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At least 703 records · Page 39

Reflection/suppression coatings for 900 - 1200 A radiation

The design and performance of multiple-layer, selective-reflection, selective-suppression coatings for the 900 - 1200 A band are described. These coatings are designed to optimize both high reflectivity at a desirable wavelength and low reflectivity at an undesirable wavelength. The minimum structure for a selective coating consists of a thin metal or metal oxide layer (50 - 150 A thickness) over an aluminum substrate protected with a semi-transparent dielectric (100 - 1000 A thickness). Predicted coating performance is strongly effected by varying the layer combination and thickness. A graphical method of optimizing the coating layer structure is developed. Aluminum, silicon, their oxides, and gold have been investigated as coating layer materials. A very simple coating with a 1026 to 1216 A reflectivity ratio greater than 100 was fabricated. Such reflection/suppression coatings may be of great utility to spaceborne EUV spectrographs.

Edelstein, Jerry↗

Development of a proposed international standard for certification of aircraft to High Intensity Radiated Fields (HIRF)

Avionic systems performing critical functions in modern aircraft are potentially susceptible to the hazards of electromagnetic radiation from ground and airborne transmitters. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) requested that the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) coordinate the development of procedures and guidance material which can be used during the aircraft certification process to ensure adequate protection against high intensity radiated fields (HIRF). This paper addresses both the technical challenge of drafting a certification procedure and guidance standard as well as the management process used by the SAE subcommittee AE4R to converge a diverse range of opinions by its international membership in the shortest possible time.

Sargent, Noel B.↗

Satellite Remote Sensing of Tropical Precipitation and Ice Clouds for GCM Verification

This project, supported by the NASA New Investigator Program, has primarily been funding a graduate student, Darren McKague. Since August 1999 Darren has been working part time at Raytheon, while continuing his PhD research. Darren is planning to finish his thesis work in May 2001, thus some of the work described here is ongoing. The proposed research was to use GOES visible and infrared imager data and SSM/I microwave data to obtain joint distributions of cirrus cloud ice mass and precipitation for a study region in the Eastern Tropical Pacific. These joint distributions of cirrus cloud and rainfall were to be compared to those from the CSU general circulation model to evaluate the cloud microphysical amd cumulus parameterizations in the GCM. Existing algorithms were to be used for the retrieval of cloud ice water path from GOES (Minnis) and rainfall from SSM/I (Wilheit). A theoretical study using radiative transfer models and realistic variations in cloud and precipitation profiles was to be used to estimate the retrieval errors. Due to the unavailability of the GOES satellite cloud retrieval algorithm from Dr. Minnis (a co-PI), there was a change in the approach and emphasis of the project. The new approach was to develop a completely new type of remote sensing algorithm - one to directly retrieve joint probability density functions (pdf's) of cloud properties from multi-dimensional histograms of satellite radiances. The usual approach is to retrieve individual pixels of variables (i.e. cloud optical depth), and then aggregate the information. Only statistical information is actually needed, however, and so a more direct method is desirable. We developed forward radiative transfer models for the SSM/I and GOES channels, originally for testing the retrieval algorithms. The visible and near infrared ice scattering information is obtained from geometric ray tracing of fractal ice crystals (Andreas Macke), while the mid-infrared and microwave scattering is computed with Mie scattering. The radiative transfer is performed with the Spherical Harmonic Discrete Ordinate Method (developed by the PI), and infrared molecular absorption is included with the correlated k-distribution method. The SHDOM radiances have been validated by comparison to version 2 of DISORT (the community "standard" discrete-ordinates radiative transfer model), however we use SHDOM since it is computationally more efficient.

