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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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All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2023

Intensified Catalytic Conversion of CO2 into High Value Chemicals

The utilization of CO2 produced from power generation plants as a feedstock for creating new valuable products offers a strategy to reduce GHG emissions, offset carbon capture costs, and facilitate the rebalancing of the carbon cycle. After considering the thermodynamic requirement of potential products from CO2 utilization and their market size, formic acid is a desirable target that offers widespread utility in industrial chemical production and chemical energy storage as a liquid fuel. To effectively utilize CO2 from power generation plants, UK proposes an enhanced bimetallic oxide carbon utilization process (EBOCU) that enables electrochemical CO2 conversion to formic acid. The UK intensified electrocatalytic process combines three main components: 1) a novel bimetallic oxide electrocatalyst; 2) a stable electrochemical reactor using robust electrodes; and 3) a pressurized electrochemical reactor. The output from this project showed the economic viability of producing high-value formic acid from CO2 to both offset the cost associated with post-combustion CCS and reduce GHG emissions. This project developed and screened a series engineered catalysts to selectively reduce CO2 directly to formic acid. The best performing catalyst based on formic acid production, stability, and Faradaic efficiency, was immobilized on carbon electrodes, and tested inside a flow through reactor. After lab-scale testing was completed, the experimental data was used to perform a Life-Cycle Analysis (LCA) and conduct an Initial Technical and Economic Feasibility Study. The LCA showed a pathway to a net negative CO2 utilization process with the incorporation of renewable energy, while the TEA showed the potential to produce formic acid below the current commercial price. The UK EBOCU process was successfully demonstrated at the TRL3 level and has a clear pathway to further development and contribution to the nation’s ambitious decarbonization goals.

20 FOSSIL-FUELED POWER PLANTS↗
DOE OSTI2023

Conceptual Design of Engineering-Scale Molten Salt Spill Tests to Support Molten Salt Reactor Licensing

Nuclear accident progression analysis codes for reactor licensing must be validated using experimental data that was generated at a large enough scale so that the results are representative of full-scale accidents. This report describes a conceptual design of engineering-scale molten salt spill tests that will provide the necessary datasets to support molten salt reactor (MSR) licensing. Design considerations, salt compositions, test variables, processes to be quantified, and suitable measurement techniques are presented and discussed. Aspects of the conceptual engineering-scale molten salt spill test design presented in this report were made using insights from recent laboratory-scale molten salt spill tests conducted at Argonne. Additional input from model developers, MSR vendors, and technical experts will benefit the design of the proposed engineering-scale molten salt spill tests.

22 GENERAL STUDIES OF NUCLEAR REACTORS↗
DOE OSTI2023

Thermal Hydraulic Experimental Test Article - Fiscal Year 2023 (Final Report)

The Thermal Hydraulic Experimental Test Article (THETA) is a facility that is used to develop sodium components and instrumentation as well as acquire experimental data for validation of reactor thermal hydraulic and safety analysis codes. The facility simulates nominal conditions as well as protected/unprotected loss of flow accidents in a sodium-cooled fast reactor (SFR). High fidelity distributed temperature profiles of the developed flow field may be acquired with Rayleigh backscatter based optical fiber temperature sensors. The facility was designed in partnership with systems code experts to tailor the experiment to ensure the most relevant and highest quality data for code validation. THETA is comprised of a traditional primary coolant and secondary coolant system. The primary system is submerged in the pool of sodium and consists of a pump, electrically heated core, intermediate heat exchanger, and connected piping and thermal barriers (redan). The secondary system, located outside of the sodium pool, consists of a pump, sodium to air heat exchanger, and connected piping and valves. To date a test matrix has been completed utilizing the primary system of THETA. These tests, along with computational fluid dynamics and systems code models, determined the heat transfer across the core barrel and intermediate heat exchanger outlet was too great to effectively represent scaled thermal hydraulic phenomena of a liquid metal cooled reactor. Therefore, a significant effort was made to remove the primary system from the METL 28” test vessel #4 and clean the residual sodium from the primary system to facilitate upgrades. Thermal insulation was then incorporated in the core barrel and intermediate heat exchanger outlets. The primary system was then replaced, and a series of tests were performed to assess the performance of the thermal insulation. With primary system testing and upgrades complete, the secondary system could then be brought online. The tube side of the shell-and-tube intermediate heat exchanger was installed onto the primary system flange to begin installing the secondary system. The support structure for the secondary system was then erected on the METL mezzanine alongside the THETA primary system to facilitate installation of the secondary system components (sodium-to-air heat exchanger, flowmeter and pump). The piping and expansion tank were welded into the secondary system. Non-destructive examination of the secondary system welds was completed in order to satisfy ASME B31.3 pipe code for class M process fluids. The heating system and insulation were then added to prepare the system to be filled with sodium. The ancillary electrical equipment was installed which included the pump control box, blower VFD, pipe heater control system, etc. The secondary system will be filled, and a test matrix will be completed in early FY2024.

