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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.

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At least 109 records · Page 6
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1992

Acoustic intensity calculations for axisymmetrically modeled fluid regions

An algorithm for calculating acoustic intensities from a time harmonic pressure field in an axisymmetric fluid region is presented. Acoustic pressures are computed in a mesh of NASTRAN triangular finite elements of revolution (TRIAAX) using an analogy between the scalar wave equation and elasticity equations. Acoustic intensities are then calculated from pressures and pressure derivatives taken over the mesh of TRIAAX elements. Intensities are displayed as vectors indicating the directions and magnitudes of energy flow at all mesh points in the acoustic field. A prolate spheroidal shell is modeled with axisymmetric shell elements (CONEAX) and submerged in a fluid region of TRIAAX elements. The model is analyzed to illustrate the acoustic intensity method and the usefulness of energy flow paths in the understanding of the response of fluid-structure interaction problems. The structural-acoustic analogy used is summarized for completeness. This study uncovered a NASTRAN limitation involving numerical precision issues in the CONEAX stiffness calculation causing large errors in the system matrices for nearly cylindrical cones.

Hambric, Stephen A.↗
NASA NTRS1982

Japanese MAGSAT team

Construction of a model of the regional magnetic field and investigation of the local magnetic anomalies and their origin were approaches used in attempts to study the crustal structure near Japan and its Antarctic bases. Spatial properties of the regional magnetic field and comparison of the regional model with that derived from MAGSAT data are discussed. Possible causes of the magnetic anomalies, and results of aeromagnetic surveys incorporating gravity and seismic data are explored. Ionospheric and magnetospheric contributions to geomagnetic variations, field-aligned currents, magnetic geomagnetic pulsations, and hydromagnetic waves by analysis of MAGSAT data are also examined.

Fukushima, N.↗
NASA NTRS2005

Regional Carbon Dioxide and Water Vapor Exchange Over Heterogeneous Terrain

In spite of setbacks due to forest fires, eviction after a change of landowners and unanticipated need to upgrade and replace much of the instrumentation, substantial progress has been made during the past three years, resulting in major new findings. Although most of the results are in manuscript form, three papers have been published and a fourth was recently submitted. The data has been subjected to extensive quality control. Extra attention has been devoted to the influence of tilt rotation and flux-calculation method, particularly with respect to nocturnal fluxes. Previous/standard methods for calculating nocturnal fluxes with moderate and strong stability are inadequate and lead to large random fluxes errors for individual records, due partly to inadvertent inclusion of mesoscale motions that strongly contaminant the estimation of fluxes by weak turbulence. Such large errors are serious for process studies requiring carbon dioxide fluxes for individual records, but are substantially reduced when averaging fluxes over longer periods as in calculation of annual NEE budgets. We have employed a superior method for estimating fluxes in stable conditions with a variable averaging width . Mesoscale fluxes are generally unimportant except for events and are generally not systematic or predictable. Mesoscale or regional models of our region are not able to reproduce important aspects of the diurnally varying wind field

Mahrt, Larry J.↗
NASA NTRS2003

Understanding the Effect of Land Cover Classification on Model Estimates of Regional Carbon Cycling in the Boreal Forest Biome

The original objectives of this proposed 3-year project were to: 1) quantify the respective contributions of land cover and disturbance (i.e., wild fire) to uncertainty associated with regional carbon source/sink estimates produced by a variety of boreal ecosystem models; 2) identify the model processes responsible for differences in simulated carbon source/sink patterns for the boreal forest; 3) validate model outputs using tower and field- based estimates of NEP and NPP; and 4) recommend/prioritize improvements to boreal ecosystem carbon models, which will better constrain regional source/sink estimates for atmospheric C02. These original objectives were subsequently distilled to fit within the constraints of a 1 -year study. This revised study involved a regional model intercomparison over the BOREAS study region involving Biome-BGC, and TEM (A.D. McGuire, UAF) ecosystem models. The major focus of these revised activities involved quantifying the sensitivity of regional model predictions associated with land cover classification uncertainties. We also evaluated the individual and combined effects of historical fire activity, historical atmospheric CO2 concentrations, and climate change on carbon and water flux simulations within the BOREAS study region.

