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At least 865 records · Page 48

Variation in energy balance components from six sites in a native prairie for three years

Six automatic stations were used to evaluate the surface energy and radiation balances on a native prairie near Manhattan, Kansas, using the Bowen ratio technique for a total of 300 days. Data were taken during the periods from May 26 to October 16, 1987, May 10 to September 18, 1988, and July 21 to August 13, 1989. The station site locations were selected to represent burned and unburned treatments on ridges, valley bottoms, and slopes with various aspects. The measured variables were (1) air and wet bulb temperatures at two heights, (2) net radiation, (3) solar radiation (up and down), (4) total hemispherical radiation (up and down), (5) diffuse radiation, (6) soil heat flow and soil temperature, (7) wind speed, (8) wind direction, and (9) precipitation. Energy balance components at the sites were compared for the 3 years. The variation between sites and years was small, even though some sites were as much as 10 km apart and the years had different rainfall amounts. The average values for the four summer intensive field campaigns (IFCs) were as follows: albedo, 0.2; ratio of net radiation to solar radiation, 62 percent; evaporation equivalent, 4 mm/d; Bowen ratio, 0.32; evaporation fraction, 70 percent; and the ratio of evaporation to solar energy, 40 percent. These values were different for the fall IFC. The latent and sensible heat fluxes were more variable than the radiation terms reflecting soil moisture differences between IFCs.

Fritschen, Leo J.↗

Soil surface CO2 fluxes and the carbon budget of a grassland

Measurements of soil surface CO2 fluxes are reported for three sites within the First International Satellite Land Surface Climatology Project (ISLSCP) Field Experiment (FIFE) area, and simple empirical equations are fit to the data to provide predictions of soil fluxes from environmental observations. A prototype soil chamber, used to make the flux measurements, is described and tested by comparing CO2 flux measurements to a 40-L chamber, a 1-m/cu chamber, and eddy correlation. Results suggest that flux measurements with the prototype chamber are consistent with measurements by other methods to within about 20 percent. A simple empirical equation based on 10-cm soil temperature, 0- to 10-cm soil volumetric water content, and leaf area index predicts the soil surface CO2 flux with a rms error of 1.2 micro-mol sq m/s for all three sites. Further evidence supports using this equation to evaluate soil surface CO2 during the 1987 FIFE experiment. The soil surface CO2 fluxes when averaged over 24 hours are comparable to daily gross canopy photosynthetic rates. For 6 days of data the net daily accumulation of carbon is about 0.6 g CO2 sq m/d; this is only a few percent of the daily gross accumulation of carbon by photosynthesis. As the soil became drier in 1989, the net accumulation of carbon by the prairie increased, suggesting that the soil flux is more sensitive to temperature and drought than the photosynthetic fluxes.

Norman, J. M.↗

Cosmic-ray acceleration during the impact of shocks on dense clouds

In order to elucidate the properties of diffusive shock acceleration in nonuniform environments, an extensive set of simulations of the dynamical interactions between plane nonradiative shocks and dense gas clouds was carried out initially in static equilibrium with their environments. These time-dependent calculations are based on the two-fluid model for diffusive cosmic ray transport, and include the dynamically active energetic proton component of the cosmic rays as well as passive electron and magnetic field components. Except when the incident shock is itself already dominated by cosmic ray pressure, it is found that the presence of the cloud adds little to the net acceleration efficiency of the original shock and can, in fact, reduce slightly the net amount of energy transferred to cosmic rays after a given time. It is found that, in 2D cloud simulations, the always-weak bow shock and the shock inside the cloud are less important to acceleration during the interaction than the tail shock.

Jones, T. W.↗

A simplified Reynolds stress model for unsteady turbulent boundary layers

A simplified Reynolds stress model has been developed for the prediction of unsteady turbulent boundary layers. By assuming that the net transport of Reynolds stresses is locally proportional to the net transport of the turbulent kinetic energy, the time dependent full Reynolds stress model is reduced to a set of ordinary differential equations. These equations contain only time derivatives and can be readily integrated in a time dependent boundary layer or Navier-Stokes code. The turbulent kinetic energy and dissipation rate needed for the model are obtained by solving the k-epsilon equations. This simplified Reynolds stress turbulence model (SRSM) does not use the eddy viscosity assumption, which may not be valid for unsteady turbulent flows. The anisotropy of both the steady and the unsteady turbulent normal stresses can be captured by the SRSM model. Through proper damping of the shear stresses, the present model can be used in the near wall region of turbulent boundary layers. This model has been validated against data for steady and unsteady turbulent boundary layers, including periodic turbulent boundary layers subjected to a mean adverse pressure gradient. For the cases tested, the predicted unsteady velocity and turbulent stress components agree well with the experimental data. Comparison between the predictions from the SRSM model and a k-epsilon model is also presented.

