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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 163 records · Page 9
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS2002

Regulatory and Technical Issues Concerning the Detection and Treatment of NDMA-Contaminated Groundwater at NASA WSTF

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) White Sands Test Facility (WSTF) was established in 1963 primarily to provide rocket engine testing services for several NASA programs. The groundwater underlying the site has been contaminated as a result of historical operations. Groundwater contaminants include several volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and two semi-volatile compounds: N-nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA) and N-nitrodimethylamine (DMN). This paper discusses some of the technical, analytical, regulatory, and health risk issues associated with the contaminant plume. The plume has moved approximately 2.5 miles downgradient of the facility industrial boundary, with evidence of continued migration. As a result, NASA has proposed a pump and treat system using air strippers and ultraviolet (UV) oxidation to stabilize future movement of the contaminant plume. The system has been designed to treat 1,076 gallons (4,073 liters) per minute, with provisions for future expansion. The UV oxidation process was selected to treat NDMA-contaminated groundwater based on successes at other NDMA-contaminated sites. Bench- and pilot-scale testing of WSTF groundwater confirmed the ability of UV oxidation to destroy NDMA and generated sufficient data to design the proposed full-scale treatment system. NDMA is acutely toxic and is a probable human carcinogen. EPA-recommended health risk criteria for the residential consumption of NDMA/DMN-contaminated groundwater was used to determine that a 1.0 x 10(exp -6) excess cancer risk corresponds to 1.7 parts per trillion (ppt). EPA analytical methods are unable to detect NDMA and DMN in the low ppt range. EPA's current Appendix IX analytical method used to screen for NDMA, Method 8270, can detect NDMA only at levels that are orders of magnitude greater than the recommended health risk level. Additionally, EPA Method 607, the most sensitive EPA approved method, has a detection limit of 150 ppt. This corresponds to an excess cancer risk of 9.0 x 10(exp -5), which exceeds the State of New Mexico's water quality standard of a cancer risk less than 1 x 10(exp -5). The treatment system has been engineered to treat contaminated groundwater to levels significantly below the New Mexico standard. However, the inability of EPA-approved analytical methods to detect NDMA and DMN at low ppt levels, and to provide verification of compliance with the 1 x 10(exp -5) cancer risk, introduces a notable risk to the long-term operation of the system. WSTF has been working with Southwest Research Institute to develop a non-EPA analytical method that can achieve a reporting limit of 1 ppt, which corresponds to an excess cancer risk of 7.6 x 10(exp -7). WSTF is currently developing a proposal to obtain approval from the New Mexico Environment Department (NMED) of this non-EPA method.

Wiebe, D. T.↗
NASA NTRS1984

Finite-analytic numerical method for unsteady two-dimensional Navier-Stokes equations

A finite analytic (FA) numerical solution is developed for unsteady two-dimensional Navier-Stokes equations. The FA method utilizes the analytic solution in a small local element to formulate the algebraic representation of partial differential equations. The combination of linear and exponential functions that satisfy the governing equation is adopted as the boundary function, thereby improving the accuracy of the finite analytic solution. Two flows, one a starting cavity flow and the other a vortex shedding flow behind a rectangular block, are solved by the FA method. The starting square cavity flow is solved for Reynolds number of 400, 1000, and 2000 to show the accuracy and stability of the FA solution. The FA solution for flow over a rectangular block (H x H/4) predicts the Strouhal number for Reynolds numbers of 100 and 500 to be 0.156 and 0.125. Details of the flow patterns are given. In addition to streamlines and vorticity distribution, rest-streamlines are given to illustrate the vortex motion downstream of the block.

