Summary of fluid mechanics and engine characteristics research on the nuclear light bulb engine concept
Fluid mechanics and engine dynamics and start-up experiments simulating thermal environment in nuclear light bulb engine
Kendall, J. S.↗
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Evaluation of advanced component concepts for an integrated environmental control/life support, resistojet control system
Flow restricting devices were studied for their suitability as liquid water propellant flow limiters for the biowaste resistojet. Flow limiting during the start-up transient is required to prevent thrustor instabilities and icing which could result in heater failure in the electrical resistance heated thrustor (resistojet). The study was directed toward simple devices which would function passively (i.e., without power except from the propellant flow itself), and would offer high reliability and simplicity. In addition to the flow limiting devices, a thermal pumping system was studied to determine whether CO2, desorbed from molecular sieves could be pumped thermally in a space station application. The thermal pump is considered a possible replacement for mechanical pumps. It involves a cyclic, constant volume cryopumping system which employs space radiators to achieve the cryotemperatures. The frozen CO2 would be vaporized periodically, using a waste heat loop, to attain sufficient pressure to transfer a large portion of the trapped CO2 to storage tanks.
Halbach, C. R.↗
Status of nuclear light bulb engine design and performance analyses.
The dynamic response is discussed of a nuclear light bulb engine to perturbations at full-power operating conditions, both with and without control systems. Start-up and shutdown procedures are described, along with the provisions for residual afterheat removal. Problems associated with uprated engine designs are examined. The results of some analytical studies indicate that satisfactory control can be obtained by varying the fuel injection rate by means of a control valve which responds to the rate of change of neutron flux, or to the difference between the instantaneous and steady-state neutron fluxes.
Bauer, H. E.↗
Arterial and grooved cryogenic heat pipes.
Tests were conducted on two cryogenic heat pipes using nitrogen as the working fluid. Both pipes are 1.27 cm in diameter. The first pipe is 141 cm long and uses longitudinal grooves in the aluminum wall as the wick structure. The second pipe is 91 cm long and has an arterial wick adjacent to the wall. In addition, circumferential screw threads are machined along the entire length of the inside pipe wall. Both heat pipes primed with no difficulty in the horizontal position. Start-up after burn-out was obtained repeatedly. However, more testing is required to determine whether the artery pipe is as reliable as the grooved pipe with respect to priming. Once primed, the artery heat pipe is much less sensitive to elevation than the grooved design and, consequently, offers a significant advantage with respect to ground testing. Heat-transfer characteristics of the two pipes were comparable, with both pipes achieving the initial goal of 1000 watt-cm of heat-transport capability.
Brennan, P.↗
User's manual for the TRW gaspipe 2 program: A vapor-gas front analysis program for heat pipes containing non-condensible gas
A digital computer program for design and analysis of heat pipes which contain non-condensible gases, either for temperature control or to aid in start-up from the frozen state, is presented. Some of the calculations which are possible with the program are: (1) wall temperature profile along a gas-loaded heat pipe, (2) amount of gas loading necessary to obtain desired evaporator temperature at a desired heat load, (3) heat load versus evaporator temperature for a fixed amount of gas in the pipe, and (4) heat and mass transfer along the pipe, including the vapor-gas front region.
Edwards, D. K.↗
Development status of solid polymer electrolyte water electrolysis for manned spacecraft life support systems
Details of the design and system verification test results are presented for a six-man-rated oxygen generation system. The system configuration incorporates components and instrumentation for computer-controlled operation with automatic start-up/shutdown sequencing, fault detection and isolation, and with self-contained sensors and controls for automatic safe emergency shutdown. All fluid and electrical components, sensors, and electronic controls are designed to be easily maintainable under zero-gravity conditions. On-board component spares are utilized in the system concept to sustain long-term operation (six months minimum) in a manned spacecraft application. The system is centered on a 27-cell solid polymer electrolyte water electrolysis module which, combined with the associated system components and controls, forms a total system envelope 40 in. high, 40 in. wide, and 30 in. deep.
Nuttall, L. J.↗
Analysis of fourth sounding rocket heat pipe experiment, summary report
An analysis was made of the cryogenic axial groove methane and axial groove nitrogen heat pipes. Data cover the establishment of reliable start-up and operational data for the cryogenic pipe and its reference control pipes, and requirements for and the applicability of cryogenic heat pipes to NASA coolers.
