Engineering Papers⌕ Search

SEARCH · Engineering Papers

Results for “sprays”

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 1,315 records · Page 73

Analysis of the Shattered Pellet Injection Fragment Plumes Generated by Machine Specific Shatter Tube Designs

Shattered pellet injector systems have been installed on DIII-D, JET, and KSTAR and used to experimentally determine the effectiveness of the shattered pellet injection (SPI) process in mitigating the deleterious effects of a tokamak plasma disruption. Pellets are fired, and before entering the plasma, strike a bent tube known as a shatter tube causing the pellet to shatter. The process of pellet fragmentation is a chaotic process that can be described in terms of fragment size distribution through a statistical model that incorporates the effects of the pellet material and impact characteristics. In addition to the fragment size distribution, the shatter plume has other characteristics of interest, such as a fragment velocity distribution and temporal mass evolution. The fragment velocity distribution is important because it is needed to accurately model the spread and location of the ablation and the deposition of impurities in the plasma over time. The temporal mass evolution is necessary to determine the time-resolved delivery of mass to the plasma.Due to installation constraints, the shatter tube currently installed on JET has a unique geometry with a modest S-bend followed by a 20-deg bend at the end of the tube. The DIII-D and KSTAR shatter tube design is a simple tube bent through an angle of 20 deg followed by a straight section. The resulting shatter sprays from the JET shatter tube and a 20-deg miter bend shatter tube were experimentally characterized for various pellet materials and speeds. Laboratory testing of these shatter tubes allows for the use of fast cameras to capture the fragment spray traveling through a large vacuum chamber. These high-speed videos of the shatter plumes allow the fragment size distribution, temporal mass evolution, and velocity distribution of the fragments within the plume to be determined. Overall, this paper presents a comparison of the unique geometry of the JET shatter tube to the miter bend geometries used for shattering and some insight into the variables that may be adjusted to produce the optimal shatter spray. The impact of entrained propellant gas on the resulting shatter spray was examined during testing.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗

Breakup dynamics in a pressure-swirl injector for urea-water solution applications: A computational study

The co-optimization of in-cylinder combustion and after-treatment technology has become a major aspect in engine design and development, with the goal of meeting the increasingly restrictive emission regulations in the transportation industry. Selective Catalytic Reduction is a robust technology to control the emission of NO x , and the injection of urea in water solution is the exhaust tailpipe is a key aspect of its operation. The proposed work uses high-fidelity Computational Fluid Dynamics to characterize the atomization dynamics of the liquid jet in relevant cross-flow conditions. The study focuses on a commercial low-pressure (9 bar) pressure-swirl injector which is characterized in its internal geometry through high-resolution X-ray micro-computational tomography. The internal two-phase flow has been modeled according to the volume-of-fluid approach in a large eddy simulation framework and validated against near-nozzle X-ray radiography measurement. Moreover, characterizing the breakup dynamics for the swirling hollow cone formation, and assessing the influence of the cross-flow in the breakup dynamics was completed. The results have been reported proposing Re-Oh maps and probability density functions of the spray kinematics. Higher cross-flow momentum generates an increase in the jet intact length and a reduction of the liquid droplet diameters. The axial momentum of the jet is affected by the cross-flow already in the near-nozzle region, determining a relevant deviation of the spray velocities. In conclusion, this work aims to inform the initialization of Eulerian-Lagrangian spray models through the assignment of droplet kinematics and static one-way coupling between volume-of-fluid results and Lagrangian spray parcels, to be used for system-size domain simulations.

