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Search indexed NASA NTRS and DOE OSTI research on propulsion, heat transfer, battery materials and energy systems. Follow report and document links to the original sources.

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At least 1,477 records · Page 82
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2022

Strong suppression of heat conduction in a laboratory replica of galaxy-cluster turbulent plasmas

In conventional gases and plasmas, it is known that heat fluxes are proportional to temperature gradients, with collisions between particles mediating energy flow from hotter to colder regions and the coefficient of thermal conduction given by Spitzer’s theory. However, this theory breaks down in magnetized, turbulent, weakly collisional plasmas, although modifications are difficult to predict from first principles due to the complex, multiscale nature of the problem. Understanding heat transport is important in astrophysical plasmas such as those in galaxy clusters, where observed temperature profiles are explicable only in the presence of a strong suppression of heat conduction compared to Spitzer’s theory. To address this problem, we have created a replica of such a system in a laser laboratory experiment. Our data show a reduction of heat transport by two orders of magnitude or more, leading to large temperature variations on small spatial scales (as is seen in cluster plasmas).

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
NASA NTRS1977

Thermal stress analysis of a graded zirconia/metal gas path seal system for aircraft gas turbine engines

A ceramic/metallic aircraft gas turbine outer gas path seal designed to enable improved engine performance is studied. Flexible numerical analysis schemes suitable for the determination of transient temperature profiles and thermal stress distributions in the seal are outlined. An estimation of the stresses to which a test seal is subjected during simulated engine deceleration from sea level takeoff to idle conditions is made. Experimental evidence has indicated that the surface layer of the seal is probably subjected to excessive tensile stresses during cyclic temperature loading. This assertion is supported by the analytical results presented. Brief consideration is given to means of mitigating this adverse stressing.

Taylor, C. M.↗
NASA NTRS2004

Improved Temperature Dynamic Model of Turbine Subcomponents for Facilitation of Generalized Tip Clearance Control

This paper describes efforts conducted to improve dynamic temperature estimations of a turbine tip clearance system to facilitate design of a generalized tip clearance controller. This work builds upon research previously conducted and presented in and focuses primarily on improving dynamic temperature estimations of the primary components affecting tip clearance (i.e. the rotor, blades, and casing/shroud). The temperature profiles estimated by the previous model iteration, specifically for the rotor and blades, were found to be inaccurate and, more importantly, insufficient to facilitate controller design. Some assumptions made to facilitate the previous results were not valid, and thus improvements are presented here to better match the physical reality. As will be shown, the improved temperature sub- models, match a commercially validated model and are sufficiently simplified to aid in controller design.

Kypuros, Javier A.↗
NASA NTRS1947

Preliminary Results of Altitude-Wind-Tunnel Investigation of X24C-4B Turbojet Engine. V - Performance of Modified Engine: Performance of Modified Engine - V

An investigation has been conducted in the NACA Cleveland altitude wind tunnel to evaluate the performance characteristics of a modified X24C-4B turbojet engine over a range of simulated altitudes from 5000 to 45,000 feet, simulated flight Mach numbers from 0.25 to 1.07, and engine speeds from 4000 to 12,500 rpm. The engine was modified by the manufacturer to improve the velocity and temperature profiles within the engine. Performance data are graphically presented to show the effect of altitude at a flight Mach number of 0.25 and the effect of flight Mach number at an altitude of 25,000 feet. Original and modified engine performances for several specific operating conditions are compared. A complete tabulation of average pressures and temperatures throughout the engine, performance data, and lubrication and fuel-system data is presented.

