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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
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1972

Joule-Thomson inversion curves and related coefficients for several simple fluids

The equations of state (PVT relations) for methane, oxygen, argon, carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, neon, hydrogen, and helium were used to establish Joule-Thomson inversion curves for each fluid. The principle of corresponding states was applied to the inversion curves, and a generalized inversion curve for fluids with small acentric factors was developed. The quantum fluids (neon, hydrogen, and helium) were excluded from the generalization, but available data for the fluids xenon and krypton were included. The critical isenthalpic Joule-Thomson coefficient mu sub c was determined; and a simplified approximation mu sub c approximates T sub c divided by 6P sub c was found adequate, where T sub c and P sub c are the temperature and pressure at the thermodynamic critical point. The maximum inversion temperatures were obtained from the second virial coefficient (maximum (B/T)).

Hendricks, R. C.↗
NASA NTRS1976

Joule-Thomson expander and heat exchanger

The Joule-Thomson Expander and Heat Exchanger Program was initiated to develop an assembly (JTX) which consists of an inlet filter, counterflow heat exchanger, Joule-Thomson expansion device, and a low pressure jacket. The program objective was to develop a JTX which, when coupled to an open cycle supercritical helium refrigerating system (storage vessel), would supply superfluid helium (He II) at 2 K or less for cooling infrared detectors.

Norman, R. H.↗
NASA NTRS1976

Joule-Thomson data curves

Series of graphs shows temperature-pressure relationship for air, nitrogen, helium, oxygen, and hydrogen when flowing across line restriction over wide range of temperatures and pressures. Graphs can be applied as engineering guides for component manufacturers and piping system designers.

Beimgraben, H. W.↗
NASA NTRS1976

Preliminary design study of astronomical detector cooling system

The preliminary design of an astronomical detector cooling system for possible use in the NASA C-141 Airborne Infrared Observatory is presented. The system consists of the following elements: supercritical helium tank, Joule-Thomson supply gas conditioner, Joule-Thomson expander (JTX), optical cavity dewar, optical cavity temperature controller, adjustable J-T discharge gas pressure controller, and vacuum pump.

Norman, R. H.↗
DOE OSTI2024

The EGS Collab project: Outcomes and lessons learned from hydraulic fracture stimulations in crystalline rock at 1.25 and 1.5 km depth

With the goal of better understanding stimulation in crystalline rock for improving enhanced geothermal systems (EGS), the EGS Collab Project performed a series of stimulations and flow tests at 1.25 and 1.5 km depths. The tests were performed in two well-instrumented testbeds in the Sanford Underground Research Facility in Lead, South Dakota, United States. The testbed for Experiment 1 at 1.5 km depth contained two open wells for injection and production and six instrumented monitoring wells surrounding the targeted stimulation zone. Four multi-step stimulation tests targeting hydraulic fracturing and nearly year-long ambient temperature and chilled water flow tests were performed in Experiment 1. The testbed for Experiments 2 and 3 was at 1.25 km depth and contained five open wells in an outwardly fanning five-spot pattern and two fans of well-instrumented monitoring wells surrounding the targeted stimulation zone. Experiment 2 targeted shear stimulation, and Experiment 3 targeted low-flow, high-flow, and oscillating pressure stimulation strategies. Hydraulic fracturing was successful in Experiments 1 and 3 in generating a connected system wherein injected water could be collected. However, the resulting flow was distributed dynamically, and not entirely collected at the anticipated production well. Thermal breakthrough was not observed in the production well, but that could have been masked by the Joule-Thomson effect. Shear stimulation in Experiment 2 did not occur - despite attempting to pressurize the fractures most likely to shear - because of the inability to inject water into a mostly-healed fracture, and the low shear-to-normal stress ratio. The EGS Collab experiments are described to provide a background for lessons learned on topics including induced seismicity, the correlation between seismicity and permeability, distributed and dynamic flow systems, thermoelastic and pressure effects, shear stimulation, local geology, thermal breakthrough, monitoring stimulation, grouting boreholes, modeling, and system management.

15 - GEOTHERMAL ENERGY↗
DOE OSTI2025

Observation of Joule–Thomson photon-gas expansion

In recent years, a self-consistent optical thermodynamic framework has emerged that offers a systematic methodology to understand, harness and exploit the complex collective dynamics of multimode nonlinear systems. These developments now allow consideration of a series of longstanding problems in optics, including the prospect of funnelling the entire power flowing in a multimode system into its ground state, for which no methodology currently exists. Here, we demonstrate an all-optical Joule-Thomson expansion process mediated by photon-photon interactions whereby the temperature of the optical gas drops abruptly to zero. Our experiments in various configurations of coupled multicore nonlinear waveguide arrangements illustrate how light undergoing expansion-induced cooling can be channelled from arbitrary input states into the fundamental mode with near-unity efficiency. We show that the stability of the post-expansion state is ensured through an irreversible process of energy conversion. The all-optical thermodynamic phenomena explored in this study may enable innovative techniques where various uncorrelated but identical sources are merged into a unified spatially coherent state, offering a route for direct beam combining.

Kirsch, Marco S. (ORCID:0000000342798228)↗
NASA NTRS1972

Thermophysical properties of parahydrogen from the freezing liquid line to 5000 R for pressures to 10000 psia

The tables include entropy, enthalpy, internal energy, density, volume, speed of sound, specific heat, thermal conductivity, viscosity, thermal diffusivity, Prandtl number, and the dielectric constant for 65 isobars. Quantities of special utility in heat transfer and thermodynamic calculations are also included in the isobaric tables. In addition to the isobaric tables, tables for the saturated vapor and liquid are given, which include all of the above properties, plus the surface tension. Tables for the P-T of the freezing liquid, index of refraction, and the derived Joule-Thomson inversion curve are also presented.

