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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 127 records · Page 7

Two-Phase Convection Heat Transfer Correlations for Liquid Hydrogen Pipe Chilldown

Recently, heat transfer correlations based on liquid nitrogen (LN2) and liquid hydrogen (LH2) pipe quenching data were developed to improve the predictive accuracy of lumped node codes like SINDA/FLUINT and the Generalized Fluid System Simulation Program (GFSSP). After implementing these correlations into both programs, updated model runs showed strong improvement in LN2 pipe chilldown modeling but only modest improvement in LH2 modeling. Due to large differences in thermal and fluid properties between the two fluids, results indicated a need to develop a separate set of LH2-only correlations to improve the accuracy of the simulations. This paper presents a new set of two-phase convection heat transfer correlations based on LH2 pipe quenching data. A correlation to predict the bulk vapor temperature was developed after analysis showed that high amounts of thermal nonequilibrium of the liquid and vapor phases occurred during film boiling of LH2. Implemented in a numerical model, the new correlations achieve a mean absolute error of 19.5 K in the predicted wall temperature when compared to recent LH2 pipe chilldown data, an improvement of 40% over recent GFSSP predictions. This correlation set can be implemented in simulations of the transient LH2 chilldown process. Such simulations are useful for predicting the chilldown time and boil-off mass of LH2 for applications such as the transfer of LH2 from a ground storage tank to the rocket vehicle propellant tank, or through a rocket engine feedline during engine startup.

critical heat flux↗

Regioselective Gas–Phase n –Butane Transfer Dehydrogenation via Silica–Supported Pincer–Iridium Complexes

The production of olefins via on-purpose dehydrogenation of alkanes allows for a more efficient, selective and lower cost alternative to processes such as steam cracking. Silica-supported pincer-iridium complexes of the form [(≡SiO– R4 POCOP)Ir(CO)] ( R4 POCOP=κ 3 -C 6 H 3 -2,6-(OPR 2 ) 2 ) are effective for acceptorless alkane dehydrogenation, and have been shown stable up to 300 °C. However, while solution-phase analogues of such species have demonstrated high regioselectivity for terminal olefin production under transfer dehydrogenation conditions at or below 240 °C, in open systems at 300 °C, regioselectivity under acceptorless dehydrogenation conditions is consistently low. In this work, complexes [(≡SiO– tBu4 POCOP)Ir(CO)] (1) and [(≡SiO– iPr4 PCP)Ir(CO)] (2) were synthesized via immobilization of molecular precursors. These complexes were used for gas-phase butane transfer dehydrogenation using increasingly sterically demanding olefins, resulting in observed selectivities of up to 77 %. Finally, the results indicate that the active site is conserved upon immobilization.

02 PETROLEUM↗

Definition of technology development missions for early space stations orbit transfer vehicle serving. Phase 2, task 1: Space station support of operational OTV servicing

Representative space based orbital transfer vehicles (OTV), ground based vehicle turnaround assessment, functional operational requirements and facilities, mission turnaround operations, a comparison of ground based versus space based tasks, activation of servicing facilities prior to IOC, fleet operations requirements, maintenance facilities, OTV servicing facilities, space station support requirements, and packaging for delivery are discussed.

Source record↗

Low-cost fin-tube heat exchanger design for building thermal energy storage using phase change material

Heat transfer in phase change materials (PCMs) is complex because the melting and freezing fronts change as functions of stored or released heat. In prior attempts to optimize heat exchangers (HXs) in one or two dimensions, complex geometry has often been used to maximize the melt and freeze front area. This complex geometry is difficult and hence expensive to construct. This paper proposes a multiple-scale 3D finite element modeling approach to design fin-tube HXs for low-cost latent thermal energy storage applications. Further, the optimal fin and tube designs were determined at three scales (unit-scale, medium-scale, and large-scale) by modeling the melt and freeze front in three dimensions and using measured bulk thermal properties. The finite element model was validated by comparing it with the experimental data for a referenced design of a similar type. The results indicate that commercially available organic PCMs with low conductivity (<0.3 W/m·K) can have charge and discharge times appropriate for building thermal energy storage (i.e., 4–5 h) with fin-tube HX designs at costs <$26/kWh, even when the temperature difference (5.56°C) between the heat transfer fluid and the PCM phase change temperature is small. However, as the HX increases in length, the temperature reduction along the tube limits some larger-scale designs.

