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Results for “Temperature Gradient”

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
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1979

Convective instability when the temperature gradient and rotation vector are oblique to gravity. I - Fluids without diffusion

A linear stability analysis of fluid layers under uniform rotation (generally oblique to gravity) which possess both vertical and horizontal temperature gradients is made by considering ideal fluids without diffusion within a Boussinesq approximation. This simplified configuration is used to assess the preferred convective modes as a function of latitude on a planet like Jupiter. The tilted rotation vector introduces a preference for roll-like disturbances with north-south orientations, while the horizontal temperature gradient produces a thermal wind shear which favors convective rolls oriented parallel to the flow in an east-west direction. It is found that the horizontal temperature gradient needed to produce a preference for the axisymmetric or east-west rolls increases with an increasing rotation rate and a decreasing latitude. The parameter values for Jupiter are estimated with the use of a simple radiative convective model, indicating a preference for axisymmetric rolls at nearly all latitudes if the convection zone depth is greater than about 200 km below the one atmosphere pressure level and convective roll characteristics which contribute to an equatorial acceleration.

Hathaway, D. H.↗
DOE OSTI2023

Pantropical Indo-Atlantic temperature gradient modulates multi-decadal AMOC variability in models and observations

Abstract Interconnections between ocean basins are recognized as an important driver of climate variability. Recent modeling evidence suggests that the North Atlantic climate can respond to persistent warming of the tropical Indian Ocean sea surface temperature (SST) relative to the rest of the tropics (rTIO). Here, we use observational data to demonstrate that multi-decadal changes in pantropical ocean temperature gradients lead to variations of an SST-based proxy of the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC). The largest contribution to this temperature gradient-AMOCconnection comes from gradients between the Indian and Atlantic Oceans. TherTIOindex yields the strongest connection of this tropical temperature gradient to theAMOC. Focusing on the internally generated signal in three observational products reveals that an SST-basedAMOCproxy index has closely followed low-frequency changes ofrTIOtemperature with about 26-year lag since 1870. Analyzing the pre-industrial control simulations of 44 CMIP6 climate models shows that theAMOCproxy index lags simulated mid-latitudeAMOCvariations by 4 ± 4 years. These model simulations reveal the mechanism connectingAMOCvariations to pantropical ocean temperature gradients at a 27 ± 2 years lag, matching the observed time lag in 28 out of the 44 analyzed models. rTIO temperature changes affect the North Atlantic climate through atmospheric planetary waves, impacting temperature and salinity in the subpolar North Atlantic, which modifies deep convection and ultimately the AMOC. Through this mechanism, observed internalrTIOvariations can serve as a multi-decadal precursor ofAMOCchanges with important implications forAMOCdynamics and predictability.

Meteorology & Atmospheric Sciences↗
DOE OSTI2022

Three-dimensional inhomogeneity of electron-temperature-gradient turbulence in the edge of tokamak plasmas

Nonlinear multiscale gyrokinetic simulations of a Joint European Torus edge pedestal are used to show that electron-temperature-gradient (ETG) turbulence has a rich three-dimensional structure, varying strongly according to the local magnetic-field configuration. In the plane normal to the magnetic field, the steep pedestal electron temperature gradient gives rise to anisotropic turbulence with a radial (normal) wavelength much shorter than in the binormal direction. In the parallel direction, the location and parallel extent of the turbulence are determined by the variation in the magnetic drifts and finite-Larmor-radius (FLR) effects. The magnetic drift and FLR topographies have a perpendicular-wavelength dependence, which permits turbulence intensity maxima near the flux-surface top and bottom at longer binormal scales, but constrains turbulence to the outboard midplane at shorter electron-gyroradius binormal scales. Here our simulations show that long-wavelength ETG turbulence does not transport heat efficiently, and significantly decreases overall ETG transport—in our case by ~40%—through multiscale interactions.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
NASA NTRS1986

Flow regimes in a shallow rotating cylindrical annulus with temperature gradients imposed on the horizontal boundaries

Experimental flow regime diagrams are determined for a new rotating cylindrical annulus configuration which permits a measure of control over the internal vertical temperature gradient. The new annulus has radial temperature gradients imposed on plane horizontal thermally conducting endwalls (with the cylindrical sidewalls as insulators) and is considered to be more relevant to atmospheric dynamics studies than the classical cylindrical annulus. Observations have revealed that, in addition to the axisymmetric flow and nonaxisymmetric baroclinic wave flow which occur in the classical annulus, two additional nonaxisymmetric flow types occur in the new annulus: boundary-layer thermal convection and deep thermal convection. Flow regime diagrams for three different values of the imposed vertical temperature difference are presented, and explanations for the flow transitions are offered. The new annulus provides scientific backup for the proposed Atmospheric General Circulation Experiment for Spacelab. The apparatus diagram is included.

