Search NASA⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search NASA

Results for “PRESSURE GAUGE”

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.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 19 records
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2020

Wisconsin In Situ Penning (WISP) gauge: A versatile neutral pressure gauge to measure partial pressures in strong magnetic fields

A new type of in-vessel Penning gauge, the Wisconsin In Situ Penning (WISP) gauge, has been developed and successfully operated in the Wendelstein 7-X (W7-X) island divertor baffle and vacuum vessel. The capacity of the quantitative measurements of the neutral reservoir for light impurities, in particular, helium, is important for tokamaks as well as stellarator divertors in order to avoid fuel dilution and radiative energy loss. Penning gauges assisted by spectroscopy are a powerful tool to obtain the total neutral pressure as well as fractional neutral pressures of specific impurities. The WISP gauge is a miniaturized Penning gauge arrangement, which exploits the ambient magnetic field of magnetic confinement fusion experiments to establish the Penning discharge. Then, in situ spectroscopy is conducted to separate the fractional neutral pressures of hydrogen, helium, and possibly also other impurities. The WISP probe head was qualified using the magnetic field of the Magnetized Dusty Plasma Experiment at Auburn University between 0.25 T and 3.5 T [E. Thomas et al ., J. Plasma Phys. 81, 345810206 (2015)]. The in-depth quantitative evaluation for hydrogen and helium will be shown as well as an exploration of nitrogen, argon, and neon. A power law scaling between current I and pressure p, I = f (Gas,V) p n⁽Gas, B⁾ , was shown. The factor f is gas and anode potential dependent, while n is gas and magnetic field strength dependent. Pressure measurements from 0.1 mbar and down to 1 × 10 -5 mbar were achieved, demonstrating a reliable operating range for relevant pressure levels in the divertor and main vessel regions in current and future fusion devices, with a time resolution of up to 1 kHz. The lowest achievable pressure measurement increases with an increase in B and can be shifted with the anode potential V . At W7-X, the WISP probe head was mounted on an immersion tube setup that passes through the cryostat and places the probe head close to the plasma. Two probe heads were positioned in different divertor pump gaps, top and bottom, and one close to the plasma on the midplane in one module. The gauges were in situ calibrated together with the ASDEX pressure gauges [G. Haas and H.-S. Bosch, Vacuum 51, 39 (1998)]. Data were taken during the entire operation phase 1.2b, and measurements were coherent with other neutral gas pressure gauges. For the spectroscopic partial pressure measurements, channels of a spectroscopic detection system based on photo-multipliers, a so-called filterscope [R. J. Colchin et al ., Rev. Sci. Instrum. 74, 2068 (2003)], provided by the Oak Ridge National Lab were used.

47 OTHER INSTRUMENTATION↗
DOE OSTI2018

A Numerical Simulation of Transport Phenomena During the Horizontal Single Belt Casting Process Using an Inclined Feeding System

Horizontal single belt casting (HSBC) has great potential to replace current conventional continuous casting (CCC) processes for sheet metal production, by directly casting 3 to 1 mm sheet for the automobile industry. In the present paper, two-dimensional mathematical models were developed to study transport phenomena, for the case of an inclined wall feeding system for a liquid aluminum wrought alloy (AA6111). Based on the commercial software ANSYS FLUENT 14.5 and user-defined functions, a two-layer turbulence model was used to examine the fluid flow emanating from a slot nozzle set above a water-cooled, high-speed, steel belt. The Volume of Fluid (VOF) method was used to predict the shape of the melt-air interface. A transformed coordinate system (x′, y′) was established in order to analyze the fluid flow on the inclined wall of the feeding system. The total pressure gauge gradient (∂p{sub total}/∂x) was used to describe the behavior of the melt film inside the slot nozzle of the head box. The modeling results show that during the melt film falling process, the total gauge pressure varies within the slot nozzle, which can decrease the stability of the falling film. The first impingement between the falling film and the inclined refractory wall of the feeding system gives rise to a local oscillation, and this influences the stability of the melt film moving downwards. At the rear meniscus position between the inclined wall and the moving belt, there is a clear vibration of the air-melt interface, together with a recirculation zone. The weak vibration of the air-melt interface could be induced by the periodic variation of the melt-air interface. Moreover, the formation of tiny air pockets is predicted. Finally, on the inclined wall of the feeding system, a suitable length of the transition area is needed to avoid over-acceleration of the melt film due to the force of gravity.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2015

Saturation curve of SiO{sub 2} component in rutile-type GeO{sub 2}: A recoverable high-temperature pressure standard from 3 GPa to 10 GPa

