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At least 595 records · Page 33

Two-dimensional compressible convection extending over multiple scale heights

The theoretical description of the dynamics of a stellar convection zone is considered, taking into account one of the most basic issues by studying compressible convection extending over multiple scale heights. A revised version of a code reported by Graham (1975) is employed. Two-dimensional simulations show that nonlinear compressible convection possesses cellular structures with strong localized downward-directed plumes and broader upflows. The horizontal flows which close the circulation within the cell satisfy an approximate Bernoulli integral along a considerable portion of the horizontal trajectory. Attention is given to details regarding the numerical methods, the properties of the numerical solutions, the overall effects of compressibility on nonlinear convection, and a comparison with anelastic modal solutions.

Hurlburt, N. E.↗

The partition of energy associated with tropical heat sources

Data sets derived from observations during the First GARP Global Experiment (FGGE) have permitted the study of the behavior of the tropical atmosphere to an extent not possible before. The present summary discusses characteristics of the tropical atmosphere which may be a result of tropical heating. It is shown that the meridional component of the divergent wind is of the same order of magnitude an he rotational meridional wind for the planetary tropical scales. Furthermore, the first and second internal modes dominate over most of the tropics, and it is shown that gravity and Kelvin codes are the main contributors to the total tropical divergence. Comparison with averaged station precipitation data and heating estimates obtained from Goddard Laboratory for Atmospheric Science (GLAS)/National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) show good correspondence between areas with maximum internal mode energy and regions with pronounced latent heat release.

Silva-Dias, P. L.↗

Numerical simulation of transverse fuel injection

A review of recent work at NASA Langley Research Center to compare the predictions of transverse fuel injector flow fields and mixing performance with experimental results is presented. Various cold (non-reactive) mixing studies were selected for code calibration which include the effects of boundary layer thickness and injection angle for sonic hydrogen injection into supersonic air. Angled injection of helium is also included. This study was performed using both the three-dimensional elliptic and the parabolized Navier-Stokes (PNS) versions of SPARK. Axial solution planes were passed from PNS to elliptic and elliptic to PNS in order to efficiently generate solutions. The PNS version is used both upstream and far downstream of the injector where the flow can be considered parabolic in nature. The comparisons are used to identify experimental deficiencies and computational procedures to improve agreement.

Mao, Marlon↗

Direct numerical simulation of a combusting droplet with convection

The evaporation and combustion of a single droplet under forced and natural convection was studied numerically from first principles using a numerical scheme that solves the time-dependent multiphase and multispecies Navier-Stokes equations and tracks the sharp gas-liquid interface cutting across an arbitrary Eulerian grid. The flow fields both inside and outside of the droplet are resolved in a unified fashion. Additional governing equations model the interphase mass, energy, and momentum exchange. Test cases involving iso-octane, n-hexane, and n-propanol droplets show reasonable comparison rate, and flame stand-off distance. The partially validated code is, thus, readied to be applied to more demanding droplet combustion situations where substantial drop deformation render classical models inadequate.

Liang, Pak-Yan↗

Fundamentals of Plasma Sails Propulsion Concept

The Mini-Magnetospheric Plasma Propulsion (M2P2), originally proposed by Winglee et al. [2000], is based on the two-fluid plasma model and requires a 15-km frontal standoff distance (or 20-km cross-sectional diameter) in order for the magnetic bubble to absorb sufficient momentum from the SW to accelerate a spacecraft to the unprecedented speeds of 50-80 km/s after an acceleration period of about three months. Winglee et al. [2000] derived the above size requirement based on an extrapolation of their simulated results in which a system much smaller than a M2P2 was used (p. 21,074 of their study). We submit, however, that a fluid model has no validity for such a small scale size-even in the region near the plasma source! It is assumed in the MHD fluid model, normally applied to the magnetosphere, that the characteristic scale-size is much greater than the Larmor radius and ion skin depth of the SW. In the case of the M2P2, however, the size of the magnetic bubble is actually less than or, at best, comparable to, the scale of these characteristic parameters and, therefore, a kinetic approach, which addresses the smallscale physical mechanisms involved, must be used. A fully three-dimensional version of the hybrid code is used in our M2P2 (Plasma Sails) studies was originally developed by Delamere et al. [1999]. The M2P2 plasma sail is an excellent application for this hybrid code. The primary advantage of this code is the seamless interface between fluid and kinetic descriptions of the ion populations. A kinetic description is not necessary for the dense inner regions of the magnetic bubble and tremendous computational savings can be realized by treating this dense, magnetized ion population with the fluid description. It is essential, however, that the outer bubble regions be treated kinetically as well as the SW protons. Comparison of full size M2P2 simulation based on 3D MHD and kinetic models show that kinetic treatment introduces much more asymmetry to the considering problem and the possibility of kinetic instabilities development.

