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At least 1,117 records · Page 62
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NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Multi-source Estimates of Land / Ocean Moisture Transport Variability over the Satellite Era

It is widely appreciated that atmospheric transport of water from the world’s oceans is a process key to planetary energy balance as well as Earth's habitability. What is not yet clear is the extent of variability in moisture transports, the relative importance of interdecadal variability versus climate change signals, and importantly, our ability to quantify these changes. This work assesses variations in moisture transport variability during the satellite era (~1980 to present) by comparing several different estimates. (i) The most direct estimate is the vertically integrated flux convergence of moisture from reanalyses which use observed wind and moisture information. (ii) One alternative estimate comes from P-ET over land taken from global hydrologic models constrained with precipitation and near-surface meteorology. Here we use an ensemble of six models. An adjunct to this method is to employ satellite derive ET (e.g., GLEAM or DOLCE). (iii) Complementary to this is E-P over the global oceans derived from satellite estimates of P such as TRMM, GPM and GPCP and SeaFlux V3 or J-OFURO3 estimates of E, all relying heavily upon microwave measurements. Transport between land and oceans must essentially balance at monthly scales, i.e., vanish globally. (iv) a fourth perspective comes from estimate of terrestrial RO + storage rate, delta S. G-RUN Ensemble which uses observed streamflow and P measurements to calibrate a statistical model provides the former while GRACE, GRACE-FO provide total water storage anomalies used to calculate storage rate changes. GRACE REC uses GRACE data to train a precipitation-driven statistical model to extend storage estimates before the GRACE era. (All of these alternatives to reanalysis estimates also consider the small atmospheric column water vapor contribution.) We examine the transport changes from these three different methodologies, their relative accuracies and discuss the origin of their differences. Regional trends in moisture flux divergence and their role in multi-decadal trends are considered. Interannual variability arising in connection with ENSO variability is a dominant signal, driven largely by P changes. Trends since 1980 include reductions in moisture delivery to the western U.S., eastern Brazil, and central Africa with recovery of moisture convergence to the Sahel and parts of eastern North America.

Franklin Robertson↗
DOE OSTI2023

Comparative analysis of sublimation and thermal decomposition of TATB

This experimental study investigated the effects of confinement, starting mass, and heating rate on TATB thermal decomposition and sublimation using a combined Thermo-Gravimetric Analyzer and Differential Scanning Calorimetry (TGA/DSC) instrument. The confinement of volatile products was varied using different pinhole sizes with TGA/DSC pans. The measurements showed the open pan experiments without lids/pinholes resulted in complete sublimation of TATB between 320 °C and 360 °C. The heat of sublimation was determined to be 176 kJ/mol (42 kcal /mol), consistent with literature data obtained from other experimental techniques. The use of pinholes suppressed the sublimation of TATB such that the decrease in pinhole size resulted in 1) an increase in the enthalpy of reaction and an increase in the amount of carbonaceous material remaining at the end of decomposition, and 2) convergence of the two peak temperatures corresponding to maximum heat flow and maximum weight loss. Also, a transition from a two-exotherm thermal decomposition behavior towards a single-exotherm occurred as the pinhole size was decreased for a given starting mass or as the starting mass was increased for a given pinhole size. These results indicate the kinetics of TATB sublimation, TATB thermal decomposition, and gas diffusion out of a TGA/DSC pan can all compete and result in significantly different enthalpies, amounts of remaining materials, and peak temperatures depending on the pinhole size and starting mass used in the measurements. Furthermore, the results also indicate precise control of process variables (pinhole size, starting mass, and heating rate) in TGA/DSC measurements is required for thermal safety assessment of explosives.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
NASA NTRS1985

Estimation of precipitation from GOES IR imagery during FGGE: Application to diagnostic studies

