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At least 1,567 records · Page 87

Acoustically excited heated jets. 2: In search of a better understanding

The second part of a three-part report on the effects of acoustic excitation on jet mixing includes the results of an experimental investigation directed at resolving the question of poor excitability of some of the heated jets. The theoretical predictions discussed in Part 1 are examined to find explanations for the observed discrepancies between the measured and the predicted results. Additional testing was performed by studying the self excitation of the shock containing hot jets and also by exciting the jet by sound radiated through source tubes located externally around the periphery of the jet. The effects of nozzle-exit boundary layer conditions on jet excitability was also investigated. It is concluded that high-speed, heated jet mixing rates and consequently also the jet excitability strongly depends on nozzle exit boundary layer conditions.

Lepicovsky, J.↗

FUN3D Analyses in Support of the 1st AIAA Stability and Control Prediction Workshop

The 1st AIAA Stability and Control Prediction Workshop was created to establish best practices for the prediction of stability & control derivatives using computational fluid dynamics and assess the limitations of these computational methods when those best practices are applied. The inaugural workshop considers the ONERA version of the NASA/Boeing Common Research Model(CRM), which includes the wing, body, horizontal tail, and a vertical tail designed by ONERA. Wind tunnel tests have been conducted for this configuration with longitudinal tests having been previously published, in addition to unpublished data at small sideslip angles that will serve as ‘blind’ data for workshop data comparisons. Participants were provided a ‘family’ of unstructured grids for the full-span ONERA CRM model with the wind-tunnel sting included. This family of mixed-element grids consists of 5 levels of refinement (tiny, coarse, medium, fine, and extra fine) with surface and volume mesh scaling, resulting in a size range of 14.6 to 53.4 million nodes. In addition, a medium refinement mesh has been provided for the ONERA CRM configuration without a sting to evaluate the sting’s impact on static longitudinal stability characteristics. In addition to these workshop-provided grids, the present work also considers an equivalent ‘family’ of computational grids generated using Heldenmesh™, a rapid grid generation software by Helden Aerospace Corporation for creating high-quality, three-dimensional, mixed-element unstructured meshes. Because of the authors’ familiarity with this software, these additional grids were generated as a comparison to the workshop-provided grids and to better understand the implications of using volume-mirrored grids for stability and control predictions. The present work will contribute to the workshop with test case data generated using the NASA FUN3D code, a parallelized, unstructured, node-based, finite-volume discretization, Reynolds-averaged Navier-Stokes flow solver. Numerical simulations will be conducted using the Quadratic Constitutive Relationship (QCR) version of the Spalart-Allmaras (SA) turbulence model with negative turbulence variable provisions. Both steady and2nd-order, time-accurate simulation results are to be generated and compared for select test cases, as time permits, to investigate their impact on FUN3D predictions. The present work will consider the three primary workshop test cases: (1) grid convergence study, (2) Mach number effect on static stability, and (3) wind tunnel sting increments. Additionally, data will be provided for the two optional test cases, which include:(1) static stability derivative calculations and (2)sideslip angle sweeps. In each of the test cases, the vehicle is stationary, and the body is assumed to be rigid, where vehicle deformation has been accounted for in the model configuration geometry. For all test cases, longitudinal and lateral force and moment aerodynamic coefficients will be provided for the total configuration, in addition to a component-level breakdown that includes the port wing, starboard wing, fuselage, and tail.

CFD↗

Upgrades and Modifications of the NASA Ames HFFAF Ballistic Range

The NASA Ames Hypervelocity Free Flight Aerodynamics Facility ballistic range is described. The various configurations of the shadowgraph stations are presented. This includes the original stations with film and configurations with two different types of digital cameras. Resolution tests for the 3 shadowgraph station configurations are described. The advantages of the digital cameras are discussed, including the immediate availability of the shadowgraphs. The final shadowgraph station configuration is a mix of 26 Nikon cameras and 6 PI-MAX2 cameras. Two types of trigger light sheet stations are described visible and IR. The two gunpowders used for the NASA Ames 6.251.50 light gas guns are presented. These are the Hercules HC-33-FS powder (no longer available) and the St. Marks Powder WC 886 powder. The results from eight proof shots for the two powders are presented. Both muzzle velocities and piston velocities are 5 9 lower for the new St. Marks WC 886 powder than for the old Hercules HC-33-FS powder (no longer available). The experimental and CFD (computational) piston and muzzle velocities are in good agreement. Shadowgraph-reading software that employs template-matching pattern recognition to locate the ballistic-range model is described. Templates are generated from a 3D solid model of the ballistic-range model. The accuracy of the approach is assessed using a set of computer-generated test images.

