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All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS2000

The Structure of Ice Nanoclusters: Implications for Interstellar Ice Grains

Crystalline ice nanoclusters and thin-films of pure and impure water ice were deposited and studied in order to evaluate the extent to which surface-related effects control bulk properties. In pure water ice nanoclusters and thin-films of impure water ice, the cubic to hexagonal phase transformation occurs at lower temperatures than in thin-film deposits of pure water ice. In laboratory-grown crystalline ice nanoclusters, approx. 20 nm diameter, a significant proportion of water molecules exists in surface and near-surface environments which have an amorphous or nearly amorphous character. These disordered regions, which are highly reactive, serve to promote transformations or reactions which would otherwise be kinetically hindered. Likewise, dilute impurities such as methanol, sequestered to the surface of thin-films on crystallization, introduce defects into the ice network, thereby allowing sluggish structural transitions to proceed. These structural effects, which are surface phenomena, are believed to play an important role in promoting molecular reactions known to occur within interstellar ice grains in cold molecular clouds, where the first organic compounds are formed.

Delzeit, L.↗
NASA NTRS1989

Phase III integrated water recovery testing at MSFC - Design, plans, and protocols

A series of tests is being conducted at the NASA Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC) to evaluate the performance of a closed-loop water recovery system. Testing will be conducted at various levels of integration and loop-closure, culminating in complete closure of the water system with man-in-the-loop. This paper summarizes the test goals and objectives as well as the system design, plans, and protocols which have been established.

Bagdigian, Robert M.↗
DOE OSTI2021

Geothermal Heat Recovery Complex: Large-Scale, Deep Direct-Use System in a Low-Temperature Sedimentary Basin (Final Report)

A feasibility study of using deep direct-use (DDU) geothermal energy to heat agricultural research facilities (ARFs) was conducted at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (U of IL) and its similar application to military facilities in the Illinois Basin (ILB). The geothermal energy system (GES) investigated utilizes low-temperature (30–90°C; 90–190°F) geothermal fluid (i.e., brine) from an extraction well that is part of a deep, two-well (doublet) system that extends to the bottom of the ILB. The geothermal reservoir modeled, the Mt. Simon Sandstone (MSS), is about 1,280 m (4,200 feet) deep and 457 m thick (1,500 feet) beneath the U of IL. The DDU GES surface infrastructure includes heat exchangers connected in-parallel to pipelines carrying the geothermal fluid and fresh cold and hot water. Analysis of the GES indicated that the MSS can provide a baseload of 2 MMBtu/hr to heat the ARFs by extracting 954 m³/d (6,000 barrels/day [bbl/d]) of geothermal fluid that has a temperature of 44–46 °C (111–115 °F). In addition to analyzing the levelized cost of heat (LCOH) and life cycle costs, the environmental effects of the DDU GES were evaluated, including reduced greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and water consumption. Multiple system designs were evaluated and then ranked based on their maximum heating performance, energy efficiency, and cost recovery. This feasibility study identified the key components of the fully-integrated DDU technology that can be implemented, both technically and economically. The results and information from this study provides end-users and policy makers with guidance for additional research on the specific components of DDU technology such that its widespread use can provide an uninterruptible energy source, increase resilience from extreme weather conditions, reduce U.S. dependency on fossil fuels, and reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. The site-specific part of this study gives U of IL administrators a realistic and pragmatic assessment of the financial resources necessary to add a DDU GES in the MSS to the campus’ energy portfolio.

15 GEOTHERMAL ENERGY↗
DOE OSTI2025

A multi-model assessment of global freshwater temperature and thermoelectric power supply under climate change

