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At least 1,081 records · Page 60

A Compact Gas Liquid Separator for the Spallation Neutron Source Mercury Process Loop

Upgrades at the spallation neutron source (SNS) accelerator at Oak Ridge National Laboratory are underway to double its proton beam power from 1.4 to 2.8 MW. About 2 MW will go to the current first station while the rest will go to the future Second Target Station. The increase of beam power to the first target station is especially challenging for its mercury target. When the short proton beam hits the target, strong pressure waves are generated, causing cavitation erosion and challenging stresses for the target's weld regions. SNS has successfully operated reliably at 1.4 MW by mitigating the pressure wave with the injection of small Helium bubbles into the mercury. To operate reliably at 2 MW, more gas will be injected into mercury to mitigate the pressure wave further. However, the mercury process loop was not originally designed for gas injection, and the accumulation of gas in the pipes is a concern. Due to space constraints, a custom gas liquid separator (GLS) was designed to fit a 90-deg horizontal elbow space in the SNS mercury loop. Simulations and experiments were performed, and a successful design was developed that has the desired efficiency while keeping the pressure losses acceptable.

42 ENGINEERING↗

Interplanetary double-shock ensembles with anomalous electrical conductivity

Similarity theory is applied to the case of constant velocity, piston-driven, shock waves. This family of solutions, incorporating the interplanetary magnetic field for the case of infinite electric conductivity, represents one class of experimentally observed, flare-generated shock waves. This paper discusses the theoretical extension to flows with finite conductivity (presumably caused by unspecified modes of wave-particle interactions). Solutions, including reverse shocks, are found for a wide range of magnetic Reynolds numbers from one to infinity. Consideration of a zero and nonzero ambient flowing solar wind (together with removal of magnetic considerations) enables the recovery of earlier similarity solutions as well as numerical simulations. A limited comparison with observations suggests that flare energetics can be reasonably estimated once the shock velocity, ambient solar wind velocity and density, and ambient azimuthal Alfven Mach number are known.

Dryer, M.↗

Alfven-wave dissipation: A support mechanism for quiescent prominences

High resolution filtergrams or spectrograms of the main body of quiescent prominences often show a very vivid dynamical picture that cannot be reconciled with static models. Even if large differences exist between individual prominences in this respect, at least parts of the prominence are usually found to be in a 'choppy', turbulent state. Evidence for systematic flows are found in local regions in the prominence and also in the transition zone in the surroundings. These two regions are probably decoupled magnetically. Alfven waves are generally believed to be responsible for the heating in the upper chromosphere and corona (Hollweg 1986). Since evidence for the presence of Alfven-waves has also been found in the solar wind field, it is highly probable that such waves are generated in the convection zone of the sun and propagated outwards in the solar atmosphere wherever a proper magnetic field is present to carry the waves. The most basic magnetic formations in the solar atmosphere are simple loops. They occur all over the solar surface and cover a large range of magnetic field strengths. Loops with the strongest magnetic fields are found in active regions. It is to be expected that the Alfven-wave flux which is channelled into the loops from below, could show considerable variation both with heliocentric latitude, with time and locally between neighbouring loops. What happens when a magnetic loop is exposed to the appropriate Alfven-wave flux required to heat the upper solar atmosphere is examined.

Jensen, Eberhart↗

Exclusive $J/ψ$ photoproduction on nuclei

Motivated by the recent experimental developments, the Pom-CQM model of the γ+N → J/ψ+N reaction of Lee et al. [Eur. Phys. J. A. 58, 252 (2022)] and Sakinah et al. [Phys. Rev. C. 109, 065204 (2024)] has been applied to predict the exclusive J/ψ photo-production on nuclei (A). Within the multiple scattering theory, the calculations have been performed by including the impulse amplitude $T^{\textrm{IMP}}_{J/ψA,γA}$ and the J/ψ-nucleus final state interaction (FSI) amplitude $T^{\textrm{FSI}}_{J/ψA,γA}$. For the deuteron target, $T^{\textrm{IMP}}_{J/ψd,γd}$ is calculated exactly using the wave function generated from the realistic nucleon-nucleon potentials. Here, it is found that, near the threshold region, the J/ψ photoproduction cross sections depend sensitively on the d-state of the deuteron wave function. The FSI amplitude $T^{\textrm{FSI}}_{J/ψA,γA}$ is calculated using the first-order optical potential constructed from the J/ψ-N scattering amplitude generated from the employed Pom-CQM model. It turns out that the FSI has significant effects in the large momentum-transfer region. By using the conventional fixed scatter approximation (FSA) and the nuclear form factors from the variational Monte-Carlo (VMC) calculations of Lonardoni et al. [Phys. Rev.C. 96, 024326 (2017)], the cross sections of the J/ψ photo-production on 4 He, 16 O, and 40 Ca are also predicted for future experimental investigations at JLab and EIC.