Ballistic Range↗

Upgrades and Modifications of the NASA Ames HFFAF Ballistic Range

The NASA Ames Hypervelocity Free Flight Aerodynamics Facility ballistic range is described. The various configurations of the shadowgraph stations are presented. This includes the original stations with film and configurations with two different types of digital cameras. Resolution tests for the 3 shadowgraph station configurations are described. The advantages of the digital cameras are discussed, including the immediate availability of the shadowgraphs. The final shadowgraph station configuration is a mix of 26 Nikon cameras and 6 PI-MAX2 cameras. Two types of trigger light sheet stations are described visible and IR. The two gunpowders used for the NASA Ames 6.251.50 light gas guns are presented. These are the Hercules HC-33-FS powder (no longer available) and the St. Marks Powder WC 886 powder. The results from eight proof shots for the two powders are presented. Both muzzle velocities and piston velocities are 5 9 lower for the new St. Marks WC 886 powder than for the old Hercules HC-33-FS powder (no longer available). The experimental and CFD (computational) piston and muzzle velocities are in good agreement. Shadowgraph-reading software that employs template-matching pattern recognition to locate the ballistic-range model is described. Templates are generated from a 3D solid model of the ballistic-range model. The accuracy of the approach is assessed using a set of computer-generated test images.

Ballistic Range↗

Computational Analyses in Support of Sub-scale Diffuser Testing for the A-3 Facility: Steady Predictions - Part 1

Simulation technology can play an important role in rocket engine test facility design and development by assessing risks, providing analysis of dynamic pressure and thermal loads, identifying failure modes and predicting anomalous behavior of critical systems. Advanced numerical tools assume greater significance in supporting testing and design of high altitude testing facilities and plume induced testing environments of high thrust engines because of the greater inter-dependence and synergy in the functioning of the different sub-systems. This is especially true for facilities such as the proposed A-3 facility at NASA SSC because of a challenging operating envelope linked to variable throttle conditions at relatively low chamber pressures. Facility designs in this case will require a complex network of diffuser ducts, steam ejector trains, fast operating valves, cooling water systems and flow diverters that need to be characterized for steady state performance. In this paper, we will demonstrate with the use of CFD analyses s advanced capability to evaluate supersonic diffuser and steam ejector performance in a sub-scale A-3 facility at NASA Stennis Space Center (SSC) where extensive testing was performed. Furthermore, the focus in this paper relates to modeling of critical sub-systems and components used in facilities such as the A-3 facility. The work here will address deficiencies in empirical models and current CFD analyses that are used for design of supersonic diffusers/turning vanes/ejectors as well as analyses for confined plumes and venting processes. The primary areas that will be addressed are: (1) supersonic diffuser performance including analyses of thermal loads (2) accurate shock capturing in the diffuser duct; (3) effect of turning duct on the performance of the facility (4) prediction of mass flow rates and performance classification for steam ejectors (5) comparisons with test data from sub-scale diffuser testing and assessment of confidence levels in CFD based flowpath modeling of the facility. The analyses tools used here expand on the multi-element unstructured CFD which has been tailored and validated for impingement dynamics of dry plumes, complex valve/feed systems, and high pressure propellant delivery systems used in engine and component test stands at NASA SSC. The analyses performed in the evaluation of the sub-scale diffuser facility explored several important factors that influence modeling and understanding of facility operation such as (a) importance of modeling the facility with Real Gas approximation, (b) approximating the cluster of steam ejector nozzles as a single annular nozzle, (c) existence of mixed subsonic/supersonic flow downstream of the turning duct, and (d) inadequacy of two-equation turbulence models in predicting the correct pressurization in the turning duct and expansion of the second stage steam ejectors. The procedure used for modeling the facility was as follows: (i) The engine, test cell and first stage ejectors were simulated with an axisymmetric approximation (ii) the turning duct, second stage ejectors and the piping downstream of the second stage ejectors were analyzed with a three-dimensional simulation utilizing a half-plane symmetry approximation. The solution i.e. primitive variables such as pressure, velocity components, temperature and turbulence quantities were passed from the first computational domain and specified as a supersonic boundary condition for the second simulation. (iii) The third domain comprised of the exit diffuser and the region in the vicinity of the facility (primary included to get the correct shock structure at the exit of the facility and entrainment characteristics). The first set of simulations comprising the engine, test cell and first stage ejectors was carried out both as a turbulent real gas calculation as well as a turbulent perfect gas calculation. A comparison for the two cases (Real Turbulent and Perfect gas turbulent) of the Ma Number distribution and temperature distributions are shown in Figures 1 and 2 respectively.

