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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 181 records · Page 10

Investigation of the Rocket Induced Flow Field in a Rectangular Duct

Rocket-Based Combined Cycle (RBCC) concepts attempt to improve the performance of launch vehicles at all points in the launch trajectory and make highly reusable launch vehicles a reality. The Aerojet Strutjet RBCC concept consists of a variable geometry duct with internal, vertical struts that functions in ducted rocket, ramjet, scramjet, and pure rocket modes. These struts have rocket and turbine exhaust nozzles imbedded within them. The rocket flows create an ejector effect with the ingested air at subsonic flight velocities. In ramjet and scramjet modes, the fuel rich nozzle flows react with the ingested air producing an afterburner effect. Under a NASA Marshall Space Flight Center contract, the UAH Propulsion Research Center (PRC) has designed and built a Strutjet simulation facility. A scale model of a single strut has been built and is undergoing cold-flow testing to investigate the mixing of the rocket and turbine exhausts with the ingested air. A complementary experimental program is also underway to examine the induced flow-field generated by rocket nozzles confined in a rectangular duct. Characterizing the induced flow behavior is critical to understanding and optimizing the performance of future Strutjet-based RBCC propulsion systems. The proposed paper will present results from the rocket induced flow investigation.

Landrum, D. Brian↗

PIV and Rotational Raman-Based Temperature Measurements for CFD Validation of a Perforated Plate Cooling Flow: Part I

Film cooling is used in a wide variety of engineering applications for protection of surfaces from hot or combusting gases. The design of more efficient film cooling geometries/configurations could be facilitated by an ability to accurately model and predict the effectiveness of current designs using computational fluid dynamics (CFD) code predictions. Hence, a benchmark set of flow field property data were obtained for use in assessing current CFD capabilities and for development of better modeling approaches for these turbulent flow fields where accurate calculation of turbulent heat flux is important. Both Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV) and spontaneous rotational Raman scattering (SRS) spectroscopy were used to acquire high quality, spatially-resolved measurements of the mean velocity, turbulence intensity as well as the mean temperature and root mean square (rms) temperatures in a film cooling flow field. In addition to off-body flow field measurements, infrared thermography (IR) and thermocouple measurements on the plate surface enabled estimates of the film effectiveness. Raman spectra in air were obtained across a matrix of axial locations downstream from a 68.07 mm square nozzle blowing heated air over a range of temperatures (up to TR = 2.7) and Mach numbers (up to M0.9), across a 30.48 cm long plate equipped with three patches of 45 small (~1 mm) diameter cooling holes arranged in a staggered configuration. In addition, both centerline streamwise 2-component PIV and cross-stream 3-component Stereo PIV data at 14 axial stations were collected in the same flows. Only a subset of the data collected in the test program is included in this Part I report and are available from the NASA STI office. The final portion of the data will be published in a future report, Part II, along with CFD predictions of the complex cooling film flow.

IR camera Measurments↗

PIV and Rotational Raman-Based Temperature Measurements for CFD Validation of a Perforated Plate Cooling Flow: Part 1

Film cooling is used in a wide variety of engineering applications for protection of surfaces from hot or combusting gases. The design of more efficient film cooling geometries/configurations could be facilitated by an ability to accurately model and predict the effectiveness of current designs using computational fluid dynamics (CFD) code predictions. Hence, a benchmark set of flow field property data were obtained for use in assessing current CFD capabilities and for development of better modeling approaches for these turbulent flow fields where accurate calculation of turbulent heat flux is important. Both Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV) and spontaneous rotational Raman scattering (SRS) spectroscopy were used to acquire high quality, spatially-resolved measurements of the mean velocity, turbulence intensity as well as the mean temperature and root mean square (rms) temperatures in a film cooling flow field. In addition to off-body flow field measurements, infrared thermography (IR) and thermocouple measurements on the plate surface enabled estimates of the film effectiveness. Raman spectra in air were obtained across a matrix of axial locations downstream from a 68.07 mm square nozzle blowing heated air over a range of temperatures (up to TR = 2.7) and Mach numbers (up to M0.9), across a 30.48 cm long plate equipped with three patches of 45 small (~1 mm) diameter cooling holes arranged in a staggered configuration. In addition, both centerline streamwise 2-component PIV and cross-stream 3-component Stereo PIV data at 14 axial stations were collected in the same flows. Only a subset of the data collected in the test program is included in this Part I report and are available from the NASA STI office. The final portion of the data will be published in a future report, Part II, along with CFD predictions of the complex cooling film flow.

