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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 91 records · Page 5
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS2014

Simulation Tool for Dielectric Barrier Discharge Plasma Actuators

Traditional approaches for active flow separation control using dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) plasma actuators are limited to relatively low speed flows and atmospheric conditions. This results in low feasibility of the DBDs for aerospace applications. For active flow control at turbine blades, fixed wings, and rotary wings and on hypersonic vehicles, DBD plasma actuators must perform at a wide range of conditions, including rarified flows and combustion mixtures. An efficient, comprehensive, physically based DBD simulation tool can optimize DBD plasma actuators for different operation conditions. Researchers are developing a DBD plasma actuator simulation tool for a wide range of ambient gas pressures. The tool will treat DBD using either kinetic, fluid, or hybrid models, depending on the DBD operational condition.

Likhanskii, Alexander↗
NASA NTRS2001

Liquid Fuels: Pyrolytic Degradation and Fire Spread Behavior as Influenced by Buoyancy

This work is being conducted by the Combustion and Emission Control Lab in the Engineering Department at Clark Atlanta University under NASA Grant No. NCC3-707. The work aims at providing data to supplement the ongoing NASA research activities on fire spread across liquid pools by providing flow visualization and velocity measurements especially in the gas phase and gas-liquid interface. The fabrication, installation, and testing were completed during this reporting period. The system shakedown and detailed quantitative measurements with High Speed Video and Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV) systems using butanol as fuel were performed. New and interesting results, not previously reported in the literature, were obtained from the experiments using a modified NASA tray and butanol as fuel. Three distinct flame spread regimes, as previously reported, were observed. These were the pseudo-uniform regime below 20 C, the pulsating regime between 22 and 30 C and the uniform regime above about 31 C. In the pulsating regime the jump velocity appeared to be independent of the pool temperature. However, the retreat velocity between jumps appeared to depend on the initial pool temperature. The flame retreated before surging forwards with increasing brightness. Previous literature reported this phenomenon only under microgravity conditions. However, we observed such behavior in our normal gravity experiments. Mini-pulsations behind the flame front were also observed. Two or three of these pulsations were observed within a single flame front pulsating time period. The velocity vector maps of the gas and liquid phases ahead, during, and behind the flame front were characterized. At least one recirculation cell was observed right below the flame front.The size of the liquid phase vortex (recirculation cell) below the flame front appeared to decrease with increasing initial pool temperature. The experiments also showed how multiple vortices developed in the liquid phase. A large recirculation cell, which generally spins counterclockwise as the flame spread from right to left, was observed ahead of and near the flame front in the gas phase. Detailed quantitative measurements will be undertaken with the LDV and PIV systems using the modified NASA tray and propanol.

Yeboah, Yaw D.↗
NASA NTRS2003

Liquid Fuels: Pyrolytic Degradation and Fire Spread Behavior as Influenced by Buoyancy

This project was conducted by the Combustion and Emission Control Lab in the Engineering Department at Clark Atlanta University under NASA Grant No. NCC3-707. The work aimed at providing data to supplement the ongoing NASA research activities on flame spread across liquid pools by providing flow visualization and velocity measurements especially in the gas phase and gas-liquid interface. During this investigation, the detailed physics of flame spread across liquid pools was revealed using particle image velocimetry (PIV), 3-dimensional Laser Doppler velocimetry (LDV) and high-speed video imaging system (HSVS). Flow fields (front and side views) of both the liquid and gas phases were visually investigated for the three subflash regimes of flame spread behavior. Some interesting findings obtained from the front and side views on flame spread across butanol pools are presented. PIV results showed the size of the transient vortex in the liquid phase near the flame front varied with the initial pool temperature. The transient vortex ahead of the flame front in the gas phase was, for the first time, clearly observed located just within 0-3 mm above the liquid surface and its size was dependent on the initial pool temperature. We calculated the flow velocity at 1 mm below the liquid surface near the flame front and inferred the generation mechanism of the vortex in the gas phase. Finally, after comparison of the flow velocity of the liquid surface and the flame spread rate, a reasonable explanation to the formation mechanism of the pulsating characteristic was proposed. This explanation is compatible with the previous numerical calculations and deductions.

