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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 55 records · Page 3

Flow of rarefied gases over two-dimensional bodies

A kinetic-theory analysis is made of the flow of rarefied gases over two-dimensional bodies of arbitrary curvature. The Boltzmann equation simplified by a model collision integral is written in an arbitrary orthogonal curvilinear coordinate system, and solved by means of finite-difference approximation with the discrete ordinate method. A numerical code is developed which can be applied to any two-dimensional submerged body of arbitrary curvature for the flow regimes from free-molecular to slip at transonic Mach numbers. Predictions are made for the case of a right circular cylinder.

Jeng, Duen-Ren↗

Periodic trends in gas–phase oxidation and hydrogenation reactions of lanthanides and 5d transition metal cations

Of the many publications coming from the laboratory of Diethard K. Bohme, among the most valuable were the surveys of reactivity throughout the periodic table as studied using selected ion flow tube (SIFT) mass spectrometry. In all cases, quantitative rate constants at 295 K and 0.35 Torr of He were obtained for metal cations generated by an inductively coupled plasma (ICP). This source creates ions at a temperature characterized as 5500 K. Here, it was believed that radiative relaxation and interactions with the flow gases would rapidly deplete most excited electronic states of the metal cations, although this is unknown

transition metals↗

RELAP5-3D Modeling of High Temperature Test Facility (HTTF) Test PG-26

The High Temperature Test Facility (HTTF) at Oregon State University (OSU) is a scaled integral effects experiment designed to investigate transient behavior in high-temperature gas-cooled nuclear reactors with prismatic fuel and reflector blocks. Several tests have been completed, and more are still planned to at the HTTF, including depressurized conduction cooldown (DCC) and pressurized conduction cooldown (PCC) transients. This report analyses test PG-26, a progression of the Double Ended Inlet-Outlet Crossover Duct Break transient that is referred to as a DCC. PG-26 has been performed at the HTTF between May 30 and June 30, 2019. Core initial conditions (i.e., before the DCC started) have been met using low power (<100 kW) and two of ten available electric heaters. The DCC transient was initiated during the 50 th hour of the test. The break valves were opened, and hot helium from the core and cold helium from the reactor cavity simulation tank (RCST) started mixing. The gases flowed in a countercurrent fashion, where the top half of the hot duct contained hot helium that flowed in one direction and cold helium that flowed in the other direction in the bottom half of the duct. After the pressure and density reached equilibrium, the event entered a diffusion mode. The onset of a reverse natural circulation was not observed during the DCC period of the test. Version 4.4.2ie of the RELAP5-3D computer code has been used to model the HTTF PG-26 test, and results have been compared to available high-quality measured data. The model used in this study is the quality-controlled HTTF RELAP5-3D model (HTTF base 2018-04-19 QA), originally developed by P. Bayless. The report includes RELAP5-3D results of the “base calculations” as well as some sensitivities to important uncertain model inputs, such as primary helium mass flow rate, core ceramic thermal properties, as well as heat evacuation and loop friction models. Using the base RELAP5-3D model predicts a countercurrent helium flow in the hot duct observed at the beginning of the DCC, but instead of going into a molecular diffusion mode, the model predicts the onset of natural convection. Increasing friction in the core and hot duct prevents the natural convection from happening in some of the simulations. Although some temperatures are well predicted (and even overpredicted), the general tendency is to underpredict the ceramic and helium temperatures and heat removal rates during the DCC, resulting in many of the assessment findings being in minimal or insufficient agreement with the data. It is worth noting that the described discrepancies between measured data and RELAP5-3D predictions are not RELAP5-3D code limitations. More so, they reflect limitations in boundary condition and thermal property knowledge. While the RELAP5-3D calculations of the test provide some insights into what happens during the transient, and point to missing or potentially uncertain data to which the experimenters can direct their attention, the principal conclusion is that the PG-26 test data are insufficient for a system code assessment.

