Engineering Papers⌕ Search

SEARCH · Engineering Papers

Results for “global models”

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.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 631 records · Page 35
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1989

Effects of cumulus entrainment and multiple cloud types on a January global climate model simulation

An improved version of the GISS Model II cumulus parameterization designed for long-term climate integrations is used to study the effects of entrainment and multiple cloud types on the January climate simulation. Instead of prescribing convective mass as a fixed fraction of the cloud base grid-box mass, it is calculated based on the closure assumption that the cumulus convection restores the atmosphere to a neutral moist convective state at cloud base. This change alone significantly improves the distribution of precipitation, convective mass exchanges, and frequencies in the January climate. The vertical structure of the tropical atmosphere exhibits quasi-equilibrium behavior when this closure is used, even though there is no explicit constraint applied above cloud base.

Yao, Mao-Sung↗
NASA NTRS1992

A two-dimensional MHD global coronal model - Steady-state streamers

A 2D, time-dependent, numerical, MHD model for the simulation of coronal streamers from the solar surface to 15 solar is presented. Three examples are given; for dipole, quadrupole and hexapole (Legendre polynomials P1, P2, and P3) initial field topologies. The computed properties are density, temperature, velocity, and magnetic field. The calculation is set up as an initial-boundary value problem wherein a relaxation in time produces the steady state solution. In addition to the properties of the solutions, their accuracy is discussed. Besides solutions for dipole, quadrupole, and hexapole geometries, the model use of realistic values for the density and Alfven speed while still meeting the requirement that the flow speed be super-Alfvenic at the outer boundary by extending the outer boundary to 15 solar radii.

Wang, A.-H.↗
NASA NTRS1993

Impact of increased TOVS signal on the NMC global spectral model - A tropical-plume case study

Temperature and moisture signals are extracted from operationally available TOVS channel radiances for a tropical plume that developed over the North Pacific in January 1989, and are inserted into the NMC's operational medium-range forecast model. Several 48-h forecasts are made to test the impact of the additional information. It is shown, at least within a single tropical plume event, that there is still unutilized information within operational TOVS satellite observations. This information resides in the moisture channels and within small-amplitude, but horiontally coherent, thermal features. Perturbed upper-tropospheric relative humidity patterns are smoother and more consistent with satellite imagery than is the historical forecast.

Mcguirk, James P.↗
NASA NTRS1993

A two-dimensional MHD global coronal model - Steady-state streamers

We describe a two-dimensional time-dependent, numerical, magnetohydrodynamic model for the determination of the physical properties of coronal streamers from the top of the transition zone (solar radius = 1) to 15 solar radii. Four examples are given: for dipole, quadrupole, and hexapole initial field topologies. The computed parameters are density, temperature, velocity, and magnetic field. In addition to the properties of the solutions, their accuracy is discussed. We use the model as the basis for a general discussion of the way boundary conditions are specified in this and similar simulations.

Wang, A.-H.↗
NASA NTRS1994

Remote sensing of seasonal and annual variation of equatorial new production: A model for global estimates

Sea-surface temperatures (SSTs) are strongly correlated with surface nitrate concentrations in coastal upwelling regions. Upwelling also occurs in the equatorial Pacific; correlations between temperature and nitrate concentration are strong. The University of Miami weekly averaged Advanced Very High Resolution Radiometer (AVHRR) SST data for October 1986 through June 1989 have been used to compute surface nitrate concentrations from 90 deg - 180 deg W and from 15 deg S - 15 deg N. The surface areas with nitrate above detection limits are combined with existing nitrate uptake data to give weekly estimates of equatorial new production.

Dugdale, R.↗
NASA NTRS1996

Interpretation of lidar and satellite data sets using a global photochemical model

The status in the beginning of the report period was that the existing General Circulation Model (GCM) was running with a chemistry module compiled for stratospheric simulation studies. The chemistry simulation was not working sufficiently in the troposphere and any tropospheric trace gas sources or dry deposition sinks were not yet incorporated. The current status concerning the chemistry module is that the chemistry simulation has been modified to also simulate the chemistry in the troposphere with resulting mixing ratios close to other model simulations as described in Olson et al. (1996). The mechanism to incorporate trace gas source and dry deposition sinks, testing for H202, CH300H, 03, HCHO, HN03, and N02, are incorporated and is currently being tested. Existing model and development versions include: the full GCM model, currently still running with the original stratospheric chemistry module; an off-line version of the GCM, i.e. wind and photolysis rates are pre-calculated and prescribed in read-in arrays; a box model version of the modified chemistry module for developments and first tests of new modifications; and a box model with the same chemistry simulated but flexible partitioning and integration methods for test purposes of those. The grantee's work focused mainly on three areas: trace gas sources and dry deposition; method to introduce a NO source instead of a NO(x) source; and investigating integration methods.

