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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
NASA NTRS2000

Test Medium Effects on Ignition, Combustion and Flameholding Processes in Scramjet Combustors

The total temperatures (enthalpies) required to ground-test air-breathing (aero-propulsion) engines at high Mach number flight conditions can be achieved in a number of ways. Among these are: 1. Heat exchangers, including pre-heated ceramic beds. 2. direct electrical heating, e.g., arc discharge and resistance heaters. 3. Compression heating. 4. Shock heating, and 5. In-stream combustion, with oxygen replenishment to match air content. Each method has distinct advantages, disadvantages and limitations. All have a common characteristic of being designed for intermittent flow, due to the extreme energy required for continuous operation at simulated Mach numbers above about 3. All also distort the composition of atmospheric air to some degree, due to the high temperatures that occur in the plenum section prior to expansion of the flow to simulated flight conditions. In the case of in-stream combustion, the resulting test medium is commonly referred to as "vitiated air", being composed of oxygen, nitrogen and some fraction of combustion products.

Chinitz, W.↗
NASA NTRS2016

Thermal Propulsion Capture System Heat Exchanger Design

One of the biggest challenges of manned spaceflight beyond low earth orbit and the moon is harmful radiation that astronauts would be exposed to on their long journey to Mars and further destinations. Using nuclear energy has the potential to be a more effective means of propulsion compared to traditional chemical engines (higher specific impulse). An upper stage nuclear engine would allow astronauts to reach their destination faster and more fuel efficiently. Testing these engines poses engineering challenges due to the need to totally capture the engine exhaust. The Thermal Propulsion Capture System is a concept for cost effectively and safely testing Nuclear Thermal Engines. Nominally, hydrogen exhausted from the engine is not radioactive, but is treated as such in case of fuel element failure. The Thermal Propulsion Capture System involves injecting liquid oxygen to convert the hydrogen exhaust into steam. The steam is then cooled and condensed into liquid water to allow for storage. The Thermal Propulsion Capture System concept for ground testing of a nuclear powered engine involves capturing the engine exhaust to be cooled and condensed before being stored. The hydrogen exhaust is injected with liquid oxygen and burned to form steam. That steam must be cooled to saturation temperatures before being condensed into liquid water. A crossflow heat exchanger using water as a working fluid will be designed to accomplish this goal. Design a cross flow heat exchanger for the Thermal Propulsion Capture System testing which: Eliminates the need for water injection cooling, Cools steam from 5800 F to saturation temperature, and Is efficient and minimizes water requirement.

Richard, Evan M.↗
DOE OSTI2020

Rethinking the magnetic properties of lepidocrocite: A density functional theory and cluster expansion study

The iron oxyhydroxide lepidocrocite (g-FeOOH) is an abundant mineral critical to a number of chemical and technological applications. Of particular interest is the ground state and nite temperature magnetic order, and the subsequent impact this has upon crystal properties. The magnetic properties, investigated in this work are governed primarily through superexchange interactions, and have been calculated using density functional theory and cluster expansion methods. Quantication of these exchange terms has facilitated the determination of the ground state magneto-crystalline structure and subsequent calculation of its lattice constants, elastic moduli, cohesive enthalpy, and electronic density of states. Further, using a collinear magnetic conguration model, the magnetic heat capacity versus temperature has been studied and the Neel temperature obtained.

Pope, Daniel J.↗
NASA NTRS1997

Performance Tests of a Liquid Hydrogen Propellant Densification Ground System for the X33/RLV

A concept for improving the performance of propulsion systems in expendable and single-stage-to-orbit (SSTO) launch vehicles much like the X33/RLV has been identified. The approach is to utilize densified cryogenic liquid hydrogen (LH2) and liquid oxygen (LOX) propellants to fuel the propulsion stage. The primary benefit for using this relatively high specific impulse densified propellant mixture is the subsequent reduction of the launch vehicle gross lift-off weight. Production of densified propellants however requires specialized equipment to actively subcool both the liquid oxygen and liquid hydrogen to temperatures below their normal boiling point. A propellant densification unit based on an external thermodynamic vent principle which operates at subatmospheric pressure and supercold temperatures provides a means for the LH2 and LOX densification process to occur. To demonstrate the production concept for the densification of the liquid hydrogen propellant, a system comprised of a multistage gaseous hydrogen compressor, LH2 recirculation pumps and a cryogenic LH2 heat exchanger was designed, built and tested at the NASA Lewis Research Center (LeRC). This paper presents the design configuration of the LH2 propellant densification production hardware, analytical details and results of performance testing conducted with the hydrogen densifier Ground Support Equipment (GSE).

