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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

Nonlinear modeling of the scaling law for the m/n = 3/2 error field penetration threshold

The scaling law for the m/n=3/2 error field (EF) penetration threshold is predicted numerically based on nonlinear single-fluid and two-fluid modeling using the TM1 code. The simulated penetration threshold of radial magnetic field b r at the plasma edge is scaled to the electron density n e , temperature T e , viscous time τ μ , toroidal field B t and the natural frequency ω in the form of b r /B t ∝n e αn T e αT τ μ αμ B t αB ω αω by scanning these parameters separately. Here, α n , α T , α μ , α B and α ω are the scaling coefficients on n e , T e , τ μ , B t and ω, respectively. Single-fluid modeling shows that the 3/2 EF threshold scales as b r /B t ∝n e 0.56 T e 0.6 τ μ -0.59 B t -1.15 ω, which is similar with the analytical scaling law in both the Rutherford and visco-resistive regimes. Yet, two-fluid modeling shows that the scaling law differs significantly in particular regarding the dependence on plasma rotation. In detail, the scaling coefficient α n on density decreases from 0.67 to 0.56 and α T on temperature decreases from 0.67 to 0.32, while α μ on viscous time is around -0.45 and α B on toroidal field decreases slightly from -1.15 to -1, when the ratio |ω E /ω *e | between plasma rotation frequency ω E and diamagnetic drift frequency ω *e varies from 0 to 10. Scans of the plasma rotation reveals that the penetration threshold linearly depends on the perpendicular rotation frequency (or natural frequency) ω ⊥e =ω E +ω *e , and there is a minimum in the required field amplitude when ω ⊥e 0. In addition, the enduring mystery of non-zero penetration threshold at zero plasma natural frequency in EF experiments is resolved by two-fluid simulations. We report that the very small island and smooth bifurcation in EF penetration near zero frequency is hard to detect in the experiment, leading to a finite penetration threshold within the capability of the experimental measurements.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗

Assessment of model parameters in MFiX particle-in-cell approach

The limitations in numerical treatment of solids-phase in conventional methods like Discrete Element Model and Two-Fluid Model have facilitated the development of alternative techniques such as Particle-In-Cell (PIC). However, a number of parameters are involved in PIC due to its empiricism. In this work, global sensitivity analysis of PIC model parameters is performed under three distinct operating regimes common in chemical engineering applications, viz. settling bed, bubbling fluidized bed and circulating fluidized bed. Simulations were performed using the PIC method in Multiphase Flow with Interphase eXchanges (MFiX) developed by National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL). A non-intrusive uncertainty quantification (UQ) based approach is applied using Nodeworks to first construct an adequate surrogate model and then identify the most influential parameters in each case. This knowledge will aid in developing an effective design of experiments and determine optimal parameters through techniques such as deterministic or statistical calibration.

01 COAL, LIGNITE, AND PEAT↗

End-to-end modelling of He II flow systems

A practical computer code has been developed which uses the accepted two-fluid model to simulate He II flow in complicated systems. The full set of equations are used, retaining the coupling between the pressure, temperature and velocity fields. This permits modeling He II flow over the full range of conditions, from strongly or weakly driven flow through large pipes, narrow channels and porous media. The system may include most of the components used in modern superfluid flow systems: non-ideal thermomechanical pumps, tapered sections, constrictions, lines with heated side walls and heat exchangers. The model is validated by comparison with published experimental data. It is applied to a complex system to show some of the non-intuitive feedback effects that can occur. This code is ready to be used as a design tool for practical applications of He II. It can also be used for the design of He II experiments and as a tool for comparison of experimental data with the standard two-fluid model.

Mord, A. J.↗

Fast estimation of reaction rates in spherical and non-spherical porous catalysts

Here we present a methodology for modeling multi-step reaction rates in porous catalyst particles for use in CFD-DEM and two fluid models. Single-step effectiveness factors based on a Thiele modulus, while useful, cannot accurately capture the cascading reaction systems common in high temperature vapor-phase chemical reactors like fluidized catalytic cracking units and catalytic biomass fast pyrolysis systems. Instead, multi-step effectiveness vectors derived from steady-state solutions to the governing reaction-diffusion equations are needed. Solutions for various catalyst shapes are presented, including spheres, cylinders, and prisms. Computational challenges inherent in repeated evaluation of reaction rates with diffusion limitations are discussed, and an efficient implementation based on pre-computed lookup tables is proposed and demonstrated on a simulation of a fluidized bed reactor. Open-source code is provided for the compilation of reaction rate tables for use in ODE, DEM, and two-fluid models.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

The spiral field inhibition of thermal conduction in two-fluid solar wind models

The paper reports on two-field models which include the inhibition of thermal conduction by the spiraling interplanetary field to determine whether any of the major conclusions obtained by Nerney and Barnes (1977) needs to be modified. Comparisons with straight field line models reveal that for most base conditions, the primary effect of the inhibition of thermal conduction is the bottling-up of heat in the electrons as well as the quite different temperature profiles at a large heliocentric radius. The spiral field solutions show that coronal hole boundary conditions do not correspond to states of high-speed streams as observed at 1 AU. The two-fluid models suggest that the spiral field inhibition of thermal conduction in the equatorial plane will generate higher gas pressures in comparison with flows along the solar rotation axis (between 1 and 10 AU). In particular, massive outflows of stellar winds, such as outflow from T Tauri stars, cannot be driven by thermal conduction. The conclusions of Nerney and Barnes remain essentially unchanged.

