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NASA NTRS1993

Evidence for a spatially extended component of gamma rays from solar flares

We present gamma-ray measurements of a large solar flare that occurred beyond the western solar limb on September 29, 1989. The gamma-ray spectrum shows a neutron capture line which is much stronger than predicted by limb-darkening curves that fit the measurements for flares on the visible hemisphere. We show that this strong neutron capture line can be explained if, in addition to the compact impulsive phase component that normally dominates the total fluence, there is a spatially extended component. For the September 29, 1989 flare we find that such a spatially extended region must subtend more than about 30 deg on the solar surface. We suggest that the extended component could be powered by particles that diffuse from a compact impulsive region or by particles that diffuse into the lower solar atmosphere from a large-scale acceleration site.

Vestrand, W. T.↗

NASA NTRS1990

Explosive volcanism and associated pressures - Implications for models of endogenically shocked quartz

The nature of explosive volcanic phenomena and associated pressures, both from field and theoretical perspectives, is discussed. An endogenic origin for shocked quartz at the K/T boundary requires impulsive pressures greater than 60 kbars to be generated during explosive volcanism. Explosive volcanic eruptions which are events of sustained decompression may be initiated by impulsive explosions while the magnitudes of the overpressures are small. These maximum overpressures can be controlled mainly by the tensile strength of the rock surrounding the magma chamber-conduit system. Thus maximum overpressures in the volcanic environment are limited to less than 500 bars which are orders of magnitude less than those required for shock quartz (greater than 60 kbars). This observation is found to be consistent with the complete lack of field or petrographic evidence in support of shock metamorphism associated with volcanic eruptions and their products.

De Silva, S. L.↗

NASA NTRS1993

Performance of a low-power subsonic-arc-attachment arcjet thruster

A subsonic-arc-attachment thruster design was scaled from a 30 kW 1960's vintage thruster to operate at nominally 3 kW. Performance measurements were obtained over a 1-4 kW power range using hydrogen as the propellant. Several modes of operation were identified and were characterized by varying degrees of voltage instability. A stability map was developed showing that the voltage oscillations were brought upon by elevated current or propellant levels. At a given specific energy level the specific impulse increased asymptotically with increased flow rates. Comparisons of performance were made between radial and tangential propellant injection. When the vortex flow was eliminated using radial injection, the operating voltages were lower at a given current, and the specific impulse and efficiency decreased. Tests were also conducted to determine the effects of background pressure on operation. Performance data were obtained at pressures of 0.047 Pa and 18 Pa. For a given specific energy level, the performance increased with a decrease in facility background pressure. Lowering the background pressure also caused a dramatic change in the voltage-current characteristic and the voltage stability, a phenomenon not previously reported with conventional supersonic-arc-attachment thrusters.

Sankovic, John M.↗

NASA NTRS1993

BMDO electric space-propulsion program

Electric propulsion (EP) applications being considered include: orbit insertion, orbit repositioning, station keeping, and elusive maneuvering. Typically, 1 to 5 kW are available for EP. A class of thrusters, the Hall-effect thrusters, is extensively researched, developed and flown by Russia. These thrusters, using xenon propellant, perform reliably, e.g., at 1.35 kW, 600 s specific impulse, 50 percent efficiency and greater than 2000 hr life. This specific impulse and efficiency combination is superior to the present arcjets for several Ballistic Missile Defense Organization (BMDO) applications. Three versions of the Hall thrusters are part of the experimental evaluation. Since today's goals are within reach of available thrusters and power sources, emphasis is being placed on such topics as: thruster lifetime, spacecraft interactions, electromagnetic interference, and erosion product deposition. Facilities in U.S. laboratories are being specially configured to achieve these goals.

Caveny, Leonard H.↗

NASA NTRS1990

Using finite volume methods for aeroacoustics

This paper is concerned with the application of unsteady finite volume methods to the numerical calculation of aeroacoustic problems. Some discussion is made of how the acoustic analogy of Lighthill has led to a separation between the calculation of acoustic source, or flow, and the subsequent sound field. It is pointed out that for transonic flow this separation is not necessarily useful. The example problem of an impulsively started cylinder is given for speed of Mach .1 and .5. In the Mach .5 case a strong shock is followed as it develops. A further example of the cylinder stopping impulsively is given as well. MacCormack's explicit predictor-corrector method is used for all the examples.

Brentner, Kenneth S.↗

NASA NTRS1956

Effect of combustion-chamber pressure and nozzle expansion ratio on theoretical performance of several rocket propellant systems

Theoretical calculations of specific impulse to determine the separate effects of increasing the combustion-chamber pressure and the nozzle expansion ratio on the performance of the propellants, hydrogen-fluorine, hydrogen-oxygen, ammonia-fluorine and AN-F-58 fuel - white fuming nitric acid (95 percent). The results indicate that an increase in specific impulse obtainable with an increase in combustion-chamber pressure is almost entirely caused by the increased expansion ratio through the nozzle.

