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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 469 records · Page 26
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2020

Simultaneous real-time measurement of composition, flow, attenuation, density, and pipe-wallthickness in multiphase fluids

Apparatus (10) and methods for making simultaneous measurements of composition (water-cut), fluid flow, and sound attenuation in a multiphase fluid flowing (15) through a pipe (12) in real-time, using the same apparatus (10) are described. Additionally, the apparatus (10) provides real-time pipe wall thickness monitoring for observing pipe corrosion or internal deposition. Knowledge of wall thickness is necessary to correct for water-cut (oil-water composition) automatically by adjusting the liquid path length internal to the pipe (spool). The use of short duration frequency chirp excitation signals (24) enables the apparatus to provide information that can be used to extract multiple levels of information from the same measurement in multiphase fluids including the presence of a significant quantity of gas (˜60% gas volume fraction) in different flow regimes. Besides measuring steady flow, this device is useful for measurements during fast changing flows, such as for a rod-pumped well. Measurements up to about 1000 times a second can reliably be made.

Sinha, Dipen N.↗
NASA NTRS1991

Analysis of gravity-induced particle motion and fluid perfusion flow in the NASA-designed rotating zero-head-space tissue culture vessel

The gravity induced motions, through the culture media, is calculated of living tissue segments cultured in the NASA rotating zero head space culture vessels. This is then compared with the media perfusion speed which is independent of gravity. The results may be interpreted as a change in the physical environment which will occur by operating the NASA tissue culture systems in actual microgravity (versus unit gravity). The equations governing particle motions which induce flows at the surface of tissues contain g terms. This allows calculation of the fluid flow speed, with respect to a cultured particle, as a function of the external gravitational field strength. The analysis is approached from a flow field perspective. Flow is proportional to the shear exerted on a structure which maintains position within the field. The equations are solved for the deviation of a particle from its original position in a circular streamline as a function of time. The radial deviation is important for defining the operating limits and dimensions of the vessel because of the finite radius at which particles necessarily intercept the wall. This analysis uses a rotating reference frame concept.

Wolf, David A.↗
NASA NTRS1997

Activation of G proteins mediates flow-induced prostaglandin E2 production in osteoblasts

Interstitial fluid flow may play a role in load-induced bone remodeling. Previously, we have shown that fluid flow stimulates osteoblast production of cAMP inositol trisphosphate (IP3), and PGE2. Flow-induced increases in cAMP and IP3 were shown to be a result of PG production. Thus, PGE2 production appears to be an important component in fluid flow induced signal transduction. In the present study, we investigated the mechanism of flow-induced PGE2 synthesis. Flow-induced a 20-fold increase in PGE2 production in osteoblasts. Increases were also observed with ALF4-(10mM) (98-fold), an activator of guanidine nucleotide-binding proteins (G proteins), and calcium ionophore A23187 (2 microM) (100-fold) in stationary cells. We then investigated whether flow stimulation is mediated by G proteins and increases in intracellular calcium. Flow-induced PGE2 production was inhibited by the G protein inhibitors GDP beta S (100 microM) and pertussis toxin (1 microgram/ml) by 83% and 72%, respectively. Chelation of extracellular calcium by EGTA (2 mM) and intracellular calcium by quin-2/AM (30 microM) blocked flow stimulation by 87% and 67%, respectively. These results suggest that G proteins and calcium play an important role in mediating mechanochemical signal transduction in osteoblasts.

NASA Discipline Cell Biology↗
DOE OSTI2024

Aircraft electric motor with integrated cooling system

Aircraft electric motors include a motor unit having a rotor and a stator. The stator includes a plurality of windings and cooling channels arranged to provide cooling thereto. A drive unit is configured to drive operation of the motor unit. A cooling system includes a working fluid arranged within a cooling fluid flow path, wherein the cooling fluid flow path includes a liquid cooling path configured to direct flow of the working fluid through, at least, the cooling channels of the motor unit and a vapor cooling path configured to direct flow of the working fluid through the drive unit and a separator arranged upstream of each of the liquid cooling path and the vapor cooling path and configured to direct a liquid portion of the working fluid into the liquid cooling path and configured to direct a vapor portion of the working fluid into the vapor cooling path.