Khazanov, G. V.↗

Time-Averaged Velocity, Temperature and Density Surveys of Supersonic Free Jets

A spectrally resolved molecular Rayleigh scattering technique was used to simultaneously measure axial component of velocity U, static temperature T, and density p in unheated free jets at Mach numbers M = 0.6,0.95, 1.4 and 1.8. The latter two conditions were achieved using contoured convergent-divergent nozzles. A narrow line-width continuous wave laser was passed through the jet plumes and molecular scattered light from a small region on the beam was collected and analyzed using a Fabry-Perot interferometer. The optical spectrum analysis air density at the probe volume was determined by monitoring the intensity variation of the scattered light using photo-multiplier tubes. The Fabry-Perot interferometer was operated in the imaging mode, whereby the fringe formed at the image plane was captured by a cooled CCD camera. Special attention was given to remove dust particles from the plume and to provide adequate vibration isolation to the optical components. The velocity profiles from various operating conditions were compared with that measured by a Pitot tube. An excellent comparison within 5m's demonstrated the maturity of the technique. Temperature was measured least accurately, within 10K, while density was measured within 1% uncertainty. The survey data consisted of centerline variations and radial profiles of time-averaged U, T and p. The static temperature and density values were used to determine static pressure variations inside the jet. The data provided a comparative study of jet growth rates with increasing Mach number. The current work is part of a data-base development project for Computational Fluid Dynamics and Aeroacoustics codes that endeavor to predict noise characteristics of high speed jets. A limited amount of far field noise spectra from the same jets are also presented. Finally, a direct experimental validation was obtained for the Crocco-Busemann equation which is commonly used to predict temperature and density profiles from known velocity profiles. Data presented in this paper are available in ASCII format upon request.

Panda, Jayanta↗

Load Following Analysis of the Holos-Quad 10MWe Micro-Reactor with Plant Dynamics Code

This report presents the load following analysis of the “Holos-Quad” 10MWe micro-reactor design developed by HolosGen LLC. This analysis is focused on the Holos-Quad micro-reactor ability to match the changing grid demand at 10%/min rate. The control mechanisms for the plant are identified, simulated, and compared. Based on the comparison results, control strategy for load following of the Holos-Quad micro-reactor is developed. The control strategy and load following capabilities are demonstrated in a full-range down-and-up reactor power transient from 100% to 0% and back to 100% load at 10%/min rate. All calculations are carried out with Argonne’s Plant Dynamics Code.

22 GENERAL STUDIES OF NUCLEAR REACTORS↗

Current Status of Problem 2 in the HTGR T/H Benchmark

Problem 2 of the HTGR T/H Benchmark is for modeling the depressurized conduction cooldown (DCC) transient. This presentation shares the status of code-to-code and code-to-date comparisons (Exercises 1 and 2) of Problem 2 with results from several participants. A key factor in the discrepancy between results and data in Exercise 2 is the assumed power distribution that is used to model PG-29. This talk highlights both the similarities and differences in solutions and discusses areas where further investigation is merited.

