Engineering Papers⌕ Search

SEARCH · Engineering Papers

Results for “heat of absorption”

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 145 records · Page 8

Quality Control and Calibration of the Dual-Polarization Radar at Kwajalein, RMI

Weather radars, recording information about precipitation around the globe, will soon be significantly upgraded. Most of today s weather radars transmit and receive microwave energy with horizontal orientation only, but upgraded systems have the capability to send and receive both horizontally and vertically oriented waves. These enhanced "dual-polarimetric" (DP) radars peer into precipitation and provide information on the size, shape, phase (liquid / frozen), and concentration of the falling particles (termed hydrometeors). This information is valuable for improved rain rate estimates, and for providing data on the release and absorption of heat in the atmosphere from condensation and evaporation (phase changes). The heating profiles in the atmosphere influence global circulation, and are a vital component in studies of Earth s changing climate. However, to provide the most accurate interpretation of radar data, the radar must be properly calibrated and data must be quality controlled (cleaned) to remove non-precipitation artifacts; both of which are challenging tasks for today s weather radar. The DP capability maximizes performance of these procedures using properties of the observed precipitation. In a notable paper published in 2005, scientists from the Cooperative Institute for Mesoscale Meteorological Studies (CIMMS) at the University of Oklahoma developed a method to calibrate radars using statistically averaged DP measurements within light rain. An additional publication by one of the same scientists at the National Severe Storms Laboratory (NSSL) in Norman, Oklahoma introduced several techniques to perform quality control of radar data using DP measurements. Following their lead, the Topical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM) Satellite Validation Office at NASA s Goddard Space Flight Center has fine-tuned these methods for specific application to the weather radar at Kwajalein Island in the Republic of the Marshall Islands, approximately 2100 miles southwest of Hawaii and 1400 miles east of Guam in the tropical North Pacific Ocean. This tropical oceanic location is important because the majority of rain, and therefore the majority of atmospheric heating, occurs in the tropics where limited ground-based radar data are available.

Marks, David A.↗

Prevention of Over-Pressurization During Combustion in a Sealed Chamber

The combustion of flammable material in a sealed chamber invariably leads to an initial pressure rise in the volume. The pressure rise is due to the increase in the total number of gaseous moles (condensed fuel plus chamber oxygen combining to form gaseous carbon dioxide and water vapor) and, most importantly, the temperature rise of the gas in the chamber. Though the rise in temperature and pressure would reduce with time after flame extinguishment due to the absorption of heat by the walls and contents of the sealed spacecraft, the initial pressure rise from a fire, if large enough, could lead to a vehicle over-pressure and the release of gas through the pressure relief valve. This paper presents a simple lumped-parameter model of the pressure rise in a sealed chamber resulting from the heat release during combustion. The transient model considers the increase in gaseous moles due to combustion, and heat transfer to the chamber walls by convection and radiation and to the fuel-sample holder by conduction, as a function of the burning rate of the material. The results of the model are compared to the pressure rise in an experimental chamber during flame spread tests as well as to the pressure falloff after flame extinguishment. The experiments involve flame spread over thin solid fuel samples. Estimates of the heat release rate profiles for input to the model come from the assumed stoichiometric burning of the fuel along with the observed flame spread behavior. The sensitivity of the model to predict maximum chamber pressure is determined with respect to the uncertainties in input parameters. Model predictions are also presented for the pressure profile anticipated in the Fire Safety-1 experiment, a material flammability and fire safety experiment proposed for the European Space Agency (ESA) Automated Transfer Vehicle (ATV). Computations are done for a range of scenarios including various initial pressures and sample sizes. Based on these results, various mitigation approaches are suggested to prevent vehicle over-pressurization and help guide the definition of the space experiment.

