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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 991 records · Page 55
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS2001

Quench Module Insert Capabilities and Development Test Results

The Quench Module Insert is a directional solidification furnace that will operate in the Materials Science Research Rack (MSRR) on the International Space Station. It will provide high thermal gradient and quench capabilities for processing metals and alloys in microgravity. Numerical analyses and breadboard testing conducted to date show that the QMI can produce an axial temperature gradient approaching 150 C per centimeter in a 1 centimeter diameter aluminum sample with a maximum molten sample temperature of 1100 C. Breadboard testing and analysis have also shown that the quench capabilities of the furnace are sufficient to rapidly solidify at least a 5mm axial portion of a 1 centimeter diameter molten aluminum sample in significantly less than the required 2 seconds and prevent significant backmelt. This paper presents the furnace requirements and capabilities and a status of the associated development testing and analyses.

Carswell, William E.↗
DOE OSTI2016

Implicit Monte Carlo with a linear discontinuous finite element material solution and piecewise non-constant opacity

Here, the non-linear thermal radiative-transfer equations can be solved in various ways. One popular way is the Fleck and Cummings Implicit Monte Carlo (IMC) method. The IMC method was originally formulated with piecewise-constant material properties. For domains with a coarse spatial grid and large temperature gradients, an error known as numerical teleportation may cause artificially non-causal energy propagation and consequently an inaccurate material temperature. Source tilting is a technique to reduce teleportation error by constructing sub-spatial-cell (or sub-cell) emission profiles from which IMC particles are sampled. Several source tilting schemes exist, but some allow teleportation error to persist. We examine the effect of source tilting in problems with a temperature-dependent opacity. Within each cell, the opacity is evaluated continuously from a temperature profile implied by the source tilt. For IMC, this is a new approach to modeling the opacity. We find that applying both source tilting along with a source tilt-dependent opacity can introduce another dominant error that overly inhibits thermal wavefronts. We show that we can mitigate both teleportation and under-propagation errors if we discretize the temperature equation with a linear discontinuous (LD) trial space. Our method is for opacities ~ 1/T 3 , but we formulate and test a slight extension for opacities ~ 1/T 3.5 , where T is temperature. We find our method avoids errors that can be incurred by IMC with continuous source tilt constructions and piecewise-constant material temperature updates.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗
NASA NTRS1984

Nimbus-Earth radiation budget instrument analysis

The Wide Field Of View (WFOV) Earth Flux Channels of the Nimbus Earth Radiation Budget (ERB) instrument are studied with the objective of improving the understanding and confidence in the data. Laboratory tests on flight space Earth flux subassemblies followed by a set of in flight verification procedures are examined to see if the laboratory derived correction factors produced consistent results. Intercomparisons between the WFOV data and integrated scanner data as well as other truth are used in these verificaton procedures. The main source of errors are temperature and temperature gradient related offsets. The findings led to construction of a model for the short wave WFOV channel which use instrument temperatures and temperature differences to predict or establish offsets which need to be applied to data reduction algorithms for maximum final data product accuracy.

Maschhoff, R. M.↗
NASA NTRS1989

Dynamics of planetary atmospheres

The overall goal is to illuminate the mechanisms that control weather and climate on the Earth and other planets. Each planet presents its own puzzling behavior - the stability of jets and vortices in Jupiter's otherwise turbulent atmosphere, the superrotation of the Venus atmosphere, the interplay of dust, polar volatiles, and climate change in Mars, the supersonic meteorology of Io, and the counterintuitive equator-to-pole temperature gradients on the outer planets. The data sets are generally those obtained from spacecraft - cloud-tracked winds, radiometrically inferred temperatures, and the results of in situ observations where appropriate. The approach includes both data analysis and modeling, ranging from analytic modeling to time-dependent numerical modeling of atmospheric dynamics. The latter approach involves the use of supercomputers such as the San Diego Cray. Progress is generally made when a model with a small number of free parameters either fits a data set that has a large number of independent observations or applies to several planets at once.

