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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 NTRS1979

Analyses of mean and turbulent motion in the tropics with the use of unequally spaced data

Wind velocities from 25 km to 60 km over Ascension Island, Fort Sherman and Kwajalein for the period January 1970 to December 1971 are analyzed in order to achieve a better understanding of the mean flow, the eddy kinetic energy and the Eulerian time spectra of the eddy kinetic energy. Since the data are unequally spaced in time, techniques of one-dimensional covariance theory were utilized and an unequally spaced time series analysis was accomplished. The theoretical equations for two-dimensional analysis or wavenumber frequency analysis of unequally spaced data were developed. Analysis of the turbulent winds and the average seasonal variance and eddy kinetic energy of the turbulent winds indicated that maximum total variance and energy is associated with the east-west velocity component. This is particularly true for long period seasonal waves which dominate the total energy spectrum. Additionally, there is an energy shift for the east-west component into the longer period waves with altitude increasing from 30 km to 50 km.

Kao, S. K.↗
DOE OSTI2020

X-ray heating and electron temperature of laboratory photoionized plasmas

We discuss experimental and modeling results for the x-ray heating and temperature of laboratory photoionized plasmas. A method is used to extract electron temperature based on the analysis of transmission spectroscopy data that is independent of atomic kinetics modeling. Boltzmann kinetic and radiation-hydrodynamics simulations emphasized the critical interplay between atomic physics and heating in photoionized plasmas. They also demonstrated the dramatic impact of photoexcitation on excited state populations, line emissivity, and radiation cooling. Temperature calculations performed with astrophysical codes significantly overestimated the measurement.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
NASA NTRS1974

Evaluation of the energy transfer in the char zone during ablation. Part 2: In-depth response of ablative composites, volume 1

The decomposition of ablative composites is described along with the transport phenomena of pyrolysis gases which result from the decomposition of these plastics as they flow through the porous char of char-forming ablators. The pyrolysis products are those formed by the thermal degradation of nylon-phenolic resin and silicone elastomer composites. Emphasis is placed on the nature and extent of chemical reactions of the pyrolysis products and the char, along with the energy absorbed by the combined pyrolysis and char zone. Chemical reactions with thermodynamically consistent kinetic data are determined in order to develop a realistic analysis for predicting the thermal performance of ablative heat shields.

Pike, R. W.↗
NASA NTRS2000

Model of ASTM Flammability Test in Microgravity: Iron Rods

There is extensive qualitative results from burning metallic materials in a NASA/ASTM flammability test system in normal gravity. However, this data was shown to be inconclusive for applications involving oxygen-enriched atmospheres under microgravity conditions by conducting tests using the 2.2-second Lewis Research Center (LeRC) Drop Tower. Data from neither type of test has been reduced to fundamental kinetic and dynamic systems parameters. This paper reports the initial model analysis for burning iron rods under microgravity conditions using data obtained at the LERC tower and modeling the burning system after ignition. Under the conditions of the test the burning mass regresses up the rod to be detached upon deceleration at the end of the drop. The model describes the burning system as a semi-batch, well-mixed reactor with product accumulation only. This model is consistent with the 2.0-second duration of the test. Transient temperature and pressure measurements are made on the chamber volume. The rod solid-liquid interface melting rate is obtained from film records. The model consists of a set of 17 non-linear, first-order differential equations which are solved using MATLAB. This analysis confirms that a first-order rate, in oxygen concentration, is consistent for the iron-oxygen kinetic reaction. An apparent activation energy of 246.8 kJ/mol is consistent for this model.

