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At least 973 records · Page 54

Performance deterioration based on simulated aerodynamic loads test, JT9D jet engine diagnostics program

An engine was specially prepared with extensive instrumentation to monitor performance, case temperatures, and clearance changes. A special loading device was used to apply known loads on the engine by the use of cables placed around the flight inlet. These loads simulated the estimated aerodynamic pressure distributions that occur on the inlet in various segments of a typical airplane flight. Test results indicate that the engine lost 1.3 percent in take-off thrust specific fuel consumption (TSFC) during the course of the test effort. Permanent clearance changes due to the loads accounted for 1.1 percent; increase in low pressure compressor airfoil roughness and thermal distortion in the high pressure turbine accounted for 0.2 percent. Pretest predicted performance loss due to clearance changes was 0.9 percent in TSFC. Therefore, the agreement between measurement and prediction is considered to be excellent.

Stromberg, W. J.

Ground Tests of a Radial Air-Cooled Engine to Correct a Poor Circumferential Pressure-Recovery Distribution

This report presents the results of the tests of a power-plant installation to improve the circumferential pressure-recovery distribution at the face of the engine. An underslung "C" cowling was tested with two propellers with full cuffs and with a modification to one set of cuffs. Little improvement was obtained because the base sections of the cuffs were stalled. A set of guide vanes boosted the over-all pressures and helped the pressure recoveries for a few of the cylinders. Making the underslung cowling into a symmetrical "C" cowling evened the pressure distribution; however, no increases in front pressures were obtained. The pressures at the top cylinders remained low and the high pressures at the bottom cylinders were reduced. At higher powers and engine speeds, the symmetrical cowling appeared best from the standpoint of over-all cooling characteristics.

Gallagher, James J.

Polymorphism and the crystal structures of InSb at elevated temperature and pressure

The paper presents polycrystalline X-ray diffraction data for three high-pressure phases of InSb. The study employed two types of diamond-anvil pressure cells. The X-ray diffraction parameters were recorded at different fixed pressures and temperatures on flat film. The experiment utilized Zr-filtered Mo radiation. The intensities were estimated from the X-ray photographs using a semiautomated microdensitometer.

Yu, S.-C.

Dynamic Analysis of Reynolds Number Effects on Trailing Edge Transonic Vortex Shedding and Its Impact on Turbine Blade Aerodynamic Performance

In this work, we will discuss observations from images acquired from a time-resolved, high-speed self-aligned focusing Schlieren campaign that was performed at the CW-22 facility at NASA Glenn Research Center to understand the dynamic behavior of thick trailing-edge high-pressure turbine blades simulating a ceramic matrix composite (CMC) construction at high inlet turbulence conditions. For the CMC-9 blade, which has a trailing edge thickness of 9% of the axial chord, we identified a regime where an excessive total pressure loss (loss anomaly) is observed only for a narrow range of Reynolds numbers at a fixed exit Mach number of 0.74. The loss anomaly is qualitatively explained by our images, which were taken at 10 distinct blade Reynolds numbers spanning a factor of 6. The images show a significant increase in energy related to the oscillations due to transonic vortex shedding at the Reynolds numbers related to the high loss conditions. This increased energy leads to the formation of strong acoustic waves that turn into shock waves at the highest loss conditions. From our observations stemming from Spectral POD analysis of the high-speed images, we see the acoustic waves produced by the trailing edge vortex shedding exist in all conditions tested; but the shedding frequency has a very slight trend upwards as the Reynolds number is increased, varying about 6% in the range tested. Considering this variation of shedding frequency as a function of Reynolds number, which is well-established for other bluff-body flows, we stipulate there may be a potential feedback mechanism involving an acoustic information transfer path across neighboring blades that may explain why only a narrow range of Reynolds numbers displays strong, shock-forming vortex shedding. We consider a few feedback paths and examine the timing based on the mean flow field from a high-resolution LES simulation. It appears that all feedback mechanisms are viable, presenting an integer number of delay cycles with respect to disturbances generated at the trailing edge. Most noteworthy, however, is the acoustic/shock-boundary layer interaction mechanism at the blade geometric throat. Based on our analysis, this mechanism likely plays an important role in realistic, curved turbine blade passages.

