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At least 1,171 records · Page 65
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2019

EGS Collab Project: Status, Tests, and Data

The EGS (Enhanced Geothermal Systems) Collab project is performing stimulation and flow experiments in highly-monitored and well-characterized intermediate-scale (approximately10 to 20 meter) field test beds at a depth of approximately 1,500 meters in the Sanford Underground Research Facility (SURF) in the Black Hills of South Dakota. Our fracture stimulation and interwell flow tests are performed to better understand processes that control formation of effective subsurface heat exchangers that are critical to the development and success of EGS. Different EGS Collab stimulations will be performed under dissimilar stress conditions produce data for model comparisons that better differentiate stimulation mechanisms and the evolution of permeability enhancement in crystalline rock. EGS Collab experiments provide a means of testing tools, concepts and strategies that could later be employed under geothermal reservoir conditions at DOE’s Frontier Observatory for Research in Geothermal Energy (FORGE) and other enhanced geothermal systems. Key to the project is using numerical simulations in the experiment design and interpretation of results, and the collection of high-quality stimulation/flow, thermal, and geologic/geophysical data. A wide range of geologic and geophysical data have been acquired and interpreted for pre-stimulation testbed characterization. Multiple stimulation and flow tests have been performed at SURF, and multiple data sets have been collected and analyzed during these tests including electrical resistance tomography, microseismic, continuous active source seismic monitoring, distributed temperature, and the SIMFIP tool has been used to identify fracture formation and characteristics. An overview of some of the numerical simulations and experiments performed at SURF are presented.

15 GEOTHERMAL ENERGY↗
NASA NTRS1989

Experimental determination of stator endwall heat transfer

Local Stanton numbers were experimentally determined for the endwall surface of a turbine vane passage. A six vane linear cascade having vanes with an axial chord of 13.81 cm was used. Results were obtained for Reynolds numbers based on inlet velocity and axial chord between 73,000 and 495,000. The test section was connected to a low pressure exhaust system. Ambient air was drawn into the test section, inlet velocity was controlled up to a maximum of 59.4 m/sec. The effect of the inlet boundary layer thickness on the endwall heat transfer was determined for a range of test section flow rates. The liquid crystal measurement technique was used to measure heat transfer. Endwall heat transfer was determined by applying electrical power to a foil heater attached to the cascade endwall. The temperature at which the liquid crystal exhibited a specific color was known from a calibration test. Lines showing this specific color were isotherms, and because of uniform heat generation they were also lines of nearly constant heat transfer. Endwall static pressures were measured, along with surveys of total pressure and flow angles at the inlet and exit of the cascade.

Boyle, Robert J.↗
NASA NTRS1989

Experimental determination of stator endwall heat transfer

Local Stanton numbers were experimentally determined for the endwall surface of a turbine vane possage. A six vane linear cascade having vanes with an axial chord of 13.81 cm was used. Resutls were obtained for Reynolds numbers based on inlet velocity and axial chord between 75,000 and 495,000. The test section was connected to a low pressure exhaust system. Ambient air was drawn into the test section, inlet velocity was controlled up to a maximum of 59.4 m/sec. The effect of the inlet boundary layer thickness on the endwall heat transfer was determined for a range of test section flow rates. The liquid crystal measurement technique was used to measure heat transfer. Endwall heat transfer was determined by applying electrical power to a foil heater attached to the cascade endwall. The temperature at which the liquid crystal exhibited a specific color was known from a calibration test. Lines showing this specific color were isotherms, and because of uniform heat generation they were also lines of nearly constant heat transfer. Endwall static pressures were measured, along with surveys of total pressure and flow angles at the inlet and exit of the cascade.

