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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 19 records
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1996

Two-Phase Annular Flow in Helical Coil Flow Channels in a Reduced Gravity Environment

A brief review of both single- and two-phase flow studies in curved and coiled flow geometries is first presented. Some of the complexities of two-phase liquid-vapor flow in curved and coiled geometries are discussed, and serve as an introduction to the advantages of observing such flows under a low-gravity environment. The studies proposed -- annular two-phase air-water flow in helical coil flow channels are described. Objectives of the studies are summarized.

Keshock, Edward G.↗
DOE OSTI2022

Helical flow filter

A filter includes a filter outer wall, and a filter inner wall spaced apart from the filter outer wall. The filter inner wall and the filter outer wall define a filter void therebetween, and the filter inner wall and the filter outer wall extend along a filter axis. A volume of filtration material is positioned in the filter void, and a plurality of baffles extend between the filter inner wall and the filter outer wall. The plurality of baffles are configured to induce a helical component to an airflow entering the filter void at a first void end relative to the filter axis and exiting the filter void at a second void end opposite the first void end.

Hanson, Thomas David↗
DOE OSTI2024

Large-eddy simulations of turbulent wake flows behind helical- and straight-bladed vertical axis wind turbines rotating at low tip speed ratios

Turbulent wake flows behind helical- and straight-bladed vertical axis wind turbines (VAWTs) rotating at low tip speed ratios (TSRs) are studied numerically. The turbulent flows are simulated using the large-eddy simulation (LES) model, and the rotating turbine blades are modeled using the actuator line method. The helical VAWT has identical key parameters as the straight VAWT except for the 135° helical twist of the blades over the 0.3m vertical span. A set of LES runs are performed for two TSRs, 0.6 and 0.4, and the results are reported and analyzed. At these low TSRs, the wake behind the straight-bladed VAWT exhibits two-dimensional dominant flow motions (in the horizontal plane perpendicular to the straight blades) in the near-wake region that cause considerable spanwise expansion of the wake as it extends downstream. In contrast, the helical-bladed VAWT generates highly three-dimensional (3D) wake flow structures and upward/downward mean flow motions within the wake that cause the wake to expand mainly in the vertical direction. Turbulence statistical analyses also show that the 3D wake flow features induced by the helical blades accelerate the wake transition to turbulence and enhance the small-scale turbulent dissipation (as shown by the subgrid-scale turbulent dissipation in the LES), which leads to a more rapid decay of the wake turbulence intensity than that in the straight-bladed VAWT case at the same TSR. Finally, compared with the straight-bladed VAWT, the helical-bladed VAWT also exhibits much smaller temporal variations for the torque and power coefficients during the rotation cycle, which can be beneficial for wind power generation.

17 WIND ENERGY↗
NASA NTRS1995

Two-phase flow in helical and spiral coils

Coiled tube heat exchangers involving two-phase flows are used in a variety of application areas, extending from the aerospace industry to petrochemical, refrigeration land power generation industries. The optimal design in each situation requires a fundamental understanding of the heat, mass and momentum transfer characteristic of the flowing two-phase mixture. However, two-phase flows in lengths of horizontal or vertical straight channels with heat transfer are often quite difficult in themselves to understand sufficiently well to permit accurate system designs. The present study has the following general objectives: (1) Observe two-phase flow patterns of air-water and R-113 working fluids over a range of flow conditions, for helical and spiral coil geometries, of circular and rectangular cross-section; (2) Compare observed flow patterns with predictions of existing flow maps; (3) Study criteria for flow regime transitions for possible modifications of existing flow pattern maps; and (4) Measure associated pressure drops across the coiled test sections over the rage of flow conditions specified.

Keshock, Edward G.↗
NASA NTRS1984

Stability of fluid flow in a cylindrical annulus

Helical flow in an annulus between two coaxial cylinders is investigated with regard to its stability against the formation of helical vortices of the type known as Taylor's annular vortices. Assuming the annulus to be small and the velocities to vary linearly with radius, it is shown that the problem can be reduced to the classical case of flow between two rotating cylinders. An appropriate stability criterion for helical flows is derived from Rayleigh's stability criterion applicable to such flows.

