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At least 397 records · Page 22

Tropospheric Ozone Profile Information Derived From "Cloud Slicing"

This study introduces a new approach to obtain ozone vertical profile information given coincident satellite measurements of both cloud-top pressure and above-cloud column ozone. This method is denoted "cloud slicing". In this study information of cloud-top pressure is derived from Geostationary Orbital Earth Satellite (GOES) infrared data, while above-cloud column ozone is obtained from the Earth Probe total ozone mapping spectrometer (TOMS) instrument. Several case examples are presented showing the feasibility of this technique as well as providing new geophysical results. Because the TOMS instrument measures backscattered UV radiation, it does detect ozone lying below dense water vapor clouds. This opaque property of TOMS can be used directly in conjunction with co-located cloud-top pressure data to derive ozone profile information in the troposphere. The cloud slicing method is an extension of the "Convective Cloud Differential" (CCD) method. In the CCD method, tropospheric column ozone (i.e., the total vertical column of ozone lying in the troposphere) is computed by taking total column ozone with low reflectivity (R less than 0.2) and subtracting from this a nearby measurement of above-cloud column ozone amount under conditions of high reflectivity (R greater than 0.9). (High reflectivity away from snow/ice conditions coincides with strong convection and tropopause-level clouds). The key element in determining tropospheric ozone profile information from the cloud slicing method is to have simultaneous and co-located measurements of both above-cloud column ozone and cloud-top pressure.

Ziemke, Jerald R.↗

A spectroscopic search for colliding stellar winds in O-type close binary systems. I - AO Cassiopeiae

AO Cas, a short-period, double-lined spectroscopic binary, is studied as part of a search for spectroscopic evidence of colliding stellar winds in binary systems of O-type stars. High S/N ratio spectra of the H-alpha and He I 6678-A line profiles are presented, and their orbital-phase-related variations are examined in order to derive the location and motions of high-density circumstellar gas in the system. These profile variations are compared with those observed in the UV stellar wind lines in IUE archival spectra. IUE spectra are also used to derive a system mass ratio by constructing cross-correlation functions of a single-lined phase spectrum with each of the other spectra. The resulting mass ratio is consistent with the rotational line broadening of the primary star, if the primary is rotating synchronously with the binary system. The best-fit models were found to have an inclination of 61.1 deg + or - 3.0 deg and have a primary which is close to filling its critical Roche lobe.

Gies, Douglas R.↗

Equatorial ozone profiles from the ground to 52 km during the Southern Hemisphere autumn

The results of an ozone measurement campaign conducted at Natal, Brazil from March 25 to April 15, 1985 are reported. Complete profiles of ozone, pressure, and temperature were obtained from the ground to 52 km, and all of the profiles correspond with site overpasses by ozone instruments on NASA and NOAA satellites. The profiles from this measurement series show reasonable agreement with established satellite climatologies. Stratospheric ozone variability was 2 percent or less during the 3 weeks of the measurement campaign, with stratospheric temperature and pressure variabilities half that amount. Low variability at a single location for this period implies comparable uniformity for ozone profiles over a large area around the measurement site. The auxiliary pressure and temperature profiles presented here allow the use of this data set as a transfer standard between satellite instruments with different fundamental ozone measurements. Finally, the low ozone variability in the stratosphere at Natal during this measurement series should provide an opportunity for high-quality intercomparisons of measured and modeled ozone concentrations in the equatorial stratosphere and lower mesosphere as well as a consistency check among satellite ozone measurements.

Barnes, Robert A.↗

Tropospheric Ozone Over the North Pacific from Ozonesdonde Observations

As part of the TRACE-P mission, ozone vertical profile measurements were made at a number of locations in the North Pacific. At most of the sites there is also a multi-year record of ozonesonde observations. From seven locations in the western Pacific (Hong Kong; Taipei; Jeju Island, Korea; and Naha, Kagoshima, Tsukuba, and Sapporo, Japan), a site in the central Pacific (Hilo, HI), and a site on the west coast of the U.S. (Trinidad Head, CA) both a seasonal and event specific picture of tropospheric ozone over the North Pacific emerges. At all of the sites there is a pronounced spring maximum through the troposphere. There are, however, differences in the timing and strength of this feature. Over Japan the northward movement of the jet during the spring and summer influences the timing of the seasonal maximum. The ozone profiles suggest that transport of ozone rich air from the stratosphere plays a strong role in the development of this maximum. During March and April at Hong Kong ozone is enhanced in a layer that extends from the lower free troposphere into the upper troposphere that likely has its origin in biomass burning in northern Southeast Asia and equatorial Africa. During the winter the Pacific subtropical sites (latitude -25N) are dominated by air with a low-latitude, marine source that gives low ozone amounts particularly in the upper troposphere. In the summer in the boundary layer at all of the sites marine air dominates and ozone amounts are generally quite low (less than 25 ppb). The exception is near large population centers (Tokyo and Taipei but not Hong Kong) where pollution events can give amounts in excess of 80 ppb. During the TRACE-P intensive campaign period (February-April 2001) tropospheric ozone amounts were rather typical of those seen in the long-term records of the stations with multi-year soundings.