Prince, William R.↗
DOE OSTI2017

Sodium Pumping via Condensation within a Non-Wetting Porous Structure

The sodium thermal electrochemical converter (Na-TEC) is a heat engine that generates electricity via the isothermal expansion of sodium ions through a beta”-alumina solid-electrolyte. The transfer of liquid sodium from a low-pressure condenser to a high-pressure evaporator is necessary to complete the thermodynamic cycle for this conversion process. A unique sodium capillary pump for the Na-TEC is proposed, whereby low-pressure sodium vapor is condensed within a non-wetting (i.e. contact angle > 90o) stainless steel porous structure. Due to the curvature of the non-wetting liquid-vapor interface, the liquid adjacent to the interface is at a higher pressure than the vapor. This is in contrast to traditional wicks, where the liquid adjacent to the interface has a lower pressure. Thus, the curvature created at this non-wetting condensation interface supplies a directed force upon the liquid sodium that effectively “pushes” it towards a high pressure region, whereas a traditional capillary wick “pulls” the liquid. Porous structures made of stainless steel 316 are commercially available, and this material is non-wetting to sodium at the relevant temperature range of the Na-TEC condenser (500K – 673K). An experimental set-up is used to measure several interfacial and transport properties of the condensed sodium within this porous structure. These properties include the temperature dependent Laplace pressure generated at the phase change interface and the permeability of the porous structure. Liquid sodium is in contact with the porous structure and is progressively pressurized with argon gas until the sodium “breaks through” and the liquid begins to flow. This break-through pressure is determined when electrical contact is established between the flowing liquid metal and a set of electrodes cemented along the flow path. The velocity of the flowing sodium can also be measured with these electrodes, and the permeability is then determined by fitting velocity data to the classical Darcy law. These interfacial properties are then applied to a conjugate heat transfer model, which treats the coupled momentum and thermal transport processes within the non-wetting porous structure as sodium vapor is condensed. Due to the low mass flowrates in the Na-TEC (< 0.1 mg/s), higher order friction terms are neglected and the classical Darcy’s law is used for non-isothermal, compressible sodium vapor flow. At lower temperatures, the sodium vapor density becomes sufficiently small and there is a transition from classic Poiseuille flow (Kn < 0.1) to Knudsen flow (Kn > 10). Furthermore, transport due to binary diffusion is considered for situations where there is a substantial presence of non-condensable argon inside the sodium vapor plenum. Initial modeling results showing expected mass flowrates, temperature profiles, and liquid-vapor interface locations are presented for various physical conditions. Finally, the main design features of an experimental set-up used to demonstrate this capillary pumping is described in detail, including the method used to measure the low sodium mass flowrates. Initial experimental results demonstrating sodium pumping for a range of temperatures (800K – 1100K) will be presented and compared against the model predictions. A pump curve used to gauge the performance of this pumping mechanism is also created.

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗
DOE OSTI2019

Sodium Pumping via Condensation within a Non-Wetting Porous Structure

The transfer of liquid sodium from a low-pressure condenser to a high-pressure evaporator is required to complete the thermodynamic cycle of a sodium thermal electrochemical converter (Na-TEC). A unique capillary pump is explored in this work, whereby low-pressure sodium vapor is condensed within a non-wetting (i.e. contact angle > pi/2) stainless steel porous structure. Due to the curvature of the non-wetting liquid-vapor interface, the liquid adjacent to the interface is at a higher pressure than the vapor. This is in contrast to traditional wicks, where the liquid adjacent to the interface has a lower pressure. Conjugate heat transfer techniques are used to model the coupled momentum and thermal transport processes within this non-wetting porous structure. Due to the low mass flowrates in the Na-TEC (< 0.1 mg/s), higher order friction terms are neglected and the classical Darcy’s law is used for the non-isothermal, compressible vapor flow. At lower temperatures, the sodium vapor density becomes sufficiently small and there is a transition from classic Poiseuille flow (Kn < 0.1) to Knudsen flow (Kn > 10). Furthermore, transport due to binary diffusion is also considered for situations where there is a substantial presence of non-condensable argon in the sodium vapor plenum. Initial modeling results showing expected mass flowrates, temperature profiles, and liquid-vapor interface locations are presented for various physical conditions. The main design features of an experimental set-up used to demonstrate this capillary pumping is also described in detail, including the method used to measure the low sodium mass flowrates. Initial experimental results demonstrating sodium pumping for a range of temperatures (800K – 1100K) will be presented and compared against the model predictions. Finally, several of the challenges with this experiment will be discussed, and specific strategies used to address these are presented.

