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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

Development of an Axisymmetric Afterbody Test Case for Turbulent Flow Separation Validation

As identified in the CFD Vision 2030 Study commissioned by NASA, validation of advanced RANS models and scale-resolving methods for computing turbulent flows must be supported by improvements in high-quality experiments designed specifically for CFD implementation. A new test platform referred to as the Axisymmetric Afterbody allows for a range of flow behaviors to be studied on interchangeable afterbodies while facilitating access to higher Reynolds number facilities. A priori RANS computations are reported for a risk-reduction configuration to demonstrate critical variation among turbulence model results for a given afterbody, ranging from barely-attached to mild separated flow. The effects of body nose geometry and tunnel-wall boundary condition on the computed afterbody flow are explored to inform the design of an experimental test program.

Disotell, Kevin J.↗

Performance characteristics of two annular dump diffusers using suction-stabilized vortex flow control

Test results are described for two abrupt area change annular diffusers with provisions for maintaining suction stabilized toroidal vortices at the area discontinuity. Both diffusers had an overall area ratio of 4.0 with the prediffuser area ratio being 1.18 for diffuser A and 1.4 for diffuser B. Performance was evaluated at near atmospheric pressure and temperature for a range of inlet Mach numbers from 0.18 to 0.41 and suction rates from 0 to 18%. Static pressure recovery improved significantly as the suction rate was increased to approximately 11%. Results obtained with diffuser A were superior to that obtained with diffuser B. Flat radial profiles of exit velocity were not obtained since the flow showed preferential hub or tip attachment at moderate suction rates. At high suction rates the diffuser exit flow became circumferentially nonuniform and unstable.

Juhasz, A. J.↗

Blockage and flow studies of a generalized test apparatus including various wing configurations in the Langley 7-inch Mach 7 Pilot Tunnel

A 1/12th scale model of the Curved Surface Test Apparatus (CSTA), which will be used to study aerothermal loads and evaluate Thermal Protection Systems (TPS) on a fuselage-type configuration in the Langley 8-Foot High Temperature Structures Tunnel (8 ft HTST), was tested in the Langley 7-Inch Mach 7 Pilot Tunnel. The purpose of the tests was to study the overall flow characteristics and define an envelope for testing the CSTA in the 8 ft HTST. Wings were tested on the scaled CSTA model to select a wing configuration with the most favorable characteristics for conducting TPS evaluations for curved and intersecting surfaces. The results indicate that the CSTA and selected wing configuration can be tested at angles of attack up to 15.5 and 10.5 degrees, respectively. The base pressure for both models was at the expected low level for most test conditions. Results generally indicate that the CSTA and wing configuration will provide a useful test bed for aerothermal pads and thermal structural concept evaluation over a broad range of flow conditions in the 8 ft HTST.

Albertson, C. W.↗

Analysis of Transient Groundwater Flow Near the Cheshire Test at Pahute Mesa, Nevada National Security Site

This report focuses on analysis and determination of the causes of transient water levels measured between 1964 and 2017 near the Cheshire underground nuclear test, which was detonated on February 14, 1976 in Area 20 (USDOE, 2015) of the Pahute Mesa (PM) testing areas of the Nevada National Security Site (NNSS) located in southern Nevada (Figure 1). Transient water levels near Cheshire indicate influences of a water-production well and yet-unexplained water level rise attributed to testing effects (Jackson and Fenelon, 2018; Jackson et al. 2021). Transient groundwater flow is relevant to the implementation of the hydrologic source term (HST), which prescribes the quantity and release rates of radionuclide source terms to be applied at individual test locations in assessment of regional-scale radionuclide transport (Carle and Tompson, 2021; Carle et al., 2021), as previously investigated for NNSS testing areas at PM (Pawloski et al., 2001), Frenchman Flat (Carle et al, 2007), Yucca Flat (Mcnab, 2009; Tompson, 2009), and Rainier Mesa (Carle, 2011; Tompson et al., 2011).