33 ADVANCED PROPULSION SYSTEMS↗

Model Development for Multi-Component Fuel Vaporization and Flash Boiling

The objectives of this project are to improve the multi-component fuel droplet and film vaporization models used in internal combustion engine simulation, and to develop a comprehensive model to predict the characteristics of multi-component flash boiling spray. This work explores two approaches to fuel composition treatment for modeling multi-component fuel vaporization: one based on discretization and surrogates, and the other based on continuous thermodynamic distribution of fuel properties. The experimental data collected for model validation are done under three fuel form factors: droplet, spray, and thin film. The study on sprays also include experimentation under non-flash and flash boiling conditions, a phenomenon that enhances fuel vaporization. The main goals of this work are: Design and develop a multi-component fuel droplet and wall film vaporization model using both discrete and continuous thermodynamics methods. Design and develop an analytical model for multi-component flash boiling. Integrate the multi-component droplet and film model into multi-dimensional engine calculations to predict the fuel vaporization process under engine operation condition. Conduct multi-component droplet and fuel film vaporization experiments in a non-combusting chamber to verify the proposed vaporization models. Characterize flash boiling phenomena of multi-component fuel sprays by optical and laser diagnostic techniques. This report will detail the experimental setup and the numerical basis for developing a model to achieve the main goals listed above. Key features of observed multi-component fuel vaporization will be summarized at the end of each experimental sections, and corresponding model performance evaluation will be presented at the end of each model development section.

33 ADVANCED PROPULSION SYSTEMS↗

Tamper-Indicating Enclosures with Visually Obvious Tamper Response

Sandia National Laboratories is developing a way to visualize molecular changes that indicate penetration of a tamper-indicating enclosure (TIE). Such "bleeding" materials (analogous to visually obvious, colorful bruised skin that doesn't heal) allows inspectors to use simple visual observation to readily recognize that penetration into a material used as a TIE has been attempted, without providing adversaries the ability to repair damage. Such a material can significantly enhance the current capability for TIEs, used to support treaty verification regimes. Current approaches rely on time-consuming and subjective visual assessment by an inspector, external equipment, such as eddy current or camera devices, or active approaches that may be limited due to application environment. The complexity of securing whole volumes includes: (1) enclosures that are non-standard in size/shape; (2) enclosures that may be inspectorate- or facility-owned; (3) tamper attempts that are detectable but difficult or timely for an inspector to locate; (4) the requirement for solutions that are robust regarding reliability and environment (including facility handling); and (5) the need for solutions that prevent adversaries from repairing penetrations. The approach is based on a transition metal ion solution within a microsphere changing color irreversibly when the microsphere is ruptured. Investigators examine 3D printing of the microspheres as well as the spray coating formulation. The anticipated benefits of this work are passive, flexible, scalable, cost-effective TIEs with obvious and robust responses to tamper attempts. This results in more efficient and effective monitoring, as inspectors will require little or no additional equipment and will be able to detect tamper without extensive time-consuming visual examination. Applications can include custom TIEs (cabinets or equipment enclosures), spray-coating onto facility-owned items, spray-coating of walls or structures, spray-coatings of circuit boards, and 3D-printed seal bodies. The paper describes research to-date on the sensor compounds and microspheres.

98 NUCLEAR DISARMAMENT, SAFEGUARDS, AND PHYSICAL P↗

Transformative Building Envelope Retrofit Using Insulation-Inflatable Walls Assisted by Automation

This work highlights the effort to develop a low-cost envelope retrofit for homes built prior to the implementation of energy conservation measures established by the Department of Energy. Inflatable structures were constructed to conform to the exterior envelope (a corner wall construction with a fenestration was used as a prototype). The structures were then filled with spray polyurethane foam insulation. The flexibility in construction and the ability to fill with spray polyurethane foam insulation were demonstrated. In addition, hygrothermal simulations showed that the installation of these systems does not compromise the moisture durability of uninsulated and insulated building envelopes across eight climate zones from hot humid to subarctic. Preliminary cost estimates, based on retail pricing, of the inflatable retrofit including 3 inches of spray foam insulation (insulation value of approximately R 20) is $\$ 4.25$ per square foot uninstalled. The installed cost was calculated using two labor rates, the labor rate for the installation of a weather resistive barrier and the installation of spray foam insulation. Aggregating those values into one labor rate results in an installed cost between $\$ 11$ and $\$ 28$ per square foot. The low end includes the installation of vinyl siding as the exterior cladding. The higher value includes an exterior stucco finish.

