Engineering Papers⌕ Search

SEARCH · Engineering Papers

Results for “ACOUSTIC SIMULATION”

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 973 records · Page 54
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2013

Effect of collisions on amplification of laser beams by Brillouin scattering in plasmas

We report on particle in cell simulations of energy transfer between a laser pump beam and a counter-propagating seed beam using the Brillouin scattering process in uniform plasma including collisions. The results presented show that the ion acoustic waves excited through naturally occurring Brillouin scattering of the pump field are preferentially damped without affecting the driven Brillouin scattering process resulting from the beating of the pump and seed fields together. We find that collisions, including the effects of Landau damping, allow for a more efficient transfer of energy between the laser beams, and a significant reduction in the amount of seed pre-pulse produced.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2011

WAVE PROPAGATION AND JET FORMATION IN THE CHROMOSPHERE

We present the results of numerical simulations of wave propagation and jet formation in solar atmosphere models with different magnetic field configurations. The presence in the chromosphere of waves with periods longer than the acoustic cutoff period has been ascribed to either strong inclined magnetic fields, or changes in the radiative relaxation time. Our simulations include a sophisticated treatment of radiative losses, as well as fields with different strengths and inclinations. Using Fourier and wavelet analysis techniques, we investigate the periodicity of the waves that travel through the chromosphere. We find that the velocity signal is dominated by waves with periods around 5 minutes in regions of strong, inclined field, including at the edges of strong flux tubes where the field expands, whereas 3 minute waves dominate in regions of weak or vertically oriented fields. Our results show that the field inclination is very important for long-period wave propagation, whereas variations in the radiative relaxation time have little effect. Furthermore, we find that atmospheric conditions can vary significantly on timescales of a few minutes, meaning that a Fourier analysis of wave propagation can be misleading. Wavelet techniques take variations with time into account and are more suitable analysis tools. Finally, we investigate the properties of jets formed by the propagating waves once they reach the transition region, and find systematic differences between the jets in inclined-field regions and those in vertical field regions, in agreement with observations of dynamic fibrils.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2021

Simulating Boundary Region Plasma Instabilities

The boundary regions of low-temperature plasmas are known to be susceptible to kinetic instabilities, which can affect the energies and fluxes of particles directed at the material boundary. For example, both the ion acoustic instability as well as an instability near the electron plasma frequency have been observed. Particle-in-cell (PIC) simulation is a tool that, alongside experiments, can capture the effects these instabilities have on the particle distribution functions. Ultimately, simulations can determine under what conditions these effects are significant by comparing to theoretical predictions and explore conditions unamenable to experiments.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Fundamental Noise Characterization of a Ducted Propeller in Hover

Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) are currently being used for reconnaissance missions, tactical surveillance, and infrastructure inspection. When legislation allows it, these devices will provide additional services close to inhabited areas, which could lead to noise complaints. On most UAVs, the propellers are the dominant source of noise. As a result, researchers have studied the impact of propeller shape and blade count on noise. Much of this work, however, has focused on isolated propellers. While different UAV concepts are equipped with ducts for aerodynamic and protection reasons, few studies focus on the acoustic benefit of ducts, as is achieved, for example, on turbofan aircraft. The objectives of this paper are: first, to simulate the noise radiation of a UAV propeller in static conditions based on its location in a hard wall duct; second, to analyze the contribution of the different acoustic source components (i.e., thrust, torque, and thickness); and third, to validate the approach with experiments conducted in the NASA Small Hover Anechoic Chamber over a range of propeller rotation rates. For the propeller and duct geometries considered in this experiment, it is shown that the best attenuation is achieved when the propeller is centered axially in the duct because of interference between upstream and downstream radiated waves.

ducted propeller↗
NASA NTRS1980

QCSEE UTW engine powered-lift acoustic performance

Powered-lift acoustic test of the Quiet Clean Short Haul Experimental Engine (QCSEE) under the wing (UTW) engine are reported. Propulsion systems for two powered-lift concepts were designed, fabricated, and tested. In addition to low noise features, the designs included composite structures, gear-driven fans, digital control, and a variable pitch fan (UTW). The UTW engine was tested in a static ground test facility with wing and flap segments to simulate installation on a short haul transport aircraft of the future. Powered-lift acoustic performance of the UTW engine is compared with that of the previously tested and reported QCSEE over-the-wing (OTW) engine. Both engines were slightly above the noise goal but were significantly below current FAA and modern wide-body jet transport levels. The UTW system in the powered-lift mode was penalized by reflected engine noise from the wing and flap system, while the OTW system was benefitted by a wing noise shielding effect.

