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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

Paralinear Oxidation of Silicon Nitride in a Water Vapor/Oxygen Environment

Three silicon nitride materials were exposed to dry oxygen flowing at 0.44 cm/s at temperatures between 1200 and 1400 C. Reaction kinetics were measured with a continuously recording microbalance. Parabolic kinetics were observed. When the same materials were exposed to a 50% H2O - 50% O2 gas mixture flowing at 4.4 cm/s, all three types exhibited paralinear kinetics. The material is oxidized by water vapor to form solid silica. The protective silica is in turn volatilized by water vapor to form primarily gaseous Si(OH)4. Nonlinear least squares analysis and a paralinear kinetic model were used to determine both parabolic and linear rate constants from the kinetic data. Volatilization of the protective silica scale can result in accelerated consumption of Si3N4. Recession rates under conditions more representative of actual combustors are compared to the furnace data.

Fox, Dennis S.↗

An analytical approach to evaluation of space radiation effects on materials for long-life missions

An analytical model was developed which quantifies effects on organic composite matrix materials of high energy electrons and of UV as well as interactions between the two radiations. Literature data on polyethylene were used to construct a degradation kinetics scheme corresponding to an Earth orbit at L=3. Analysis of the model showed that steady state concentrations of radicals put limits on accelerated test conditions. These conclusions were validated by an experimental study on polymethylmethacrylate using UV laser excitation. Relationships for balancing electron and UV radiations to equal acceleration factors are derived. Pulse radiolysis using an electron-beam along with time-resolved spectroscopy is shown to be able to separate primary form secondary reactions. Implications of these reactions to changes in engineering material properties are indicated. The use of mechanistic studies is discussed in the context of general test strategies for evaluating materials for space applications.

Moacanin, J.↗

On the determination of the harmonic components of the diurnal variation of the thermosphere from satellite drag data

The accuracy of the diurnal and semidiurnal harmonics of density variation determined from satellite drag data is discussed and compared with data from the Jacchia empirical atmospheric model. The phase discrepancies between densities and temperatures, which are more pronounced in summer, and the extrema of the density data are described. The ratio of the semidiurnal to diurnal component of kinetic temperature, determined from Salah and Evans incoherent scatter radar observations, also indicates a seasonal variation. The radar data are compared with the Jacchia model, and a third harmonic is discussed.

Blum, P. W.↗

(abstract) Odd Hydrogen in the Atmospheres of Earth and Mars

The Martian atmosphere has many features in common with the terrestrial mesosphere. Both share similar pressure and temperature ranges, and much of the same chemistry operates in each. For example, the radical species H, OH, and H(sub 2)O, which comprise the odd hydrogen family, are of central importance in the catalytic destruction of CO and O(sub 3) in both atmospheres. The inclusion of recent chemical kinetics data, specifically temperature dependent CO(sub 2) absorption cross-sections, into our one dimensional photochemical model of the Martial atmosphere shows that oxidation of CO by odd hydrogen is too efficient. The incorporation of smaller cross sections for CO(sub 2) leads to an enhanced photolysis rate of water vapor, increasing odd hydrogen to the point where the predicted mixing ratio of CO in our model is substantially less than the observed value of 6.5 x 10(sup -4). Interestingly, most photochemical models of the terrestrial mesosphere underestimate the CO and O(sub 3) densities using currently accepted photodissociation and kinetic rate coefficients. This has also been attributed to an overabundance of odd hydrogen in the models. We shall show that agreement between models and observations of CO in the Martian atmosphere as well as of CO and O(sub 3) in the terrestrial mesosphere can be achieved by revising the rate constants for the reactions OH + HO(sub 2) and CO + OH within their published uncertainties. The fact that similar revisions alleviate discrepancies in both the terrestrial and Martian atmospheres warrants a re-evaluation of these key rate constants at the appropriate temperatures and pressures.

dioxide ozone odd hydrogen family pressure tempera↗

Analysis of Crystallization Kinetics

A realistic computer model for polymorphic crystallization (i.e., initial and final phases with identical compositions), which includes time-dependent nucleation and cluster-size-dependent growth rates, is developed and tested by fits to experimental data. Model calculations are used to assess the validity of two of the more common approaches for the analysis of crystallization data. The effects of particle size on transformation kinetics, important for the crystallization of many systems of limited dimension including thin films, fine powders, and nanoparticles, are examined.

