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At least 973 records · Page 54

Don't go with the Flow: An Invitation to Magnetosheath and Foreshock Studies

This talk reviews the predictions of gasdynamic, magnetohydrodynamic, and kinetic models for the magnetosheath and foreshock and compares these predictions with observations by the recent Cluster and THEMIS missions. Topics of interest include: the depletion layer, dawn/dusk asymmetries, the transmission of solar wind discontinuities, the formation of hot flow anomalies and cavities in the foreshock, and flows accelerated by field-line tension. We conclude by discussing opportunities for magnetosheath imaging.

Sibeck, D. G.↗

Rotating-Pump Design Code

Pump Design (PUMPDES) is a computer program for designing a rotating pump for liquid hydrogen, liquid oxygen, liquid nitrogen, water, methane, or ethane. Using realistic properties of these fluids provided by another program called GASPAK, this code performs a station-by-station, mean-line analysis along the pump flow path, obtaining thermodynamic properties of the pumped fluid at each station and evaluating hydraulic losses along the flow path. The variables at each station are obtained under constraints that are consistent with the underlying physical principles. The code evaluates the performance of each stage and the overall pump. In addition, by judiciously choosing the givens and the unknowns, the code can perform a geometric inverse design function: that is, it can compute a pump geometry that yields a closest approximation of given design point. The code contains two major parts: one for an axial-rotor/inducer and one for a multistage centrifugal pump. The inducer and the centrifugal pump are functionally integrated. The code can be used in designing and/or evaluating the inducer/centrifugal-pump combination or the centrifugal pump alone. The code is written in standard Fortran 77.

Walker, James F.↗

Performance Evaluation of a High Bandwidth Liquid Fuel Modulation Valve for Active Combustion Control

At the NASA Glenn Research Center, a characterization rig was designed and constructed for the purpose of evaluating high bandwidth liquid fuel modulation devices to determine their suitability for active combustion control research. Incorporated into the rig s design are features that approximate conditions similar to those that would be encountered by a candidate device if it were installed on an actual combustion research rig. The characterized dynamic performance measures obtained through testing in the rig are planned to be accurate indicators of expected performance in an actual combustion testing environment. To evaluate how well the characterization rig predicts fuel modulator dynamic performance, characterization rig data was compared with performance data for a fuel modulator candidate when the candidate was in operation during combustion testing. Specifically, the nominal and off-nominal performance data for a magnetostrictive-actuated proportional fuel modulation valve is described. Valve performance data were collected with the characterization rig configured to emulate two different combustion rig fuel feed systems. Fuel mass flows and pressures, fuel feed line lengths, and fuel injector orifice size was approximated in the characterization rig. Valve performance data were also collected with the valve modulating the fuel into the two combustor rigs. Comparison of the predicted and actual valve performance data show that when the valve is operated near its design condition the characterization rig can appropriately predict the installed performance of the valve. Improvements to the characterization rig and accompanying modeling activities are underway to more accurately predict performance, especially for the devices under development to modulate fuel into the much smaller fuel injectors anticipated in future lean-burning low-emissions aircraft engine combustors.

Saus, Joseph R.↗

Recirculating 1-K-Pot for Pulse-Tube Cryostats

A paper describes a 1-K-pot that works with a commercial pulse tube cooler for astrophysics instrumentation testbeds that require temperatures <1.7 K. Pumped liquid helium-4 cryostats were commonly used to achieve this temperature. However, liquid helium-4 cryostats are being replaced with cryostats using pulse tube coolers. The closed-cycle 1K-pot system for the pulse tube cooler requires a heat exchanger on the pulse tube, a flow restriction, pump-out line, and pump system that recirculates helium-4. The heat exchanger precools and liquefies helium- 4 gas at the 2.5 to 3.5 K pulse tube cold head. This closed-cycle 1-K-pot system was designed to work with commercially available laboratory pulse tube coolers. It was built using common laboratory equipment such as stainless steel tubing and a mechanical pump. The system is self-contained and requires only common wall power to operate. The lift of 15 mW at 1.1 K and base temperature of 0.97 K are provided continuously. The system can be scaled to higher heat lifts of .30 to 50 mW if desired. Ground-based telescopes could use this innovation to improve the efficiency of existing cryo

