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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 325 records · Page 18

Techno-economic assessment of electricity market potential for co-located hydro-floating PV systems

Abstract—Harnessing renewable energy from diverse sources is paramount for sustainable power systems. Recently, co-located floating PV (FPV) systems present an intriguing prospect in this context. These hybrid systems, blending hydro and solar power, may offer a more consistent electricity output and potential economic advantages. Yet, assessing their actual potential requires a comprehensive techno-economic assessment. In addition, probabilistic price forecasting has recently gained attention in electricity market because decisions based on such predictions can yield significantly higher profits than those made with point forecasts alone. To this end, this paper embarks on a journey to elucidate the electricity market potential of co-located hydro-FPV systems in a probabilistic fashion to investigate the technological merits and economic viability of co-located hydro-FPV under different market structures. Our preliminary findings suggest that LCOE and payback metrics are sensitive not only to different markets but also to different solar incentives. Concurrently, we also observe that the payback period is generally faster with a production tax credit (PTC) than an investment tax credit (ITC). This assessment serves as a cornerstone for understanding the future prospects of co-located hydro-FPV systems in modern electricity markets.

13 HYDRO ENERGY↗

FOULING MITIGATION FOR LASER IGNITERS IN NATURAL GAS ENGINES

Due to several recent developments in lasers and optics, laser igniters can now be designed to be (i) compact so as to have the same footprint as a standard spark plug, (ii) have low power draw, usually less than 50 Watts, and (iii) have vibration and temperature resistance at levels typical of reciprocating engines. Primary advantages of these laser igniters remain (i) extension of lean or dilution limits for ignition of combustible mixtures, and (ii) improved ignition at higher pressures. Recently, tests performed in a 350 kW six-cylinder stationary natural gas reciprocating engine retrofitted with these igniters showed an extension of the operational envelope to yield efficiency improvements of the order of 2.6% points while being compliant with the mandated emission regulations. Even though laser igniters offer promise, fouling of the final optical element that introduces the laser into the combustion chamber is of concern. After performing a thorough literature search, a test plan was devised to evaluate various fouling mitigation strategies. The final approach that was used is a combination of three strategies and helped sustain an optical transmissivity exceeding 98% even after 1500 h of continuous engine operation at 2400 rpm. Based on the observed trend in transmissivity, it now appears that laser igniters can last up to 6000 h of continuous engine operation in a stationary engine running at 1800 rpm.

spark ignited engines, laser ignition, natural gas↗

Numerical analysis method for linear induction machines.

A numerical analysis method has been developed for linear induction machines such as liquid metal MHD pumps and generators and linear motors. Arbitrary phase currents or voltages can be specified and the moving conductor can have arbitrary velocity and conductivity variations from point to point. The moving conductor is divided into a mesh and coefficients are calculated for the voltage induced at each mesh point by unit current at every other mesh point. Combining the coefficients with the mesh resistances yields a set of simultaneous equations which are solved for the unknown currents.

Elliott, D. G.↗

Temporal and spatial changes in ozone from the Nimbus IV BUV experiment

The paper discusses various aspects of changes in ozone as revealed by Nimbus IV backscatter ultraviolet (BUV) data. An average of all BUV data points over a hemisphere or over the globe yields hemispheric or global ozone budgets. An interesting deviation in such a curve was observed for January, 1971, which is associated with a mid-winter stratospheric warming. Study of standard deviation maps for the months of December and January show the greater variability for January. Relative quiescence of total ozone over Europe is observed, where temperatures in the lower stratosphere remained relatively cold and there were no large changes in circulation. Large-scale variance of the planetary waves in the ozone fields can also be separated into its various wave components from the available maps of BUV data. Variances in the ozone fields are explained in large part by waves 1 and 2 during the warming period, by studying the time change of the phase and amplitude of the waves.

