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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 289 records · Page 16
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2022

Experimental study of compaction localization in carbonate rock and constitutive modeling of mechanical anisotropy

Abstract Sedimentary rocks are inherently anisotropic and prone to strain localization. While the influence of rock anisotropy on the brittle/dilative regime has been studied extensively, its influence on the ductile/compactive regime is much less explored. This paper discusses the anisotropic behavior of a high‐porosity carbonate rock from central Europe (the Maastricht Tuffeau). A set of triaxial tests with concurrent x‐ray tomography has been performed at different confining pressures. The anisotropic characteristics of this rock have been investigated by testing samples cored at different inclinations of the bedding, thus revealing non‐negligible effects of the coring direction on yielding and compaction behavior. Specifically, samples cored perpendicular to bedding display higher strength and longer stages of post‐yielding deformation before manifesting re‐hardening. Despite such alterations of the inelastic response, Digital Image Correlation has revealed that the strain localization mode is independent of the coring direction, thus being primarily affected by the confinement level. To capture the observed interaction between material anisotropy and compaction behavior at the continuum‐scale, an elastoplastic constitutive law has been proposed. For this purpose, a set of tensorial bases has been introduced to replicate how the oriented rock fabric modulates the yielding and plastic flow characteristics of the material. The analyses show that the impact of the coring direction on yield function and plastic flow rule is fundamentally different, thus requiring the use of distinct projection strategies (a strategy here defined heterotopic mapping). The performance of the model, studied through parametric analyses and by calibrating the experimental results, illustrates the improved capability of the proposed constitutive approach when applied to strongly anisotropic porous rocks.

Shahin, Ghassan↗
NASA NTRS2017

Experimental Study into the Stability of Whitlockite in Basaltic Magmas

Apatite Ca5(PO4)3(F,Cl,OH), merrillite Ca18Na2Mg2(PO4)14, and whitlockite Ca9(Mg,Fe2+)(PO4)6[PO3(OH)] are the primary phosphate minerals found in most planetary materials including rocks from Earth, Moon, Mars, and asteroids [1-2]. For many years, the terms merrillite and whitlockite have been used interchangeably in the meteorite literature. Much of the confusion regarding the relationship between terrestrial and extraterrestrial "whitlockite" is based on the presence or absence of hydrogen in the mineral structure. Whitlockite has approximately 8500 ppm H2O, and the term "merrillite" has been adopted to identify the hydrogen-free form of whitlockite [2]. The atomic structures of merrillite and whitlockite were examined in detail by Hughes et al. [3-4]. On Earth, whitlockite has been found in rocks from evolved pegmatitic systems [2-4] and in some mantle rocks [e.g., 5]. Furthermore, terrestrial whitlockite has been shown to have some merrillite component [4]. For the meteoritic and lunar materials that have been investigated, merrillite appears to be far more common than whitlockite, and it has been proposed that the whitlockite component is unique to terrestrial samples [4]. There are some reports of "whitlockite" in the meteorite literature; however, these likely represent misidentifications of merrillite because there have been no reports of extraterrestrial whitlockite that have been verified through crystal structural studies or analyzed for their H contents. Hughes et al. [3] reported the atomic arrangement of lunar merrillite and demonstrated that the phase is similar to meteoritic merrillite and, predictably, devoid of hydrogen. In a follow-up study, Hughes et al. [4] reported the atomic arrangements of two natural samples of whitlockite, one synthetic whitlockite, and samples of synthetic whitlockite that were heated at 500degC and 1050degC for 24 h. The crystal chemistry and crystal structures of the phases were compared, and it was discovered that the latter treatment resulted in the dehydrogenation of whitlockite to form merrillite. The presence of merrillite vs. whitlockite was widely thought to serve as an indication that magmas were anhydrous [e.g., 6-7]. However, McCubbin et al., [8] determined that merrillite in the martian meteorite Shergotty had no discernible whitlockite component despite its coexistence with OH-rich apatite. Consequently, McCubbin et al., (2014) speculated that the absence of a whitlockite component in Shergotty merrillite and other planetary merrillites may be a consequence of the limited thermal stability of H in whitlockite (stable only at T less than1050degC), which would prohibit merrillite-whitlockite solid-solution at high temperatures. In the present study, we have aimed to test this hypothesis experimentally by examining the stability of whitlockite in basaltic magmas at 1.2 GPa and a temperature range of -1000- 1300degC.

