Engineering Papers⌕ Search

SEARCH · Engineering Papers

Results for “CONDENSATES”

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 19 records
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2015

Measurement of carbon condensates using small-angle x-ray scattering during detonation of the high explosive hexanitrostilbene

The dynamics of carbon condensation in detonating high explosives remains controversial. Detonation model validation requires data for processes occurring at nanometer length scales on time scales ranging from nanoseconds to microseconds. A new detonation endstation has been commissioned to acquire and provide time-resolved small-angle x-ray scattering (SAXS) from detonating explosives. Hexanitrostilbene (HNS) was selected as the first to investigate due to its ease of initiation using exploding foils and flyers, vacuum compatibility, high thermal stability, and stoichiometric carbon abundance that produces high carbon condensate yields. The SAXS data during detonation, collected with 300 ns time resolution, provide unprecedented signal fidelity over a broad q-range. This fidelity permits the first analysis of both the Guinier and Porod/power-law regions of the scattering profile during detonation, which contains information about the size and morphology of the resultant carbon condensate nanoparticles. To bolster confidence in these data, the scattering angle and intensity were additionally cross-referenced with a separate, highly calibrated SAXS beamline. The data show that HNS produces carbon particles with a radius of gyration of 2.7 nm in less than 400 ns after the detonation front has passed, and this size and morphology are constant over the next several microseconds. These data directly contradict previous pioneering work on RDX/TNT mixtures and TATB, where observations indicate significant particle growth (50% or more) continues over several microseconds. The power-law slope is about −3, which is consistent with a complex disordered, irregular, or folded sp{sup 2} sub-arrangement within a relatively monodisperse structure possessing radius of gyration of 2.7 nm after the detonation of HNS.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2014

DROPWISE CONDENSATION ON MICRO- AND NANOSTRUCTURED SURFACES

In this review we cover recent developments in the area of surface-enhanced dropwise condensation against the background of earlier work. The development of fabrication techniques to create surface structures at the micro-and nanoscale using both bottom-up and top-down approaches has led to increased study of complex interfacial phenomena. In the heat transfer community, researchers have been extensively exploring the use of advanced surface structuring techniques to enhance phase-change heat transfer processes. In particular, the field of vapor-to-liquid condensation and especially that of water condensation has experienced a renaissance due to the promise of further optimizing this process at the micro-and nanoscale by exploiting advances in surface engineering developed over the last several decades.

Enright, R↗
DOE OSTI2016

Multi-shell model of ion-induced nucleic acid condensation

We present a semi-quantitative model of condensation of short nucleic acid (NA) duplexes induced by trivalent cobalt(III) hexammine (CoHex) ions. The model is based on partitioning of bound counterion distribution around single NA duplex into “external” and “internal” ion binding shells distinguished by the proximity to duplex helical axis. In the aggregated phase the shells overlap, which leads to significantly increased attraction of CoHex ions in these overlaps with the neighboring duplexes. The duplex aggregation free energy is decomposed into attractive and repulsive components in such a way that they can be represented by simple analytical expressions with parameters derived from molecular dynamic simulations and numerical solutions of Poisson equation. The attractive term depends on the fractions of bound ions in the overlapping shells and affinity of CoHex to the “external” shell of nearly neutralized duplex. The repulsive components of the free energy are duplex configurational entropy loss upon the aggregation and the electrostatic repulsion of the duplexes that remains after neutralization by bound CoHex ions. The estimates of the aggregation free energy are consistent with the experimental range of NA duplex condensation propensities, including the unusually poor condensation of RNA structures and subtle sequence effects upon DNA condensation. The model predicts that, in contrast to DNA, RNA duplexes may condense into tighter packed aggregates with a higher degree of duplex neutralization. An appreciable CoHex mediated RNA-RNA attraction requires closer inter-duplex separation to engage CoHex ions (bound mostly in the “internal” shell of RNA) into short-range attractive interactions. The model also predicts that longer NA fragments will condense more readily than shorter ones. The ability of this model to explain experimentally observed trends in NA condensation lends support to proposed NA condensation picture based on the multivalent “ion binding shells.”.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2012

