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At least 91 records · Page 5

Performability evaluation of the SIFT computer

The paper deals with the models, techniques, and evaluation methods that were successfully used to test the performance of the SIFT degradable computing system. The performance of the computer plus its air transport mission environment is modeled as a random variable, taking values in a set of 'accomplishment level'. The levels are defined in terms of four attributes of total system (computer plus environment) behavior, namely safety, no change in mission profile, no operational penalties, and no economic penalties. The base model of the total system is a stochastic process, whose states describe the internal structure of SIFT and the relevant conditions of its computational environment. Base model state trajectories are related to accomplishment levels via a special function, and solution methods are then used to determine the performability of the total system for various parameters of the computer and environment.

Meyer, J. F.↗

Prevention of Over-Pressurization During Combustion in a Sealed Chamber

The combustion of flammable material in a sealed chamber invariably leads to an initial pressure rise in the volume. The pressure rise is due to the increase in the total number of gaseous moles (condensed fuel plus chamber oxygen combining to form gaseous carbon dioxide and water vapor) and, most importantly, the temperature rise of the gas in the chamber. Though the rise in temperature and pressure would reduce with time after flame extinguishment due to the absorption of heat by the walls and contents of the sealed spacecraft, the initial pressure rise from a fire, if large enough, could lead to a vehicle over-pressure and the release of gas through the pressure relief valve. This paper presents a simple lumped-parameter model of the pressure rise in a sealed chamber resulting from the heat release during combustion. The transient model considers the increase in gaseous moles due to combustion, and heat transfer to the chamber walls by convection and radiation and to the fuel-sample holder by conduction, as a function of the burning rate of the material. The results of the model are compared to the pressure rise in an experimental chamber during flame spread tests as well as to the pressure falloff after flame extinguishment. The experiments involve flame spread over thin solid fuel samples. Estimates of the heat release rate profiles for input to the model come from the assumed stoichiometric burning of the fuel along with the observed flame spread behavior. The sensitivity of the model to predict maximum chamber pressure is determined with respect to the uncertainties in input parameters. Model predictions are also presented for the pressure profile anticipated in the Fire Safety-1 experiment, a material flammability and fire safety experiment proposed for the European Space Agency (ESA) Automated Transfer Vehicle (ATV). Computations are done for a range of scenarios including various initial pressures and sample sizes. Based on these results, various mitigation approaches are suggested to prevent vehicle over-pressurization and help guide the definition of the space experiment.

Gokoglu, Suleyman A.↗

Profiler Support for Operations at Space Launch Ranges

Accurate vertical wind profiles are essential to successful launch or landing. Wind changes can make it impossible to fly a desired trajectory or avoid dangerous vehicle loads, possibly resulting in loss of mission. Balloons take an hour to generate a profile up to 20 km, but major wind changes can occur in 20 minutes. Wind profilers have the temporal response to detect such last minute hazards. They also measure the winds directly overhead while balloons blow downwind. At the Eastern Range (ER), altitudes from 2 to 20 km are sampled by a 50-MHz profiler every 4 minutes. The surface to 3 km is sampled by five 915-MHz profilers every 15 minutes. The Range Safety office assesses the risk of potential toxic chemical dispersion. They use observational data and model output to estimate the spatial extent and concentration of substances dispersed within the boundary layer. The ER uses 915-MHz profilers as both a real time observation system and as input to dispersion models. The WR has similar plans. Wind profilers support engineering analyses for the Space Shuttle. The 50-IVl11z profiler was used recently to analyze changes in the low frequency wind and low vertical wavenumber content of wind profiles in the 3 to 15 km region of the atmosphere. The 915-MHz profiler network was used to study temporal wind change within the boundary layer.