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗
NASA NTRS1991

Free-stream turbulence and concave curvature effects on heated, transitional boundary layers

An experimental investigation of the transition process on flat-plate and concave curved-wall boundary layers for various free-stream turbulence levels was performed. Results show that for transition of a flat-plate, the two forms of boundary layer behavior, identified as laminar-like and turbulent-like, cannot be thought of as separate Blasius and fully-turbulent profiles, respectively. Thus, simple transition models in which the desired quantity is assumed to be an average, weighted on intermittency, of the theoretical laminar and fully turbulent values is not expected to be successful. Deviation of the flow identified as laminar-like from theoretical laminar behavior is shown to be due to recovery after the passage of a turbulent spot, while deviation of the flow identified as turbulent-like from the full-turbulent values is thought to be due to incomplete establishment of the fully-turbulent power spectral distribution. Turbulent Prandtl numbers for the transitional flow, computed from measured shear stress, turbulent heat flux and mean velocity and temperature profiles, were less than unity. For the curved-wall case with low free-stream turbulence intensity, the existence of Gortler vortices on the concave wall within both laminar and turbulent flows was established using liquid crystal visualization and spanwise velocity and temperature traverses. Transition was found to occur via a vortex breakdown mode. The vortex wavelength was quite irregular in both the laminar and turbulent flows, but the vortices were stable in time and space. The upwash was found to be more unstable, with higher levels of u' and u'v', and lower skin friction coefficients and shape factors. Turbulent Prandtl numbers, measured using a triple-wire probe, were found to be near unity for all post-transitional profiles, indicating no gross violation of Reynolds analogy. No evidence of streamwise vortices was seen in the high turbulence intensity case.

Kim, J.↗
NASA NTRS1977

Deriving mesoscale temperature and moisture fields from satellite radiance measurements over the United States

The ability to provide mesoscale temperature and moisture fields from operational satellite infrared sounding radiances over the United States is explored. High-resolution sounding information for mesoscale analysis and forecasting is shown to be obtainable in mostly clear areas. An iterative retrieval algorithm applied to NOAA-VTPR radiances uses a mean radiosonde sounding as a best initial-guess profile. Temperature soundings are then retrieved at a horizontal resolution of about 70 km, as is an indication of the precipitable water content of the vertical sounding columns. Derived temperature values may be biased in general by the initial-guess sounding or in certain areas by the cloud correction technique, but the resulting relative temperature changes across the field when not contaminated by clouds will be useful for mesoscale forecasting and models. The derived moisture, affected only by high clouds, proves to be reliable to within 0.5 cm of precipitable water and contains valuable horizontal information. Present-day applications from polar-orbiting satellites as well as possibilities from upcoming temperature and moisture sounders on geostationary satellites are noted.

Hillger, D. W.↗
NASA NTRS1998

Temperature climatology of the middle atmosphere from long-term lidar measurements at mid- and low-latitudes

The temperature structure of the middle atmosphere has been studied for several decades using a variety of techniques. However, temperature profiles derived from lidar measurements can provide improved vertical resolution and accuracy. Lidars can also provide long-term data series relatively absent of instrumental drift, and integration of the measurements over several hours removes most of the gravity wave-like short-scale disturbances. This paper describes a seasonal climatology of the middle atmosphere temperature derived from lidar measurements obtained at several mid- and low-latitude locations. Results from the following lidars, which have all obtained a long-term measurement record, were used in this study: the two Rayleigh lidars of the Service d'Aeronomie du CNRS, France, located at the Observatoire de Haute Provence (OHP, 44.0 deg N) and at the Centre d'Essais des Landes (CEL, 44.0 deg N), the two Rayleigh/Raman lidars of the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, USA, located at Table Mountain, California (TMF, 34.4 deg N) and at Mauna Loa, Hawaii (MLO, 19.5 deg N), and the Colorado State University, USA, sodium lidar located at Fort Collins, Colorado (CSU, 40.6 deg N). The overall data set extends from 1978 to 1997 with different periods of measurements depending on the instrument. Three of the instruments are located at primary or complementary stations (OHP, TMF, MLO) within the Network for Detection of Stratospheric Change (NDSC). Several aspects of the temperature climatology obtained by lidar in the middle atmosphere are presented, including the climatological temperature average through the year; the annual and semi-annual components, and the differences compared to the CIRA-86 climatological model.

McDermid, I. Stuart↗
NASA NTRS1997

The Relationship of Subvisible Cirrus Clouds Observed During NASA's Tropical Ozone

Thin, subvisible cirrus (SVC) clouds at the tropical tropopause have been observed by a number of methods in a variety of observational programs, including in situ sampling and aircraft and space-based lidar. Modeling studies suggest that these clouds play an important role in dehydrating tropospheric air as it enters the stratosphere. This is because particles large enough to have significant fall speeds can form under the conditions of slow cooling that are implied by the large horizontal extent of the SVC sheets. The IRA radiation that these clouds absorb, and the upward vertical motion this implies, also make them candidates for a tropical troposphere-to-stratosphere mass transfer mechanism. These sheets were observed on five flights during the Tropical Ozone Transport Experiment (TOTE) by the NASA Langley DIAL lidar aboard NASA's DC-8 research aircraft, operating during December 1995 and February 1996 south of Hawaii (12 S to 21 N). This experiment provided a unique look at these clouds since temperature profiles were available for all the SVC observations. Thus, the observed distributions of SVC's can be compared with the position of the tropopause to establish whether the SVC's are tropospheric or stratospheric. It also allows comparison of TOTE observations with in situ experiments, where water and cloud particle data is available as a function of temperature and potential temperature.

