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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 937 records · Page 52
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2020

Conceptual Fuel Element Design Candidates for Conversion of High Flux Isotope Reactor with Low-Enriched Uranium Silicide Dispersion Fuel

Engineering design studies are underway to assess the feasibility of converting the High Flux Isotope Reactor (HFIR) to operate with low-enriched uranium (LEU) silicide dispersion (U3Si2-Al) fuel. These studies are supported by the U.S. Department of Energy National Nuclear Security Administration’s Office of Material Management and Minimization. A systematic approach employing neutronic and thermal-hydraulic analyses have been performed with the ORNL Shift and HFIR Steady State Heat Transfer Code tools, respectively, to predict reactor performance and thermal safety margins for proposed LEU3Si2-Al fuel designs. The design process was initiated by generating an optimized design with fabrication features identified from previous studies that result in excellent performance and safety metrics. The approach continued by substituting a single fabrication feature anticipated to be difficult to manufacture with another feature expected to perform an analogous function to that of the removed feature. Four conceptual fuel element design candidates, with various fabrication features, for conversion of HFIR with 4.8 gU/cm3 LEU3Si2-Al fuel have been generated and shown to meet pre-defined performance and safety metrics. Results to date indicate that HFIR could convert with the subject fuel system and meet performance and safety requirements if, among other considerations, fabrication of the specific design features are demonstrated and qualification of the fuel is complete under HFIR-specific conditions.

Chandler, David↗
NASA NTRS1978

Design representation and consistency maintenance needs

Two major issues of data base support for large-scale engineering design are considered. The first deals with the need to support multidisciplinary, hierarchical and interactive design without imposing a priori constraints on the sequence of design decisions. An abstract logical model of the data base capable of such support is outlined. The second issue deals with the role the data base must play in maintaining integrity and consistency among the data representing the emerging design. A tentative model implementing a number of consistency management functions is presented.

Eastman, C. M.↗
NASA NTRS2004

Innovative Design of Complex Engineering Systems

The document contains the proceedings of the training workshop on Innovative Design of Complex Engineering Systems. The workshop was held at the Peninsula Higher Education Center, Hampton, Virginia, March 23 and 24, 2004. The workshop was jointly sponsored by Old Dominion University and NASA. Workshop attendees came from NASA, other government agencies, industry and universities. The objectives of the workshop were to a) provide broad overviews of the diverse activities related to innovative design of high-tech engineering systems; and b) identify training needs for future aerospace work force development in the design area. The format of the workshop included fifteen, half-hour overview-type presentations, a panel discussion on how to teach and train engineers in innovative design, and three exhibits by commercial vendors.

Noor, Ahmed K.↗
NASA NTRS1994

Various advanced design projects promoting engineering education

The Universities Space Research Association (USRA) Advanced Design Program (ADP) program promotes engineering education in the field of design by presenting students with challenging design projects drawn from actual NASA interests. In doing so, the program yields two very positive results. Firstly, the students gain a valuable experience that will prepare them for design problems with which they will be faced in their professional careers. Secondly, NASA is able to use the work done by students as an additional resource in meeting its own design objectives. The 1994 projects include: Universal Test Facility; Automated Protein Crystal Growth Facility; Stiffening of the ACES Deployable Space Boom; Launch System Design for Access to Space; LH2 Fuel Tank Design for SSTO Vehicle; and Feed System Design for a Reduced Pressure Tank.

