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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 1,063 records · Page 59
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2025

Experimental Studies on Enhanced Ignition for Improved Pre-Chamber Combustion in Gas Engines

Global efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and mitigate climate change have intensified the demand for cleaner and more efficient combustion technologies. Heavyduty engines, which remain essential for transportation and power generation, must operate with significantly lower emissions while maintaining high efficiency and fuel flexibility. Lean combustion and exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) offer promising pathways to reduce emissions and improve thermal efficiency; however, these strategies impose severe challenges for engine operation, especially for low reactivity gaseous fuels like natural gas and ammonia. Pre-chamber combustion has emerged as a viable approach that uses turbulent jets to accelerate main chamber ignition, but its performance can degrade under high dilution or with hard-to-ignite fuels. These limitations motivate the central focus of this dissertation: understanding passive pre-chambers and improving their performance under challenging conditions.

Dhotre, Akash [Univ. of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN↗
NASA NTRS1928

Ignition points and combustion reactions in Diesel engines. Part I

The question of whether the fuel should be adapted to the engine or whether it is possible to improve equipment such as carburetors and engines so that as much of the crude oil as possible may be used without further transformation is examined in this report. Various ignition points and fuel mixtures are investigated in this regard.

ENGINES, DIESEL - IGNITION & COMBUSTION↗
DOE OSTI2022

The Magnetized Indirect Drive Project on the National Ignition Facility

A new project is underway at the National Ignition Facility with the goal of applying a seed magnetic field to the fusion fuel in an indirect drive hohlraum implosion and quantifying the effect on the hot-spot temperature, shape and neutron yield. Magnetizing fusion fuel is calculated to reduce heat loss from the implosion core by constraining the motion of electrons and fusion-generated alpha particles; this can improve the chances of achieving high-gain fusion in a laboratory plasma. Here, we describe the goals of this project and the significant scientific and technological challenges which must be overcome for this project to succeed.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2016

The Kelvin-Helmholtz instability in National Ignition Facility hohlraums as a source of gold-gas mixing

Highly resolved radiation-hydrodynamics FCI2 simulations have been performed to model laser experiments on the National Ignition Facility. In these experiments, cylindrical gas-filled hohlraums with gold walls are driven by a 20 ns laser pulse. For the first time, simulations show the appearance of Kelvin-Helmholtz (KH) vortices at the interface between the expanding wall material and the gas fill. In this paper, we determine the mechanisms which generate this instability: the increase of the gas pressure around the expanding gold plasma leads to the aggregation of an over-dense gold layer simultaneously with shear flows. At the surface of this layer, all the conditions are met for a KH instability to grow. Later on, as the interface decelerates, the Rayleigh-Taylor instability also comes into play. A potential scenario for the generation of a mixing zone at the gold-gas interface due to the KH instability is presented. Our estimates of the Reynolds number and the plasma diffusion width at the interface support the possibility of such a mix. The key role of the first nanosecond of the laser pulse in the instability occurrence is also underlined.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2016

Effects of the P2 M-band flux asymmetry of laser-driven gold Hohlraums on the implosion of ICF ignition capsule

Low-mode asymmetries in the laser-indirect-drive inertial confinement fusion implosion experiments conducted on the National Ignition Facility [G. H. Miller et al., Nucl. Fusion 44, S228 (2004)] are deemed the main obstacles hindering further improvement of the nuclear performance of deuterium-tritium-layered capsules. The dominant seeds of these asymmetries include the P2 and P4 asymmetries of x-ray drives and P2 asymmetry introduced by the supporting “tent.” Here, we explore the effects of another possible seed that can lead to low-mode asymmetric implosions, i.e., the M-band flux asymmetry (MFA) in laser-driven cylindrical gold Hohlraums. It is shown that the M-band flux facilitates the ablation and acceleration of the shell, and that positive P2 MFAs can result in negative P2 asymmetries of hot spots and positive P2 asymmetries of shell's ρR. An oblate or toroidal hot spot, depending on the P2 amplitude of MFA, forms at stagnation. The energy loss of such a hot spot via electron thermal conduction is seriously aggravated not only due to the enlarged hot spot surface but also due to the vortices that develop and help transferring thermal energy from the hotter center to the colder margin of such a hot spot. The cliffs of nuclear performance for the two methodologies of applying MFA (i.e., symmetric flux in the presence of MFA and MFA added for symmetric soft x-ray flux) are obtained locating at 9.5% and 5.0% of P2/P0 amplitudes, respectively.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2015