Kelton, Kenneth F.↗

Direct solar-pumped iodine laser amplifier

In order to evaluate the feasibility of the solar pumped dye laser, the parametric study of a dye laser amplifier pumped by a solar simulator and flashlamp was carried out, and the amplifier gains were measured at various pump beam irradiances on the dye cell. Rhodamine 6G was considered as a candidate for the solar pumped laser because of its good utilization of the solar spectrum and high quantum efficiency. The measurement shows that a solar concentration of 20,000 is required to reach the threshold of the dye. The work to construct a kinetic model algorithm which predicts the output parameter of laser was progressed. The kinetic model was improved such that there is good agreement between the theoretical model and experimental data for the systems defined previously as flashlamp pumped laser oscillator, and the long path length solar pumped laser.

Han, Kwang S.↗

Martian atmospheric chemistry during the time of low water abundance

The importance of odd hydrogen (or HO(x)) radicals in the catalytic recombination of carbon monoxide and oxygen in the Martian atmosphere is a well known fact. The inclusion of recent chemical kinetics data, specifically temperature-dependent CO2 absorption cross sections, into our one dimensional photochemical model shows that HO(x) is too efficient in this regard. The absorption cross sections of CO2 are smaller than previously assumed; this leads to a reduction in the photolysis rate of CO2 while the photolysis rate of H2O has increased. As a consequence the predicted mixing ratio of CO in our models is substantially less than the observed value of 6.5(10)(exp -4). Simultaneous measurements of water, ozone, and carbon monoxide were obtained in the Martian atmosphere in early Dec. 1990 (L(sub s) for Mars was 344 deg.).

Nair, Hari↗

Environmental fatigue of an Al-Li-Cu alloy. Part 3: Modeling of crack tip hydrogen damage

Environmental fatigue crack propagation rates and microscopic damage modes in Al-Li-Cu alloy 2090 (Parts 1 and 2) are described by a crack tip process zone model based on hydrogen embrittlement. Da/dN sub ENV equates to discontinuous crack advance over a distance, delta a, determined by dislocation transport of dissolved hydrogen at plastic strains above a critical value; and to the number of load cycles, delta N, required to hydrogenate process zone trap sites that fracture according to a local hydrogen concentration-tensile stress criterion. Transgranular (100) cracking occurs for process zones smaller than the subgrain size, and due to lattice decohesion or hydride formation. Intersubgranular cracking dominates when the process zone encompasses one or more subgrains so that dislocation transport provides hydrogen to strong boundary trapping sites. Multi-sloped log da/dN-log delta K behavior is produced by process zone plastic strain-hydrogen-microstructure interactions, and is determined by the DK dependent rates and proportions of each parallel cracking mode. Absolute values of the exponents and the preexponential coefficients are not predictable; however, fractographic measurements theta sub i coupled with fatigue crack propagation data for alloy 2090 established that the process zone model correctly describes fatigue crack propagation kinetics. Crack surface films hinder hydrogen uptake and reduce da/dN and alter the proportions of each fatigue crack propagation mode.

Piascik, Robert S.↗

The hydrogen coma of Comet P/Halley observed in Lyman-alpha using sounding rockets

Hydrogen Lyman-alpha (121.6 nm) images of Comet P/Halley were obtained using sounding rockets launched from White Sands Missile Range on 24.5 February and 13.5 March 1986. The second rocket was launched 13 hours before the fly-by of the Giotto spacecraft. An electrographic camera on both flights provided Lyman-alpha images covering a 20 field of view with 3 arcmin resolution. The data from both flights have been compared with a time-dependent model of hydrogen kinetics. To match the measured isophote contours, hydrogen sources with velocity components of 8 km/s and 20 km/s (from OH and H2O respectively) as well as a low velocity component (about 2 km/s) are required. This low velocity component is thought to result from thermalization of fast hydrogen atoms within the collision zone, providing an important diagnostic of temperature and density near the nucleus. Hydrogen production rates of 3.8 x 10 exp 30/s and 1.7 x 10 exp 30/s have been obtained for the two observations.