Gokoglu, Suleyman A.↗

Space Launch System Base Heating Test: Tunable Diode Laser Absorption Spectroscopy

This paper describes the Tunable Diode Laser Absorption Spectroscopy (TDLAS) measurement of several water transitions that were interrogated during a hot-fire testing of the Space Launch Systems (SLS) sub-scale vehicle installed in LENS II. The temperature of the recirculating gas flow over the base plate was found to increase with altitude and is consistent with CFD results. It was also observed that the gas above the base plate has significant velocity along the optical path of the sensor at the higher altitudes. The line-by-line analysis of the H2O absorption features must include the effects of the Doppler shift phenomena particularly at high altitude. The TDLAS experimental measurements and the analysis procedure which incorporates the velocity dependent flow will be described.

Parker, Ron↗

Space Launch System Base Heating Test: Tunable Diode Laser Absorption Spectroscopy

This paper describes the Tunable Diode Laser Absorption Spectroscopy (TDLAS) measurement of several water transitions that were interrogated during a hot-fire testing of the Space Launch Systems (SLS) sub-scale vehicle installed in LENS II. The temperature of the recirculating gas flow over the base plate was found to increase with altitude and is consistent with CFD results. It was also observed that the gas above the base plate has significant velocity along the optical path of the sensor at the higher altitudes. The line-by-line analysis of the H2O absorption features must include the effects of the Doppler shift phenomena particularly at high altitude. The TDLAS experimental measurements and the analysis procedure which incorporates the velocity dependent flow will be described.

Parker, Ron↗

Impact on Cycle Efficiency of Small CHP Plants from Increasing Firing Temperature Enabled by AM of Turbine Blades

Combined Heat and Power (CHP) systems are gaining popularity because of their potential for high overall thermodynamic efficiency and increased need for distributed power generation. Most CHP systems include a gas turbine for electricity generation and a heat recovery steam generator (HRSG) for steam generation. The steam can be used to power a steam turbine for additional electricity generation or to drive rotating equipment, for space heating, for absorption chillers, etc. A CHP cycle configuration is often driven by the ‘principal’ utility for the facility that it services; steam or electricity. In either case, performance improvements in the gas turbine have the potential to increase the steam and power output from the cycle, which is a direct result of improvements in the gas turbine efficiency and power output. One possible opportunity to improve an existing gas turbine’s performance is to increase the firing temperature with improved turbine cooling and increased compression ratio.<br>In this study, the impact on CHP cycle performance from increasing the turbine firing temperature by 100 °C and improving the turbine blade cooling for a 6-MW scale gas turbine is estimated using an analytical cooled gas turbine model and a steam cycle model. A sensitivity analysis was performed to understand the impact of increasing the internal cooling effectiveness, thermal barrier coating performance and blade material upgrades on gas turbine and CHP cycle efficiency. The impacts of turbine blade cooling improvements were studied for three common CHP cycle configurations identified from the literature. Various definitions for CHP cycle efficiency from the literature are used in the comparisons. The results showed that a 100 °C increase in firing temperature can increase the gas turbine efficiency by 1 percentage point without improving cooling effectiveness and add 2 additional percentage points in efficiency by using advanced turbine blades with higher internal cooling efficiency. Studied engine upgrades showed potential for increasing the CHP cycle efficiency by 3 percentage points while increasing the steam generation rate by 8%.<br>

Uysal, Selcuk Can↗

Modeling Advanced Strippers for CO2 Capture from Gas-Fired Power Plants using Aqueous Piperazine

