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At least 1,369 records · Page 76

Analytical investigation of off-design performance of a transonic turbine

The off-design performance and a breakdown of the losses of a transonic turbine were determined by an analytical method that was previously developed for turbines of more conservative design. The analytically obtained performance map is compared with the performance map obtained from an experimental investigation of the turbine. The rotor hub conditions of incidence angle, relative Mach number, and reaction calculated from the analytical results are compared with those calculated from experimental data. The loss breakdown obtained for the transonic turbine did not differ substantially from that previously obtained from a turbine of more conservative design, except that large stator-exit shock losses were predicted for the transonic turbine at low speeds. The trends of the rotor hub incidence angle, relative Mach number, and reaction calculated from the analytical results agreed well with those calculated from the experimental data over the performance range. These trends indicate that, compared with a turbine of more conservative design, the transonic turbine operated over a much smaller range of incidence angle, a much wider range of rotor relative Mach number, and at a considerably lower level of reaction. Good over-all agreement was obtained between the analytically predicted performance and the experimental performance, except at 40-percent design speed, where in the analysis the stator reached limiting loading before the rotor choked. Since this discrepancy resulted from errors in the simplifying assumptions used in the analysis, it is regarded as a limitation in the analytical method as applied to a transonic turbine.

Whitney, Warren J↗

Towards a More Predictive Framework for Laser-Driven Particle Sources through Experimental Data-Informed Models

Laser-driven particle acceleration (LDPA) has emerged as a critical technology for high-energydensity physics applications since its discovery at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory twenty years ago. However, realizing the full potential of these particle sources requires understanding the fundamental acceleration mechanisms and developing enhanced target designs for improved performance. This research addressed the need for controllable, high-performance laser-driven proton sources through two complementary approaches: experimentally investigating sheath field dynamics in multi-picosecond laser regimes and developing novel three-dimensional printed microstructured targets to achieve enhanced particle acceleration.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗

Solar neutrino detection in liquid xenon detectors via charged-current scattering to excited states

We investigate the prospects for real-time detection of solar neutrinos via the charged-current neutrino-nucleus scattering process in liquid xenon time projection chambers. We use a nuclear shell model, benchmarked with experimental data, to calculate the cross sections for populating specific excited states of the cesium nuclei produced by neutrino capture on Xe 131 and Xe 136 . The shell model is further used to compute the decay schemes of the low-lying 1 + excited states of Cs 136 , for which there is sparse experimental data. We explore the possibility of tagging the characteristic deexcitation γ rays/conversion electrons using two techniques: spatial separation of their energy deposits using event topology and their time separation using delayed coincidence. The efficiencies in each case are evaluated within a range of realistic detector parameters. We find that the topological signatures are likely to be dominated by radon backgrounds, but that a delayed-coincidence signature from long-lived states predicted in Cs 136 may enable background-free detection of CNO neutrino interactions in next-generation experiments with smaller uncertainty than current measurements. We also estimate the sensitivity as a function of exposure for detecting the solar-temperature-induced line shift in Be 7 neutrino emission, which may provide a new test of solar models.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗

An integral analysis of transonic normal shock wave/turbulent boundary layer interactions in internal flow

An approximate integral viscous-inviscid interaction method is presented for calculating the development of a turbulent boundary layer subjected to a normal shock wave induced adverse pressure gradient in an internal axisymmetric flow. The inflow conditions and the downstream pressure are provided for the computation. In the supersonic region of shock pressure rise, the Prandtl-Meyer function is used to couple the viscous and inviscid flows. An analytical model for the coupling process is postulated and appropriate equations are defined. Downstream of the sonic point, one-dimensional inviscid flow is assumed for coupling with the viscous flow. The turbulent boundary layer is calculated using Green's integral lag-entrainment method. Comparisons of the solutions with the experimental data are made for interactions which are unseparated, near separation and separated. For comparison purposes, solutions to the time-dependent, mass-averaged, Navier-Stokes equations incorporating a two-equation, Wilcox-Rubesin turbulence model are also shown. The computed results from the integral method show good agreement with experimental data for unseparated interactions and reasonable agreement with the trend of the viscous effects when the interaction becomes increasingly separated.

