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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 145 records · Page 8

A novel shallow bore ground heat exchanger for ground source heat pump applications—Model development and validation

A novel ground heat exchanger design, the Underground Thermal Battery (UTB), was proposed as a low-cost alternative to the conventional vertical bore ground heat exchanger (VBGHE) for the application of ground source heat pumps (GSHPs). The UTB is designed to be installed in a shallow borehole (less than 6 m deep) and thus could cost much less than the conventional VBGHE, which usually is installed in vertical bores 60 m deep. By utilizing natural convection of water and phase change materials, the UTB tempers its temperature change in response to thermal loads, which helps improve the efficiency of GSHPs. A one-dimensional (1D) model of the UTB has been developed and validated with the measured performance data of a small-scale UTB, as well as the simulation results of a more detailed three dimensional (3D) numerical model, which accounts for both heat transfer and fluid dynamics in the UTB. Further, this 1D model is computationally much more efficient than the 3D model and thus can simulate the annual performance of the UTB with acceptable computation time. The 1D model has been used to evaluate the performance of the UTB so that it can be compared with the conventional VBGHE.

42 ENGINEERING↗

Characterizing the impact of particle behavior at fracture intersections in three-dimensional discrete fracture networks

We characterize the influence of different intersection mixing rules for particle tracking simulations on transport properties through three-dimensional discrete fracture networks. It is too computationally burdensome to explicitly resolve all fluid dynamics within a large three-dimensional fracture network. In discrete fracture network (DFN) models, mass transport at fracture intersections is modeled as a subgrid scale process based on a local Péclet number. The two most common mass transfer mixing rules are (1) complete mixing, where diffusion dominates mass transfer, and (2) streamline routing, where mass follows pathlines through an intersection. Although it is accepted that mixing rules impact local mass transfer through single intersections, the effect of the mixing rule on transport at the fracture network scale is still unresolved. Through the use of explicit particle tracking simulations, we study transport through a quasi-two-dimensional lattice network and a three-dimensional network whose fracture radii follow a truncated power-law distribution. We find that the impact of the mixing rule is a function of the initial particle injection condition, the heterogeneity of the velocity field, and the geometry of the network. Furthermore, our particle tracking simulations show that the mixing rule can particularly impact concentrations on secondary flow pathways. As a result, we relate these local differences in concentration to reactive transport and show that streamline routing increases the average mixing rate in DFN simulations.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗

Numerical Modeling of Physical Vapor Transport in Contactless Crystal Growth Geometry

Growth from the vapor under conditions of limited contact with the walls of the growth ampoule is beneficial for the quality of the growing crystal due to reduced stress and contamination which may be caused by interactions with the growth container. The technique may be of a particular interest for studies on crystal growth under microgravity conditions: elimination of some factors affecting the crystal quality may make interpretation of space-conducted processes more conclusive and meaningful. For that reason, and as a part of our continuing studies on 'contactless' growth technique, we have developed a computational model of crystal growth process in such system. The theoretical model was built, and simulations were performed using the commercial computational fluid dynamics code, (CFD) ACE. The code uses an implicit finite volume formulation with a gray discrete ordinate method radiation model which accounts for the diffuse absorption and reflection of radiation throughout the furnace. The three-dimensional model computes the heat transfer through the crystal, quartz, and gas both inside and outside the ampoule, and mass transport from the source to the crystal and the sink. The heat transport mechanisms by conduction, natural convection, and radiation, and mass transport by diffusion and convection are modeled simultaneously and include the heat of the phase transition at the solid-vapor interfaces. As the thermal boundary condition, temperature profile along the walls of the furnace is used. For different thermal profiles and furnace and ampoule dimensions, the crystal growth rate and development of the crystal-vapor and source-vapor interfaces (change of the interface shape and location with time) are obtained. Super/under-saturation in the ampoule is determined and critical factors determining the 'contactless' growth conditions are identified and discussed. The relative importance of the ampoule dimensions and geometry, the furnace dimensions and its temperature, and the properties of the grown material are analyzed. The results of the simulations are compared with related experimental results on growth of CdTe, CdZnTe, ZnTe, PbTe, and PbSnTe crystals by this technique.

