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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
NASA NTRS1986

The influence of free-stream turbulence on separation of turbulent boundary layers in incompressible, two-dimensional flow

Experiments were conducted to determine if free-stream turbulence scale affects separation of turbulent boundary layers. In consideration of possible interrelation between scale and intensity of turbulence, the latter characteristic also was varied and its role was evaluated. Flow over a 2-dimensional airfoil in a subsonic wind tunnel was studied with the aid of hot-wire anemometry, liquid-film flow visualization, a Preston tube, and static pressure measurements. Profiles of velocity, relative turbulence intensity, and integral scale in the boundary layer were measured. Detachment boundary was determined for various angles of attack and free-stream turbulence. The free-stream turbulence intensity and scale were found to spread into the entire turbulent boundary layer, but the effect decreased as the airfoil surface was approached. When the changes in stream turbulence were such that the boundary layer velocity profiles were unchanged, detachment location was not significantly affected by the variations of intensity and scale. Pressure distribution remained the key factor in determining detachment location.

Potter, J. Leith↗
NASA NTRS1988

Fluvial processes on Mars: Erosion and sedimentation

One of the most important discoveries of the Mariner 9 and Viking missions to Mars was evidence of change of the Martian surface by the action of liquid water. From the standpoint of a Mars Rover/Sample Return Mission, fluvial activity on Mars is important in two ways: (1) channel formation has deeply eroded the Martian crust, providing access to relatively undisturbed subsurface units; and (2) much of the material eroded from channels may have been deposited in standing bodies of liquid water. The most striking fluvial erosion features on Mars are the outflow channels. A second type of channel apparently caused by flow of liquid water is the valley systems. These are similar to terrestial drainage systems. The sedimentary deposits of outflow channels are often difficult to identfy. No obvious deposits such as deltaic accumulations are visible in Viking images. Another set of deposits that may be water lain and that date approx. from the epoch of outflow channels are the layered deposits in the Valles Marineris. From the standpoint of a Mars Rover/Sample Return mission, the problem with all of these water-lain sediments is their age, or rather the lack of it.

Squyres, Steven W.↗
DOE OSTI2019

Microfluidic aspirator and methods of making and using the same

Disclosed herein are devices that include a top chamber including at least one port, a bottom chamber including at least one inlet and at least one outlet, wherein the opening of the at least one inlet is smaller than the opening of the at least one outlet, and a membrane located between the top chamber and the bottom chamber, wherein the membrane is fluidly coupled with the top chamber and the bottom chamber. Also disclosed herein are systems including the disclosed devices. The systems include liquid in one or more of the chambers of the device. Methods of using the devices and systems include producing a vacuum by flowing a liquid through the bottom chamber of the system. Due to the difference in size of the inlet and outlet in the bottom chamber, a vacuum is produced in the top chamber.

47 OTHER INSTRUMENTATION↗
DOE OSTI2017

Thermal Modeling of a Dual-Stage Sodium Thermal-Electrochemical Converter (Na-TEC)

The sodium thermal electrochemical converter (Na-TEC) is a heat engine that generates electricity through the isothermal expansion of sodium ions through a beta”-alumina solid-electrolyte. The Na-TEC is a closed system that can theoretically achieve conversion efficiencies above 45% when operating between thermal reservoirs at 1150 K and 550 K. However, thermal designs have confined previous single-stage devices to thermal efficiencies below 20%. To mitigate some of these limitations, we consider dividing the isothermal expansion into two stages; one at the evaporator temperature (1150 K) and another at an intermediate temperature (550 K – 950 K). This dual-stage Na-TEC takes advantage of regeneration and reheating, and could be amenable to better thermal management through a reduction of parasitic losses. These losses are comprised of (i) the heat input that does not participate in power production but simply bypasses the thermo-electrochemical process and is transferred to the condenser, and (ii) heat that is lost from the device directly to the surroundings due to poor insulation. Heat loss to the surroundings occurs from a lower average hot-side temperature given that a fraction of the power conversion occurs at an intermediate stage. Also, the condenser now directly interacts with the lower temperature of the intermediate stage, thereby reducing radiation loss. A simplified geometry is developed for this device to help guide its design from a heat transfer perspective. All thermal contact and boundary conditions are discussed, including the evaporation and condensation of sodium vapor, thermal leakage through the housing, and the thermal contact between the beta”-alumina and the housing. A ray tracing method assuming gray, diffuse surfaces is used to account for the internal radiation heat transfer within the device. Liquid sodium flows in a capillary wick between the condenser and the evaporator with Pe << 1, so only conduction heat transfer is considered within this liquid return path. For simplicity, natural convection between the sodium vapor and the device housing is neglected. A numerical linear resistance model (<5% error when compared to a finite element model) is used to determine the expected conversion temperatures of each stage for a range of candidate materials. Furthermore, a numerical model (<2% error) is developed to find the factor of increase in the thermal resistance for several designs of corrugated features for the device housing. By using an iterative scheme, efficiency vs. power curves are created for a number of material and size combinations. Finally, the fundamental tradeoff between the power and efficiency is explored in conjunction with the total system size.