Nagatani, R. M.↗

Slicing of Silicon into Sheet Material. Silicon Sheet Growth Development for the Large Area Silicon Sheet Task of the Low Cost Silicon Solar Array Project

Tests on mineral oil slurries show that the potential for workability and low cost is present. However, slurries tested to date which had sufficient lubricity exhibited wafer breakage problems near the end of the run for as-yet unknown reasons. The first test of the large prototype saw under cutting force control was largely successful in that the controller worked perfectly. Unfortunately a technique error (excessive stroke shortening) caused blade breakage and low yield. The latest run of the large saw pointed up the fact that an indication of end-of-stoke vertical motion, or bounce, is necessary. A circuit to provide such indication was fabricated and installed. Preliminary tests show it to be excessively noise sensitive; therefore, work on grounding and shielding to reduce this sensitivity is in progress.

Fleming, J. R.↗

The shape of a pendent liquid drop

Formal solutions of the static equilibrium equations for the form of the outer surface of a pendent liquid drop are studied. An approach is adopted in which only the one-parameter family determined by vertex height (u sub 0) need be described. Attention is restricted to rotationally symmetric configurations, and all symmetric solutions are characterized for the case where the Lagrange parameter lambda is equal to zero. It is shown that for any u sub 0 the function u(r; u sub 0) can be extended as a parametric solution of a system of equations for all arc lengths, yielding a curve without limit sets or double points, and that the resulting capillary rotation surface spreads out indefinitely away from the axis r = 0. The asymptotic form of the surface in the case of large absolute values of u sub 0 is characterized quantitatively, along with the global structure of all such surfaces.

Concus, P.↗

A simple stripline design for uneven power split

A technique for the design of stripline or microstrip power dividers for unequal, but in-phase, power split is described. The output power ratio is determined by selecting the location of the input port in a manner analogous to the tap point for an electric power transformer. The technique yields a usable bandwidth of 7 to 8 percent and is attractive for tapered amplitude distribution networks for narrow band phased arrays.

Bailey, M. C.↗

Structure and dynamics of Saturn's outer magnetosphere and boundary regions

In 1979-1981, the three USA spacecraft Pioneer 11 and Voyagers 1 and 2 discovered and explored the magnetosphere of Saturn to the limited extent possible on flyby trajectories. Considerable variation in the locations of the bow shock (BS) and magnetopause (MP) surfaces were observed in association with variable solar wind conditions and, during the Voyager 2 encounter, possible immersion in Jupiter's distant magnetic tail. The limited number of BS and MP crossings were concentrated near the subsolar region and the dawn terminator, and that fact, together with the temporal variability, makes it difficult to assess the three dimensional shape of the sunward magnetospheric boundary. The combined BS and MP crossing positions from the three spacecraft yield an average BS-to-MP stagnation point distance ratio of 1.29 +/- 0.10. This is near the 1.33 value for the Earth's magnetosphere, implying a similar sunward shape at Saturn. Study of the structure and dynamical behavior of the outer magnetosphere, both in the sunward hemisphere and the magnetotail region using combined plasma and magnetic field data, suggest that Saturn's magnetosphere is more similar to that of Earth than that of Jupiter.

Behannon, K. W.↗

Structure and dynamics of Saturn's outer magnetosphere and boundary regions

In 1979-1981, the three USA spacecraft Pioneer 11 and Voyagers 1 and 2 discovered and explored the magnetosphere of Saturn to the limited extent possible on flyby trajectories. Considerable variation in the locations of the bow shock (BS) and magnetopause (MP) surfaces were observed in association with variable solar wind conditions and, during the Voyager 2 encounter, possible immersion in Jupiter's distant magnetic tail. The limited number of BS and MP crossings were concentrated near the subsolar region and the dawn terminator, and that fact, together with the temporal variability, makes it difficult to assess the three dimensional shape of the sunward magnetospheric boundary. The combined BS and MP crossing positions from the three spacecraft yield an average BS-to-MP stagnation point distance ratio of 1.29 +/- 0.10. This is near the 1.33 value for the Earth's magnetosphere, implying a similar sunward shape at Saturn. Study of the structure and dynamical behavior of the outer magnetosphere, both in the sunward hemisphere and the magnetotail region using combined plasma and magnetic field data, suggest that Saturn's magnetosphere is more similar to that of Earth than that of Jupiter. Previously announced in STAR as N83-30346

Behannon, K. W.↗

A new description of combined trellis coding with asymmetric modulation

The combination of rate k/(k+t) trellis codes with digital modulations described by an asymmetric 2 sup k+1-point signal constellation has been recently shown to yield performance improvement over the traditional symmetric constellation combined with the same trellis code. The approach taken is to specify an underlying trellis code and then map the output code symbols into the fixed signal constellation based on a rule called mapping by set partitioning. The latter process is tantamount to assigning signals from the constellation to the trellis code transitions so as to maximize the free Euclidean distance of the code. Recently, a new description of trellis codes has been given that combines the above two steps into one. The ideas introduced are further explored, placing particular emphasis on the optimization of the signal constellation asymmetry. It can be concluded that the trellis-coded amplitude modulation (AM) designs given are very close to being optimum.

