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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 577 records · Page 32
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2022

Hall instability driven seeding of helical magneto-Rayleigh–Taylor instabilities in axially premagnetized thin-foil liner Z-pinch implosions

Helical magneto-Rayleigh–Taylor instability (MRTI) structures have been observed in z-pinch-driven liner implosion experiments with a pre-imposed axial magnetic field. We show that the formation of these helical structures can be described by a Hall magnetohydrodynamical (HMHD) model. We used the 3D extended magnetohydrodynamics simulation code PERSEUS (which includes Hall physics) [Seyler and Martin, Phys. Plasmas 18, 012703 (2011)] to study these helical instabilities and show that a Hall interchange instability in low-density coronal plasma immediately surrounding the dense liner is responsible for producing helically oriented effects in the magnetic field and current density within the coronal layer. Here, this seeds the helical pitch angle of the MRTI even when other proposed helical seeding mechanisms are either not present in the experiments or not accounted for in the simulations. For example, this mechanism does not require low-density power-feed plasmas to be swept in from large radius or the development of electrothermal instabilities. The Hall Instability is, thus, a new, independent explanation for the origin of the helical instabilities observed in axially premagnetized liner experiments. Simulation results supporting this mechanism are presented.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
NASA NTRS1946

Experimental and Theoretical Studies of Surging in Continuous-Flow Compressors

Experiments have been conducted to determine the conditions that cause surging in compressors and to determine the effect of various installations and operating conditions on the character of the velocity and pressure variations occurring during surging. These investigations were made on three compressor units and the variation of static, total, and velocity pressure with time was recorded. In addition to the experimental studies, a simplified analysis was made to determine how instability of flow may occur in a compressor. Based on this analysis, an examination was made of several possible methods of inhibiting the occurrence of surging.

Bullock, Robert O↗
DOE OSTI2024

Investigation of high field plasma dynamics in a laser-produced plasma expanding into a background gas

This paper presents an overview of experimental results of a laser-produced plasma expanding into a background gas, immersed within a large range of highly uniform magnetic fields (of up to 3 T), that are transverse to the expanding plasma. We used intensified gated imaging to capture the expansion of the plasma across and along the magnetic field lines to observe the spatiotemporal expansion dynamics for different magnetic field strengths. We observe changes in the perpendicular and parallel dynamics of the laser-produced plasmas expansion at high magnetic field. In addition, our results have also indicated the presence of electron-ion hybrid instabilities at relatively high pressures (100 mTorr) and relatively high magnetic field strengths (2 T), in accordance with theoretical calculations.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2016

Nonlinear damping of zonal flows

The modulatonal instability theory for the generation of large-scale (zonal) modes by drift modes has been extended to the second order including the effects of finite amplitude zonal flows, ϕ{sub q}. The nonlinear (second-order) sidebands are included in the perturbative expansion to derive the nonlinear equation for the evolution of ϕ{sub q}. It is shown that effects of finite ϕ{sub q} reduce the growth rate of zonal flow with a possibility of oscillatory regimes at a later stage.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2020

Self-consistent theory of the Darrieus–Landau and Rayleigh–Taylor instabilities with self-generated magnetic fields

The Rayleigh–Taylor (RT) and Darrieus–Landau (DL) instabilities are studied in an inertial confinement fusion context within the framework of small critical-to-shell density ratio D R and weak acceleration regime, i.e., large Froude number Fr. The quasi-isobaric analysis in Sanz et al. is completed with the inclusion of non-isobaric and self-generated magnetic-field effects. The analysis is restricted to perturbation wavelengths k~1 larger than the conduction length scale at the ablation front, yet its validity ranges from wavelengths shorter and larger than the conduction layer width (distance between the ablation front and the critical surface). The use of a sharp boundary model leads to a single analytical expression of the dispersion relation encompassing both instabilities. The two new effects come into play by modifying the perturbed mass and momentum fluxes at the ablation front. The momentum flux (perturbed pressure at the spike) is the predominant stabilizing mechanism in the RT instability (overpressure) and the driving mechanism in the DL instability (underpressure). The non-isobaric effects notably modify the scaling laws in the DL limit, leading to an underpressure scaling as ~k –11/15 rather than ~k –2/5 obtained in the quasi-isobaric model. The magnetic fields are generated due to misalignment between pressure and density gradients (Biermann battery effect). They affect the hydrodynamics by bending the heat flux lines. Within the framework of this paper, they enhance ablation, resulting in a stabilizing effect that peaks for perturbation wavelengths comparable to the conduction layer width. Here, the combination of parameters D R Fr 2/3 defines the region of predominance of each instability in the dispersion relation. It is proven that the DL region falls outside of the parameter range in inertial confinement fusion.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2015