Chyba, Thomas↗
NASA NTRS1996

The Aggregate Representation of Terrestrial Land Covers Within Global Climate Models (GCM)

This project had four initial objectives: (1) to create a realistic coupled surface-atmosphere model to investigate the aggregate description of heterogeneous surfaces; (2) to develop a simple heuristic model of surface-atmosphere interactions; (3) using the above models, to test aggregation rules for a variety of realistic cover and meteorological conditions; and (4) to reconcile biosphere-atmosphere transfer scheme (BATS) land covers with those that can be recognized from space; Our progress in meeting these objectives can be summarized as follows. Objective 1: The first objective was achieved in the first year of the project by coupling the Biosphere-Atmosphere Transfer Scheme (BATS) with a proven two-dimensional model of the atmospheric boundary layer. The resulting model, BATS-ABL, is described in detail in a Masters thesis and reported in a paper in the Journal of Hydrology Objective 2: The potential value of the heuristic model was re-evaluated early in the project and a decision was made to focus subsequent research around modeling studies with the BATS-ABL model. The value of using such coupled surface-atmosphere models in this research area was further confirmed by the success of the Tucson Aggregation Workshop. Objective 3: There was excellent progress in using the BATS-ABL model to test aggregation rules for a variety of realistic covers. The foci of attention have been the site of the First International Satellite Land Surface Climatology Project Field Experiment (FIFE) in Kansas and one of the study sites of the Anglo-Brazilian Amazonian Climate Observational Study (ABRACOS) near the city of Manaus, Amazonas, Brazil. These two sites were selected because of the ready availability of relevant field data to validate and initiate the BATS-ABL model. The results of these tests are given in a Masters thesis, and reported in two papers. Objective 4: Progress far exceeded original expectations not only in reconciling BATS land covers with those that can be recognized from space, but also in then applying remotely-sensed land cover data to map aggregate values of BATS parameters for heterogeneous covers and interpreting these parameters in terms of surface-atmosphere exchanges.

Shuttleworth, W. James↗
NASA NTRS1995

Global Dynamic Modeling of Space-Geodetic Data

The proposal had outlined a year for program conversion, a year for testing and debugging, and two years for numerical experiments. We kept to that schedule. In first (partial) year, author designed a finite element for isostatic thin-shell deformation on a sphere, derived all of its algebraic and stiffness properties, and embedded it in a new finite element code which derives its basic solution strategy (and some critical subroutines) from earlier flat-Earth codes. Also designed and programmed a new fault element to represent faults along plate boundaries. Wrote a preliminary version of a spherical graphics program for the display of output. Tested this new code for accuracy on individual model plates. Made estimates of the computer-time/cost efficiency of the code for whole-earth grids, which were reasonable. Finally, converted an interactive graphical grid-designer program from Cartesian to spherical geometry to permit the beginning of serious modeling. For reasons of cost efficiency, models are isostatic, and do not consider the local effects of unsupported loads or bending stresses. The requirements are: (1) ability to represent rigid rotation on a sphere; (2) ability to represent a spatially uniform strain-rate tensor in the limit of small elements; and (3) continuity of velocity across all element boundaries. Author designed a 3-node triangle shell element which has two different sets of basis functions to represent (vector) velocity and all other (scalar) variables. Such elements can be shown to converge to the formulas for plane triangles in the limit of small size, but can also applied to cover any area smaller than a hemisphere. The difficult volume integrals involved in computing the stiffness of such elements are performed numerically using 7 Gauss integration points on the surface of the sphere, beneath each of which a vertical integral is performed using about 100 points.

Bird, Peter↗
NASA NTRS1996

Global, Collisional Model of High-Energy Photoelectrons

A previously-developed colissional, interhemispheric flux tube model for photoelectrons (PE) has been extended to three dimensions by including transport due to vector E x vector B and magnetic gradient-curvature drifts. Using this model, initial calculations of the high-energy (greater then 50 eV) PE distribution as a function of time, energy, pitch angle, and spatial location in the equatorial plane, are reported for conditions of low geomagnetic activity. To explore both the dynamic and steady behaviors of the model, the simulation starts with the abrupt onset of photoelectron excitation, and is followed to steady state conditions. The results illustrate several features of the interaction of photoelectrons with typical magnetospheric plasmas and fields, including collisional diffusion of photoelectrons in pitch angle with flux tube filling, diurnal intensity and pitch angle asymmetries introduced by directional sunlight, and energization of the photoelectron distribution in the evening sector. Cross-field drift is shown to have a long time scale, taking 12 to 24 hours to reach a steady state distribution. Future applications of the model are briefly outlined.

