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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 127 records · Page 7

Protostellar formation in rotating interstellar clouds. V - Nonisothermal collapse and fragmentation

Numerical calculations are presented for rigorous models spanning a four-dimensional parameter space of initial conditions of the three-dimensional collapse of rotating protostellar clouds, encompassing radiative transfer in the Eddington approximation and detailed thermodynamical relations. It is found that protostellar formation may involve a few stages of hierarchical fragmentation terminated by increased thermal pressure in the nonisothermal regime, that high thermal energy clouds remain nearly axisymmetric during the first dynamic collapse phase, and that very slowly rotating clouds can fragment. The presolar nebula was probably formed from a cloud with very little initial rotation.

Boss, Alan R.↗

Sloshing of the Magnetized Cool Gas in the Cores of Galaxy Clusters

X-ray observations of many clusters of galaxies reveal the presence of edges in surface brightness and temperature, known as "cold fronts". In relaxed clusters with cool cores, these edges have been interpreted as evidence for the "sloshing" of the core gas in the cluster's gravitational potential. The smoothness of these edges has been interpreted as evidence for the stabilizing effect of magnetic fields "draped" around the front surfaces. To check this hypothesis, we perform high-resolution magnetohydrodynamics simulations of magnetized gas sloshing in galaxy clusters initiated by encounters with subclusters. We go beyond previous works on the simulation of cold fronts in a magnetized intracluster medium by simulating their formation in realistic, idealized mergers with high resolution ((Delta)x approx. 2 kpc). Our simulations sample a parameter space of plausible initial magnetic field strengths and field configurations. In the simulations, we observe strong velocity shears associated with the cold fronts amplifying the magnetic field along the cold front surfaces, increasing the magnetic field strength in these layers by up to an order of magnitude, and boosting the magnetic pressure up to near-equipartition with thermal pressure in some cases. In these layers, the magnetic field becomes strong enough to stabilize the cold fronts against Kelvin-Helmholtz instabilities, resulting in sharp, smooth fronts as those seen in observations of real clusters. These magnetic fields also result in strong suppression of mixing of high and low-entropy gas in the cluster, seen in our simulations of mergers in the absence of a magnetic field. As a result, the heating of the core due to sloshing is very modest and is unable to stave off a cooling catastrophe.

ZuHone, J. A.↗

Magnetic shaping of planetary nebulae and other stellar wind bubbles

As in the case of the solar wind, the magnetic field in the wind from a magnetized, rotating star becomes increasingly toroidal with distance from the star. The strength of the magnetic field can be characterized by sigma, the ratio of toroidal magnetic energy density to kinetic energy density in the equatorial plane of the wind. A fast wind shocks against the external medium and creates a bubble whose volume is dominated by shocked gas. The toroidal magnetic field increases in the shocked bubble and can dominate the thermal pressure. Because of the low velocities in the bubble, hydrostatic equilibrium is a good approximation and allows the calculation of the thermal and magnetic pressure in the bubble, as in the model of Begelman and Li (1992) for the Crab Nebula. The structure, which is axisymmetric and extended in the polar direction, depends on two parameters: sigma nu(sub w)/w(sub 0), where nu(sub w) is the wind velocity and w(sub 0) is the shell velocity in the polar direction, and lambda = nu(sub a)/w(sub 0), where nu(sub a) is the velocity of the slow wind. For small values of lambda, there is a cusp in the shell in the equatorial plane, i.e., there is an equatorial ring. For larger values of lambda, the maximum of the surface density moves away from the equator i.e., a double ring structure. Our models should apply to planetary nebulae, if their central stars are sufficiently magnetized; the calculated shapes do resemble the observed shapes of planetaries. In all cases, our model predicts that X-ray emission from the bubble is concentrated toward the polar axis. Finally, we briefly discuss the asymmetry of the Crab Nebula and 3C 58.

Chevalier, Roger A.↗

Lewis Research Center's coal-fired, pressurized, fluidized-bed reactor test facility

A 200-kilowatt-thermal, pressurized, fluidized-bed (PFB) reactor, research test facility was designed, constructed, and operated as part of a NASA-funded project to assess and evaluate the effect of PFB hot-gas effluent on aircraft turbine engine materials that might have applications in stationary-power-plant turbogenerators. Some of the techniques and components developed for this PFB system are described. One of the more important items was the development of a two-in-one, gas-solids separator that removed 95+ percent of the solids in 1600 F to 1900 F gases. Another was a coal and sorbent feed and mixing system for injecting the fuel into the pressurized combustor. Also important were the controls and data-acquisition systems that enabled one person to operate the entire facility. The solid, liquid, and gas sub-systems all had problems that were solved over the 2-year operating time of the facility, which culminated in a 400-hour, hot-gas, turbine test.

