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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

Prediction of Turbulent Jet Mixing Noise Reduction by Water Injection

A one-dimensional control volume formulation is developed for the determination of jet mixing noise reduction due to water injection. The analysis starts from the conservation of mass, momentum and energy for the confrol volume, and introduces the concept of effective jet parameters (jet temperature, jet velocity and jet Mach number). It is shown that the water to jet mass flow rate ratio is an important parameter characterizing the jet noise reduction on account of gas-to-droplet momentum and heat transfer. Two independent dimensionless invariant groups are postulated, and provide the necessary relations for the droplet size and droplet Reynolds number. Results are presented illustrating the effect of mass flow rate ratio on the jet mixing noise reduction for a range of jet Mach number and jet Reynolds number. Predictions from the model show satisfactory comparison with available test data on perfectly expanded hot supersonic jets. The results suggest that significant noise reductions can be achieved at increased flow rate ratios.

Kandula, Max↗

Effective Jet Properties for the Prediction of Turbulent Mixing Noise Reduction by Water Injection

A one-dimensional control volume formulation is developed for the determination of jet mixing noise reduction due to water injection. The analysis starts from the conservation of mass, momentum and energy for the control volume, and introduces the concept of effective jet parameters (jet temperature, jet velocity and jet Mach number). It is shown that the water to jet mass flow rate ratio is an important parameter characterizing the jet noise reduction on account of gas-to-droplet momentum and heat transfer. Two independent dimensionless invariant groups are postulated, and provide the necessary relations for the droplet size and droplet Reynolds number. Results are presented illustrating the effect of mass flow rate ratio on the jet mixing noise reduction for a range of jet Mach number and jet Reynolds number. Predictions from the model show satisfactory comparison with available test data on supersonic jets. The results suggest that significant noise reductions can be achieved at increased flow rate ratios.

Kandula, Max↗

Computational Discovery of Active and Selective Metal‐Nitrogen‐Graphene Catalysts for Electrooxidation of Water to H 2 O 2

A direct electrosynthesis of H 2 O 2 from either O 2 or H 2 O is an attractive strategy to replace the energy-intensive industrial anthraquinone process. Two-electron water oxidation reaction (2e-WOR) offers several advantages over the oxygen reduction reaction such as better mass transfer due to the absence of gas-phase reactants. However, 2e-WOR is a more challenging and less studied process with only a handful of metal oxides exhibiting reasonable activity/selectivity properties. Herein, we employ density-functional-theory calculations to screen a variety of metal-nitrogen-graphene structures for 2e-WOR. As a consequence of scaling between the adsorption energies of reaction intermediates, we determine a linear relation between selectivities for the first and second reaction steps of 2e-WOR, viz. that if selectivity toward adsorbed OH is improved, then selectivity toward H 2 O 2 at the subsequent step is decreased. We also find that selectivity and activity are linearly scaled in such a way that a higher activity (i.e., a lower overpotential) leads to a lower selectivity for the H 2 O 2 formation step. Based on the obtained results several chemistries, e.g., containing NiN x -C moieties, are predicted to rival the best-performing metal oxides such as ZnO and CaSnO 3 in terms of combination of their activity/selectivity characteristics for 2e-WOR.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Designing Quaternary and Quinary Refractory-Based High-Entropy Alloys: Statistical Analysis of Their Lattice Distortion, Mechanical, and Thermal Properties

The rapid evolution in materials science has resulted in a significant interest in high-entropy alloys (HEAs) for their unique properties. This study focuses on understanding both quaternary and quinary body-centered cubic (BCC) of 12 refractory-based HEAs, and on analysis of their electronic structures, lattice distortions, mechanical, and thermal properties. A comprehensive assessment is undertaken by means of density functional theory (DFT)-based first principles calculations. It is well known that multiple constituents lead to notable lattice distortions, especially in quinary HEAs. This distortion, in turn, has significant implications on the electronic structure that ultimately affect mechanical and thermal behaviors of these alloys such as ductility, lattice thermal conductivity, and toughness. Our in-depth analysis of their electronic structures revealed the role of valence electron concentration and its correlation with bond order and mechanical properties. Local lattice distortion (LD) was investigated for these 12 HEA models. M1 (WTiVZrHf), M7 (TiZrHfW), and M12 (TiZrHfVNb) have the highest LD whereas the models M3 (MoTaTiV), M5 (WTaCrV), M6 (MoNbTaW), and M9 (NbTaTiV) have the less LD. Furthermore, we investigated the thermal properties focusing on Debye temperature (ΘD), thermal conductivity (κ), Grüneisen parameter (γα), and dominant phonon wavelength (λdom). The NbTaTiV(M9) and TiVNbHf(M10) models have significantly reduced lattice thermal conductivities (κL). This reduction is due to the mass increase and strain fluctuations, which in turn signify lattice distortion. The findings not only provide an understanding of these promising materials but also offer guidance for the design of next-generation HEAs with properties tailored for potential specific applications.