Oltmans, S. J.↗

Performance of annular prediffuser-combuster systems

Results of an experimental investigation of the aerodynamic performance of several annular prediffuser-combustor systems are presented. Three curved wall, dump prediffusers of different length, area ratio, and turning angle were tested with and without a simulated combustor located downstream of the prediffuser. Performance was significantly influenced by the presence of the combustor. Pressure recovery and flow losses were determined as a function of prediffuser inlet velocity profile, flow extraction at the prediffuser inlet, axial and radial location of the combustor front end, and distribution of the flow in the combustor. Axial location of the combustor was found to be the most significant parameter influencing system performance.

Wagner, W. B.↗

A study of laminar separation bubble in the concave region of an airfoil using laser velocimetry

Laser velocimetry (LV) was used to study the nature of laminar separation bubbles in the concave region of a 1.83-meter airfoil model which was tested in the NASA Langley Low Turbulence Pressure Tunnel. Three component, coincident data from LV measurements including histograms of particle velocity, mean velocity profiles, turbulence intensity, and Reynolds stresses within the shear layer were used to determine the locations of laminar separation, transition, and turbulent reattachment. boundary-layer parameters determined from velocity profiles were used to compare the results with existing empirical relations for describing the laminar separation bubble.

Mangalam, S. M.↗

Coordinated Studies of Magnetospheric/Ionospheric Coupling and Dynamics in the Diffuse Aurora

The results of the studies carried out under the grant are described in detail in the following publications: Atmospheric Response in Aurora experiment: Observations of E and F region neutral winds in a region of postmidnight diffuse aurora; Walterscheid, Modified geostrophy in the thermosphere, ARIA II neutral flywheel-driven field-aligned currents in the postmidnight sector of the auroral oval: A case study; Observations of unstable atmospheric shear layers in the lower E region in the post-midnight auroral oval; and Depletion of oxygen in aurora: Evidence for a local mechanism. The objective of the Atmospheric Response in Aurora (ARIA) experiment was to measure the response of the E-region neutral flow to substorm activity in the post-midnight sector of the auroral oval. To this end, neutral wind profiles were obtained from a series of four sets of rocket flights using the chemical release technique. The measurements covered conditions ranging from quiet to disturbed. A consistent feature of the observed winds in disturbed conditions is the presence of an E-region jet located between approximately 110 and 120 km altitude. The profiles presented here show that the neutral wind speeds near 110-120 km altitude increase and the hodographs become more elongated or linear in response to higher magnetic activity levels. The wind speeds decrease and the hodographs become more circular as the activity level decreases. The presence of a wind maximum implies shears both above and below. The observations consistently show larger shears below the peak and smaller shears above. In fact, the bottom-side shears during disturbed conditions have Richardson numbers close to or below the critical value of 0.25 suggesting that the flow is highly unstable in that height range. The instability is expected to produce waves, turbulence, and enhanced diffusivity.

Larsen, M. F.↗

A Study of Laminar Separation Bubble in the Concave Region of an Airfoil Using Laser Velocimetry

Laser velocimetry (LV) was used to study the nature of laminar separation bubbles in the concave region of a 1.83-meter airfoil model which was tested in the NASA Langley Low Turbulence Pressure Tunnel. Three component, coincident data from LV measurements including histograms of particle velocity, mean velocity profiles, turbulence intensity, and Reynolds stresses within the shear layer were used to determine the locations of laminar separation, transition, and turbulent reattachment. Boundary-layer parameters determined from velocity profiles were used to compare the results with existing empirical relations for describing the laminar separation bubble.

