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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 1,117 records · Page 62
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1983

Axial compressor middle stage secondary flow study

This report describes an experimental investigation of the secondary flow within and aft of an axial compressor model with thick endwall boundary layers. The objective of the study was to obtain detailed aerodynamic and trace gas concentration traverse data aft of a well documented isolated rotor for the ultimate purpose of improving the design phases of compressor development based on an improved physical understanding of secondary flow. It was determined from the flow visualization, aerodynamic, and trace gas concentration results that the relative unloading of the midspan region of the airfoil inhibitied a fullspan separation at high loading preventing the massive radial displacement of the hub corner stall to the tip. Radial distribution of high and low total pressure fluid influenced the magnitude of the spanwise distribution of loss, such that, there was a general decreases in loss near the hub to the extent that for the least loaded case a negative loss (increase in total pressure) was observed. The ability to determine the spanwise distribution of blockage was demonstrated. Large blockage was present in the endwall regions due to the corner stall and tip leakage with little blockage in the core flow region. Hub blockage was found to increase rapidly with loading.

Wagner, J. H.↗
NASA NTRS1991

Hypersonic shock-wave turbulent-boundary-layer interaction flows - Experiment and computation

Solutions of the Reynolds-averaged Navier-Stokes equations are presented and compared with experimental surface data for a series of hypersonic shock-wave/turbulent-boundary-layer interaction flows. The turbulence models used include the standard k-epsilon two-equation eddy viscosity model, a two-layer modification to this model, and a third model with several modifications to account for compressibility effects. Both modified models gave significant improvements for all the test flows.

Horstman, C. C.↗
NASA NTRS2001

Performance of Several High Order Numerical Methods for Supersonic Combustion

The performance of two recently developed numerical methods by Yee et al. and Sjoegreen and Yee using postprocessing nonlinear filters is examined for a 2-D multiscale viscous supersonic react-live flow. These nonlinear filters can improve nonlinear instabilities and at the same time can capture shock/shear waves accurately. They do not, belong to the class of TVD, ENO or WENO schemes. Nevertheless, they combine stable behavior at discontinuities and detonation without smearing the smooth parts of the flow field. For the present study, we employ a fourth-order Runge-Kutta in time and a sixth-order non-dissipative spatial base scheme for the convection and viscous terms. We denote the resulting nonlinear filter schemes ACM466-RK4 and WAV66-RK4.

Sjoegreen, Bjoern↗
DOE OSTI2022

Machine Learning for Improving Surface-Layer-Flux Estimates

Abstract Flows in the atmospheric boundary layer are turbulent, characterized by a large Reynolds number, the existence of a roughness sublayer and the absence of a well-defined viscous layer. Exchanges with the surface are therefore dominated by turbulent fluxes. In numerical models for atmospheric flows, turbulent fluxes must be specified at the surface; however, surface fluxes are not known a priori and therefore must be parametrized. Atmospheric flow models, including global circulation, limited area models, and large-eddy simulation, employ Monin–Obukhov similarity theory (MOST) to parametrize surface fluxes. The MOST approach is a semi-empirical formulation that accounts for atmospheric stability effects through universal stability functions. The stability functions are determined based on limited observations using simple regression as a function of the non-dimensional stability parameter representing a ratio of distance from the surface and the Obukhov length scale (Obukhov in Trudy Inst Theor Geofiz AN SSSR 1:95–115, 1946), $$z/L$$ z / L . However, simple regression cannot capture the relationship between governing parameters and surface-layer structure under the wide range of conditions to which MOST is commonly applied. We therefore develop, train, and test two machine-learning models, an artificial neural network (ANN) and random forest (RF), to estimate surface fluxes of momentum, sensible heat, and moisture based on surface and near-surface observations. To train and test these machine-learning algorithms, we use several years of observations from the Cabauw mast in the Netherlands and from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Field Research Division tower in Idaho. The RF and ANN models outperform MOST. Even when we train the RF and ANN on one set of data and apply them to the second set, they provide more accurate estimates of all of the fluxes compared to MOST. Estimates of sensible heat and moisture fluxes are significantly improved, and model interpretability techniques highlight the logical physical relationships we expect in surface-layer processes.