Steinberg, Theodore A↗
DOE OSTI2023

Insights into co-pyrolysis of polyethylene terephthalate and polyamide 6 mixture through experiments, kinetic modeling and machine learning

The non-isothermal pyrolysis of polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyamide 6 (PA6), and their mixtures was studied in a thermogravimetric analyzer at different heating rates. Temperature of maximum decomposition (T max ) decreased by 25–45 °C and 35–55 °C for the PET:PA6 mixtures (3:1, 1:1, 1:3) compared to PET and PA6, respectively. The kinetic analysis was initially carried out using isoconversional method. However, the dependency of activation energy on conversion was observed for the co-pyrolysis of PET and PA6 that suggested the occurrence of multi-step reactions in the mixtures. Distributed activation energy model (DAEM) was used in this study to describe the multistep reactions occurring during pyrolysis of PET:PA6 mixtures. Here, in this work, a four-parallel reaction DAEM was developed to describe the pyrolysis kinetics of PET:PA6 mixtures. The apparent mean activation energies (E o ) for PET, PA6, and mixtures varied in the range of 244–255, 140–215, and 138–255 kJ mol –1 , respectively. The mass loss profiles of PET and PA6 mixtures were also modeled using artificial neural network (ANN). Out of 155 ANN models, the best prediction was made by ANN511 with R 2 greater than 0.997 for both test and unseen data. The interaction effects observed through TGA experiments and subsequent kinetic analysis were further assessed in terms of product composition using analytical pyrolysis coupled with gas chromatograph/mass spectrometer (Py-GC/MS). Co-pyrolysis of PET and PA6 resulted in the formation of new aromatic compounds with nitrogen-containing functional groups, which were not detected when PET or PA6 were pyrolyzed individually.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2020

Atomic kinetics of laboratory photoionized plasmas relevant to astrophysics. Final report

The major goal of this project was to study the atomic and radiation physics of photoionized plasmas driven by a broadband x-ray flux and its impact on plasma x-ray heating and ionization, emissivity and opacity, and radiation-hydrodynamics. This problem is relevant to the physics of accretion disks surrounding black holes, x-ray binaries, and active galactic nuclei in astrophysics. In addition, it is also important for understanding non-equilibrium laboratory plasmas driven by a distribution of photons. To this end, and motivated by previous and ongoing gas-cell experiments performed by the PI at the Z facility of Sandia National Laboratories, we developed a new experimental platform at the 1MA Zebra pulsed power accelerator of the University of Nevada, Reno based on using a gas jet produced by a supersonic nozzle. The gas jet is turned into a photoionized plasma driven by the x- ray flux from a wire-array z-pinch. Establishing this new experimental platform at Zebra was a major goal of this project. In addition, we have also dedicated effort to continue complementary experiments at the Z facility using the gas-cell photoionized plasma set up with support from the Fundamental Science Program at Z as well as to perform data processing and analysis, and theory and modeling simulations, including electron kinetics and radiation-hydrodynamics. Since we seek to test and establish what physics models are needed to describe photoionized plasma guided by experimental observation, these complementary experimental efforts were central to achieving the goals of this project.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2024

Development and Characterization of Densified Biomass-plastic Blend for Entrained Flow Gasification (Final Technical Report)

Supported by the U.S. DOE NETL Award DE-FE0032043, this project was a collaborative effort. Project participants included the University of Kentucky Institute for Decarbonization and Energy Advancement (UK IDEA), Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering department (UK BAE), and Wabash Valley Resources, LLC. The goal of this final technical project report is to comprehensively summarize the work conducted on project DE-FE0032043. In accordance with the Statement of Project Objectives (SOPO), the University of Kentucky (UK) (Project Prime Recipient) has developed and studied a biomass/plastic fuel with a hydrophobic surface area less than 10 m 2 /m 3 that is suitable for oxygen-blown entrained flow gasification with slurry feed. The project involved the utilization of an existing thermogravimetric analysis (TGA)-mass spectrometer (MS), 1.5” drop tube furnace, 1 ton per day (TPD) coal gasifier, and high-pressure extruder operated at UK. The pilot-scale production of blended material was done at the Polymers Technology Center in Charlotte, North Carolina. Parametric testing and solid fuel blend slurry performance validation was completed using the UK entrained flow gasifier with multiple opposed burners to narrow the major near-term technical gaps that impede gasification of biomass and carbonaceous mixed wastes such as plastics in order to achieve net-negative CO 2 emissions. Project results validated the UK approach to address the major technical challenges on the biomass/plastic pretreatment and gasification. Previously, this has been limited in application to fluidized-type or moving bed-type gasifiers due to the high-water uptake of porous biomass containing hydroxyl groups during the conventional slurry preparation, resulting in a highly viscous, un-pumpable slurry. The biomass pretreatment with plastic developed for this project demonstrates advantages in cost and flexibility, which include: 1) the development of a blended solid fuel slurry with 55-60 wt% solids and comparable heating value to 100% coal-based water slurry; 2) the collection of gasification kinetic data and identification of preliminary operating conditions by performing thermogravimetric analysis, gasification experiments by using a 1.5” drop tube furnace; and finally 3) the demonstrated gasification of the blended solid fuel in the UK entrained flow gasifier with a long-lasting stable solid fuel blend slurry, dataset detailing operating conditions, and characterization of slag phase formation and solidification. The lab-scale data and experience obtained during this project encourages the development of technologies and commercial approaches to enable a hydrogen-based energy economy while achieving net-negative CO 2 emissions through gasification of coal, biomass, and carbonaceous mixed wastes such as plastics.

