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At least 91 records · Page 5

Venting characteristics of gaseous helium and nitrogen discharging into a free stream at Mach numbers from 0.60 to 1.57

An experimental investigation was conducted in the Lewis Research Center 8- by 6-Foot Supersonic Wind Tunnel to compare the effects on discharge coefficient of venting gaseous helium and gaseous nitrogen into a free stream. The test was conducted from Mach 0.06 to 1.57 with the vent mounted in a flat plate. The plate was strut mounted to the tunnel ceiling and at a 0 angle of attack. The gases were discharged from a plenum chamber through a 2.54-centimeter (1.00-in.) diameter vent. The ratio of local static pressure to plenum pressure was varied from 0.51 to 0.975. The ratio of boundary layer thickness to vent diameter varied from a maximum of 1.34 at Mach 0.60 to a minimum of 0.55 at Mach 1.37.

Johns, A. L.↗

Tapped-Hole Vent Path

Long helical vent path cools and releases hot pyrotechnical gas that exits along its spiraling threads. Current design uses 1/4-28 threads with outer diameter of stud reduced by 0.025 in. (0.62 mm). To open or close gassampler bottle, pyrotechnic charges on either one side or other of valve cylinder are actuated. Gases vented slowly over long path are cool enough to present no ignition hazard. Vent used to meter flow in refrigeration, pneumaticcontrol, and fluid-control systems by appropriately adjusting size and length of vent path.

Chandler, J. A.↗

External Tank GH2 Vent Arm

Because the venting of free hydrogen gas to the atmosphere presents an extremely hazardous situation, it was necessary to devise a means for safe, controlled venting of the shuttle external tank gaseous hydrogen during and after liquid hydrogen tank loading. Several design concepts that were considered initially were discarded as unfeasible because of vehicle weight restrictions, high cost, and because the proposed structure was itself deemed a hazard due to the vehicle's nonvertical launch trajectory. These design concepts are discussed. A design employing a support structure/access arm attached to the fixed service structure was finally selected. The various design problems resolved included vent arm disconnect/drop interference, minimizing refurbishment due to launch damage, disconnect reliability, vehicle movement tracking, minimizing vent line pressure drop, and the presence of other vehicle services at the same centralized supply area. Six launches have proven the system to be reliable, efficient, and of nearly zero refurbishment cost.

Reichle, G. E.↗

Thermodynamic modeling of the no-vent fill methodology for transferring cryogens in low gravity

The filling of tanks with cryogens in the low-gravity environment of space poses many technical challenges. Chief among these is the inability to vent only vapor from the tank as the filling proceeds. As a potential solution to this problem, the NASA Lewis Research Center is researching a technique known as No-Vent Fill. This technology potentially has broad application. The focus is the fueling of space based Orbital Transfer Vehicles. The fundamental thermodynamics of the No-Vent Fill process to develop an analytical model of No-Vent Fill is described. The model is then used to conduct a parametric investigation of the key parameters: initial tank wall temperature, liquid-vapor interface heat transfer rate, liquid inflow rate, and inflowing liquid temperatures. Liquid inflowing temperature and the liquid-vapor interface heat transfer rate seem to be the most significant since they influence the entire fill process. The initial tank wall temperature must be sufficiently low to prevent a rapid pressure rise during the initial liquid flashing stage, but then becomes less significant.

Chato, David J.↗

Venting Gases With Minimum Loss Of Heat

Design of vent reduces radiative transfer of heat. Venting system allows gases to escape while minimizing loss of heat by radiation. Prevents excessive buildup of internal pressure on thermal blanket. Polyimide box serves as modular vent. Many modules combined to suit gas-flow requirements of equipment. Indirect flow paths, external thermal control film, and thermal blankets reduce radiative loss of heat from interior. Developed to permit outgassing from thermal-blanket-covered spacecraft during passage from atmosphere of Earth to vacuum of space, venting approach adaptable to thermal insulation in laboratory vacuum systems.

Ocoin, James R.↗

Flow fields of low pressure vent exhausts

The flow field produced by low pressure gas vents are described based on experimental data obtained from tests in a large vacuum chamber. The gas density, pressure, and flux at any location in the flow field are calculated based on the vent plume description and the knowledge of the flow rate and velocity of the venting gas. The same parameters and the column densities along a specified line of sight traversing the plume are also obtained and shown by a computer-generated graphical representation. The fields obtained with a radially scanning Pitot probe within the exhausting gas are described by a power of the cosine function, the mass rate and the distance from the exit port. The field measurements were made for gas at pressures ranging from 2 to 50 torr venting from pipe fittings with diameters of 3/16 inch to 1-1/2 inches I.D. (4.76 mm to 38.1 mm). The N(2) mass flow rates ranged from 2E-4 to 3.7E-1 g/s.