Raman Scattering↗

A Study of Air Flow in an Engine Cylinder

A 4-stroke-cycle test engine was equipped with a glass cylinder and the air movements within it were studied while the engine was being motored. Different types of air flow were produced by using shrouded intake valves in various arrangements and by altering the shape of the intake-air passage in the cylinder head. The air movements were made visible by mixing feathers with the entering air, and high-speed motion pictures were taken of them so that the air currents might be studied in detail and their velocities measured. Motion pictures were also taken of gasoline sprays injected into the cylinder on the intake stroke. The photographs showed that: a wide variety of induced air movements could be created in the cylinder; the movements always persisted throughout the compression stroke; and the only type of movement that persisted until the end of the cycle was rotation about the cylinder axis.

Lee, Dana W↗

Nitric Oxide Formation by Meteoroids in the Upper Atmosphere

The process of nitric oxide formation during atmospheric entry of meteoroids is analyzed theoretically. An ablating meteoroid is assumed to be a point source in a uniform flow with a continuum regime evolving in its wake. The amount of nitric oxide produced by high-temperature reactions of air in the continuum regime is calculated by numerical integration of chemical-rate equations. This is accomplished by assuming that flow properties are constant across the reacting region, the radius of the region being determined from considerations of shock-wave formation and molecular diffusion. The results, when summed over the observed mass, velocity, and entry-angle distributions of meteoroids, provide annual global production rates of nitric oxide as a function of altitude. The peak production of nitric oxide is found to occur at altitudes between 9 x 10(exp 4) and 10(exp 5) m, the total annual rate being about 4 x 10(exp 7) kg. The present results suggest that the large concentration of nitric oxide observed below 9.5 x 10(exp 4) m could be attributed to meteoroids instead of photodissociation of nitrogen into metastable, 2D-state atoms, as has been previously hypothesized.

Menees, Gene P.↗

The south-central United States magnetic anomaly

A positive magnetic anomaly, which dominates the MAGSAT scalar field over the south-central United States, results from the superposition of magnetic effects from several geologic sources and tectonic structures in the crust. The highly magnetic basement rocks of this region show good correlation with increased crustal thickness, above average crustal velocity and predominantly negative free-air gravity anomalies, all of which are useful constraints for modeling the magnetic sources. The positive anomaly is composed of two primary elements. The western-most segment is related to middle Proterozoic granite intrusions, rhyolite flows and interspersed metamorphic basement rocks in the Texas panhandle and eastern New Mexico. The anomaly and the magnetic crust are bounded to the west by the north-south striking Rio Grande Rift. The anomaly extends eastward over the Grenville age basement rocks of central Texas, and is terminated to the south and east by the buried extension of the Ouachita System. The northern segment of the anomaly extends eastward across Oklahoma and Arkansas to the Mississippi Embayment. It corresponds to a general positive magnetic region associated with the Wichita Mountains igneous complex in south-central Oklahoma and 1.2 to 1.5 Ga. felsic terrane to the north.

Starich, P. J.↗

Determination of convective diffusion heat/mass transfer rates to burner rig test targets comparable in size to cross-stream jet diameter

Two sets of experiments have been performed to be able to predict the convective diffusion heat/mass transfer rates to a cylindrical target whose height and diameter are comparable to, but less than, the diameter of the circular cross-stream jet, thereby simulating the same geometric configuration as a typical burner rig test specimen located in the cross-stream of the combustor exit nozzle. The first set exploits the naphthalene sublimation technique to determine the heat/mass transfer coefficient under isothermal conditions for various flow rates (Reynolds numbers). The second set, conducted at various combustion temperatures and Reynolds numbers, utilized the temperature variation along the surface of the above-mentioned target under steady-state conditions to estimate the effect of cooling (dilution) due to the entrainment of stagnant room temperature air. The experimental information obtained is used to predict high temperature, high velocity corrosive salt vapor deposition rates in burner rigs on collectors that are geometrically the same. The agreement with preliminary data obtained from Na2SO4 vapor deposition experiments is found to be excellent.

