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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

The Role of Convection in Redistributing Formaldehyde to the Upper Troposphere Over North America and the North Atlantic during the Summer 2004 INTEX Campaign

Measurements of CH2O from a tunable diode laser absorption spectrometer (TDLAS) were acquired onboard the NASA DC-8 during the summer 2004 INTEX-NA (Intercontinental Chemical Transport Experiment - North America) campaign to test our understanding of convection and production mechanisms in the upper troposphere (UT, 6-12-km) over continental North America and the North Atlantic Ocean. Point-by-point comparisons with box model calculations, when MHP (CH3OOH) measurements were available for model constraint, resulted in a median CH2O measurement/model ratio of 0.91 in the UT. Multiple tracers were used to arrive at a set of UT CH2O background and perturbed air mass periods, and 46% of the TDLAS measurements fell within the latter category. At least 66% to 73% of these elevated UT observations were caused by enhanced production from CH2O precursors rather than direct transport of CH2O from the boundary layer. This distinction is important, since the effects from the former can last for over a week or more compared to one day or less in the case of convective transport of CH2O itself. In general, production of CH2O from CH4 was found to be the dominant source term, even in perturbed air masses. This was followed by production from MHP, methanol, PAN type compounds, and ketones, in descending order of their contribution. In the presence of elevated NO from lightning and potentially from the stratosphere, there was a definite trend in the CH2O discrepancy, which for the highest NO mixing ratios produced a median CH2O measurement/model ratio of 3.9 in the 10-12-km range. Discrepancies in CH2O and HO2 in the UT with NO were highly correlated and this provided further information as to the possible mechanism(s) responsible. These discrepancies with NO are consistent with additional production sources of both gases involving CH3O2 + NO reactions, most likely caused by unmeasured hydrocarbons.

Fried, Alan↗

Measurement of Correlation Between Flow Density, Velocity, and Density*velocity(sup 2) with Far Field Noise in High Speed Jets

To locate noise sources in high-speed jets, the sound pressure fluctuations p', measured at far field locations, were correlated with each of radial velocity v, density rho, and phov(exp 2) fluctuations measured from various points in jet plumes. The experiments follow the cause-and-effect method of sound source identification, where correlation is related to the first, and correlation to the second source terms of Lighthill's equation. Three fully expanded, unheated plumes of Mach number 0.95, 1.4 and 1.8 were studied for this purpose. The velocity and density fluctuations were measured simultaneously using a recently developed, non-intrusive, point measurement technique based on molecular Rayleigh scattering. It was observed that along the jet centerline the density fluctuation spectra S(sub rho) have different shapes than the radial velocity spectra S(sub v), while data obtained from the peripheral shear layer show similarity between the two spectra. Density fluctuations in the jet showed significantly higher correlation, than either rhov(sub 2) or v fluctuations. It is found that a single point correlation from the peak sound emitting region at the end of the potential core can account for nearly 10% of all noise at 30 to the jet axis. The correlation, representing the effectiveness of a longitudinal quadrupole in generating noise 90 to the jet axis, is found to be zero within experimental uncertainty. In contrast rhov(exp 2) fluctuations were better correlated with sound pressure fluctuation at the 30 location. The strongest source of sound is found to lie at the centerline and beyond the end of potential core.

Panda, Jayanta↗

Experiment M404: Proton electron spectrometer

A series of experiments were performed during the Gemini 4 mission to acquire a detailed description of the radiation environment. Data from these experiments were used as source terms for the calculation of radiation doses received by the crewmembers. Comparison of theory with experimental data was accomplished by the use of dosimeters to monitor the integrated dose received by each crewmember. The instantaneous direction of the magnetic field of the earth relative to the spectrometer was used in the reduction of data because particle intensities were strongly directional with respect to the magnetic field. The simultaneous measurement of the external radiation environment and the radiation dose received by the crewmen during a mission was useful to evaluate and perfect calculational techniques.

Marbach, J. R.↗

A systematic exposition of the conservation equations for blast waves.

In order to provide a rational background for the analysis of experimental observations of blast wave phenomena, the conservation equations governing their nonsteady flow field are formulated in a general manner, without the usual restrictions imposed by an equation of state, and with proper account taken, by means of source terms, of other effects which, besides the inertial terms that conventionally dominate these equations, can affect the flow. Taking advantage of the fact that a blast wave can be generally considered as a spatially one-dimensional flow field whose nonsteady behavior can be regarded, consequently, as a function of just two independent variables, two generalized blast wave coordinates are introduced, one associated with the front of the blast wave and the other with its flow field. The conservation equations are accordingly transformed into this coordinate system, acquiring thereby a comprehensive character, in that they refer then to any frame of reference, being applicable, in particular, to problems involving either space or time profiles of the gas-dynamic parameters in the Eulerian system, or time profiles in the Lagrangian system.