Water temperature is a key abiotic factor influencing aquatic ecosystem health and the services provided to both nature and humans. Global water temperature models offer possibilities to improve our understanding of water temperature regimes, which is increasingly important against the backdrop of climate change. Yet, existing studies have predominantly relied on a single model, which can lead to an incomplete representation of uncertainty and potential biases, in addition to limited insight into the range of possible future conditions, which ultimately reduces the robustness of climate impact assessments. Here, we provide a comprehensive assessment of surface freshwater temperature changes from various river and lake models for both past conditions and under future scenarios of climate change. Global models consistently simulate that surface water temperatures are currently 0.5 °C–0.8 °C higher than at the turn of the century (i.e. 1981–2000), and that warming will extend and intensify with future global change throughout the 21st century. While the strength of warming is highly sensitive to the different water temperature models, emissions scenarios and global climate models, our multi-model ensemble shows a global average annual water temperature rise of between +1.3 °C and +4.1 °C by the end of the century. To illustrate a potential societal impact of our results, we evaluate how future changes in discharge and water temperature may affect existing thermoelectric power plants, estimating average annual reductions of 1.5%–6% in global usable capacity by the end of the century. However, with river water temperatures projected to exhibit more pronounced seasonal patterns in the future—especially under the more extreme climate change scenarios and during summer months in the Northern Hemisphere—intra-annual reductions in usable capacity can be much more severe. Given the challenges associated with (large-scale) adaptation to control water temperature regimes, strong climate change mitigation is crucial for minimising water temperature rises and its associated negative impacts on humankind and ecosystems.

29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY↗
NASA NTRS1978

Chemical weathering on Mars - Thermodynamic stabilities of primary minerals /and their alteration products/ from mafic igneous rocks

Chemical weathering on Mars is examined theoretically from the standpoint of thermodynamic equilibrium between primary rock-forming minerals and the atmospheric gases O2, H2O, and CO2. The primary minerals considered are those common to mafic igneous rocks and include olivine, pyroxene, plagioclase, magnetite, troilite, pyrrhotite, and apatite. The importance of kinetics and reaction mechanisms in controlling possible weathering processes on Mars is discussed within the limits of currently available data, and the possible influence of liquid water on Martian weathering processes is evaluated where appropriate. For gas-solid weathering of mafic igneous rocks at the Martian surface, it is concluded that upon attainment of thermodynamic equilibrium: (1) oxides and carbonates should dominate the mineral assemblage of weathering products; (2) hematite rather than goethite should be the stable mineral form of Fe (III); (3) FeSO4 or FeSO4.H2O could be the stable weathering product of iron sulfides in the absence of liquid water; and (4) kaolinite is apparently the only clay mineral that should be thermodynamically stable over all ranges of temperature and water-vapor abundance at the Martian surface.

Gooding, J. L.↗
NASA NTRS1982

The feasibility of thermal inertia mapping for detection of perched water tables in semi-arid irrigated lands

The thermal inertia mapping remote sensing technique is evaluated as a potential method for delineating areas of shallow perched water tables and related salinization problems on a regional basis. This method for detecting shallow water tables is based on the existence of significant differences in soil thermal properties between wet and dry soil profiles. Ground observations were conducted at two different test sites in California along the flight line, with one site located in a perched water table area and the other site in a well drained area. Measurements were taken hourly during a four day period (two days before and two days after the flight) for variables such as radiometric, meteorologic, soil moisture and temperature profiles, and surface characteristics. Results indicate that it is not feasible using present apparent thermal inertia remote sensing techniques to reliably delineate regional patterns of very shallow water tables due to the complex environmental system. However, some features within specific fields which may be directly related to the local presence of shallow water tables, such as differences in evaporative cooling due to soil moisture effects between and within fields, can be detected using the thermal inertia technique.

Ezra, C. E.↗
DOE OSTI2024

Calibration of V-Notch and Compound Weirs for Subsurface Drainage Water Level Control Structures