Alahyari, Abbas A.↗
DOE OSTI2022

Multifunctional intensified reactor device with integrated heat and mass transfer

A packing device for mass and heat transfer with a subject fluid includes a housing having opposing ends, and subject fluid openings at each opposing end defining a subject fluid flow path for at least one subject fluid flowing through the packing device. A plurality of mass and heat transfer plates each include an interior heat exchange fluid channel disposed between interior heat transfer surfaces of the mass and heat transfer plates. A heat exchange fluid inlet and fluid outlet can supply and remove heat exchange fluid to the heat exchange fluid channels of the mass and heat transfer plates. The mass and heat transfer plates can be oriented to define there between fluid flow channels for the subject fluid. A method and system for mass and heat transfer with a subject fluid, and a method and system for the removal of CO2 from a gas stream are disclosed.

Lai, Canhai↗
NASA NTRS1993

Apparatus and method for aerodynamic levitation

An apparatus for the levitation of a liquid drop by a fluid flow comprising a profile generator, a fluid flow supply means operatively connected to the profile generator. The profile generator includes an elongate cylindrical shell in which is contained a profiling means for configuring the velocity profile of the fluid flow exiting the profile generator.

Williamson, John W.↗
NASA NTRS1978

Fluid velocity measuring device

A fluid velocity measuring device is described which, when placed in a freestream fluid flow, causes vortices to be formed at a frequency proportional to the flow rate of the fluid. Sensors on the device generate electric signals with frequency proportional to the rate of vortex creation and with relative mean amplitudes indicative of fluid flow direction. Electric circuitry translates the electric signals into indications of fluid speed and direction.

Thomas, D. F., Jr.↗
NASA NTRS2008

Localized arc filament plasma actuators for noise mitigation and mixing enhancement

A device for controlling fluid flow. The device includes an arc generator coupled to electrodes. The electrodes are placed adjacent a fluid flowpath such that upon being energized by the arc generator, an arc filament plasma adjacent the electrodes is formed. In turn, this plasma forms a localized high temperature, high pressure perturbation in the adjacent fluid flowpath. The perturbations can be arranged to produce vortices, such as streamwise vortices, in the flowing fluid to control mixing and noise in such flows. The electrodes can further be arranged within a conduit configured to contain the flowing fluid such that when energized in a particular frequency and sequence, can excite flow instabilities in the flowing fluid. The placement of the electrodes is such that they are unobtrusive relative to the fluid flowpath being controlled.

Samimy, Mohammad↗
NASA NTRS2010

Localized arc filament plasma actuators for noise mitigation and mixing enhancement

A device for controlling fluid flow. The device includes an arc generator coupled to electrodes. The electrodes are placed adjacent a fluid flowpath such that upon being energized by the arc generator, an arc filament plasma adjacent the electrodes is formed. In turn, this plasma forms a localized high temperature, high pressure perturbation in the adjacent fluid flowpath. The perturbations can be arranged to produce vortices, such as streamwise vortices, in the flowing fluid to control mixing and noise in such flows. The electrodes can further be arranged within a conduit configured to contain the flowing fluid such that when energized in a particular frequency and sequence, can excite flow instabilities in the flowing fluid. The placement of the electrodes is such that they are unobtrusive relative to the fluid flowpath being controlled.

Samimy, Mohammad↗
NASA NTRS1988

Heat transfer by fluids in granulite metamorphism

The thermal role of fluids in granulite metamorphism was presented. It was shown that for granulites to be formed in the middle crust, heat must be advected by either magma or by volatile fluids, such as water or CO2. Models of channelized fluid flow indicate that there is little thermal difference between channelized and pervasive fluid flow, for the same total fluid flux, unless the channel spacing is of the same order or greater than the thickness of the layer through which the fluids flow. The volumes of volatile fluids required are very large and are only likely to be found associated with dehydration of a subducting slab, if volatile fluids are the sole heat source for granulite metamorphism.

Morgan, Paul↗
NASA NTRS2012

Safety drain system for fluid reservoir

A safety drain system includes a plurality of drain sections, each of which defines distinct fluid flow paths. At least a portion of the fluid flow paths commence at a side of the drain section that is in fluid communication with a reservoir's fluid. Each fluid flow path at the side communicating with the reservoir's fluid defines an opening having a smallest dimension not to exceed approximately one centimeter. The drain sections are distributed over at least one surface of the reservoir. A manifold is coupled to the drain sections.

