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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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NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Optimization Considerations for Annular Linear Electromagnetic Pumps for Space Nuclear Power and Propulsion

The Need for High Performance Liquid Metal Pumps Testing Power and Efficiency Considerations Liquid metal cooled reactors is one option for space nuclear power for settlements and electric propulsion vehicles (Snap 10 A, SP100, Soviet Topaz reactors) • High heat capacity • High boiling point (NaK~1200K) • Simplified heat transfer loop • Good neutronics Liquid metal EM pumps are desired over conventional pumps owing to lack of seals, bearings elimination of cavitation issues, lower mass and eliminates mechanical impeller • Conduction pumps (typically DC-high current, low voltage; ~5% efficiency) • Induction pumps (typically AC, high efficiency ~40%) Annular linear induction pump is an EM pump with no moving parts and of cylindrical/tubular geometry which makes it straightforward to integrate in conventional piping architectures • Higher inherent reliability • Invented by Einstein and Szilard

ALIP↗
DOE OSTI2015

Next Generation Electromagnetic Pump Analysis Tools (PLM DOC-0005-2188). Final Report

This report provides the broad historical review of EM Pump development and details of MATRIX development under this project. This report summarizes the efforts made to modernize the legacy performance models used in previous EM Pump designs and the improvements made to the analysis tools. This report provides information on Tasks 1, 3, and 4 of the entire project. The research for Task 4 builds upon Task 1: Update EM Pump Databank and Task 3: Modernize the Existing EM Pump Analysis Model, which are summarized within this report. Where research for Task 2: Insulation Materials Development and Evaluation identified parameters applicable to the analysis model with Task 4, the analysis code was updated, and analyses were made for additional materials. The important design variables for the manufacture and operation of an EM Pump that the model improvement can evaluate are: space constraints; voltage capability of insulation system; maximum flux density through iron; flow rate and outlet pressure; efficiency and manufacturability. The development of the next-generation EM Pump analysis tools during this two-year program provides information in three broad areas: Status of analysis model development; Improvements made to older simulations; and Comparison to experimental data.

21 SPECIFIC NUCLEAR REACTORS AND ASSOCIATED PLANTS↗
DOE OSTI2023

Miniature DC electromagnetic pumps of molten lead and sodium to support development of Gen-IV nuclear reactors

This work developed designs of submerged, dual-regions, miniature DC-EM pumps for circulating molten lead and liquid sodium at ≤500 °C without active cooling for use in ex-pile and in-pile test loops to support of materials and fuel developments for Gen-IV sodium and molten lead fast nuclear reactor. These pumps with two pumping regions are 57 mm, 66.8 mm, 95.4 mm, and 133.5 mm in diameter and have two Alnico 5 permanent magnets with Hiperco-50 pole pieces for focusing the magnetic field lines in the flow duct. The Equivalent Circuit Model (ECM) linked to the Finite Element Method Magnetics (FEMM) software in MATLAB platform calculated the pumps characteristics for a wide range of parameters. Also determined are the pumps dimensions for the highest cumulative pumping power and peak efficiency. These dimensions are the height, width, and length of the flow duct, the thickness of the Alnico magnets, the length of current electrodes, and the separation distance between the two pumping regions. For molten lead, the pumping power increases from 368 W to 728 W, and the peak efficiency from 14.7% to 31.6% with increased pump diameter from 57 mm to 133.5 mm. In conclusion, for liquid sodium, both the pumping power and peak efficiency are higher, increasing from 392 W to 767 W and from 44.3 to 51.2%, respectively, with increased pump diameter from 57 mm to 133.5 mm.

22 GENERAL STUDIES OF NUCLEAR REACTORS↗
NASA NTRS2007

Electromagnetic Pumps for Liquid Metal-Fed Electric Thrusters

Prototype designs of two separate pumps for use in electric propulsion systems with liquid lithium and bismuth propellants are presented. Both pumps are required to operate at elevated temperatures, and the lithium pump must additionally withstand the corrosive nature of the propellant. Compatibility of the pump materials and seals with lithium and bismuth were demonstrated through proof-of-concept experiments followed by post-experiment visual inspections. The pressure rise produced by the bismuth pump was found to be linear with input current and ranged from 0-9 kPa for corresponding input current levels of 0-30 A, showing good quantitative agreement with theoretical analysis.

