Engineering Papers⌕ Search

SEARCH · Engineering Papers

Results for “distributed analytics”

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.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 1,117 records · Page 62
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1992

Processing and microstructure of Nb-1 percent Zr-0.1 percent C alloy sheet

A systematic study was carried out to evaluate the effects of processing on the microstructure of Nb-1 wt. pct. Zr-0.1 wt. pct. C alloy sheet. The samples were fabricated by cold rolling different sheet bars that were single-, double- or triple-extruded at 1900 K. Heat treatment consisted on one- or two-step annealing of different samples at temperatures ranging from 1350 to 1850 K. The assessment of the effects of processing on microstructure involved characterization of the precipitates including the type, crystal structure, chemistry and distribution within the material as well as an examination of the grain structure. A combination of various analytical and metallographic techniques were used on both the sheet samples and the residue extracted from them. The results show that the relatively coarse orthorhombic Nb2C carbides in the as-rolled samples transformed to rather fine cubic monocarbides of Nb and Zr with varying Zr/Nb ratios upon subsequent heat treatment. The relative amount of the cubic carbides and the Zr/Nb ratio increased with increasing number of extrusions prior to cold rolling. Furthermore, the size and the aspect ratio of the grains appear to be strong functions of the processing history of the material. These and other results obtained will be presented with the emphasis on a possible relationship between processing and microstructure.

Uz, Mehmet↗
NASA NTRS1993

Studies of classical radiation emission from plasma wave undulators

We examine the characteristics of the classical radiation emitted by a relativistic electron beam that propagates perpendicularly through a large amplitude relativistic plasma wave. Such a study is useful for evaluating the feasibility of using relativistic plasma waves as extremely short wavelength undulators for generating short wavelength radiation. The electron trajectories in a plasma wave undulator are obtained using perturbation techniques and are then compared to numerical simulation results. The frequency spectrum and angular distribution of the spontaneous radiation emitted by a single electron and the stimulated radiation gain are obtained analytically, and are then compared to 3-D numerical simulations. The characteristics of the plasma wave undulator are compared to the ac FEL undulator and the conventional FEL.

Williams, Ronald L.↗
NASA NTRS1993

Nonintrusive, multipoint velocity measurements in high-pressure combustion flows

A combined experimental and analytical effort was conducted to demonstrate the applicability of OH Doppler-shifted fluorescence imaging of velocity distributions in supersonic combustion gases. The experiments were conducted in the underexpanded exhaust flow from a 6.8 atm, 2400 K, H2-O2-N2 burner exhausting into the atmosphere. In order to quantify the effects of in-plane variations of the gas thermodynamic properties on the measurement accuracy, a set of detailed measurements of the OH (1,0) band collisional broadening and shifting in H2-air gases was produced. The effect of pulse-to-pulse variations in the dye laser bandshape was also examined in detail and a modification was developed which increased in the single pulse bandwidth, thereby increasing the intraimage velocity dynamic range as well as reducing the sensitivity of the velocity measurement to the gas property variations. Single point and imaging measurements of the velocity field in the exhaust flowfield were compared with 2D, finite-rate kinetics simulations of the flowfield. Relative velocity accuracies of +/- 50 m/s out of 1600 m/s were achieved in time-averaged imaging measurements of the flow over an order of magnitude variation in pressure and a factor of two variation in temperature.