32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATI↗

Current status of droplet and liquid combustion

The present understanding of spray combustion in rocket engine, gas turbine, Diesel engine and industrial furnace applications is reviewed. In some cases, spray combustion can be modeled by ignoring the details of spray evaporation and treating the system in the same manner as a gaseous diffusion flame; however, in many circumstances, this type of simplification is not adequate and the turbulent two-phase flow must be considered. The behavior of individual droplets is a necessary component of two-phase models and recent work on transient droplet evaporation, ignition and combustion is considered, along with a discussion of important simplifying assumptions involved with modeling these processes. Methods of modeling spray evaporation and combustion processes are also discussed including: one-dimensional models for rocket engine and prevaporized combustion systems, lumped zone models (utilizing well-stirred reactor and plug flow regions) for gas turbine and furnace systems, locally homogeneous turbulent models, and two-phase models. The review highlights the need for improved injector characterization methods, more information of droplet transport characteristics in turbulent flow and continued development of more complete two-phase turbulent models.

Faeth, G. M.↗

Current status of droplet and liquid combustion

The present understanding of spray combustion in rocket engine, gas turbine, Diesel engine and industrial furnace applications is reviewed. In some cases, spray combustion can be modeled by ignoring the details of spray evaporation and treating the system as a gaseous diffusion flame; however, in many circumstances, this simplification is not adequate and turbulent two-phase flow must be considered. The behavior of individual droplets is a necessary component of two-phase models and recent work on transient droplet evaporation, ignition and combustion is considered, along with a discussion of important simplifying assumptions involved with modeling these processes. Methods of modeling spray evaporation and combustion processes are also discussed including: one-dimensional models for rocket engine and prevaporized combustion systems, lumped zone models (utilizing well-stirred reactor and plug flow regions) for gas turbine and furnace systems, locally homogeneous turbulent models, and two-phase models. The review highlights the need for improved injector characterization methods, more information of droplet transport characteristics in turbulent flow and continued development of more complete two-phase turbulent models

Faeth, G. M.↗

Measurement in multiphase reacting flows

A survey is presented of diagnostic techniques and measurements made in multiphase reacting flows. The special problems encountered by the presence of liquid droplets, soot and solid particles in high temperature chemically reacting turbulent environments are outlined. The principal measurement techniques that have been tested in spray flames are spark photography, laser anemometry, thermocouples and suction probes. Spark photography provides measurement of drop size, drop size distribution, drop velocity, and angle of flight. Photographs are analysed automatically by image analysers. Photographic techniques are reliable, inexpensive and proved. Laser anemometers have been developed for simultaneous measurement of velocity and size of individual particles in sprays under conditions of vaporization and combustion. Particle/gas velocity differentials, particle Reynolds numbers, local drag coefficients and direct measurement of vaporization rates can be made by laser anemometry. Gas temperature in sprays is determined by direct in situ measurement of time constants immediately prior to measurement with compensation and signal analysis by micro-processors. Gas concentration is measured by suction probes and gas phase chromatography. Measurements of particle size, particle velocity, gas temperature, and gas concentration made in airblast and pressure atomised liquid spray flames are presented.

Chigier, N. A.↗

Venturi nozzle effects on fuel drop size and nitrogen oxide emissions

The effect of a venturi nozzle on the Sauter mean diameter of a water spray produced by a simplex pressure atomizing injector in a swirling airflow was determined. A Malvern particle and droplet size distribution analyzer, Type S.T. 1800, was used to measure D sub 32 of the water sprays. The water spray was studied at ambient temperature (293 K) and atmospheric pressure. The venturi reduced D sub 32 by an average of 30 percent when installed with a simplex injector and air swirler. The venturi primarily improved atomization of the injector spray by increasing relative air velocity. The small drop size enhanced vaporization and therefore decreased oxides of nitrogen in a combustor. The decrease in drop size provided by the addition of a venturi explains the results obtained in a previous small scale research combustor wherein NOx emission indices decreased as a result of this hardware modification.

