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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 1,297 records · Page 72
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2025

Investigating the Combustion Performance of Dual Fuel Combustion with Diesel and Port Injected Hydrogen in a Large Bore Locomotive Engine

The heavy-duty transportation sector has primarily relied on conventional diesel combustion engines given their reliability and high thermal efficiency relative to spark ignition engines, but increased focus on reducing greenhouse gas emissions has led to investigation into alternative fuels. Gaseous hydrogen fuel has garnered a great deal of recent interest in the engine community given it has zero carbon, but hydrogen is not available at the scale and cost that petroleum fuels are currently available, and this is a barrier to adoption for industries that are looking to decarbonize their operations. Because of the fuel flexibility provided, dual fuel technology offers a pathway for some industries to adopt hydrogen as a fuel source while maintaining sufficient flexibility in times and locations where the new fuel is not yet available. This computational study investigates dual fuel combustion in a large bore locomotive engine architecture using direct injected diesel and port injected gaseous hydrogen fuel. With an optimal port fuel injection configuration from previous work, simulations of varying substitution ratio, compression ratio, manifold air temperature, diesel injection timing, and diesel injection pressure were performed to understand their effect on combustion performance. Results indicated that both increased substitution ratio and higher intake air temperature accelerates hydrogen flame propagation and can result in high peak cylinder pressures. Additionally, diesel injection timing and injection pressure were demonstrated as effective methods for controlling dual fuel combustion heat release rates.

ODonnell, Patrick Christopher↗
DOE OSTI2018

Aneutronic Fusion in Collision of Oppositely Directed Plasmoids

Tri-Alpha and Helion energy companies have proposed an approach as the near future fusion reactor. The method used in this kind of reactor for attaining high fusion yield is based on the formation and throwing of two plasmoids toward each other. In this study, the optimized reaction rate for interpenetration of two head on colliding plasmoids is investigated. Calculations are performed by supposing the velocity of plasmoids ions as Maxwellian distribution function. Fusion output-to-input power ratio (Q factor) was computed by evaluation of the velocity-averaged cross sections and also ion−electron and ion−ion Coulomb power loss. A fluid model including a computational code has been used for the precise calculations of fusion power balance. The optimum interpenetration velocity and plasmoids parameters required to reach the ignition are studied for aneutronic fusion fuels, such as p–{sup 11}B and D–{sup 3}He, as well as D−T and D−D fuels. The results of investigation show that the breakeven is attainable in specific collision velocity and plasma temperature for each fuel. Also, the plasma density has to be around 10{sup 20} ions/cm{sup 3}.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2023

A Fast Temporal Decomposition Procedure for Long-Horizon Nonlinear Dynamic Programming

We propose a fast temporal decomposition procedure for solving long-horizon nonlinear dynamic programs. The core of the procedure is sequential quadratic programming (SQP) that utilizes a differentiable exact augmented Lagrangian as the merit function. Within each SQP iteration, we approximately solve the Newton system using an overlapping temporal decomposition strategy. We show that the approximate search direction is still a descent direction of the augmented Lagrangian provided the overlap size and penalty parameters are suitably chosen, which allows us to establish the global convergence. Moreover, we show that a unit step size is accepted locally for the approximate search direction and further establish a uniform, local linear convergence over stages. This local convergence rate matches the rate of the recent Schwarz scheme (Na et al. 2022). However, the Schwarz scheme has to solve nonlinear subproblems to optimality in each iteration, whereas we only perform a single Newton step instead. Numerical experiments validate our theories and demonstrate the superiority of our method.

97 MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTING↗
DOE OSTI2022

Monitoring accelerated alkali-silica reaction in concrete prisms with petrography and electrical conductivity measurements

We report deterioration of concrete due to alkali-silica reaction (ASR) involves a reaction between alkaline ions in the cement pore solution and non-crystalline silica found in many aggregates. Diagnosing and quantifying deterioration due to ASR in concrete currently requires destructive testing for microscopy examinations. In this paper, electrical conductivity is investigated qualitatively as an alternative non-destructive evaluation (NDE) method of ASR in hardened concrete. The study was performed using an unrestrained set of small concrete prism specimens made with highly reactive small aggregates, and kept in an environmental chamber according to ASTM C1293 standard. In a companion study, destructive petrography and damage rating index (DRI) assessment, and pore solution extraction and analysis were performed on the same set of accelerated ASR specimens. The results show that temporal evolution of nondestructive bulk resistivity is linearly correlated with destructive DRI score.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
NASA NTRS1964