32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATI↗

Vibration damping and heat transfer using material phase changes

A method and apparatus wherein phase changes in a material can dampen vibrational energy, dampen noise and facilitate heat transfer. One embodiment includes a method for damping vibrational energy in a body. The method comprises attaching a material to the body, wherein the material comprises a substrate, a shape memory alloy layer, and a plurality of temperature change elements. The method further comprises sensing vibrations in the body. In addition, the method comprises indicating to at least a portion of the temperature change elements to provide a temperature change in the shape memory alloy layer, wherein the temperature change is sufficient to provide a phase change in at least a portion of the shape memory alloy layer, and further wherein the phase change consumes a sufficient amount of kinetic energy to dampen at least a portion of the vibrational energy in the body. In other embodiments, the shape memory alloy layer is a thin film. Additional embodiments include a sensor connected to the material.

Kloucek, Petr↗

Experimental and analytical study of the hydrodynamic and single and two-phase convective heat transfer performance of flexible PDMS microchannels with micropillar arrays

Various copper and silicon based thermal management systems are used in the cooling of electronics. However, the rigid nature of these materials along with their high thermal and electrical conductivity pose a difficulty in developing direct contact embedded flexible cooling systems that can offer robust cooling performance. The low density, thermal stability, chemical inertness, and electrical insulation of Polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) make it an ideal material to develop lightweight direct contact thermal management systems for electronics. Its ease of fabrication with tunable flexibility provides the opportunity to go beyond traditional electronics and develop advanced active and passive thermal management systems for a wide–range of applications in foldable and wearable electronics, liquid cooling garments, microgravity, and electric motors. In this study, a flexible PDMS based microchannel with micropillar arrays, which enhance the thermal performance of the device through capillary-assisted flow, has been developed. The hydrodynamic and convection heat transfer performance of three PDMS wick pillar geometries, ranging from a porosity of 0.8–0.91, are investigated and compared under single-phase and two-phase conditions. Dielectric coolant FC-3283 is employed and permeability measurements are made for mass fluxes ranging from 53 kg/m 2 s to 369 kg/m 2 s. Given its conformability, the device demonstrates a deviation from Darcy’s Law, within the laminar regime, with an increasing permeability with mass flux at the rate of ~0.5–0.8 Darcy/(kg/m 2 s). A semi-analytical model has been developed and reported to quantify the conformability of the device. The heat transfer performance is experimentally evaluated using the same dielectric fluid for mass flux ranging from 105 kg/m 2 s to 420 kg/m 2 s with heat fluxes ranging from 1.5 W/cm 2 to 16 W/cm 2 . Heat transfer coefficients of up to 7000 W/m 2 K are observed, which are comparable to copper and silicon microchannels. The effect of porosity on the single phase thermal performance has been evaluated against the pumping power to provide a basis for thermal management system design. Finally, high-speed imaging is performed to study the two-phase flow characteristics to provide insight into the vapor formation and removal.

42 ENGINEERING↗

X-ray absorption spectroscopy insights on the structure anisotropy and charge transfer in Chevrel Phase chalcogenides

Here, the electronic structure and local coordination of binary (Mo 6 T 8 ) and ternary Chevrel Phases (M x Mo 6 T 8 ) are investigated for a range of metal intercalant and chalcogen compositions. We evaluate differences in the Mo L 3 -edge and K-edge X-ray absorption near edge structure across the suite of chalcogenides M x Mo 6 T 8 (M = Cu, Ni, x = 1–2, T = S, Se, Te), quantifying the effect of compositional and structural modification on electronic structure. Furthermore, we highlight the expansion, contraction, and anisotropy of Mo 6 clusters within these Chevrel Phase frameworks through extended X-ray absorption fine structure analysis. Our results show that metal-to-cluster charge transfer upon intercalation is dominated by the chalcogen acceptors, evidenced by significant changes in their respective X-ray absorption spectra in comparison to relatively unaffected Mo cations. These results explain the effects of metal intercalation on the electronic and local structure of Chevrel Phases across various chalcogen compositions, and aid in rationalizing electron distribution within the structure.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Results of phase change heat transfer test OH51 using 0.006-scale space shuttle orbiter models 46-0 and 90-0 and partial wing 0.0175-scale model 64-0 in the LaRC 31-inch CFHT

