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At least 109 records · Page 6

Flammability of Heterogeneously Combusting Metals

Most engineering materials, including some metals, most notably aluminum, burn in homogeneous combustion. 'Homogeneous' refers to both the fuel and the oxidizer being in the same phase, which is usually gaseous. The fuel and oxidizer are well mixed in the combustion reaction zone, and heat is released according to some relation like q(sub c) = delta H(sub c)c[((rho/rho(sub 0))]exp a)(exp -E(sub c)/RT), Eq. (1) where the pressure exponent a is usually close to unity. As long as there is enough heat released, combustion is sustained. It is useful to conceive of a threshold pressure beyond which there is sufficient heat to keep the temperature high enough to sustain combustion, and beneath which the heat is so low that temperature drains away and the combustion is extinguished. Some materials burn in heterogeneous combustion, in which the fuel and oxidizer are in different phases. These include iron and nickel based alloys, which burn in the liquid phase with gaseous oxygen. Heterogeneous combustion takes place on the surface of the material (fuel). Products of combustion may appear as a solid slag (oxide) which progressively covers the fuel. Propagation of the combustion melts and exposes fresh fuel. Heterogeneous combustion heat release also follows the general form of Eq.(1), except that the pressure exponent a tends to be much less than 1. Therefore, the increase in heat release with increasing pressure is not as dramatic as it is in homogeneous combustion. Although the concept of a threshold pressure still holds in heterogeneous combustion, the threshold is more difficult to identify experimentally, and pressure itself becomes less important relative to the heat transfer paths extant in any specific application. However, the constants C, a, and E(sub c) may still be identified by suitable data reduction from heterogeneous combustion experiments, and may be applied in a heat transfer model to judge the flammability of a material in any particular actual-use situation. In order to support the above assertions, two investigations are undertaken: 1) PCT data are examined in detail to discover the pressure dependence of heterogeneous combustion experiment results; and 2) heterogeneous combustion in a PCT situation is described by a heat transfer model, which is solved first in simplified form for a simple actual-use situation, and then extended to apply to PCT data reduction (combustion constant identification).

Jones, Peter D.↗

Catalytic combustion of actual low and medium heating value gases

Catalytic combustion of both low and medium heating value gases using actual coal derived gases obtained from operating gasifiers was demonstrated. A fixed bed gasifier with a complete product gas cleanup system was operated in an air blown mode to produce low heating value gas. A fluidized bed gasifier with a water quench product gas cleanup system was operated in both an air enriched and an oxygen blown mode to produce low and medium, heating value gas. Noble metal catalytic reactors were evaluated in 12 cm flow diameter test rigs on both low and medium heating value gases. Combustion efficiencies greater than 99.5% were obtained with all coal derived gaseous fuels. The NOx emissions ranged from 0.2 to 4 g NO2 kg fuel.

Bulzan, D. L.↗

Species and velocity visualization of unseeded heated air and combusting hydrogen jets using laser and flashlamp sources

Three techniques for the visualization of species and/or velocity in unseeded H2/air flames and heated air jets are described and preliminary image data are presented. The techniques described are: (1) simultaneous ArF laser imaging of H2, O2, and Rayleigh cross-section weighted density in an H2, O2, and Rayleigh cross-section weighted density in an H2/air flame; (2) ultraviolet flashlamp imaging of O2, OH, and Rayleigh cross-section weighted density in an H2/air flame; and (3) Raman Excitation plus Laser Induced Electronic Fluorescence velocimetry in heater air flows, up to static temperatures of 700 K. Application of these techniques, individually or in combination, should provide useful insight into mixing and reacting flows containing H2, O2, N2 and reaction intermediates such as OH.

Diskin, Glenn S.↗

Heat-stressed structural components in combustion-engine design

Heated structural parts alter their shape. Anything which hinders free heat expansion will give rise to heat stresses. Design rules are thus obtained for the heated walls themselves as well as for the adjoining parts. An important guiding principle is that of designing the heat-conducting walls as thin as possible.

Kraemer, Otto↗

Heat transfer from combustion gases to a single row of closely spaced tubes in a swirl crossflow Stirling engine heater

This paper describes an experimental program to determine the heat-transfer characteristics of a combustor and heat-exchanger system in a hybrid solar receiver which utilizes a Stirling engine. The system consists of a swirl combustor with a crossflow heat exchanger composed of a single row of 48 closely spaced curved tubes. In the present study, heat-transfer characteristics of the combustor/heat-exchanger system without a Stirling engine have been studied over a range of operating conditions and output levels using water as the working fluid. Nondimensional heat-transfer coefficients based on total heat transfer have been obtained and are compared with available literature data. The results show significantly enhanced heat transfer for the present geometry and test conditions. Also, heat transfer along the length of the tubes is found to vary, the effect depending upon test condition.