Mangalam, Sivaramakrishnan↗

Analysis of the Meteorology Associated with the 1997 NASA Glenn Twin Otter Icing Events

This part of the document contains an analysis of the meteorology associated with the premier icing encounters from the January-March 1997 NASA Twin Otter dataset. The purpose of this analysis is to provide a meteorological context for the aircraft data collected during these flights. For each case, the following data elements are presented: (1) A detailed discussion of the Twin Otter encounter, including locations, liquid water contents, temperatures and microphysical makeup of the clouds and precipitation aloft, (2) Upper-air charts, providing hand-analyzed locations of lows, troughs, ridges, saturated/unsaturated air, temperatures, warm/cold advection, and jet streams, (3) Balloon-borne soundings, providing vertical profiles of temperature, moisture and winds, (4) Infrared satellite data, providing cloud locations and cloud top temperature, (5) 3-hourly surface charts, providing hand-analyzed locations of lows, highs, fronts, precipitation (including type) and cloud cover, (6) Hourly plots of icing pilot reports, providing the icing intensity, icing type, icing altitudes and aircraft type, (7) Hourly, regional radar mosaics, providing fine resolution of the locations of precipitation (including intensity and type), pilot reports of icing (including intensity and type), surface observations of precipitation type and Twin Otter tracks for a one hour window centered on the time of the radar data, and (8) Plots of data from individual NEXRAD radars at times and elevation angles that have been matched to Twin Otter flight locations. Outages occurred in nearly every dataset at some point. All relevant data that was available is presented here. All times are in UTC and all heights are in feet above mean sea level (MSL).

Bernstein, Ben C.↗

Noise reductions achieved on a 720-023B aircraft using a two-segment approach

A flight investigation to determine the operational feasibility of two-segment approaches as a means for reducing airport community noise has been conducted. The effective perceived noise level (EPNL) associated with these approach profiles, using a 720-023B jet aircraft, has been obtained. The tests were designed to determine an operationally optimum approach profile and to quantify the reduction in noise level at predetermined locations on the ground beneath the flight track. The acoustic aspects of the test program are examined. An analysis of the optimum and reference profiles was made using a group of pilots. Information was also obtained on the types of pilot operational procedures used for the optimum profile.

Glass, R. E.↗

Intrinsic flow and tearing mode rotation in the RFP during improved confinement

We use charge exchange recombination spectroscopy to make the first localized measurements of impurity ion flow velocity profiles in the reversed field pinch. Measurements in improved confinement plasmas reveal an intrinsic flow profile that is peaked on axis and mostly parallel to the equilibrium magnetic field. The toroidal flow decreases in time at off-axis locations where tearing modes are resonant, giving rise to a highly sheared flow profile near the axis. The tearing mode phase velocity correlates strongly with toroidal flow near the resonant surface and weakly with flow in other locations, providing an opportunity to verify the commonly held assumption that the plasma and mode move together at the resonant surface. Mechanisms for the observed momentum loss during the improved confinement period are evaluated and it is found that eddy currents in the conducting shell caused by the rotation of the dominant tearing mode dominate over other losses.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗

Density and flux distributions in the lunar atmosphere due to point and line sources

Apart from the globally distributed ambient gases in the lunar atmosphere, localized gas sources, such as volcanos, may have a measurable effect on the process of shaping the lunar atmosphere. Analytic solutions were obtained for the spatial distributions of neutral gas densities and fluxes due to point and line sources at the lunar surface. Both density and flux profiles are strong functions of the distance from the source to the point of observation. The study also reveals that: (1) The location of the source may be identified from the density and flux profiles. (2) If the gas species is known, the temperature of the gas may be determined from the density gradient at a distance of several scale heights from the source. (3) The strength of the gas source may be determined by the magnitudes of density and flux.

Yeh, T. T. J.↗

Vertical Profiles of Light Scattering, Light Absorption, and Single Scattering Albedo during the Dry, Biomass Burning Season in Southern Africa and Comparisons of In Situ and Remote Sensing Measurements of Aerosol Optical Depths

Airborne in situ measurements of vertical profiles of aerosol light scattering, light absorption, and single scattering albedo (omega (sub 0)) are presented for a number of locations in southern Africa during the dry, biomass burning season. Features of the profiles include haze layers, clean air slots, and marked decreases in light scattering in passing from the boundary layer into the free troposphere. Frequency distributions of omega (sub 0) reflect the strong influence of smoke from biomass burning. For example, during a period when heavy smoke was advected into the region from the north, the mean value of omega (sub 0) in the boundary layer was 0.81 +/- 0.02 compared to 0.89 +/- 0.03 prior to this intrusion. Comparisons of layer aerosol optical depths derived from the in situ measurements with those measured by a Sun photometer aboard the aircraft show excellent agreement.