Loeffler, I. J.↗
DOE OSTI2026

Verification of global gyrokinetic simulation of low frequency mode excited by thermal plasma in spherical tokamak

A low frequency Alfven eigenmode in the ST40 spherical tokamak (ST) is found to be resonantly excited by thermal ions from global gyrokinetic GTC simulations. The analyses of phase-space resonances and wave-particle energy exchanges show that the Beta-induced Alfvén-Acoustic Eigenmode (BAAE) is primarily driven unstable by thermal ions, but is stabilized by energetic particles (EPs). When all kinetic effects are artificially suppressed, GTC simulations in the ideal magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) limit confirm the existence of the MHD eigenmode with a frequency in the BAAEs gap, as previously found by the ideal MHD code NOVA. The kinetic effects of thermal ions induce a frequency downshift compared to the stable BAAE in the MHD simulations. These results support the verification for global gyrokinetic simulations of the BAAE in the ST. However, the simulations do not explain the experimental observations of the BAAE in the ST40, possibly owing to the limitation of the collisionless gyrokinetic Monte Carlo model for the EPs.

Alfvén eigenmode↗
DOE OSTI2018

Acoustic Monitor for Particle Size and Bed Friction in a Carbonate Fluidized Bed at High Temperature - 18014

Previous work has shown that acoustic spectra of fluidized bed pressure fluctuations show many useful bed properties [1-3]. This current work further explores the use of acoustic monitors for an 18' diameter, 66-74'' height fluidized bed at >640 deg. C. This process denitrates and agglomerates an injected sodium/aluminum nitrate aqueous simulant and produces at steady-state a denitrated product of 200-300 micron sodium carbonate/aluminate particles. The fluidized bed shows characteristic acoustic resonances around 1-2 Hz in the FFT (Fast Fourier Transform) of pressure fluctuations for each of three taps at fluidized bed heights of 12'', 39'', and 58''. The acoustic resonance spectra depend on a bed friction that once calibrated, monitors the HMPD (harmonic mass mean particle diameter or Sauter mean diameter) along with other important bed properties. This fluidized bed operates at high temperature with an evolving HMPD that can be steady state with an appropriate superficial spatial velocity (SSV). The acoustic FFT integrated power spectrum, IPS, of pressure fluctuations represents the bed-friction damped RMS (root mean square) pressure fluctuations at each tap. The transition from a static to fluidized bed at each bed height occurs when the damped bed RMS pressure fluctuations are greater than the static head (the FFT zero Hz designated zero Hz proportional to FFT zero Hz) at that bed height. A bed will de-fluidize and become static at a bed height when bed friction completely dampens the RMS pressure fluctuations, which occurs for decreasing particle size among other factors. The ratio IPS/zero Hz then provides a continuous monitor of bed friction damping as well as particle size as the HMPD. Since HMPD and bed friction damping are both very important parameters for fluidized particle beds, the acoustic HMPD and bed friction damping both provide very useful monitors for fluidized bed operation. Such acoustic monitors have shown that they are especially sensitive to the presence of very fine particles in the bed of less than 50 microns diameter. Acoustic monitors for particle size and bed friction damping will be very useful in any fluidized bed, especially fluidized beds where particle size changes. The fluidized bed friction damping depends on many other bed properties besides particle size such as bed height, density, SSV, void fraction, gas viscosity, and fluidization scheme and so acoustic bed friction should also be useful for monitoring other bed properties besides particle size. In fact, the change in the static bed friction slope with SSV upon fluidization follows the Ergun function and reveals a minimum fluidization velocity for each HMPD. (authors)

12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE W↗
DOE OSTI2018

Selective Excitation of Localized Spin-Wave Modes by Optically Pumped Surface Acoustic Waves

We explore the feasibility of exciting localized spin-wave modes in ferromagnetic nanostructures using surface acoustic waves. The time-resolved Faraday effect is used to probe the magnetization dynamics of an array of nickel nanowires. The optical-pump pulse excites both spin-wave modes of the nanowires and acoustic modes of the substrate and we observe that, when the frequencies of these modes coincide, the amplitude of magnetization dynamics is substantially enhanced due to magnetoelastic coupling between the two. Notably, by tuning the magnitude of an externally applied magnetic field, optically excited surface acoustic waves can selectively excite either the upper or lower branches of a splitting in the nanowire’s spin-wave spectrum, which micromagnetic simulations indicate is caused by localization of spin waves in different parts of the nanowire. Furthermore, our results indicate the feasibility of using acoustic waves to selectively excite spatially confined spin waves, an approach that may find utility in future magnonic devices where coherent structural deformations could be used as coherent sources of propagating spin waves.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗
NASA NTRS2004