The objectives were to (1) develop a method of estimating open-ocean rainfall and associated latent heat release via GOES IR satellite imagery; (2) to use remote precipitation estimates to investigate the role of diabatic forcing in the maintenance of the South Pacific Convergence Zone (SPCZ) during FGGE SOP-1/; and (3) to assess the significance of non-quasigeostrophic transports of energy in several cyclogenetic events preceding the development of a North Atlantic blocking episode during FGGE SOP-1. The bulk of the early FY-85 work was directed toward development of the single pixel indexing technique (SPI) which assigns a rain rate to GOES IR black-body temperatures, T sub b, via a non-linear statistical relationship developed with raingauge measurements. The method was tested against radar-derived rainfall during GATE raingauge measurements over coastal North Carolina and island stations in the South Pacific Ocean. Skill was found comparable to Arkin's method (1979 MWR) in convective situations. The results suggest that transferring a rain algorithm from one oceanic regime to another may not require substantial modification of coefficients or tunable parameters. Twelve H mean rainfall amounts were produced for the region bounded by 10 deg. N, 50 deg. S, 120 deg W and 170 deg. E during the period January 10 to 16, 1979. These estimates constitute a basic input to diagnostic calculations of diabatic heating over the SPCZ region. ECMWF level III-b data analyses was used to compute several components of the APE balance in the South Pacific during the period January 10 to 18, 1979.

Robertson, F. R.↗
NASA NTRS1990

Numerical study of supersonic combustors by multi-block grids with mismatched interfaces

A three-dimensional, finite-rate chemistry, Navier-Stokes code has been extended to a multi-block with mismatched interface code for practical calculations of supersonic combustors. To ensure global conservation, a conservative algorithm was used for the treatment of mismatched interfaces. The extended code was checked against one test case, i.e., a generic supersonic combustor with transverse fuel injection, examining solution accuracy, convergence, and local mass flux error. After testing, the code was used to simulate the chemically reacting flow fields in a scramjet combustor with parallel fuel injectors (unswept and swept ramps). Computational results were compared with experimental shadowgraph and pressure measurements. Fuel-air mixing characteristics of the unswept and swept ramps were compared and investigated.

Moon, Young J.↗
NASA NTRS2011

High Power Flex-Propellant Arcjet Performance

A MW-class electrothermal arcjet based on a water-cooled, wall-stabilized, constricted arc discharge configuration was subjected to extensive performance testing using hydrogen and simulated ammonia propellants with the deliberate aim of advancing technology readiness level for potential space propulsion applications. The breadboard design incorporates alternating conductor/insulator wafers to form a discharge barrel enclosure with a 2.5-cm internal bore diameter and an overall length of approximately 1 meter. Swirling propellant flow is introduced into the barrel, and a DC arc discharge mode is established between a backplate tungsten cathode button and a downstream ringanode/ spin-coil assembly. The arc-heated propellant then enters a short mixing plenum and is accelerated through a converging-diverging graphite nozzle. This innovative design configuration differs substantially from conventional arcjet thrusters, in which the throat functions as constrictor and the expansion nozzle serves as the anode, and permits the attainment of an equilibrium sonic throat (EST) condition. During the test program, applied electrical input power was varied between 0.5-1 MW with hydrogen and simulated ammonia flow rates in the range of 4-12 g/s and 15-35 g/s, respectively. The ranges of investigated specific input energy therefore fell between 50-250 MJ/kg for hydrogen and 10-60 MJ/kg for ammonia. In both cases, observed arc efficiencies were between 40-60 percent as determined via a simple heat balance method based on electrical input power and coolant water calorimeter measurements. These experimental results were found to be in excellent agreement with theoretical chemical equilibrium predictions, thereby validating the EST assumption and enabling the utilization of standard TDK nozzle expansion analyses to reliably infer baseline thruster performance characteristics. Inferred specific impulse performance accounting for recombination kinetics during the expansion process implied nearly frozen flow in the nozzle and yielded performance ranges of 800-1100 sec for hydrogen and 400-600 sec for ammonia. Inferred thrust-to-power ratios were in the range of 30-10 lbf/MWe for hydrogen and 60-20 lbf/MWe for ammonia. Successful completion of this test series represents a fundamental milestone in the progression of high power arcjet technology, and it is hoped that the results may serve as a reliable touchstone for the future development of MW-class regeneratively-cooled flex-propellant plasma rockets.

