Engineering topics

Hallett, John

Publications and source records attributed to Hallett, John.

22 records · Page 2

NASA NTRS1992

An experimental study of growth and phase change of polar stratospheric cloud particles

This report describes the progress made on understanding phase changes related to solutions which may comprise Polar Stratospheric Clouds. In particular, it is concerned with techniques for investigating specific classes of metastability and phase change which may be important not only in Polar Stratospheric Clouds but in all atmospheric aerosols in general. While the lower level atmospheric aerosol consists of mixtures of (NH4)(SO4)2, NH4HSO4, NaCl among others, there is evidence that aerosol at PSC levels is composed of acid aerosol, either injected from volcanic events (such as Pinatubo) or having diffused upward from the lower atmosphere. In particular, sulfuric acid and nitric acid are known to occur at PSC levels, and are suspected of catalyzing ozone destruction reactions by adsorption on surfaces of crystallized particles. The present study has centered on two approaches: (1) the extent of supercooling (with respect to ice) and supersaturation (with respect to hydrate) and the nature of crystal growth in acid solutions of specific molality; and (2) the nature of growth from the vapor of HNO3 - H2O crystals both on a substrate and on a pre-existing aerosol.

Hallett, John↗

NASA NTRS1991

Stratospheric soot - Cloud forming properties and transport processes

Soot enters the stratosphere either from the troposphere in deep thunderstorm convection, predominantly in the tropics, from midlatitude forest fires, and directly from aircraft flying above the tropopause. Particles emitted from jet aircraft are relatively ineffective as cloud droplet condensation nuclei (less than 1 percent) compared with those from forest fires (above 50 percent). Chemical and other modification during aging of the particles may influence these results in some circumstances; cloud nucleating properties can be used as a soot tracer. Such aerosols, as they grow to haze drops and ilute in increasing humidity, may form ice particles in the cold polar stratosphere or in tropical cumuli anvils at 18 to 20 km altitude at temperatures as low as -90 C. Ice may also form as particles are removed by descent through troposphere folds and enter midlatitude cirrus at levels below -40 C. In the stratosphere, ice particles may provide surfaces that catalyze heterogeneous chemical reactions; in the upper troposphere, the optical depths of cirrus clouds may be significantly increased.

Hallett, John↗

NASA NTRS1990

Crystallization of highly supersaturated solutions - An experimental study

The crystallization of ammonium sulfate solutions under very high supersaturation is investigated. The results imply that high saturation ratios can exist at least to 30 +/- 5 and possibly higher in smaller drops. Under certain atmospheric conditions highly supersaturated drops can persist at even lower temperatures and humidities.

Queen, Brian↗

NASA NTRS1988

Crystallization of supercooled solutions

Crystallization of uniformly supercooled solutions (Na2SO4, NaCl, H2SO4, HNO3, HCl) was studied. It is shown how crystal growth velocity and habit depend on solution and concentration. The segregation coefficient for the solute in ice is measured by analysis of ice and solution, separated immediately after initial freezing, at different supercoolings. Subsequent solidification gives ion rejection at a varying rate depending on the geometry of the freezing, and may result in separation of hydrates, particularly when the initial concentration is high, as in haze (inactivated) droplets and low temperatures found in the Antarctic stratosphere. Electrical effects associated with rapid freezing are also investigated. Results suggest that more extensive measurements need to be made in solutions at different supercoolings, and that substantial electrical effects may be present for higher concentrations under these conditions. Damage to vegetation could occur under specific conditions as concentrated solutions (possibly H2SO4) are rejected in the freezing of rime or dew.

Harrison, K.↗