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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 sources NASA NTRS DOE OSTI

NASA NTRS1985

NASA's hypersonic fluid and thermal physics program (Aerothermodynamics)

This survey paper gives an overview of NASA's hypersonic fluid and thermal physics program (recently renamed aerothermodynamics). The purpose is to present the elements of, example results from, and rationale and projection for this program. The program is based on improving the fundamental understanding of aerodynamic and aerothermodynamic flow phenomena over hypersonic vehicles in the continuum, transitional, and rarefied flow regimes. Vehicle design capabilities, computational fluid dynamics, computational chemistry, turbulence modeling, aerothermal loads, orbiter flight data analysis, orbiter experiments, laser photodiagnostics, and facilities are discussed.

Graves, R. A.↗

NASA NTRS1985

Hypersonic aerothermodynamics status report

This survey paper gives an overview of NASA's Aerothermodynamics program. The purpose is to present the elements of, example results from, and projected technology needs for hypersonic fluid and thermal physics. The NASA program is focused on improving the fundamental understanding of aerodynamic and aerothermodynamic flow phenomena over hypersonic vehicles operating in the continuum, transitional, and free molecule flow regime. Vehicle design capabilities, computational fluid dynamics, computational chemistry, turbulence modeling, aerothermal loading, Shuttle Orbiter flight data analysis, and aerothermal facilities are discussed.

Graves, R. A., Jr.↗

NASA NTRS1981

Aeronautics research and technology program and specific objectives

Aeronautics research and technology program objectives in fluid and thermal physics, materials and structures, controls and guidance, human factors, multidisciplinary activities, computer science and applications, propulsion, rotorcraft, high speed aircraft, subsonic aircraft, and rotorcraft and high speed aircraft systems technology are addressed.

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NASA NTRS1982

Space Research and Technology Program: Program and specific objectives, document approval

A detailed view of the Space Research and Technology program work breakdown structure is provided down to the specific objective level. Goals or objectives at each of these levels are set forth. The specific objective narratives are structured into several parts. First, a short paragraph statement of the specific objective is given. This is followed by a list of subobjectives. A list of targets is then provided for those areas of the specific objective that are amenable to a quantitative description of technical accomplishment and schedule. Fluid and thermal physics, materials and structures, computer science and electronics, space energy conversion, multidisciplinary research, controls and human factors, chemical propulsion, spacecraft systems, transportation systems, platform systems, and spacecraft systems technology comprise the principal research programs.

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NASA NTRS2007

The Microgravity Science Glovebox (MSG), a Resource for Gravity-Dependent Phenomena Research on the International Space Station (ISS)

The Microgravity Science Glovebox (MSG) is a double rack facility aboard the International Space Station (ISS) designed for gravity-dependent phenomena investigation handling. The MSG has been operating in the ISS US Laboratory Module since July 2002. The MSG facility provides an enclosed working area for investigation manipulation and observation in the ISS. The MSG s unique design provides two levels of containment to protect the ISS crew from hazardous operations. Research investigations operating inside the MSG are provided a large 255 liter work volume, 1000 watts of dc power via a versatile supply interface (120,28, +/-12, and 5 Vdc), 1000 watts of cooling capability, video and data recording and real time downlink, ground commanding capabilities, access to ISS Vacuum Exhaust and Vacuum Resource Systems, and gaseous nitrogen supply. With these capabilities, the MSG is an ideal platform for research required to advance the technology readiness levels (TRL) needed for the Crew Exploration Vehicle and the Exploration Initiative. Areas of research that will benefit from investigations in the MSG include thermal management, fluid physics, spacecraft fire safety, materials science, combustion and reacting control systems, in situ fabrication and repair, and advanced life support technologies. This paper will provide a detailed explanation of the MSG facility, a synopsis of the research that has already been accomplished in the MSG, an overview of investigations planning to operate in the MSG, and possible augmentations that can be added to the MSG facility to further enhance the resources provided to investigations.

