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An analytical method for ditching analysis of an airborne vehicle

A simple analytical method has been introduced for aerohydrodynamic load analysis of an airborne configuration during water ditching. The method employs an aerodynamic panel code, based on linear potential flow theory, to simulate the flow of air and water around an aircraft configuration. The free surface separating the air and water region is represented by doublet sheet singularities. Although all the theoretical load distributions are computed for air, provisions are made to correct the pressure coefficients obtained on the configuration wetted surfaces to account for the water density. As an analytical tool, the Vortex Separation Aerodynamic (VSAERO) code is chosen to carry out the present investigation. After assessing the validity of the method, its first application is to analyze the water ditching of the Space Shuttle configuration at a 12 degree attitude.

Linear potential flow↗

Residence Time and Trajectory as Constraints on Cloud-Based Habitability

Rocky, geologically active worlds with water, including Venus, are often considered potential origins for Earthlike biochemistries. They are also some of the likeliest worlds to have clouds.Yet the requirements for cloud habitability – the potential for aerobiospheres – is rarely studied. Earth's clouds carry significant numbers of active microbes (Amato et al., 2017), which affect planetary weather(as condensation and ice nuclei), climate (alteration of cloud and surface albedo), and water and air chemistry (through metabolic processing) (Delort et al., 2010).However, we have not yet observed airborne microbial reproduction in the field, and one likely reason is that microbes suspended in clouds on Earth have residence times at best equivalent to typical generation times – hours to days.

Residence↗

Preliminary Evidence of Gas-Phase Water Splitting on Holmium Nitrogen Oxide Clusters

Preliminary Evidence of Gas-Phase Water Splitting on Holmium Nitrogen Oxide Clusters Christopher A. Zarzana1, Makayla R. Baxter , Introduction: Molecular hydrogen is a potential energy carrier that could be used to help implement a clean energy economy if it is generated from splitting of water. Improvements in the efficiencies of water-splitting electrolyzers relies on development of novel materials with enhanced performance. However, research in this area is slowed due to underdeveloped understanding of the mechanisms of device performance due to challenges interrogating the fundamental chemical reactions at play in bulk materials. Studies of the intrinsic reactivity of clusters that are representative of the reactive sites of these materials can increase understanding of the fundamental reaction mechanisms involved in hydrogen production, allowing for more efficient development of new water-splitting materials. Methods: Holmium tetranitrato ([Ho(NO3)4]-) clusters were generated in gas-phase using the electrospray ionization source of a Bruker (Billerica, MA, USA) micrOTOF-Q II quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometer. Spray solutions consisted of aqueous holmium (Ho) nitrate solutions (at nominally 3 mM) diluted to 30 µM in acetonitrile. The holmium (Ho) tetranitrato clusters were isolated using the quadrupole and were subsequently activated and allowed to react with background water in the collision cell. High resolution, high mass accuracy spectra were recorded using the time-of-flight. Mass accuracy was ensured using external calibration with Agilent (Santa Clara, CA, USA) ESI-L Low Concentration tuning mix. Preliminary data: Collisional activation of the holmium tetranitrato complexes ([Ln(NO3)4]-) resulted in an expected series of ions resulting from the loss of ·NO and ·NO2. This included an ion at m/z = 382.885 assigned as [HoO2(NO3)3]- (theoretical m/z=382.884, error=-1.2 ppm), resulting from loss of ·NO, and an ion at m/z=366.890 assigned as [HoO(NO3)3]- (theorical m/z=366.889, error=-1.8 ppm), resulting from loss of ·NO2. Additional ions were detected that would result from more complicated losses from [Ho(NO3)4]-, including ions at m/z=320.898 assigned as [HoO2(NO3)2]- (theoretical m/z=320.896, error=-4.9 ppm), at m/z=304.904 assigned as [HoO(NO3)2]- (theoretical m/z=304.901, error=-8.1 ppm, very low signal), and at m/z=288.908 assigned as [Ho(NO3)2]- (theoretical m/z=288.907, error=-3.4 ppm). This ion series would arise from loss of some combination of ·NO, ·NO2, and ·NO3, although it is not known whether these losses occur sequentially (e.g. loss of ·NO and ·NO3 to yield [HoO2(NO3)2]-) or as a single species (e.g. direct loss of N2O4). These ions were accompanied by a complementary series representing addition of a single water molecule. This included an ion at m/z=338.908 assigned as [HoO2(NO3)2H2O]- (theoretical m/z=338.907, error=-4.1 ppm), an ion at m/z=322.912 assigned as [HoO(NO3)2H2O]- (theoretical m/z=322.912, error=1.2 ppm), and an ion at m/z=306.918 assigned as [Ho(NO3)2H2O]-, (theoretical m/z=306.918, error=-3.7 ppm). An additional hydrated ion was observed at m/z=276.921 assigned as [HoO2(NO3) H2O]- (theoretical m/z=276.919, error=-7.3 ppm), although corresponding dehydrated ion was not observed. An additional ion was observed at m/z=367.898 that has been assigned as [Ho(NO3)3OH]- (theoretical m/z=367.897, error=-2.5 ppm). It is hypothesized that this ion arises from addition of water to [Ho(NO3)3]- followed by elimination of a hydrogen radical. Neither [Ho(NO3)3]- nor [Ho(NO3)3H2O]- were detected, suggesting that, if the hypothesis is correct, addition of water to [Ho(NO3)3]- and its subsequent splitting is rapid. Elimination of HNO3 from [Ho(NO3)4H2O]- could also yield [Ho(NO3)3OH]-; however, no [Ho(NO3)4H2O]- ions were observed. Novelty: Potential evidence of water splitting on gas-phase lanthanide clusters offers a way to study the intrinsic reactivity of hydrogen-generation materials.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Transition-Metal Nitroprussides Examined for Water Harvesting and Sorption Cooling