The accuracy and precision of pressure measurements and the pursuit of reliable and readily available pressure scales at simultaneous high temperatures and pressures are still topics in development in high pressure research despite many years of work. In situ pressure scales based on x-ray diffraction are widely used but require x-ray access, which is lacking outside of x-ray beam lines. Other methods such as fixed points require several experiments to bracket a pressure calibration point. In this study, a recoverable high-temperature pressure gauge for pressures ranging from 3 GPa to 10 GPa is presented. The gauge is based on the pressure-dependent solubility of an SiO{sub 2} component in the rutile-structured phase of GeO{sub 2} (argutite), and is valid when the argutite solid solution coexists with coesite. The solid solution varies strongly in composition, mainly in pressure but also somewhat in temperature, and the compositional variations are easily detected by x-ray diffraction of the recovered products because of significant changes in the lattice parameters. The solid solution is measured here on two isotherms, one at 1200 °C and the other at 1500 °C, and is developed as a pressure gauge by calibrating it against three fixed points for each temperature and against the lattice parameter of MgO measured in situ at a total of three additional points. A somewhat detailed thermodynamic analysis is then presented that allows the pressure gauge to be used at other temperatures. This provides a way to accurately and reproducibly evaluate the pressure in high pressure experiments and applications in this pressure-temperature range, and could potentially be used as a benchmark to compare various other pressure scales under high temperature conditions. - Graphical abstract: The saturation curve of SiO{sub 2} in TiO{sub 2} shows a strong pressure dependence and a strong dependence of unit cell volume on composition. This provides an opportunity to use this saturation curve as a measurement of pressure during a high-pressure experiment. The curve is a sensitive measure of pressure from 3 GPa to 10 GPa at high temperatures. The pressure is derived from lattice parameter measurements on the recovered solid solution, meaning that in-situ measurements are not necessary to evaluate the pressure of the experiment. - Highlights: • The unit cell of a saturated GeO{sub 2}–SiO{sub 2} solid solution is used as a pressure sensor. • We measure nine bracketed pressure points on the GeO{sub 2}–SiO{sub 2} saturation surface. • We provide a pressure calibrant from 3 GPa to 10 GPa at two temperatures. • Four points are measured at 1200 °C and five points at 1500 °C. • A thermodynamic model is developed for use of the calibrant at other temperatures.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2019

Certification and User Manual for A 5kW Heat Exchanger Test Loop at Low Temperatures and High-Pressures

Yankee Scientific has designed and built a custom heat exchanger test stand (HXTS), for Oak Ridge National Laboratory, to support a program to develop advanced heat exchangers (HX) for geothermal Organic Rankine Cycle (ORC) power plants under Subcontract Number 40000141544 with ORNL. The test stand was designed to measure the performance of laboratory scale sub-sections of these advanced heat exchangers. Provisions have been made to facilitate testing the advanced heat exchanger as a primary refrigerant vaporizer and as a recuperator and as the system condenser. The test loop was operated with a controller and was instrumented with 11 thermocouples, 5 pressure gauges, 2 pressure transducers, 2 differential pressure transducers, and 3 flow meters.

15 GEOTHERMAL ENERGY↗
DOE OSTI2021

Hydrogen Risk Assessment Models (HyRAM) (V.3.1) (Technical Reference Manual)

The HyRAM software toolkit provides a basis for conducting quantitative risk assessment and consequence modeling for hydrogen infrastructure and transportation systems. HyRAM is designed to facilitate the use of state-of-the-art science and engineering models to conduct robust, repeatable assessments of hydrogen safety, hazards, and risk. HyRAM includes generic probabilities for hydrogen equipment failures, probabilistic models for the impact of heat flux on humans and structures, and experimentally validated first-order models of hydrogen release and flame physics. HyRAM integrates deterministic and probabilistic models for quantifying accident scenarios, predicting physical effects, and characterizing hydrogen hazards (thermal effects from jet res, overpressure effects from deflagrations), and assessing impact on people and structures. HyRAM is developed at Sandia National Laboratories for the U.S. Department of Energy to increase access to technical data about hydrogen safety and to enable the use of that data to support development and revision of national and international codes and standards. HyRAM is a research software in active development and thus the models and data may change. This report will be updated at appropriate developmental intervals. This document provides a description of the methodology and models contained in HyRAM version 3.1. There have been several impactful updates since version 3.0. HyRAM 3.1 contains a correction to use the volume fraction for two-phase speed of sound calculations; this only affects cryogenic releases in which two-phase ow (vapor and liquid) is predicted in the orifice. Other changes include clarifications that inputs for tank pressure should be given in absolute pressure, not gauge pressure. Additionally, the interface now rejects invalid inputs to probability distributions, and the less accurate single-point radiative source model selection was removed from the interface.