Aerodynamics

Numerical simulation of compressible fluid-dynamics in the chamber of inertial fusion energy systems

Here, this paper aims to establish new and innovative modeling capabilities for analyzing chambers in Inertial Fusion Energy (IFE) systems. IFE is emerging as a promising method to achieve fusion power production, but several challenges must be overcome to develop an IFE pilot plant or deploy commercial IFE systems. These challenges are both theoretical and technical, encompassing a deeper understanding of the underlying physical phenomena and the development of new technologies and materials. One of the needs is to develop mathematical models to describe IFE systems and numerical tools to simulate them. This paper contributes to this endeavor by presenting a new OpenFOAM solver for IFE systems, focusing on gas dynamics in their chambers. The analysis and development of chamber designs will play a significant role in the transition from single-shot experiments to high-repetition rates, as there is a need to protect the chamber walls from the intense radiation fields produced by fusion reactions. A promising design option, normally referred to as thick wall chamber design, consists in using lithium or molten salt jet arrays within the chamber. A critical phenomenon is the venting of high-pressure gases from the center to the external part of the chamber, passing through the blanket array. This process involves the propagation and attenuation of strong pressure waves, requiring suitable modeling approaches for compressible fluid-dynamics. The solver proposed in this work implements a multi-material hydrodynamics model tailored to accurately describe the non-linear propagation of pressure waves while avoiding numerical oscillation issues typical of high-velocity compressible simulation. This solver is verified against numerical test cases, validated against experimental data, and applied to the analysis of the High-Yield Lithium-Injection Fusion-Energy (HYLIFE-I) concept. The relevance of this paper is threefold. Firstly, it contributes to developing and testing modeling approaches for compressible fluid-dynamics phenomena, with specific focus on the new and unexplored topic of IFE thick-liquid-wall blanket modeling. Secondly, it marks one of the first applications of the OpenFOAM library in the research field of IFE systems. Finally, the investigated problem is of practical interest for IFE developers, as it provides useful indications about relevant phenomena in pressure wave propagation in the chamber of these systems.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY

Progress in the development of energy efficient engine components

Component test results are presented for the NASA Energy Efficient Engine program, whose design goals relative to the CF6-50C reference engine include a 12% reduction in specific fuel consumption, 5% reduction in direct operating costs, and 50% reduction in specific fuel consumption deterioration rate over the course of commercial service. Emphasis is placed on the engine's high pressure compressor, which has a design pressure ratio of 23:1, and has completed a series of component tests whose resulting configuration is expected to meet all major objectives of the program. Descriptions are given of the core engine and integrated core/low spool tests, and system test benefits are discussed. Attention is given to the design features of the engine's double annular combustor, high and low pressure air turbines, and scale model exhaust mixer.

Bucy, R. W.

Euler equations and the Sod shock tube problem

The Euler equations are a subset of the magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) equations in the infinitely collisional, unmagnetized limit. MHD modeling is central to many areas of plasma physics, ranging from low-temperature glow discharges to inertial confinement fusion. An important aspect of the Euler equations is their ability to describe states with discontinuities, such as shock waves. A standard benchmark test for numerical implementation of the Euler equations is the Sod shock tube. In this test, the system is initialized at rest with a pressure and density discontinuity, which results in a shock wave traveling into the low-pressure region and a rarefaction wave traveling into the high-pressure region. Starting with the presentation of the Euler equations, a numerical algorithm is presented here to solve these equations in one dimension. This is followed by an overview of the Sod shock tube problem that includes the precise initial setup and the analytic solution. Finally, the analytic solution is compared with results from numerical simulations.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY

Space storable propellant performance program coaxial injector characterization

An experimental program was conducted to characterize the circular coaxial injector concept for application with the space-storable gas/liquid propellant combination FLOX(82.6% F2)/CH4(g) at high pressure. The primary goal of the program was to obtain high characteristic velocity efficiency in conjunction with acceptable injector/chamber compatibility. A series of subscale (single element) cold flow and hot fire experiments was employed to establish design criteria for a 3000-lbf (sea level) engine operating at 500 psia. The subscale experiments characterized both high performance core elements and peripheral elements with enhanced injector/chamber compatibility. The full-scale injector which evolved from the study demonstrated a performance level of 99 percent of the theoretical shifting characteristic exhaust velocity with low chamber heat flux levels. A 44-second-duration firing demonstrated the durability of the injector. Parametric data are presented that are applicable for the design of circular, coaxial injectors that operate with injection dynamics (fuel and oxidizer velocity, etc.) similar to those employed in the work reported.

Burick, R. J.

