Search NASA⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search NASA

Results for “Gas dynamics”

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.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 145 records · Page 8

Particle-Gas Dynamics in the Midplane of a Protoplanetary Nebula

In this paper, we study the stage of planetary formation during which the particulate material is still dispersed as centimeter-to-meter sized primordial aggregates. During this stage, particles are able to settle toward the midplane into a layer of mass density comparable to or much greater than that of the gas. Nonlinear, coupled interactions between the particles and the nebula gas become significant and ultimately determine the vertical profiles of the particle density and the mean velocities of the particles and the nearby gas. This is the environment in which the earliest planetesimals probably form. Our numerical models rely on the Reynolds averaged Navier-Stokes equations for the gas and particles and are fully viscous and turbulent (and, for the particles. compressible). Our turbulence modeling uses a Prandtl local shear parametrization, validated by laboratory experiments. We have developed a new model for particle diffusion involving the profile of the nebula gas turbulence and the particle Schmidt number, which is a function of particle size and density. We model a cool, quiescent nebula at 1 AU (280 K) and 10 AU (90 K) and a higher temperature stage (1000 K) at 1 AU. Our main results include: (a) rapid accretion of planetesimals by gravitationally unstable fragmentation on an orbital time scale (the 'Goldreich-Ward instability') is unlikely to occur until objects have already accreted by some other process to the mass of the largest known meteorite samples, if at all; (b) from 'seeds' as small as 10 m, growth of 10- to 100-km planetesimals can proceed rapidly by drift-augmented accretion in the particle-rich midplane with orbital decay of about 1% for the growing planetesimals; (c) outward transport of vapor and small entrained chips can account for significant radial compositional and mineralogical mixing in primitive meteorite parent bodies. Other implications may be drawn concerning particle random collisional velocities and the time scales of midplane turbulence.

Cuzzi, Jeffrey N.↗

Gas dynamics, accretion, and evolution of Algols: Initial results for three representative systems

IUE (International Ultraviolet Explorer) observations were made around the orbits of three Algol-type binaries: R Arae, U Cephei and Algol. These stars were selected to represent, respectively, the rapid, moderate and slow phases of mass transfer and mass loss in Algols. The data was obtained to derive maps of gas flow and mass loss, to study accretion processes and kinetic heating, and to investigate the importance of magnetic fields in these systems. Continuous observations were made from GSFC and VILSPA over 4 1/3 consecutive days during 10 to 14 Sep. 1989. A total of 100 spectra are obtained. This is the first time that Algol systems are observed continuously over their orbits with IUE. Initial results from this program are discussed.

Gimenez, A.↗

Application of the methods of gas dynamics to water flows with free surface I : flows with no energy dissipation

The application is treated in sufficient detail to facilitate as much as possible its application by the engineer who is less familiar with the subject. The present work was undertaken with two objects in view. In the first place, it is considered as a contribution to the water analogy of gas flows, and secondly, a large portion is devoted to the general theory of the two-dimensional supersonic flows.

Preiswerk, Ernst↗

A generalized computer code for developing dynamic gas turbine engine models (DIGTEM)

This paper describes DIGTEM (digital turbofan engine model), a computer program that simulates two spool, two stream (turbofan) engines. DIGTEM was developed to support the development of a real time multiprocessor based engine simulator being designed at the Lewis Research Center. The turbofan engine model in DIGTEM contains steady state performance maps for all the components and has control volumes where continuity and energy balances are maintained. Rotor dynamics and duct momentum dynamics are also included. DIGTEM features an implicit integration scheme for integrating stiff systems and trims the model equations to match a prescribed design point by calculating correction coefficients that balance out the dynamic equations. It uses the same coefficients at off design points and iterates to a balanced engine condition. Transients are generated by defining the engine inputs as functions of time in a user written subroutine (TMRSP). Closed loop controls can also be simulated. DIGTEM is generalized in the aerothermodynamic treatment of components. This feature, along with DIGTEM's trimming at a design point, make it a very useful tool for developing a model of a specific turbofan engine.

Daniele, C. J.↗

A generalized computer code for developing dynamic gas turbine engine models (DIGTEM)

This paper describes DIGTEM (digital turbofan engine model), a computer program that simulates two spool, two stream (turbofan) engines. DIGTEM was developed to support the development of a real time multiprocessor based engine simulator being designed at the Lewis Research Center. The turbofan engine model in DIGTEM contains steady state performance maps for all the components and has control volumes where continuity and energy balances are maintained. Rotor dynamics and duct momentum dynamics are also included. DIGTEM features an implicit integration scheme for integrating stiff systems and trims the model equations to match a prescribed design point by calculating correction coefficients that balance out the dynamic equations. It uses the same coefficients at off design points and iterates to a balanced engine condition. Transients are generated by defining the engine inputs as functions of time in a user written subroutine (TMRSP). Closed loop controls can also be simulated. DIGTEM is generalized in the aerothermodynamic treatment of components. This feature, along with DIGTEM's trimming at a design point, make it a very useful tool for developing a model of a specific turbofan engine.