Paine, Christopher T.↗

Temperature Oscillation in a Loop Heat Pipe with Gravity Assist

ATLAS Laser Thermal Control System (LTCS) thermal vacuum testing where the condenser-radiator was placed in a vertical position, it was found that the loop heat pipe (LHP) reservoir required much more control heater power than the analytical model had predicted. The required control heater power was also higher than the liquid subcooling entering the reservoir using the measured temperatures and the calculated mass flow rate based on steady state LHP operation. This presentation describes the investigation of the LHP behaviors under a gravity assist mode with a very cold radiator sink temperature and a large thermal mass attached to the evaporator. It is concluded that gravity caused the cold liquid to drop from the condenser-radiator to the reservoir, resulting in a rapid decrease of the reservoir temperature. When the reservoir temperature was increasing, a reverse flow occurred in the liquid line, carrying warm liquid to the condenser-radiator. Both events consumed the reservoir control heater power. The fall and rise of the reservoir temperature also caused the net heat input to the evaporator to vary due to the release and storage of the sensible heat of the thermal mass. The combination of these effects led to a persistent reservoir temperature oscillation and a repeated influx of cold liquid from the condenser. This was the root cause of the extraordinary high control heater power requirement in the LTCS TV test. Without gravity assist, such a persistent temperature oscillation will not be present.

000↗

On-Sun Characterization of Microchannel Supercritical Carbon Dioxide Solar Thermal Receivers - Preliminary Findings

The design of, and preliminary on-sun tests on, an 8 cm x 8 cm microchannel supercritical carbon dioxide (sCO2) receiver is presented. The receiver has a laminated design, wherein sheets of Haynes 230 nickel superalloy are patterned and diffusion bonded to form microscale flow passages. The microscale pattern is in the form of square pins with width and height of 500 μm and 200 μm respectively. The pins are arranged in an in-line pattern with respect to the flow direction. The longitudinal and transverse pitch ratios of the micro pin fins are identical and equal to two times the side width of the pillar. A sCO2 test facility is developed with the ability to supply sCO2 at 200 bar pressure and at temperatures between 300-500°C to the receiver inlet. The sCO2 facility is coupled to a seven meter diameter parabolic dish with a 25 kW rating and a concentration ratio of about 800. On-sun tests are performed at a receiver inlet pressure of 150 bar and a receiver inlet temperature between 110-130°C. Receiver and thermal efficiencies in excess of 0.91 and 0.96 respectively for the incident heat flux ranging from 8 to 80 W/cm2, and average surface temperatures ranging from 150-550°C are obtained in these experiments.

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗

Magnetic reconnection process in transient coaxial helicity injection

The physics of magnetic reconnection and fast flux closure in transient coaxial helicity injection experiments in NSTX is examined using resistive MHD simulations. These simulations have been performed using the NIMROD code with fixed boundary flux (including NSTX poloidal coil currents) in the NSTX experimental geometry. Simulations show that an X point is formed in the injector region, followed by formation of closed flux surfaces within 0.5 ms after the driven injector voltage and injector current begin to rapidly decrease. As the injector voltage is turned off, the field lines tend to untwist in the toroidal direction and magnetic field compression exerts a radial J × B force and generates a bi-directional radial E{sub toroidal}×B{sub poloidal} pinch flow to bring oppositely directed field lines closer together to reconnect. At sufficiently low magnetic diffusivity (high Lundquist number), and with a sufficiently narrow injector flux footprint width, the oppositely directed field lines have sufficient time to reconnect (before dissipating), leading to the formation of closed flux surfaces. The reconnection process is shown to have transient Sweet-Parker characteristics.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗

Structure, stability, and evolution of magnetic flux ropes from the perspective of magnetic twist

