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At least 1,099 records · Page 61

Physics of Accretion in X-Ray Binaries

This project consists of several related investigations directed to the study of mass transfer processes in X-ray binaries. Models developed over several years incorporating highly detailed physics will be tested on a balanced mix of existing data and planned observations with both ground and space-based observatories. The extended time coverage of the observations and the existence of {\it simultaneous} X-ray, ultraviolet, and optical observations will be particularly beneficial for studying the accretion flows. These investigations, which take as detailed a look at the accretion process in X-ray binaries as is now possible, test current models to their limits, and force us to extend them. We now have the ability to do simultaneous ultraviolet/X-ray/optical spectroscopy with HST, Chandra, XMM, and ground-based observatories. The rich spectroscopy that these Observations give us must be interpreted principally by reference to detailed models, the development of which is already well underway; tests of these essential interpretive tools are an important product of the proposed investigations.

Vrtilek, Saeqa D.↗

Validation of edge turbulence codes against the TCV-X21 diverted L-mode reference case

Self-consistent full-size turbulent-transport simulations of the divertor and scrape-off-layer (SOL) of existing tokamaks have recently become feasible. This enables the direct comparison of turbulence simulations against experimental measurements. In this work, we perform a series of diverted ohmic L-mode discharges on the tokamak à configuration variable (TCV) tokamak, building a first-of-a-kind dataset for the validation of edge turbulence models. This dataset, referred to as TCV-X21, contains measurements from five diagnostic systems from the outboard midplane (OMP) to the divertor targets—giving a total of 45 one- and two-dimensional comparison observables in two toroidal magnetic field directions. The experimental dataset is used to validate three flux-driven 3D fluid-turbulence models—GBS, GRILLIX and TOKAM3X. With each model, we perform simulations of the TCV-X21 scenario, individually tuning the particle and power source rates to achieve a reasonable match of the upstream separatrix value of density and electron temperature. We find that the simulations match the experimental profiles for most observables at the OMP—both in terms of profile shape and absolute magnitude—while a comparatively poorer agreement is found towards the divertor targets. The match between simulation and experiment is seen to be sensitive to the value of the resistivity, the heat conductivities, the power injection rate and the choice of sheath boundary conditions. Additionally, despite targeting a sheath-limited regime, the discrepancy between simulations and experiment also suggests that the neutral dynamics should be included. The results of this validation show that turbulence models are able to perform simulations of existing devices and achieve reasonable agreement with experimental measurements. Where disagreement is found, the validation helps to identify how the models can be improved. By publicly releasing the experimental dataset and validation analysis, this work should help to guide and accelerate the development of predictive turbulence simulations of the edge and SOL.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗

Design and Principles Enabling the Space Reference FOM

A first complete draft of the Simulation Interoperability Standards Organization (SISO) Space Reference Federation Object Model (FOM) has now been produced. This paper provides some insights into its capabilities and discusses the opportunity for reuse in other domains. The focus of this first version of the standard is execution control, time management and coordinate systems, well-known reference frames, as well as some basic support for physical entities. The biggest part of the execution control is the coordinated start-up process. This process contains a number of steps, including checking of required federates, handling of early versus late joiners, sharing of federation wide configuration data and multi-phase initialization. An additional part of Execution Control is the coordinated and synchronized transition between Run mode, Freeze mode and Shutdown. For time management, several time lines are defined, including real-time, scenario time, High Level Architecture (HLA) logical time and physical time. A strategy for mixing simulations that use different time steps is introduced, as well as an approach for finding common boundaries for fully synchronized freeze. For describing spatial information, a mechanism with a set of reference frames is specified. Each reference frame has a position and orientation related to a parent reference frame. This makes it possible for federates to perform calculations in reference frames that are convenient to them. An operation on the Moon can be performed using lunar coordinates whereas an operation on Earth can be performed using Earth coordinates. At the same time, coordinates in one reference frame have an unambiguous relationship to a coordinate in another reference frame. While the Space Reference FOM is originally being developed for Space operations, the authors believe that many parts of it can be reused for any simulation that has a focus on physical processes with one or more coordinate systems, and require high fidelity and repeatability.