Scialdone, John J.↗

Liquid Transfer Cryogenic Test Facility: Initial hydrogen and nitrogen no-vent fill data

The Liquid Transfer Cryogenic Test Facility is a versatile testbed for ground-based cryogenic fluid storage, handling, and transfer experimentation. The test rig contains two well instrumented tanks, and a third interchangeable tank, designed to accommodate liquid nitrogen or liquid hydrogen testing. The internal tank volumes are approx. 18, 5, and 1.2 cu. ft. Tank pressures can be varied from 2 to 30 psia. Preliminary no vent fill tests with nitrogen and hydrogen were successfully completed with the test rig. Initial results indicate that no vent fills of nitrogen above 90 percent full are achievable using this test configuration, in a 1-g environment, and with inlet liquid temperatures as high as 143 R, and an average tank wall temperature of nearly 300 R. This inlet temperature corresponds to a saturation pressure of 19 psia for nitrogen. Hydrogen proved considerably more difficult to transfer between tanks without venting. The highest temperature conditions resulting in a fill level greater than 90 percent were with an inlet liquid temperature of 34 R, and an estimated tank wall temperature of slightly more than 100 R. Saturation pressure for hydrogen at this inlet temperature is 10 psia. All preliminary no vent fill tests were performed with a top mounted full cone nozzle for liquid injection. The nozzle produces a 120 degree conical droplet spray at a differential pressure of 10 psi. Pressure in the receiving tank was held to less than 30 psia for all tests.

Moran, Matthew E.↗

Flow fields of low pressure vent exhausts

The flow field produced by low pressure gas vents are described based on experimental data obtained from tests in a large vacuum chamber. The gas density, pressure, and flux at any location in the flow field are calculated based on the vent plume description and the knowledge of the flow rate and velocity of the venting gas. The same parameters and the column densities along a specified line of sight traversing the plume are also obtained and shown by a computer generated graphical representation. The fields obtained with a radically scanning Pitot probe within the exhausting gas are described by a power of the cosine function, the mass rate, and the distance from the exit port. The field measurements were made for gas at pressures ranging from 2 to 50 torr venting from pipe fittings with diameters to 3/16 to 1-1/2 inches I.D. (4.76 to 38.1 mm). The N2 mass flow rates ranged from 2E-4 to 3.7E-1 g/s.

Scialdone, John J.↗

Global relationships between volcanic vents and fractures radial to large impact basins on Mars

The relation of volcanic vents on Mars to impact basins has been previously studied. It has been asserted that the concentric fractures around impact basins extend into the crust and might localize some features, including volcanoes. Herein, the possibility is assessed of radial fractures inferred to be associated with impact basins as an additional control on the location of volcanoes on Mars. Geologic mapping at 1:2 million scale enabled 250 central vents and fissure vents to be identified. Pattern of vent distribution superimposed on a globe show that most are located on three distinct circles. In addition, there are two more possible great circles which may be superimposed onto the Martian globe. These five Martian circles are briefly examined for their geological relationship to volcanoes.

Schneid, Byron D.↗

Design and integrated operation of an innovative thermodynamic vent system concept

A unique zero-g thermodynamic vent system (TVS) is being developed by NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC) and Rockwell International to meet cryogenic propellant management requirements for future space missions. The design is highly innovative in that it integrates the functions of a spray-bar tank mixer and a TVS. This concept not only satisfies the requirement for efficient tank mixing and zero-g venting but also accommodates thermal conditioning requirements for other components (e.g., engine feed lines, turbopumps, and liquid acquisition devices). In addition, operations can be extended to accomplish tank chill-down, no-vent fill, and emergency venting during zero-g propellant transfer. This paper describes the system performance characterization and future test activities that are part of MSFC's Multipurpose Hydrogen Test Bed (MHTB) program. The testing will demonstrate the feasibility and merit of the design, and serve as a proof-of-concept development activity.

Fazah, Michel M.↗

Vented Tank Resupply Experiment--Flight Test Results

This paper reports the results of the Vented Tank Resupply Experiment (VTRE) which was flown as a payload on STS 77. VTRE looks at the ability of vane Propellant Management Devices (PMD) to separate liquid and gas in low gravity. VTRE used two clear 0.8 cubic foot tanks one spherical and one with a short barrel section and transferred Refrigerant 113 between them as well as venting it to space. Tests included retention of liquid during transfer, liquid free venting, and recovery of liquid into the PMD after thruster firing. Liquid was retained successfully at the highest flow rate tested (2.73 gpm). Liquid free vents were achieved for both tanks, although at a higher flow rate (0.1591 cfm) for the spherical tank than the other (0.0400 cfm). Recovery from a thruster firing which moved the liquid to the opposite end of the tank from the PMD was achieved in 30 seconds.

