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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 NTRS1989

Corrosion testing of candidates for the alkaline fuel cell cathode

It is desirable to employ a corrosion screening test for catalyst or support candidates for the fuel cell cathode before entering upon optimization of the candidate or of the catalytic electrode. To this end, corrosion test electrodes, intended for complete immersion and maximum wetting, have been made with 30 to 40 vol. pct Teflon; with perovskites this is about 10 to 15 pct. The candidates were synthesized by methods intended for single-phase product without special emphasis on high surface area, although the substances tested were no coarser than 2 m squared/g. A typical loading was 25 mg/cm sq of the pure substance, usually on gold screen, a few mm squared of which were left bare for contacting. Contact to the gold lead wire was made by welding with a micro-torch or a spot-welder. Corrosion testing consisted of obtaining current-voltage data under flowing inert gas in the potential region for reduction of O2. The electrode was immersed in 30 pct KOH. Observations were made at 20 C and 80 C, and the results compared with data from gold standards. Results with some perovskites, pyrochlores, spinels, and interstitial compounds will be discussed.

Singer, Joseph↗
DOE OSTI2025

Thermal Performance of Triply Periodic Minimal Surface Lattice Structures in Single-Phase Dielectric Fluid Cooling of Power Electronics

Additive manufacturing has transformed thermal management by enabling the production of complex, optimized geometries that conventional manufacturing methods cannot achieve. This study investigates the single-phase convective heat transfer performance of gyroid triply periodic minimal surface (TPMS) lattice structures with functional porosity. TPMS structures provide high surface area to volume ratios and are amenable to 3D printing. A gyroid numerical model was created and validated against an existing experimental study with a similar feature size to the investigated geometries. The TPMS structure has a periodic width of 1.6 mm, a length of 10 mm, and a height of 4 mm, with a functional porosity ranging from 0.5 to 0.8, decreasing with distance from the heated surface. Three different flow configurations were examined for an inlet fluid temperature of 70 °C. The inlet velocities range from 0.01 to 1.2 m/s, corresponding to a Reynolds number range of 10–900 with a heat flux of 50 W/cm 2 applied at the base. AmpCool ® AC-110 dielectric fluid (Prandtl number 59.5) was used as the coolant. Thermal performance and friction characteristics were studied for the three flow orientations. The parallel flow configuration was identified as the most efficient for heat removal. A detailed analysis of the numerical results highlights the underlying physics behind the thermal performance differences among the flow configurations.

33 ADVANCED PROPULSION SYSTEMS↗
DOE OSTI2025

STAT7 v2.0 User Guide

The STAT7 software was developed to perform steady-state, single-phase thermal hydraulics analysis of plate-fueled reactors based on statistical propagation of uncertainties. Application of the software includes non-power research and test reactor analysis, and it has been used for the conversion to low- enriched uranium fuel of U.S. High Performance Research Reactors such as the Massachusetts Institute of Technology Research Reactor. Since it can be necessary to repeat reactor safety analysis, such as during fuel reloading, STAT7 accommodates flexibility in analyzing many practical aspects of reactor fuel management. STAT7 uses a Monte Carlo approach to model uncertainty in common fuel fabrication parameters and other key reactor operating parameters required for reactor thermal hydraulics analysis. These safety calculations are ultimately intended to protect against high fuel plate temperatures due to critical heat flux, or onset of flow instability. STAT7 supports water properties based on the IAPWS-IF97 functions (The International Association for the Properties of Water and Steam Industrial Formulation 1997 for the Thermodynamic Properties of Water and Steam) in addition to fitted functions. STAT7 predicts axial profiles of fuel, cladding, and coolant temperature along a lateral stripe that runs the full length of the fuel plate from the bottom to the top. STAT7 can simultaneously analyze every axial node in each lateral stripe of all fuel plates and coolant channels in every fuel element of an entire reactor core. Power splits are calculated for each axial node of each plate to determine how much of the power goes out each face of the plate. In a single execution, STAT7 can be used to perform full core analysis by analyzing the margin to onset of nucleate boiling and onset of flow instability for each axial node of each stripe of each plate of each fuel element in the core.