Khazanov, G. V.↗
NASA NTRS1998

The Development of a Degree 360 Expansion of the Dynamic Ocean Topography of the POCM_4B Global Circulation Model

This paper documents the development of a degree 360 expansion of the dynamic ocean topography (DOT) of the POCM_4B ocean circulation model. The principles and software used that led to the final model are described. A key principle was the development of interpolated DOT values into land areas to avoid discontinuities at or near the land/ocean interface. The power spectrum of the POCM_4B is also presented with comparisons made between orthonormal (ON) and spherical harmonic magnitudes to degree 24. A merged file of ON and SH computed degree variances is proposed for applications where the DOT power spectrum from low to high (360) degrees is needed.

Rapp, Richard H.↗
NASA NTRS1996

Kinetic Space Weather: Toward a Global Hybrid Model of the Polar Ionosphere-Lower Magnetosphere Plasma Transport

During the indicated period of performance, we had a number of publications concerned with kinetic polar ionosphere-lower magnetosphere plasma transport. For the IUGG 1991-4 Quadrennial Report, we reviewed aspects of U.S. accomplishments concerned with polar plasma transport, among other issues. In another review, we examined the computer simulations of multiple-scale processes in space plasmas, including polar plasma outflow and transport. We also examined specifically multiscale processes in ionospheric outflows. We developed a Generalized Semi-Kinetic(GSK) model for the topside-lower magnetosphere which explored the synergistic action of wave heating and electric potentials in the formation of auroral Ion conics, in particular the "pressure cooker" mechanism. We extended the GSK model all the way down to 120 km and applied this code to illustrate the response of the ionosphere- magnetosphere to soft-electron precipitation and convection-driven frictional ion heating, respectively. Later, the convection-driven heating work was extended to a paper for the Journal of Geophysical Research. In addition to the above full published papers, we also presented the first developments of the coupled fluid-semikinetic model for polar plasma transport during this period. The results from a steady-state treatment were presented, with the second presentation being concerned with the effects of photo-electrons on the polar wind, and the first garnering an outstanding student paper award from the American Geophysical Union. We presented the first results from a time-dependent version of this coupled fluid-semikinetic model.

Horwitz, James L.↗
NASA NTRS1997

Global Kinetic Modeling of Banded Electron Structures in the Plasmasphere

Significant fluxes of 10 eV to 30 keV electrons have been detected in the plasmasphere, appearing as banded structures in energy with broad spatial extents and slowly evolving over several days. It is thought that these populations are decaying plasma sheet electrons injected into the corotating region of near-Earth space. This capture can occur when the convective electric field drops rapidly and the Alfven boundary suddenly outward, trapping the inner edge of the plasma sheet along closed drift paths. Our bounce-averaged kinetic model of superthermal electron transport is able to simulate this capture and the subsequent drift, diffusion, and decay of the plasma cloud. Results of this simulation will be shown and discussed, from the initial injection during the elevated convection to the final loss of the particles. It is thought that not only Coulomb collisions but also wave-particle interactions play a significant role in altering the plasma cloud. Quasilinear diffusion is currently being incorporated into the model and the importance of this mechanism will be examined. Also, the high anisotropy of the trapped population could be unstable and generate plasma waves. These and other processes will be investigated to determine the final fate of the cloud and to quantify where, how, and when the energy of the plasma cloud is deposited. Comparisons with CRRES observations of these events are shown to verify the model and explain the data.

Liemohn, M. W.↗
NASA NTRS1999

Transport Experiments

MM II defined a series of experiments to better understand and characterize model transport and to assess the realism of this transport by comparison to observations. Measurements from aircraft, balloon, and satellite, not yet available at the time of MM I [Prather and Remsberg, 1993], provide new and stringent constraints on model transport, and address the limits of our transport modeling abilities. Simulations of the idealized tracers the age spectrum, and propagating boundary conditions, and conserved HSCT-like emissions probe the relative roles of different model transport mechanisms, while simulations of SF6 and C02 make the connection to observations. Some of the tracers are related, and transport diagnostics such as the mean age can be derived from more than one of the experiments for comparison to observations. The goals of the transport experiments are: (1) To isolate the effects of transport in models from other processes; (2) To assess model transport for realistic tracers (such as SF6 and C02) for comparison to observations; (3) To use certain idealized tracers to isolate model mechanisms and relationships to atmospheric chemical perturbations; (4) To identify strengths and weaknesses of the treatment of transport processes in the models; (5) To relate evaluated shortcomings to aspects of model formulation. The following section are included:Executive Summary, Introduction, Age Spectrum, Observation, Tropical Transport in Models, Global Mean Age in Models, Source-Transport Covariance, HSCT "ANOY" Tracer Distributions, and Summary and Conclusions.

