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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 NTRS1982

Ferrographic and spectrometer oil analysis from a failed gas turbine engine

An experimental gas turbine engine was destroyed as a result of the combustion of its titanium components. It was concluded that a severe surge may have caused interference between rotating and stationary compressor that either directly or indirectly ignited the titanium components. Several engine oil samples (before and after the failure) were analyzed with a Ferrograph, a plasma, an atomic absorption, and an emission spectrometer to see if this information would aid in the engine failure diagnosis. The analyses indicated that a lubrication system failure was not a causative factor in the engine failure. Neither an abnormal wear mechanism nor a high level of wear debris was detected in the engine oil sample taken just prior to the test in which the failure occurred. However, low concentrations (0.2 to 0.5 ppm) of titanium were evident in this sample and samples taken earlier. After the failure, higher titanium concentrations ( 2 ppm) were detected in oil samples taken from different engine locations. Ferrographic analysis indicated that most of the titanium was contained in spherical metallic debris after the failure. The oil analyses eliminated a lubrication system bearing or shaft seal failure as the cause of the engine failure.

Jones, W. R., Jr.↗
NASA NTRS1983

Ferrographic and spectrometer oil analysis from a failed gas turbine engine

An experimental gas turbine engine was destroyed as a result of the combustion of its titanium components. It was concluded that a severe surge may have caused interference between rotating and stationary compressor parts that either directly or indirectly ignited the titanium components. Several engine oil samples (before and after the failure) were analyzed with a Ferrograph, and with plasma, atomic absorption, and emission spectrometers to see if this information would aid in the engine failure diagnosis. The analyses indicated that a lubrication system failure was not a causative factor in the engine failure. Neither an abnormal wear mechanism nor a high level of wear debris was detected in the engine oil sample taken just prior to the test in which the failure occurred. However, low concentrations (0.2 to 0.5 ppm) of titanium were evident in this sample and samples taken earlier. After the failure, higher titanium concentrations (2 ppm) were detected in oil samples taken from different engine locations. Ferrographic analysis indicated that most of the titanium was contained in spherical metallic debris after the failure. The oil analyses eliminated a lubrication system bearing or shaft seal failure as the cause of the engine failure. Previously announced in STAR as N83-12433

Jones, W. R., Jr.↗
NASA NTRS1998

Implementing a Reliability Centered Maintenance Program at NASA's Kennedy Space Center

Maintenance practices have long focused on time based "preventive maintenance" techniques. Components were changed out and parts replaced based on how long they had been in place instead of what condition they were in. A reliability centered maintenance (RCM) program seeks to offer equal or greater reliability at decreased cost by insuring only applicable, effective maintenance is performed and by in large part replacing time based maintenance with condition based maintenance. A significant portion of this program involved introducing non-intrusive technologies, such as vibration analysis, oil analysis and I/R cameras, to an existing labor force and management team.

DIAGNOSTIC EQUIPMENT↗
NASA NTRS1985

Correlation and analysis of oil flow data for an air-breathing missile model

This paper will present the results of an oil flow investigation on an airbreathing missile model. This oil flow study examined the flow around the model, which can be configured with both axisymmetric and two-dimensional inlets. Flow visualization analyses were conducted for both types of geometries by examining the surface flow patterns made visible by the oil flows for Mach numbers of 2.5 and 3.95. The analysis has shown the extent of flow spillage around the inlet which has helped explain the force and moment data collected during previous testing of the model. The oil flow data has also been used to develop guidelines for modeling the location of the crossflow separation line along inlet fairings. Finally, the oil flow analysis has been used to identify unique features of the boattail flow. These boattail flow characteristics have been correlated with previous oil flow analysis of noncircular body models. This paper demonstrates the use of this type of oil flow analysis in developing missile flow field analysis and aerodynamic predictions ranging from impact angle methods through Navier-Stokes methods.

Stoy, S. L.↗
NASA NTRS2001

Gear Damage Detection Using Oil Debris Analysis

The purpose of this paper was to verify, when using an oil debris sensor, that accumulated mass predicts gear pitting damage and to identify a method to set threshold limits for damaged gears. Oil debris data was collected from 8 experiments with no damage and 8 with pitting damage in the NASA Glenn Spur Gear Fatigue Rig. Oil debris feature analysis was performed on this data. Video images of damage progression were also collected from 6 of the experiments with pitting damage. During each test, data from an oil debris sensor was monitored and recorded for the occurrence of pitting damage. The data measured from the oil debris sensor during experiments with damage and with no damage was used to identify membership functions to build a simple fuzzy logic model. Using fuzzy logic techniques and the oil debris data, threshold limits were defined that discriminate between stages of pitting wear. Results indicate accumulated mass combined with fuzzy logic analysis techniques is a good predictor of pitting damage on spur gears.