Daniele, C. J.↗

A comparative study of computational methods in cosmic gas dynamics

Many theoretical investigations of fluid flows in astrophysics require extensive numerical calculations. The selection of an appropriate computational method is, therefore, important for the astronomer who has to solve an astrophysical flow problem. The present investigation has the objective to provide an informational basis for such a selection by comparing a variety of numerical methods with the aid of a test problem. The test problem involves a simple, one-dimensional model of the gas flow in a spiral galaxy. The numerical methods considered include the beam scheme, Godunov's method (G), the second-order flux-splitting method (FS2), MacCormack's method, and the flux corrected transport methods of Boris and Book (1973). It is found that the best second-order method (FS2) outperforms the best first-order method (G) by a huge margin.

Van Albada, G. D.↗

Gas dynamic simulations of galaxy formation

Results are presented from a simulation modeling the formation of a group of galaxies in a 'standard' cold, dark matter universe with delta = 1, h sub 0 = 50 km/(s(Mpc)), baryon fraction omega sub b = 0.1 and spectrum normalization sigma sub 8 = 0.6 (bias parameter b = 1.7). Initial conditions are generated within a periodic box with comoving length 16 Mpc in a manner constrained to produce a small cluster of total mass approximately 10 exp 14 solar mass. Two sets of 643 particles are used to model the dark matter and baryon fluids. Each gas particle represents 1.08 x 10 exp -8 solar mass, implying an L* galaxy is resolved by approximately 1000 particles. The system is evolved self-consistently in three dimensions using the combined N-body/hydrodynamic scheme P3MSPH up to a final redshift z = 1. Evolving to the present is prohibited by the fact that the mean density in the simulated volume is above critical and the entire volume would be going nonlinear beyond this point, We are currently analyzing another run with somewhat poorer mass resolution which was evolved to the present.

Evrard, August E.↗

Investigating Gas Dynamics and Reactions in Supersonic Jets

UF6 is highly reactive and readily hydrolyzes in contact with moisture to form uranyl fluoride (UO2 F2 ) and hydrofluoric acid (HF), however there is disagreement between experimental and computation investigations into the intermediates of the reaction. • As the hydrolysis reaction occurs at very fast time scales, it is difficult to investigate the intermediates and reaction kinetics experimentally. • Previous experiments at SRNL have had some success at halting and studying the UF6 hydrolysis reaction using cryogenic techniques, however isotopic substitution studies limit possible identity of intermediate compounds. • Primary goal of this project is to capture and study reaction intermediates produced during the gas phase hydrolysis of UF6 via supersonic expansion.

Waldron, Abigail M.↗

Gas dynamics in barred spirals - Gaseous density waves and galactic shocks

Steady-state gasdynamical studies, previously limited to tightly wound normal spiral galaxies, are extended to models of barred spirals with a 5% to 10% perturbing potential. The models show that a strong wave manifestation is an important constituent of the bar structure in many barred spirals and that a density-wave shock wave can form a bar structure as pronounced as the narrow bars often evident in optical photographs of barred spirals. The dark narrow dust lanes often observed along the leading edges of bar structures are identified as tracers of shocks, and it is found that strong shocks along a bar structure during even a small part of a galaxy's lifetime might easily deplete a large enough proportion of the gas to cause a lack of gas in the inner annuli encompassing the bar by the time of the present epoch. It is emphasized that even moderate-amplitude barlike perturbations in the disk can drive large noncircular gas motions, typically 50 to 150 km/s.

Roberts, W. W., Jr.↗

Coastal inundation regime moderates the short-term effects of sediment and soil additions on seawater oxygen and greenhouse gas dynamics: a microcosm experiment

The frequency and persistence of tidal inundation varies along the coastal terrestrial-aquatic interface, from frequently inundated wetlands to rarely inundated upland forests. This inundation gradient controls soil and sediment biogeochemistry and influence the exchange of soils and sediments from terrestrial to aquatic domains. Although a rich literature exist on studies of the influence of tidal waters on the biogeochemistry of coastal ecosystem soils, few studies have experimentally addressed the reverse question: How do soils (or sediments) from different coastal ecosystems influence the biogeochemistry of the tidal waters that inundate them? To better understand initial responses of coastal waters that flood coastal wetlands and uplands, we conducted short-term laboratory experiments where seawater was amended with sediments and soils collected across regional gradients of inundation exposure (i.e., frequently to rarely inundated) for 14 sites across the Mid-Atlantic, USA. Measured changes in dissolved oxygen and greenhouse gas concentrations were used to calculate gas consumption or production rates occurring during seawater exposure to terrestrial materials. We also measured soil and water physical and chemical properties to explore potential drivers. We observed higher oxygen consumption rates for seawater incubated with soils/sediments from frequently inundated locations and higher carbon dioxide production for seawater incubated with soils from rarely inundated transect locations. Incubations with soil from rarely inundated sites produced the highest global warming potential, primarily driven by carbon dioxide and secondarily by nitrous oxide. We also found environmental drivers of gas rates varied notably between transect locations. Our findings indicate that seawater responses to soil and sediment inputs across coastal terrestrial-aquatic interfaces exhibit some consistent patterns and high intra- and inter-site variability, suggesting potential biogeochemical feedback loops as inundation regimes shift inland.