Johnson, S. M.↗

Development and implementation of advanced diagnostic techniques

Two techniques were identified which offer great potential in the measurement of sprays. The first is referred to as IMAX, and it consists of a nonintrusive pulse height analyzer. The second is referred to as Visibility/Intensity (V/I) and it performs a size measurement by examining the visibility and the pedestal intensity that the IMAX technique provides a larger dynamic range and higher accuracy than V/I. It also shows that the two-color IMAX concept provides a higher S/N primarily because of the high efficiency in spectrally separating the two signals. The size distribution of two kinds of sprays are reported. The first spray was produced by a Berglund-Liu droplet generator with dispersion air. The second spray was produced by a pressure nozzle.

Hess, C. F.↗

The T55-L-712 turbine engine compressor housing refurbishment project

A study was conducted to access the feasibility of reclaiming T55-L-712 turbine engine compressor housings with an 88 wt % aluminum -- 12 wt % silicon alloy applied by the plasma spray processes. Tensile strength testing was conducted on as-sprayed and thermally cycled test specimens which were plasma sprayed from 0.020 to 0.100 in. Satisfactory tensile strength valves were observed in the as-sprayed tensile specimens. There was essentially no decrease in tensile strength after thermally cycling the tensile specimens.

Leissler, George W.↗

Materials for Advanced Turbine Engines (MATE). Project 4: Erosion resistant compressor airfoil coating

The ability of coatings to provide at least a 2X improvement in particulate erosion resistance for steel, nickel and titanium compressor airfoils was identified and demonstrated. Coating materials evaluated included plasma sprayed cobalt tungsten carbide, nickel carbide and diffusion applied chromium plus boron. Several processing parameters for plasma spray processing and diffusion coating were evaluated to identify coating systems having the most potential for providing airfoil erosion resistance. Based on laboratory results and analytical evaluations, selected coating systems were applied to gas turbine blades and evaluated for surface finish, burner rig erosion resistance and effect on high cycle fatigue strength. Based on these tests, the following coatings were recommended for engine testing: Gator-Gard plasma spray 88WC-12Co on titanium alloy airfoils, plasma spray 83WC-17Co on steel and nickel alloy airfoils, and Cr+B on nickel alloy airfoils.

Rashid, J. M.↗

Thermal barrier coating life-prediction model development

The program focuses on predicting the lives of two types of strain-tolerant and oxidation-resistant thermal barrier coating (TBC) systems that are produced by commercial coating suppliers to the gas turbine industry. The plasma-sprayed TBC system, composed of a low-pressure plasma-spray (LPPS) or an argon shrouded plasma-spray (ASPS) applied oxidation resistant NiCrAlY or (CoNiCrAlY) bond coating and an air-plasma-sprayed yttria partially stabilized zirconia insulative layer, is applied by both Chromalloy, Klock, and Union Carbide. The second type of TBS is applied by the electron beam-physical vapor deposition (EB-PVD) process by Temescal. The second year of the program was focused on specimen procurement, TMC system characterization, nondestructive evaluation methods, life prediction model development, and TFE731 engine testing of thermal barrier coated blades. Materials testing is approaching completion. Thermomechanical characterization of the TBC systems, with toughness, and spalling strain tests, was completed. Thermochemical testing is approximately two-thirds complete. Preliminary materials life models for the bond coating oxidation and zirconia sintering failure modes were developed. Integration of these life models with airfoil component analysis methods is in progress. Testing of high pressure turbine blades coated with the program TBS systems is in progress in a TFE731 turbofan engine. Eddy current technology feasibility was established with respect to nondestructively measuring zirconia layer thickness of a TBC system.

Strangman, T. E.↗

Thermal barrier coating life prediction model development

Thermal barrier coatings (TBCs) for turbine airfoils in high-performance engines represent an advanced materials technology with both performance and durability benefits. The foremost TBC benefit is the reduction of heat transferred into air-cooled components, which yields performance and durability benefits. This program focuses on predicting the lives of two types of strain-tolerant and oxidation-resistant TBC systems that are produced by commercial coating suppliers to the gas turbine industry. The plasma-sprayed TBC system, composed of a low-pressure plasma-spray (LPPS) or an argon shrouded plasma-spray (ASPS) applied oxidation resistant NiCrAlY (or CoNiCrAlY) bond coating and an air-plasma-sprayed yttria (8 percent) partially stabilized zirconia insulative layer, is applied by Chromalloy, Klock, and Union Carbide. The second type of TBC is applied by the electron beam-physical vapor deposition (EB-PVD) process by Temescal.