Oscillating and static universes from a single barotropic fluid

We consider cosmological solutions to general relativity with a single barotropic fluid, where the pressure is a general function of the density, p=f(ρ). We derive conditions for static and oscillating solutions and provide examples, extending earlier work to these simpler and more general single-fluid cosmologies. Generically we expect such solutions to suffer from instabilities, through effects such as quantum fluctuations or tunneling to zero size. We also find a classical instability (“no-go” theorem) for oscillating solutions of a single barotropic perfect fluid due to a necessarily negative squared sound speed.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗
DOE OSTI2013

WAVE-VORTEX MODE COUPLING IN ASTROPHYSICAL ACCRETION DISKS UNDER COMBINED RADIAL AND VERTICAL STRATIFICATION

We examine accretion disk flow under combined radial and vertical stratification utilizing a local Cartesian (or ''shearing box'') approximation. We investigate both axisymmetric and nonaxisymmetric disturbances with the Boussinesq approximation. Under axisymmetric disturbances, a new dispersion relation is derived. It reduces to the Solberg-Hoieland criterion in the case without vertical stratification. It shows that, asymptotically, stable radial and vertical stratification cannot induce any linear instability; Keplerian flow is accordingly stable. Previous investigations strongly suggest that the so-called bypass concept of turbulence (i.e., that fine-tuned disturbances of any inviscid smooth shear flow can reach arbitrarily large transient growth) can also be applied to Keplerian disks. We present an analysis of this process for three-dimensional plane-wave disturbances comoving with the shear flow of a general rotating shear flow under combined stable radial and vertical rotation. We demonstrate that large transient growth occurs for K{sub 2}/k{sub 1} >> 1 and k{sub 3} = 0 or k{sub 1} {approx} k{sub 3}, where k{sub 1}, K{sub 2}, and k{sub 3} are the azimuthal, radial, and vertical components of the initial wave vector, respectively. By using a generalized ''wave-vortex'' decomposition of the disturbance, we show that the large transient energy growth in a Keplerian disk is mainly generated by the transient dynamics of the vortex mode. The analysis of the power spectrum of total (kinetic+potential) energy in the azimuthal or vertical directions shows that the contribution coming from the vortex mode is dominant at large scales, while the contribution coming from the wave mode is important at small scales. These findings may be confirmed by appropriate numerical simulations in the high Reynolds number regime.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2020

Unstable Invasion of Sedimenting Granular Suspensions

Here we investigate the development of mobility inversion and fingering when a granular suspension is injected radially between horizontal parallel plates of a cell filled with a miscible fluid. While the suspension spreads uniformly when the suspension and the displaced fluid densities are exactly matched, even a small density difference is found to result in a dense granular front which develops fingers with angular spacing that increase with granular volume fraction and decrease with injection rate. We show that the timescale over which the instability develops is given by the volume fraction dependent settling timescale of the grains in the cell. We then show that the mobility inversion and the nonequilibrium Korteweg surface tension due to granular volume fraction gradients determine the number of fingers at the onset of the instability in these miscible suspensions.

02 PETROLEUM↗
NASA NTRS1984

Asymmetric instabilities in buoyancy-driven flow in a tall vertical annulus

Linear stability of the one-dimensional flow between infinite vertical coaxial cylinders induced by heating the inner cylinder is considered for various ratios (kappa) of the inner radius to the outer radius, and for Prandtl numbers (P) appropriate to air and water. For air with P = 0.71 the least stable disturbance is nonaxisymmetric for kappa less than 0.44 and is axisymmetric for kappa greater than 0.44, and in either case the instability is due to the action of the shear forces. For P = 3.5, the situation is similar, except that the asymmetric shear mode is superseded by an axisymmetric instability driven by buoyancy forces for kappa = 0.03-0.16. Wave speeds, wavenumbers, and critical Grashof numbers for these cases and for the case of zero Prandtl number are given.