22 GENERAL STUDIES OF NUCLEAR REACTORS↗
DOE OSTI2026

Determining the extent of potential fugitive fluid migration from geologic carbon storage in hydrocarbon-bearing reservoirs: Insights from one-dimensional numerical modeling

Numerical modeling of Geologic Carbon Sequestration in permeable reservoirs initially containing hydrocarbons is conducted using the multi-phase, multi-component thermohydrologic simulator TOGA (TOUGH Oil, Gas, Aqueous; TOUGH stands for Transport Of Unsaturated Groundwater and Heat), to determine how phase and composition of the original fluids influence the extent of the zone where upward fugitive fluid migration could potentially occur, denoted R f . The area within R f comprises regions of substantially elevated pressure and free-phase CO 2 saturation, where a breach in reservoir sealing capacity would lead to upward fugitive fluid migration. The model examines the conditions within the storage reservoir that could lead to fugitive flow, but does not model the fugitive flow itself. A one-dimensional radial model of the storage reservoir is used, and three initial phase conditions are considered: single-phase aqueous, two-phase gas-aqueous, and three-phase oil-gas-aqueous. Components that may be present are H 2 O, CO 2 , CH 4 , C 4 H 10 , and C 10 H 22 . The most important factors controlling Rf are (1) the initial gas-phase saturation within the reservoir, and (2) the lateral extent of multi-phase initial conditions, particularly CO 2 . The composition of liquid and gas phases has a secondary effect. The impact of reservoir depth, thickness, injection rate, and hydrologic properties are also briefly examined, with thickness (or equivalently injection rate) having the biggest effect. These results can help to understand important trends in potential response of CO 2 -EOR fields being considered for dedicated CO 2 storage.

CO₂ plume migration↗
DOE OSTI2025

FY-25 Progress on Computational Modeling of the Water Based NSTF

This report summarizes the system level modeling using RELAP5-3D of the Natural Convection Shutdown Heat Removal Test Facility (NSTF) completed in FY25. This year’s work focuses on a new tank configuration where the inlet of the tank was lowered in elevation by 45”. The stability boundaries of the NSTF are thoroughly studied and stability maps are constructed based on the stability and the oscillation patterns of the system. Five distinct operational modes are identified, namely single-phase liquid, uniform double peak oscillations, uniform sinusoidal oscillations, stable two-phase flow, and non-uniform oscillations. Next, the riser inlet throttling case of experimental test Run-104 is simulated with the RELAP5 model where good agreement is obtained between the model and the experimental data. The simulation also highlights the effects of backflow of water from the tank to the upper region of the chimney. Additionally, the decay heat removal test of Run-99 is simulated with the RELAP5 model. Comparison is carried out between this run and a similar run with the mid-tank inlet of Run-74 performed in FY22. With the lower tank inlet, the RELAP5 model is able to predict the experimental data more accurately than the previous mid tank inlet configuration. The discrepancy in model prediction accuracy highlights the non-symmetrical spatial effects in the tank that would otherwise be more easily captured with higher fidelity models. Lastly, two exploratory studies are conducted to investigate the behaviors of the NSTF when 1) heating is provided to the downcomer and 2) a bypass channel is added between the horizontal chimney section to the downcomer.

42 ENGINEERING↗
DOE OSTI2025

Solid State Transformer Controls for Mitigation of E3a High-Altitude Electromagnetic Pulse Insults

This paper explores the use of a solid state transformer (SST) to mitigate the 𝐸 3𝐴 component of a high-altitude electromagnetic pulse (HEMP) insult using external energy storage optimal control techniques. In lieu of conventional passive blocking devices or feedback-controlled energy storage devices, a novel implementation of Hamiltonian error tracking is utilized to develop a feedback control law for the variable converter ratio in an SST. The findings of the simulations performed in this paper suggest that additional energy storage is not necessary to protect an individual load from a HEMP insult. The simulations performed examine the response of a single-phase SST connected to a single voltage source on a long transmission line on the one side and a single linear resistor on the other. The control law is specifically developed for the late-time, low-frequency portion of a HEMP insult, namely the 𝐸 3𝐴 components. The Hamiltonian error-based converter ratio control law is compared with nonlinear optimal feedforward controls to show that the HSSPFC is an external energy storage optimal controller.