Large optics for the National Ignition Facility

The National Ignition Facility (NIF) laser with its 192 independent laser beams is not only the world’s largest laser, it is also the largest optical system ever built. With its 192 independent laser beams, the NIF requires a total of 7648 large-aperture (meter-sized) optics. One of the many challenges in designing and building NIF has been to carry out the research and development on optical materials, optics design, and optics manufacturing and metrology technologies needed to achieve NIF’s high output energies and precision beam quality. This paper describes the multiyear, multi-supplier, development effort that was undertaken to develop the advanced optical materials, coatings, fabrication technologies, and associated process improvements necessary to manufacture the wide range of NIF optics. The optics include neodymium-doped phosphate glass laser amplifiers; fused silica lenses, windows, and phase plates; mirrors and polarizers with multi-layer, high-reflectivity dielectric coatings deposited on BK7 substrates; and potassium di-hydrogen phosphate crystal optics for fast optical switches, frequency conversion, and polarization rotation. Also included is a discussion of optical specifications and custom metrology and quality-assurance tools designed, built, and fielded at supplier sites to verify compliance with the stringent NIF specifications. In addition, a brief description of the ongoing program to improve the operational lifetime (i.e., damage resistance) of optics exposed to high fluence in the 351-nm (3ω) is provided.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2023

Ignition Delay Test with Spray & Combustion Vessel

Ignition delay test results of different fuels (RON60, RON70, RON80, RON90, and biofuel blends) under different engine operating conditions with a multi-hole injector. These results were used to better understand the spray and combustion characteristics and validate the CFD real fuel model (https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.8432075). This work was part of the DOE funded project (DE-EE0008478; Co-optimized Mixed-Mode Engine and Fuel Demonstrator for Improved Fuel Economy while Meeting Emissions Requirements; https://doi.org/10.2172/1887341).

02 PETROLEUM↗
DOE OSTI2016

Determination of gaseous fission product yields from 14 MeV neutron induced fission of 238 U at the National Ignition Facility

We determined fission yields of xenon ( 133m Xe, 135 Xe, 135m Xe, 137 Xe, 138 Xe, and 139 Xe) resulting from 14 MeV neutron induced fission of depleted uranium at the National Ignition Facility. Measurements begin approximately 20 s after shot time, and yields have been determined for nuclides with half-lives as short as tens of seconds. We determined the relative independent yields of 133m Xe, 135 Xe, and 135m Xe to significantly higher precision than previously reported. The relative fission yields of all nuclides are statistically indistinguishable from values reported by England and Rider (ENDF-349. LA-UR-94-3106, 1994), with exception of the cumulative yield of 139 Xe. Furthermore, considerable differences exist between our measured yields and the JEFF-3.1 database values.

14 MeV neutrons↗
DOE OSTI2019

Oxidation and Ignition Behaviors of Molten Mg-Nd-Zr Alloy in Resin-Sand Mold

High-temperature oxidation behavior of molten Mg-Nd-Zr in the pyrolysis atmosphere of resin-bind sand mold was investigated. The results showed that pouring temperature higher than 1023 K would sharply increase the ignition risk of melt in mold. The oxide formed on Mg-Nd-Zr melt below 973 K consists of two layers: mainly MgO for outer layer; mixture of MgO and Nd{sub 2}O{sub 3} for inner layer. The inner oxide mixture layer played an essential role in the protection of Mg-Nd-Zr matrix. Based on the experimental results and thermodynamic analysis, the oxidation process containing three stages was proposed. Nd- and Zn-enriched zone was found at the subsurface of oxide scale, without the enrichment of Zr. DICTRA calculation results indicated that this phenomenon was caused by the depletion of Mg and up-hill diffusion of Zr. Thus, Zr showed limited protection to the melt in long-term oxidation.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2014

