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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 109 records · Page 6
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2025

Development of Ionic Based Fluid to Improve Fluid Hydraulics in Enhanced Geothermal Systems

This research advances the field of geothermal energy by developing and evaluating novel fluid systems designed explicitly for high-temperature subsurface environments to enhance fracture flow distribution. The project integrates chemical synthesis, environmental assessment, rheological testing, microfluidic analysis, and reservoir-scale laboratory testing and analysis to identify optimal ionic and nonionic fluids for Enhanced Geothermal Systems (EGS).

15 GEOTHERMAL ENERGY↗
DOE OSTI2016

Comparison of fluid-fluid interfacial areas measured with X-ray microtomography and interfacial partitioning tracer tests for the same samples

Two different methods are currently used for measuring interfacial areas between immiscible fluids within 3-D porous media, high-resolution microtomographic imaging and interfacial partitioning tracer tests (IPTT). Both methods were used in this study to measure nonwetting/wetting interfacial areas for a natural sand. The microtomographic imaging was conducted on the same packed columns that were used for the IPTTs. This is in contrast to prior studies comparing the two methods, for which in all cases different samples were used for the two methods. In addition, the columns were imaged before and after the IPTTs to evaluate the potential impacts of the tracer solution on fluid configuration and attendant interfacial area. The interfacial areas measured using IPTT are ~5 times larger than the microtomographic-measured values, which is consistent with previous work. Analysis of the image data revealed no significant impact of the tracer solution on NAPL configuration or interfacial area. Furthermore, other potential sources of error were evaluated, and all were demonstrated to be insignificant. The disparity in measured interfacial areas between the two methods is attributed to the limitation of the microtomography method to characterize interfacial area associated with microscopic surface roughness due to resolution constraints.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗
DOE OSTI2018

Fluctuating Hydrodynamic Methods for Fluid-Structure Interactions in Confined Channel Geometries

Computational methods are developed for the study of fluid-structure interactions subject to thermal fluctuations when conned within channels having slit-like geometry. The methods take into account the hydrodynamic coupling and diusivity of microstructures when influenced by their proximity to no-slip walls. We develop stochastic numerical methods subject to no-slip boundary conditions using a staggered nite volume discretization. We show that by imposing an exact fluctuation-dissipation condition to discretize the stochastic driving elds combined with using an exact projection method to enforce incompressibility is sucient to ensure results consistent with statistical mechanics. We demonstrate our methods by investigating how the proximity of ellipsoidal colloids to the channel wall eects their active hydrodynamic responses and passive diusivity. We also study the collective dynamics of a large number of particles by considering the intermediate scattering functions for the relaxation of density fluctuations. We expect our introduced stochastic computational methods to be applicable broadly to applications in which confinement effects play an important role in the dynamics of microstructures subject to hydrodynamic coupling and thermal fluctuations. uctuations.

Wang, Yaohong↗
DOE OSTI2018

Anomalous chiral transport in heavy ion collisions from Anomalous-Viscous Fluid Dynamics

Chiral anomaly is a fundamental aspect of quantum theories with chiral fermions. How such microscopic anomaly manifests itself in a macroscopic many-body system with chiral fermions, is a highly nontrivial question that has recently attracted significant interest. As it turns out, unusual transport currents can be induced by chiral anomaly under suitable conditions in such systems, with the notable example of the Chiral Magnetic Effect (CME) where a vector current (e.g. electric current) is generated along an external magnetic field. A lot of efforts have been made to search for CME in heavy ion collisions, by measuring the charge separation effect induced by the CME transport. A crucial challenge in such effort, is the quantitative prediction for the CME signal. In this paper, we develop the Anomalous-Viscous Fluid Dynamics (AVFD) framework, which implements the anomalous fluid dynamics to describe the evolution of fermion currents in QGP, on top of the neutral bulk background described by the VISH2+1 hydrodynamic simulations for heavy ion collisions. With this new tool, we quantitatively and systematically investigate the dependence of the CME signal to a series of theoretical inputs and associated uncertainties. With realistic estimates of initial conditions and magnetic field lifetime, the predicted CME signal is quantitatively consistent with measured change separation data in 200GeV Au–Au collisions. Based on analysis of Au–Au collisions, we further make predictions for the CME observable to be measured in the planned isobaric (Ru–Ru v.s. Zr–Zr) collision experiment, which could provide a most decisive test of the CME in heavy ion collisions.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗
DOE OSTI2016

