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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

Gas Flux and Density Surrounding a Cylindrical Aperture in the Free Molecular Flow Regime

The equations for rigorously calculating the particle flux and density surrounding a cylindrical aperture in the free molecular flow regime are developed and presented. The fundamental equations for particle flux and density from a reservoir and a diffusely reflecting surface will initially be developed. Assumptions will include a Maxwell-Boltzmann speed distribution, equal particle and wall temperatures, and a linear flux distribution along the cylindrical aperture walls. With this information, the equations for axial flux and density surrounding a cylindrical aperture will be developed. The cylindrical aperture will be divided into multiple volumes and regions to rigorously determine the surrounding axial flux and density, and appropriate limits of integration will be determined. The results of these equations will then be evaluated. The linear wall flux distribution assumption will be assessed. The axial flux and density surrounding a cylindrical aperture with a thickness-to-radius ratio of 1.25 will be presented. Finally, the equations determined in this study will be verified using multiple methods.

Soulas, George C.↗

Computed Turbulent Free Shear Flow Of Air

Standard k-epsilon model of turbulence yields fairly accurate results. Symposium paper discusses numerical simulation of turbulent free shear flow of nonreacting compressible fluid. Ability to compute such flows essential to advances in design.

Viegas, J. R.↗

On the mechanism of turbulence suppression in free shear flows under acoustic excitation

Acoustic excitation at certain high frequencies has been known to suppress large amplitude fluctuations otherwise occurring naturally in various free shear flows. The phenomenon has been observed in flows with initially laminar or transitional boundary layers. An experimental investigation is conducted to consider two possibilities in regards to the mechanism of the effect. (1) The natural shear layer is self excited by the instability waves already developed in the upstream boundary layer. This is overridden when the shear layer is excited at its maximally unstable mode, causing the observed decrease in the intensities downstream. (2) The upstream boundary layer is in a transitional or buffeted laminar state, characterized by large amplitude unsteady fluctuations, which force the large fluctuations downstream. Excitation trips the upstream boundary layer to full turbulence, reduces the unsteady fluctuations, and thus causes the observed suppression of the intensities throughout the flowfield. The present experimental results refute either of these possibilities to be the general mechanism of the effect.

Zaman, K. B. M. Q.↗

On the mechanism of turbulence suppression in free shear flows under acoustic excitation

Acoustic excitation at certain high frequencies has been known to suppress large amplitude fluctuations otherwise occurring naturally in various free shear flows. The phenomenon has been observed in flows with initially laminar or transitional boundary layers. An experimental investigation is conducted to consider two possibilities in regards to the mechanism of the effect. (1) The natural shear layer is self excited by the instability waves already developed in the upstream boundary layer. This is overridden when the shear layer is excited at its maximally unstable mode, causing the observed decrease in the intensities downstream. (2) The upstream boundary layer is in a transitional or buffeted laminar state, characterized by large amplitude unsteady fluctuations, which force the large fluctuations downstream. Excitation trips the upstream boundary layer to full turbulence, reduces the unsteady fluctuations, and thus causes the observed suppression of the intensities throughout the flowfield. The present experimental results refute either of these possibilities to be the general mechanism of the effect.

Zaman, K. B. M. Q.↗

Computing Incompressible Flows With Free Surfaces

RIPPLE computer program models transient, two-dimensional flows of incompressible fluids with surface tension on free surfaces of general shape. Surface tension modeled as volume force derived from continuum-surface-force model, giving RIPPLE both robustness and accuracy in modeling surface-tension effects at free surface. Also models wall adhesion effects. Written in FORTRAN 77.