Boyle, Robert J.↗
DOE OSTI2014

Impact of velocity correlation and distribution on transport in fractured media: Field evidence and theoretical model

Flow and transport through fractured geologic media often leads to anomalous (non-Fickian) transport behavior, the origin of which remains a matter of debate: whether it arises from variability in fracture permeability (velocity distribution), connectedness in the flow paths through fractures (velocity correlation), or interaction between fractures and matrix. Here we show that this uncertainty of distribution- versus correlation-controlled transport can be resolved by combining convergent and push-pull tracer tests because flow reversibility is strongly dependent on velocity correlation, whereas late-time scaling of breakthrough curves is mainly controlled by velocity distribution. We build on this insight, and propose a Lagrangian statistical model that takes the form of a continuous time random walk (CTRW) with correlated particle velocities. In this framework, velocity distribution and velocity correlation are quantified by a Markov process of particle transition times that is characterized by a distribution function and a transition probability. Our transport model accurately captures the anomalous behavior in the breakthrough curves for both push-pull and convergent flow geometries, with the same set of parameters. Thus, the proposed correlated CTRW modeling approach provides a simple yet powerful framework for characterizing the impact of velocity distribution and correlation on transport in fractured media.

58 GEOSCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2021

Understanding Flow Characteristics in Metal Additive Manufacturing

In fluid flow, the frictional effects from interior surfaces of flow components create pressure loss across the surface. Understanding this inherent pressure loss due to friction and other phenomena is important when designing a flow system. For conventional manufacturing, friction loss has been empirically studied and is well known in the engineering community. However, newer manufacturing techniques, such as laser powder bed fusion (LPBF), an additive manufacturing technique, need to be understood. The inherent flow conditions resulting from the additive processes were studied. Test samples were printed with the flow path oriented in the vertical direction with different channel diameters to characterize the inherent fundamental flow properties of the process. Moody diagrams were replicated for a greater understanding of possibilities and shortfalls when implementing LPBF into design applications. Experimental flow testing revealed that greater effective sand grain roughness resulted from this process when compared to conventional machining methods. This roughness did not correlate well to the average roughness measured with a laser scanning microscope but was consistent with the average particle size of the powder metal feedstock.

42 ENGINEERING↗
NASA NTRS1973

A finite-difference solution for unsteady wave interactions with an application to the expansion tube

An analytical study of the unsteady wave interaction of a shock wave overtaking a previously initiated shock tube flow has been conducted for a real gas by solving a finite-difference representation of the one-dimensional Navier-Stokes equations. This analysis has been used to determine the effect on the available test time of opening the secondary diaphragm in the expansion-tube operating cycle prior to the arrival of the incident shock wave. Special emphasis is placed on determining expansion-tube test-time limitations resulting from a nonuniform entropy distribution occurring during the early test-gas flow due to the varying Mach number of the incident shock wave as it traverses the expansion fan caused by the preopening process. Time distributions of velocity, temperature, pressure, and entropy at various distances from the diaphragm are presented as a function of the time required to open the diaphragm.

Weilmuenster, K. J.↗
DOE OSTI2024

Development and experimental evaluation of an acoustic flow meter prototype for measuring air flow

Here, this study outlines the development and testing of a flow meter prototype specifically designed for use in nuclear reactor environments. The meter uses flow-induced vibration to measure flow rates and is designed for remote monitoring in harsh environments where radiation can damage electronics. The device generates a vibration signal produced by a feedback system when fluid flows out of an orifice and interacts with a downstream wedge. The frequency of the vibration signal corresponds directly to flow rate and velocity. The study investigates geometric parameters intrinsic to the prototype, such as orifice height, width, edge distance, and chamber length. Different configurations were also tested, including a bypass loop with variable cross-sections around the device. The investigation results reveal the impact of these geometric parameters on the vibration signal output, providing valuable insights for future design improvements and enhancing the effectiveness of flow metering systems used in nuclear reactor applications.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗
NASA NTRS1994