Spivey, Reggie A.↗

NASA NTRS2007

The Microgravity Science Glovebox (MSG), a Resource for Gravity-Dependent Phenomena Research on the International Space Station (ISS)

The Microgravity Science Glovebox (MSG) is a double rack facility aboard the International Space Station (ISS) designed for gravity-dependent phenomena investigation handling. The MSG has been operating in the ISS US Laboratory Module since July 2002. The MSG facility provides an enclosed working area for investigation manipulation and observation in the ISS. The MSG's unique design provides two levels of containment to protect the ISS crew from hazardous operations. Research investigations operating inside the MSG are provided a large 255 liter work volume, 1000 watts of dc power via a versatile supply interface (120,28, plus or minus 12, and 5 Vdc), 1000 watts of cooling capability, video and data recording and real time downlink, ground commanding capabilities, access to ISS Vacuum Exhaust' and Vacuum Resource 'Systems, and gaseous nitrogen supply. With these capabilities, the MSG is an ideal platform for research required to advance the technology readiness levels (TRL) needed for the Crew Exploration Vehicle and the Exploration Initiative. Areas of research that will benefit from investigations in the MSG include thermal management, fluid physics, spacecraft fire safety, materials science, combustion and reacting control systems, in situ fabrication and repair, and advanced life support technologies. This paper will provide a detailed explanation of the MSG facility, a synopsis of the research that has already been accomplished in the MSG, an overview of investigations planning to operate in the MSG, and possible augmentations that can be added to-the MSG facility to further enhance the resources provided to investigations.

Spivey, Reggie A.↗

NASA NTRS2008

An Overview of the Microgravity Science Glovebox (MSG) Facility, and the Gravity-Dependent Phenomena Research Performed in the MSG on the International Space Station (ISS)

The Microgravity Science Glovebox (MSG) is a double rack facility aboard the International Space Station (ISS) designed for gravity-dependent phenomena investigation handling. The MSG has been operating in the ISS US Laboratory Module since July 2002. The MSG facility provides an enclosed working area for investigation manipulation and observation, The MSG's unique design provides two levels of containment to protect the ISS crew from hazardous operations. Research investigations operating inside the MSG are provided a large 255 liter work volume, 1000 watts of dc power via a versatile supply interface (120, 28, +/-12, and 5 Vdc), 1000 watts of cooling capability, video and data recording and real time downlink, ground commanding capabilities, access to ISS Vacuum Exhaust and Vacuum Resource Systems, and gaseous nitrogen supply. With these capabilities, the MSG is an ideal platform for research required to advance the technology readiness levels (TRL) needed for the Crew Exploration Vehicle and the Exploration Initiative. Areas of research that will benefit from investigations in the MSG include thermal management, fluid physics, spacecraft fire safety, materials science, combustion, reaction control systems, in situ fabrication and repair, and advanced life support technologies. This paper will provide a detailed explanation of the MSG facility, a synopsis of the research that has already been accomplished in the MSG and an overview of investigations planning to operate in the MSG. In addition, this paper will address possible changes to the MSG utilization process that will be brought about by the transition to ISS as a National Laboratory.

Spivey, Reggie A.↗

NASA NTRS1990

Conceptual design of the subscale orbital fluid transfer experiment (SOFTE)

The Subscale Orbital Fluid Transfer Experiment is a planned space experiment with the objective of obtaining video and numerical data on fluid dynamics and thermal physics pertinent to on-orbit liquid acquisition and tank filling operations, particularly with cryogens. These data have significant application to space-based transportation systems, Space Station Freedom, and space defense systems. This paper presents the rationale for the experiment and a description of its design. The experiment will mount in two Get Away Special canisters that are connected to each other by an electrical umbilical. It involves transferring Freon 113 between two transparent plexiglass tanks. Axial and tangential no-vent fills will be done over a range of flow rates. The apparatus includes a screened-channel liquid acquisition device with plexiglass channels for examining vapor breakthrough and channel refill processes. Video cameras will monitor the transfer operations.

Jones, O. S.↗

NASA NTRS2004

Convective Instability in Ice I with Non-Newtonian Rheology: Application to the Galilean Satellites

