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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 685 records · Page 38

ECAR-6415 Rev 0 CFD Analysis of the Primary Coolant Apparatus Test Core with Wire Spacers for Heterogeneous Power Distributions

Primary Coolant Apparatus Test (PCAT) is a thermal-hydraulic test loop for Microreactor Applications Research Validation and Evaluation (MARVEL) reactor. The heater elements were manufactured within a straightness tolerance for the designated gap thickness of 1.0 mm, but several elements have been distorted out of tolerance during the welding process. The distortion of heater rods can lead to flow maldistribution and excessive hotspot where the gap between two heater rods is too tight. In order to secure the heater-to-heater gap in an acceptable range, wire spacers are adopted for the PCAT. The wire spacers affect the thermal-hydraulic performance of the PCAT because they enhance the flow mixing among the flow subchannels in the core region. The objectives of this ECAR is to evaluate the effects of the wire spacers on the thermal-hydraulic performance of the PCAT core region by assuming several heterogeneous power distributions.

21 - SPECIFIC NUCLEAR REACTORS AND ASSOCIATED PLAN↗

Simulation of the BEAVRS benchmark using VERA

The Virtual Environment for Reactor Applications (VERA) is being developed by the Consortium for the Advanced Simulation of Light Water Reactors (CASL). Here, VERA is used to perform the Benchmark for Evaluation and Validation of Reactor Simulations (BEAVRS), which provides two cycles’ worth of operating power history, along with a full, detailed description of the geometry, and measured data. Cycle 1 and 2 are simulated with VERA and the results are compared to the measured zero power physics tests, critical boron concentration, and flux maps.

22 GENERAL STUDIES OF NUCLEAR REACTORS↗

Multiphysics Simulations of Thermal Shock Testing of Nanofibrous High Power Targets

Increase of primary beam power for neutrino beam-lines leads to a reduced lifespan for production targets. The field of High Power Targetry (HPT) is generating new concepts to meet the need for robust targets. One idea being investigated by the HPT Research and Development Group at Fermilab is an electrospun nanofiber target. As part of their evaluation, samples with different densities were sent to the HiRadMat facility at CERN for thermal shock tests. The samples with the higher density, irradiated under a high intensity beam pulse, exhibit major damages at the impact site whereas those with the lower density show no apparent damages. The exact cause of this failure was unclear at the time. In this paper, we present the results of multiphysics simulations of the thermal shock experienced by the nanofiber targets that suggest the failure originates from the reduced permeability of the high density sample to airflow. The air present in the porous target expands due to heating from the beam, but is unable to flow freely in the high density sample, resulting in a larger back pressure that blows apart the mat. We close with a discussion on how to further validate this hypothesis.

43 PARTICLE ACCELERATORS↗

OSU High Temperature Test Facility Test Acceptance Report, PG-31 Low Power (<350kW) Pressure Vessel Bottom Break with Restored Forced Convection Cooling Test

Test Acceptance Report for Test PG-31 at the Oregon State University High Temperature Test Facility. The purpose of this test is to examine the progression of the Pressure Vessel Bottom Break with Restored Forced Convection Cooling transient in an integral test facility scaled to General Atomics’ Modular High Temperature Gas Reactor (MHTGR) design.

21 SPECIFIC NUCLEAR REACTORS AND ASSOCIATED PLANTS↗

Overview and evolution of the LeRC PMAD DC test bed

Since the beginning of the Space Station Freedom Program (SSFP), the Lewis Research Center (LeRC) has been developed electrical power system test beds to support the overall design effort. Through this time, the SSFP has changed the design baseline numerous times, however, the test bed effort has endeavored to track these changes. Beginning in August 1989 with the baseline and an all DC system, a test bed was developed to support the design baseline. The LeRC power measurement and distribution (PMAD) DC test bed and the changes in the restructure are described. The changes included the size reduction of primary power channel and various power processing elements. A substantial reduction was also made in the amount of flight software with the subsequent migration of these functions to ground control centers. The impact of these changes on the design of the power hardware, the controller algorithms, the control software, and a description of their current status is presented. An overview of the testing using the test bed is described, which includes investigation of stability and source impedance, primary and secondary fault protection, and performance of a rotary utility transfer device. Finally, information is presented on the evolution of the test bed to support the verification and operational phases of the SSFP in light of these restructure scrubs.

Soeder, James F.↗

Design and application of a test rig for super-critical power transmission shafts

The design, assembly, operational check-out and application of a test facility for testing supercritical power transmission shafts under realistic conditions of size, speed and torque are described. Alternative balancing methods and alternative damping mechanisms are demonstrated and compared. The influence of torque upon the unbalance distribution is studied, and its effect on synchronous vibrations is investigated. The feasibility of operating supercritical power transmission shafting is demonstrated, but the need for careful control, by balancing and damping, of synchronous and nonsynchronous vibrations is made clear. The facility was demonstrated to be valuable for shaft system development programs and studies for both advanced and current-production hardware.