Ludwieg, H.↗
NASA NTRS1990

Study of two-phase flow in helical and spiral coils

The principal purposes of the present study were to: (1) observe and develop a fundamental understanding of the flow regimes and their transitions occurring in helical and spiral coils; and (2) obtain pressure drop measurements of such flows, and, if possible, develop a method for predicting pressure drop in these flow geometries. Elaborating upon the above, the general intent is to develop criteria (preferably generalized) for establishing the nature of the flow dynamics (e.g. flow patterns) and the magnitude of the pressure drop in such configurations over a range of flow rates and fluid properties. Additionally, the visualization and identification of flow patterns were a fundamental objective of the study. From a practical standpoint, the conditions under which an annular flow pattern exists is of particular practical importance. In the possible practical applications which would implement these geometries, the working fluids are likely to be refrigerant fluids. In the present study the working fluids were an air-water mixture, and refrigerant 113 (R-113). In order to obtain records of flow patterns and their transitions, video photography was employed extensively. Pressure drop measurements were made using pressure differential transducers connected across pressure taps in lines immediately preceding and following the various test sections.

Keshock, Edward G.↗
DOE OSTI2025

Numerical investigation of magneto-inertial fusion targets magnetized by dynamic enforcement of helical current flow

Magnetized Liner Inertial Fusion (MagLIF) targets require premagnetization to reduce thermal conduction losses from the laser-heated fuel to the liner material during implosion. MagLIF targets are typically magnetized by external magnetic field coils which are technologically limited to providing <20 T axial magnetic fields in the fusion fuel. We present a novel target design, AutoMag-D, which employs dynamic enforcement of helical current in the liner, resulting in >20 T axial magnetic field in the fuel region prior to implosion without the need of external magnetic field coils. These self-magnetizing liners are made of helically oriented alternating electrically conductive material and electrically insulating material surrounded by a thin, conductive outer radial layer. As the liner is pulsed with a ∼ 20 MA, ∼ 100 ns rise time drive current from Z, the outer layer of conductive material is shocked and intensely Joule heated, causing it to melt, vaporize, and turn to plasma. This allows the magnetic drive field to diffuse radially inward which dynamically enforces current flow in the helical conduction paths in the liner and produces axial magnetic field in the fuel region prior to implosion of the inner liner surface. AutoMag-D liner designs do not require dielectric breakdown of electrically insulating material (as in traditional auto-magnetizing helical liners) and do not require helical return current geometries (as in dynamic screw pinches). We present results from three-dimensional radiation-magnetohydrodynamic simulations of MagLIF implosions employing AutoMag-D liner designs. Simulated AutoMag-D targets demonstrate improved fuel conditions and thermonuclear yield compared to traditional MagLIF.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
NASA NTRS1991

Helicity-Density And Normalized-Helicity Maps Of Flows

Maps of helicity density and normalized helicity useful as graphical representations of important features of three-dimensional flow fields containg vortexes. Emphasize complicated and important parts of flow field, identify vortexes, differentiate between primary and secondary vortexes, indicate sense of swirling motion, locate free singular points, and trace vortex-core streamlines emanating from these points.

Degani, David↗
DOE OSTI2020

Catalytic converters having non-linear flow channels

Disclosed is a honeycomb catalyst substrate core having geometrically non-linear flow channels. In an embodiment, the honeycomb catalyst substrate core includes helical flow channels. In another embodiment, the honeycomb catalyst substrate core includes sinusoidal flow channels. In yet another embodiment, the honeycomb catalyst substrate core includes helical plus sinusoidal flow channels. The honeycomb catalyst substrate core comprises a plurality of parallel non-linear flow channels formed along a longitudinal axis of symmetry of the catalyst substrate core, each non-linear flow channel configured such that a turbulent vortical flow occurs during engine exhaust gas flow. Also disclosed is a method for manufacturing a ceramic honeycomb having non-linear flow channels, comprising the steps extrusion soft ceramic material through a die whilst the die moves through six degrees of freedom along its axis of symmetry. Disclosure includes a method for manufacturing a ceramic honeycomb having non-linear flow channels using three-dimensional printing.

33 ADVANCED PROPULSION SYSTEMS↗