Chen, C.-J.↗
NASA NTRS1991

Controls of interaction dynamics of orbital assembly

Building structures and spacecraft in orbit will require technologies for positioning, docking/berthing, and joining orbital structures. A fundamental problem underlying the operation of docking and berthing is that of controlling the contact dynamics of mechanical structures actuated by active mechanisms such as robotic devices. Control systems must be designed to control these active mechanisms so that both the free space motions and contact motions are stable and satisfy specifications on position accuracy and bounds on contact forces. For the large orbital structures of the future, the problem of interactive dynamics and control is fundamentally different in several ways than it was for spacecraft docking in the past. First, future space structures must be treated as flexible structures - the operations of docking, berthing, and assembly will need to respect the vibrations of the structures. Second, the assembly of these structures will require multiple-point contact, rather than the essentially single-point positioning of conventional spacecraft docking. Third, some assembly operations require the subassemblies to be brought and held in contact so that successful joining can be accomplished. A preliminary study of contact stability and compliance control design has resulted in the development of an analytical method and a design method to analyze stability. The analytical method analyzes the problem of stability when an actively-controlled structure contacts a passive structure. This method makes it possible to accurately estimate the stiffness of the passive structures with which the contact motion will become unstable. The analytic results suggest that passivity is neither achievable in practice, nor necessary as a design concept. A contact control system need only be passive up to a certain frequency; beyond that frequency the system can be stabilized with sufficiently small gains. With this concept the Center developed a design methodology for achieving desired compliant contact motions. This design method is based on H-infinity norm optimization, which makes it possible to consider both driving point mechanical impedance and systems robustness to modeling uncertainty. A laboratory facility was set up to verify experimentally the analytical and design theory.

Su, Renjeng↗
NASA NTRS1985

Analytical-numerical methods of calculations of energy and three-dimensional particle distributions in electromagnetic cascades

Analytical and numerical methods of calculation of the energy and three dimensional EPS characteristics are reported. The angular and lateral functions of electrons in EPS have been obtained by the Landau and small angle approximations A and B and compared with earlier data. A numerical method of solution of cascade equations for the EPS distribution function moments has been constructed. Considering the equilibrium rms angle as an example, errors appearing when approximating the elementary process cross sections by their asymptotic expressions are analyzed.

Ivanenko, I. P.↗
NASA NTRS1990

Control/structure interaction conceptual design tool

The JPL Control/Structure Interaction Program is developing new analytical methods for designing micro-precision spacecraft with controlled structures. One of these, the Conceptual Design Tool, will illustrate innovative new approaches to the integration of multi-disciplinary analysis and design methods. The tool will be used to demonstrate homogeneity of presentation, uniform data representation across analytical methods, and integrated systems modeling. The tool differs from current 'integrated systems' that support design teams most notably in its support for the new CSI multi-disciplinary engineer. The design tool will utilize a three dimensional solid model of the spacecraft under design as the central data organization metaphor. Various analytical methods, such as finite element structural analysis, control system analysis, and mechanical configuration layout, will store and retrieve data from a hierarchical, object oriented data structure that supports assemblies of components with associated data and algorithms. In addition to managing numerical model data, the tool will assist the designer in organizing, stating, and tracking system requirements.

Briggs, Hugh C.↗
NASA NTRS1974

Oxygen utilization of the human left ventricle - An indirect method for its evaluation and clinical considerations

An analytical method is presented for determining the oxygen consumption rate of the intact heart working (as opposed to empty but beating) human left ventricle. Use is made of experimental recordings obtained for the chamber pressure and the associated dimensions of the LV. LV dimensions are determined by cineangiocardiography, and the chamber pressure is obtained by means of fluid-filled catheters during retrograde or transeptal catheterization. An analytical method incorporating these data is then employed for the evaluation of the LV coronary oxygen consumption in five subjects. Oxygen consumption for these subjects was also obtained by the conventional clinical method in order to evaluate the reliability of the proposed method.

