Engineering Papers⌕ Search

SEARCH · Engineering Papers

Results for “numeric profiling”

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 73 records · Page 4

Vortex methods for separated flows

The numerical solution of the Euler or Navier-Stokes equations by Lagrangian vortex methods is discussed. The mathematical background is presented in an elementary fashion and includes the relationship with traditional point-vortex studies, the convergence to smooth solutions of the Euler equations, and the essential differences between two- and three-dimensional cases. The difficulties in extending the method to viscous or compressible flows are explained. The overlap with the excellent review articles available is kept to a minimum and more emphasis is placed on the area of expertise, namely two-dimensional flows around bluff bodies. When solid walls are present, complete mathematical models are not available and a more heuristic attitude must be adopted. The imposition of inviscid and viscous boundary conditions without conformal mappings or image vortices and the creation of vorticity along solid walls are examined in detail. Methods for boundary-layer treatment and the question of the Kutta condition are discussed. Practical aspects and tips helpful in creating a method that really works are explained. The topics include the robustness of the method and the assessment of accuracy, vortex-core profiles, timemarching schemes, numerical dissipation, and efficient programming. Calculations of flows past streamlined or bluff bodies are used as examples when appropriate.

Spalart, Philippe R.↗

Nonlinear multi-magnon scattering in artificial spin ice

Abstract Magnons, the quantum-mechanical fundamental excitations of magnetic solids, are bosons whose number does not need to be conserved in scattering processes. Microwave-induced parametric magnon processes, often called Suhl instabilities, have been believed to occur in magnetic thin films only, where quasi-continuous magnon bands exist. Here, we reveal the existence of such nonlinear magnon-magnon scattering processes and their coherence in ensembles of magnetic nanostructures known as artificial spin ice. We find that these systems exhibit effective scattering processes akin to those observed in continuous magnetic thin films. We utilize a combined microwave and microfocused Brillouin light scattering measurement approach to investigate the evolution of their modes. Scattering events occur between resonance frequencies that are determined by each nanomagnet’s mode volume and profile. Comparison with numerical simulations reveals that frequency doubling is enabled by exciting a subset of nanomagnets that, in turn, act as nanosized antennas, an effect that is akin to scattering in continuous films. Moreover, our results suggest that tunable directional scattering is possible in these structures.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗

Element Formation in Radiation-hydrodynamics Simulations of Kilonovae

Abstract Understanding the details of r -process nucleosynthesis in binary neutron star merger (BNSM) ejecta is key to interpreting kilonova observations and identifying the role of BNSMs in the origin of heavy elements. We present a self-consistent, two-dimensional, ray-by-ray radiation-hydrodynamic evolution of BNSM ejecta with an online nuclear network (NN) up to a timescale of days. For the first time, an initial numerical relativity ejecta profile composed of the dynamical component and spiral-wave and disk winds is evolved including detailed r -process reactions and nuclear heating effects. A simple model for the jet energy deposition is also included. Our simulation highlights that the common approach of relating in postprocessing the final nucleosynthesis yields to the initial thermodynamic profile of the ejecta can lead to inaccurate predictions. Moreover, we find that neglecting the details of the radiation-hydrodynamic evolution of the ejecta in nuclear calculations can introduce deviations of up to 1 order of magnitude in the final abundances of several elements, including very light and second r -process peak elements. The presence of a jet affects element production only in the innermost part of the polar ejecta, and it does not alter the global nucleosynthesis results. Overall, our analysis shows that employing an online NN improves the reliability of nucleosynthesis and kilonova light-curve predictions.

Magistrelli, Fabio (ORCID:0009000509767851)↗

Kinetics of the reaction of nitric oxide with hydrogen

Mixtures of NO and H2 diluted in argon or krypton were heated by incident shock waves, and the infrared emission from the fundamental vibration-rotation band of NO at 5.3 microns was used to monitor the time-varying NO concentration. The reaction kinetics were studied in the temperature range 2400-4500 K using a shock-tube technique. The decomposition of nitric oxide behind the shock was found to be modeled well by a fifteen-reaction system. A principle result of the study was the determination of the rate constant for the reaction H + NO yields N + OH, which may be the rate-limiting step for NO removal in some combustion systems. Experimental values of k sub 1 were obtained for each test through comparisons of measured and numerically predicted NO profiles.

