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At least 397 records · Page 22

Performance characteristics of a slagging gasifier for MHD combustor systems

The performance of a two stage, coal combustor concept for magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) systems was investigated analytically. The two stage MHD combustor is comprised of an entrained flow, slagging gasifier as the first stage, and a gas phase reactor as the second stage. The first stage was modeled by assuming instantaneous coal devolatilization, and volatiles combustion and char gasification by CO2 and H2O in plug flow. The second stage combustor was modeled assuming adiabatic instantaneous gas phase reactions. Of primary interest was the dependence of char gasification efficiency on first stage particle residence time. The influence of first stage stoichiometry, heat loss, coal moisture, coal size distribution, and degree of coal devolatilization on gasifier performance and second stage exhaust temperature was determined. Performance predictions indicate that particle residence times on the order of 500 msec would be required to achieve gasification efficiencies in the range of 90 to 95 percent. The use of a finer coal size distribution significantly reduces the required gasifier residence time for acceptable levels of fuel use efficiency. Residence time requirements are also decreased by increased levels of coal devolatilization. Combustor design efforts should maximize devolatilization by minimizing mixing times associated with coal injection.

Smith, K. O.↗

Correlations of thermodynamic effects for developed cavitation

The net positive suction head (NPSH) requirements for a pump are determined by the combined effects of cavitation, fluid properties, pump geometry, and pump operating point. An important part of this determination is the temperature depression (Delta T). Correlations are presented of the temperature depression for various degrees of developed cavitation on venturis and ogives. These correlations, based on a semi-empirical entrainment theory, express Delta T in terms of the dimensionless numbers of Nusselt, Reynolds, Froude, Weber, and Peclet, and dimensionless cavity length (L/D). The Delta T data were obtained in Freon 114, hydrogen and nitrogen for the venturis and in Freon 113 and water for the ogives.

Billet, M. L.↗

Experimental studies of oblique impact

Meteoritic materials most probably impact planetary bodies along oblique trajectories inclined less than 45 deg above their surfaces. Laboratory studies of hypervelocity impacts against rock and particulate media are presented that indicate important effects of obliquity on crater size, shape, and ejecta distribution. The effects are particularly important to crater size-frequency analyses and geologic interpretations of crater formations. Impacts at shallow incidence, which are not uncommon, lead to ricochet of the impacting object accompanied with some entrained excavated materials at velocities only slightly reduced from the pre-impact value.

Gault, D. E.↗

A relationship between maximum packing of particles and particle size

Experimental data indicate that the volume fraction of particles in a packed bed (i.e. maximum packing) depends on particle size. One explanation for this is based on the idea that particle adhesion is the primary factor. In this paper, however, it is shown that entrainment and immobilization of liquid by the particles can also account for the facts.

Fedors, R. F.↗

Thermal infrared properties of the Martian atmosphere. II - The 15-micron band measurements

Viking infrared thermal mapper observations of Mars in the 15-micron CO2 band reveal global atmospheric thermal behavior at the 0.3to 0.6-mbar level. Dust entrained by storms produces major modification of diurnal and latitudinal structure in the brightness temperature. In the dust-laden atmosphere of southern spring and summer 1977, the brightness temperature was a maximum in late afternoon at a latitude well south of the subsolar latitude. Diurnal amplitude was as great as 30 K, while diurnal mean temperatures exceeded 220 K. Over the northern winter polar cap, the brightness temperature increased dramatically following the second global dust storm of 1977; even in regions of polar night the change was up to 80 K. Inversions of similar magnitude resulted, and the change in downward radiance was sufficient to modify substantially the rate of CO2 condensation at the surface.

Martin, T. Z.↗

Dynamics of volcanic plumes on Io

Ballistic and aerodynamic models are proposed to explain the dynamics of the volcanic plumes on Io. A ballistic model, which assumes that eruptive gas and solid-particle flows become completely and permanently decoupled over a small distance as compared with the maximum particle height, is shown to be unable to account for the observed shape of Plume 3. An aerodynamic model which assumes the entrainment and transportation of solid particles by the gas flow into the central portion of the top of the plume, with ballistic particle trajectories only after passage through the first part of their descent, is then developed. The model accounts for plume shape by the formation of a weak decompression shock near the edge of the plume stalk, which constrains horizontal expansion until a sufficient altitude is reached. Calculated plume dimensions are then compared with observations of Ionian Plumes 1 and 3.