T E Strangman↗

Thermal barrier coating life-prediction model development

Life predictions are made for two types of strain-tolerant and oxidation-resistant Thermal Barrier Coating (TBC) systems produced by commercial coating suppliers to the gas turbine industry. The plasma-sprayed TBC system, composed of a low-pressure plasma spray (LPPS) applied oxidation-resistant NiCrAlY bond coating and an air-plasma-sprayed yttria (8 percent) partially stabilized zirconia insulative layer, is applied by both Chromalloy and Klock. The second type of TBC is applied by the electron-beam/physical vapor deposition process by Temescal. Thermomechanical and thermochemical testing of the program TBCs is in progress. A number of the former tests has been completed. Fracture mechanics data for the Chromalloy plasma-sprayed TBC system indicate that the cohesive toughness of the zirconia layer is increased by thermal cycling and reduced by high temperature exposure at 1150 C. Eddy current technology feasibility has been established with respect to nondestructively measuring zirconia layer thickness of a TBC system. High pressure turbine blades have been coated with program TBC systems for a piggyback test in a TFE731-5 turbofan factory engine test. Data from this test will be used to validate the TBC life models.

Strangman, T. E.↗

Thermal barrier coatings for the space shuttle main engine turbine blades

The Space Shuttle Main Engine (SSME) turbopump turbine blades experience extremely severe thermal shocks during start-up and shut-down. For instance, the high pressure fuel turbopump turbine which burns liquid hydrogen operates at approximately 1500 F, but is shut down fuel rich with turbine blades quenced in liquid hydrogen. This thermal shock is a major contributor to blade cracking. The same thermal shock cause the protective ZrO2 thermal barrier coatings to spall or flake off, leaving only the NiCrAlY bond coating which provides only a minimum thermal protection. The turbine blades are therefore life limited to about 3000 sec for want of a good thermal barrier. A suitable thermal barrier coating (TBC) is being developed for the SSME turbine blades. Various TBCs developed for the gas turbine engines were tested in a specially built turbine blade tester. This tester subjects the coated blades to thermal and pressure cycles similar to those during actual operation of the turbine. The coatings were applied using a plasma spraying techniques both under atmospheric conditions and in vacuum. Results are presented. In general vacuum plasma sprayed coatings performed much better than those sprayed under atmospheric conditions. A 50 to 50 blend of Cr2O3 and NiCrAlY, vacuum plasma sprayed on SSME turbopump turbine blades appear to provide significant improvements in coating durability and thermal protection.

Bhat, B. N.↗

Turbulent multiphase flows

Measurements and predictions of the structure of several multiphase flows are considered. The properties of dense sprays near the exits of pressure-atomizing injectors and of noncombusting and combusting dilute dispersed flows in round-jet configurations are addressed. It is found that the properties of dense sprays exhibit structure and mixing properties similar to variable-density single-phase flows at high Reynolds numbers within the atomization regime. The degree of development and turbulence levels at the injector exit have a surprisingly large effect on the structure and mixing properties of pressure-atomized sprays, particularly when the phase densities are large. Contemporary stochastic analysis of dilute multiphase flows provides encouraging predictions of turbulent dispersion for a wide variety of jetlike flows, particle-laden jets in gases and liquids, noncondensing and condensing bubbly jets, and nonevaporating, evaporating, and combusting sprays.

Faeth, G. M.↗

A study of the current group evaporation/combustion theories

Liquid fuel combustion can be greatly enhanced by disintegrating the liquid fuel into droplets, an effect achieved by various configurations. A number of experiments carried out in the seventies showed that combustion of droplet arrays and sprays do not form individual flames. Moreover, the rate of burning in spray combustion greatly deviates from that of the single combustion rate. Such observations naturally challenge its applicability to spray combustion. A number of mathematical models were developed to evaluate 'group combustion' and the related 'group evaporation' phenomena. This study investigates the similarity and difference of these models and their applicability to spray combustion. Future work that should be carried out in this area is indicated.

Shen, Hayley H.↗