Mccoy, R. P.↗

CFD Evaluation of Lean-Direct Injection Combustors for Commercial Supersonics Technology

An overview is given of an effort that focused on using CFD analysis to complement design and configuration definition of Lean-Direct Injection (LDI) combustion concepts for NASA's Commercial Supersonic Transport (CST) program. The National Combustion Code (OpenNCC) was used to perform non-reacting and two-phase reacting flow computations for second and third generation LDI configurations at CST cruise conditions. All computations were performed with a consistent approach of mesh-generation, spray modeling, ignition and kinetics modeling. Emissions (EINOx) characteristics were predicted for CST cruise conditions, and compared with emissions data from experimental measurements to evaluate the fidelity of the CFD modeling approach to predict emissions changes in response to changes in supersonic cycle conditions.

nitrogen oxides injectors↗

CFD Evaluation Of Lean-Direct Injection Combustors for Commercial Supersonics Technology

An overview is given of an effort that focused on using CFD analysis to complement design and configuration definition of Lean-Direct Injection (LDI) combustion concepts for NASA's Commercial Supersonic Transport (CST) program. The National Combustion Code (OpenNCC) was used to perform non-reacting and two-phase reacting flow computations for second and third generation LDI configurations at CST cruise conditions. All computations were performed with a consistent approach of mesh-generation, spray modeling, ignition and kinetics modeling. Emissions (EINOx) characteristics were predicted for CST cruise conditions, and compared with emissions data from experimental measurements to evaluate the fidelity of the CFD modeling approach to predict emissions changes in response to changes in supersonic cycle conditions.

Ajmani, Kumud↗

Analysis of Terminal Deletions using a Generalized Time-Dependent Model of Radiation-Induced Formation of Chromosomal Aberrations

We have developed a model that can simulate different types of radiation induced chromosomal aberrations (CA's) and can provide predictions on the frequency and size of chromosomes with terminal deletions. Chromosomes with terminal deletions lack telomeres and this can elicit sister chromatid unions and the prolonged breakage/fusion/bridge (B/F/B) cycles that have been observed in mammalian tumors. The loss of a single telomere has been shown to cause extensive genomic instability through the B/F/B cycle process. Our model uses a stochastic process of DNA broken end joining, in which a realistic spectrum of CA's is created from improperly joined DNA free ends formed by DNA double strand breaks (DSBs). The distribution of the DNA free ends is given by a mechanistic model that takes into account the chromatin structure and track structure for high-LET radiation. The model allows for DSB clustering from high-LET radiation and simulates the formation of CA's in stages that correspond to the actual time after radiation exposure. The time scale for CA formation is derived from experimental data on DSB repair kinetics. At any given time a nucleus may have intact chromosomes, CA's, and/or unrepaired fragments, some of which are defined as terminal deletions, if they are capped by one telomere. The model produces a spectrum of terminal deletions with their corresponding probabilities and size distributions for different heavy ions exposures for the first division after exposure. This data provides valuable information because there is limited experimental data available in the literature on the on the actual size of terminal deletions. We compare our model output to the available experimental data and make a reasonable extrapolation on the number of chromosomes lacking telomeres in human lymphocytes exposed to heavy ions. This model generates data which may lead to predictions on the rate of genomic instability in cells after exposure to high charge and energy nuclei affecting astronauts during space missions.

Ponomarev, Artem L.↗

Gas-Particle Interaction Model Development in Plume Surface Interaction Erosion and Cratering

The development of a predictive simulation capability for extra-terrestrial Plume Surface Interaction (PSI) environments is undertaken by the Fluid Dynamics Branch at NASA/MSFC under the Game Changing Development (GCD) Program funded by NASA’s Space Technology Mission Directorate (STMD). Predictive simulation capability for propulsive Martian and Lunar landing PSI requires accurate modeling of the complex high-speed plume impingement and resulting gas/particle-cloud and ejecta stream formation. Physics modeling gap analysis during formulation of the PSI project scope identified two particular phenomena of first order importance in gas-particle interactions that lacked existing modeling formulations. The first arises from the lack of models capturing the unsteady drag forces imparted on particles by the rapidly expanding supersonic compressible flow. The second addresses the fluctuating forces and dispersions imparted on both the particle and the fluid resulting from the interference and wake turbulence generated by close proximity particle clouds, dubbed the Particle Turbulent Kinetic Energy(PTKE). Their first order significance has been identified in experiments, but simulation models currently do not exist for either effect. The development of models and the eventual implementation into the Eulerian Gas-Granular Flow Solver (GGFS) simulation tools was constructed as one of four major tasks of the PSI project. In this process, data on particle kinetics and gas-particle interactions are collected from carefully designed experiments of particles embedded in jets. The effects observed in the experiments are then replicated in high-fidelity particle-resolved CFD simulations to inform the formulation of improvements to particle phase drag models for implementations in the more efficient Eulerian-Lagrangian CFD simulations. The resulting models are ultimately ported to the Eulerian-Eulerian models applied for most efficient simulations in PSI production application tools. This paper describes the activities and accomplishments of the past year in the gas-particle interaction modeling task of the PSI project.

