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Results for “runaway”

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 OSTI2024

Predicting the heat release variability of Li-ion cells under thermal runaway with few or no calorimetry data

Accurate measurement of the variability of thermal runaway behavior of lithium-ion cells is critical for designing safe battery systems. However, experimentally determining such variability is challenging, expensive, and time-consuming. Here, we utilize a transfer learning approach to accurately estimate the variability of heat output during thermal runaway using only ejected mass measurements and cell metadata, leveraging 139 calorimetry measurements on commercial lithium-ion cells available from the open-access Battery Failure Databank. We show that the distribution of heat output, including outliers, can be predicted accurately and with high confidence for new cell types using just 0 to 5 calorimetry measurements by leveraging behaviors learned from the Battery Failure Databank. Fractional heat ejection from the positive vent, cell body, and negative vent are also accurately predicted. We demonstrate that by using low cost and fast measurements, we can predict the variability in thermal behaviors of cells, thus accelerating critical safety characterization efforts.

25 ENERGY STORAGE↗
DOE OSTI2025

Dust-void evolution driven by turbulent dust flux can induce runaway migration of Earth-mass planets

Torques from asymmetric dust structures (so-called dust-void and filamentary structures) formed around low-mass planets embedded in a nonturbulent dust-gas disk can exceed the torques produced by the gas disk component and then go on to dominate the planet’s orbital dynamics. Here, we investigate how these structures (hence the dust torque) change when the effect of turbulent dust diffusion and dust feedback are included, along with the direct implications on the migration of Earth-like planets. Using the FARGO3D code, we performed 2D and 3D multifluid hydrodynamic simulations, focusing on a non-migrating planet with a mass of M p = 1.5 M ⊕ in 2D and on migrating planets with M p ∈ [1.5, 12] M ⊕ in 3D. We varied the δ-dimensionless diffusivity parameter in the range [0, 3 × 10 −3 ] and considered three different Stokes numbers, St = {0.04, 0.26, 0.55}, which are representative of the gas-dominated, the transitional, and the gravity-dominated regimes, respectively. In our 2D models, we find that turbulent diffusion of dust prevents the formation of the dust-void and filamentary structures when δ > 3 × 10 −4 . Otherwise, dust structures survive turbulent diffusion flow. However, dust and total torques become positive only in transitional and gravity-dominated regimes. In our 3D models, we find that the dust-void is drastically modified and the high-density ring-shaped barrier delineating the dust-void disappears if δ ≳ 10 −4 , due to the effect of dust turbulent diffusion along with the back-reaction of the dust. For all values of δ, the filament in front of the planet is replaced by a low-density trench. Remarkably, as we have allowed the planets to migrate, the evolving dust-void can drive either runaway migration or outward (inward) oscillatory-torque migration. Our study thus suggests that low-mass Earth-like planets can undergo runaway migration in dusty disks.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2023

The constraint of plasma power balance on runaway avoidance

Abstract In a post-thermal-quench plasma, mitigated or unmitigated, the plasma power balance is mostly between collisional or Ohmic heating and plasma radiative cooling. In a plasma of atomic mixture { n α } with α labeling the atomic species, the power balance sets the plasma temperature, ion charge state distribution { n α i } with i the charge number, and through the electron temperature T e and ion charge state distribution { n α i } , the parallel electric field E ∥ . Since the threshold electric field for runaway avalanche growth E a v is also set by the atomic mixture, ion charge state distribution and its derived quantity, the electron density n e , the plasma power balance between Ohmic heating and radiative cooling imposes a stringent constraint on the plasma regime for avoiding and minimizing runaways when a fusion-grade tokamak plasma is rapidly terminated.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2025