Brennan, P. J.↗
Temperature distribution of a hot water storage tank in a simulated solar heating and cooling system
A 2,300-liter hot water storage tank was studied under conditions simulating a solar heating and cooling system. The initial condition of the tank, ranging from 37 C at the bottom to 94 C at the top, represented a condition midway through the start-up period of the system. During the five-day test period, the water in the tank gradually rose in temperature but in a manner that diminished its temperature stratification. Stratification was found not to be an important factor in the operation of the particular solar system studied.
Namkoong, D.↗
Development of a high capacity bubble domain memory element and related epitaxial garnet materials for application in spacecraft data recorders. Item 1: Development of a high capacity memory element
Several versions of the 100K bit chip, which is configured as a single serial loop, were designed, fabricated and evaluated. Design and process modifications were introduced into each succeeding version to increase device performance and yield. At an intrinsic field rate of 150 KHz the final design operates from -10 C to +60 C with typical bias margins of 12 and 8 percent, respectively, for continuous operation. Asynchronous operation with first bit detection on start-up produces essentially the same margins over the temperature range. Cost projections made from fabrication yield runs on the 100K bit devices indicate that the memory element cost will be less than 10 millicents/bit in volume production.
Besser, P. J.↗
A keyboard interface for the JOLT microprocessor
A keyboard interface designed to allow data input without use of a teleprinter is described. In operation, the keyboard allows JOLT start-up and entry of data for LORAN or OMEGA navigation.
Wright, L.↗
Preliminary study of cyclic thermal shock resistance of plasma-sprayed zirconium oxide turbine outer air seal shrouds
Several experimental concepts representing potential high pressure turbine seal material systems were subjected to cyclic thermal shock exposures similar to those that might be encountered under severe engine start-up and shut-down sequences. All of the experimental concepts consisted of plasma-sprayed yttria stabilized ZrO2 on the high temperature side of the blade tip seal shroud. Between the ZrO2 and a cooled, dense metal backing, various intermediate layer concepts intended to mitigate thermal stresses were incorporated. Performance was judged on the basis of the number of thermal shock cycles required to cause loss of seal material through spallation. The most effective approach was to include a low modulus, sintered metal pad between the ZrO2 and the metallic backing. It was also found that reducing the density of the ZrO2 layer significantly improved the performance of specimens with plasma-sprayed metal/ceramic composite intermediate layers.
Bill, R. C.↗
ERDA/NASA 100 kilowatt mod-o wind turbine operations and performance
The ERDA/NASA 100 kW Mod-0 wind turbine is operating at the NASA Plum Brook Station near Sandusky, Ohio. The operation of the wind turbine has been fully demonstrated and includes start-up, synchronization to the utility network, blade pitch control for control of power and speed, and shut-down. Also, fully automatic operation has been demonstrated by use of a remote control panel, 50 miles from the site, similar to what a utility dispatcher might use. The operation systems and experience with the wind turbine loads, electrical power and aerodynamic performance obtained from testing are described.
Thomas, R. L.↗
SAMICS support study. Volume 1: Cost account catalog
The Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) is examining the feasibility of a new industry to produce photovoltaic solar energy collectors similar to those used on spacecraft. To do this, a standardized costing procedure was developed. The Solar Array Manufacturing Industry Costing Standards (SAMICS) support study supplies the following information: (1) SAMICS critique; (2) Standard data base--cost account structure, expense item costs, inflation rates, indirect requirements relationships, and standard financial parameter values; (3) Facilities capital cost estimating relationships; (4) Conceptual plant designs; (5) Construction lead times; (6) Production start-up times; (7) Manufacturing price estimates.
Source record↗
Start up system for hydrogen generator used with an internal combustion engine
A hydrogen generator provides hydrogen rich product gases which are mixed with the fuel being supplied to an internal combustion engine for the purpose of enabling a very lean mixture of that fuel to be used, whereby nitrous oxides emitted by the engine are minimized. The hydrogen generator contains a catalyst which must be heated to a pre-determined temperature before it can react properly. To simplify the process of heating up the catalyst at start-up time, either some of the energy produced by the engine such as engine exhaust gas, or electrical energy produced by the engine, or the engine exhaust gas may be used to heat up air which is then used to heat the catalyst.