Allgood, Daniel C.↗

The MUSE beamline calorimeter

The MUon Scattering Experiment (MUSE) was motivated by the proton radius puzzle arising from the discrepancy between muonic hydrogen spectroscopy and electron–proton measurements. The MUSE physics goals also include testing lepton universality, precisely measuring two-photon exchange contribution, and testing radiative corrections. MUSE addresses these physics goals through simultaneous measurement of high precision cross sections for electron–proton and muon–proton scattering using a mixed-species beam. The experiment will run at both positive and negative beam polarities. Measuring precise cross sections requires understanding both the incident beam energy and the radiative corrections. For this purpose, a lead-glass calorimeter was installed at the end of the beam line in the MUSE detector system. Here, in this article, we discuss the detector specifications, calibration and performance. We demonstrate that the detector performance is well reproduced by simulation, and meets experimental requirements.

Calorimeter↗

Utilizing the maximum likelihood estimator for flow analysis

We explore the possibility of evaluating flow harmonics by employing the maximum likelihood estimator (MLE). For a given finite multiplicity, the MLE simultaneously furnishes estimations for all the parameters of the underlying distribution function while efficiently suppressing the variance of measures. Also, the method provides a means to assess a specific class of mixed harmonics, which is not straightforwardly feasible by the approaches primarily based on particle correlations. The results are analyzed using the Wald, likelihood ratio, and score tests of hypotheses. Besides, the resultant flow harmonics obtained using MLE are compared with those derived using particle correlations and event plane methods. Here, the dependencies of extracted flow harmonics on the multiplicity of individual events and the total number of events are analyzed. It is shown that the proposed approach works efficiently to deal with the deficiency in detector acceptability. Moreover, we elaborate on a fictitious scenario where the event plane is not a well-defined quantity in the distribution function. For the latter case, the MLE is shown to largely perform better than the two-particle correlation estimator. In this regard, one concludes that the MLE furnishes a meaningful alternative to the existing approaches for flow analysis.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗

CFD Analysis of RLUOB Zone 1 HEPA Filter Plenum and Testing Manifolds

The purpose of this computational fluid dynamics (CFD) analysis is to ensure that Camfil Farr’s upstream and downstream injection and sampling manifolds can meet or exceed the requirements outlined in the ASME AG-1 1997 a(2000) Code on Nuclear Air and Gas Treatment for the testing of HEPA and adsorbent filters. This paper will present a numerical simulation of airflow in the Radiological Laboratory Utility Office Building (RLUOB) zone 1 HEPA filter plenum and testing manifolds using the commercial CFD software ANSYS FLUENT 2020R1. The CFD analysis focuses on the investigation of the air flow distribution and air-aerosol mixing uniformity. The evaluation was done for all steps of the modeling process: grid generation, physics setup, simulation, and post-processing. The mass flow rate in each section of the zone 1 injection and sampling manifolds is also reported.