Analysis of runaway electron driven whistler wave instability experiments

Data acquired on the DIII-D tokamak were analyzed. The data are from experiments that were conducted to study an instability that is driven unstable by intense populations of electrons with MeV energies that are known as runaway electrons. The instability is a type of plasma wave called a whistler wave that occurs at frequencies above the ion cyclotron frequency but well below the electron cyclotron frequency. The waves were measured by magnetic fluctuation coils that are embedded in the DIII-D vacuum vessel wall. After upgrades to this diagnostic were completed, new experiments were conducted on July 13, 2020 in order to measure the toroidal mode number of the whistler waves and to extend the frequency of the detected waves. Through the use of mixers, instability between 600-700 MHz was detected. (The initial experiments only measured up to 200 MHz.) Analysis of the data was led by Hari Choudhury, a PhD student at Columbia University. Mr. Choudhury has submitted two papers for publication that include contributions by UC Irvine (UCI) Professor Heidbrink and his graduated PhD student Genevieve DeGrandchamp: “Detailed Characterization of Runaway Electron Driven Whistler Waves in Low-Density DIII-D Discharges” and “First Demonstration of Resonant Pitch-Angle Scattering of Relativistic Electrons by Externally-Launched Helicon Waves.” The first paper, which has been submitted to Physics of Plasmas, has significant contributions to both the data and the interpretation by UCI scientists. In contrast, UCI contributions to the second paper, which has been submitted to Physical Review Letters, are relatively minor.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
NASA NTRS1977

A review of the thermonuclear runaway model of a nova outburst

Kraft's (1963) model for a nova outburst caused by a thermonuclear runaway in the hydrogen-rich matter accreted onto the white dwarf in a binary system is reviewed. Hydrostatic and hydrodynamic studies of this phenomenon are summarized, analyses of shock ejection based on hydrodynamic computer codes are discussed, and one specific hydrodynamic code is outlined. Results obtained with this code are presented and evaluated for an initial model containing a white dwarf with a hydrogen-rich envelope of 0.0001 to 0.001 solar mass in hydrostatic and thermal equilibrium. It is shown that an implicit hydrodynamic computer code is required in order to study the thermonuclear-runaway phenomenon. The early evolution of three models with different intrinsic luminosities is illustrated, and enhancement of CNO nuclei at the bottom of the hydrogen-rich envelope is investigated. It is suggested that the concentration of C-13, N-15, and O-17 should be greatly enhanced in nova ejecta.

Sparks, W. M.↗
NASA NTRS1978

Spontaneous emission near the electron plasma frequency in a plasma with a runaway electron tail

Spontaneous emission of radiation with frequencies near the electron plasma frequency is studied for a plasma which consists of both thermal and runaway electrons. It is found that a substantial enhancement of the spontaneous radiation intensity can occur in this frequency regime via a Cherenkov resonance with the runaway electrons. Numerical analysis indicates that, for reasonable estimates of densities and energies, the plasma-frequency radiation can attain levels greater than the peak thermal emission at the second gyroharmonic.

Freund, H. P.↗
NASA NTRS1978

Spontaneous synchrotron emission from a plasma with an energetic runaway electron tail

The emissivity of spontaneous synchrotron radiation is computed for a plasma consisting of a background thermal plasma in addition to an energetic runaway electron component. The analysis is performed for both the ordinary and extraordinary modes, for frequencies in the vicinity of the electron plasma frequency and the higher harmonics of the electron gyrofrequency, and for the case when the electron plasma frequency is approximately the same as or smaller than the cyclotron frequency. The relativistic gyroresonance with the runaway electrons is found to result in a level of spontaneous emission which, for frequencies in the neighborhood of the electron plasma frequency, is significantly enhanced over the thermal radiation.

Freund, H. P.↗
NASA NTRS1979

Thermonuclear runaways on neutron stars

Thermonuclear runaways which develop when neutron stars of 0.476 solar masses accrete hydrogen-rich material at 10 to the -10th and 2 x 10 to the -9th solar masses/year have been followed using a numerical model. It is found that a thermal instability occurs at densities in excess of 10 to the 5th g/cu cm and that the maximum accumulated mass required to initiate the runaway is 0.7 x 10 to the -12th and 2.1 x 10 to the -12th solar masses for the mass accretion rates of 10 to the -10th and 2 x 10 to the -9th solar masses/year, respectively. Heating the of the neutron star envelope by hydrogen burning leads to the ignition of helium. The nonequilibrium burning of helium by a combination of (alpha, p), (p, gamma), and (alpha, gamma) reactions involving O-14, O-15, and other heavy nuclei provides the energy for an X-ray burst. The gross properties of these models bear suggestive resemblance to those observed for some X-ray burst sources.