Palosz, W.↗

An Application of CFD to Guide Forced Boundary-Layer Transition for Low-Speed Tests of a Hybrid Wing-Body Configuration

A hybrid transition trip-dot sizing and placement test technique was developed in support of recent experimental research on a hybrid wing-body configuration under study for the NASA Environmentally Responsible Aviation project. The approach combines traditional methods with Computational Fluid Dynamics. The application had three-dimensional boundary layers that were simulated with either fully turbulent or transitional flow models using established Reynolds-Averaged Navier-Stokes methods. Trip strip effectiveness was verified experimentally using infrared thermography during a low-speed wind tunnel test. Although the work was performed on one specific configuration, the process was based on fundamental flow physics and could be applicable to other configurations.

Luckring, James M.↗

Aeroelastic Modeling of a Nozzle Startup Transient

Lateral nozzle forces are known to cause severe structural damage to any new rocket engine in development during test. While three-dimensional, transient, turbulent, chemically reacting computational fluid dynamics methodology has been demonstrated to capture major side load physics with rigid nozzles, hot-fire tests often show nozzle structure deformation during major side load events, leading to structural damages if structural strengthening measures were not taken. The modeling picture is incomplete without the capability to address the two-way responses between the structure and fluid. The objective of this study is to develop a tightly coupled aeroelastic modeling algorithm by implementing the necessary structural dynamics component into an anchored computational fluid dynamics methodology. The computational fluid dynamics component is based on an unstructured-grid, pressure-based computational fluid dynamics formulation, while the computational structural dynamics component is developed under the framework of modal analysis. Transient aeroelastic nozzle startup analyses at sea level were performed, and the computed transient nozzle fluid-structure interaction physics presented,

Wang, Ten-See↗

Development of an Aeroelastic Modeling Capability for Transient Nozzle Side Load Analysis

Lateral nozzle forces are known to cause severe structural damage to any new rocket engine in development during test. While three-dimensional, transient, turbulent, chemically reacting computational fluid dynamics methodology has been demonstrated to capture major side load physics with rigid nozzles, hot-fire tests often show nozzle structure deformation during major side load events, leading to structural damages if structural strengthening measures were not taken. The modeling picture is incomplete without the capability to address the two-way responses between the structure and fluid. The objective of this study is to develop a coupled aeroelastic modeling capability by implementing the necessary structural dynamics component into an anchored computational fluid dynamics methodology. The computational fluid dynamics component is based on an unstructured-grid, pressure-based computational fluid dynamics formulation, while the computational structural dynamics component is developed in the framework of modal analysis. Transient aeroelastic nozzle startup analyses of the Block I Space Shuttle Main Engine at sea level were performed. The computed results from the aeroelastic nozzle modeling are presented.

Wang, Ten-See↗

Development of an Aeroelastic Modeling Capability for Transient Nozzle Side Load Analysis

Lateral nozzle forces are known to cause severe structural damage to any new rocket engine in development during test. While three-dimensional, transient, turbulent, chemically reacting computational fluid dynamics methodology has been demonstrated to capture major side load physics with rigid nozzles, hot-fire tests often show nozzle structure deformation during major side load events, leading to structural damages if structural strengthening measures were not taken. The modeling picture is incomplete without the capability to address the two-way responses between the structure and fluid. The objective of this study is to develop a coupled aeroelastic modeling capability by implementing the necessary structural dynamics component into an anchored computational fluid dynamics methodology. The computational fluid dynamics component is based on an unstructured-grid, pressure-based computational fluid dynamics formulation, while the computational structural dynamics component is developed in the framework of modal analysis. Transient aeroelastic nozzle startup analyses of the Block I Space Shuttle Main Engine at sea level were performed. The computed results from the aeroelastic nozzle modeling are presented.

