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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 523 records · Page 29

Arcjet thruster research and technology, phase 1

The objectives of Phase 1 were to evaluate analytically and experimentally the operation, performance, and lifetime of arcjet thrusters operating between 0.5 and 3.0 kW with catalytically decomposed hydrazine (N2H4) and to begin development of the requisite power control unit (PCU) technology. Fundamental analyses were performed of the arcjet nozzle, the gas kinetic reaction effects, the thermal environment, and the arc stabilizing vortex. The VNAP2 flow code was used to analyze arcjet nozzle performance with non-uniform entrance profiles. Viscous losses become dominant beyond expansion ratios of 50:1 because of the low Reynolds numbers. A survey of vortex phenomena and analysis techniques identified viscous dissipation and vortex breakdown as two flow instabilities that could affect arcjet operation. The gas kinetics code CREK1D was used to study the gas kinetics of high temperature N2H4 decomposition products. The arc/gas energy transfer is a non-equilibrium process because of the reaction rate constants and the short gas residence times. A thermal analysis code was used to guide design work and to provide a means to back out power losses at the anode fall based on test thermocouple data. The low flow rate and large thermal masses made optimization of a regenerative heating scheme unnecessary.

Knowles, Steven C.↗

End-to-End Study of the Transfer of Energy from Magnetosheath Ion Precipitation to the Ionospheric Cusp and Resulting Ion Outflow to the Magnetosphere

We will show results from an end-to-end study of the energy transfer from injected magnetosheath plasmas to the near-Earth magnetospheric and ionospheric plasmas and the resulting ion outflow to the magnetosphere. This study includes modeling of the evolution of the magnetosheath precipitation in the cusp using a kinetic code with a realistic magnetic field configuration. These evolved, highly non-Maxwellian distributions are used as input to a 2D PIC code to analyze the resulting wave generation. The wave analysis is used in the kinetic code as input to the cold ionospheric ions to study the transfer of energy to these ions and their outflow to the magnetosphere. Observations from the Thermal Ion Dynamics Experiment (TIDE) and other instruments on the Polar Spacecraft will be compared to the modeling.

Coffey, Victoria↗

Detection and period measurements of GX1+4 at hard x ray energies with the SIGMA telescope

The galactic Low Mass X ray Binary GX1+4 was detected by the coded aperture hard X ray gamma ray SIGMA telescope during the Feb. to April 1991 observations of the galactic center regions. The source, whose emission varied during the survey of a factor greater than 40 pct., reached a maximum luminosity in the 40 to 140 energy range of 1.03 x 10(exp 37) erg/s (D = 8.5 kpc), thus approaching the emission level of the 1970 to 1980 high state. Two minute flux pulsations were detected on Mar. 22 and on Mar. 31 and Apr. 1. Comparison with the last period measurements shows that the current spin-down phase of GX1+4 is ending. Concerning the proposed association of this source with the galactic center 511 keV annihilation emission, upper limits were derived.

Laurent, PH.↗

Development of a thermal and structural analysis procedure for cooled radial turbines

A procedure for computing the rotor temperature and stress distributions in a cooled radial turbine are considered. Existing codes for modeling the external mainstream flow and the internal cooling flow are used to compute boundary conditions for the heat transfer and stress analysis. The inviscid, quasi three dimensional code computes the external free stream velocity. The external velocity is then used in a boundary layer analysis to compute the external heat transfer coefficients. Coolant temperatures are computed by a viscous three dimensional internal flow cade for the momentum and energy equation. These boundary conditions are input to a three dimensional heat conduction code for the calculation of rotor temperatures. The rotor stress distribution may be determined for the given thermal, pressure and centrifugal loading. The procedure is applied to a cooled radial turbine which will be tested at the NASA Lewis Research Center. Representative results are given.