Om, D.↗

An Experimental and Theoretical Study of Nitrogen-Broadened Acetylene Lines

We present experimental nitrogen-broadening coefficients derived from Voigt profiles of isotropic Raman Q-lines measured in the 2 band of acetylene (C2H2) at 150 K and 298 K, and compare them to theoretical values obtained through calculations that were carried out specifically for this work. Namely, full classical calculations based on Gordon's approach, two kinds of semi-classical calculations based on Robert Bonamy method as well as full quantum dynamical calculations were performed. All the computations employed exactly the same ab initio potential energy surface for the C2H2N2 system which is, to our knowledge, the most realistic, accurate and up-to-date one. The resulting calculated collisional half-widths are in good agreement with the experimental ones only for the full classical and quantum dynamical methods. In addition, we have performed similar calculations for IR absorption lines and compared the results to bibliographic values. Results obtained with the full classical method are again in good agreement with the available room temperature experimental data. The quantum dynamical close-coupling calculations are too time consuming to provide a complete set of values and therefore have been performed only for the R(0) line of C2H2. The broadening coefficient obtained for this line at 173 K and 297 K also compares quite well with the available experimental data. The traditional Robert Bonamy semi-classical formalism, however, strongly overestimates the values of half-width for both Qand R-lines. The refined semi-classical Robert Bonamy method, first proposed for the calculations of pressure broadening coefficients of isotropic Raman lines, is also used for IR lines. By using this improved model that takes into account effects from line coupling, the calculated semi-classical widths are significantly reduced and closer to the measured ones.

coefficients↗

Computational and Experimental Study of Supersonic Nozzle Flow and Aft-Deck Interactions

NASA has been conducting research into reducing sonic boom and changing FAA regulations to allow for supersonic commercial transport over land in the United States. This particular study looks at a plume passing through a shock generated from an aft deck on a nacelle; the aft deck is meant to represent the trailing edge of a wing. NASA Langley Research Center USM3D CFD code results are compared to the experimental data taken at the NASA Glenn Research Center 1-foot by 1-foot Supersonic Wind Tunnel. This study included examining two turbulence models along with different volume sourcing methods for grid generation. The results show that using the k-epsilon turbulence model within USM3D produced shock signatures that closely follow the experimental data at a variety of nozzle pressure ratio settings.

Bruce, Walter E., IV↗

Data for Catalyst and Reactor Design Considerations for Selective Production of Acids by Oxidative Cleavage of Alkenes with H2O2

Oxidative cleavage of alkenes and unsaturated fatty acids with hydrogen peroxide gives an efficient and sustainable process to obtain mono- and di-acids for polymers and lubricants with fewer safety risks and less environmental impact than processes that utilize ozone or other inorganic oxidizers (e.g., permanganate, dichromate, etc.). Guided by insight into the mechanisms for competing reaction pathways (i.e., epoxidation of alkene on W–(η2-O2) complexes vs. H2O2 decomposition) and the apparent kinetics derived from kinetic experiments, here, we postulate that W-based heterogeneous catalysts can provide high performance and stable operations at low H2O2 concentrations. Semi-batch reactors with continuous introduction of H2O2 solutions offer the means to maintain low H2O2 concentrations while providing sufficient quantities of H2O2 to satisfy the reaction stoichiometry. We derived simple kinetic model equations for the epoxidation, ring-opening, oxidative cleavage, and oxidation steps and fit theses equations to batch experimental data to obtain kinetic parameters. This kinetic model describes the concentration profiles of reactant, oxidant, and products well as shown by agreement with experimental data. Further predictions of the optimal H2O2 feed rate for semi-batch operation utilized by the proposed rate expressions and the reactor design equations suggest that low H2O2 feed rate increases selectivity towards oxidative cleavage products and selective use of H2O2 for oxidative cleavage pathway. Comparisons of oxidative cleavage of 4-octene in batch and semi-batch reactors show that semi-batch reactors with optimized molar feed rates of H2O2 increased oxidative cleavage product selectivities (76% to 99%; with an increase in butyric acid selectivity from 1% to 55%) and H2O2 selectivity (3% to 30%). In addition, semi-batch reaction conditions used avoid H2O2-mediated dissolution of W-atoms from the catalyst. Analysis of these findings suggest that solid oxide catalysts will be effective for continuous oxidative cleavage reactions if deployed within fixed-bed reactors that allow for distributed introduction of reactants and therefore low in situ concentrations of H2O2.

