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At least 37 records · Page 2

Computer code for preliminary sizing analysis of axial-flow turbines

This mean diameter flow analysis uses a stage average velocity diagram as the basis for the computational efficiency. Input design requirements include power or pressure ratio, flow rate, temperature, pressure, and rotative speed. Turbine designs are generated for any specified number of stages and for any of three types of velocity diagrams (symmetrical, zero exit swirl, or impulse) or for any specified stage swirl split. Exit turning vanes can be included in the design. The program output includes inlet and exit annulus dimensions, exit temperature and pressure, total and static efficiencies, flow angles, and last stage absolute and relative Mach numbers. An analysis is presented along with a description of the computer program input and output with sample cases. The analysis and code presented herein are modifications of those described in NASA-TN-D-6702. These modifications improve modeling rigor and extend code applicability.

Glassman, Arthur J.↗

Lean Premixed Combustion Stabilized by Low Swirl a Promising Concept for Practical Applications

Since its inception, the low-swirl burner (LSB) has shown to be a useful laboratory apparatus for fundamental studies of premixed turbulent flames. The LSB operates under wide ranges of equivalence ratios, flow rates, and turbulence intensities. Its flame is lifted and detached from the burner and allows easy access for laser diagnostics. The flame brush is axisymmetric and propagates normal to the incident reactants. Therefore, the LSB is well suited for investigating detailed flame structures and empirical coefficients such as flame speed, turbulence transport, and flame generated turbulence. Due to its capability to stabilize ultra-lean premixed turbulent flames (phi approx. = 0.55), the LSB has generated interest from the gas appliance industry for use as an economical low-NO(x) burner. Lean premixed combustion emits low levels of NO(x), due primarily to the low flame temperature. Therefore, it is a very effective NO(x) prevention method without involving selective catalytic reduction (SCR), fuel-air staging, or flue gas recirculation (FGR). En the gas turbine industry, substantial research efforts have already been undertaken and engines with lean premixed combustors are already in use. For commercial and residential applications, premixed pulsed combustors and premixed ceramic matrix burners are commercially available. These lean premixed combustion technologies, however, tend to be elaborate but have relatively limited operational flexibility, and higher capital, operating and maintenance costs. Consequently, these industries are continuing the development of lean premixed combustion technologies as well as exploring new concepts. This paper summarizes the research effects we have undertaken in the past few years to demonstrate the feasibility of applying the low-swirl flame stabilization method for a wide range of heating and power generation systems. The principle of flame stabilization by low-swirl is counter to the conventional high-swirl methods that rely on a recirculation zone to anchor the flame. In LSBS, flow recirculation is not promoted to allow the premixed turbulent flames to propagate freely. A LSB with an air-jet swirler is essentially an open tube with the swirler at its mid section. The small air-jets generate swirling motion only in the annular region and leaving the central core of the flow undisturbed, When this flow exits the burner tube, the angular momentum generates radial mean pressure gradient to diverge the non-swirling reactants stream. Consequently, the mean flow velocity decreases linearly. Propagating against this decelerating flow, the flame self-sustains at the position where the local flow velocity equals the flame speed, S(sub f). The LSB operates with a swirl number, S, between 0.02 to 0.1. This is much lower than the minimum S of 0.6 required for the high-swirl burners. We found that the swirl number needed for flame stabilization varies only slightly with fuel type, flow velocity, turbulent conditions and burner dimensions (i.e. throat diameter and swirl injection angle).

Cheng, R. K.↗

Choked flow of fluid nitrogen with emphasis on the thermodynamic critical region

A critical flow experiment was performed with fluid nitrogen in a converging-diverging nozzle at stagnation conditions from 87.5 to 234 K and pressures to 9.3 MN/sq m, with particular emphasis on the thermodynamic critical region. The nozzle throat conditions ranged from two-phase to near critical to gaseous. Proximity of the fluid in the nozzle to the critical point has a significant influence on the critical flow rate and pressure ratio curves. The flow rate exhibits an inflection and the pressure ratio shows a sharp peak when stagnation conditions are near the transposed critical point. The critical flow data are compared with equilibrium and nonequilibrium theories, and conditions are defined for which various methods of prediction remain valid.