Polzin, Kurt A.↗
NASA NTRS2010

Performance Testing of a Prototypic Annular Linear Induction Pump for Fission Surface Power

Results of performance testing of an annular linear induction pump are presented. The pump electromagnetically pumps liquid metal (NaK) through a circuit specially designed to allow for quantification of the performance. Testing was conducted over a range of conditions, including frequencies of 33, 36, 39, and 60 Hz, liquid metal temperatures from 25 to 525 C, and input voltages from 5 to 120 V. Pump performance spanned a range of flow rates from roughly 0.16 to 5.7 L/s (2.5 to 90 gpm), and pressure head <1 to 90 kPa (<0.145 to 13 psi). The maximum efficiency measured during testing was slightly greater than 6%. The efficiency was fairly insensitive to input frequency from 33 to 39 Hz, and was markedly lower at 60 Hz. In addition, the efficiency decreased as the NaK temperature was raised. While the pump was powered, the fluid responded immediately to changes in the input power level, but when power was removed altogether, there was a brief slow-down period before the fluid would come to rest. The performance of the pump operating on a variable frequency drive providing 60 Hz power compared favorably with the same pump operating on 60 Hz power drawn directly from the electrical grid.

Polzin, K. A.↗
NASA NTRS2010

Performance of an Annular Linear Induction Pump with Applications to Space Nuclear Power Systems

Results of performance testing of an annular linear induction pump are presented. The pump electromagnetically pumps liquid metal through a circuit specially designed to allow for quantification of the performance. Testing was conducted over a range of conditions, including frequencies of 33, 36, 39, and 60 Hz, liquid metal temperatures from 125 to 525 C, and input voltages from 5 to 120 V. Pump performance spanned a range of flow rates from roughly 0.16 to 5.7 L/s (2.5 to 90 gpm), and pressure head less than 1 to 90 kPa (less than 0.145 to 13 psi). The maximum efficiency measured during testing was slightly greater than 6%. The efficiency was fairly insensitive to input frequency from 33 to 39 Hz, and was markedly lower at 60 Hz. In addition, the efficiency decreased as the NaK temperature was raised. The performance of the pump operating on a variable frequency drive providing 60 Hz power compared favorably with the same pump operating on 60 Hz power drawn directly from the electrical grid.

Polzin, Kurt A.↗
NASA NTRS1974

Development of a mercury electromagnetic centrifugal pump for the SNAP-8 refractory boiler development program

An electromagnetic pump, in which pressure is developed in mercury because of the interaction of the magnetic field and current which flows as a result of the voltage induced in the mercury contained in the pump duct, was developed for the SNAP-8 refractory boiler test facility. Pump performance results are presented for ten duct configurations and two stator sizes. These test results were used to design and fabricate a pump which met the SNAP-8 criteria of 530 psi developed pressure at 12,500 lb/hr. The pump operated continuously for over 13,000 hours without failure or performance degradation. Included in this report are descriptions of the experimental equipment, measurement techniques, all experimental data, and an analysis of the electrical losses in the pump.

Fuller, R. A.↗
DOE OSTI2018

Electrical conductor insulation system and method of fabrication

An insulation system includes a number of mica hard-boards joinable to form a free-standing slot-liner for insulating a conductor when placed therein and accommodating an expansion of the conductor. In another embodiment, an electromagnetic pump includes a stator of the electromagnetic pump including a number of laminations, a slot-liner positioned within a gap formed by the laminations, an annular wound copper conductor coil positioned within the slot-liner. The slot-liner includes a number of mica hard-boards joined to form an annular volume for insulating the conductor coil and accommodating an expansion of the conductor coil.

42 ENGINEERING↗
NASA NTRS2007

Liquid Metal Pump Technologies for Nuclear Surface Power

Multiple liquid metal pump options are reviewed for the purpose of determining the technologies that are best suited for inclusion in a nuclear reactor thermal simulator intended to test prototypical space nuclear system components. Conduction, induction, and thermoelectric electromagnetic pumps are evaluated based on their performance characteristics and the technical issues associated incorporation into a reactor system. The thermoelectric electromagnetic pump is recommended for inclusion in the present system based on favorable quantitative and qualitative measures relative to the other options under consideration.

Polzin, Kurt A.↗
NASA NTRS2007

Liquid Metal Pump Technologies for Nuclear Surface Power

Multiple liquid metal pump options are reviewed for the purpose of determining the technologies that are best suited for inclusion in a nuclear reactor thermal simulator intended to rest prototypical space nuclear surface power system components. Conduction, induction and thermoelectric electromagnetic pumps are evaluated based on their performance characteristics and the technical issues associated with incorporation into a reactor system. A thermoelectric electromagnetic pump is selected as the best option for use in NASA-MSFC's Fission Surface Power-Primary Test Circuit reactor simulator based on its relative simplicity, low power supply mass penalty, flight heritage, and the promise of increased pump efficiency over those earlier pump designs through the use of skutterudite thermoelectric elements.