Ghista, D. N.↗
DOE OSTI2025

Effect of Plutonium on Uranium Oxide Microstructural Fingerprint

The analysis of particulates from environmental sampling is routinely performed for nuclear forensics applications. In order to increase the tools available for nuclear forensics applications, capability development materials (CDMs), or reference particulates, are necessary for developing and benchmarking new analytical methods. Historically, these CDM particulates have been produced with highly controlled and characterized isotopic and size parameters for applications in developing and benchmarking particle sizers and mass spectrometry analytical methods [1- 4]. However, the development of CDMs with highly characterized particle morphology and phase of the particles is vital for aiding in the development and benchmarking of particle analytical methods for those parameters. In many cases, key properties such as crystallographic phase, morphology, and microstructure, may be correlated to processing history of environmental sampling particulates [5]. To that end, this work investigates determining the structural fingerprint of produced Pu-doped uranium oxide CDMs using transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The particulates, one of which shown in Figure 1, were synthesized to Fig. 1. Single particulate of uranium oxide fabricated using the THESEUS technique. develop capabilities for environmental sampling investigations. These particles are monodisperse at diameter of 1 μm and a range of plutonium concentrations from 0- 1,000 ppm. Given their small diameter, TEM analysis was ideal for studying the particulate structural fingerprint in detail. Previous investigations confirmed the external homogeneity of the particulates at different plutonium concentrations, however this analysis focuses on determining the grain structure, phase distribution, and porosity of the particulates.

Mayer, Jack [Univ. of Florida, Gainesville, FL (Un↗
DOE OSTI2024

On the Impact of Bus Dwelling on Macroscopic Fundamental Diagrams

Network macroscopic fundamental diagrams (MFDs) have recently been shown to exist in real-world urban traffic networks. When present, MFDs can be used to model traffic dynamics within an urban network by dividing the network into a set of spatially compact homogeneous regions and tracking the average level of congestion in each region. Existing analytical methods to estimate MFD mostly focus on the behavior of a single type of vehicle and do not capture the patterns of mixed traffic (e.g., cars and buses). The existence of buses matters since a bus will block the movements of other vehicles when it dwells at the bus stop. This paper proposes an analytical method to estimate the impact of bus dwelling on a network’s MFD based on the network’s geometric features, traffic control strategies, and bus operation parameters, and validates the performance of the proposed method using simulations based on microscopic traffic models. Comparisons of the analytical and simulation results show that the proposed analytical method can generally provide a good estimate of the lower bound and upper bound of the network’s MFD.

Xu, Guanhao↗
NASA NTRS1977

Analysis methods for Kevlar shield response to rotor fragments

Several empirical and analytical approaches to rotor burst shield sizing are compared and principal differences in metal and fabric dynamic behavior are discussed. The application of transient structural response computer programs to predict Kevlar containment limits is described. For preliminary shield sizing, present analytical methods are useful if insufficient test data for empirical modeling are available. To provide other information useful for engineering design, analytical methods require further developments in material characterization, failure criteria, loads definition, and post-impact fragment trajectory prediction.

Gerstle, J. H.↗
NASA NTRS1990

Experimental performance and acoustic investigation of modern, counterrotating blade concepts

The aerodynamic, acoustic, and aeromechanical performance of counterrotating blade concepts were evaluated both theoretically and experimentally. Analytical methods development and design are addressed. Utilizing the analytical methods which evolved during the conduct of this work, aerodynamic and aeroacoustic predictions were developed, which were compared to NASA and GE wind tunnel test results. The detailed mechanical design and fabrication of five different composite shell/titanium spar counterrotating blade set configurations are presented. Design philosophy, analyses methods, and material geometry are addressed, as well as the influence of aerodynamics, aeromechanics, and aeroacoustics on the design procedures. Blade fabrication and quality control procedures are detailed; bench testing procedures and results of blade integrity verification are presented; and instrumentation associated with the bench testing also is identified. Additional hardware to support specialized testing is described, as are operating blade instrumentation and the associated stress limits. The five counterrotating blade concepts were scaled to a tip diameter of 2 feet, so they could be incorporated into MPS (model propulsion simulators). Aerodynamic and aeroacoustic performance testing was conducted in the NASA Lewis 8 x 6 supersonic and 9 x 15 V/STOL (vertical or short takeoff and landing) wind tunnels and in the GE freejet anechoic test chamber (Cell 41) to generate an experimental data base for these counterrotating blade designs. Test facility and MPS vehicle matrices are provided, and test procedures are presented. Effects on performance of rotor-to-rotor spacing, angle-of-attack, pylon proximity, blade number, reduced-diameter aft blades, and mismatched rotor speeds are addressed. Counterrotating blade and specialized aeromechanical hub stability test results are also furnished.