01 COAL, LIGNITE, AND PEAT↗
DOE OSTI2023

Utilization of ACE nuclear data file toolkit ACEtk to calculate relative sensitivity coefficients of point-kinetics parameters

Sensitivity and uncertainty methods are quintessential for nuclear criticality safety and experiment design. This type of analysis relies on calculations of sensitivity coefficients; sensitivity coefficients of the effective neutron multiplication factor with respect to some nuclear data are predominantly calculated and used. As a part of the Laboratory Directed Research & Development project EUCLID (Experiments Underpinned by Computational Learning for Improvements in nuclear Data) at Los Alamos National Laboratory, sensitivity coefficients of many radiation detector measurement responses with respect to nuclear data were investigated. Specifically, this paper outlines a method to calculate point-kinetics parameters relative sensitivity coefficients with respect to nuclear data. Point-kinetics parameters such as the prompt neutron decay constant, effective delayed neutron fraction, and neutron generation time are especially important to experimenters and reactor operators designing systems with dynamic neutron populations. This method couples capabilities of the ACE (A Compact ENDF) nuclear data file toolkit, ACEtk, with the ability to load cross sections into the radiation transport code Monte Carlo N-Particle (MCNP). In conclusion, key aspects of optimizing this method for a particular application and sensitivity profiles of the Jezebel criticality experiment are examined and discussed.

98 NUCLEAR DISARMAMENT, SAFEGUARDS, AND PHYSICAL P↗
DOE OSTI2021

Initial Assessment of TeF 6 Adsorption

Research and development that supports the management of off-gases from nuclear fuel reprocessing has historically been focused on the off-gas streams that arise from aqueous reprocessing technology. However, as Gen-IV reactor development pathways move toward deployment, alternative spent nuclear fuel (SNF) processing and disposition pathways have been considered more actively. This work is focused upon aspects of fluoride volatility (FV) processing. The versatility of this method for deployment against multiple types of spent fuel encourages the continued advancement of both the primary separations processes and the secondary processes, including waste treatment, material control and accountability, and engineering designs. Recent work noted that TeF 6 , the most highly volatile fluorinated compound produced during FV processing, did not have a clear abatement technology recommended in the literature. Thus, this work performed scoping tests on activated alumina and copper shot to assess whether they could be used to remove TeF 6 from gas streams that bear F 2 . Previous work on this topic was not well described in the literature and was not performed with excess F 2 in the stream as would be typical of spent fuel processing via FV. To support an understanding of the concentration of TeF 6 contacting the adsorbent beds, a series of preliminary testing identified the TeF 6 production rate and the equilibrium concentration of TeF 6 in the gas stream contacting the adsorbent. Excess F 2 was determined to not affect the ability of activated alumina to remove TeF 6 from the gas stream quickly and completely. A determination of whether excess F 2 affected the distribution depth of Te in the sorbent bed is still pending analysis of the used sorbent. Literature suggests that when activated alumina is near saturation, TeF 6 could migrate from the sorbent bed. Future testing should investigate this possibility. Copper metal did not adsorb TeF 6 in the presence of F 2 across the sorbent temperature range of 50 to 335°C. F 2 was fully removed by the copper bed. Although preliminary thermodynamics would indicate adsorption to be energetically favorable, other factors that impact adsorption (e.g., slow kinetics, excess fluorine on the copper surface, an unfavorable transition state) are likely preventing the adsorption of TeF 6 at an easily measurable rate. The work also investigated TeF 6 production from multiple forms of Te in the temperature range of 100 to 250°C. No previous study had assessed the initial reaction rates for this process. A carefully designed study allowed determination of the activation energy for the production of TeF 6 from Te metal. The substantial amount of data collected during this study merits analysis beyond what is described here. A more in-depth kinetic analysis will be pursued. Additional analytical results will provide the ability to benchmark adsorption coefficients for TeF 6 , understand the distribution of TeF 6 within the alumina bed, and better understand the effect of F 2 partial pressure on Te fluorination. The data from this report, as supplemented by these additional analyses, will be submitted to a peer-reviewed journal.