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗

Analysis of Transient Groundwater Flow Near the Cheshire Test at Pahute Mesa, Nevada National Security Site

This report focuses on analysis and determination of the causes of transient water levels measured between 1964 and 2017 near the Cheshire underground nuclear test, which was detonated on February 14, 1976 in Area 20 (USDOE, 2015b) of the Pahute Mesa (PM) testing areas of the Nevada National Security Site (NNSS) located in southern Nevada (Figure 1). Transient water levels near Cheshire indicate influences of a water-production well and yet-unexplained water level rise attributed to testing effects (Jackson and Fenelon, 2018; Jackson et al. 2021). Transient groundwater flow is relevant to the implementation of the hydrologic source term (HST), which prescribes the quantity and release rates of radionuclide source terms to be applied at individual test locations in assessment of regional-scale radionuclide transport (Carle and Tompson, 2021; Carle et al., 2021), as previously investigated for NNSS testing areas at PM (Pawloski et al., 2001), Frenchman Flat (Carle et al, 2007), Yucca Flat (Carle et al., 2009; Mcnab, 2009; Tompson et al., 2009), and Rainier Mesa (Carle, 2011; Tompson et al., 2011).

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗

A Comparison of Impedance Eduction Test Rigs with Different Flow Profiles

The experimental characterization of acoustic liners applied for turbofan engines has been in the spotlight of the community for the last few decades. In general, such characterization is done by measurements of the liner acoustic impedance using different techniques in conditions as close as possible to those encountered in turbofan engines. Although a great amount of work has been published related to these techniques, few comparisons between different experimental setups using identical samples are available. The goal of the present study is to provide a comparison between educed acoustic impedances for two nominally identical liner samples in theUFSC Impedance Test Rig and the NASA Langley Research Center Grazing Flow ImpedanceTube (GFIT). Due to the geometrical differences between the test rigs, it is possible to consider the effect of different grazing flow profiles on the educed impedance. Impedance measurements between the two facilities show similar results in absence of grazing flow, while different ones when the grazing flow is present. Results are presented with both test rigs targeted to two different conditions: (i) same centerline Mach number and; (ii) same average Mach number.Both comparisons suggest a higher acoustic resistance obtained with the UFSC Impedance TestRig. A comparison using semi-empirical predictive models was also conducted. The results suggest that the main source for the observed difference is the grazing flow profile, represented by its boundary layer displacement thickness.

impedance↗

A Comparison of Impedance Eduction Test Rigs with Different Flow Profiles

The experimental characterization of acoustic liners applied for turbofan engines has been in the spotlight of the community for the last few decades. In general, such characterization is done by measurements of the liner acoustic impedance using different techniques in conditions as close as possible to those encountered in turbofan engines. Although a great amount of work has been published related to these techniques, few comparisons between different experimental setups using identical samples are available. The goal of the present study is to provide a comparison between educed acoustic impedances for two nominally identical liner samples in theUFSC Impedance Test Rig and the NASA Langley Research Center Grazing Flow ImpedanceTube (GFIT). Due to the geometrical differences between the test rigs, it is possible to consider the effect of different grazing flow profiles on the educed impedance. Impedance measurements between the two facilities show similar results in absence of grazing flow, while different ones when the grazing flow is present. Results are presented with both test rigs targeted to two different conditions: (i) same centerline Mach number and; (ii) same average Mach number.Both comparisons suggest a higher acoustic resistance obtained with the UFSC Impedance TestRig. A comparison using semi-empirical predictive models was also conducted. The results suggest that the main source for the observed difference is the grazing flow profile, represented by its boundary layer displacement thickness.

impedance↗

4D Electrical Resistivity Imaging of Stress Perturbations Induced During High–Pressure Shear Stimulation Tests

Fluid flow through fractured media is typically governed by the distribution of fracture apertures, which are in turn governed by stress. Consequently, understanding subsurface stress is critical for understanding and predicting subsurface fluid flow. Although laboratory–scale studies have established a sensitive relationship between effective stress and bulk electrical conductivity in crystalline rock, that relationship has not been extensively leveraged to monitor stress evolution at the field scale using electrical or electromagnetic geophysical monitoring approaches. In this paper we demonstrate the use time–lapse 3–dimensional (4D) electrical resistivity tomography to image perturbations in the stress field generated by pressurized borehole packers deployed during shear–stimulation attempts in a 1.25 km deep metamorphic crystalline rock formation.