Mcfadden, G. B.↗
NASA NTRS1988

Effect of bulges on the stability of boundary layers

The instability of flows around hump and dip imperfections is investigated. The mean flow is calculated using interacting boundary layers, thereby accounting for viscous/inviscid interaction and separation bubbles. Then, the two-dimensional linear stability of this flow is analyzed, and the amplification factors are computed. Results are obtained for several height/width ratios and locations. The theoretical results have been used to correlate the experimental results of Walker and Greening (1942). The observed transition locations are found to correspond to amplification factors varying between 7.4 and 10.0, consistent with previous results for flat plates. The method accounts for both viscous and shear-layer instabilities. Separation is found to increase significantly the amplification factor.

Nayfeh, Ali H.↗
NASA NTRS1987

Developing disturbances in shear

The origin and growth to moderate amplitude of disturbances in shear flow has been traditionally ascribed to the linear modal instability of the flow. Recent work on initial value problems has suggested that nonmodal growth of perturbations may be of equal and perhaps greater importance, at least in cases of rapid development. Examples of robust growth in model problems which support no instabilities and in baroclinic flows with realistic Ekman damping for which the exponential modes have zero or negative growth rates have been shown. Such examples have focused attention on the perturbations which are configured to tap the energy of mean flows. Here a critical examination of these favorably configured perturbations is given, making use of the simple constant free shear barotropic model which allows construction of exact two-dimensional isolated wave packet solutions.

Farrell, Brian↗
DOE OSTI2023

Effect of inlet throttling on thermohydraulic instability in a large scale water-based RCCS: An experimental study

The objective of the present experimental study is to investigate the effect of inlet throttling on the thermohydraulic stability of a large scale water-based Reactor Cavity Cooling System (RCCS). The test was performed using the water-based Natural convection Shutdown heat removal Test Facility (NSTF) at Argonne, which represented a ½ axial scale and 12.5° sector slice of the full scale Framatome 625 MW t SC-HTGR RCCS concept. A two-phase steady state was first established through direct condensate refill, followed by increased inlet throttling over 10 stages, corresponding to a loss coefficient K over the range of 0.05–653. With the inlet throttling gradually increased, the system experienced a unique transition process between stabilization and destabilization. Through a stability analysis, three instability mechanisms were identified in the present test, including a compound mechanism due to both natural circulation oscillations (NCOs) and density wave oscillations (DWOs), Type-II DWOs, and geysering.

22 GENERAL STUDIES OF NUCLEAR REACTORS↗
DOE OSTI2021

Onset of Plasmoid Reconnection during Magnetorotational Instability

The evolution of current sheets in accretion flows undergoing magnetorotational instability (MRI) is examined through two- and three-dimensional numerical modeling of the resistive MHD equations in global cylindrical geometry. With an initial uniform magnetic field aligned in the vertical (z) direction, MRI produces radially extended toroidal (azimuthal) current sheets. In both 2D and 3D when axisymmetric modes dominate, these current sheets attract each other and merge in the poloidal (rz) plane, driving magnetic reconnection when the Lundquist number S > 3 × 10 2 , making it a possible source of plasmoids (closed magnetic loops) in accretion disks. At high Lundquist numbers in the 2D regime, starting at S = 5 × 10 3 , self-consistent MRI-generated current sheets become thin and subject to plasmoid instability, and therefore spontaneous magnetic reconnection. When nonaxisymmetric 3D modes dominate, turbulence makes the azimuthal current sheets more unstable and stretch vertically. Toroidally extended vertical current sheets in the inner region, as well as larger 3D magnetic islands in the outer regions of the disks are also formed. These findings have strong ramifications for astrophysical disks as potential sources of plasmoids that could cause local heating, particle acceleration, and high energy EM radiation.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2016