Transition metal pentacyanonitrosylferrates, commonly known as nitroprussides, have a long and documented history. Here we synthesize cobalt and nickel nitroprussides (NPs) in order to probe their use as sorbents for water and fluorocarbon uptake. These NPs show stable and reversible equilibrium sorption iso-therms at room temperature with peak uptake values of ~40 wt% for H2O and ~30 wt% for fluorocarbon R134a. At water-harvesting conditions, a working capacity of ~23 wt% was ob-tained for both cobalt and nickel NP. Given the advantages of an easy, in-expensive and scalable synthesis, this study demon-strates the potential for using nitroprussides for future water harvesting and adsorption cooling systems.

Barpaga, Dushyant↗

Stable isotope equilibria in the dihydrogen-water-methane-ethane-propane system. Part 1: Path-integral calculations with CCSD(T) quality potentials

Isotopic compositions of alkanes are typically assumed to be kinetically controlled, but recently is has been proposed that alkanes can isotopically equilibrate for both C and H isotopes during natural gas generation. Evaluation of this requires knowledge of the isotopic equilibrium between alkanes and other common hydrogen and carbon bearing species. Here, in this study, we calculate isotopic equilibria within and between gaseous dihydrogen (H 2 ), water (H 2 O), methane (CH 4 ), ethane (C 2 H 6 ) and propane (C 3 H 8 ), including isotope fractionation among molecules, clumped isotope effects, as well as among sites of propane (i.e., the site-specific isotope effects) from 0°C to 500°C using a path-integral method paired with high-level descriptions of molecular potentials and the diagonal correction to the Born Oppenheimer approximation. While path-integral calculations with high- level CCSD(T) potentials are available for the isotopic equilibria involving methane, the path-integral calculations for ethane and propane have only been performed based on lower-level descriptions of the molecular potentials. We analyze the relative importance of various approximations that are commonly employed when isotopic equilibria are evaluated. We find that clumped isotope effects can be calculated to the same accuracy using computationally inexpensive combination of the Bigeleisen-Mayer-Urey model with the molecular potential from density functional theory. In contrast, fractionation and site preferences of both deuterium and carbon-13 benefit from the use of the higher level CCSD(T) potentials and accounting for anharmonic effects. Additionally, for fractionation and site preference of deuterium corrections to Born-Oppenheimer approximation can also be important.