Fundamental Investigations of Airframe Noise

An extensive numerical and experimental study of airframe noise mechanisms associated with a subsonic high-lift system has been performed at NASA Langley Research Center (LaRC). Investigations involving both steady and unsteady computations and experiments on a small-scale, part-span flap model are presented. Both surface (steady and unsteady pressure measurements, hot films, oil flows, pressure sensitive paint) and off surface (5 hole-probe, particle-imaged velocimetry, laser velocimetry, laser light sheet measurements) were taken in the LaRC Quiet Flow Facility (QFF) and several hard-wall tunnels up to flight Reynolds number. Successful microphone array measurements were also taken providing both acoustic source maps on the model, and quantitative spectra. Critical directivity measurements were obtained in the QFF. NASA Langley unstructured and structured Reynolds- Averaged Navier-Stokes codes modeled the flap geometries excellent comparisons with surface and offsurface experimental data were obtained. Subsequently, these meanflow calculations were utilized in both linear stability and direct numerical simulations of the flap-edge flow field to calculate unsteady surface pressures and farfield acoustic spectra. Accurate calculations were critical in obtaining not only noise source characteristics, but shear layer correction data as well. Techniques utilized in these investigations as well as brief overviews of results will be given.

Macaraeg, M. G.↗
DOE OSTI2012

AN APPLICATION OF THE WIENER HERMITE EXPANSION TO THE NONLINEAR EVOLUTION OF DARK MATTER

We apply the Wiener Hermite (WH) expansion to the nonlinear evolution of the large-scale structure and obtain an approximate expression for the matter power spectrum in the full order of the expansion. This method allows us to expand any random function in terms of an orthonormal basis in the space of random functions in such a way that the first order of the expansion expresses the Gaussian distribution, and others are the deviations from Gaussianity. It is proved that the WH expansion is mathematically equivalent to the {Gamma}-expansion approach in the renormalized perturbation theory (RPT). While exponential behavior in the high-k limit has been proved for the mass density and velocity fluctuations of dark matter in the RPT, we prove the behavior again in the context of the WH expansion using the result of the standard perturbation theory (SPT). We propose a new approximate expression for the matter power spectrum which interpolates the low-k expression corresponding to the 1-loop level in SPT and the high-k expression obtained by taking a high-k limit of the WH expansion. The validity of our prescription is specifically verified by comparing with the 2-loop solutions of the SPT. The proposed power spectrum agrees with the result of the N-body simulation with accuracy better than 1% or 2% in a range of baryon acoustic oscillation scales, where the wave number is about k = 0.2-0.4 h Mpc{sup -1} at z = 0.5-3.0. This accuracy is comparable to or slightly less than the ones in the closure theory, the fractional difference of which from the N-body result is within 1%. One merit of our method is that the computational time is very short because only single and double integrals are involved in our solution.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2014

Turbulent mixing of a slightly supercritical van der Waals fluid at low-Mach number

Supercritical fluids near the critical point are characterized by liquid-like densities and gas-like transport properties. These features are purposely exploited in different contexts ranging from natural products extraction/fractionation to aerospace propulsion. Large part of studies concerns this last context, focusing on the dynamics of supercritical fluids at high Mach number where compressibility and thermodynamics strictly interact. Despite the widespread use also at low Mach number, the turbulent mixing properties of slightly supercritical fluids have still not investigated in detail in this regime. This topic is addressed here by dealing with Direct Numerical Simulations of a coaxial jet of a slightly supercritical van der Waals fluid. Since acoustic effects are irrelevant in the low Mach number conditions found in many industrial applications, the numerical model is based on a suitable low-Mach number expansion of the governing equation. According to experimental observations, the weakly supercritical regime is characterized by the formation of finger-like structures – the so-called ligaments – in the shear layers separating the two streams. The mechanism of ligament formation at vanishing Mach number is extracted from the simulations and a detailed statistical characterization is provided. Ligaments always form whenever a high density contrast occurs, independently of real or perfect gas behaviors. The difference between real and perfect gas conditions is found in the ligament small-scale structure. More intense density gradients and thinner interfaces characterize the near critical fluid in comparison with the smoother behavior of the perfect gas. A phenomenological interpretation is here provided on the basis of the real gas thermodynamics properties.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2012