Magi, Brian I.↗

Probing Galaxy Evolution in Massive Clusters Using ACT and DES: Splashback as a Cosmic Clock

We measure the projected number density profiles of galaxies and the splashback feature in clusters selected by the Sunyaev–Zel'dovich effect from the Advanced Atacama Cosmology Telescope (AdvACT) survey using galaxies observed by the Dark Energy Survey (DES). The splashback radius is consistent with CDM-only simulations and is located at-+-h2.4 Mpc0.40.31. We split the galaxies on color and find significant differences in their profile shapes. Red and green-valley galaxies show a splashback-like minimum in their slope profile consistent with theory, while the bluest galaxies show a weak feature at a smaller radius. We develop a mapping of galaxies to subhalos in simulations and assign colors based on infall time onto their hosts. We find that the shift in location of the steepest slope and different profile shapes can be mapped to the average time of infall of galaxies of different colors. The steepest slope traces a discontinuity in the phase space of dark matter halos. By relating spatial profiles to infall time, we can use splashback as a clock to understand galaxy quenching. We find that red galaxies have on average been in clusters over 3.2 Gyr, green galaxies about 2.2 Gyr, while blue galaxies have been accreted most recently and have not reached apocenter. Using the full radial profiles, we fit a simple quenching model and find that the onset of galaxy quenching occurs after a delay of about a gigayear and that galaxies quench rapidly thereafter with an exponential timescale of 0.6 Gyr.

Galaxy clusters↗

Follow-on Low Noise Fan Aerodynamic Study

The focus of the project was to investigate the effects of turbulence models on the prediction of rotor wake structures. The Advanced Ducted Propfan Analysis (ADPAC) code was modified through the incorporation of the Spalart-Allmaras one-equation turbulence model. Suitable test cases were solved numerically using ADPAC employing the Spalart-Allmaras turbulence model and another prediction code for comparison. A near-wall spacing study was also completed to determine the adequate spacing of the first computational cell off the wall. Solutions were also collected using two versions of the algebraic Baldwin-Lomax turbulence model in ADPAC. The effects of the turbulence model on the rotor wake definition was examined by obtaining ADPAC solutions for the Low Noise Fan rotor-only steady-flow case using the standard algebraic Baldwin-Lomax turbulence model, a modified version of the Baldwin-Lomax turbulence model and the one-equation Spalart-Allmaras turbulence model. The results from the three different turbulence modeling techniques were compared with each other and the available experimental data. These results include overall rotor performance, spanwise exit profiles, and contours of axial velocity taken along constant axial locations and along blade-to-blade surfaces. Wake characterizations were also performed on the experimental and ADPAC predicted results including the definition of a wake correlation function. Correlations were evaluated for wake width and wake depth. Similarity profiles of the wake shape were also compared between all numerical solutions and experimental data.

Heidegger, Nathan J.↗

Modeling Framework for Bulk Electric Grid Impacts from HEMP E1 and E3 Effects (Tasks 3.1 Final Report)

This report presents a framework to evaluate the impact of a high-altitude electromagnetic pulse (HEMP) event on a bulk electric power grid. This report limits itself to modeling the impact of EMP E1 and E3 components. The co-simulation of E1 and E3 is presented in detail, and the focus of the paper is on the framework rather than actual results. This approach is highly conservative as E1 and E3 are not maximized with the same event characteristics and may only slightly overlap. The actual results shown in this report are based on a synthetic grid with synthetic data and a limited exemplary EMP model. The framework presented can be leveraged and used to analyze the impact of other threat scenarios, both manmade and natural disasters. This report d escribes a Monte-Carlo based methodology to probabilistically quantify the transient response of the power grid to a HEMP event. The approach uses multiple fundamental steps to characterize the system response to HEMP events, focused on the E1 and E3 components of the event. 1) Obtain component failure data related to HEMP events testing of components and creating component failure models. Use the component failure model to create component failure conditional probability density function (PDF) that is a function of the HEMP induced terminal voltage. 2) Model HEMP scenarios and calculate the E1 coupled voltage profiles seen by all system components. Model the same HEMP scenarios and calculate the transformer reactive power consumption profiles due to E3. 3) Sample each component failure PDF to determine which grid components will fail, due to the E1 voltage spike, for each scenario. 4) Perform dynamic simulations that incorporate the predicted component failures from E1 and reactive power consumption at each transformer affected by E3. These simulations allow for secondary transients to affect the relays/protection remaining in service which can lead to cascading outages. 5) Identify the locations and amount of load lost for each scenario through grid dynamic simulation. This can be an indication of the immediate grid impacts from a HEMP event. In addition, perform more detailed analysis to determine critical nodes and system trends. 6) To help realize the longer-term impacts, a security constrained alternating current optimal power flow (ACOPF) is run to maximize critical load served. This report describes a modeling framework to assess the systemic grid impacts due to a HEMP event. This stochastic simulation framework generates a large amount of data for each Monte Carlo replication, including HEMP location and characteristics, relay and component failures, E3 GIC profiles, cascading dynamics including voltage and frequency over time, and final system state. This data can then be analyzed to identify trends, e.g., unique system behavior modes or critical components whose failure is more likely to cause serious systemic effects. The proposed analysis process is demonstrated on a representative system. In order to draw realistic conclusions of the impact of a HEMP event on the grid, a significant amount of work remains with respect to modeling the impact on various grid components.