Evans, K. Franklin↗

Summary of the Manufacture, Testing and Model Validation of a Full-Scale Radiator for Fission Surface Power Applications

A full-scale radiator for a lunar fission surface power application was manufactured by Material innovations, Inc., for the NASA Glenn Research Center. The radiator was designed to reject 6 kWt with an inlet water temperature of 400 K and a water mass flow rate of 0.5 kg/s. While not flight hardware, the radiator incorporated many potential design features and manufacturing techniques for future flight hardware. The radiator was tested at NASA Glenn Research Center for heat rejection performance. The results showed that the radiator design was capable of rejecting over 6 kWt when operating at the design conditions. The actual performance of the radiator as a function of operational manifolds, inlet water temperature and facility sink temperature was compared to the predictive model developed by NASA Glenn Research Center. The results showed excellent agreement with the model with the actual average face sheet temperature being within 1% of the predicted value. The results will be used in the design and production of NASA s next generation fission power heat rejection systems. The NASA Glenn Research Center s Technology Demonstration Unit will be the first project to take advantage of the newly developed manufacturing techniques and analytical models.

Ellis, David L.↗

Computational Model of Heat Transfer on the ISS

SCRAM Lite (SCRAM signifies Station Compact Radiator Analysis Model) is a computer program for analyzing convective and radiative heat-transfer and heat-rejection performance of coolant loops and radiators, respectively, in the active thermal-control systems of the International Space Station (ISS). SCRAM Lite is a derivative of prior versions of SCRAM but is more robust. SCRAM Lite computes thermal operating characteristics of active heat-transport and heat-rejection subsystems for the major ISS configurations from Flight 5A through completion of assembly. The program performs integrated analysis of both internal and external coolant loops of the various ISS modules and of an external active thermal control system, which includes radiators and the coolant loops that transfer heat to the radiators. The SCRAM Lite run time is of the order of one minute per day of mission time. The overall objective of the SCRAM Lite simulation is to process input profiles of equipment-rack, crew-metabolic, and other heat loads to determine flow rates, coolant supply temperatures, and available radiator heat-rejection capabilities. Analyses are performed for timelines of activities, orbital parameters, and attitudes for mission times ranging from a few hours to several months.

Torian, John G.↗

An Overview of the GEOS-5 Aerosol Reanalysis

GEOS-5 is the latest version of the NASA Global Modeling and Assimilation Office (GMAO) earth system model. GEOS-5 contains components for atmospheric circulation and composition (including data assimilation), ocean circulation and biogeochemistry, and land surface processes. In addition to traditional meteorological parameters, GEOS-5 includes modules representing the atmospheric composition, most notably aerosols and tropospheric/stratospheric chemical constituents, taking explicit account of the impact of these constituents on the radiative processes of the atmosphere. MERRA is a NASA meteorological reanalysis for the satellite era (1979-present) using GEOS-5. This project focuses on historical analyses of the hydrological cycle on a broad range of weather and climate time scales. As a first step towards an integrated Earth System Analysis (IESA), the GMAO is extending MERRA with reanalyses for other components of the earth system: land, ocean, bio-geochemistry and atmospheric constituents. In this talk we will present results from the MERRA-driven aerosol reanalysis covering the Aqua period (2003-present). The assimilation of Aerosol Optical Depth (AOD) in GEOS-5 involves very careful cloud screening and homogenization of the observing system by means of a Neural Net scheme that translates MODIS radiances into AERONET calibrated AOD. These measurements are further quality controlled using an adaptive buddy check scheme, and assimilated using the Local Displacement Ensemble (LDE) methodology. For this reanalysis, GEOS-5 runs at a nominal 50km horizontal resolution with 72 vertical layers (top at approx. 8Skm). GEOS-5 is driven by daily biomass burning emissions derived from MODIS fire radiative power retrievals. We will present a summary of our efforts to validate such dataset. The GEOS-5 assimilated aerosol fields are first validated by comparison to independent in-situ measurements (AERONET and PM2.5 surface concentrations). In order to asses aerosol absorption on a global scale, we perform a detailed radiative transfer calculation to simulate the UV aerosol index, comparing our results to OMI measurements. By simulating aerosol attenuated backscatter, we use CALIPSO measurements to evaluate the vertical structure of our aerosol estimates, in particular in regions where we have larger discrepancies with OMI. Finally, the consistency of our AOD estimates with estimates from MISR, MODIS/Deep Blue, OMI and PARASOL will be briefly discussed.

da Silva, Arlindo↗

Application of Refractory High-Entropy Alloys for Higher-Reliability and Higher-Efficiency Brayton Cycles and Advanced Nuclear Reactors