Nerney, S.↗

Modeling of injected current stream-induced 3D perturbations in local helicity injection plasmas

Solenoid-free tokamak startup techniques are essential for spherical tokamaks and offer a pathway to cost reduction and design simplification in fusion energy systems. Local helicity injection (LHI) is one such approach, employing compact edge current sources to drive open field line current that initiates and sustains tokamak plasmas. The recently commissioned Pegasus-III Experiment provides a platform for advancing this and other solenoid-free startup methods. This study investigates the effect of LHI on magnetic topology in Pegasus-III plasmas. A helical filament model represents the injected current, and the linear plasma response to its three-dimensional field is calculated with M3D-C1. Poincaré mapping reveals substantial flux surface degradation in all modeled cases. The onset of overlapping magnetic structures and large-scale surface deformation begins near Ψ N ≈ 0.37, indicating a broad region of perturbed topology extending toward the edge. In rotating plasmas, both single-fluid and two-fluid models exhibit partial screening of the n = 1 perturbation, with two-fluid calculations showing stronger suppression near the edge. In contrast, the absence of rotation leads to strong resonant field amplification in the single-fluid case, while the two-fluid case with zero electron rotation mitigates this amplification and preserves edge screening. Magnetic probe measurements indicate that modeling the stream with spatial spreading—representing distributed current and/or oscillatory motion—better reproduces measured magnetic power profiles than a rigid filament model. The results underscore the role of rotation and two-fluid physics in screening stream perturbations and point to plasma flow measurements and refined stream models as key steps toward improving predictive fidelity.

Schaefer, Carolyn E. [Univ. of Wisconsin, Madison,↗

Fluidization of Group A Glass Particles: Experiments and Preliminary Validation

This work is aimed at providing reliable high-quality data from fluidization experiments. Geldart Group A glass beads are used as bed material. The fluidizing medium is air at atmospheric pressure which enters the system at 40% relative humidity. The air inlet velocity is varied over a broad range from 2 U mf to 26 U mf , where the minimum fluidization velocity, U mf , is 0.608 cm/s. There is not a significant change in the mean values of differential pressure; however, there are noticeable trends in their standard deviation values. Preliminary validation studies are performed using the open-source software Multiphase Flow with Interphase eXchanges (MFiX) developed by the National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL). The results from Eulerian-Eulerian (MFiX-TFM, two-fluid model) and Eulerian-Lagrangian (MFiX-PIC, particle-in-cell) formulations are compared. The work presented in this report highlights the applicability of MFiX-PIC for large-scale applications, and reveals that PIC simulation offers a suitable alternative to TFM simulation when effects due to multiple components or polydispersity are significant. PIC modeling provides a readily extendible framework for such systems. However, PIC models do rely on an empirical closure for inter-particle stress. Some solution discrepancies were evident in MFiX-PIC predictions which require further analysis. As such, the study underlines the need for a systematic approach to quantify the sources of numerical uncertainty within the PIC model. However, even with known empiricism, MFiX-PIC has demonstrated considerable potential in analyzing gas-solid systems. The results obtained are encouraging and warrant further investigation to improve the predictive capability of MFiX-PIC.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

The MFiX Particle-in-Cell Method (MFiX-PIC) Theory Guide

MFiX (Multiphase Flow with Interphase eXchanges) is an open-source multiphase flow solver developed at the National Energy Technology Laboratory. Within the code, users have access to a single phase or interpenetrating continua-based multiphase two-fluid model (TFM), a discrete element model (DEM), and a particle-in-cell model (PIC). TFM, DEM, and PIC can all be used to create multiphase simulations that include hydrodynamics, chemical reactions, and heat transfer.

01 COAL, LIGNITE, AND PEAT↗

Uncertainty Quantification for Multiphase Computational Fluid Dynamics Closure Relations with a Physics-Informed Bayesian Approach

Multiphase Computational Fluid Dynamics (MCFD) based on the two-fluid model is considered a promising tool to model complex two-phase flow systems. MCFD simulation can predict local flow features without resolving interfacial information. As a result, the MCFD solver relies on closure relations to describe the interaction between the two phases. Those empirical or semi-mechanistic closure relations constitute a major source of uncertainty for MCFD predictions. In this paper, we leverage a physics-informed uncertainty quantification (UQ) approach to inversely quantify the closure relations’ model form uncertainty in a physically consistent manner. This proposed approach considers the model form uncertainty terms as stochastic fields that are additive to the closure relation outputs. Combining dimensionality reduction and Gaussian processes, the posterior distribution of the stochastic fields can be effectively quantified within the Bayesian framework with the support of experimental measurements. As this UQ approach is fully integrated into the MCFD solving process, the physical constraints of the system can be naturally preserved in the UQ results. Here, in a case study of adiabatic bubbly flow, we demonstrate that this UQ approach can quantify the model form uncertainty of the MCFD interfacial force closure relations, thus effectively improving the simulation results with relatively sparse data support.