Litchford, Ron J.↗
NASA NTRS1986

Assessment of pilot workload - Converging measures from performance based, subjective and psychophysiological techniques

This study explores the relationship between the P300 component of the event-related brain potential (ERP) and the processing demands of a complex real-world task. Seven male volunteers enrolled in an Instrument Flight Rule (IFR) aviation course flew a series of missions in a single engine fixed-based simulator. In dual task conditions subjects were also required to discriminate between two tones differing in frequency. ERPs time-locked to the tones, subjective effort ratings and overt performance measures were collected during two 45 min flights differing in difficulty (manipulated by varying both atmospheric conditions and instrument reliability). The more difficult flight was associated with poorer performance, increased subjective effort ratings, and smaller secondary task P300s. Within each flight, P300 amplitude was negatively correlated with deviations from command headings indicating that P300 amplitude was a sensitive workload metric both between and within the flight missions.

Kramer, Arthur F.↗
DOE OSTI2024

UHT-CAMANCHE: Ultra-High Temperature Ceramic Additively Manufactured Compact Heat Exchangers

The conceptual basis for this project is the convergence of advanced ultra-high temperature ceramic materials and additive manufacturing technologies to produce compact ceramic heat exchangers with complex internal flow path geometries. Task areas were broadly divided into materials and manufacturing development, heat exchanger design, component testing, and techno-economic analysis. Technical challenges included the design and commissioning of new test facilities, improving feature resolution and deposition rate of ceramic additive manufacturing techniques, establishing process-structure-property relationships in additively manufactured ultra-high temperature ceramics, and assessing high temperature materials compatibility in CO 2 environments. The primary candidate material evaluated in this work is a composite comprising zirconium diboride (ZrB2) with 30 vol. % silicon carbide (SiC) which was selected based on its desirable combination of high temperature mechanical properties, high thermal and electrical conductivities, and oxidation resistance. High solids loaded ZrB2-SiC pastes suitable for extrusion-based additive manufacturing were developed for the first time as part of this work. Materials compatibility studies indicate this material oxidizes in CO 2 to form a protective borosilicate scale which transforms to pure silica above 1000°C. Parts made by additive manufacturing displayed enlarged grain sizes produced by pressureless sintering as compared to hot-press sintering. Increases in microstructural coarseness have outsized effect on oxidation performance up to 1400°C due to incomplete oxidation of coarse large diameter SiC particles resulting in lower amounts of silica that apparently inhibit protective scale formation. Additive manufacturing as a forming technique did not appear to significantly affect thermal conductivity, hardness, or elastic modulus, though flexural strength was reduced by half or more as compared to traditionally hot-pressed materials. This effect was attributed to the presence of strength-limiting flaws (ca. 40 microns in size) originating from extrudate inhomogeneities that could potentially be eliminated with further process improvements. Attempts to attain economies of scale for production of multi-kilowatt scale heat exchangers by ceramic additive manufacturing proved difficult. Lack of automation and a modest extrusion rate while retaining fine feature resolution made the overall process labor intensive and limited experimental throughput. A number of full-scale components were taken through post-process heat treatments including drying, binder burnout, and sintering; however, none survived without significant flaws or cracks. Therefore, no operational data from a newly installed heat exchanger test loop were able to be obtained during the performance period. Continued research and development is recommended to improve economic feasibility of ceramic additive manufacturing by standardizing the use of advanced sensors, artificial intelligence, and automation tools to reduce associated labor costs and accelerate production rates. The materials and manufacturing techniques demonstrated in this work are likely to find applications in defense and energy applications.

32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATI↗
NASA NTRS1990

Prediction of the ullage gas thermal stratification in a NASP vehicle propellant tank experimental simulation using FLOW-3D

As part of the National Aero-Space Plane (NASP) project, the multi-dimensional effects of gravitational force, initial tank pressure, initial ullage temperature, and heat transfer rate on the 2-D temperature profiles were studied. FLOW-3D, a commercial finite difference fluid flow model, was used for the evaluation. These effects were examined on the basis of previous liquid hydrogen experimental data with gaseous hydrogen pressurant. FLOW-3D results were compared against an existing 1-D model. In addition, the effects of mesh size and convergence criteria on the analytical results were investigated. Suggestions for future modifications and uses of FLOW-3D for modeling of a NASP tank are also presented.