Oppenheim, A. K.↗

Manned space flight nuclear system safety. Volume 3: Reactor system preliminary nuclear safety analysis. Part 2: Accident Model Document (AMD)

The Accident Model Document is one of three documents of the Preliminary Safety Analysis Report (PSAR) - Reactor System as applied to a Space Base Program. Potential terrestrial nuclear hazards involving the zirconium hydride reactor-Brayton power module are identified for all phases of the Space Base program. The accidents/events that give rise to the hazards are defined and abort sequence trees are developed to determine the sequence of events leading to the hazard and the associated probabilities of occurence. Source terms are calculated to determine the magnitude of the hazards. The above data is used in the mission accident analysis to determine the most probable and significant accidents/events in each mission phase. The only significant hazards during the prelaunch and launch ascent phases of the mission are those which arise form criticality accidents. Fission product inventories during this time period were found to be very low due to very limited low power acceptance testing.

Source record↗

Termination of the solar wind in the hot, partially ionized interstellar medium

Theoretical foundations for understanding the problem of the termination of the solar wind are reexamined in the light of most recent findings concerning the states of the solar wind and the local interstellar medium. The investigation suggests that a simple extention of Parker's (1961) analytical model provides a useful approximate description of the combined solar wind, interstellar wind plasma flowfield under conditions presently thought to occur. A linear perturbation solution exhibiting both the effects of photoionization and charge exchange is obtained for the supersonic solar wind. A numerical algorithm is described for computing moments of the non-equilibrium hydrogen distribution function and associated source terms for the MHD equations. Computed using the algorithm in conjunction with the extended Parker solution to approximate the plasma flowfield, profiles of hydrogen number density are given in the solar wind along the upstream and downstream axes of flow with respect to the direction of the interstellar wind. Predictions of solar Lyman-alpha backscatter intensities to be observed at 1 a.u. have been computed, in turn, from a set of such hydrogen number density profiles varied over assumed conditions of the interstellar wind.

Lombard, C. K.↗

A new formulation of the conservation equations of fluid dynamics

The computation of time-dependent flows has inspired a new, higher-dimensional formulation of the conservation equations of fluid dynamics in which time is treated as a fourth coordinate. The formulation is derived for a constant-density flow, and then extended to a variable-density flow by introducing a fifth, fictitious coordinate. This new coordinate can also act as a source coordinate, so that external source terms can be included. The analysis is carried out for both incompressible, stratified flow, and compressible equilibrium flow. The results are then extended to non-equilibrium and magnetohydrodynamic flows. Several applications of the new formulation to the computation of time-dependent flows are discussed.

Vinokur, M.↗

Solution of the equation of heat conduction with time dependent sources: Programmed application to planetary thermal history

A computer program (Program SPHERE) solving the inhomogeneous equation of heat conduction with radiation boundary condition on a thermally homogeneous sphere is described. The source terms are taken to be exponential functions of the time. Thermal properties are independent of temperature. The solutions are appropriate to studying certain classes of planetary thermal history. Special application to the moon is discussed.

Conel, J. E.↗

Stability predictions for combustors with acoustic absorbers and continuous combustion distributions

The realistic case of a continuous distribution of combustion sources in the axial direction is considered in the investigation. The results obtained are compared with those of an earlier study conducted by Baer et al. (1974) concerning the stability of partially lined combustors with distributed combustion. There is a substantial upward shift of the curves in all cases relative to the curves obtained in the first analysis. The increase in chamber stability indicated is traced to some important damping effects associated with source terms which had been neglected in the previous study.

Mitchell, C. E.↗

Core noise source diagnostics on a turbofan engine using correlation and coherence techniques

Fluctuating pressure measurements at several locations within the core of a turbofan engine were made simultaneously with far field acoustic measurements. Correlation and coherence techniques were used to determine the relative amplitude and phase relationships between core pressures at these various locations and between the core pressures and far field acoustic pressure. The combustor is a low frequency source region for acoustic propagation through the core nozzle and out to the far field. The relation between source pressure and the resulting sound pressure involves a 180 degree phase shift and an amplitude transfer function which varies approximately as frequency squared. This is consistent with a simplified model using fluctuating entropy as a source term.

Karchmer, A. M.↗

Identification and measurement of combustion noise from a turbofan engine using correlation and coherence techniques

Fluctuating pressure measurements within the combustor and tailpipe of a turbofan engine are made simultaneously with far field acoustic measurements. The pressure measurements within the engine are accomplished with cooled semi-infinite waveguide probes utilizing conventional condenser microphones as the transducers. The measurements are taken over a broad range of engine operating conditions and for 16 far field microphone positions between 10 deg and 160 deg relative to the engine inlet axis. Correlation and coherence techniques are used to determine the relative phase and amplitude relationships between the internal pressures and far field acoustic pressures. The results indicate that the combustor is a low frequency source region for acoustic propagation through the tailpipe and out to the far field. Specifically, it is found that the relation between source pressure and the resulting sound pressure involves a 180 deg phase shift. The latter result is obtained by Fourier transforming the cross correlation function between the source pressure and acoustic pressure after removing the propagation delay time. Further, it is found that the transfer function between the source pressure and acoustic pressure has a magnitude approximately proportional to frequency squared. These results are shown to be consistent with a model using a modified source term in Lighthill's turbulence stress tensor, wherein the fluctuating Reynolds stresses are replaced with the pressure fluctuations due to fluctuating entropy.