Ingersoll, Andrew P.↗
NASA NTRS1999

Nanoporous Silica Thermal Insulation for Space Shuttle Cryogenic Tanks: A Case Study

Nanoporous silica (with typical 10-50 nm porous radii) has been benchmarked for thermal insulators capable of maintaining a 150 K/cm temperature gradient. For cryogenic use in aerospace applications, the combined features for low-density, high thermal insulation factors, and low temperature compatibility are demonstrated in a prototype sandwich structure between two propulsion tanks. Theoretical modelling based on a nanoscale fractal structure suggest that the thermal conductivity scales proportionally (exponent, 1.7) with the material density-lower density increases the thermal insulation rating. Computer simulations, however, support the optimization tradeoff between material strength (Young moduli, proportional to density with exponent, 3.7), the characteristic (colloidal silica, less than 5 nm) particle size, and the thermal rating. The results of these simulations indicate that as nanosized particles are incorporated into the silica backbone, the resulting physical properties will be tailored by the smallest characteristic length and their fractal interconnections (dimension and fractal size). The application specifies a prototype panel which takes advantage of the processing flexibility inherent in sol-gel chemistry.

Noever, David A.↗
NASA NTRS2005

Flexible Cryogenic Temperature and Liquid-Level Probes

Lightweight, flexible probes have been developed for measuring temperatures at multiple locations in tanks that contain possibly pressurized cryogenic fluids. If the fluid in a given tank is subcritical (that is, if it consists of a liquid and its vapor), then in one of two modes of operation, the temperature measurements made by a probe of this type can be used to deduce the approximate level of the liquid. The temperature sensors are silicon diodes located at intervals along a probe. If the probe is to be used to measure a temperature gradient along a given axis in the tank, then the probe must be mounted along that axis. In the temperature-measurement mode, a constant small electric current is applied to each diode and the voltage across the diode a known function of the current and temperature is measured as an indication of its temperature. For the purpose of this measurement, small electric current signifies a current that is not large enough to cause a significant increase in the measured temperature. More specifically, the probe design calls for a current of 10 A, which, in the cryogenic temperature range of interest, generates heat at a rate of only about 0.01 mW per diode. In the liquid-level-sensing mode, one applies a larger current (30 mA) to each diode so as to heat each diode appreciably (with a power of about 36 mW in the temperature range of interest). Because the liquid cools the diode faster than does the vapor, the temperature of the diode is less when the diode is immersed in the liquid than when it is above the surface of the liquid. Thus, the temperature (voltage) reading from each diode can be used to determine whether the liquid level is above or below the diode, and one can deduce that the liquid level lies between two adjacent diodes, the lower one of which reads a significantly lower temperature. The aforementioned techniques for measuring temperature and deducing liquid level are not new. What is new here are the designs of the probes and of associated external electronic circuitry. In each probe, the diodes and the lead wires are embedded in a strong, lightweight, flexible polyimide strip. Each probe is constructed as an integral unit that includes a multipin input/output plug or socket for solderless connection of the lead wires to the external circuitry. The polyimide strip includes mounting tabs with holes that can accommodate rivets, screws, or other fasteners. Alternatively, a probe can be mounted by use of an epoxy. A probe can be manufactured to almost any length or width, and the diodes can be embedded at almost any desired location along and across the polyimide strip. In designing a probe for a specific application, one seeks a compromise between (1) minimizing the number of diodes in order to minimize the complexity of input/output connections and external electronic circuitry while (2) using enough diodes to obtain the required precision. Optionally, to minimize spurious heating of the cryogenic fluid, the external circuitry can be designed to apply power to the probe only during brief measurement intervals. Assuming that the external circuitry is maintained at a steady temperature, a power-on interval of only a few seconds is sufficient to obtain accurate data on temperatures and/or the height of the liquid/vapor interface.