Merceret, Francis↗

NASA Engineering and Safety Center Technical Bulletin No. 21-03-1: Best Practices for the Elemental Profiling of High-Purity Hydrazine

Trace contaminants in high-purity hydrazine (HPH) propellant impact a wide variety of commercial, Department of Defense (DoD), and NASA missions. Depending on thruster design, elemental contaminants must be kept at extremely low levels and are verified as such by routine analysis. A number of these contaminants have recently undergone an assessment to shed light on their quantities present following changes in the HPH supply chain. A round robin analysis utilizing four separate laboratories resulted in unacceptably high variability in the quantification of these contaminants. The principal objective of this technical bulletin is to signal the availability of a new analysis methodology which yields accurate and repeatable quantification by providing best practices for both quantitation methodology and strategies for avoiding sample contamination during analysis.

High-Purity Hydrazine↗

Development of a neural network model for peeling–ballooning stability analysis in the KSTAR tokamak pedestals

The neural network model, MISHKA-NN is developed to mitigate the computational burden associated with the linear ideal magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) stability analysis of the pedestal based on the peeling–ballooning (P–B) model. By utilizing both 1D plasma profiles (current density, pressure gradient, and safety factor) and 0D parameters (plasma geometry, total current, and toroidal mode number), the model predicts linear growth rate of edge-localized ideal MHD instability in a given equilibrium state. By enabling the prediction of each instability within a second, the model reduces the time required for plotting a pedestal P–B stability diagram (j - α diagram) from approximately 100 CPU hours to a few CPU minutes. Notably, even with the utilization of parametric pressure and current profiles and plasma boundary shapes for the training dataset, the model shows a satisfactory level of performance in benchmarking the j - α diagram for the reconstructed equilibrium from a KSTAR tokamak experiment. We anticipate the model to serve as a versatile alternative to 2D linear MHD stability codes, alleviating numerical costs.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗

Fission product distribution in irradiated safety-tested and as-irradiated AGR-2 TRISO particles

In this work, two tristructural isotropic (TRISO)-coated nuclear fuel particles were examined by electron probe microanalysis (EPMA) as part of the Advanced Gas Reactor program. The compacts’ average irradiation temperatures ranged from approximately 1260 to 1290 °C. One particle was examined in the as-irradiated condition, while the other was subject to 1600 °C post-irradiation safety testing. This study was undertaken to test a newly-developed EPMA technique to determine fission product masses in TRISO particles on a layer-by-layer basis, and to compare fission product distributions between an as-irradiated and safety-tested particle. Fission product concentration profiles were collected along two radii in each particle, with measured concentrations used to compute the fission product mass in each TRISO particle layer. These measured masses were then compared to those predicted from ORIGEN modeling calculations. Data collected from these measurements show that for these two particles, masses determined via EPMA were within ± 20% of the calculated masses for the rare-earth elements, Mo, Zr, Cs, I, and Pd. Elements that tend to be less homogeneously distributed include Sr, Te, Eu, Ag, and possibly Ba. Measured Ag masses differed by more than 40% from the calculated mass. Lanthanides other than Eu remain primarily within the fuel kernel in the as-irradiated particle but in the safety-tested particle these element masses were divided approximately equally between the kernel and kernel periphery. In both particles, the majority of Sr and Eu accumulated in the carbon-rich kernel periphery, although in the safety-tested particle, Sr and Eu accumulated farther from the fuel kernel than occurred with irradiation alone. A greater mass fraction of mobile elements, such as Cs and I accumulated in the buffer and IPyC in the safety-tested particle as compared to the as-irradiated particle. When fully developed and tested, this mass balance approach to TRISO particle analysis has the potential to provide insight into fuel behavior.