Meteorology & Atmospheric Sciences↗
DOE OSTI2024

Electrochemically driven carbon dioxide separation

This project explored the viability of a Ni(OH) 2 based hydroxide exchange membrane carbon capture (HEMCC) device for direct air capture. It is built off an H 2 fuel cell based HEMCC previously developed in the Yushan Yan group at University of Delaware. Taking the same membrane-based, electrochemically driven pH gradient concept, similar flux performance was able to be seen in the Ni(OH) 2 system as the H 2 system when using comparable current densities. The project produced two types of membrane electrode assemblies (MEA). The first was a traditional MEA with two electrodes and a membrane, the second was a flow-through membrane MEA. Consistent performance was achieved with the traditional MEA with an energy cost of 1.1 MWh∙ton -1 and flux of 82 kg∙m -2 ∙yr -1 . This was the most stable of the two designs. This project investigated strategies to improve performance with a flow-through membrane design. Two designs were made, one with a cast phase inversion membrane, and one with powdered membrane layer. The template phase inversion membrane achieved low pressure drop but had performance limitations due to a skin layer of membrane limiting CO 2 gas transport. The powdered membrane layer had better performance but higher pressure drop. Finally, using the powdered membrane, commercial battery materials were able to be used in order to achieve higher flux. This showed that the flow through membrane design does have the capability to overcome flux inefficiencies in the traditional MEA. Moreover, the process design of the system is proposed and given in this project. The process mass and energy balances were calculated for a reference plant of 1000 t/yr CO 2 capture, which contains several subsystems, e.g. air processing subsystem, electrical subsystem, and CO 2 purification and compression subsystem is designed and evaluated. Based on our calculation, When the power consumption for stack is 1 MWh t -1 CO 2 , Additional 382 kWh t -1 CO 2 will be consumed by other subsystem of the plant, i.e. The total power consumption of 1.38 MWh t -1 CO 2 , lower than the final milestone of 1.5 MWh t -1 CO 2 in this project.

32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATI↗
DOE OSTI2018

Effect of the length of the poloidal ducts on flow balancing in a liquid metal blanket

To address concerns associated with liquid metal (LM) flow balancing among multiple poloidal channels of a LM blanket, we investigate the factors (first of all the length of the channels) that influence the flow distribution when the duct walls are electrically insulated. We simulate LM MHD flow through multiple channels fed by a prototypical manifold for a range of channel lengths using a 3D MHD solver, HIMAG. The simplified manifold geometry consists of a rectangular, electrically insulated feeding duct which suddenly expands such that the duct thickness in the magnetic field direction abruptly increases by a factor of 4. After a short length downstream of the expansion, the flow is divided into three identical parallel channels. By measuring the flow rate in each of the channels, we conclude that flow balance among the channels is improved by increasing the length of the channels. An effort is made to obtain scaling laws that characterize flow balancing as a function of the flow parameters and the manifold geometry using a Resistor Network Model (RNM). Associated Hartman and Reynolds numbers in the computations were ~10 3 and 10 2 respectively. Compared to the full 3D analysis, the proposed RNM suggests a relatively quick and simpler way of computing the blanket length that might be needed to provide balanced flow among the parallel channels.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2013

Technical Report on NETL's Non Newtonian Multiphase Slurry Workshop: A path forward to understanding non-Newtonian multiphase slurry flows

The Department of Energy’s (DOE) National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL) sponsored a workshop on non-Newtonian multiphase slurry at NETL’s Morgantown campus August 19 and 20, 2013. The objective of this special two-day meeting of 20-30 invited experts from industry, National Labs and academia was to identify and address technical issues associated with handling non-Newtonian multiphase slurries across various facilities managed by DOE. Particular emphasis during this workshop was placed on applications managed by the Office of Environmental Management (EM). The workshop was preceded by two webinars wherein personnel from ORP and NETL provided background information on the Hanford WTP project and discussed the critical design challenges facing this project. In non-Newtonian fluids, viscosity is not constant and exhibits a complex dependence on applied shear stress or deformation. Many applications under EM’s tank farm mission involve non-Newtonian slurries that are multiphase in nature; tank farm storage and handling, slurry transport, and mixing all involve multiphase flow dynamics, which require an improved understanding of the mechanisms responsible for rheological changes in non-Newtonian multiphase slurries (NNMS). To discuss the issues in predicting the behavior of NNMS, the workshop focused on two topic areas: (1) State-of-the-art in non-Newtonian Multiphase Slurry Flow, and (2) Scaling up with Confidence and Ensuring Safe and Reliable Long-Term Operation.

42 ENGINEERING↗
NASA NTRS1986

An efficient adaptive patched grid gas dynamic solver for complex flows

The patched mesh CSCM flow solver is used with a fast adaptive grid technique to compute complex two dimensional and axisymmetric, inviscid and viscous flows accurately and efficiently. The patched grid technique allows the user to generate the initial grid around complex regions with minimal effort. The adaptive grid strategy permits the grid points to adjust to the solution in accordance with the flow structure and user specified grid constraints and thus improve the accuracy of the solution. Solutions to challenging flow problems are obtained with adapted grids and the numerical examples and the results presented here show clearly the effectiveness of the adaptive grid solution strategy to obtain highly accurate numerical solutions with minimal human effort and computational resources.

