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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 397 records · Page 22

Plant Watering in Low Gravity: The Study of the Fluid Dynamic Characteristics of Lunar Regolith Simulant for the Application of Crop Production Systems Using Scaled Capillary Devices

Bioregenerative life support is key to sustaining human life on the surface of other celestial bodies for missions beyond Low Earth Orbit (LEO). One example of such life support includes crop production systems capable of producing both plants and fungi for astronaut consumption. There have been numerous efforts to design and deploy such systems; however, there have been persistent fundamental issues with the water delivery systems. This study aims to understand and model the fluid dynamics of crop production systems to inform engineers about the key parameters needed for the design of such systems. The primary objective is to validate and expand upon NASA’s previous study, the Plant Water Management (PWM) experiments, to understand the fluid phenomena present in substrate-based systems. The model will then be expanded to include parameters for changing the test material of potential growth media as well as the varying water demands of the crop throughout its different stages in its life cycle. Specifically, this study is focused on the viability of using lunar regolith for agricultural purposes. Terrestrial-based scaled capillary models will be utilized to mimic the fluid phenomena occurring due to the low gravity environment seen on the lunar surface. Ultimately, the study will model the fluid flow present in the lunar regolith simulant and inform researchers on how to incorporate the material into crop production systems on the lunar surface.

gravity↗

Quick attach and release fluid coupling assembly is self-aligning, self-sealing

Fluid coupling assembly that is self-aligning, self-sealing and contains a bellow ball and socket coupling for quick attach and release is highly reliable and can handle cryogenic fluids where icing is encountered. The fluid coupling assembly is used in many fluid systems but is particularly applicable to cryogenic systems.

Herold, C. P.↗

Joule-Thomson inversion curves and related coefficients for several simple fluids

The equations of state (PVT relations) for methane, oxygen, argon, carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, neon, hydrogen, and helium were used to establish Joule-Thomson inversion curves for each fluid. The principle of corresponding states was applied to the inversion curves, and a generalized inversion curve for fluids with small acentric factors was developed. The quantum fluids (neon, hydrogen, and helium) were excluded from the generalization, but available data for the fluids xenon and krypton were included. The critical isenthalpic Joule-Thomson coefficient mu sub c was determined; and a simplified approximation mu sub c approximates T sub c divided by 6P sub c was found adequate, where T sub c and P sub c are the temperature and pressure at the thermodynamic critical point. The maximum inversion temperatures were obtained from the second virial coefficient (maximum (B/T)).

Hendricks, R. C.↗

Fluid undercutting in the successive channel flow of two gases.

A fluid piston technique wherein one gas displaces another gas from a horizontal channel was investigated experimentally in a laboratory simulation of the operating concept of a Mach number 9, true-energy wind tunnel. Tests were conducted over a Froude number range from 0.0015 to 0.543 at driver-to-driven gas density ratios from 0.637 to 11.0 to find the effect of fluid undercutting (or overcutting) on test duration. Other variables studied, either experimentally or analytically, include channel cross-sectional shape, channel inlet design, channel length-to-diameter ratio, Reynolds number, pretest pressurization, and channel inclination angle. Results from shadowgraph movies and pressure measurements provide a correlation of actual-to-ideal test durations for a wide range of Froude numbers and gas density ratios and indicate that the application of the fluid piston technique to the wind-tunnel concept is feasible. However, severe fluid undercutting (or overcutting) in horizontal channels occurs at lower Froude numbers and at density ratios significantly different from unity.

Guy, R. W.↗

Phase equilibria in fluid mixtures at high pressures - The He-CH4 system.

An experimental study of phase equilibria in the He-CH4 system has been carried out over the temperature range 95 to 290 K and at pressures to 10,000 atm. The experimental results consist of equilibrium phase composition for twenty-eight isotherms in the region of coexistence of two fluid phases, together with the pressure-temperature trace of the three-phase boundary at which a CH4-rich solid phase is in equilibrium with the two fluid phases. The system exhibits a fluid-fluid phase separation which persists to temperatures and pressures beyond the range of this experiment. These findings are relevant to problems of deep atmosphere and interior structures in the outer planets.-

Streett, W. B.↗

Fluid pressure amplifier and system

A flueric beam-deflection amplifier and a method of controlling the same are described. Either a single or a series of cascaded fluid amplifier units are provided and each one of which may include the usual power nozzle, control nozzles, outlet passages and vent passages. All vent passages of each fluid amplifier unit lead to an enclosed vent outlet chamber which is connected to the ambient environment or to a return manifold through a variably restricted passage. To control the fluid amplifier unit, power and control stream pressures are first established, after which the restricted passage is reduced to regulate the input bias, the gain and the input impedance of the fluid amplifier unit.