Moeller, Bjoern↗

Using the Criticality Accident Alarm System modeling capabilities in SCALE [Slides]

The following is a summary of advice for CAAS modeling in SCALE. Refer to the SCALE Criticality Safety and Radiation Shielding training slides or to the SCALE manual for exact syntax. Use a mesh for the fission source that is the most adequate for the problem to solve (coarse/fine). Don’t spend unnecessary resources; simplify the model if it does not impact the final results of interest. Be careful to deactivate secondary fissions in MAVRIC or the calculation may never end. Check that k eff and $\overline{\upsilon}$ calculated results are logical. Between KENO and MAVRIC, cross section libraries, materials, geometry, and mesh grid can be the same or different. Iterative calculations are usually complex problems that need variance reduction. It will be hard to find the best solving parameters in the first attempt; expert judgement is needed. Check each step separately. Use Fulcrum to visualize fission source, mesh source, and spatial/energy distributions to find potential errors or impactful imprecisions.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗

IM3 GO WEST Parameter Search Dataset

GO WEST is an open-source power grid modeling framework for U.S. Western Interconnection, which allows users to tailor the model depending on their research study and science questions. It is developed to address weather and water dynamics, and associated vulnerabilities in this bulk power system. It covers 28 balancing authorities (BA) and 12 states in U.S. Western Interconnection. GO WEST allows users to select different number of nodes and come up with a simplified network by utilizing 10,000 nodal topology of U.S. Western Interconnection created by Texas A&M University. Users can try and select different number of nodes, mathematical formulations (linear programming vs. mixed-integer linear programming), transmission line limit scaling factors, and hurdle rate scaling factors. GO WEST offers a unit commitment and economic dispatch (UC/ED) module to simulate grid operations on an hourly scale. In this sense, users can calibrate and validate their model versions by comparing model outputs to historical datasets. Therefore, GO WEST can help researchers to strike a balance between model fidelity (i.e. accuracy) and computational complexity (i.e. runtime). This dataset includes model inputs and outputs from 600 model versions for each 2019, 2020, and 2021. The folder naming convention is as follows: Exp{Number of Nodes}_{Mathematical Formulation}_{Transmission Line Limit Scaling Factor in MW}_{Hurdle Rate Scaling Factor in %}_{Year}. Linear programming is designated with "simple" label whereas mixed-integer linear programming is designated with "coal" label. For example, "Exp100_simple_1000_50_2019" folder contains inputs and outputs from 2019 model version with 100 nodes, linear programming, +1000 MW transmission line limit scaling factor, and +50% hurdle rate scaling factor. GO WEST GitHub repository hosts all raw datasets, processing scripts, and model scripts. Please refer to the README file for a detailed description of the included files.

Economics↗

Hybrid Wing Body Configuration System Studies

The objective of this study was to develop a hybrid wing body (HWB) sizing and analysis capability, apply that capability to estimate the fuel burn potential for an HWB concept, and identify associated technology requirements. An advanced tube with wings concept was also developed for comparison purposes. NASA s Flight Optimization System (FLOPS) conceptual aircraft sizing and synthesis software was modified to enable the sizing and analysis of HWB concepts. The noncircular pressurized centerbody of the HWB concept was modeled, and several options were created for defining the outboard wing sections. Weight and drag estimation routines were modified to accommodate the unique aspects of an HWB configuration. The resulting capability was then utilized to model a proprietary Boeing blended wing body (BWB) concept for comparison purposes. FLOPS predicted approximately a 15 percent greater drag, mainly caused by differences in compressibility drag estimation, and approximately a 5 percent greater takeoff gross weight, mainly caused by the additional fuel required, as compared with the Boeing data. Next, a 777-like reference vehicle was modeled in FLOPS and calibrated to published Boeing performance data; the same mission definition was used to size an HWB in FLOPS. Advanced airframe and propulsion technology assumptions were applied to the HWB to develop an estimate for potential fuel burn savings from such a concept. The same technology assumptions, where applicable, were then applied to an advanced tube-with-wings concept. The HWB concept had a 39 percent lower block fuel burn than the reference vehicle and a 12 percent lower block fuel burn than the advanced tube-with-wings configuration. However, this fuel burn advantage is partially derived from assuming the high-risk technology of embedded engines with boundary-layer-ingesting inlets. The HWB concept does have the potential for significantly reduced noise as a result of the shielding advantages that are inherent with an over-body engine installation.