Implementation of non-condensable gases condensation suppression model into the WCOBRA/TRAC-TF2 LOCA safety evaluation code

The non-condensable gases condensation suppression model is important for a realistic LOCA safety analysis code. A condensation suppression model for direct contact condensation was previously developed by Westinghouse using first principles. The model is believed to be an accurate description of the direct contact condensation process in the presence of non-condensable gases. The Westinghouse condensation suppression model is further revised by applying a more physical model. The revised condensation suppression model is thus implemented into the WCOBRA/TRAC-TF2 LOCA safety evaluation code for both 3-D module (COBRA-TF) and 1-D module (TRAC-PF1). Parametric study using the revised Westinghouse condensation suppression model is conducted. Additionally, the performance of non-condensable gases condensation suppression model is examined in the ACHILLES (ISP-25) separate effects test and LOFT L2-5 (ISP-13) integral effects test. (authors)

22 GENERAL STUDIES OF NUCLEAR REACTORS↗
DOE OSTI2012

Condensation model for the ESBWR passive condensers

In the General Electric's Economic simplified boiling water reactor (GE-ESBWR) the passive containment cooling system (PCCS) plays a major role in containment pressure control in case of an loss of coolant accident. The PCCS condenser must be able to remove sufficient energy from the reactor containment to prevent containment from exceeding its design pressure following a design basis accident. There are three PCCS condensation modes depending on the containment pressurization due to coolant discharge; complete condensation, cyclic venting and flow through mode. The present work reviews the models and presents model predictive capability along with comparison with existing data from separate effects test. The condensation models in thermal hydraulics code RELAP5 are also assessed to examine its application to various flow modes of condensation. The default model in the code predicts complete condensation well, and basically is Nusselt solution. The UCB model predicts through flow well. None of condensation model in RELAP5 predict complete condensation, cyclic venting, and through flow condensation consistently. New condensation correlations are given that accurately predict all three modes of PCCS condensation. (authors)

21 SPECIFIC NUCLEAR REACTORS AND ASSOCIATED PLANTS↗
DOE OSTI2022

Ethanol-Induced Condensation and Decondensation in DNA-Linked Nanoparticles: A Nucleosome-like Model for the Condensed State

Inspired by the conventional use of ethanol to induce DNA precipitation, ethanol condensation has been applied as a routine method to dynamically tune “bond” lengths (i.e., the surface-to-surface distances between adjacent nanoparticles that are linked by DNA) and thermal stabilities of colloidal crystals involving DNA-linked nanoparticles. However, the underlying mechanism of how the DNA bond that links gold nanoparticles changes in this class of colloidal crystals in response to ethanol remains unclear. Here, we conducted a series of all-atom molecular dynamic (MD) simulations to explore the free energy landscape for DNA condensation and decondensation. Our simulations confirm that DNA condensation is energetically much more favorable under 80% ethanol conditions than in pure water, as a result of ethanol’s role in enhancing electrostatic interactions between oppositely charged species. Moreover, the condensed DNA adopts B-form in pure water and A-form in 80% ethanol, which indicates that the higher-order transition does not affect DNA’s conformational preferences. We further propose a nucleosome-like supercoiled model for the DNA condensed state, and we show that the DNA end-to-end distance derived from this model matches the experimentally measured DNA bond length of about 3 nm in the fully condensed state for DNA where the measured length is 16 nm in water. Altogether, this study provides an atomistic understanding of the mechanism underlying ethanol-induced condensation and water-induced decondensation, while our proposed nucleosome-like model allows the design of new strategies for interpreting experimental studies of DNA condensation.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2024

Steam Condensation Scaled Experiment in the Presence of Non-condensable Gas for Reactor Containment Passive Safety Analysis