Pfister, L.↗
NASA NTRS2019

X-57 Mod 2 Motor Thermal Analysis

This work covers the refinement of thermal models from design estimates to actual fabricated performance. Matching the experimental data of the first fully electrified version of the X-57 Maxwell experimental vehicle requires high fidelity thermal analysis to sufficiently capture the electric motor and inverter temperature profiles. Qualification test data of the motors and inverters is used to validate finite element analysis models used to simulate thermal performance over mission transients. An additional thermal-hydraulic models is used to estimate flow characteristics through the propulsor nacelle and component heat sinks. After calibration of the higher order models, overall component sizing and peak temperature constraints can be distilled to reduced order models, to improve modelflexibility and utility.

Chin, Jeffrey C.↗
NASA NTRS1974

Additional development of large diameter carbon monofilament

The chemical vapor process for preparing a large diameter carbon-base monofilament from a BCl3, Ch4 and H2 gas mixture with a carbon substrate fiber was studied. The effect of reactor geometry, total gas flows and deposition temperature on the tensile strength of the monofilament were investigated. It was noted that consistent results could only be obtained when the carbon substrate fiber was cleaned. The strength of the monofilament was found to depend on the highest temperature and the temperature profile of the monofilament in the reactor. The strength of monofilament produced in the dc and RF reactors were found to be similar and similar alloy compositions in the monofilament were attained when the same gas ratios were used. The tensile strength of the monofilament at 500 C was found to be 60 to 70% of the room temperature tensile strength. No degradation was noted after exposure to molten aluminum.

Jacob, B. A.↗
NASA NTRS1982

Molecular-beam sampling study of extinguishment of methane-air flames by dry chemicals

The use of Al2O3, NaHCO3, KHCO3, NH4H2PO4 and KCl powders for the inhibition of a methane/oxygen diffusion flame is studied through measurement of composition and temperature profiles, using a molecular beam mass spectrometer sampling system. In order to obtain significant inhibition without extinguishing the flame, a powder feeding rate of 2 mg/liter of gas was used for KCl and Al2O3, and of 3 mg/liter of gas for the remaining powders. CH4, O2, N2, H2O and CO2 concentrations were measured by the mass spectrometer, while temperature was measured by the time-of-flight technique. For the powder feeding rates used, Al2O3 was the least and KCl and NH2H4PO2 the most effective in reducing temperature; in reaction-inhibition effectiveness, Al2O3 was again lowest while KCl was superior to all others. Because the KCl concentration was only 2/3 that of NH4H2PO4, it is recommended as the most effective temperature reducer and reaction inhibitor.

Knuth, E. L.↗
NASA NTRS1993

An analysis of the Voyager 2 Ultraviolet Spectrometer occultation data at Uranus - Inferring heat sources and model atmospheres

Heat source information is derived here from the Voyager 2 Ultraviolet Spectrometer occultation data of Uranus. Analytic functions for the local heat dependence on altitude are used to obtain a temperature profile by solving the heat equation. The stellar entrance and exit occultation and a solar occultation are used to infer the thermal and density structure of the atmosphere. The least squares fit solution to the solar occultation data gives one source located at 1.8 x 10 exp -5 microbar with a strength of 0.056 +/- 0.01 erg/sq cm/s. Latitudinal temperature gradients are obtained.