Garner, H. D.↗

Phase equilibria in fluid mixtures at high pressures: The He-CH4 system

An experimental study of phase equilibria in the He-CH4 system was carried out over the temperature range 95 to 290 K and at pressures to 10,000 atm. The experimental results consist of equilibrium phase composition for twenty-eight isotherms in the region of coexistence of two fluid phases, together with the pressure-temperature trace of the three-phase boundary at which a CH4-rich solid phase is in equilibrium with the two fluid phases. The system exhibits a fluid-fluid phase separation which persists to temperatures and pressures beyond the range of this experiment. These results, together with those recently obtained for other binary systems, provide information about the form of phase diagrams for binary gas mixtures in the region of pressure induced phase transitions at high pressures. These findings are relevant to problems of deep atmosphere and interior structures in the outer planets.

Streett, W. B.↗

Fluid motions in a low-G environment

The importance of natural convection and other fluid motions in low-g space processing is now well recognized. Recent space experiments in the areas of natural convection and material processing, as well as results of theoretical studies, have yielded much needed information on fluid behavior in low-g environments. The state of knowledge of fluid motions in low-g environments is reviewed and the dimensional analysis approach used to assess the relative importances of various driving forces for fluid flow in four of the Skylab material processing experiments outlined. Results of dimensional analyses for the Skylab experiments, subsequently confirmed by actual space data, are presented. Finally, the limits of dimensional analysis in assessment studies are indicated.

Grodzka, P. G.↗

Estimates of fluid and energy balances of Apollo 17

Fluid and caloric balance has been calculated for the Apollo 17 crew. This included measurement of nitrogen, water, and caloric value of the ingested food and the volume and nitrogen content of the excreted urine and feces. Body composition changes were determined from total body water and extracellular fluid volume differences. The body composition measurements made it possible to divide the weight loss into lean body mass and adipose tissue losses. From this division a caloric equivalent was calculated. These tissue losses indicated that the caloric requirements of the mission were considerably greater than the actual caloric intake. The 3.3 kilo mean loss of body weight represented 1 kilo of lean body mass and 2.3 kilos of adipose tissue. Calculated fluid balance was more positive during the mission than during the control period. These changes are unlike the body composition and fluid balance changes reported in bedrested subjects.

Johnson, P. C.↗

Application of wave mechanics theory to fluid dynamics problems: Fundamentals

The application of the basic formalistic elements of wave mechanics theory is discussed. The theory is used to describe the physical phenomena on the microscopic level, the fluid dynamics of gases and liquids, and the analysis of physical phenomena on the macroscopic (visually observable) level. The practical advantages of relating the two fields of wave mechanics and fluid mechanics through the use of the Schroedinger equation constitute the approach to this relationship. Some of the subjects include: (1) fundamental aspects of wave mechanics theory, (2) laminarity of flow, (3) velocity potential, (4) disturbances in fluids, (5) introductory elements of the bifurcation theory, and (6) physiological aspects in fluid dynamics.

Krzywoblocki, M. Z. V.↗

Application of wave mechanics theory to fluid dynamics problems: Boundary layer on a circular cylinder including turbulence

The application of the elements of quantum (wave) mechanics to some special problems in the field of macroscopic fluid dynamics is discussed. Emphasis is placed on the flow of a viscous, incompressible fluid around a circular cylinder. The following subjects are considered: (1) the flow of a nonviscous fluid around a circular cylinder, (2) the restrictions imposed the stream function by the number of dimensions of space, and (3) the flow past three dimensional bodies in a viscous fluid, particularly past a circular cylinder in the symmetrical case.