Gokoglu, S. A.↗

Determination of convective diffusion heat/mass transfer rates to burner rig test targets comparable in size to cross-stream jet diameter

Two sets of experiments have been performed to be able to predict the convective diffusion heat/mass transfer rates to a cylindrical target whose height and diameter are comparable to, but less than, the diameter of the circular cross-stream jet, thereby simulating the same geometric configuration as a typical burner rig test specimen located in the cross-stream of the combustor exit nozzlle. The first set exploits the naphthalene sublimation technique to detetermine the heat/mass transfer coefficient under isothermal conditions for various flow rates (Reynolds numbers). The second set, conducted at various combustion temperatures and Reynolds numbers, utilized the temperature variation along the surface of the above-mentioned target under steady-state conditions to estimate the effect of cooling (dilution) due to the entrainment of stagnant room temperature air. The experimental information obtained is used to predict high temperature, high velocity corrosive salt vapor deposition rates in burner rigs on collectors that are geometrically the same. The agreement with preliminary data obtained from Na2S04 vapor deposition experiments is found to be excellent.

Gokoglu, S. A.↗

Investigation of High-Subsonic Performance Characteristics of a 12 Degree 21-Inch Conical Diffuser, Including the Effects of Change in Inlet-Boundary-Layer Thickness

Investigations were conducted of a 12 degree 21-inch conical diffuser of 2:l area ratio to determine the interrelation of boundary layer growth and performance characteristics. surveys were made of inlet and exit from, longitudinal static pressures were recorded, and velocity profiles were obtained through an inlet Reynolds number range, determined From mass flows and based on inlet diameter of 1.45 x 10(exp 6) to 7.45 x 10(exp 6) and a Mach number range of 0.11 to approximately choking. These investigations were made to two thicknesses of inlet boundary layer. The mean value, over the entire range of inlet velocities, of the displacement thickness of the thinner inlet boundary layer was approximately 0.035 inch and that of the thicker inlet boundary layer was approximately six times this value. The loss coefficient in the case of the thinner inlet boundary layer had a value between 2 to 3 percent of the inlet impact pressure over most of the air-flow range. The loss coefficient with the thicker inlet boundary layer was of the order of twice that of the thinner inlet boundary layer at low speeds and approximately three times at high speeds. In both cases the values were substantially less than those given in the literature for fully developed pipe flow. The static-pressure rise for the thinner inlet boundary layer was of the order of 95 percent of that theoretically possible over the entire speed range. For the thicker inlet boundary layer the static pressure rise, as a percentage of that theoretically possible, ranged from 82 percent at low speeds to 68 percent at high speeds.

Copp, Martin R.↗

Investigation of the 30P30N Slat Flow Field with Passive Control Devices Using Particle Image Velocimetry

The leading-edge slat of a high-lift wing is one of the main noise contributors during approach and landing. This paper describes an experimental investigation of the velocity field associated with multiple passive noise treatments, including slat-cusp extensions, a cove filler, and a gap filler, on a two-dimensional multi-element high-lift 30P30N airfoil. Previous work documented comparisons of both surface and far field pressure fluctuations in the presence of these devices with those for a baseline case at different flow conditions. However, important information related to the velocity fields was missing from the previous measurements, hindering our ability to elucidate the changes in the flow physics associated with the noise treatments. Therefore, two-component Particle Image Velocity has been used to investigate the influence of passive noise treatments on the flow fields. All measurements are taken at an effective, free-air angle of attack of 5.5 degrees and a stowed-chord-based Reynolds number of 1.71 × 10e6. The measurements show that the slat extensions shorten the slat-cove shear layer trajectory, resulting in reduced growth of disturbances within the slat-cove shear layer. This leads to a shift of tonal peaks to higher frequencies and a reduction in the tonal amplitudes. The gap filler blocks the flow path through the gap, causing the reattachment location to shift to the main wing leading edge lower surface. Consequently, the feedback loop associated with the flow-acoustic interaction in the baseline case is eliminated, and the turbulent kinetic energy in the slat-cove shear layer is significantly reduced. However, extensive flow separation is observed on the suction side of the gap filler, which does not eliminate the noise reduction benefit due to the gap filler, but does degrade the aerodynamic performance of the high-lift configuration. Finally, the overall flow field in the presence of the cove filler is similar to that in the baseline case at the design angle of attack, but the slat-cove shear layer is eliminated leading to a suppression of the cavity tones associated with the shear layer. This change accounts for the reduction in slat noise as measured in previous work.