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗
NASA NTRS2019

Microgravity Liquid-Gas Two-Phase Flow: Review of Pressure Drop and Heat Transfer Correlations and Guidelines for Equipment Operability

In this report we have catalogued the flow regimes observed in microgravity, summarized correlations for the pressure drop and rate of heat transfer that are commonly used, and discuss the validation of a few correlations from available experimental results. Two-phase flow through some specific components such as bends, tees, filters and pumps are discussed from a physical perspective to guide the designer on how reduced gravity might affect their performance. Phase separation in zero gravity is addressed through the behavior and basic design concepts for devices based on passive centrifugal action, capillary forces, gas extraction through a membrane installed in a channel wall and the use of a syringe with a perforated piston to remove bubbles from small liquid volumes. We address the common instabilities that develop in flow loops owing exclusively to the two-phase nature of the flow, e.g., Ledinegg instability and concentration waves. Finally we briefly review flow metering and gauging; two-phase flow through porous media, where pressure drop and flow regime map correlations in zero-g are a current research topic; and basic operation principles of heat pipes and capillary pumped loops.

liquid-gas↗
DOE OSTI2016

Revealing flow behaviors of metallic glass based on activation of flow units

Atomic level flow plays a critical role in the mechanical behavior of metallic glass (MG) while the connection between the flow and the heterogeneous microstructure of the glass remains unclear. We describe the heterogeneity of MGs as the elastic matrix with “inclusions” of nano-scale liquid-like flow units, and the plastic flow behavior of MGs is considered to be accommodated by the flow units. We show that the model can explain the various deformation behaviors, the transformation from inhomogeneous deformation to homogeneous flow upon strain rate or temperature, and the deformation map in MGs, which might provide insights into the flow mechanisms in glasses and inspiration for improving the plasticity of MGs.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗
NASA NTRS1992

Surface tension and buoyancy-driven flow in a non-isothermal liquid bridge

The Navier-Stokes-Boussinesq equations governing the transport of momentum, mass and heat in a nonisothermal liquid bridge with a temperature-dependent surface tension are solved using a vorticity-stream-function formulation together with a nonorthogonal coordinate transformation. The equations are discretized using a pseudo-unsteady semi-implicit finite difference scheme and are solved by the ADI method. A Picard-type iteration is adopted which consists of inner and outer iterative processes. The outer iteration is used to update the shape of the free surface. Two schemes have been used for the outer iteration; both use the force balance normal to the free surface as the distinguished boundary condition. The first scheme involves successive approximation by the direct solution of the distinguished boundary condition. The second scheme uses the artificial force imbalance between the fluid pressure, viscous and capillary forces at the free surface which arises when the boundary condition for force balance normal to the surface is not satisfied. This artificial imbalance is then used to change the surface shape until the distinguished boundary condition is satisfied. These schemes have been used to examine a variety of model liquid bridge situations including purely thermocapillary-driven flow situations and mixed thermocapillary- and bouyancy-driven flow.