Aeroacoustic computation of gust-blade interaction

To better understand and address the challenges faced in computing the acoustics of flow fields, test problems must be considered. In the present study, the sound radiated by the interaction of a flat plate with an oncoming gust containing a two component, mean velocity is computed. The gust has a uniform mean flow in x with Mach number M(infinity) equal to 0.5. The gust's mean velocity in y is of smaller amplitude and is given by: v = 0.1 sin(pi/8(x/M(sub infinity) - t)). This problem has been posed for an upcoming ICASE/LaRC workshop on benchmark problems in computational aeroacoustics. A plate with a length of 30 units in x is used. The plate is assumed to be infinitesimally thin and is centered at the origin. All variables are made dimensionless using the scales specified. Acoustic quantities are obtained by numerically integrating the linearized Euler equations. Integration is performed on the computational domain -100.0 less than or equal to x less than or equal to 100.0, -100.0 less than or equal to y less than or equal to 100.0, using unit length grid spacing in x and in y. An integration scheme is sought which will provide accurate solution to the small quantities of interest at a minimal computational expense. Results indicate that with the given discretization a scheme of minimal fourth order accuracy might be adequate to approximate the waves within the given flow. Thus, a variation of the MacCormack scheme with fourth order accuracy in space and second order accuracy in time was chosen. A scheme with sixth order accuracy in space has also been implemented and results compared with those of the fourth order accurate scheme. To ensure no mass flux, zero normal velocity is assigned at the plate. This condition will induce a discontinuity in the pressure across the plate location. Values for the perturbation pressure p' along the surface of the plate are obtained using a one-sided, third order Taylor expansion, such that p'(sub y) = O. In accordance with the Kutta condition, perturbation pressure at the trailing edge is assigned to zero. In the far field, radiation boundary conditions have been implemented. The effectiveness of the far field conditions are validated by computing in a larger computational domain and comparing the results. Early in time, sound waves begin to radiate from the plate. A Doppler effect is observed. After the initial transients disappear, the strongest waves leave the trailing edge at an approximate 45 degree angle. The intensity pattern of pressure fluctuations shows five lobes (of increasing magnitude with increasing downstream direction) emerging from the plate. Undesirable short wave contaminants are observed in the computed pressure distribution along the plate surface. For a more accurate solution at small scales, a more refined discretization will be required.

Martin, James E.↗
DOE OSTI2021

Acetonitrile Destruction and Fate of Organics in the Reverse Osmosis System at the ETF

The Hanford Site Effluent Treatment Facility (ETF) currently treats aqueous waste streams that include condensates from the 242-A evaporator, leachate from the Environmental Restoration Disposal Facility (ERDF), as well as laboratory wastes and, in the future, will treat liquid effluents from the Hanford Tank Waste Treatment and Immobilization Plant (WTP) and Integrated Disposal Facility (IDF) leachate. Liquid effluents from the WTP will have significant concentrations of acetonitrile. Acetonitrile is formed by reaction of nitrates and sugar in the WTP low activity waste (LAW) melters and is prevalent in the submerged bed scrubber (SBS) and wet electrostatic precipitator (WESP) liquid effluents from WTP off-gas treatment. When these liquids are concentrated in the WTP Effluent Management Facility (EMF) evaporator in the direct feed low activity waste (DFLAW) flow-sheet, testing has shown that the majority of the acetonitrile partitions to the evaporator condensate. Since the evaporator condensate is directed to the ETF, this creates a potential issue with the ETF waste acceptance criteria. Consequently, there is a need to validate flow-sheet assumptions on the fate of acetonitrile and other organics within the ETF. The present plan includes the addition of a steam stripper to the ETF to remove acetonitrile. There is, therefore, also a need to determine a suitable method to destroy acetonitrile in the overhead condensate stream from the new steam stripper. Washington River Protection Solutions, LLC (WRPS) previously contracted with Atkins and the Vitreous State Laboratory (VSL) of The Catholic University of America (CUA) to perform development and testing work to evaluate potential methods for destruction of acetonitrile in WTP secondary liquid effluents. Based on the results of that work, WRPS requested that follow-on testing be conducted to further evaluate acetonitrile destruction in the steam stripper condensate using ultraviolet oxidation (UV/OX) with persulfate. WRPS also requested testing to assess the rejection rate of organics in the reverse osmosis (RO) system installed in the ETF. This report presents the results from testing to address those needs.

12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE W↗
NASA NTRS1975

Reduction of wind tunnel wall interference by controlled wall flow

An alternate method of testing was developed in which flow through the porous walls of the tunnel was actively controlled so as to approximate free air conditions in the neighborhood of the model during the test. The amount and distribution of the controlled flow through the walls is computed using a potential flow representation of the model based on the measured lift. Theoretical analysis is presented to prove the convergence of the method to free air conditions and to substantiate the general three-dimensional theory of operation when the normal flow distribution is continuous. A two-dimensional tunnel was constructed to evaluate the concept. Results show that substantial reduction of wall interference may be achieved with relatively low values of porosity of actively controlled walls.