Kumar, Ganesh N.↗

Measuring Impact: Evaluating Thermal Zoning Simplification on Energy Efficiency Measures Analysis

Building Energy Modeling (BEM) is a versatile tool for designing, retrofitting, ensuring code compliance, obtaining certifications, qualifying for incentives, and enabling real-time building control. However, capturing all the details of building geometry for thermal zoning can be time-consuming, costly, and sometimes computationally challenging. As a result, modelers have been applying zoning simplification based on factors such as space functions and internal loads, as well as relying on their experience and judgment while adhering to zoning rules outlined in industry standards. Despite the prevalence of this common practice, a notable gap exists in the literature regarding studies quantifying the influence of simplified thermal zoning on the evaluation of Energy Efficiency Measures (EEMs). Recognizing this gap, this paper seeks to contribute to the field by enhancing the understanding of how the simplification of thermal zoning influences the evaluation of EEMs against a baseline design. The study utilized a medium office prototype model with a detailed floor plan featuring over 20 zones per floor covering diverse functional spaces with varying internal loads and occupancy schedules. A standard thermal zoning strategy outlined in ASHRAE Standard 90.1 Appendix G was employed as the simplified zoning method. This strategy condenses the zoning into a core zone and four perimeter zones per floor. It was compared with the detailed zoning approach, which involves one zone per space. Common Energy EEMs, such as enhanced envelope, high-efficiency appliances and equipment, and HVAC controls, were individually implemented and evaluated. The results indicate that the performance comparison between the two zoning methods varies depending on the type of measures considered. Basic measures, such as adding wall insulation, demonstrate similar energy impacts, while advanced HVAC control measures, such as static pressure reset, exhibit a more substantial difference that cannot be overlooked.

Xie, Jiarong↗

Nonlinear static and dynamic finite element analysis of an eccentrically loaded graphite-epoxy beam

The Dynamic Crash Analysis of Structures (DYCAT) and NIKE3D nonlinear finite element codes were used to model the static and implulsive response of an eccentrically loaded graphite-epoxy beam. A 48-ply unidirectional composite beam was tested under an eccentric axial compressive load until failure. This loading configuration was chosen to highlight the capabilities of two finite element codes for modeling a highly nonlinear, large deflection structural problem which has an exact solution. These codes are currently used to perform dynamic analyses of aircraft structures under impact loads to study crashworthiness and energy absorbing capabilities. Both beam and plate element models were developed to compare with the experimental data using the DYCAST and NIKE3D codes.

Fasanella, Edwin L.↗

Heats of Segregation of BCC Binaries from ab Initio and Quantum Approximate Calculations

We compare dilute-limit heats of segregation for selected BCC transition metal binaries computed using ab initio and quantum approximate energy methods. Ab initio calculations are carried out using the CASTEP plane-wave pseudopotential computer code, while quantum approximate results are computed using the Bozzolo-Ferrante-Smith (BFS) method with the most recent LMTO-based parameters. Quantum approximate segregation energies are computed with and without atomistic relaxation, while the ab initio calculations are performed without relaxation. Results are discussed within the context of a segregation model driven by strain and bond-breaking effects. We compare our results with full-potential quantum calculations and with available experimental results.

Good, Brian S.↗

Liquid rocket combustor computer code development

The Advanced Rocket Injector/Combustor Code (ARICC) that has been developed to model the complete chemical/fluid/thermal processes occurring inside rocket combustion chambers are highlighted. The code, derived from the CONCHAS-SPRAY code originally developed at Los Alamos National Laboratory incorporates powerful features such as the ability to model complex injector combustion chamber geometries, Lagrangian tracking of droplets, full chemical equilibrium and kinetic reactions for multiple species, a fractional volume of fluid (VOF) description of liquid jet injection in addition to the gaseous phase fluid dynamics, and turbulent mass, energy, and momentum transport. Atomization and droplet dynamic models from earlier generation codes are transplated into the present code. Currently, ARICC is specialized for liquid oxygen/hydrogen propellants, although other fuel/oxidizer pairs can be easily substituted.