42 ENGINEERING↗

Analysis of phase distribution phenomena in microgravity environments

The purpose of the research presented in this paper is to demonstrate the ability of multidimensional two-fluid models for bubbly two-phase flow to accurately predict lateral phase distribution phenomena in microgravity environments. If successful, this research should provide NASA with mechanistically-based analytical methods which can be used for multiphase space system design and evaluation, and should be the basis for future shuttle experiments for model verification.

Lahey, Richard T., Jr.↗

Analysis of phase distribution phenomena in microgravity environments

In the past one of NASA's primary emphasis has been on identifying single and multiphase flow experiments which can produce new discoveries that are not possible except in a microgravity environment. While such experiments are obviously of great scientific interest, they do not necessarily provide NASA with the ability to use multiphase processes for power production and/or utilization in space. The purpose of the research presented in this paper is to demonstrate the ability of multidimensional two-fluid models for bubbly two-phase flow to accurately predict lateral phase distribution phenomena in microgravity environments. If successful, this research should provide NASA with mechanistically-based analytical methods which can be used for multiphase space design and evaluation, and should be the basis for future shuttle experiments for model verification.

Lahey, Richard, Jr.↗

Bounded current sheets.

Plane bounded current sheet formation and structure in coaxial plasma gun based on adiabatic two-fluid model

PLASMA GUN↗

A parameter study of the two-fluid solar wind

A two-fluid model of the solar wind was introduced by Sturrock and Hartle (1966) and Hartle and Sturrock (1968). In these studies the proton energy equation was integrated neglecting the heat conductive term. Later several authors solved the equations for the two-fluid solar wind model keeping the proton heat conductive term. Methods where the equations are integrated simultaneously outward and inward from the critical point were used. The equations were also integrated inward from a large heliocentric distance. These methods have been applied to cases with low coronal base electron densities and high base temperatures. In this paper we present a method of integrating the two-fluid solar wind equations using an iteration procedure where the equations are integrated separately and the proton flux is kept constant during the integrations. The technique is applicable for a wide range of coronal base densities and temperatures. The method is used to carry out a parameter study of the two-fluid solar wind.

Sandbaek, Ornulf↗

Analytical modeling of helium II in forced flow conditions

A numerical model was developed to examine the flow behavior of He II under forced flow conditions. The model basically solves the governing equations in the two-fluid model of He II, and can be used to assess the pump requirement for transferring He II in spaceborne systems. Predictions of liquid temperature and pressure drop agree well with empirical data obtained from small scale tests. At high transfer rates, the model predicts that the forced convection dominates the Gorter-Mellink conduction in heat transfer, and the classical turbulent flow correlation is sufficient for calculating the pressure drop across the transfer line.

Ng, Y. S.↗

Solar wind model predictions for the sources of streams observed at 1 AU - Coronal enhancements or coronal holes

The present paper discusses attempts which have been made to locate the solar sources of the solar wind streams observed at or near 1 AU. Solar-wind data collected by the Mariner 2, Mariner 5, and IMP-1 spacecraft are considered. It is concluded that the type of solar feature considered as the source of solar-wind velocity enhancements depends upon the solar-wind model used. All single-fluid models predict the source to have a significantly higher temperature and lower density than the surrounding region, while the two-fluid model predicts a change in temperature that is much smaller than the predicted change in density.

Jones, D. E.↗

Self-consistent, high-order spatial profiles in a model for two-fluid turbulent mixing

A Reynolds-averaged Navier-Stokes model is presented with the property that it admits self-consistent, high-order spatial profiles in simulations of two-fluid turbulent mixing layers. Whereas previous models have been limited by the assumption of a linear mixing profile, the present paper relaxes this assumption and, as a result, is shown to achieve much better agreement with experimental profiles. Similarity analysis is presented to derive constraints on model coefficients to enforce desired self-similar growth rates that are fully consistent with the high-order spatial profiles. Through this similarity analysis, it is shown that care must be taken in model construction, as it is possible to construct certain terms in such a way as to leave growth rates unconstrained. This model, termed the k-Φ-L-a-V model, is then applied in simulations of Rayleigh-Taylor, Richtmyer-Meshkov, and Kelvin-Helmholtz mixing layers. Overall, these simulations confirm that the expected growth parameters are recovered and high-order spatial profiles are maintained.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗

The generalized drift flux approach: Identification of the void-drift closure law

The main characteristics and the potential advantages of generalized drift flux models are presented. In particular it is stressed that the issue on the propagation properties and on the mathematical nature (hyperbolic or not) of the model and the problem of closure are easier to tackle than in two fluid models. The problem of identifying the differential void-drift closure law inherent to generalized drift flux models is then addressed. Such a void-drift closure, based on wave properties, is proposed for bubbly flows. It involves a drift relaxation time which is of the order of 0.25 s. It is observed that, although wave properties provide essential closure validity tests, they do not represent an easily usable source of quantitative information on the closure laws.

Boure, J. A.↗