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At least 1,675 records · Page 93

NASA low-speed centrifugal compressor for 3-D viscous code assessment and fundamental flow physics research

A low speed centrifugal compressor facility recently built by the NASA Lewis Research Center is described. The purpose of this facility is to obtain detailed flow field measurements for computational fluid dynamic code assessment and flow physics modeling in support of Army and NASA efforts to advance small gas turbine engine technology. The facility is heavily instrumented with pressure and temperature probes, both in the stationary and rotating frames of reference, and has provisions for flow visualization and laser velocimetry. The facility will accommodate rotational speeds to 2400 rpm and is rated at pressures to 1.25 atm. The initial compressor stage being tested is geometrically and dynamically representative of modern high-performance centrifugal compressor stages with the exception of Mach number levels. Preliminary experimental investigations of inlet and exit flow uniformly and measurement repeatability are presented. These results demonstrate the high quality of the data which may be expected from this facility. The significance of synergism between computational fluid dynamic analysis and experimentation throughout the development of the low speed centrifugal compressor facility is demonstrated.

Hathaway, M. D.↗

NASA low-speed centrifugal compressor for 3-D viscous code assessment and fundamental flow physics research

A low speed centrifugal compressor facility recently built by the NASA Lewis Research Center is described. The purpose of this facility is to obtain detailed flow field measurements for computational fluid dynamic code assessment and flow physics modeling in support of Army and NASA efforts to advance small gas turbine engine technology. The facility is heavily instrumented with pressure and temperature probes, both in the stationary and rotating frames of reference, and has provisions for flow visualization and laser velocimetry. The facility will accommodate rotational speeds to 2400 rpm and is rated at pressures to 1.25 atm. The initial compressor stage being tested is geometrically and dynamically representative of modern high-performance centrifugal compressor stages with the exception of Mach number levels. Preliminary experimental investigations of inlet and exit flow uniformly and measurement repeatability are presented. These results demonstrate the high quality of the data which may be expected from this facility. The significance of synergism between computational fluid dynamic analysis and experimentation throughout the development of the low speed centrifugal compressor facility is demonstrated.

Hathaway, M. D.↗

Design of experiments and data analysis challenges in calibration for forensics applications

Forensic science aims to infer characteristics of source terms using measured observables. Our focus is on statistical design of experiments and data analysis challenges arising in nuclear forensics. More specifically, we focus on inferring aspects of experimental conditions (of a process to produce product Pu oxide powder), such as temperature, nitric acid concentration, and Pu concentration, using measured features of the product Pu oxide powder. The measured features, Y, include trace chemical concentrations and particle morphology such as particle size and shape of the produced Pu oxide power particles. Making inferences about the nature of inputs X that were used to create nuclear materials having particular characteristics, Y, is an inverse problem. Therefore, statistical analysis can be used to identify the best set (or sets) of Xs for a new set of observed responses Y. One can fit a model (or models) such as Υ = f(Χ) + error , for each of the responses, based on a calibration experiment and then “invert” to solve for the best set of Xs for a new set of Ys. This perspectives paper uses archived experimental data to consider aspects of data collection and experiment design for the calibration data to maximize the quality of the predicted Ys in the forward models; that is, we assume that well-estimated forward models are effective in the inverse problem. In addition, we consider how to identify a best solution for the inferred X, and evaluate the quality of the result and its robustness to a variety of initial assumptions, and different correlation structures between the responses. In addition, we also briefly review recent advances in metrology issues related to characterizing particle morphology measurements used in the response vector, Y.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Homogeneous condensation - Freezing nucleation rate measurements for small water droplets in an expansion cloud chamber

Experimental data on ice nucleation, presented in an earlier paper, are analyzed to yield information about the homogeneous nucleation rate of ice from supercooled liquid and the heights of energy barriers to that nucleation. The experiment consisted of using an expansion cloud chamber to nucleate from the vapor a cloud of supercooled pure water drops and the observation of the fraction of drops which subsequently froze. The analysis employed standard classical homogeneous nucleation theory. The data are used to extract the first experimental measurement (albeit indirect) of the activation energy for the transfer of a water molecule across the liquid-ice interface at temperatures near -40 C. The results provide further evidence that the local liquid structure becomes more icelike as the temperature is lowered.