Tomsik, Thomas M.↗
NASA NTRS2004

A Selected Operational History of the Internal Thermal Control System (ITCS) for International Space Station (ISS)

The Internal Thermal Control System (ITCS) has been developed jointly by Boeing Corporation, Huntsville, Alabama and Honeywell Engines & Systems, Torrance, California to meet the internal thermal control needs for the International Space Station (ISS). The ITCS provides heat removal for the critical life support systems and thermal conditioning for numerous experiment racks. The ITCS will be fitted on a number of modules on the ISS. The first US Element containing the ITCS, Node 1, was launched in December 1998. Since Node 1 does not contain a pump to circulate the fluid it was not filled with ITCS fluid until after the US Laboratory Module was installed. The second US Element module, US Laboratory Module, which contains the pumps and all the major ITCS control hardware, was launched in February 2001. The third US Element containing the ITCS, the US Airlock, was launched in July 2001. The dual loop system of the ITCS is comprised of a lowtemperature loop (LTL) and a moderate-temperature loop (MTL). Each loop has a pump package assembly (PPA), a system flow control assembly (SFCA), a threeway mixing valve (TWMV), several rack flow control assemblies (RFCA), cold plates, pressure sensors, temperature sensors, pump bypass assembly (PBA) and a heat exchanger. In addition, the MTL has an additional TWMV, a payload regeneration heat exchanger (P/RHE) and a manual flow control valve (MFCV). The LTL has a service performance and checkout unit (SPCU) heat exchanger. The two loops are linked via one loop crossover assembly (LCA) providing cross loop capabilities and a single PPA, two-loop functionality. One important parameter monitored by the ground stations and on-orbit is the amount of fluid leakage from the ITCS. ISS fluid leakage is of importance since ITCS fluid is costly to re-supply, may be difficult to clean up in zero-g, and if uncontained could lead to equipment failures and potential hazards. This paper examines the nominal leakage observed over period of a year of on-orbit operation and compares this with analysis predictions. This paper also addresses the off-nominal leakage and a fluid transfer event causing significant changes in accumulator quantity.

Patel, Vipul P.↗
NASA NTRS1992

Testing a detailed biophysical parameterization for land-air exchange in a high-resolution boundary-layer model

This study modifies the 1D PBL model of Zhang and Anthes (1982) to account more explicitly for the effects of a vegetation layer. New equations for the latent, sensible, and ground heat fluxes, reformulated in terms of vegetation parameters are substituted into the model. The model produces good agreement with observations over a wide range of conditions: for wet, high-vegetation conditions, and for dry, low-vegetation conditions in both the winter and the summer.

Argentini, S.↗
NASA NTRS2013

Influence of Leaf Area Index Prescriptions on Simulations of Heat, Moisture, and Carbon Fluxes