Kobak, J. A.↗

A perturbation calculation of the dynamical effects of cosmic rays and interstellar gas on the solar wind

The modulation of galactic cosmic rays and other energetic particles by the solar wind produces a gradient in their pressure, which in turn influences the wind dynamics. The basic equations describing this interaction are presented in the 'hydrodynamic' approximation. A perturbation solution of the equations is presented for the case in which both the galactic cosmic ray pressure, and the pressure of the anomalous cosmic ray component accelerated at the wind termination shock, are small compared with the wind ram pressure. Analytical expressions for the deceleration of the wind and the modification of the shock and its location are derived in this case. These effects are estimated to have a relative magnitude of several percent in the solar wind. The interstellar neutral gas which penetrates the heliosphere is ionized, predominantly by photoionization and charge exchange with the wind, and may also have a significant dynamical effect on the wind. The basic equations describing this interaction are also presented, A perturbation solution is presented under the assumption that the mass loading and momentum-loading of the wind by the interstellar pickup ions is small compared with the wind ram pressure. Analytical expressions for the deceleration of the wind, the contribution of the pickup ions to the wind pressure, and the modification of the termination shock location are derived. Again, with the exception of pickup ion pressure which is large compared with solar wind thermal pressure, the effects are estimated to be several percent in relative magnitude in the solar wind.

Lee, M. A.↗

The heliospheric plasma sheet

High-resolution magnetic field and plasma data gathered by ISEE 3/ICE during several sector boundary crossings are used to investigate the narrow heliospheric current sheet (approximately equal 3 x 10 (exp 3) km to 10 (exp 4) km thick), together with the heliospheric plasma sheet in which it is embedded. The heliospheric plasma sheet region is identified by a significantly enhanced plasma beta caused by density enhancements and diminished magnetic field strength and is about 20 to 30 times the thickness of the current sheet. The thickness of the heliospheric plasma sheet is found to increase exponentially with its average proton density. The heliospheric current sheet is often displaced to one edge or the other of the heliospheric plasma sheet. Further, the point of maximum plasma beta in the plasma sheet, where the magnetic field strength is at a broad local minimum, is not colocated with the heliospheric current sheet. Within the plasma sheet, changes in the magnetic pressure are balanced by corresponding changes in the plasma thermal pressure as expected for a convected solar wind feature. In addition, observations show small pressure differences between the regions upstream and downstream of the plasma sheet, which are interpreted as causing the plasma sheet to move across the spacecraft.

Winterhalter, D.↗

Deep Chandra Observation and Numerical Studies of the Nearest Cluster Cold Front in the Sky

We present the results of a very deep (500 ks) Chandra observation, along with tailored numerical simulations, of the nearest, best resolved cluster cold front in the sky, which lies 90 kpc (19 arcmin) to the north-west of M87. The northern part of the front appears the sharpest, with a width smaller than 2.5 kpc (1.5 Coulomb mean free paths; at 99 per cent confidence). Everywhere along the front, the temperature discontinuity is narrower than 4-8 kpc and the metallicity gradient is narrower than 6 kpc, indicating that diffusion, conduction and mixing are suppressed across the interface. Such transport processes can be naturally suppressed by magnetic fields aligned with the cold front. Interestingly, comparison to magnetohydrodynamic simulations indicates that in order to maintain the observed sharp density and temperature discontinuities, conduction must also be suppressed along the magnetic field lines. However, the northwestern part of the cold front is observed to have a non-zero width. While other explanations are possible, the broadening is consistent with the presence of Kelvin-Helmholtz instabilities (KHI) on length-scales of a few kpc. Based on comparison with simulations, the presence of KHI would imply that the effective viscosity of the intracluster medium is suppressed by more than an order of magnitude with respect to the isotropic Spitzer-like temperature dependent viscosity. Underneath the cold front, we observe quasi-linear features that are approximately 10 per cent brighter than the surrounding gas and are separated by approximately 15 kpc from each other in projection. Comparison to tailored numerical simulations suggests that the observed phenomena may be due to the amplification of magnetic fields by gas sloshing in wide layers below the cold front, where the magnetic pressure reaches approximately 5-10 per cent of the thermal pressure, reducing the gas density between the bright features.