Hardy, Terry L.↗
NASA NTRS1978

Unsteady two dimensional airloads acting on oscillating thin airfoils in subsonic ventilated wind tunnels

The numerical calculation of unsteady two dimensional airloads which act upon thin airfoils in subsonic ventilated wind tunnels was studied. Neglecting certain quadrature errors, Bland's collocation method is rigorously proved to converge to the mathematically exact solution of Bland's integral equation, and a three way equivalence was established between collocation, Galerkin's method and least squares whenever the collocation points are chosen to be the nodes of the quadrature rule used for Galerkin's method. A computer program displayed convergence with respect to the number of pressure basis functions employed, and agreement with known special cases was demonstrated. Results are obtained for the combined effects of wind tunnel wall ventilation and wind tunnel depth to airfoil chord ratio, and for acoustic resonance between the airfoil and wind tunnel walls. A boundary condition is proposed for permeable walls through which mass flow rate is proportional to pressure jump.

Fromme, J.↗
NASA NTRS1991

Kinetic friction attributed to enhanced radiation by cyclotron maser instability

Along the auroral field lines, a fraction of the energetic electrons injected from the magnetotail is reflected by the earth's convergent geomagnetic field. The reflected loss-cone electrons are unstable with respect to the cyclotron maser instability, resulting in the auroral kilometric radiation. This paper investigates the kinetic friction force exerted on the energetic electrons by the enhanced radiation field. It is found that the enhanced radiation results in a deceleration of reflected electrons, thereby providing an effective resistivity. In addition, the rate of decrease (increase) of effective perpendicular (parallel) kinetic temperatures is also evaluated. The analysis is carried out over various physical parameters such as the degree of loss cone, average particle energy, and the ratio of plasma frequency to cyclotron frequency.

Yoon, Peter H.↗
DOE OSTI2025

Evaluating Chemical Kinetics Predictions for Propane Using 3-D and 0-D Models in a Boosted Spark-Ignited Engine

Propane has been shown to be a promising alternative fuel to reduce emissions while simultaneously achieving high efficiencies in medium- and heavy-duty engines. These high-power density applications require boosted engines which, combined with high compression ratio, can lead to auto-ignition and knock. While three-dimensional (3-D) computational fluid dynamics (CFD) models are often used for resolving the complex fluid flow in engines, these models can become computationally expensive when simulating detailed chemical kinetics. Likewise, zero-dimensional (0-D) models are computationally concise enough for kinetics development, but lack any flow-field information which governs the flame propagation processes in spark ignition (SI) engines. This work presents a comprehensive comparison between 3-D and 0-D closed cycle simulations at knocking conditions in a high compression ratio high stroke-to-bore ratio propane engine. In order to initialize the flow-field for the 3-D closed cycle (intake valve closing, (IVC) to exhaust valve opening, (EVO)) simulation, a motored multi-cycle 3-D model was run using Converge to create a map at IVC, reducing the computational time. The map allowed a non-homogeneous 3-D closed cycle simulation to be satisfactorily validated against experiments, while a homogeneous case using only the turbulence field mapping was also simulated, mimicking 0-D modeling. The 3-D simulations were used to prescribe the initial conditions (e.g., IVC thermodynamics, speciation, burn-rate profile) for a 2-zone 0-D SI engine model in Chemkin Pro for both cases. It was found that 2-zone 0-D modeling underpredicted the knock onset timing, likely due to the lack of thermal stratification in the unburned gas region. Future work will carry multi-zone 0-D modeling to capture the fuel auto-ignition in the unburned region.