Fan, Sixin↗

Formation of model polar stratospheric cloud films

Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy was used to examine the competitive growth of films representative of polar stratospheric clouds. These experiments show that either crystalline nitric acid trihydrate (beta-NAT) or amorphous films with H2O:HNO3 ratios close to 3:1 formed at temperatures 3-7 K warmer than the ice frost point under stratospheric pressure conditions. In addition, with higher HNO3 pressure, we observed nitric acid dihydrate (NAD) formation at temperatures warmer than ice formation. However, our experiments also show that NAD surfaces converted to beta-NAT upon exposure to stratospheric water pressures. Finally, we determined that the net uptake coefficient for HNO3 on beta-NAT is close to unity, whereas the net uptake coefficient for H2O is much less.

Middlebrook, Ann M.↗

Longwave surface radiation over the globe from satellite data - An error analysis

Errors have been analyzed for monthly-average downward and net longwave surface fluxes derived on a 5-deg equal-area grid over the globe, using a satellite technique. Meteorological data used in this technique are available from the TIROS Operational Vertical Sounder (TOVS) system flown aboard NOAA's operational sun-synchronous satellites. The data used are for February 1982 from NOAA-6 and NOAA-7 satellites. The errors in the parametrized equations were estimated by comparing their results with those from a detailed radiative transfer model. The errors in the TOVS-derived surface temperature, water vapor burden, and cloud cover were estimated by comparing these meteorological parameters with independent measurements obtained from other satellite sources. Analysis of the overall errors shows that the present technique could lead to underestimation of downward fluxes by 5 to 15 W/sq m and net fluxes by 4 to 12 W/sq m.

Gupta, S. K.↗

The impact of clouds on the shortwave radiation budget of the surface-atmosphere system - Interfacing measurements and models

Two datasets have been combined to demonstrate how the availability of more comprehensive datasets could serve to elucidate the shortwave radiative impact of clouds on both the atmospheric column and the surface. These datasets consist of two measurements of net downward shortwave radiation: one of near-surface measurements made at the Boulder Atmospheric Observatory tower, and the other of collocated top-of-the-atmosphere measurements from the Earth Radiation Budget Experiment. Output from the European Centre for Medium Range Weather Forecasts General Circulation Model also has been used as an aid in interpreting the data, while the data have in turn been employed to validate the model's shortwave radiation code as it pertains to cloud radiation properties. Combined, the datasets and model demonstrate a strategy for determining under what conditions the shortwave radiative impact of clouds leads to a heating or cooling of the atmospheric column. The datasets also show, in terms of a linear slope-offset algorithm for retrieving the net downward shortwave radiation at the surface from satellite measurements, that the clouds present during this study produced a modest negative bias in the retrieved surface flux relative to that inferred from a clear-sky algorithm.

Cess, Robert D.↗

Property fluxes at 30 deg S and their implications for the Pacific-Indian throughflow and the global heat budget

The extent of exchange between the Pacific and Indian Oceans through the Indonesian Archipelago and the net global oceanic heat flux are determined using six hydrographic basinwide sections, two in each of the three major ocean basins. Globally, at 30 deg S, the estimated net oceanic heat flux is -0.7 +/- 0.1 PW, dominated by a large southward flux in the Indian Ocean. Large equatorward heat flux values in the South Atlantic Basin are not consistent with the data. Although the data are consistent with some water following the 'warm water' return path for North Atlantic Deep Water (NADW), the 'cold water' path must play the dominant role in the maintenance of the global thermohaline cell associated with the formation process of NADW.