England, John Dwight↗
DOE OSTI2022

A Dynamic Pore Network Model for Imbibition Simulation Considering Corner Film Flow

Wetting films can develop in the corners of angular pores under strong wetting conditions. Modeling the dynamics of corner film remains elusive using direct numerical simulations because of the significant scale difference between main meniscus and corner film flow. In this paper, the modified interacting capillary bundle model (ICB), developed in our previous work to describe accurately corner film dynamics in a single square tube, is incorporated into a single-pressure dynamic pore network model (DPNM) to simulate imbibition in strongly wetting porous media with corner film flow. The traditional pore network is decomposed into several layers of interacting subpore networks where the 0th layer of subpore network simulates the main meniscus flow and higher layers the corner film flow. The fluid flow between different layers is captured by interlayer throats. In addition, the snap-off mechanism caused by the thickening of wetting corner film is considered. The accuracy of the developed model is validated for four cases: spontaneous imbibition in a single square tube, wetting fluid redistribution through corner films under a capillary pressure difference, snap off in a narrow throat connecting two large pores, and imbibition dynamics in a real microfluidic porous geometry. The validated model is then used to simulate both spontaneous and controlled imbibition in a pore network with random pore size distribution. Finally, the interaction between corner film and main meniscus flow in porous media is analyzed from a pore-scale perspective.

58 GEOSCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2021

Methods, systems, and devices to optimize a fluid harvester

An apparatus for energy extraction from fluid flow including an assembly including a plenum. The assembly further includes an aperture extending from an exterior surface to the plenum to allow flow therethrough. The apparatus further includes a channel including an inlet and an outlet in fluid communication with the plenum. The apparatus yet further includes an energy extraction device. The assembly is configured to create a pressure differential between the plenum and the inlet of the channel. The pressure differential causes fluid flow from the inlet of the channel to the plenum. The energy extraction device is configured to extract energy from the fluid flow. The apparatus additionally includes a control system configured to modify the pressure differential to control the fluid flow between the inlet of the channel and the plenum based on a characteristic of an exterior environment.

Houchens, Brent Charles↗
DOE OSTI2023

Heat exchanger

A heat exchanger includes a shell housing a plurality of tubes and defining an exhaust fluid flow path within a first volume enclosed by the shell. The outer surfaces of the plurality of tubes are in fluid communication with the exhaust fluid flow path. The heat exchanger includes a cap attached to a first end of the shell and defining a second volume. A header is configured to separate the first volume from the second volume, flex with thermal expansion, and define tube inlet and outlet positions. The tube inlets and outlets are in fluid communication with a source fluid flow path, and each tube is substantially U-shaped and defines a flow path of the source fluid within the exhaust fluid flow path. The heat exchanger includes at least one longitudinal flow baffle within the shell configured to reduce an amount of exhaust fluid that may bypass the tubes.

Borghese, Joseph↗
NASA NTRS1978

A systems approach to theoretical fluid mechanics: Fundamentals

A preliminary application of the underlying principles of the investigator's general system theory to the description and analyses of the fluid flow system is presented. An attempt is made to establish practical models, or elements of the general fluid flow system from the point of view of the general system theory fundamental principles. Results obtained are applied to a simple experimental fluid flow system, as test case, with particular emphasis on the understanding of fluid flow instability, transition and turbulence.

Anyiwo, J. C.↗
DOE OSTI2022

A hierarchical stochastic modeling approach for representing point bar geometries and petrophysical property variations

The flow of fluids in point bars is affected by the existence of heterogeneities like shale drapes that are found on the surfaces of inclined heterolithic stratifications. In fact, these shale drapes can act as fluid flow baffles; therefore, developing a framework for modeling point bars and their associated heterogeneities is vital. In this study, a stochastic process-based modeling approach is presented for capturing the main point bar heterogeneities: accretion surfaces (i.e., the aerial heterogeneity) and inclined heterolithic stratifications (i.e., the vertical heterogeneity). The former was modeled using a sine-generation function and the latter, with a sigmoidal function after which they were combined into a 3D point bar model. To ensure proper modeling of petrophysical properties, we developed a more representative gridding scheme which generates curvilinear grids representative of the point bar geometry. This grid was then transformed into a rectilinear grid to allow for geostatistical simulation after which all petrophysical properties were mapped back into the original curvilinear grid. An essential element of this modeling approach is the stochastic representation of shale drapes at the interface between successive accretion surfaces. The workflow was tested using a real field dataset for the Cranfield field, Mississippi. The constructed model was then subjected to a flow simulation study mimicking a CO 2 storage scenario. Various sensitivities were simulated to evaluate the effect of heterogeneities on CO 2 flow within the point-bar. Results demonstrate the importance of representing point-bar related heterogeneity and the spatial distribution of shale drapes on CO 2 plume migration and storage.

58 GEOSCIENCES↗