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At least 793 records · Page 44

Hyperaccreting Black Hole as Gamma-Ray Burst Central Engine. II. Temporal Evolution of the Central Engine Parameters during the Prompt and Afterglow Phases

A hyperaccreting stellar-mass black hole (BH) has been proposed as the candidate central engine of gamma-ray bursts (GRBs). The rich observations of GRBs by Fermi and Swift make it possible to constrain the central engine model by comparing the model predictions against data. This paper is dedicated to studying the temporal evolution of the central engine parameters for both the prompt emission and afterglow phases. We consider two jet-launching mechanisms, i.e., ν ν-bar annihilations and the Blandford–Znajek (BZ) process, and obtain analytical solutions to these two models. We then investigate the BH central engine parameters, such as the jet power, the dimensionless entropy η, and the central engine parameter μ {sub 0} = η (1 + σ {sub 0}) (where σ {sub 0} is the initial magnetization of the engine) at the base of the jet. The BH may be spun up by accretion or spun down by the BZ process, leaving imprints in the GRB light curves. Usually, a BZ jet is more powerful and is likely responsible for the late-time central engine activities. However, an initially non-spinning BH central engine may first launch a thermal “fireball” via neutrino annihilations, and then launch a Poynting-flux-dominated jet via the BZ process. Multiple flares, giant bumps, and plateaus in GRB afterglows can be produced as the result of late-time accretion onto the BH.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

ORDEM2010 and MASTER-2009 Modeled Small Debris Population Comparison

The latest versions of the two premier orbital debris engineering models, NASA s ORDEM2010 and ESA s MASTER-2009, have been publicly released. Both models have gone through significant advancements since inception, and now represent the state-of-the-art in orbital debris knowledge of their respective agencies. The purpose of these models is to provide satellite designers/operators and debris researchers with reliable estimates of the artificial debris environment in near-Earth orbit. The small debris environment within the size range of 1 mm to 1 cm is of particular interest to both human and robotic spacecraft programs. These objects are much more numerous than larger trackable debris but are still large enough to cause significant, if not catastrophic, damage to spacecraft upon impact. They are also small enough to elude routine detection by existing observation systems (radar and telescope). Without reliable detection the modeling of these populations has always coupled theoretical origins with supporting observational data in different degrees. This paper details the 1 mm to 1 cm orbital debris populations of both ORDEM2010 and MASTER-2009; their sources (both known and presumed), current supporting data and theory, and methods of population analysis. Fluxes on spacecraft for chosen orbits are also presented and discussed within the context of each model.

Krisko, Paula H.↗

ORDEM 3.0 and MASTER-2009 Modeled Small Debris Population Comparison

The latest versions of the two premier orbital debris engineering models, NASA's ORDEM 3.0 and ESA's MASTER-2009, have been publicly released within the last year. Both models have gone through significant advancements since inception, and now represent the state-of-the-art in orbital debris knowledge of their respective agencies. The purpose of these models is to provide satellite designers/operators and debris researchers with reliable estimates of the artificial debris environment in near-Earth orbit. The small debris environment within the size range of 1 mm to 1 cm is of particular interest to both human and robotic spacecraft programs. These objects are much more numerous than larger trackable debris but are still large enough to cause significant, if not catastrophic, damage to spacecraft upon impact. They are also small enough to elude routine detection by existing observation systems (radar and telescope). Without reliable detection the modeling of these populations has always coupled theoretical origins with supporting observational data in different degrees. This paper describes the population generation and categorization of both ORDEM 3.0 and MASTER-2009; their sources (both known and presumed), current supporting data and theory, and methods of population verification. Fluxes on spacecraft for chosen orbits are presented and discussed. Future collaborative analysis is noted.

Krisko, P. H.↗

ORDEM 3.0 and MASTER-2009 Modeled Small Debris Population Comparison

The latest versions of the two premier orbital debris engineering models, NASA's ORDEM 3.0 and ESA's MASTER-2009, have been publically released. Both models have gone through significant advancements since inception, and now represent the state-of-the-art in orbital debris knowledge of their respective agencies. The purpose of these models is to provide satellite designers/operators and debris researchers with reliable estimates of the artificial debris environment in low Earth orbit (LEO) to geosynchronous orbit (GEO). The small debris environment within the size range of 1 mm to 1 cm is of particular interest to both human and robotic spacecraft programs, particularly in LEO. These objects are much more numerous than larger trackable debris and can have enough momentum to cause significant, if not catastrophic, damage to spacecraft upon impact. They are also small enough to elude routine detection by existing observation systems (radar and telescope). Without reliable detection the modeling of these populations has always coupled theoretical origins with supporting observational data in different degrees. In this paper, we present and detail the 1 mm to 1 cm orbital debris populations from both ORDEM 3.0 and MASTER-2009 in LEO. We review population categories: particle sources for MASTER-2009, particle densities for ORDEM 3.0. We describe data sources and their uses, and supporting models. Fluxes on spacecraft for chosen orbits are also presented and discussed within the context of each model.