Polzin, Kurt A.↗
NASA NTRS2007

Liquid Bismuth Propellant Management System for the Very High Specific Impulse Thruster with Anode Layer

Two prototype bismuth propellant feed systems were constructed and operated in conjunction with a propellant vaporizer. One system provided bismuth to a vaporizer using gas pressurization but did not include a means to measure the flow rate. The second system incorporated an electromagnetic pump to provide fine control of the hydrostatic pressure and a new type of in-line flow sensor that was developed for accurate, real-time measurement of the mass flow rate. High-temperature material compatibility was a driving design requirement for the pump and flow sensor, leading to the selection of Macor for the main body of both components. Posttest inspections of both components revealed no degradation of the material. The gas pressurization system demonstrated continuous pressure control over a range from zero to 200 torr. In separate proof-of-concept experiments, the electromagnetic pump produced a linear pressure rise as a function of current that compared favorably with theoretical pump pressure predictions, producing a pressure rise of 10 kPa at 30 A. Preliminary flow sensor operation indicated a bismuth flow rate of 6 mg/s with an uncertainty of plus or minus 6%. An electronics suite containing a real-time controller was successfully used to control the entire system, simultaneously monitoring all power supplies and performing data acquisition duties.

Polzin, K. A.↗
DOE OSTI2013

Enhanced nonlinear interaction of powerful electromagnetic waves with ionospheric plasma near the second electron gyroharmonic

Plasma experiments in which a powerful electromagnetic pump wave is transmitted into the ionosphere from the ground give access to a rich range of phenomena, including gyroharmonic effects when the pump frequency is near an harmonic of the ionospheric electron gyrofrequency. For pump frequencies close to the second gyroharmonic, experiments show a strong enhancement, as observed in radar scatter from pump-induced geomagnetic field-aligned density striations and optical emissions. This is in contrast to the case at the third harmonic and higher at which most of the effects are instead suppressed. We show theoretically that electrostatic oscillations can be localized in density inhomogeneities associated with small scale striations. The localized field is a mixture of the electron Bernstein and upper hybrid modes when the pump frequency is near the second gyroharmonic. The coupling of the modes is enabled by a symmetry feature of the linear electron Bernstein and upper hybrid dispersion properties that occur only near the second gyroharmonic. Electron acceleration inside the density inhomogeneities by localized azimuthal electrostatic oscillations is more efficient near the second gyroharmonic than at higher frequencies, consistent with the observed enhancements.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2013

“Bloch wave” modification of stimulated Raman by stimulated Brillouin scattering

Using the reduced-description particle-in-cell (RPIC) method, we study the coupling of backward stimulated Raman scattering (BSRS) and backward stimulated Brillouin scattering (BSBS) in regimes where the reflectivity involves the nonlinear behavior of particles trapped in the daughter plasma waves. The temporal envelope of a Langmuir wave (LW) obeys a Schrödinger equation where the potential is the periodic electron density fluctuation resulting from an ion-acoustic wave (IAW). The BSRS-driven LWs in this case have a Bloch wave structure and a modified dispersion due to the BSBS-driven spatially periodic IAW, which includes frequency band gaps at kLW∼kIAW/2∼k0 (kLW, kIAW, and k0 are the wave number of the LW, IAW, and incident pump electromagnetic wave, respectively). This band structure and the associated Bloch wave harmonic components are distinctly observed in RPIC calculations of the electron density fluctuation spectra and this structure may be observable in Thomson scatter. Bloch wave components grow up in the LW spectrum, and are not the result of isolated BSRS. Self-Thomson scattered light from these Bloch wave components can have forward scattering components. The distortion of the LW dispersion curve implies that the usual relationship connecting the frequency shift of the BSRS-scattered light and the density of origin of this light may become inaccurate. The modified LW frequency results in a time-dependent frequency shift that increases as the IAW grows, detunes the BSRS frequency matching condition, and reduces BSRS growth. A dependence of the BSRS reflectivity on the IAW Landau damping results because this damping determines the levels of IAWs. The time-dependent reflectivity in our simulations is characterized by bursts of sub-picosecond pulses of BSRS alternating with multi-ps pulses of BSBS, and BSRS is observed to decline precipitously as soon as SBS begins to grow from low levels. In strong BSBS regimes, the Bloch wave effects in BSRS are strong and temporal anti-correlation with BSRS is due to pump depletion in addition to frequency detuning. In most cases studied, BSBS suppressed the time-averaged reflectivity of BSRS compared to the levels obtained with fixed ions (and therefore no BSBS). The strong spatial modulation of the Bloch Langmuir waves appears to weaken electron trapping and thereby lowers the inflated reflectivity levels of BSRS.

Dodd, E. S.↗