Pressure-viscosity measurements for several lubricants to 550 meganewtons per square meter /80,000 PSI/ and 149 C /300 F/

The viscosities of a number of liquid lubricants and lubricant formulations, determined as function of pressure, temperature, and shear stress by means of a high-pressure capillary viscometer, are reviewed. Where possible, these results are compared with those obtained by other techniques (optical elastohydrodynamics, oscillating crystal, and low shear capillary viscometry).

Jones, W. R., Jr.

Pressure dependence of the absolute rate constant for the reaction OH + C2H2 from 228 to 413 K

The pressure dependence of the absolute rate constant for the reaction of the hydroxyl radical with acetylene, important in both atmospheric and combustion chemistry, is determined for temperatures between 228 and 413 K. The flash photolysis-resonance fluorescence technique was employed at five temperatures over wide ranges of pressure and acetylene concentrations, with the OH produced by water photolysis and hydroxyl resonance fluorescent photons measured by multiscaling techniques. Results indicate that, except at the lowest temperature, the bimolecular rate constant for the reaction depends strongly on total pressure, with the pressure effect becoming more pronounced with increasing temperature. At limiting high pressures, the rate constant is found to be equal to 6.83 + or - 1.19 x 10 to the -12th exp (-646 + or - 47/T) cu cm/molecule per sec, where T is the temperature. Results thus demonstrate the importance of environmental conditions in theoretical studies of atmospheric and combustion product compositions

Michael, J. V.

Force instrumentation for cryogenic wind tunnels using one-piece strain-gage balances

Materials and techniques for a transducer capable of obtaining accurate force measurements at cryogenic temperatures (down to 77 K) and high pressures (up to 9 atm) have been determined. Areas of high stress concentration are minimized by balance design, and model and sting attachment methods able to withstand cryogenic temperatures are used. Maraging 200 is the material used for the balances, due to its high impact strength and simple heat treatment procedure. Test results verify that the balances produce reliable, repeatable, and predictable data from 300 K to 110 K under steady state conditions. Techniques have been developed to reduce the temperature-induced bridge output, such as the use of bridges with two gages mounted transverse to the principal stress direction. Under these conditions, the results given by the balances should be equally good during transient temperatures on five of the six components. The work will be used at the National Transonic Facility (NTF) at NASA Langley.

Ferris, A. T.

Nonmetallic Material Compatibility with Liquid Fluorine

Static tests were made on the compatibility of liquid fluorine with several nonmetallic materials at -3200 F and at pressures of 0 and 1500 pounds per square inch gage. The results are compared with those from previous work with gaseous fluorine at the same pressures, but at atmospheric temperature. In general, although environmental effects were not always consistent, reactivity was least with the low-temperature, low-pressure liquid fluorine. Reactivity was greatest with the warm, high-pressure gaseous fluorine. None of the liquids and greases tested was found to be entirely suitable for use in fluorine systems. Polytrifluorochloroethylene and N-43, the formula for which is (C4F9)3N, did not react with liquid fluorine at atmospheric pressure or 1500 pounds per square inch gage under static conditions, but they did react when injected into liquid fluorine at 1500 pounds per square inch gage; they also reacted with gaseous fluorine at 1500 pounds per square inch gage. While water did not react with liquid fluorine at 1500 pounds per square inch gage, it is known to react violently with fluorine under other conditions. The pipe-thread lubricant Q-Seal did not react with liquid fluorine, but did react with gaseous fluorine at 1500 pounds per square inch gage. Of the solids, ruby (Al2O3) and Teflon did not react under the test conditions. The results show that the compatibility of fluorine with nonmetals depends on the state of the fluorine and the system design.

Price, Harold G , Jr

Experimental evaluation of a TF30-P-3 turbofan engine in an altitude facility: Effect of steady-state temperature distortion

The effects of circumferential distortion of the total temperature entering 25, 50, and 75 percent of the inlet circumferential annulus of a turbofan engine were determined. Complete compressor stall resulted from distortions of from 14 to 20 percent of the face averaged temperature. Increasing the temperature level in one sector resulted in that sector moving toward stall by decreasing the equivalent rotor speeds while the pressure ratio remained approximately constant. Stall originated as a rotating zone in the low-pressure compressor which resulted as a terminal stall in the high-pressure compressor. Decreasing the Reynolds number index to 0.25 from 0.5 reduced the required distortion for stall by 50 percent for the conditions investigated.

Braithwaite, W. M.