Leaf-area index (LAI), the total one-sided surface area of leaf per ground surface area, is a key component of land surface models. We investigate the influence of differing, plausible LAI prescriptions on heat, moisture, and carbon fluxes simulated by the Community Atmosphere Biosphere Land Exchange (CABLEv1.4b) model over the Australian continent. A 15-member ensemble monthly LAI data-set is generated using the MODIS LAI product and gridded observations of temperature and precipitation. Offline simulations lasting 29 years (1980-2008) are carried out at 25 km resolution with the composite monthly means from the MODIS LAI product (control simulation) and compared with simulations using each of the 15-member ensemble monthly-varying LAI data-sets generated. The imposed changes in LAI did not strongly influence the sensible and latent fluxes but the carbon fluxes were more strongly affected. Croplands showed the largest sensitivity in gross primary production with differences ranging from -90 to 60 %. PFTs with high absolute LAI and low inter-annual variability, such as evergreen broadleaf trees, showed the least response to the different LAI prescriptions, whilst those with lower absolute LAI and higher inter-annual variability, such as croplands, were more sensitive. We show that reliance on a single LAI prescription may not accurately reflect the uncertainty in the simulation of the terrestrial carbon fluxes, especially for PFTs with high inter-annual variability. Our study highlights that the accurate representation of LAI in land surface models is key to the simulation of the terrestrial carbon cycle. Hence this will become critical in quantifying the uncertainty in future changes in primary production.

land-surface modeling↗
DOE OSTI2020

Operational Modes of a 2.0 MWth Chloride Molten-Salt Pilot-Scale System

The limit of traditional solar-salt thermal stability is around 600 °C with ambient air as the cover gas. Nitrate molten salt concentrating solar power (CSP) systems are currently deployed globally and are considered to be state-of the art heat transfer fluids (HTFs) for present day high-temperature operation. However, decomposition challenges occur with these salts for operation beyond 600 C. Although slightly higher limits may be possible with solar salt, to fully realize SunShot efficiency goals of $15/kWhth HTFs and an LCOE of 6¢/kWh, molten-salt technologies working at higher temperatures (e.g., 650 °C to 750 °C) will require an alternative salt chemistry composition, such as chlorides. In this investigation a 2.0MWth Pilot-scale CSP plant design is developed to assess thermodynamic performance potential for operation up to 720 C. Here, an Engineering Equation Solver (EES) model is developed with respect to 14 state-points from the base of a solar tower at the Sandia National Laboratories, National Solar Thermal Test Facility (NSTTF), to solar receiver mounted 120 ft. above the ground. The system design considers a ternary chloride ternary chloride (20%NaCl/40%MgCl/40%KCl by mol%) salt as the HTF, with 6 hrs. of storage and a 1 MWth primary salt to sCO2 heat exchanger. Preliminary system modelling results indicate a minimum non-dimensional Cv of 60 required for both cold and hot-side throttle recirculation valves for the operational pump operating between speeds of 1800 and 2400 RPM. Further receiver comparison study results suggest that the ternary salt requires an average 15.2% higher receiver flux with a slightly lower calculated receiver efficiency when compared to a binary carnelite salt to achieve a 2.0 MWth desired input power design.

associated liquids↗
NASA NTRS1989

Modeling and characterization of the Earth Radiation Budget Experiment (ERBE) nonscanner and scanner sensors

The Earth Radiation Budget Experiment (ERBE) is making high-absolute-accuracy measurements of the reflected solar and Earth-emitted radiation as well as the incoming solar radiation from three satellites: ERBS, NOAA-9, and NOAA-10. Each satellite has four Earth-looking nonscanning radiometers and three scanning radiometers. A fifth nonscanner, the solar monitor, measures the incoming solar radiation. The development of the ERBE sensor characterization procedures are described using the calibration data for each of the Earth-looking nonscanners and scanners. Sensor models for the ERBE radiometers are developed including the radiative exchange, conductive heat flow, and electronics processing for transient and steady state conditions. The steady state models are used to interpret the sensor outputs, resulting in the data reduction algorithms for the ERBE instruments. Both ground calibration and flight calibration procedures are treated and analyzed. The ground and flight calibration coefficients for the data reduction algorithms are presented.