Hathaway, D. H.↗
DOE OSTI2022

Assessing physics of ion temperature gradient turbulence via hierarchical reduced-model representations

In this work, the saturation physics of ion temperature gradient (ITG) turbulence is probed by studying how amplitudes and scalings with key parameters vary across a hierarchy of reduced models. The models derive from nonlinear fluid equations for toroidal ITG turbulence under approximations to the mode coupling interactions in wavenumber space and the representation of turbulent decorrelation. Mode coupling approximations include local-in-wavenumber treatments like the spectral density of flux in quasilinear theory, a truncation to three nonlinearly interacting waves, and the interactions in a cascade to high radial wavenumber mediated by a single zonal flow. Turbulent decorrelation treatments are based on the triplet correlation time with and without eddy damping. Model fidelity is assessed by the scalings and magnitudes of the squared amplitudes of unstable mode, stable mode, and zonal flow with respect to the flow-damping rate and temperature gradient. It is shown that all models reproduce fundamental scalings, provided they incorporate the coupling of unstable mode, stable mode, and zonal flow. Accurate amplitude prediction requires eddy damping in the triplet correlation time and proper representation of the zonal-flow drive by interactions associated with the radial wavenumber cascade.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
NASA NTRS1989

Effect of temperature gradient on the optical quality of mercurous chloride crystals

Single crystals of mercurous chloride were grown at temperature gradients of 8, 11 and 17 K/cm by the physical vapor transport method. The optical quality of these crystals was evaluated by measuring bulk scattering and inhomogeneity of refractive index by birefringence interferometry. It was observed that a high temperature gradient at the solid-vapor interface induced thermal stresses and crystals showed higher scattering and irregular fringes.

Singh, N. B.↗
NASA NTRS1971

Polymer crystallization in a temperature gradient field with controlled crystal growth rate

A method is described for studying the influence of a temperature gradient on the crystallization of quiescent polymer melts. The apparatus used consists of two brass plates with embedded electrical resistance heaters and cooling coils. The crystallizations experiments were conducted by placing polymer specimens between the paltes, and manually adjusting heaters and cooling fluids for temperature control. Linear polyethylene, isotactic polyprophylene, and a high density polyethylene were used. It is concluded that the role of a temperature gradient in producing oriented crystallization is in producing conditions which lead the spherulitic growth pattern to proceed primarily in one direction. Steep gradients diminish the penetration of supercooling and favors oriented growth.

Hansen, D.↗
DOE OSTI2024

Heat Transport Hysteresis Generated Through Frequency Switching of a Time-Dependent Temperature Gradient

A stochastic energetics framework is applied to examine how periodically shifting the frequency of a time-dependent oscillating temperature gradient affects heat transport in a nanoscale molecular model. We specifically examine the effects that frequency switching, i.e., instantaneously changing the oscillation frequency of the temperature gradient, has on the shape of the heat transport hysteresis curves generated by a particle connected to two thermal baths, each with a temperature that is oscillating in time. Analytical expressions are derived for the energy fluxes in/out of the system and the baths, with excellent agreement observed between the analytical expressions and the results from nonequilibrium molecular dynamics simulations. We find that the shape of the heat transport hysteresis curves can be significantly altered by shifting the frequency between fast and slow oscillation regimes. We also observe the emergence of features in the hysteresis curves such as pinched loops and complex multi-loop patterns due to the frequency shifting. The presented results have implications in the design of thermal neuromorphic devices such as thermal memristors and thermal memcapacitors.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
NASA NTRS1996

A dynamic response model for pressure sensors in continuum and high Knudsen number flows with large temperature gradients