Liang, P. Y.↗

Status of the Space Radiation Monte Carlos Simulation Based on FLUKA and ROOT

The NASA-funded project reported on at the first IWSSRR in Arona to develop a Monte-Carlo simulation program for use in simulating the space radiation environment based on the FLUKA and ROOT codes is well into its second year of development, and considerable progress has been made. The general tasks required to achieve the final goals include the addition of heavy-ion interactions into the FLUKA code and the provision of a ROOT-based interface to FLUKA. The most significant progress to date includes the incorporation of the DPMJET event generator code within FLUKA to handle heavy-ion interactions for incident projectile energies greater than 3GeV/A. The ongoing effort intends to extend the treatment of these interactions down to 10 MeV, and at present two alternative approaches are being explored. The ROOT interface is being pursued in conjunction with the CERN LHC ALICE software team through an adaptation of their existing AliROOT software. As a check on the validity of the code, a simulation of the recent data taken by the ATIC experiment is underway.

Andersen, Victor↗

Characterization of Fuel-to-Coolant Heat Transfer During Reactivity-Initiated Accidents Using Tightly Coupled Thermal Hydraulics and Fuel Thermomechanics

The reactivity-initiated accident (RIA) is a complex scenario with several tightly interacting physical phenomena. Accurately predicting fuel behavior during these transients is difficult due to limitations in the modeling of fuel-to-coolant heat transfer. Common approaches to simulate RIAs involve standalone calculations using either a fuel performance code or a thermal-hydraulic code. The complex interdependencies of thermal-hydraulic and fuel mechanical behavior suggest that a tight coupling between these codes may provide more accurate predictions of fuel-to-coolant heat transfer and cladding mechanical response. Here, RELAP5-3D and BISON are coupled in this paper to simulate RIAs, and a sensitivity analysis is performed to rank key thermal properties and two-phase heat transfer parameters relevant for fuel-to-coolant heat transfer and cladding failure mechanisms in UO 2 –Zircaloy-4 systems. Gas gap conductance, film boiling heat transfer uncertainty, pulse width, fuel-specific heat capacity, and cladding-specific heat capacity were identified as important parameters. Variations in figures of merit resulting from changes to pulse width and the material thermal properties indicate that time-dependent heat transfer rates are significant for safety-relevant mechanical parameters due to the time dependence of cladding ductility and pellet-cladding mechanical interaction loading. The results suggest that the thermal-hydraulic factors have a nonnegligible influence on the thermomechanical solution and vice versa. Tight coupling of both sets of physics is recommended to improve prediction of fuel behavior during RIAs. Highlights include the following: 1. The RELAP5-3D thermal-hydraulic code and the BISON fuel performance code are tightly coupled for simulation of RIA transients with energy depositions at the Zircaloy-4 cladding failure threshold. 2. Departure from nucleate boiling occurred for all simulated cases. Due to the ductility of fresh fuel, substantial ballooning occurred in most cases. 3. Gas gap conductance, fuel-specific heat capacity, cladding-specific heat capacity, transient pulse width, and film boiling heat transfer were the dominant thermal factors impacting the safety figures of merit at energy depositions.

Critical Heat Flux (CHF)↗

HydraGNN v4.0

The new version of HydraGNN v4.0 provides additional core capabilities, such as: Inclusion of multi-body atomistic cluster expansion MACE, polarizable atom interaction neural network PAINN, and equivariant principal neighborhood aggregation (PNAEq) among the message passing layers supported -Inclusion of graph transformers to directly model long-range interactions between nodes that are distant in the graph topology Integration of graph transformers with message passing layers by combining the graph embedding generated by the two mechanisms, which allows for an improved expressivity of the HydraGNN architecture Improved re-implementation of multi-task learning (MTL) to allow its use for stabilized training across imbalanced, multi-source, multi-fidelity data Introduction of multi-task parallelism, a newly proposed type of model parallelism specifically for MTL architectures, which allows to dispatch different output decoding heads to different GPU devices Integration of multi-task parallelism with pre-existing distributed data parallelism to enable a 2D parallelization for distributed training Improved portability of the distributed training across Intel GPUs, which has been testes on ALCF exascale supercomputer Aurora Inclusion of 2-level fine-grained energy profilers portable across NVIDIA, AMD, and Intel GPUs to monitor the power and energy consumption associated with different functions executed by the HydraGNN code during data pre-load and training Restructuring of previous examples and inclusion of new sets of examples to illustrate the download, preprocess, and training of HydraGNN models on new large-scale open-source datasets for atomistic materials modeling (e.g., Alexandria, Transition1x, OMat24, OMol25)