Halyo, Nesim↗
NASA NTRS2011

Broad Area Cooler Concepts for Cryogenic Propellant Tanks

Numerous studies and ground tests have shown that broad area cooling (also known as distributed cooling) can reduce or eliminate cryogenic propellant boil-off and enable long duration storage in space. Various combinations of cryocoolers, circulators, heat exchangers and other hardware could be used to build the system. In this study, several configurations of broad area cooling systems were compared by weighing hardware combinations, input power requirements, component availability, and Technical Readiness Level (TRL). The preferred system has a high TRL and can be scaled up to provide cooling capacities on the order of 150W at 90K

Christie, R. J.↗
NASA NTRS1978

Modification of the continuous flow diffusion chamber for use in zero-gravity

The design philosophy and performance characteristics of the continuous flow diffusion chamber developed for use in ground-based simulation of some of the experiments planned for the atmospheric cloud physics laboratory during the first Spacelab flight are discussed. Topics covered include principle of operation, thermal control, temperature measurement, tem-powered heat exchangers, wettable metal surfaces, sample injection system, and control electronics.

Keyser, G.↗
NASA NTRS1989

Using passive, thermal remote sensing techniques for detecting subsurface gravel accumulations in vegetated, unconsolidated sedimentary terrains

Multiband radiometric data from an airborne imaging thermal scanner are being studied for use in finding buried gravel deposits. The techniques are based on measuring relative differences in the thermal properties between gravel-laden targets and the surrounding gravelless background. These properties are determined from modeling the spectral radiant emittance recorded over both types of surfaces in conjunction with ground measurements of the most significant heat flows above and below the surface. Thermodynamic properties of sampled materials from control sites are determined, and diurnal and annual subsurface heat waves are recorded. Thermal models that account for heat exchange at the surface, as well as varying levels of soil moisture, humidity, and vegetation, are needed for adaptation and modification to simulate the physical and radiative environments of this region.

Burns, Gregory S.↗
NASA NTRS2016

A Study of Heat Transfer and Flow Characteristics of Rising Taylor Bubbles

Practical application of flow boiling to ground- and space-based thermal management systems hinges on the ability to predict the systems heat removal capabilities under expected operating conditions. Research in this field has shown that the heat transfer coefficient within two-phase heat exchangers can be largely dependent on the experienced flow regime. This finding has inspired an effort to develop mechanistic heat transfer models for each flow pattern which are likely to outperform traditional empirical correlations. As a contribution to the effort, this work aimed to identify the heat transfer mechanisms for the slug flow regime through analysis of individual Taylor bubbles.An experimental apparatus was developed to inject single vapor Taylor bubbles into co-currently flowing liquid HFE 7100. The heat transfer was measured as the bubble rose through a 6 mm inner diameter heated tube using an infrared thermography technique. High-speed flow visualization was obtained and the bubble film thickness measured in an adiabatic section. Experiments were conducted at various liquid mass fluxes (43-200 kgm2s) and gravity levels (0.01g-1.8g) to characterize the effect of bubble drift velocityon the heat transfer mechanisms. Variable gravity testing was conducted during a NASA parabolic flight campaign.Results from the experiments showed that the drift velocity strongly affects the hydrodynamics and heat transfer of single elongated bubbles. At low gravity levels, bubbles exhibited shapes characteristic of capillary flows and the heat transfer enhancement due to the bubble was dominated by conduction through the thin film. At moderate to high gravity, traditional Taylor bubbles provided small values of enhancement within the film, but large peaks in the wake heat transfer occurred due to turbulent vortices induced by the film plunging into the trailing liquid slug. Characteristics of the wake heat transfer profiles were analyzed and related to the predicted velocity field. Results were compared and shown to agree with numerical simulations of colleagues from EPFL, Switzerland.In addition, a preliminary study was completed on the effect of a Taylor bubble passing through nucleate flow boiling, showing that the thinning thermal boundary layer within the film suppressed nucleation, thereby decreasing the heat transfer coefficient.

capillary flow↗
DOE OSTI2025

Spin fluctuations, absence of magnetic order, and crystal electric field studies in the Yb 3+ -based triangular lattice antiferromagnet Rb 3 ⁢Yb⁢(VO 4 ) 2