An atomistic mechanism study of GaN step-flow growth in vicinal m -plane orientations

We present elucidation of homoepitaxial growth mechanisms on vicinal non-polar surfaces of GaN that is highly important for gaining an understanding of and control thin film surface morphology and properties. Using first-principles calculations, we study the step-flow growth in m-plane GaN based on atomic row nucleation and kink propagation kinetics. Ga–N dimer adsorption onto the m-plane is energetically more favorable than that of Ga and N isolated adatoms. Therefore, we have treated the dimers as the dominant growth species attached to the step edges. By calculating the free energies of sequentially attached Ga–N dimers, we have elucidated that the a-step edge kink growth proceeds by parallel attachment rather than by across the step edge approach. We found a series of favorable configurations of kink propagation and calculated the free energy and nucleation barriers for kink evolution on five types of step edges (a, +c, -c, +a + c, and -a - c). By changing the chemical potential μGa and the excess chemical potential Δμ, the growth velocities at the five types of edges are controlled by the corresponding kink pair nucleation barrier E* in their free energy profiles. To explore the kink-flow growth instability observed at different Ga/N flux ratios, calculations of kink pairs on the incompact -c and +c-step edges are further performed to study their formation energies. Variations of these step edge morphologies with a tuned chemical environment are consistent with previous experimental observations, including stable diagonal ±a ± c-direction steps. In conclusion, our work provides a first-principles approach to explore step growth and surface morphology of the vicinal m-plane GaN, which is applicable to analyze and control the step-flow growth of other binary thin films.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
NASA NTRS1997

Collective Interaction of a Compressible Periodic Parallel Jet Flow

A linear instability model for multiple spatially periodic supersonic rectangular jets is solved using Floquet-Bloch theory. The disturbance environment is investigated using a two dimensional perturbation of a mean flow. For all cases large temporal growth rates are found. This work is motivated by an increase in mixing found in experimental measurements of spatially periodic supersonic rectangular jets with phase-locked screech. The results obtained in this paper suggests that phase-locked screech or edge tones may produce correlated spatially periodic jet flow downstream of the nozzles which creates a large span wise multi-nozzle region where a disturbance can propagate. The large temporal growth rates for eddies obtained by model calculation herein are related to the increased mixing since eddies are the primary mechanism that transfer energy from the mean flow to the large turbulent structures. Calculations of growth rates are presented for a range of Mach numbers and nozzle spacings corresponding to experimental test conditions where screech synchronized phase locking was observed. The model may be of significant scientific and engineering value in the quest to understand and construct supersonic mixer-ejector nozzles which provide increased mixing and reduced noise.

Miles, Jeffrey Hilton↗
DOE OSTI2015

Zonal flow formation in the presence of ambient mean shear

The effect of mean shear flows on zonal flow formation is considered in the contexts of plasma drift wave turbulence and quasi-geostrophic turbulence models. The generation of zonal flows by modulational instability in the presence of large-scale mean shear flows is studied using the method of characteristics as applied to the wave kinetic equation. It is shown that mean shear flows reduce the modulational instability growth rate by shortening the coherency time of the wave spectrum with the zonal shear. The scalings of zonal flow growth rate and turbulent vorticity flux with mean shear are determined in the strong shear limit.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2026

Effects of external magnetic fields on the multi-mode Rayleigh–Taylor instability

The magneto-Rayleigh–Taylor instability (mRTI) is a key process in inertial confinement fusion and is thought to be widespread in the interstellar medium, where it can concentrate plasma into discrete structures. We present resistive MHD simulations of the nonlinear evolution of multi-mode mRTI in both two and three dimensions, examining the effects of uniform external magnetic fields oriented either parallel or perpendicular to the initial interface. In both 2D and 3D, weak parallel fields enhance mixing-zone growth, whereas stronger fields suppress it. For perpendicular fields, growth is initially inhibited but becomes enhanced at later times. These behaviors arise from magnetic tension, which modifies flow anisotropy, buoyancy, drag, and vortex dynamics. The interplay of these mechanisms governs the distinct ways in which magnetic fields influence mRTI evolution.

Flow instabilities↗