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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 19 records

A flexible gyro-fluid system of equations

Gyro-fluid equations are velocity space moments of the gyrokinetic equations. Special gyro-Landau-fluid closures have been developed that include the damping due to kinetic resonances by fitting to the collisionless local plasma response functions. This damping allows for accurate linear eigenmodes to be computed with a relatively low number of velocity space moments compared to the number of velocity quadrature points in gyrokinetic codes. However, none of the published gyro-Landau-fluid closure schemes considers the Onsager symmetries of the resulting quasi-linear fluxes as a constraint. Onsager symmetry guarantees that the matrix of diffusivities is positive definite, an important property for the numerical stability of a transport solver. A two-parameter real closure for improving the accuracy of low-resolution gyro-fluid equations, which preserves the Onsager symmetry and allows higher velocity space moments, is presented in this paper. The new linear gyro-fluid system (GFS) is used to extend the TGLF quasi-linear transport model so that it can compute the energy and momentum fluxes due to parallel magnetic fluctuations, completing the transport matrix. The GFS equations do not use a bounce average approximation. The GFS equations are fully electromagnetic with general flux surface magnetic geometry, pitch angle scattering for electron collisions, and subsonic equilibrium toroidal rotation. Using GFS eigenmodes in the quasi-linear TGLF model will be shown to yield a more accurate match to fluxes computed by CGYRO turbulence simulations. In conclusion, prospects for future applications of a quasi-linear theory to new plasma transport regimes and magnetic confinement devices in addition to tokamaks are opened by the flexibility of the GFS eigensolver.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗

Pilot-pressure-controlled flow valve and fluid system containing same

In a thermal fluid system, a control valve includes a flow valve and a solenoid pilot valve. The flow valve has an inlet and an outlet; a control chamber for receiving a pilot pressure; and a valve member operable by the pilot pressure to selectively open and close a fluid path from the inlet to the outlet. The pilot pressure acts in a closing direction of the flow valve. The pilot valve provides the pilot pressure to the control chamber and is a 3/2 way valve with a first port in fluid communication with the control chamber, a second port to be connected to a pressure source, and a third port. The pilot valve has a first position connecting the first port with the second port and a second position connecting the first port with the third port.

Chowdhury, Sourav↗

Consequences and benefits of utilizing continuous vibro-impact representations in constrained pipeline conveying fluid systems

Here, the effectiveness of continuous vibro-impact forcing representations for the cantilevered pipe that conveys fluid is explored and analyzed. The previously accepted forcing model utilizing a smoothened trilinear spring is estimated using three continuous forcing representations, namely, polynomial, rational polynomial, and hyperbolic tangent. The accuracy of the estimated forcing functions is investigated and analyzed by calculating the root mean square error, and bifurcation diagrams are generated and compared to the nominal system. Additionally, the dynamic response of the system is further characterized using Poincare maps, power spectra, and basins of attraction. Once all continuous forcing representations are analyzed and compared to the nominal system, the computational cost of each method is examined, and further limitations of the hyperbolic tangent method are discovered. It is proved that the hyperbolic tangent forcing representation most accurately captures the dynamic response of the pipeline, and the least accurate representation is the rational polynomial representation. Additionally, considerable computational cost is saved when employing the hyperbolic tangent representation compared to the discontinuous representation.

42 ENGINEERING↗

A semi-empirical power-law model for the dip-coating of a substrate into a particle-containing, non-Newtonian, complex fluid system

The apparent viscosity of a particle suspension of ZrSi 2 particles, polyhydromethylsiloxane (PHMS) preceramic polymer and n-Octane solvent, used to process polymer-derived ceramic composite coatings, is shown by viscometric experiments to be shear-thinning. The suspension is dip-coated onto substrates and the measured entrained coating thickness, h 0 , is observed to be a power-law function of U, the substrate extraction speed, as h 0 = 0.5051U 0.5 . The experimentally observed semi-empirical model is directly compared to the results of a variety of theoretically derived Landau-Levich scaling laws and other models that have similar liquids and that include other effects. None of these cases predicts the scaling observed in these experiments. A correction factor is introduced to quantify the difference between the semi-empirical model with existing theoretical models. Possible explanations for the observed scaling behavior are presented.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Advanced Physics-Based Fluid System Performance Monitoring to Support Nuclear Power Plant Operations. Final CRADA report

This project targeted performance monitoring requirements for nuclear power plants with the goal of improving plant economics. We introduced a new and innovative technology to the industry that can reduce operations staffing levels by automating surveillance and can reduce maintenance staffing levels by providing early detection of degrading equipment. A beta-stage release of the PRO-AID power plant equipment fault diagnostic software ready for deployment in nuclear power plants will be delivered and demonstrated in a utility pilot project. To provide for efficient use of DOE funds the aim is to generate a minimum viable product for which we can prove the value of the product. The end state product will be serviceable for use in either a simulator environment or plant environment. The former provides a means for demonstration of the diagnostic capability for faults unlikely to be encountered in day-to-day operations.