Highlights Accurate discharge estimation is important when evaluating edge-of-field conservation practices. V-notch weir equations were developed for three sizes of subsurface drainage water level control structures. Compound weir equations were developed for subsurface drainage water level control structures. The compound weir equation accurately estimates discharge for flows within and overtopping the V-notch. Abstract.Numerous edge-of-field conservation practices use subsurface drainage water level control structures to monitor water levels and estimate discharge. In a control structure, procedures for calculating discharge when flow depth (head) exceeds the V-notch depth and overflows in the rectangular portion of the compound weir (CW) are ambiguous. In this study, we developed calibration equations for V-notch weirs in Agri Drain inline water level control structures of different sizes for flows within the V-notch and overtopping flow events. The discharge equation for overtopping events (Q CW , L s -1 ) was determined as: Q CW = a 1 (h b1 -h 1 b1 )+a 2 (W e -W v )h 1 b2 , where h and h 1 are heads above vertex/bottom and top of V-notch (cm), respectively, W is the effective crest width of rectangular weir (cm), W v is the top width of V-notch (cm), a 1 and b 1 are parameters for V-notch weir obtained by calibration, and a 2 and b 2 are calibration parameters for rectangular weir obtained from literature. Results were compared with a weir equation available in the literature (Q V+R ), which combines a V-notch equation with a head equal to V-depth and a rectangular weir equation for flow above V-depth. Discharge at overflow was estimated with high accuracy with Q CW, whereas Q V+R underestimated discharge (e.g., PBIAS of 0.67% vs. 17.82% for a 15.2 cm structure). An example using Q V+R resulted in a 14% lower annual estimation of nitrate-N load diverted to a saturated buffer than Q CW due to underestimation of drainage discharge during overflow events. Results suggest that the developed equation (Q CW ) accurately estimates discharge and will thus improve the estimated N load compared to Q V+R . Keywords: Compound weir, Flow monitoring, Subsurface drainage, V-notch weir, Water level control structure, Weir calibration.

Agriculture↗
DOE OSTI2024

Using Satellite and ARM Observations to Evaluate Cold Air Outbreak Cloud Transitions in E3SM Global Storm‐Resolving Simulations

Abstract This study examines marine boundary layer cloud regime transition during a cold air outbreak (CAO) over the Norwegian Sea, simulated by a global storm‐resolving model (GSRM) known as the Simple Cloud‐Resolving Energy Exascale Earth System Model Atmosphere Model (SCREAM). By selecting observational references based on a combination of large‐scale conditions rather than strict time‐matched comparisons, this study finds that SCREAM qualitatively captures the CAO cloud transition, including boundary layer growth, cloud mesoscale structure, and phase partitioning. SCREAM also accurately locates the greatest ice and liquid in the mesoscale updrafts, however, underestimates supercooled liquid water in cumulus clouds. The model evaluation approach adopted by this study takes advantages of the existing computational‐expensive global simulations of GSRM and the available observations to understand model performance and can be applied to assessments of other cloud regimes in different regions. Such practice provides valuable guidance on the future effort to correct and improve biased model behaviors.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2024

Validation of the SCALE/Polaris-PARCS Code Procedure with the ENDF/B-VII.1 AMPX 56-Group Library: Pressurized Water Reactor

This study was conducted to validate the SCALE/Polaris v6.3.0–PARCS v3.4.2 code procedure with the Evaluated Nuclear Data File (ENDF)/B-VII.1 AMPX 56-group library for pressurized water reactor (PWR) analysis, by comparing simulated results with measured data for critical experiments and operating PWRs. Uncertainties of the SCALE/Polaris–PARCS code procedure for PWR analysis were evaluated in the validation for the PWR key nuclear parameters such as critical boron concentrations, reactivity, control bank work, temperature coefficients, and pin and assembly power peaking factors.

21 SPECIFIC NUCLEAR REACTORS AND ASSOCIATED PLANTS↗
NASA NTRS2016

Passive Rocket Diffuser Testing: Reacting Flow Performance of Four Second-Throat Geometries

Second-throat diffusers serve to isolate rocket engines from the effects of ambient back pressure. As one of the nation's largest rocket testing facilities, the performance and design limitations of diffusers are of great interest to NASA's Stennis Space Center. This paper describes a series of tests conducted on four diffuser configurations to better understand the effects of inlet geometry and throat area on starting behavior and boundary layer separation. The diffusers were tested for a duration of five seconds with a 1455-pound thrust, LO2/GH2 thruster to ensure they each reached aerodynamic steady state. The effects of a water spray ring at the diffuser exits and a water-cooled deflector plate were also evaluated. Static pressure and temperature measurements were taken at multiple axial locations along the diffusers, and Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) simulations were used as a tool to aid in the interpretation of data. The hot combustion products were confirmed to enable the diffuser start condition with tighter second throats than predicted by historical cold-flow data or the theoretical normal shock method. Both aerodynamic performance and heat transfer were found to increase with smaller diffuser throats. Spray ring and deflector cooling water had negligible impacts on diffuser boundary layer separation. CFD was found to accurately capture diffuser shock structures and full-flowing diffuser wall pressures, and the qualitative behavior of heat transfer. However, the ability to predict boundary layer separated flows was not consistent.