11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS↗
NASA NTRS1996

Assessment of Uncertainty in the Determination of Kinetic Reaction Parameters for Polymeric Materials

The use of thermogravimetric analysis to obtain data describing the thermal response of a polymeric resin with temperature. This data can then be used to obtain activation energy and pre-exponential factor used in an Arrhenius representation of material ablation. The methods which allow to assess the uncertainties associated with the experimental determination of activation energy and pre-exponential factor are employed.

Darby, Stephanie P.↗
DOE OSTI2026

Direct Measurement of Diffusion Coefficients: Evidence for Diffusive Stochastic Heating in Collisionless Plasmas

Open questions in collisionless plasma dissipation can be addressed using space-based observations in different astrophysical environments, with implications for both astrophysical and laboratory plasma systems. We study a low-𝛽, highly imbalanced, sub-Alfvénic stream observed by Parker Solar Probe (PSP) to identify and distinguish between signatures of stochastic heating (SH) and resonant heating (RH) by parallel ion cyclotron waves (∥-ICWs). Prior work studying this stream [Trevor A. Bowen et al., Stochastic heating in the sub-Alfvénic solar wind, Phys. Rev. Lett. 135, 255201 (2025)] showed that the SH rate, accounting for intermittency, matched the amplitude of the local energy transfer (LET) rate, while the RH rate did not. This comparison relied on a number of assumptions regarding the nature of the diffusive process and the calculation of the LET rate. We introduce a novel technique of inverting the proton guiding center equation to empirically measure velocity-space diffusion coefficients using three-dimensional proton velocity distribution functions, from the ion electrostatic analyzer (the Solar Probe Analyzer for Ions) on PSP. Measured diffusion coefficients are used to determine phase-space heating rates, leading to a calculation of a fully kinetic heating rate independent of assumptions made in prior work. We show that scale-dependent analytic expressions for SH via noncoherent fluctuations match the empirical measurements from PSP data, provided that we account for intermittency in the heating calculation. In contrast, the derived heating rates for SH that accounts for the effects of the helicity barrier and heating rates for RH via ∥-ICWs do not peak in the same region of velocity space as the empirical measurements, nor do they reach the required magnitude. Our approach provides novel methodology to uniquely identify and constrain heating processes in collisionless plasmas and shows evidence of a Fokker-Planck-like diffusive process in the near-Sun solar wind.

Plasma kinetic theory↗
NASA NTRS1987

Cloud temperatures from ammonia observations

In association with an ammonia survey of the southern Galaxy (Peters et al., 1986), a search was made for improved analytical formulas to expedite the data analysis. Semi-empirical formulas are presented which relate the kinetic temperature of a molecular cloud to the kinetic temperature used in full statistical equilibrium calculations. The formulas can be used in a simple way to improve the estimate of the kinetic temperature obtained from ammonia observations.