Macdonald, Alison M.↗

Intercomparison of observed cloud radiative forcing - A zonal and global perspective

Cloud radiative forcing determined by the Earth Radiation Budget Experiment (ERBE) scene identification method and two regression methods is compared using identical data sources and the same analysis periods. Results confirm that from the global perspective the increased reflection of SW radiation induced by clouds is greater than outgoing longwave energy trapped by clouds. The estimates of net effect obtained from the three methods are found to be in good agreement (within 3.5 W/sq m). It is concluded that differences in published global mean values of net cloud radiative forcing are mainly due to different data sources and analysis periods. The best estimated annual mean among all previous estimates is considered to be the ERBE measurement (-17.3 W/sq m).

Sohn, Byung-Ju↗

Effects of incandescent radiation on photosynthesis, growth rate and yield of 'Waldmann's Green' leaf lettuce

Effects of different ratios of incandescent (ln) to fluorescent (Fl) radiation were tested on growth of 'Waldmann's Green' leaf lettuce in a controlled environment. After 4 days of treatment, dry weight, leaf area, relative growth rate (RGR), net assimilation rate (NAR), leaf area ratio (LAR) and photosynthetic rate (Pn) were greater for plants grown at 84 rather than 16 percent of total irradiance (82 W/sq m) from ln lamps. Although leaf dry weight and area were 12-17 percent greater at 84 percent ln after the first 8 days of treatment, there were no differences in RGR or Pn between treatments during the last 4 days. If 84 percent ln was compared with 50 percent ln, all cumulative growth parameters, RGR, NAR and Pn were greater for 84 percent ln during the first 4 days of treatment. However, during the second 4 days, RGR was greater for the 50 percent ln treatment, resulting in no net difference in leaf dry weight or area between treatments. Shifting from 84 to 50 percent ln radiation between the first and second 4 days of treatment increased plant dry weight, leaf area, RGR and NAR relative to those under 84 percent ln for 8 days continuously.

Knight, Sharon L.↗

Energy and radiation balance components for three grass surfaces near Kursk, Russia

The energy and radiation balance components were determined over three grass surfaces, located on the Streletskaya steppe during July 1991. The Bowen ratio energy balance method was used to determine the sensible and latent heat flux densities using six computer controlled systems. A total of 126 variables were sampled, including global, diffuse, and reflected solar radiation, long wave radiation (up and down), net radiation, photosynthetically active radiation above and below the vegetation, infrared surface temperatues, soil temperature and heat flow, air temperature and vapor pressure at two levels, wind speed and direction, and precipitation. The ranking of the sites from greatest to smallest for net radiation and latent heat flux density were preserve, mowed in 1990, and mowed in 1991. The ranking of the sites from greatest to smallest for sensible heat flux density were mowed in 1990, mowed in 1991, and preserve.

Fritschen, Leo J.↗

Effects of climate and lifeform on dry matter yield (epsilon) from simulations using BIOME BGC

An ecosystem process simulation model, BIOME-BGC, is used in a sensitivity analysis to determine the factors that may cause the dry matter yield (epsilon) and annual net primary production to vary for different ecosystems. At continental scales, epsilon is strongly correlated with annual precipitation. At a single location, year-to-year variation in net primary production (NPP) and epsilon is correlated with either annual precipitation or minimum air temperatures. Simulations indicate that forests have lower epsilon than grasslands. The most sensitive parameter affecting forest epsilon is the total amount of living woody biomass, which affects NPP by increasing carbon loss by maintenance respiration. A global map of woody biomass should significantly improve estimates of global NPP using remote sensing.

Hunt, E. R., Jr.↗

Global fields of soil moisture and land surface evapotranspiration derived from observed precipitation and surface air temperature

The global fields of normal monthly soil moisture and land surface evapotranspiration are derived with a simple water budget model that has precipitation and potential evapotranspiration as inputs. The precipitation is observed and the potential evapotranspiration is derived from the observed surface air temperature with the empirical regression equation of Thornthwaite (1954). It is shown that at locations where the net surface radiation flux has been measured, the potential evapotranspiration given by the Thornthwaite equation is in good agreement with those obtained with the radiation-based formulations of Priestley and Taylor (1972), Penman (1948), and Budyko (1956-1974), and this provides the justification for the use of the Thornthwaite equation. After deriving the global fields of soil moisture and evapotranspiration, the assumption is made that the potential evapotranspiration given by the Thornthwaite equation and by the Priestley-Taylor equation will everywhere be about the same; the inverse of the Priestley-Taylor equation is used to obtain the normal monthly global fields of net surface radiation flux minus ground heat storage. This and the derived evapotranspiration are then used in the equation for energy conservation at the surface of the earth to obtain the global fields of normal monthly sensible heat flux from the land surface to the atmosphere.