Bernstein, S.↗
NASA NTRS2013

In Situ Solid Particle Generator

Particle seeding is a key diagnostic component of filter testing and flow imaging techniques. Typical particle generators rely on pressurized air or gas sources to propel the particles into the flow field. Other techniques involve liquid droplet atomizers. These conventional techniques have drawbacks that include challenging access to the flow field, flow and pressure disturbances to the investigated flow, and they are prohibitive in high-temperature, non-standard, extreme, and closed-system flow conditions and environments. In this concept, the particles are supplied directly within a flow environment. A particle sample cartridge containing the particles is positioned somewhere inside the flow field. The particles are ejected into the flow by mechanical brush/wiper feeding and sieving that takes place within the cartridge chamber. Some aspects of this concept are based on established material handling techniques, but they have not been used previously in the current configuration, in combination with flow seeding concepts, and in the current operational mode. Unlike other particle generation methods, this concept has control over the particle size range ejected, breaks up agglomerates, and is gravity-independent. This makes this device useful for testing in microgravity environments.

Agui, Juan H.↗
NASA NTRS1994

An experimental study on the static and dynamic characteristics of pump annular seals with two phase flow

A new test apparatus is reconstructed and is applied to investigate static and dynamic characteristics of annular seals leaked by two phase flow (gas and liquid) for turbopumps. The fluid forces acting on the seals are measured for various parameters such as void ratio, the preswirl velocity, the pressure difference between the inlet and outlet of the seal, the whirling amplitude, and the ratio of whirling speed to spinning speed of the rotor. Influence of these parameters on the static and dynamic characteristics is investigated from the experimental results. As a result, with regard to the two phase flow, as the void ratio increases, the flow induced force decreases. Another dynamic characteristic of two phase flow is as almost similar as that of the monophase flow.

Iwatsubo, T.↗
NASA NTRS1983

Lubrication of 35-millimeter-bore ball bearings of several designs to 2.5 million DN

Parametric tests were conducted with 35mm bore, angular contact ball bearings with either a single or double outer and guided cage. The bearings were either lubricated by oil jets or employed inner ring lubrication. Outer ring cooling was added in selected tests. Lubricant flow to the bearing ranged from 300 to 1900 cc/min. All bearings were successfully run at speeds to 2.5 million DN. Increasing the lubricant flow decreased bearing ring temperatures but increased bearing power lines. The power loss and race temperatures of a jet lubricated with double outer land guided cage were always higher than those of the single land guided design at similar test conditions. The lowest bearing operating temperatures were achieved when inner ring lubrication and outer ring cooling were combined. It is found that cage slip of a double outer land guided cage is approximately twice that of a single outer land guided cage.

Schuller, F. T.↗
DOE OSTI2016

Fallon FORGE: Well Data, Geophysical Data, and Geologic Maps

The data is associated to the Fallon FORGE project and includes mudlogs for all wells used to characterize the subsurface, as wells as gravity, magnetotelluric, earthquake seismicity, and temperature data from the Navy GPO and Ormat. Also included are geologic maps from the USGS and Nevada Bureau of Mines and Geology for the Fallon, NV area.

13-36↗
DOE OSTI2025

A Novel Optical Instrument for On-Line Measurement of Particle Size Distribution—Application to Clean Coal Technologies

A flow cell is a critical measurement interface for many optical instruments. However, the flows are often sampled under harsh conditions, such as under high pressure and/or high temperature, in the presence of particles, moisture, vapors with high dew points or corrosive gases. Therefore, obtaining a high-optical-quality flow cell that does not perturb the measurement is a significant challenge. To address this challenge, we proposed a new flow cell that employs a unique laminar coaxial flow field (for the purge and sample flows). A test system was built to conduct particle size distribution (PSD) measurements with no sampling bias using a state-of-the-art analyzer (Malvern Panalytical Insitec). The results revealed that the measurement zone is well defined solely by the sample flow, and the optical windows are well protected by the purge flow, with minimal risk of any depositions from the sample flow. Using this flow cell, the Insitec can successfully measure PSD under high pressure and temperature under moist, corrosive conditions without generating any sampling bias. Importantly, we successfully applied this flow cell for on-line PSD measurement for the flue gas of a 100 kWth pressurized oxy-coal combustor operating at 15 bara.

Cheng, Mao (ORCID:0000000213273900)↗
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.↗