Dempsey, Paula J.↗
NASA NTRS1980

Ferrographic and spectrographic analysis of oil sampled before and after failure of a jet engine

An experimental gas turbine engine was destroyed as a result of the combustion of its titanium components. Several engine oil samples (before and after the failure) were analyzed with a Ferrograph as well as plasma, atomic absorption, and emission spectrometers. The analyses indicated that a lubrication system failure was not a causative factor in the engine failure. Neither an abnormal wear mechanism, nor a high level of wear debris was detected in the oil sample from the engine just prior to the test in which the failure occurred. However, low concentrations of titanium were evident in this sample and samples taken earlier. After the failure, higher titanium concentrations were detected in oil samples taken from different engine locations. Ferrographic analysis indicated that most of the titanium was contained in spherical metallic debris after the failure.

Jones, W. R., Jr.↗
DOE OSTI2025

Rapid quantification of whole seed fatty acid amount, composition, and shape phenotypes from diverse oilseed species with large differences in seed size

Seed oils are widely used in the food, biofuel, and industrial feedstock industries, with their utility and value determined by total oil content and fatty acid composition. Current high throughput seed oil analysis methods either lack accuracy in total fatty acid profiling or require extensive labor for lipid extraction prior to derivatization to fatty acid methyl esters (FAME) and quantification by gas chromatography (GC). Alternatively, direct whole seed FAME production methods have been developed for the very small seeds in the model species Arabidopsis thaliana but these have generally not been adapted to larger seeds of most oilseed crops. High-throughput direct whole seed FAME production methods were optimized for seeds up to 5 mg each utilizing acid-catalyzed esterification. For the oilseed species Camelina sativa, Thlaspi avernse (pennycress), Cuphea viscosissima, and Brassica napus (var. Canola), the total seed fatty acid content and composition from direct seed esterification to FAME matched that of lipid extract derivatization demonstrating the accuracy of the methods. In combination with seed phenotyping using GridFree, this approach enabled the development of a rapid pipeline for simultaneous seed weight, count, size/shape phenotyping, and oil analysis. For the larger and tougher seeds produced by Limnanthes alba (Meadowfoam) and Cannabis sativa L. (hemp) the whole seed acid-based method proved insufficient, and prior laborious homogenization of seeds was required. Therefore, a rapid one-tube bead homogenization and base catalyzed-esterification method was developed. Base-derived fatty acid esterification cannot derivatize free fatty acids leading to slightly lower total seed fatty acid than acid-catalyzed methods, however the seed oil content and fatty acid composition that is valuable for screening large numbers of samples in research populations was accurately measured. New rapid whole seed fatty acid esterification and phenotyping protocols were developed to accurately assess oilseed lipid content. These methods are particularly valuable in oilseed research, breeding, and engineering applications where efficient analysis of large numbers of samples and accurate oil fatty acid profiling is essential. While having been developed for current and emerging oilseed crops, these methods also provide a foundation from which protocols might be established for new and emerging crop species.

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗
NASA NTRS2006

Investigation of Tapered Roller Bearing Damage Detection Using Oil Debris Analysis

A diagnostic tool was developed for detecting fatigue damage to tapered roller bearings. Tapered roller bearings are used in helicopter transmissions and have potential for use in high bypass advanced gas turbine aircraft engines. This diagnostic tool was developed and evaluated experimentally by collecting oil debris data from failure progression tests performed by The Timken Company in their Tapered Roller Bearing Health Monitoring Test Rig. Failure progression tests were performed under simulated engine load conditions. Tests were performed on one healthy bearing and three predamaged bearings. During each test, data from an on-line, in-line, inductance type oil debris sensor was monitored and recorded for the occurrence of debris generated during failure of the bearing. The bearing was removed periodically for inspection throughout the failure progression tests. Results indicate the accumulated oil debris mass is a good predictor of damage on tapered roller bearings. The use of a fuzzy logic model to enable an easily interpreted diagnostic metric was proposed and demonstrated.

Dempsey, Paula J.↗
DOE OSTI2021

Analysis of Oil and Gas Ethane and Methane Emissions in the Southcentral and Eastern United States Using Four Seasons of Continuous Aircraft Ethane Measurements

In the last decade, much work has been done to better understand methane (CH 4 ) emissions from the oil and gas (O&G) industry in the United States. Ethane (C 2 H 6 ), a gas that is co-emitted with thermogenic sources of CH 4 , is emitted in the US predominantly by the O&G sector. Here, in this study, we perform an inverse analysis on 200 h of atmospheric boundary layer C 2 H 6 measurements to estimate C 2 H 6 emissions from the US O&G sector. Measurements were collected from 2017 to 2019 as part of the Atmospheric Carbon and Transport (ACT) America aircraft campaign and encompass much of the central and eastern United States. We find that for the fall, winter, and spring campaigns, C 2 H 6 data consistently exceeds values that would be expected based on EPA O&G leak rate estimates by more than 50%. C 2 H 6 observations from the summer 2019 data set show significantly lower C 2 H 6 enhancements in the southcentral region that cannot be reconciled with data from the other three seasons, either due to complex meteorological conditions or a temporal shift in the emissions. Combining the fall, winter, and spring C 2 H 6 posterior emissions estimate to an inventory of O&G CH 4 emissions, we estimate that O&G CH 4 emissions are larger than EPA inventory values by 48%–76%. Uncertainties in the gas composition data limit the accuracy of using C 2 H 6 as a proxy for O&G CH 4 emissions. These limits could be resolved retroactively by increasing the availability of industry-collected gas composition data.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗
NASA NTRS1972