21 SPECIFIC NUCLEAR REACTORS AND ASSOCIATED PLANTS↗
DOE OSTI2026

Kinetics Modeling and Reactor Design Study of Glucose-to-Terpenes Cell-Free Conversion

Cell-free systems offer many advantages over traditional biological conversion by eliminating biological growth constraints. It also offers easy manipulation and finetuning of the reaction conditions for each individual enzyme. The conversion of cellulosic glucose to Limonene, a terpene, is a promising pathway for producing fuels and chemicals. Recent advances in developing cell-free systems focuses on bench scale optimization of terpene yield and to demonstrate its feasibility towards commercialization [1,2]. There is significant knowledge gap regarding reaction kinetics of these cell-free systems to further study how it will perform at larger scale. We present here, our studies on reaction kinetics and reactor design implications of cell-free glucose to Limonene conversion to facilitate the further development and commercialization of this process. We developed a novel kinetic model based on the metabolic-network structure of the cell-free system with multi-substrate reversible Michaelis-Menten rate law. To estimate kinetic parameters for this system of rate equations, we employed Bayesian optimization to perform global search with the assistance of gaussian processes to balance exploration and exploitation. The model parameters estimated showed good results compared with experimental data. The estimated parameters were used to perform sensitivity analysis. We found that Hexokinase is one of the most critical enzymes that affect the conversion of the glucose. We also observed that abundance of co-factors is also critical to the conversion of glucose to limonene. We investigated packed bed reactors with enzymes immobilized on the surface of particles to convert glucose stream into Limonene for larger scale production. The reactor design such as particle size, enzyme loading, and flow rate are found to be critical for improving yields. [1] Dudley, Q.M., Nash, C.J. and Jewett, M.C., 2019. Synthetic Biology, 4(1), p.ysz003. [2] Korman, T.P., Opgenorth, P.H. and Bowie, J.U., 2017. Nature communications, 8(1), p.15526.

09 BIOMASS FUELS↗
NASA NTRS1972

An investigation of geometry and noise corrections to San Marco-C neutral atmospheric composition experiment data

The problem of the calculation of ambient densities from San Marco-C neutral atmospheric composition experiment data is considered. A brief description is given of the data measurement method, followed by a description of both the theoretical and experimental data curves. Geometry, electrometer distortions, and noise effects are then studied in terms of their effects on the ideal data form. From these considerations two data reduction methods are evolved. The first is an iterative integration technique that exploits the symmetry of the experimental data about the minimum angle of attack. For the analysis of geometry effects, a second method using interval averaging was developed and studied.

Curtis, S. A.↗
NASA NTRS1972

Experimental investigation of two-phase heat transfer in a porous matrix.