58 GEOSCIENCES↗

Calculation of three-dimensional laminar boundary-layer flows.

Accuracy tests have been made of the approximation, proposed recently by Wang (1971), which reduces the computation of three-dimensional, laminar, compressible, boundary-layer equations to the problem of solving two-dimensional type boundary-layer equations. The tests were made by a comparison of the results achieved using Wang's method with a fully three-dimensional boundary-layer calculation. Results of the comparison are tabulated and are found to be in good agreement.

Fillo, J. A.↗

System for measuring transients in fluid flow

When test valve is actuated, piston is moved by pressurized fluid, and displacement is monitored by electro-optical tracking system and recorded by oscilloscope camera. Electro-optical monitor produces output voltage proportional to displacement of piston.

Pearson, D. J.↗

Hot dynamic test rig for measuring hypersonic engine seal flow and durability

A test fixture for measuring the dynamic performance of candidate high-temperature engine seal concepts was developed. The test fixture was developed to evaluate seal concepts under development for advanced hypersonic engines, such as those being considered for the National Aerospace Plane (NASP). The fixture can measure dynamic seal leakage performance from room temperature up to 840 C and air pressure differentials of to 0.7 MPa. Performance of the seals can be measured while sealing against flat or engine-simulated distorted walls. In the fixture, two seals are preloaded against the sides of a 0.3 m long saber that slides transverse to the axis of the seals, simulating the scrubbing motion anticipated in these engines. The capabilities of this text fixture along with preliminary data showing the dependence of seal leakage performance on high temperature cycling are covered.

Miller, Jeffrey H.↗

The Ames 12-Foot Pressure Tunnel: Tunnel Empty Flow Calibration Results and Discussion

An empty test section flow calibration of the refurbished NASA Ames 12-Foot Pressure Tunnel was recently completed. Distributions of total pressure, dynamic pressure, Mach number, flow angularity temperature, and turbulence are presented along with results obtained prior to facility demolition. Axial static pressure distributions along tunnel centerline are also compared. Test section model support geometric configurations will be presented along with a discussion of the issues involved with different model mounting schemes.

Peter T Zell↗

Flow-Control Devices For Inlets Of Indraft Wind Tunnels

Report presents theoretical and experimental study of effects of antiturbulence flow-control devices in inlet of indraft wind tunnel upon nonuniformity of flow in test section of tunnel. Flow-control devices in question include vanes, screens, and honeycombs, placed in inlet upstream of contracting section of tunnel leading from inlet to test section.

Ross, James C.↗

Local Flow Conditions for Propulsion Experiments on the NASA F-15B Propulsion Flight Test Fixture

Local flow conditions were measured underneath the National Aeronautics and Space Administration F-15B airplane to support development of future experiments on the Propulsion Flight Test Fixture (PFTF). The local Mach number and flow angles were measured using a conventional air data boom on a cone-cylinder mounted under the PFTF and compared with the airplane air data nose boom measurements. At subsonic flight speeds, the airplane and PFTF Mach numbers were approximately equal. Transonic Mach number values were up to 0.1 greater at the PFTF than the airplane, which is a counterintuitive result. The PFTF local supersonic Mach numbers were as much as 0.46 less than the airplane values. The maximum local Mach number at the PFTF was approximately 1.6 at an airplane Mach number near 2.0. The PFTF local angle of attack was negative at all Mach numbers, ranging from -3 to -8 degrees. When the airplane angle of sideslip was zero, the PFTF local value was zero between Mach 0.8 and Mach 1.1, -2 degrees between Mach 1.1 and Mach 1.5, and increased from zero to 1 degree from Mach 1.5 to Mach 2.0. Airplane inlet shock waves crossed the aerodynamic interface plane between Mach 1.85 and Mach 1.90.