Materials Science↗

Laser propulsion

The use of an earth-based high-power laser beam to provide energy for earth-launched rocket vehicle is investigated. The laser beam energy is absorbed in an opaque propellant gas and is converted to high-specific-impulse thrust by expanding the heated propellant to space by means of a nozzle. This laser propulsion scheme can produce specific impulses of several thousand seconds. Payload to gross-weight fractions about an order of magnitude higher than those for conventional chemical earth-launched vehicles appear possible. There is a potential for a significant reduction in cost per payload mass in earth orbit.

Rom, F. E.↗

Use of potential flow theory to evaluate subsonic inlet data from a simulator-powered nacelle at cruise conditions

Incompressible potential flow theory corrected for compressibility effects, using the Lieblein-Stockman compressibility correction, was used to predict surface and flow field static pressures for a subsonic inlet at cruise conditions. The calculated internal and external surface static pressures were in good agreement with data at most conditions. The analysis was used to determine the capture stream-tube location and static-pressure distribution. Additive drag coefficients obtained from these results were consistently higher than those obtained using one-dimensional compressible flow theory. Increasing the distance between the inlet and boattail increased the cowl drag force. The effect of the boundary layer on internal and external surface static-pressure distributions was small at the design cruise condition. The analytical results may be used as an aid to data reduction and for predicting inlet mass flow, stagnation point location, and inlet additive drag.

Bober, L. J.↗

Non-Synchronous Whirling Due to Fluid-Dynamic Forces in Axial Turbo-Machinery Rotors

The role of fluid forces acting on the blades of an axial turborotor with regards to whirling was analyzed. The dynamic equations were formulated for the coning mode of an overhung rotor. The exciting forces due to the motion were defined through a set of rotor stability derivatives, and analytical expressions of the aerodynamic contributions were found for the case of small mean stream deflection, high solidity and equivalent flat plate cascade. For a typical case, only backward whirl was indicated when the phase shifting of the rotor wake effect was ignored. A parametric study of the dynamic stability boundary reveals that a reduction in blade stagger angle, mass flow rate, fluid density and an increase in stiffness and external damping are all inductive for improved stability.

Shen, S. F.↗

Bone growth and composition in weanling and mature rats exposed to chronic centrifugation

The primary objective of the study is to determine the effect of continuous exposure to hypergravity on the development and composition of weight-bearing bone. The experimental results are seen to suggest that many, if not all, of the changes observed in bone growth and composition derive from the retarded growth rate of the centrifuged rats. Both centrifuged weanling and mature rats exhibit a significant reduction in femur length and mass. The changes in femur size are more apparent in the weanlings since they are exposed to hypergravity during their most rapid phase of skeletal development. In addition to a slower growth rate, the body mass of the mature and weanling animals is reduced even further by the depletion of body fat. The rapid loss of body fat observed in rats and mice during centrifugation, it is found, can produce a prompt and significant rise in relative femur mass after two weeks of exposure. After adaptation to centrifugation, however, relative femur mass is similar to that of controls at four and eight weeks. At 18 weeks, the centrifuged rats again exhibit an increase in relative femur mass. It is thought that this increase in relative femur mass may be generated by the difference in fat deposition between the 1-G controls and the high-G rats.

Keil, L. C.↗

Regulation of the SCOLE configuration

Studies were performed to determine location for proof mass actuators, if a significant reduction in the number of sensors would work, and to design a control law to meet requirements for line of sight error and actuators. Conclusions are drawn and briefly discussed.

Norris, Gregory A.↗

Iridium-coated rhenium thrusters by CVD

Operation of spacecraft thrusters at increased temperature reduces propellant requirements. Inasmuch as propellant comprises the bulk of a satellite's mass, even a small percentage reduction makes possible a significant enhancement of the mission in terms of increased payload. Because of its excellent high temperature strength, rhenium is often the structural material of choice. It can be fabricated into free-standing shapes by chemical vapor deposition (CVD) onto an expendable mandrel. What rhenium lacks is oxidation resistance, but this can be provided by a coating of iridium, also by CVD. This paper describes the process used by Ultramet to fabricate 22-N (5-lbf) and, more recently, 445-N (100-lbf) Ir/Re thrusters; characterizes the CVD-deposited materials; and summarizes the materials effects of firing these thrusters. Optimal propellant mixture ratios can be employed because the materials withstand an oxidizing environment up to the meltimg temperature of iridium, 2400 C (4350 F).

Harding, John T.↗

Prediction of radio frequency power generation of Neptune's magnetosphere from generalized radiometric Bode's law

Magnetospheric radio frequency emission power has been shown to vary as a function of both solar wind and planetary values such as magnetic field by Kaiser and Desch (1984). Planetary magnetic fields have been shown to scale with planetary variables such as density and angular momentum by numerous researchers. This paper combines two magnetic scaling laws with the radiometric law to yield 'Bode's'-type laws governing planetary radio emissions. Further analysis allows the reduction of variables to planetary mass and orbital distance. These generalized laws are then used to predict the power otuput of Neptune to be about 1.6 x 10 to the 7th W; with the intensity peaking at about 3 MHz.