Source record↗
DOE OSTI2022

Preliminary Reversible Solid Oxide System Specification

This report presents the preliminary documentation of a 10 MWe DC reversible solid oxide cell (rSOC) system designed to use both electrical and thermal energy from a nuclear power plant (NPP). The system is designed to consume 10 MWe DC in electrolysis mode while producing hydrogen from demineralized feedwater. In fuel cell mode, the same stacks produce 2.37 MWe DC of electricity by reacting hydrogen and oxygen, while generating water as a byproduct which is recycled to be used later in the electrolysis mode. The system detailed in this specification is a high-temperature steam electrolysis (HTSE) system when operated in the electrolysis mode. HTSE systems have the benefit of producing hydrogen at a higher efficiency than conventional low-temperature electrolysis (LTE) systems. In this report it is assumed that some of the heat required for HTSE operation comes from an NPP. Heat extraction from an NPP for use in electrolysis mode of the rSOC system allows preheating and vaporization of feedwater before recuperators and trim heaters raise the feed temperature to the approximately 800 °C before entering the solid oxide stacks. The purpose of an rSOC system in a utility company setting is to employ energy arbitrage with a dispatchable demand load which can consume excess electricity generation during times of low grid demand / high generation and can produce electricity for the grid during times of high grid demand / low generation. There is a wide range of energy storage technologies that could be used for utility-scale energy arbitrage (utility-scale battery storage is considered the baseline technology), the object of this work is not to compare and contrast rSOC technology with any of these other technologies, but only to present this preliminary design for consideration and for use in future conceptual or front end engineering design (FEED) work. This document is not meant to be a final specification or definitive description of the rSOC system, but it is meant to showcase preliminary process modeling results, provide boundary conditions and interface requirements such as input feed and utility stream flowrates, temperatures, and pressures as well as thermal and electrical energy requirements, and output conditions in both electrolysis mode and fuel cell mode. These results are intended to inform the future development of a conceptual demonstration-scale study to assess the technical and economic feasibility of a future demonstration of an rSOC integrated project at an NPP.

08 HYDROGEN↗
DOE OSTI2026

Persistent Elevated Soot Emissions Induced by Clustered Stochastic Preignition Events

Stochastic Preignition (SPI) is an abnormal combustion phenomenon that can occur in spark-ignition engines particularly under high-load operation. SPI is characterized by uncontrolled initiation of combustion prior to spark discharge, an abnormal combustion process that can lead to severe knock events and significant engine damage. SPI has been associated with fuel properties, lubricant composition, and engine design and operation. Here, in this work, a single-cylinder test engine with a dry-sump oil system was utilized to study the SPI response of E10 and E25 fuels with a range of Reid Vapor Pressure (RVP). An automated test procedure was employed, consisting of ten square-waved load profile segments, with each segment composed of 5 min of low-load operation followed by 25 min of sustained high-load operation. These tests were replicated across multiple days of testing including a lubricant triple flush between tests, and an online Fuel in Oil diagnostic measurement. Exhaust particulate emissions were continuously measured by an AVL microsoot sensor (MSS). Elevated particulate matter emissions were observed to occur concurrently with SPI events as blooms of soot. Particularly after clustered events (i.e., multiple SPI cycles occurring within 10 consecutive engine cycles), high soot emissions were observed to persist over several days of sequential operation despite daily lubricant changes, a complete warm-up procedure, and sustained low-load operation between test segments. This result implies that the particulate emissions trends may be dominated by deposit-based effects, where higher load operation is needed to alter deposition and formation processes. The observed soot blooms were also found to correspond to a reduction in the engine fueling and the fuel engine oil dilution rate despite the engine exhaust remaining at stoichiometric exhaust operation. These observations suggest that post-SPI events, pathways for lubricant migration and consumption into the combustion chamber may occur until these pathways are closed from deposit formation or ring dynamics during extended operation. These observed sooting propensity persisted with all fuels tests, but a linear correlation was observed between the summation of soot and particulate matter index (PMI) value for each fuel as well as SPI events, proving that PMI is a crucial fuel property for reducing SPI.

Splitter, Derek [Oak Ridge National Laboratory (OR↗
NASA NTRS1976

The impact of emissions standards on the design of aircraft gas turbine engine combustors

Effective emission control techniques have been identified and a wide spectrum of potential applications for these techniques to existing and advanced engines are being considered. Results from advanced combustor concept evaluations and from fundamental experiments are presented and discussed and comparisons are made with existing EPA emission standards and recommended levels for high altitude cruise. The impact that the advanced low emission concepts may impose on future aircraft engine combustor designs and related engine components is discussed.

Rudey, R. A.↗
NASA NTRS1991

A probabilistic design analysis approach for launch systems

This paper discusses a probabilistic design analysis (PDA) approach to support the conventional deterministic structural design methods that are currently used. The probabilistic approach takes into consideration the modeling inadequacies and uncertainties in many design variables such as loads, environments, and material properties. In addition to providing a systematic way for evaluating reliability, this approach provides a tool for comparing reliabilities of competing designs and identifies weak spots through sensitivity analysis. An overview of the probabilistic design approach is included to emphasize the importance of the approach in engineering design. An actual example is included to demonstrate that these approaches have been used with success. Different methodologies for implementing PDA are also discussed. Finally, recommendations for using PDA are provided.