Krisko, P. H.↗

EXTINCTION DROPLET SIZING MEASUREMENTS IN DIESEL RELEVANT SPRAYS

A new diagnostic for the quantification of Sauter Mean Diameter (SMD) in high-pressure fuel sprays has been recently developed using combined optical and x-ray measurements at the Georgia Institute of Technology and Argonne National Laboratory, respectively. This diagnostic utilizes liquid scattering extinction measurements from diffuse back-illumination (DBI) imaging, conducted at Georgia Tech, and liquid absorption measurements from x-ray radiography, conducted at Argonne’s Advanced Photon Source. The new diagnostic, entitled the Scattering Absorption Measurement Ratio (SAMR), quantifies two-dimensional distributions of path-integrated SMD, enabling construction of the spatial history of drop size development within practical fuel sprays. This technique offers unique benefits over conventional drop-sizing methods in that it can be more robust in optically dense regions of the spray, while also providing high spatial resolution of the corresponding droplet field. The spatially-resolved SMD measurements that result from the SAMR diagnostic will be especially valuable to the engine modeling community for the quantitative validation of spray submodels in engine CFD codes. The methodology for quantification of SMD distributions using the SAMR technique has been previously introduced. This thesis aims to extend the initial development of the SAMR technique by presenting in detail: the experimental methodologies used in the SAMR technique, including the development of an ideal DBI setup for this technique; the data processing methodologies developed by the author; two-dimensional Sauter Mean Diameter measurements within diesel sprays for various experimental conditions; a summary of the various sources of measurement uncertainty; an assessment for how the sources of uncertainty affect the quantified SMD; and paths to improve the technique moving forward. The SMD results show that for low ambient density conditions droplets decrease in size as radial and axial position increases. For high ambient density conditions, however, the droplets show a stable size near the spray centerline and steadily increase in size as distance from the centerline increases. Additionally, this work provides 2-D droplet sizing maps which are particularly useful for model validation.

33 ADVANCED PROPULSION SYSTEMS↗

Alternatives for Jet Engine Control. Volume 1: Modelling and Control Design with Jet Engine Data

This document compiles a comprehensive list of publications supported by, or related to, National Aeronautics and Space Administration Grant NSG-3048, entitled "Alternatives for Jet Engine Control". Dr. Kurt Seldner was the original Technical Officer for the grant, at Lewis Research Center. Dr. Bruce Lehtinen was the final Technical Officer. At the University of Notre Dame, Drs. Michael K. Sain and R. Jeffrey Leake were the original Project Directors, with Dr. Sain becoming the final Project Director. Publications cover work over a ten-year period. The Final Report is divided into two parts. Volume i, "Modelling and Control Design with Jet Engine Data", follows in this report. Volume 2, "Modelling and Control Design with Tensors", has been bound separately.

Sain, M. K.↗

Development of a Turbulent Liquid Spray Atomization Model for Diesel Engine Simulations (Final Technical Report)

This project addresses the systematic lack of predictive capabilities by spray models within engine CFD codes. We develop a new modeling approach to predict the breakup of diesel sprays based on recent literature showing that liquid turbulence plays a fundamental role in spray atomization. A new body of quantitative validation data is also developed as a critical element of the project, leveraging the joint capabilities of Georgia Tech’s high-pressure continuous-flow spray chamber and Argonne National Lab’s near-nozzle x-ray diagnostics at the Advanced Photon Source. This project contributes spatially-resolved measurements of drop size distribution within well-characterized diesel injectors, Spray A and D, from the Engine Combustion Network (ECN) to the engine combustion community for the first time. Utilizing this new body of measurements, we validate and demonstrate a new spray model for diesel sprays, termed the KH-Faeth model, that predicts global and local spray characteristic more accurately than the widely adopted and employed KH model. Predicted drop size distributions are seen to predict measured drops sizes both quantitatively and predictively, with accurate response in droplet size distributions over a wide range of ambient density, injection pressure, and injector nozzle size (Spray A and D) without model tuning. The KH-Faeth model can reduce error in the predicted centerline droplet size profile by up to 80% for ECN Spray D simulations when compared to use of the widely employed KH model.