11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS↗

Carbon-Carbon Aeroshell Chemical Reaction Model in an Open RPS in Martian Environment

A new RPS is being designed to be open to the vacuum of space to improve its thermal efficiency during deep space missions. This design, however, could lead to some potential complications if it is ever used in the low-pressure gas environment of mission destinations like Mars. This report documents the development of a chemical kinetics reaction model of the FWPF carbon-carbon aeroshell in the Martian gaseous environment. This model uses an “infinite sink” assumption where the RPS is open to the Martian environment with open exchange of flowing gases, so the gas chemistry over the aeroshell does not change with the reaction and represents the worst case scenario of the chemical reaction of the FWPF in the Martian environment. The model combines the kinetics equation of both oxidation reactions that would occur on Mars: the Langmuir-Hinshelwood kinetics of the Boudouard reaction of CO 2 with the chemical kinetics of O 2 oxidation of the carbon-carbon. The FWPF chemical reaction model was benchmarked using the Opila’s experimental chemical reaction test data (1) in a simulated Martian environment to increase the validity of the model’s predicted mass loss rate. The output of the benchmarked chemical reaction model showed a trade-off between the maximum temperature of the aeroshell to have less than 10% reaction at the mission life. For example, an RPS with a five-year intended mission life on Mars has a maximum aeroshell temperature of 835 K / 562 °C, increasing the mission life to ten years reduces the maximum operating temperature to 810 K / 527 °C. If the aeroshell operating temperature in the new RPS on the surface of Mars is 960 Kelvin, the model calculates that the life is limited to 0.22 years / 81 days. Increasing the aeroshell temperature to 1343 Kelvin, further reduces the life to 0.375 days / 9 hrs. This illustrates the thermally activated nature of the chemical kinetics model in limiting the life of the aeroshell.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Photo-cleaned Backgroundless Ion Chambers (Final Report for PDRD SR18010)

Ion chambers are often employed to measure the concentration of tritium within flowing gases. In real world environments the active surfaces of ion chambers become covered with tritiated surface contaminants. This tritiated surface contamination will create a large background response that can mask the signature of interest, which is the tritium concentration in the gas phase. Previous efforts to reduce the effects of surface contamination in ion chambers utilize inert coatings (e.g., gold) and low surface area electrodes (e.g., wire mesh), but this route only reduces the effect and does not necessarily alter the ratio of surface contamination to current collection area. Additionally, gold coating may add a substantial cost to the instrument. In the Tritium Facility, ion chambers are periodically cleaned using an alcohol-based process. This process is time consuming and often leads to ion chamber wear and breakage. In addition, periodic cleaning does not address tritium level ambiguities in gloveboxes. An ideal solution to this issue would be to either develop an ion chamber that does not accrue surface contamination, or one that is self-cleaning while it is in operation.

11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS↗

Light bulb heat exchanger for magnetohydrodynamic generator applications - Preliminary evaluation

The light-bulb heat-exchanger concept is investigated as a possible means of using a combustion heat source to supply energy to an inert gas MHD power generator system. In this concept, combustion gases flow through a central passage which consists of a duct with transparent walls through which heat is transferred by radiation to a radiation receiver which in turn heats the inert gas by convection. The effects of combustion-gas emissivity, transparent-wall-transmissivity, radiation-receiver emissivity, and the use of fins in the inert gas coolant passage are studied. The results indicate that inert gas outlet temperatures of 2500 K are possible for combustion temperatures of 3200 K and that sufficient energy can be transferred from the combustion gas to reduce its temperature to approximately 2000 K. At this temperature more conventional heat exchangers can be used.

Smith, J. M.↗

Application of differential similarity to finding nondimensional groups important in tests of cooled engine components

The method of differential similarity is applied to the partial differential equations and boundary conditions which govern the temperature, velocity, and pressure fields in the flowing gases and the solid stationary components in air-cooled engines. This procedure yields the nondimensional groups which must have the same value in both the test rig and the engine to produce similarity between the test results and the engine performance. These results guide the experimentalist in the design and selection of test equipment that properly scales quantities to actual engine conditions. They also provide a firm fundamental foundation for substantiation of previous similarity analyses which employed heuristic, physical reasoning arguments to arrive at the nondimensional groups.