Safie, Fayssal↗
NASA NTRS1992

Some comments on turbulence modeling from an industrial perspective

In propulsion industry, computational techniques (namely computational fluid dynamics) are gradually becoming engineering design and analysis tools, especially in the case of high performance aircraft engines, high speed air breathing propulsion, rocket propulsion, and advanced nuclear propulsion and electric propulsion. The key issues in acceptance of CFD are turn around time, cost, and accuracy. The turn around time of analysis has to fit program schedules. Cost is still the bottom line, the value of CFD to the program should at least balance its cost. CFD can be used if it can be divided into two major parts: numerics and physical models.

Sindir, Munir M.↗
NASA NTRS1925

Relation of Fuel-Air Ratio to Engine Performance

The tests upon which this report is based were made at the Bureau of Standards between October 1919 and May 1923. From these it is concluded that: (1) with gasoline as a fuel, maximum power is obtained with fuel-air mixtures of from 0.07 to 0.08 pound of fuel per pound of air; (2) maximum power is obtained with approximately the same ratio over the range of air pressures and temperatures encountered in flight; (3) nearly minimum specific fuel consumption is secured by decreasing the fuel content of the charge until the power is 95 per cent of its maximum value. Presumably this information is of most direct value to the carburetor engineer. A carburetor should supply the engine with a suitable mixture. This report discusses what mixtures have been found suitable for various engines. It also furnishes the engine designer with a basis for estimating how much greater piston displacement an engine operating with a maximum economy mixture should have than one operating with a maximum power mixture in order for both to be capable of the same power development.

Sparrow, Stanwood W↗
NASA NTRS1995

Combustion system CFD modeling at GE Aircraft Engines

This viewgraph presentation discusses key features of current combustion system CFD modeling capabilities at GE Aircraft Engines provided by the CONCERT code; CONCERT development history; modeling applied for designing engine combustion systems; modeling applied to improve fundamental understanding; CONCERT3D results for current production combustors; CONCERT3D model of NASA/GE E3 combustor; HYBRID CONCERT CFD/Monte-Carlo modeling approach; and future modeling directions.

Burrus, D.↗
NASA NTRS2003

Imparting Desired Attributes by Optimization in Structural Design

Commonly available optimization methods typically produce a single optimal design as a Constrained minimum of a particular objective function. However, in engineering design practice it is quite often important to explore as much of the design space as possible with respect to many attributes to find out what behaviors are possible and not possible within the initially adopted design concept. The paper shows that the very simple method of the sum of objectives is useful for such exploration. By geometrical argument it is demonstrated that if every weighting coefficient is allowed to change its magnitude and its sign then the method returns a set of designs that are all feasible, diverse in their attributes, and include the Pareto and non-Pareto solutions, at least for convex cases. Numerical examples in the paper include a case of an aircraft wing structural box with thousands of degrees of freedom and constraints, and over 100 design variables, whose attributes are structural mass, volume, displacement, and frequency. The method is inherently suitable for parallel, coarse-grained implementation that enables exploration of the design space in the elapsed time of a single structural optimization.

Sobieszczanski-Sobieski, Jaroslaw↗
NASA NTRS2001

Flow Range of Centrifugal Compressor Being Extended

General Aviation will benefit from turbine engines that are both fuel-efficient and reliable. Current engines fall short of their potential to achieve these attributes. The reason is compressor surge, which is a flow stability problem that develops when the compressor is subjected to conditions that are outside of its operating range. Compressor surge can occur when fuel flow to the engine is increased, temporarily back pressuring the compressor and pushing it past its stability limit, or when the compressor is subjected to inlet flow-field distortions that may occur during takeoff and landing. Compressor surge can result in the loss of an aircraft. As a result, engine designers include a margin of safety between the operating line of the engine and the stability limit line of the compressor. Unfortunately, the most efficient operating line for the compressor is usually closer to its stability limit line than it is to the line that provides an adequate margin of safety. A wider stable flow range will permit operation along the most efficient operating line of the compressor, improving the specific fuel consumption of the engine and reducing emissions. The NASA Glenn Research Center is working to extend the stable flow range of the compressor. Significant extension has been achieved in axial compressors by injecting air upstream of the compressor blade rows. Recently, the technique was successfully applied to a 4:1 pressure ratio centrifugal compressor by injecting streams of air into the diffuser. Both steady and controlled unsteady injection were used to inject air through the diffuser shroud surface and extend the range. Future work will evaluate the effect of air injection through the diffuser hub surface and diffuser vanes with the goal of maximizing the range extension while minimizing the amount of injected air that is required.