Catalysis↗

Computational Analysis of Forebody Tangential Slot Blowing on the F/A-18

An overview of the computational effort to analyze forebody tangential slot blowing for use on the F/A-18 aircraft is presented. Tangential slot blowing generates side force and yawing moment which may be used to control the aircraft flying at high angle of attack. Computations using the isolated forebody are obtained at full-scale wind tunnel test conditions for direct comparison with available experimental data. The effects of jet exit conditions, jet length, and jet location are also studied using the isolated forebody. In addition, these computations are used to predict the effect of slot blowing at transonic maneuvering flight conditions. The effects of over- and under-blowing on force and moment production are analyzed. Non-time-accurate solutions are obtained to determine the steady-state side force and yawing moments generated by tangential slot blowing. Time-accurate solutions are obtained to study the force onset time lag of tangential slot blowing. The effect of blowing on the burst point location are then analyzed by obtaining computations using the aircraft geometry, which includes the wing, empennage, and faired-over inlets. The effect of blowing on the buffet loads on the vertical tails are analyzed using time-accurate computations. Comparison with available experimental data from full-scale wind tunnel and sub-scale wind tunnel tests are made. This computational analysis compliments the experimental results and provides a detailed understanding of the effects of tangential slot blowing on the flow field about the F/A-18.

Gee, Ken↗

Evaluation of simulated HPGe detector efficiencies in OpenMC compared to MCNP

In late 2023, the open-source radiation transport code OpenMC introduced a pulse-height tally (PHT) feature, enabling users to track the total energy deposited by individual photons in OpenMC cells. This function represents an important improvement of the OpenMC code because it allows users to simulate the response function of a gamma detector without relying on closed-source alternatives. Despite this, limited work has been published evaluating OpenMC as a radiation transport code for simulating gamma spectroscopy experiments. This study attempts to demonstrate the usefulness of OpenMC in this space by directly comparing its PHT output to MCNP (a trusted industry-standard Monte Carlo code). In the first half of this study, a radiation transport experiment is described in which a detector with a complex internal geometry is exposed to various gamma-emitting isotopes ( 133 Ba, 137 Cs, and 60 Co) over a range of distances. The setup of this experiment was modeled in MCNP with sufficient detail to capture the efficiency characteristics of a high purity germanium (HPGe) detector for the primary gammas of each isotope. After good agreement between the MCNP model and experiment was achieved, an identical model was produced in OpenMC to allow direct comparison between the full energy peak (FEP) values produced in OpenMC and MCNP. The results show strong agreement between OpenMC and MCNP across the full range of tested energies, with each model’s FEP values typically within 2% of each other and most FEP areas within 4% of experimental data. Worse agreement was seen between the Monte Carlo codes and experiment below 300 keV (an expected result). For the 662 keV line of 137 Cs, both codes were found in poor agreement with experiment and each other over the full range of distances tested (possibly indicating an error with the 137 Cs experimental data). Ignoring the anomalous results of the 662 keV line, all other data show good qualitative and quantitative agreement between MCNP and OpenMC. This result demonstrates the accuracy of OpenMC’s PHT feature for spectroscopic applications in which detector efficiency is a primary concern.

07 - ISOTOPES AND RADIATION SOURCES↗

Experimental methods for laboratory measurements of helium spectral line broadening in white dwarf photospheres

White Dwarf (WD) stars are the most common stellar remnant in the universe. WDs usually have a hydrogen or helium atmosphere, and helium WD (called DB) spectra can be used to solve outstanding problems in stellar and galactic evolution. DB origins, which are still a mystery, must be known to solve these problems. DB masses are crucial for discriminating between different proposed DB evolutionary hypotheses. Current DB mass determination methods deliver conflicting results. The spectroscopic mass determination method relies on line broadening models that have not been validated at DB atmosphere conditions. We performed helium benchmark experiments using the White Dwarf Photosphere Experiment (WDPE) platform at Sandia National Laboratories' Z-machine that aims to study He line broadening at DB conditions. Using hydrogen/helium mixture plasmas allows investigating the importance of He Stark and van der Waals broadening simultaneously. Accurate experimental data reduction methods are essential to test these line-broadening theories. In this paper, we present data calibration methods for these benchmark He line shape experiments. We give a detailed account of data processing, spectral power calibrations, and instrument broadening measurements. Uncertainties for each data calibration step are also derived. We demonstrate that our experiments meet all benchmark experiment accuracy requirements: WDPE wavelength uncertainties are <1 Å, spectral powers can be determined to within 15%, densities are accurate at the 20% level, and instrumental broadening can be measured with 20% accuracy. Fulfilling these stringent requirements enables WDPE experimental data to provide physically meaningful conclusions about line broadening at DB conditions.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