03 NATURAL GAS↗

Floating solar panels on reservoirs impact phytoplankton populations: A modelling experiment

Floating solar photovoltaic (FPV) deployments are increasing globally as the switch to renewable energy intensifies, representing a considerable water surface transformation. FPV installations can potentially impact aquatic ecosystem function, either positively or negatively. However, these impacts are poorly resolved given the challenges of collecting empirical data for field or modelling experiments. In particular, there is limited evidence on the response of phytoplankton to changes in water body thermal dynamics and light climate with FPV. Given the importance of understanding phytoplankton biomass and species composition for managing ecosystem services, we use an uncertainty estimation approach to simulate the effect of FPV coverage and array siting location on a UK reservoir. FPV coverage was modified in 10% increments from a baseline with 0% coverage to 100% coverage for three different FPV array siting locations based on reservoir circulation patterns. Results showed that FPV coverage significantly impacted thermal properties, resulting in highly variable impacts on phytoplankton biomass and species composition. The impacts on phytoplankton were often dependent on array siting location as well as surface coverage. Changes to phytoplankton species composition were offset by the decrease in phytoplankton biomass associated with increasing FPV coverage. We identified that similar phytoplankton biomass reductions could be achieved with less FPV coverage by deploying the FPV array on the water body's faster-flowing area than the central or slower flowing areas. The difference in response dependent on siting location could be used to tailor phytoplankton management in water bodies. Simulation of water body-FPV interactions efficiently using an uncertainty approach is an essential tool to rapidly develop understanding and ultimately inform FPV developers and water body managers looking to minimise negative impacts and maximise co-benefits.

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗

Degradability of Biodegradable Soil Moisture Sensor Components and Their Effect on Maize (Zea mays L.) Growth

Inexpensive and no-maintenance biodegradable soil moisture sensors could improve existing knowledge on spatial and temporal variability of available soil water at field-scale. Such sensors can unlock the full potential of variable-rate irrigation (VRI) systems to optimize water applications in irrigated cropping systems. The objectives of this study were to assess (i) the degradation of soil moisture sensor component materials and (ii) the effects of material degradation on maize (Zea Mays L.) growth and development. This study was conducted in a greenhouse at Colorado State University, Colorado, USA, by planting maize seeds in pots filled with three growing media (field soil, silica sand, and Promix commercial potting media). The degradation rate of five candidate sensor materials (three blends of beeswax and soy wax, balsa wood, and PHBV (poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate))) was assessed by harvesting sensor materials at four maize growth stages (30, 60, 90, and 120 days after transplanting). All materials under consideration showed stability in terms of mass and dimension except PHBV. PHBV was degraded entirely within 30 days in soil and Promix, and within 60 days in sand. Balsa wood did now show any significant reduction in mass and dimensions in all growth media. Similarly, there was no significant mass loss across wax blends (p = 0.05) at any growth stage, with a few exceptions. Among the wax blends, 3:1 (beeswax:soy wax) was the most stable blend in terms of mass and dimension with no surface cracks, making it a suitable encapsulant for soil sensor. All materials under consideration did not have any significant effect on maize growth (dry biomass, green biomass, and height) as compared to control plants. These results indicated that 3:1 beeswax:soy wax blend, PHBV, and balsa wood could be suitable candidates for various components of biodegradable soil moisture sensors.

Dahal, Subash (ORCID:0000000205489103)↗

Topical Report on Water Balance Model Development and Initial Application

This topical report summarizes results from developing a generic dynamic water balance tool which can be used by coal-fired power plant operators to evaluate FGD water management strategies. EPRI is using a statistical software model created on the GoldSim platform and data from coal-fired energy plants to determine the fraction of power plant water needs that can be satisfied by electrodialysis reversal treatment and, correspondingly, the discharge volume and/or byproducts that still need to be managed. The generic model is designed to accept a number of easily obtainable process variables and generate probabilities of resultant water characteristics. The model is also constructed as a universal process flow; one that can be adjusted to accommodate most major components of an FGD blowdown handling system. The generic model is dynamic and utilizes user-inputted operational variation in water quality and quantity to best provide a probabilistic representation of potential performance outcomes. In order to account for complexities of water composition and treatment, a separate chemical modeling software is used to evaluate water chemistry and unit operation performance. The thermodynamic modeling software, OLI Studio, is employed to convert ion data from laboratory analyses into balanced molecular concentrations that are classified as dissolved and suspended solids. The dynamic water model is designed to import a total of 11 species commonly found in FGD blowdown water as molecular concentrations.Water management unit operations are used in the model and categorized by either physical unit operation blocks or chemical unit operations blocks. As the name implies, the physical water treatment blocks are unit operations that are exclusively physical changes to the system (e.g., separations and volume changes). The chemical water treatment blocks are unit operations where chemical changes occur and require the use of OLI Studio to characterize subsequent streams. Water and material balances from three unique coal-fired power plants were obtained and preliminary modeling on the dynamic water balance tool was performed using the extracted data from these power plants. These three power plants were chosen due to their unique configurations and water profiles that represented a variety of operational changes. Results from using the dynamic tool with the three plant configurations are presented and discussed in the context of the existing tool and planned future capabilities.