Karchmer, A. M.↗

Core noise source diagnostics on a turbofan engine using correlation and coherence techniques

Fluctuating pressure measurements at several locations within the core of a turbofan engine were made simultaneously with far-field acoustic measurements. Correlation and coherence techniques were used to determine the relative amplitude and phase relationships between core pressures at these various locations and between the core pressures and far-field acoustic pressure. The results indicate that the combustor is a low-frequency source region for acoustic propagation through the core nozzle and out to the far-field. Specifically, it was found that the relation between source pressure and the resulting sound pressure involves a 180 deg phase shift and an amplitude transfer function which varies approximately as frequency squared. This is shown to be consistent with a simplified model using fluctuating entropy as a source term.

Karchmer, A.↗

Finite-element solutions for geothermal systems

Vector potential and scalar potential are used to formulate the governing equations for a single-component and single-phase geothermal system. By assuming an initial temperature field, the fluid velocity can be determined which, in turn, is used to calculate the convective heat transfer. The energy equation is then solved by considering convected heat as a distributed source. Using the resulting temperature to compute new source terms, the final results are obtained by iterations of the procedure. Finite-element methods are proposed for modeling of realistic geothermal systems; the advantages of such methods are discussed. The developed methodology is then applied to a sample problem. Favorable agreement is obtained by comparisons with a previous study.

Chen, J. C.↗

Photoelectrons in the upper atmosphere - A formulation incorporating effects of transport

A technique for solving the problem of photoelectron spatial transport and spectral degradation is presented. The developed model, which allows for a relatively complete description of the relevant transport and collisional physics, can be applied to study processes at either low or high altitude, and may be used to investigate interhemispheric transport. The technique involves dividing the spatial dimension into a set of discrete ordinates and calculating the photoelectron intensity for a specific energy at each point in space and at a set of angle points. The selected range of the energy spectrum was covered completely by a set of energy bins, and the photoelectron intensity in the highest energy bin was calculated first by assuming that the only source term was derived from photoionization. The method is similar to a method used in radiative transfer theory. Spatial and angular redistribution of electrons play a dominant role at heights above 400 km.

Prather, M. J.↗

A consistent design procedure for supercritical airfoils in free air and a wind tunnel

A computational inverse procedure for transonic airfoils in which shapes are determined supporting prescribed pressure distributions is presented. The method uses the small disturbance equation and a consistent analysis-design differencing procedure at the airfoil surface. This avoids the intermediate analysis-design-analysis iterations. The effect of any openness at the trailing edge is taken onto account by adding an effective source term in the far field. The final results from a systematic expansion procedure which models the far field for solid, ideal slotted, and free jet tunnel walls are presented along with some design results for the associated boundary conditions and those for a free flight.

Shankar, V.↗

Unsteady vortical and entropic distortions of potential flows round arbitrary obstacles

The analysis concerns the alterations produced when small amplitude disturbances, including entropy and vorticity disturbances, are imposed on steady potential flows. For the most general nonacoustic incident distortion field that can be imposed on the uniform upstream flow, it is shown that the perturbation velocity at any point of the resulting unsteady compressible and vortical flow consists of a part that is a known function of the imposed upstream distortion field and the mean flow variables and a potential part that can be found by solving a linear inhomogeneous wave equation with a dipole-type source term whose strength is a known function of the imposed upstream distortion field. The theory is applied to the unsteady flow past a corner, and a closed-form analytical solution is found.

Goldstein, M. E.↗

Calculation of the three-dimensional flow field in supersonic inlets at angle of attack using a bicharacteristic method with discrete shock wave fitting

An analysis is presented for calculating the flow field in supersonic mixed-compression aircraft inlets operating at angle of attack. The flow field is computed by a steady three-dimensional bicharacteristic method. The bow shock wave and the reflected internal shock wave system are computed by a three-dimensional discrete shock wave fitting procedure. Viscous and thermal diffusion may be included as source terms in the bicharacteristic method. A production type computer program capable of determining the flow field in a variety of axisymmetric mixed-compression supersonic inlets is available. The results of the present analysis agree well with those produced by the two-dimensional method of characteristics when axisymmetric flow fields are computed. For three-dimensional flow fields, the results of the present analysis agree well with experimental data except in regions of high viscous interaction and boundary layer removal. The present analysis does not compute the boundary layer, nor does it account for boundary layer bleed.

Vadyak, J.↗

Simplified model of a volumetric direct nuclear pumped He-3-Ar laser

A physical model for the volumetric nuclear pumped He-3-Ar laser is described and the source terms arising from the He-3(n, p)H-3 reaction as well as the rate equations are given. Steady state solutions are derived for the densities of the species vs the fraction of argon. The dominant pumping mechanism is found to be collisional radiative recombination of the argon atomic ions and subsequent cascading into the upper laser level. The reactions following recombination are described and an expression is derived for the difference in densities of the argon 3d and 4p levels. Comparison with experiments shows good agreement.

Harries, W. L.↗