This paper develops a dynamic model for pressure sensors in continuum and rarefied flows with longitudinal temperature gradients. The model was developed from the unsteady Navier-Stokes momentum, energy, and continuity equations and was linearized using small perturbations. The energy equation was decoupled from momentum and continuity assuming a polytropic flow process. Rarefied flow conditions were accounted for using a slip flow boundary condition at the tubing wall. The equations were radially averaged and solved assuming gas properties remain constant along a small tubing element. This fundamental solution was used as a building block for arbitrary geometries where fluid properties may also vary longitudinally in the tube. The problem was solved recursively starting at the transducer and working upstream in the tube. Dynamic frequency response tests were performed for continuum flow conditions in the presence of temperature gradients. These tests validated the recursive formulation of the model. Model steady-state behavior was analyzed using the final value theorem. Tests were performed for rarefied flow conditions and compared to the model steady-state response to evaluate the regime of applicability. Model comparisons were excellent for Knudsen numbers up to 0.6. Beyond this point, molecular affects caused model analyses to become inaccurate.

Whitmore, Stephen A.↗
NASA NTRS1977

On coronal temperatures, temperature gradients and compositions

Average solar wind properties at 1 AU either alone or together with the electron density distribution are used to obtain or review some results that relate coronal temperatures, temperature gradients, and compositions. Measured values of the temperature (T) and the temperature gradient parameter are used to find compositions that satisfy the equations used to obtain the results. The total energy equation may be satisfied if the thermal conductivity is reduced by considerable depletions of H(+) in the corona. The hydrostatic approximation (momentum equation) for the electron density distribution appears to require considerable depletions of H(+) in the corona.

Nakada, M. P.↗
DOE OSTI2016

Control blade degradation test under temperature gradient in steam atmosphere

The core of a boiling water reactor (BWR) consists of an array of fuel assemblies with cross-shaped control blades located between these assemblies. The typical control blade consists of a control blade sheath made of 316L-type S.S., a center pole made of 316L-type S.S., and control rods. In order to understand the degradation process of the control blade channel, control blade degradation tests were performed under various atmospheres with a temperature increase condition and in the presence of a temperature gradient. A test device was built. Four carbon heaters are set on both sides at the upper and the middle parts of the test device. The bottom ceramic part of the test device is cooled by water. Heating in the upper region and cooling at the bottom of the test piece give rise to the temperature gradient in the test piece. Temperatures of the test piece are measured by five W-Re type thermocouples placed close to the test piece. Steam carried by the argon gas is supplied from the bottom of the device and flows to the top inside a square carbon muffle in which the test piece is set. Three windows for visual observations are installed, with one located above the furnace and the others located at the back of the furnace. In the steam atmosphere with a steam flow rate of 0.0125 g/s/rod, the control blade, channel box, and fuel rods were degraded, especially at the upper part of the test piece. This result was similar to that observed in the argon atmosphere test. However, the observed degradation was rather different at a higher steam flow rate of 0.0417 g/s/rod. At the upper part of the test piece, only the control blade was degraded preferentially and did not react with the channel box wall. In contrast, the eutectic reaction of the stainless steel/boron carbide melt and zircaloy occurred at the lower part by coexisting with the relocated melt from the top part. These observations suggested the existence of a threshold condition for the control rod degradation between 0.0125 and 0.0417 g/s/rod which is significantly affected by the thickness of the oxide layer on zircaloy.

21 SPECIFIC NUCLEAR REACTORS AND ASSOCIATED PLANTS↗
NASA NTRS1952

A Theoretical and Experimental Investigation of the Influence of Temperature Gradients on the Deformation and Burst Speeds of Rotating Disks

The purposes of this investigation were to evaluate the influence of temperature gradients and to test the validity of a recently developed method of calculating plastic flow in disks by comparing the calculated results with experimental observations. Short-time spin tests on parallel-sided, 10-inch-diameter disks were conducted under conditions that subject the disks to a range of temperatures from 70 to 1440 F. The agreement between the theoretical and experimental results was good over the range of temperature conditions investigated. Temperature gradients produced little reduction in the burst speed of the disks which had a high ductility..

LOADS AND STRESSES, STRUCTURAL↗
NASA NTRS1974

Effect of transverse velocity and temperature gradients on sound attenuation in two-dimensional ducts

An investigation is described of the effect of transverse mean-velocity and temperature gradients on sound attenuation in acoustically treated two-dimensional ducts. The results show that cooling the duct walls leads to channeling the sound toward the walls for both downstream and upstream propagation. The effect of mean-temperature gradients on the attenuation rates of the lowest three modes can be as important as the effect of mean-velocity gradients.

Nayfeh, A. H.↗