11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS↗

Impact of Surface Chemistry of Ultrasmall Superparamagnetic Iron Oxide Nanoparticles on Protein Corona Formation and Endothelial Cell Uptake, Toxicity, and Barrier Function

Ultrasmall superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (USPIONs) have been investigated for biomedical applications, including novel contrast agents, magnetic tracers for tumor imaging, targeted drug delivery vehicles, and magneto-mechanical actuators for hyperthermia and thrombolysis. Despite significant progress, recent clinical reports have raised concerns regarding USPION safety related to endothelial cell dysfunction; however, there is limited information on factors contributing to these clinical responses. The influence of USPION surface chemistry on nanoparticle interactions with proteins may impact endothelial cell function leading to adverse responses. Therefore, the goal of this study was to assess the effects of carboxyl-functionalized USPION (CU) or amine-functionalized USPION (AU) (approximately 30 nm diameter) on biological responses in human coronary artery endothelial cells. Increased protein adsorption was observed for AU compared with CU after exposure to serum proteins. Exposure to CU, but not AU, resulted in a concentration-dependent decrease in cell viability and perinuclear accumulation inside cytoplasmic vesicles. Internalization of CU was correlated with endothelial cell functional changes under non-cytotoxic conditions, as evidenced by a marked decreased expression of endothelial-specific adhesion proteins (eg, vascular endothelial-cadherin and platelet endothelial cell adhesion molecule-1) and increased endothelial permeability. Evaluation of downstream signaling indicated endothelial permeability is associated with actin cytoskeleton remodeling, possibly elicited by intracellular events involving reactive oxygen species, calcium ions, and the nanoparticle cellular uptake pathway. This study demonstrated that USPION surface chemistry significantly impacts protein adsorption and endothelial cell uptake, viability, and barrier function. This information will advance the current toxicological profile of USPION and improve development, safety assessment, and clinical outcomes of USPION-enabled medical products.

Toxicology↗

The Manned Transportation System Study - Attributes and their measurements

Attention is given to the Manned Transportation System (MTS) Study, initiated to help identify the 'right' transportation system architectures needed for human access to space. A listing of the requirements used for this study and the rationale behind them are given. Attributes allow comparison of elements that meet the requirements and the 'needs' (mission model). The attributes include: safety, probability of mission success, funding profile, architecture cost risk, schedule confidence, dependability, availability, mission growth potential, environment, resiliency, and alternate access. The attributes need to be measurable, to have repeatable calculations and well-defined assumptions, to have their weight determined relative to other attributes, and to be a discriminator. The process used to determine the attributes, which involved the MTS team forum and some of the quality function deployment techniques, is discussed.

Geyer, M. S.↗

Hydrogen Wide Area Monitoring of LH2 Releases at HSE for the PRESHLY Project

The characterization of liquid hydrogen (LH2) releases has been identified as an international research priority to expand the safe use of hydrogen as an energy carrier. Empirical field measurements such as those afforded by Hydrogen Wide Area Monitoring (HyWAM) can elucidate the behavior of LH2 releases, which can then be used to support and validate dispersion models. HyWAM can be defined as the quantitative three-dimensional spatial and temporal profiling of planned or unintentional hydrogen releases. The NREL Sensor Laboratory developed a HyWAM based upon a distributed array of hydrogen Sensors. The NREL Sensor Laboratory and Health and Safety Executive (HSE) formally committed to collaborate on profiling GH2 and LH2 releases, which allowed for the integration of the NREL HyWAM into the HSE LH2 release behavior investigation supported by the FCH JU Prenormative Research for the Safe Use of Liquid Hydrogen (PRESLHY) program. A HyWAM system consisting of 32 hydrogen measurement points and co-located temperature sensors were distributed downstream of the LH2 release apparatus developed by HSE. In addition, there were proximal wind and weather monitors. In a separate presentation at this conference "HSE SD Experimental Summary for the Characterisation, Dispersion and Electrostatic Hazards of LH2 for the PRESLHY Project" HSE researchers summarize the experimental apparatus and experimental protocols utilized in the HSE LH2 releases that were performed under the auspices of PRESLHY. To supplement the HSE presentation, this presentation will focus on the spatial and temporal behavior LH2 releases as measured by the NREL HyWAM. Correlations to ambient conditions, such as wind speed and direction, plume temperature and hydrogen concentrations will be discussed in addition to the design and performance of the NREL HyWAM, and its potential for improving hydrogen facility safety.