Hybrid rocket propulsion <la propulsion par fusees hybrides<

The aim of the first part of this article is to demonstrate the potentialities of hybrids in the space program. These potentialities are applicable to all three main classes of chemical rockets currently in use, namely: (1) storable -propellant rockets, (2) cryogenic-propellant rockets, and (3) semistorable-propellant rockets, where the non-storable element is introduced at the time of firing. On the basis of these three categories, the properties of hybrid systems are discussed in relation to the specific impulse. The hybrid method of propulsion is compared with standard solid- and liquid-propellant propulsion systems. The second part of the article is concerned with the fundamental problems of combustion, the emphasis being placed on the rate of regression of the solid phase, which determines the performance of the system. Different theories of the regression rate are described and compared with various experimental results.

Cryogenic propellant↗
NASA NTRS1971

The molecular dynamics of atmospheric reaction

Detailed information about the chemistry of the upper atmosphere took the form of quantitative data concerning the rate of reaction into specified states of product vibration, rotation and translation for exothermic reaction, as well as concerning the rate of reaction from specified states of reagent vibration, rotation and translation for endothermic reaction. The techniques used were variants on the infrared chemiluminescence method. Emphasis was placed on reactions that formed, and that removed, vibrationally-excited hydroxyl radicals. Fundamental studies were also performed on exothermic reactions involving hydrogen halides.

Polanyi, J. C.↗
NASA NTRS1975

Techniques for obtaining subjective response to vertical vibration

Laboratory experiments were performed to validate the techniques used for obtaining ratings in the field surveys carried out by the University College of Swansea. In addition, attempts were made to evaluate the basic form of the human response to vibration. Some of the results obtained by different methods are described.

Clarke, M. J.↗
NASA NTRS1986

Bit error rate testing of a proof-of-concept model baseband processor

Bit-error-rate tests were performed on a proof-of-concept baseband processor. The BBP, which operates at an intermediate frequency in the C-Band, demodulates, demultiplexes, routes, remultiplexes, and remodulates digital message segments received from one ground station for retransmission to another. Test methods are discussed and test results are compared with the Contractor's test results.

Stover, J. B.↗
NASA NTRS1992

Effect of spectral shape on acoustic fatigue life estimates

Methods for estimating fatigue life due to random loading are briefly reviewed. These methods include a probabilistic approach in which the expected value of the rate of damage accumulation is computed by integrating over the probability density of damaging events and a method which consists of analyzing the response time history to count damaging events. It is noted that it is necessary to employ a time domain approach to perform Rainflow counting, while simple peak counting may be accomplished using the probabilistic method. Data obtained indicate that Rainflow counting produces significantly different fatigue life predictions than other methods that are commonly used in acoustic fatigue predictions. When low-frequency oscillations are present in a signal along with high-frequency components, peak counting will produce substantially shorter fatigue lives than Rainflow counting. It is concluded that Rainflow counting is capable of providing reliable fatigue life predictions for acoustic fatigue studies.

Miles, R. N.↗
NASA NTRS2014

SEU System Analysis: Not Just the Sum of All Parts

Single event upset (SEU) analysis of complex systems is challenging. Currently, system SEU analysis is performed by component level partitioning and then either: the most dominant SEU cross-sections (SEUs) are used in system error rate calculations; or the partition SEUs are summed to eventually obtain a system error rate. In many cases, system error rates are overestimated because these methods generally overlook system level derating factors. The problem with overestimating is that it can cause overdesign and consequently negatively affect the following: cost, schedule, functionality, and validation/verification. The scope of this presentation is to discuss the risks involved with our current scheme of SEU analysis for complex systems; and to provide alternative methods for improvement.

Single Event Upset (SEU) Testing↗
NASA NTRS1999

Aero-Thermo-Structural Design Optimization of Internally Cooled Turbine Blades

A set of robust and computationally affordable inverse shape design and automatic constrained optimization tools have been developed for the improved performance of internally cooled gas turbine blades. The design methods are applicable to the aerodynamics, heat transfer, and thermoelasticity aspects of the turbine blade. Maximum use of the existing proven disciplinary analysis codes is possible with this design approach. Preliminary computational results demonstrate possibilities to design blades with minimized total pressure loss and maximized aerodynamic loading. At the same time, these blades are capable of sustaining significantly higher inlet hot gas temperatures while requiring remarkably lower coolant mass flow rates. These results suggest that it is possible to design internally cooled turbine blades that will cost less to manufacture, will have longer life span, and will perform as good, if not better than, film cooled turbine blades.