At the temperatures and stresses associated with the onset of convection in an ice I shell of the Galilean satellites, ice behaves as a non-Newtonian fluid with a viscosity that depends on both temperature and strain rate. The convective stability of a non-Newtonian ice shell can be judged by comparing the Rayleigh number of the shell to a critical value. Previous studies suggest that the critical Rayleigh number for a non-Newtonian fluid depends on the initial conditions in the fluid layer, in addition to the thermal, rheological, and physical properties of the fluid. We seek to extend the existing definition of the critical Rayleigh number for a non-Newtonian, basally heated fluid by quantifying the conditions required to initiate convection in an ice I layer initially in conductive equilibrium. We find that the critical Rayleigh number for the onset of convection in ice I varies as a power (-0.6 to -0.5) of the amplitude of the initial temperature perturbation issued to the layer, when the amplitude of perturbation is less than the rheological temperature scale. For larger-amplitude perturbations, the critical Rayleigh number achieves a constant value. We characterize the critical Rayleigh number as a function of surface temperature of the satellite, melting temperature of ice, and rheological parameters so that our results may be extrapolated for use with other rheologies and for a generic large icy satellite. The values of critical Rayleigh number imply that triggering convection from a conductive equilibrium in a pure ice shell less than 100 km thick in Europa, Ganymede, or Callisto requires a large, localized temperature perturbation of a few kelvins to tens of kelvins to soften the ice and therefore may require tidal dissipation in the ice shell.

Barr, A. C.↗

NASA NTRS2011

Multidisciplinary Modeling Software for Analysis, Design, and Optimization of HRRLS Vehicles

The concept for Highly Reliable Reusable Launch Systems (HRRLS) under the NASA Hypersonics project is a two-stage-to-orbit, horizontal-take-off / horizontal-landing, (HTHL) architecture with an air-breathing first stage. The first stage vehicle is a slender body with an air-breathing propulsion system that is highly integrated with the airframe. The light weight slender body will deflect significantly during flight. This global deflection affects the flow over the vehicle and into the engine and thus the loads and moments on the vehicle. High-fidelity multi-disciplinary analyses that accounts for these fluid-structures-thermal interactions are required to accurately predict the vehicle loads and resultant response. These predictions of vehicle response to multi physics loads, calculated with fluid-structural-thermal interaction, are required in order to optimize the vehicle design over its full operating range. This contract with ResearchSouth addresses one of the primary objectives of the Vehicle Technology Integration (VTI) discipline: the development of high-fidelity multi-disciplinary analysis and optimization methods and tools for HRRLS vehicles. The primary goal of this effort is the development of an integrated software system that can be used for full-vehicle optimization. This goal was accomplished by: 1) integrating the master code, FEMAP, into the multidiscipline software network to direct the coupling to assure accurate fluid-structure-thermal interaction solutions; 2) loosely-coupling the Euler flow solver FEFLO to the available and proven aeroelasticity and large deformation (FEAP) code; 3) providing a coupled Euler-boundary layer capability for rapid viscous flow simulation; 4) developing and implementing improved Euler/RANS algorithms into the FEFLO CFD code to provide accurate shock capturing, skin friction, and heat-transfer predictions for HRRLS vehicles in hypersonic flow, 5) performing a Reynolds-averaged Navier-Stokes computation on an HRRLS configuration; 6) integrating the RANS solver with the FEAP code for coupled fluid-structure-thermal capability; and 7) integrating the existing NASA SRGULL propulsion flow path prediction software with the FEFLO software for quasi-3D propulsion flow path predictions, 8) improving and integrating into the network, an existing adjoint-based design optimization code.

Spradley, Lawrence W.↗

NASA NTRS1992

Updated SINDA '85/FLUINT

SINDA '85/FLUINT system enables analysis of mutual influences of thermal and fluid aspects of physical systems. Program enables simulation of nonuniform heating and facilitates mathematical modeling of thin-walled heat exchangers. Written in FORTRAN.

Cullimore, Brent↗

NASA NTRS1990

Thermal interaction between an impinging hot jet and a conducting solid surface

Powered-lift aircraft may produce severe high-temperature environments which are potentially damaging to a landing surface or the aircraft. The interaction betweean the high temperature flow field and a nonadiabatic landing surface is analyzed with a coupled computational fluid dynamics/solid thermal conduction computer code, HOTJET. The HOTJET code couples time-accurate, implicit, factored solution schemes for the governing fluid dynamics equations (Reynolds-averaged Navier-Stokes equations) to the unsteady thermal conduction equation, which governs heat flux within a solid. HOTJET is validated against exact solutions to the thermal conduction and Navier-Stokes equations. First-of-a-kind results are included which show the impact of surface material properties on the fluid physics and the coupled fluid/material thermal fields.