Skoch, Gary J.↗
NASA NTRS2014

Phased Array-Fed Reflector (PAFR) Antenna Architectures for Space-Based Sensors

Communication link and target ranges for satellite communications (SATCOM) and space-based sensors (e.g. radars) vary from approximately 1000 km (for LEO satellites) to 35,800 km (for GEO satellites). At these long ranges, large antenna gains are required and legacy payloads have usually employed large reflectors with single beams that are either fixed or mechanically steered. For many applications, there are inherent limitations that are associated with the use of these legacy antennas/payloads. Hybrid antenna designs using Phased Array Fed Reflectors (PAFRs) provide a compromise between reflectors and Direct Radiating phased Arrays (DRAs). PAFRs provide many of the performance benefits of DRAs while utilizing much smaller, lower cost (feed) arrays. The primary limitation associated with hybrid PAFR architectures is electronic scan range; approximately +/-5 to +/- 10 degrees is typical, but this range depends on many factors. For LEO applications, the earth FOV is approximately +/-55 degrees which is well beyond the range of electronic scanning for PAFRs. However, for some LEO missions, limited scanning is sufficient or the CONOPS and space vehicle designs can be developed to incorporate a combination mechanical slewing and electronic scanning. In this paper, we review, compare and contrast various PAFR architectures with a focus on their general applicability to space missions. We compare the RF performance of various PAFR architectures and describe key hardware design and implementation trades. Space-based PAFR designs are highly multi-disciplinary and we briefly address key hardware engineering design areas. Finally, we briefly describe two PAFR antenna architectures that have been developed at Northrop Grumman.

antenna↗
NASA NTRS1998

Aerospace Power Systems Design and Analysis (APSDA) Tool

The conceptual design of space and/or planetary electrical power systems has required considerable effort. Traditionally, in the early stages of the design cycle (conceptual design), the researchers have had to thoroughly study and analyze tradeoffs between system components, hardware architectures, and operating parameters (such as frequencies) to optimize system mass, efficiency, reliability, and cost. This process could take anywhere from several months to several years (as for the former Space Station Freedom), depending on the scale of the system. Although there are many sophisticated commercial software design tools for personal computers (PC's), none of them can support or provide total system design. To meet this need, researchers at the NASA Lewis Research Center cooperated with Professor George Kusic from the University of Pittsburgh to develop a new tool to help project managers and design engineers choose the best system parameters as quickly as possible in the early design stages (in days instead of months). It is called the Aerospace Power Systems Design and Analysis (APSDA) Tool. By using this tool, users can obtain desirable system design and operating parameters such as system weight, electrical distribution efficiency, bus power, and electrical load schedule. With APSDA, a large-scale specific power system was designed in a matter of days. It is an excellent tool to help designers make tradeoffs between system components, hardware architectures, and operation parameters in the early stages of the design cycle. user interface. It operates on any PC running the MS-DOS (Microsoft Corp.) operating system, version 5.0 or later. A color monitor (EGA or VGA) and two-button mouse are required. The APSDA tool was presented at the 30th Intersociety Energy Conversion Engineering Conference (IECEC) and is being beta tested at several NASA centers. Beta test packages are available for evaluation by contacting the author.

Truong, Long V.↗
NASA NTRS1982

Design and test of aircraft engine isolators for reduced interior noise

Improved engine vibration isolation was proposed to be the most weight and cost efficient retrofit structure-borne noise control measure for single engine general aviation aircraft. A study was carried out the objectives: (1) to develop an engine isolator design specification for reduced interior noise transmission, (2) select/design candidate isolators to meet a 15 dB noise reduction design goal, and (3) carry out a proof of concept evaluation test. Analytical model of the engine, vibration isolators and engine mount structure were coupled to an empirical model of the fuselage for noise transmission evaluation. The model was used to develop engine isolator dynamic properties design specification for reduced noise transmission. Candidate isolators ere chosen from available product literature and retrofit to a test aircraft. A laboratory based test procedure was then developed to simulate engine induced noise transmission in the aircraft for a proof of concept evaluation test. Three candidate isolator configurations were evaluated for reduced structure-borne noise transmission relative to the original equipment isolators.

Unruh, J. F.↗