Nickol, Craig L.↗

Dynamic (computer) modelling of the particulate environment: Transformations from the LDEF reference frame to decode geocentric and interplanetary populations

The Long Duration Exposure Facility's impact signature record and the size frequency distribution of craters and perforations offers a unique record of environmental data referenced conveniently to the geocentric reference frame. Chemical analysis of residues can offer only limited assistance. Hence, flux modelling has been developed to transform from both geocentric orbital distributions and geocentrically unbounded interplanetary source distributions. This is applied to the foil and crater penetration records in the Ram (E), Trailing (W), and Space Pointing directions to offer the means of decoding the records. It shows that the mix of the components is size dependent. Parametric forms of the modelling transformations are presented for the orbital and unbound populations.

Mcdonnell, J. A. M.↗

Dynamic (computer) modelling of the particulate environment: Transformations from the LDEF reference frame to decode geocentric and interplanetary populations

The Long Duration Exposure Facility (LDEF) impact signature record and the size frequency distribution of craters and perforations offers a unique record of environmental data referenced conveniently to the geocentric reference frame. Chemical analysis of residues can offer only limited assistance. Hence, flux modeling has been developed to transform both geocentric orbital distributions and geocentrically unbounded interplanetary source distributions. This is applied to the foil and crater penetration records in the Ram (E), Trailing (W), and Space Pointing directions to offer the means of decoding the records. It shows that the mix of the components is size dependent. Parametric forms of the modeling transformations are presented for the orbital and unbounded populations.

Mcdonnell, J. A. M.↗

Using Deep Learning to Derive Shear-Wave Velocity Models from Surface-Wave Dispersion Data

We present a new algorithm for derivations of 1D shear-wave velocity models from surface-wave dispersion data using convolutional neural networks (CNNs). The technique is applied for continental China and the plate boundary region in southern California. Different CNNs are designed for these two regions and are trained using theoretical Rayleigh-wave phase and group velocity images computed from reference 1D VS models. The methodology is tested with 3260 phase–group images for continental China and 4160 phase–group images for southern California. The conversions of these images to velocity profiles take ~23 s for continental China and ~30 s for southern California on a personal laptop with the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060 core and a memory of 6 GB. The results obtained by the CNNs show high correlation with previous studies using conventional methods. The effectiveness of the CNN technique makes this fast method an important alternative for deriving shear-wave velocity models from large datasets of surface-wave dispersion data.

Geochemistry & Geophysics↗

Discrete-time pilot model

Pilot behavior is considered as a discrete-time process where the decision making has a sequential nature. This model differs from both the quasilinear model which follows from classical control theory and from the optimal control model which considers the human operator as a Kalman estimator-predictor. An additional factor considered is that the pilot's objective may not be adequately formulated as a quadratic cost functional to be minimized, but rather as a more fuzzy measure of the closeness with which the aircraft follows a reference trajectory. All model parameters, in the digital program simulating the pilot's behavior, were successfully compared in terms of standard-deviation and performance with those of professional pilots in IFR configuration. The first practical application of the model was in the study of its performance degradation when the aircraft model static margin decreases.