David J. Chato↗

Optical Detection of Organic Chemical Biosignatures at Hydrothermal Vents

We have developed a non-contact, optical life detection instrument that can detect organic chemical biosignatures in a number of different environments, including dry land, shallow aqueous, deep marine or in ice. Hence, the instrument is appropriate as a biosignature survey tool both for Mars exploration or in situ experiments in an ice-covered ocean such as one might wish to explore on Europa. Here, we report the results we obtained on an expedition aboard the Russian oceanographic vessel Akademik Mstislav Keldysh to hydrothermal vent sites in the Pacific Ocean using our life detection instrument MCDUVE, a multichannel, deep ultraviolet excitation fluorescence detector. MCDUVE detected organic material distribution on rocks near the vent, as well as direct detection of organisms, both microbial and microscopic. We also were able to detect organic material issuing directly from vent chimneys, measure the organic signature of the water column as we ascended, and passively observe the emission of light directly from some vents.

Conrad, P. G.↗

Hydrothermal Vent Sampler: Does Life Exist in High Temperature Environments?

The main purpose of this research is to search for the existence of biomass under extreme temperature and pressure conditions to determine the upper bounds of environments on which life can exist. Vents are, simply put, underwater volcano openings located at the bottom of the sea. The conditions at these locations are considerably extreme with pressures of up to 10,000 psi, and enormous temperature gradients. The temperature of the water near these vents is around 400 C, while that of the surrounding water is about 3 C. The extremity of these conditions makes it hard to estimate the existence of life in those environments. I n order to find whether such existence happens, we need to search for biomass inside these vents. The vent sampler is a device that has the purpose of safely and accurately collecting this biomass for examination. This sampler is constituted of a Series of filters of the order of 100-0.2 microns in size. Since this is a 3-year project, it has not concluded yet; however, during the time I contributed to this project, I worked with the mechanical design of this sampler device including the selection, assembly, and testing of the various subsystems and the design and construction of the electronics enclosure.

Rivadeneyra, Cesar R.↗

Testing the Effects of Helium Pressurant on Thermodynamic Vent System Performance with Liquid Hydrogen

In support of the development of a zero gravity pressure control capability for liquid hydrogen, testing was conducted at the Marshall Space Flight Center using the Multipurpose Hydrogen Test Bed (MHTB) to evaluate the effects of helium pressurant on the performance of a spray bar thermodynamic vent system (TVS). Fourteen days of testing was performed in August - September 2005, with an ambient heat leak of about 70-80 watts and tank fill levels of 90%, 50%, and 25%. The TVS successfully controlled the tank pressure within a +/- 3.45 kPa (+/- 0.5 psi) band with various helium concentration levels in the ullage. Relative to pressure control with an "all hydrogen" ullage, the helium presence resulted in 10 to 30 per cent longer pressure reduction durations, depending on the fill level, during the mixing/venting phase of the control cycle. Additionally, the automated control cycle was based on mixing alone for pressure reduction until the pressure versus time slope became positive, at which time the Joule-Thomson vent was opened. Testing was also conducted to evaluate thermodynamic venting without the mixer operating, first with liquid then with vapor at the recirculation line inlet. Although ullage stratification was present, the ullage pressure was successfully controlled without the mixer operating. Thus, if vapor surrounded the pump inlet in a reduced gravity situation, the ullage pressure can still be controlled by venting through the TVS Joule Thomson valve and heat exchanger. It was evident that the spray bar configuration, which extends almost the entire length of the tank, enabled significant thermal energy removal from the ullage even without the mixer operating. Details regarding the test setup and procedures are presented in the paper. 1

Flachbart, R. H.↗

Turbofan Engine Core Compartment Vent Aerodynamic Configuration Development Methodology

This paper presents an overview of the design methodology used in the development of the aerodynamic configuration of the nacelle core compartment vent for a typical Boeing commercial airplane together with design challenges for future design efforts. Core compartment vents exhaust engine subsystem flows from the space contained between the engine case and the nacelle of an airplane propulsion system. These subsystem flows typically consist of precooler, oil cooler, turbine case cooling, compartment cooling and nacelle leakage air. The design of core compartment vents is challenging due to stringent design requirements, mass flow sensitivity of the system to small changes in vent exit pressure ratio, and the need to maximize overall exhaust system performance at cruise conditions.