Cook, A. F.↗

Improved particulate-sampling filter

Small surface indentations entrain larger and more representative sampling than conventional petri-dish smeared with smooth layer adhesive. Filter is assembled from perforated disk and flat backing plate with sticky surface. Due to design-created currents, particulates come in contact with surface for longer time and have greater probability of being trapped. Filter is useful in air-quality monitoring at industrial sites, in mines, and in and around nuclear power plants.

Hoffman, A. R.↗

Coannular supersonic ejector nozzles

The nozzles described exhibit a flow field which is supersonic except for the initial flow region, and the secondary mass flow is typically about five percent of the primary core flow. The features to improve the accuracy of the performance calculations are discussed. A special calculation is made to get as realistic a sonic line as possible for this geometry, using an analysis developed by Brown. The mixing between the secondary and core flows is treated to account for entrainment of the secondary flow into core. Both of these phenomena directly affect the pressure distribution on the shroud and therefore, the thrust that the nozzle produces. The importance of using a realistic sonic line and a mixing analysis is stressed.

Bishop, A. R.↗

Acid rain: Microphysical model

A microphysical model was used to simulate the case of a ground cloud without dilution by entrainment and without precipitation. The numerical integration techniques of the model are presented. The droplet size spectra versus time and the droplet molalities for each value of time are discussed.

Dingle, A. N.↗

Novel approaches for alleviation of electrical hazards of graphite-fiber composites

Four basically different approaches were considered: gasification of fibers, retention in the matrix, clumping to prevent entrainment, and electrical insulation of fibers. The techniques used to achieve them are described in some detail. These involved surface treatment of fibers to improve the wettability of fibers and coating the fibers with the selected substances before laying them up for composite fabrication. Thermogravimetric analyses were performed on the plain and treated fibers in inert (nitrogen, argon) and reactive (air) atmospheres. The treated fibers embedded in epoxy were ignited in a Bunsen flame to determine the efficiency of these treatments. A simple apparatus was assembled to detect the time for the first short circuit (in a typical electrical circuit) when exposed to the combustion products from a graphite fiber composite fire. The state-of-the-art and treated fibers cast in typical epoxy were burned and ranked for potential success. It was inferred that the gasification schemes appear promising when reduction or oxidation is tried. It was also found that some very promising candidates were available for the clumping and for the electrical insulation of fibers.

Ramohalli, K.↗

Cooling tower water conditioning study

Successful elimination of cooling tower treatment chemicals was demonstrated. Three towers functioned for long periods of time with ozone as the only treatment for the water. The water in the systems was reused as much as 30 times (cycles of concentration) without deleterious effects to the heat exchangers. Actual system blow-down was eliminated and the only makeup water added was that required to replace the evaporation and mist entrainment losses. Minimum water savings alone are approximately 75.1 1/kg/year. Cost estimates indicate that a savings of 55 percent was obtained on the systems using ozone. A major problem experienced in the use of ozone for cooling tower applications was the difficulty of accurate concentration measurements. The ability to control the operational characteristics relies on easily and accurately determined concentration levels. Present methods of detection are subject to inaccuracies because of interfering materials and the rapid destruction of the ozone.

Humphrey, M. F.↗

Control strategy for a variable-speed wind energy conversion system

A control concept for a variable-speed wind energy conversion system is proposed, for which a self-exited asynchronous cage generator is used along with a system of thyristor converters. The control loops are the following: (1) regulation of the entrainment speed as function of available mechanical energy by acting on the resistance couple of the asynchronous generator; (2) control of electric power delivered to the asynchronous machine, functioning as a motor, for start-up of the vertical axis wind converter; and (3) limitation of the slip value, and by consequence, of the induction currents in the presence of sudden variations of input parameters.

Jacob, A.↗

Parametric study of potential early commercial MHD power plants

Three different reference power plant configurations were considered with parametric variations of the various design parameters for each plant. Two of the reference plant designs were based on the use of high temperature regenerative air preheaters separately fired by a low Btu gas produced from a coal gasifier which was integrated with the power plant. The third reference plant design was based on the use of oxygen enriched combustion air preheated to a more moderate temperature in a tubular type metallic recuperative heat exchanger which is part of the bottoming plant heat recovery system. Comparative information was developed on plant performance and economics. The highest net plant efficiency of about 45 percent was attained by the reference plant design with the use of a high temperature air preheater separately fired with the advanced entrained bed gasifier. The use of oxygen enrichment of the combustion air yielded the lowest cost of generating electricity at a slightly lower plant efficiency. Both of these two reference plant designs are identified as potentially attractive for early MHD power plant applications.