Jeff West↗

Modeling Macro- and Micro-Scale Turbulent Mixing and Chemistry in Engine Exhaust Plumes

Simulation of turbulent mixing and chemical processes in the near-field plume and plume-vortex regimes has been successfully carried out recently using a reduced gas phase kinetics mechanism which substantially decreased the computational cost. A detailed mechanism including gas phase HOx, NOx, and SOx chemistry between the aircraft exhaust and the ambient air in near-field aircraft plumes is compiled. A reduced mechanism capturing the major chemical pathways is developed. Predictions by the reduced mechanism are found to be in good agreement with those by the detailed mechanism. With the reduced chemistry, the computer CPU time is saved by a factor of more than 3.5 for the near-field plume modeling. Distributions of major chemical species are obtained and analyzed. The computed sensitivities of major species with respect to reaction step are deduced for identification of the dominant gas phase kinetic reaction pathways in the jet plume. Both the near field plume and the plume-vortex regimes were investigated using advanced mixing models. In the near field, a stand-alone mixing model was used to investigate the impact of turbulent mixing on the micro- and macro-scale mixing processes using a reduced reaction kinetics model. The plume-vortex regime was simulated using a large-eddy simulation model. Vortex plume behind Boeing 737 and 747 aircraft was simulated along with relevant kinetics. Many features of the computed flow field show reasonable agreement with data. The entrainment of the engine plumes into the wing tip vortices and also the partial detrainment of the plume were numerically captured. The impact of fluid mechanics on the chemical processes was also studied. Results show that there are significant differences between spatial and temporal simulations especially in the predicted SO3 concentrations. This has important implications for the prediction of sulfuric acid aerosols in the wake and may partly explain the discrepancy between past numerical studies (that employed parabolic or temporal approximations) and the measured data. Finally to address the major uncertainty in the near-field plume modeling related to the plume processing of sulfur compounds and advanced model was developed to evaluate its impact on the chemical processes in the near wake. A comprehensive aerosol model is developed and it is coupled with chemical kinetics and the axisymmetric turbulent jet flow models. The integrated model is used to simulate microphysical processes in the near-field jet plume, including sulfuric acid and water binary homogeneous nucleation, coagulation, non-equilibrium heteromolecular condensation, and sulfur-induced soot activation. The formation and evolution of aerosols are computed and analyzed. The computed results show that a large number of ultra-fine (0.3--0.6 nm in radius) volatile HSO4 - HO embryos are generated in the near-field plume. These embryos further grow in size by self coagulation and condensation. Soot particles can be activated by both heterogeneous nucleation and scavenging of H2SO4-H2O aerosols. These activated soot particles can serve as water condensation nuclei for contrail formation. Conditions under which ice contrails can form behind aircrafts are studied. The sensitivities of the threshold temperature for contrail formation with respect to aircraft propulsion efficiency, relative humidity, and ambient pressure are evaluated. The computed aerosol properties for different extent of fuel sulfur conversion to S(VI) (SO3 and H2SO4) in engine are examined and the results are found to be sensitive to this conversion fraction.