Ross, Howard D.↗
DOE OSTI2018

Characterization of temporal variations and feedback timescales of exhaust gas recirculation gas properties using high-speed diode laser absorption spectroscopy for next-cycle control of cyclic variability

Dilute combustion offers efficiency gains in boosted gasoline direct injection engines both through knock-limit extension and thermodynamic advantages (i.e. the effect of γ on cycle efficiency), but is limited by cyclic variability at high dilution levels. Past studies have shown that the cycle-to-cycle dynamics are a combination of deterministic and stochastic effects. The deterministic causes of cyclic variations, which arise from feedback due to exhaust gas recirculation, imply the possibility of using active control strategies for dilution limit extension. While internal exhaust gas recirculation will largely provide a next-cycle effect (short-timescale feedback), the feedback of external exhaust gas recirculation will have an effect after a delay of several cycles (long timescale). Therefore, control strategies aiming to improve engine stability at dilution limit may have to account for both short- and long-timescale feedback pathways. This study shows the results of a study examining the extent to which variations in exhaust gas recirculation composition are preserved along the exhaust gas recirculation flow path and thus the relative importance and information content of the long-timescale feedback pathway. To characterize the filtering or retention of cycle-resolved feedback information, high-speed (1–5 kHz) CO 2 concentration measurements were performed simultaneously at three different locations along the low-pressure external exhaust gas recirculation loop of a four-cylinder General Motors gasoline direct injection engine using a multiplexed two-color diode laser absorption spectroscopy sensor system during steady-state and transient engine operation at various exhaust gas recirculation levels. It was determined that cycle-resolved feedback propagates through internal residual gases but is filtered out by the low-pressure exhaust gas recirculation flow system and do not reach the intake manifold. Intermediate variations driven by flow rate and compositional changes are also distinguished and identified.

Dilute combustion↗
DOE OSTI2024

Mixing-Controlled Compression Ignition Combustion with Low-Lifecycle-CO 2 Fuels

Reducing lifecycle carbon-dioxide (CO 2 ) and toxic emissions via electrification or switching to carbon-free fuels is not currently feasible for many off-road, rail, and marine applications. This is due to factors including excessive cost, weight, or size of a battery of sufficient capacity to meet the application requirements, lack of infrastructure, insufficient time for recharging, demanding duty cycles, and severe ambient conditions. The guiding vision for the activities described herein is to enable rapid, cost-effective reductions of the environmental impacts of such applications by using improved, high efficiency engine combustion strategies with currently available and emerging low lifecycle-CO 2 fuels (LLCFs). This report summarizes progress toward achieving this vision in two project areas. The first is a Technology Commercialization Fund (TCF) project focused on facilitating the commercialization of ducted fuel injection (DFI) with LLCFs. The second is a more fundamental, Advanced Combustion Engines (ACE) research project focused on elucidating a new strategy called lean mixing-controlled combustion (LMCC) for use with emerging LLCFs.

33 ADVANCED PROPULSION SYSTEMS↗
DOE OSTI2018

Modeling nitrogen chemistry in combustion

Understanding of the chemical processes that govern formation and destruction of nitrogen oxides (NO x ) in combustion processes continues to be a challenge. Even though this area has been the subject of extensive research over the last four decades, there are still unresolved issues that may limit the accuracy of engineering calculations and thereby the potential of primary measures for NO x control. In this review our current understanding of the mechanisms that are responsible for combustion-generated nitrogen-containing air pollutants is discussed. The thermochemistry of the relevant nitrogen compounds is updated, using the Active Thermochemical Tables (ATcT) approach. Rate parameters for the key gas-phase reactions of the nitrogen species are surveyed, based on available information from experiments and high-level theory. The mechanisms for thermal and prompt-NO, for fuel-NO, and NO formation via NNH or N 2 O are discussed, along with the chemistry of NO removal processes such as reburning and Selective Non-Catalytic Reduction of NO. Each subset of the mechanism is evaluated against experimental data and the accuracy of modeling predictions is discussed.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
NASA NTRS2003

Propulsion Research at the Propulsion Research Center of the NASA Marshall Space Flight Center

The Propulsion Research Center of the NASA Marshall Space Flight Center is engaged in research activities aimed at providing the bases for fundamental advancement of a range of space propulsion technologies. There are four broad research themes. Advanced chemical propulsion studies focus on the detailed chemistry and transport processes for high-pressure combustion, and on the understanding and control of combustion stability. New high-energy propellant research ranges from theoretical prediction of new propellant properties through experimental characterization propellant performance, material interactions, aging properties, and ignition behavior. Another research area involves advanced nuclear electric propulsion with new robust and lightweight materials and with designs for advanced fuels. Nuclear electric propulsion systems are characterized using simulated nuclear systems, where the non-nuclear power source has the form and power input of a nuclear reactor. This permits detailed testing of nuclear propulsion systems in a non-nuclear environment. In-space propulsion research is focused primarily on high power plasma thruster work. New methods for achieving higher thrust in these devices are being studied theoretically and experimentally. Solar thermal propulsion research is also underway for in-space applications. The fourth of these research areas is advanced energetics. Specific research here includes the containment of ion clouds for extended periods. This is aimed at proving the concept of antimatter trapping and storage for use ultimately in propulsion applications. Another activity in this involves research into lightweight magnetic technology for space propulsion applications.