Abeloff, P. A.↗

NASA NTRS1990

Low-gravity fluid physics: A program overview

An overview is presented of the microgravity fluid physics program at Lewis Research Center. One of the main reasons for conducting low gravity research in fluid physics is to study phenomena such as surface tension, interfacial contact angles, and diffusion independent of such gravitationally induced effects as buoyant convection. Fluid physics is at the heart of many space-based technologies including power systems, thermal control systems, and life support systems. Fundamental understanding of fluid physics is a key ingredient to successful space systems design. In addition to describing ground-based and space-based low-gravity facilities, selected experiments are presented which highlight Lewis work in fluid physics. These experiments can be categorized into five theme areas which summarize the work being conducted at Lewis for OSSA: (1) isothermal/iso-solutal capillary phenomena; (2) capillary phenomena with thermal/solutal gradients; (3) thermal-solutal convection; (4) first- and second-order phase transitions in a static fluid; and (5) multiphase flow.

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NASA NTRS2012

Supercritical CO2 Cleaning System for Planetary Protection and Contamination Control Applications

Current spacecraft-compatible cleaning protocols involve a vapor degreaser, liquid sonication, and alcohol wiping. These methods are not very effective in removing live and dead microbes from spacecraft piece parts of slightly complicated geometry, such as tubing and loosely fitted nuts and bolts. Contamination control practices are traditionally focused on cleaning and monitoring of particulate and oily residual. Vapor degreaser and outgassing bakeout have not been proven to be effective in removing some less volatile, hydrophilic biomolecules of significant relevance to life detection. A precision cleaning technology was developed using supercritical CO2 (SCC). SCC is used as both solvent and carrier for removing organic and particulate contaminants. Supercritical fluid, like SCC, is characterized by physical and thermal properties that are between those of the pure liquid and gas phases. The fluid density is a function of the temperature and pressure. Its solvating power can be adjusted by changing the pressure or temperature, or adding a secondary solvent such as alcohol or water. Unlike a regular organic solvent, SCC has higher diffusivities, lower viscosity, and lower surface tension. It readily penetrates porous and fibrous solids and can reach hard-to-reach surfaces of the parts with complex geometry. Importantly, the CO2 solvent does not leave any residue. The results using this new cleaning device demonstrated that both supercritical CO2 with 5% water as a co-solvent can achieve cleanliness levels of 0.01 mg/cm2 or less for contaminants of a wide range of hydrophobicities. Experiments under the same conditions using compressed Martian air mix, which consists of 95% CO2, produced similar cleaning effectiveness on the hydrophobic compounds. The main components of the SCC cleaning system are a high-pressure cleaning vessel, a boil-off vessel located downstream from the cleaning vessel, a syringe-type high-pressure pump, a heat exchanger, and a back pressure regulator (BPR). After soaking the parts to be cleaned in the clean vessel for a period, the CO2 with contaminants is flushed out of the cleaning vessel using fresh CO2 in a first-in-first-out (FIFO) method. The contaminants are either precipitating out in the boil-off container or being trapped in a filter subsystem. The parts to be cleaned are secured in a basket inside and can be rotated up to 1,400 rpm by a magnetic drive. The fluid flows within the vessel generate tangential forces on the parts surfaces, enhancing the cleaning effectiveness and shortening the soaking time. During the FIFO flushing, the pump subsystem pushes fresh CO2 into the cleaning vessel at a constant flow rate between 0.01 and 200 mL/min, while the BPR regulates the pressure in the cleaning vessel to within 0.1 bar by controlling the needle position in an outlet valve. The fresh CO2 gas flows through the heat exchanger at a given temperature before entering the cleaning vessel. A platinum resistance thermometer (PRT) reads the cleaning vessel interior temperature that can be controlled to within 0.1 K. As a result, cleaning vessel temperature remains constant during the FIFO flushing. There is no change in solvent power during FIFO flushing since both temperature and pressure inside the cleaning vessel remain unchanged, thus minimizing contaminants left behind. During decompression, both temperature and pressure are strictly controlled to prevent bubbles from generating in the cleaning vessel that could stir up the contaminants that sank to the bottom by gravity.