Kuiper, T. B. H.↗
NASA NTRS2004

A Massively Parallel Hybrid Dusty-Gasdynamics and Kinetic Direct Simulation Monte Carlo Model for Planetary Applications

In order to understand the global structure, dynamics, and physical and chemical processes occurring in the upper atmospheres, exospheres, and ionospheres of the Earth, the other planets, comets and planetary satellites and their interactions with their outer particles and fields environs, it is often necessary to address the fundamentally non-equilibrium aspects of the physical environment. These are regions where complex chemistry, energetics, and electromagnetic field influences are important. Traditional approaches are based largely on hydrodynamic or magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) formulations and are very important and highly useful. However, these methods often have limitations in rarefied physical regimes where the molecular collision rates and ion gyrofrequencies are small and where interactions with ionospheres and upper neutral atmospheres are important. At the University of Michigan we have an established base of experience and expertise in numerical simulations based on particle codes which address these physical regimes. The Principal Investigator, Dr. Michael Combi, has over 20 years of experience in the development of particle-kinetic and hybrid kinetichydrodynamics models and their direct use in data analysis. He has also worked in ground-based and space-based remote observational work and on spacecraft instrument teams. His research has involved studies of cometary atmospheres and ionospheres and their interaction with the solar wind, the neutral gas clouds escaping from Jupiter s moon Io, the interaction of the atmospheres/ionospheres of Io and Europa with Jupiter s corotating magnetosphere, as well as Earth s ionosphere. This report describes our progress during the year. The contained in section 2 of this report will serve as the basis of a paper describing the method and its application to the cometary coma that will be continued under a research and analysis grant that supports various applications of theoretical comet models to understanding the inner comae of comets (grant NAGS- 13239 from the Planetary Atmospheres program).

Combi, Michael R.↗
NASA NTRS2003

Using Tri-Axial Accelerometers to Assess the Dynamic Control of Head Posture During Gait

Long duration spaceflight is known to cause a variety of biomedical stressors to the astronaut. One of the more functionally destabilizing effects of spaceflight involves microgravity-induced changes in vestibular or balance control. Balance control requires the integration of the vestibular, visual, and proprioceptive systems. In the microgravity environment, the normal gravity vector present on Earth no longer serves as a reference for the balance control system. Therefore, adaptive changes occur to the vestibular system to affect control of body orientation with altered, or non-present, gravity and/or proprioceptive inputs. Upon return to a gravity environment, the vestibular system must re-incorporate the gravity vector and gravity-induced proprioceptive inputs into the balance control regime. The result is often a period of postural instability, which may also be associated with space motion sickness (oscillopsia, nausea, and vertigo). Previous studies by the JSC Neuroscience group have found that returning astronauts often employ alterations in gait mechanics to maintain postural control during gait. It is believed that these gait alterations are meant to decrease the transfer of heel strike shock energy to the head, thus limiting the contradictory head and eye movements that lead to gait instability and motion sickness symptoms. We analyzed pre- and post-spaceflight tri-axial accelerometer data from the NASA/MIR long duration spaceflight missions to assess the heel to head transfer of heel strike shock energy during locomotion. Up to seven gait sessions (three preflight, four postflight) of head and shank (lower leg) accelerometer data was previously collected from six astronauts who engaged in space flights of four to six months duration. In our analysis, the heel to head transmission of shock energy was compared using peak vertical acceleration (a), peak jerk (j) ratio, and relative kinetic energy (a). A host of generalized movement variables was produced in an effort to isolate those that best highlighted vestibular adaptation due to spaceflight. Data suggest that astronauts used either head or body centered control to reduce the effects of heel strike shock on head position during normal walking at self-selected speeds. Moreover, the form of that control appears to fall under one of two categories: homeostatic or adaptive. Homeostatic control refers to tight constraint (small error) over the value of a given variable before and after spaceflight with little or no adaptive changes. Adaptive control refers to lesser constraint over a given movement variable with clear adaptation to earth gravity upon return from spaceflight. Heel strike shock absorption (ratio of heel to head peak acceleration) best-discriminated head and body centered control strategies. Further, peak jerk data was useful for illustrating pre- and postflight differences in segmental (shank versus head) movement energy. Results from kinetic energy analysis show high consistency between subjects and across test dates. Whether this result highlights a control strategy or is an artifact of approximating body segments using anthropometric tables is, at this point, unclear.