HYDROGEN↗

Candidate-Landing Sites and Backups for the Mars Surveyor Program in the Schiaparelli. Crater Region

Our Survey area comprises the Sinus Sabeus NW quadrangle that includes most of the Schiaparelli crater and part of the Arabia SW region (3 N to 15 S Lat.) and (0 to 337.5 W long.) and covers all regions that show a potential hydrogeological link with the Schiaparelli impact structure. This area is hereafter defined as the Schiaparelli Crater Region. The Schiaparelli crater region is one of the most documented MOC targets. Up to now, MGS MOC camera took two dozen images at an average of 5m/pxl resolution that not only provide an exceptional insight on the local geology and morphology, but give also key-elements to assess landing safety criteria. In addition, the MOLA topographic profile No. 23 passes through part of the crater basin allowing the adjustment of the elevation as previously known from the Viking mission (USGS I-2125, 1991). Beyond the Mars Polar Lander mission that will land next December, the future missions (2001 APEX, 2003, and 2005) are led by a series of science objectives and engineering constraints that must be considered in order to select landing sites that will fulfill the Surveyor Program's objectives. The search for a sound and safe candidate-site (without ending up with the usual "safe but boring" or "fascinating but too risky" site) is usually limited by the data available to the investigator, by the data accuracy (e.g. poor image resolution, poor altimetry), and the lack of crucial information for science and safety that can be derived from them. The Schiaparelli region provides an exception to this recurrent pattern. We listed the preliminary constraints for landing site selection identified for the Surveyor '01 mission, in terms of safety requirements and data needed and compared them against the existing information and/or data already available for the Schiaparelli region. The engineering constraints of '03 and '05 are not designated yet but, since they are also related to atmospheric density and Lander designs, we will assume that these points will be comparable to '01. The main difference will reside in the rover design, the Rocky-7 class rover being bigger than Marie Curie ('01) will be able to overcome bigger obstacles. We listed then the main objectives of the Surveyor Program and compared them with the potential offered by the Schiaparelli Crater Region to document them. Within the survey area, the Schiaparelli impact crater is 2.5 S/343.3 W (USGS 1-1376, MC-20 NW, 1981) and occupies a significant surface area. The crater has been proposed as a potential candidate-site in the past years. The purpose of this study is to show that, not only the Schiaparelli Crater would be a high-priority target, but that the region where it is located offer several very-high potential back-up sites, all within science and engineering constraints, that make this region probably the most promising candidate area so far.

Cabrol, Nathalie A.↗

Predictive-Maintenance Practices: For Operational Safety of Battery Energy Storage Systems

Changes in the Demand Profile and a growing role for renewable and distributed generation are leading to rapid evolution in the electric grid. These changes are beginning to considerably strain the transmission and distribution infrastructure. Utilities are increasingly recognizing that the integration of energy storage in the grid infrastructure will help manage intermittency and improve grid reliability. This recognition, coupled with the proliferation of state-level renewable portfolio standards and rapidly declining lithium-ion (Li-ion) battery costs, has led to a surge in the deployment of battery energy storage systems (BESSs). Additionally, although BESSs represented less than 1% of grid-scale energy storage in the United States in 2019, they are the preferred technology to meet growing demand because they are modular, scalable, and easy to deploy across diverse use cases and geographic locations.

25 ENERGY STORAGE↗

Safety of liquid propulsion systems for STS payloads

STS payload safety requirements for Earth-storable liquid propulsion systems are reviewed with respect to applicable safety documents. The effect of normal flight and emergency landing/abort launch profiles on propulsion system design is delineated. Spacecraft studied include Earth satellites, interplanetary spacecraft, and orbit transfer vehicles. Safety considerations for monopropellant (hydrazine), bipropellant (nitrogen tetroxide/monomethyl hydrazine), and ion (mercury) propulsion systems are described. Safety requirements for specific components of propulsion systems are reported. Analysis techniques for STS payload fracture control requirements for pressure vessels and critical support structure are discussed.