hydrodynamics↗

Lewis Pressurized, Fluidized-Bed Combustion Program. Data and Calculated Results

A 200 kilowatt (thermal), pressurized, fluidized bed (PFB) reactor and research test facility were designed, constructed, and operated. The facility was established to assess and evaluate the effect of PFB hot gas effluent on aircraft turbine engine materials that may have applications in stationary powerplant turbogenerators. The facility was intended for research and development work and was designed to operate over a wide range of conditions. These conditions included the type and rate of consumption of fuel (e.g., coal) and sulfur reacting sorbent material: the ratio of feed fuel to sorbent material; the ratio of feed fuel to combustion airflow; the depth of the fluidized reaction bed; the temperature and pressure in the reaction bed; and the type of test unit that was exposed to the combustion exhaust gases.

Rollbuhler, R. J.↗

Characterization of Flat-Plate Heat Pipe Functionality for Fuel Cell Application

For many exothermic systems such as proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cells, cooling is necessary to maintain consistent and uniform operating temperatures which are generally in the range of 60 to 80°C. A potential solution is a heat pipe employing the principle of conduction in combination with a phase change. The purpose of this study was to fully characterize the operation of a heat pipe with unique geometry designed for fuel cell heat removal at operating temperatures up to 100°C and to assess the suitability of the resulting performance for cooling system integration. Test variables consist of cold sink thermal contact conductance coefficient improving material usage, heat rejection temperature, contact pressure and area, heat pipe orientation, operational hours, and variability between units. The test results showed that heat pipe performance improves through increased condenser and heat sink contact pressure, thermal contact coating usage, greater condenser area utilization, and colder heat sink temperature. Higher initial heat pipe temperature and greater age or operation time reduce the heat pipe capabilities. Placing the condenser lower than the evaporator is the only heat pipe orientation that affects evaporator plate temperature. Condensing fluid in the lower section reduces heat transfer capacity as that orientation requires liquid water to transport by wicking against gravity.

Smith, Phillip J.↗

Structural tailoring of high-speed turbine blades (SSME/STAEBL)

Space shuttle main engine (SSME) blades are subject to severe thermal, pressure, and forced vibration environments. Structural optimization provides an automated alternative to time consuming iterations. Any number of analyses, design variables, and constraints can be incorporated in a structural optimization computer code. This idea was applied to develop the code SSME/STAEBL, which is a stand alone code suitable for automated design of SSME turbopump blades. Additions and modifications of STAEBL included in SSME/STAEBL include the following: (1) thermal stress analysis, (2) gas dynamic (pressure) loads, (3) temperature-dependent material and thermal properties, (4) forced vibrations, (5) tip displacement constraints, (6) single crystal material analysis, (7) blade cross-section stacking offsets, and (8) direct time integration algorithm for transient dynamic response.

Rubinstein, Robert↗

Temperature response and brine availability to heated boreholes in bedded salt

Abstract There is a growing need for disposal of high‐level nuclear waste. To reduce uncertainty associated with brine availability to repository excavations in salt formations, a collaboration between Sandia, Los Alamos, and Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratories is performing a series of borehole‐scale coupled process tests. Here, we report on the first round of the Brine Availability Test in Salt (BATS) project, a “shakedown” experiment called Phase 1s. Experimental testing included placing a resistive heater, a 260‐W radiative heater, and a 750‐W radiative heater within previously drilled horizontal boreholes at the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant (WIPP) while monitoring temperature and water inflow. The experiments successfully achieved the targeted temperature of 120 °C when using the 750‐W radiative heater. Simulations using FEHM (Finite Element Heat and Mass transfer code) and TOUGH‐FLAC (Transport Of Unsaturated Groundwater and Heat–Fast Lagrangian Analysis of Continua) were able to accurately predict the coupled thermo–hydro–mechanical–chemical response of salt, matching the observed temperature and brine production. Due to the extremely low permeability of salt, these systems take many years to reach steady state when perturbed by mining activities. Long‐term numerical simulations are used to develop the initial pressure and saturation conditions. The inclusion of a damaged rock zone with higher permeability around the borehole also affects the saturation and pressure distributions and plays an important role in dissipating the potential for thermal pressurization. Knowledge gained from this round of experimentation and simulation will be used to conduct the next BATS project experiment in new boreholes at WIPP.