Lawrence, John H., III↗
DOE OSTI2024

Three-point Analysis for Butler-Volmer Electrochemical Kinetics

This file contains a spreadsheet and equations that evaluate corrosion test data. The data (which can be inserted by the user) is current vs voltage data. This spreadsheet will be part of the supplemental information of a journal article that is under review. Specifically, the spreadsheet evaluates the classical Butler Volmer equation in the presence of several different forms of noise found in electrochemical systems. The forms of noise are: 1) solution resistance, 2) random noise in the current, 3) drift of the open circuit potential voltage.

Cho, Seongkoo [Lawrence Livermore National Laborat↗
NASA NTRS1992

Solidification kinetics and metastable phase formation in binary Ti-Al

Electromagnetic levitation was used to solidify near-equiatomic alloys of Ti-Al at various bulk undercoolings. Detailed thermal histories were acquired during experiments using optical pyrometry with sampling rates as fast as 500 KHz. Solidification and other high-temperature transformation pathways were deduced from the thermal data and microstructural analysis. Recalescence rise times were employed to determine semiquantitative primary solidification kinetics for the different phases. Primary beta solidification was observed at compositions well into the equilibrium alpha regime; this is presented as part of a near-equiatomic nucleation domain diagram that shows the primary solidification phase that results for each combination of nucleation temperature and composition. Solidification kinetics are faster for primary beta than they are for primary alpha. For undercoolings less than about 150 K, the primary solidification kinetics are about an order of magnitude slower for gamma than for alpha.

Anderson, C. D.↗
DOE OSTI2024

In Situ Insights into Cathode Calcination for Predictive Synthesis: Kinetic Crystallization of LiNiO 2 from Hydroxides

Abstract Calcination is a solid‐state synthesis process widely deployed in battery cathode manufacturing. However, its inherent complexity associated with elusive intermediates hinders the predictive synthesis of high‐performance cathode materials. Here, correlative in situ X‐ray absorption/scattering spectroscopy is used to investigate the calcination of nickel‐based cathodes, focusing specifically on the archetypal LiNiO 2 from Ni(OH) 2 . Combining in situ observation with data‐driven analysis reveals concurrent lithiation and dehydration of Ni(OH) 2 and consequently, the low‐temperature crystallization of layered LiNiO 2 alongside lithiated rocksalts. Following early nucleation, LiNiO 2 undergoes sluggish crystallization and structural ordering while depleting rocksalts; ultimately, it turns into a structurally‐ordered layered phase upon full lithiation but remains small in size. Subsequent high‐temperature sintering induces rapid crystal growth, accompanied by undesired delithiation and structural degradation. These observations are further corroborated by mesoscale modeling, emphasizing that, even though calcination is thermally driven and favors transformation towards thermodynamically equilibrium phases, the actual phase propagation and crystallization can be kinetically tuned via lithiation, providing freedom for structural and morphological control during cathode calcination.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2023

Data reduction considerations for the burning velocity of spherical constant volume flames of R32 (CH 2 F 2 ) with air

Here, the present work explores data reduction techniques for the measurement of the laminar burning velocities of R32(CH 2 F 2 )-air mixtures using a constant volume combustion device, in which the pressure-time history is the only measured parameter. To allow clear assessment of the accuracy of the data reduction methods, the pressure-time histories used for analysis are synthetically generated via a detailed numerical simulation employing full kinetics and with and without an optically-thin radiation model. Various data reduction models are employed, including a two-zone model and two multi-zone models, and these are compared with the results from the burning velocity obtained from the output of the numerical simulation. The data reduction schemes are shown to be accurate if the same radiation model is employed in the data reduction as was used in the flame simulation to generate the pressure trace used for post-processing. If the incorrect radiation model is employed, however, the errors can be quite large. The effects of stretch, radiation, and different data post-processing methodologies are explored and the errors quantified. Stretch is shown to be important for the early stages and the selected data range that is used for extrapolation has a significant effect on the extrapolated burning velocity. However, with an appropriate choice of data considered for extrapolation, the prediction of the unstretched burning velocity can be quite accurate.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