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At least 19 records

Accelerated Self-Healing and Property Recovery in Brush Particle Solids Featuring Brush Dispersity

Brush particles, hybrid materials consisting of polymer chains tethered to particle surfaces, offer tunable properties that make them promising candidates for advanced functional materials. This study investigated the role of chain dispersity in the viscoelastic self-healing of poly (methyl acrylate) (PMA)-based brush particle solids. Increasing the molecular weight dispersity of grafted chains significantly enhanced both strain-to-fracture and toughness of brush particle solids, while the elastic modulus and glass transition temperature were independent of chain dispersity. Cut-and-adhere testing revealed a significant acceleration of the rate of toughness recovery in high-dispersity systems as compared to low-dispersity analogs for which toughness recovery markedly lagged the recovery of Young’s modulus. The results suggest that structure and property recovery in brush particle solids are sensitive to the dynamical heterogeneity of brush canopies and highlight the role of molecular weight dispersity as a design parameter to enable hybrid materials with advanced self-healing ability.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH

Fundamental equations of a mixture of gas and small spherical solid particles from simple kinetic theory.

The fundamental equations of a mixture of a gas and pseudofluid of small spherical solid particles are derived from the Boltzmann equation of two-fluid theory. The distribution function of the gas molecules is defined in the same manner as in the ordinary kinetic theory of gases, but the distribution function for the solid particles is different from that of the gas molecules, because it is necessary to take into account the different size and physical properties of solid particles. In the proposed simple kinetic theory, two additional parameters are introduced: one is the radius of the spheres and the other is the instantaneous temperature of the solid particles in the distribution of the solid particles. The Boltzmann equation for each species of the mixture is formally written, and the transfer equations of these Boltzmann equations are derived and compared to the well-known fundamental equations of the mixture of a gas and small solid particles from continuum theory. The equations obtained reveal some insight into various terms in the fundamental equations. For instance, the partial pressure of the pseudofluid of solid particles is not negligible if the volume fraction of solid particles is not negligible as in the case of lunar ash flow.

Pai, S. I.

Effects of solid particles suspended in fluid flow through an axial flow compressor stage

An approximate method for calculating the flow properties of gas-particle mixture flowing over blades in a cascade is studied. Using an analytical method, the solid particle trajectory and location of collisions between the solid particles and the blade surfaces are determined. In addition an experimental investigation of the trajectories and velocities of solid particles suspended in a fluid passing through an axial flow compressor cascade was performed. The cascade blades were made of 2024 aluminum alloy and the solid particles used were quartz sand with average diameter of 165 microns. The following parameters were investigated: blade pressure distribution, and total pressure loss coefficient, both depending on the degree of erosion. In addition, a theoretical estimation of the blade erosion is compared with the experimental data.

Tabakoff, W.

Fundamental studies of the solid-particle erosion of silicon

The predictions of the theories of solid-particle erosion of brittle materials are compared to experimental results of studies in which angular Al2O3 particles with mean diameters D of 23 to 270 microns are used to erode (111) surfaces of silicon single crystals at impact angles alpha from 20 to 90 deg and velocities v from 30 to 150 m/s. The description of the steady state erosion rate by a power law, delta W varies directly as (v sin alpha)(n)D(m) must be modified to include threshold and plasticity effects. Furthermore the velocity exponent n depends on D. Results using abrasives of different sizes mixed together can be explained using a logarithmic-normal distribution. The results of transient experiments can be used to explain the synergistic effects which are observed using a biomodal distribution of abrasives.

Routbort, J. L.

Thermal Analysis of a Solid Particle Light-Trapping Planar Cavity Receiver Using Computational Fluid Dynamics