Hoff, G. E.↗
NASA NTRS1982

Finite analytic numerical solution of heat transfer and flow past a square channel cavity

A numerical solution of flow and heat transfer characteristics is obtained by the finite analytic method for a two dimensional laminar channel flow over a two-dimensional square cavity. The finite analytic method utilizes the local analytic solution in a small element of the problem region to form the algebraic equation relating an interior nodal value with its surrounding nodal values. Stable and rapidly converged solutions were obtained for Reynolds numbers ranging to 1000 and Prandtl number to 10. Streamfunction, vorticity and temperature profiles are solved. Local and mean Nusselt number are given. It is found that the separation streamlines between the cavity and channel flow are concave into the cavity at low Reynolds number and convex at high Reynolds number (Re greater than 100) and for square cavity the mean Nusselt number may be approximately correlated with Peclet number as Nu(m) = 0.365 Pe exp 0.2.

Chen, C.-J.↗
DOE OSTI2025

Analytical Identification Method of Generalized Short‐Circuit Ratio Using Phasor Measurement Units

This paper introduces a novel analytical approach for the identification of the admittance matrix and the generalized short-circuit ratio (gSCR) in power systems integrated with renewable energy sources. The proposed method leverages voltage and current measurements from phasor measurement units (PMUs) to construct a least squares objective function, which is then solved using matrix calculus and partial derivatives. Unlike conventional optimization algorithms, this approach provides an analytical solution that substantially reduces data requirements, enabling the efficient and accurate identification of the gSCR with smaller datasets. Additionally, its fixed computational complexity allows for real-time updates as new data are collected, ensuring continuous refinement of the system of equations and enabling rapid, precise gSCR calculations. The method also exhibits strong robustness against measurement noise, making it well-suited for practical applications in dynamic power systems. The combination of reduced data requirements, real-time adaptability, noise robustness and fixed computational load establishes this method as a highly efficient and reliable tool for real-time power system stability analysis. Case studies on an EPRI 36-bus system demonstrate the method's effectiveness, highlighting its accuracy in closely matching true gSCR values, even under diverse disturbances and noisy conditions.

Han, Zelei [Hohai University, Nanjing (China)] (OR↗
NASA NTRS1976

Elemental composition of airborne particulates and source identification - An extensive one year survey

Concentrations of 60 chemical elements in the airborne particulate matter were measured at 16 sites in Cleveland, OH over a 1 year period during 1971 and 1972 (45 to 50 sampling days). Analytical methods used included instrumental neutron activation, emission spectroscopy, and combustion techniques. Uncertainties in the concentrations associated with the sampling procedures, the analytical methods, the use of several analytical facilities, and samples with concentrations below the detection limits are evaluated in detail. The data are discussed in relation to other studies and source origins. The trace constituent concentrations as a function of wind direction are used to suggest a practical method for air pollution source identification.

King, R. B.↗
NASA NTRS1984

Propfan experimental data analysis

A data reduction method, which is consistent with the performance prediction methods used for analysis of new aircraft designs, is defined and compared to the method currently used by NASA using data obtained from an Ames Res. Center 11 foot transonic wind tunnel test. Pressure and flow visualization data from the Ames test for both the powered straight underwing nacelle, and an unpowered contoured overwing nacelle installation is used to determine the flow phenomena present for a wind mounted turboprop installation. The test data is compared to analytic methods, showing the analytic methods to be suitable for design and analysis of new configurations. The data analysis indicated that designs with zero interference drag levels are achieveable with proper wind and nacelle tailoring. A new overwing contoured nacelle design and a modification to the wing leading edge extension for the current wind tunnel model design are evaluated. Hardware constraints of the current model parts prevent obtaining any significant performance improvement due to a modified nacelle contouring. A new aspect ratio wing design for an up outboard rotation turboprop installation is defined, and an advanced contoured nacelle is provided.