Jones, Daniel R.↗
DOE OSTI2020

Evaluating cross-sectoral impacts of climate change and adaptations on the energy-water nexus: a framework and California case study

Abstract Electricity and water systems are inextricably linked through water demands for energy generation, and through energy demands for using, moving, and treating water and wastewater. Climate change may stress these interdependencies, together referred to as the energy-water nexus, by reducing water availability for hydropower generation and by increasing irrigation and electricity demand for groundwater pumping, among other feedbacks. Further, many climate adaptation measures to augment water supplies—such as water recycling and desalination—are energy-intensive. However, water and electricity system climate vulnerabilities and adaptations are often studied in isolation, without considering how multiple interactive risks may compound. This paper reviews the fragmented literature and develops a generalized framework for understanding these implications of climate change on the energy-water nexus. We apply this framework in a case study to quantify end-century direct climate impacts on California’s water and electricity resources and estimate the magnitude of the indirect cross-sectoral feedback of electricity demand from various water adaptation strategies. Our results show that increased space cooling demand and decreased hydropower generation are the most significant direct climate change impacts on California’s electricity sector by end-century. In California’s water sector, climate change impacts directly on surface water availability exceed demand changes, but have considerable uncertainty, both in direction and magnitude. Additionally, we find that the energy demands of water sector climate adaptations could significantly affect California’s future electricity system needs. If the worst-case water shortage occurs under climate change, water-conserving adaptation measures can provide large energy savings co-benefits, but other energy-intensive water adaptations may double the direct impacts of climate change on the state’s electricity resource requirement. These results highlight the value of coordinated adaptation planning between the energy and water sectors to achieve mutually beneficial solutions for climate resilience.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗
NASA NTRS1975

Extraction and utilization of space acquired physiographic data for water resources development

ERTS-1 satellite imagery was evaluated as a means of providing useful watershed physiography information. From these data physiographic parameters such as drainage basin area and shape, drainage density, stream length and sinuosity, and the percentage of a watershed occupied by major land use types were obtained in three study areas. The study areas were: (1) Southwestern Wisconsin; (2) Eastern Colorado, and (3) portions of the Middle Atlantic States. Using ERTS-1 imagery at 1:250,000 and 1:100,000 scales it was found that drainage basin area and shape and stream sinuosity were comparable (within 10%) in all study areas to physiographic measurements derived from conventional topographic maps at the same scales.

Rango, A.↗
NASA NTRS1975

Parametric evaluation of a dual-layer dynamic hyperfiltration membrane for recovery of spacecraft wash water at elevated temperature

Performance data consisting of solute rejections and product flux have been measured, as dependent on the operational parameters. These parameters were pressure, 5,000,000 N/sq m (750 psia) to 7,000,000 N/sq m (1040 psia); temperature, 347 K (165 F) to 368 K (200 F); velocity, 1.6 m/s to 10 m/s; and concentration (up to 14x). Tests were carried out on analog wash water. Data taken include rejections of organic materials (TOC), ammonia, urea, and an assortment of ions. The membrane used was a dual-layer, polyacrylic acid over zirconium oxide, deposited in situ on a porcelain ceramic substrate.

Brandon, C. A.↗
NASA NTRS1991

WTEC panel report on European nuclear instrumentation and controls

Control and instrumentation systems might be called the 'brain' and 'senses' of a nuclear power plant. As such they become the key elements in the integrated operation of these plants. Recent developments in digital equipment have allowed a dramatic change in the design of these instrument and control (I&C) systems. New designs are evolving with cathode ray tube (CRT)-based control rooms, more automation, and better logical information for the human operators. As these new advanced systems are developed, various decisions must be made about the degree of automation and the human-to-machine interface. Different stages of the development of control automation and of advanced digital systems can be found in various countries. The purpose of this technology assessment is to make a comparative evaluation of the control and instrumentation systems that are being used for commercial nuclear power plants in Europe and the United States. This study is limited to pressurized water reactors (PWR's). Part of the evaluation includes comparisons with a previous similar study assessing Japanese technology.