Lewis, J. C.↗

Technology transfer-transportation

The application of aerospace technology to the solution of urban public transportation problems is considered. Data are given on highway and railway systems with particular attention given to safety devices, fuel economy, and measures for profiling railways and highways. The development of streamlined truck bodies, to reduce air drag, and efficient brake systems for light trucks and other vehicles was also dealt with.

Anyos, T.↗

Avco Lycoming emission and flight test results

The Avco Lycoming flight test program for reduced emissions was conducted to determine and document the lean fuel schedule limits for current production aircraft based on flight safety. Based on analysis of the emissions profile, Avco Lycoming proposed to evaluate the effect of leaner schedules in the idle/taxi, climb, and approach modes. These modes were selected as areas where it was felt that possible improvements could be made with the greatest improvement in cyclic emissions reduction. The fuel systems to produce these leaner stepped fuel schedules were tailored specifically for the flight test.

Duke, L. C.↗

Assessment of the impact of dipped guideways on urban rail transit systems: Ventilation and safety requirements

The ventilation and fire safety requirements for subway tunnels with dipped profiles between stations as compared to subway tunnels with level profiles were evaluated. This evaluation is based upon computer simulations of a train fire emergency condition. Each of the tunnel configurations evaluated was developed from characteristics that are representative of modern transit systems. The results of the study indicate that: (1) The level tunnel system required about 10% more station cooling than dipped tunnel systems in order to meet design requirements; and (2) The emergency ventilation requirements are greater with dipped tunnel systems than with level tunnel systems.

Source record↗

Airplane strength calculations and static tests in Russia : an attempt at standardization

We are here giving a summary of the rules established by the Theoretical Section of the Central Aerodynamic Institute of Moscow for the different calculation cases of an airplane. It appears the engineers of the Aerodynamic Institute considered only thick or medium profiles. For these profiles they have attempted to increase the safety when the center of pressure moves appreciably toward the trailing edge.

STATIC TESTS↗

Speed Profiles for Deceleration Guidance During Rollout and Turnoff (ROTO)

Two NASA goals are to enhance airport safety and to improve capacity in all weather conditions. This paper contributes to these goals by examining speed guidance profiles to aid a pilot in decelerating along the runway to an exit. A speed profile essentially tells the pilot what the airplane's speed should be as a function of where the airplane is on the runway. While it is important to get off the runway as soon as possible (when striving to minimize runway occupancy time), the deceleration along a speed profile should be constrained by passenger comfort. Several speed profiles are examined with respect to their maximum decelerations and times to reach exit speed. One profile varies speed linearly with distance; another has constant deceleration; and two related nonlinear profiles delay maximum deceleration (braking) to reduce time spent on the runway.

Barker, L. Keith↗

XV-15 Tiltrotor Low Noise Approach Operations

Acoustic data have been acquired for the XV- 15 tiltrotor aircraft performing approach operations for a variety of different approach profile configurations. This flight test program was conducted jointly by NASA, the U.S. Army, and Bell Helicopter Textron, Inc. (BHTI) in June 1997. The XV-15 was flown over a large area microphone array, which was deployed to directly measure the noise footprint produced during actual approach operations, The XV- 15 flew realistic approach profiles that culminated in IGE hover over a landing pad. Aircraft tracking and pilot guidance was provided by a Differential Global Positioning System (DGPS) and a flight director system developed at BHTT. Approach profile designs emphasized noise reduction while maintaining handling qualities sufficient for tiltrotor commercial passenger ride comfort and flight safety under Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) conditions. A discussion of the approach profile design philosophy is provided. Five different approach profiles are discussed in detail -- 3deg., 6 deg., and 9 deg. approaches, and two very different 3 deg. to 9 deg. segmented approaches. The approach profile characteristics are discussed in details, followed by the noise footprints and handling qualities. Sound exposure levels are also presented on an averaged basis and as a function of the sideline distance for a number of up-range distances from the landing point. A comparison of the noise contour areas is also provided. The results document the variation in tiltrotor noise due to changes in operating condition, and indicate the potential for significant noise reduction using the unique tiltrotor capability of nacelle tilt.

Conner, David↗