Lin, Ying↗

NASA NTRS1980

Study of thermal control systems for orbiting power systems. Materials experiment carrier thermal control system study

Four possible arrangements of the materials experiment carrier (MEC) and power system (PS) thermal control loops were defined which would provide one kW of heat rejection for each kW of power to the MEC payload. These arrangements were compared to the baseline reference concept which provides only 16 kW heat rejection to show the cost of obtaining symmetry in terms of dollars, weight, complexity, growth potential, ease of integration, technology and total launch weight. The results of these comparisons was that the concept which splits the PS thermal control loop into two systems, one to reject PS waste heat and one payload waste heat, appeared favorable. The fluid selection study resulted in recommendation of FC72 as the MEC heat transport fluid based on the thermal and physical characteristics. The coatings reviewed indicated anodized and alodine treated aluminum surfaces or silver teflon are the best choices for the MEC vehicle where durability is an important factor. For high temperature radiators silver teflon or zinc orthotitanate are recommended choices.

Fleming, M. L.↗

NASA NTRS2023

Cryogenic Flow Boiling in Microgravity: Effects of Reduced Gravity on Two-Phase Fluid Physics and Heat Transfer

With the growing interest in space exploration, cryogenic technologies involving two-phase flow and heat transfer are in high demand to successfully procure advanced space applications such as fuel depots and nuclear thermal propulsion (NTP) systems for deep space missions. However, the unique and extreme thermal properties of cryogenic fluids introduce distinct flow boiling fluid physics and energy transport phenomena, which differ significantly from those observed with conventional fluids. Understanding the unique two-phase physics in cryogenic flow boiling remains an ongoing challenge. Furthermore, the lack of readily available microgravity cryogenic steady-state heat transfer data hinders the assessment of gravitational effects on cryogenic flow boiling. This study aims to elucidate the gravitational effects on two-phase fluid physics and heat transfer by conducting the first-ever experimental measurement of cryogenic flow boiling performance using a steady-state heated method in a reduced gravity environment. Parabolic flight experiments were performed to acquire both heat transfer measurements and high-speed video of interfacial behaviors, under varying gravity levels (microgravity, hypergravity, Lunar gravity, and Martian gravity). The experiments involved flow boiling of liquid nitrogen (LN 2 ) with a near-saturated inlet along a circular heated tube of dimensions 8.5-mm inner diameter and 680-mm heated length. The operating parameters varied are mass velocity of 398.3 - 1342.8 kg/m2s, inlet quality of -0.08 to -0.01, and inlet pressure of 413.68 - 689.48 kPa. Captured microgravity flow patterns range from bubbly to annular, all having vapor structures that are larger than those under higher gravity levels. Under microgravity, absence of buoyancy yields symmetrical vapor structures without flow stratification, laying a physical foundation for the distinct two-phase heat transfer trends during LN 2 flow boiling in microgravity. Transient data collected during the flight parabolas exhibited decreasing heated wall temperature as the aircraft transitioned from hypergravity to microgravity phases. The temperature variation indicated an enhancement in flow boiling heat transfer with decreasing gravity levels and a reduction with increasing gravity levels. The effect of reduced gravity on cryogenic flow boiling heat transfer coefficient (HTC) is discussed based on steady state heat transfer analysis. Seminal HTC correlations are evaluated against the measured microgravity HTC data, of which one is identified for superior accuracy in predicting microgravity data. Finally, a new HTC correlation is proposed to improve accuracy of microgravity predictions, yet there still exists room for further improvement with future terrestrial flow boiling experiments at different flow orientations relative to Earth gravity.

Microgravity↗

NASA NTRS2017

Advances in Electrically Driven Thermal Management

Electrically Driven Thermal Management is a vibrant technology development initiative incorporating ISS based technology demonstrations, development of innovative fluid management techniques and fundamental research efforts. The program emphasizes high temperature high heat flux thermal management required for future generations of RF electronics and power electronic devices. This presentation reviews i.) preliminary results from the Electrohydrodynamic (EHD) Long Term Flight Demonstration launched on STP-H5 payload in February 2017 ii.) advances in liquid phase flow distribution control iii.) development of the Electrically Driven Liquid Film Boiling Experiment under the NASA Microgravity Fluid Physics Program.

Thermal Control Multifunctional Hardware↗

NASA NTRS2005

A New Unsteady Model for Dense Cloud Cavitation in Cryogenic Fluids

Contents include the following: Background on thermal effects in cavitation. Physical properties of hydrogen. Multi-phase cavitation with thermal effect. Solution procedure. Cavitation model overview. Cavitation source terms. New cavitation model. Source term for bubble growth. One equation les model. Unsteady ogive simulations: liquid nitrogen. Unsteady incompressible flow in a pipe. Time averaged cavity length for NACA15 flowfield.

Hosangadi, Ashvin↗