42 ENGINEERING↗

Design of a TF34 turbofan mixer for reduction of flap impingement noise

This portion of the TF-34 turbofan quiet engine studies has been devoted to the selection and design of a special mixer exhaust nozzle system to reduce the maximum 150 m (500 foot) sideline noise generated by the impingement of four engine exhausts on a STOL wing flap system to less than 92 PNdB. The design concept selected consists of a 12-lobe internal mixer and a 12-lobe external mixer mounted in series. The internal mixer reduces maximum exhaust velocities by mixing the fan and turbine streams. The external mixer is designed to reduce the velocity of the exhaust stream striking the wing flap surfaces. A ground test version of this concept has been designed to be installed and tested on an acoustically treated TF-34 engine nacelle, with flexibility to simulate a flight version of this concept which has also been defined. Estimated noise levels are 2 PNdB below the objective at approach and 2 PNdB above the objective at takeoff, with an uncertainty band of +3, -2 PNdB.

Chamay, A.↗

YF-12 Experiments Symposium, Volume 1

This document is a compilation of papers presented at the YF-12 Experiments Symposium held at the NASA Dryden Flight Research Center, September 13-15, 1978. Papers were presented by personnel from the Dryden Flight Research Center, the Lewis Research Center, and the Ames Research Center. Topics covered propulsion system performance, inlet time varying distortion, structures, aircraft controls, propulsion controls, and aerodynamics. The reports were based on analytical studies, laboratory experiments, wind tunnel tests, and extensive flight research with two YF - 12 airplanes.

YF-12 airplane↗

Simulation study of the effect of fuel-conservative approaches on ATC procedures and terminal area capacity

Fuel-conservative procedures have been investigated using real-time air traffic control simulations linked to two piloted simulators. The fuel-conservative procedures studied were profile descents and two types of landing approaches. The investigation determined the effect of these procedures on the ATC system and terminal area capacity. It examined the mixing of aircraft executing fuel-conservative approaches with those executing conventional approaches. The results indicate a systems fuel savings for the landing approaches under all tested conditions except at, or near, maximum system capacity. Also, there is a fuel savings and reduced controller workload for the profile descent procedures.

Tobias, L.↗

Evaluation of multiband, multitemporal, and transformed LANDSAT MSS data for land cover area estimation

Sample segments of ground-verified land cover data collected in conjunction with the USDA/ESS June Enumerative Survey were merged with LANDSAT data and served as a focus for unsupervised spectral class development and accuracy assessment. Multitemporal data sets were created from single-date LANDSAT MSS acquisitions from a nominal scene covering an eleven-county area in north central Missouri. Classification accuracies for the four land cover types predominant in the test site showed significant improvement in going from unitemporal to multitemporal data sets. Transformed LANDSAT data sets did not significantly improve classification accuracies. Regression estimators yielded mixed results for different land covers. Misregistration of two LANDSAT data sets by as much and one half pixels did not significantly alter overall classification accuracies. Existing algorithms for scene-to scene overlay proved adequate for multitemporal data analysis as long as statistical class development and accuracy assessment were restricted to field interior pixels.

Stoner, E. R.↗

Asymptotic behavior of a flat plate wake

An experimental study has been conducted to investigate the far-field, self-similar properties of a flat plate wake. A plane turbulent wake was generated at the trailing edge of a smooth splitter plate separating two legs of a Mixing Layer Wind Tunnel, with both initial boundary layers tripped. For the present study, both legs were operated at a free-steam velocity in the test section of 15 m/s, giving a Reynolds number based on wake momentum thickness of about 1750. Single profile measurements were obtained at five streamwise locations using a Pitot probe for the mean velocity measurements and a single cross-wire probe for the turbulence data, which included statistics up to third order. The mean flow data indicated a self-similar behavior beyond a streamwise distance equivalent to about 350 wake momentum thicknesses. However, the turbulence data show better collapse beyond a distance equivalent to about 500 momentum thicknesses, with all the measured peak Reynolds stresses achieving constant, asymptotic levels. The asymptotic mean flow behavior and peak primary stress levels agree well with theoretical predictions based on a constant eddy viscosity model. The present data also agree reasonably well with previous measurements, of which only one set extends into the self-similar region. Detailed comparisons with previous data are presented and discussed in this report.

Weygandt, James H.↗

An intercomparison of airborne nitric oxide measurements - A second opportunity

Results are reported from a comparison of three tropospheric NO measurement instruments during the NASA Global Tropospheric Experiment Chemical Instrumentation Test and Evaluation 2 (CITE 2) in summer 1986. The instruments tested were those used in CITE 1 (Hoell et al., 1987): a two-photon LIF system and two chemiluminescence systems. It is found that the mixing ratios obtained with the three systems agreed to within 15-20 parts per trillion volume (pptv) for sampling perods of 1-6 min at mixing ratios less than 20 pptv; the average difference between pairs of measurements was 5-7 pptv, which is considered to be the uncertainty in state-of-the-art ambient NO measurements.