Vernon, David F.↗
NASA NTRS1972

Monte Carlo investigation of transient acoustic fields in partially or completely bounded medium

A simple repetitive calculation was used to investigate what happens to the field in terms of the signal paths of disturbances originating from the energy source. The computation allowed the field to be reconstructed as a function of space and time on a statistical basis. The suggested Monte Carlo method is in response to the need for a numerical method to supplement analytical methods of solution which are only valid when the boundaries have simple shapes, rather than for a medium that is bounded. For the analysis, a suitable model was created from which was developed an algorithm for the estimation of acoustic pressure variations in the region under investigation. The validity of the technique was demonstrated by analysis of simple physical models with the aid of a digital computer. The Monte Carlo method is applicable to a medium which is homogeneous and is enclosed by either rectangular or curved boundaries.

Thanedar, B. D.↗
NASA NTRS1978

Two-dimensional cold-air cascade study of a film-cooled turbine stator blade. 5: Comparison of experimental and analytical aerodynamic results for blade with 12 rows of 0.038-centimeter-(0.015 inch) diameter coolant holes having streamwise ejection angles

Published experimental aerodynamic efficiency results were compared with results predicted from two published analytical methods. This is the second of two such comparisons. One of the analytical methods was used as published; the other was modified for certain cases of coolant discharge from the blade suction surface. The results show that for 23 cases of single row and multirow discharge covering coolant fractions from 0 to about 9 percent, the difference between the experimental and predicted results was no greater than about 1 percent in any case and less than 1/2 percent in most cases.

Prust, H. W., Jr.↗
NASA NTRS1986

Temperature dependent nonlinear metal matrix laminae behavior

An analytical method is described for computing the nonlinear thermal and mechanical response of laminated plates. The material model focuses upon the behavior of metal matrix materials by relating the nonlinear composite response to plasticity effects in the matrix. The foundation of the analysis is the unidirectional material model which is used to compute the instantaneous properties of the lamina based upon the properties of the fibers and matrix. The unidirectional model assumes that the fibers properties are constant with temperature and assumes that the matrix can be modelled as a temperature dependent, bilinear, kinematically hardening material. An incremental approach is used to compute average stresses in the fibers and matrix caused by arbitrary mechanical and thermal loads. The layer model is incorporated in an incremental laminated plate theory to compute the nonlinear response of laminated metal matrix composites of general orientation and stacking sequence. The report includes comparisons of the method with other analytical approaches and compares theoretical calculations with measured experimental material behavior. A section is included which describes the limitations of the material model.

Barrett, D. J.↗
NASA NTRS1954

Analytical investigation of off-design performance of a transonic turbine

The off-design performance and a breakdown of the losses of a transonic turbine were determined by an analytical method that was previously developed for turbines of more conservative design. The analytically obtained performance map is compared with the performance map obtained from an experimental investigation of the turbine. The rotor hub conditions of incidence angle, relative Mach number, and reaction calculated from the analytical results are compared with those calculated from experimental data. The loss breakdown obtained for the transonic turbine did not differ substantially from that previously obtained from a turbine of more conservative design, except that large stator-exit shock losses were predicted for the transonic turbine at low speeds. The trends of the rotor hub incidence angle, relative Mach number, and reaction calculated from the analytical results agreed well with those calculated from the experimental data over the performance range. These trends indicate that, compared with a turbine of more conservative design, the transonic turbine operated over a much smaller range of incidence angle, a much wider range of rotor relative Mach number, and at a considerably lower level of reaction. Good over-all agreement was obtained between the analytically predicted performance and the experimental performance, except at 40-percent design speed, where in the analysis the stator reached limiting loading before the rotor choked. Since this discrepancy resulted from errors in the simplifying assumptions used in the analysis, it is regarded as a limitation in the analytical method as applied to a transonic turbine.

Whitney, Warren J↗