Kimball, John↗
NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Assimilation of GEO and LEO Satellite Retrievals in WRF-Chem (15 km and 4 km) with ‘Top-Down’ Emissions Estimation

We are constraining concentrations and emissions for all criteria pollutants (CO, O3, NO2, SO2, PM10, and PM2.5) with WRF-Chem/DART in applications for FRAPPE (15-km grid) and COLORADO (4-km grid). Our results show that: (i) dynamic emissions estimation at medium resolutions (15 km) improves forecast skill; (ii) At high resolutions, the results look good, but we do not have validation data; (iii) for what may be the first time, we assimilate O3 retrieval profiles in a regional model. The problem is that the averaging kernels generally extend above the upper boundary of regional models. We use O3 upper boundary conditions from the global model to solve that problem; and (iv) In the high resolution experiments, we document the potential benefits of assimilating TEMPO O3 profile and NO2 tropospheric column retrievals. Here, we assimilate proxy TEMPO retrievals from a GEOS-Chem nature run, so there’s a conceptual problem due to the potential bias of the proxy retrievals, but the point is to demonstrate our ability to assimilate TEMPO and identify its potential impacts.

Chemical data assimilation↗
NASA NTRSDate not supplied

WMLES of Boundary-Layer Transition

The potential for the accurate prediction of laminar-turbulent transition by Wall-Modeled Large-Eddy Simulation (WMLES) is investigated through analysis of Direct Numerical Simulation (DNS) and WMLES results. The analysis indicates satisfactory prediction of transition by WMLES is possible, provided a) a sufficiently accurate wall model for the initial stage of transition is employed, b) a satisfactory transition is made between this initial-stage wall model and the wall model for the downstream fully-developed turbulence, and c) limitations on temporal and spatial resolution, and on the thickness of the wall-modeled region, imposed by the need to accurately resolve the disturbance waves and the transition region are observed. This is illustrated with a WMLES computation that yields reasonable agreement with DNS results; however, the wall-modeled region thickness, and thus the cost savings, is less than is typical for WMLES of fully developed turbulence.

wall-modeled large-eddy simulation, boundary-layer↗
NASA NTRS1977

Theoretical effects of surface diffused region lifetime models on silicon solar cells

A computer simulation of silicon solar cells has indicated that the combination of band gap reduction due to heavy doping and certain spatial forms of lifetime dependence can combine to form severe limitations on the open-circuit voltage of such cells. The interaction of these effects tends to shift the active region of the diffused surface layer away from the injecting junction, resulting in an increase in the current density injected into the surface region. Reductions in open circuit voltage as great as 10% over models which do not include these effects can be seen.

Dunbar, P. M.↗
NASA NTRS2015

Towards an Understanding of Atmospheric Balance

During a 35 year period I published 30+ pear-reviewed papers and technical reports concerning, in part or whole, the topic of atmospheric balance. Most used normal modes, either implicitly or explicitly, as the appropriate diagnostic tool. This included examination of nonlinear balance in several different global and regional models using a variety of novel metrics as well as development of nonlinear normal mode initialization schemes for particular global and regional models. Recent studies also included the use of adjoint models and OSSEs to answer some questions regarding balance. lwill summarize what I learned through those many works, but also present what l see as remaining issues to be considered or investigated.