White, James D.↗
NASA NTRS2010

Evaluating the Impact of Vegetation Cover and Atmospheric Characteristics on the Estimation of Snow Water Equivalent from Spaceborne Microwave Radiometry

A radiative transfer model for estimating snow water equivalent (SWE, mm) from satellite-observed brightness temperature (K) at 19 and 37 GHz (respectively, T(sub B(sub, sat,19)) and T(sub B(sub, sat,37)) over partially forested area is presented, as an extension of a previously published model, by considering scattering of radiation within the canopy. For the specific case of dense vegetation covering fractional area f, the model can be written as, SWE = alpha{ A. delta (T(sub B(sub, sat)) + B - C. f}/(l f), where delta T(sub B(sub, sat)), is the difference of T(sub B(sub, sat,19)) and T(sub B(sub, sat,37)), alpha(mm/K) is the slope of SWE vs. brightness temperature difference at 19 and 37 GHz that would be obtained by ignoring the presence of atmosphere, delta(T(sub B)sub g)), for a homogeneous snow cover (which varies with grain size). The parameters A, B, and C, are determined primarily by atmospheric characteristics, and for a likely range of atmospheric conditions appear to be in the range of, respectively, 1.15-1.63, 0.69-2.84 K and 0.59-2.39 K. Ignoring atmospheric correction would introduce bias towards underestimation of SWE (and also, snow cover area and snow depth). Increasing cloud liquid water path (L) has the effect of increasing A, and ignoring this variation of A with L would have the impact of biasing the estimate of SWE (and snow extent). Such biasing is further exacerbated with increasing f, because of the appearance of term (l-f) in the denominator. The impact of ignoring the intercept parameters (B and C) would be noticeable at low values of SWE (appearing as a bias towards underestimation of SWE), which has been determined to be about 6 mm for average environmental conditions. The uncertainty in estimating SWE due to variations in the atmospheric characteristics is likely to be less than 15%, but could be up to 25% for non-vegetated snow-covered areas. Better estimates of SWE (and snow extent) would be obtained by adjusting the parameters of the above model to regional differences in the atmospheric characteristics. The biases in determining SWE arising due to variations in atmospheric conditions and due to changes in fractional forest cover are not independent, since they interact as {A/(l-f)}. The present calculations also show that improvement in determining snow cover area from the microwave data is likely to occur when these data are corrected for atmospheric effects, as demonstrated by a specific case study.

Choudhury, Bhaskar J.↗
NASA NTRS2004

Electrochemical Properties of Organosilane Self Assembled Monolayers on Aluminum 2024

Self assembled monolayers are commonly used to modify surfaces. Within the last 15 years, self assembled monolayers have been investigated as a way to protect from corrosion[1,2] or biofouling.[3] In this study, self assembled monolayers of decitriethoxysilane (C10H21Si(OC2H5)3) and octadecyltriethoxysilane (C18H37Si(OC2H5)3) were formed on aluminum 2024-T3. The modified surfaces and bare Al 2024 were characterized by dynamic water contact angle measurements, x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XIPS) and infrared spectroscopy. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) in 0.5 M NaCl was used to characterize the monolayers and evaluate their corrosion protection properties. The advancing water contact angle and infrared measurements show that the mono layers form a surface where the hydrocarbon chains are packed and oriented away from the surface, consistent with what is found in similar systems. The contact angle hysteresis measured in these systems is relatively large, perhaps indicating that the hydrocarbon chains are not as well packed as monolayers formed on other substrates. The results of the EIS measurements were modeled using a Randle's circuit modified by changing the capacitor to a constant phase element. The constant phase element values were found to characterize the monolayer. The capacitance of the monolayer modified surface starts lower than the bare Al 2024, but approaches values similar to the bare Al 2024 within 24 hours as the monolayer is degraded. The n values found for bare Al 2024 quickly approach the value of a true capacitor and are greater than 0.9 within hours after the start of exposure. For the monolayer modified structure, n can stay lower than 0.9 for a longer period of time. In fact, n for the monolayer modified surfaces is different from the bare surface even after the capacitance values have converged. This indicates that the deviation from ideal capacitance is the most sensitive indicator of the presence of the monolayer.

Hintze, Paul E.↗