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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 1,261 records · Page 70
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1993

Antenna pattern control using impedance surfaces

During the period of this research project, a comprehensive study of pyramidal horn antennas was conducted. Full-wave analytical and numerical techniques were developed to analyze horn antennas with or without impedance surfaces. Based on these full-wave analytic techniques, research was conducted on the use of impedance surfaces on the walls of the horn antennas to control the antenna radiation patterns without a substantial loss of antenna gain. It was found that the use of impedance surfaces could modify the antenna radiation patterns. In addition to the analytical and numerical models, experimental models were also constructed and they were used to validate the predictions. Excellent agreement between theoretical predictions and the measured data was obtained for pyramidal horns with perfectly conducting surfaces. Very good comparisons between numerical and experimental models were also obtained for horns with impedance surfaces.

Balanis, Constantine A.↗
NASA NTRS2022

VULCAN-CFD Theory Manual: Ver. 7.2.0

VULCAN-CFD offers a comprehensive set of capabilities to enable the simulation of continuum flowfields from subsonic to hypersonic conditions. The governing equations that are employed include allowances for both chemical and thermal nonequilibrium processes, coupled with a wide variety of turbulence models for both Reynolds-averaged and large eddy simulations. A description of the physical and numerical models available in the software are presented in this document. However, it is emphasized that the descriptions provided are not intended to fully document every aspect of the models employed. Instead, the governing equations, and the models required to simulate them numerically, are presented with the goal of providing a sufficient level of detail to understand their strengths and limitations. The reader is encouraged to access the references provided throughout this document for a more complete explanation of the formulations presented.

VULCAN-CFD Theory Manual↗
DOE OSTI2023

A Level Set Model for Structured Mesh Representation of Fibrous Preforms used in Composites Manufacturing

Here, a model for implicit representation of fibrous and woven preforms used for composites manufacturing is described. The method is based on a level set function defined on a structured mesh to implicitly capture the complex fiber and weave geometries. Since most software packages used to model woven preforms are based on unstructured mesh, a numerical model for transforming a discretized surface to a structured mesh representation and vice-a-versa is presented. Specific emphasis is on scalable computation of a level set function for large and complex 3D woven structures from a triangulated surface of the smallest unit (yarn). The model is applied to capture a periodic 3D layered 5-harness satin (5HS) weave geometry on a structured mesh. Geometric transformations needed to efficiently compute the level set function for the 3D structure on a high resolution mesh are described. Effects of mesh resolution on the geometric features such as number of resolved fibers, effective fiber size, and the surface area to volume ratio of the iso-surface are analyzed. Using the distance property of the level set function, an approach to evaluate the structure function resulting from transient evolving topology representing densification due to matrix phase depositions is also presented. The approach captures transition of the geometric characteristic from fiber governed at early stages of densification to yarn governed at the terminal stage.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2025

A computational investigation of high-flux, plate-and-frame membrane modules for industrial carbon capture

In this work, we study the application of membrane-based separation systems for carbon capture, considering plate-and-frame membrane modules. The successful deployment of membrane CO 2 capture system relies on high-performing membranes as well as effective membrane modules that can fully exploit the developed membranes. A plate-and-frame membrane module is especially attractive for CO 2 capture from industrial flue gas due to its lower pressure drop compared to its counterparts such as spiral wound modules and hollow fiber modules. To design better plate-and-frame modules, we investigate their basic unit - a single membrane stack through a combination of computational modeling and experimental investigations. The modeling approach is based on Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) to represent a multiphysics problem, including the fluid flow and diffusion processes within a membrane module. We use experimental data collected under different operating conditions to validate the CFD model. Numerical results suggest a good agreement between experiments and model outputs for the CO 2 recovery, CO 2 mole fraction in the retentate and permeate, and stage-cut. The CFD model is able to predict accurately the flow behavior, providing valuable insights on the effects of fluid dynamics on mass transfer of CO 2 . We also carry out a sensitivity analysis to identify the effect of key parameters on the CO 2 recovery and the CO 2 purity of the outlet streams.