Hals, F. A.↗

Thermodynamic analysis of turbulent combustion in a spark ignition engine. Experimental evidence

A method independent of physical modeling assumptions is presented to analyze high speed flame photography and cylinder pressure measurements from a transparent piston spark ignition research engine. The method involves defining characteristic quantities of the phenomena of flame propagation and combustion, and estimating their values from the experimental information. Using only the pressure information, the mass fraction curves are examined. An empirical burning law is presented which simulates such curves. Statistical data for the characteristics delay and burning angles which show that cycle to cycle fractional variations are of the same order of magnitude for both angles are discussed. The enflamed and burnt mass fractions are compared as are the rates of entrainment and burning.

Beretta, G. P.↗

Investigation of the flow field surrounding circular-arc boattail nozzles at subsonic speeds

The effects of jet exhaust on the subsonic flow field surrounding boattail nozzles with attached and separated boundary layers were investigated. Measurements of local Mach numbers and flow angles were made at free-stream Mach numbers of 0.60 and 0.80 at an angle of attack of 0 deg. Jet exhaust flow was simulated with a solid cylindrical sting and with high pressure air at jet-nozzle total pressure ratios of 2.9 and 5.0. Results show strong effects of the jet-wave structure on the external flow field. The predicted local Mach numbers and flow angles for attached-flow nozzles with solid jet simulators obtained by using subsonic inviscid/viscous-flow theory are in good agreement with experimental data. Prediction of nozzle surface pressure distributions which include jet-entrainment effects also agree with experimental data for attached-flow nozzles with high pressure air jets.

Abeyounis, W. K.↗

Computational models for the viscous/inviscid analysis of jet aircraft exhaust plumes

Computational models which analyze viscous/inviscid flow processes in jet aircraft exhaust plumes are discussed. These models are component parts of an NASA-LaRC method for the prediction of nozzle afterbody drag. Inviscid/shock processes are analyzed by the SCIPAC code which is a compact version of a generalized shock capturing, inviscid plume code (SCIPPY). The SCIPAC code analyzes underexpanded jet exhaust gas mixtures with a self-contained thermodynamic package for hydrocarbon exhaust products and air. A detailed and automated treatment of the embedded subsonic zones behind Mach discs is provided in this analysis. Mixing processes along the plume interface are analyzed by two upgraded versions of an overlaid, turbulent mixing code (BOAT) developed previously for calculating nearfield jet entrainment. The BOATAC program is a frozen chemistry version of BOAT containing the aircraft thermodynamic package as SCIPAC; BOATAB is an afterburning version with a self-contained aircraft (hydrocarbon/air) finite-rate chemistry package. The coupling of viscous and inviscid flow processes is achieved by an overlaid procedure with interactive effects accounted for by a displacement thickness type correction to the inviscid plume interface.

Dash, S. M.↗

Advanced risk assessment of the effects of graphite fibers on electronic and electric equipment

An assessment of the risk associated with accidents involving aircraft with carbon fiber composite structural components is examined. The individual fiber segments cause electrical and electronic equipment to fail under certain operating conditions. A Monte Carlo simulation model was used to computer the risk. Aircraft accidents with fire, release of carbon fiber material, entrainment of carbon fibers in a smoke plume transport of fibers downwind, transfer of some fibers/into the the interior of buildings, failures of electrical and electronic equipment, and economic impact of failures are discussed. Risk profiles were prepared for individual airports and the Nation. The vulnerability of electrical transmission equipment to carbon fiber incursion and aircraft accident total costs is investigated.

Pocinki, L.↗

A correlation method to predict the surface pressure distribution of an infinite plate or a body of revolution from which a jet is issuing

A correlation method to predict pressures induced on an infinite plate by a jet exhausting normal to the plate into a subsonic free stream was extended to jets exhausting at angles to the plate and to jets exhausting normal to the surface of a body revolution. The complete method consisted of an analytical method which models the blockage and entrainment properties of the jet and an empirical correlation which accounts for viscous effects. For the flat plate case, the method was applicable to jet velocity ratios up to ten, jet inclination angles up to 45 deg from the normal, and radial distances up to five diameters from the jet. For the body of revolution case, the method was applicable to a body at zero degrees angle of attack, jet velocity ratios 1.96 and 3.43, circumferential angles around the body up to 25 deg from the jet, axial distances up to seven diameters from the jet, and jet-to-body diameter ratios less than 0.1.

Perkins, S. C., Jr.↗