Mccarty, R. D.↗
NASA NTRS1973

Application of the principle of corresponding states to two phase choked flow

It is pointed out that several fluids including methane, oxygen, and nitrogen appear to form an average parametric plot which indicates that the isenthalpic Joule-Thomson coefficient must nearly obey the principle of corresponding states. With this as a basis, it was assumed that there could be several thermodynamic flow processes which nearly obey the principle. An examination was made to determine whether two-phase choked flow could be one of them. The analysis is described and the results are given.

Hendricks, R. C.↗
NASA NTRS1975

Cooling systems for satellite remote sensing instrumentation

The current and developing state-of-the-art in cryogenic coolers for satellite sensors was studied for earth oriented satellites. Six representative sensor categories in the 77 K to 300 K range were defined. Cooling capacities were 50 to 1000 mw; both continuous and intermittent duty cycles were considered; lifetimes were one to two years. Conceptual designs were prepared for the most promising coolers in each category. These coolers are Joule-Thomson, Solid Cryogen, Vuilleumier, Thermoelectric, Shielded Radiator, Optical Solar Reflector Radiator and Unshielded Radiator. Weight, envelope, power requirements and operating characteristics of each cooler are described. Scaling data for each cooler are included.

Copeland, R. J.↗
NASA NTRS1977

Liquid-hydrogen boiloff reliquifier

Device uses Joule-Thomson expansion and pressure-relief cooling of compressed and cooled boiloff hydrogen to condense portion of gas. System could be used with cryogens such as helium, nitrogen, and oxygen.

Howard, F. S.↗
NASA NTRS1978

Reduction of liquid hydrogen boiloff: Optimal reliquefaction system design and cost study

The refrigeration cycles investigated are referred to as Joule-Thomson cycles because they depend on the J-T effect to produce the low temperatures. Two basic competitive refrigeration cycles were evaluated. The first vents a portion of cold H2 gas to achieve the required precooling; the second uses LN2 for precooling. Both open loop and closed loop cycles were evaluated as well as combinations of venting to supplement the LN2 precooling. All cycles use a H2 compressor to achieve the desired high pressure (1325 psig). The heat compression was removed by cooling water. The high pressure H2 gas was cooled in counter flow heat exchangers by flowing cold H2 to the compressor. Further cooling was achieved for cycles using LN2 by passing H2 vapors through a LN2 heat exchanger. Finally, the high pressure H2 gas was expanded through a J-T valve where a portion of H2 was liquefied. The low pressure H2 gas flow back through the heat exchangers to the compressor is that portion not liquefied and makes up hydrogen gas from the dewar.

Source record↗
NASA NTRS1982

Magnetic refrigeration for maser amplifier cooling

The development of a multifrequency upconverter-maser system for the DSN has created the need to develop a closed-cycle refrigerator (CCR) capable of providing more than 3 watts of refrigeration capability at 4.5 K. In addition, operating concerns such as the high cost of electrical power consumption and the loss of maser operation due to CCR failures require that improvements be made to increase the efficiency and reliability of the CCR. One refrigeration method considered is the replacement of the Joule-Thomson expansion circuit with a magnetic refrigeration. Magnetic refrigerators can provide potentially reliable and highly efficient refrigeration at a variety of temperature ranges and cooling power. The concept of magnetic refrigeration is summarized and a literature review of existing magnetic refrigerator designs which have been built and tested and that may also be considered as possibilities as a 4 K to 15 K magnetic refrigeration stage for the DSN closed-cycle refrigerator is provided.

Johnson, D. L.↗
NASA NTRS1982

Miniature J-T refrigators using adsorption compressors

More sophisticated cooling systems for the employed detectors will be needed to satisfy the demand for higher resolution and sensitivity of various detectors used in space missions. The design of the cooling system must take into consideration the unique environment of space vehicles. It is pointed out that a deep space vehicle usually has an ample supply of waste heat from a radioisotope thermoelectric generator (RTG) and has a heat sink near zero Kelvin. Passive radiative coolers have been used for cooling temperatures above 90 K. Cooling below 90 K is currently handled by phase changes of solid or liquid cryogens or mechanical refrigeration. However, the weight of the cryogen may be a problem in a long duration space mission. Refrigerators of small cooling capacity are required in many spacecraft applications. For some future NASA missions, a multistage Joule-Thomson refrigerator using adsorption compressors appears particularly attractive. A study is discussed of four different refrigeration stages which use charcoal as the adsorbent. The adsorbed gases are nitrogen, helium, hydrogen, and neon.

Chan, C. K.↗
NASA NTRS1982

Superfluid-supercritical helium tradeoff analysis for the Shuttle Infrared Telescope Facility (SIRTF)

A comparative study is made of three methods for obtaining the required cooling of the SIRTF. The first is a supercritical helium system in which the 2 K temperatures are obtained by a Joule-Thomson expander; the second is a superfluid (He II) helium system; and the third is a hybrid system in which supercritical helium provides the major cooling and small He II reservoirs supply specific detector cooling. The superfluid helium system is found to offer superior performance; it would be the system to use if funding were available. The comparative study gives equal weight to performance, operations, and cost. From this point of view, the hybrid system is selected as the best compromise to obtain an operational SIRTF.

Gier, H. L.↗
NASA NTRS1983

US Navy program in small cryocoolers

A Navy program to develop fractional-watt cryocoolers capable of operating below 10 K is discussed. Several varieties of Stirling coolers were built and are under evaluation. In addition, helium gas compressors designed for use with small, closed cycle Joule-Thomson coolers are under development. An overview of the technical aspects of the program are presented.

Nisenoff, M.↗