One-dimensional two-phase flow transpiration cooling through porous metal is studied experimentally. The experimental data is compared with a previous one-dimensional analysis. Good agreement with calculated temperature distribution is obtained as long as the basic assumptions of the analytical model are satisfied. Deviations from the basic assumptions are caused by nonhomogeneous and oscillating flow conditions. Preliminary derivation of nondimensional parameters which characterize the stable and unstable flow conditions is given. Superheated liquid droplets observed sputtering from the heated surface indicated incomplete evaporation at heat fluxes well in access of the latent energy transport. A parameter is developed to account for the nonequilibrium thermodynamic effects. Measured and calculated pressure drops show contradicting trends which are attributed to capillary forces.

Von Reth, R.↗
NASA NTRS1977

Assessment of analytical techniques for predicting solid propellant exhaust plumes and plume impingement environments

An analysis of experimental nozzle, exhaust plume, and exhaust plume impingement data is presented. The data were obtained for subscale solid propellant motors with propellant Al loadings of 2, 10 and 15% exhausting to simulated altitudes of 50,000, 100,000 and 112,000 ft. Analytical predictions were made using a fully coupled two-phase method of characteristics numerical solution and a technique for defining thermal and pressure environments experienced by bodies immersed in two-phase exhaust plumes.

Tevepaugh, J. A.↗
NASA NTRS1978

Numerical design of streamlined tunnel walls for a two-dimensional transonic test

An analytical procedure is discussed for designing wall shapes for streamlined, nonporous, two-dimensional, transonic wind tunnels. It is based upon currently available 2-D inviscid transonic and boundary layer analysis computer programs. Predicted wall shapes are compared with experimental data obtained from the NASA Langley 6 by 19 inch Transonic Tunnel where the slotted walls were replaced by flexible nonporous walls. Comparisons are presented for the empty tunnel operating at a Mach number of 0.9 and for a supercritical test of an NACA 0012 airfoil at zero lift. Satisfactory agreement is obtained between the analytically and experimentally determined wall shapes.

Newman, P. A.↗
NASA NTRS1979

A numerical cloud model for the support of laboratory experimentation

A numerical cloud model is presented which can describe the evolution of a cloud starting from moist aerosol-laden air through the diffusional growth regime. The model is designed for the direct support of cloud chamber laboratory experimentation, i.e., experiment preparation, real-time control and data analysis. In the model the thermodynamics is uncoupled from the droplet growth processes. Analytic solutions for the cloud droplet growth equations are developed which can be applied in most laboratory situations. The model is applied to a variety of representative experiments.

Hagen, D. E.↗
NASA NTRS1980

Wallops waveform analysis of SEASAT-1 radar altimeter data

Fitting a six parameter model waveform to over ocean experimental data from the waveform samplers in the SEASAT-1 radar altimeter is described. The fitted parameters include a waveform risetime, skewness, and track point; from these can be obtained estimates of the ocean surface significant waveheight, the surface skewness, and a correction to the altimeter's on board altitude measurement, respectively. Among the difficulties encountered are waveform sampler gains differing from calibration mode data, and incorporating the actual SEASAT-1 sampled point target response in the fitted wave form. There are problems in using the spacecraft derived attitude angle estimates, and a different attitude estimator is developed. Points raised in this report have consequences for the SEASAT-1 radar altimeter's ocean surface measurements are for the design and calibration of radar altimeters in future oceanographic satellites.

Hayne, G. S.↗
NASA NTRS1982

Computation of the steady viscous flow over a tri-element 'augmentor wing' airfoil

The augmentor wing consists of a main airfoil with a slotted trailing edge for blowing, and two smaller aft airfoils which shroud the jet. This configuration has been modeled for numerical simulation by a novel discretization procedure which generates four separate grids: three surface-oriented airfoil grids and one outer free-stream grid. Grid lines and slopes are continuous across boundaries, so grid overlap at common boundaries provides boundary information without interpolation. A two-dimensional unsteady thin-layer Navier-Stokes code is used to calculate the flow for the no-blowing case at freestream Mach number = 0.7, Re = 12,600.000, and angles-of-incidence = 1.05 deg. Qualitative agreement with experimental data indicates the utility of this procedure in the analysis of multi-element configurations.

