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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 901 records · Page 50
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2018

Influence of cyclic thermal treatments on the oxidation behavior of Ti-6Al-2Sn-4Zr-2Mo alloy

Highlights: • The oxidation kinetics of commercially titanium alloys has been extensively investigated following isothermal treatments. • Components in aerospace applications are subjected to temperature gradients which can modify the oxidation kinetics of Ti-6242. • The main goal of the present research is to study the formation of the oxide scale and the alpha case layer under cyclic thermal treatments • Results are with those achieved by isothermal treatments. - Abstract: Ti-6Al-2Sn-4Zr-2Mo is one of the most common titanium alloys for aerospace industry. This alloy experiences oxidation phenomenon at elevated temperatures. In the present study, cyclic thermal treatments were performed in air at 500, 593 and 700 °C, up to 500 cycles, in order to determine the oxidation kinetics and to analyze the oxide scale and alpha-case formation. Moreover, results were compared to those achieved under isothermal conditions to elucidate differences between both thermal conditions. In this sense, metallographic techniques and X-ray diffraction, together with a detailed advanced characterization of the microstructure by Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy and Focus Ions Beam, were used to analyze surface oxidation evolution. Results pointed out that cyclic treatments induced a strong increase of the weight gain compared to isothermal treatments. The analysis of the oxide scale revealed the formation of not only rutile, as isothermal treatments, but also anatase. Thickness of the oxide scale was higher for cyclic conditions, while alpha case did not exceed values reached by isothermal treatments and even became lower at 500 °C.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2012

Effects of plasma {beta} on the plasmoid instability

The effects of the initial upstream plasma {beta} on the plasmoid instability are studied via two-dimensional resistive magnetohydrodynamic simulations. For cases with nonuniform {beta} dependent initial plasma mass density and uniform temperature, our numerical results indicate that the critical Lundquist number for onset of the plasmoid instability depends on the initial plasma {beta}. The critical Lundquist number is approximately 2000-3000 for {beta}=50 and is 8000-10 000 for {beta}=0.2. The higher the {beta}, the smaller the critical Lundquist number is. Similar to previous studies of high-{beta} systems, the average reconnection rate in low {beta} systems is found to become weakly dependent on the Lundquist number in the plasmoid-unstable regime. However, the average reconnection rate, normalized to the asymptotic value of upstream BV{sub A}, is lower in a low {beta} system than that in a high {beta} system. The magnetic energy spectral index, which characterizes fragmentation of the reconnection layer, is approximately two and is insensitive to {beta} in the high-Lunquist number regime. It is also found that the magnetic reconnection rate becomes similar for different {beta} cases, if the initial force-balance is provided by temperature gradient instead of density gradient. Therefore, it is concluded that the {beta}-dependence mentioned above may be largely attributed to the density variation.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2013

Observation of ion scale fluctuations in the pedestal region during the edge-localized-mode cycle on the National Spherical Torus Experiment

Characterization of the spatial structure of turbulence fluctuations during the edge localized mode cycle in the pedestal region is reported. Using the beam emission spectroscopy and the correlation reflectometry systems, measurements show spatial structure-k{sub Up-Tack }{rho}{sub i}{sup ped}-ranging from 0.2 to 0.7 propagating in the ion diamagnetic drift direction at the pedestal top. These propagating spatial scales are found to be anisotropic and consistent with ion-scale microturbulence of the type ion temperature gradient and/or kinetic ballooning modes.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2013

Combined resistive and laser heating technique for in situ radial X-ray diffraction in the diamond anvil cell at high pressure and temperature

To extend the range of high-temperature, high-pressure studies within the diamond anvil cell, a Liermann-type diamond anvil cell with radial diffraction geometry (rDAC) was redesigned and developed for synchrotron X-ray diffraction experiments at beamline 12.2.2 of the Advanced Light Source. The rDAC, equipped with graphite heating arrays, allows simultaneous resistive and laser heating while the material is subjected to high pressure. The goals are both to extend the temperature range of external (resistive) heating and to produce environments with lower temperature gradients in a simultaneously resistive- and laser-heated rDAC. Three different geomaterials were used as pilot samples to calibrate and optimize conditions for combined resistive and laser heating. For example, in Run1, FeO was loaded in a boron-mica gasket and compressed to 11 GPa then gradually resistively heated to 1007 K (1073 K at the diamond side). The laser heating was further applied to FeO to raise temperature to 2273 K. In Run2, Fe-Ni alloy was compressed to 18 GPa and resistively heated to 1785 K (1973 K at the diamond side). The combined resistive and laser heating was successfully performed again on (Mg{sub 0.9}Fe{sub 0.1})O in Run3. In this instance, the sample was loaded in a boron-kapton gasket, compressed to 29 GPa, resistive-heated up to 1007 K (1073 K at the diamond side), and further simultaneously laser-heated to achieve a temperature in excess of 2273 K at the sample position. Diffraction patterns obtained from the experiments were deconvoluted using the Rietveld method and quantified for lattice preferred orientation of each material under extreme conditions and during phase transformation.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2016