Darlow, M.↗

Phase 4 static tests of the J-97 powered, external augmentor V/STOL model at the NASA, Ames Research Center, November 1983

A large-scale, ejector-lift V/STOL Model, powered by a J-97 engine, was tested at the NASA Ames Research Center Outdoor Aerodynamics Research Facility. The model incorporated the external augmentor concept developed by DHC. Since the first test at Ames in 1979, the fuselage augmentor nozzle array has been redesigned with a larger pitch and notched nozzles instead of plain slot nozzles. Thrust augmentation of the ejector as measured at Ames Research Center was lower than that measured in the DHC laboratory. It is believed that this difference is due to the high temperature of the primary jet flow as compared to the DHC blown-down rig. An ejector-lift/vectored thrust configuration was also included in the recent tests. This is an arrangement where the fuselage augmentor is shortened in the chordwise direction and the extra thrust is generated with a vectorable, ventral nozzle. In free air the shortened fuselage augmentor produced the same augmentation as the long augmentor. In ground proximity, at a height of 27 in, and with zero pitch angle, a negative ground effect was measured equal to 6.5 percent of the free-air lift.

Garland, D. B.↗

The 10 kW power electronics for hydrogen arcjets

A combination of emerging mission considerations such as 'launch on schedule', resource limitations, and the development of higher power spacecraft busses has resulted in renewed interest in high power hydrogen arcjet systems with specific impulses greater than 1000 s for Earth-space orbit transfer and maneuver applications. Solar electric propulsion systems with about 10 kW of power appear to offer payload benefits at acceptable trip times. This work outlines the design and development of 10 kW hydrogen arcjet power electronics and results of arcjet integration testing. The power electronics incorporated a full bridge switching topology similar to that employed in state of the art 5 kW power electronics, and the output filter included an output current averaging inductor with an integral pulse generation winding for arcjet ignition. Phase shifted, pulse width modulation with current mode control was used to regulate the current delivered to arcjet, and a low inductance power stage minimized switching transients. Hybrid power Metal Oxide Semiconductor Field Effect Transistors were used to minimize conduction losses. Switching losses were minimized using a fast response, optically isolated, totem-pole gate drive circuit. The input bus voltage for the unit was 150 V, with a maximum output voltage of 225 V. The switching frequency of 20 kHz was a compromise between mass savings and higher efficiency. Power conversion efficiencies in excess of 0.94 were demonstrated, along with steady state load current regulation of 1 percent. The power electronics were successfully integrated with a 10 kW laboratory hydrogen arcjet, and reliable, nondestructive starts and transitions to steady state operation were demonstrated. The estimated specific mass for a flight packaged unit was 2 kg/kW.

Hamley, John A.↗

APU diaphragm testing. Test plan

Auxiliary Power Unit (APU) fuel (hydrazine) tanks have had to be removed from the Columbia Shuttle (OV-102) because they have been in service for 11 years, which is the limit of their useful life. As part of an effort to determine whether the useful life of the fuel tanks can be extended, examination of the ethylene propylene rubber (EPR) diaphragm and the metal from one of the APU tanks is required. The JSC Propulsion and Power Division has requested White Sands Test Facility (WSTF) to examine the EPR diaphragm thoroughly and the metal casing generally from one tank. The objective is to examine the EPR diaphragm for signs of degradation that may limit the life of its function in the APU propellant tank. The metal casing will also be examined for signs of surface corrosion.

Shelley, Richard↗

Zero Boil-Off System Testing

Cryogenic propellants such as liquid hydrogen (LH2) and liquid oxygen (LO2) are a part of NASA's future space exploration due to their high specific impulse for rocket motors of upper stages suitable for transporting 10s to 100s of metric tons of payload mass to destinations outside of low earth orbit and for their return. However, the low storage temperatures of LH2 and LO2 cause substantial boil-off losses for missions with durations greater than several months. These losses can be eliminated by incorporating high performance cryocooler technology to intercept heat load to the propellant tanks and modulating the cryocooler to control tank pressure. The active thermal control technology being developed by NASA is the reverse turbo-Brayton cycle cryocooler and its integration to the propellant tank through a distributed cooling tubing network coupled to the tank wall. This configuration was recently tested at NASA Glenn Research Center, in a vacuum chamber and cryoshroud that simulated the essential thermal aspects of low Earth orbit, its vacuum and temperature. Testing consisted of three passive tests with the active cryocooler system off, and 7 active tests, with the cryocooler powered up. The test matrix included zero boil-off tests performed at 90 full and 25 full, and several demonstrations at excess cooling capacity and reduced cooling capacity. From this, the tank pressure response with varied cryocooler power inputs was determined. This test series established that the active cooling system integrated with the propellant tank eliminated boil-off and robustly controlled tank pressure.