Balance↗
NASA NTRS2002

Mathematical model of diffusion-limited gas bubble dynamics in unstirred tissue with finite volume

Models of gas bubble dynamics for studying decompression sickness have been developed by considering the bubble to be immersed in an extravascular tissue with diffusion-limited gas exchange between the bubble and the surrounding unstirred tissue. In previous versions of this two-region model, the tissue volume must be theoretically infinite, which renders the model inapplicable to analysis of bubble growth in a finite-sized tissue. We herein present a new two-region model that is applicable to problems involving finite tissue volumes. By introducing radial deviations to gas tension in the diffusion region surrounding the bubble, the concentration gradient can be zero at a finite distance from the bubble, thus limiting the tissue volume that participates in bubble–tissue gas exchange. It is shown that these deviations account for the effects of heterogeneous perfusion on gas bubble dynamics, and are required for the tissue volume to be finite. The bubble growth results from a difference between the bubble gas pressure and an average gas tension in the surrounding diffusion region that explicitly depends on gas uptake and release by the bubble. For any given decompression, the diffusion region volume must stay above a certain minimum in order to sustain bubble growth.

NASA Discipline Environmental Health↗
NASA NTRSDate not supplied

WMLES of Boundary-Layer Transition

An analysis of the potential for the accurate prediction of laminar-turbulent transition by Wall-Modeled Large-Eddy Simulation (WMLES) indicates that satisfactory prediction of transition by WMLES is possible, provided a) a sufficiently accurate wall model for the initial stage of transition is employed, b) a satisfactory transition is made between this initial-stage wall model and the wall model for the downstream fully-developed turbulence, and c) limitations on temporal and spatial resolution, and on the thickness of the wall-modeled region, imposed by the need to accurately resolve the disturbance waves and the transition region are observed. This is illustrated with WMLES computations of subharmonic transition in a flat-plate boundary layer that yield reasonable agreement with DNS results. However, the wall-modeled region thickness, and thus the cost savings, is less than is typical for WMLES of fully developed turbulence.

wall-modeled large-eddy simulation↗
NASA NTRSDate not supplied

WMLES of Boundary-Layer Transition

An analysis of the potential for the accurate prediction of laminar-turbulent transition by Wall-Modeled Large-Eddy Simulation (WMLES) indicates that satisfactory prediction of transition by WMLES is possible, provided a) a sufficiently accurate wall model for the initial stage of transition is employed, b) a satisfactory transition is made between this initial-stage wall model and the wall model for the downstream fully-developed turbulence, and c) limitations on temporal and spatial resolution, and on the thickness of the wall-modeled region, imposed by the need to accurately resolve the disturbance waves and the transition region are observed. This is illustrated with WMLES computations of subharmonic transition in a flat-plate boundary layer that yield reasonable agreement with DNS results. However, the wall-modeled region thickness, and thus the cost savings, is less than is typical for WMLES of fully developed turbulence.

Wall-modeled large-eddy simulation↗
NASA NTRS1975

Propagation predictions and studies using a ray tracing program combined with a theoretical ionospheric model

Radio wave propagation predictions are described in which modern comprehensive theoretical ionospheric models are coupled with ray-tracing programs. In the computer code described, a network of electron density and collision frequency parameters along a band about the great circle path is calculated by specifying the transmitter and receiver geographic coordinates, time, the day number, and the 2800-MHz solar flux. The ray paths are calculated on specifying the frequency, mode, range of elevation angles, and range of azimuth angles from the great circle direction. The current program uses a combination of the Penn State MKI E and F region models and the Mitra-Rowe D and E region model. Application of the technique to the prediction of satellite to ground propagation and calculation of oblique incidence propagation paths and absorption are described. The implications of the study to the development of the next generation of ionospheric models are discussed.

Lee, M. K.↗
NASA NTRS2016

Transitioning Enhanced Land Surface Initialization and Model Verification Capabilities to the Kenya Meteorological Department (KMD)