Kim, Sang-Ho [Soongsil University, Seoul (Korea, R↗

Mining volume measurement system

In a shaft with a curved or straight primary segment and smaller off-shooting segments, at least one standing wave is generated in the primary segment. The shaft has either an open end or a closed end and approximates a cylindrical waveguide. A frequency of a standing wave that represents the fundamental mode characteristic of the primary segment can be measured. Alternatively, a frequency differential between two successive harmonic modes that are characteristic of the primary segment can be measured. In either event, the measured frequency or frequency differential is characteristic of the length and thus the volume of the shaft based on length times the bore area.

Heyman, Joseph Saul↗

Spectral analysis of magnetohydrodynamic fluctuations near interplanetary shocks

Preliminary results of an investigation of magnetic fluctuations seen upstream of two interplanetary shocks are presented. The spectral analysis includes calculation of the normalized reduced magnetic helicity spectrum, the normalized reduced cross-helicity spectrum, and the Alfven ratio as discussed by Matthaeus and Goldstein (1982). Minimum variance methods are used to compute wave polarization as a function of frequency. The Taylor 'frozen in flow' hypothesis is assumed to convert frequencies to wave vectors. Some of the basic properties of the waves, including the probable mode of propagation in association with both quasi-parallel forward and reverse shocks, are described. A comparison with previous results on the generation of waves at interplanetary and planetary shocks is presented.

Vinas, A. F.↗

Timing Value of Marine Renewable Energy Resources for Potential Grid Applications

In this paper, the applicability of marine renewable energy for potential grid applications is presented. We show that many of the unique value streams from marine-based electricity generation stem from their inherent temporal characteristics, especially when compared to wind and solar. Specifically, in this work, we evaluate the timing value for three types of marine energy resources - (a) tidal (b) wave and (c) ocean currents. Firstly, through a suite of novel metrics such as resource availability, persistence and versatility, we evaluate the temporal value characteristics of these resources. Secondly, through a more grid-oriented numerical study, we comment on the potential ramifications of those temporal characteristics in context of energy balancing and effective load carrying capability, for one marine-based resource i.e. wave. Subsequently, we further our understanding of the relative advantages which may be leveraged by operating wave-based generation resources in tandem with more established renewable choices, such as solar and wind. Our results indicate that compared to wind and solar, marine energy resources are consistently more available and persistent on an hourly level, throughout an entire year of operation. In addition to this, wave resources are also seen to reduce both the magnitudes and the degree of volatility in balancing requirements within the power system. Our work not only focuses on sites specific to the Unites States (US), but also includes a parallel study for a location in Great Britain (GB). Results are found to be consistent for sites in both the US and GB, implying that the grid benefits discussed in this work could apply to a number of locations globally.

Bhattacharya, Saptarshi↗

Global wave energy resource classification system for regional energy planning and project development

Efforts to streamline and codify wave energy resource characterization and assessment for regional energy planning and wave energy converter (WEC) project development have motivated the recent development of resource classification systems. Given the unique interplay between WEC absorption and resource attributes, viz, available wave power frequency, directionality, and seasonality, various consensus resource classification metrics have been introduced. However, the main international standards body for the wave energy industry has not reached consensus on a wave energy resource classification system designed with clear goals to facilitate resource assessment, regional energy planning, project site selection, project feasibility studies, and selection of WEC concepts or archetypes that are most suitable for a given wave energy climate. In this work, a primary consideration of wave energy generation is the available energy that can be captured by WECs with different resonant frequency and directional bandwidths. Therefore, the proposed classification system considers combinations of three different wave power classifications: the total wave power, the frequency-constrained wave power, and the frequency-directionally constrained wave power. The dominant wave period bands containing the most wave power are sub-classification parameters that provide useful information for designing frequency and directionally constrained WECs. The bulk of the global wave energy resource is divided into just 22 resource classes representing distinct wave energy climates that could serve as a common language and reference framework for wave energy resource assessment if codified within international standards.