An exceptional set of newly-discovered advanced superalloys known as refractory high-entropy alloys (RHEAs) can provide near-term solutions for wear, erosion, corrosion, high-temperature strength, creep, and radiation issues associated with supercritical carbon dioxide (sCO2) Brayton Cycles and advanced nuclear reactors. In particular, these superalloys can significantly extend their durability, reliability, and thermal efficiency, thereby making them more cost-competitive, safer, and reliable. For this project, it was endeavored to manufacture and test certain RHEAs, to solve technical issues impacting the Brayton Cycle and advanced nuclear reactors. This was achieved by leveraging Sandia’s patents, technical advances, and previous experience working with RHEAs. Herein, three RHEA manufacturing methods were applied: laser engineered net shaping, spark plasma sintering, and spray coating. Two promising RHEAs were selected, HfNbTaZr and MoNbTaVW. To demonstrate their performance, erosion, structural, radiation, and hightemperature experiments were conducted on the RHEAs, stainless steel (SS) 316 L, SS 1020, and Inconel 718 test coupons, as well as bench-top components. The experimental data is presented, analyzed, and confirms the superior performance of the HfNbTaZr and MoNbTaVW RHEAs vs. SS 316 L, SS 1020, and Inconel 718. In addition, to gain more insights for larger-scale RHEA applications, the erosion and structural capabilities for the two RHEAs were simulated and compared with the experimental data. The experimental data confirm the superior performance of the HfNbTaZr and MoNbTaVW RHEAs vs. SS and Inconel. Most importantly, the erosion and the coating material experimental data show that erosion in sCO2 Brayton Cycles can be eliminated completely if RHEAs are used. The experimental suite and validations confirm that HfNbTaZr is suitable for harsh environments that do not include nuclear radiation, while MoNbTaVW is suitable for harsh environments that include radiation.

22 GENERAL STUDIES OF NUCLEAR REACTORS↗

Integrated analysis of large space systems

Based on the belief that actual flight hardware development of large space systems will necessitate a formalized method of integrating the various engineering discipline analyses, an efficient highly user oriented software system capable of performing interdisciplinary design analyses with tolerable solution turnaround time is planned Specific analysis capability goals were set forth with initial emphasis given to sequential and quasi-static thermal/structural analysis and fully coupled structural/control system analysis. Subsequently, the IAC would be expanded to include a fully coupled thermal/structural/control system, electromagnetic radiation, and optical performance analyses.

Young, J. P.↗

Infrared detector performance in the Shuttle Infrared Telescope Facility /SIRTF/

The limitations imposed on infrared detectors for SIRTF are quite different from those imposed on ground-based, balloon-borne, or aircraft-borne systems. The paper examines the limitations and provides performance predictions corresponding to SIRTF conditions. Detector parameters typical of an infrared camera are used. The detector size is taken to be of the order of the diffraction-limited spot, frequency response is taken to correspond to a fraction of a second or less time constant, and spectral definition is provided by multilayer dielectric filters, inductive or capacitive grids, intrinsic absorption, or a combination of these. A nominal 10-micron bandwidth is assumed. The discussion covers atmospheric absorption and emission, zodiacal dust radiance, Shuttle contaminants, telescope self-emission, charged particle radiation, clear environment detector performance, and trapped radiation effects. It is concluded that the SIRTF design and operating conditions will allow current and near-term state-of-the-art detectors to reach their performance limits with SIRTF at a temperature of 10-12 K.