Concentrated solar power (CSP) is one of the most effective ways of harnessing solar power to create efficient, durable, and resilient energy systems. This study entails thermal modeling and analysis of a novel central tower receiver configuration. This receiver uses solid particles as the heat transfer fluid (HTF), a promising option for third-generation CSP systems. The configuration considered here is the light-trapping planar cavity receiver (LTPCR) introduced by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory. While heat transfer studies of various LTPCR subsystems have been done, system-level thermal analysis of the LTPCR receiver has not been attempted. This study also presents important sensitivity analyses of the operating parameters of the CSP system, which can help guide the design of future central tower receivers. This study employs Ansys Fluent as a computational fluid dynamics (CFD) tool to model fluid dynamics and heat transfer in the receiver, intending to quantify its thermal performance. The model seamlessly integrates Monte Carlo ray tracing data, which generates absorbed solar flux profiles from the heliostat field design, with the heat transfer characteristics of the fluidized particle bed. This unified model is designed to accurately predict the thermal behavior of the LTPCR. Analysis of preliminary results reveals that the primary loss mechanisms are radiative and natural convective losses, in that order. Based on observations from a baseline case, several strategies are suggested and numerically tested. These solutions include selective cooling of high-temperature regions and manipulation of particle bed parameters. Selective cooling of high-temperature regions reduced the peak temperature by 151 degrees C and decreased thermal losses by 0.9%. Improving the particle-wall heat transfer coefficient (P-W HTC) of the particle bed decreased the thermal losses by 1.7% and decreased the peak temperatures by 57 degrees C. Decreasing the particle inlet temperature (PIT) also reduced thermal losses by 3.5% and decreased peak temperatures by 29 degrees C. Compounding these strategies improved the thermal losses of the receiver from 13.5% in the baseline case to 7.5%. Additionally, the study explores the variation in thermal performance across different locations of the receiver, where a variation of thermal losses from 12.9% to 17.3% is found. This allows a comprehensive evaluation of potential improvements in efficiency and temperature management.

computational fluid dynamics

The effects of solid rocket motor effluents on selected surfaces and solid particle size, distribution, and composition for simulated shuttle booster separation motors

A series of three tests was conducted using solid rocket propellants to determine the effects a solid rocket plume would have on thermal protective surfaces (TPS). The surfaces tested were those which are baselined for the shuttle vehicle. The propellants used were to simulate the separation solid rocket motors (SSRM) that separate the solid rocket boosters (SRB) from the shuttle launch vehicle. Data cover: (1) the optical effects of the plume environment on spacecraft related surfaces, and (2) the solid particle size, distribution, and composition at TPS sample locations.

Jex, D. W.

Development and Full Load Demonstration of a 900°C Solid Particle Receiver for Concentrating Solar Power Applications - noLimits

Sandia National Laboratories (SNL) and the German Aerospace Centre (DLR) are world leaders in the joint and separate development of very high temperature next generation solar concentrator systems using solid particles. This project “noLimits” is meant to provide the critical performance information needed to commercialize DLR’s CentRec® solar receiver and ancillary particle systems (conveying systems, storage vessels, flow control equipment etc.) developed at Sandia National Laboratories (SNL). Performance information (at power levels closer to a small scale Concentrating Solar Power (CSP) plant) will be obtained at full load conditions (2.5 MWt ) and at 900 °C-1000 °C particle outlet temperatures at the National Solar Thermal Test Facility (NSTTF) located at SNL. Heliogen was proposed to be joining the project as a commercial partner to provide the commercialization route for this receiver design, if successful, as Heliogen acquired the intellectual property (IP) from DLR.

14 SOLAR ENERGY

Investigation of Solid Particle Reactors for Nonoxidative Dehydrogenation of Ethane: Toward Solar Thermal Ethylene Production

Concentrating solar power plants can generate renewable heat at temperatures well above those of most industrial processes. Ceramic particles irradiated with concentrated sunlight can store high-quality sensible heat and transfer this to power generation systems. These concepts and materials hold great potential to also enable thermal processes in the chemical industry, but effective strategies for transferring heat from thermal energy storage media into chemical reactors are still under development. This present work evaluated the thermal and chemical compatibility of various solid particle media (including quartz, bauxite, and alumina particles) integrated directly into tube reactors and the subsequent effects on reactor performance for the nonoxidative dehydrogenation of ethane reaction. Empty tube reactors without loaded particles (representing conventional ethane cracking coils) showed significant heat transfer limitations as the tube diameter was scaled. The incorporation of media into the reactor significantly aided heat transfer to the gaseous ethane reactant and increased its conversion by as much as 10% at similar space velocities. Despite direct contact with hydrocarbon gases, alumina and quartz media showed negligible coke formation. Even during reaction in 100% ethane feed gas at 825 °C, the average selectivity of the coke product was only 0.57% when using the quartz media. These materials further demonstrated excellent thermal stability during subsequent reoxidation in air at 800 °C, which simulated the reheating of particles in a circulating particle solar receiver. Conversely, high rates of coke formation, with a product selectivity of 27.5%, were observed on sintered bauxite particles during the reaction, likely promoted by transition metal constituents. These particles fractured upon reoxidation due to exotherms generated from coke combustion. In conclusion, while the use of cofed steam could mitigate attrition of redox-active particles, the ability of inert metal oxide particles to efficiently transfer heat to concentrated ethane reactant gas while suppressing side reactions or degradation suggests that these media could effectively couple solar thermal plants to reactors for next-generation production of ethylene and other critical chemicals.