16 TIDAL AND WAVE POWER↗

Turbulent exchanges between near-inertial waves and balanced flows

Wind generated near-inertial waves are ubiquitous in the upper ocean. An improved understanding of near-inertial wave dynamics following their excitation in the ocean and their subsequent interaction with mesoscale geostrophic balanced flows is key to decoding oceanic energy flow pathways. In this regard, multiple oceanic data sets accumulated over the past few decades reveal that the relative strength of near-inertial waves and geostrophic balanced eddy fields is highly variable, both geographically and seasonally. Inspired by these observations, we investigate turbulent interactions and energy exchanges between near-inertial waves and balanced flows using freely evolving numerical simulations of the non-hydrostatic Boussinesq equations. Here, we find accelerated vertical propagation and dissipation of the waves in regimes where balanced and wave fields have comparable strengths. In such regimes we also find that near-inertial waves directly extract energy from balanced flows, with O(10%) being the amount of balanced energy loss. In contrast, we find that near-inertial waves transfer energy to balanced flows in regimes where balance-to-wave energy ratio is small, with the gain in balanced energy being dependent on the relative strength of waves. Furthermore, these regimes are characterized by relatively weaker vertical propagation and dissipation of the near-inertial wave field. One of the key outcomes of this study is the demonstration of the lack of a unique direction for near-inertial wave-balanced flow energy transfers. Depending on the balance-to-wave energy ratio, near-inertial waves can act as an energy sink or energy source for the geostrophic balanced flow.

58 GEOSCIENCES↗

A theoretical model of the wave particle interaction of plasma in space

A theoretical model, based on the kinetic theory for the perturbation of plasma in the magnetosphere, is proposed to study the observed disturbances which are caused by both natural and artificial sources that generate wave-like perturbations propagating around the globe. The proposed model covers the wave propagation through a media of transitional (from collisional to collisionless) fully ionized magnetoactive plasma. A systematic formulation of the problem is presented and the method of solution for the transitional model of magnetosphere is discussed. The possible emission of hydromagnetic waves in the magnetosphere during the quiet and disturbed time are also discussed.

Wu, S. T.↗

Mechanisms for chromospheric heating

A nonthermal energy source is required to heat the solar chromosphere and corona. A survey is made of the properties of waves that propagate along magnetic flux tubes, which may transport the needed energy from the convection zone to the chromosphere. It is next explored how convective motions can generate those waves. Finally, various mechanisms by which these waves may develop small scale structures and dissipate via viscosity and resistivity are discussed.

Stein, R. F.↗

Improved Interferometric Photorefractive Optical Processor

Processing speed increased substantially. Improved optical interferometric image-processing scheme based on four-wave mixing via photorefractive effect in GaAs or InP. Gives rise to index-of-refraction gratings acting as phase-conjugate mirrors: interactions among four input beams generate wave-front-reversed replicas of two of these beams. Each phase-conjugate beam travels precisely back along path of corresponding input beam, regardless of angle of incidence. Any distortions introduced into input beam during forward propagation removed from phase-conjugate beam during backward propagation.

Cheng, Li-Jen↗

Absolute calibration technique for broadband ultrasonic transducers

Calibrating an ultrasonic transducer can be performed with a reduced number of calculations and testing. A wide-band pulser is connected to an ultrasonic transducer under test to generate ultrasonic waves in a liquid. A single frequency is transmitted to the electrostatic acoustic transducer (ESAT) and the voltage change produced is monitored. Then a broadband ultrasonic pulse is generated by the ultrasonic transducer and received by the ESAT. The output of the ESAT is amplified and input to a digitized oscilloscope for fast Fourier transform. The resulting plot is normalized with the monitored signal from the single frequency pulse. The plot is then corrected for characteristics of the membrane and diffraction effects. The transfer function of the final plot is determined. The transfer function gives the final sensitivity of the ultrasonic transducer as a function of frequency. The advantage of the system is the speed of calibrating the transducer by a reduced number of measurements and removal of the membrane and diffraction effects.