33 ADVANCED PROPULSION SYSTEMS↗

Next-Generation Ion Propulsion Being Developed

The NASA Glenn Research Center ion-propulsion program addresses the need for high specific-impulse systems and technology across a broad range of mission applications and power levels. One activity is the development of the next-generation ion-propulsion system as a follow-on to the successful Deep Space 1 system. The system is envisioned to incorporate a lightweight ion engine that can operate over 1 to 10 kW, with a 550-kg propellant throughput capacity. The engine concept under development has a 40-cm beam diameter, twice the effective area of the Deep Space 1 engine. It incorporates mechanical features and operating conditions to maximize the design heritage established by the Deep Space 1 engine, while incorporating new technology where warranted to extend the power and throughput capability. Prototype versions of the engine have been fabricated and are under test at NASA, with an engineering model version in manufacturing. Preliminary performance data for the prototype engine have been documented over 1.1- to 7.3-kW input power. At 7.3 kW, the engine efficiency is 0.68, at 3615-sec specific impulse. Critical component temperatures, including those of the discharge cathode assembly and magnets, have been documented and are within established limits, with significant margins relative to the Deep Space 1 engine. The 1- to 10-kW ion thruster approach described here was found to provide the needed power and performance improvement to enable important NASA missions. The Integrated In-Space Transportation Planning (IISTP) studies compared many potential technologies for various NASA, Government, and commercial missions. These studies indicated that a high-power ion propulsion system is the most important technology for development because of its outstanding performance versus perceived development and recurring costs for interplanetary solar electric propulsion missions. One of the best applications of a highpower electric propulsion system was as an integral part of a solar electric propulsion (SEP) stage to send a payload to outer planet targets. The IISTP studies showed that either trip time or launch vehicle class could be significantly reduced when compared with state-of-the-art systems.

Patterson, Michael J.↗

Material Density Distribution of Small Debris in Earth Orbit

Over 200 spacecraft and rocket body breakups in Earth orbit have populated that regime with debris fragments in the sub-micron through meter size range. Though the largest debris fragments can cause significant collisional damage to active (operational) spacecraft, these are few and trackable by radar. Fragments on the order of a millimeter to a centimeter in size are as yet untrackable. But this smaller debris can result in damage to critical spacecraft systems and, under the worst conditions, fragmenting collision events. Ongoing research at the NASA Orbital Debris Program Office on the sources of these small fragments has focused on the material components of spacecraft and rocket bodies and on breakup event morphology. This has led to fragment material density estimates, and also the beginnings of shape categorizations. To date the NASA Standard Breakup Model has not considered specific material density distinctions of small debris. The basis of small debris in that model is the fourth hypervelocity impact event of the Satellite Orbital Debris Characterization Impact Test (SOCIT) series. This test targeted a flight-ready, U.S. Transit navigation satellite with a solid aluminum sphere impactor. Results in this event yield characteristic length (size) and area-to-mass distributions of fragments smaller than 10 cm in the NASA model. Recent re-analysis of the SOCIT4 small fragment dataset highlighted the material-specific characteristics of metals and non-metals. Concurrent analysis of Space Shuttle in-situ impact data showed a high percentage of aluminum debris in shuttle orbit regions. Both analyses led to the definition of three main on-orbit debris material density categories -low density (< 2 g/cc), medium density (2 to 6 g/cc), and high density (> 6 g/cc). This report considers the above studies in an explicit extension of the NASA Standard Breakup Model where separate material densities for debris are generated and these debris fragments are propagated in Earth orbit. The near Earth environment is thus parameterized by debris density percentages within subsections of that environment. This model version is used in the upgraded NASA Orbital Debris Engineering Model (ORDEM).