01 COAL, LIGNITE, AND PEAT↗

Spatial mapping of dissolved methane using an in situ sensor in Puget Sound

Release of methane, as gas bubbles or in the dissolved phase, from the seafloor has been observed in coastal waters (< 200 m) and deep ocean basins (> 1000 m). Methane dissolution within the water column affects the geochemistry of the surrounding water, leading to localized oxygen loss and potential escape to the atmosphere, particularly from shallower sites. Traditional methods for detecting and quantifying dissolved methane rely on collecting discrete water samples for ship- or land-based ex situ analysis and post processing. Here, we report on the use of a reduced response time, in situ methane sensor, the Sensor for Aqueous Gases in the Environment (SAGE), for detecting and quantifying dissolved methane concentrations in a wide range of seafloor environments. During a Fall 2022 research cruise on the R/V Thomas G. Thompson in Puget Sound, SAGE was integrated onto a towed conductivity/temperature/depth rosette and deep-sea camera system with live-stream 1 Hz telemetry and used to spatially map the concentration of methane approximately 1 m above the seafloor. The site had been previously identified as an active methane plume field characterized by gas bubbles, fluid venting, and a faulted seabed. The widespread background dissolved concentration of methane measured by SAGE was 83 nM, and a range of 78–670 nM was observed throughout the survey. The results highlight the capacity of SAGE to map the spatial and temporal variability of dissolved methane concentrations in situ and to identify and localize sites of variable methane emissions from the seafloor.

Padilla, Alexandra M. [Woods Hole Oceanographic In↗

Martian Brines in Ancient Salt Lake Beds – A High Priority Target for Mars Sample Return

Mars hosts over 600 chloride deposits as identified from orbital imagery [1-3], including deposits in settings resembling dry, evaporite lacustrine bedforms on Earth. A Mars sample return mission to one of these salt lake beds has a strong potential to directly sample present-day brines originating from ancient martian surface fluids, allowing direct laboratory investigation into fluids, atmosphere, and either potential biology or prebiological conditions on the martian surface at the Noachian through the Hesperian epochs. These sites are extraordinarily well suited for sample return missions because they are favorable for landing and for drill-based sampling, and preserve samples of parent water bodies, including dissolved atmosphere and potential well-preserved biological remains. Such a mission would provide a foundational set of reference samples for understanding Mars’ physiochemical and pre-/biological history, likely to be investigated in depth for generations to come.

brine↗

Engineering Polymers as Structural Materials in Spacecraft Water Systems

The novel application of structural materials, surface treatments, and barrier coatings is desired to mitigate the rapid loss of ionic silver (Ag+) biocide observed with passive metal alloys, improve reliability, and reduce system mass. In this work, we provide an initial look at the potential replacement of these heritage alloys in spacecraft water systems with high-performance thermoplastic engineering polymers, including PEEK, PEI, and PVDF. Such materials have found increasing use as structural materials in a broad array of performance-critical applications, including in the aerospace, medical implant, and chemical processing fields. We selected a number of promising materials for investigation, compiled mechanical behavior data, and conducted theoretical performance analyses. We also identified and began to address numerous material suitability concerns as well as design requirements for pressurized components in human-rated spacecraft hardware. These include material flammability, offgassing, leaching, chemical resistance, radiation tolerance, prevention of fracture/yielding, and others. We find that there is significant potential for use of engineering polymers in spacecraft water systems, and suggest some directions for future research.