Haberbusch, Mark↗
NASA NTRS1994

Interactions between solidification and compositional convection in mushy layers

Mushy layers are ubiquitous during the solidification of alloys. They are regions of mixed phase wherein solid crystals are bathed in the melt from which they grew. The matrix of crystals forms a porous medium through which the melt can flow, driven either by external forces or by its own buoyancy in a gravitational field. Buoyancy-driven convection of the melt depends both on temperature gradients, which are necessary for solidification, and on compositional gradients, which are generated as certain components of the alloy are preferentially incorporated in the solid phase and the remaining components are expelled into the melt. In fully liquid regions, the combined action of temperature and concentration on the density of the liquid can cause various forms of double-diffusive convection. However, in the interior of mushy regions the temperature and concentration are thermodynamically coupled so only single-diffusive convection can occur. Typically, the effect of composition on the buoyancy of the melt is much greater than the effect of temperature, and thus convection in mushy layers in driven primarily by the computational gradients within them. The rising interstitial liquid is relatively dilute, having come from colder regions of the mushy layer, where the liquidus concentration is lower, and can dissolve the crystal matrix through which it flows. This is the fundamental process by which chimneys are formed. It is a nonlinear process that requires the convective velocities to be sufficiently large, so fully fledged chimneys (narrow channels) might be avoided by means that weaken the flow. Better still would be to prevent convection altogether, since even weak convection will cause lateral, compositional inhomogeneities in castings. This report outlines three studies that examine the onset of convection within mushy layers.

Worster, M. Grae↗
DOE OSTI2021

Gyrokinetic simulation of turbulence and transport in the SPARC tokamak

The turbulence and transport expected in the SPARC tokamak Primary Reference Discharge (PRD) [P. Rodriguez-Fernandez et al., J. Plasma Phys. 86, 865860503 (2020)] have been investigated with the gyrokinetic code CGYRO [J. Candy et al., J. Comput. Phys. 324, 73–93 (2016)]. Linear and nonlinear simulations that focus on ion (kθρs<1.0) and electron-scale (kθρs>1.0) turbulence were used to probe the nature of the turbulence and the resulting transport in the fusion core. It is found that in the SPARC PRD, ion temperature gradient (ITG) turbulence is expected to dominate transport over most of the profile with some potential trapped electron mode impact in the near edge. Stiff turbulence is observed over a part of the plasma core such that SPARC's ion temperature profile will likely be pinned to just above the critical gradient for ITG. The role of electromagnetic turbulence, rotation, and electron-scale turbulence was investigated to provide some insight into the physics required to accurately predict SPARC performance via gyrokinetics. Additionally, predictions of impurity peaking for potential low- and high-Z SPARC first-wall materials are probed using ion-scale simulation. The dominance of low-k turbulence in SPARC provides a potential opportunity for more tractable prediction of plasma profiles using nonlinear gyrokinetics. This work is the first step toward full gyrokinetic profile prediction of SPARC kinetic profiles and the resulting fusion power and plasma gain.

Howard, N. T. (ORCID:0000000287876309)↗
DOE OSTI2017

Tunable electroresistance and electro-optic effects of transparent molecular ferroelectrics

Recent progress in molecular ferroelectrics (MOFEs) has been overshadowed by the lack of high-quality thin films for device integration. We report a water-based air-processable technique to prepare large-area MOFE thin films, controlled by supersaturation growth at the liquid-air interface under a temperature gradient and external water partial pressure. We used this technique to fabricate ImClO4 thin films and found a large, tunable room temperature electroresistance: a 20-fold resistance variation upon polarization switching. The as-grown films are transparent and consist of a bamboo-like structure of ($2,\overline{1},0$) and ($1,0,\overline{2}$) structural variants of R3m symmetry with a reversible polarization of 6.7 μC/cm 2 . The resulting ferroelectric domain structure leads to a reversible electromechanical response of d 33 = 38.8 pm/V. Polarization switching results in a change of the refractive index, n, of single domains, $\frac{Δn}{n}$ = 0.3. The remarkable combination of these characteristics renders MOFEs a prime candidate material for new nanoelectronic devices. The information that we present in this work will open a new area of MOFE thin-film technologies.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2018