A prospect for computing in porous materials research: Very large fluid flow simulations

Properties of porous materials, abundant both in nature and industry, have broad influences on societies via, e.g. oil recovery, erosion, and propagation of pollutants. The internal structure of many porous materials involves multiple scales which hinders research on the relation between structure and transport properties: typically laboratory experiments cannot distinguish contributions from individual scales while computer simulations cannot capture multiple scales due to limited capabilities. Thus the question arises how large domain sizes can in fact be simulated with modern computers. This question is here addressed using a realistic test case; it is demonstrated that current computing capabilities allow the direct pore-scale simulation of fluid flow in porous materials using system sizes far beyond what has been previously reported. The achieved system sizes allow the closing of some particular scale gaps in, e.g. soil and petroleum rock research. Specifically, a full steady-state fluid flow simulation in a porous material, represented with an unprecedented resolution for the given sample size, is reported: the simulation is executed on a CPU-based supercomputer and the 3D geometry involves 16,3843 lattice cells (around 590 billion of them are pore sites). Using half of this sample in a benchmark simulation on a GPU-based system, a sustained computational performance of 1.77 PFLOPS is observed. These advances expose new opportunities in porous materials research. The implementation techniques here utilized are standard except for the tailored high-performance data layouts as well as the indirect addressing scheme with a low memory overhead and the truly asynchronous data communication scheme in the case of CPU and GPU code versions, respectively.

Computer Science↗
DOE OSTI2019

Novel fluid–fluid interface domains in geologic media

High-resolution microtomographic imaging revealed the presence of fluid–fluid interfaces associated with physical heterogeneities such as pits and crevices present on the surfaces of natural porous media.

58 GEOSCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2014

Pressure/temperature fluid cell apparatus for the neutron powder diffractometer instrument: Probing atomic structure in situ

This contribution describes a new local structure compatible gas/liquid cell apparatus for probing disordered materials at high pressures and variable temperatures in the Neutron Powder Diffraction instrument at the Lujan Neutron Scattering Center, Los Alamos National Laboratory. The new sample environment offers choices for sample canister thickness and canister material type. Finite element modeling is utilized to establish maximum allowable working pressures of 414 MPa at 15 K and 121 MPa at 600 K. High quality atomic pair distribution function data extraction and modeling have been demonstrated for a calibration standard (Si powder) and for supercritical and subcritical CO 2 measurements. As a result, the new sample environment was designed to specifically target experimental studies of the local atomic structures involved in geologic CO 2 sequestration, but will be equally applicable to a wide variety of energy applications, including sorption of fluids on nano/meso-porous solids, clathrate hydrate formation, catalysis, carbon capture, and H 2 and natural gas uptake/storage.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2018

Advances and challenges in computational fluid dynamics of atmospheric pressure plasmas

Atmospheric pressure plasmas (APPs) are at the core of diverse technological applications in materials processing, chemical synthesis, resource recovery, water treatment, and medicine, among others. APPs span a wide range of power density, from low-power non-thermal to high-power thermal discharges, and typically involve interactions with a stream of working gas, processing material, or gas environment. The article provides an overview of Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) approaches, from mathematical models to software strategies, for the analysis of APP flows. Its focus is flows with large variations in ionization degree and significant fluid dynamic-thermal-electromagnetic coupling, as particularly found in mid- to high-power discharges. The advances achieved and challenges faced by CFD of APP flows have been driven by established and emerging applications, and can be broadly characterized in terms of model fidelity and numerical accuracy. Fidelity refers to the degree of underlying phenomena captured by the model, whereas accuracy to the precision of the numerical solution of the model. Two distinct numerical accuracy challenges are addressed: the capture of instability and pattern formation phenomena, and of plasma-gas interaction and turbulence; as well as two representative fidelity challenges: radiative transport under nonequilibrium conditions, and nonequilibrium electron and particle kinetics. The purpose of this article is to offer guidance to researchers, from modelers and code developers to open-source and commercial software users, working on CFD analyses of APP flows within technological contexts.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2021