Hagen, D. E.↗

VSAERO analysis of tip planforms for the free-tip rotor

The results of a numerical analysis of two interacting lifting surfaces separated in the spanwise direction by a narrow gap are presented. The configuration consists of a semispan wing with the last 32 percent of the span structurally separated from the inboard section. The angle of attack of the outboard section is set independently from that of the inboard section. In the present study, the three-dimensional panel code VSAERO is used to perform the analysis. Computed values of tip surface lift and pitching moment coefficients are correlated with experimental data to determine the proper approach to model the gap region between the surfaces. Pitching moment data for various tip planforms are also presented to show how the variation of tip pitching moment with angle of attack may be increased easily in incompressible flow. Calculated three-dimensional characteristics in compressible flow at Mach numbers of 0.5 and 0.7 are presented for new tip planform designs. An analysis of sectional aerodynamic center shift as a function of Mach number is also included for a representative tip planform. It is also shown that the induced drag of the tip surface is reduced for negative incidence angles relative to the inboard section. The results indicate that this local drag reduction overcomes the associated increase in wing induced drag at high wing lift coefficients.

Martin, D. M.↗

Application of the hydrogen-bubble technique for velocity measurements in thin liquid films.

A unique adaptation of the hydrogen-bubble flow visualization method was applied to measure velocity profiles and film thicknesses of very thin films on an inclined plane wall. Data were obtained in the three flow regions for a developing falling film with an initially uniform velocity profile and thickness less than or equal to 0.1 in. The measured profiles compared more favorably with parabolic profiles in the intermediate fully developed region than in the initial developing region. However, measured film thicknesses compared favorably with a simplified solution of the integral momentum equation based on parabolic velocity profiles. The results confirm the theoretical prediction that a relatively long distance may be required even for a thin film before nonaccelerating flow with a constant film thickness is obtained and Nusselt's classical analysis applies. The experimental technique was shown to be a practical experimental method for obtaining data for the two-dimensional laminar flow of thin liquid films.

Thomas, W. C.↗

Forced Boundary-Layer Transition on X-43 (Hyper-X) in NASA LaRC 20-Inch Mach 6 Air Tunnel

Aeroheating and boundary layer transition characteristics for the X-43 (Hyper-X) configuration have been experimentally examined in the Langley 20-Inch Mach 6 Air Tunnel. Global surface heat transfer distributions, and surface streamline patterns were measured on a 0.333-scale model of the Hyper-X forebody. Parametric variations include angles-of-attack of 0-deg, 2-deg, and 4-deg; Reynolds numbers based on model length of 1.2 to 15.4 million; and inlet cowl door both open and closed. The effects of discrete roughness elements on the forebody boundary layer, which included variations in trip configuration and height, were investigated. This document is intended to serve as a release of preliminary data to the Hyper-X program; analysis is limited to observations of the experimental trends in order to expedite dissemination.

Berry, Scott A.↗

Analysis of new measurements of Calvert Cliffs spent fuel samples using SCALE 6.2

High quality experimental data for isotopic compositions in irradiated fuel are important to spent fuel applications, including nuclear safeguards, spent fuel storage, transportation, and final disposal. The importance of these data has been increasingly recognized in recent years, particularly as countries like Finland and Sweden plan to open the world’s first two spent fuel geological repositories in 2020s, while other countries, including the United States, are considering extended dry fuel storage options. Destructive and nondestructive measurements of a spent fuel rod segment from a Combustion Engineering 14 × 14 fuel assembly of the Calvert Cliffs Unit 1 nuclear reactor have been recently performed at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL). These ORNL measurements included two samples selected from adjacent axial locations of a fuel rod with initial enrichment of 3.038 wt% 235 U, which achieved burnups close to 43.5 GWd/MTU. More than 50 different isotopes of 16 elements were measured using high precision measurement methods. Various investigations have assessed the quality of the new ORNL measurement data, including comparison to previous measurements and to calculation results. Previous measurement data for samples from the same fuel rod measured at ORNL are available from experiments performed at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory in the United States and the Khoplin Radium Institute in Russia. Detailed assembly models were developed using the newly released SCALE 6.2 code package to simulate depletion and decay of the measured fuel samples. Furthermore, results from this work show that the new ORNL measurements provide a good quality radiochemical assay data set for spent fuel with relatively high burnup and long cooling time, and they can serve as good benchmark data for nuclear burnup code validation and spent fuel studies.

11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS↗

Forced Boundary-Layer Transition on X-43 (Hyper-X) in NASA LaRC 31-Inch Mach 10 Air Tunnel

Aeroheating and boundary layer transition characteristics for the X-43 (Hyper-X) configuration have been experimentally examined in the Langley 31-Inch Mach 10 Air Tunnel. Global surface heat transfer distributions, and surface streamline patterns were measured on a 0.333-scale model of the Hyper-X forebody. Parametric variations include angles-of-attack of 0-deg, 2-deg, 3-deg, and 4-deg; Reynolds numbers based on model length of 1.2 to 5.1 million; and inlet cowl door both open and closed. The effects of discrete roughness elements on the forebody boundary layer, which included variations in trip configuration and height, were investigated. This document is intended to serve as a release of preliminary data to the Hyper-X program; analysis is limited to observations of the experimental trends in order to expedite dissemination.