Bankston, C. P.↗

Promoted-Combustion Chamber with Induction Heating Coil

An improved promoted-combustion system has been developed for studying the effects of elevated temperatures on the flammability of metals in pure oxygen. In prior promoted-combustion chambers, initial temperatures of metal specimens in experiments have been limited to the temperatures of gas supplies, usually near room temperature. Although limited elevated temperature promoted-combustion chambers have been developed using water-cooled induction coils for preheating specimens, these designs have been limited to low-pressure operation due to the hollow induction coil. In contrast, the improved promoted-combustion chamber can sustain a pressure up to 10 kpsi (69 MPa) and, through utilization of a solid induction coil, is capable of preheating a metal specimen up to its melting point [potentially in excess of 2,000 F (approximately equal to 1,100 C)]. Hence, the improved promoted combustion chamber makes a greater range of physical conditions and material properties accessible for experimentation. The chamber consists of a vertical cylindrical housing with an inner diameter of 8 in. (20.32 cm) and an inner height of 20.4 in. (51.81 cm). A threaded, sealing cover at one end of the housing can be unscrewed to gain access for installing a specimen. Inlet and outlet ports for gases are provided. Six openings arranged in a helical pattern in the chamber wall contain sealed sapphire windows for viewing an experiment in progress. The base of the chamber contains pressure-sealed electrical connectors for supplying power to the induction coil. The connectors feature a unique design that prevents induction heating of the housing and the pressure sealing surfaces; this is important because if such spurious induction heating were allowed to occur, chamber pressure could be lost. The induction coil is 10 in. (25.4 cm) long and is fitted with a specimen holder at its upper end. At its lower end, the induction coil is mounted on a ceramic base, which affords thermal insulation to prevent heating of the base of the chamber during use. A sapphire cylinder protects the coil against slag generated during an experiment. The induction coil is energized by a 6-kW water-cooled power supply operating at a frequency of 400 kHz. The induction coil is part of a parallel-tuned circuit, the tuning of which is used to adjust the coupling of power to the specimen. The chamber is mounted on a test stand along with pumps, valves, and plumbing for transferring pressurized gas into and out of the chamber. In addition to multiple video cameras aimed through the windows encircling the chamber, the chamber is instrumented with gauges for monitoring the progress of an experiment. One of the gauges is a dual-frequency infrared temperature transducer aimed at the specimen through one window. Chamber operation is achieved via a console that contains a computer running apparatus-specific software, a video recorder, and real-time video monitors. For safety, a blast wall separates the console from the test stand.

Richardson, Erin↗

Polymer-Oxygen Compatibility Testing: Effect of Oxygen Aging on Ignition and Combustion Properties

The oxygen compatibility of six polymers used in oxygen service was evaluated after exposure for 48 hours to oxygen pressures ranging from 350 to 6200 kPa (50 to 900 psia), and temperatures ranging from 50 to 250 C (122 to 302 F). Three elastomers were tested: CR rubber (C873-70), FKM fluorocarbon rubber (Viton A), and MPQ silicone rubber (MIL-ZZ-765, Class 2); and three thermoplastics were tested: polyhexamethylene adipamide (Zytel 42), polytetrafluoroethylene (Teflon TFE), and polychlorotrifluoroethylene (Neoflon CTFE M400H). Post-aging changes in mass, dimensions, tensile strength, elongation at break, and durometer hardness were determined. Also, the compression set was determined for the three elastomers. Results show that the properties under investigation were more sensitive to oxygen pressure at low to moderate temperatures, and more sensitive to temperature at low to moderate oxygen pressures. Inspection of the results also suggested that both chain scissioning and cross-linking processes were operative, consistent with heterogeneous oxidation. Attempts are underway to verify conclusively the occurrence of heterogeneous oxidation using a simple modulus profiling technique. Finally, the effect of aging at 620 kpa (90 psia) and 121 C (250 F) on ignition and combustion resistance was determined. As expected, aged polymers were less ignitable and combustible (had higher AlTs and lower heats of combustion). Special attention was given to Neoflon CTFE. More specifically, the effect of process history (compression versus extrusion molding) and percent crystallinity (quick- versus slow-quenched) on the AIT, heat of combustion, and impact sensitivity of Neoflon CTFE was investigated. Results show the AIT, heat of combustion, and impact sensitivity to be essentially independent of Neoflon CTFE process history and structure.

Waller, Jess M.↗

Radiation heat transfer shapefactors for combustion systems

The computation of radiation heat transfer through absorbing media is commonly done through the zoning method which relies upon values of the geometric mean transmittance and absorptance. The computation of these values is difficult and expensive, particularly if many spectral bands are used. This paper describes the extension of a scan line algorithm, based upon surface-surface radiation, to the computation of surface-gas and gas-gas radiation transmittances.

Emery, A. F.↗

Combustion performance and heat transfer characterization of LOX/hydrocarbon type propellants. Task 3: Data dump

A preliminary characterization of Orbital Maneuvering System (OMS) and Reaction Control System (RCS) engine point designs over a range of thrust and chamber pressure for several hydrocarbon fuels is reported. OMS and RCS engine point designs were established in two phases comprising baseline and parametric designs. Interface pressures, performance and operating parameters, combustion chamber cooling and turboprop requirements, component weights and envelopes, and propellant conditioning requirements for liquid to vapor phase engine operation are defined.

Hart, S. W.↗

Ammonium perchlorate gasification and combustion at high heating rates and low pressures.