21 SPECIFIC NUCLEAR REACTORS AND ASSOCIATED PLANTS↗

Heat transfer/storage fluids and systems that utilize such fluids

Heat transfer/storage fluids that are resistant to oxidation in air at elevated temperatures, and systems that utilize such heat transfer/storage fluids, for example, as part of a concentrating solar power (CSP) system or other electricity-generating systems. The heat transfer/storage fluid is a molten chloride solution comprising two or more chlorides selected from the group consisting of CaCl 2 , SrCl 2 , BaCl 2 , NaCl, and KCl.

Sandhage, Kenneth Henry↗

Variable-Speed Pump Efficiency Calculation For Fluid Flow Systems with and without Static Head

To accurately calculate pump energy savings gained from implementing variable frequency drive (VFD) controls, the variation of pump efficiency must be considered when operating conditions transition from the design operating point to new operating points. Many software tools require users to specify the new pump efficiency, or it is assumed to be unchanged. Unfortunately, many users have challenges of estimating the pump efficiency at new operating points. This paper presents a simplified method of estimating centrifugal pump efficiency at new operating speeds when the pump is controlled by a VFD. This methodology applies to systems with and without static head when the system curve is not affected by the change, and also systems where the change in operation changes the system curve.A hypothetical fluid flow system and centrifugal pump were used to demonstrate the calculation process for these scenarios. For this hypothetical system, the pump’s efficiency at new operating points was up to 5.4% lower than the design operating point.

42 ENGINEERING↗

CRADA Number NFE-19-07867 with Neptune Fluid Flow Systems (CRADA Final Report)

Neptune Fluid Flow Systems is a rising engineering firm with a technology focus in improving cryogenic sample preparation for cryogenic-transmission electron microscopy (cryo-TEM) studies. To advance the R&D of its innovative cryogenic preparation method, Neptune has teamed up with the Center for Nanophase Materials Science (CNMS) at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) to achieve the following aims: (1) validate the technical feasibility of CryoSheet sample prep method, (2) design, fabricate and test the cryo-stage support, and (3) experiment and achieve success with the novel sample preparation method on different soft matters.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Symmetries of a reduced fluid-gyrokinetic system

Symmetries of a fluid-gyrokinetic model are investigated using Lie group techniques. Specifically the nonlinear system constructed by Zocco and Schekochihin (Zocco & Schekochihin 2011), which combines nonlinear fluid equations with a drift-kinetic description of parallel electron dynamics, is studied. Significantly, this model is fully gyrokinetic, allowing for arbitrary $k_{\bot \rho I}$ where $k_\bot$ is the perpendicular wave vector of the fluctuations and $\rho I}$ is the ion gyroradius. The model includes integral operators corresponding to gyroaveraging as well as the moment equations relating fluid variables to the kinetic distribution function. A large variety of exact symmetries is uncovered, some of which have unexpected form. Using these results, new nonlinear solutions are constructed, including a helical generalization of the Chapman-Kendall solution for a collapsing current sheet.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗

Methods to capture proteomic and metabolomic signatures from cerebrospinal fluid and serum of healthy individuals

Discovery of reliable signatures for the empirical diagnosis of neurological diseases—both infectious and non-infectious—remains unrealized. One of the primary challenges encountered in such studies is the lack of a comprehensive database representative of a signature background that exists in healthy individuals, and against which an aberrant event can be assessed. For neurological insults and injuries, it is important to understand the normal profile in the neuronal (cerebrospinal fluid) and systemic fluids (e.g., blood). Here, we present the first comparative multi-omic human database of signatures derived from a population of 30 individuals (15 males, 15 females, 23–74 years) of serum and cerebrospinal fluid. In addition to empirical signatures, we also assigned common pathways between serum and CSF. Together, our findings provide a cohort against which aberrant signature profiles in individuals with neurological injuries/disease can be assessed—providing a pathway for comprehensive diagnostics and therapeutics discovery.