Flower, W. L.↗

Kinetics of the reaction of nitric oxide with hydrogen

The reaction of nitric oxide with hydrogen has been studied in the temperature range 2400-4500 K using a shock-tube technique. Mixtures of NO and H2 diluted in argon or krypton were heated by incident shock waves, and the infrared emission from the fundamental vibration-rotation band of NO at 5.3 microns was used to monitor the time-varying NO concentration. The decomposition of nitric oxide behind the shock was found to be modeled well by a fifteen-reaction system. A principal result of the study was the determination of the rate constant k1 for the reaction H + NO yields N + OH, which may be the rate-limiting step for NO removal in some combustion systems. Experimental values of k1 were obtained for each test through comparisons of measured and numerically predicted NO profiles. The data are fit closely by the expression k1 = 1.34 times 10 to the fourteenth power exp(-49 200/RT) cu cm/mole-sec. These data appear to be the first available for this rate constant.

Flower, W. L.↗

The influence of convective activity on the vorticity budget

The influence of convective activity on the vorticity budget was determined during the AVE VII and AVE-SESAME I periods. This was accomplished by evaluating each term in the expanded vorticity equation with twisting and tilting and friction representing the residual of all other terms. Convective areas were delineated by use of radar summary charts. The influence of convective activity was established by analyzing contoured fields of each term as well as numerical values and profiles of the various terms in convective and nonconvective areas. Vertical motion was computed by the kinematic method, and all computations were performed over the central United States using a grid spacing of 158 km. The results show that, in convective areas in particular, the residual is of comparable magnitude to the horizontal advection and divergence terms, and therefore, cannot be neglected. In convective areas, the residual term represents a sink of vorticity below 500 mb and a strong source near 300 mb. In nonconvective areas, the residual was small in magnitude at all levels, but tended to be negative (vorticity sink) at 300 mb. The local change term, over convective areas, tended to be balanced by the residual term, and appeared to be a good indicator of development (vorticity becoming more cyclonic). Finally, the shape of the vertical profiles of the term in the budget equation agreed with those found by other investigators for easterly waves, but the terms were one order of magnitude larger than those for easterly waves.

Townsend, T. L.↗

A multiple-scales model of the shock-cell structure of imperfectly expanded supersonic jets

The present investigation is concerned with the development of an analytical model of the quasi-periodic shock-cell structure of an imperfectly expanded supersonic jet. The investigation represents a part of a program to develop a mathematical theory of broadband shock-associated noise of supersonic jets. Tam and Tanna (1982) have suggested that this type of noise is generated by the weak interaction between the quasi-periodic shock cells and the downstream-propagating large turbulence structures in the mixing layer of the jet. In the model developed in this paper, the effect of turbulence in the mixing layer of the jet is simulated by the addition of turbulent eddy-viscosity terms to the momentum equation. Attention is given to the mean-flow profile and the numerical solution, and a comparison of the numerical results with experimental data.

Tam, C. K. W.↗

Computation of three-dimensional turbulent boundary layers with heat transfer in a plane of symmetry using embedded wall-layer functions

In the calculation of turbulent boundary layers, a large number of mesh points are required to adequately resolve the intense variation in the velocity and enthalpy in the near-wall region. A substantial reduction in computational effort may be realized by representing the velocity and enthalpy profiles in the wall layer by analytical embedded functions. The effectively inviscid flow in the outer part of the boundary layer may then be resolved by employing a relatively coarser mesh. To obtain complete profiles, the outer numerical solution is matched asymptotically to the inner wall-layer analytical solution. To date, this approach has been restricted to two-dimensional flows; in the present study, a method which may be utilized for turbulent boundary layers with heat transfer in a plane of symmetry is developed as a first step in the application of the embedded-function method to full three-dimensional flows. The present method uses only about half as many mesh points as that required in a conventional procedure, which calculates the flow all the way to the wall, but there is no degradation in accuracy of the computed results.

Degani, A. T.↗

Characterization of directionally solidified Hg(1-x)Zn(x)Se semiconducting alloys

Hg(1-x)Zn(x)Se alloys with composition between x = 0.08 and 0.115 were synthesized from elemental constituents and were resolidified using a Bridgman-Stockbarger growth technique. By performing precision mass-density measurements on selected wafers cut perpendicular to the growth axis, it was shown that the axial compositional profiles fit a numerical solution to the 1D diffusion equation which takes into account the variation of interface velocity with time. Infrared transmission-edge measurements performed on selected transverse slices from each ingot showed that the relative radial variations in composition decreased with decreasing growth rate. Van der Pauw measurements on selected wafers showed that the 10 exp 18/cu cm electron concentration, typical of as-grown crystals, could be reduced by approximately an order of magnitude by annealing in Se vapor.