Aeroacoustics↗

Odd nitrogen production by meteoroids

The process by which odd nitrogen species (atomic nitrogen and nitric oxide) are formed during atmospheric entry of meteoroids is analyzed theoretically. An ablating meteoroid is assumed to be a point source of mass with a continuum regime evolving in its wake. The amounts of odd nitrogen species, produced by high-temperature reactions of air in the continuum wake, are calculated by numerical integration of chemical rate equations. Flow properties are assumed to be uniform across the wake, and 29 reactions involving five neutral species and five singly ionized species are considered, as well as vibrational and electron temperature nonequilibrium phenomena. The results, when they are summed over the observed mass, velocity, and entry-angle distribution of meteoroids, provide odd-nitrogen-species annual global production rates as functions of altitude. The peak production of nitric oxide is found to occur at an altitude of about 85 km; atomic nitrogen production peaks at about 95 km. The total annual rate for nitric oxide is 40 million kg; for atomic nitrogen it is 170 million kg.

Park, C.↗

A study of the air movement in two aircraft-engine cylinders

Studies were made of the air movements in the NACA glass-cylinder apparatus using cylinder heads similar to those on the Wright R-1820-G engine and the Pratt & Whitney Wasp engine as modified by the Eclipse Aviation Corporation to use fuel-injection equipment. The air movements were made visible by mixing small feathers with the air; high-speed motion pictures were than taken of the feathers as they swirled about the inside the glass cylinder. The test engine speeds were 350, 500, and 1,000 r.p.m. Motion pictures were also taken of gasoline sprays injected into the cylinder during the intake stroke. The air flow produced by each cylinder head is described and some results of the velocity measurements of feathers are presented. The apparent time intervals required for vaporization of the gasoline sprays are also given.

Lee, Dana W↗

Simulated 'On-Line' Wear Metal Analysis of Lubricating Oils by X-Ray Fluorescence Spectroscopy

The objective of this project was to assess the sensitivity of X-ray Fluorescence Spectroscopy (XFS) for quantitative evaluation of metal particle content in engine oil suspensions and the feasibility of real-time, dynamic wear metal analysis. The study was focused on iron as the majority wear metal component. Variable parameters were: particle size, particle concentration and oil velocity. A commercial XFS spectrometer equipped with interchangeable static/dynamic (flow cell) sample chambers was used. XFS spectra were recorded for solutions of Fe-organometallic standard and for a series of DTE oil suspensions of high purity spherical iron particles of 2g, 4g, and 8g diameter, at concentrations from 5 ppm to 5,000 ppm. Real contaminated oil samples from Langley Air Force Base aircraft engines and NASA Langley Research Center wind tunnels were also analyzed. The experimental data conform the reliability of XFS as the analytical method of choice for this project. Intrinsic inadequacies of the instrument for precise analytic work at low metal concentrations were identified as being related to the particular x-ray beam definition, system geometry, and flow-cell materials selection. This work supports a proposal for the design, construction and testing of a conceptually new, miniature XFS spectrometer with superior performance, dedicated to on-line, real-time monitoring of lubricating oils in operating engines. Innovative design solutions include focalization of the incident x-ray beam, non-metal sample chamber, and miniaturization of the overall assembly. The instrument would contribute to prevention of catastrophic engine failures. A proposal for two-year funding has been presented to NASA Langley Research Center Internal Operation Group (IOG) Management, to continue the effort begun by this summer's project.

Kelliher, Warren C.↗

Flow Measurement

Macrodyne, Inc.'s laser velocimeter (LV) is a system used in wind tunnel testing of aircraft, missiles and spacecraft employing electro optical techniques to probe the flow field as the tunnel blows air over a model of flight vehicle and to determine velocity of air and its direction at many points around the model. However, current state-of-the-art minicomputers cannot handle the massive flow of real time data from several sources simultaneously. Langley developed instrument Laser Velocimeter Autocovariance Buffer Interface (LVABI). LVABI is interconnecting instrument between LV and computer. It acquires data from as many as six LV channels at high real time data rates, stores it in memory and sends it to computer on command. LVABI has application in variety of research, industrial and defense functions requiring precise flow measurement.

Source record↗

A Preliminary Theoretical Study of the Expansion Tube, a New Device for Producing High-Enthalpy Short-Duration Hypersonic Gas Flows

A preliminary theoretical study was conducted of a new technique for producing high-enthalpy gas flows. The device considered utilizes an unsteady expansion process for the purpose of total-enthalpy multiplication. Analyses were conducted for both perfect and real air in equilibrium, assuming idealized diaphragm bursts, centered expansion waves, and continuum flow. Results of the study showed the expansion tube capable of outperforming the conventional shock tunnel by a factor of approximately 2 in velocity for the same test-section ambient density and pressure. The degree of dissociation is low at all phases of the thermodynamic cycle in the expansion tube; thus the test-section air has a good possibility of being in equilibrium. Maximum pressures involved in the cycle for duplicating a typical reentry from, a lunar mission are low enough for existing pressure-vessel techniques. Both the known and anticipated advantages and disadvantages of this new concept are also discussed.