Cavalli, D.↗

Development of a rate-based ENRTL-RK process model for a water-lean solvent

Advanced water-lean solvents (WLS) for post-combustion CO2 capture offer several advantages over the aqueous amine solvents . WLS have lower parasitic energy penalty, lower corrosion, lower temperature and high-pressure CO2 regeneration leading to lower cost of CO2 capture. RTI International, with funding from the US Department of Energy, has been developing its novel water-lean solvent, that has shown specific reboiler duty of 2.3 GJ/t-CO2 at the 60-kWe pilot testing unit (Tiller Plant, SINTEF, Norway) and 2.6 GJ/t-CO2 at the engineering scale testing system (12 MWe) at the Technology Centre Mongstad (TCM) in Norway. All heat duties, including the one from TCM testing, were consistent with Aspen Plus modeling of the specific configuration of each test plant. This work focuses on the development of a detailed process model using in-house laboratory measurements and process data at pilot scale. The eNTRL-RK model used in this work is based on an unsymmetric activity coefficient model with the reference states chosen to be pure liquids for solvents and ideal dilute solution at unit solute molality (resulting in activity coefficient of unity at infinite dilution) for electrolytes. It uses the Redlich-Kwong equation of state for vapor phase properties and Henry’s law for solubility of supercritical gases. The model was validated using process data from the pilot-scale campaign at the Tiller plant, and the engineering scale test campaign at TCM. Data on CO2 capture rate, absorber, and regenerator temperature profiles and specific reboiler duties from two different test campaigns at Tiller and TCM, were used to further refine and validate the model and the model compares favorably to experimental data. The validation results against TCM campaign will be presented in this work.

CO2 capture↗

A two-equation soot-in-flamelet modeling approach applied under Spray A conditions

Soot production (including formation and oxidation) is studied in the transient, high-pressure and turbulent n-dodecane Spray A flames from the Engine Combustion Network (ECN) using computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations. A two-equation soot-in-flamelet modeling approach is applied within the framework of the Unsteady Flamelet Progress Variable (UFPV) model and results are validated against experimental data. Equations for soot mass fraction and soot number density derived in the mixture fraction space are solved in the context of detailed flamelet calculations. Source terms for the different steps in the soot chemistry are tabulated and incorporated in the flamelet manifold. For the reference condition, the modeling approach based on the tabulated flamelet manifold reduces the computational cost of a CFD calculation by approximately 40 times compared to a non-tabulated well-mixed (WM) modeling approach. The soot-in-flamelet approach is then extended to study the effect of ambient oxygen concentration, ambient mixture composition and ambient temperature on soot production. Results show that the modeling approach is able to capture the experimental trends for the soot volume fraction (SVF) with good quantitative agreement, especially in the soot ramp-up region.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Effects of Variations in Forebody and Afterbody Dead Rise on the Resistance and Spray Characteristics of the 22ADR Class VPB Airplane: Langley Tank Model 207, TED No. NACA 2361

An investigation was made to determine the effects of changes in the amount and distribution of forebody and afterbody dead rise on the hydrodynamic resistance and spray characteristics of a 1/11-size model of the Bureau of Aeronautics design No. 22ADR class VPB airplane. The variations in dead rise within the range investigated had no significant effects on resistance or trim, free to trim, or on resistance or trimming moment, fixed in trim. The coordinates of the peaks of the bow-spray blisters, with reference to the model, were measured at low speeds, and it was found that the model with the low dead rise at the bow had the lowest blisters. The changes in position of the maximum dead rise of the afterbody had no effect on the bow-spray blister.

Clement, Eugene P.↗

Experimental Results of the 2.7% Reference H Nacelle Airframe Interference High Speed Civil Transport Model

