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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

Space Station heat pipe advanced radiator element (SHARE) flight test results and analysis

The SHARE experiment, which consisted of a single 51 ft long by 1 ft wide prototypical Space Station heat pipe radiator panel, was flown aboard STS-29 in March 1989. Several problems were uncovered during the flight which limited performance. Extensive post-flight analysis has revealed that the manifold connecting the evaporator and condenser sections did not prime properly in 0-g, and that a mismatch in hydraulic diameters between the evaporator and condenser caused large bubbles to be present in the liquid channel at startup. These bubbles subsequently became trapped at the evaporator entrance, halting liquid flow and causing premature dryout of the evaporator wall grooves. The experiment did demonstrate heat pipe transport capability of up to 1572 W with near isothermality in both the evaporator and condenser for short periods of time.

Kosson, Robert↗

Solar heating, cooling, and domestic hot water system installed at Kaw Valley State Bank and Trust Company, Topeka, Kansas

The building has approximately 5600 square feet of conditioned space. Solar energy was used for space heating, space cooling, and preheating domestic hot water (DHW). The solar energy system had an array of evacuated tube-type collectors with an area of 1068 square feet. A 50/50 solution of ethylene glycol and water was the transfer medium that delivered solar energy to a tube-in-shell heat exchanger that in turn delivered solar heated water to a 1100 gallon pressurized hot water storage tank. When solar energy was insufficient to satisfy the space heating and/or cooling demand, a natural gas-fired boiler provided auxiliary energy to the fan coil loops and/or the absorption chillers. Extracts from the site files, specification references, drawings, and installation, operation and maintenance instructions are presented.

Source record↗

Solar-heated bank-Marks Mississippi

Report describes air solar-energy collectors which supply 60 percent of space heating load for full-service bank. Contemporary structure supports 468 square feet of flat-plate arrays, and features onsite temperature and power measurement readouts. Air-flow collectors minimize problems experienced with conventional liquid solar equipment and eliminate need for heat exchanger for space heating.

Source record↗

Space shuttle: Heat transfer rate measurements of North American Rockwell orbiter (161B) at nominal Mach number of 8

Plots and tables which determine detailed heat transfer distributions on phase B space shuttle configurations are presented. A thin-skinned thermocouple was used to measure the reentry events of the delta wing orbiter. Data was obtained at a nominal Mach number of 8 and free stream Reynolds numbers ranging from 0.83 x 10 to the 6th power to 3.76 x 10 to the 6th power per foot. Angle of attack was varied from -5 to 50 degrees.

Warmbrod, J. D.↗

Time and Space Resolved Heat Transfer Measurements Under Nucleate Bubbles with Constant Heat Flux Boundary Conditions

Investigations into single bubble pool boiling phenomena are often complicated by the difficulties in obtaining time and space resolved information in the bubble region. This usually occurs because the heaters and diagnostics used to measure heat transfer data are often on the order of, or larger than, the bubble characteristic length or region of influence. This has contributed to the development of many different and sometimes contradictory models of pool boiling phenomena and dominant heat transfer mechanisms. Recent investigations by Yaddanapyddi and Kim and Demiray and Kim have obtained time and space resolved heat transfer information at the bubble/heater interface under constant temperature conditions using a novel micro-heater array (10x10 array, each heater 100 microns on a side) that is semi-transparent and doubles as a measurement sensor. By using active feedback to maintain a state of constant temperature at the heater surface, they showed that the area of influence of bubbles generated in FC-72 was much smaller than predicted by standard models and that micro-conduction/micro-convection due to re-wetting dominated heat transfer effects. This study seeks to expand on the previous work by making time and space resolved measurements under bubbles nucleating on a micro-heater array operated under constant heat flux conditions. In the planned investigation, wall temperature measurements made under a single bubble nucleation site will be synchronized with high-speed video to allow analysis of the bubble energy removal from the wall.

Myers, Jerry G.↗

Development and Testing of an Advanced Cascaded Thermoelectric Residential Heat Pump

Electricity-driven heat pumps using vapor compression cycle are an energy-efficient solution to replace fossil fuel burning and reduce greenhouse gas emissions for space heating in residential buildings. However, heating capacity and Coefficient of Performance (COP) of heat pumps degrade significantly with increasing temperature difference between ambient and indoor environments. Residents and building owners are hence reluctant to fully embrace electric heat pumps. The use of conventional all-electric heat pumps also causes concern for electric utilities due to an increased winter peak demand arising from the use of supplemental electric resistance heaters. Our research is an attempt to alleviate these concerns by designing and laboratory testing a thermoelectric (TE) heat pump cascaded with a vapor compression cycle to enhance heating capacity and COP. TE modules increase the subcooling in the refrigerant liquid of the vapor compression cycle to enlarge the evaporating capacity and works at an efficiency greater than a conventional electric resistance strip. This results in a simple, affordable, efficient and highly controllable solution to adequately meet space heating needs in dwellings. The laboratory testing of the 3-stage cascaded TE heat pump performed in this research has exhibited a higher heating capacity by above 15%, while maintaining a heating COP of 2.0-3.6 in the ambient temperature range of -18˚C to 8˚C (0˚F to 47 ˚F), which represents more than 60% of winter temperatures observed in US. If successfully commercialized, this technology can advance space-heating electrification by overcoming consumer cost barrier of heat pumps.