Mintz, Y.↗

Spatial simulation of secondary instability in plane channel flow - Comparison of K- and H-type disturbances

This study involves a numerical simulation of spatially evolving secondary instability in plane channel flow. The computational algorithm integrates the time-dependent, 3D, incompressible Navier-Stokes equations by a mixed finite-difference/spectral technique. In particular, we are interested in the differences between instabilities instigated by Klebanoff (K-) type and Herbert (H-) type inflow conditions, and in comparing the present spatial results with previous temporal models. It is found that for the present inflow conditions, H-type instability is biased towards one of the channel walls, while K-type instability evolves on both walls. For low initial perturbation amplitudes, H-type instability exhibits higher growth rates than K-type instability, while higher initial amplitudes lead to comparable growth rates of both H- and K-type instability. In H-type instability, spectral analysis reveals the presence of the subharmonic 2D mode which promotes the growth of the 3D spanwise and fundamental modes through nonlinear interactions. An intermodal energy transfer study demonstrates that there is a net energy transfer from the 3D modes to the 2D mode. This analysis also indicates that the mean mode transfers net energy to the 2D subharmonic mode and to the 3D modes.

Saiki, E. M.↗

Free-flight Performance of 16-inch-diameter Supersonic Ram-jet Units II : Five Units Designed for Combustion-chamber-inlet Mach Number of 0.16 at Free-stream Mach Number of 1.60 (units B-1, B-2, B-3, B-4, and B-5) /c Wesley E. Messing and Scott H. S

Free-flight performance of five 16-inch-diameter ram-jet units was determined over range of free-stream Mach numbers of 0.50 to 1.86 and gas total-temperature ratios between 1.0 and 6.1 Time histories of performance data are presented for each unit. Correlations illustrate effect of free-stream Mach number and gas total-temperature ratio on diffuser total-pressure recovery, net-thrust coefficient, and external drag coefficient. One unit had smooth steady burning throughout the entire flight and encountered a maximum free-stream Mach number of 1.86 with a net acceleration of approximately 4.2 g's.

COMBUSTION - RAM-JET ENGINES↗

Altitude-chamber performance of British Rolls-Royce Nene II engine III : 18.00-inch-diameter jet nozzle

An altitude-chamber investigation of British Rolls-Royce Nene II turbojet engine was conducted over range of altitudes from sea level to 65,000 feet and ram pressure ratios from 1.10 to 3.50, using an 18.00-inch-diameter jet nozzle. The 18.00-inch-diameter jet nozzle gave slightly lower values of net-thrust specific fuel consumption than either the 18.41- or the standard 18.75-inch-diameter jet nozzles at high flight speeds. At low flight speeds, the 18.41-inch-diameter jet nozzle gave the lowest value of net-thrust specific fuel consumption.

ENGINES, TURBOJET↗

Altitude Investigation of Several Afterburner Configurations for the J40-WE-8 Turbojet Engine

An investigation was conducted in the Lewis altitude wind tunnel to evaluate the performance and operational characteristics of the J40-WE-8 afterburner. A brief program of minor modifications to the flame holder, diffuser, and fuel system was undertaken to improve at a burner-inlet pressure level of 620 pounds per square foot. At this pressure level, modifications to the fuel system resulted in an increase in maximum net thrust from 1500 to 1600 pounds and a reduction in specific fuel consumption in the stoichiometric region from 3.70 to 3.15 pounds of fuel per hour per pound of net thrust. However, these fuel system modifications also resulted in buzzing combustion under certain operation conditions.

COMBUSTION - EFFECT OF ENGINE OPERATING CONDITIONS↗

Preliminary Investigation of Methods to Increase Base Pressure of Plug Nozzles at Mach 0.9

The effects of various afterbody changes on the base pressure of a nacelle-type isentropic plug nozzle installation operating at lower-than-design jet pressure ratios were investigated at a Mach number of 0.9. Although the estimates of the net propulsive force contain some uncertainties, the results indicate that both a plain-ring base shroud and a circular-arc boattail fairing reduced the loss in net propulsive force experienced with a cylindrical nacelle installation of the plug nozzle.

Salmi, Reino J↗