Gregory, Gerald L.↗

Fuel-rich, catalytic reaction experimental results

Future aeropropulsion gas turbine combustion requirements call for operating at very high inlet temperatures, pressures, and large temperature rises. At the same time, the combustion process is to have minimum pollution effects on the environment. Aircraft gas turbine engines utilize liquid hydrocarbon fuels which are difficult to uniformly atomize and mix with combustion air. An approach for minimizing fuel related problems is to transform the liquid fuel into gaseous form prior to the completion of the combustion process. Experimentally obtained results are presented for vaporizing and partially oxidizing a liquid hydrocarbon fuel into burnable gaseous components. The presented experimental data show that 1200 to 1300 K reaction product gas, rich in hydrogen, carbon monoxide, and light-end hydrocarbons, is formed when flowing 0.3 to 0.6 fuel to air mixes through a catalyst reactor. The reaction temperatures are kept low enough that nitrogen oxides and carbon particles (soot) do not form. Results are reported for tests using different catalyst types and configurations, mass flowrates, input temperatures, and fuel to air ratios.

Rollbuhler, R. James↗

Investigations of ice formation in the Space Shuttle Main Engine 0209 main injector coolant cavity

Severe main combustion chamber wall and main injector baffle element deterioration occurred during tests of Space Shuttle Main Engine 0209. One of the possible causes considered is ice formation and blockage of coolant to these components, resulting from the mixing of leaking hot turbine exhaust gas (hydrogen rich steam) and hydrogen coolant in the injector coolant cavity. The plausibility of ice blockage is investigated through simple mixing calculations for hot gas and hydrogen, investigation of condensation and water droplet formation, calculation of the freezing times for droplets, and the prediction of ice layer thicknesses. It is concluded that condensation and droplet formation can occur, and small water droplets that form can freeze very quickly when in contact with the cold coolant cavity surfaces. Copnservative analysis predicts, however, that the maximum thickness of the ice layers formed is too small to result in significant blockage of the coolant flow.

Richards, D. R.↗

Fuel-rich, catalytic reaction experimental results

Future aeropropulsion gas turbine combustion requirements call for operating at very high inlet temperatures, pressures, and large temperature rises. At the same time, the combustion process is to have minimum pollution effects on the environment. Aircraft gas turbine engines utilize liquid hydrocarbon fuels which are difficult to uniformly atomize and mix with combustion air. An approach for minimizing fuel related problems is to transform the liquid fuel into gaseous form prior to the completion of the combustion process. Experimentally obtained results are presented for vaporizing and partially oxidizing a liquid hydrocarbon fuel into burnable gaseous components. The presented experimental data show that 1200 to 1300 K reaction product gas, rich in hydrogen, carbon monoxide, and light-end hydrocarbons, is formed when flowing 0.3 to 0.6 fuel to air mixes through a catalyst reactor. The reaction temperatures are kept low enough that nitrogen oxides and carbon particles (soot) do not form. Results are reported for tests using different catalyst types and configurations, mass flowrates, input temperatures, and fuel to air ratios.

Rollbuhler, Jim↗

The CELSS Test Facility Project - An example of a CELSS flight experiment system

The design of the facility is described in terms of its use as an investigation tool for evaluating crop growth in space with reference to required emerging technologies. NASA's CELSS Test Facility (CTF) is designed to permit the measurement of crop-plant productivity under microgravity conditions including biomass production, food production, water transpiration, and O2/CO2 exchanges. Crucial hardware tests and qualifications are identified to assure the operation of CTF technologies in space including the nutrient-delivery, water-condensation, and gas-liquid-mixing subsystems. The design concept and related scientific requirements are described and shown to provide microgravity crop research. The CTF is expected to provide data for plant research and for concepts for bioregenerative life-support systems for applications to Martian, lunar, and space-station missions.

Macelroy, R. D.↗