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At least 145 records · Page 8

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DOE OSTI2016

Characteristics of Axial Power Shape and Flow Field at Low Flow Condition

The representative event which experiences the low flow condition is SLB (Steam Line Break) event. During the SLB event with LOOP (Loss of Offsite Power), the reactor core is tripped and all RCPs (Reactor Coolant Pump) are stopped. The biggest worth control rod also stuck out. As a result, the flow rate and pressure in reactor core decrease and the peaking factor is relatively high compared to a nominal operating condition. In this paper, we study the tendency of the core axial power distribution and flow field with respect to the core average power at the SLB accident condition. Generally, the condition has been analyzed using the neutronics code with one dimensional flow result of the assemblies. However, if the core average power increases, the coolant density in the hot channel decreases and mass flux increases. The assumption that the mass flux is constant at the one dimensional analysis is incorrect. Hence, it is needed to couple the neutronics code and the subchannel analysis code in order to give feedback to neutronics code with the 3-D flow information. In this study, we coupled the nuclear design code and the subchannel analysis code and showed the characteristics of the axial power distribution and the flow field at the low flow condition. Since there is no experimental data at the condition, the characteristics of the power distribution and flow field were analyzed to understand the physical phenomena. (authors)

22 GENERAL STUDIES OF NUCLEAR REACTORS↗

DOE OSTI2017

The Flow Visualization for the Separation of Air-water Bubbly Two-phase Flow Through a Vertical T-junction

T-junction is a typical structure in many industrial systems such as power plants, chemical process, and hydrocarbon production industries. The separation of two-phase flow passing through T-junction is a common flow phenomenon. There are lots of investigations regarding two-phase flow separation in branching tees and wyes tees. The characteristic of the two-phase flow between the two outlets are always non-uniform, and this kind of fluid status may contribute to the unpredictable damage of downstream facilities. For the nuclear power plants, severe accidents analysis is important especially for Light-Water Reactors (LWR) when Loss of Coolant Accident (LOCA) occurs. The small break of the pipe may cause the coolant become two-phase flow due to the pressure drop. Under certain conditions, the behavior of T-junction is similar to a gas-liquid separator, as a result of the gas enters the side arm and the liquid flows straight along the run arm. The partial separation of gas-liquid mixtures can reduce the load on the main separator, probably leading to smaller units. The study aims to establish complete visual observations for the benchmark of Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) model. As a consequence, a vertical T-junction (D = 26 mm) experimental loop was set up for the purpose of elaborating the complex two-phase fluid phenomena. In this experiment, variables were manipulated under highly controlled conditions and a photographic method was proposed to analyze the images of phase separation. Furthermore, the images obtained by camera have been discussed to receive valuable information about the two phase flow behavior around the T-junction.

22 GENERAL STUDIES OF NUCLEAR REACTORS↗

DOE OSTI2022

Flow structures of the cross-flow over a five-layer helically coiled steam generator geometry

The helically-coiled heat exchanger (HCSG) offers advantages over straight tubes such as compactness in geometry, increased heat transfer coefficients, and capability to absorb thermal expansion. In this study, the time-resolved velocity field data of shell-side crossflow over a five-layer helically coiled steam generator geometry was obtained using Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV) between adjacent rods in four regions with up to 5000 frames per second (5 kHz) at approximately Re u = 3600. The slant rod bundle created different flow patterns in different regions. Proper Orthogonal Decomposition (POD) revealed high-energy-mode flow structures. Due to the confined flow channel geometry, the large flow structures were not advected resulting in no strong POD mode paring. Continuous Wavelet Transform (CWT) visualized the characteristics of flow fluctuation in time and frequency domain simultaneously, which ranged in Strouhal number, S u , between 0.03 and 1.17. In the wake regions of the rods, flows changed in both pattern and magnitude over time. Once a pattern formed, it continued for relatively shorter than straight tube arrays, before changing the pattern again. The histograms of the POD time coefficients presented this multimodal flow characteristics. The current study focuses more on whole flow field analyses in the selected regions rather than local point-wise analyses. Finally, this study revealed that various Strouhal numbers can exist in the helically coiled heat exchanger geometry, which was not observed in straight tube arrays. In particular, Strouhal numbers smaller than 0.1 do not seem to be caused by vortex shedding but seem to be the result of the combination of complex geometry and possible multimodal trends. Based on the current observation, further works would involve intensive instantaneous point-wise analyses on the interactions between important locations such as separation points, stagnation points, shear layers, etc.