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.↗

A preliminary analysis of the USML-1 drop dynamics experimental results

This is a quick-look report of the results of the drop dynamics experiments that were conducted in the Drop Physics Module aboard the United States Microgravity Laboratory (USML-1) Space Shuttle mission (STS 50) from June 25 to July 9, 1992. Two types of drop dynamics experiments namely: rotations of spherical drops and oscillations of simple and compound drops were studied. Preliminary results indicate that for the rotating liquid drop experiments, the experimental data agrees well with the theoretical (numerical) predictions in the axisymmetric and the two-lobed regions. The dynamics of the bifurcation point was studied, and it was found that the shift in the bifurcation point, due to drop deformation and due to spin-up and spin-down, coroborates the previous experimental data.

Wang, T. G.↗

Effects of Inert Dust Clouds on the Extinction of Strained, Laminar Flames at Normal and Micro Gravity

A combined experimental and detailed numerical study was conducted on the interaction between chemically inert solid particles and strained, atmospheric methane/air and propane/air laminar flames, both premixed and non-premixed. Experimentally, the opposed jet configuration was used with the addition of a particle seeder capable of operating in conditions of varying gravity. The particle seeding system was calibrated under both normal and micro gravity and a noticeable gravitational effect was observed. Flame extinction experiments were conducted at normal gravity by seeding inert particles at various number densities and sizes into the reacting gas phase. Experimental data were taken for 20 and 37 (mu) nickel alloy and 25 and 60 (mu) aluminum oxide particles. The experiments were simulated by solving along the stagnation streamline the conservation equations of mass, momentum, energy, and species conservation for both phases, with detailed descriptions of chemical kinetics, molecular transport, and thermal radiation. The experimental data were compared with numerical simulations, and insight was provided into the effects on extinction of the fuel type, equivalence ratio, flame configuration, strain rate. particle type. particle size. particle mass, delivery rate. the orientation of particle injection with respect to the flame and gravity. It was found that for the same injected solid mass, larger particles can result in more effective flame cooling compared to smaller particles, despite the fact that equivalent masses of the larger particles have smaller total surface area to volume ratio. This counter-intuitive finding resulted from the fact that the heat exchange between the two phases is controlled by the synergistic effect of the total contact area and the temperature difference between the two phases. Results also demonstrate that meaningful scaling of interactions between the two phases may not be possible due to the complexity of the couplings between the dynamic and thermal parameters of the problem.

Andac, M. Gurhan↗

Simulating the Clamped Tapered Beam Specimen Under Quasi-Static and Fatigue Loading Using Floating Node Method

As part of the NASA Advanced Composites Project (ACP), a sub-element has been designed to provide validation data for progressive damage analysis models. The clamped tapered beam is a cross-ply laminated composite specimen designed to validate the simulation of the onset of matrix cracks and their interaction with delaminations, including delamination migration. A tapered geometry was used to localize the first damage occurrence in the tapered region, without prescribing an initial crack. The boundary and loading conditions were chosen to favor delamination growth and subsequent migration after the first damage occurrence. The typical sequence of events consists of a matrix crack located at the tapered region, leading to delamination onset, followed by delamination growth and subsequent delamination migration to a different interface via a dominant matrix crack. The Clamped Tapered Beam (CTB) was tested in both quasi-static and fatigue regimes. The results obtained are used in this study to assess and validate a methodology based on the Floating Node Method (FNM) implemented as an Extended Interface Element. In this methodology, quasi-static and fatigue damage formation and development are modeled by combining FNM to represent crack networks, with Directional Cohesive Zone Elements (DCZE) and Virtual Crack Closure Technique (VCCT), respectively. Qualitatively, the methodology is capable of predicting the sequence of events and overall failure morphology. Quantitatively, the simulation results generally bound the experimental data, based on the range of the characterization data used. In this paper, the results from quasi static and fatigue simulations are compared and correlated with experimental data.