Zhang, Yiqiang↗
NASA NTRS2000

Propellant Densification Ground Testing Conducted for Launch Vehicles

The NASA Glenn Research Center at Lewis Field has taken the lead in the development of practical densified cryogenic propellants for launch vehicle applications. The technology of subcooling cryogenic propellants below their normal boiling point to produce a denser fluid is one of the key process technologies necessary to meet the challenge of single-stage-to-orbit and reusable launch vehicles. Densified propellants are critical to lowering launch costs because they enable more propellant to be packed into a given unit volume, thus improving the performance by reducing the overall size and weight of the launch vehicle. This two-pronged research and test program has evolved into (1) conducting tank loading tests using densified liquid hydrogen and (2) developing two large-scale propellant densification systems that will be performance tested next year at Glenn. The propellant-loading test program was undertaken at Glenn in coordination with Lockheed Martin Michoud Space Systems. In this testing, the liquid hydrogen recirculation and densification process was simulated, and the thermal stratification of the densified propellant was recorded throughout the tank. The test article was a flight-weight tank constructed from composite materials similar to those to be used on the X-33 launch vehicle. The tank geometry as designed by Lockheed Martin had two cylindrical lobes with a center septum. Liquid hydrogen flow rate, pressure data, and temperature data plotted over time were collected while the subscale tank was filled with 27 R (15 K) densified liquid hydrogen propellant. This testing has validated mathematical models and demonstrated the readiness of densified propellant technology for near-term use. It marks the first time that such a process has been carried out with a multiple-lobe, flight-similar tank. Glenn researchers have also been working on providing a process and critical test data for the continuous production of densified liquid hydrogen (LH2) and densified liquid oxygen (LO2). Each densification production process uses a high-efficiency, subatmospheric boiling bath heat exchanger to cool the working fluid. A near triple-point hydrogen boiling bath is used to condition and subcool hydrogen to 27 R (15 K), and a nitrogen boiling bath is used to cool the liquid oxygen to 120 R (66.7 K). Multistage centrifugal compressors operating at cryogenic inlet conditions maintain the heat exchanger bath vapor pressure below 1 atm. The LO2 propellant densification unit shown in the photograph has a 30 lb/sec capacity, whereas the LH2 unit was designed to process 8 lb/sec of propellant. Each densification unit will be transported to Glenn's South Forty area after all fabrication work is completed sometime late next year. There the LO2 and LH2 densifier performance tests will be conducted with another larger Lockheed Martin tank designated the Structural Test Article (STA). This liquid oxygen tank is a full-scale, flight-weight, prototype aluminum tank designed for the X-33. It has a capacity of 20,000 gallons of LO2. The tank loading and recirculation testing planned for next year with STA will provide the data necessary for full-scale development of propellant densification technology.

Tomsik, Thomas M.↗
DOE OSTI2018

A Numerical Study of Two-Phase Flow and Interfacial Mass Transfer in a Wetted Wall Column for Counter-Current Gas Absorption

We present a numerical study to investigate the effects of surface waves of falling films on the mass transfer from flowing gas phase into the liquid film. The model employs the volume of fluid method to explicitly track the gas-liquid phase interface and a one-fluid formulation to model the multiphase flow coupled with mass transfer between the two phases. The surface waves are generated by the time-varying injection rate of the falling film. The effects of surface wave frequencies and amplitudes on the overall mass transfer also are investigated for a counter-current gas-liquid flow of oxygen and water. Because of the solubility difference in the two phases, the model can capture the concentration discontinuity across the liquid-gas interface. Good agreement is obtained between the numerical results and experimental data reported in the literature. By systematically varying the frequencies and amplitudes of flow rate for the falling film, the surface waves generated on the film surface enhance mass transfer in general. Here, the model prediction shows a proportional increase in mass transfer for small frequencies of surface waves, but saturation at higher frequencies.

42 ENGINEERING↗
NASA NTRS1990

Disintegration of liquid sheets

The development, stability, and disintegration of liquid sheets issuing from a two-dimensional air-assisted nozzle is studied. Detailed measurements of mean drop size and velocity are made using a phase Doppler particle analyzer. Without air flow the liquid sheet converges toward the axis as a result of surface tension forces. With airflow a quasi-two-dimensional expanding spray is formed. The air flow causes small variations in sheet thickness to develop into major disturbances with the result that disruption starts before the formation of the main break-up region. In the two-dimensional variable geometry air-blast atomizer, it is shown that the air flow is responsible for the formation of large, ordered, and small chaotic 'cell' structures.