Experiments were conducted in the NASA Ames 9-Ft by 7-Ft Supersonic and 11-Ft by 11-Ft Transonic Wind Tunnels of a 2.7% Reference H (Ref. H) Nacelle Airframe Interference (NAI) High Speed Civil Transport (HSCT) model. NASA Ames did the experiment with the cooperation and assistance of Boeing and McDonnell Douglas. The Ref. H geometry was designed by Boeing. The model was built and tested by NASA under a license agreement with Boeing. Detailed forces and pressures of individual components of the configuration were obtained to assess nacelle airframe interference through the transonic and supersonic flight regime. The test apparatus was capable of measuring forces and pressures of the Wing body (WB) and nacelles. Axisymmetric and 2-D inlet nacelles were tested with the WB in both the in-proximity and captive mode. The in-proximity nacelles were mounted to a nacelle support system apparatus and were individually positioned. The right hand nacelles were force instrumented with flow through strain-gauged balances and the left hand nacelles were pressure instrumented. Mass flow ratio was varied to get steady state inlet unstart data. In addition, supersonic spillage data was taken by testing the 2-D inlet nacelles with ramps and the axisymmetric inlet nacelles with an inlet centerbody for the Mach condition of interest. The captive nacelles, both axisymmetric and 2-D, were attached to the WB via diverters. The captive 2-D inlet nacelle was also tested with ramps to get supersonic spillage data. Boeing analyzed the data and showed a drag penalty of four drag counts for the 2-D compared with the axisymmetric inlet nacelle. Two of the four counts were attributable to the external bevel designed into the 2-D inlet contour. Boeing and McDonnell Douglas used these data for evaluating Computational Fluid Dynamic (CFD) codes and for evaluation of nacelle airframe integration problems and solutions.

Cappuccio, Gelsomina↗

The thermal structure of solar coronal loops and implications for physical models of coronae

EUV spectra of three active region loops observed above the solar limb with the SO55 spectrometer on Skylab are analyzed. It is noted that the lengths, peak temperatures, and pressures of the loops are typical of the X-ray coronal loops to which static models have been applied. It is found that the physical parameters of the coronal loop plasma derived from EUV spectra and raster pictures are not well represented by the static models. Although the loops also contain a significant quantity of cool plasma, no physical reason is found to differentiate them from other active region loops of similar length, pressure, and temperature. Several line ratios in the loop spectrum suggest departures from ionization equilibrium caused by rapid cooling. The source of this cooling material is discussed with reference to several models of loop dynamics.

Raymond, J. C.↗

A Shell/3D Modeling Technique for the Analysis of Delaminated Composite Laminates

A shell/3D modeling technique was developed for which a local solid finite element model is used only in the immediate vicinity of the delamination front. The goal was to combine the accuracy of the full three-dimensional solution with the computational efficiency of a shell finite element model. Multi-point constraints provided a kinematically compatible interface between the local 3D model and the global structural model which has been meshed with shell finite elements. Double Cantilever Beam, End Notched Flexure, and Single Leg Bending specimens were analyzed first using full 3D finite element models to obtain reference solutions. Mixed mode strain energy release rate distributions were computed using the virtual crack closure technique. The analyses were repeated using the shell/3D technique to study the feasibility for pure mode I, mode II and mixed mode I/II cases. Specimens with a unidirectional layup and with a multidirectional layup were simulated. For a local 3D model, extending to a minimum of about three specimen thicknesses on either side of the delamination front, the results were in good agreement with mixed mode strain energy release rates obtained from computations where the entire specimen had been modeled with solid elements. For large built-up composite structures the shell/3D modeling technique offers a great potential for reducing the model size, since only a relatively small section in the vicinity of the delamination front needs to be modeled with solid elements.

Krueger, Ronald↗

3D Visualization of Cooperative Trajectories

Aerodynamicists and biologists have long recognized the benefits of formation flight. When birds or aircraft fly in the upwash region of the vortex generated by leaders in a formation, induced drag is reduced for the trail bird or aircraft, and efficiency improves. The major consequence of this is that fuel consumption can be greatly reduced. When two aircraft are separated by a large enough longitudinal distance, the aircraft are said to be flying in a cooperative trajectory. A simulation has been developed to model autonomous cooperative trajectories of aircraft; however it does not provide any 3D representation of the multi-body system dynamics. The topic of this research is the development of an accurate visualization of the multi-body system observable in a 3D environment. This visualization includes two aircraft (lead and trail), a landscape for a static reference, and simplified models of the vortex dynamics and trajectories at several locations between the aircraft.

aerodynamic drag↗