22 - GENERAL STUDIES OF NUCLEAR REACTORS↗

Experimental Aerodynamic Simulation of Scallop Ice Accretion on a Swept Wing

Understanding the aerodynamic impact of swept-wing ice accretions is a crucial component of the design of modern aircraft. Computer-simulation tools are commonly used to approximate ice shapes, so the necessary level of detail or fidelity of those simulated ice shapes must be understood relative to high-fidelity representations of the ice. Previous tests were performed in the NASA Icing Research Tunnel to acquire high-fidelity ice shapes. From this database, full-span artificial ice shapes were designed and manufactured for both an 8.9%-scale and 13.3%-scale semispan wing model of the CRM65 which has been established as the full-scale baseline for this swept-wing project. These models were tested in the Walter H. Beech wind tunnel at Wichita State University and at the ONERA F1 facility, respectively. The data collected in the Wichita St. University wind tunnel provided a low-Reynolds number baseline study while the pressurized F1 facility produced data over a wide range of Reynolds and Mach numbers with the highest Reynolds number studied being approximately Re=11.9x106. Past work focused on only three different fidelity variations for ice shapes based on multiple icing conditions. This work presents a more detailed investigation into several fidelity representations of a single highly three-dimensional scallop ice accretion. Sensitivity to roughness size and application technique on a low-fidelity smooth ice shape is described. The data indicate that the aerodynamic performance is not especially sensitive to the grit variations. An ice accretion code was also used to generate ice shapes for aerodynamic testing and comparisons. These ice shapes have a general appearance like the low-fidelity smooth ice shapes, but in this case, the computer-generated ice shape is significantly smaller. As such, the impact of that ice shape on the aerodynamic performance of the wing is reduced compared to the smooth ice shape based on the icing experiment for those same conditions. Spanwise discontinuities were also introduced to a low-fidelity ice shape in an attempt to quantify the impact of those variation in the high-fidelity ice shape. While the lift data indicate good agreement between the high-fidelity ice shapes and the low-fidelity ice shapes and the low-fidelity ice shapes with spanwise discontinuities, a closer investigation of the data suggests potential, significant differences in the flowfield. These results were similar at both facilities over the wide range of test conditions utilized.

Woodard, Brian↗

Comparison of thermionic filament and carbon nanotube field emitter-based electron ionization sources in cycloidal coded aperture mass analyzers

This report compares the coded aperture imaging performance of thermionic filament and carbon nanotube (CNT) field emitter-based electron sources in cycloidal-coded aperture mass spectrometers. The use of spatially coded apertures in mass spectrometry enables miniaturization by improving throughput without sacrificing resolution. CNT-based electron ionization sources for mass spectrometers provide several potential benefits over conventional thermionic emitters, including low voltage and low power consumption, room temperature operation, long lifetime, and ability to emit electrons in a pulsed mode. However, spatiotemporal variation in electron emission from CNTs is a major disadvantage. In this study, electron emission stability and spatiotemporal stability of the coded aperture image were compared for coded aperture cycloidal mass analyzers with either a CNT-based ion source or a thermionic filament-based ion source. We found that the thermionic filament-based ion source produced a significantly more stable coded aperture image than the CNT based ion source. The aperture image fluctuations in the CNT-based source are likely a result of adsorption and desorption of molecules on the CNT surface that cause local work function changes and induce spatiotemporal variation in electron emission and subsequent ion generation.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗

Analysis of HolosGen Sub-Scale Simulator with Plant Dynamics Code

The Subcritical Power Module Sub-scale Simulator (SPM-SS) has been designed and constructed by HolosGen LLC under the ARPA-E MEITNER program to simulate the thermal-hydraulic and heat transfer behavior of the full-scale Holos-Quad Subcritical Power Modules (SPMs). Four coupled SPMs, each rated at 5.5MW, form the Holos-Quad gas-cooled microreactor design. The SPM-SS represents a substantially scaled-down system with a power rating less than 40 kW, equipped with an electrically heated fuel cartridge heat exchanger, an electrically heated compressor heat exchanger, and a valve actuated turbine heat exchanger, in addition to a recuperator and a cooler heat exchanger. The fuel cartridge represents a portion of the full-scale SPM core, the compressor heat exchanger mimics the temperature changes resulting from the compressor’s turbomachinery inefficiencies, the turbine heat exchanger mimics the expansion process normally occurring through the turbine, while the recuperator and cooler heat exchangers complete the subscale simulator loop. The heaters equipping the fuel cartridge and the compressor heat exchangers are electronically controlled to simulate normal and off-normal SPM operating conditions. The full-scale Holos-Quad SPM design eliminates the traditional balance of plant and executes thermal-to-electric energy conversion by means of an intercooled Brayton cycle with decoupled compressor-turbine turbomachinery. The Holos-Quad full-scale design is equipped with a multi-stage axial Low- and High-Pressure compressor, and a multistage axial turbine. The SPM-SS is designed for testing and validation of selected components which are instead coupled by a traditional balance of plant. The SPMSS is not equipped with turbo-machinery (compressor and turbine) as the development of these components were excluded from the scope of work under the ARPA-E MEITNER funding program. The SPM-SS balance of plant enables modifications, replacement and testing of individual components with different working fluids and is designed to include the turbo-machinery components that will be developed in future research . The SPM-SS can be operated with different gases, variable mass-flow-rates, pressures, and temperatures to obtain test data for selected components, whose performance can be scaled to validate the computer model of the full-scale SPM at various conditions (e.g., start-up, transients conditions). The SPM-SS can operate at the maximum Holos-Quad design pressure of 7 MPa, and a maximum temperature limited to 650 °C by the electrical heaters. Several SPM-SS tests have been conducted and analyzed with the Plant Dynamics Code (PDC) developed at the Argonne National Laboratory (ANL). These tests aimed at validating the PDC modeled predictions of the full-scale Holos-Quad design with data from selected SPM-SS components. In order to address SPM-SS specific characteristics, such as components heat losses and absence of turbomachinery components, some modifications to the PDC have been implemented to factor the design differences from the full-scale Holos-Quad SPM to the SPM-SS. As the PDC offers capabilities to analyze systems with different working fluids, air, nitrogen, and helium were utilized as the SPM-SS working fluids. Air was utilized to fine-tune the SPM-SS Systems Structures and Components (SSCs), nitrogen was utilized to pressure test the SPM-SS loop at the SPMs design maximum pressure of 7MPa. Helium was utilized as the working fluid circulating through the SPM-SS SSCs for specific tests to validate the PDC predictions of the fuel cartridge heat exchanger. SPM-SS tests data were also analyzed with both the steady-state and transient analysis capabilities offered by the PDC. This report describes the PDC analysis of the SPM-SS tests data, including the necessary code modifications and comparison of the code results with the experimental data. Based on the results, a discussion is presented on how the analysis supports design and transient calculations of the full-scale Holos-Quad microreactor. Also based on the results of this work, recommendations are made for future optimizations of the SPM-SS components and PDC model development needs.

22 GENERAL STUDIES OF NUCLEAR REACTORS↗

ASME Code change proposal to implement new universal high temperature constitutive models for Section III, Division 5

This report completes work on a universal high temperature constitutive model suitable for use with the ASME Boiler & Pressure Vessel Code Section III, Division 5 rules for the design by inelastic analysis of Class A nuclear reactor components. The goals of this work are to provide a simple model form that adequately captures the high temperature response of materials and can be applied to any future Code material. Additionally, the report describes an automated process for calibrating a model against test data. The idea is to simplify the effort required to generate a constitutive model for an arbitrary material, provided test data is available. This will accelerate the process of qualifying new Code materials in the future. In addition, the report provides calibrated models and detailed validation comparisons to test data for five currently-qualified or soon-to-be qualified materials: 316H, Grade 91, Alloy 800H, Alloy 617, and Alloy 709. The report surveys the available data for the remaining two ASME Class Materials --- 2.25Cr-1Mo and 304H --- concluding that there is enough data data to generate a model for 2.25Cr-1Mo steel provided some additional sources of non-public data can be included in the test database, but that a dedicated cyclic test campaign would be needed for 304H. Supplemental material includes the full text of an ASME Code change proposal to incorporate the models for the four currently-qualified Class A material, detailed validation comparisons to test data for the five material models, and input files for reference implementations of the constitutive models in the NEML and NEML2 modeling frameworks.