First Annual Report on Development of Microwave Resonant Cavity Transducer for Fluid Flow Sensing: Development of Sensor Performance Model of Microwave Cavity Flow Meter for Advanced Reactor High Temperature Fluids

We are investigating a microwave cavity-based transducer for in-core high-temperature fluid flow sensing in molten salt cooled reactors (MSCR) and sodium fast reactors (SFR). This sensor is a hollow metallic cylindrical cavity, which can be fabricated from stainless steel, and as such is expected to be resilient to radiation, high temperature and corrosive environment of MSCR and SFR. The principle of sensing consists of making one wall of the cylindrical cavity flexible enough so that dynamic pressure, which is proportional to fluid velocity, will cause membrane deflection. Membrane deflection causes cavity volume change, which leads to a shift in the resonant frequency. Feasibility of the sensor was initially investigated with analytical derivations and with COMSOL RF Module computer simulations of resonant frequency spectral shift due to uniform load. We also investigated the mechanical integrity of the flowmeter’s membrane through analytical modelling and COMSOL Structural Mechanics Module computer simulations. Both the analytic model and COMSOL model showed that maximum stresses on the plate, which are at the radial boundary of the plate, are three orders of magnitude smaller than the material’s yield strength and ultimate tensile strength. This indicates that the sensor is at a low risk of mechanical failure. Using results from models, we have developed an initial design for a microwave K-band sensor. A cylindrical resonator prototype was fabricated from brass for the initial tests. The external dimensions of the cavity are matched to the flange of a standard WR-42 waveguide. Microwave field is coupled into the resonant cavity through a subwavelength-size aperture. A test article was developed consisting of a piping Tee with a bulkhead WR-42 microwave waveguide installed in a leak-proof assembly. A microwave waveguide circulator was installed in the setup to suppress the effect of reflections at the cavity entrance by increasing the isolation between the input and the output port. Preliminary spectral characterization of cavity spectral response was performed with a portable PXIe chassis microwave VNA with a custom GUI. Preliminary dry tests of the transducer response were conducted with a set of calibrated weights. Transducer frequency shift was shown to be monotonically increasing with increasing pressure. The next steps will involve investigation of the transducer performance for water flow sensing.

42 ENGINEERING↗
DOE OSTI2022

Demonstration of Microwave Resonant Cavity Transducer Performance in Fluid Flow Sensing: Development of Sensor Performance Model of Microwave Cavity Flow Meter for Advanced Reactor High Temperature Fluids

We are investigating a microwave cavity-based transducer for in-core high-temperature fluid flow sensing in molten salt cooled reactors (MSCR) and sodium fast reactors (SFR). This sensor is a hollow metallic cylindrical cavity. The principle of sensing consists of making one wall of the cylindrical cavity flexible enough so that dynamic pressure, which is proportional to fluid velocity, will cause membrane deflection. Membrane deflection causes cavity volume change, which leads to a shift in the resonant frequency. To validate sensor physics, we have performed proof-of-principle test of flow sensing in water. For this test, we have developed a cylindrical resonator for K-band, which was machined from brass. The cavity was excited through WR-42 waveguide through a subwavelength hole on the side of the wall of the cylinder. To increase the spectral signal visibility, we developed a signal processing method for baseline subtraction. A flow loop for proof-of-principle test of transducer performance in water was assembled. A commercial flow meter was installed in the loop for reference measurements. Cylindrical cavity was excited in the TEM 011 mode with resonant frequency f ≈ 17.8GHz. Frequency shift of cavity spectral response was obtained by gradually increasing water flow rate from 0 to 60gpm. Corresponding monotonic increase of resonant frequency shift by several MHz was observed.