Krisko, P. H.↗

JT8D-100 turbofan engine, phase 1

The JT8D turbofan engine, widely used in short and medium range transport aircraft, contributes substantially to airport community noise. The jet noise is predominant in the JT8D engine and may be reduced in a modified engine, without loss of thrust, by increasing the airflow to reduce jet velocity. A configuration study evaluated the effects of fan airflow, fan pressure ratio, and bypass ratio on noise, thrust, and fuel comsumption. The cycle selected for the modified engine was based upon an increased diameter, single-stage fan and two additional core engine compressor stages, which replace the existing two-stage fan. Modifications were also made to the low pressure turbine to provide the increased torque required by the larger diameter fan. The resultant JT8D-100 engine models have the following characteristics at take-off thrust, compared to the current JT8D engine: Airflow and bypass ratio are increased, and fan pressure ratio and engine speed are reduced. The resultant engine is also longer, larger in diameter, and heavier than the JT8D base model, but these latter changes are compensated by the increased thrust and decreased fuel comsumption of the modified engine, thus providing the capability for maintaining the performance of the current JT8D-powered aircraft.

Source record↗

Virtual Instrument Simulator for CERES

A benchtop virtual instrument simulator for CERES (Clouds and the Earth's Radiant Energy System) has been built at NASA, Langley Research Center in Hampton, VA. The CERES instruments will fly on several earth orbiting platforms notably NASDA's Tropical Rainfall Measurement Mission (TRMM) and NASA's Earth Observing System (EOS) satellites. CERES measures top of the atmosphere radiative fluxes using microprocessor controlled scanning radiometers. The CERES Virtual Instrument Simulator consists of electronic circuitry identical to the flight unit's twin microprocessors and telemetry interface to the supporting spacecraft electronics and two personal computers (PC) connected to the I/O ports that control azimuth and elevation gimbals. Software consists of the unmodified TRW developed Flight Code and Ground Support Software which serves as the instrument monitor and NASA/TRW developed engineering models of the scanners. The CERES Instrument Simulator will serve as a testbed for testing of custom instrument commands intended to solve in-flight anomalies of the instruments which could arise during the CERES mission. One of the supporting computers supports the telemetry display which monitors the simulator microprocessors during the development and testing of custom instrument commands. The CERES engineering development software models have been modified to provide a virtual instrument running on a second supporting computer linked in real time to the instrument flight microprocessor control ports. The CERES Instrument Simulator will be used to verify memory uploads by the CERES Flight Operations TEAM at NASA. Plots of the virtual scanner models match the actual instrument scan plots. A high speed logic analyzer has been used to track the performance of the flight microprocessor. The concept of using an identical but non-flight qualified microprocessor and electronics ensemble linked to a virtual instrument with identical system software affords a relatively inexpensive simulation system capable of high fidelity.

Chapman, John J.↗

Air breathing engine/rocket trajectory optimization

This research has focused on improving the mathematical models of the air-breathing propulsion systems, which can be mated with the rocket engine model and incorporated in trajectory optimization codes. Improved engine simulations provided accurate representation of the complex cycles proposed for advanced launch vehicles, thereby increasing the confidence in propellant use and payload calculations. The versatile QNEP (Quick Navy Engine Program) was modified to allow treatment of advanced turboaccelerator cycles using hydrogen or hydrocarbon fuels and operating in the vehicle flow field.

Smith, V. K., III↗

A Detailed Wind Turbine Blade Cost Model

This technical report describes a detailed blade cost model for wind turbine blades in the range of 30 to 100 meters in length. The model estimates the bill of materials, the number of labor hours and the cycle time, and the costs related to direct labor, overhead, buildings, tooling, equipment, maintenance, and capital. The model applies to multimegawatt wind turbine blades manufactured via vacuum-assisted resin transfer molding, which is the most commonly adopted manufacturing method for modern wind turbine blades. The model is implemented both in a large Excel file and in Python. The latter is freely available in the repository of the Wind-Plant Integrated System Design and Engineering Model (WISDEM[R]) github.com/WISDEM. WISDEM is a multidisciplinary analysis and optimization design framework developed at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory. This blade cost model represents a valuable tool to run design optimization studies for wind turbines. In this report, the model is first presented with its approach and assumptions and then computes the costs of three blades, namely the 33-meter-long Wind Partnership for Advanced Component Technologies (WindPACT) study blade, the 63-meter-long International Energy Agency (IEA) Wind Task 37 land-based reference wind turbine blade, and the 100-meter-long SNL-100-03 blade developed at Sandia National Laboratories.