Flooding, severe weather, and drought are key forecasting challenges for the Kenya Meteorological Department (KMD), based in Nairobi, Kenya. Atmospheric processes leading to convection, excessive precipitation and/or prolonged drought can be strongly influenced by land cover, vegetation, and soil moisture content, especially during anomalous conditions and dry/wet seasonal transitions. It is thus important to represent accurately land surface state variables (green vegetation fraction, soil moisture, and soil temperature) in Numerical Weather Prediction (NWP) models. The NASA SERVIR and the Short-term Prediction Research and Transition (SPoRT) programs in Huntsville, AL have established a working partnership with KMD to enhance its regional modeling capabilities. SPoRT and SERVIR are providing experimental land surface initialization datasets and model verification capabilities for capacity building at KMD. To support its forecasting operations, KMD is running experimental configurations of the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF; Skamarock et al. 2008) model on a 12-km/4-km nested regional domain over eastern Africa, incorporating the land surface datasets provided by NASA SPoRT and SERVIR. SPoRT, SERVIR, and KMD participated in two training sessions in March 2014 and June 2015 to foster the collaboration and use of unique land surface datasets and model verification capabilities. Enhanced regional modeling capabilities have the potential to improve guidance in support of daily operations and high-impact weather and climate outlooks over Eastern Africa. For enhanced land-surface initialization, the NASA Land Information System (LIS) is run over Eastern Africa at ~3-km resolution, providing real-time land surface initialization data in place of interpolated global model soil moisture and temperature data available at coarser resolutions. Additionally, real-time green vegetation fraction (GVF) composites from the Suomi-NPP VIIRS instrument is being incorporated into the KMD-WRF runs, using the product generated by NOAA/NESDIS. Model verification capabilities are also being transitioned to KMD using NCAR's Model *Corresponding author address: Jonathan Case, ENSCO, Inc., 320 Sparkman Dr., Room 3008, Huntsville, AL, 35805. Email: Jonathan.Case-1@nasa.gov Evaluation Tools (MET; Brown et al. 2009) software in conjunction with a SPoRT-developed scripting package, in order to quantify and compare errors in simulated temperature, moisture and precipitation in the experimental WRF model simulations. This extended abstract and accompanying presentation summarizes the efforts and training done to date to support this unique regional modeling initiative at KMD. To honor the memory of Dr. Peter J. Lamb and his extensive efforts in bolstering weather and climate science and capacity-building in Africa, we offer this contribution to the special Peter J. Lamb symposium. The remainder of this extended abstract is organized as follows. The collaborating international organizations involved in the project are presented in Section 2. Background information on the unique land surface input datasets is presented in Section 3. The hands-on training sessions from March 2014 and June 2015 are described in Section 4. Sample experimental WRF output and verification from the June 2015 training are given in Section 5. A summary is given in Section 6, followed by Acknowledgements and References.

land surface modeling↗
NASA NTRS2010

Evaluation of Enhanced High Resolution MODIS/AMSR-E SSTs and the Impact on Regional Weather Forecast

Over the last few years, the NASA Short-term Prediction Research and Transition (SPoRT) Center has been generating a 1-km sea surface temperature (SST) composite derived from retrievals of the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) for use in operational diagnostics and regional model initialization. With the assumption that the day-to-day variation in the SST is nominal, individual MODIS passes aboard the Earth Observing System (EOS) Aqua and Terra satellites are used to create and update four composite SST products each day at 0400, 0700, 1600, and 1900 UTC, valid over the western Atlantic and Caribbean waters. A six month study from February to August 2007 over the marine areas surrounding southern Florida was conducted to compare the use of the MODIS SST composite versus the Real-Time Global SST analysis to initialize the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) model. Substantial changes in the forecast heat fluxes were seen at times in the marine boundary layer, but relatively little overall improvement was measured in the sensible weather elements. The limited improvement in the WRF model forecasts could be attributed to the diurnal changes in SST seen in the MODIS SST composites but not accounted for by the model. Furthermore, cloud contamination caused extended periods when individual passes of MODIS were unable to update the SSTs, leading to substantial SST latency and a cool bias during the early summer months. In order to alleviate the latency problems, the SPoRT Center recently enhanced its MODIS SST composite by incorporating information from the Advanced Microwave Scanning Radiometer-EOS (AMSR-E) instruments as well as the Operational Sea Surface Temperature and Sea Ice Analysis. These enhancements substantially decreased the latency due to cloud cover and improved the bias and correlation of the composites at available marine point observations. While these enhancements improved upon the modeled cold bias using the original MODIS SSTs, the discernable impacts on the WRF model were still somewhat limited. This paper explores several factors that may have contributed to this result. First, the original methodology to initialize the model used the most recent SST composite available in a hypothetical real ]time configuration, often matching the forecast initial time with an SST field that was 5-8 hours offset. To minimize the differences that result from the diurnal variations in SST, the previous day fs SST composite is incorporated at a time closest to the model initialization hour (e.g. 1600 UTC composite at 1500 UTC model initialization). Second, the diurnal change seen in the MODIS SST composites was not represented by the WRF model in previous simulations, since the SSTs were held constant throughout the model integration. To address this issue, we explore the use of a water skin-temperature diurnal cycle prediction capability within v3.1 of the WRF model to better represent fluctuations in marine surface forcing. Finally, the verification of the WRF model is limited to very few over-water sites, many of which are located near the coastlines. In order to measure the open ocean improvements from the AMSR-E, we could use an independent 2-dimensional, satellite-derived data set to validate the forecast model by applying an object-based verification method. Such a validation technique could aid in better understanding the benefits of the mesoscale SST spatial structure to regional models applications.