Hall, Timothy M.↗
NASA NTRS2001

Global Magnetohydrodynamic Modeling of the Solar Corona

This report describes the progress made in the investigation of the solar corona using magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) simulations. Coronal mass ejections (CME) are believed to be the primary cause of nonrecurrent geomagnetic storms and these have been investigated through the use of three-dimensional computer simulation.

Linker, Jon A.↗
NASA NTRS2001

Global Magnetohydrodynamic Modeling of the Solar Corona

The solar corona, the hot, tenuous outer atmosphere of the Sun, exhibits many fascinating phenomena on a wide range of scales. One of the ways that the Sun can affect us here at Earth is through the large-scale structure of the corona and the dynamical phenomena associated with it, as it is the corona that extends outward as the solar wind and encounters the Earth's magnetosphere. The goal of our research sponsored by NASA's Supporting Research and Technology Program in Solar Physics is to develop increasingly realistic models of the large-scale solar corona, so that we can understand the underlying properties of the coronal magnetic field that lead to the observed structure and evolution of the corona. We describe the work performed under this contract.

Linker, Jon A.↗
NASA NTRS2005

Solar Cycle/Seasonal Variations of H, D, H2 and He Distributions and Escape on Mars as Determined by the Mars Thermosphere Global Circulation Model (MTGCM)

The Mars Thermosphere General Circulation Model (MTGCM) was exercised for Ls = 90 (aphelion) solar minimum, and Ls = 270 perihelion) solar maximum conditions. Simulated MTGCM outputs (i.e. helium density distributions) were compared to those previously observed for Earth and Venus. Winter polar night bulges of helium are predicted on Mars, similar to those observed on the nightside of Venus and in the winter polar regions of Earth. A poster on this research was presented at the European Geophysical Society Meeting (EGS) in 2003. This research paves the way for what might be expected in the polar night regions of Mars during upcoming aerobraking and mapping Campaigns. Lastly, Mars thermosphere (approx. 100-130 km) winter polar warming was observed at high Northern latitudes during the perihelion season, but not at high Southern latitudes during the opposite aphelion season. Presumably, the Mars thermospheric circulation is responsible for the dynamically controlled heating needed to warm polar night temperatures above radiative equilibrium values. Again, MTGCM simulations were conducted for Ls = 90 and Ls = 270 conditions; polar temperatures were examined and found to be much warmer at Northern high latitudes (perihelion) than at Southern high latitudes (aphelion), similar to Mars aerobraking datasets. The Mars thermospheric circulation is found to be stronger during perihelion solstice conditions than during aphelion conditions, owing to both stronger seasonal solar and dust heating during Mars perihelion. An invited talk was given at the Spring AGU 2004 on this research. A forthcoming GRL paper was drafted on this same topic, but not submitted before the termination of this 1-year grant.

Bougher, Stephen↗
NASA NTRS2005

Outflow Channels Influencing Martian Climate: Global Circulation Model Simulations with Emplaced Water

The existence of surface water on Mars in past geologic epochs is inferred on the basis of geomorphologic interpretation of spaceflight images, and is supported by the recent Mars Odyssey identification of ice-rich soils [1]. The Mars Exploration Rovers have provided further chemical evidence for past surface hydrologic activity [2]. One issue is whether this water-rich climate ever existed in a steady state, or whether it was triggered by catastrophic events such as large impacts [3], and/ or catastrophic outburst floods, the topic of consideration here.

Santiago, D. L.↗
NASA NTRS2006

Towards the Identification of the Keeper Erosion Cause(s): Numerical Simulations of the Plasma and Neutral Gas Using the Global Cathode Model OrCa2D-II

Numerical simulations with the time-dependent Orificed Cathode (OrCa2D-II) computer code show that classical enhancements of the plasma resistivity can not account for the elevated electron temperatures and steep plasma potential gradients measured in the plume of a 25-27.5 A discharge hollow cathode. The cathode, which employs a 0.11-in diameter orifice, was operated at 5.5 sccm without an applied magnetic field using two different anode geometries. It is found that anomalous resistivity based on electron-driven instabilities improves the comparison between theory and experiment. It is also estimated that other effects such as the Hall-effect from the self-induced magnetic field, not presently included in OrCa2D-II, may contribute to the constriction of the current density streamlines thus explaining the higher plasma densities observed along the centerline.

plasma modeling↗