Dulikravich, G. S.↗
NASA NTRS2012

Fully Self-Contained Vision-Aided Navigation and Landing of a Micro Air Vehicle Independent from External Sensor Inputs

Direct-lift micro air vehicles have important applications in reconnaissance. In order to conduct persistent surveillance in urban environments, it is essential that these systems can perform autonomous landing maneuvers on elevated surfaces that provide high vantage points without the help of any external sensor and with a fully contained on-board software solution. In this paper, we present a micro air vehicle that uses vision feedback from a single down looking camera to navigate autonomously and detect an elevated landing platform as a surrogate for a roof top. Our method requires no special preparation (labels or markers) of the landing location. Rather, leveraging the planar character of urban structure, the landing platform detection system uses a planar homography decomposition to detect landing targets and produce approach waypoints for autonomous landing. The vehicle control algorithm uses a Kalman filter based approach for pose estimation to fuse visual SLAM (PTAM) position estimates with IMU data to correct for high latency SLAM inputs and to increase the position estimate update rate in order to improve control stability. Scale recovery is achieved using inputs from a sonar altimeter. In experimental runs, we demonstrate a real-time implementation running on-board a micro aerial vehicle that is fully self-contained and independent from any external sensor information. With this method, the vehicle is able to search autonomously for a landing location and perform precision landing maneuvers on the detected targets.

autonomous landing↗
DOE OSTI2019

Scalable and Cost-Effective Barrier Layer Coating to Improve Stability and Performance of SOFC Cathode

During this project, a dense GDC barrier layer was deposited on YSZ substrate to prevent chemical reaction between LSCF and YSZ by a cost-effective EPD method. PPy was used as the agent to make YSZ conductive. Highly compact GDC green layer was obtained by the EPD process in an ethanol-based suspension. The deposition rate on PPy coated YSZ is slower than that on graphite because the charge transfer process is the rate-determining step. The main resistance is from the ion accumulation/depletion zone. The H + ions reduced at the cathode consist of free H + ions and absorbed H + ions corresponding to the unavoidable electrochemical reaction and deposition, respectively. A factor f was introduced to reflects EPD efficiency and describe the competitive relationship between deposition and electrochemical reaction during EPD process. f is in the range from 0 to 0.5 which is determined by the amount ration between free H + ions and absorbed H + ions at the suspension/deposit interface and the conductivity of the cathode. f decreases with the increase of current density or applied voltage and the conductivity of the cathode. GDC thin layers formed by DC-EPD in a thickness range of 5-8 µm were successfully densified at as low as 1300 °C and the adhesion between GDC and YSZ was good. The densification temperature can be further reduced to 1250 °C when AC-EPD was used to replace DC-EPD. The deposition rate increases with the increase of duty cycle and voltage ratio. The deposition rate increases with the increase of frequency from 10 Hz to 500 Hz, while decrease when the frequency increases from 500 Hz to 5000 Hz. Desorption of absorbed charge carrier is easy and irreversible. The deposition rate is independent on the conductivity of the cathode when the electrochemical reaction can be ignored with a high frequency. Inter-diffusion of cation ions between the electrolyte and barrier layer has been systematically characterized via 3-D atom probe, TEM, and other techniques. No measurable Sr transport occurs across the GDC layer with a thickness of 1.5 – 6 μm at a LSCF processing temperature of 1000 °C. However, Sr transport does occur across GDC layer with a thickness of 1.5 or 3 μm at a higher LSCF sintering temperature (1000 °C or 1200 °C). The primary pathway are open pores or grain boundaries in the GDC. The observed zirconate layer is discontinuous even for the most extreme conditions (1.5 μm GDC, 1200 °C LSCF sintering temperature). Increasing the thickness of GDC to 4.5 μm can effectively suppress any zirconate formation measurable by SEM-EDX. Cobalt is observed at grain boundaries within the GDC, suggesting some depletion of Co from the LSCF layer that may ultimately impact electrode performance.