SPALLOOP

Boiler tubes in steam power plants experience tube blockages due to exfoliation of oxide grown on the inner side of the tubes. In extreme cases, significant tube blockages can lead to forced power plant outages. It is thus desired to predict through modeling the amount of tube blockage in order to inform power plant operators of possible forced outages. SpalLoop solves for the stress-strain equations in an axisymmetric geometry, tracking the stress/strain evolution during boiler operation including outages for the entire boiler tube length. At each operational outage, i.e., temperature excursions down to room temperature, the amount of exfoliated area for the entire tube loop is estimated the amount of tube blockage is predicted based assumed blockage geometry and site. The SpaLLoop code contains modules developed for oxide growth, stress analysis, tube loop geometry, blockage area by taking into account the following phenomena and features, (a) Plant operation schedule with periodic alternate full-load and partial-load regimes and shut-downs, i.e., temperature excursions from high-load to room temperature, (b) axisymmetric formulation for cylindrical tubes, (c) oxide growth in a temperature gradient with multiple oxide layers, (d) geometry of a boiler tube with a single tube loop or two tube loops, (e) temperature variation along the tube length based on hot gas temperature distribution outside the tube and inlet steam temperature, (f) non-uniform oxide growth along the tube length according to the local steam tube temperature, (g) exfoliated area module: at each operational outage considered, the amount of exfoliated area and exfoliated volume along the tube is estimated, (h) blockage module: at each operational outage considered, the exfoliated volume/mass for each tube loop is estimated from which the amount of tube blockage is predicted based on given blockage geometry (length, location, and geometry). The computer program is written in FORTRAN90. Its modular structure was sought for allowing the best flexibility in updating the program by implementing new constitutive equations due to availability of new material property data and/or new physical phenomena.

Sabau, Adrian↗
DOE OSTI2018

Creep Analysis of Poly(ester urethane) Copolymer by Dynamic Mechanical Analysis (DMA): Melt Determination

An experiment is presented utilizing film tension, creep test dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) to characterize the physical properties of a poly(ester urethane) block copolymer, Estane ® 5703. The polymer was pressed into a sheet from pellet form and cut into strips for analysis utilizing the TA Q800 DMA with film tension clamp. The strips were tested under five constant stress analyses from 0.125 to 0.625, at 0.125 MPa increments. Each analysis was run stepwise through a temperature gradient from 25 °C to 67 .5 °C with 2.5 °C increments, the material reached the instrument maximum displacement at different temperature steps dependent on the constant applied stress. At each of the 18 temperature steps the material was held at constant stress for 10 minutes and allowed to recover under stress-less conditions for 20 minutes. With data analysis recoverable strain data was produced and ultimately a curve of Modulus at temperature, the regression extrapolated to modulus = 0 M Pa. The extrapolated point correlated with data the weighted average melt point of the polymer measured by MDSC, within the regressive least squares fit of the measured moduli. Thereby measuring the melt temperature of a polymer by DMA. This is the third in a series of three reports 4,5 on the physical properties and degradation processes of materials used in polymer bonded explosive 9501 written for submission to the University of Oregon, Masters Industrial Internship Program.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2022

Automated Control for Nuclear Thermal Propulsion Start-Up using MOOSE-based Applications