Mansour, Adel↗
NASA NTRS2024

The CapiSorb Visible System (CVS) Demonstrations on ISS

Falling liquid film amine sorbent reactors have been successfully employed to scrub CO 2 aboard submarines for decades. However, applying such proven methods aboard orbiting and coast spacecraft is significantly challenged by the nearly weightless environment, where liquid sprays and films do not fall, and vapor bubbles and gases do not rise. The Capillary Sorbent (CapiSorb) Visible System (CVS) is a technology demonstration experiment performed aboard the ISS April 18 – 21, 2023. The system establishes stable steady thin liquid film flows in Contactor (absorber) and Degasser (desorber/stripper) replacing the passive role of gravity with the combined passive roles of surface tension, wetting, and system geometry. A TOX-0 fructose ersatz liquid sorbent is employed enabling ‘transparent’ experiments performed and filmed by the crew safely in the open cabin of the ISS. Completed objectives include demonstrations of stable passive ‘massively’ parallel planar thin film capillary flows across atmospheric pressure Contactor and sealed heated Degasser. The impacts of varying flow rate, flow direction, heat input, viscosity, positive and negative Degasser pressures, condensate collection and return, fluid distribution, interfacial stability, and others are reported. At least 49 diagnostics are recorded for digitization and subsequent thermal-fluids model validation by a single HD video downlink during the nearly 22 hours of operations. An overview of the flight hardware including description of the components, diagnostics, crew procedures, flight operations, and summary of accomplishments is reported in Ref. 1. Further details of the diagnostics, tests performed, and data reduction is reported in Ref. 2. This report collects both1,2 into a single report adding methods of data digitization, reduction, and archive along with analyses and discussions of technology impacts.

microgravity↗
DOE OSTI2018

Exact Solution of the Navier–Stokes Equation Describing Nonisothermal Large-Scale Flows in a Rotating Layer of Liquid with Free Upper Surface

We present an analytic representation of an exact solution of the Navier–Stokes equations that describe flows of a rotating horizontal layer of a liquid with rigid and thermally isolated bottom and a free upper surface. On the upper surface, a constant tangential stress of an external force is given, and heat emission governed by the Newton law occurs. The temperature of the medium over the surface of the liquid is a linear function of horizontal coordinates. We find the solution of the boundary-value problem for ordinary differential equations for the velocity and temperature. and examine its form depending on the Taylor, Grashof, Reynolds, and Biot numbers. In rotating liquid, the motion is helical; account of the inhomogeneity of the temperature makes the helical motion more complicated.

42 ENGINEERING↗
NASA NTRS1984

Rocket injector anomalies study. Volume 2: Results of parametric studies

The employment of a existing computer program to simulate three dimensional two phase gas spray flows in liquid propellant rocket engines. This was accomplished by modification of an existing three dimensional computer program (REFLAN3D) with Euler/Lagrange approach for simulating two phase spray flow, evaporation and combustion. The modified code is referred to as REFLAN3D-SPRAY. Computational studies of the model rocket engine combustion chamber are presented. The parametric studies of the two phase flow and combustion shows qualitatively correct response for variations in geometrical and physical parameters. The injection nonuniformity test with blocked central fuel injector holes shows significant changes in the central flame core and minor influence on the wall heat transfer fluxes.

Przekwas, A. J.↗
DOE OSTI2021

High-speed impact of micron-sized diesel drop trains—Splashing dynamics, secondary droplet formation, and effects of pre-existing film thickness

This work investigates surface impingement of monodispersed diesel drop trains using computational simulations. The three-dimensional simulations include high-speed impact of micrometer-sized fuel drops onto initially dry and wetted stainless steel substrates. The drop size and impact velocity are representative of fuel injection conditions in internal combustion engines (ICEs). The drop trains serve as a simplified representation of fuel spray. To accurately capture the film that naturally develops on initially dry substrates, a dynamic diesel-stainless steel contact angle model was developed using experiments of single drop impact under ICE representative temperature. Simulations are presented for a highly splashing case and the effects of a pre-existing film on splashing dynamics were investigated, including the temporal evolution of splashed mass and film thickness. It was concluded that for thin films, the effect of pre-existing film thickness is less significant than in single drop impingement. Secondary droplet characterization was performed on simulation results, leading to instantaneous and time-averaged distributions of secondary droplet size, velocity magnitude, and trajectory angle. It was found that for each drop impingement, approximately 58% of the splashed mass is from the impinging drop itself, while the remainder of the splashed mass is composed of film liquid. From a high resolution case, details of secondary droplet formation are observed and three distinct phases of secondary droplet formation are identified. The detailed analysis of drop train impingement under engine-relevant conditions serves as a first step toward a robust understanding of fuel impingement and the development of cleaner and more efficient ICEs.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗
NASA NTRS1972