Million, M. A.↗

Electric propulsion for constellation deployment and spacecraft maneuvering

This paper outlines the near-term (1990s) advantages of electric propulsion for two SDI missions: (1) the launch of a constellation of spacecraft, and (2) continual spacecraft defensive maneuvering. Ammonia arcjet and Xe-ion electric propulsion systems are compared to advanced chemical propulsion for each of these missions. The number of launch vehicles required for constellation deployment can be reduced by up to a factor of 2 when electric propulsion upper stages are used in place of advanced upper stages. Electric propulsion can provide significant benefits when used for continuous defensive maneuvering by enabling a large reduction in the initial spacecraft mass.

Deininger, W. D.↗

Parallel Eigenvalue extraction

A new numerical algorithm for the solution of large-order eigenproblems typically encountered in linear elastic finite element systems is presented. The architecture of parallel processing is utilized in the algorithm to achieve increased speed and efficiency of calculations. The algorithm is based on the frontal technique for the solution of linear simultaneous equations and the modified subspace eigenanalysis method for the solution of the eigenproblem. Assembly, elimination and back-substitution of degrees of freedom are performed concurrently, using a number of fronts. All fronts converge to and diverge from a predefined global front during elimination and back-substitution, respectively. In the meantime, reduction of the stiffness and mass matrices required by the modified subspace method can be completed during the convergence/divergence cycle and an estimate of the required eigenpairs obtained. Successive cycles of convergence and divergence are repeated until the desired accuracy of calculations is achieved. The advantages of this new algorithm in parallel computer architecture are discussed.

Akl, Fred A.↗

Iridium-coated rhenium thrusters by CVD

Operation of spacecraft thrusters at increased temperature reduces propellant requirements. Inasmuch as propellant comprises the bulk of a satellite's mass, even a small percentage reduction makes possible a significant enhancement of the mission in terms of increased payload. Because of its excellent high temperature strength, rhenium is often the structural material of choice. It can be fabricated into free-standing shapes by chemical vapor deposition (CVD) onto an expendable mandrel. What rhenium lacks is oxidation resistance, but this can be provided by a coating of iridium, also by CVD. This paper describes the process used by Ultramet to fabricate 22-N (5-lbf) and, more recently, 445-N (100-lbf) Ir/Re thrusters; characterizes the CVD-deposited materials; and summarizes the materials effects of firing these thrusters. Optimal propellant mixture ratios can be employed because the materials withstand an oxidizing environment up to the melting temperature of iridium, 2400 C (4350 F).

Harding, J. T.↗

Physiologic mechanisms of circulatory and body fluid losses in weightlessness identified by mathematical modeling

Central volume expansion due to fluid shifts in weightlessness is believed to activate adaptive reflexes which ultimately result in a reduction of the total circulating blood volume. However, the flight data suggests that a central volume overdistention does not persist, in which case some other factor or factors must be responsible for body fluid losses. We used a computer simulation to test the hypothesis that factors other than central volume overdistention are involved in the loss of blood volume and other body fluid volumes observed in weightlessness and in weightless simulations. Additionally, the simulation was used to identify these factors. The results predict that atrial volumes and pressures return to their prebedrest baseline values within the first day of exposure to head down tilt (HDT) as the blood volume is reduced by an elevated urine formation. They indicate that the mechanisms for large and prolonged body fluid losses in weightlessness is red cell hemoconcentration that elevates blood viscosity and peripheral resistance, thereby lowering capillary pressure. This causes a prolonged alteration of the balance of Starling forces, depressing the extracellular fluid volume until the hematocrit is returned to normal through a reduction of the red cell mass, which also allows some restoration of the plasma volume. We conclude that the red cell mass becomes the physiologic driver for a large 'undershoot' of the body fluid volumes after the normalization of atrial volumes and pressures.

Simanonok, K. E.↗

The group A3 chondrules of Krymka: Further evidence for major evaporative loss during the formation of chondrules

Like Semarkona (type 3.0), Krymka (type 3.1) contains two distinct types of chondrule (namely groups A and B) which differ in their bulk compositions, phase compositions, and CL properties. The group A chondrules in both meteorites show evidence for major loss of material by evaporation(i.e. elemental abundance patterns, size, redox state, olivine-pyroxene abundances). Group A and B chondrules probably formed from common or very similar precursors by the same processes acting with different intensities, group A suffering greater mass-loss by evaporation and reduction of FeO and SiO2. While Krymka chondrules share many primary mineralogical and compositional properties with Semarkona chondrules, the minimal metamorphism it has suffered has also had a significant effect on its chondrules.

Huang, S.↗

Influence of Power System Technology on Electric Propulsion Missions

Electric propulsion (EP) thruster technology, with efficient lightweight power systems can provide substantial reductions in propulsion system wet mass due to the high specific impulse (Isp) of the thrusters. Historically, the space power systems are too massive for many potential orbital missions. The objective of this paper is to show the impact of current power system technology on EP mission performance and determine what technology advancements are needed to make EP beneficial for earth orbital applications. The approach of the paper is to model the electric propulsion system and orbital mission using a partial parametric method. Various missions are analyzed from orbit maintenance to orbit transfer. Results portray the relationship between mission performance and power technology level. Conclusions show which mission applications currently have acceptable power technology, and which mission applications require power technology improvements.

Oleson, Steven R.↗