24 POWER TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION↗

Large eddy simulation of atmospheric boundary layer flow over complex terrain in comparison with RANS simulation and on-site measurements under neutral stability condition

Large eddy simulation (LES) of the atmospheric boundary layer (ABL) flow over complex terrain is presented with a validation using meteorological tower (met-tower) data through an improved neutral stability sampling approach. The proposed stability sampling procedure includes a condition based on the most-likely occurrence time-periods of the neutral ABL and reduces the variabilities of the conditional wind statistics calculated at the met-towers in comparison to our previous work. The ABL flow simulations are carried out over a potential wind site with a prominent hill based using the OpenFOAM-based simulator for on/off-shore wind farm applications by applying the Lagrangian-averaged scale-invariant dynamic sub-grid scale turbulence model. A low-dissipative scale-selective discretization scheme for the non-linear convection term in the LES governing equation is adopted implicitly to ensure both the second-order accuracy and bounded solution. The LES inflow is generated through a precursor method with a “tiling” approach based on the flow driving parameters obtained from a corresponding Reynolds-averaged Navier–Stokes (RANS) simulation. Overall, the averaged wind velocity profiles predicted by the LES approach at all met-tower locations show a similar tendency as the RANS results, which are also in reasonable agreement with the met-tower data. An obvious difference in wind speed standard deviation profiles is seen between LES and RANS, especially at regions downstream of the hill edge, where the LES shows under-predicted results at the highest measurement levels in comparison to the tower data. The computational costs of the LES are found to be about 20 times higher than the RANS simulations.

Energy & Fuels↗

Techno-economic and environmental assessment of solar-based electrical vehicles charging stations integrated with hydrogen production

With the growing interest in adopting both commercial and residential electric vehicles (EVs) utilizing green renewable energy, the techno-economic assessment of EV charging stations with solar energy is a critical aspect of the transition to sustainable transportation. However, battery storage capacity for variable solar energy production is becoming increasingly less cost-effective due to the higher Lithium price. Complementing solar energy production and battery storage, the potential of combining green hydrogen fuel energy integration with solar energy for EV charging stations can provide a sustainable alternative to reach carbon-free transportation. This research aims to assess the technical and economic viability of grid-connected Photovoltaic (PV)-based EV charging stations across Kentucky based on existing EV load profiles. The study considers different PV system sizes, locations, orientations, and the impact of net metering policies and electricity tariffs on the profitability of the PV systems. Further, using excess PV energy, Lithium-Ion batteries will be charged, which will be assessed considering the techno-economic and environmental impacts of green EV charging stations. To further enhance green renewable energy production, we also investigated the feasibility of on-grid PV-based EV charging stations with Lithium-Ion batteries charged during low tariff periods. In comparison with these scenarios, we studied the potential benefits of integrating green hydrogen energy production using excess solar energy with and without governmental incentives. Furthermore, we assess the environmental impact of these green EV charging stations across Kentucky. Our study indicates that EV stations across Kentucky have similar techno-economic feasibility with insignificant deviation in the levelized cost of electricity, payback period, and PV energy fraction with/without Li-Ion batteries. However, with green hydrogen production, the marginal H 2 production cost indicates the first scenario (on-grid PV energy charging) is the most significant, roughly 10 USD/Kg, which is similar to 1.5 times higher than the second (charging during low-tariff periods) and the third scenarios (power grid to satisfy the demand deficit - approximately 6.5 USD/Kg). From the environmental perspective, the second scenario would be a good option for either hybrid EV/H 2 or EV charging stations in Kentucky, factoring in the hydrogen production cost and the carbon footprint.

08 HYDROGEN↗