58 GEOSCIENCES↗

Lateral Load Testing of the Advanced Stirling Convertor (ASC-E2) Heater Head

Free-piston Stirling convertors are fundamental to the development of NASA s next generation of radioisotope power system, the Advanced Stirling Radioisotope Generator (ASRG). The ASRG will use General Purpose Heat Source (GPHS) modules as the energy source and Advanced Stirling Convertors (ASCs) to convert heat into electrical energy, and is being developed by Lockheed Martin under contract to the Department of Energy. Achieving flight status mandates that the ASCs satisfy design as well as flight requirements to ensure reliable operation during launch. To meet these launch requirements, GRC performed a series of quasi-static mechanical tests simulating the pressure, thermal, and external loading conditions that will be experienced by an ASC E2 heater head assembly. These mechanical tests were collectively referred to as lateral load tests since a primary external load lateral to the heater head longitudinal axis was applied in combination with the other loading conditions. The heater head was subjected to the operational pressure, axial mounting force, thermal conditions, and axial and lateral launch vehicle acceleration loadings. To permit reliable prediction of the heater head s structural performance, GRC completed Finite Element Analysis (FEA) computer modeling for the stress, strain, and deformation that will result during launch. The heater head lateral load test directly supported evaluation of the analysis and validation of the design to meet launch requirements. This paper provides an overview of each element within the test and presents assessment of the modeling as well as experimental results of this task.

Cornell, Peggy A.↗

Lateral Load Testing of the Advanced Stirling Convertor (ASC-E2) Heater Head

Free-piston Stirling convertors are fundamental to the development of NASA s next generation of radioisotope power system, the Advanced Stirling Radioisotope Generator (ASRG). The ASRG will use General Purpose Heat Source (GPHS) modules as the energy source and Advanced Stirling Convertors (ASCs) to convert heat into electrical energy, and is being developed by Lockheed Martin under contract to the Department of Energy. Achieving flight status mandates that the ASCs satisfy design as well as flight requirements to ensure reliable operation during launch. To meet these launch requirements, GRC performed a series of quasi-static mechanical tests simulating the pressure, thermal, and external loading conditions that will be experienced by an ASC-E2 heater head assembly. These mechanical tests were collectively referred to as "lateral load tests" since a primary external load lateral to the heater head longitudinal axis was applied in combination with the other loading conditions. The heater head was subjected to the operational pressure, axial mounting force, thermal conditions, and axial and lateral launch vehicle acceleration loadings. To permit reliable prediction of the heater head s structural performance, GRC completed Finite Element Analysis (FEA) computer modeling for the stress, strain, and deformation that will result during launch. The heater head lateral load test directly supported evaluation of the analysis and validation of the design to meet launch requirements. This paper provides an overview of each element within the test and presents assessment of the modeling as well as experimental results of this task.

Cornell, Peggy A.↗

Lateral Load Testing of the Advanced Stirling Convertor (ASC-E2) Heater Head

Free-piston Stirling convertors are fundamental to the development of NASA s next generation of radioisotope power system, the Advanced Stirling Radioisotope Generator (ASRG). The ASRG will use General Purpose Heat Source (GPHS) modules as the energy source and Advanced Stirling Convertors (ASCs) to convert heat into electrical energy, and is being developed by Lockheed Martin under contract to the Department of Energy. Achieving flight status mandates that the ASCs satisfy design as well as flight requirements to ensure reliable operation during launch. To meet these launch requirements, GRC performed a series of quasi-static mechanical tests simulating the pressure, thermal, and external loading conditions that will be experienced by an ASC-E2 heater head assembly. These mechanical tests were collectively referred to as "lateral load tests" since a primary external load lateral to the heater head longitudinal axis was applied in combination with the other loading conditions. The heater head was subjected to the operational pressure, axial mounting force, thermal conditions, and axial and lateral launch vehicle acceleration loadings. To permit reliable prediction of the heater head s structural performance, GRC completed Finite Element Analysis (FEA) computer modeling for the stress, strain, and deformation that will result during launch. The heater head lateral load test directly supported evaluation of the analysis and validation of the design to meet launch requirements. This paper provides an overview of each element within the test and presents assessment of the modeling as well as experimental results of this task.

Cornell, Peggy A.↗

Shock temperatures in anorthite glass

Shock-temperature data and the high-pressure thermal behavior of anorthite glass are examined. Temperatures of anorthite glass shocked to pressures between 48-117 GPa were measured in the temperature range 2500-5600 K using optical pyrometry techniques. The time dependence observed in the emitted light of the glass is analyzed in terms of temperature dependence, emissivity dependences, and the time dependence of absorption or scattering of an intervening layer. The three phase transitions at pressures of about 55, 85, and 100 GPa and with transition energies of about 0.5 MJ/kg are studied.

Boslough, M. B.↗