This study presents scaled experiments using steam condensation with non-condensable gas (NCG)—helium, simulating hydrogen—as these experiments are pivotal for water-cooled reactor passive containment cooling system (PCCS) design and analysis. Research into PCCSs for small modular reactors (SMRs) is especially important in light of SMR system design; however, studies in the literature reflect limitations due to test geometry and operational condition variations, without considering SMR prototypic design. To address these challenges, a scaled test facility was developed to accurately replicate SMR PCCSs. This facility includes vertical down-flow condensing test sections with 1-, 2-, and 4-in.-diameter condensing tubes, accompanied by annular water cooling. Experiments were conducted using both superheated and saturated steam, with steam mass flow rates varying from 55 to 66 kg/hr., in the presence of helium as the NCG mass flow rate ranges from 1.8 to 22 kg/hr. Test data were collected on (a) the axial temperatures of the annular cooling water; (b) the outer wall temperature of the condensers; and (c) the mass flow rate, temperature, and pressure at the test section inlets and outlets. These primary test data were used in conjunction with a standard data reduction methodology to estimate essential thermal parameters such as heat fluxes, heat transfer coefficients, and condensation rates. The effects of NCGs on steam condensation within the geometry of the scaled test sections were then presented in regard to various testing conditions.

21 SPECIFIC NUCLEAR REACTORS AND ASSOCIATED PLANTS↗
DOE OSTI2024

Presentation: Steam Condensation Scaled Experiment in the Presence of Non-condensable Gas for Reactor Containment Passive Safety Analysis

This study presents scaled experiments using steam condensation with non-condensable gas (NCG)—helium, simulating hydrogen—as these experiments are pivotal for water-cooled reactor passive containment cooling system (PCCS) design and analysis. Research into PCCSs for small modular reactors (SMRs) is especially important in light of SMR system design; however, studies in the literature reflect limitations due to test geometry and operational condition variations, without considering SMR prototypic design. To address these challenges, a scaled test facility was developed to accurately replicate SMR PCCSs. This facility includes vertical down-flow condensing test sections with 1-, 2-, and 4-in.-diameter condensing tubes, accompanied by annular water cooling. Experiments were conducted using both superheated and saturated steam, with steam mass flow rates varying from 55 to 66 kg/hr., in the presence of helium as the NCG mass flow rate ranges from 1.8 to 22 kg/hr. Test data were collected on (a) the axial temperatures of the annular cooling water; (b) the outer wall temperature of the condensers; and (c) the mass flow rate, temperature, and pressure at the test section inlets and outlets. These primary test data were used in conjunction with a standard data reduction methodology to estimate essential thermal parameters such as heat fluxes, heat transfer coefficients, and condensation rates. The effects of NCGs on steam condensation within the geometry of the scaled test sections were then presented in regard to various testing conditions.

21 SPECIFIC NUCLEAR REACTORS AND ASSOCIATED PLANTS↗
DOE OSTI2024

Quantifying structural errors in cloud condensation nuclei activity from reduced representation of aerosol size distributions

Aerosol effects on clouds and radiation are the dominant contribution to uncertainty in radiative forcing relative to the pre-industrial atmosphere. While previous studies have assessed the impact of parametric uncertainty on modeled forcing, structural errors from the numerical representation of particle distributions have not been well quantified. Here we present a framework for quantifying error in aerosol size distributions and cloud condensation nuclei activity, which we apply to the widely used 4-mode version of the Modal Aerosol Module (MAM4). Box model predictions from the MAM4 are evaluated against the Particle Monte Carlo Model for Simulating Aerosol Interactions and Chemistry (PartMC-MOSAIC), a benchmark model that tracks the evolution of individual particles. We show that size distributions simulated by MAM4 diverge from those simulated by PartMC-MOSAIC after only a few hours of aging by condensation and coagulation in polluted conditions, which leads to large errors in modeled cloud condensation nuclei concentrations. We find that differences between MAM4 and PartMC-MOSAIC are largest under polluted conditions, where the size distribution evolves rapidly though aging by condensation of semi-volatile substances and coagulation among particles. These findings suggest that structural error in modeled aerosol properties contributes to the large inter-model variability in aerosol radiative forcing.