Krzywoblocki, M. Z. V.↗

Fluid management systems technology summaries

A summarization and categorization of the pertinent literature associated with fluid management systems technology having potential application to in-orbit fluid transfer and/or associated storage are presented. A literature search was conducted to obtain pertinent documents for review. Reports determined to be of primary significance were summarized in the following manner: (1) report identification, (2) objective(s) of the work, (3) description of pertinent work performed, (4) major results, and (5) comments of the reviewer. Pertinent figures are presented on a single facing page separate from the text. Specific areas covered are: fluid line dynamics and thermodynamics, low-g mass gauging, other instrumentation, stratification/pressurization, low-g vent systems, fluid mixing refrigeration and reliquefaction, and low-g interface control and liquid acquisition systems. Reports which were reviewed and not summarized, along with reasons for not summarizing, are also listed.

Stark, J. A.↗

Silverton Conference on Applications of the Zero Gravity Space Shuttle Environment to Problems in Fluid Dynamics

The possible utilization of the zero gravity resource for studies in a variety of fluid dynamics and fluid-dynamic related problems was investigated. A group of experiments are discussed and described in detail; these include experiments in the areas of geophysical fluid models, fluid dynamics, mass transfer processes, electrokinetic separation of large particles, and biophysical and physiological areas.

Eisner, M.↗

Convective heat transfer to low-temperature fluids

Research into forced and natural convection processes in low-temperature (cryogenic) fluids is reviewed with primary emphasis on forced convection. Boundaries of the near-critical region are defined, fluid properties near the critical state are discussed, and heat-transfer processes around the critical point are described. The thermodynamics of the critical point is analyzed together with transport properties of a near-critical fluid, and the quantum states of low-temperature molecular hydrogen (para and ortho) are discussed. Experimental work on heat transfer in free, natural, and forced convection systems is briefly summarized. Graham's (1969) penetration model for near-critical fluids is outlined, near-critical heat transfer is discussed in relation to conventional geometric effects, and the effects of curvature on the properties of near-critical hydrogen are noted. Theoretical considerations in free and forced convection are examined.

Graham, R. W.↗

Fluid-plasticity of thin cylindrical shells

Dynamic plastic response of a thin cylindrical shell, immersed in a potential fluid initially at rest and subjected to internal pressure pulse of arbitrary shape and duration, is examined. The shell is assumed to respond as a rigid-perfectly plastic material while the fluid is taken as inviscid and incompressible. The fluid back pressure is incorporated into the equation of motion of the shell as an added mass term. Since arbitrary pulses can be reduced to equivalent rectangular pulses, the equation of motion is solved only for a rectangular pulse. The influence of the fluid in reducing the final plastic deformation is demonstrated by a numerical example.

Krajcinovic, D.↗

Spacelab experiment definition study on phase transition and critical phenomena in fluids: Interim report on experimental justification

Pure fluids and fluid mixtures near critical points are identified and are related to the progress of several disciplines. Consideration is given to thermodynamic properties, transport properties, and the complex nonlinear phenomena which occur when fluids undergo phase transitions in the critical region. The distinction is made between practical limits which may be extended by advances in technology and intrinsic ones which arise from the modification of fluid properties by the earth's gravitational field. The kinds of experiments near critical points which could best exploit the low gravity environment of an orbiting laboratory are identified. These include studies of the index of refraction, constant volume specific heat, and phase separation.

Moldover, M. R.↗

Concepts and methods for describing critical phenomena in fluids

The predictions of theoretical models for a critical-point phase transistion in fluids, namely the classical equation with third-degree critical isotherm, that with fifth-degree critical isotherm, and the lattice gas, are reviewed. The renormalization group theory of critical phenomena and the hypothesis of universality of critical behavior supported by this theory are discussed as well as the nature of gravity effects and how they affect cricital-region experimentation in fluids. The behavior of the thermodynamic properties and the correlation function is formulated in terms of scaling laws. The predictions of these scaling laws and of the hypothesis of universality of critical behavior are compared with experimental data for one-component fluids and it is indicated how the methods can be extended to describe critical phenomena in fluid mixtures.

Sengers, J. V.↗

Heat pipe with dual working fluids

A heat pipe design is offered that utilizes an auxiliary working fluid. The fluid, although being less efficient than the main working fluid, remains liquid at low heat loads when the main working fluid freezes.

Shlosinger, A. P.↗