Energy performance of 5 m piperazine was evaluated with an advanced stripper at the pilot scale, accounting for heat loss. Modeling studies indicated that heat loss at locations other than the heat source impacted the heat duty. For strippers with excess packing, the column was the most important source of heat loss, and values as low as 0.03 GJ/hr can cause pinch and reabsorption of CO2. Solvents like 5 m PZ are more affected by heat loss in the column due to a top-side temperature pinch at high lean loading. Heat loss impacts NGCC CO2 capture more than coal-based CO2 capture. Surface temperature measurements pilot plants showed that heat loss was 50-75% controlled by natural convection. Measured heat loss was correlated with steam flowrate and wind speed and ranged from 8126 to 219668 Btu/hr, representing 35% of the measured heat rate on average. Net heat duty linearly varied with CO2 removal at low lean loading and was similar for coal and NGCC conditions at fixed removal. At 90% removal, net heat duty was about 2.5 GJ/t with 4 and 12% CO2 in the flue gas. 7 At NGCC conditions, strippers with finite packing can benefit from a flashing feed to the top of the column by using a hot bypass. A flashing feed was linked to a reduction in irreversibility of the stripper from temperature driving forces. It also reduces heat duty by up to 6% at fixed packing height and reduces packing requirement for a fixed steam heater size compared to a warm bypass. Lean loading and lean solvent rate were effective handles to maximize profitability of a fixed stripper design at low gas price. High ambient temperature operation can benefit from low pressure stripping to about 0.18 lean loading at 150 ℃ to maintain the cyclic capacity at reduced rich loading. At low gas price, the capture plant was able to maximize profitability even with a high heat duty of 2.7-3.1 GJ/t at a lean loading of 0.2-0.22 mol/mol. Heat recovery by partial water vapor condensation in a gas-liquid exchanger can be replaced by a direct contact condenser (DCC). The DCC improved gas cooling and reduced heat duty compared to the CO2 exchanger at 0.2 lean loading. The DCC when used with a 150 ℃/5.5 bar stripper can reduce the cost of capture compared to the base case by $3- 4/tonne at 15 ft of packing (optimum) but increases cost of capture by $6/tonne with a 120 ℃/2 bar stripper and 10 ft of packing (optimum). The DCC can work effectively with a solvent with a high heat of absorption and thermal stability.

Suresh Babu, Athreya↗

The infrared continuum spectrum of x ray illuminated molecular gas

In starburst galaxies, active galaxies, and the mysterious ultraluminous infrared galaxies, x rays are likely to interact with molecular gas and dust, thereby inducing infrared emission. X ray heated thermal dust will emit the IR continuum, and x ray photoelectrons will excite an IR emission-line spectrum. Here, researchers model the IR continuum emission characteristic of some selected x ray spectral fluxes, in particular the x ray bremsstrahlung characteristic of supernova and stellar wind bubble shocks in dense media and the power law spectra characteristic of active galactic nuclei. These models are part of a larger project to determine the complete IR spectra, lines plus continuum, of x ray sources embedded in molecular gas. They modeled the thermal emission from grains by calculating a grain temperature/size/composition distribution function, f(T,a,Comp.), which accounts for temperature fluctuations by averaging over all grain thermal histories. In determining the grain thermal distribution, researchers account for both direct grain heating (by x ray absorption and subsequent electron energy deposition) and indirect grain heating (by absorption of the UV emission stimulated by non-thermal photo- and Auger electrons in the gas phase). We let the grain size distribution be proportional to a(exp -3.5), and they consider two types of grain composition: graphites, which we assume to be pure carbon, and silicates, which contain all other depleted heavy elements. They derive the grain composition distribution function from solar abundances and interstellar depletion data.

Voit, G. Mark↗

Advanced Design Heat PumpRadiator for EVA Suits

Absorption cooling using a LiCl/water heat pump can enable lightweight and effective thermal control for EVA suits without venting water to the environment. The key components in the system are an absorber/radiator that rejects heat to space and a flexible evaporation cooling garment that absorbs heat from the crew member. This paper describes progress in the design, development, and testing of the absorber/radiator and evaporation cooling garment. New design concepts and fabrication approaches will significantly reduce the mass of the absorber/radiator. We have also identified materials and demonstrated fabrication approaches for production of a flexible evaporation cooling garment. Data from tests of the absorber/radiator s modular components have validated the design models and allowed predictions of the size and weight of a complete system.

Izenson, Michael G.↗

Optical absorption of carbon and hydrocarbon species from shock heated acetylene and methane in the 135-220 nm wavelength range

Absorption spectroscopy of carbon and hydrocarbon species has been performed in a shock tube at an incident shock condition for a wavelength range of 135-220 nm, in order to obtain information needed for calculating radiation blockage ahead of a planetary probe. Instrumentation consisted of high frequency response pressure transducers, thin-film heat transfer gages, or photomultipliers coupled by light pipes. Two test-gas mixtures, one with acetylene and the other with methane, both diluted with argon, were used to provide a reliable variation of C3 and C2H concentration ratio. Comparison of tests results of the two mixtures, in the temperature range of 3750 + or - 100 K, showed the main absorbing species to be C3. The wavelength for maximum absorption agrees well with the theoretical values of 7.68 eV and 8.03 eV for the vertical excitation energy, and a value of 0.90 for the electronic oscillator strength, obtained from the measured absorption band, is also in good agreement with the predicted value of 0.92.