Douvry-Rabjeau, Julien [Oakland University, Roches↗
DOE OSTI2021

A statistical mechanics approach to macroscopic limits of car-following traffic dynamics

Herein we study the derivation of macroscopic traffic models from car-following vehicle dynamics by means of hydrodynamic limits of an Enskog-type kinetic description. We consider the superposition of Follow-the-Leader (FTL) interactions and relaxation towards a traffic-dependent Optimal Velocity (OV) and we show that the resulting macroscopic models depend on the relative frequency between these two microscopic processes. If FTL interactions dominate then one gets an inhomogeneous Aw–Rascle–Zhang model, whose (pseudo) pressure and stability of the uniform flow are precisely defined by some features of the microscopic FTL and OV dynamics. Conversely, if the rate of OV relaxation is comparable to that of FTL interactions then one gets a Lighthill–Whitham–Richards model ruled only by the OV function. We further confirm these findings by means of numerical simulations of the particle system and the macroscopic models. Unlike other formally analogous results, our approach builds the macroscopic models as physical limits of particle dynamics rather than assessing the convergence of microscopic to macroscopic solutions under suitable numerical discretisations.

97 MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTING↗
DOE OSTI2024

Exploring the effect of ELM and code-coupling frequencies on plasma and material modeling of dynamic recycling in divertors

Abstract Integrated modeling of plasma-surface interactions provides a comprehensive and self-consistent description of the system, moving the field closer to developing predictive and design capabilities for plasma facing components. One such workflow, including descriptions for the scrape-off-layer plasma, ion-surface interactions and the sub-surface evolution, was previously used to address steady-state scenarios and has recently been extended to incorporate time-dependence and two-way information flow. The new model can address dynamic recycling in transient scenarios, such as the application presented in this paper: the evolution of W samples pre-damaged by helium and exposed to ELMy H-mode plasmas in the DIII-D DiMES. A first set of simulations explored the effect of ELM frequency. This study was discussed in detail in this conference’s proceedings and is summarized here. The 2nd set of simulations, which is the focus of this paper, explores the effect of code-coupling frequency. These simulations include initial SOLPS solutions converged to the inter-ELM state, ion impact energy ( E in ) and angles ( A in ) calculated by hPIC2, and an improved heat transfer description in Xolotl. The model predicts increases in particle fluxes and decreases in heat fluxes by 10%–20% with the coupling time-step. Compared with the first set of simulations, the less shallow impact angle leads to smaller reflection rates and significant D implantation. The higher fraction of implanted flux (and deeper), in particular during ELMs, increases the accumulated D content in the W near-surface region. Future expansion of the workflow includes coupling to hPIC2 and GITR to ensure accurate descriptions of E in and A in , and W impurity transport.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
NASA NTRS1986

Numerical study of hydrogen-air supersonic combustion by using elliptic and parabolized equations

The two-dimensional Navier-Stokes and species continuity equations are used to investigate supersonic chemically reacting flow problems which are related to scramjet-engine configurations. A global two-step finite-rate chemistry model is employed to represent the hydrogen-air combustion in the flow. An algebraic turbulent model is adopted for turbulent flow calculations. The explicit unsplit MacCormack finite-difference algorithm is used to develop a computer program suitable for a vector processing computer. The computer program developed is then used to integrate the system of the governing equations in time until convergence is attained. The chemistry source terms in the species continuity equations are evaluated implicitly to alleviate stiffness associated with fast chemical reactions. The problems solved by the elliptic code are re-investigated by using a set of two-dimensional parabolized Navier-Stokes and species equations. A linearized fully-coupled fully-implicit finite difference algorithm is used to develop a second computer code which solves the governing equations by marching in spce rather than time, resulting in a considerable saving in computer resources. Results obtained by using the parabolized formulation are compared with the results obtained by using the fully-elliptic equations. The comparisons indicate fairly good agreement of the results of the two formulations.

Chitsomboon, T.↗
NASA NTRS1990

Nature of convection-stabilized dc arcs in dual-flow nozzle geometry. I - The cold flow field and dc arc characteristics. II - Optical diagnostics and theory

Steady-state low-current air arcs in a dual-flow nozzle system are studied experimentally. The cold flow field with no arc is investigated using a 12.7-mm diameter dual-flow nozzle in a steady-flow facility. Mach number and mass flux distributions are determined for various nozzle-pressure ratios and nozzle-gap spacing. It is found that the shock waves in the converging-diverging nozzles result in a decrease in overal resistance by about 15 percent. Also, Schlieren and differential interferometry techniques are used to visualize the density gradients within the arc plasma and thermal mantle. Both optical techniques reveal a laminar arc structure for a reservoir pressure of 1 atm at various current levels. Experimentally determined axial static pressure and cold-flow mass flux rate distributions and a channel-flow model with constant arc temperatre are used to solve the energy integral for the arc radius as a function of axial distance. The arc electric field strength, voltage, resistance, and power are determined with Ohm's law and the total heat transfer is related to arc power.