Mass-spectrometric and linear regression rate characterizations are reported, derived from CO2 laser pyrolyses of pressed NH2ClO4 (AP) at incident heat fluxes ranging from 25 to 4000 cal/sq cm sec. Product evolution-rate histories were obtained in vacuo by time-resolved (5 msec) mass spectrometry during (1) transient heat-up, and (2) subsequent quasi-steady vaporization (QSV). Vaporization induction times were obtained for (1); these, coupled with heat-transfer approximations neglecting thermochemical heat release, indicated that optical absorption at 10.6 microns dominated over conduction for heat fluxes much greater than 300. Conclusions applying in vacuo were: preferential desorption of NH3, with net accumulation of adsorbed HClO4, occurred during transient heat-up and onset of condensed phase decomposition (CPD), but preferential decomposition of adsorbed HClO4 (compared to NH3) occurred during QSV when CPD was significant. CPD was the dominant mode of QSV at moderate heat fluxes.

Pellett, G. L.↗

Combustion performance and heat transfer characterization of LOX/hydrocarbon type propellants, volume 1

A program to evaluate liquid oxygen and various hydrocarbon fuel as low cost alternative propellants suitable for future space transportation system applications is discussed. The emphasis of the program is directed toward low earth orbit maneuvering engine and reaction control engine systems. The feasibility of regeneratively cooling an orbit maneuvering thruster was analytically determined over a range of operating conditions from 100 to 1000 psia chamber pressure and 1000 to 10,000-1bF thrust, and specific design points were analyzed in detail for propane, methane, RP-1, ammonia, and ethanol; similar design point studies were performed for a filmcooled reaction control thruster. Heat transfer characteristics of propate were experimentally evaluated in heated tube tests. Forced convection heat transfer coefficients were determined over the range of fluid conditions encompassed by 450 to 1800 psia, -250 to +250 F, and 50 to 150 ft/sec, with wall temperatures from ambient to 1200 F. Seventy-seven hot firing tests were conducted with LOX/propane and LOC/ethanol, for a total duration of nearly 1400 seconds, using both heat sink and water-cooled calorimetric chambers.

Michel, R. W.↗

Heat transfer in rocket combustion chambers

Complexities of liquid rocket engine heat transfer which involve the injector faceplate and film cooled walls are being investigated by computational analysis. A conjugate heat transfer analysis was used to describe localized heating phenomena associated with particular injector configurations and film coolant flows. These components were analyzed, and the analyses verified when appropriate test data were available. The component analyses are being synthesized into an overall flowfield/heat transfer model. A Navier-Stokes flow solver, the FDNS code, was used to make the analyses. Particular attention was given to the representation of the thermodynamic properties of the fluid streams. Unit flow models of specific coaxial injector elements have been developed and are being used to describe the flame structure near the injector faceplate.

Anderson, P.↗

Survey of the Relationship Between Theory and Experiment for Convective Heat Transfer From Rocket Combustion Gases

The problem of predicting the distribution of heat flux in a rocket engine is complicated by a flow field and thermodynamics so perturbed by as yet indescribable combustion effects that it continues to be necessary to utilize a simplified theoretical model against which to compare experimental results in order to gain insight. The most successful model applied to this problem is that of a compressible, turbulent, accelerating boundary layer flow with an arbitrary point of origin, and chemical reaction restricted to equilibrium recombination or diffusion-limited recombination on a catalytic wall. Analysis of this model was not possible without making several assumptions about the nature of the skin friction coefficient relationship and Reynold's analogy in an accelerating boundary layer flow. The paper summarizes the analysis of this model (together with detailed treatment of the special problems of variable properties, chemical reaction, and sources of transport properties), and describes several closed-form equations that have also been developed and applied to the problem. Described are results of several experiments with hot air flow made for the purpose of checking the validity of the assumptions in the boundary layer analysis. Most significant, however, are presentations of sample distributions of local heat flux measured in rocket engines operating with a wide range of conditions, propellants, injectors and sizes. When compared with predictions, these data show the significant range of deviation in heat flux that results from the combustion effects and which precludes a generally accurate prediction theory or correlation equation until the combustion process itself is correlated.

D R Bartz↗

Climate, air quality, and equity benefits from hydrogen substitution for fossil fuels used in process heat

Fossil fuel combustion for process heat in heavy industry accounts for ~15% of all United States CO 2 emissions and emits PM 2.5 and its precursors, emissions that have a disproportionate impact on minority populations. Decarbonizing process heat in the U.S. via hydrogen substitution presents an opportunity to reduce emissions of CO 2 and PM 2.5 and mitigate resulting exposure disparity. Here, we show that hydrogen substitution in steelmaking provides a large reduction in CO 2 emissions and air quality-related premature mortality, while hydrogen substitution in petroleum refining substantially benefits disadvantaged communities. When reductions in CO 2 emissions and premature mortality are monetized using standard regulatory values, we find that the sum of air pollution and climate benefits outweighs the difference in private cost associated with hydrogen substitution in steelmaking, regardless of the method of hydrogen production. The approach developed here can support evaluations of equity-focused decarbonization strategies in other industries and for specific sites.

08 HYDROGEN↗