Study on propellant dynamics during docking

The marker-and-cell numerical technique was applied to the study of axisymmetric and two-dimensional flow of liquid in containers under low gravity conditions. The purpose of the study was to provide the capability for numerically simulating liquid propellant motion in partially filled containers during a docking maneuver in orbit. A computer program to provide this capability for axisymmetric and two-dimensional flow was completed and computations were made for a number of hypothetical flow conditions.

Feng, G. C.↗
NASA NTRS2014

Water Transport and the Evolution of CM Parent Bodies

Extraterrestrial water-bearing minerals are of great importance both for understanding the formation and evolution of the solar system and for supporting future human activities in space. Asteroids are the primary source of meteorites, many of which show evidence of an early heating episode and varying degrees of aqueous alteration. The origin and characterization of hydrated minerals (minerals containing H2O or OH) among both the main-belt and near-earth asteroids is important for understanding a wide range of solar system formation and evolutionary processes, as well as for planning for human exploration. Current hypotheses postulate asteroids began as mixtures of water ice and anhydrous silicates. A heating event early in solar system history was then responsible for melting the ice and driving aqueous alteration. The link between asteroids and meteorites is forged by reflectance spectra, which show 3-μm bands indicative of bound OH or H2O on the C-class asteroids, which are believed to be the parent bodies of the carbonaceous chondrites in our collections. The conditions at which aqueous alteration occurred in the parent bodies of carbonaceous chondrites are thought to be well-constrained: at 0-25 C for less than 15 Myr after asteroid formation. In previous models, many scenarios exhibit peak temperatures of the rock and co-existing liquid water in more than 75 percent of the asteroid's volume rising to 150 C and higher, due to the exothermic hydration reactions triggering a thermal runaway effect. However, even in a high porosity, water-saturated asteroid very limited liquid water flow is predicted (distances of 100's nm at most). This contradiction has yet to be resolved. Still, it may be possible for water to become liquid even in the near-surface environment, for a long enough time to drive aqueous alteration before vaporizing or freezing then subliming. Thus, we are using physics- and chemistry-based models that include thermal and fluid transport as well as the effects of relevant chemical reactions, to investigate whether formation of hydrated minerals can occur in the surface and near-surface environments of carbonaceous type asteroids. These models will elucidate how the conditions within the parent body that cause internal aqueous alteration play themselves out at the asteroid's surface. We are using our models to determine whether the heat budget of 20-100-km bodies is sufficient to bring liquid water to the near-surface and cause mineral alteration, or whether additional heat input at the surface (i.e, by impacts) is needed to provide a transient liquid water source for mineral hydration without large- scale liquid water transport.

Coker, R.↗
NASA NTRS1992

Numerical simulation of fluid flow and heat transfer in a thin liquid film over a rotating disk

The results of a numerical simulation of the flow field and associated heat transfer coefficient are presented for the free surface flow of a thin liquid film adjacent to a horizontal rotating disk. The computation has been performed for different flow rates and rotational velocities using a three-dimensional boundary-fitted coordinate system. Since the geometry of the free surface is unknown and dependent on flow rate, rate of rotation, and other parameters, an interative procedure had to be used to ascertain its location. The computed film height agreed well with existing experimental measurements. The flow was dominated by inertia near the entrance and close to the free surface, and dominated by centrifugal force at larger radii and adjacent to the disk. The rotation enhanced the heat transfer coefficient by a significant amount.

Rahman, M. M.↗
NASA NTRS2005

Martian Gullies and Groundwater: A Series of Unfortunate Exceptions

Gullies are commonly inferred to represent debris flows, lubricated and carried by liquid water that flowed from underground. The inference of groundwater, based principally on the apparent initiation of gullies at specific bedrock layers, has not been considered for consistency with local geology. Here, I examine gully occurrences for: presence of impermeable layers (aquicludes) in the subsurface, that the layers not tilt away from the gully-bearing walls, and that liquid water could have been available at or above the gully elevations.

Treiman, A. H.↗