HEMP mitigation↗
NASA NTRS1970

Single-phase heat transfer improved by helical inserts in tubes

Helical-vane insert creates a single, well defined helical flow passage resulting in more reliable predictions and extrapolations of the thermal and hydraulic performance. Insert core houses instrumentation which does not disturb the flow.

Gutsein, M. U.↗
NASA NTRS1972

Review of critical flow rate, propagation of pressure pulse, and sonic velocity in two-phase media

For single-phase media, the critical discharge velocity, the sonic velocity, and the pressure pulse propagation velocity can be expressed in the same form by assuming isentropic, equilibria processes. In two-phase mixtures, the same concept is not valid due to the existence of interfacial transports of momentum, heat, and mass. Thus, the three velocities should be treated differently and separately for each particular condition, taking into account the various transport processes involved under that condition. Various attempts are reviewed to predict the critical discharge rate or the propagation velocities by considering slip ratio (momentum change), evaporation (mass and heat transport), flow pattern, etc. Experimental data were compared with predictions based on various theorems. The importance is stressed of the time required to achieve equilibrium as compared with the time available during the process, for example, of passing a pressure pulse.

Hsu, Y.↗
NASA NTRS1979

Metastable sound speed in gas-liquid mixtures

A new method of calculating speed of sound for two-phase flow is presented. The new equation assumes no phase change during the propagation of an acoustic disturbance and assumes that only the total entropy of the mixture remains constant during the process. The new equation predicts single-phase values for the speed of sound in the limit of all gas or all liquid and agrees with available two-phase, air-water sound speed data. Other expressions used in the two-phase flow literature for calculating two-phase, metastable sound speed are reviewed and discussed. Comparisons are made between the new expression and several of the previous expressions -- most notably a triply isentropic equation as used, a triply isentropic equation as used, among others, by Karplus and by Wallis. Appropriate differences are pointed out and a thermodynamic criterion is derived which must be satisfied in order for the triply isentropic expression to be thermodynamically consistent. This criterion is not satisfied for the cases examined, which included two-phase nitrogen, air-water, two-phase parahydrogen, and steam-water. Consequently, the new equation derived is found to be superior to the other equations reviewed.

Bursik, J. W.↗
NASA NTRS1985

Two-phase flows within systems with ambient pressure

In systems where the design inlet and outlet pressures are maintained above the thermodynamic critical pressure, it is often assumed that two phase flows within the system cannot occur. Designers rely on this simple rule of thumb to circumvent problems associated with a highly compressible two phase flow occurring within the supercritical pressure system along with the uncertainties in rotordynamics, load capacity, heat transfer, fluid mechanics, and thermophysical property variations. The simple rule of thumb is adequate in many low power designs but is inadequate for high performance turbomachines and linear systems, where two phase regions can exist even though outlet pressure is greater than critical pressure. Rotordynamic-fluid-mechanic restoring forces depend on momentum differences, and those for a two phase zone can differ significantly from those for a single-phase zone. Using the Reynolds equation the angular velocity, eccentricity, geometry, and ambient conditions are varied to determine the point of two phase flow incipience.

Hendricks, R. C.↗
NASA NTRS1987

Particle-laden swirling free jets: Measurements and predictions

A theoretical and experimental investigation of single-phase and particle-laden weakly swirling jets was conducted. The jets were injected vertically downward from a 19 mm diameter tube with swirl numbers ranging from 0 to 0.33. The particle-laden jets had a single loading ratio (0.2) with particles having a SMD of 39 microns. Mean and fluctuating properties of both phases were measured using nonintrusive laser based methods while particle mass flux was measured using an isokinetic sampling probe. The continuous phase was analyzed using both a baseline kappa-epsilon turbulence model and an extended version with modifications based on the flux Richardson number to account for effects of streamline curvature. To highlight effects of interphase transport rates and particle/turbulence interactions, effects of the particles were analyzed as follows: (1) locally homogeneous flow (LHF) analysis, where interphase transport rates are assumed to be infinitely fast; (2) deterministic separated flow (DSF) analysis, where finite interphase transport rates are considered but particle/turbulence interactions are ignored; and (3) stochastic separated flow (SSF) analysis, where both effects are considered using random-walk computations.