38 RADIATION CHEMISTRY, RADIOCHEMISTRY, AND NUCLEA↗
DOE OSTI2023

Demonstration of Microwave Cavity Transducer Performance in High Temperature Fluid Flow Sensing: Development of Microwave Cavity Flow Meter for Advanced Reactor High Temperature Fluids

We are investigating a microwave resonant cavity transducer for flow sensing in the vessel of a high temperature fluid advanced reactor (AR), such as a molten salt cooled reactor (MSCR) or a sodium fast reactor (SFR). This transducer is a hollow metallic cylindrical cavity, with one of the flat walls of the cylinder flexible enough to undergo microscopic deflection due to dynamic fluid pressure. Membrane deflection leads to a shift in the microwave resonant frequency, which can be detected with a spectrum analyzer. We have performed a preliminary proof-of-principle test of flow sensing in high temperature liquid sodium in environment, which is similar to that of an advanced reactor. The liquid sodium setup consists of a cylindrical vessel with a center feed line, where a transducer inserted through the top cap of the vessel measures velocity of the impinging liquid jet. For this test, we have developed a cylindrical resonator, which was machined from stainless steel 316 and electroplated with silver on the interior surfaces. Outer diameter of the cylindrical cavity is approximately 3cm, and the thin wall is approximately 200µm thick. We have also developed and insertion probe consisting of a 50cm WR-42 brass waveguide enclosed in a protective SS316 tube. The cavity was excited through a WR-42 waveguide through a subwavelength hole on the side of the wall of the cylinder in the TE 011 mode with resonant frequency f ≈ 17.8GHz. As a calibration experiment, we have assembled a water vessel with a center feed, and with dimensions similar to those of the liquid sodium setup. Frequency shift of the cavity spectral response was obtained at room temperature and ambient pressure by gradually increasing water flow rate from 0 to 25GPM (gallons per minute). Corresponding monotonic increase of resonant frequency by several hundred KHz was observed. Next, a sodium flow rate sensing study was performed in a liquid sodium vessel at 340° C temperature and ambient pressure. The flow rate was changed by varying sodium pump power, and a frequency shift of several hundred KHz was observed.

22 GENERAL STUDIES OF NUCLEAR REACTORS↗
DOE OSTI2023

Final Report on Development of Microwave Resonant Cavity Transducer for Fluid Flow Sensing: Development of Microwave Cavity Flow Meter for Advanced Reactor High Temperature Fluids

We are investigating a microwave resonant cavity transducer for flow sensing in the vessel of a high temperature fluid advanced reactor (AR), such as a molten salt cooled reactor (MSCR) or a sodium fast reactor (SFR). This transducer is a hollow metallic cylindrical cavity, with one of the flat walls of the cylinder flexible enough to undergo microscopic deflection due to dynamic fluid pressure. Membrane deflection leads to a shift in the microwave resonant frequency, which can be detected with a spectrum analyzer. We have developed a continuum electromechanics model of the microwave resonant cavity transducer performance. The deflection of the membrane is calculated using equations from the theory of plates and shells for deflection of radially constrained thin circular disk under uniform load. The microwave frequency shift is calculated using the equations from the microwave cavity perturbation theory. The transducer model was validated with proof-of-concept experimental data of water flow sensing with a Brass 360 right circular cylinder with 22.2mm diameter and 203µm thick wall. The cavity was excited through a subwavelength hole in TE 011 mode with resonant frequency f ≈ 17.8GHz. Subsequently, we have performed a preliminary proof-of-principle test of flow sensing in high temperature liquid sodium in environment. For this test, we have developed a cylindrical resonator with the same dimensions as for the Brass 360 cavity. The resonator for high temperature liquid sodium test was machined from stainless steel 316 and electroplated with silver on the interior surfaces. We have also developed and insertion probe consisting of a 50cm WR-42 brass waveguide enclosed in a protective SS316 tube. The cavity was excited through a subwavelength hole on the side of the wall of the cylinder in the TE 011 mode with resonant frequency f ≈ 17.8GHz. The liquid sodium setup consists of a cylindrical vessel with a center feed line, where a transducer inserted through the top cap of the vessel measures velocity of the impinging liquid jet. The sodium flow sensing study was performed in a liquid sodium vessel at 340°C temperature and ambient pressure. The flow rate was changed by varying sodium pump power, and a frequency shift of several hundred kHz was observed. The transducer was removed after 70 days of testing. No visual damage was observed, and the electromagnetic response remained the same. As a calibration experiment, we have assembled a water vessel with a center feed, and with dimensions similar to those of the liquid sodium setup. Water flow sensing was performed before and after liquid sodium test. The responses in both cases are similar and agree with COMSOL computer simulations. Because long-term (multi-year) experimental tests of transducer resilience to harsh environment are not practical, we have developed a probabilistic model of creep to estimate transducer resilience to the harsh environment. The probabilistic model considers diffusion creep under the condition of high temperature and low stress, where the stress and temperature are allowed to be random variables with Gaussian distributions. Using the probabilistic model, we estimate inelastic membrane deflections due to creep for several temperature ranges. We conclude that for temperatures less than 650°C, creep has negligible long-term effect on the transducer performance.