CFD simulation↗
DOE OSTI2024

CFD modeling of high-flux plate-and-frame membrane modules for industrial carbon capture

In this work, we study the application of membrane-based separation systems for carbon capture, considering plate-and-frame membrane modules. The successful deployment of membrane CO2 capture system relies on high-performing membranes as well as effective membrane modules that can fully exploit the developed membranes. A plate-and-frame membrane module is especially attractive for CO2 capture from industrial flue gas due to its lower pressure drop compared to its counterparts such as spiral wound modules and hollow fiber modules. To design better plate-and-frame modules, we investigate their basic unit - a single membrane stack through a combination of computational modeling and experimental investigations. The modeling approach is based on Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) to represent a multiphysics problem, including the fluid flow and diffusion processes within a membrane module. We use experimental data collected under different operating conditions to validate the CFD model. Numerical results suggest a good agreement between experiments and model outputs for the CO2 recovery, CO2 mole fraction in the retentate and permeate, and stage-cut. The CFD model is able to predict accurately the flow behavior, providing valuable insights on the effects of fluid dynamics on mass transfer of CO2. We also carry out a sensitivity analysis to identify the effect of key parameters on the CO2 recovery and the CO2 purity of the outlet streams.

Dosso, Cheick↗
DOE OSTI2021

Pressure Exchanger for Energy Recovery in a Trans-Critical CO2 Refrigeration System

Trans-critical CO2 vapor compression (VC) refrigeration cycles require a high compression ratio, which is associated with high expansion losses. To recover these expansion losses, a pressure exchange process between the low- and high-pressure sides of the VC cycle is proposed and examined in this study. The proposed pressure exchange system is an open type constant volume process where the high- and low-pressure flows mix inside the system. This prototype is inspired by the pressure exchangers used in reverse-osmosis (RO) desalination systems. In this system, a 2D model was generated and modeled using the computational fluid dynamics (CFD) technique. The numerical model ignored any losses due to leakage or hydraulic friction and the process is considered adiabatic. For the modeling, it was assumed that the inlet conditions for the two pressure exchanger flows are similar to the flow conditions at the evaporator and gas cooler outlets in a VC cycle. Two parameters are examined to test the validity of the system and understand their effect on the performance, including the inlet flow rate represented by the inlet velocity and the process time represented by the speed of rotation. A total of nine cases were simulated and analyzed in this study.

30 DIRECT ENERGY CONVERSION↗
NASA NTRS1986

Circuit transients due to negative bias arcs-II

Two new models of negative-bias arcing on a solar cell power system in Low Earth Orbit are presented. One is an extended, analytical model and the other is a non-linear, numerical model. The models are based on an earlier analytical model in which the interactions between solar cell interconnects and the space plasma as well as the parameters of the power circuit are approximated linearly. Transient voltages due to arcs struck at the negative thermal of the solar panel are calculated in the time domain. The new models treat, respectively, further linear effects within the solar panel load circuit and non-linear effects associated with the plasma interactions. Results of computer calculations with the models show common-mode voltage transients of the electrically floating solar panel struck by an arc comparable to the early model but load transients that differ substantially from the early model. In particular, load transients of the non-linear model can be more than twice as great as those of the early model and more than twenty times as great as the extended, linear model.

Metz, R. N.↗
NASA NTRS1988

Toward improved durability in advanced aircraft engine hot sections; Proceedings of the Thirty-third ASME International Gas Turbine and Aeroengine Congress and Exposition, Amsterdam, Netherlands, June 5-9, 1988

The present conference on durability improvement methods for advanced aircraft gas turbine hot-section components discusses NASA's 'HOST' project, advanced high-temperature instrumentation for hot-section research, the development and application of combustor aerothermal models, and the evaluation of a data base and numerical model for turbine heat transfer. Also discussed are structural analysis methods for gas turbine hot section components, fatigue life-prediction modeling for turbine hot section materials, and the service life modeling of thermal barrier coatings for aircraft gas turbine engines.

Sokolowski, Daniel E.↗
NASA NTRS1988

Diabatic initialization for a mesoscale model simulation experiment

A mesoscale model simulation of a 'surrogate' atmosphere designed for the evaluation of adiabatic initialization and moisture enhancement techniques is briefly described. The simulation provides mesoscale precipitation rates and associated diabatic heating fields which are known exactly and are internally consistent within the context of the model. The advantage of this approach is that a numerical model can easily serve as a source of mesoscale data in the usual absence of internally consistent mesoscale observed data sets.

