Abstract: An ignition testing system including a test article testing chamber, and at least one gas mixture verification chamber being communicably coupled to the test article testing chamber and being configured to verify at least a content of a gas mixture content provided to the test article testing chamber.

Abstract: A modular light gas accelerator includes a first stage having a chamber having a rear portion and a discharge portion and a barrel located inside the chamber. The barrel has a rear port at the rear portion of the chamber and a discharge port extending outwardly from the discharge portion of the chamber. A piston is slidingly located inside the barrel proximate to the rear port and is adapted to be propelled through the barrel and out of the discharge port. A second stage includes a receiver adapted to receive the piston from the discharge port. The receiver has a receiver passage. A frangible member extends across the receiver passage. A projectile is located downstream of the frangible member. The projectile is adapted to travel along the receiver passage. A target chamber is located at a downstream end of the receiver passage.

Abstract: Phase change material modules for use in a heat exchanger are described. The phase change material module comprises two or more set of a plurality of substantially aligned hollow structures arranged to form a porous structure. A phase change material capable of undergoing a phase change as a result of heat exchange between it and a fluid is housed within the hollow tubes. Also described is a phase change material module with hollow tubes having a cross-sectional area through the phase change material selected from elliptical, rectangular, stadium-shaped, teardrop-shaped, airfoil-shaped, rounded rectangle and ovoid. A heat exchanger comprising a plurality of the phase change material modules, a first fluid inlet and outlet, and a second fluid inlet and outlet, wherein the phase change material modules are repeated circulated from alignment with the first fluid inlet and the second fluid inlet is also described.

Abstract: Cooling systems and methods for cooling in a power plant using a phase change material. In one embodiment, a phase change material container includes at least one phase change material which may be in the form of a slurry; and at least one conduit for transporting the fluid through the phase change material when located in the phase change material container. The system may also comprise an air flow chamber; and a phase change material flow system including a pump for pumping phase change material from an outlet of phase change material container, to at least one phase change material spray nozzle. The phase change material flow system is configured to ensure that solidified phase change material is returned to the phase change material container.

Abstract: A modular light gas accelerator includes a first stage having a chamber having a rear portion and a discharge portion and a barrel located inside the chamber. The barrel has a rear port at the rear portion of the chamber and a discharge port extending outwardly from the discharge portion of the chamber. A piston is slidingly located inside the barrel proximate to the rear port and is adapted to be propelled through the barrel and out of the discharge port. A second stage includes a receiver adapted to receive the piston from the discharge port. The receiver has a receiver passage. A frangible member extends across the receiver passage. A projectile is located downstream of the frangible member. The projectile is adapted to travel along the receiver passage. A target chamber is located at a downstream end of the receiver passage.

Abstract: Cooling systems and methods for cooling in a power plant using a phase change material. In one embodiment, a phase change material container includes at least one phase change material which may be in the form of a slurry; and at least one conduit for transporting the fluid through the phase change material when located in the phase change material container. The system may also comprise an air flow chamber; and a phase change material flow system including a pump for pumping phase change material from an outlet of phase change material container, to at least one phase change material spray nozzle. The phase change material flow system is configured to ensure that solidified phase change material is returned to the phase change material container.