Lance Dean Delzeit↗

Renewable electricity storage using electrolysis

Electrolysis converts electrical energy into chemical energy by storing electrons in the form of stable chemical bonds. The chemical energy can be used as a fuel or converted back to electricity when needed. Water electrolysis to hydrogen and oxygen is a well-established technology, whereas fundamental advances in CO 2 electrolysis are still needed to enable short-term and seasonal energy storage in the form of liquid fuels. This paper discusses the electrolytic reactions that can potentially enable renewable energy storage, including water, CO 2 and N 2 electrolysis. Recent progress and major obstacles associated with electrocatalysis and mass transfer management at a system level are reviewed. We conclude that knowledge and strategies are transferable between these different electrochemical technologies, although there are also unique complications that arise from the specifics of the reactions involved.

25 ENERGY STORAGE↗

Compound Effects of Climate Change on Future Transboundary Water Issues in the Middle East

The Middle East is one of the world’s most vulnerable areas to climate change, which has exacerbated environmental, agricultural, water conflict, and public health issues in the region. Here we analyze the latest climate model projections of precipitation and temperature for the very high emissions scenario, SSP5-8.5,to detect potential future changes in this region. A baseline period (1981-2010) is compared with the middle(2040-2069) and end (2070-2099) of the 21stcentury. The results, representing the worst-case scenario, identify the Tigris-Euphrates headwaters as the hotspot of future compounding effects of climate change in the Middle East. Those effects result from the coincidence of elevated temperature, reduced precipitation, and enhanced interannual variability of precipitation. The hotspot overlays the location of the Southeastern Anatolia Project (in Turkish, GAP) irrigation initiative. In this climate context, risks to GAP viability and downstream water security, and associated potential for water-related conflicts and migration are considerable and demand a reconsideration of the risk-benefit assessment of GAP. This need has become more urgent after the recent widespread and deadly climate-related conflicts and wildfires in summer 2021 across the Middle East that further underlined vulnerability of the region to climate extremes.

Tigris-Euphrates headwater↗

Analysis and Test of a Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell Power System for Space Power Applications

An effort is underway to develop a prototype Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) Fuel Cell breadboard system for fuhlre space applications. This prototype will be used to develop a comprehensive design basis for a space-rated PEM fuel cell powerplant. The prototype system includes reactant pressure regulators, ejector-based reactant pumps, a 4-kW fuel cell stack and cooling system, and a passive, membranebased oxygen / water separator. A computer model is being developed concurrently to analytically predict fluid flow in the oxidant reactant system. Fuel cells have historically played an important role in human-rated spacecraft. The Gemini and Apollo spacecraft used fuel cells for vehicle electrical power. The Space Shuttle currently uses three Alkaline Fuel Cell Powerplants (AFCP) to generate all of the vehicle's 15-20kW electrical power. Engineers at the Johnson Space Center have leveraged off the development effort ongoing in the commercial arena to develop PEM fuel cel ls for terrestrial uses. The prototype design originated from efforts to develop a PEM fuel cell replacement for the current Space Shuttle AFCP' s. In order to improve on the life and an already excellent hi storical record of reliability and safety, three subsystems were focused on. These were the fuel cell stack itself, the reactant circulation devices, and reactant / product water separator. PEM fuel cell stack performance is already demonstrating the potential for greater than four times the useful life of the current Shuttle's AFCP. Reactant pumping for product water removal has historically been accomplished with mechanical pumps. Ejectors offer an effective means of reactant pumping as well as the potential for weight reduction, control simplification, and long life. Centrifugal water separation is used on the current AFCP. A passive, membrane-based water separator offers compatibility with the micro-gravity environment of space, and the potential for control simplification, elimination of moving parts in an oxygen environment, and long life. The prototype system has been assembled from components that have previously been tested and evaluated at the component level. Preliminary data obtained from tests performed with the prototype system, as well as other published data, has been used to validate the analytical component models. These components have been incorporated into an integrated oxidant fluid system model. Results obtained from both the performance tests and the analytical model are presented.