08 HYDROGEN↗
DOE OSTI2014

Analytical and experimental studies of leak location and environment characterization for the international space station

The International Space Station program is developing a robotically-operated leak locator tool to be used externally. The tool would consist of a Residual Gas Analyzer for partial pressure measurements and a full range pressure gauge for total pressure measurements. The primary application is to demonstrate the ability to detect NH{sub 3} coolant leaks in the ISS thermal control system. An analytical model of leak plume physics is presented that can account for effusive flow as well as plumes produced by sonic orifices and thruster operations. This model is used along with knowledge of typical RGA and full range gauge performance to analyze the expected instrument sensitivity to ISS leaks of various sizes and relative locations (“directionality”). The paper also presents experimental results of leak simulation testing in a large thermal vacuum chamber at NASA Goddard Space Flight Center. This test characterized instrument sensitivity as a function of leak rates ranging from 1 lb{sub m/}/yr. to about 1 lb{sub m}/day. This data may represent the first measurements collected by an RGA or ion gauge system monitoring off-axis point sources as a function of location and orientation. Test results are compared to the analytical model and used to propose strategies for on-orbit leak location and environment characterization using the proposed instrument while taking into account local ISS conditions and the effects of ram/wake flows and structural shadowing within low Earth orbit.

42 ENGINEERING↗
DOE OSTI2020

In-situ gloveport glove leak tester

The invention provides a system for detecting leaks in glovebox gloves, the system having a first seal within a glovebox aperture; a second seal contacting exterior surfaces of a glovebox, wherein the exterior surfaces define a periphery of the aperture; a first fluid supply for circumferentially expanding the first seal against center facing surfaces of the aperture to a first pressure; a second fluid supply for inflating the glove to a second pressure; and a pressure gauge for detecting a pressure decrease of the second pressure. Also provided is an in situ method for detecting leaks in glove box gloves, the method having the steps of applying a radially directed force to inside surfaces of cuffs of the gloves to hermetically seal the gloves from the exterior of the glovebox, thereby establishing a seal; inflating the gloves to a pressure; and monitoring the pressure for any decrease in pressure.

42 ENGINEERING↗
DOE OSTI2016

PlotData v. 4.47

Sandia National Laboratories has developed a computer program to review, reduce and manipulate waveform data. PlotData is designed for post-acquisition waveform data analysis. PlotData is both a post-acquisition and an advanced interactive data analysis environment. PlotData requires unidirectional waveform data with both uniform and discrete time-series measurements. PlotData operates on a National Instruments' LabVIEW™ software platform. Using PlotData, the user can capture waveform data from digitizing oscilloscopes over a GPIB, USB and Ethernet interface from Tektronix, Lecroy or Agilent scopes. PlotData can both import and export several types of binary waveform files including, but not limited to, Tektronix .wmf files, Lecroy.trc files and xy pair ASCIIfiles. Waveform manipulation includes numerous math functions, integration, differentiation, smoothing, truncation, and other specialized data reduction routines such as VISAR, POV, PVDF (Bauer) piezoelectric gauges, and piezoresistive gauges such as carbon manganin pressure gauges.

Wackerbarth, David↗
DOE OSTI2016

Monte Carlo Uncertainty Quantification for an Unattended Enrichment Monitor

As a case study for uncertainty analysis, we consider a model flow monitor for measuring enrichment in gas centrifuge enrichment plants (GCEPs) that could provide continuous monitoring of all declared gas flow and provide high-accuracy gas enrichment estimates as a function of time. The monitor system could include NaI(Tl) gamma-ray spectrometers, a pressure signal-sharing device to be installed on an operator\rq{}s pressure gauge or a dedicated inspector pressure sensor, and temperature sensors attached to the outside of the header pipe, to provide pressure, temperature, and gamma-ray spectra measurements of UF$_6$ gas flow through unit header pipes. Our study builds on previous modeling and analysis methods development for enrichment monitor concepts and a software tool that was developed at Oak Ridge National Laboratory to generate and analyze synthetic data.

international safeguards↗
DOE OSTI2018

The Blast Parameters Spanning the Fireball from Large Hemispherical Detonations of C-4

In this study, large (~45.4 kg) hemispheres of C-4, detonated on the ground, were instrumented to measure blast parameters at scaled distances between 0.53 to 1.78 m kg -1/3 . The results from free-field and reflected pressure gauge measurements made inside and just outside the maximum extent of the fireball are presented. They show that the predictions from a particular table for scaled TNT charges are broadly consistent with the time-of-arrival, initial peak pressure, positive duration and positive impulse measurements. However, this agreement is poorer through the location of the primary and secondary (delayed) fireball (0.71–1.48 m kg -1/3 ), but better closer in and further away. Additionally, for individual detonations with closely located gauges, significant variations between peak pressures and times-of-arrival are measured. Lastly, this suggests a strong effect from the interface instabilities present in the near-field.