GRAVITY-DARKENED SEASONS: INSOLATION AROUND RAPID ROTATORS

I model the effect of rapid stellar rotation on a planet’s insolation. Fast-rotating stars have induced pole-to-equator temperature gradients (known as gravity darkening) of up to several thousand Kelvin that affect the star’s luminosity and peak emission wavelength as a function of latitude. When orbiting such a star, a planet’s annual insolation can strongly vary depending on its orbital inclination. Specifically, inclined orbits result in temporary exposure to the star’s hotter poles. I find that gravity darkening can drive changes in a planet’s equilibrium temperature of up to ∼15% due to increased irradiance near the stellar poles. This effect can also vary a planet’s exposure to UV radiation by up to ∼80% throughout its orbit as it is exposed to an irradiance spectrum corresponding to different stellar effective temperatures over time.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2012

ON THE COMPETITION BETWEEN RADIAL EXPANSION AND COULOMB COLLISIONS IN SHAPING THE ELECTRON VELOCITY DISTRIBUTION FUNCTION: KINETIC SIMULATIONS

We present numerical simulations of the solar wind using a fully kinetic model which takes into account the effects of particle's binary collisions in a quasi-neutral plasma in spherical expansion. Starting from an isotropic Maxwellian velocity distribution function for the electrons, we show that the combined effect of expansion and Coulomb collisions leads to the formation of two populations: a collision-dominated cold and dense population almost isotropic in velocity space and a weakly collisional, tenuous field-aligned and antisunward drifting population generated by mirror force focusing in the radially decreasing magnetic field. The relative weights and drift velocities for the two populations observed in our simulations are in excellent agreement with the relative weights and drift velocities for both core and strahl populations observed in the real solar wind. The radial evolution of the main moments of the electron velocity distribution function is in the range observed in the solar wind. The electron temperature anisotropy with respect to the magnetic field direction is found to be related to the ratio between the collisional time and the solar wind expansion time. Even though collisions are found to shape the electron velocity distributions and regulate the properties of the strahl, it is found that the heat flux is conveniently described by a collisionless model where a fraction of the electron thermal energy is advected at the solar wind speed. This reinforces the currently largely admitted fact that collisions in the solar wind are clearly insufficient to force the electron heat flux obey the classical Spitzer-Haerm expression where heat flux and temperature gradient are proportional to each other. The presented results show that the electron dynamics in the solar wind cannot be understood without considering the role of collisions.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2012

Revisiting plasma hysteresis with an electronically compensated Langmuir probe

The measurement of electron temperature in plasma by Langmuir probes, using ramped bias voltage, is seriously affected by the capacitive current of capacitance of the cable between the probe tip and data acquisition system. In earlier works a dummy cable was used to balance the capacitive currents. Under these conditions, the measured capacitive current was kept less than a few mA. Such probes are suitable for measurements in plasma where measured ion saturation current is of the order of hundreds of mA. This paper reports that controlled balancing of capacitive current can be minimized to less than 20 {mu}A, allowing plasma measurements to be done with ion saturation current of the order of hundreds of {mu}A. The electron temperature measurement made by using probe compensation technique becomes independent of sweep frequency. A correction of {<=}45% is observed in measured electron temperature values when compared with uncompensated probe. This also enhances accuracy in the measurement of fluctuation in electron temperature as {delta}T{sub pk-pk} changes by {approx}30%. The developed technique with swept rate {<=}100 kHz is found accurate enough to measure both the electron temperature and its fluctuating counterpart. This shows its usefulness in measuring accurately the temperature fluctuations because of electron temperature gradient in large volume plasma device plasma with frequency ordering {<=}50 kHz.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗
DOE OSTI2013

Characterization and parametric dependencies of low wavenumber pedestal turbulence in the National Spherical Torus Experiment

The spherical torus edge region is among the most challenging regimes for plasma turbulence simulations. Here, we measure the spatial and temporal properties of ion-scale turbulence in the steep gradient region of H-mode pedestals during edge localized mode-free, MHD quiescent periods in the National Spherical Torus Experiment. Poloidal correlation lengths are about 10 ρ{sub i}, and decorrelation times are about 5 a/c{sub s}. Next, we introduce a model aggregation technique to identify parametric dependencies among turbulence quantities and transport-relevant plasma parameters. The parametric dependencies show the most agreement with transport driven by trapped-electron mode, kinetic ballooning mode, and microtearing mode turbulence, and the least agreement with ion temperature gradient turbulence. In addition, the parametric dependencies are consistent with turbulence regulation by flow shear and the empirical relationship between wider pedestals and larger turbulent structures.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2013