Kothe, D.↗

AM Powder Flowability Capabilities at NASA Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC)

Additive Manufacturing (AM) powder flowability is critical to metal 3D printing, because the more fluid the powder is, the better powder spreads. The NASA MSFC’s Contamination Control Team (CCT) studies density, flow, particle size distribution, and morphology for programs such as Moon-to-Mars Planetary Autonomous Construction Technology (MMPACT), ASTM Proficiency Testing for AM and Powder Metallurgy, and MSFC’s AM team. Examining and measuring powder characteristics is essential for improving flowability of AM powder and ensuring lot-to-lot consistency, which will help to prevent defects in manufactured parts. The CCT uses several methods to characterize AM powder. Optical particle size distribution and morphology analyses determine particle parameters including size, circularity, convexity, and dimensions. The Carney and Hall Flowmeter Funnel measures time it takes powder to flow through a funnel to compare relative flowability (free-flowing and non-free-flowing). In addition to this, the device utilizes a density cup which determines apparent density. Lastly, the Revolution Powder Analyzer measures dynamic powder flowability and behavior over time via digital imaging. Using the CCT’s lab, the team has produced ASTM Powder Proficiency Testing results with flow rates, apparent density, particle size distribution, and tap density on titanium-based and nickel-based powder and compared data with other companies/labs. Morphology data was also collected for various regolith simulant powder for the MMPACT program. Lastly, the CCT used morphology data to examine the flowability of Inconel 718 powder for Selective Laser Melting (SLM) and Directed Energy Deposition (DED) printers at MSFC. The CCT’s essential work in studying and enabling AM powder characterization has helped and will continue to help study new and refined powders in the AM industry.

Additive Manufacturing↗

AM Powder Flowability Capabilities at NASA Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC)

Additive Manufacturing (AM) powder flowability is critical to metal 3D printing, because the more fluid the powder is, the better powder spreads. AM Powder Flowability Capabilities at NASA MSFC studies density, flow, particle size distribution, and morphology for programs such as Moon-to-Mars Planetary Autonomous Construction Technology (MMPACT), ASTM Proficiency Testing for AM and Powder Metallurgy, and MSFC’s AM team. Examining and measuring powder characteristics is essential for improving flowability of AM powder and ensuring lot-to-lot consistency, which will help to prevent defects in manufactured parts. The Contamination Control Team (CCT) uses several methods to characterize AM powder. Optical particle size distribution and morphology analyses determine particle parameters including size, circularity, convexity, and dimensions. The Carney and Hall Flowmeter Funnel measures time it takes powder to flow through a funnel to compare relative flowability (free-flowing and non-free-flowing). In addition to this, the device utilizes a density cup which determines apparent density. Lastly, the Revolution Powder Analyzer measures dynamic powder flowability and behavior over time via digital imaging. Using the CCT’s lab, the team has produced ASTM Powder Proficiency Testing results with flow rates, apparent density, particle size distribution, and tap density on titanium-based and nickel-based powder and compared data with other companies/labs. Morphology data was also collected for various regolith simulant powder for the MMPACT program. Lastly, the CCT used morphology data to examine the flowability of Inconel 718 powder for Selective Laser Melting (SLM) and Directed Energy Deposition (DED) printers at MSFC. The CCT’s essential work in studying and enabling AM powder characterization has helped and will continue to help study new and refined powders in the AM industry.

Additive Manufacturing↗

Direct simulation of polymer drag reduction in free shear flows and vortex dipoles

One of the most efficient techniques for drag reduction is the injection of polymers near a wall which can achieve a reduction in drag up to 80 percent. Several experimental observations tend to indicate that polymers modify the turbulence structures within the buffer layer and show that the changes consist of a weakening of the strength of the streamwise vortices. In this paper, we investigate the effects of viscoelasticity on two different types of flows: the vortex dipole impinging walls to model streamwise vortices in a turbulent boundary layer and the mixing layer that represents free shear flows. For this purpose, we examined three different rheological models: the Oldroyd-B model, the Jeffrey's corotational model, and the FENE-P model.

Orlandi, P.↗

An integral turbulent kinetic energy analysis of free shear flows

Mixing of coaxial streams is analyzed by application of integral techniques. An integrated turbulent kinetic energy (TKE) equation is solved simultaneously with the integral equations for the mean flow. Normalized TKE profile shapes are obtained from incompressible jet and shear layer experiments and are assumed to be applicable to all free turbulent flows. The shear stress at the midpoint of the mixing zone is assumed to be directly proportional to the local TKE, and dissipation is treated with a generalization of the model developed for isotropic turbulence. Although the analysis was developed for ducted flows, constant-pressure flows were approximated with the duct much larger than the jet. The axisymmetric flows under consideration were predicted with reasonable accuracy. Fairly good results were also obtained for the fully developed two-dimensional shear layers, which were computed as thin layers at the boundary of a large circular jet.