FUELS - ROCKETS (INCLUDES FUEL AND OXIDANT)↗

NASA NTRS1951

Theoretical performance of lithium and fluorine as a rocket propellant

Theoretical performance for liquid lithium and liquid fluorine as a rocket propellant was calculated with assumptions both of equilibrium and frozen composition during expansion. Parameters included were specific impulse, combustion-chamber temperature, nozzle-exit temperature, composition, mean molecular weight, characteristic velocity, coefficient of thrust, and ratio of nozzle-exit area to throat area. For chamber pressure of 300 pounds per square inch absolute and expansion to 1 atmosphere, the maximum equilibrium specific impulse calculated was 335.5 pound-seconds per pound. The effect of ionization on calculated performance was shown to be negligible by comparison of values of various parameters calculated both with and without ionized products of combustion.

FUELS -ROCKETS (INCLUDES FUELS AND OXIDANT)↗

NASA NTRS1954

Preliminary Investigation of Performance and Starting Characteristics of Liquid Fluorine : Liquid Oxygen Mixtures with Jet Fuel

The performance of jet fuel with an oxidant mixture containing 70 percent liquid fluorine and 30 percent liquid oxygen by weight was investigated in a 500-pound-thrust engine operating at a chamber pressure of 300 pounds per square inch absolute. A one-oxidant-on-one-fuel skewed-hole impinging-jet injector was evaluated in a chamber of characteristic length equal to 50 inches. A maximum experimental specific impulse of 268 pound-seconds per pound was obtained at 25 percent fuel, which corresponds to 96 percent of the maximum theoretical specific impulse based on frozen composition expansion. The maximum characteristic velocity obtained was 6050 feet per second at 23 percent fuel, or 94 percent of the theoretical maximum. The average thrust coefficient was 1.38 for the 500-pound thrust combustion-chamber nozzle used, which was 99 percent of the theoretical (frozen) maximum. Mixtures of fluorine and oxygen were found to be self-igniting with jet fuel with fluorine concentrations as low as 4 percent, when low starting propellant flow rated were used.

ENGINES, ROCKET↗

NASA NTRS1953

Theoretical performance of liquid hydrogen and liquid fluorine as a rocket propellant

Theoretical values of performance parameters for liquid hydrogen and liquid fluorine as a rocket propellant were calculated on the assumption of equilibrium composition during the expansion process for a wide range of fuel-oxidant and expansion ratios. The parameters included were specific impulse, combustion-chamber temperature, nozzle-exit temperature, equilibrium composition, mean molecular weight, characteristic velocity, coefficient of thrust, ration of nozzle-exit area to throat area, specific heat at constant pressure, coefficient of viscosity, and coefficient of thermal conductivity. The maximum value of specific impulse was 364.6 pound-seconds per pound for a chamber pressure of 300 pounds per square inch absolute (20.41 atm) and an exit pressure of 1 atmosphere.

Gordon, Sanford↗

NASA NTRS1953

Theoretical performance of liquid ammonia and liquid fluorine as a rocket propellant

Theoretical values of performance parameters for liquid ammonia and liquid fluorine as a rocket propellant were calculated on the assumption of equilibrium composition during the expansion process for a wide range of fuel-oxidant and expansion ratios. The parameters included were specific impulse, combustion chamber temperature, nozzle-exit temperature, equilibrium composition, mean molecular weight, characteristic velocity, coefficient of thrust, ratio of nozzle-exit area to throat area, specific heat at constant pressure, coefficient of viscosity, and coefficient of thermal conductivity. The maximum value of specific impulse was 311.5 pound-seconds per pound for a chamber pressure of 300 pounds per square inch absolute (20.41 atm) and an exit pressure of 1 atmosphere.

COMBUSTION - ROCKET ENGINES↗

NASA NTRS1953

Analytical evaluation of effect of equivalence ratio inlet-air temperature and combustion pressure on performance of several possible ram-jet fuels

The results of an analytical investigation of the theoretical air specific impulse performance and adiabatic combustion temperatures of several possible ram-jet fuels over a range of equivalence ratios, inlet-air temperatures, and combustion pressures, is presented herein. The fuels include octane-1, 50-percent-magnesium slurry, boron, pentaborane, diborane, hydrogen, carbon, and aluminum. Thermal effects from high combustion temperatures were found to effect considerably the combustion performance of all the fuels. An increase in combustion pressure was beneficial to air specific impulse at high combustion temperatures. The use of these theoretical data in engine operation and in the evaluation of experimental data is described.