22 GENERAL STUDIES OF NUCLEAR REACTORS↗
DOE OSTI2015

Structural cooling fluid tube for supporting a turbine component and supplying cooling fluid

A shaft cover support for a gas turbine engine is disclosed. The shaft cover support not only provides enhanced support to a shaft cover of the gas turbine engine, but also includes a cooling fluid chamber for passing fluids from a rotor air cooling supply conduit to an inner ring cooling manifold. As such, the shaft cover support accomplishes in a single component what was only partially accomplished in two components in conventional configurations. The shaft cover support may also provide additional stiffness and reduce interference of the flow from the compressor. In addition, the shaft cover support accommodates a transition section extending between compressor and turbine sections of the engine. The shaft cover support has a radially extending region that is offset from the inlet and outlet that enables the shaft cover support to surround the transition, thereby reducing the overall length of this section of the engine.

42 ENGINEERING↗
DOE OSTI2017

Field demonstration of an active reservoir pressure management through fluid injection and displaced fluid extractions at the Rock Springs Uplift, a priority geologic CO 2 storage site for Wyoming

This report provides the results from the project entitled Field Demonstration of Reservoir Pressure Management through Fluid Injection and Displaced Fluid Extraction at the Rock Springs Uplift, a Priority Geologic CO2 Storage Site for Wyoming (DE-FE0026159 for both original performance period (September 1, 2015 to August 31, 2016) and no-cost extension (September 1, 2016 to January 6, 2017)).

CO2↗
DOE OSTI2018

Western USA Assessment of High Value Materials in Geothermal Fluids and Produced Fluids

This submission includes the following: - Field Characteristics: Describes the geological and production field characteristics of sampling sites - Geochemistry of Produced Fluids Idaho-Nevada-New Mexico-Oregon-Utah: Summarizes the all the analytical results for aqueous samples collected from geothermal production wells, hydrocarbon production wells, and hot springs. - Geochemistry of Reservoir Rocks & Calcite Scales Nevada-Utah: Analytical results of trace element analyses of reservoir drill cuttings from Beowawe, Dixie Valley, Roosevelt Hot Springs, Uinta Basin, and Paradox Basin (Aneth field); also includes analyses of Dixie Valley calcite scales and rocks in the Sevier Thermal Belt, Utah. - Lithology and mineralogy of drill cuttings from Beowawe, Dixie Valley and Roosevelt Hot Springs: Lithological and mineralogical characterization of drill cuttings from Beowawe, Dixie Valley and Roosevelt Hot Springs - Geological Settings of Critical Element Mineral Deposits: Brief summary and references regarding the geological settings of critical element mineral deposits

15 GEOTHERMAL ENERGY↗