Analysis of oil lubricated, fluid film, thrust bearings with allowance for temperature dependent viscosity

A preliminary design study was performed to seek a fluid-film thrust bearing design intended to be part of a high-speed, hybrid (rolling element/fluid film) bearing configuration. The base line used is a design previously tested. To improve the accuracy of theoretical predictions of load capacity, flow rate, and friction power loss, an analytical procedure was developed to include curvature effects inherent in thrust bearings and to allow for the temperature rise in the fluid due to viscous heating. Also, a narrow-groove approximation in the treatment of the temperature field was formulated to apply the procedure to the Whipple thrust bearing. A comparative trade-off study was carried out assuming isothermal films; its results showed the shrouded-step design to be superior to the Whipple design for the intended application. An extensive parametric study was performed, employing isoviscous calculations, to determine the optimized design, which was subsequently recalculated allowing for temperature effects.

Pan, C. H. T.↗
NASA NTRS1991

Observations and analysis of oil spills using polarized imagery

On Saturday, July 28, 1990, a train of barges collided with the Greek tanker Shinoussa in Galveston Bay off Red Fish Island near Texas City, Texas. The first barge sank and the second began to leak while the third barge in the chain and the Shinoussa both escaped without damage. The NASA Flight Science Support Office sponsored a graduate student from SUNY - College of Environmental Science and Forestry and a student from Texas, to survey the damage. The purpose of these surveys was to correlate aircraft base data with orbital data obtained during the Space Shuttle Polarization Experiment and existing laboratory data to evaluate the potential for an application such as oil spill monitoring and mapping. NASA has no charter with the local response agencies to support oil spill monitoring and cleanup.

Israel, S. A.↗
DOE OSTI2020

Development of Ionic Liquid-Additized, GF-5/6 Compatible Low-Viscosity Oils for Automotive Engine and Rear Axle Lubrication for 4% Improved Fuel Economy

This joint project among ORNL, GM, and DRO successfully developed ionic liquid-additized low viscosity lubricants, SAE 0W-12 and 70W-80, for both IC engine and rear axle lubrication, respectively, and demonstrated combined vehicle fuel economy improvement (FEI). Phosphonium-alkylphosphate ILs have been found to be the most effective among the candidates in protecting surface damage from both sliding wear and rolling contact fatigue, and optimal IL concentrations have been determined. The IL’s impact on three-way catalyst seems to be significantly less adverse than the conventional ZDDP. Oil formulations were optimized for both energy efficiency and wear protection. Tribological bench testing of the IL-additized low-viscosity oils showed at least 40% lower boundary friction, more than 60% lower elastohydrodynamic friction, and greater than 50% less wear compared with commercial baselines. IL-additized lubricants have demonstrated FEI by 9.9% in engine dynamometer tests under extreme conditions and 6.9% increased power output in gear rig tests. Prototype IL-additized engine oil and rear axle fluid exhibited combined FEI of 1.39% and 3.24% benchmarked against the state-of-the-art baselines in vehicle testing of fresh oils under the Federal Test Procedure (FTP) city cycle and Highway Fuel Economy Driving Schedule (HWFET), respectively. Used oil analysis suggested that the IL-additized low-viscosity oils produced less wear than the commercial baselines. The gained fundamental understanding and demonstrated FEI in this work pave the way for future development and implementation of the ionic liquid technology.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2020

Molecular Weight Distribution Analysis of Pyrolysis Oils by Gel Permeation Chromatography

Comprehensive analysis of the molecular weight distribution of raw and catalytic fast pyrolysis oils derived from biomass remains a key technical hurdle to understanding oil quality as it relates to downstream use and multiple methods may be necessary to accurately represent all components present. Here, we report the molecular weight distribution metrics of fast pyrolysis (FP) and catalytic fast pyrolysis (CFP) oils as determined by gel permeation chromatography (GPC) combined with UV-diode array (UV), differential refractive index (RI), and multi-angle laser light scattering (MALS) detection. The measured molar mass distributions revealed that FP oil consisted of a higher proportion of larger products relative to the low molecular weight products contained in the CFP oil. GPC/RI and UV methods showed FP oil to have higher weight-average molecular weight (Mw) and number-average molecular weight (Mn) than CFP oil based on elution time. However, GPC/MALS, determined the two oils to have similar overall molecular weight distribution metrics (Mw and Mn) and yielded values significantly higher than those determined by RI and UV detectors relative to external standards. Overall, the use of a multiple detection GPC method could enable a more accurate comparison and determination of true molecular weight metrics of bio-oils.

BIOMASS FUELS↗