Venkatapathy, E.↗
NASA NTRS1989

Numerical solution of a two-dimensional jet in a supersonic crossflow using an upwind relaxation scheme

A numerical scheme for predicting complex two-dimensional viscous flow fields is presented. The algorithm uses Roe's method for defining the inviscid fluxes and a line relaxation scheme to solve the resulting discrete approximation. The effects of turbulence are modelled using an algebraic eddy viscosity model. An adaptive grid scheme is employed to improve the resolution of complex flow field phenomena. The algorithm is applied to the solution of a sonic jet in a supersonic crossflow. Numerical results are compared with experimental data to validate the numerical approach.

Thompson, D. S.↗
NASA NTRS2016

NASA Phase2 Unlimited Rights Final Report Research and Technology for Aerospace Propulsion Systems (RTAPS) Task Order: ERA Advanced Core Compressor Technology Program

As part of the NASA Integrated Systems Research Program (ISRP), Environmentally Responsible Aviation (ERA) Project, NASA GRC and GE Aviation have partnered to investigate the technology barriers associated with improved fuel economy of large gas turbine engines. Crucial to improving fuel economy is the increase in pressure ratio (PR) of the core high pressure compressor (HPC). A key enabler to increasing HPC pressure ratios are new technology front stage airfoil designs that have higher efficiency, higher pressure ratios and improvements in front stage part-power operability. The purpose of this work is to design and test two high pressure ratio, high efficiency front block designs. The baseline design, hereafter referred to as Build 1, is similar to what would be found in a high efficiency 30:1 PR class HPC. A redesigned front block with improved blading will also be tested and hereafter be referred to as Build 2. The goal of Build 2 is to increase stage aero loading (increase stage pressure ratio) beyond Build 1 while maintaining equivalent efficiency and stall margin. The detailed inter-stage and traverse data from the two builds will be used to improve understanding of the complex flow physics at high-speed and part-speed conditions that impact performance and operability. By addressing, understanding and solving the challenges associated with aerodynamic losses and stage matching better design strategies can be incorporated in future core compressors with higher efficiency, thereby enabling improvement in mission fuel burn while still meeting operability requirements.

Axial Compressors↗
DOE OSTI2021

Transforming Energy through Computational Excellence. Exascale Computing: Combustion; Deep Learning for Presumed Probability Density Function (PDF) Models

NREL researchers use advanced machine learning techniques to define improved methods using deep learning models to resolve reacting flows in turbulent combustion flows, reducing the computational burden, increasing computational speed, and improving accuracy. These advancements reduce cost and improve fidelity of rapid-turn-around engineering calculations.

combustion↗
NASA NTRS2022

Transition Analysis for the CRM-NLF Wind Tunnel Configuration using Transport Equation Models and Linear Stability Correlations

Transition models based on auxiliary transport equations augmenting the Reynolds-averaged Navier-Stokes (RANS) framework rely upon transition correlations that were derived from a limited number of low-speed experiments. Furthermore, these models often account for only a subset of the relevant transition mechanisms and/or cannot accurately predict the sensitivity of those mechanisms to the changes in significant flow parameters. A preceding investigation had targeted the assessment of the transport-equation-based transition models in NASA's OVERFLOW 2.3b solver, namely, the amplification factor transport (AFT-2017b) equation model coupled with the Spalart-Allmaras RANS model and the Langtry-Menter transition models (LM2009 without crossflow effects and LM2015 including the modeling of crossflow transition) implemented with Menter’s shear-stress transport equation (SST2003) RANS model. Comparisons with recent measurements at transonic freestream conditions on the Common Research Model with Natural Laminar Flow (CRM-NLF) reinforced our earlier finding that all three of the above models significantly underpredict the reported extent of the laminar flow region over the entire span of the wing, regardless of the dominant instability mechanism(s) underlying the onset of the transition process. The underprediction of the laminar flow extent was attributed to the failure of the above models in accounting for the stabilizing effect of compressibility on the amplification of Tollmien-Schlichting instabilities. Based on previous linear stability studies related to compressibility effects, the present work proposes modifications to the two classes of transition models that reduce to the original form of each model at low subsonic speeds and do not require any nonlocal flow information or additional transport equation(s). The modifications are shown to significantly improve the predicted laminar extent of the flow and compare well against the data from the CRM-NLF experiment. Additionally, a previous assessment of transition prediction based on the dual, nonparallel N -factor method in conjunction with linear parabolized stability equations (PSE) is extended to additional angles of attack to provide the first comprehensive assessment of transition models based on nonparallel disturbance amplification over the CRM-NLF. In general, the transition criterion based on the dual, nonparallel N-factor method with N TS = N CF = 6 is reasonably successful at correlating with the measured transition fronts at R eMAC = 15 million for all angles of attack investigated herein and provides additional validation of the improved predictions from the compressibility-corrected transition models.