The contribution of lubricant to the formation of particulate matter with reactivity controlled compression ignition in light-duty diesel engines

Reactivity controlled compression ignition (RCCI) has been shown in single- and multi-cylinder engine research to achieve high thermal efficiencies with ultra-low NO X and soot emissions. The nature of the particulate matter (PM) produced by RCCI operation has been shown in recent research to be different than that of conventional diesel combustion and even diesel low-temperature combustion. Previous research has shown that the PM from RCCI operation contains a large amount of organic material that is volatile and semi-volatile. However, it is unclear if the organic compounds are stemming from fuel or lubricant oil. The PM emissions from dual-fuel RCCI were investigated in this study using two engine platforms, with an emphasis on the potential contribution of lubricant. Both engine platforms used the same base General Motors (GM) 1.9-L diesel engine geometry. The first study was conducted on a single-cylinder research engine with primary reference fuels (PRFs), n-heptane, and iso-octane. The second study was conducted on a four-cylinder GM 1.9-L ZDTH engine which was modified with a port fuel injection (PFI) system while maintaining the stock direct injection fuel system. Multi-cylinder RCCI experiments were run with PFI gasoline and direct injection of 2-ethylhexyl nitrate (EHN) mixed with gasoline at 5 % EHN by volume. In addition, comparison cases of conventional diesel combustion (CDC) were performed. Particulate size distributions were measured, and PM filter samples were collected for analysis of lube oil components. Triplicate PM filter samples (i.e., three individual filter samples) for both gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy (GC-MS; organic) analysis and X-ray fluorescence (XRF; metals) were obtained at each operating point and queued for analysis of both organic species and lubricant metals. Here, the results give a clear indication that lubricants do not contribute significantly to the formation of RCCI PM.

33 ADVANCED PROPULSION SYSTEMS↗
DOE OSTI2018

Fractionation of copper activation products in debris samples from the National Ignition Facility

Nuclear fusion experiments performed at the National Ignition Facility produce radioactive debris, arising in reactions of fast neutrons with the target assembly. We have found here that postshot debris collections are fractionated, such that isotope ratios in an individual debris sample may not be representative of the radionuclide inventory produced by the experiment. We discuss the potential sources of this fractionation and apply isotope-correlation techniques to calculate unfractionated isotope ratios that are used in measurements of nuclear reaction cross sections.

12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE W↗
DOE OSTI2026

An experimental and kinetic modeling study of the ignition of 2-methyl decane

Ignition delay times (IDTs) of 2-methyl decane (C 11 H 24 -2) are measured in a high-pressure shock tube and in a rapid compression machine at equivalence ratios in the range 0.5–2.0 at 90 % dilution, at temperatures in the range 600–1430 K and at pressures of 15 and 30 bar. To clarify the effect of the branched methyl group on fuel oxidation, IDTs of n-undecane (nC 11 H 24 ) are also measured at similar conditions to those measured for C 11 H 24 -2. A new chemical kinetic mechanism, using C3MechV4.0.1 as the core chemistry, is developed and validated against the new experimental data. The thermodynamic properties of the fuel (RH), alkyl (Ṙ), alkyl peroxy (RȮ 2 ), hydroperoxy-alkyl (Q̇OOH), and peroxy hydroperoxy alkyl (Ȯ 2 QOOH) radicals are updated in both the C 11 H 24 -2 and nC 11 H24 models using THERM25. A reaction path flux analysis for C 11 H 24 -2 at different temperatures was conducted. Compared to nC 11 H 24 , C 11 H 24 -2 shows slower reactivity. At low and intermediate temperatures, the chain propagation pathway Q̇OOH ↔ C 11 cyclic ether + ȮH is favored for C 11 H 24 -2, while the chain branching pathway Q̇OOH ↔ Ȯ 2 QOOH ↔ C 11 carbonyl hydroperoxide (KHP) + ȮH is suppressed, leading to lower reactivity compared to nC 11 H 24 . At high temperatures, the presence of the branched methyl group inhibits the direct decomposition of the fuel, resulting in reduced C 2 H 4 formation, which in turn suppresses the reactivity of the fuel.