Bulzan, D. L.↗
NASA NTRS1986

Resonant AC power system proof-of-concept test program

Proof-of-concept testing was performed on a 20-kHz, resonant power system breadboard from 1981 through 1985. The testing began with the evaluation of a single, 1.0-kW resonant inverter and progressed to the testing of breadboard systems with higher power levels and more capability. The final breadboard configuration tested was a 25.0-kW breadboard with six inverters providing power to three user-interface modules over a 50-meter, 20-kHz bus. The breadboard demonstrated the ability to synchronize multiple resonant inverters to power a common bus. Single-phase and three-phase 20-kHz power distribution was demonstrated. Simple conversion of 20-kHz to dc and variable-frequency ac was demonstrated as was bidirectional power flow between 20-kHz and dc. Steady state measurements of efficiency, power-factor tolerance, and conducted emissions and conducted susceptibility were made. In addition, transient responses were recorded for such conditions as start up, shut down, load changes. The results showed the 20-kHz resonant system to be a desirable technology for a spacecraft power management and distribution system with multiple users and a utility-type bus.

Wappes, Loran J.↗
NASA NTRS1987

Particle-laden swirling free jets - Measurements and predictions

A theoretical and experimental investigation of single-phase and particle-laden weakly swirling jets was conducted. The jets were injected vertically downward from a 19 mm diameter tube with swirl numbers ranging from 0 to 0.33. The particle-laden jets had a single loading ratio (0.2) with particles having an SMD of 39 micrometers. Mean and fluctuating properties of both phases were measured using nonintrusive laser based methods while particle mass flux was measured using an isokinetic sampling probe. The continuous phase was analyzed using both a baseline k-epsilon turbulence model and an extended version with modifications based on the flux Richardson number to account for effects of streamline curvature. To highlight effects of interphase transport rates and particle/turbulence interactions, effects of the particles were analyzed as follows: (1) locally homogeneous flow (LHF) analysis, where interphase transport rates are assumed to be infinitely fast; (2) deterministic separated flow (DSF) analysis, where finite interphase transport rates are considered but particle/turbulence interactions are ignored; and (3) stochastic separated flow (SSF) analysis, where both effects are considered using random-walk computations.

Bulzan, D. L.↗
NASA NTRS1989

Experiment plans to study preignition processes of a pool fire in low gravity

Science requirements are specified to guide experimental studies of transient heat transfer and fluid flow in an enclosure containing a two-layer gas-and-liquid system heated unevenly from above. Specifications are provided for experiments in three separate settings: (1) a normal gravity laboratory, (2) the NASA-LeRC Drop towers, and (3) a space-based laboratory (e.g., Shuttle, Space Station). A rationale is developed for both minimum and desired requirement levels. The principal objective of the experimental effort is to validate a computational model of the enclosed liquid fuel pool during the preignition phase and to determine via measurement the role of gravity on the behavior of the system. Preliminary results of single-phase normal gravity experiments and simulations are also presented.

Schiller, David N.↗
NASA NTRS1989

Fluid flow in solidifying monotectic alloys

Use of a two-wavelength holographic technique results in a simultaneous determination of temperature and composition profiles during directional solidification in a system with a miscibility gap. The relationships among fluid flow, phase separation, and mass transport during the solidification of the monotectic alloy are discussed. The primary sources of fluid motion in this system are buoyancy and thermocapillary forces. These forces act together when phase separation results in the formation of droplets (this occurs at the solid-liquid interface and in the bulk melt). In the absence of phase separation, buoyancy results from density gradients related to temperature and compositional gradients in the single-phase bulk melt. The effects of buoyancy are especially evident in association with water- or ethanol-rich volumes created at the solid-liquid growth interface.

Ecker, A.↗
NASA NTRS1990

Low energy gamma ray attenuation in multiphase water

A gauging system is proposed to enable monitoring of slush density, solid-liquid interface, and slush level as well as its flow rate. It is based on the principle that the electromagnetic radiation mass attenuation coefficient of a multiphase chemical compound is constant for all relative phase concentrations. Results showing the essential constancy of mass attenuation coefficients for single-phase water vapor, liquid water, ice, and multiphase mixtures of water/ice are described.

