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At least 433 records · Page 24

Intracore Natural Circulation Study in the High Temperature Test Facility

The development of the Modular High-Temperature Gas-Cooled Reactor is a significant milestone in advanced nuclear reactor technology. One of the concerns for the reactor’s safe operation is the effects of a loss-of-flow accident (LOFA) where the coolant circulators are tripped, and forced coolant flow through the core is lost. Depending on the steam generator placement, loop or intracore natural circulation develops to help transfer heat from the core to the reactor cavity, cooling system. This paper investigates the fundamental physical phenomena associated with intracore coolant natural circulation flow in a one-sixth Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) model of the Oregon State University High Temperature Test Facility (OSU HTTF) following a loss-of-flow accident transient. This study employs conjugate heat transfer and steady-state flow along with an SST k-ω turbulence model to characterize the phenomenon of core channel-to-channel natural convection. Previous studies have revealed the importance of complex flow distribution in the inlet and outlet plenums with the potential to generate hot coolant jets. For this reason, complete upper and lower plenum volumes are included in the analyzed computational domain. CFD results also include parametric studies performed for a mesh sensitivity analysis, generated using the STAR-CCM+ software. The resulting channel axial velocities and flow directions support the test facility scaling analysis and similarity group distortions calculation.

22 GENERAL STUDIES OF NUCLEAR REACTORS↗

An Acoustic Quench Detection Method for CICC Conductor Operating in Gas or Liquid

A method using micro-electro-mechanical system (MEMS) acoustic sensor technology to detect a quench and abnormal behavior of a superconductor is discussed. MEMS of microphone chips are installed along the coolant space of a superconducting conductor to monitor the coolant condition. By arranging the acoustic sensor array in a coolant flow channel, it is possible to quickly detect a change in the local condition of the coolant with precise spatial resolution. This method is useful for monitoring superconducting magnets and power cables, especially those made with a cable-in-conduit-conductor (CICC) configuration. The methodology described in this work will also be very useful for a high temperature superconducting (HTS) conductor, such as REBCO tape conductors.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

DEVELOPMENT OF A LIGHT-WEIGHT REGENERATIVELY COOLED THRUST CHAMBER WITH BRAZED RIBS AND BRAZED OUTER WIRE TRAP

Design and fabrication procedures are discussed of a brazed-ribtype thrust chamber fabricated from stainless steel or inconel for a Sooo-lb thrust 20: 1 expansion-area-ratio regeneratively cooled liquidpropellant rocket engine which is designated as the JPL 6K Engine and operates at a chamber pressure of 150 psia. Hydrazine is used as the fuel and regenerative coolant and nitrogen tetroxide as the oxidizer. The nozzle-throat diameter is 5.42 in. The thrust chamber consists of a sheet-metal gas-side liner with longitudinal ribs spotwelded and brazed to the outer surface. Wire is wrapped over the ribs circumferentially, spot-welded to the ribs, and brazed. The liner, ribs, and wire form the coolant-passage walls. There are three basic advantages to this type of thrust chamber: light weight, ease of fabrication, and comparatively low cost. The total dry weight of a thrust chamber of this type and size made of 347 stainless steel is 46.2 lb, and the wet weight is 56.3 Ib. A total of 87 static engine tests were made on 19 of 23 thrust chambers fabricated by this technique. Four of the chambers tested had an expansion-area ratio of 20:1, and 15, which were shorter but had the same throat diameter, had an expansion-area ratio of 3.5:l. Accumulated test time was 1926 sec, including 558 sec regenerative cooling with hydrazine and 1368 sec cooling with water. One 20:l thrust chamber was subjected to 16 separate engine tests, with an accumulated test time of 399 sec, and was still in very good operating condition after the tests were completed. With water flowing through the coolant passages at 10 lb/sec, the measured nominal pressure drop between coolant manifolds of a 20:l thrust chamber wrapped with flat wire was 17.2 psi.

Thrust Chamber↗

Experimental heat transfer and flow results of a chordwise-finned turbine vane with impingement, film, and convection cooling

Experimental heat transfer data are presented for a vane tested in a turbojet engine at turbine inlet gas temperatures to 1644 K (2500 F), coolant temperatures to 700 K (800 F), and coolant-to-gas flow ratios to 0.187. Methods are presented for correlating heat transfer data and obtaining coolant flow distribution through the vane. Calculated and measured coolant flow distributions and vane metal temperatures are compared.

Gauntner, J. W.↗

Simulation of a steady-state integrated human thermal system.