Kalb, Michael W.↗
NASA NTRS1989

Nonlocal thermal transport in solar flares. II - Spectroscopic diagnostics

Physical parameters obtained for a flaring solar atmosphere in an earlier paper are used here to predict time-dependent emission-line profiles and integrated intensities as a function of position for two spectral lines commonly observed during solar flares: the X-ray resonance lines of Ca XIX and Mg XI. Considerations of ionization nonequilibrium during the rise phase of the flare are addressed, and the effects on the predicted spectral-line characteristics are discussed. It is concluded that some spectroscopic diagnostics favor the nonlocal model, but other long-standing discrepancies between the numerical models and the observations remain unresolved.

Karpen, Judith T.↗
NASA NTRS1989

Intensive MHD-structures penetration in the middle atmosphere initiated in the ionospheric cusp under quiet geomagnetic conditions

In connection with the recently detected quasiperiodical magnetic disturbances in the ionospheric cusp, the penetration of compressional surface magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) waves through the middle atmosphere is modelled numerically. For the COSPAR International Reference Atmosphere (CIRA) 72 model the respective energy density flux of the disturbances in the middle atmosphere is determined. On the basis of the developed model certain conclusions are reached about the height distribution of the structures (energy losses, currents, etc.) initiated by intensive magnetic cusp disturbances.

Mateev, L. N.↗
NASA NTRS1991

Numerical algorithm comparison for the accurate and efficient computation of high-incidence vortical flow

Computations from two Navier-Stokes codes, NSS and F3D, are presented for a tangent-ogive-cylinder body at high angle of attack. Features of this steady flow include a pair of primary vortices on the leeward side of the body as well as secondary vortices. The topological and physical plausibility of this vortical structure is discussed. The accuracy of these codes are assessed by comparison of the numerical solutions with experimental data. The effects of turbulence model, numerical dissipation, and grid refinement are presented. The overall efficiency of these codes are also assessed by examining their convergence rates, computational time per time step, and maximum allowable time step for time-accurate computations. Overall, the numerical results from both codes compared equally well with experimental data, however, the NSS code was found to be significantly more efficient than the F3D code.

Chaderjian, Neal M.↗
NASA NTRS1992

Approaches to ionospheric modelling, simulation and prediction

The ionosphere is a complex, multispecies, anisotropic medium that exhibits a significant variation with time, space, season, solar cycle, and geomagnetic activity. In recent years, a wide range of models have been developed in an effort to describe ionospheric behavior. The modeling efforts include: (1) empirical models based on extensive worldwide data sets; (2) simple analytical models for a restricted number of ionospheric parameters; (3) comprehensive, 3D, time-dependent models that require supercomputers; (4) spherical harmonic models based on fits to output obtained from comprehensive numerical models; and (5) ionospheric models driven by real-time magnetospheric inputs. In an effort to achieve simplicity, some of the models have been restricted to certain altitude or latitude domains, while others have been restricted to certain ionospheric parameters, such as the F-region peak density, the auroral conductivity, and the plasma temperatures. The current status of the modeling efforts is reviewed.

Schunk, R. W.↗
NASA NTRS1992

A modeling study of the time-averaged electric currents in the vicinity of isolated thunderstorms

A thorough examination of the results of a time-dependent computer model of a dipole thunderstorm revealed that there are numerous similarities between the time-averaged electrical properties and the steady-state properties of an active thunderstorm. Thus, the electrical behavior of the atmosphere in the vicinity of a thunderstorm can be determined with a formulation similar to what was first described by Holzer and Saxon (1952). From the Maxwell continuity equation of electric current, a simple analytical equation was derived that expresses a thunderstorm's average current contribution to the global electric circuit in terms of the generator current within the thundercloud, the intracloud lightning current, the cloud-to-ground lightning current, the altitudes of the charge centers, and the conductivity profile of the atmosphere. This equation was found to be nearly as accurate as the more computationally expensive numerical model, even when it is applied to a thunderstorm with a reduced conductivity thundercloud, a time-varying generator current, a varying flash rate, and a changing lightning mix.