Hebert, Leonard J.↗

Deep-Sea Hydrothermal-Vent Sampler

An apparatus is being developed for sampling water for signs of microbial life in an ocean hydrothermal vent at a depth of as much as 6.5 km. Heretofore, evidence of microbial life in deep-sea hydrothermal vents has been elusive and difficult to validate. Because of the extreme conditions in these environments (high pressures and temperatures often in excess of 300 C), deep-sea hydrothermal- vent samplers must be robust. Because of the presumed low density of biomass of these environments, samplers must be capable of collecting water samples of significant volume. It is also essential to prevent contamination of samples by microbes entrained from surrounding waters. Prior to the development of the present apparatus, no sampling device was capable of satisfying these requirements. The apparatus (see figure) includes an intake equipped with a temperature probe, plus several other temperature probes located away from the intake. The readings from the temperature probes are utilized in conjunction with readings from flowmeters to determine the position of the intake relative to the hydrothermal plume and, thereby, to position the intake to sample directly from the plume. Because it is necessary to collect large samples of water in order to obtain sufficient microbial biomass but it is not practical to retain all the water from the samples, four filter arrays are used to concentrate the microbial biomass (which is assumed to consist of particles larger than 0.2 m) into smaller volumes. The apparatus can collect multiple samples per dive and is designed to process a total volume of 10 L of vent fluid, of which most passes through the filters, leaving a total possibly-microbe-containing sample volume of 200 mL remaining in filters. A rigid titanium nose at the intake is used for cooling the sample water before it enters a flexible inlet hose connected to a pump. As the water passes through the titanium nose, it must be cooled to a temperature that is above a mineral-precipitation temperature of 100 C but below the upper working temperature (230 C) of switching valves and tubes in the apparatus. The sample water then passes into a manifold tube, from whence the switching valves can direct the water through either a bypass tube or any one of the filter arrays, without contamination from a previous sample. Each filter array consists of series of filters having pore sizes decreasing in the direction of flow: 90-, 60-, 15-, and 7-micron prefilters and a large-surface-area 0.2-micron collection filter. All the filter taps are located between the intake and the bypass tube so that each time the bypass tube is used, the entire manifold tube is flushed as well.

Behar, Alberto E.↗

Controls on the frequency content of near-source infrasound at open-vent volcanoes: a case study from Volcán Villarrica, Chile

Infrasound signals from open-vent volcanoes can contain information related to that volcano’s eruption dynamics and future activity. Studying a specific volcano’s acoustic signature during periods of relative quiescence is thus important for understanding potential warning signs of impending eruptions. Volcán Villarrica, located in southern Chile, has a long-lived active lava lake that produces continuous infrasound with spectral peaks centered around 1 Hz that vary by + / - ~ 0.2 Hz over day-to-week-long time scales. The infrasound frequency content has been shown to illuminate key volcanic properties such as eruption style and crater shape. Leading up to Villarrica’s most recent paroxysm in 2015, for instance, infrasound spectral changes coincided with a rise in Villarrica’s lava lake level. Quantifying and understanding the regular fluctuation in recorded infrasonic frequencies from Villarrica and other open-vent volcanoes is thus imperative during periods of relative calm. Our experiment entailed a week-long period of crater rim infrasound observations associated with stable, open-vent activity and revealed two independent source processes: spatter bursting events (relatively broadband infrasound) and lava lake-induced tremor (sustained signals peaked at 1 Hz). A comparison of these acoustic signals with results from 3-D finite-difference time-domain wave propagation models shows that while sound speed variability can influence Villarrica’s spectrum, it cannot explain the full extent of the observed frequency excursions. We conclude that source spectrum variability is primarily responsible for the frequency excursions. In conclusion, our work highlights the utility of data collected from a dense distribution of twenty infrasound sensors operating at the summit coupled with numerical modeling of sound radiation.

58 GEOSCIENCES↗

Reduced-Order Modeling of Hydrogen Releases from Vent Stacks and with Wind Effects

Here, the physical release behavior of hydrogen is important to understand from a safety and design perspective. The consequences of unignited pressurized gaseous hydrogen plumes exiting vent stacks were considered by extending and modifying existing general hydrogen plume models. Entrainment, vent stack backpressure, and the flow regime of hydrogen exiting the vent were found to be significant factors affecting plume shape and size, but further investigation and validation with unchoked, low-Froude-number flows is recommended to improve the model’s robustness. Additionally, models for the effects of wind on unignited plume momentum and entrainment were added to explore this behavior. Wind was assumed to increase mixing of hydrogen with the ambient air, and to affect the momentum of the released jet. Introducing wind into the plume model led to a shorter plume for all wind and jet directions. A high counter-flowing wind led to non-physical results and challenges in interpreting the visualization. The proposed jet plume wind sub-models (specifically entrainment coefficients) were fit and compared to experimental data of different releases of hydrogen into a wind tunnel, but the quantity of data available and experimental conditions were limited. Thus, collection of more empirical data and for a wider range of conditions is recommended for improvement of the proposed computational models. Developing reduced-order models for these physical phenomena can improve accessibility to predicted physical behavior and the rate at which hydrogen systems can be safely designed and deployed.

entrainment↗