COMBUSTION - TURBINE ENGINES↗

NASA NTRS1954

Summary of Free-flight Performance of a Series of Ram-jet Engines at Mach Numbers from 0.80 to 2.20

Data obtained from the NACA air-launched ram-jet program are summarized with emphasis placed upon the transonic propulsive thrust potential of the engines. Data are presented for boosted and non-boosted engine configurations which incorporate a single-oblique-shock or double-oblique-shock diffuser designed for critical inlet operation at flight Mach numbers of 1.8 and 2.4, respectively. The engines are evaluated in terms of flight Mach number, mass-flow ratio, diffuser pressure recovery, combustion-chamber heat release, propulsive thrust, external drag, and specific impulse. From specific impulse considerations, it appears that for some air-launched missile applications the self-accelerating supersonic ram jet may have a lower gross weight than a rocket-boosted ram jet.

RESEARCH EQUIPMENT, FREE-FLIGHT↗

NASA NTRS1956

An analysis of air-turborocket engine performance including effects of component changes

An analytical study of the air-turborocket engine is presented, showing both full-power operation over a range of flight speeds and part-power operation at several supersonic speeds. Engine weight, drag, and area variations are calculated in addition to the internal thrust coefficient and specific impulse. Tehe effects of changes in the component designs and efficiencies are indicated. Maximum specific impulse (including nacelle drag and using gasoline - nitric acid propellants) at Mach 2.3 is 1500 lb/(lb/sec). The performance is compared with that of a typical turbojet engine.

Luidens, Roger W↗

NASA NTRS1956

Theoretical performance of JP-4 fuel with a 70-30 mixture of fluorine and oxygen as a rocket propellant : equilibrium composition

Data were calculated for equivalence ratios of 1 to 4, chamber pressures of 300 and 600 pounds per square inch absolute, and pressure ratios of 1 to 1500. Parameters included are specific impulse, combustion and exit temperatures, molecular weight, characteristic velocity, coefficient of thrust, ratio of nozzle-exit area to throat area, specific heat at constant pressure, isentropic exponent, viscosity, and thermal conductivity. A correlation is given which permits determination of performance for a wide range of chamber pressures. A method for obtaining specific impulse of JP-4 fuel with OF2 and O3-F2 mixtures is given.

Gordon, Sanford↗

NASA NTRS1957

Theoretical rocket performance of JP-4 fuel with mixtures of liquid ozone and fluorine

Data were estimated by means of a heat correction equation using data for JP-4 fuel with mixtures of oxygen and flourine. The estimated data were checked for several cases by direct calculations. The difference in specific impulse between the estimated and directly calculated values was from 0.2 to 0.8 pound-second per pound. The maximum value of specific impulse was 334.9 pound-seconds per pound for a combustion-chamber pressure of 600 pounds per square inch absolute and an exit pressure of 1 atmosphere.

Huff, Vearl N↗

NASA NTRS1957

Analysis of fluorine addition to the vanguard first stage

The effect of adding fluorine to the Vanguard first-stage oxidant was anlyzed. An increase in specific impulse of 5.74 percent may be obtained with 30 percent fluorine. This increase, coupled with increased mass ratio due to greater oxidant density, gave up to 24.6-percent increase in first-stage burnout energy with 30 percent fluorine added. However, a change in tank configuration is required to accommodate the higher oxidant-fuel ratio necessary for peak specific impulse with fluorine addition.

Tomazic, William A↗

NASA NTRS1958

Theoretical Rocket Performance of Liquid Methane with Several Fluorine-Oxygen Mixtures Assuming Frozen Composition

Theoretical rocket performance for frozen composition during expansion was calculated for liquid methane with several fluorine-oxygen mixtures for a range of pressure ratios and oxidant-fuel ratios. The parameters included are specific impulse, combustion-chamber temperature, nozzle-exit temperature molecular weight, characteristic velocity, coefficient of thrust, ratio of nozzle-exit area to throat area, specific heat at constant pressure, isentropic exponent, viscosity, and thermal conductivity. The maximum calculated value of specific impulse for a chamber pressure of 600 pounds per square inch absolute (40.827atm) and an exit pressure of 1 atmosphere is 315.3 for 79.67 percent fluorine in the oxidant.

Gordon, Sanford↗

NASA NTRS1958

Theoretical Rocket Performance of JP-4 Fuel with Several Fluorine-Oxygen Mixtures Assuming Equilibrium Composition

Theoretical rocket performance for equilibrium composition during expansion was calculated for JP-4 fuel with several fluorine-oxygen mixtures for a range of pressure ratios and oxidant-fuel ratios. The parameters included are specific impulse, combustion-chamber temperature, nozzle-exit temperature, molecular weight, characteristic velocity, coefficient of thrust, ratio of nozzle-exit area to throat area, specific heat at constant pressure, isentropic exponent, viscosity, thermal conductivity, and equilibrium gas compositions. A correlation is given for the effect of chamber pressure on several of the parameters. The maximum value of specific impulse for a chamber pressure of 600 pounds per square inch absolute (40.827 atm) and an exit pressure of 1 atmosphere is 325.7 for 70.37 percent fluorine in the oxidant as compared with 284.9 and 305.1 for 100 percent oxygen and 100 percent fluorine, respectively.

Gordon, Sanford↗