Seshadri, B. R.↗

Elucidation of Marcus Relationships for Hydride Transfer Reactions Involving Transition Metal Hydrides

The rate of hydride transfer from three Ir hydride complexes of the type Cp*Ir( R bpy)H + (Cp* = C 5 Me 5 ; R bpy = 4,4′-R-2,2′-bipyridine, R = OMe, H, CO 2 Me) to six N-methylacridinium ( R Acr + ) acceptors with electronically different substituents in the 2- or 2,7-positions were measured. Using the thermodynamic hydricity of the donors and the hydride affinity of the acceptors the thermodynamic driving forces for hydride transfer were determined. Brønsted plots, which correlate kinetic and thermodynamic hydricity, demonstrate distinct linear free energy relationships for each complex, with different Brønsted α values. Thus, at the same driving force hydride transfer from Cp*Ir( OMe bpy)H + is faster than for Cp*Ir(bpy)H + or Cp*Ir( CO2Me bpy)H + . Experimental and computational analyses are consistent with a concerted hydride transfer mechanism for all Ir complexes. As the thermodynamic driving force increases an earlier transition state is observed and all transition states also include π-stacking interactions between the donor and acceptor, which likely contribute to the different α values. The experimental data fits well to the Marcus model, enabling the determination of reorganization energies (λ) that range from 58 to 69 kcal mol -1 . These are lower than λ values for hydride transfer reactions involving organic donors and acceptors. This work provides a rare example of the correlation of kinetic and thermodynamic hydricity using only experimental data and shows that hydride transfer reactions involving metal hydrides can follow Marcus theory. Furthermore, the findings offer insight into controlling metal-catalyzed hydride transfer reactions, which is valuable for designing improved systems for a range of transformations.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Spin-lattice dynamics of surface vs core magnetization in Fe nanoparticles

Magnetization of clusters is often simulated using atomistic spin dynamics for a fixed lattice. Coupled spinlattice dynamics simulations of the magnetization of nanoparticles have up to now neglected the change in the size of the atomic magnetic moments near surfaces. We show that the introduction of variable magnetic moments leads to a better description of experimental data for the magnetization of small Fe nanoparticles. To this end we divide atoms into a surface-near shell and a core with bulk properties. Here, it is demonstrated that both the magnitude of the shell magnetic moment and the exchange interactions need to be modified to obtain a fair representation of the experimental data. This allows for a reasonable description of the average magnetic moment versus cluster size, and also the cluster magnetization versus temperature.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗

A Full Navier-Stokes Analysis of Subsonic Diffuser of a Bifurcated 70/30 Supersonic Inlet for High Speed Civil Transport Application

A full Navier-Stokes analysis was performed to evaluate the performance of the subsonic diffuser of a NASA Lewis Research Center 70/30 mixed-compression bifurcated supersonic inlet for high speed civil transport application. The PARC3D code was used in the present study. The computations were also performed when approximately 2.5 percent of the engine mass flow was allowed to bypass through the engine bypass doors. The computational results were compared with the available experimental data which consisted of detailed Mach number and total pressure distribution along the entire length of the subsonic diffuser. The total pressure recovery, flow distortion, and crossflow velocity at the engine face were also calculated. The computed surface ramp and cowl pressure distributions were compared with experiments. Overall, the computational results compared well with experimental data. The present CFD analysis demonstrated that the bypass flow improves the total pressure recovery and lessens flow distortions at the engine face.

Kapoor, Kamlesh↗

HYDRODYNAMIC ANALYSIS OF MACROALGAE LOCAL MODEL USING COMPUTATIONAL FLUID DYNAMICS

In this article, a local scale, fully nonlinear coupled fluid-structural interaction (FSI) sugar kelp model has been developed using a computational fluid dynamics (CFD) method. In this model, to be consistent with available experimental data, the sugar kelp is approximated as elongated rectangles with smoothed isosceles triangles at the ends and a single kelp model with one end fixed in a channel with constant current model is developed. Several different current speeds are simulated, and the resulting drag forces and calculated drag coefficients are validated by comparison with experimental data from the literature. In a previous study, a global scale model was developed using a computational structural dynamics (CSD) method to simulate macroalgae farming system and guide the system configuration design. In the global scale model, the hydrodynamic forces are calculated using Morison’s equation and the kinematics and dynamics of the sugar kelp are simplified and the group of kelps attached to the long line is modeled as a slender structure with the same length and an effective diameter such that the volumes are consistent with the real physical system. This simplified model matches the weight and buoyancy but adjusting the hydrodynamic properties when the general hydrodynamic coefficients are employed. Therefore, optimal hydrodynamic coefficients used in global scale model were determined to obtain the hydrodynamic force more accurately. The validated local scale model is then be applied to determine the hydrodynamic coefficients of the simplified sugar kelp model for global dynamic analysis.

hydrodynamic modeling, macroalgae, CFD model↗