The mathematical model of an integrated human thermal system is formulated. The system consists of an external thermal regulation device on the human body. The purpose of the device (a network of cooling tubes held in contact with the surface of the skin) is to maintain the human body in a state of thermoneutrality. The device is controlled by varying the inlet coolant temperature and coolant mass flow rate. The differential equations of the model are approximated by a set of algebraic equations which result from the application of the explicit forward finite difference method to the differential equations. The integrated human thermal system is simulated for a variety of combinations of the inlet coolant temperature, coolant mass flow rate, and metabolic rates. Two specific cases are considered: (1) the external thermal regulation device is placed only on the head and (2) the devices are placed on the head and the torso. The results of the simulation indicate that when the human body is exposed to hot environment, thermoneutrality can be attained by localized cooling if the operating variables of the external regulation device(s) are properly controlled.

Hsu, F. T.↗

Experimental investigation of aerodynamic performance of cooled turbine vanes at gas- to collant-temperature ratios up to 2.75

The results of an experimental investigation of the aerodynamic performance of two geometrically similar turbine vanes with different cooling designs are presented. The test vanes were a convection-film-cooled vanes and a transpiration-cooled vane. A solid uncooled vane with the same aerodynamic profile as the cooled vane was also tested. Four vanes of each type were tested in an annular sector cascade. The cooled vanes were tested at primary to coolant temperature ratios of 1.0, 1.75, and 2.75 and a coolant to primary pressure ratios of 1.0, 1.2, and 1.5. This resulted in coolant flows up to about 10 percent of the primary flow. The principal measurements were surveys of vane exit total pressure, total temperature, and static pressure. The report includes a brief description of the test facility and the design of the test vanes. The test results presented include weight flow and efficiency data for the uncooled vanes and coolant flow, primary flow, and efficiency data as functions of the cooling variables for the cooled vanes.

Stabe, R. G.↗

Space nuclear system volume accumulator development (SNAP program)

The engineering, design, and fabrication status of the volume accumulator units to be employed in the NaK primary and secondary coolant loops of the 5-kwe reactor thermoelectric system are described. Three identical VAU's are required - two for the primary coolant loop, and one for the secondary coolant loop. The VAU's utilize nested-formed bellows as the flexing member, are hermetically sealed, provide double containment and utilize a combination of gas pressure force and bellows spring force to obtain the desired pressure regulation of the coolant loops. All parts of the VAU, except the NaK inlet tube, are to be fabricated from Inconel 718.

Whitaker, W. D.↗

Simulation of a steady-state integrated human thermal system.

The mathematical model of an integrated human thermal system is formulated. The system consists of an external thermal regulation device on the human body. The purpose of the device (a network of cooling tubes held in contact with the surface of the skin) is to maintain the human body in a state of thermoneutrality. The device is controlled by varying the inlet coolant temperature and coolant mass flow rate. The differential equations of the model are approximated by a set of algebraic equations which result from the application of the explicit forward finite difference method to the differential equations. The integrated human thermal system is simulated for a variety of combinations of the inlet coolant temperature, coolant mass flow rate, and metabolic rates.

Hsu, F. T.↗

Two-dimensional cold-air cascade study of a film-cooled turbine stator blade. 1: Experimental results of pressure-surface film cooling tests

The effect of film coolant ejection from the pressure side of a stator blade was determined in a two-dimensional cascade. Stator exit surveys were made for each of six rows of coolant holes. Successive multirow tests were made with two, three, four, five, and six rows of coolant holes open. The results of the multirow tests are compared with the predicted multirow performance obtained by adding the single-row data. Results are presented in terms of stator primary-air efficiency as a function of coolant fraction.

Moffitt, T. P.↗

Two dimensional cold air cascade study of a film cooled turbine stator blade. 2: Experimental results of full film cooling tests

The effect of full film cooling on the performance of a turbine stator blade was studied in a two-dimensional cascade. The blade contained 12 rows of coolant holes, 6 rows on the suction surface and 6 on the pressure surface. Separate tests were first made with coolant ejection from each of the 12 rows. Then successive tests were made with various combinations of coolant rows open, including full film cooling. The principal results are presented in terms of primary-air efficiency as a function of coolant fraction. In addition, the efficiency results of the multirow tests are compared with the multi-row efficiency predicted by adding the single-row results.

Prust, H. W., Jr.↗

Cyclic stress analysis of an air-cooled turbine vane

The effects of gas pressure level, coolant temperature, and coolant flow rate on the stress-strain history and life of an air-cooled vane were analyzed using measured and calculated transient metal temperatures and a turbine blade stress analysis program. Predicted failure locations were compared to results from cyclic tests in a static cascade and engine. The results indicate that a high gas pressure was detrimental, a high coolant flow rate somewhat beneficial, and a low coolant temperature the most beneficial to vane life.