Cobb, S. D.↗

Foundations for statistical-physical precipitation retrieval from passive microwave satellite measurements. II - Emission-source and generalized weighting-function properties of a time-dependent cloud-radiation model

The foremost physical aspects of microphysical-radiative interactions that control the formation and modulation of frequency-dependent passive microwave TB over a continental cold-rain precipitation system are explained within the framework of the essential ingredients of a physically based precipitation-retrieval algorithm. The analysis is based on a modeling study in which a 3D cloud model has provided the objective basis for generating an extensive set of microphysical profiles that describe numerous precipitation features in the course of the evolution of a continental hail storm. A summary of the various components of the algorithm, as well as the surface rain rates, is given. The algorithm employs the cloud model to provide a consistent and objectively generated source of detailed microphysical information as the underpinnings to an inversion-based perturbative retrieval scheme.

Mugnai, Alberto↗

Wave Number Selection for Incompressible Parallel Jet Flows Periodic in Space

The temporal instability of a spatially periodic parallel flow of an incompressible inviscid fluid for various jet velocity profiles is studied numerically using Floquet Analysis. The transition matrix at the end of a period is evaluated by direct numerical integration. For verification, a method based on approximating a continuous function by a series of step functions was used. Unstable solutions were found only over a limited range of wave numbers and have a band type structure. The results obtained are analogous to the behavior observed in systems exhibiting complexity at the edge of order and chaos.

Miles, Jeffrey Hilton↗

Thermal Modeling and Analysis of a Sub-Compact Seebeck Furnace

The Sub-Compact Seebeck Furnace (SCSF) is a third generation furnace designed as an experimental facility to study the phenomena of undercooling associated with directional solidification. It is intended to provide a double peak temperature profile along the axial direction with gradient zones at each end. By keeping the temperature in the central portion above the melting point of the sample, and cooling the ends of the furnace, a solid/liquid (S/L) interface can be maintained in each one of the gradient zones. A motorized motion control provides a motion to one-half of the furnace. The undercooling associated with the interface being directionally solidified can thus be studied. Modeling of the temperature profile is important to help assure that the furnace design provides the correct thermal characteristics. The furnace is designed with two halves that telescope. Results of thermal analysis based on an analytical solution using simple assumptions will be presented. The resulting temperature profile will show the salient features of the desired thermal profile and provide the general directions for thermal design. Experimental results will be used to compare with the analytical profile. Approach for numerical modeling to provide more detailed information such as two-dimensional effects will be discussed.

Wang, Francis C.↗

On-Orbit Special Testing of NOAA-20/JPSS-1 ATMS

The second Advanced Technology Microwave Sounder (ATMS) recently launched November 2017 on the Joint Polar Satellite System-l satellite (JPSS-l), now re-named NOAA-20. It joins the first ATMS flight unit aboard the Suomi NPP (S-NPP) satellite, as well as older sounders-the Advanced Microwave Sounding Units A & B (AMSU-A/B) and Microwave Humidity Sounder (MHS)-on polar-orbiting operational weather satellites. Together, these sounders provide critical all-weather temperature and humidity profile information for Numerical Weather Prediction (NWP) models. This paper presents results from a number of special post-launch tests used to characterize the instrument and provide unique calibration information. These special tests-long stares, alternate techniques for lunar intrusion mitigation and geolocation, spacecraft maneuvers, special scan modes, comparisons with NWP models-require non-standard modes of operation or data analysis, and can only be conducted during commissioning, prior to the start of regular forecast observations.

Kim, Edward↗

Prediction of flow profiles in arteries from local measurements.

This paper develops an approximate numerical method for calculating flow profiles in arteries. The theory takes into account the nonlinear terms of the Navier-Stokes equations as well as the large deformations of the arterial wall. The method, assuming axially symmetric flow, determines velocity distribution and wall shear at a given location from the locally measured values of the pressure, pressure gradient, and pressure-radius relation. The computed results agree well with the corresponding experimental data.