Shen, Bo↗

Solar energy system performance evaluation report for IBM System 4 at Clinton, Mississippi

The IBM System 4 Solar Energy System is described and evaluated. The system was designed to provide 35 percent of the space heating and 63 percent of the domestic hot water preheating for a single family residence located within the United States. The system consists of 259 square feet of flat plate air collectors, a rock thermal storage containing 5 1/2 ton of rock, heat exchangers, blowers, a 52 gallon preheat tank, controls, and associated plumbing. In general, the performance of the system did not meet design expectations, since the overall design solar fraction was 48 percent and the measured value was 32 percent. Although the measured space heating solar fraction at 32 percent did agree favorably with the design space heating solar fraction at 35 percent, the hot water measured solar fraction at 33 percent did not agree favorably with the design hot water solar fraction of 63 percent. In particular collector array air leakage, dust covered collectors, abnormal hot water demand, and the preheat tank by pass valve problem are main reasons for the lower performance.

Source record↗

Development and field demonstration of residential air source integrated heat pump using a three-stage compressor

To promote decarbonization and all electrification at residential sectors, it is necessary to use air source heat pumps (ASHPs) to replace natural gas for space heating and water heating. ASHPs are widely utilized for residential space cooling, heating, and water heating due to their simplicity and cost-effectiveness. However, their performance can be compromised in cold climates, where they may experience reduced heating capacity. A multi-functional heat pump, using a single compressor, to meet all home space conditioning and water heating demands, is an emerging technology. To address this limitation, we have developed and demonstrated an air source integrated heat pump to fulfill comprehensive home comfort requirements. This system employs a three-stage compressor and a single set of heat exchangers and valves, optimizing functionality while minimizing costs. The performance of the developed system was rigorously evaluated in both laboratory and field settings. In laboratory conditions, the system achieved a Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio of 17.0 (average COP of 4.98) and a Heating Seasonal Performance Factor of 11.0 (3.22). Additionally, in its most efficient operational mode—combining space cooling and water heating—the unit attained a total energy efficiency exceeding 7.0 seasonal COP in the field and could heat a 189-liter tank of water in just 25 min. The field study corroborated the laboratory findings, validating the system’s performance in real-world conditions. Here, this integrated heat pump represents an ideal solution for decarbonizing homes in northern climates by providing efficient space heating and water heating, thereby replacing the need for natural gas.

Integrated heat pump↗

Solar heating for an electronics manufacturing plant--Blue Earth, Minnesota

Partial space heating for 97,000 square foot plant is supplied by 360 flat plate solar collectors; energy is sorted as heat in indoor 20,000 gallon water tank. System includes all necessary control electronics for year round operation. During December 1978, solar energy supplied 24.4 percent of building's space heating load.

Source record↗

Space Shuttle heating analysis with variation in angle of attack and surface condition

The effects of variations in the angle of attack and surface catalycity condition on the Space Shuttle surface heating along the windward centerline are evaluated. Further, the time history of the nonequilibrium-to-equilibrium surface heating ratio and the boundary edge quantities are analyzed. Results show that a + or - 5% change in the angle of attack does not appreciably influence either the nonequilibrium heating or the nonequilibrium-to-equilibrium heat transfer ratio at higher (75 km) or lower (48 km) altitudes. The variation in the recombination rate parameter is found to affect the surface heating most at an altitude of about 75 km for the STS-2 flight. A maximum reduction of 49% in heating due to nonequilibrium chemistry is obtained at about a 75 km altitude in the nose region of the Orbiter for the STS-2 flight data. In addition, the nonequilibrium effects at the boundary layer edge are found to become less significant for altitudes less than 65 km even though the boundary layer flow may still be in nonquilibrium.

Gupta, R. N.↗

Residential Integrated Heat Pump to Meet All the Home Comfort Needs

This paper will introduce development and field trial of a residential air-source integrated heat pump for cold climates. The heat pump is multi-functional to meet all the home comfort demands, including space cooling, space heating, domestic water heating. The integrated heat pump is an ideal solution to decarbonize northern homes via providing efficient space heating and water heating to replace natural gas. It uses a three-stage compressor and a single set of heat exchangers and valves to deliver all the functions, and thus achieve cost reduction. We developed an innovative system configuration and related controls to solve typical charge unbalance, accelerate charge migration and smoothen mode transition in integrated heat pumps. Laboratory investigations were conducted for individual modes and verified the control functions. Laboratory tests demonstrated that the unit delivered outstanding performance. It achieved 17.0 SEER (seasonal cooling energy efficiency rating) and 11.0 HSPF (heating seasonal performance factor). In the most efficient mode (combined space cooling and water heating mode), the unit reached a total energy efficiency > 30.0 EER and required only 25 minutes to heat a 50-gallon tank of water. One heat pump prototype is going through a field trial since April, 2023 in Syracuse, New York. The one-year field test results are summarized.