Plachta, David W.↗

Liquid Nitrogen Zero Boiloff Testing

Cryogenic propellants such as liquid hydrogen (LH2) and liquid oxygen (LO2) are a part of NASAs future space exploration due to their high specific impulse for rocket motors of upper stages suitable for transporting 10s to 100s of metric tons of payload mass to destinations outside of low earth orbit and for their return. However, the low storage temperatures of LH2 and LO2 cause substantial boil-off losses for missions with durations greater than several months. These losses can be eliminated by incorporating high performance cryocooler technology to intercept heat load to the propellant tanks and modulating the cryocooler to control tank pressure. The active thermal control technology being developed by NASA is the reverse turbo-Brayton cycle cryocooler and its integration to the propellant tank through a distributed cooling tubing network coupled to the tank wall. This configuration was recently tested at NASA Glenn Research Center, in a vacuum chamber and cryo-shroud that simulated the essential thermal aspects of low Earth orbit, its vacuum and temperature. Testing consisted of three passive tests with the active cryo-cooler system off, and 7 active tests, with the cryocooler powered up. The test matrix included zero boil-off tests performed at 90 full and 25 full, and several demonstrations at excess cooling capacity and reduced cooling capacity. From this, the tank pressure response with varied cryocooler power inputs was determined. This test series established that the active cooling system integrated with the propellant tank eliminated boil-off and robustly controlled tank pressure.

Cryogenic fluid management↗

The 0.040-scale space shuttle orbiter base heating model tests in the Lewis Research Center space power facility

Space shuttle base heating tests were conducted using a 0.040-scale model in the Plum Brook Space Power Facility of The NASA Lewis Research Center. The tests measured heat transfer rates, pressure distributions, and gas recovery temperatures on the orbiter vehicle 2A base configuration resulting from engine plume impingement. One hundred and sixty-eight hydrogen-oxygen engine firings were made at simulated flight altitudes ranging from 120,000 to 360,000 feet.

Dezelick, R. A.↗

Transportation Fatigue Testing of the pHB650 Power Coupler Antenna for the PIP-II Project at Fermilab

The PIP-II Project will see international shipment of cryomodules from Europe to the United States, and as such, the shocks which can occur during shipment pose a risk to the internal components. Of particular concern is the coupler ceramic window and surrounding brazes, which can see relatively high stress during an excitation event. Since the antenna design is new, and because of the setback failure would create, a cyclic stress test was devised for the antenna. This paper presents the experimental methods, setup, and results of the test.

43 PARTICLE ACCELERATORS↗

Transportation Fatigue Testing of the pHB650 Power Coupler Antenna for PIP-II at FNAL

The PIP-II Project will see international shipment of cryomodules Proton Improvement Plan-II from Europe to the United States, and as such, the shocks which can occur during shipment pose a risk to the internal components. Of particular concern is the coupler ceramic window and surrounding brazes, which will see stresses during an excitation event. Since the antenna design is new, and because of the setback failure would create, a cyclic stress test was devised for the antenna. This paper presents the experimental methods, setup, and results of the test.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗

An Evaluation of the Additional Acoustic Power Needed to Overcome the Effects of a Test-Article's Absorption during Reverberant Chamber Acoustic Testing of Spaceflight Hardware

The exposure of a customers aerospace test-article to a simulated acoustic launch environment is typically performed in a reverberant acoustic test chamber. The acoustic pre-test runs that will ensure that the sound pressure levels of this environment can indeed be met by a test facility are normally performed without a test-article dynamic simulator of representative acoustic absorption and size. If an acoustic test facilitys available acoustic power capability becomes maximized with the test-article installed during the actual test then the customers environment requirement may become compromised. In order to understand the risk of not achieving the customers in-tolerance spectrum requirement with the test-article installed, an acoustic power margin evaluation as a function of frequency may be performed by the test facility. The method for this evaluation of acoustic power will be discussed in this paper. This method was recently applied at the NASA Glenn Research Center Plum Brook Stations Reverberant Acoustic Test Facility for the SpaceX Falcon 9 Payload Fairing acoustic test program.

acoustic↗

System reliability analysis through corona testing

A corona vacuum test facility for nondestructive testing of power system components was built in the Reliability and Quality Engineering Test Laboratories at the NASA Lewis Research Center. The facility was developed to simulate operating temperature and vacuum while monitoring corona discharges with residual gases. The facility is being used to test various high-voltage power system components.

Lalli, V. R.↗

Electromechanical flight control actuator, volume 3

The design verification tests which were conducted on the electromechanical actuator are described. A description is also given of the power components tests which were conducted to aid in selecting the power transistors for use in the single-channel power electronics breadboard and the results of tests which were conducted on the power electronics breadboard.

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