45 MILITARY TECHNOLOGY, WEAPONRY, AND NATIONAL DEF↗
DOE OSTI2025

In situ observation of irradiation-induced enhancement to the desorption pressure of zirconium hydride in a nuclear reactor

We quantify the effect of a nuclear-reactor environment on the hydrogen isotope equilibrium vapor pressure over pure zirconium and zirconium hydride. A vacuum-sealed capsule containing a zirconium foil with 6 atom% deuterium was irradiated at a neutron flux of ~10 14 cm -2 s -1 at the University of Missouri Research Reactor (MURR). The internal stainless-steel (SS) sample holder acted as the heat source via gamma absorption. To measure low desorption pressures in a high-flux environment, we developed a method to transduce pressure from the measured sample temperature during irradiation, calibrating with known deuterium pressures in unirradiated capsules at various heating powers using an internal filament-heated system designed to mimic irradiation-induced heating. Our temperature-pressure transduction method operates similarly to a Pirani or thermocouple pressure gauge. The in-reactor measurements revealed a roughly 4-fold enhancement in desorption pressure after only 6 h of irradiation (~2 × 10 18 cm -2 neutron fluence) compared to thermal desorption in control experiments, indicating a nonthermal contribution from neutron irradiation. The slower temperature/pressure stabilization rate in the reactor suggests that desorption pressure enhancement increases with neutron fluence. Further, this enhancement signifies increased solubility of hydrogen isotopes in zirconium during irradiation. We propose that high-energy neutron collisions with hydrogen isotopes in hydrides lead to their decomposition at lower temperatures, supersaturating the surrounding αZr lattice and resulting in higher desorption pressure, which continues to rise as more hydrides dissolve with increasing neutron fluence.

21 SPECIFIC NUCLEAR REACTORS AND ASSOCIATED PLANTS↗
DOE OSTI2024

Next-Generation NGV Driver Information System

Measuring the amount of fuel contained in the tank of a Natural Gas Vehicle (NGV) is not as straightforward as it is for a liquid-fueled vehicle. The fuel in an NGV is a compressed gas at pressures up to 4200psig, and its pressure changes with temperature. The current state-of-the-art, which is used on most NGVs, is a simple pressure gauge as a rough guide for remaining fuel. This presents a high degree of error because pressure varies widely depending on temperature. Immediately following refueling, the temperature in the vehicle’s cylinders is often greater than 150°F. As the driver pulls out of the fueling station and begins consuming gas, the pressure drops at a very fast rate due to expansion cooling of the gas. This pressure drop appears to the driver to be a very rapid decrease in fuel level, reducing trust in the fuel level indication and leading to concern about the distance the vehicle can travel before refueling again, which is known as “range anxiety.”

03 NATURAL GAS↗
DOE OSTI2021

Air Blast Mesh Sensitivity and Pressure Mapping Study

Nose cone structural and aerodynamic characteristics are essential for intelligent design of aircraft, spacecraft, and ballistic systems. Finite element analysis can be used to help understand the structural integrity and flight characteristics of different nose cones. A mesh sensitivity study was undertaken for a particular nose cone geometry that was used in tests at LANL facilities in order to confirm the integrity of the meshed geometry. A simple cone that best matched closed-form theoretical solutions was modeled, and received good correlation to the theory. Complexity was then added back to the nose cone. Parameters applied to the simple cone were then implemented in the nose cone geometry giving assurance of accuracy after the geometry was changed. Nose cone results averaged 6.3% error for radial displacement when compared with the theoretical. Hoop stress averaged 6.0% error and meridional stress averaged 5.7% error at the finest mesh level. Meshes showed signs of convergence when compared to all three theoretical solutions. Finally, pressure time-history data from LANL computational fluid dynamics simulations was applied to the surface of the final nose cone geometry. The pressure data was interpolated from pressure gauge locations onto nearby meshed elements, which allowed for FEA software to run simulations on the cone with the pressure data as a loading condition. The pressure mapping resulted in the ability to understand the nose cone’s rigid body motion that in turn can inform design of future nose cones.