Serbetci, Ilter↗
NASA NTRS2000

Spatiotemporal processing of linear acceleration: primary afferent and central vestibular neuron responses

Spatiotemporal convergence and two-dimensional (2-D) neural tuning have been proposed as a major neural mechanism in the signal processing of linear acceleration. To examine this hypothesis, we studied the firing properties of primary otolith afferents and central otolith neurons that respond exclusively to horizontal linear accelerations of the head (0.16-10 Hz) in alert rhesus monkeys. Unlike primary afferents, the majority of central otolith neurons exhibited 2-D spatial tuning to linear acceleration. As a result, central otolith dynamics vary as a function of movement direction. During movement along the maximum sensitivity direction, the dynamics of all central otolith neurons differed significantly from those observed for the primary afferent population. Specifically at low frequencies (</=0.5 Hz), the firing rate of the majority of central otolith neurons peaked in phase with linear velocity, in contrast to primary afferents that peaked in phase with linear acceleration. At least three different groups of central response dynamics were described according to the properties observed for motion along the maximum sensitivity direction. "High-pass" neurons exhibited increasing gains and phase values as a function of frequency. "Flat" neurons were characterized by relatively flat gains and constant phase lags (approximately 20-55 degrees ). A few neurons ("low-pass") were characterized by decreasing gain and phase as a function of frequency. The response dynamics of central otolith neurons suggest that the approximately 90 degrees phase lags observed at low frequencies are not the result of a neural integration but rather the effect of nonminimum phase behavior, which could arise at least partly through spatiotemporal convergence. Neither afferent nor central otolith neurons discriminated between gravitational and inertial components of linear acceleration. Thus response sensitivity was indistinguishable during 0.5-Hz pitch oscillations and fore-aft movements. The fact that otolith-only central neurons with "high-pass" filter properties exhibit semicircular canal-like dynamics during head tilts might have important consequences for the conclusions of previous studies of sensory convergence and sensorimotor transformations in central vestibular neurons.

NASA Discipline Neuroscience↗
NASA NTRS1984

CREKID: A computer code for transient, gas-phase combustion of kinetics

A new algorithm was developed for fast, automatic integration of chemical kinetic rate equations describing homogeneous, gas-phase combustion at constant pressure. Particular attention is paid to the distinguishing physical and computational characteristics of the induction, heat-release and equilibration regimes. The two-part predictor-corrector algorithm, based on an exponentially-fitted trapezoidal rule, includes filtering of ill-posed initial conditions, automatic selection of Newton-Jacobi or Newton iteration for convergence to achieve maximum computational efficiency while observing a prescribed error tolerance. The new algorithm was found to compare favorably with LSODE on two representative test problems drawn from combustion kinetics.

Pratt, D. T.↗
NASA NTRS1994

Modeling jets in cross flow

Various approaches to the modeling of jets in cross flow are reviewed. These are grouped into four classes, namely: empirical models, integral models, perturbation models, and numerical models. Empirical models depend largely on the correlation of experimental data and are mostly useful for first-order estimates of global properties such as jet trajectory and velocity and temperature decay rates. Integral models are based on some ordinary-differential form of the conservation laws, but require substantial empirical calibration. They allow more details of the flow field to be obtained; simpler versions have to assume similarity of velocity and temperature profiles, but more sophisticated ones can actually calculate these profiles. Perturbation models require little empirical input, but the need for small parameters to ensure convergent expansions limits their application to either the near-field or the far-field. Therefore, they are mostly useful for the study of flow physics. Numerical models are based on conservation laws in partial-differential form. They require little empirical input and have the widest range of applicability. They also require the most computational resources. Although many qualitative and quantitative features of jets in cross flow have been predicted with numerical models, many issues affecting accuracy such as grid resolution and turbulence model are not completely resolved.

Demuren, A. O.↗