We investigate the evolution of NOAA Active Region (AR) 11817 during 2013 August 10–12, when it developed a complex field configuration and produced four confined, followed by two eruptive, flares. These C-and-above flares are all associated with a magnetic flux rope (MFR) located along the major polarity inversion line, where shearing and converging photospheric flows are present. Aided by the nonlinear force-free field modeling, we identify the MFR through mapping magnetic connectivities and computing the twist number T{sub w} for each individual field line. The MFR is moderately twisted (|T{sub w}|<2) and has a well-defined boundary of high squashing factor Q. We found that the field line with the extremum |T{sub w}| is a reliable proxy of the rope axis, and that the MFR's peak |T{sub w}| temporarily increases within half an hour before each flare while it decreases after the flare peak for both confined and eruptive flares. This pre-flare increase in |T{sub w}| has little effect on the AR's free magnetic energy or any other parameters derived for the whole region, due to its moderate amount and the MFR's relatively small volume, while its decrease after flares is clearly associated with the stepwise decrease in the whole region's free magnetic energy due to the flare. We suggest that T{sub w} may serve as a useful parameter in forewarning the onset of eruption, and therefore, the consequent space weather effects. The helical kink instability is identified as the prime candidate onset mechanism for the considered flares.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

Compton scattering in jets: A mechanism for approximately 0.4 and less than or approximately 0.2 MeV line production

We show that gamma-ray line emission at approximately 0.4 and less than or approximately 0.2 MeV can be produced by Compton scattering of beamed radiation in the jets of Galactic black hole candidates. This mechanism has the novel feature of not invoking the presence of e(exp +)-e(exp -) pairs. To produce the two lines, we employ a symmetric double-sided jet with bulk flow velocity of about 0.5c and incident beam radiation with a hard energy spectrum. We show that the two lines can be seen at viewing-angle cosines relative to the jet ranging from 0.2 to 0.6. This comprises 40% of the total solid angle. In addition, the line radiation is approximately 10% polarized. Depending on the bulk flow and viewing angle, the model can produce lines at other energies as well. In particular, a broad feature near 1 MeV can be seen by viewing the jet close to its axis. Our model can also accommodate single-line spectra if the beamed gamma-ray emission or the jets themselves are asymmetric.

Skibo, J. G.↗

Inner Warm Disk of ESO Hα 279a Revealed by NA i and CO Overtone Emission Lines

We present an analysis of near-infrared, high-resolution spectroscopy toward the flat-spectrum young stellar object (YSO) ESO Hα 279a (∼1.5M {sub ⊙}) in the Serpens star-forming region at a distance of 429 pc. Using the Immersion GRating INfrared Spectrometer (IGRINS; R ≈ 45,000), we detect emission lines originating from the accretion channel flow, jet, and inner disk. Specifically, we identify hydrogen Brackett series recombination, [Fe ii], [Fe iii], [Fe iv], Ca i, Na i, H{sub 2}, H{sub 2}O, and CO overtone emission lines. By modeling five bands of CO overtone emission lines and the symmetric double-peaked line profile for Na i emission lines, we find that ESO Hα 279a has an actively accreting Keplerian disk. From our Keplerian disk model, we find that Na i emission lines originate between 0.04 and 1.00 au, while the CO overtone emission lines are from the outer part of the disk, in the range between 0.22 and 3.00 au. The model reveals that the neutral atomic Na gas is a good tracer of the innermost region of the actively accreting disk. We derive a mass accretion rate of 2--10×10{sup −7} M {sub ⊙} yr{sup −1} from the measured Brγ emission luminosity of 1.78(±0.31) × 10{sup 31} erg s{sup −1}.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

High-resolution submillimeter-wave radiometry of supersonic flow

The recent development of a high-resolution submillimeter-wave heterodyne radiometer has made possible the first measurements of H2O molecule rotational line excitation temperatures and detailed profiles in supersonic flow. Absorption signals were measured across the flow for the 2/11/ from 2//02/ (752 GHz) para-H2O rotational transition against a hot background. These signals decrease downstream owing to the volume expansion of the gas away from the sonic nozle exit in the high-vacuum chamber. Radiative transfer calculations based on the large-velocity-gradient approximation and multilevel statistical equilibrium agree with these results and with the measured spectral line shapes. The data reveal nearly isentropic gas expansion and cooling. These studies have shown that submillimeter-wave heterodyne radiometry can be useful for remote sensing of supersonic flow with low mass flux, provided the signal transmission is through a dry or thin atmosphere.