Hydrocarbons

Trajectories of solid particles spalled from a carbonaceous heat shield

Trajectories are calculated of solid carbon particles that spall from a carbonaceous heat shield and travel through a given flow field. The mathematical model takes into account mass, momentum, and energy conservation during evaporation of the particles in an effort to understand spallation phenomena and their consequences in a physical way. The solution technique is applied to available Galileo Probe flow field solutions. Plots of trajectories and other particle parameters are presented for a range of initial particle sizes and velocities. It is shown that a significant amount of gaseous carbon is deposited in the inviscid region and ahead of the bow shock as well as in the ablation layer.

Davies, C. B.

Microscopic Dynamics Controls Coupling and Cluster Formation in Brush Particle Solids

Thermodynamics-based models predict the structure of polymer-grafted nanoparticles (PGNs) as well as their assembly behavior based on geometric parameters such as particle size, degree of polymerization, and density of grafted chains. The role of microscopic polymer dynamics, such as the mobility of repeat units in the melt state, in the evolution of the structure and properties remains unknown. Brillouin light spectroscopy (BLS), due to its capability to concurrently discern the local and global elastic properties of PGN assemblies, enables the probing of microscopic processes, such as brush interdigitation, sensitive to the annealing of the assembly. For poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA)-grafted silica (SiO 2 ) PGNs in the dry powder state and annealed above the glass transition temperature, BLS revealed fully reversible local elasticity, indicative of limited interdigitation between adjacent PGNs. This contrasts with polystyrene (PS)−SiO 2 analogs that displayed ready (and irreversible) fusion of brush layers during annealing. The retardation of brush interdigitation in PMMA-grafted systems is surprising, given the similar thermomechanical properties of both polymers, and is rationalized as the consequence of higher friction between PMMA repeats compared to PS. Microscopic dynamics thus has a profound impact on the kinetic path of structure (and property) evolution and thus should be considered during the processing of PGNs into functional hybrid materials.

chemical structure

Temperature of solid particles in colloidal plasmas in space

Lehnert (1970) has investigated the question of the relationship between the kinetic temperature and the internal temperature at which a solid coexists with a plasma in a thermal steady state. The reported investigation is a more refined version of Lehnert's preliminary analysis of this relationship. The electric potential of grains is considered along with the ambient radiation field and the grain temperatures in the thermal steady state. An illustrative calculation is conducted of the grain temperatures in the dense regions of the primordial circumsolar colloidal plasma envelope such as envisioned in the Alfven-Arrhenius model (1976) of the origin of the solar system. It is shown that under certain conditions the solid grains can coexist with the plasma phase up to fairly high plasma densities and temperatures.

De, B. R.

Using Solid Particles as Heat Transfer Fluid-Use in CSP Plants (CRADA Final Report)

NREL assisted the BRIDGE project led by the University of Colorado (CU), Boulder, on developing granular flow and heat transfer simulation tool to serve for an enclosed particle-receiver design. NREL will provide the particle receiver design configuration and operating condition to assist the model setup and may provide certain testing results for model verifications. NREL will attend project reviewing meeting and provide application back-ground including concentrating solar energy technology to collaborate with CU researchers.

14 SOLAR ENERGY

Velocity lag of solid particles in oscillating gases and in gases passing through normal shock waves

The velocity lag of micrometer size spherical particles is theoretically determined for gas particle mixtures passing through a stationary normal shock wave and also for particles embedded in an oscillating gas flow. The particle sizes and densities chosen are those considered important for laser Doppler velocimeter applications. The governing equations for each flow system are formulated. The deviation from Stokes flow caused by inertial, compressibility, and rarefaction effects is accounted for in both flow systems by use of an empirical drag coefficient. Graphical results are presented which characterize particle tracking as a function of system parameters.

Maxwell, B. R.