The Influence of Tag Presence on the Mortality of Juvenile Chinook Salmon Exposed to Simulated Hydroturbine Passage: Implications for Survival Estimates and Management of Hydroelectric Facilities

Each year, millions of fish have telemetry tags (acoustic, radio, inductive) surgically implanted to assess their passage and survival through hydropower facilities. One route of passage of particular concern is through hydro turbines, in which fish may be exposed to a range of potential injuries, including barotraumas from rapid decompression. The change in pressure from acclimation to exposure (nadir) has been found to be an important factor in predicting the likelihood of mortality and injury for juvenile Chinook salmon undergoing rapid decompression associated with simulated turbine passage. The presence of telemetry tags has also been shown to influence the likelihood of injury and mortality for juvenile Chinook salmon. This research investigated the likelihood of mortality and injury for juvenile Chinook salmon carrying telemetry tags and exposed to a range of simulated turbine passage. Several factors were examined as predictors of mortal injury for fish undergoing rapid decompression, and the ratio of pressure change and tag burden were determined to be the most predictive factors. As the ratio of pressure change and tag burden increase, the likelihood of mortal injury also increases. The results of this study suggest that previous survival estimates of juvenile Chinook salmon passing through hydro turbines may have been biased due to the presence of telemetry tags, and this has direct implications to the management of hydroelectric facilities. Realistic examples indicate how the bias in turbine passage survival estimates could be 20% or higher, depending on the mass of the implanted tags and the ratio of acclimation to exposure pressures. Bias would increase as the tag burden and pressure ratio increase, and have direct implications on survival estimates. It is recommended that future survival studies use the smallest telemetry tags possible to minimize the potential bias that may be associated with carrying the tag.

13 HYDRO ENERGY↗
NASA NTRS1972

Avoidance of Trailing Vortex Hazard by Airport Warning System

In an effort to improve airport traffic operation near jumbo jets, an airport trailing vortex warning system (ATVWS) was developed to predict trailing vortex turbulence. The ATVWS consists of a computer simulator which is compatible with a vortex sensor such as a laser Doppler velocimeter or an acoustic radar. A study of the traffic in one of the ten busiest airports, Atlanta Municipal Airport, provided information on traffic patterns of a statistical nature. With this information, airport traffic patterns can be studied and hazard statistics developed. Based on a careful study of this simulation model, requirements for the development and testing of an ATVWS can be accurately specified.

Rudland, R. S.↗
DOE OSTI2013

Recovery Act. Development and Validation of an Advanced Stimulation Prediction Model for Enhanced Geothermal Systems

This research project aims to develop and validate an advanced computer model that can be used in the planning and design of stimulation techniques to create engineered reservoirs for Enhanced Geothermal Systems. The specific objectives of the proposal are to; Develop a true three-dimensional hydro-thermal fracturing simulator that is particularly suited for EGS reservoir creation; Perform laboratory scale model tests of hydraulic fracturing and proppant flow/transport using a polyaxial loading device, and use the laboratory results to test and validate the 3D simulator; Perform discrete element/particulate modeling of proppant transport in hydraulic fractures, and use the results to improve understand of proppant flow and transport; Test and validate the 3D hydro-thermal fracturing simulator against case histories of EGS energy production; and Develop a plan to commercialize the 3D fracturing and proppant flow/transport simulator. The project is expected to yield several specific results and benefits. Major technical products from the proposal include; A true-3D hydro-thermal fracturing computer code that is particularly suited to EGS; Documented results of scale model tests on hydro-thermal fracturing and fracture propping in an analogue crystalline rock; Documented procedures and results of discrete element/particulate modeling of flow and transport of proppants for EGS applications; and Database of monitoring data, with focus of Acoustic Emissions (AE) from lab scale modeling and field case histories of EGS reservoir creation.

15 GEOTHERMAL ENERGY↗
NASA NTRS2001

Simulation of Supersonic Jet Noise with the Adaptation of Overflow CFD Code and Kirchhoff Surface Integral

An acoustic prediction capability for supersonic axisymmetric jets was developed on the basis of OVERFLOW Navier-Stokes CFD (Computational Fluid Dynamics) code of NASA Langley Research Center. Reynolds-averaged turbulent stresses in the flow field are modeled with the aid of Spalart-Allmaras one-equation turbulence model. Appropriate acoustic and outflow boundary conditions were implemented to compute time-dependent acoustic pressure in the nonlinear source-field. Based on the specification of acoustic pressure, its temporal and normal derivatives on the Kirchhoff surface, the near-field and the far-field sound pressure levels are computed via Kirchhoff surface integral, with the Kirchhoff surface chosen to enclose the nonlinear sound source region described by the CFD code. The methods are validated by a comparison of the predictions of sound pressure levels with the available data for an axisymmetric turbulent supersonic (Mach 2) perfectly expanded jet.