Shinn, J. L.↗

A model of the SO2 atmosphere and ionosphere of Io

The calculations of thermal structure for an SO2 atmosphere of Io lead to exospheric temperatures in 800-1200 K range. The Pioneer 10 electron density profiles can be fit with an SO2 surface density of 1.2 x 10 to the 11th per cu cm at 5:30 pm local time and exosphere temperature of 1030 K. Low energy electrons provide the major ionization source but the solar UV absorption dominates the heating of the atmosphere due to the long wavelength absorption threshold of SO2 and large absorption cross sections.

Kumar, S.↗

Al III, Si IV, and C IV absorption toward zeta Ophiuchi: Evidence for photionized and collisionally ionized gas

We present Goddard High-Resolution Spectrograph observations at 3.5 km/s resolution and signal-to-noise ratios of 30 to 60 for the Al III, Si IV, and N V absorption lines in the far-ultraviolet spectrum of the O9.5 V star zeat Ophiuchi. The measurement reveal three types of highly ionized gas along the 140 pc line of sight. (1) Narrow components of Al III (b = 4.3 km/s, the mean value of (v(helio)) = -7.8 km/s; b = 3.2 km/s, the mean value of (v(sub helio)) = -14.4 km/s) and Si IV (b = 5.3 km/s, the mean value of (v(sub helio)) = -15.0 km/s) trace photionized gas in the expanding H II region surrounding zeta Oph. The observed magnitude and direction of the velocity offset between the Al III and Si IV profiles can be explained by models of H II regions that incorporate expansion. Narrow C IV absorption associated with the H II region is not detected. Predictions of the expected amounts of Si IV and C IV overestimate the column densities of these ions by factors of 30 and more than 10, respectively. The discrepancy may be due to the effects of elemental depletions in the gas and/or to the interaction of the stellar wind with surrounding matter. (2) Broad (b = 15 to 18 km/s) and weak Si IV and C IV absorption components are detected near the mean value of (v(sub helio)) = -26 km/s. The high-ionization species associated with these absorption components are probably produced by electron collisional ionization in a heated gas. This absorption may be physically related to the zeta Oph bow shock ot to a cloud complex situated within the local interstellar medium at d less than 60 pc. The C IV to Si IV column density ratio in this gas is 8, a factor of 6 less than conductive interface models predict, but this discrepancy may be removed by considering the effects of self-photoionization within the cooling gas in the model calculations. (3) A broad (b = 13 km/s) and weak C IV absorption feature detected at the mean value of (v(sub helio)) = -61 km/s is not seen in other species. We tentatively ascribe this absorption to gas in a postshock ragion of an optically thin shock in the zeta Oph stellar wind.

Sembach, Kenneth R.↗

Quasi-isentropic laser engines

This study examines laser engine processes in which coherent radiation is converted, at least in principle, completely into mechanical work (i.e., without the need for heat rejection). This type of engine process utilizes all coherence properties with minimum degradation, i.e., with minimum increase of entropy. The conversion is based on a heat pump operated by gaseous resonance absorption, followed by a heat engine.

Garbuny, M.↗

Coronal heating in flare stars: Resonant MHD absorption?