This report presents a Griffin/Bison/RELAP-7 numerical model of a prototypical NTP system that features fuel assemblies arranged in rings, and which was designed to simulate rapid startup transients. The physics modeled include full-core neutronics, assembly-wise heat conduction, and conjugate heat transfer, with the balance of plant mainly imposed through boundary conditions. In addition, various forms of automated reactivity control were deployed by using the MOOSE to autonomously drive the model and simulate the reactor transitioning from assumed initial conditions to nominal power in a fraction of a minute. To generate the cross-sections of the neutronics model, and in an effort to simultaneously account for the tremendous axial temperature gradients in the reactor and to limit the number of state points required for cross-section generation, the average component temperatures and hydrogen densities in the cooling channels were correlated to the average fuel and moderator temperatures, and fixed axial profiles were derived for nominal conditions and then used during the transient. With this approximation, a tractable cross-section library tabulated with fuel/moderator temperatures and CD angles was generated using Serpent. The full-core SPH correction procedure and the CD decusping technology in Griffin, respectively, ensure preservation of the multiplication factor and reaction rates at state points, along with a reasonably accurate reactivity worth between tabulated CD angles, despite using a coarse mesh. Feedback from other physics was calculated by modeling one representative fuel assembly per ring, along with the corresponding fuel and moderator cooling channels. To limit power overshoots during startup, another layer of multiphysics coupling was added to the model in order to automatically control the drums. Two different technologies presented herein showed outstanding performance in this regard: (1) a novel hybrid PID controller based on both power and reactivity signals, and (2) a PGC that relies on kinetics parameters and reactivity coefficients to predict future behavior and adjust the desired signal accordingly. A challenging benchmark was devised, featuring a power demand curve that exponentially increases by a factor of 500 within 30 seconds, then levels out after that. Both control approaches create a simulated power curve that closely follows the power demand curve and limits power overshoots to 1% or less. While the former approach requires more tuning of the internal parameters, the latter requires additional knowledge of the reactivity feedback coefficients and rates of change of the corresponding variables, including fuel and moderator temperature, which could be difficult to dynamically measure for a real NTP system. Fortunately, some inaccuracy in these quantities will not drastically degrade the PGC performance. Subsequently, a more realistic startup sequence was considered, in which the mass flow rate and outlet pressures are ramped up to model bootstrap and thrust build-up phases prior to reaching steady-state conditions, demonstrating the ability of the hybrid PID and PGCs to handle such transients, with both types of controllers exhibiting very similar behavior. Nevertheless, a significant chamber temperature overshoot was observed, caused by the demanded power signal and assumed mass flow rate. This issue could be mitigated by deploying a reactor controller that follows the chamber temperature signal and actuates both the control valves and drums (rather than using a power signal based solely on the drums to control reactivity). Enhancement of the hydrogen fluid properties available in MOOSE, as well as a better understanding of prototypical initial conditions, are also needed to further enhance this startup model. Finally, a study was performed to model decay heat post-shutdown, and to prepare for extending this model to predict shutdown behavior and post-shutdown pulsed cooling requirements.

33 ADVANCED PROPULSION SYSTEMS↗
NASA NTRS1974

Cathodoluminescence of regolith returned by Luna 16 automatic station

Observations of local variations in the intensity and spectral composition of the cathodoluminescence of lunar regolith are described. These variations are caused by structural features, by the kind and quantity of the material, and by the admixtures. In addition, cathodoluminescent emission is also associated with a change in the temperature of the lunar surface. Periodic diurnal illumination and darkening of the moon is responsible for a temperature gradient normal to the lines of longitude. These observations made of regolith, using a scanning electron microscope with an attachment for temperature variation, simulate the indicated thermal changes of the cathodoluminescent properties of lunar material.