Ling, S. C.↗

Overview of Heat Addition and Efficiency Predictions for an Advanced Stirling Convertor

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and Lockheed Martin Space Systems Company (LMSSC) have been developing the Advanced Stirling Radioisotope Generator (ASRG) for use as a power system for space science missions. This generator would use two high-efficiency Advanced Stirling Convertors (ASCs), developed by Sunpower Inc. and NASA Glenn Research Center (GRC). The ASCs convert thermal energy from a radioisotope heat source into electricity. As part of ground testing of these ASCs, different operating conditions are used to simulate expected mission conditions. These conditions require achieving a particular operating frequency, hot end and cold end temperatures, and specified electrical power output for a given net heat input. Microporous bulk insulation is used in the ground support test hardware to minimize the loss of thermal energy from the electric heat source to the environment. The insulation package is characterized before operation to predict how much heat will be absorbed by the convertor and how much will be lost to the environment during operation. In an effort to validate these predictions, numerous tasks have been performed, which provided a more accurate value for net heat input into the ASCs. This test and modeling effort included: (a) making thermophysical property measurements of test setup materials to provide inputs to the numerical models, (b) acquiring additional test data that was collected during convertor tests to provide numerical models with temperature profiles of the test setup via thermocouple and infrared measurements, (c) using multidimensional numerical models (computational fluid dynamics code) to predict net heat input of an operating convertor, and (d) using validation test hardware to provide direct comparison of numerical results and validate the multidimensional numerical models used to predict convertor net heat input. This effort produced high fidelity ASC net heat input predictions, which were successfully validated using specially designed test hardware enabling measurement of heat transferred through a simulated Stirling cycle. The overall effort and results are discussed.

Wilson, Scott D.↗

Comparison of vertical velocities analyzed by a numerical model and measured by a VHF wind profiler

The use of wind profilers for measuring vertical velocities in the troposphere and lower stratosphere is potentially of great interest for verification of forecasts, diagnosis of mesoscale circulations, and studies of wave motions. The studies of profiler vertical velocities to date have shown that the observed patterns of ascent and subsidence are reasonable when compared to the synoptic conditions. However, difficulties arise when a direct verification of the profiler vertical winds is sought. Since no other technique can measure the vertical velocities over the same height range and with the same claimed accuracy as the profilers, direct comparisons are impossible. The only alternative is to compare the measurements to analyzed vertical velocity fields. Here, researchers compare vertical measurements made with the SOUSY VHF radar over a period of 11 days at the beginning of November 1981 to the analyzed vertical velocities produced by the European Center for Medium-range Weather Forecasting (ECMWF) model for grid points near the radar site.

Larsen, M. F.↗

Inelastic deformation of diamond single crystals shock compressed to multimegabar stresses: Wave profile calculations

As the archetypal strong solid, the response of diamond shock compressed to multimegabar stresses is important for fundamental science and for numerical simulations of wave profiles for applications in high energy density physics experiments. Previous experiments and analysis have shown that the commonly used hydrodynamic assumption is invalid for diamond shock compressed to stresses below melt and an elastic–inelastic description is needed. Here, we present a phenomenological material model for calculating wave profiles in shock compressed diamond single crystals that incorporates this description. Also, to support the modeling effort, we carried out wave profile measurements on shock compressed diamond single crystals at the Sandia Z facility to augment previous measurements. Wave profiles for [100] and [111] diamond calculated using the material model provide a good match to the elastic–inelastic response (observed two-wave structure) measured at ∼325 and ∼360 GPa. Furthermore, the calculated peak stresses for single (overdriven) waves provide a good match to the measured Hugoniot states for stresses reaching ∼700 GPa, which is near melting conditions. The present results show that the diamond single crystal response at multimegabar shock stresses is characteristic of a brittle solid—pressure-dependent strength and strength loss due to inelastic deformation.

Deformation↗

Weak, quasiparallel profiles of earth's bow shock - A comparison between numerical simulations and ISEE 3 observations on the far flank

Over 200 crossings of the distant downwind flanks of earth's magnetosonic bow shock by ISEE 3 included many cases of weak, or low Mach number, quasi-parallel shocks. A consistent feature of the magnetic field profiles was the presence of large amplitude, near periodic to irregular transverse oscillations downstream from even the weakest Q-parallel shocks. Large downstream perturbations with whistler-like features similar to those of the observations appear in 1D simulations when the Alfven Mach number M(A) is greater than 2.5 but not when M(A) = 2.1. The observed cases with downstream waves also occurred when M(A) is greater than about 2.5, suggesting the importance of the Alfven as opposed to magnetosonic Mach number in determining the signature of weak, Q-parallel shocks.

Greenstadt, E. W.↗