Wang, Ten-See↗

A simplified model for dynamics of cell rolling and cell-surface adhesion

We propose a three dimensional model for the adhesion and rolling of biological cells on surfaces. We study cells moving in shear flow above a wall to which they can adhere via specific receptor-ligand bonds based on receptors from selectin as well as integrin family. The computational fluid dynamics are governed by the lattice-Boltzmann method. The movement and the deformation of the cells is described by the immersed boundary method. Both methods are fully coupled by implementing a two-way fluid-structure interaction. The adhesion mechanism is modelled by adhesive bonds including stochastic rules for their creation and rupture. We explore a simplified model with dissociation rate independent of the length of the bonds. We demonstrate that this model is able to resemble the mesoscopic properties, such as velocity of rolling cells.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗

Transonic Investigation of Two-Dimensional Nozzles Designed for Supersonic Cruise

An experimental and computational investigation has been conducted to determine the off-design uninstalled drag characteristics a of a two-dimensional convergent-divergent nozzle designed for a supersonic cruise civil transport. The main objective of this investigation was to determine the effects of varying nozzle external flap curvature and sidewall boattail angle and curvature on nozzle drag The experimental investigation was conducted in the Langley 16-Foot Transonic Tunnel at Mach numbers from 0.80 to 1.20 at nozzle pressure ratios up to nine. Three-dimensional simulations of nozzle performance were obtained with the computational fluid dynamics code PAB using turbulence closure and nonlinear Reynolds stress modeling. The results of this investigation indicate that excellent correlation between experimental and predicted results was obtained for the nozzle with a moderate amount of boattail curvature. The nozzle with an external flap having a sharp shoulder (no curvature) had the lowest nozzle pressure drag. At a Mach number of 1.2, sidewall pressure drag doubled as sidewall boattail angle was increased from 4 to 8 deg. Reducing the height of the sidewall caused large decreases in both the sidewall and flap pressure drags.

Capone, Francis J.↗

Transonic Investigation of Two-Dimensional Nozzles Designed for Supersonic Cruise

An experimental and computational investigation has been conducted to determine the off-design uninstalled drag characteristics of a two-dimensional convergent-divergent nozzle designed for a supersonic cruise civil transport. The overall objectives were to: (1) determine the effects of nozzle external flap curvature and sidewall boattail variations on boattail drag; (2) develop an experimental data base for 2D nozzles with long divergent flaps and small boattail angles and (3) provide data for correlating computational fluid dynamic predictions of nozzle boattail drag. The experimental investigation was conducted in the Langley 16-Foot Transonic Tunnel at Mach numbers from 0.80 to 1.20 at nozzle pressure ratios up to 9. Three-dimensional simulations of nozzle performance were obtained with the computational fluid dynamics code PAB3D using turbulence closure and nonlinear Reynolds stress modeling. The results of this investigation indicate that excellent correlation between experimental and predicted results was obtained for the nozzle with a moderate amount of boattail curvature. The nozzle with an external flap having a sharp shoulder (no curvature) had the lowest nozzle pressure drag. At a Mach number of 1.2, sidewall pressure drag doubled as sidewall boattail angle was increased from 4deg to 8deg. Reducing the height of the sidewall caused large decreases in both the sidewall and flap pressure drags. Summary

Capone, Francis J.↗

Assessment of Thermal Stratification in Versatile Test Reactor Transients

The Versatile Test Reactor (VTR) is a fast-spectrum test reactor currently being developed in the United States under the direction of the US Department of Energy. The conceptual design of the 300 MWth pool-type sodium-cooled fast reactor (SFR) has been led by the US National Laboratories in collaboration with General Electric-Hitachi and Bechtel National Inc. Safety performance analysis for the VTR conceptual design is being performed with the systems thermal-hydraulics (SYSTH) module of the SAS4A/SASSYS-1 liquid-metal reactor safety analysis code system. Since the current model of the VTR employs a simple perfect mixing model for large plena like the hot pool, it is not able to predict temperature variations that may develop during the transient. Prior work simulating the response of SFRs to postulated events like the Protected Station Blackout (PSBO) has shown that the phenomenon of thermal stratification, where stable thermal layers accumulate in the hot pool, may delay the transition to natural circulation and thus impact the predicted transient progression. Thus, an effort has begun to model this transient by integrating a Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) model of the hot pool into the SAS4A/SASSYS-1 model of the Primary Heat Transport System during the simulation of the PSBO event. A three-dimensional Volume-Of-Fluid CFD model of the VTR hot pool has been developed for the co-simulation of SAS4A/SASSYS-1 with CFD. In this work, the standalone SAS4A/SASSYS-1 calculation and the standalone CFD calculation based on the SAS4A/SASSYS-1 calculation result were produced on the Idaho National Laboratory High Performance Computing cluster, SAWTOOTH. At this time, only the standalone CFD and SAS4A/SASYS-1 simulation results are provided.