coastal inundation↗

Nuclear Gas Dynamics of NGC2110: A Black Hole Offset from the Host Galaxy Mass Center?

It has been suggested that the central regions of many galaxies are unlikely to be in a static steady state, with instabilities caused by sinking satellites, the influence of a supermassive black hole or residuals of galaxy formation, resulting in the nuclear black hole orbiting the galaxy center. The observational signature of such an orbiting black hole is an offset of the active nucleus (AGN) from the kinematic center defined by the galaxy rotation curve. This orbital motion may provide fuel for the AGN, as the hole 'grazes' on the ISM, and bent radio jets, due to the motion of their source. The early type (E/SO) Seyfert galaxy, NGC2210, with its striking twin, 'S'-shaped radio jets, is a unique and valuable test case for the offset-nucleus phenomenon since, despite its remarkably normal rotation curve, its kinematically-measured mass center is displaced both spatially (260 pc) and kinematically (170 km/s) from the active nucleus located in optical and radio studies. However, the central kinematics, where the rotation curve rises most steeply, have been inaccessible with ground-based resolutions. We present new, high resolution WFPC2 imaging and long-slit STIS spectroscopy of the central 300 pc of NGC2110. We discuss the structure and kinematics of gas moving in the galactic potential on subarcsecond scales and the reality of the offset between the black hole and the galaxy mass center.

Mundell, C. G.↗

Integrated model predictions on the impact of substrate damage on gas dynamics during ITER burning-plasma operations

Divertor design and choice of plasma-facing materials (PFM) will be essential to the success of next-generation fusion reactors as they operate under more powerful scenarios. Understanding and controlling interactions between the plasma and PFM is essential to making these choices. Within these plasma–material interactions and especially in tungsten (W), the interplay between the most abundant plasma species (hydrogen isotopes and helium, He) with the wall material alters fuel retention. However, this interplay is yet to be sufficiently understood to confidently project fuel retention levels to future fusion devices. The paper presents a series of integrated simulations of fusion plasmas and their interaction with tungsten. Specifically, this study assesses the impact of He plasma pre-exposure on hydrogenic species retention during 100 s of burning plasma operations (BPO) in ITER. Multiple pre-exposure scenarios are considered, including sub-surface damage resulting from exposures in the linear device PISCES and from early ITER He-operation. The predictions from these consecutive He-BPO exposures show that fuel content and spatial distribution in the material are largely determined by the He-induced damage, as manifest in: (i) changes in surface temperature expected during BPO have little effect on fuel retention in the presence of He-induced damage; (ii) gas content stabilizes quickly in substrates pre-exposed in PISCES, at levels set by the concentration of pre-existing vacancies, while it continues to increase in substrates initially pristine or pre-exposed to ITER He plasmas; (iii) the presence of He and He–V clusters in the near-surface region locally increases hydrogenic retention, but decreases its permeation; this results in hydrogenic species that remain closer to the surface in pre-damaged substrates, while the bulk content is higher for initially pristine cases. In summary, the interaction and binding of D and T with the pre-existing He–V clusters modifies retention and permeation of hydrogen species during ITER BPO.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗

Understanding Photocarrier and Gas Dynamics to Rationally Design Heterostructured Nanocatalysts for Solar CO 2 Conversion

Recent research in CO 2 photocatalysis has largely focused on exploring new catalysts; however, details of how these materials work often remain unclear. Knowledge of these processes will allow one to rationally design highly efficient catalysts for solar CO 2 conversion. This project aims to develop new techniques and establish new capabilities in SRNL to enable the study of photocatalysts and other materials in extreme detail. In FY21, we developed two new in situ techniques that are unique to SRNL, allowing the study of reaction intermediates and adsorbed gases during photocatalysis. We also established new in-house capabilities for catalyst synthesis and transient absorption (TA) spectroscopy, which enables the study of very short-lived excited states on photocatalysts. These capabilities will be used extensively for this project and in other current projects relevant to clean energy technologies such as photovoltaic cells, providing a good return on investment in the coming years.

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