42 ENGINEERING↗

DOE OSTI2022

Unstable turbulent channel flow response to spanwise-heterogeneous heat fluxes: Prandtl's secondary flow of the third kind

Turbulent secondary flows are defined as Prandtl's secondary flow of the first or second kind, the former produced by stretching and/or tilting of vorticity, the latter produced via spatial heterogeneity of Reynolds stresses. Both mechanisms are instantaneously active within inertia-dominated wall turbulence; Reynolds stress spatial heterogeneity is required for Reynolds-averaged secondary flows. Spanwise-variable surface roughness can induce turbulent stress spatial heterogeneity in the spanwise–wall-normal plane and provide sustenance for streamwise-aligned mean secondary flows. Herein, we demonstrate that turbulent secondary flows can also be sustained by spanwise variability in the surface heat flux in unstably stratified turbulent channels, defined hereafter as Prandtl's secondary flow of the third kind. Support for this mechanism is established with scaling arguments, while large-eddy simulation is used to model inertia-dominated channel turbulence responding to a lower boundary with uniform aerodynamic/hydrodynamic roughness but spanwise-variable surface heat flux. Transport equations for streamwise vorticity and turbulent kinetic energy, k, outline the conditions needed for third-kind production: shear and buoyancy production over the elevated heat flux regions necessitates lateral entrainment of low- k fluid, inducing mean counter-rotating secondary cells aligned such that upwelling and downwelling occur over the high and low heat flux regions, respectively. Buoyancy-driven production of k alters aggregate flow response and thus is a distinctly different mechanism responsible for sustenance of secondary flows.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗

DOE OSTI2023

Uniform momentum and temperature zones in unstably stratified turbulent flows

Wall-bounded turbulent flows exhibit a zonal arrangement, in which streamwise velocity organizes into uniform momentum zones (UMZs), separated by thin layers of elevated interfacial shear. While significant research efforts have focused on these structural features in neutrally stratified flows, the effects of unstable thermal stratification on UMZs and on analogous uniform temperature zones (UTZs) have not been considered previously. In this article, statistical properties of UMZs and UTZs are investigated using a suite of large eddy simulations of unstably stratified turbulent channel flow spanning weakly to highly convective conditions. When normalized by the friction velocity and stability-dependent mixing length, the mean velocity gradient based on UMZ interfacial velocity jumps and the vorticity thickness exhibits good collapse for all stabilities, establishing a link between UMZ properties and scaling predictions from Monin–Obukhov similarity theory. A similar relationship is found between UTZ properties and surface-layer scaling of the mean temperature gradient. In the mixed layer, mean UMZ depth is quasi-constant with wall-normal distance, while the deepest UTZs are found in the centre of the boundary layer. These instantaneous structures are found to be linked to the well-mixed velocity and temperature profiles in the convective mixed layer. Conditional averaging indicates that both UMZ and UTZ interfaces are associated with ejections of momentum and warm updrafts below the interface and sweeps of momentum and cool downdrafts above the interface. These results demonstrate a tangible connection between instantaneous structural features, mean properties and scaling laws in unstably stratified flows.

Mechanics↗

DOE OSTI2024

Beyond conventional batteries: a review on semi-solid and redox targeting flow batteries-LiFePO{sub 4} as a case study.

Clean and sustainable energy is becoming increasingly crucial to tackle the current energy crisis. However, the intermittent nature of renewable energy sources presents a challenge for their effective implementation. Redox flow batteries (RFBs) have emerged as a promising solution to this problem, as they can help enhance the stability of grid networks and promote the use of renewable energy sources. RFBs are highly modular and scalable systems that can be customized to meet the power and energy requirements of different renewable energy plants. Moreover, they offer several advantages over conventional battery technologies, including cost and safety concerns. However, conventional RFBs have limited energy densities due to the low solubility of their active species in electrolyte. To overcome this limitation, semi-solid (SSRFBs) and redox targeting (RTFBs) flow batteries have been proposed. These systems feature high concentrations of active species and impressive energy densities, making them highly attractive for renewable energy applications. LiFePO4 (LFP) is a highly promising active material for semi-solid and targeting flow batteries. One of the key advantages of LFP is its low raw materials cost, as it is composed of Earth-abundant elements such as iron and phosphorus. This makes it an attractive option for large-scale battery production. The recent developments in SSRFBs and RTFBs using LFP as catholyte hold great promise for the future of sustainable energy storage. The combination of LFP's low cost, safety, durability, and high energy density with the modularity and scalability of flow battery systems make for a compelling solution to the challenges of intermittent renewable energy sources. Ongoing research and development in this area will likely yield even further improvements in the performance and efficiency of LFP-based flow batteries, opening exciting new possibilities for sustainable energy storage.