Yost, William T.↗

Transition in a Supersonic Boundary Layer Due to Acoustic Disturbances

The boundary layer receptivity process due to the interaction of three-dimensional slow and fast acoustic disturbances with a blunted flat plate is numerically investigated at a free stream Mach number of 3.5 and at a high Reynolds number of 10(exp 6)/inch. The computations are performed with and without two-dimensional isolated roughness element located near the leading edge. Both the steady and unsteady solutions are obtained by solving the full Navier-Stokes equations using the fifth-order accurate weighted essentially non-oscillatory (WENO) scheme for space discretization and using third-order total-variation-diminishing (TVD) Runge-Kutta scheme for time integration. The simulations showed that the linear instability waves are generated very close to the leading edge. The wavelength of the disturbances inside the boundary layer first increases gradually and becomes longer than the wavelength for the instability waves within a short distance from the leading edge. The wavelength then decreases gradually and merges with the wavelength for the Tollmien-Schlichting wave. The initial amplitudes of the instability waves near the neutral points, the receptivity coefficients, are about 1.20 and 0.07 times the amplitude of the free-stream disturbances for the slow and the fast waves respectively. It was also revealed that small isolated roughness element does not enhance the receptivity process for the given nose bluntness.

Balakumar, P.↗

Transition in a Supersonic Boundary Layer due to Acoustic Disturbances

The boundary layer receptivity process due to the interaction of three-dimensional slow and fast acoustic disturbances with a blunted flat plate is numerically investigated at a free stream Mach number of 3.5 and at a high Reynolds number of 106/inch. The computations are performed with and without two-dimensional isolated roughness element located near the leading edge. Both the steady and unsteady solutions are obtained by solving the full Navier-Stokes equations using the 5th-order accurate weighted essentially non-oscillatory (WENO) scheme for space discretization and using third-order total-variation-diminishing (TVD) Runge-Kutta scheme for time integration. The simulations showed that the linear instability waves are generated very close to the leading edge. The wavelength of the disturbances inside the boundary layer first increases gradually and becomes longer than the wavelength for the instability waves within a short distance from the leading edge. The wavelength then decreases gradually and merges with the wavelength for the Tollmien_Schlichting wave. The initial amplitudes of the instability waves near the neutral points, the receptivity coefficients, are about 1.20 and 0.07 times the amplitude of the free-stream disturbances for the slow and the fast waves respectively. It was also revealed that small isolated roughness element does not enhance the receptivity process for the given nose bluntness.

Balakumar, Ponnampalam↗

Snowmass2021 Cosmic Frontier White Paper: Future Gravitational-Wave Detector Facilities

The next generation of gravitational-wave observatories can explore a wide range of fundamental physics phenomena throughout the history of the universe. These phenomena include access to the universe's binary black hole population throughout cosmic time, to the universe's expansion history independent of the cosmic distance ladders, to stochastic gravitational-waves from early-universe phase transitions, to warped space-time in the strong-field and high-velocity limit, to the equation of state of nuclear matter at neutron star and post-merger densities, and to dark matter candidates through their interaction in extreme astrophysical environments or their interaction with the detector itself. We present the gravitational-wave detector concepts than can drive the future of gravitational-wave astrophysics. We summarize the status of the necessary technology, and the research needed to be able to build these observatories in the 2030s.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗

Hydromagnetic waves and instabilities associated with cometary ion pickup - ICE observations

The hydromagnetic turbulence surrounding comet Giacobini-Zinner is characterized by two dominant components: large amplitude, linearly polarized waves with periods near 100 s and circularly polarized wave packets with periods near 3 s. The latter appear in association with variations in field magnitude produced by the long period waves. A third, commonly observed feature is identified, consisting of a partial rotation of the magnetic field (a hook-like structure) which also appears to be triggered by the long period waves. The possibility that the long period waves are generated by the pickup of freshly ionized cometary neutrals has been investigated. A resonant instability identified by Wu and Davidson (1972) appears able to account for the long period waves in terms of the pickup of cometary ions of the water group. Application of the theory also indicates that the growth rate of proton cyclotron waves, as a consequence of hydrogen ion pickup, is somewhat lower, due to both higher neutral velocities and longer ionization times.

Tsurutani, B. T.↗

Gravity waves in severe weather

With a view to determining the role of severe weather in producing gravity waves, two tests were made. In the first, the wind speed measured at two nearby radiosonde stations, Peoria and Salem, was correlated with the stratosphere gravity-wave intensity at Urbana. Although the gravity-wave intensity fluctuated greatly from day to day, these is little if any correlation with the stratospheric wind speed. This suggests that orographic forcing is not a factor in generating gravity waves in Urbana. On the other hand, a clear correlation is found between cloud to heights exceeding 20,000 ft and an increased gravity-wave amplitude in the stratosphere.

Bowhill, S. A.↗