Shen, Bo↗

Cold Climate Integrated Heat Pump

This paper introduces development of a residential air-source integrated heat pump for cold climates (CCIHP). The heat pump is multi-functional to meet all the home comfort demands, including space cooling, space heating, domestic water heating and energy storage. The CCIHP is an ideal solution to decarbonize northern homes via providing efficient space heating and water heating to replace natural gas. It uses a three-stage compressor and a single set of heat exchangers and valves to deliver all the functions, and thus achieve cost reduction. We developed an innovative system configuration and related controls to solve typical charge unbalance in heat pumps, accelerate charge migration and smoothen mode transition in integrated heat pumps. Laboratory investigations were conducted for individual modes and verified the control functions. Laboratory tests demonstrated that the unit delivered outstanding performance. It achieved 17.0 SEER (seasonal cooling energy efficiency rating) and 11.0 HSPF (heating seasonal performance factor). In the most efficient mode (combined space cooling and water heating mode), the unit reached a total energy efficiency of 35.0 EER and required only 25 minutes to heat a 50-gallon tank of water. The CCIHP can heat 1.7 GPM water from 58 to 125°F in a direct flow-through, when the ambient temperature is above 47°F. In a dedicated water heating mode using outdoor air source, the heat pump operated down to 17°F, achieving a COP > 2.6, and heated 50-gallon water within 1 hour.

Shen, Bo↗

Solar energy system performance evaluation. Seasonal report for Wormser, Columbia, South Carolina

The Wormser Solar Energy System's operational performance from April 1979 through March 1980 was evaluated. The space heating subsystem met 42 percent of the measured space heating load and the hot water subsystem met 23 percent of the measured hot water demand. Net electrical energy savings were 4.36 million Btu's or 1277 kwh. Fossil energy savings will increase considerably if the uncontrolled solar energy input to the building is considered.

Source record↗

Identifying Regions Favorable for Geothermal Heating and Cooling Storage

Space heating and cooling represents the single largest category of in building energy use for U.S. residential and commercial buildings, with heating representing 61% of residential and 46% commercial energy consumption. Building heating technologies are dominated by natural gas technologies, and are an important opportunity for building electrification to enable a transition to a low CO 2 energy system. FLXenabler study is a joint analysis effort among multiple analysis teams at NREL and focused on examining the role of geothermal heating and cooling (GHC) system with thermal energy storage (TES) providing flexibility. Utilizing information from ResStock the amount of energy consumption associated with heating and cooling by state was calculated. We applied adjusted load shapes to estimate the a maximum grid savings potential of using TES to address building space conditioning. Normalizing grid, fuel, and emissions impacts locations with higher favorability for further study in FLXenabler were identified.

15 GEOTHERMAL ENERGY↗

Space shuttle heat pipe thermal control systems

Heat pipe (HP) thermal control systems designed for possible space shuttle applications were built and tested under this program. They are: (1) a HP augmented cold rail, (2) a HP/phase change material (PCM) modular heat sink and (3) a HP radiating panel for compartment temperature control. The HP augmented cold rail is similar to a standard two-passage fluid cold rail except that it contains an integral, centrally located HP throughout its length. The central HP core helps to increase the local power density capability by spreading concentrated heat inputs over the entire rail. The HP/PCM modular heat sink system consists of a diode HP connected in series to a standard HP that has a PCM canister attached to its mid-section. It is designed to connect a heat source to a structural heat sink during normal operation, and to automatically decouple from it and sink to the PCM whenever structural temperatures are too high. The HP radiating panel is designed to conductively couple the panel feeder HPs directly to a fluid line that serves as a source of waste heat. It is a simple strap-on type of system that requires no internal or external line modifications to distribute the heat to a large radiating area.

Alario, J.↗

Liquid droplet radiators for heat rejection in space

A radiator for heat rejection in space is described which utilizes a stream of liquid droplets to radiate waste heat. The large surface area per mass makes the liquid droplet radiator at least an order of magnitude lighter than tube and fin radiators. Generation and collection of the droplets, as well as heat transfer to the liquid, can be achieved with modest extensions of conventional technology. Low vapor pressure liquids are available which cover a radiating temperature range 250-1000 K with negligible evaporation losses. The droplet radiator may be employed for a wide range of heat rejection applications in space. Three applications - heat rejection for a high temperature Rankine cycle, cooling of photovoltaic cells, and low temperature heat rejection for refrigeration in space illustrate the versatility of the radiator.

Mattick, A. T.↗

Solar thermal heating and cooling. A bibliography with abstracts

This bibliographic series cites and abstracts the literature and technical papers on the heating and cooling of buildings with solar thermal energy. Over 650 citations are arranged in the following categories: space heating and cooling systems; space heating and cooling models; building energy conservation; architectural considerations, thermal load computations; thermal load measurements, domestic hot water, solar and atmospheric radiation, swimming pools; and economics.

Arenson, M.↗