Allen, M.↗
NASA NTRS1985

Effects of cooling system parameters on heat transfer in PAFC stack

Analytical and experimental study for the effects of cooling system parameters on the heat transfer and temperature distribution in the electrode plates of a phosphoric acid fuel-cell has been conducted. An experimental set-up that simulates the operating conditions prevailing in a phosphoric-acid fuel-cell stack was designed and constructed. The set-up was then used to measure the overall heat transfer coefficient, the thermal contact resistance, and the electrode temperature distribution for two different cooling plate configurations. Two types of cooling plate configurations, serpentine and straight, were tested. Air, water, and oil were used as coolants. Measurements for the heat transfer coefficient and the thermal contact resistance were made for various flow rates ranging from 16 to 88 Kg/hr, and stack clamping pressure ranging from O to 3448 Kpa. The experimental results for the overall heat transfer coefficient were utilized to derive mathematical relations for the overall heat transfer coefficient as a function of stack clamping pressure and Reynolds number for the three coolants. The empirically derived formulas were incorporated in a previously developed computer program to predict electrodes temperature distribution and the performance of the stack cooling system. The results obtained were then compared with those available in the literature. The comparison showed maximum deviation of +/- 11%.

Abdul-Aziz, Ali A.↗
NASA NTRS1997

Thermal Radiation Effects Analyzed in Translucent Composite and Thermal Barrier Coating

Ceramic parts and coatings are needed to withstand high temperatures in advanced aircraft engines. In hot environments, such as in the combustion chambers of these engines, infrared and visible radiation can penetrate into some ceramics and heat them internally. The internal temperatures depend on radiative effects combined with heat conduction, and on convection and radiation at the material boundaries. Since engine temperatures are high, radiant emission can be large from within translucent parts and coatings, and this must be included in the analysis. Transient and steady-state behavior are both important. During a transient, radiant penetration provides more rapid internal heating than conduction alone, and the temperature distributions are usually considerably different than for steady-state conditions; this can produce transient thermal stresses. Analytical and numerical methods are being used at the NASA Lewis Research Center to predict transient temperatures and heat flows in translucent materials. A transient analysis was done for a composite of two translucent layers. The layer refractive indices were larger than 1, producing internal reflections at the boundaries and at the internal interface. In addition, steady-state results were computed for a two-layer composite with one layer opaque. The results were used to assess the importance of internal radiation in a zirconia thermal barrier coating on a cooled metal wall. Since the radiative transfer equations are rather complex, especially when internal scattering is included, approximate methods are being investigated that might be convenient for computer design programs. An approximate two-flux method was used and verified by comparisons with solutions that used exact radiative transfer relations. The two-flux equations include scattering without increasing solution difficulty.

Siegel, Robert↗
NASA NTRS2008

Trajectory-Oriented Approach to Managing Traffic Complexity: Operational Concept and Preliminary Metrics Definition

This document describes preliminary research on a distributed, trajectory-oriented approach for traffic complexity management. The approach is to manage traffic complexity in a distributed control environment, based on preserving trajectory flexibility and minimizing constraints. In particular, the document presents an analytical framework to study trajectory flexibility and the impact of trajectory constraints on it. The document proposes preliminary flexibility metrics that can be interpreted and measured within the framework.

Idris, Husni↗
NASA NTRS2019

A New Look at Aubrites: Investigating 3D Modal Mineralogy with X-Ray Computed Tomography

