

Park, Brian V.↗
NASA NTRS2015

Hexavalent Chrome Free Coatings for Electronics Electromagnetic Interference (EMI) Shielding Effectiveness (SE) Interim Test Report

Test specimen configuration was provided by Parker Chomerics. The EMI gasket used in this project was Cho-Seal 6503E. Black oxide alloy steel socket head bolts were used to hold the plates together. Non-conductive spacers were used to control the amount of compression on the gaskets. The following test fixture specifications were provided by Parker Chomerics. The CHO‐TP09 test plate sets selected for this project consist of two aluminum plates manufactured to the specifications detailed in CHO­‐TP09. The first plate, referred to as the test frame, is illustrated in Figure 1. The test frame is designed with a cutout in the center and two alternating bolt patterns. One pattern is used to bolt the test frame to the corresponding test cover plate (Figure 2), forming a test plate set. The second pattern accepts the hardware used to mount the fully assembled test plate set to the main adapter plate (Figure 3).

trivalent chromium↗
NASA NTRS2016

Final Test Report: Hexavalent Chrome Free Coatings for Electronics Electromagnetic Interference (EMI) Shielding Effectiveness (SE)

The test results for Salt Spray Resistance, Static Heat and Humidity and Marine Environment can be found in Sections 3.1.3.3, 3.1.4.3 and 3.1.5.3 respectively. In summary, both the Metalast TCP and SurTec 650 Type 2 conversion coatings perform very similar to the incumbent Type 1 conversion coating against both 6061 and 5052 aluminum under all three test conditions. Significant prior work was performed to select the aluminum and conversion coating included within this test cycle; Reference - NASA GSDO Program Hexavalent Chrome Alternatives Final Pretreatments Test Report Task Order: NNH12AA45D September 01, 2013. As illustrated in the data, the 6061 aluminum panels SLIGHTLY out-performed the 5052 aluminum panels. Individual shielding effectiveness graphs for each panel are included within Appendix C and D. One other notable effect found during review of the data is that the Test Panels exposed to B117 Salt Fog reduced in shielding effectiveness significantly more than the Marine Environment Test Panels. The shielding effectiveness of the Marine Test Panels was approximately 20dB higher than the Test Panels that underwent B117 Salt Fog Exposure. The intent of this evaluation was not to maximize shielding effectiveness values. The same Parker Chomerics Cho-Seal 6503 gasket material was used for all panels with aluminum and conversion coating variants. A typical EMI gasket design for corrosive environments would be done quite differently. The intent was to execute a test that would provide the best possible evaluation of different aluminum materials and conversion coatings in corrosive environments. The test program achieved this intent. The fact that the two aluminums and two Type II conversion coatings performed similar to the incumbent Type 1 conversion coating is a positive outcome. It was desired to have an outcome that further differentiation the performance of two aluminum types and two conversion coating types but this could not be extracted by the test results. Further analysis of the test plates may be done by X-Ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS) or Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy (EIS). Feasibility of this is under review.

Kessel, Kurt R.↗
DOE OSTI2018

Automated, multi-pot high-pressure radio-synthesizer for production of pet tracers

An automated radiosynthesizer device includes a plurality of reactor assemblies, each reactor assembly being operatively connected to a horizontal actuator for moving the reactor assembly in the horizontal direction and a vertical actuator for moving the reactor assembly in the vertical direction. A plurality of disposable cassettes are disposed above each of the plurality of reactor assemblies, each cassette comprising a lower surface comprising a plurality of sealed and un-sealed gaskets, wherein the un-sealed gaskets are connected to internal fluid paths within the cassette. The device includes a three-axis reagent and gas handling robot disposed above the plurality of cassettes and terminates in a vial gripper and a gas manifold having an inert gas port and a vacuum port. The device includes a control system configured to control the horizontal actuator and vertical actuator of each reactor assembly and the three-axis reagent and gas handling robot.

Moore, Melissa↗