Test OH51 was a phase change paint test conducted in the LaRC 31-inch CFHT utilizing models 46-0, 64-0, and 90-0. Model 46-0 represented the space shuttle configuration 139 Orbiter. Model 90-0 represented the configuration 140 Orbiter. Model 64-0 represented the forward 45% portion of the Orbiter wing. The partial wing was tested with a shock generator located at various positions relative to the wing. The test was conducted at Mach 10.0, angles of attack from 27.5 deg through 37.5 deg, and Reynolds numbers of 0.5 and 1.5 million per foot.

Cummings, J. W.↗

Heat transfer and pseudo phase transition for low-Reynolds, mixed-convection channel flow in the supercritical thermodynamic regime

Fluids at supercritical thermodynamic conditions are inherently complex due to the large variations in thermodynamic and transport properties. Multiple recent numerical and experimental investigations indicate ongoing interest for these fluids, especially supercritical CO and supercritical water, for a variety of applications. The potential heat transfer benefits in this regime are directly influenced by the extreme variations in thermodynamic and transport properties, which occur at, and above, the critical point. Limited studies have been conducted for low-Reynolds/intermediate-Rayleigh numbers mixed-convection channel flow of supercritical water, which is the focus of this study. To investigate the thermally driven hydrodynamic instabilities in this regime, we use a high-order fully-implicit numerical method. As expected, in this channel configuration and flow regime, a competition arises between the forced and the natural convection. Buoyancy, driven by the thermal gradient at the wall, pushes the fluid upwards in the channel, while inertial forces drive the fluid from inlet to outlet. We observe significant differences in the heat transfer coefficient between the top and bottom walls of the channel flow, due to natural convection, and unstable plumes. We further quantify the buoyancy forces along the channel flow through evaluation of the Richardson number. Simulations show that with a higher negative Richardson number, there are more unstable structures along the channel, resulting in enhanced mixing. Furthermore, we demonstrate the existence of gas-like, liquid-like, and the possibility of pseudo-two-phase regimes in the supercritical fluid. The pseudo-two-phase regime occurs when the range of fluid temperatures is crossing the pseudo-critical line, also known as the Widom line. The density of the fluid varies significantly near the Widom line, and further influences the natural convection and heat transfer in the flow.

42 ENGINEERING↗

Multi-phase Wireless Power Transfer with High Power Density Inductive Coils for Electric Drone Charging

Wireless charging of unmanned ground vehi-cles and aircraft has been proposed to increase charging reliability and security, allow for autonomous functionality, and either reduce battery size or increase continuous flight time. This paper proposes a three-phase Litz wire primary and a two-phase PCB secondary for high secondary-side power density considering misalignment tolerances, surface and volumetric power density, and coil sizing. Elec-tromagnetic 3D finite element analysis (FEA) simulations are conducted to study variation in mutual inductance and coupling coefficient with different secondary coil sizes and number of turns, horizontal and vertical misalignment between the primary and secondary, and a combination of both for a set of designs with the same rated power. Results indicate that receiver coils of reduced size relative to the primary can deliver rated power for increased power density and higher tolerance to misalignment.

Gastineau, Lucas [University of Kentucky]↗

Study of two-phase flow and heat transfer in reduced gravities

Design of the two-phase systems which are anticipated to be utilized in future spacecraft thermal management systems requires a knowledge of two-phase flow and heat transfer parameters in reduced gravities. A program has been initiated by NASA to design a two-phase test loop and perform a series of experiments to generate the data for the Critical Heat Flux (CHF) and onset of instability under reduced gravities. In addition to low gravity airplane trajectory testing, the experimental program consists of a set of laboratory tests with vertical upflow and downflow configurations. Modularity is considered in the design of this experiment and the test loop in instrumented to provide data for two-phase pressure drop and flow regime behavior. Since the program is in the final stages of the design and construction task, this article is intended to discuss the phenomena, design approach, and the description of the test loop.