99 GENERAL AND MISCELLANEOUS↗

PAGOSA Theory Manual

PAGOSA is a computational fluid dynamics program developed at LANL for the study of high-speed compressible flow and high-rate material deformation. PAGOSA is a three-dimensional Eulerian finite-difference code, solving problems with a wide variety of EOS, material strength, and explosive modeling options. This document presents the finite difference equations that are used in the PAGOSA continuum mechanics computer code. This program is especially intended to be used for the numerical simulation of the interactions of gases, fluids, and solids.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Terminal Sinking Velocity for Waste Packages Falling in a Deep Borehole - 17063

This evaluation of terminal velocity for a waste package sinking in a deep borehole filled with emplacement fluid was done to support concept development for the Deep Borehole Field Test (DBFT). The DBFT objective is to evaluate the safety and feasibility of the deep borehole disposal (DBD) concept for certain radioactive wastes. The DBD concept calls for emplacing waste packages in the lower 2 km of a borehole drilled into crystalline basement rock to a depth of 5 km. Previous studies identified that accidentally dropping one or more waste packages during emplacement could be an important risk, particularly if a waste package is breached. This study evaluated the range of terminal sinking velocity, which can be used to design waste packages and impact limiters to ensure that breach does not occur. Based on an analytical model of a sinking container, a highly turbulent flow is expected to develop in the emplacement fluid. Turbulence is a complex three-dimensional phenomenon and the applicability of analytical models is limited. To backstop the analytical model and to extend predictions to other package dimensions and fluid properties, numerical simulation was performed using the ANSYS Fluent computational fluid dynamics code. Terminal velocity was calculated for downhole temperatures up to 1200 C, and three emplacement fluids (water, NaCl brine, and NaBr brine). Simulation results confirmed that flow around the sinking container is highly turbulent (Reynolds number 5.6 x 10{sup 4} to 7.3 x 10{sup 5}). Turbulence increases with temperature and decreases with density. Calculated terminal velocity ranges from 1.95 (200 C) to 2.13 m/s (1200 C) in water; 1.61 (200 C) to 1.79 m/s (1200 C) in NaCl; and 1.30 (200 C) to 1.46 m/s (1200 C) in NaBr. Terminal velocity is inversely related to fluid density, and the temperature effect on density appears to have a stronger effect on terminal velocity than the temperature effect on viscosity. The foregoing results are for non-perforated casing, but in practice the casing may be perforated to prepare for cementing, and to allow relief of fluid pressure from thermal expansion after emplacement of heat generating waste, and after final borehole closure. To represent the effect from perforations, the analytical solution was modified to include bypass flow through perforations and in the annulus. A workable perforation scheme is identified, consistent with borehole construction and closure requirements, using 2-cm and 5-cm diameter perforations. This scheme is estimated to limit the terminal velocity to 3 m/s, for reference waste packages falling in water at 400 C. (authors)

12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE W↗

Quantitative characterization of a nonreacting, supersonic combustor flowfield using unified, laser-induced iodine fluorescence

A calibrated, nonintrusive optical technique, laser-induced iodine fluorescence (LIIF) was used to quantify the steady, compressible flowfield of a nonreacting, supersonic combustor. The combustor was configured with single and staged, transverse-air injection into a supersonic-air freestream behind a rearward-facing step. Pressure, temperature, two-velocity components, and injectant mole fraction were measured with high spatial resolution in the three-dimensional flowfields. These experimental results provide a benchmark set of data for validation of computational fluid dynamic (CFD) codes being developed to model supersonic combustor flowfields.