Berry, Scott A.↗

Preliminary Analysis of FFTF Loss-of-Flow Tests with SAS4A/SASSYS-1

The Fast Flux Test Facility (FFTF) was the most recent Sodium-cooled Fast Reactor (SFR) built in the United States. The Passive Safety Test (PST) program was carried out on FFTF between 1984 and 1986 to demonstrate the capability of passive reactor shutdown and decay heat removal in response to protected and unprotected transients. In order to recover the information and knowledge that has been gained from FFTF, a research project was initiated focusing on the simulation of Unprotected Loss of Flow Without Scram (LOFWOS) tests similar to the knowledge preservation activities conducted for EBR-II by Argonne National Laboratory in earlier years. These knowledge preservation activities are intended to support the validation of computational tools and methods in the area of SFR passive safety. Comparisons with experimental data and other safety codes provide opportunities to improve SFR design and safety analysis codes and methods.

21 SPECIFIC NUCLEAR REACTORS AND ASSOCIATED PLANTS↗

Symmetry and scaling in one-dimensional compressible two-phase flow

Investigations of shock compression of heterogeneous materials often focus on the shock front width and overall profile. The number of experiments required to fully characterize the dynamic response of a material often belie the structure–property relationships governing these aspects of a shock wave. Recent observations measured a pronounced shock-front width on the order of 10 s of ns in particulate composites. We focus on particulate composites with disparate densities and investigate whether the mechanical interactions between the phases are adequate to describe this emergent behavior. The analysis proceeds with a general Mie–Grüneisen equation of state for the matrix material, a general drag force law with general power-law scaling for the particle-matrix coupling of the phases, and a volume fraction-dependent viscosity. Lie group analysis is applied to one-dimensional hydrodynamic flow equations for the self-consistent interaction of particles embedded in a matrix material. The particle phase is characterized by a particle size and volume fraction. The Lie group analysis results in self-similar solutions reflecting the symmetries of the flow. The symmetries lead to well-defined scaling laws, which may be used to characterize the propagation of shock waves in particle composites. An example of the derived scaling laws for shock attenuation and rise time is shown for experimental data on shock-driven tungsten-loaded polymers. A key result of the Lie analysis is that there is a relationship between the exponents characterizing the form of the drag force and the exponent characterizing the shock velocity and its attenuation in a particulate composite. Comparison to recent experiments results in a single exponent that corresponds to a conventional drag force.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

The NASA/Industry Design Analysis Methods for Vibrations (DAMVIBS) Program - Boeing helicopters airframe finite element modeling

Finite-element modeling of the airframe vibration of the Army/Boeing CH-47D helicopter is conducted with comparisons to experimental data in an effort to improve the design process. A NASTRAN FEM is developed that is fully representative of the test configuration and includes the support fixture, shakers, and the aircraft/shaker suspension system. The analysis is conducted with specific attention given to the prediction of reasonable forced amplitudes throughout the airframe. Reasonable correlation is noted between the FEM and experimental results, although improved correlation can be obtained by including more accurate damping values and secondary effects such as stringer shear loading. It is shown that the general stress model does not provide an adequate dynamic analysis on which to base design improvements. A more detailed model is required that emphasizes highly detailed helicopter elements and employs a finer mesh particularly in the description of the mass distribution.

Gabel, R.↗

Quantifying experimental edge plasma evolution via multidimensional adaptive Gaussian process regression

The edge density and temperature of tokamak plasmas are strongly correlated with energy and particle confinement and their quantification is fundamental to understanding edge dynamics. These quantities exhibit behaviours ranging from sharp plasma gradients and fast transient phenomena (e.g. transitions between low and high confinement regimes) to nominal stationary phases. Analysis of experimental edge measurements therefore require robust fitting techniques to capture potentially stiff spatiotemporal evolution. Additionally, fusion plasma diagnostics inevitably involve measurement errors and data analysis requires a statistical framework to accurately quantify uncertainties. This paper outlines a generalized multidimensional adaptive Gaussian process routine capable of automatically handling noisy data and spatiotemporal correlations. We focus on the edge-pedestal region in order to underline advancements in quantifying time-dependent plasma profiles including transport barrier formation on the Alcator C-Mod tokamak.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗

Micromechanics analysis of space simulated thermal deformations and stresses in continuous fiber reinforced composites