The aubrites (approximately 30 known meteorites) are a unique group of differentiated meteorites that formed on asteroids with oxygen fugacities (ƒO2) from approximately 2 to approximately 6 log units below the iron-wustite buffer. At these highly reduced conditions, elements deviate from the geochemical behavior exhibited at terrestrial ƒO2, forming FeO-poor silicates and exotic sulfides. While previous studies have described the petrology and 2D modal abundances of aubrites, this work investigates the 3D modal mineralogies of silicate, metal, and sulfide phases in aubrite samples, which are then compared to the available 2D data. In addition to 3D modal mineralogies, we have examined the geochemistry of fourteen aubrites, including mineral major-element compositions, bulk-rock compositions, and oxygen isotopic compositions to understand their formation and evolution at extreme ƒO2 conditions. We utilize X-ray computed tomography (XCT) to non-destructively analyze the distribution and abundances of mineral phases in aubrites and locate composite clasts of sulfide grains for future analytical study. In order to better constrain elemental behavior under reduced conditions, we specifically target minerals phases that comprise moderately volatile elements (i.e. oldhamite [CaS], caswellsilverite [NaCrS2] and djerfisherite [K6Na(Fe,Cu,Ni)25S26Cl]) as it has been shown that their geochemical behavior changes as a function of ƒO2. Currently, we have produced 3D scans of the Norton County aubrite. The results of the XCT data have allowed for the determination of the abundances of silicate groundmass (i.e., enstatite, forsterite, albite, and diopside), light (based on electron density) sulfides (i.e. alabandite [MnS] and daubréelite [FeCr2S4]), heavy (based on electron density) sulfides (i.e., troilite [FeS]), and Fe,Ni metal by segmenting a density histogram in Volume Graphics Studio software. XCT scans of additional aubrites are underway. By combining the 3D representation of the exotic phases found in aubrites with existing 2D characterizations, we are able to better determine modal abundances. By integrating 3D and 2D modal abundances and geochemistry, we can ultimately better constrain aubrite petrogenesis and elemental partitioning under reduced conditions. Furthermore, application of this new 3D approach offers the opportunity to identify and select clasts for future study prior to cutting the sample, which will minimize sample loss of this precious material.

Wilbur, Zoe↗
DOE OSTI2024

Assessment of effective elastic constants of U-10Mo fuel microstructures

Monolithic U-10Mo fuel undergoes significant microstructural changes during fuel burnup which degrades its mechanical properties. In this talk, we present results form a numerical method to assess the impact of the various microstructural features--grains, intragranular and intergranular Xe gas bubbles--on the elastic stiffness tensor. Using the Multiphysics Object-Oriented Simulation Environment (MOOSE), phase-field-based microstructures are combined with asymptotic expansion homogenization method to obtain effective elastic constants as a function of porosity and fission density. The results are verified and compared against analytical homogenization models. With this approach, elastic degradation in operating nuclear fuels can be quantified when the distributions of microstructural features are known from experimental characterization or rate-theory based models. We further develop an evolution model based on the virial equation of state for Xe gas and investigate the effect of growth and coalescence of the bubbles at the grain boundary faces and triple junctions.

11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS↗
NASA NTRS1985

Subsonic pressure distributions near a wing-fin juncture on a supersonic arrow-wing configuration with wing-mounted vertical fins

A generic supersonic arrow-wing configuration has been extensively studied to develop a consistent experimental data base to aid in verifying analytical prediction methods. One of the wing configurations studied was a twisted and cambered wing with wing-mounted vertical fins and trailing-edge flaps. The pressure data obtained on that configuration was limited in the wing-fin juncture region, and no pressures were obtained on the fin itself. However, detailed data in the juncture region and on the fin are essential to check out the analytical prediction methods. Therefore, the model was modified to provide details of the juncture pressure field as well as pressures on the fin. The results of this experimental investigation showed that the addition of a fin helped improve the wing pressure distribution outboard of the fin. Deflection of the trailing-edge flap did not adversely affect this trend. The pressure distributions on the vertical fin were generally affected more by change in angle of attack than by flap deflection. The spanwise pressure distribution on the fin itself indicated a load reversal with angle of attack.