El Halya, Nabil↗

DOE OSTI2016

Asymptotic behavior of the mixed mass in Rayleigh–Taylor and Richtmyer–Meshkov instability induced flows

Rayleigh–Taylor instability (RTI) and Richtmyer–Meshkov instability (RMI) are serious practical issues in inertial confinement fusion research, and also have relevance to many cases of astrophysical fluid dynamics. So far, much of the attention has been paid to the late-time scaling of the mixed width, which is used as a surrogate to how well the fluids have been mixed. Yet, the actual amount of mixed mass could be viewed as a more direct indicator on the evolution of the mixing layers due to hydrodynamic instabilities. Despite its importance, there is no systematic study as yet on the scaling of the mixed mass for either the RTI or the RMI induced flow. In this article, the normalized mixed mass (Ψ) is introduced for measuring the efficiency of the mixed mass. Six large numerical simulation databases have been employed: the RTI cases with heavy-to-light fluid density ratios of 1.5, 3, and 9; the single shock RMI cases with density ratios of 3 and 20; and a reshock RMI case with density ratio of 3. Using simulated flow fields, the normalized mixed mass Ψ is shown to be more sensitive in discriminating the variation with Atwood number for the RTI flows. Moreover, Ψ is demonstrated to provide more consistent results for both the RTI and RMI flows when compared with the traditional mixedness parameters, Ξ and Θ.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗

DOE OSTI2020

Viscous flow properties and hydrodynamic diameter of phenothiazine-based redox-active molecules in different supporting salt environments

We report viscous flow properties of a redox-active organic molecule, N-(2-(2-methoxyethoxy)ethyl)phenothiazine (MEEPT), a candidate for non-aqueous redox flow batteries, and two of its radical cation salts. A microfluidic viscometer enabled the use of small sample volumes in determining viscosity as a function of shear rate and concentration in the non-aqueous solvent, acetonitrile, both with and without supporting salts. All solutions tested show Newtonian behavior over shear rates of up to 30 000 s−1, which was rationalized by scaling arguments for the diffusion-based relaxation time of a single MEEPT molecule without aggregation. Neat MEEPT is flowable but with a large viscosity (412 mPa⋅s at room temperature), which is ∼1000 times larger than that of acetonitrile. MEEPT solutions in acetonitrile have low viscosities; at concentrations up to 0.5 M, the viscosity increases by less than a factor of two. From concentration-dependent viscosity measurements, molecular information was inferred from intrinsic viscosity (hydrodynamic diameter) and the Huggins coefficient (interactions). Model fit credibility was assessed using the Bayesian Information Criterion. It is found that the MEEPT and its charged cations are “flowable” and do not flocculate at concentrations up to 0.5 M. MEEPT has a hydrodynamic diameter of around 8.5 Å, which is almost insensitive to supporting salt and state of charge. This size is comparable to molecular dimensions of single molecules obtained from optimized structures using density functional theory calculations. The results suggest that MEEPT is a promising candidate for redox flow batteries in terms of its viscous flow properties.

Wang, Yilin (ORCID:0000000316102995)↗

DOE OSTI2019

A Leray regularized ensemble-proper orthogonal decomposition method for parameterized convection-dominated flows

Abstract Partial differential equations (PDEs) are often dependent on input quantities that are uncertain. To quantify this uncertainty PDEs must be solved over a large ensemble of parameters. Even for a single realization this can be a computationally intensive process. In the case of flows governed by the Navier–Stokes equations, an efficient method has been devised for computing an ensemble of solutions. To further reduce the computational cost of this method, an ensemble-proper orthogonal decomposition (POD) method was recently proposed. The main contribution of this work is the introduction of POD spatial filtering for ensemble-POD methods. The POD spatial filter makes possible the construction of the Leray ensemble-POD model, which is a regularized-reduced order model for the numerical simulation of convection-dominated flows of moderate Reynolds number. The Leray ensemble-POD model employs the POD spatial filter to smooth (regularize) the convection term in the Navier–Stokes equations, and diminishes the numerical inaccuracies produced by the ensemble-POD method in the numerical simulation of convection-dominated flows. Specifically, for the numerical simulation of a convection-dominated two-dimensional flow between two offset cylinders, we show that the Leray ensemble-POD method better reflects the dynamics of the benchmark results than the ensemble-POD scheme. The second contribution of this work is a new numerical discretization of the variable viscosity ensemble algorithm in which the average viscosity is replaced with the maximum viscosity. It is shown that this new numerical discretization is significantly more stable than those in current use. Furthermore, error estimates for the novel Leray ensemble-POD algorithm with this new numerical discretization are also proven.