Vasquez, Arturo↗

A model for the hydrologic and climatic behavior of water on Mars

An analysis is carried out of the hydrologic response of a water-rich Mars to climate change and to the physical and thermal evolution of its crust, with particular attention given to the potential role of the subsurface transport, assuming that the current models of insolation-driven change describe reasonably the atmospheric leg of the planet's long-term hydrologic cycle. Among the items considered are the thermal and hydrologic properties of the crust, the potential distribution of ground ice and ground water, the stability and replenishment of equatorial ground ice, basal melting and the polar mass balance, the thermal evolution of the early cryosphere, the recharge of the valley networks and outflow, and several processes that are likely to drive the large-scale vertical and horizontal transport of H2O within the crust. The results lead to the conclusion that subsurface transport has likely played an important role in the geomorphic evolution of the Martian surface and the long-term cycling of H2O between the atmosphere, polar caps, and near-surface crust.

Clifford, Stephen M.↗

Past and Present Biophysical Redundancy of Countries as a Buffer to Changes in Food Supply

Spatially diverse trends in population growth, climate change, industrialization, urbanization and economic development are expected to change future food supply and demand. These changes may affect the suitability of land for food production, implying elevated risks especially for resource constrained, food-importing countries. We present the evolution of biophysical redundancy for agricultural production at country level, from 1992 to 2012. Biophysical redundancy, defined as unused biotic and abiotic environmental resources, is represented by the potential food production of 'spare land', available water resources (i.e., not already used for human activities), as well as production increases through yield gap closure on cultivated areas and potential agricultural areas. In 2012, the biophysical redundancy of 75 (48) countries, mainly in North Africa, Western Europe, the Middle East and Asia, was insufficient to produce the caloric nutritional needs for at least 50% (25%) of their population during a year. Biophysical redundancy has decreased in the last two decades in 102 out of 155 countries, 11 of these went from high to limited redundancy, and nine of these from limited to very low redundancy. Although the variability of the drivers of change across different countries is high, improvements in yield and population growth have a clear impact on the decreases of redundancy towards the very low redundancy category. We took a more detailed look at countries classified as 'Low Income Economies (LIEs)' since they are particularly vulnerable to domestic or external food supply changes, due to their limited capacity to offset for food supply decreases with higher purchasing power on the international market. Currently, nine LIEs have limited or very low biophysical redundancy. Many of these showed a decrease in redundancy over the last two decades, which is not always linked with improvements in per capita food availability.

biophysics↗

A Cabonaceous Chondrite Dominated Lithology from the HED Parent; PRA 04401

The paired howardite breccias Mt. Pratt (PRA) 04401 and PRA 04402 are notable for their high proportion of carbonaceous chondrite clasts [1]. They consist predominantly of coarse (0.1-7 mm) diogenite (orthopyroxene), eucrite (plagioclase + pyroxene), and carbonaceous chondrite clasts set in a finer grained matrix of these same materials. Coarse C-chondrite clasts up to 7 mm are composed mainly of fine-grained phyllosilicates with lesser sulfides and high-mg# anhydrous magnesian silicates. Most of these clasts appear to be texturally consistent with CM2 classification [1] and some contain relict chondrules. The clasts are angular and reaction or alteration textures are not apparent in the surrounding matrix. PRA 04401 contains about 70 modal% C-chondrite clasts while PRA 04402 contains about 7%. Although many howardites are known to contain abundant C-chondrite clasts [2,3,4], PRA 04401 is, to our knowledge, the most chondrite-rich howardite lithology identified to date. Low EPMA totals from CM2-type clasts in other howardites suggest that they frequently contain 10 wt% or more water [2], a figure consistent with their mineralogy. PRA 04401, therefore, demonstrates the potential for hydrous lithologies with greater than 5 wt% water to occur locally within the nominally anhydrous HED parent body. Since the origin of this water is xenogenic, it might therefore be concentrated in portions of the asteroid surface where it would be more readily observable by remote sensing techniques. We plan to further examine C-chondrite clasts in PRA 04401/2 with the intent of establishing firm chemical classification, estimating water content, and evaluating their relationship with the host breccia. To help place them in context of the HED parent, we will also compare these breccias with other howardites to evaluate which lithologies are likely to be more prevalent on the asteroid surface.

Herrin, Jason S.↗