McCubbin, F. M.↗
DOE OSTI2022

Experimental study of electromagnetic wave scattering from a gyrotropic gaseous plasma column

We experimentally demonstrate the controlled scattering of incident transverse-electric electromagnetic waves from a gyrotropic magnetized plasma cylindrical discharge. Scattered electromagnetic waves can bend left and right by changing the external magnetic field of a plasma rod. Measured scattered wavefronts are in good agreement with electromagnetic simulations. A gyrotropic response is observed for incident wave frequencies ranging from 3.5 to 5.6 GHz for conditions corresponding to a ratio of cyclotron frequency to plasma frequency, ω ce /ω p ≈ 0.16. In conclusion, the observation of a gyrotropic response from cylindrical plasma discharges paves the way for their use as building blocks for future devices such as magnetized plasma photonic crystals, topological insulators, plasma metamaterials, non-reciprocal waveguide structures, and other devices, which require a tunable gyrotropic response from centimeter to meter-scale materials with application-specific geometry.

42 ENGINEERING↗
NASA NTRS1972

The turbulent boundary layer on a porous plate: An experimental study of the fluid mechanics for adverse free stream pressure gradients

An experimental investigation of transpired turbulent boundary layers in zero and adverse pressure gradients has been carried out. Profiles of: (1) the mean velocity, (2) the three intensities of the turbulent fluctuations, and (3) the Reynolds stress were obtained by hot-wire anemometry. The friction coefficients were measured by using an integrated form of the boundary layer equation to extrapolate the measured shear stress profiles to the wall.

Anderson, P. S.↗
NASA NTRS1973

Experimental study on optimization parameters of a supersonic jet ejector thrust augmentor.

The experimental data were aimed at obtaining the effect of jet mixing, the effective length/diameter of the ejector tube, the entrance length shape factor, the shape loading, and the optimum primary jet location. The total augmented thrust is proportional to the diameter of the ejector. The data show that for a practical design the entrance lip shape and the stream lines around the lip are also important in order to optimize the percentage augmentation.

Cheng, D. Y.↗
NASA NTRS1976

Experimental study of transient dynamics of a flexible rotor

The results of an experimental program to investigate the transient response of a flexible rotor are presented. The program consisted of a series of tests conducted on a rig with a rotor designed to operate above its first bending critical speed. The purpose of the tests was to obtain experimental data on the transient behavior of a flexible rotor under conditions simulating those which might occur in a jet aircraft engine. The scope of the program included tests to measure the response of both balanced and unbalanced rotors during steady-state operation, acceleration, deceleration, and simulated blade loss.

Hibner, D. H.↗
NASA NTRS1989

An experimental study and prediction of a two-phase pressure drop in microgravity

Experimental two-phase pressure drop results obtained in normal gravity and in nearly zero-gravity aboard a NASA-JSC reduced-gravity KC-135 aircraft are used to evaluate several empirically based correlations and flow-regime dependent models. Pressure drops in reduced gravity and those in normal gravity are shown to be related to flow pattern models for each. Two annular flow models are developed which are found to accurately predict the reduced-gravity data.

Chen, I. Y.↗
NASA NTRS1955

An Experimental Study of Applied Ground Loads in Landing

Results are presented of an experimental investigation made of the applied ground loads and the coefficient of friction between the tire and the ground during the wheel spin-up process in impacts of a small landing gear under controlled conditions on a concrete landing strip in the Langley impact basin. The basic investigation included three major phases: impacts with forward speed at horizontal velocities up to approximately 86 feet per second, impacts with forward speed and reverse wheel rotation to simulate horizontal velocities up to about 273 feet per second, and spin-up drop tests for comparison with the other tests. In addition to the basic investigation, supplementary tests were made to evaluate the drag-load alleviating effects of prerotating the wheel before impact so as to reduce the relative velocity between the tire and ground. In the presentation of the results, an attempt has been made to interpret the experimental data so as to obtain some insight into the physical phenomena involved in the wheel spin-up process.

Milwitzky, Benjamin↗
NASA NTRS2016

Experimental Study of Tip Vortex Flow from a Periodically Pitched Airfoil Section

An experimental investigation of a tip vortex from a NACA0012 airfoil is conducted in a low-speed wind tunnel at a chord Reynolds number of 4x10(exp 4). Initially, data for a stationary airfoil held at various angles-of-attack (alpha) are gathered. Detailed surveys are done for two cases: alpha=10 deg with attached flow and alpha=25 deg with massive flow separation on the upper surface. Distributions of various properties are obtained using hot-wire anemometry. Data include mean velocity, streamwise vorticity and turbulent stresses at various streamwise locations. For all cases, the vortex core is seen to involve a mean velocity deficit. The deficit apparently traces to the airfoil wake, part of which gets wrapped by the tip vortex. At small alpha, the vortex is laminar within the measurement domain. The strength of the vortex increases with increasing alpha but undergoes a sudden drop around alpha (is) greater than 16 deg. The drop in peak vorticity level is accompanied by transition and a sharp rise in turbulence within the core. Data are also acquired with the airfoil pitched sinusoidally. All oscillation cases pertain to a mean alpha=15 deg while the amplitude and frequency are varied. An example of phase-averaged data for an amplitude of +/-10 deg and a reduced frequency of k=0.2 is discussed. All results are compared with available data from the literature shedding further light on the complex dynamics of the tip vortex.