Mathematics↗

DOE OSTI2021

Convex Optimization of Integrated Power-Gas Energy Flow Model With Applications to Probabilistic Energy Flow

Energy flow calculation is a fundamental problem of the integrated power and gas system (IPGS) operation and planning. However, the nonlinear gas flow model introduces major challenges to the energy flow calculation. In this paper, we propose a tractably convex optimization model to solve the energy flow problem in IPGSs. It is demonstrated that the proposed optimization model has the same optimal solution as the original nonlinear steady energy flow model. Also, piecewise linearization is adopted to tightly linearize the nonlinear objective function of the model, which transforms the formulated convex optimization into a linear program one. Thus, the computation complexity of the proposed energy flow model is significantly reduced as compared with the existing methods. In addition, the proposed model can be extended to probabilistic energy flow estimation. Extensive case studies are conducted to validate the effectiveness of the proposed energy flow model using three IPGSs.

42 ENGINEERING↗

DOE OSTI2020

Characterizing NWP Model Errors Using Doppler-Lidar Measurements of Recurrent Regional Diurnal Flows: Marine-Air Intrusions into the Columbia-River Basin

Ground-based Doppler-lidar instrumentation provides atmospheric wind data at dramatically improved accuracies and spatial/temporal resolutions. These capabilities have provided new insights into atmospheric flow phenomena, but they also should have a strong role in NWP model improvement. Insight into the nature of model errors can be gained by studying recurrent atmospheric flows, here a regional summertime diurnal sea breeze and subsequent marine-air intrusion into the arid interior of Oregon-Washington, where these winds are an important windenergy resource. These marine intrusions were sampled by three scanning Doppler lidars in the Columbia-River Basin as part of the Second Wind Forecast Improvement Project (WFIP2), using data from summer 2016. Lidar time-height cross sections of wind speed identified eight days when the diurnal-flow cycle, (peak wind speeds at midnight, afternoon minima) was obvious and strong. Eight-day composite time-height cross sections of lidar wind speeds are used to validate those generated by the operational NCEP-HRRR model. HRRR simulated the diurnal wind cycle, but produced errors in the timing of onset and significant errors due to a premature nighttime demise of the intrusion flow, producing low-bias errors of 6 m s-1 . Day-to-day and in the composite, whenever a marine intrusion occurred, HRRR made these same errors. The errors occurred under a range of gradient wind conditions indicating that they resulted from the misrepresentation of physical processes within a limited region around the measurement locations. Because of their generation within a limited geographical area, field-measurement programs can be designed to find and address the sources of these NWP errors.

Banta, Robert M.↗

DOE OSTI2018

Evaluation of flow and heat transfer inside lean pre-mixed combustor systems under reacting flow conditions

The objective of the present work was to develop methodologies to measure heat transfer within a reacting gas turbine combustor. To accomplish this, an optically accessible research combustor system was designed and constructed at Virginia Tech, capable of operating at 650 K inlet temperature, maximum air mass flow rates of 1.3 kg/s, and flame temperatures over 1800 K. Flow and heat transfer measurements at non-reacting and reacting conditions were carried out for Reynolds numbers (Re) with respect to the combustor diameter ranging from ~11 500 to ~140 000 (depending on the condition). Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV) was used to measure the non-reacting flow field within the burner, leading to the identification of coherent structures in the flow that accounted for over 30% of the flow fluctuation kinetic energy along the swirling jet shear layers. The capability of infrared (IR) thermography to image surface temperatures through a fused silica (quartz) glass was demonstrated at non-reacting conditions. IR thermography was then used to measure the non-reacting steady state heat transfer along the combustor liner. A peak in heat transfer was identified at ~1 nozzle diameter downstream of the combustor dome plate. The peak Nusselt number along the liner was over 18 times higher than that predicted from fully developed turbulent pipe flow correlations, which have traditionally been used to estimate flame side combustor heat transfer. For the reacting measurements, a novel time-dependent heat transfer methodology was developed that allowed for the investigation of transient heat loads, including those occurring during engine ignition and shutdown. The methodology was validated at non-reacting conditions, by comparing results from an experiment with changing flow temperature, to the results obtained at steady state. The difference between the time-dependent and the steady state measurements were between 3% and 17.3% for different mass flow conditions. The time-dependent methodology was applied to reacting conditions for combustor Reynolds numbers of ~12 000 and ~24 000. At an equivalence ratio of ~0.5 and a combustor Reynolds number of ~12 000, the peak heat load location in reaction was shifted downstream by 0.2 nozzle diameters compared to the non-reacting cases. At higher equivalence ratios, and more visibly at a Reynolds number of ~24 000, the heat transfer distribution along the combustor liner exhibited two peaks, upstream and downstream of the impingement location (X/DN = 0.8-1.0 and X/DN ≈ 2.5). Reacting PIV was performed at Re = 12 000 showing the presence of a strong corner recirculation, which could potentially convect reactants upstream of the impingement point, leading to the double peak structure observed. The methodologies developed have provided insight into heat transfer within gas turbine combustors. The methods can be used to explore additional conditions and expand the dataset beyond what is presented, to fully characterize reacting combustor heat transfer.