Simon, M. K.↗

The control networks of the satellites of Uranus

The present photogrammetric derivation of control networks for the five Uranus satellites Miranda, Ariel, Umbriel, Titania, and Oberon, on the basis of Voyager 2 images, covers the illuminated southern hemisphere of each satellite and respectively yields 103, 52, 43, 46, and 34 coordinate points. It is found that Titania is ellipsoidal, with 241-, 235-, and 232-km radii.In addition, mean radii are determined to be 579 km for Ariel, 586 km for Umbriel, 790 km for Titania, and 762 km for Oberon. Some of the control points used have been identified on the U.S. Geological Survey maps of these satellites.

Davies, Merton E.↗

Adaptive clutter rejection filters for airborne Doppler weather radar applied to the detection of low altitude windshear

An optimum adaptive clutter rejection filter for use with airborne Doppler weather radar is presented. The radar system is being designed to operate at low-altitudes for the detection of windshear in an airport terminal area where ground clutter returns may mask the weather return. The coefficients of the adaptive clutter rejection filter are obtained using a complex form of a square root normalized recursive least squares lattice estimation algorithm which models the clutter return data as an autoregressive process. The normalized lattice structure implementation of the adaptive modeling process for determining the filter coefficients assures that the resulting coefficients will yield a stable filter and offers possible fixed point implementation. A 10th order FIR clutter rejection filter indexed by geographical location is designed through autoregressive modeling of simulated clutter data. Filtered data, containing simulated dry microburst and clutter return, are analyzed using pulse-pair estimation techniques. To measure the ability of the clutter rejection filters to remove the clutter, results are compared to pulse-pair estimates of windspeed within a simulated dry microburst without clutter. In the filter evaluation process, post-filtered pulse-pair width estimates and power levels are also used to measure the effectiveness of the filters. The results support the use of an adaptive clutter rejection filter for reducing the clutter induced bias in pulse-pair estimates of windspeed.

Keel, Byron M.↗

Expected antenna utilization and overload

The trade-offs between the number of antennas at Deep Space Network (DSN) Deep-Space Communications Complex and the fraction of continuous coverage provided to a set of hypothetical spacecraft, assuming random placement of the space craft passes during the day. The trade-offs are fairly robust with respect to the randomness assumption. A sample result is that a three-antenna complex provides an average of 82.6 percent utilization of facilities and coverage of nine spacecraft that each have 8-hour passes, whereas perfect phasing of the passes would yield 100 percent utilization and coverage. One key point is that sometimes fewer than three spacecraft are visible, so an antenna is idle, while at other times, there aren't enough antennas, and some spacecraft do without service. This point of view may be useful in helping to size the network or to develop a normalization for a figure of merit of DSN coverage.

Posner, Edward C.↗

Low-Speed Wind-Tunnel Tests of a Pilotless Aircraft Having Horizontal and Vertical Wings and Cruciform Tail

Low-speed tests of a pilotless aircraft were conducted in the Langley propeller-research tunnel to provide information for the estimation of the longitudinal stability and. control, to measure the aileron effectiveness, and to calibrate the radome and the Machmeter pitot-static orifices. It was found that the model possessed a stEb.le variation of elevator angle required for trim throughout the speed range at the design angle of attack. A comparison of the airplane with and without JATO units and with an alternate rocket booster showed that a large loss in longitudinal stability and control resulting from the addition of the rocket booster to the aircraft was sufficient to make the rocket-booster assembly unsatisfactory as an alternate for the JATO units. Reversal of the aileron effectiveness was evident at positive deflections of the vertical wing flap indicating that the roll-stabilization system would produce roiling moments in a tight right turn contrary to its design purpose. Vertical-wing-flap deflections caused large errors in the static-pressure reading obtained by the original static-tube installation. A practical installation point on the fuselage was located which should yield reliable measurement of the free-stream static pressure.