Fierce, Laura M.↗
DOE OSTI2024

Reactor Containment Passive Safety Analysis: Steam Condensation in Presence of Non-condensable Gas Scaled Experiment and Modeling

This study presents steam condensation scaled experiments and semi-empirical models in presence of nitrogen (N)—a noncondensable gas (NCG), simulating air in the reactor containment—to support water-cooled small modular reactors (SMRs) passive containment cooling system (PCCS) design and analysis. Previous experimental studies on PCCS are focused on fixed and smaller tube (mostly 2-in.) geometries and specific test condition variations, bringing challenges with geometric scaling and mismatching with SMR prototypic design. To address these challenges, this study presents steam condensation test dataset obtained from three scaled test sections of 1-, 2-, and 4-in.-diameter steam condensers with an annular/jacket cooling of 2-, 3-, and 6 in.-diameter tubes, respectively. Test data were collected for steam ranges from 58 to 63 kg/hr., and NCG flow of 4.4 to 13.3 kg/hr. Annular cooling water flow was varied to obtain required testing conditions of saturated steam inlet and fully condensed outlet. Axial temperature test data of bulk cooling water, steam and condensate were collected by thermocouples for three test sections and various steam-NCG mixing/testing conditions. A standard data reduction method was adopted—utilizing iterative and nodalized mass and heat transfer calculation—to estimate axial local heat fluxes, heat transfer coefficients (HTCs), condensation rates, film thickness, and Nusselt number. Based on the obtained dataset semi-empirical model results—a ratio of experimental and Nusselt’s theoretical HTC are presented. Such results and findings are supportive of developing scaled-up testing facility, to enable model validations and accelerate next generation of reactors development and deployment

21 SPECIFIC NUCLEAR REACTORS AND ASSOCIATED PLANTS↗
DOE OSTI2024

Presentation: Reactor Containment Passive Safety Analysis: Steam Condensation in Presence of Non-condensable Gas Scaled Experiment and Modeling

This study presents steam condensation scaled experiments and semi-empirical models in presence of nitrogen--a noncondensable gas (NCG), simulating air in the reactor containment--to support water-cooled small modular reactors (SMRs) passive containment cooling system (PCCS) design and analysis. Previous experimental studies on PCCS are focused on fixed and smaller tube (mostly 2-in.) geometries and specific test condition variations, bringing challenges with geometric scaling and mismatching with SMR prototypic design. To address these challenges, this study presents steam condensation test dataset obtained from three scaled test sections of 1-, 2-, and 4-in.-diameter steam condensers with an annular/jacket cooling of 2-, 3-, and 6 in.-diameter tubes, respectively. Test data were collected for steam ranges from 58 to 63 kg/hr., and NCG flow of 4.4 to 13.3 kg/hr. Annular cooling water flow was varied to obtain required testing conditions of saturated steam inlet and fully condensed outlet. Axial temperature test data of bulk cooling water, steam and condensate were collected by thermocouples for three test sections and various steam-NCG mixing/testing conditions. A standard data reduction method was adopted--utilizing iterative and nodalized mass and heat transfer calculation to estimate axial local heat fluxes, heat transfer coefficients (HTCs), condensation rates, film thickness, and Nusselt number. Based on the obtained dataset semi-empirical model results--a ratio of experimental and Nusselt's theoretical HTC are presented. Such results and findings are supportive of developing scaled-up testing facility, to enable model validations and accelerate next generation of reactors development and deployment.