Hendricks, R. C.↗

Determining Heats of Combustion of Gaseous Hydrocarbons

Enrichment-oxygen flow rate-ratio related to heat of combustion. Technique developed for determining heats of combustion of natural-gas samples. Based on measuring ratio m/n, where m is (volmetric) flow rate of oxygen required to enrich carrier air in which test gas flowing at rate n is burned, such that mole fraction of oxygen in combustion-product gases equals that in carrier air. The m/n ratio directly related to heats of combustion of saturated hydrocarbons present in natural gas.

Singh, Jag J.↗

Catalytic ignition of hydrogen/oxygen

An experimental program was conducted to evaluate the catalytic ignition of gaseous hydrogen and oxygen. Shell 405 granular catalyst and a unique monolithic sponge catalyst were tested. Mixture ratio, mass flow rate, propellant inlet temperature, and back pressure were varied parametrically in testing to determine the operational limits of a catalytic igniter. The test results showed that the gaseous hydrogen/oxygen propellant combination can be ignited catalytically using Shell 405 catalyst over a wide range of mixture ratios, mass flow rates, and propellant injection temperatures. These operating conditions must be optimized to ensure reliable ignition for an extended period of time. The results of the experimental program and the established operational limits for a catalytic igniter using both the granular and monolithic catalysts are presented. The capabilities of a facility constructed to conduct the igniter testing and the advantages of a catalytic igniter over other ignition systems for gaseous hydrogen and oxygen are also discussed.

Green, James M.↗

Catalytic ignition of hydrogen and oxygen propellants

An experimental program was conducted to evaluate the catalytic ignition of gaseous hydrogen and oxygen propellants. Shell 405 granular catalyst and a monolithic sponge catalyst were tested. Mixture ratio, mass flow rate, propellant temperature, and back pressure were varied parametrically in testing to determine the operational limits of the catalytic igniter. The test results show that the gaseous hydrogen and oxygen propellant combination can be ignited catalytically using Shell 405 catalyst over a wide range of mixture ratios, mass flow rates, and propellant injection temperatures. These operating conditions must be optimized to ensure reliable ignition for an extended period of time. A cyclic life of nearly 2000, 2 sec pulses at nominal operating conditions was demonstrated with the catalytic igniter. The results of the experimental program and the established operational limits for a catalytic igniter using the Shell 405 catalyst are presented.

Zurawski, Robert L.↗

Catalytic ignition of hydrogen and oxygen propellants

An experimental program was conducted to evaluate the catalytic ignition of gaseous hydrogen and oxygen propellants. Shell 405 granular catalyst and a monolithic sponge catalyst were tested. Mixture ratio, mass flow rate, propellant temperature, and back pressure were varied parametrically in testing to determine the operational limits of the catalytic igniter. The test results show that the gaseous hydrogen and oxygen propellant combination can be ignited catalytically using Shell 405 catalyst over a wide range of mixture ratios, mass flow rates, and propellant injection temperatures. These operating conditions must be optimized to ensure reliable ignition for an extended period of time. A cyclic life of nearly 2000, 2 sec pulses at nominal operating conditions was demonstrated with the catalytic igniter. The results of the experimental program and the established operational limits for a catalytic igniter using the Shell 405 catalysts are presented.

Zurawski, Robert L.↗

Choked flow of fluid nitrogen with emphasis on the thermodynamic critical region

Experimental measurements of critical flow rate and pressure ratio for nitrogen flowing through a nozzle are presented. Data for selected stagnation isotherms from 87.5 to 234 K with pressures to 9.3 MN/m2 are compared to an equilibrium model with real fluid properties and also a nonequilibrium model. Critical flow pressure ratio along an isotherm tends to peak while the flow rate indicates an inflection. The point is closely associated with the transposed critical temperature and represents a change in the fluid structure.

Hendricks, R. C.↗

Choked flow of fluid nitrogen with emphasis on the thermodynamic critical region.

Results of experimental measurements of critical flow rate and pressure ratio for nitrogen flowing through a nozzle. Data for selected stagnation isotherms from 87.5 to 234 K with pressures to 9.3 MN/sq m are compared to an equilibrium model with real fluid properties and also a nonequilibrium model. Critical flow pressure ratio along an isotherm tends to peak while the flow rate indicates an inflection. The point is closely associated with the transposed critical temperature and represents a change in the fluid structure.