Fletcher, D. G.↗

Skin-Friction Measurements in a 3-D, Supersonic Shock-Wave/Boundary-Layer Interaction

The experimental documentation of a three-dimensional shock-wave/boundary-layer interaction in a nominal Mach 3 cylinder, aligned with the free-stream flow, and 20 deg. half-angle conical flare offset 1.27 cm from the cylinder centerline. Surface oil flow, laser light sheet illumination, and schlieren were used to document the flow topology. The data includes surface-pressure and skin-friction measurements. A laser interferometric skin friction data. Included in the skin-friction data are measurements within separated regions and three-dimensional measurements in highly-swept regions. The skin-friction data will be particularly valuable in turbulence modeling and computational fluid dynamics validation.

Wideman, J. K.↗

Three-dimensional turbopump flowfield analysis

A program was conducted to develop a flow prediction method applicable to rocket turbopumps. The complex nature of a flowfield in turbopumps is described and examples of flowfields are discussed to illustrate that physics based models and analytical calculation procedures based on computational fluid dynamics (CFD) are needed to develop reliable design procedures for turbopumps. A CFD code developed at NASA ARC was used as the base code. The turbulence model and boundary conditions in the base code were modified, respectively, to: (1) compute transitional flows and account for extra rates of strain, e.g., rotation; and (2) compute surface heat transfer coefficients and allow computation through multistage turbomachines. Benchmark quality data from two and three-dimensional cascades were used to verify the code. The predictive capabilities of the present CFD code were demonstrated by computing the flow through a radial impeller and a multistage axial flow turbine. Results of the program indicate that the present code operated in a two-dimensional mode is a cost effective alternative to full three-dimensional calculations, and that it permits realistic predictions of unsteady loadings and losses for multistage machines.

Sharma, O. P.↗

Three-dimensional compressible turbulent computations for a diffusing S-duct

The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the capability of the computational fluid dynamics computer program PARC3D to model flow in a typical diffusing subsonic S-duct, with strong secondary flows. This evaluation is needed to provide confidence in the analysis of aircraft inlets, which have similar geometries. The performance predictions include total pressure profiles, static pressures, velocity profiles, boundary layer data, and skin friction data. Flow in the S-duct is subsonic, and the boundary layers are assumed to be turbulent. The results for both H and O grid solutions, are compared with existing test data.

Smith, C. F.↗

CFD Predictions of Sonic-Boom Characteristics for Unmodified and Modified SR-71 Configurations

Shaped sonic-boom signatures refer to signatures that look something other than the typical N-waves. Shaped sonic-boom signatures such as "flat-top," "ramp-type," or "hybrid-type" waveforms have been shown to reduce the subjective loudness without requiring reductions in overpressure peaks. The shaping of sonic-boom signatures requires increasing the shock rise time and changes in frequency spectra. So far, a flat-top waveform was shown to be achievable in wind tunnels; however, the influence of long propagation distance and real atmosphere on shaped signatures should be addressed using flight tests. Two different approaches have been proposed for sonic-boom minimization flight tests. The first approach, proposed by Eagle Aerospace, is for a flight test using a modified BQM-34 "FIREBEE" remotely piloted vehicle. The 30-foot long FIREBEE has a steady state flight condition at the Mach number and altitude of interest, and it can be recovered by helicopter from the water. As an alternative approach, a modified SR-71 vehicle has been proposed by the McDonnell Douglas Corporation. Benefits of the SR-71 include its variable geometry supersonic inlets, small cockpit bulge, higher Mach number capabilities, slender design, and longer length (105 foot). The present investigation addresses the sonic-boom analysis for the second vehicle.The objective of the current investigation is to assess the feasibility of a modified SR-71 configuration, with McDonnell Douglas-designed fuselage modifications, intended to produce shaped sonic-boom signatures on the ground. The present study describes the use of a higher-order computational fluid dynamics (CFD) method to predict the sonic-boom characteristics for both unmodified and modified SR-71 configurations. An Euler unstructured grid methodology is used to predict the near-field, three-dimensional pressure patterns generated by both SR-71 models. The computed near-field pressure signatures are extrapolated to specified distances below the aircraft down to impingement on the ground using the code MDBOOM. Comparisons of the near-field pressure signatures with available flight-test data are presented in the current paper.

Fouladi, Kamran↗