08 HYDROGEN↗
DOE OSTI2020

Method for Comparing Porous Carbon Electrode Performance in Redox Flow Batteries

In this paper, we present a method for comparing porous electrodes for use in redox flow batteries. By comparing physical and electrochemical properties of six carbon cloth electrodes (CCEs) including hydraulic permeability, Ohmic resistance, and mass transport overpotential, we show how optimal engineering conditions such as compression and electrolyte flow rates can be derived. These results are combined and applied to a quinone-based redox flow battery, leading to a peak power density around 0.4 W cm –2 for several different CCEs. This method can be applied broadly to other electrode architectures and flow battery chemistries, and provides a comprehensive framework for their comparison.

25 ENERGY STORAGE↗
DOE OSTI2018

Performance and Emissions Control of Commercial-Scale Biochar Production Unit

Abstract. Two commercial biochar production machines – a single-auger unit and a larger dual-auger version – were operated to evaluate feedstock specifications, biochar quality, throughput rates, and emissions profiles. Biochar was produced from woody biomass feedstocks of various species, contamination levels, comminution methods, and moisture contents. Feedstocks with ash content exceeding 15% dry basis or moisture content exceeding 25% wet basis were observed to decrease fixed carbon content of biochar and to increase the labor effort required to operate the machine. The dual-auger version of the machine was able to process 380 kg h -1 of biomass feedstock (dry basis) to produce 63 kg h -1 of biochar with a mean electricity demand of 4.5 kW. Average CO, propane, NO x , and SO 2 emission rates from the flare of this machine were measured to be 160, 120, 51, and 43 g h -1 , respectively, with total particulate matter (PM), PM 10 , and PM 2.5 emission rates of 380, 40, and 4.5 g h -1 , respectively. Results from these experiments indicate that high-quality biochar can be produced from a variety of feedstocks, including forest residuals, as long as the ash and moisture content are within the specifications. Future research and development should focus on increasing the throughput of the machine, implementing an automated control system to reduce the operational effort, and improving safety and product consistency. Keywords: Biochar, Biomass, Biomass conversion technology, Carbon sequestration, Forest residuals, Gasification, Pyrolysis.

Agriculture↗
NASA NTRS1986

Bearing Thermal Performance Prediction

Parameter called lubricant percent volume or cavity factor (XCAV) used primarily in calculation of ball or roller drag and, therefore, significantly affects calculated bearing-heat generation and temperature distribution. New equation accounts for sensitivity of XCAV to shaft speed, lubricant flow rate, and bearing size, and provides significant improvement over previous estimation methods.

Parker, R. J.↗
NASA NTRS1997

CCSDS - SFCG Efficient Modulation Methods Study at NASA/JPL, Phase 3

This report contains results from Phase 3 of the CCSDS - SFCG Efficient Modulation Methods Study conducted at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL). Simulations were used to measure the end-to-end performance of a telemetry data transmission and capture system for Category A missions.

modulation methods spectrum improvement data rate↗
NASA NTRS2016

Characterization of Carbon Dioxide Washout Measurement Techniques in the Mark-III Space Suit

It is essential to provide adequate carbon dioxide (CO2) washout in a space suit to reduce the risks associated with manned operations in space suits. Symptoms of elevated CO2 levels range from reduced cognitive performance and headache to unconsciousness and death at high levels of CO2. Because of this, NASA imposes limits on inspired CO2 levels for space suits when they are used in space and for ground testing. Testing and/or analysis must be performed to verify that a space suit meets CO2 washout requirements. Testing for developmental space suits has traditionally used an oronasal mask that collects CO2 samples at the left and rights sides of the mouth. Testing with this mask resulted in artificially elevated CO2 concentration measurements, which is most likely due to the dead space volume at the front of the mask. The mask also extends outward and into the supply gas stream, which may disrupt the washout effect of the suit supply gas. To mitigate these problems, a nasal cannula was investigated as a method for measuring inspired CO2 based on the assumptions that it is low profile and would not interfere with the designed suit gas flow path, and it has reduced dead space. This test series compared the performance of a nasal cannula to the oronasal mask in the Mark III space suit. Inspired CO2 levels were measured with subjects at rest and at metabolic workloads of 1000, 2000, and 3000 BTU/hr. Workloads were achieved by use of an arm ergometer or treadmill. Test points were conducted at air flow rates of 2, 4, and 6 actual cubic feet per minute, with a suit pressure of 4.3 psid. Results from this test series will evaluate the accuracy and repeatability across subjects of the nasal cannula collection method, which will provide rationale for using a nasal cannula as the new method for measuring inspired CO2 in a space suit. Proper characterization of sampling methods and of suit CO2 washout capability will better inform requirements definition and verification techniques for future CO2 washout limits in space suits

Meginnis, I↗