Lupo Pasini, Massimiliano [Oak Ridge National Labo↗

Studies of hydrodynamic events in stellar evolution. III Ejection of planetary nebulae

Investigation of the dynamic behavior of the hydrogen-rich envelope (0.101 solar mass) of an evolved star (1.1 solar mass) as the luminosity rises to 19,000 solar luminosities during the second ascent of the red-giant branch. For luminosities in the range 3100 less than L less than 19,000 solar luminosities the H-rich envelope pulsates like a long-period variable (LPV) with periods of the order of a year. As L reaches 19,000 solar luminosities, the entire H-rich envelope is ejected as a shell with speeds of a few times 10 km sec. The ejection occurs on a time scale of a few LPV pulsation periods. This ejection is shown to be related to the formation of a planetary nebula. The computations are based on an implicit hydrodynamic computer code. Tand rho-dependent opacities and excitation and ionization energies are included. As the H-rich envelope is accelerated off the stellar core, the gap between envelope and core is approximated by a vacuum filled with radiation.

Kutter, G. S.↗

Actinide cosmic ray chronometers - Relative abundances and the cosmic ray lifetime

Measurements of ultraheavy cosmic rays will provide radioactive chronometers, including the actinides, which are expected to be present in the source. These primary chronometers differ from the Be-10 secondary chronometer in total inelastic cross-section and decay half-life. A propagation code, which includes nuclear fragmentation, radioactive decay, and ionization energy-loss of cosmic rays is being used to investigate the variations in the fluxes and mean ages which would be expected for various models of cosmic ray propagation. Some preliminary results in the actinide region are presented here which indicate that measurements of the relative abundances of the actinides in the cosmic rays will be very useful for understanding source abundances but less useful for studying propagation effects.

Margolis, S. H.↗

A thick Anger camera for gamma-ray astronomy

The NaI(Tl) Anger camera is a natural candidate for a position sensitive detector in imaging of astrophysical gamma-ray sources. Here laboratory measurements are presented of the response of a relatively thick (5.1 cm) NaI(Tl) Anger camera designed for coded aperture imaging in the 50 keV to 2 MeV energy range. A position resolution of 10.5 mm FWHM at 122 keV and 6.3 mm FWHM at 662 keV. The energy resolution was 7 percent FWHM at 662 keV. The ability of the detector to resolve the depth of the gamma-ray interaction and the use of this depth resolution to reduce back-incident and internal background is discussed.

Cook, W. R.↗

Modeling of impulsive propellant reorientation

The impulsive propellant reorientation process is modeled using the (Energy Calculations for Liquid Propellants in a Space Environment (ECLIPSE) code. A brief description of the process and the computational model is presented. Code validation is documented via comparison to experimentally derived data for small scale tanks. Predictions of reorientation performance are presented for two tanks designed for use in flight experiments and for a proposed full scale OTV tank. A new dimensionless parameter is developed to correlate reorientation performance in geometrically similar tanks. Its success is demonstrated.

Hochstein, John I.↗

Unsteady transonic viscous-inviscid interaction using Euler and boundary-layer equations

The Euler code is used extensively for computation of transonic unsteady aerodynamics. The boundary layer code solves the 3-D, compressible, unsteady, mean flow kinetic energy integral boundary layer equations in the direct mode. Inviscid-viscous coupling is handled using porosity boundary conditions. Some of the advantages and disadvantages of using the Euler and boundary layer equations for investigating unsteady viscous-inviscid interaction is examined.

Pirzadeh, Shahyar↗

Modeling of impulsive propellant reorientation

The impulsive propellant reorientation process is modeled using the Energy Calculations for Liquid Propellants in a Space Environment (ECLIPSE) code. A brief description of the process and the computational model is presented. Code validation is documented via comparison to experimentally derived data for small scale tanks. Predictions of reorientation performance are presented for two tanks designed for use in flight experiments and for a proposed full scale OTV tank. A new dimensionless parameter is developed to correlate reorientation performance in geometrically similar tanks. Its success is demonstrated.

Hochstein, John I.↗