vortex flows↗
NASA NTRS2016

Experimental Study of Tip Vortex Flow from a Periodically Pitched Airfoil Section

An experimental investigation of tip vortex flow from a NACA0012 airfoil, pitched periodically at various frequencies, is conducted in a low-speed wind tunnel. Initially, data for stationary airfoil held fixed at various angles-of-attack are gathered. Flow visualization pictures as well as detailed cross-sectional properties areobtained at various streamwise locations using hot-wire anemometry. Data include mean velocity, streamwise vorticity as well as various turbulent stresses. Preliminary data are also acquired for periodically pitched airfoil. These results are briefly presented in this extended abstract.

wing aerodynamics↗
DOE OSTI2021

Experimental Study of the Behavior of Phase Change Materials during Interrupted Phase Change Processes

This research article explores the behavior of a phase change material (PCM) when it undergoes interrupted melting and freezing, through experimental investigations using a heat flow meter apparatus. A fatty acid-based organic PCM, encapsulated within polyethylene and thin aluminum foil layers, was experimentally tested in this study. Experiments were designed to represent multiple interrupted phase change scenarios that could occur within PCMs applied in buildings. The experimental results were analyzed and compared with previously reported assumptions in numerical models dealing with PCM hysteresis and interrupted phase change processes. These comparisons indicated that the assumptions used in the different numerical models considered can capture the interrupted phase change phenomena with varying degrees of accuracy. The findings also highlighted the need for additional experimental research on different phase change processes that can occur in building applications of PCMs.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
NASA NTRS1993

An experimental study of the sources of fluctuating pressure loads beneath swept shock/boundary-layer interactions

An experimental research program providing basic knowledge and establishing a database on the fluctuating pressure loads produced on aerodynamic surfaces beneath three dimensional shock wave/boundary layer interactions is described. Such loads constitute a fundamental problem of critical concern to future supersonic and hypersonic flight vehicles. A turbulent boundary layer on a flat plate is subjected to interactions with swept planar shock waves generated by sharp fins at angle of attack. Fin angles from 10 to 20 deg at freestream Mach numbers of 3 and 4 produce a variety of interaction strengths from weak to very strong. Miniature Kulite pressure transducers flush-mounted in the flat plate are used to measure interaction-induced wall pressure fluctuations. The distributions of properties of the pressure fluctuations, such as their ring levels, amplitude distributions, and power spectra, are also determined. Measurements were made for the first time in the aft regions of these interactions, revealing fluctuating pressure levels as high as 160 dB. These fluctuations are dominated by low frequency (0-5 kHz) signals. The maximum ring levels in the interactions show an increasing trend with increasing interaction strength. On the other hand, the maximum ring levels in the forward portion of the interactions decrease linearly with increasing interaction sweep back. These ring pressure distributions and spectra are correlated with the features of the interaction flowfield. The unsteadiness of the off-surface flowfield is studied using a new, non-intrusive technique based on the shadow graph method. The results indicate that the entire lambda-shock structure generated by the interaction undergoes relatively low-frequency oscillations. Some regions where particularly strong fluctuations are generated were identified. Fluctuating pressure measurements are also made along the line of symmetry of an axisymmetric jet impinging upon a flat plate at an angle. This flow was chosen as a simple analog to the impinging jet region found in the rear portion of the shock wave/boundary layer interactions under study. It is found that a sharp peak in ring pressure level exists at or near the mean stagnation point. It is suggested that the phenomena responsible for this peak may be active in the swept interactions as well, and may cause the extremely high fluctuating pressures observed in the impinging jet region in the present experimental program.

Settles, G. S.↗
DOE OSTI2025

Joint Theoretical and Experimental Study of the Electronic, Magnetic, and Lattice Phonon Dynamics Properties of Ca x Fe y O z Compounds Applied to CO 2 Capture

Unleashing energy innovation ensures a resilient and reliable energy supply. There is a critical need for the development of new carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) captors that have improved energy efficiency accompanied by lower capital and operational costs to ensure abundant, affordable, and secure energy. Among solid materials, CaO is a good CO 2 sorbent for capture technology due to its wide availability and low cost. However, CaO also suffers from some disadvantages, such as high calcination temperature, decreasing capability due to sintering, attrition, and reaction with SO x and NO x . In this study, we employed an ab initio thermodynamic approach and experimental measurements to improve its CO 2 capture performance during the cycles. To do so, we explored the electronic, magnetic, and lattice dynamic properties of a series of calcium ferrites (Ca x Fe y O z ) and applied them for CO 2 capture. Our results showed that all of them can thermodynamically react with CO 2 to form CaCO 3 and iron oxides. Compared to pure CaO capturing CO 2 , CaFe 3 O 4 , CaFe 2 O 4 , and Ca 2 Fe 2 O 5 could shift the CO 2 regeneration temperature to a lower range. The experimental measurements showed that CaFeO 2 is a good CO 2 captor with or without the presence of an O 2 presence. The calculated thermodynamic properties of Ca x Fe y O z capturing the CO 2 reactions can be used to find their operational temperature ranges for different CO 2 capture technologies.