Hendricks, R. C.↗

Liquid hydrogen suction dip and slosh wave excitation during draining under normal and reduced gravity environments

The paper discusses the dynamical behavior of vapor ingestion, liquid residual at the incipience of suction dip, slosh wave excitation under normal and reduced gravity and different flow rates during liquid hydrogen draining. Liquid residuals at the incipience of suction dip increase as the values of gravity decrease. Also liquid residuals increase with the draining flow rates. Lower ratio of Bond number and Weber number are unable to excite slosh waves. Lower flow rates and higher gravity excites waves with lower frequencies and higher wave amplitude slosh waves.

Hung, R. J.↗

Modeling the use of a binary mixture as a control scheme for two-phase thermal systems

Two-phase thermal loops using mechanical pumps, capillary pumps, or a combination of the two have been chosen as the main heat transfer systems for the space station. For these systems to operate optimally, the flow rate in the loop should be controlled in response to the vapor/liquid ratio leaving the evaporator. By substituting a mixture of two non-azeotropic fluids in place of the single fluid normally used in these systems, it may be possible to monitor the temperature of the exiting vapor and determine the vapor/liquid ratio. The flow rate would then be adjusted to maximize the load capability with minimum energy input. A FLUINT model was developed to study the system dynamics of a hybrid capillary pumped loop using this type of control and was found to be stable under all the test conditions.

Benner, S. M.↗

Turbulent Methane-Air Combustion

This study is aimed at enhancing the understanding of turbulent premixed methane-air combustion. Such understanding is essential since: (1) many industries are now pursuing lighter hydrocarbon alternative fuels and the use of premixed flames to reduce pollutant emissions, and (2) the characteristic dimensions and flow rates of most industrial combustors are often large for flows to be turbulent. The specific objectives of the study are: (1) to establish the effects of process variables (e.g., flow rate, fuel/air ratio, chlorinated hydro-carbons, and pressure) on the emissions and flow structure (velocity distribution, streamlines, vorticity and flame shape), and (2) to develop a mechanistic model to explain the observed trends. This includes the acquisition of Dantec FlowMap Particle Image Velocimeter. The design and fabrication of the premixed burner has also been completed. The study is now at the stage of testing of equipment and analytical instruments. The presentation will give details on the tasks completed and on the current and future plans. The project is progressing well and all activities are on schedule. The outlook for the success of the project is bright.

Yaboah, Yaw D.↗

Porous plate analog burner study of composite solid propellant flame structure

A porous plate burner system for studying the structure and interaction of diffusion flames from adjacent unlike sources of oxidizer to simulate the behavior of solid propellant flames is presented. The passage of oxidizer gases through ports of determined diameters represents decomposing oxidizer crystals, and are adjustable for various oxidizer/fuel ratio experiments. Tests with air, ethane, oxygen, and oxygen-air mixtures are described, with parameters of flow rate, oxygen/fuel ratio, and pressure. Coarse ports are found to be oxidizer rich, while fine ports are stoichiometric. More heat feedback is found with fine ports, indicating that fine particle propellant systems burn faster unless fuel allocation is such that the reduced temperature overcomes the reduced diffusion length. Further observations on the interactions of flames are reported.