Here, we report a comprehensive experimental investigation of the structural, thermodynamic, static, and dynamic properties of a triangular lattice antiferromagnet Rb 3 ⁢Yb(VO 4 ) 2 . Through the analysis of magnetic susceptibility, magnetization, and specific heat, complemented by crystal electric field (CEF) calculations, we confirm the Kramers' doublet with effective spin 𝐽 eff = 1/2 ground state. Magnetic susceptibility and isothermal magnetization analysis reveal a weak antiferromagnetic interaction among the 𝐽 eff = 1/2 spins, characterized by a small Curie-Weiss temperature (𝜃$^{\textrm{LT}}_{\textrm{CW}}$ ≃−0.26 K) or a reduced exchange coupling (𝐽/𝑘 B ≃ 0.18 K). The 51 V NMR spectra and spin-lattice relaxation rate (1/𝑇 1 ) show no evidence of magnetic long-range-order down to 1.6 K but reflect strong influence of CEF excitations in the intermediate temperatures. At low temperatures, 1/𝑇 1 ⁡(𝑇) shows pronounced frequency dependence and 1/𝑇 1 vs field at different temperatures follows the scaling behavior, highlighting the role of paramagnetic fluctuations. The CEF calculations using the point charge approximation divulge a large energy gap ( ∼18.61 meV) between the lowest and second lowest energy doublets, further establishing Kramers' doublet as the ground state. Our calculations also reproduce the experimental magnetization and specific heat data and indicate an in-plane magnetic anisotropy. These findings position Rb 3⁢ Yb(VO 4 ) 2 as an ideal candidate to explore intrinsic quantum fluctuations and possible quantum spin-liquid physics in a Yb 3+ -based triangular lattice antiferromagnet.

Sebastian, Sebin J. [Indian Institute of Science E↗
NASA NTRS2016

A Hydrogen Containment Process for Nuclear Thermal Engine Ground testing

The objective of this study is to propose a new total hydrogen containment process to enable the testing required for NTP engine development. This H2 removal process comprises of two unit operations: an oxygen-rich burner and a shell-and-tube type of heat exchanger. This new process is demonstrated by simulation of the steady state operation of the engine firing at nominal conditions.

Wang, Ten-See↗
DOE OSTI2022

Deformed spin- 1 2 square lattice in antiferromagnetic NaZnVOPO 4 ( HPO 4 )

In this work, we report the structural and magnetic properties of a new spin-$\frac{1}{2}$ antiferromagnet NaZnVOPO 4 (HPO 4 ) studied via x-ray diffraction, magnetic susceptibility, high-field magnetization, specific heat, and 31 P nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) measurements, as well as density-functional band-structure calculations. While thermodynamic properties of this compound are well described by the J 1 – J 2 square-lattice model, ab initio calculations suggest a significant deformation of the spin lattice. From fits to the magnetic susceptibility we determine the averaged nearest-neighbor and second-neighbor exchange couplings of $\bar{J}$ 1 ≃ – 1.3 K and $\bar{J}$ 2 ≃ 5.6 K , respectively, resulting in the effective frustration ratio α = $\bar{J}$ 2 – $\bar{J}$ 1 ≃ – 4.3 that implies columnar antiferromagnetic order as the ground state. Experimental saturation field of 15.3 T is consistent with these estimates if 20% spatial anisotropy in J 1 is taken into account. Specific heat data signal the onset of a magnetic long-range order at T N ≃ 2.1 K , which is further supported by a sharp peak in the NMR spin-lattice relaxation rate. The NMR spectra mark the superposition of two P lines due to two nonequivalent P sites where the broad line with the strong hyperfine coupling and short T 1 is identified as the P(1) site located within the magnetic planes, while the narrow line with the weak hyperfine coupling and long T 1 is designated as the P(2) site located between the planes.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗
NASA NTRS1976

A study of mesoscale surface heat and moisture budgets and their relationship to airmass cumulus clouds observed in LANDSAT imagery

The author has identified the following significant results. The three budget analyses show a weak correspondence between LANDSAT cloud patterns and elements of the energy and moisture budgets. It was found that a little more energy is contributed by the ground to heat the air in cloudy areas. Improvements are warranted in the budget models and data coverage necessary to describe the environment. These models can serve as a basis for more complex models of surface air heat and moisture exchanges which would utilize readily available meteorological data on a mesoscale.

Merritt, E. S.↗