Abdollahian, Davood↗

Cluster expansion by transfer learning for phase stability predictions

Recent progress towards universal machine-learned interatomic potentials holds considerable promise for materials discovery. Yet the accuracy of these potentials for predicting phase stability may still be limited. In contrast, cluster expansions provide accurate phase stability predictions but are computationally demanding to parameterize from first principles, especially for structures of low dimension or with a large number of components, such as interfaces or multimetal catalysts. We overcome this trade-off via transfer learning. Using Bayesian inference, we incorporate prior statistical knowledge from machine-learned and physics-based potentials, enabling us to sample the most informative configurations and to efficiently fit first-principles cluster expansions. Furthermore, this algorithm is tested on Pt:Ni, showing robust convergence of the mixing energies as a function of sample size with reduced statistical fluctuations.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

An experimentally validated evaporative phase change heat transfer model for low mass flux applications using R134a in plate heat exchangers

Plate frame heat exchangers are common in liquid-coupled vapor compression systems due to their compactness and ease of maintenance. In some of these systems, the refrigerant within the evaporator can enter the heat exchanger as a subcooled liquid. As a result, the refrigerant passes through three different phases: single-phase liquid, two-phase fluid, and a superheated vapor. Unfortunately, there have been limited prior studies that have identified the best method to predict performance under these circumstances. Furthermore, previous investigations have not evaluated refrigerant evaporation in large industrial sized plate frame heat exchangers under conditions experienced in the present study experimental test facility, especially at mass fluxes below 7 kg m –2 s –1 . In the present investigation, a model was developed to predict the performance of plate and frame heat exchangers when the fluid enters as a subcooled liquid and exits as a superheated vapor. The model used full-sized plate heat exchanger geometry that was discretized into 20 sections to accurately capture local heat transfer and pressure drop effects. The model was validated using an R134a counter flow heat exchanger used in a turbo-compression cooling system test facility that had subcooled liquid entering the evaporator at low mass fluxes. A variety of empirical correlations were evaluated to determine what combination yielded the best predictive capability over the following range of conditions: 5.8 < G < 6.8 kg m –2 s –1 , 2 < q” < 2.8 kW m –2 , and 10 °C < T sat < 15 °C. When the correlations used a fixed control volume length in the heat flux calculation, the most accurate combination resulted in a mean absolute error of 5.5%. Finally, future studies can use the approach described here to optimize heat exchanger size and performance.

42 ENGINEERING↗

Heat transfer of phase-change materials in two-dimensional cylindrical coordinates

Two-dimensional phase-change problem is numerically solved in cylindrical coordinates (r and z) by utilizing two Taylor series expansions for the temperature distributions in the neighborhood of the interface location. These two expansions form two polynomials in r and z directions. For the regions sufficiently away from the interface the temperature field equations are numerically solved in the usual way and the results are coupled with the polynomials. The main advantages of this efficient approach include ability to accept arbitrarily time dependent boundary conditions of all types and arbitrarily specified initial temperature distributions. A modified approach using a single Taylor series expansion in two variables is also suggested.

Labdon, M. B.↗

Forest Resource Information System. Phase 3: System transfer report

Transfer of the forest reserve information system (FRIS) from the Laboratory for Applications of Remote Sensing to St. Regis Paper Company is described. Modifications required for the transfer of the LARYS image processing software are discussed. The reformatting, geometric correction, image registration, and documentation performed for preprocessing transfer are described. Data turnaround was improved and geometrically corrected and ground-registered CCT LANDSAT 3 data provided to the user. The technology transfer activities are summarized. An application test performed in order to assess a Florida land acquisition is described. A benefit/cost analysis of FRIS is presented.

Mroczynski, R. P.↗