Assessment of tungsten/rhenium thermocouples with metal-carbon eutectic fixed points up to 1500°C

Four Type A thermocouples and two Type C thermocouples were calibrated at the Au fixed point and Co-C and Pd-C eutectic fixed points. The thermocouples were exposed to 1330 °C for a total of 100 hours. The maximum drift due to the exposure was found to be 4.8 °C. The fixed-point calibration EMF of these thermocouples deviated by less than 0.86% from the temperature specified by the standards ASTM E230-2003 for Type C and GOSTR 8.585-2001 for Type A. The length of one of Type A thermocouples A52 is longer than the others by 150mm. Making use of this provision it was possible to place annealed part of A52 to the temperature gradient part of calibration arrangement every time. Therefore observed aging effect was as low as 0.5 °C compared to the other thermocouples.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗
DOE OSTI2018

A New Method of Selective Laser Cladding

A new approach to selective laser cladding using conical laser beams has been elaborated. The initial round laser beam is divided into two or more circular beams with regulated distribution of the laser power between them. The circular beams are converted into conical beams that are focused separately on the surface and on different areas of the deposited material for their efficient heating. The delivery of laser energy into the powder stream is very effective because it provides a complete uniform absorption of laser energy in a dense powder stream (10{sup 4}–10{sup 6} cm{sup –3}). Under wire deposition, substrate heating reduces residual stresses due to temperature gradients and compensates for heat loss from the deposition zone by thermal conduction. The required power density for melt contact formation is significantly reduced.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗
DOE OSTI2016

A volatile fluid assisted thermo-pneumatic liquid metal energy harvester

A close-cycle self-driving thermal energy harvester using liquid metal as energy carrier fluid has been proposed. The driving force that pushes the liquid metal against flow resistance and gravity is provided by a resistively heated volatile fluid based on thermo-pneumatic principle. The tested harvester prototype demonstrated its capability to extract thermal energy between small temperature gradient, at a scale of 10 °C. During a 5-h operation, it further demonstrated robust liquid metal recirculating performance at a time-average volume flow rate of 14 ml/min with a 12.25 W heating load. The prototype also managed to self-adjust to variable working conditions which indicated the reliability of this method. Advantages of this method include simple-structural design, rigid-motion free operation, and low-temperature actuation. These advantages make it uniquely suited for solar energy and low-grade heat harvesting, high heat flux electronics cooling, as well as autonomous machines actuating.

42 ENGINEERING↗
DOE OSTI2018

Effect of a High Magnetic Field on γ′ Phase for Ni-Based Single Crystal Superalloy During Directional Solidification

The effect of a high magnetic field on the γ′ phase of Ni-based single crystal superalloy during directional solidification is investigated experimentally. The results clearly indicate that the magnetic field significantly reduces the γ′ phase size. Further, the quenching experiment is carried out, and the results found that the length of mushy zone is obviously decreased under a high magnetic field. Based on both experimental results and nucleation mechanism, it is found that the decrease of γ′ phase size should be attributed to the fact that a high magnetic field causes the increase of temperature gradient in front of solid/liquid interface and leads to the increase of undercooling of γ′ phase.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2022

Quantitative evaluations of subtropical westerly jet simulations over East Asia based on multiple CMIP5 and CMIP6 GCMs

As a salient feature of the Asian monsoon system, the East Asian subtropical westerly jet (EASWJ) exerts significant impacts on weather and climate changes in China and even throughout East Asia. In this paper, we applied a new self-adaptive algorithm to detect the EASWJ, identify its boundaries, and then represent its characteristics by defining three indices: the intensity index, meridional displacement index, and width index. Compared to the reanalysis data, we carried out a comprehensive, objective, and quantitative EASWJ evaluation using historical experiments from multiple global climate models (GCMs) in the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project Phases 5 and 6 (CMIP5 and CMIP6). The results show that the multimodel ensemble mean (MME) of both CMIP5 and CMIP6 can simulate the characteristics of winter EASWJ well. While for the other three seasons, the MME of both phase models underestimate the 200-hPa zonal wind (U200) strength in the jet coverage area and overestimate the U200 outside the jet area, such simulation results weaken the meridional shear of the wind field. The EASWJ simulations from the CMIP5 GCMs had no consistent intensity or location characteristic tendencies, and most CMIP5 GCMs tended to simulate relatively wide-coverage jets. In contrast, most CMIP6 GCMs are inclined to simulate significantly weaker, wider, and more-northward jets. Compared to the predecessors in CMIP5, about half of CMIP6 GCMs significantly minimized the jet intensity bias, but remarkable errors were still observed in their jet location and coverage representations. Furthermore, the comparative analysis performed by classifying models based on their evaluated simulation results suggested that the simulated performance of the meridional temperature gradient was important for capturing the EASWJ characteristics. Further in-depth study of the causes of model differences is warranted to improve simulation results.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2013