Houseman, J.↗
NASA systems autonomy demonstration project: Advanced automation demonstration of Space Station Freedom thermal control system
The NASA Systems Autonomy Demonstration Project (SADP) was initiated in response to Congressional interest in Space station automation technology demonstration. The SADP is a joint cooperative effort between Ames Research Center (ARC) and Johnson Space Center (JSC) to demonstrate advanced automation technology feasibility using the Space Station Freedom Thermal Control System (TCS) test bed. A model-based expert system and its operator interface were developed by knowledge engineers, AI researchers, and human factors researchers at ARC working with the domain experts and system integration engineers at JSC. Its target application is a prototype heat acquisition and transport subsystem of a space station TCS. The demonstration is scheduled to be conducted at JSC in August, 1989. The demonstration will consist of a detailed test of the ability of the Thermal Expert System to conduct real time normal operations (start-up, set point changes, shut-down) and to conduct fault detection, isolation, and recovery (FDIR) on the test article. The FDIR will be conducted by injecting ten component level failures that will manifest themselves as seven different system level faults. Here, the SADP goals, are described as well as the Thermal Control Expert System that has been developed for demonstration.
Dominick, Jeffrey↗
GeoBridge: Connecting Communities to Geothermal Information and Opportunities
The geothermal community is well established with long-standing events, organizations, and tools that are known across the geothermal community. But many of these tools and resources are located behind pay walls, require memberships, or are otherwise difficult to find, especially for people looking to join the geothermal community. These barriers to access can prevent outsiders from discovering valuable geothermal resources, limiting the geothermal community's potential for collaboration with other communities, such as clean energy entrepreneurs looking to expand into geothermal energy. The Department of Energy's (DOE) GeoBridge serves to bring these communities together by acting as a single, publicly accessible, searchable portal that facilitates easy access to available geothermal knowledge and information. It works to expand and diversify the pool of geothermal stakeholders by providing in-roads to geothermal information and community resources. It helps build a stronger geothermal community; one inclusive of individuals and groups from a variety of different backgrounds, including potential investors and start-up companies looking to accelerate innovation in geothermal technologies. By linking communities to geothermal information, analysis and expertise, GeoBridge serves as a launch point, directing interested parties to existing data and tools, events, educational resources, STEM programs, permitting and regulatory information, and other resources that can be used to evaluate, promote, and discover geothermal opportunities.
access↗
Reactors Section Presentation - INL, HPS Society 2025
The ongoing Nuclear Renaissance includes many next generation reactor designs and testing, this means translates to increased demand for Health Physicists. These opportunities are not limited to just reactors but the entire fuel cycle from mining and extraction from existing tailings, R&D support efforts at new start-up companies, to shielding modeling and design, to Recycling and Reprocessing, and eventually Decommissioning.
Health Physics↗
Development of Biological and Electrochemical Technologies for the Clean Extraction of Copper and Critical Materials from Low Grade Ores
As we transition toward renewable energy resources and electrification, there will be an increasing demand for critical materials, including copper. While copper is currently mined in the US, processing capacity is not sufficient, and intermediate mining products are shipped to Asia for further processing. The goal of this research was to develop a transformative hydrometallurgical process for the production of copper from low-grade ores that would eliminate the need for smelting and would increase the domestic processing capacity in the US, The project initially focused on the electrochemical reduction of copper concentrate using vanadium, followed by the biological oxidation to produce a stream compatible with existing solvent extraction and electrowinning operations. We discovered an efficient electrochemical process that could produce copper salts from concentrate without the need for biological oxidation, and this technology has been licensed and spun-off into a start-up company. The microbes involved in the current state-of-the-art bioleaching processes were genetically modified to introduced a number of new traits, including increased sulfur oxidation, salt-tolerance, and binding of other critical metals such as cobalt, molybdenum, rhenium, and the rare earth elements. The project was extended to also explore the electrochemical oxidation of copper concentrate using cerium which would potentially eliminate production of hydrogen sulfide that occurs with the reductive leaching process. This technology was found to have slower kinetics, however could it still be developed as an alternative process for domestic copper production and has been found to be applicable to other critical minerals.
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