2-methyl decane↗
DOE OSTI2020

Sooting tendencies of 20 bio-derived fuels for advanced spark-ignition engines

The sooting tendencies of 20 bio-derived fuels indicated as potential blendstocks for spark-ignition engines by the Co-Optimization of Fuels & Engines (Co-Optima) Initiative are studied. The Yield Sooting Index (YSI) is used to quantify the sooting tendencies. The Co-Optima Chemical Model is used to predict the numerical YSIs for all test fuels, and these results are compared with measurements. Experimental YSIs are newly measured for 2 furans and are taken from our previous work for the other compounds. Overall, the predicted YSIs agree well with measurements, within the experimental uncertainties, except for 2,5-dimethylfuran (2,5-DMF). It is found that Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAH) growth reactions have little influence on the relative soot production from each fuel and therefore on YSI predictions. A modified sensitivity coefficient formulation is proposed to evaluate reaction sensitivities specifically for YSI. This formulation is applied to the 2,5-DMF-doped flame, and six 2,5-DMF initial decomposition reactions, which lead to different major soot precursors, are identified as the most sensitive reactions. The impact of the chemical kinetic uncertainties embedded in these reactions is quantified by randomly perturbing their reaction rates within a factor of two. The resulting prediction uncertainty in the 2,5-DMF-doped flame is found to be ± 8 YSI units (±11%), which demonstrates that the test-fuel-specific decomposition reactions indeed have considerable influence on its YSI prediction. Our research suggests that more accurate kinetic parameters for fuel initial decomposition reactions can potentially improve YSI predictions effectively, without altering the YSI predictions of other fuels with significantly different molecular structures.

09 BIOMASS FUELS↗
DOE OSTI2022

Numerical analysis of soot emissions from gasoline-ethanol and gasoline-butanol blends under gasoline compression ignition conditions

In the present work, computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations of a single-cylinder gasoline compression ignition (GCI) engine were performed to investigate the impact of blending two biofuels, ethanol and n-butanol, with gasoline on the trade-off between combustion phasing and soot emissions under low load conditions. Here, in order to represent market gasoline (RD5-87), a four-component toluene primary reference fuel (TPRF) + ethanol (ETPRF) surrogate (with 20% ethanol by mole; E20) was formulated using a neural network based octane predictor such that the surrogate had the same ethanol content, Research Octane Number (RON) and Octane Sensitivity (S). In addition, a novel skeletal kinetic mechanism for ETPRF and TPRF + n-butanol (BTPRF) blends, incorporating polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) chemistry, was developed. A three-dimensional (3D) engine CFD formulation employing the skeletal mechanism, adaptive mesh refinement (AMR), finite-rate chemistry approach, and hybrid method of moments (HMOM) was adopted to capture the in-cylinder combustion phenomena and soot emissions. The engine CFD model was validated against RD5-87 experimental data for a broad range of start-of-injection (SOI) timings (-21/-27/-36/-45 crank angle degrees (CAD) after top-dead center (aTDC)), with respect to in-cylinder pressure, heat release rate, combustion phasing, and soot emissions. The closed-cycle simulation results were analyzed to elucidate the non-monotonic trend of soot emissions versus SOI timing: SOI-36 > SOI-45 > SOI-21 > SOI-27. Thereafter, the validated CFD model was employed to simulate the combustion of a gasoline-ethanol blend with 45% (by mole) ethanol (E45) and a gasoline-butanol blend with 45% (by mole) n-butanol (B45) under the same operating conditions to study the effects of fuel composition and SOI timing on combustion phasing and soot emissions. The sooting propensity followed the trend: B45 > E20 > E45 at all SOI timings. Overall, it was observed that the autoignition propensity was primarily related to fuel chemistry. On the other hand, sooting propensity showed strong coupling with both fuel chemistry and physical properties, with greater impact of fuel physical properties at advanced SOI timings.

30 DIRECT ENERGY CONVERSION↗