22 GENERAL STUDIES OF NUCLEAR REACTORS↗

An investigation of the star-forming main sequence considering the nebular continuum emission at low- z

Galaxy evolution has been studied by interpreting the spectral energy distribution of galaxies using spectral synthesis codes. This method has been crucial in discovering different pillars of modern galaxy evolution theories. However, this analysis was mostly carried out using spectral synthesis codes that are purely stellar, that is, they assume that the nebular contribution to the total continuum is negligible. The code FADO is the first publicly available population spectral synthesis tool that treats the contribution from ionised gas to the observed emission self-consistently. This is expected to have a particularly strong effect in star-forming (SF) galaxies. We study the impact of the nebular contribution on the determination of the star formation rate (SFR), stellar mass, and consequent effect on the star-forming main sequence (SFMS) at low redshift. We applied FADO to the spectral database of the SDSS to derive the physical properties of galaxies. As a comparison, we used the data in the MPA-JHU catalogue, which contains the properties of SDSS galaxies derived without the nebular contribution. We selected a sample of SF galaxies with Hα and Hβ flux measurements, and we corrected the fluxes for the nebular extinction through the Balmer decrement. We then calculated the Hα luminosity to estimate the SFR. Then, by combining the stellar mass and SFR estimates from FADO and MPA-JHU, the SFMS was obtained. The Hα flux estimates are similar between FADO and MPA-JHU. Because the Hα flux was used as tracer of the SFR, FADO and MPA-JHU agree in their SFR. The stellar mass estimates are slightly higher for FADO than for MPA-JHU on average. However, considering the uncertainties, the differences are negligible. With similar SFR and stellar mass estimates, the derived SFMS is also similar between FADO and MPA-JHU. Our results show that for SDSS normal SF galaxies, the additional modelling of the nebular contribution does not affect the retrieved fluxes and consequentially also does not influence SFR estimators based on the extinction-corrected Hα luminosity. For the stellar masses, the results point to the same conclusion. These results are a consequence of the fact that the vast majority of normal SF galaxies in the SDSS have a low nebular contribution. However, the obtained agreement might only hold for local SF galaxies, but higher-redshift galaxies might show different physical properties when FADO is used. This would then be an effect of the expected increased nebular contribution.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

Transonic calculation of airfoil stability and response with active controls

Transonic aeroelastic stability and response analyses are performed for the MBB A-3 supercritical airfoil. Three degrees of freedom are considered: plunge, pitch, and aileron pitch. The control of airfoil stability and response in transonic flow are studied. Stability analyses are performed using a Pade aeroelastic model based on the use of LTRAN2-NLR transonic small disturbance finite difference computer code. Response analyses are performed by coupling the structural equations of motion to the unsteady aerodynamic forces of LTRAN2-NLR. The focus is on transonic time marching transient response solutions using modal identification to determine stability. Frequency and damping of these modes are directly compared in the complex s-plane with Pade model eigenvalues. Transonic stability and response characteristics of 2-D airfoils are discussed and comparisons are made. Application of the Pade aeroelastic model and time marching analyses to flutter suppression using active controls is demonstrated.