Dionne, G. F.↗

A Solution Method for the Filtered Lifting Line Theory

The filtered lifting line theory presents a continuous form of the inviscid momentum equations of flow over a lifting device, such as a wing or rotor blade, using body forces without mathematical singularities. This theory is also consistent with an actuator line representation of a lifting device. In this work, we present a reformulation of the equations in terms of the local flow angle along the line, which allows solving the stand-alone equations using multivariate root-finding algorithms. This approach can be used to obtain a fast, computationally inexpensive solution of the loading distribution along a wing without the need to perform computational fluid dynamic simulations. We study the requirements in terms of resolution in the spanwise direction and establish the criteria for spacing and minimum amount of points required along the blade to obtain converged solutions. The solutions are compared to results from large-eddy simulations, and we observed excellent agreement with less than a percent difference in quantities along the blade between the methods.

17 WIND ENERGY↗

Envelope structure on 700 AU scales and the molecular outflows of low-mass young stellar objects

Aperture synthesis observations of HCO+ J = 1-0, 13CO 1-0, and C18O 1-0 obtained with the Owens Valley Millimeter Array are used to probe the small-scale (5" approximately 700 AU) structure of the molecular envelopes of a well-defined sample of nine embedded low-mass young stellar objects in Taurus. The interferometer results can be understood in terms of: (1) a core of radius approximately or less than 1000 AU surrounding the central star, possibly flattened and rotating; (2) condensations scattered throughout the envelope that may be left over from the inhomogeneous structure of the original cloud core or that may have grown during collapse; and (3) material within the outflow or along the walls of the outflow cavity. Masses of the central cores are 0.001-0.1 M (solar), and agree well with dust continuum measurements. Averaged over the central 20" (3000 AU) region, an HCO+ abundance of 4 x 10(-8) is inferred, with a spread of a factor of 3 between the different sources. Reanalysis of previously presented single-dish data yields an HCO+ abundance of (5.0 +/- 1.7) x 10(-9), which may indicate an average increase by a factor of a few on the smaller scales sampled by the interferometer. Part of this apparent abundance variation could be explained by contributions from extended cloud emission to the single-dish C18O lines, and uncertainties in the assumed excitation temperatures and opacities. The properties of the molecular envelopes and outflows are further investigated through single-dish observations of 12CO J = 6-5, 4-3, and 3-2, 13CO 6-5 and 3-2, and C18O 3-2 and 2-1, obtained with the James Clerk Maxwell and IRAM 30 m telescopes, along with the Caltech Submillimeter Observatory. Ratios of the mid-J CO lines are used to estimate the excitation temperature, with values of 25-80 K derived for the gas near line centre. The outflow wings show a similar range, although Tex is enhanced by a factor of 2-3 in at least two sources. In contrast to the well-studied L1551 IRS 5 outflow, which extends over 10' (0.4 pc), seven of the remaining eight sources are found to drive 12CO 3-2 outflows over < or = 1' (0.04 pc); only L1527 IRS has a well-developed outflow of some 3'(0.12 pc). Estimates are obtained for the outflow kinetic luminosity, Lkin, and the flow momentum rate, FCO, applying corrections for line opacity and source inclination. The flow force FCO correlates with the envelope mass and with the 2.7 mm flux of the circumstellar disk. Only a weak correlation is seen with Lbol, while none is found with the relative age of the object as measured by integral Tmb(HCO+ 3-2)dV/Lbol. These trends support the hypothesis that outflows are driven by accretion through a disk, with a global mass infall rate determined by the mass and density of the envelope. The association of compact HCO+ emission with the walls of the outflow cavities indicates that outflows in turn influence the appearance of the envelopes. It is not yet clear, however, whether they are actively involved in sweeping up envelope material, or merely provide a low-opacity pathway for heating radiation to reach into the envelope.