Schiferl, Luke D.↗
NASA NTRSDate not supplied

How strong is ocean mixing in the Pacific Ocean cold tongue, and does it matter?

Microstructure observations within the Pacific Ocean cold tongue reveal that strong surface boundary layer turbulence often penetrates into the thermocline producing hundreds of W/m^2 of downward heat transport during nighttime and early morning. Hence, it has been suggested that ocean turbulent mixing contributes significantly to the sea-surface temperature budget and modulates air-sea interaction on a wide range of timescales with consequences for global climate and weather. However, most observations of ocean microstructure in the cold tongue are from 0 N,140 W. In this presentation, I will attempt to characterize ocean mixing at and beyond 0 N,140 W using models. Questions to be addressed include: 1) can we model ocean mixing at 0 N,140 W? And 2) how does ocean mixing vary in space and time beyond 0 N,140 W? Finally, 3) how does ocean mixing compare to the air-sea heat flux in the sea-surface temperature budget? Results will be derived from existing observations at 0 N, 140 W and a new hierarchy of regional ocean process simulations including a 20-year-long submesoscale-permitting regional model and month-long turbulence-permitting large eddy simulations embedded in a regional model.

Strong↗
NASA NTRS1990

Lower solar chromosphere-corona transition region. I - Theoretical models with small temperature gradients

A study of transition region models including the effects of classical thermal conduction, heating, and radiative cooling is carried out with attention directed toward the problem of understanding the observed emission in the lower transition region. It is found that the observationally inferred emission measure curve implies a near-balance between heating and radiative cooling in the lower transition region, and that the presence of strong hydrogen Ly-alpha cooling leads to the existence of singularities in the solutions of the force balance and energy balance equations when such a near-balance between heating and cooling is assumed. These singularities place strong constraints on the nature of viable models of the lower transition region and must be considered when Ly-alpha cooling is important. Previously suggested explanations of the observed emission from the lower transition region are considered in the context of the results of the present study, and conditions for the applicability of these suggested explanations are discussed.

Woods, D. Tod↗
NASA NTRS1993

A numerical analysis of high-temperature heat pipe startup from the frozen state

Continuum and rarefied vapor flows co-exist along the heat pipe length for most of the startup period. A two-region model is proposed in which the vapor flow in the continuum region is modeled by the compressible Navier-Stokes equations, and the vapor flow in the rarefied region is simulated by a self-diffusion model. The two vapor regions are linked with appropriate boundary conditions, and heat pipe wail, wick, and vapor flow are solved as a conjugate problem. The numerical solutions for the entire heat pipe startup process from the frozen state are compared with the corresponding experimental data with good agreement.

Cao, Y.↗