Taam, R. E.↗
NASA NTRS1982

A search for spectroscopic binaries among the runaway O type stars

Numerous radial velocity measurements of medium dispersion were made for the 10 brighter stars given in Stone's list of very probable O type runaways. All plates were measured with the KPNO PDS microdensitometer, and a new iterative reductional analysis was used to derive plate velocities, which are estimated to be 1.6 times more accurate internally than those found by using the traditional method. Of thse stars, psi Per, alpha Cam, HD 188209, and 26 Cep are identified as probable velocity variables, while 9 Sge, lambda Cep, and HD 218915 are classed as possible variables. If the source of this variability is Keplerian rather than atmospheric, which cannot be established unequivocally from the observations of this paper, psi Per could be a spectroscopic binary with a black hole companion, and at least 1.2 solar mass. The detection of runaway binary systems from radial velocity measurements is discussed.

Stone, R. C.↗
NASA NTRS1991

Runaway greenhouse atmospheres: Applications to Earth and Venus

Runaway greenhouse atmospheres are discussed from a theoretical standpoint and with respect to various practical situation in which they might occur. The following subject areas are covered: (1) runaway greenhouse atmospheres; (2) moist greenhouse atmospheres; (3) loss of water from Venus; (4) steam atmosphere during accretion; and (5) the continuously habitable zone.

Kasting, James F.↗
NASA NTRS1992

A burst from a thermonuclear runaway on an ONeMg white dwarf

Studies which examine the consequences of accretion, at rates of 10(exp -9) solar mass/yr and 10(exp -10) solar mass/yr, onto an ONeMg white dwarf with a mass of 1.35 solar masses are performed. In these studies, a Lagrangian, hydrodynamic, one-dimensional computer code was used. The code now includes a network with 89 nuclei up to Ca-40, elemental diffusion, new opacities, and new equation of state. The initial abundance distribution corresponded to a mixture that was enriched to either 25, 50, or 75 percent in products of carbon burning. The remaining material in each case is assumed to have a solar composition. The evolution of the thermonuclear runaway in the 1.35 solar mass white dwarf, with M = 10(exp -9) solar mass, produced peak temperatures in the shell source exceeding 300 million degrees. The sequence produced significant amounts of Na-22 from proton captures onto Ne-20 and significant amounts of Al-26 from proton captures on Mg-24. This sequence ejected 5.2 x 10(exp -6) solar mass moving with speeds from approximately 100 km/s to 2300 km/s. When the mass accretion rate was decreased to 10(exp -10) solar mass, the resulting thermonuclear runaway produced a shock that moved through the outer envelope of the white dwarf and raised the surface luminosity to L greater than 10(exp 7) solar luminosity and the effective temperature to values exceeding 10(exp 7) K. The interaction of the material expanding from off of the white dwarf with the accretion disk should produce a burst of gamma-rays.

Starrfield, S.↗
NASA NTRS1992

Thermonuclear runaways in nova outbursts

Results of exploratory, two-dimensional numerical calculations of a local thermonuclear runaway on the surface of a white dwarf are reported. It is found that the energy released by the runaway can induce a significant amount of vorticity near the burning region. Such mass motions account naturally for mixing of core matter into the envelope during the explosion. A new mechanism for the lateral spread of nuclear burning is also discussed.

Shankar, Anurag↗
NASA NTRS1999

On the Temporal Evolution of Red Sprites, Runaway Theory Versus Data

The results of numerical simulations of red sprite discharges, namely the temporal evolutions of optical emissions, are presented and compared with observations. The simulations are done using the recently recalculated runaway avalanche rates. The temporal evolution of these simulations is in good agreement with ground-based photometer and CCD TV camera observations of red sprites. Our model naturally explains the "hairline" of red sprites as a boundary between the region where the intensity of optical emissions associated with runaway breakdown has a maximum and the region where the intensity of optical emissions caused by conventional breakdown and ambient electron heating has a maximum. We also present for the first time simulations of red sprites with a daytime conductivity profile.