We report on the occurrence of periodicity in X-rays from certain flare stars. Statistically significant periods in the range 70-200 s are present in Einstein data for EQ Vir, Proxima Cen, and AD Leo. Periodicities are also present (although with lower statistical significance) in ROSAT data for AD Leo, and in EXOSAT data for EQ Vir and AD Leo. In UV Cet, we also find periodicity in Einstein data, but with lower statistical significance than for the above three stars: however, the UV Cet X-ray period is close to a period discovered by Gary et al. (1982) in microwaves in the close companion L726-8A. We argue that the properties of magnetic loops in flare stars are such that the variations in a single magnetic loop may be detectable in integrated flux. The period which we find in the X-ray flux from Proxima Cen is consistent with a global Alfven wave resonance in a large loop whose properties were derived some years ago by Haisch (1983) using an entirely different line of reasoning from what we use here. The periods, amplitudes, and durations of the variations which we have found in X-ray emission are consistent with the hypothesis that resonant absorption of MHD waves is occurring at certain times in coronal loops in the above four stars.

Mullan, D. J.↗

A dynamic volumetric heat source model for laser additive manufacturing

Melt pool scale models of laser powder bed fusion (LPBF) offer insights into the process-structure-property relationships in additive manufacturing (AM). These models often neglect physical phenomena such as vapor cavity formation and fluid mechanics to reduce computational demands. Instead, volumetric heat source models are used to represent the effects that these phenomena have on the predicted melt pool dimensions. Generally, the dimensions and effective absorption of the volumetric heat source are calibrated to reproduce melt pool dimensions observed in metallographic cross sections taken from single-track experiments on bare plate. However, the transient nature of LPBF often deviates the melt pool dimensions from the assumed steady-state conditions of single-track experiments, motivating the need for a volumetric heat source model that more generally considers the dynamic relationship between melt pool shape and laser-material interactions. Here, we introduce a two-parameter volumetric heat source model that integrates several existing models into a generalized mathematical expression, providing independent control over the radial heat distribution via the parameter k and the volumetric shape of the heat source via the parameter m. This parameterization enables the calibration of melt pool shape predictions through simultaneous adjustment of these parameters, while keeping the radial heat source dimensions consistent with the experimental spot size (D4σ) and constraining the heat source depth and absorption to physically derived expressions for cavities. Consequently, the proposed volumetric heat source model adapts to changes in the local melt pool conditions due to scanning strategy and part geometry by dynamically adjusting the heat source depth and absorption. We demonstrate the capabilities of the proposed model through comparisons with a collection of experiments from the Additive Manufacturing Benchmark (AMBench).

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

The effect of electron temperature and impact ionization on Martian return AOTV flowfields

Various electron impact ionization models in conjunction with a quasi-equilibrium electron temperature model have been investigated and applied to the stagnation region of a hypothetical 2.3 m nose radius Martian return AOTV. For the conditions considered, U = 12 km/sec at 80 km, both multi-temperature inviscid and viscous results indicate that a two-step ionization impact model predicts ionization distances in agreement with experimental data, that nonequilibrium chemistry and radiation effects are important throughout the stagnation zone, and that the quasi-equilibrium electron temperature model is reasonable. Also, using a non-grey emission-absorption radiation step model, it is shown that nonequilibrium causes a reduction in radiative heating from that predicted for equilibrium conditions and that compared to an adiabatic wall a cool wall (1650 deg K) results in a 28 to 45 percent reduction in radiative heating due to absorption near the wall.

Carlson, Leland A.↗

Resonant absorption of Alfvenic surface waves and the heating of solar coronal loops

A first-order mass- and energy-balance model is developed for steady-state EUV 'coronal rain' loops that are not associated with postflare events and are often seen over sunspot umbrae. The model disregards variations in a loop's thermodynamic and magnetic properties along magnetic-field lines and yields average properties of the resonant absorption sheath, the boundary layer, and the loop's interior. Both irreversible heating by Alfvenic surface waves and energy transport via induced boundary-layer convection are taken into account in the analysis. Results that include predictions of the temperatures of the sheath and the boundary-layer plasma, the temperature of the interior plasma, the radiative output of the loop, and the filling factor associated with this radiation are given in terms of the period and velocity amplitude of the relevant surface wave as well as various parameters that characterize a typical 'coronal rain' loop. These results are shown to be consistent with the observed minimum and maximum temperatures as well as the radiative output of typical 'coronal rain' loops.

Ionson, J. A.↗