TUBING↗

Navier-Stokes Simulation of Airconditioning Facility of a Large Modem Computer Room

NASA recently assembled one of the world's fastest operational supercomputers to meet the agency's new high performance computing needs. This large-scale system, named Columbia, consists of 20 interconnected SGI Altix 512-processor systems, for a total of 10,240 Intel Itanium-2 processors. High-fidelity CFD simulations were performed for the NASA Advanced Supercomputing (NAS) computer room at Ames Research Center. The purpose of the simulations was to assess the adequacy of the existing air handling and conditioning system and make recommendations for changes in the design of the system if needed. The simulations were performed with NASA's OVERFLOW-2 CFD code which utilizes overset structured grids. A new set of boundary conditions were developed and added to the flow solver for modeling the roomls air-conditioning and proper cooling of the equipment. Boundary condition parameters for the flow solver are based on cooler CFM (flow rate) ratings and some reasonable assumptions of flow and heat transfer data for the floor and central processing units (CPU) . The geometry modeling from blue prints and grid generation were handled by the NASA Ames software package Chimera Grid Tools (CGT). This geometric model was developed as a CGT-scripted template, which can be easily modified to accommodate any changes in shape and size of the room, locations and dimensions of the CPU racks, disk racks, coolers, power distribution units, and mass-storage system. The compute nodes are grouped in pairs of racks with an aisle in the middle. High-speed connection cables connect the racks with overhead cable trays. The cool air from the cooling units is pumped into the computer room from a sub-floor through perforated floor tiles. The CPU cooling fans draw cool air from the floor tiles, which run along the outside length of each rack, and eject warm air into the center isle between the racks. This warm air is eventually drawn into the cooling units located near the walls of the room. One major concern is that the hot air ejected to the middle isle might recirculate back into the cool rack side and cause thermal short-cycling. The simulations analyzed and addressed the following important elements of the computer room: 1) High-temperature build-up in certain regions of the room; 2) Areas of low air circulation in the room; 3) Potential short-cycling of the computer rack cooling system; 4) Effectiveness of the perforated cooling floor tiles; 5) Effect of changes in various aspects of the cooling units. Detailed flow visualization is performed to show temperature distribution, air-flow streamlines and velocities in the computer room.

Source record↗

Preliminary Data on Rain Deflection from Aircraft Windshields by Means of High-Velocity Jet-Air Blast

A preliminary experimental investigation is being conducted to determine the feasibility of preventing rain from impinging on aircraft windshields by means of high-velocity jet-air blast. The results indicate that rain deflection by jet blast appears feasible for flight speeds comparable with landing and take-off speeds of interceptor-type jet aircraft; however, attainment of good visibility through the mist generated by raindrop breakup presents a problem. For the simulated windshield and the lower windshield angles used in the investigation, air-flow rates of the order of 3.3 pounds per minute of unheated air per inch of windshield span were required for adequate rain deflection at a free-stream velocity of 135 miles per hour. A method has been devised whereby it is possible to produce large-diameter water drops (1000 to 1500 p.) in a moving air stream, without breakup, at speeds in excess of 175 miles per hour.

Ruggeri, Robert S.↗

Phase distribution in Fischer-Tropsch mimicked slurry bubble column via computed tomography

This study aims to investigate the phases distribution and hydrodynamics in an air-Therminol LT-glass beads slurry bubble column reactor in bubbly and churn-turbulent flow regimes by implementing a gamma-ray computed tomography. It is found that gas holdup increases with increasing superficial gas velocity and operating pressure while increasing solids loading has an opposite effect on gas holdup measurements. It is noticed that the pressure effect is more significant at high solids loading and the solids loading is relatively more substantial at lower pressure. Solids loading has the most significant a stronger effect on the solids holdup profile than on the gas holdup profile. Current results were compared with the Sedimentation-Dispersion Model (SDM) predictions. Overall, the findings of this study advance the knowledge of the true behavior of phases distribution in FT mimicked slurry bubble columns which are pertinent in designing such reactors.

42 ENGINEERING↗