Peters, C. E.↗

On-orbit free molecular flow aerodynamic characteristics of a proposal space operations center configuration

A proposed configuration for a Space Operations Center is presented in its eight stages of buildup. The on orbit aerodynamic force and moment characteristics were calculated for each stage based upon free molecular flow theory. Calculation of the aerodynamic characteristics was accomplished through the use of an orbital aerodynamic computer program, and the computation method is described with respect to the free molecular theory used. The aerodynamic characteristics are presented in tabulated form for each buildup stage at angles of attack from 0 to 360 degrees and roll angles from -60 to +60 degrees. The reference altitude is 490 kilometers, however, the data should be applicable for altitudes below 490 kilometers down to approximately 185 kilometers.

Romere, P. O.↗

Boundary-value problem of configurations with compressible free vortex flow

A self-consistent version of the compressible boundary-value problem for configurations with leading-edge vortex separation is formulated, based on the assumption that the compressible flow field is controlled by the linearized potential equation. The stream surface boundary condition and the zero pressure jump condition of the compressible free vortex flows are analyzed; application of the Goethert rule permits the compressible nonlinear boundary-value problem for the subsonic flow domain to be transformed into an equivalent nonlinear incompressible problem. The compressibility corrections developed are used in numerical calculations of subsonic leading-edge vortex flows about planar wing geometries. The sample calculations, employing an inviscid flow model in which the wing and vortex sheets are represented by piecewise continuous quadratic doublet sheet distributions, are applicable to high subsonic Mach numbers.

Brune, G. W.↗

Numerical solution of supersonic three-dimensional free-mixing flows using the parabolic-elliptic Navier-Stokes equations

A numerical method is presented for solving the parabolic-elliptic Navier-Stokes equations. The solution procedure is applied to three-dimensional supersonic laminar jet flow issuing parallel with a supersonic free stream. A coordinate transformation is introduced which maps the boundaries at infinity into a finite computational domain in order to eliminate difficulties associated with the imposition of free-stream boundary conditions. Results are presented for an approximate circular jet, a square jet, varying aspect ratio rectangular jets, and interacting square jets. The solution behavior varies from axisymmetric to nearly two-dimensional in character. For cases where comparisons of the present results with those obtained from shear layer calculations could be made, agreement was good.

Hirsh, R. S.↗

Modeling and calculation of turbulent transport in free-shear flows

In this work the applicability of the combined bulk convection and gradient transport hypotheses for modeling turbulent diffusion is investigated. The resulting model equation, namely the one-equation model, is solved for free-shear flows by an implicit finite-difference method. Results indicate that significant improvements over previous models can be achieved with this new formulation of turbulent diffusion for both heat and momentum transport.

Biringen, S.↗

A Note on the Wave Action Density of a Viscous Instability Mode on a Laminar Free-shear Flow

Using the assumptions of an incompressible and viscous flow at large Reynolds number, we derive the evolution equation for the wave action density of an instability wave traveling on top of a laminar free-shear flow. The instability is considered to be viscous; the purpose of the present work is to include the cumulative effect of the (locally) small viscous correction to the wave, over length and time scales on which the underlying base flow appears inhomogeneous owing to its viscous diffusion. As such, we generalize our previous work for inviscid waves. This generalization appears as an additional (but usually non-negligible) term in the equation for the wave action. The basic structure of the equation remains unaltered.

Balsa, Thomas F.↗

On the large-scale structure in turbulent free shear flows

The interaction between the large-scale structure and the disparately fine-grained turbulence in a free turbulent shear flow, in particular, the mixing region is considered. New results pertaining to the spatial problem are presented. An incompressible fluid is considered. An energy integral description is discussed, giving attention to shape assumptions, the interaction problem, energy transfer mechanisms, the spectral dependence of the interaction, and the control of the large-scale structure.

Liu, J. T. C.↗