Vachon, Michael J.↗

Technology test bed and hydrogen cold flow facilities at the Marshall Space Flight Center

The Technology Test Bed and Hydrogen Cold Flow facilities at NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC) in Huntsville, Alabama provide unique testing capabilities for the aerospace community. Located at the Advanced Engine Test Facility (AETF), these facilities are operated and maintained by MSFC Propulsion Laboratory personnel. They provide a systems and components level testing platform for validating new technology concepts and advanced systems design and for gaining a better understanding of the test article internal environments. A discussion follows of the particular capabilities of each facility to provide a range of testing options for specific test articles.

Lightfoot, Robert↗

Numerical Calibration of Mass Flow Plug for Inlet Testing

A simple control volume model has been developed to calculate the discharge coefficient through a mass flow plug (MFP) and validated with a calibration experiment. The maximum error of the model within the operating region of the MFP is 0.54%. The control volume analysis developed work is comprised of a sequence of flow calculations through the MFP. The model uses the MFP geometry and operating pressure and temperature to couple continuity, momentum, energy, an equation of state, and wall shear. The discharge coefficient calculation also includes the effects of boundary layer growth, including the reduction in cross-sectional flow area as characterized by the boundary layer displacement thickness. The last calculation in the sequence uses an integral method to calculate the growth of the boundary layer, from which the displacement thickness is then determined. The result of these successive calculations is an accurate one-dimension model of the velocity, pressure, and temperature through the MFP. For comparison, a computational fluid dynamic (CFD) calibration is shown, which when compared to the presented numerical model, had a lower accuracy with a maximum error of 1.35% in addition to being slower by a factor of 100."

Flow Measurement↗

Concurrent Flame Growth, Spread and Extinction over Composite Fabric Samples in Low Speed Purely Forced Flow in Microgravity

As a part of the NASA BASS and BASS-II experimental projects aboard the International Space Station, flame growth, spread and extinction over a composite cotton-fiberglass fabric blend (referred to as the SIBAL fabric) were studied in low-speed concurrent forced flows. The tests were conducted in a small flow duct within the Microgravity Science Glovebox. The fuel samples measured 1.2 and 2.2 cm wide and 10 cm long. Ambient oxygen was varied from 21% down to 16% and flow speed from 40 cm/s down to 1 cm/s. A small flame resulted at low flow, enabling us to observe the entire history of flame development including ignition, flame growth, steady spread (in some cases) and decay at the end of the sample. In addition, by decreasing flow velocity during some of the tests, low-speed flame quenching extinction limits were found as a function of oxygen percentage. The quenching speeds were found to be between 1 and 5 cm/s with higher speed in lower oxygen atmosphere. The shape of the quenching boundary supports the prediction by earlier theoretical models. These long duration microgravity experiments provide a rare opportunity for solid fuel combustion since microgravity time in ground-based facilities is generally not sufficient. This is the first time that a low-speed quenching boundary in concurrent spread is determined in a clean and unambiguous manner.

concurrent↗

A study of the drooped leading edge airfoil

Wind tunnel tests were conducted to examine various aspects of the drooped-leading edge airfoil which reduces the tendency for an airplane to enter a spin after stall occurs. Three baseline models were used for tests of two dimensional models: NACA 0015, 0014.6, and 0014.2. The 14.6% and 14.2% models were derived from NACA 0015 sections by increasing the chord and matching the profiles aft section. Force, balance data (lift, drag, pitching moment) were obtained for each model at a free-steam Reynold's number of 2.66 x 10 to the 6th power/m. In addition, oil flow visualization tests were performed at various angles of attack. An existing NACA 64 sub 1 A211 airfoil was used in a second series of tests. The leading edge flap was segmented in three parts which allowed various baseline/drooped leading edge configurations to be tested. Force balance and flow visualization tests were completer at chord Renolds numbers of 0.44 x 10 to the 6th power, 1.4 x 10 to the 6th power, and 2.11 x 10 to the 6th power. Test results are included.

Anderson, J. D., Jr.↗