Blevins, John↗
NASA NTRS2012

Monitoring Ocean CO2 Fluxes from Space: GOSAT and OCO-2

The ocean is a major component of the global carbon cycle, emitting over 330 billion tons of carbon dioxide (CO2) into the atmosphere each year, or about 10 times that emitted fossil fuel combustion and all other human activities [1, 2]. The ocean reabsorbs a comparable amount of CO2 each year, along with ~25% of the CO2 emitted by these human activities. The nature and geographic distribution of the processes controlling these ocean CO2 fluxes are still poorly constrained by observations. A better understanding of these processes is essential to predict how this important CO2 sink may evolve as the climate changes.While in situ measurements of ocean CO2 fluxes can be very precise, the sampling density is far too sparse to quantify ocean CO2 sources and sinks over much of the globe. One way to improve the spatial resolution, coverage, and sampling frequency is to make observations of the column averaged CO2 dry air mole fraction, XCO2, from space [4, 5, 6]. Such measurements could provide global coverage at high resolution (< 100 km) on monthly time scales. High precision (< 1 part per million, ppm) is essential to resolve the small, near-surface CO2 variations associated with ocean fluxes and to better constrain the CO2 transport over the ocean. The Japanese Greenhouse gases Observing Satellite (GOSAT) and the NASA Orbiting Carbon Observatory (OCO) were first two space based sensors designed specifically for this task. GOSAT was successfully launched on January 23, 2009, and has been returning measurements of XCO2 since April 2009. The OCO mission was lost in February 2009, when its launch vehicle malfunctioned and failed to reach orbit. In early 2010, NASA authorized a re-flight of OCO, called OCO-2, which is currently under development.

GOSAT↗
NASA NTRS2020

NASA Next-Generation Sensing Technologies for Earth & Planetary Science

Dr. Ved Chirayath's seminar will highlight new sensing technologies and airborne platforms he is developing for Earth & Space Science as director of the NASA Silicon Valley Laboratory for Advanced Sensing. His talk will feature recent work on Fluid Lensing, the first remote sensing technology capable of imaging through ocean waves in 3D at sub-cm resolutions, MiDAR, a next-generation active hyperspectral remote sensing and optical communications instrument, airborne gas sensing of multipollutant combustion sources, and a plasma actuated unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) that utilized high-voltage dielectric discharge devices to achieve the first plasma controlled flight in history.Fluid Lensing and the NASA FluidCam instrument have been used extensively to provide distortion-free 3D multispectral imagery from UAVs of shallow marine systems around the world. MiDAR is being deployed on aircraft and underwater remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) as a new method to remotely sense living and nonliving structures in extreme environments as an analog for future Ocean Worlds robotic exploration missions. Finally, Chirayath will present preliminary results from NeMO-Net, a supercomputer-based neural network that uses a citizen science video game for global multimodal coral reef benthic habitat mapping, fusing remote sensing data from Fluid Lensing, MiDAR, NASA's Earth Observing System, and commercial satellites, to better understand the present and past dynamics of shallow marine systems. Together, these maturing technologies present promising new ways in which to explore terrestrial, marine, and aerial systems on Earth, and, ultimately, aid in the search for extraterrestrial life within our solar system and beyond.

Chirayath, Ved↗
DOE OSTI2020

A novel active optimization approach for rapid and efficient design space exploration using ensemble machine learning

In this work, a novel design optimization technique based on active learning, which involves dynamic exploration and exploitation of the design space of interest using an ensemble of machine learning algorithms, is presented. In this approach, a hybrid methodology incorporating an explorative weak learner (regularized basis function model) which fits high-level information about the response surface, and an exploitative strong learner (based on committee machine) that fits finer details around promising regions identified by the weak learner, is employed. For each design iteration, an aristocratic approach is used to select a set of nominees, where points that meet a threshold merit value as predicted by the weak learner are selected to be evaluated using expensive function evaluation. In addition to these points, the global optimum as predicted by the strong learner is also evaluated to enable rapid convergence to the actual global optimum once the most promising region has been identified by the optimizer. This methodology is first tested by applying it to the optimization of a two-dimensional multi-modal surface. The performance of the new active learning approach is compared with traditional global optimization methods, namely micro-genetic algorithm (pGA) and particle swarm optimization (PSO). It is demonstrated that the new optimizer is able to reach the global optimum much faster with a significantly fewer number of function evaluations. Subsequently, the new optimizer is also applied to a complex internal combustion (IC) engine combustion optimization case with nine control parameters related to fuel injection, initial thermodynamic conditions, and in-cylinder flow. It is again found that the new approach significantly lowers the number of function evaluations that are needed to reach the optimum design configuration (by up to 80%) when compared to particle swarm and genetic algorithm-based optimization techniques.