Kandula, Max↗
DOE OSTI2016

Comprehensive numerical methodology for direct numerical simulations of compressible Rayleigh-Taylor instability

A comprehensive numerical methodology has been developed that handles the challenges introduced by considering the compressive nature of Rayleigh-Taylor instability (RTI) systems, which include sharp interfacial density gradients on strongly stratified background states, acoustic wave generation and removal at computational boundaries, and stratification-dependent vorticity production. The computational framework is used to simulate two-dimensional single-mode RTI to extreme late-times for a wide range of flow compressibility and variable density effects. The results show that flow compressibility acts to reduce the growth of RTI for low Atwood numbers, as predicted from linear stability analysis.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
NASA NTRS2005

Results of Aero/Acoustic Tests and Analytical Studies of a Two-Dimensional Eight-Lobe Mixer-Ejector Exhaust Nozzle at Takeoff Conditions

Hot flow aero-acoustic tests were conducted with Pratt & Whitney's High-Speed Civil Transport (HSCT) Mixer-Ejector Exhaust Nozzles by General Electric Aircraft Engines (GEAE) in the GEAE Anechoic Freejet Noise Facility (Cell 41) located in Evendale, Ohio. The tests evaluated the impact of various geometric and design parameters on the noise generated by a two-dimensional (2-D) shrouded, 8-lobed, mixer-ejector exhaust nozzle. The shrouded mixer-ejector provides noise suppression by mixing relatively low energy ambient air with the hot, high-speed primary exhaust jet. Additional attenuation was obtained by lining the shroud internal walls with acoustic panels, which absorb acoustic energy generated during the mixing process. Two mixer designs were investigated, the high mixing "vortical" and aligned flow "axial", along with variations in the shroud internal mixing area ratios and shroud length. The shrouds were tested as hardwall or lined with acoustic panels packed with a bulk absorber. A total of 21 model configurations at 1:11.47 scale were tested. The models were tested over a range of primary nozzle pressure ratios and primary exhaust temperatures representative of typical HSCT aero thermodynamic cycles. Static as well as flight simulated data were acquired during testing. A round convergent unshrouded nozzle was tested to provide an acoustic baseline for comparison to the test configurations. Comparisons were made to previous test results obtained with this hardware at NASA Glenn's 9- by 15-foot low-speed wind tunnel (LSWT). Laser velocimetry was used to investigate external as well as ejector internal velocity profiles for comparison to computational predictions. Ejector interior wall static pressure data were also obtained. A significant reduction in exhaust system noise was demonstrated with the 2-D shrouded nozzle designs.

Harrington, Douglas↗
DOE OSTI2012

The Effect of an Externally Attached Neutrally Buoyant Transmitter on Mortal Injury during Simulated Hydroturbine Passage

On their seaward migration, juvenile salmonids commonly pass hydroelectric dams. Fish passing through hydroturbines experience a rapid decrease in pressure as they pass by the turbine blade and the severity of this decompression can be highly variable. This rapid decrease in pressure can result in injuries such as swim bladder rupture, exophthalmia, and emboli and hemorrhaging in the fins and tissues. However, recent research indicates that the presence of a telemetry tag (acoustic, radio, inductive) implanted inside the coelom of a juvenile salmon increases the likelihood that the fish will be injured or die during turbine passage. Thus, previous research conducted using telemetry tags implanted into the coelom of fish may have been inaccurate. Thus, a new technique is needed to provide unbiased estimates of survival through turbines. This research provides an evaluation of the effectiveness of a neutrally buoyant externally attached acoustic transmitter. Both nontagged fish and fish tagged with a neutrally buoyant external transmitter were exposed to a range of rapid decompressions simulating turbine passage. Juvenile Chinook salmon tagged with a neutrally buoyant externally attached acoustic transmitter did not receive a higher degree of barotrauma than their nontagged counterparts. We suggest that future research include field-based comparisons of survival and behavior among fish tagged with a neutrally buoyant external transmitter and those internally implanted with transmitters.

13 HYDRO ENERGY↗