Yukhimuk, V.↗
NASA NTRS2017

Assessment of lnternational Space Station (ISS) Lithium-ion Battery Thermal Runaway (TR)

This task was developed in the wake of the Boeing 787 Dreamliner lithium-ion battery TR incidents of January 2013 and January 2014. The Electrical Power Technical Discipline Team supported the Dreamliner investigations and has followed up by applying lessons learned to conduct an introspective evaluation of NASA's risk of similar incidents in its own lithium-ion battery deployments. This activity has demonstrated that historically NASA, like Boeing and others in the aerospace industry, has emphasized the prevention of TR in a single cell within the battery (e.g., cell screening) but has not considered TR severity-reducing measures in the event of a single-cell TR event. center dotIn the recent update of the battery safety standard (JSC 20793) to address this paradigm shift, the NASA community included requirements for assessing TR severity and identifying simple, low-cost severity reduction measures. This task will serve as a pathfinder for meeting those requirements and will specifically look at a number of different lithium-ion batteries currently in the design pipeline within the ISS Program batteries that, should they fail in a Dreamliner-like incident, could result in catastrophic consequences. This test is an abuse test to understand the heat transfer properties of the cell and ORU in thermal runaway, with radiant barriers in place in a flight like test in on orbit conditions. This includes studying the heat flow and distribution in the ORU. This data will be used to validate the thermal runaway analysis. This test does not cover the ambient pressure case. center dotThere is no pass/ fail criteria for this test.

Graika, Jason↗
NASA NTRS2018

Li-ion 18650 Thermal Runaway Particulate Analysis

Three types of atmospheres were tested for their effects on the particulates generated in a lithium ion (Li-ion) battery thermal runaway. Normal laboratory air (Ambient), a mixture of 23.5% O2/76.5% N2 meant to simulate the atmosphere on the International Space Station (ISS), and Vacuum environments were tested. Samsung 26F 18650 cells were driven to thermal runaway using heater tape, and the resultant particulates were collected analyzed using SEM/EDX, FTIR, GCMS, as well as conductivity and magnetic probes. All three conditions generated dense black particulate films composed of very fine carbon and metal particles. These films, however, were not very conductive, though individual particulates would be, and the particles demonstrated weak paramagnetism. FTIR and GCMS identified a substantial amount of volatile components in the particulate films, both organic partial combustion products, but also electrolyte salt products.

Nemanick, E. Joseph↗
NASA NTRS2018

Coupling Fractional Thermal Runaway Calorimetry (FTRC) Results with Statistical Analysis Methods

Important factors to consider when optimizing Lithium-ion (Li-ion) battery thermal management systems, from a battery safety perspective, include the total energy released during a single cell thermal runaway (TR) event and the fraction of the total energy that is released through the cell casing versus through the ejecta material. A fractional thermal runaway calorimeter (FTRC) was used to examine the TR behavior of the following 18650-format Li-ion cells: (1) Molicel 18650-J, (2) LG 18650-HG2, (3) Samsung 18650-30Q, (4) 3.35 Ah LG 18650 test cell, (5) Sony 18650-VC7, and (6) LG 18650-MJ1. These cells were intentionally selected to represent a variety of manufacturers, chemistries, capacities, and safety features. Because of the large number of random and non-random variables associated with the FTRC results, a linear regression model, developed using engineering statistical methods, was utilized to provide final interpretation of the TR behavior for each cell type and design variable combination.

Walker, William↗
NASA NTRS2019

Combining Fractional Calorimetry with Statistical Methods to Characterize Thermal Runaway

Fractional thermal runaway calorimetry (FTRC) techniques were introduced to examine thermal runaway (TR) behavior of lithium-ion (Li-ion) cells. Specifically, FTRC considers the total energy released vs. the fraction of the total energy that is released through the cell casing vs. through the ejecta material. This device has been expanded to universally support FTRC testing of additional cell types including 21700-format, D-Cell format, and large prismatic format Li-ion cells. The TR behavior as influenced by cell format, manufacturer, chemistry, capacity, and in situ safety features are described in this presentation.

Walker, William↗