Sucec, J.↗

Laser absorption phenomena in flowing gas devices

A theoretical and experimental investigation is presented of inverse Bremsstrahlung absorption of CW CO2 laser radiation in flowing gases seeded with alkali metals. In order to motivate this development, some simple models are described of several space missions which could use laser powered rocket vehicles. Design considerations are given for a test call to be used with a welding laser, using a diamond window for admission of laser radiation at power levels in excess of 10 kW. A detailed analysis of absorption conditions in the test cell is included. The experimental apparatus and test setup are described and the results of experiments presented. Injection of alkali seedant and steady state absorption of the laser radiation were successfully demonstrated, but problems with the durability of the diamond windows at higher powers prevented operation of the test cell as an effective laser powered thruster.

Chapman, P. K.↗

Data acquisition techniques for exploiting the uniqueness of the time-of-flight mass spectrometer: Application to sampling pulsed gas systems

Mass spectra are produced in most mass spectrometers by sweeping some parameter within the instrument as the sampled gases flow into the ion source. It is evident that any fluctuation in the gas during the sweep (mass scan) of the instrument causes the output spectrum to be skewed in its mass peak intensities. The time of flight mass spectrometer (TOFMS) with its fast, repetitive mode of operation produces spectra without skewing or varying instrument parameters and because all ion species are ejected from the ion source simultaneously, the spectra are inherently not skewed despite rapidly changing gas pressure or composition in the source. Methods of exploiting this feature by utilizing fast digital data acquisition systems, such as transient recorders and signal averagers which are commercially available are described. Applications of this technique are presented including TOFMS sampling of vapors produced by both pulsed and continuous laser heating of materials.

Lincoln, K. A.↗

Ribbed Coolant Liners for Combustion Chambers

Coolant-carrying liner for combustion chambers runs cooler and tolerates high-temperature excursions without burning out. Hot gases flowing through core prevented by liner from damaging shell. Concept applicable to such high-temperature chambers as rocket pre-burners, turbojet cans, stationary-turbine combustors, oil burners, and high-pressure chemical reactors.

Wagner, W. R.↗

Gas Atmospheres Improve Silicon-Ribbon Quality

Growing crystal surrounded by gas containing carbon or oxygen. Ribbon of solid silicon, edgewise, grows from pool of molten silicon in die. Gases flowing through orifice ensure longer diffusion length and less contaminiation by carbide particles in product.

Wald, F. V.↗

Spatial electron density and electric field strength measurements in microwave cavity experiments

Measurements of electron density and electric field strength have been made in an argon plasma contained in a resonant microwave cavity at 2.45 GHz. Spatial measurements of electron density, n sub e, are correlated with fluorescence observations of the discharge. Measurements of n sub e were made with Stark broadening and compared with n sub 3 calculated from measured plasma conductivity. Additional measurements of n sub 3 as a function of pressure and in mixtures of argon and oxygen are presented for pressures from 10 Torr to 1 atm. Measurements in flowing gases and in static systems are presented. In addition, limitations of these measurements are identified.

Peters, M.↗

Spatial electron density and electric field strength measurements in microwave cavity experiments

Measurements of electron density and electric field strength have been made in an argon plasma contained in a resonant microwave cavity at 2.45 GHz. Spatial measurements of electron density, n sub e, are correlated with fluorescence observations of the discharge. Measurements of n sub e were made with Stark broadening and compared with n sub e calculated from measured plasma conductivity. Additional measurements of n sub e as a function of pressure and in mixtures of argon and oxygen are presented for pressures from 10 Torr to 1 atm. Measurements in flowing gases and in static systems are presented. In addition, limitations of these measurements are identified.