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗

Kelvin-Helmholtz instability is the result of parity-time symmetry breaking

Parity-Time (PT)-symmetry is being actively investigated as a fundamental property of observables in quantum physics. We show that the governing equations of the classical two-fluid interaction and the incompressible fluid system are PT-symmetric, and the well-known Kelvin-Helmholtz instability is the result of spontaneous PT-symmetry breaking. It is expected that all classical conservative systems governed by Newton's law admit PT-symmetry, and the spontaneous breaking thereof is a generic mechanism for classical instabilities. Here discovering the PT-symmetry of systems in fluid dynamics and plasma physics and identifying the PT-symmetry breaking responsible for instabilities enable new techniques to classical physics and enrich the physics of PT-symmetry.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗

RRFMC Drop Tester: Conduct of R&D Engineering System Risk Assessment

This report provides a documented risk assessment and subsequent determination of engineering rigor for the modification of the drop tester system inside of the Respirable Release Fraction Measurement Chamber (RRFMC) located in TA03-130. This risk assessment does not apply to the modification of the structural support system, containment barrier, pressure system, nor fluid system of the RRFMC, but only seeks to address the risk associated with the specific system used to raise and drop test articles.

42 ENGINEERING↗

Alternative, Less Water-Intensive, Fracturing Fluids for Enhanced Geothermal Systems

Four fracturing fluids; water, CO2, CO2 with water, and CO2 with an aqueous solution of a CO2-reactive polymer, poly(allylamine) (PAA, 1wt%) were evaluated using a high-temperature true-triaxial fracturing apparatus and ½ foot side granite cubic samples. All three CO2-based fracturing fluids, CO2, CO2 with water, and CO2 with aqueous PAA fractured granite at higher breakdown pressures, high transient flow rates, and produce higher-conductivity fractures as compared to water. Additionally, faster pressurization rates with CO2-based fracturing fluids (obtained when fracturing at constant flow rate mode) are found to be associated with higher fracture conductivities. When partially saturating the rock sample with PAA solution followed by fracturing with CO2, the volume expansion caused by CO2-induced cross-linking of PAA leads to a faster pressure increase due to the associated stress generated and increase in viscosity. It was also found that CO2 as a fracturing fluid injected in hot dry rock (HDR) attain the highest fracture conductivity only when injected at very high flow rates, followed very closely by the CO2/PAA fracturing fluid system that generates fractures with, on average, similarly high conductivity values though independently of injection flow rate and using 1/6 of the mass of CO2 as compared to CO2 in HDR. Breakdown pressures were also similar for CO2 stimulation in HDR and CO2/PAA fluid system under identical injection flow rates. It is concluded that CO2 (when injected in HDR) and CO2/PAA are the fluids of choice for stimulation of granitic rock samples under the studied geothermal P/T conditions. CO2/PAA, however, offer the following three additional advantages; 1) it requires significantly lower volumes of CO2, 2) fracture permeability is independent of injection flow rate, and 3) the reversible (previously reported) viscosity increase is beneficial to transport proppants if they are ever developed enhanced geothermal systems.

Jian, Guoqing↗

Thermally reflective membrane apparatuses, and related fluid treatment systems and methods

A thermally reflective membrane apparatus comprises a housing structure, and a thermally reflective membrane contained within the housing structure. The thermally reflective membrane comprises a semipermeable structure, and a porous, thermally reflective structure physically contacting the semipermeable structure. The porous, thermally reflective structure comprises discrete thermally reflective particles, and a binder material coupling the discrete thermally reflective particles to one another and the semipermeable structure. A fluid treatment system and method of treating a fluid are also described.

Klaehn, John R.↗

Experimental Investigation of Inhibitive Drilling Fluids Performance: Case Studies from United States Shale Basins

Shale formations are attractive prospects due to their potential in oil and gas production. Some of the largest shale formations in the mainland US, such as the Tuscaloosa Marine Shale (TMS), have reserves estimated to be around 7 billion barrels. Despite their huge potential, shale formations present major concerns for drilling operators. These prospects have unique challenges because of all their alteration and incompatibility issues with drilling and completion fluids. Most shale formations undergo numerous chemical and physical alterations, making their interaction with the drilling and completion fluid systems very complex to understand. In this study, a high-pressure, high-temperature (HPHT) drilling simulator was used to mimic real time drilling operations to investigate the performance of inhibitive drilling fluid systems in two major shale formations (Eagle Ford Shale and Tuscaloosa Marine Shale). A series of drilling experiments using the drilling simulator and clay swelling tests were conducted to evaluate the drilling performance of the KCl drilling fluid and cesium formate brine systems and their effectiveness in minimizing drilling concerns. Cylindrical cores were used to mimic vertical wellbores. It was found that the inhibitive muds systems (KCl and cesium formate) provided improved drilling performance compared to conventional fluid systems. Among the inhibitive systems, the cesium formate brine showed the best drilling performances due to its low swelling rate and improved drilling performance.

04 OIL SHALES AND TAR SANDS↗