Driscoll, Kevin T.↗
NASA NTRS1988

Experimental facilities for system identification

Future space vehicles will differ significantly from the space systems used in the past. The planned spacecraft configurations will include extremely large structures, up to 100-200 meters across. Because the allowable launch weights are limited, the large space structures must be constructed of lightweight, flexible elements, and active control of the shape and attitude of the spacecraft will be required. The behavior of large structures is characterized by many closely spaced natural modes, and some applications may also include large on-board disturbances. Consequently, the control and disturbance forces will invariably spill over to a large number of modes. Structural identification will be necessary for precision pointing and shape controls to be effective. An accurate mathematical model of a structure is essential for the success of precision control system design. However, the currently available analytical modeling codes, such as NASTRAN, are incapable of producing numerical models of the required precision. The favored approach for model determination is to refine the mathematical model based on experiments in the orbital environment. It is to this effect that we must develop techniques to reliably generate the accurate models required for future missions, and the arena in which these methods will be developed and proved is through ground-based system identification experiments and demonstrations. The Air Force Astronautics Laboratory (AFAL) has expanded the on-site ground-test facilities in recent years, and additional sites are planned for the immediate future. We shall review the plans for laboratory growth at AFAL with regard to the type of experiments proposed and the availability of the new facilities.

Das, Alok↗
NASA NTRS1993

On the relationship between tectonic plates and thermal mantle plume morphology

Models incorporating plate-like behavior, i.e., near uniform surface velocity and deformation concentrated at plate boundaries, into a convective system, heated by a mix of internal and basal heating and allowing for temperature dependent viscosity, were constructed and compared to similar models not possessing plate-like behavior. The simplified numerical models are used to explore how plate-like behavior in a convective system can effect the lower boundary layer from which thermal plumes form. A principal conclusion is that plate-like behavior can significantly increase the temperature drop across the lower thermal boundary layer. This temperature drop affects the morphology of plumes by determining the viscosity drop across the boundary layer. Model results suggest that plumes on planets possessing plate-like behavior, e.g., the Earth, may differ in morphologic type from plumes on planets not possessing plate-like behavior, e.g., Venus and Mars.

Lenardic, A.↗
NASA NTRS1999

Massively Parallel Assimilation of TOGA/TAO and Topex/Poseidon Measurements into a Quasi Isopycnal Ocean General Circulation Model Using an Ensemble Kalman Filter

A massively parallel ensemble Kalman filter (EnKF)is used to assimilate temperature data from the TOGA/TAO array and altimetry from TOPEX/POSEIDON into a Pacific basin version of the NASA Seasonal to Interannual Prediction Project (NSIPP)ls quasi-isopycnal ocean general circulation model. The EnKF is an approximate Kalman filter in which the error-covariance propagation step is modeled by the integration of multiple instances of a numerical model. An estimate of the true error covariances is then inferred from the distribution of the ensemble of model state vectors. This inplementation of the filter takes advantage of the inherent parallelism in the EnKF algorithm by running all the model instances concurrently. The Kalman filter update step also occurs in parallel by having each processor process the observations that occur in the region of physical space for which it is responsible. The massively parallel data assimilation system is validated by withholding some of the data and then quantifying the extent to which the withheld information can be inferred from the assimilation of the remaining data. The distributions of the forecast and analysis error covariances predicted by the ENKF are also examined.

Keppenne, Christian L.↗
NASA NTRS2000

Evaluation of Skin Temperatures Retrieved from GOES-8

Skin temperatures derived from geostationary satellites have the potential of providing the temporal and spatial resolution needed for model assimilation. To adequately assess the potential improvements in numerical model forecasts that can be made by assimilating satellite data, an estimate of the accuracy of the skin temperature product is necessary. A particular skin temperature algorithm, the Physical Split Window Technique, that uses the longwave infrared channels of the GOES Imager has shown promise in recent model assimilation studies to provide land surface temperatures with reasonable accuracy. A comparison of retrieved GOES-8 skin temperatures from this algorithm with in situ measurements is presented. Various retrieval algorithm issues are addressed including surface emissivity

Suggs, Ronnie, J.↗