Huffman, J. K.↗
DOE OSTI2024

X-ray Irradiance Distribution for an Interferometer with a Curved Biprism Array

The development of interferometry-based X-ray phase contrast imaging systems that provide highly resolved X-rays with spatially-modulated intensity is enabling the full potential of X-ray optics to image phase, attenuation, and small angle scatter properties of soft tissue. In this work we present analytical formulations of a new hardware concept for X-ray phase contrast imaging wherein the phase grating is replaced with an array of Fresnel biprisms. We derive expressions for the irradiance distribution pattern of a biprism interferometer composed of a curved biprism array with multiple biprisms and multiple point sources. These expressions are used to plot fringe patterns for X-ray design parameters, including 1) size, number, and period of X-ray point sources; 2) biprism parameters of material composition, angle, number, and period; and 3) biprism array to X-ray source and detector distances. Analytical results show that the biprism interferometer provides a longitudinally-nonperiodic pattern of spatially modulated intensity different from the Talbot longitudinally-periodic pattern common in grating interferometry. The curvature of the biprism array brings a sharper longitudinal fringe pattern. Experiments are being performed to verify the analytical calculations for a biprism plastic material of SU-8 using a synchrotron source. X-ray biprism material has widely varied indexes of refraction relative to wavelength and thus the separation of the virtual sources and resulting interference fringe period also varies with X-ray wavelength. Our aim is to develop biprism interferometry imaging systems with excellent polychromatic performance that produce high-contrast fringes with spatially incoherent X-ray illumination. Biprism interferometry will potentially provide higher fringe visibility with better image quality to that of diffraction grating interferometry.

62 RADIOLOGY AND NUCLEAR MEDICINE↗
NASA NTRS1982

Improved finite element methodology for integrated thermal structural analysis

An integrated thermal-structural finite element approach for efficient coupling of thermal and structural analyses is presented. New thermal finite elements which yield exact nodal and element temperature for one dimensional linear steady state heat transfer problems are developed. A nodeless variable formulation is used to establish improved thermal finite elements for one dimensional nonlinear transient and two dimensional linear transient heat transfer problems. The thermal finite elements provide detailed temperature distributions without using additional element nodes and permit a common discretization with lower order congruent structural finite elements. The accuracy of the integrated approach is evaluated by comparisons with analytical solutions and conventional finite element thermal-structural analyses for a number of academic and more realistic problems. Results indicate that the approach provides a significant improvement in the accuracy and efficiency of thermal stress analysis for structures with complex temperature distributions.

Dechaumphai, P.↗
NASA NTRS1985

Three-dimensional convection in horizontal cylinders - Numerical solutions and comparison with experimental and analytical results

The results of a three-dimensional numerical simulation of Boussinesq free convection in a horizontal differentially heated cylinder are presented. The computation was based on a Samarskii-Andreyev scheme (described by Leong, 1981) and a false-transient advancement in time, with vorticity, velocity, and temperature as dependent variables. Solutions for velocity and temperature distributions were obtained for Rayleigh numbers (based on the radius) Ra = 74-18,700, thus covering the core- and boundary-layer-driven regimes. Numerical solutions are compared with asymptotic analytical solutions and experimental data. The numerical results well represent the complex three-dimensional flows found experimentally.

Smutek, C.↗
NASA NTRS1980

Solar thermal plant impact analysis and requirements definition

Progress on a continuing study comprising of ten tasks directed at defining impact and requirements for solar thermal power systems (SPS), 1 to 10 MWe each in capacity, installed during 1985 through year 2000 in a utility or a nonutility load in the United States is summarized. The point focus distributed receiver (PFDR) solar power systems are emphasized. Tasks 1 through 4, completed to date, include the development of a comprehensive data base on SPS configurations, their performance, cost, availability, and potential applications; user loads, regional characteristics, and an analytic methodology that incorporates the generally accepted utility financial planning methods and several unique modifications to treat the significant and specific characteristics of solar power systems deployed in either central or distributed power generation modes, are discussed.

Gupta, Y. P.↗
DOE OSTI2020

Sharpening Nanofiltration: Strategies for Enhanced Membrane Selectivity

Nanofiltration plays an increasingly large role in many industrial applications, such as water treatment (e.g., desalination, water softening, and fluoride removal) and resource recovery (e.g., alkaline earth metals). Energy consumption and benefits of nanofiltration processes are directly determined by the selectivity of the nanofiltration membranes, which is largely governed by pore-size distribution and Donnan effects. During operation, the separation performance of unmodified nanofiltration membranes will also be impacted (deleteriously) upon unavoidable membrane fouling. Many efforts, therefore, have been directed toward enhancing the selectivity of nanofiltration membranes, which can be classified into membrane fabrication method improvement and process intensification. Finally, this review summarizes recent developments in the field and provides guidance for potential future approaches to improve the selectivity of nanofiltration membranes.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
NASA NTRS1992