17 WIND ENERGY↗

The Model Assessment Wizard (MAW): A Visualization System for Ontology Constraint Violations

Validation and verification of engineering models is important to understand potential weaknesses and issues in the model. This is accomplished through the application of constraint logic to the model. These models and the constraints put upon them can be represented through a graph structure. Here we give a visualization system to aid users understanding, locating, and fixing constraint violations in their systems. We give users several ways to narrow down on the specific errors and parts of the graph they’re interested in. Users have the opportunity to choose the types of errors that will be shown in the graph. Clustering is applied to the graph to help users narrow down their searches. Several other graph interactions are given to support discovery of constraint violations.

97 MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTING↗

Fusing Quantitative Requirements Analysis with Model-based Systems Engineering

A vision is presented for fusing quantitative requirements analysis with model-based systems engineering. This vision draws upon and combines emergent themes in the engineering milieu. "Requirements engineering" provides means to explicitly represent requirements (both functional and non-functional) as constraints and preferences on acceptable solutions, and emphasizes early-lifecycle review, analysis and verification of design and development plans. "Design by shopping" emphasizes revealing the space of options available from which to choose (without presuming that all selection criteria have previously been elicited), and provides means to make understandable the range of choices and their ramifications. "Model-based engineering" emphasizes the goal of utilizing a formal representation of all aspects of system design, from development through operations, and provides powerful tool suites that support the practical application of these principles. A first step prototype towards this vision is described, embodying the key capabilities. Illustrations, implications, further challenges and opportunities are outlined.

optimization↗

Calculation of Propulsive Nozzle Flowfields in Multidiffusing Chemically Reacting Environments

An advanced engineering model has been developed to aid in the analysis and design of hydrogen/oxygen chemical rocket engines. The complete multispecies, chemically reacting and multidiffusing Navier-Stokes equations are modelled, including the Soret thermal diffusion and the Dufour energy transfer terms. In addition to the spectrum of multispecies aspects developed, the model developed in this study is also conservative in axisymmetric flow for both inviscid and viscous flow environments and the boundary conditions employ a viscous, chemically reacting, reference plane characteristics method. Demonstration cases are presented for a 1030:1 area ratio nozzle, a 25 lbf film cooled nozzle, and a transpiration cooled plug and spool rocket engine. The results indicate that the thrust coefficient predictions of the 1030:1 and the 25 lbf film cooled nozzle are within 0.2 to 0.5 percent, respectively, of experimental measurements when all of the chemical reaction and diffusion terms are considered. Further, the model's predictions agree very well with the heat transfer measurements made in all of the nozzle test cases. The Soret thermal diffusion term is demonstrated to have a significant effect on the predicted mass fraction of hydrogen along the wall of the nozzle in both the laminar flow 1030:1 nozzle and the turbulent flow plug and spool nozzle analysis cases performed. Further, the Soret term was shown to represent an important fraction of the diffusion fluxes occurring in a transpiration cooled rocket engine.

Kacynski, Kenneth John↗

M3MS-19IN0101201 Modeling Intra-granular Fission Gas Bubble Evolution in Uranium Dioxide during Transients

The SciDAC milestone M3MS-19IN0101201 on Modeling Intra-granular Fission Gas Bubble Evolution in Uranium Dioxide during Transients was completed with the development, testing and implementation in the Bison code of an engineering model for intra-granular fission gas bubble evolution that is applicable to transient conditions. The model extends the previous work on modeling bubble evolution during normal operating conditions to include additional complexity that arises during transient situations, in particular, the so-called intra-granular bubble coarsening. This phenomenon refers to the appearance of a second population of coarsened bubbles with diameters of tens to hundreds of nm, which co-exist with nanometric bubbles present also during normal operating conditions and are responsible for a large portion of transient fuel swelling. The developed model considers growth of bubbles along dislocations, associated with the absorption of vacancies available in the dislocation core region, and favored by pipe diffusion of fission gas atoms. The model also utilizes the formulation for the gas atom resolution rate developed in the present SciDAC project through molecular dynamics simulations by other institutions. The present work therefore demonstrates an operational multiscale approach, based on collaboration within the project. The model is validated to an extensive experimental dataset of ramp tested uranium dioxide fuel samples. Additionally, we present new applications of the base model for bubble evolution during normal operating conditions to Bison engineering simulations of Cr2O3-doped fuel rods irradiated in the Halden reactor. Simulation results in terms of integral fission gas release in the fuel rods are compared to the available experimental data, pointing out significant improvements in the engineering predictions compared to application of the empirical model that was available in Bison before the SciDAC developments.

11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS↗