Machine learning, active learning, design optimiza↗
DOE OSTI2018

Synthesis of Colloidal Pd/Au Dilute Alloy Nanocrystals and Their Potential for Selective Catalytic Oxidations

Selective oxidations are crucial for the creation of valuable chemical building blocks but often require expensive and unstable stoichiometric oxidants such as hydroperoxides and peracids. To date, many catalysts that contain a single type of active site have not been able to attain the desired level of selectivity for partially oxidized products over total combustion. However, catalysts containing multiple types of active sites have proven to be successful for selective reactions. One category of such catalysts is bimetallic alloys, in which catalytic activity and selectivity can be tuned by modifying the surface composition. Traditional catalyst synthesis methods using impregnation struggle to create catalysts with sufficient control over surface chemistry to accurately tune the ensemble size of the desired active sites. Here in this paper, we describe the synthesis of colloidal nanocrystals of dilute alloys of palladium and gold. We show that when supported on titania (TiO 2 ), tuning the composition of the Pd/Au nanocrystal surface provides a synergistic effect in the selective oxidation of 2-propanol to acetone in the presence of H 2 and O 2 . In particular, we show that certain Pd/Au surface ratios exhibit activity and selectivity far superior to Pd or Au individually. Through precise structural characterization we demonstrate that isolated atoms of Pd exist in the most active catalysts. The synergy between isolated Pd atoms and Au allows for the formation of reactive oxidizing species, likely hydroperoxide groups, responsible for selective oxidation while limiting oxygen dissociation and, thus, complete combustion. This work opens the way to more efficient utilization of scarce noble metals and new options for catalyzed selective oxidations.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
NASA NTRS1984

Microgravity science and applications bibliography, 1984 revision

A compilation of Government reports, contractor reports, conference proceedings, and journal articles dealing is presented that deal with flight experiments utilizing a low gravity environment to elucidate and control various processes or with ground based activities that provide supporting research. Subdivisions include six major categories: (1) Electronic Materials; (2) Metals, Alloys, and Composites; (3) Fluid Dynamics and Transports; (4) Biotechnology; (5) Glasses and Ceramics; and (6) Combustion. Also included are publications from the European, Soviet, and Japanese MSA programs. In addition, there is a list of patents and appendices providing a compilation of anonymously authored reports and a cross reference index.

Pentecost, E.↗
DOE OSTI2021

Control of Carbon Allocation in Phenylpropanoid Metabolism

Understanding the molecular mechanisms by which carbon flux is partitioned in plants, and how flux through the phenylpropanoid pathway in particular is regulated and allocated to different branches of the pathway is essential for the eventual rational manipulation of phenylpropanoid flux for bioenergy applications. The phenylpropanoid pathway is responsible for the biosynthesis of a diverse array of metabolites essential for structural integrity, water transport, UV protection, and defense against herbivores and pathogens. The products of the phenylpropanoid pathway, all of which are derived from phenylalanine, range from complex, insoluble polymers such as lignin and suberin, to soluble flavonoids and hydroxycinnamate esters, to volatile compounds used to attract pollinators. By far the most abundant of these is the complex heteropolymer lignin, which accounts for a significant portion of the dry weight of not only woody plants, but also of crop residues. Decreasing or altering lignin structure to provide increased cell wall digestibility could greatly increase the cost effectiveness of converting cell wall polysaccharides to ethanol or second-generation biofuels. On the other hand, it is also possible that plants engineered to accumulate higher levels of lignin could provide improved feedstock for direct combustion and electricity generation as part of a diverse bioenergy portfolio. Consistent with the enormous commitment of energy and carbon it requires, the synthesis of lignin is under tight regulatory control. In order to influence transcription, gene-specific activators and repressors must interact with basal transcription factors and the rest of the core transcriptional machinery. In eukaryotes, this interaction is bridged by the large, multi-subunit complex known as Mediator. Despite the clear importance of Mediator throughout the eukaryotes, the complex has only recently been studied in plants. We have shown that a pair of Mediator subunits, MED5a and MED5b are required for normal regulation of phenylpropanoid pathway product accumulation. Plants lacking these proteins show increased accumulation of phenylpropanoids in multiple tissues indicating that normally they directly or indirectly repress expression of phenylpropanoid pathway genes. Furthermore, we have recently shown that MED5 plays a role in dwarfing in some low lignin plants and feedback between and within metabolic pathways of secondary metabolism in Arabidopsis. Taken together with the established roles of Mediator in transcriptional regulation, and of MED5a and MED5b in the repression of phenylpropanoid metabolism, these observations suggest that MED5a and MED5b are key components of an active, transcriptional process by which phenylpropanoid homeostasis is maintained in wild-type plants. Our research focused on expanding our understanding of the role of Mediator, as well as elucidating the mechanisms by which these proteins influence phenylpropanoid biosynthesis and how metabolite accumulation within the pathway and between metabolic pathways is essential for feedback regulatory control. This research will inform future bioengineering efforts aimed at altering carbon allocation and cell wall engineering by contributing to our understanding of the role of Mediator in regulating lignin biosynthesis, a pathway of plant metabolism that is important on a global scale.