42 ENGINEERING↗
DOE OSTI2018

Numerical parameter optimizations of the Ignition and Growth model for a HMX plastic bonded explosive

We present here a novel method for optimizing parameters of the Ignition and Growth (I&G) reactive flow model for high explosives. The I&G model predicts the shock initiation response of explosives subjected to dynamic loading. However, calibrating the model is a time-consuming process because it has several parameters, typically requires multiple data sets, and there are no direct correlations between parameters and data. In this study, we couple a scalable optimization algorithm to simulations of shock initiation experiments in the multi-physics code ALE3D. We develop four I&G model parameter sets for the HMX (1,3,5,7-tetranitro-1,3,5,7-tetrazocane)-based explosive LX-07 [90 wt. % HMX, 10 wt. % Viton A] based on minimizing the difference between calculations and measurements at the embedded pressure gauges in 1D gun shock experiments. Our study shows that a cost function based on both shock time of arrival and pressure pulse shape demonstrates the best agreement with experimental data.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2024

Synthesis and Properties of the Helium Clathrate and Defect Perovskite [He 2– x $^\square$ x ][CaNb]F 6

The defect double perovskite [He 2– x $^\square$ x ][CaNb]F 6 , with helium on its A-site, can be prepared by the insertion of helium into ReO 3 -type CaNbF 6 at high pressure. Upon cooling from 300 to 100 K under 0.4 GPa helium, ~60% of the A-sites become occupied. Helium uptake was quantified by both neutron powder diffraction and gas insertion and release measurements. After the conversion of gauge pressure to fugacity, the uptake of helium by CaNbF 6 can be described by a Langmuir isotherm. The enthalpy of absorption for helium in [He 2– x $^\square$ x ][CaNb]F 6 is estimated to be ~+3(1) kJ mol –1 , implying that its formation is entropically favored. Helium is able to diffuse through the material on a time scale of minutes at temperatures down to ~150 K but is trapped at 100 K and below. The insertion of helium into CaNbF 6 reduces the magnitude of its negative thermal expansion, increases the bulk modulus, and modifies its phase behavior. On compressing pristine CaNbF 6 , at 50 and 100 K, a cubic (Fm$\overline{3}$m) to rhombohedral (R$\overline{3}$) phase transition was observed at <0.20 GPa. However, a helium-containing sample remained cubic at 0.4 GPa and 50 K. CaNbF 6 , compressed in helium at room temperature, remained cubic to >3.7 GPa, the limit of our X-ray diffraction measurements, in contrast to prior reports that upon compression in a nonpenetrating medium, a phase transition is detected at ~0.4 GPa.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2015

Characterization of unsaturated hydraulic conductivity in fractured media using the multistep outflow method - 15461

The multistep outflow method is routinely used to characterize the unsaturated hydraulic conductivity of soils. The technique involves placing a soil sample in a pressure plate apparatus, subjecting the sample to multiple gas pressures in discrete steps through time, and measuring the transient volume of pore fluid extracted. Unsaturated hydraulic property values are estimated through inverse modeling of the experimental conditions. In this study the multistep outflow concept was applied to micro-cracked cementitious materials to assess the efficacy of the technique for these materials. The cementitious materials tested were salt-waste simulant grout samples artificially damaged through oven-drying. Compared to typical soils, fractured media exhibit higher saturated conductivity and lower air-entry pressure, and the volume of fluid extractable from fractures is much lower than soil porosity. To accommodate these material differences the standard test apparatus was modified to incorporate a higher conductivity ceramic pressure plate, a high-precision digital balance for logging outflow mass, a low volume (diameter) effluent line, multiple in-line high-precision gas regulators, and a high-precision low-range pressure gauge. Testing to date indicates that the modified apparatus can provide a viable means to measure the unsaturated hydraulic properties of micro-fractured cementitious materials. However the accuracy/uniqueness of inverse modeling is limited by the inherent characteristics of fractured media: high saturated conductivity, low air-entry pressure, and strong non-linearities. Hydraulic property results in the form of van Genuchten / Mualem curves are presented for three fractured grout specimens. DOE Performance Assessments often involve cementitious barriers and/or waste forms that are predicted or assumed to degrade over time due to various mechanisms such as carbonation-influenced reinforcing steel corrosion, external sulfate attack, differential settlement, and seismic activity. Physical degradation typically takes the form of small-scale cracking / fracturing, and the affected materials reside in unsaturated hydrogeologic zones. In these cases, unsaturated hydraulic properties are needed for fractured cementitious materials to simulate moisture movement and contaminant transport within and around the facility. The outflow extraction method, as implemented in the present study, provides a suitable method for estimating these material properties. (authors)

12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE W↗