Strand, L. D.↗

High Fidelity Simulations of a Methane-Oxygen Rotating Detonation Rocket Engine

The rotating detonation combustor (RDC) is an important realization of pressure gain combustion for practical applications. The RDC system is characterized by a highly unsteady flow field, with multiple reflected pressure waves following the strong detonations and the existence of partially-burnt gases entrained within the detonation annulus during the injector recovery process. While experimental efforts have provided macroscopic properties of an RDC with a given fuel-oxidizer mixture and geometry, limited optical access and reduced lifespan of flow-field diagnostic equipment constrain understanding of the mechanisms that lend to wave stability, controllability, and sustainability. To this end, high-fidelity numerical simulations of the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) methane-oxygen rotating detonation rocket engine (RDRE) are performed to provide detailed insight into the detonation physics and anomalous behavior within the combustor. The results highlight the merit of high-fidelity numerical studies in analyzing the combustion processes and injector dynamics of a complex combustion system. The simulations capture the general wave behavior observed within the experimental studies. Three different operating conditions, with varying global equivalence ratio and system mass flow rate, are considered: (1) baseline configuration, (2) high equivalence ratio, and (3) high mass flow rate. The high mass flow rate case results in increased detonation wave strength whereas the high equivalence ratio results in increased deflagrative heat release. The high equivalence ratio case results in chaotic behavior with two pairs of counter-rotating detonation waves, whereas a single pair of co-rotating waves is observed in the baseline and high mass flow rate cases. Further, parasitic combustion of the reactant mixture ahead of the detonation wave diminishes its strength and reduces propagation speed to approximately 50-60\% of the Chapman-Jouguet (CJ) condition. In this work, a detailed analysis of the detonation wave behavior, injector dynamics, and the statistics of combustion parameters are presented.

Prakash, Supraj↗

Development of a Model Correlating Axial HEPA Filter Performance Between Elevated and Standard Conditions

The ASME AG-1 Code specifies minimum rated airflow based on standard cubic feet per minute (SCFM) for axial high efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters and actual cubic feet per minute (ACFM) for radial HEPA filters with corresponding maximum pressure drop. A quantitative analysis can be performed to demonstrate the variation in filter efficiency and develop a correlation of performance between axial filters subjected to ACFM and SCFM. This study illustrates the variation in filter efficiency of axial HEPA filters subjected to ACFM and SCFM flow rate conditions at varying atmospheric pressures. It also presents the methods used to calculate correction factors to convert filter efficiency and pressure drop from elevated to standard conditions. The Axial Large Scale Test Stand (ALSTS) in the Institute for Clean Energy Technology (ICET) at Mississippi State University has been utilized to control aerosol concentration, flowrate, atmospheric pressure, relative humidity, and temperature. The filter test matrix consists of axial HEPA filters rated at 1,000 and 1,500 CFM with varying filter pack types. Each filter is subjected to varying pressures of 14.70 psi, 13.55 psi, 12.40 psi, and 11.25 psi, temperatures of 70 deg. F, 110 deg. F, and 150 deg. F, and relative humidities of 50% and 80%, resulting in twenty-four unique testing points. The corresponding SCFM flow rates are computed for each point in order to form a comparison. Evaluation of the effects of designating ACFM or SCFM will be based upon the filter efficiencies of generated Dioctyl Phthalate (DOP) particles at a diameter of 0.3 micrometers. The results show filter efficiency decreasing as atmospheric pressure decreases due to increased filter face velocity. A correlation model is developed to convert filter efficiency and pressure drop at elevated conditions to those of standard pressure, relative humidity, and temperature.

42 ENGINEERING↗

PRSA hydrogen tank thermal acoustic oscillation study

The power reactant storage assembly (PRSA) hydrogen tank test data were reviewed. Two hundred and nineteen data points illustrating the effect of flow rate, temperature ratio and configuration were identified. The test data were reduced to produce the thermal acoustic oscillation parameters. Frequency and amplitude were determined for model correlation. A comparison of PRSA hydrogen tank test data with the analytical models indicated satisfactory agreement for the supply and poor agreement for the full line.

Riemer, D. H.↗

Liner environment effects study

The Liner Environment Effects Study Program is aimed at establishing a broad heat transfer data base under controlled experimental conditions by quantifying the effects of the combustion system conditions on the combustor liner thermal loading and on the flame radiation characteristics. Five liner concepts spanning the spectrum of liner design technology from the very simple to the most advanced concepts are investigated. These concepts comprise an uncooled liner, a conventional film cooled liner, an impingement/film cooled liner, a laser drilled liner approaching the concept of a porous wall, and a siliconized silicon carbide ceramic liner. Effect of fuel type is covered by using fuels containing 11.8, 12.8, and 14% hydrogen. Tests at 100, 200, and 300 psia provide a basis for evaluating the effect of pressure on the heat transfer. The effects of the atomization quality and spray characteristics are examined by varying the fuel spray Sauter mean diameter and the spray angle. Additional varied parameters include reference velocity, a wide range of equivalence ratio, cooling flow rate, coolant temperature and the velocity of the coolant stream on the backside of the liner.

Venkataramani, K. S.↗