CO2 capture↗
DOE OSTI2021

Experimental Study on Flow Behavior and Heat Transfer Enhancement With Distinct Dimpled Gas Turbine Blade Internal Cooling Channel

Abstract The study presents the investigation on heat transfer distribution along a gas turbine blade internal cooling channel. Six different cases were considered in this study, using the smooth surface channel as a baseline. Three different dimples depth-to-diameter ratios with 0.1, 0.25, and 0.50 were considered. Different combinations of partial spherical and leaf dimples were also studied with the Reynolds numbers of 6,000, 20,000, 30,000, 40,000, and 50,000. In addition to the experimental investigation, the numerical study was conducted using a large eddy simulation (LES) to validate the data. It was found that the highest depth-to-diameter ratio showed the highest heat transfer rate. However, the deepest dimpled channel shows the highest pressure drop, which affects the overall thermal performance of the cooling channel. The results showed that the leaf dimpled surface is the best cooling channel based on the highest Reynolds number's heat transfer enhancement and friction factor. However, at the lowest Reynolds number, partial spherical dimples with a 0.25 depth-to-diameter ratio showed the highest thermal performance.

Energy & Fuels↗
NASA NTRS1977

An experimental study of the fracture behavior of laminated graphite/epoxy composites

The results of an experimental investigation on the fracture behavior of unidirectional and multidirectional laminated graphite/epoxy composites is reported. Critical tensile fracture stresses for constant head rate uniaxial specimens containing single-edge notches, double-edge notches, and centrally located circular holes are presented. Results are reported for loads and notches at various angles to the fiber direction. Evidence of notch sensitivity and stable crack growth is presented. Self-similar crack growth is shown to occur for only a limited set of circumstances. Critical stresses are compared to the theories of Waddoups et al and Whitney et al. These comparisons are presented using isotropic and orthotropic stress concentration factors together with a finite width correction factor. The results tend to show that use of only isotropic correction factors allow good correlation between theory and experiment.

Brinson, H. F.↗
NASA NTRS1988

Experimental study of planetary gases with applications to planetary interior models

High-pressure experimental data on planetary materials are critical in developing planetary models and in addressing otherwise insoluble problems of the internal structure of the major planets. Progress in the last five years has been particularly marked. Maximum static pressure of 550 GPa was achieved. For the first time, X-ray diffraction of solidified gases (Ne, Xe) and ices (H2O) were obtained at pressures above one megabar, single-crystal diffraction of ultralight elements (H2, He) were detected up to 25 GPa, pressures over 200 GPa at 77 K were reached in solid hydrogen, including the discovery of a phase transformation in the molecular solid. Advances in instrumentation and new measurements performed during 1983 to 1988 are summarized.

Bell, Peter M.↗
NASA NTRS2009

A Computational and Experimental Study of Resonators in Three Dimensions

In a previous work by the present authors, a computational and experimental investigation of the acoustic properties of two-dimensional slit resonators was carried out. The present paper reports the results of a study extending the previous work to three dimensions. This investigation has two basic objectives. The first is to validate the computed results from direct numerical simulations of the flow and acoustic fields of slit resonators in three dimensions by comparing with experimental measurements in a normal incidence impedance tube. The second objective is to study the flow physics of resonant liners responsible for sound wave dissipation. Extensive comparisons are provided between computed and measured acoustic liner properties with both discrete frequency and broadband sound sources. Good agreements are found over a wide range of frequencies and sound pressure levels. Direct numerical simulation confirms the previous finding in two dimensions that vortex shedding is the dominant dissipation mechanism at high sound pressure intensity. However, it is observed that the behavior of the shed vortices in three dimensions is quite different from those of two dimensions. In three dimensions, the shed vortices tend to evolve into ring (circular in plan form) vortices, even though the slit resonator opening from which the vortices are shed has an aspect ratio of 2.5. Under the excitation of discrete frequency sound, the shed vortices align themselves into two regularly spaced vortex trains moving away from the resonator opening in opposite directions. This is different from the chaotic shedding of vortices found in two-dimensional simulations. The effect of slit aspect ratio at a fixed porosity is briefly studied. For the range of liners considered in this investigation, it is found that the absorption coefficient of a liner increases when the open area of the single slit is subdivided into multiple, smaller slits.

Tam, C. K. W.↗