NASA Discipline Exobiology↗

Flow-Assisted Corrosion in Nuclear Power Plants

The flow-assisted corrosion, or flow-accelerated corrosion (FAC) is one of the major piping degradation mechanisms in aging nuclear power plants and it has been identified as a research area under the Light Water Reactor Sustainability program at Idaho National Laboratory (INL). While every nuclear power plant in US has a dedicated flow-assisted corrosion management program, there are several areas where the management of flow assisted corrosion can be improved. One of such areas is on-line corrosion monitoring which can significantly reduce maintenance inspections and contribute to improvement of economic efficiency of nuclear power plants. The proliferation of low cost sensor modalities such as strain fiber optics sensors and noninvasive concentration sensors, allowed development of on-line nonintrusive monitoring techniques, which can complement or replace existing evaluation techniques. The report presents a literature review of the current state-of-the-art in flow-assisted corrosion monitoring, and a research framework to study on-line monitoring techniques. The report addresses the problem on on-line monitoring of flow-assisted corrosion in nuclear power plants.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗

A Simple Derivation of the Acoustic Boundary Condition in the Presence of Flow

In modelling the noise propagation in a duct of a ducted fan engine, the authors needed the boundary condition satisfied by the acoustic pressure on a lined duct wall in the presence of flow. The result in the form used by the authors was derived by M. K. Myers who presented a formal derivation of a related result by K. Taylor. A good review of the subject can be found in reference. Here, a brief and simple derivation of the acoustic boundary condition of Myers is given. The main difference in the derivation from that in reference is that the Gaussian co-ordinate system (q(sup 1), q(sup 2), q(sup 3)(q(sup 1), q(sup 2), t)) is used to specify the instantaneous position, i.e., Lagrangian variable, of the point on the mean position of the wall with curvilinear (Gaussian) co-ordinates (q(sup 1), q(sup 2)). Myers uses a locally orthogonal coordinate system which is somewhat less specific than what is used here.

Farassat, F.↗

A Simple Derivation of the Acoustic Boundary Condition in the Presence of Flow

In modeling the noise propagation in a duct of a ducted fan engine, the authors needed the boundary condition satisfied by the acoustic pressure on a lined duct wall in the presence of flow. The results, in the form used by the authors, was derived by M.K. Myers, who presented a formal derivation of a related results by K. Taylor. Here, a brief and simple derivation of the acoustic boundary condition of Myers is given. The main difference in the derivation from that by Myers is that the Gaussian coordinate system (q(exp 1, q(exp 2), q(exp 3)(q(exp 1, q(exp 2), t)) is used to specify the instantaneous position, i.e. Lagrangian variable, of the point on the mean position of the wall with curvilinear (Gaussian) coordinates (q(exp 1), q(exp 2)). Myers uses a locally orthogonal coordinate system which is somewhat less specific than what is used here.

Farassat, F.↗

Formulas for the Supersonic Loading, Lift, and Drag of Flat Swept-Back Wings with Leading Edges Behind the Mach Line

The method of superposition of linearized conical flows has been applied to the calculation of the aerodynamic properties, in supersonic flight, of thin flat, swept-back wings at an angle of attack. The wings are assumed to have rectilinear plan forms, with tips parallel to the stream, and to taper in the conventional sense. The investigation covers the moderately supersonic speed range where the Mach lines from the leading-edge apex lie ahead of the wing. The trailing edge may lie ahead of or behind the Mach lines from its apex. The case in which the Mach cone from one tip intersects the other tip is not treated. Formulas are obtained for the load distribution, the total lift, and the drag due to lift. For the cases in which the trailing edge is outside the Mach cone from its apex the formulas are complete. For wings with both leading and trailing edges behind their respective Mach lines, a degree of approximation is necessary. Charts of some of the functions derived are included to facilitate computing, and several examples are worked out in outline.

Cohen, Doris↗

Dye Tracing Of Flow On Forebody Of Airplane

Report describes experiments in which flows over forebody of F-18 airplane visualized by emitting liquid containing dye from orifices on forebody. In this method, liquid flows along body and evaporates, leaving behind lines of dye marking streamlines and photographed after test flight. Results similar to those of wind-tunnel oil flows.

Fisher, David F.↗