Kaufman, A.↗

A computer program for the transient thermal analysis of an impingement cooled turbine blade

A computer program to calculate transient and steady state temperatures, pressures, and coolant flows in a cooled turbine blade or vane with an impingement insert is described. Input to the program includes a description of the blade geometry, coolant supply conditions, outside thermal boundary conditions and wheel speed. Coolant-side heat transfer coefficients are calculated internally in the program, with the user specifying the mode of heat transfer at each internal flow station. Program output includes the temperature at each node, the coolant pressures and flow rates, and the inside heat transfer coefficients. A sample problem is discussed.

Gaugler, R. E.↗

Closed loop spray cooling apparatus

A closed loop apparatus for spraying coolant against the back of a radiation target is described. The coolant was circulated through a closed loop with a bubble of inert gas being maintained around the spray. Mesh material was disposed between the bubble and the surface of the liquid coolant which was below the bubble at a predetermined level. In a second embodiment, no inert gas was used, the bubble consisting of a vapor produced when the coolant was sprayed against the target.

Alger, D. L.↗

A computer program for the transient thermal analysis of an impingement cooled turbine blade

A computer program to calculate transient and steady state temperatures, pressures, and coolant flows in a cooled turbine blade or vane with an impingement insert is described. Input to the program includes a description of the blade geometry, coolant supply conditions, outside thermal boundary conditions and wheel speed. Coolant-side heat transfer coefficients are calculated internally in the program, with the user specifying the mode of heat transfer at each internal flow station. Program output includes the temperature at each node, the coolant pressures and flow rates, and the inside heat transfer coefficients. A sample problem is discussed.

Gaugler, R. E.↗

Effects of film injection on performance of a cooled turbine

Some of the most dramatic increases in the performance of turbojet and turbofan aircraft engines have been obtained as a result of increased thermodynamic cycle temperatures made possible by the use of film cooling techniques. The realization of the potential performance gains, however, is only possible if the quantity of cooling air and the aerodynamic mixing losses resulting from the injection of coolant in the form of film on the flowpath surfaces are minimized. Such a minimization requires a more complete understanding of the relationship between cooling and aerodynamics. A review is conducted of tests which have been conducted to determine the effects of coolant injection on turbine performance. The results obtained in the tests are compared with an analytical technique developed for predicting coolant injection effects. Particular attention is given to the effects of turbine cooling on overall cycle thermodynamic efficiency, taking into account incremental changes in turbine thermodynamic efficiency for various incremental changes in coolant flow rate.

Mcdonel, J. D.↗

Closed loop spray cooling apparatus

A closed loop apparatus for jet spraying coolant against the back of a radiation target is described. The coolant is circulated through a closed loop with a bubble of inert gas being maintained around the spray. Mesh material is disposed between the bubble and the surface of the liquid coolant which is below the bubble at a predetermined level. In a second arrangement no inert gas is used, the bubble consists of vapor produced when the coolant is sprayed against the target.

Alger, D. L.↗

Stagnation region gas film cooling: Spanwise angled injection from multiple rows of holes

The stagnation region of a cylinder in a cross flow was used in experiments conducted with both a single row and multiple rows of spanwise angled (25 deg) coolant holes for a range of the coolant blowing ratio with a freestream to wall temperature ratio approximately equal to 1.7 and R(eD) = 90,000. Data from local heat flux measurements are presented for injection from a single row located at 5 deg, 22.9 deg, 40.8 deg, 58.7 deg from stagnation using a hole spacing ratio of S/d(o) = 5 and 10. Three multiple row configurations were also investigated. Data are presented for a uniform blowing distribution and for a nonuniform blowing distribution simulating a plenum supply. The data for local Stanton Number reduction demonstrated a lack of lateral spreading by the coolant jets. Heat flux levels larger than those without film cooling were observed directly behind the coolant holes as the blowing ratio exceeded a particular value. The data were spanwise averaged to illustrate the influence of injection location, blowing ratio and hole spacing. The large values of blowing ratio for the blowing distribution simulating a plenum supply resulted in heat flux levels behind the holes in excess of the values without film cooling. An increase in freestream turbulence intensity from 4.4 to 9.5 percent had a negligible effect on the film cooling performance.

Luckey, D. W.↗

Cooling Waveguide Flanges in Microwave Transmitters

Flang appendage circulates coolant for conductive heat removal. Flange appendage bore accomodates coolant tube. O-ring surrounds bore; when adjacent waveguide sections are bolted together, continuous conduit is formed for coolant. Pressure release groove in modified flange prevents coolant from entering waveguide should O'ring seal fail.

Chen, B. C.↗