Stevens, Michael H.↗
NASA NTRS2011

Canadian Experiment for Soil Moisture in 2010 (CanEX-SM10): Overview and Preliminary Results

The Canadian Experiment for Soil Moisture in 2010 (CanEx-SM10) was carried out in Saskatchewan, Canada from 31 May to 16 June, 2010. Its main objective was to contribute to Soil Moisture and Ocean salinity (SMOS) mission validation and the pre-launch assessment of Soil Moisture and Active and Passive (SMAP) mission. During CanEx-SM10, SMOS data as well as other passive and active microwave measurements were collected by both airborne and satellite platforms. Ground-based measurements of soil (moisture, temperature, roughness, bulk density) and vegetation characteristics (Leaf Area Index, biomass, vegetation height) were conducted close in time to the airborne and satellite acquisitions. Besides, two ground-based in situ networks provided continuous measurements of meteorological conditions and soil moisture and soil temperature profiles. Two sites, each covering 33 km x 71 km (about two SMOS pixels) were selected in agricultural and boreal forested areas in order to provide contrasting soil and vegetation conditions. This paper describes the measurement strategy, provides an overview of the data sets and presents preliminary results. Over the agricultural area, the airborne L-band brightness temperatures matched up well with the SMOS data. The Radio frequency interference (RFI) observed in both SMOS and the airborne L-band radiometer data exhibited spatial and temporal variability and polarization dependency. The temporal evolution of SMOS soil moisture product matched that observed with the ground data, but the absolute soil moisture estimates did not meet the accuracy requirements (0.04 m3/m3) of the SMOS mission. AMSR-E soil moisture estimates are more closely correlated with measured soil moisture.

Magagi, Ramata↗
DOE OSTI2015

Observation of particle acceleration in laboratory magnetosphere

The self-organization of magnetospheric plasma is brought about by inward diffusion of magnetized particles. Not only creating a density gradient toward the center of a dipole magnetic field, the inward diffusion also accelerates particles and provides a planetary radiation belt with high energy particles. Here, we report the first experimental observation of a “laboratory radiation belt” created in the ring trap 1 device. By spectroscopic measurement, we found an appreciable anisotropy in the ion temperature, proving the betatron acceleration mechanism which heats particles in the perpendicular direction with respect to the magnetic field when particles move inward. The energy balance model, including the heating mechanism, explains the observed ion temperature profile.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2016

Advances in Fuel Rod Modeling in Subchannel Thermal-Hydraulic Codes

Coolant Boiling in Rod Arrays-Two Fluid (COBRA-TF), or CTF, is a nuclear thermal hydraulic subchannel code used throughout academia and industry. It solves discretized forms of nine coupled equations for the mass, momentum, and energy equations for the liquid and vapor fields; the mass and momentum equation for the droplet field; and the energy equation for solid structures. This work focuses on improving the temperature predictions of CTF by adding new fuel thermal conductivity models that account for burnup, gadolinia content in addition to temperature. Prior to this work, CTF used a temperature dependent fuel thermal conductivity model. In reality, the fuel thermal conductivity is affected by fission product buildup and radiation damage under irradiation. This results in fuel thermal conductivity degradation, and correspondingly an increase in fuel centerline temperature. Accounting of the irradiation effects is particularly important for correct prediction of fuel temperature profile for the Doppler feedback calculation. (authors)

11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS↗
DOE OSTI2016

Thermal effects of groundwater flow through subarctic fens: A case study based on field observations and numerical modeling

Modeling and observation of ground temperature dynamics are the main tools for understanding current permafrost thermal regimes and projecting future thaw. Until recently, most studies on permafrost have focused on vertical ground heat fluxes. Groundwater can transport heat in both lateral and vertical directions but its influence on ground temperatures at local scales in permafrost environments is not well understood. In this paper, we combine field observations from a subarctic fen in the sporadic permafrost zone with numerical simulations of coupled water and thermal fluxes. At the Tavvavuoma study site in northern Sweden, ground temperature profiles and groundwater levels were observed in boreholes. These observations were used to set up one- and two-dimensional simulations down to 2 m depth across a gradient of permafrost conditions within and surrounding the fen. Two-dimensional scenarios representing the fen under various hydraulic gradients were developed to quantify the influence of groundwater flow on ground temperature. Our observations suggest that lateral groundwater flow significantly affects ground temperatures. This is corroborated by modeling results that show seasonal ground ice melts 1 month earlier when a lateral groundwater flux is present. Further, although the thermal regime may be dominated by vertically conducted heat fluxes during most of the year, isolated high groundwater flow rate events such as the spring freshet are potentially important for ground temperatures. Finally, as sporadic permafrost environments often contain substantial portions of unfrozen ground with active groundwater flow paths, knowledge of this heat transport mechanism is important for understanding permafrost dynamics in these environments.

58 GEOSCIENCES↗