Advanced statistical methods for improved data analysis of NASA astrophysics missions

The investigators under this grant studied ways to improve the statistical analysis of astronomical data. They looked at existing techniques, the development of new techniques, and the production and distribution of specialized software to the astronomical community. Abstracts of nine papers that were produced are included, as well as brief descriptions of four software packages. The articles that are abstracted discuss analytical and Monte Carlo comparisons of six different linear least squares fits, a (second) paper on linear regression in astronomy, two reviews of public domain software for the astronomer, subsample and half-sample methods for estimating sampling distributions, a nonparametric estimation of survival functions under dependent competing risks, censoring in astronomical data due to nondetections, an astronomy survival analysis computer package called ASURV, and improving the statistical methodology of astronomical data analysis.

Feigelson, Eric D.↗
DOE OSTI2025

Uncertainty propagation and sensitivity analysis for constrained optimization of nuclear waste vitrification

Abstract The vitrification of high‐level waste (HLW) by heating a mixture of glass‐forming chemicals (GFCs) with the waste can be improved using a constrained optimization problem. This study explores how different uncertainty propagation (UP) methods implemented with the optimization process can affect the glass formulation of nuclear waste glasses. UP is the effort of propagating uncertain inputs through a system to understand and quantify output distributions. Uncertainty intervals are crafted from output distributions to inform the optimization algorithm. UP is often implemented with Monte Carlo (MC) sampling for large nonlinear systems, which can be difficult to implement within a constrained optimization algorithm that requires derivative information. Other UP methods often used for optimization under uncertainty (OUU) can be designed to work within an established constrained optimization framework. Methods of UP are evaluated in this study including iterative sampling approaches, first‐order approximations, and surrogate modeling with machine learning (ML). A method of dimensional reduction based on global sensitivity analysis is introduced to support the UP methods for the large dimensionality of the problem. Analytical UP methods able to achieve similar optimums 10 times faster than the baseline MC approach, and produce 93.9% similar output distributions are reported.

12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE W↗
DOE OSTI2021

Pre- and post-treatment image-based dosimetry in 90 Y-microsphere radioembolization using the TOPAS Monte Carlo toolkit

Objective.To evaluate the pre-treatment and post-treatment imaging-based dosimetry of patients treated with 90Y-microspheres, including accurate estimations of dose to tumor, healthy liver and lung. To do so, the Monte Carlo (MC) TOPAS platform is in this work extended towards its utilization in radionuclide therapy. Approach. In this study, five patients treated at the Massachusetts General Hospital were selected for this study. All patients had data for both pre-treatment SPECT-CT imaging using 99mTc-MAA as a surrogate of the 90Y-microspheres treatment and SPECT-CT imaging immediately after the 90Y activity administration. Pre- and post-treatment doses were computed with TOPAS using the SPECT images to localize the source positions and the CT images to account for tissue inhomoegeneities. We compared our results with analytical calculations following the voxel-based MIRD scheme. Main results. TOPAS results largely agreed with the MIRD-based calculations in soft tissue regions: the average difference in mean dose to the liver was 0.14 Gy GBq -1 (2.6%). However, dose distributions in the lung differed considerably: absolute differences in mean doses to the lung ranged from 1.2 to 6.3 Gy GBq -1 and relative differences from 153% to 231%. We also found large differences in the intra-hepatic dose distributions between pre- and post-treatment imaging, but only limited differences in the pulmonary dose. Significance. Doses to lung were found to be higher using TOPAS with respect to analytical calculations which may significantly underestimate dose to the lung, suggesting the use of MC methods for 90Y dosimetry. According to our results, pre-treatment imaging may still be representative of dose to lung in these treatments.

62 RADIOLOGY AND NUCLEAR MEDICINE↗