21 SPECIFIC NUCLEAR REACTORS AND ASSOCIATED PLANTS↗
DOE OSTI2013

Spatial Control of Condensation and Freezing on Superhydrophobic Surfaces with Hydrophilic Patches

Certain natural organisms use micro-patterned surface chemistry, or ice-nucleating species, to control water condensation and ice nucleation for survival under extreme conditions. As an analogy to these biological approaches, it is shown that functionalized, hydrophilic polymers and particles deposited on the tips of superhydrophobic posts induce precise topographical control over water condensation and freezing at the micrometer scale. A bottom-up deposition process is used to take advantage of the limited contact area of a non-wetting aqueous solution on a superhydrophobic surface. Hydrophilic polymer deposition on the tips of these geometrical structures allows spatial control over the nucleation, growth, and coalescence of micrometer-scale water droplets. The hydrophilic tips nucleate water droplets with extremely uniform nucleation and growth rates, uniform sizes, an increased stability against coalescence, and asymmetric droplet morphologies. Furthermore, control of freezing behavior is also demonstrated via deposition of ice-nucleating AgI nanoparticles on the tips of these structures. The combination of the hydrophilic polymer and AgI particles on the tips was used to achieve templating of ice nucleation at the micrometer scale. Preliminary results indicate that control over ice crystal size, spatial symmetry, and position might be possible with this method. This type of approach can serve as a platform for systematically analyzing micrometer-scale condensation and freezing phenomena, and as a model for natural systems.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2013

Jumping-Droplet-Enhanced Condensation on Scalable Superhydrophobic Nanostructured Surfaces

When droplets coalesce on a superhydrophobic nanostructured surface, the resulting droplet can jump from the surface due to the release of excess surface energy. If designed properly, these superhydrophobic nanostructured surfaces can not only allow for easy droplet removal at micrometric length scales during condensation but also promise to enhance heat transfer performance. However, the rationale for the design of an ideal nanostructured surface as well as heat transfer experiments demonstrating the advantage of this jumping behavior are lacking. Here, we show that silanized copper oxide surfaces created via a simple fabrication method can achieve highly efficient jumping-droplet condensation heat transfer. We experimentally demonstrated a 25% higher overall heat flux and 30% higher condensation heat transfer coefficient compared to state-of-the-art hydrophobic condensing surfaces at low supersaturations (<1.12). This work not only shows significant condensation heat transfer enhancement but also promises a low cost and scalable approach to increase efficiency for applications such as atmospheric water harvesting and dehumidification. Furthermore, the results offer insights and an avenue to achieve high flux superhydrophobic condensation.

77 NANOSCIENCE AND NANOTECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2019

Properties of perhalogenated {closo-B10} and {closo-B11} multiply charged anions and a critical comparison with {closo-B12} in the gas and the condensed phase

Anionic closo-borate anions [closo-BnXn]2- are part of the most famous textbook examples of polyhedral compounds. Substantial differences in their reactivity and interactions with other compounds depending on the substituent X and clustersize n have been recognized, which favors specific closo-borates for different applications in cancer treatment, chemical synthesis, and materials science. Surprisingly, a fundamental understanding of the molecular properties underlying these differences is lacking. Here, we report our study of electronic structure and reactivity of closo-borate anions [closo-BnXn]2- (X = Cl, Br, I, n = 10, 11, 12 in all combinations). We investigated the free dianions and the ion pairs [nBu4N]+[closo-BnXn]2- by gas phase anion photoelectron spectroscopy accompanied by theoretical investigations. Strong similarities in electronic structure for n = 10 and 11 were observed, while n = 12 clusters are different. A systematic picture of the development in electronic stability along the dimension X is derived. Collision induced dissociation shows that fragmentation of the free dianions is mainly dependent on the substituent X and gives access to a large variety of boron-rich molecular ions. Fragmentation of the ion pair depends strongly on n. The results reflect the high chemical stability of cluster with n = 10 and 12, while those with n = 11 are much easier prone to dissociation. We bridge our study to the condensed phase by performing comparative electrochemistry and reactivity studies on closo-borates in solution. The trends found at the molecular level are also reflected in the condensed-phase properties. We discuss how the gas phase values allow to evaluate the influence of the condensed phase on the electronic stability of closo-borates. A novel synthetic method via an oxidation/chlorination reaction yielding [closo-B10Cl10]2– from highly chlorinated {closo-B11} clusters is introduced, which underlines the intrinsically high reactivity of the {closo-B11} cage.

Warneke, Jonas↗