Batina, J. T.↗

Heat transfer, velocity-temperature correlation, and turbulent shear stress from Navier-Stokes computations of shock wave/turbulent boundary layer interaction flows

The properties of 2-D shock wave/turbulent boundary layer interaction flows were calculated by using a compressible turbulent Navier-Stokes numerical computational code. Interaction flows caused by oblique shock wave impingement on the turbulent boundary layer flow were considered. The oblique shock waves were induced with shock generators at angles of attack less than 10 degs in supersonic flows. The surface temperatures were kept at near-adiabatic (ratio of wall static temperature to free stream total temperature) and cold wall (ratio of wall static temperature to free stream total temperature) conditions. The computational results were studied for the surface heat transfer, velocity temperature correlation, and turbulent shear stress in the interaction flow fields. Comparisons of the computational results with existing measurements indicated that (1) the surface heat transfer rates and surface pressures could be correlated with Holden's relationship, (2) the mean flow streamwise velocity components and static temperatures could be correlated with Crocco's relationship if flow separation did not occur, and (3) the Baldwin-Lomax turbulence model should be modified for turbulent shear stress computations in the interaction flows.

Wang, C. R.↗

Numerical simulation of the hot-tail runaway electron production mechanism using CQL3D and comparison with Smith–Verwichte analytical model

Abstract The hot-tail mechanism of runaway electron (RE) production (Harvey et al 2000 Phys. Plasmas 7 4590) is the primary source of RE in the case of rapidly cooling tokamak plasma. Quantifying this mechanism is very important as it can provide most of the post-thermal-quench (TQ) current, or a seed current for the secondary source of RE through the avalanche mechanism. An analytic model which omits pitch-angle scattering is often used in literature for estimating the hot-tail RE density (Smith and Verwichte 2008 Phys. Plasmas 15 072502). In the present study, we use the CQL3D bounce-averaged Fokker–Planck code (Harvey and McCoy 1992 Proc. IAEA Technical Committee Meeting on Advances in Simulation and Modeling of Thermonuclear Plasmas p 527) to test the limits of validity of the model. In particular, we examine the cases of Z = 1 and Z = 18 ions, for sets of different initial temperature, density, electric field and the characteristic time of temperature decay. We show that for Z = 1 plasma, the ratio of RE density computed by CQL3D to that estimated from the model is within 0.6–6.0 in studied cases. For the Z = 18 case, this factor is systematically a much smaller number, typically 0.02–0.6. We suggest a simple correction to the model that narrows down the range of this ratio to 0.3–3.8 in all of the cases, including Z = 1 and Z = 18 plasmas.

Physics↗

Origins of Energetic Ions in the Earth's Magnetosheath

The analysis and interpretation of the combined scientific data from the Hot Plasma Composition Experiment (HPCE) and the Charge Energy Mass (CHEM) spectrometer on the Active Mesospheric Particle Tracer Experiment (AMPTE) Charge Composition Explorer (CCE) spacecraft are discussed. These combined data sets have and will be used to survey the energetic ion environment in the Earth's magnetosheath to determine the origins and relative strengths of the energetic ion populations found there. A computer code was developed to analyze and interpret the data sets. The focus of the first year was on the determination of the contribution of leaked magnetospheric protons to the total energetic proton population. Emphasis was placed on intervals when the AMPTE spacecraft was in the plasma depletion layer because it was argued that in this region, only the leaked population contributes to the energetic ion population. Manipulation of the CHEM data and comparison of the CHEM and HPCE data over their common energy range near the magnetopause also contributed directly to a second study of that region.

Fuselter, S. A.↗

Comparison of liquid rocket engine base region heat flux computations using three turbulence models

The flow in the base region of launch vehicles is characterized by flow separation, flow reversals, and reattachment. Computation of the convective heat flux in the base region and on the nozzle external surface of Space Shuttle Main Engine and Space Transportation Main Engine (STME) is an important part of defining base region thermal environments. Several turbulence models were incorporated in a CFD code and validated for flow and heat transfer computations in the separated and reattaching regions associated with subsonic and supersonic flows over backward facing steps. Heat flux computations in the base region of a single STME engine and a single S1C engine were performed using three different wall functions as well as a renormalization-group based k-epsilon model. With the very limited data available, the computed values are seen to be of the right order of magnitude. Based on the validation comparisons, it is concluded that all the turbulence models studied have predicted the reattachment location and the velocity profiles at various axial stations downstream of the step very well.

Kumar, Ganesh N.↗