Peters, M.↗

Observational constraints on circumstellar dust

There is an enormous range in the properties of stars that are losing mass. The red giants responsible for injecting roughly half or more of the material into the interstellar medium are reviewed. The physical properties are described for the out flowing gases. Broadband observation constaints on the dust are described by use of spectrum analysis. Circumstellar dust is identified by carbon-carbon and carbon-hydrogen bonds.

Jura, M.↗

Hot-jet simulation in cryogenic wind tunnels

In order to evaluate hot jet simulation capability in cryogenic wind tunnel testing, simple theoretical calculations were performed. The similarity parameters, isentropic flow properties, and normal shock relations were calculated for a variety of jet simulation techniques. The results were compared with those estimated for a full scale flight condition. It was shown that the cryogenic wind tunnel testing provides an opportunity for the most accurate hot jet simulation technique. By using a compressed nitrogen gas at ambient or moderately elevated temperatures as a jet gas, most all of the relevant similarity parameters including the jet temperature and velocity ratios and the Reynolds numbers, can be set to the full scale flight values. The only exception is the ratio of specific heats for jet flow. In an attempt to match the ratio of specific heats for the turbojet flow, gases other than pure nitrogen were considered. It was found that a nitrogen/methane mixture at moderately elevated temperature behaves like the real combustion gas. Using this mixture as a jet gas, complete simulation of the full scale turbojet exhaust becomes possible in cryogenic wind tunnels.

Asai, Keisuke↗

Probe Measures Fouling As In Heat Exchangers

Combustion deposits reduce transfer of heat. Instrument measures fouling like that on gas side of heat exchanger in direct-fired boiler or heat-recovery system. Heat-flux probe includes tube with embedded meter in outer shell. Combustion gases flow over probe, and fouling accumulates on it, just as fouling would on heat exchanger. Embedded heat-flow meter is sandwich structure in which thin Chromel layers and middle alloy form thermopile. Users determine when fouling approaches unacceptable levels so they schedule cleaning and avoid decreased transfer of heat and increased drop in pressure fouling causes. Avoids cost of premature, unnecessary maintenance.

Marner, Wilbur J.↗

Photoreflectance for in-situ characterization of MOCVD growth of semiconductors under micro-gravity conditions

A contactless electromodulation technique of photoreflectance (PR) was developed for in-situ monitoring of metal-organic chemical vapor deposition (MOCVD) semiconductor growth for micro-gravity applications. PR can be employed in a real MOCVD reactor including rotating substrate (approximately 500 rev/min) in flowing gases and through a diffuser plate. Measurements on GaAs and Ga(0.82)Al(0.18)As were made up to 690 C. The direct band gaps of In(x)Ga(1-x)As (x = 0.07 and 0.16) were evaluated up to 600 C. In order to address the question of real time measurement, the spectra of the direct gap of GaAs at 650 C was obtained in 30 seconds and 15 seconds seems feasible.

Pollak, Fred H.↗

X ray based displacement measurement for hostile environments

A new method on noncontacting, high temperature extensometry based on the focus and scanning of x rays is currently under development and shows great promise of overcoming limitations associated with available techniques. The chief advantage is the ability to make undisturbed measurements through stratified or flowing gases, smoke, and flame. The system is based on the ability to focus and scan low energy, hard x rays such as those emanating from copper or molybdenum sources. The x rays are focused into a narrow and intense line image which can be scanned onto targets that fluoresce secondary x ray radiation. The final goal of the system is the ability to conduct macroscopic strain measurements in hostile environments by utilizing two or more fluorescing targets. Current work is limited to displacement measurement of a single target with a resolution of 1.25 micro-m and a target temperature of 1200 C, directly through an open flame. The main advantage of the technique lies in the penetrating nature of x rays which are not affected by the presence of refracting gas layers, smoke, flame, or intense thermal radiation, all of which could render conventional extensometry methods inoperative or greatly compromise their performance.

Canistraro, Howard A.↗