Mastrocola, N↗

Control of maglev vehicles with aerodynamic and guideway disturbances

A modeling, analysis, and control design methodology is presented for maglev vehicle ride quality performance improvement as measured by the Pepler Index. Ride quality enhancement is considered through active control of secondary suspension elements and active aerodynamic surfaces mounted on the train. To analyze and quantify the benefits of active control, the authors have developed a five degree-of-freedom lumped parameter model suitable for describing a large class of maglev vehicles, including both channel and box-beam guideway configurations. Elements of this modeling capability have been recently employed in studies sponsored by the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT). A perturbation analysis about an operating point, defined by vehicle and average crosswind velocities, yields a suitable linearized state space model for multivariable control system analysis and synthesis. Neglecting passenger compartment noise, the ride quality as quantified by the Pepler Index is readily computed from the system states. A statistical analysis is performed by modeling the crosswind disturbances and guideway variations as filtered white noise, whereby the Pepler Index is established in closed form through the solution to a matrix Lyapunov equation. Data is presented which indicates the anticipated ride quality achieved through various closed-loop control arrangements.

Flueckiger, Karl↗

Fabrication of Fiber-Reinforced Celsian Matrix Composites

A method has been developed for the fabrication of small diameter, multifilament tow fiber reinforced ceramic matrix composites. Its application has been successfully demonstrated for the Hi-Nicalon/celsian system. Strong and tough celsian matrix composites, reinforced with BN/SiC-coated Hi-Nicalon fibers, have been fabricated by infiltrating the fiber tows with the matrix slurry, winding the tows on a drum, cutting and stacking of the prepreg tapes in the desired orientation, and hot pressing. The monoclinic celsian phase in the matrix was produced in situ, during hot pressing, from the 0.75BaO-0.25SrO-Al2O3-2SiO2 mixed precursor synthesized by solid state reaction from metal oxides. Hot pressing resulted in almost fully dense fiber-reinforced composites. The unidirectional composites having approx. 42 vol% of fibers exhibited graceful failure with extensive fiber pullout in three-point bend tests at room temperature. Values of yield stress and strain were 435 +/- 35 MPa and 0.27 +/- 0.01 percent, respectively, and ultimate strengths of 900 +/- 60 MPa were observed. The Young's modulus of the composites was measured to be 165 +/- 5 GPa.

Bansal, Narottam P.↗

Comparing Two Statistical Models for Low Boom Dose-response Relationships with Correlated Responses

This study compares two statistical modeling approaches to construct summary dose-response curves for low boom community noise surveys. NASA field survey data were used that consist of multiple responses from a survey participant. These data require an approach that accounts for the correlation among repeated annoyance observations from the same participant. A multilevel model accounts for the correlation by allowing estimated parameters to vary with each survey participant. On the other hand, a population average model utilizes generalized estimating equations and accounts for the correlation via a user-specified within-subject correlation structure. A visual comparison of the dose-response curves for these two methods reveals similar results. When comparing specific points along the summary curves, the multilevel model yields more precise confidence bounds than the population average model. The similarity between the summary curves derived from each model lends validity to both approaches for approximating a population representative summary curve.

X-59↗

Comparison of Two Statistical Models for Low Boom Dose-response Relationships with Correlated Responses

This study compares two statistical models to construct summary dose-response curves for low boom community noise surveys. Data from two NASA field surveys are used that consist of multiple responses per survey participant. These data require an approach that accounts for the correlation among repeated annoyance observations from the same participant. A multilevel model accounts for the correlation by allowing estimated parameters to vary with each survey participant. On the other hand, a population average model utilizes generalized estimating equations and accounts for the correlation via a userspecified within-subject correlation structure. A visual comparison of the dose-response curves for these two methods reveals similar results. When comparing specific points along the summary curves, the multilevel model yields more precise confidence bounds than the population average model. The similarity between the summary curves derived from each model lends validity to both approaches for approximating a population representative summary curve, though modeling assumptions may lend favor to the multilevel logistic modeling approach over the population average model.

dose-response↗