CFD modeling↗
DOE OSTI2019

STREAM II-V8: Revision for STREAM II-V7 to Include Spatially Variable Radar Derived Rainfall

STREAM II is the aqueous transport model of the Weather Information and Display System (WINDS). It is used to calculate downstream transport in the event of a radiological or chemical spill into the waterways on the Savannah River Site during emergency operations. Improvements were made to the code to include spatially variable radar derived rainfall to improve the accuracy of model estimates of watershed runoff and flow values. In addition, watershed runoff curves for low rainfall values (<1 inch) were improved to provide better stream flow estimates.

12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE W↗
NASA NTRS1977

Interaction with and production of sound by vortex flows

A description is presented of an improved version of a comprehensive theory of aeroacoustics which, in its original form, had first been reported by Yates and Sandri (1976). The new theory departs in several basic aspects from the concepts provided by Lighthill (1952), Ribner (1964), and Lilley et al. (1974). A detailed derivation of the theory is given for the case of constant entropy flows, taking into account the production of sound by a 'primary' fluid flow, the processing of sound by a flow, and the effects of sound on a primary flow. An investigation is conducted regarding the processing and the production of sound by vortex flow. Questions related to the excitation of a fluid flow by sound are also considered.

Yates, J. E.↗
NASA NTRS1991

The use of direct numerical simulation data in turbulence modeling

Direct numerical simulations (DNS) of turbulent flows provide a complete data base to develop and to test turbulence models. In this article, the progress made in developing models for the dissipation rate equation is reviewed. New scaling arguments for the various terms in the dissipation rate equation were tested using data from DNS of homogeneous shear flows. Modifications to the epsilon-equation model that take into account near-wall effects were developed using DNS of turbulent channel flows. Testing of new models for flows under mean compression was carried out using data from DNS of isotropically compressed turbulence. In all of these studies the data from the simulations was essential in guiding the model development. The next generation of DNS will be at higher Reynolds numbers, and will undoubtedly lead to improved models for computations of flows of practical interest.

Mansour, N. N.↗
NASA NTRS1987

A new algorithm for the Navier-Stokes equations applied to transonic flows over wings

A new algorithm has been developed for the Navier-Stokes equations. For the convective terms, this algorithm employs flux vector splitting together with a locally rotated coordinate system that is aligned with the streamwise direction. The algorithm has been implemented into a Navier-Stokes code, the NASA Ames Research Center's TNS code, and several cases of steady flow have been calculated. The results show improvements over the original method in the code. First, in a case of separated flow, there is better agreement with the experimental results and also there is an absence of numerical oscillations that occur with the original method. Second, in a case with a strong supersonic to subsonic shock wave, comparisons show an improvement in the resolution of the shock wave and the reexpansion singularity.

Goorjian, Peter M.↗
NASA NTRS1981

Flow and Acoustic Properties of Low Reynolds Number Underexpanded Supersonic Jets

Jet noise on underexpanded supersonic jets are studied with emphasis on determining the role played by large scale organized flow fluctuations in the flow and acoustic processes. The experimental conditions of the study were chosen as low Reynolds number (Re=8,000) Mach 1.4 and 2.1, and moderate Reynolds number (Re=68,000) Mach 1.6 underexpanded supersonic jets exhausting from convergent nozzles. At these chosen conditions, detailed experimental measurements were performed to improve the understanding of the flow and acoustic properties of underexpanded supersonic jets.

Hu, Tieh-Feng↗
NASA NTRS2005

Design and Testing of a Blended Wing Body With Boundary Layer Ingestion Nacelles at High Reynolds Numbers

A knowledge-based aerodynamic design method coupled with an unstructured grid Navier-Stokes flow solver was used to improve the propulsion/airframe integration for a Blended Wing Body with boundary-layer ingestion nacelles. A new zonal design capability was used that significantly reduced the time required to achieve a successful design for each nacelle and the elevon between them. A wind tunnel model was built with interchangeable parts reflecting the baseline and redesigned configurations and tested in the National Transonic Facility (NTF). Most of the testing was done at the cruise design conditions (Mach number = 0.85, Reynolds number = 75 million). In general, the predicted improvements in forces and moments as well as the changes in wing pressures between the baseline and redesign were confirmed by the wind tunnel results. The effectiveness of elevons between the nacelles was also predicted surprisingly well considering the crudeness in the modeling of the control surfaces in the flow code. A novel flow visualization technique involving pressure sensitive paint in the cryogenic nitrogen environment used in high-Reynolds number testing in the NTF was also investigated.

Campbell, Richard L.↗