Lasinski, T. A.↗
NASA NTRS1984

The static response of a bowed inclined hot wire

The directional sensitivity of a bowed, inclined hot wire is investigated using a simple model for the convective heat transfer. The static response is analyzed for subsonic and supersonic flows. It is shown that the effects of both end conduction and wire bowing are greater in supersonic flow. Regardless of the Mach number, however, these two phenomena have distinctly different effects; end conduction appears to be responsible for reducing the nonlinearity of the response, whereas bowing increases the directional sensitivity. Comparison with the available data suggests that the analysis is useful for interpreting the experimental results.

Smits, A. J.↗
NASA NTRS1985

Coherent structures in a turbulent mixing layer - A comparison between direct numerical simulations and experiments

An eduction scheme has been developed in an attempt to determine the characteristics of large-scale vortical structures in a turbulent mixing layer. This analysis scheme has been applied to a set of experimental data taken in a new, larger mixing layer facility designed to minimize boundary and resonance effects. A similar scheme has been developed to apply to the results of a direct numerical simulation of a temporally growing mixing layer. A comparison of the two approaches shows important similarities in the coherent structures. The numerical simulations indicate that low levels of coherent forcing can dramatically change the evolution of the mixing layer. In the absence of such forcing, the numerical simulations and experiments show a lack of regularity in the transverse position, spacing, amplitude, shape and spanwise coherence of the large-scale vortical structures.

Metcalfe, R. W.↗
NASA NTRS1985

Nonlinear aerodynamic wing design

The applicability of new nonlinear theoretical techniques is demonstrated for supersonic wing design. The new technology was utilized to define outboard panels for an existing advanced tactical fighter model. Mach 1.6 maneuver point design and multi-operating point compromise surfaces were developed and tested. High aerodynamic efficiency was achieved at the design conditions. A corollary result was that only modest supersonic penalties were incurred to meet multiple aerodynamic requirements. The nonlinear potential analysis of a practical configuration arrangement correlated well with experimental data.

Bonner, Ellwood↗
NASA NTRS1988

Two biased estimation techniques in linear regression: Application to aircraft

Several ways for detection and assessment of collinearity in measured data are discussed. Because data collinearity usually results in poor least squares estimates, two estimation techniques which can limit a damaging effect of collinearity are presented. These two techniques, the principal components regression and mixed estimation, belong to a class of biased estimation techniques. Detection and assessment of data collinearity and the two biased estimation techniques are demonstrated in two examples using flight test data from longitudinal maneuvers of an experimental aircraft. The eigensystem analysis and parameter variance decomposition appeared to be a promising tool for collinearity evaluation. The biased estimators had far better accuracy than the results from the ordinary least squares technique.

Klein, Vladislav↗
NASA NTRS1989

Scaling effects in the impact response of graphite-epoxy composite beams

In support of crashworthiness studies on composite airframes and substructure, an experimental and analytical study was conducted to characterize size effects in the large deflection response of scale model graphite-epoxy beams subjected to impact. Scale model beams of 1/2, 2/3, 3/4, 5/6, and full scale were constructed of four different laminate stacking sequences including unidirectional, angle ply, cross ply, and quasi-isotropic. The beam specimens were subjected to eccentric axial impact loads which were scaled to provide homologous beam responses. Comparisons of the load and strain time histories between the scale model beams and the prototype should verify the scale law and demonstrate the use of scale model testing for determining impact behavior of composite structures. The nonlinear structural analysis finite element program DYCAST (DYnamic Crash Analysis of STructures) was used to model the beam response. DYCAST analysis predictions of beam strain response are compared to experimental data and the results are presented.

Jackson, Karen E.↗