COMPUTATIONAL FLUID DYNAMICS (CFD)
Radioisotope Power Systems > Advanced Stirling Convertor > Computation Fluid Dynamics
Still photo of CFD simulation depicting pathlines through 1800 heater tubes. Courtesy NASA.
With the advent of advanced numerical methods and high performance computing technology, it is now possible to explore dynamic thermal energy conversion devices at a very high level of detail. This offers the promise of improved efficiency and reliability, while reducing the cost of design and the product cycle turn-around time.
Our 374 processor computational cluster has been recently applied to:
- Improve 5 kW Stirling convertor gas bearing stiffness
- Size the nuclear reactor plenum for high power Stirling heating
- Design a Stirling liquid metal heat exchanger
- Predict the performance of Infinia’s Technology Demonstrator Convertor (TDC)
- Identify the internal temperatures of a convertor in a vacuum, in helium, and while in operation
- Locate the convertor's centering port drain to minimize the seal leakage effects on performance
This photo depicts our 374 processor computational cluster technology; a NASA Glenn Research Center cluster with Myrinet Fiber Optic Communications. This system provides a computational test-bed for fluid-structure analysis of Stirling convertors and components.
NASA Fact
The third human to walk on the surface of the Moon was Charles P. "Pete" Conrad -- during the Apollo 12 Mission.
- NASA Official: Richard K. Shaltens
- Curator: Peggy A. Cornell
- Last Updated: June 26, 2008