Mccarthy, S. G.↗

Low-Cost Radiator for Fission Power Thermal Control

NASA Glenn Research Center (GRC) is developing fission power system technology for future Lunar surface power applications. The systems are envisioned in the 10 to 100kW(sub e) range and have an anticipated design life of 8 to 15 years with no maintenance. NASA GRC is currently setting up a 55 kW(sub e) non-nuclear system ground test in thermal-vacuum to validate technologies required to transfer reactor heat, convert the heat into electricity, reject waste heat, process the electrical output, and demonstrate overall system performance. Reducing the radiator mass, size, and cost is essential to the success of the program. To meet these goals, Advanced Cooling Technologies, Inc. (ACT) and Vanguard Space Technologies, Inc. (VST) are developing a single facesheet radiator with heat pipes directly bonded to the facesheet. The facesheet material is a graphite fiber reinforced composite (GFRC) and the heat pipes are titanium/water. By directly bonding a single facesheet to the heat pipes, several heavy and expensive components can be eliminated from the traditional radiator design such as, POC(TradeMark) foam saddles, aluminum honeycomb, and a second facesheet. A two-heat pipe radiator prototype, based on the single facesheet direct-bond concept, was fabricated and tested to verify the ability of the direct-bond joint to withstand coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) induced stresses during thermal cycling. The thermal gradients along the bonds were measured before and after thermal cycle tests to determine if the performance degraded. Overall, the results indicated that the initial uniformity of the adhesive was poor along one of the heat pipes. However, both direct bond joints showed no measureable amount of degradation after being thermally cycled at both moderate and aggressive conditions.

Bonding↗

Griffin-m

Griffin-m is a MOOSE-based reactor multiphysics application that streamlines the analysis of a variety of nuclear multiphysics simulations, including steady-state and transient radiation transport, core performance, fuel depletion, criticality and decay heat calculations, reprocessing and post-irradiation examination. This streamlining is accomplished via enhanced flexibility of the tools, uniform syntax in the MOOSE framework, dynamic linking of all relevant physics and a single point of execution. The design for flexible multi-physics, multi-radiation, multi-scheme tasks demands and ultimately makes Griffin-m a highly extendable code system. A software quality assurance (SQA) procedure is enforced during Griffin-m development. The Griffin-m version will be the main production version and it includes the MCC3 code, which was originally developed at Argonne National Laboratory to prepare cross sections for fast reactors.

Ortensi, Javier [Idaho National Laboratory (INL), ↗

Griffin: A Moose-based Reactor Multiphysics Application For Radiation Transport And Depletion Simulations

Griffin is a MOOSE-based reactor multiphysics application that streamlines the analysis of a variety of nuclear multiphysics applications, including steady-state and transient radiation transport, core performance, fuel depletion, criticality and decay heat calculations, reprocessing and post-irradiation examination. This streamlining is accomplished via enhanced flexibility of the tools, uniform syntax in the MOOSE framework, dynamic linking of all relevant physics and a single point of execution. The design for flexible multi-physics, multi-radiation, multi-scheme tasks demands and ultimately makes Griffin a highly extendable code system. A software quality assurance (SQA) procedure is enforced during Griffin development.

DeHart, MarkD.↗

Noise radiation from turbulent flows over compliant surfaces

The present study is based on Lighthill-Curle's theory of aerodynamic noise. Using a correlation approach and the image concept of Powell, the volume contribution of turbulent flow over a large surface is approximated by a surface contribution of pressure fluctuations. Far-field noise intensities are expressed in terms of the surface pressure fluctuations and surface impedance. Based on available experimental measurements, numerical examples are performed for noise radiated from a turbulent boundary layer and from a normal jet impingement over rigid surfaces. Comparisons with available noise measurements are made. For general turbulent flows over compliant surfaces, measurements are suggested to obtain useful data for noise predictions.

Pan, Y. S.↗

Performance of a thermionic converter module utilizing emitter and collector heat pipes

A thermionic converter module simulating a configuration for an out-of-core thermionic nuclear reactor was designed, fabricated, and tested. The module consists of three cylindrical thermionic converters. The tungsten emitter of the converter is heated by a tungsten, lithium heat pipe. The emitter heat pipes are immersed in a furnace, insulated by MULTI-FOIL thermal insulation, and heated by tungsten radiation filaments. The performance of each thermionic converter was characterized before assembly into the module. Dynamic voltage, current curves were taken using a 60 Hz sweep and computerized data acquisition over a range of emitter, collector, and cesium-reservoir temperatures. An output power of 215 W was observed at an emitter temperature of 1750 K and a collector temperature of 855 K for a two diode module. With a three diode module, an output power of 270 W was observed at an average emitter temperature of 1800 K and a Collector temperature of 875 K.

Kroeger, E. W.↗