Menon, Suresh↗

Considerations for Femtosecond Laser Electronic Excitation Tagging in High-Speed Flows

Femtosecond laser electronic excitation tagging (FLEET) is an unseeded method for molecular tagging which offers valuable opportunities for measurement of high-speed (transonic, supersonic or hypersonic) flows. The unique nature of high-speed testing demands certain performance from FLEET such as satisfactory signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) at depressed static conditions (i.e., low temperatures, pressures and densities), wide dynamic range for velocity determination (especially single-shot), and measurements with acceptable accuracy and precision. This dissertation strives to evaluate FLEET in those regards and provide strategies to maximize the method's capabilities. A zero-dimensional kinetics model in nitrogen explains FLEET signal changes with pressure/density and/or temperature in terms of plasma-chemical reactions. Poorly known rate coefficients are tuned by comparing model output to measurements, with temporal agreement up to several hundred nanoseconds. Modeling reveals that initial signal peaks at reduced density because of slowed temporal evolution (and decay) of excited populations. Low temperatures enhance signal by enlarging cluster ion populations which contribute to excited species via electron-ion dissociative recombination. A purpose-built free jet facility provides experimental validation of the kinetics model and assesses FLEET velocimetry in low temperature and pressure/density conditions. Signal, lifetime, accuracy and precision results are obtained from unheated subsonic through Mach 4.0 operation of the facility, with best results noted. FLEET measurements of a sweeping jet (SWJ) actuator in compressible operation showcase its advantages in a highly unsteady jet containing subsonic through supersonic velocities. FLEET velocimetry is performed in the device's internal and external flow fields, with the latter compared to hot-wire anemometry. Internal measurements reveal the absence of shockwaves theorized to occur at high pressure ratios. Simultaneous qualitative measurements of compressible jet mixing are shown as a proof-of-concept. Overall, the work demonstrates that previous understanding of SWJ incompressible operation readily extends into the compressible realm. Practical aspects of performing FLEET velocimetry are detailed, along with strategies for improving measurement quality. Determination of a fundamental precision in nitrogen and air is attempted. Experiments show that increasing time delay and/or SNR improves velocimetry precision. A comparison of five camera systems indicates sensors with larger pixels capture higher SNR data and produce more precise results.

FLEET↗

Numerical study of twin-jet impingement upwash flow

Two horizontally spaced jets impinging normally on a flat surface create a fountain upwash flow due to the collision of the radially flowing wall jets. This fountain flow is of importance to the dynamics and propulsion of STOVL aircraft. The fountain flow influences the lift forces on the aircraft and the ingestion of hot gases and debris by the engine inlet. In this paper, a multigrid based finite-difference numerical procedure has been applied to solve the equations governing this three-dimensional flow. The standard k-epsilon turbulence model has been used. Comparisons with experimental data reveal that while the mean velocities are predicted with reasonable accuracy, the turbulent kinetic energies are seriously in error. The reasons for this discrepancy could be the intense unsteadiness and large-scale structures of the flow in the near-wall region, which cannot be captured well by any Reynolds-averaged turbulence model.

Pegues, W. J.↗

Mechanism of the oxidation of titanium disilicide.

Study of the oxidation of TiSi2 at temperatures of 300 to 1300 C. Wafers prepared using the techniques of powder metallurgy had densities of 95 to 98% of the theoretical value. On oxidation at temperatures up to 600 C, the polished wafers formed a protective, titania-silica glass. The rate data indicate a complex surface and diffusion-limited mechanism. Above 600 deg C, the oxide consisted of an amorphous SiO2 film with crystalline islands of TiO2 (rutile). From 1000 to 1300 C, parabolic kinetics with an activation energy of 21.3 kcal/mole were observed. These data are consistent with a model in which the rate-determining step is the diffusion of oxygen through the silica film with the simultaneous diffusion of titanium from the substrate to the islands of rutile growing on top of the amorphous silica.

Schwettmann, F. N.↗

Turbulent heating of colliding streams in the solar wind.

Turbulent heating of colliding plasma streams has previously been observed in the solar wind. The original data were interpreted in terms of a fluid model. It is contended that a plasma-kinetic description is the more appropriate theoretical approach and is necessary in order to better understand the microscopic physical phenomena that underlie all fluid models. Microscopic solar-wind parameters characteristic of conditions during the observations were used, together with the quasi-linear plasma-kinetic theory, to compute the expected magnetic field and temperature enhancements in the interaction region between two counterstreaming plasma beams. The physical mechanism of excitation is the electromagnetic two-stream instability in which Alfven waves are unstable. A total field in the interaction region of about 8 gamma and a change in temperature of about 100,000 K are obtained.

Goldstein, M. L.↗