Spivak, G. V.↗
NASA NTRS1977

Evolution of the high-temperature plasma in the 15 June 1973 flare

The evolution of the high-temperature plasma in the solar flare of June 15, 1973, is analyzed using XUV spectroheliograms obtained from Skylab. Preflare enhancement of loops in the active region is discussed, and the temperature and density of the hot plasma are determined as a function of time. The turbulent velocity in the high-temperature plasma is deduced from a comparison of line widths of the Fe XXIV doublet at 192 and 255 A. The results indicate that: (1) the flare occurred in a low-lying loop or loops; (2) the large-scale magnetic-field configuration of the active region did not change significantly; (3) the hot plasma observed in Fe XXIII-XXIV showed considerable dynamic activity, including an initial upward motion of the whole plasma with a velocity of about 80 km/s; (4) large turbulent mass motions took place in the Fe XXIII-XXIV plasma with random velocities of 100 to 160 km/s; (5) the temperature of the hot plasma was 14 million K at peak X-ray intensity, decreased slightly, and then remained at 12.6 million K before dropping to below 10 million K; and (6) there was a temperature gradient along the length of the loop, with the 14 million-K plasma near the top and progressively lower-temperature plasmas on either side.

Cheng, C.-C.↗
NASA NTRS1984

In-flight atmospheric and fuel tank temperature measurements

In order to maintain an adequate supply of aviation turbine fuels in the future, fuels may have properties different from those now currently produced. One possible change is an increase in the freezing point temperature. If this should occur, it will be necessary to know the low temperature flow characteristics of these fuels. Studies to date involved both the use of computer models and subscale fuel tank simulators. They indicate that steep temperature gradients occur near the upper and lower surfaces which can result in freezing at the bottom, even though the bulk fuel temperature is above the freezing point. In order to obtain flight data to verify computer model and simulator results, a Lockheed L1011 research aircraft at Palmdale, California was instrumented with a vertical thermocouple rake in an inboard tank and an outboard tank. The tests were conducted with one of the two instrumented tanks maintained full for either two or five hours at altitudes of at least 10668 meters (35000 ft). Other flight parameters such as Mach number, air temperature, fuel quantity, and heading were also recorded.

Svehla, R.↗
NASA NTRS1988

Nimbus-7 earth radiation budget measurements and their relationship to the energetics of the general circulation

Observations from the Nimbus-7 Earth Radiation Budget (ERB) experiment were used to examine the way in which changes in equator to pole energy gradients effect Northern Hemisphere midlatitude energetics. The results of kinetic energy calculations describing the midlatitude circulation are compared to the gradients of IR flux and NET radiation. A close relationship is found between the ERB gradient values and kinetic energy values. It is shown that the zonal wind speed and the eddy winds increase as the temperature gradient increases.

Randel, David L.↗
NASA NTRS1991

The high-pressure melting curve of iron - A technical discussion

The melting curve of iron is reliably determined to 105 GPa using the laser-heated diamond cell, in close agreement with independent measurements using piston-cylinder and large-volume presses or shock-wave experiments. In order to obtain reliable melting data from the internally heated diamond cell, whether by laser or Joule heating, temperature gradients across the sample must be quantitatively measured; otherwise, such 'wire heating' experiments can lead to significant underestimates of the melting temperature and its pressure dependence. The best estimate of the high-pressure melting curve of iron, as derived from the laser-heated diamond cell and Hugoniot temperature measurements, yields melting temperatures of 4800 + or - 200 K and 6700 + or - 400 K at 133 GPa and 243 GPa, respectively.

Williams, Quentin↗
NASA NTRS1999

Effective Thermal Conductivity of High Temperature Insulations for Reusable Launch Vehicles

An experimental apparatus was designed to measure the effective thermal conductivity of various high temperature insulations subject to large temperature gradients representative of typical launch vehicle re-entry aerodynamic heating conditions. The insulation sample cold side was maintained around room temperature, while the hot side was heated to temperatures as high as 1800 degrees Fahrenheit. The environmental pressure was varied from 0.0001 to 760 torr. All the measurements were performed in a dry gaseous nitrogen environment. The effective thermal conductivity of Saffil, Q-Fiber felt, Cerachrome, and three multi-layer insulation configurations were measured.

Daryabeigi, Kamran↗