Verification of electromagnetic fluid-kinetic hybrid electron model in global gyrokinetic particle simulation

The fluid-kinetic hybrid electron model is verified in global gyrokinetic particle simulation of linear electromagnetic drift-Alfvenic instabilities in tokamak. In particular, we have recovered the {beta}-stabilization of the ion temperature gradient mode, transition to collisionless trapped electron mode, and the onset of kinetic ballooning mode as {beta}{sub e} (ratio of electron kinetic pressure to magnetic pressure) increases.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2014

Geochemistry Sampling for Traditional and Multicomponent Equilibrium Geothermometry in Southeast Idaho

The Eastern Snake River Plain (ESRP) is an area of high regional heat flux due the movement of the North American Plate over the Yellowstone Hotspot beginning ca.16 Ma. Temperature gradients between 45-60 °C/km (up to double the global average) have been calculated from deep wells that penetrate the upper aquifer system (Blackwell 1989). Despite the high geothermal potential, thermal signatures from hot springs and wells are effectively masked by the rapid flow of cold groundwater through the highly permeable basalts of the Eastern Snake River Plain aquifer (ESRPA) (up to 500+ m thick). This preliminary study is part of an effort to more accurately predict temperatures of the ESRP deep thermal reservoir while accounting for the effects of the prolific cold water aquifer system above. This study combines the use of traditional geothermometry, mixing models, and a multicomponent equilibrium geothermometry (MEG) tool to investigate the geothermal potential of the ESRP. In March, 2014, a collaborative team including members of the University of Idaho, the Idaho National Laboratory, and the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory collected 14 thermal water samples from and adjacent to the Eastern Snake River Plain. The preliminary results of chemical analyses and geothermometry applied to these samples are presented herein.

15 GEOTHERMAL ENERGY↗
DOE OSTI2015

Flux tube train model for local turbulence simulation of toroidal plasmas

A new simulation method for local turbulence in toroidal plasmas is developed by extending the conventional idea of the flux tube model. In the new approach, a train of flux tubes is employed, where flux tube simulation boxes are serially connected at each end along a field line so as to preserve a symmetry of the local gyrokinetic equations for image modes in an axisymmetric torus. Validity of the flux tube train model is confirmed against the toroidal ion temperature gradient turbulence for a case with a long parallel correlation of fluctuations, demonstrating numerical advantages over the conventional method in the time step size and the symmetry-preserving property.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2013

Control of bootstrap current in the pedestal region of tokamaks

The high confinement mode (H-mode) plasmas in the pedestal region of tokamaks are characterized by steep gradient of the radial electric field, and sonic poloidal U{sub p,m} flow that consists of poloidal components of the E×B flow and the plasma flow velocity that is parallel to the magnetic field B. Here, E is the electric field. The bootstrap current that is important for the equilibrium, and stability of the pedestal of H-mode plasmas is shown to have an expression different from that in the conventional theory. In the limit where ‖U{sub p,m}‖≫ 1, the bootstrap current is driven by the electron temperature gradient and inductive electric field fundamentally different from that in the conventional theory. The bootstrap current in the pedestal region can be controlled through manipulating U{sub p,m} and the gradient of the radial electric. This, in turn, can control plasma stability such as edge-localized modes. Quantitative evaluations of various coefficients are shown to illustrate that the bootstrap current remains finite when ‖U{sub p,m}‖ approaches infinite and to provide indications how to control the bootstrap current. Approximate analytic expressions for viscous coefficients that join results in the banana and plateau-Pfirsch-Schluter regimes are presented to facilitate bootstrap and neoclassical transport simulations in the pedestal region.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2019

Thermoelectric Mechanism of Field Emission from Carbon Nanostructures

A model describing peculiarities of field emission from carbon nanomaterials is considered. The model is based on inclusion by drag of electrons by ballistic phonons in the temperature gradient range in the emission center. The model does not require any additional assumptions concerning a special energy structure of the emission center. Quantitative estimates of the thermopower coefficient obtained based on the emission model are in good agreement with experimental results.

77 NANOSCIENCE AND NANOTECHNOLOGY↗