09 BIOMASS FUELS↗
NASA NTRS1983

Materials processing in space bibliography, 1983, revised

Flight experiments utilizing a low gravity environment to elucidate and control various processes, or ground based activities that provide supporting research are compiled. Six major categories: crystal growth; solidification of metals, alloys, and composites; fluids, transports, and chemical processes; glasses and ceramics; ultrahigh vacuum and containerless processing technologies; and combustion are included. A list of patents and appendices providing a compilation of anonymously authored collections and reports and a cross reference index are included.

Pentecost, E.↗
NASA NTRS1984

Research on oxidation by air and tempering of Raney nickel electrocatalysts for the H2 anodes of alkali combustion materials cells

The controlled oxidation in air of Raney nickel electrocatalysts was studied, with special attention paid to the quantitative analysis of nickel hydroxide. The content of the latter was determined through X-ray studies, thermogravimetric measurements, and spectral photometric examinations. The dependence of the content on the drying of activated catalyst is determined. The influence of nickel hydroxide on the electrochemical parameters of the catalyst, such as diffusion polarization, is studied, including a measurement of the exchange current density using the potential drop method. Conservation by oxidation in air with ancillary stabilization of the oxide in an H2 flow at 300 C is explored, including reduction by H2, the influence of tempering time, and structural studies on conserved and stabilized catalyst, long term research on the catalyst, including the influence of aging on the reduced catalyst, and the results of impedance measurements are presented.

Selbach, H. J.↗
NASA NTRS1983

Detailed fuel spray analysis techniques

Detailed fuel spray analyses are a necessary input to the analytical modeling of the complex mixing and combustion processes which occur in advanced combustor systems. It is anticipated that by controlling fuel-air reaction conditions, combustor temperatures can be better controlled, leading to improved combustion system durability. Thus, a research program is underway to demonstrate the capability to measure liquid droplet size, velocity, and number density throughout a fuel spray and to utilize this measurement technique in laboratory benchmark experiments. The research activities from two contracts and one grant are described with results to data. The experiment to characterize fuel sprays is also described. These experiments and data should be useful for application to and validation of turbulent flow modeling to improve the design systems of future advanced technology engines.

Mularz, E. J.↗
NASA NTRS1990

CO-oxidation catalysts: Low-temperature CO oxidation over Noble-Metal Reducible Oxide (NMRO) catalysts

Oxidation of CO to CO2 is an important reaction technologically and environmentally and a complex and interesting reaction scientifically. In most cases, the reaction is carried out in order to remove CO as an environmental hazard. A major application of heterogeneous catalysts is catalytic oxidation of CO in the exhaust of combustion devices. The reaction over catalysts in exhaust gas is fast and often mass-transfer-limited since exhaust gases are hot and O2/CO ratios are high. The main challenges to catalyst designers are to control thermal sintering and chemical poisoning of the active materials. The effect of the noble metal on the oxide is discussed, followed by the effect of the oxide on the noble metal, the interaction of the noble metal and oxide to form unique catalytic sites, and the possible ways in which the CO oxidation reaction is catalyzed by the NMRO materials.

Herz, Richard K.↗
NASA NTRS1994

Catalytic ignitor for regenerative propellant gun

An ignitor initiates combustion of liquid propellant in a gun by utilizing a heated catalyst onto which the liquid propellant is sprayed in a manner which mitigates the occurrence of undesirable combustion chamber oscillations. The heater heats the catalyst sufficiently to provide the activation necessary to initiate combustion of the liquid propellant sprayed thereonto. Two embodiments of the ignitor and three alternative mountings thereof within the combustion chamber are disclosed. The ignitor may also be utilized to dispose of contaminated, excess, or waste liquid propellant in a safe, controlled, simple, and reliable manner.

Voecks, Gerald E.↗