Space simulated thermally induced deformations and stresses in continuous fiber reinforced composites were investigated with a micromechanics analysis. The investigation focused on two primary areas. First, available explicit expressions for predicting the effective coefficients of thermal expansion (CTEs) for a composite were compared with each other, and with a finite element (FE) analysis, developed specifically for this study. Analytical comparisons were made for a wide range of fiber/matrix systems, and predicted values were compared with experimental data. The second area of investigation focused on the determination of thermally induced stress fields in the individual constituents. Stresses predicted from the FE analysis were compared to those predicted from a closed-form solution to the composite cylinder (CC) model, for two carbon fiber/epoxy composites. A global-local formulation, combining laminated plate theory and FE analysis, was used to determine the stresses in multidirectional laminates. Thermally induced damage initiation predictions were also made.

Bowles, David E.↗

Predictions of airfoil aerodynamic performance degradation due to icing

An overview of NASA's ongoing efforts to develop an airfoil icing analysis capability is developed. An indication is given to the approaches being followed to calculate the water droplet trajectories past the airfoil, the buildup of ice on the airfoil, and the resultant changes in aerodynamic performance due to the leading edge ice accretion. Examples are given of current code capabilities/limitations through comparisons of predictions with experimental data gathered in various calibration/validation experiments. A brief discussion of future efforts to extend the analysis to handle three dimensional components is included.

Shaw, Robert J.↗

Predictions of airfoil aerodynamic performance degradation due to icing

An overview of NASA's ongoing efforts to develop an airfoil icing analysis capability is developed. An indication is given to the approaches being followed to calculate the water droplet trajectories past the airfoil, the buildup of ice on the airfoil, and the resultant changes in aerodynamic performance due to the leading edge ice accretion. Examples are given of current code capabilities/limitations through comparisons of predictions with experimental data gathered in various calibration/validation experiments. A brief discussion of future efforts to extend the analysis to handle three-dimensional components is included.

Shaw, Robert J.↗

Report on Recent Upgrades to the Curved Duct Test Rig at NASA Langley Research Center

The Curved Duct Test Rig (CDTR) is an experimental facility that is designed to assess the acoustic and aerodynamic performance of aircraft engine nacelle liners in close to full scale. The test section is between 25% and 100% of the scale of aft bypass ducts of aircraft engines ranging in size from business jet to large commercial passenger jet. The CDTR has been relocated and now shares space with the Grazing Flow Impedance Tube in the Liner Technology Facility at NASA Langley Research Center. As a result of the relocation, research air is supplied to the CDTR from a 50,000 cfm centrifugal fan. This new air supply enables testing of acoustic liner samples at up to Mach 0.500. This paper documents experiments and analysis on a baseline liner sample, which the authors had analyzed and reported on prior to the move to the new facility. In the present paper, the experimental results are compared to those obtained previously in order to ensure continuity of the experimental capability. Experiments that take advantage of the facility s expanded capabilities are also reported. Data analysis features that enhance understanding of the physical properties of liner performance are introduced. The liner attenuation is shown to depend on the mode that is incident on the liner test section. The relevant parameter is the mode cut-on ratio, which determines the angle at which the sound wave is incident on the liner surface. The scattering of energy from the incident mode into higher order, less attenuated modes is demonstrated. The configuration of the acoustic treatment, in this case lined on one surface and hard wall on the opposite surface, is shown to affect the mode energy redistribution.

Gerhold, Carl H.↗

Uranium Detection - Technique Validation Report

As a LANL activity for DOE/NNSA in support of SHINE Medical Technologies™ ‘Accelerator Technology’ we have been investigating the application of UV-vis spectroscopy for uranium analysis in solution. While the technique has been developed specifically for sulfate solutions, the proposed SHINE target solutions, it can be adapted to a range of different solution matrixes. The FY15 work scope incorporated technical development that would improve accuracy, specificity, linearity & range, precision & ruggedness, and comparative analysis. Significant progress was achieved throughout FY 15 addressing these technical challenges, as is summarized in this report. In addition, comparative analysis of unknown samples using the Davies-Gray titration technique highlighted the importance of controlling temperature during analysis (impacting both technique accuracy and linearity/range). To fully understand the impact of temperature, additional experimentation and data analyses were performed during FY16. The results from this FY15/FY16 work were presented in a detailed presentation, LA-UR-16-21310, and an update of this presentation is included with this short report summarizing the key findings. The technique is based on analysis of the most intense U(VI) absorbance band in the visible region of the uranium spectra in 1 M H 2 SO 4 , at λ max = 419.5 nm.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