42 ENGINEERING↗

NASA NTRS1976

Flow visualization in long neck Helmholtz resonators with grazing flow

Both oscillating and steady flows were applied to a single plexiglass resonator cavity with colored dyes injected in both the orifice and grazing flow field to record the motion of the fluid. For oscillatory flow, the instantaneous dye streamlines were similar for both the short and long-neck orifices. The orifice flow blockage appears to be independent of orifice length for a fixed amplitude of flow oscillation and magnitude of the grazing flow. The steady flow dye studies showed that the acoustic and steady flow resistances do not necessarily correspond for long neck orifices.

Baumeister, K. J.↗

NASA NTRS1976

Flow visualization in long neck Helmholtz resonators with grazing flow

Baumeister, K. J.↗

NASA NTRS1980

Analytical and experimental study of mean flow and turbulence characteristics inside the passages of an axial flow inducer

The inviscid and viscid effects existing within the passages of a three bladed axial flow inducer operating at a flow coefficient of 0.065 are investigated. The blade static pressure and blade limiting streamline angle distributions were determined and the three components of mean velocity, turbulence intensities, and turbulence stresses were measured at locations inside the inducer blade passage utilizing a rotating three sensor hotwire probe. Applicable equations were derived for the hotwire data reduction analysis and solved numerically to obtain the appropriate flow parameters. The three dimensional inviscid flow in the inducer was predicted by numerically solving the exact equations of motion, and the three dimensional viscid flow was predicted by incorporating the dominant viscous terms into the exact equations. The analytical results are compared with the experimental measurements and design values where appropriate. Radial velocities are found to be of the same order as axial velocities within the inducer passage, confirming the highly three dimensional characteristic of inducer flow. Total relative velocity distribution indicate a substantial velocity deficiency near the tip at mid-passage which expands significantly as the flow proceeds toward the inducer trailing edge. High turbulence intensities and turbulence stresses are concentrated within this core region. Considerable wake diffusion occurs immediately downstream of the inducer trailing edge to decay this loss core. Evidence of boundary layer interactions, blade blockage effects, radially inward flows, annulus wall effects, and backflows are all found to exist within the long, narrow passages of the inducer.

Gorton, C. A.↗

NASA NTRS1984

Dynamics of lava flow - Thickness growth characteristics of steady two-dimensional flow

The thickness growth characteristics of flowing lava are investigated using a heat balance model and a two-dimensional model for flow of a Bingham plastic fluid down an inclined plane. It is found that yield strength plays a crucial role in the thickening of a lava flow of given flow rate. To illustrate this point, downstream thickness profiles and yield strength distributions were calculated for flows with mass flow rates of 10,000 and 100,000 kg/m-sec. Higher flow rates led to slow cooling rates which resulted in slow rate of increase of yield strength and thus greater flow lengths.

Park, S.↗

NASA NTRS1988

Compressibility effects on flow friction in a fully developed pipe flow

A method was evolved to account for the effects of compressibility in flows through long circular pipes of uniform diameter. Velocity and density variations across the flow cross section were approximated by profile shapes recommended for a flow past flat plates. The wall of the pipe was assumed to have attained an adiabatic condition. An integral method was used to obtain solutions for the governing equations of flow. The method was then used to analyze the detailed pressure measurements made in a long pipe for flow of air at different flow rate settings. Flow friction values derived from these pressure measurements were compared with the standard incompressible pipe flow data available in existing literature.

Murthy, Sreedhara V.↗

NASA NTRS1991

Low Flow Vortex Shedding Flow Meter for Hypergolics/all Media

A family of vortex shedding flow meters, for measurement of hypergol flows, was designed and fabricated. The test loops to evaluate the flow meters for water flow, as well as Freon -113 flow which simulates the hypergolic fluids, were modified and constructed to utilize a pump system which has an output capacity of 200 gpm. Test runs were conducted on the small 1/2 inch model with Freon 113 and on the larger models with water. Results showed that the linearity between the frequency of the vortices and the flow rate of the fluids was very close to that of the turbine flow meter. It is suggested that the vortex shedding flow meter is a possible replacement for the existing turbine type.

Thinh, Ngo Dinh↗