Singh, Jag J.↗
NASA NTRS1995

Structure of a swirl-stabilized combusting spray

Measurements of the structure of a swirl-stabilized, reacting spray are presented. The configuration consisted of a research air-assist atomizer located in the center surrounded by a co-flowing airstream. Both the air-assist and co-flowing streams had swirl imparted to them in the same direction with 45-deg angle swirlers. The fuel and air entered the combustor at ambient temperature and the combustor was operated in an unconfined environment. The gas phase was seeded with aluminum-oxide particles in order to obtain velocity measurements. Mean velocity measurements for the gas phase are reported for both an isothermal, single-phase case without drops and a reacting spray case at axial distances from 2.5 to 50 mm downstream of the nozzle. Heptane fuel was used for all the experiments. Drop size and mean velocity and drop number flux are also reported for five axial distances downstream. The measurements were performed using a two-component phase/Doppler particle analyzer. Profiles across the entire flowfield where velocities were significant are presented. Mean gas-phase temperatures were also measured intrusively using a single pt/pt-13%rh thermocouple and are also reported at axial distances from 2.5 to 50 "im downstream of the nozzle.

Bulzan, Daniel L.↗
NASA NTRS1996

Analysis and Modeling of a Two-Phase Jet Pump of a Flow Boiling Test Facility for Aerospace Applications

Jet pumps are devices capable of pumping fluids to a higher pressure employing a nozzle/diffuser/mixing chamber combination. A primary fluid is usually allowed to pass through a converging-diverging nozzle where it can accelerate to supersonic speeds at the nozzle exit. The relatively high kinetic energy that the primary fluid possesses at the nozzle exit is accompanied by a low pressure region in order to satisfy Bernoulli's equation. The low pressure region downstream of the nozzle exit permits a secondary fluid to be entrained into and mixed with the primary fluid in a mixing chamber located downstream of the nozzle. Several combinations may exist in terms of the nature of the primary and secondary fluids in so far as whether they are single or two-phase fluids. Depending on this, the jet pump may be classified as gas/gas, gas/liquid, liquid/liquid, two-phase/liquid, or similar combinations. The mixing chamber serves to create a homogeneous single-phase or two-phase mixture which enters a diffuser where the high kinetic energy of the fluid is converted into pressure energy. If the fluid mixture entering the diffuser is in the supersonic flow regime, a normal shock wave usually develops inside the diffuser. If the fluid mixture is one that can easily change phase, a condensation shock would normally develop. Because of the overall rise in pressure in the diffuser as well as the additional rise in pressure across the shock layer, condensation becomes more likely. Associated with the pressure rise across the shock is a velocity reduction from the supersonic to the subsonic range. If the two-phase flow entering the diffuser is predominantly gaseous with liquid droplets suspended in it, it will transform into a predominantly liquid flow containing gaseous bubbles (bubbly flow) somewhere in the diffuser. While past researchers have been able to model the two-phase flow jet pump using the one-dimensional assumption with no shock waves and no phase change, there is no research known to the authors apart from that of Anand (1992) which accounted for condensation shocks. One of the objectives of this research effort is to develop a comprehensive model in which the effects of phase slip and inter-phase heat transfer as well as the wall friction and shock waves are accounted for. While this modeling effort is predominantly analytical in nature and is primarily intended to provide a parametric understanding of the jet pump performance under different operating scenarios, another parallel effort employing a commercial CFD code is also implemented. The latter effort is primarily intended to model an axisymmetric counterpart of the problem in question. The viability of using the CFD code to model a two-phase flow jet pump will be assessed by attempting to recreate some of the existing performance data of similar jet pumps. The code will eventually be used to generate the jet pump performance characteristics of several scenarios involving jet pump geometries as well as flow regimes in order to be able to determine an optimum design which would be suitable for a two-phase flow boiling test facility at NASA-Marshall. Because of the extensive nature of the analytical model developed, the following section will only provide very brief highlights of it, while leaving the details to a more complete report submitted to the NASA colleague. This report will also contain some of the simulation results obtained using the CFD code.

Sherif, S. A.↗