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Search indexed NASA NTRS and DOE OSTI research on propulsion, heat transfer, battery materials and energy systems. Follow report and document links to the original sources.

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At least 1,189 records · Page 66
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2022

The Importance of Modeling Carbon Dioxide Transportation and Geologic Storage in Energy System Planning Tools

Energy system planning tools suggest that the cost and feasibility of climate-stabilizing energy transitions are sensitive to the cost of CO 2 capture and storage processes (CCS), but the representation of CO 2 transportation and geologic storage in these tools is often simple or non-existent. We develop the capability of producing dynamic-reservoir-simulation-based geologic CO 2 storage supply curves with the Sequestration of CO 2 Tool (SCO 2 T) and use it with the ReEDS electric sector planning model to investigate the effects of CO 2 transportation and geologic storage representation on energy system planning tool results. We use a locational case study of the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) region. Our results suggest that the cost of geologic CO 2 storage may be as low as $3/tCO 2 and that site-level assumptions may affect this cost by several dollars per tonne. At the grid level, the cost of geologic CO 2 storage has generally smaller effects compared to other assumptions (e.g., natural gas price), but small variations in this cost can change results (e.g., capacity deployment decisions) when policy renders CCS marginally competitive. The cost of CO 2 transportation generally affects the location of geologic CO 2 storage investment more than the quantity of CO 2 captured or the location of electricity generation investment. We conclude with a few recommendations for future energy system researchers when modeling CCS. For example, assuming a cost for geologic CO 2 storage (e.g., $5/tCO 2 ) may be less consequential compared to assuming free storage by excluding it from the model.

20 FOSSIL-FUELED POWER PLANTS↗
DOE OSTI2022

Four-top quark physics at the LHC

The production of four top quarks presents a rare process in the Standard Model that provides unique opportunities and sensitivity to Standard Model observables including potential enhancement of many popular new physics extensions. This article summarises the latest experimental measurements of the four-top quark production cross section at the LHC. An overview is provided detailing interpretations of the experimental results regarding the top quark Yukawa coupling in addition to the limits on physics beyond the Standard Model. Further, prospects for future measurements and opportunities offered by this challenging final state are given herein.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
NASA NTRS1972

Wing optimization for space shuttle orbiter vehicles

The results were presented of a parametric study performed to determine the optimum wing geometry for a proposed space shuttle orbiter. The results of the study establish the minimum weight wing for a series of wing-fuselage combinations subject to constraints on aerodynamic heating, wing trailing edge sweep, and wing over-hang. The study consists of a generalized design evaluation which has the flexibility of arbitrarily varying those wing parameters which influence the vehicle system design and its performance. The study is structured to allow inputs of aerodynamic, weight, aerothermal, structural and material data in a general form so that the influence of these parameters on the design optimization process can be isolated and identified. This procedure displays the sensitivity of the system design of variations in wing geometry. The parameters of interest are varied in a prescribed fashion on a selected fuselage and the effect on the total vehicle weight is determined. The primary variables investigated are: wing loading, aspect ratio, leading edge sweep, thickness ratio, and taper ratio.

Surber, T. E.↗
NASA NTRS1972

Stopping rate of negative cosmic-ray muons near sea level.

A relatively simple method for measuring with high sensitivity the rate of stopped negative muons is described. A process in which Ar-37 is obtained from K-39 in connection with the stopping of a negative muon was used in the experiments. The Ar-37 activity can be measured in small proportional counters with extremely low backgrounds. It is possible to remove Ar-37 from potassium acetate powder at room temperature with almost 100 per cent efficiency merely by trapping the gas from the storage container with a charcoal trap at the liquid nitrogen temperature.

Spannagel, G.↗
NASA NTRS1973

Development of mass spectrometric techniques applicable to the search for organic matter in the lunar crust

Data processing techniques were developed to measure with high precision and sensitivity the line spectra produced by a high resolution mass spectrometer. The most important aspect of this phase was the interfacing of a modified precision microphotometer-comparator with a computer and the improvement of existing software to serve the special needs of the investigation of lunar samples. In addition, a gas-chromatograph mass spectrometer system was interfaced with the same computer to allow continuous recording of mass spectra on a gas chromatographic effluent and efficient evaluation of the resulting data. These techniques were then used to detect and identify organic compounds present in the samples returned by the Apollo 11 and 12 missions.

Biemann, K.↗
NASA NTRS1976

Ion temperatures in HIP-1 and SUMMA from charge-exchange neutral optical emission spectra

Ion temperatures were obtained from observations of the H sub alpha, D sub alpha, and He 587.6 nm lines emitted from hydrogen, deuterium, and helium plasmas in the SUMMA and HIP-1 mirror devices at Lewis Research Center. Steady state discharges were formed by applying a radially inward dc electric field between cylindrical or annular anodes and hollow cathodes located at the peaks of the mirrors. The ion temperatures were found from the Doppler broadening of the charge-exchange components of spectral lines. A statistical method was developed for obtaining scaling relations of ion temperature as a function of current, voltage, and magnetic flux density. Derivations are given that take into account triangular monochromator slit functions, loss cones, and superimposed charge-exchange processes. In addition, the Doppler broadening was found to be sensitive to the influence of drift on charge-exchange cross section. The effects of finite ion-cyclotron radius, cascading, and delayed emission are reviewed.

Patch, R. W.↗
NASA NTRS1977

Load-displacement measurement and work determination in three-point bend tests of notched or precracked specimens

Suggestions for testing of notched or cracked three-point bend specimens are presented which: (1) correct displacement measurement errors resulting from misalignment between the load applicator and specimen; (2) account for coincidental strains not associated with the work of crack extension; (3) simplify record analysis and processing; and (4) extend displacement gage range without sacrifice of sensitivity or accuracy. These testing details are particularly applicable to procedures in which the crack extension force is determined from the work done on the specimen.

Buzzard, R. J.↗
NASA NTRS1978

Load-displacement measurement and work determination in three-point bend tests of notched or precracked specimens

Suggestions for testing of notched or cracked three-point bend specimens are presented that (1) correct displacement measurement errors resulting from misalignment between the load applicator and specimen; (2) account for coincidental strains not associated with the work of crack extension; (3) simplify record analysis and processing; and (4) extend displacement gage range without sacrifice of sensitivity or accuracy. These testing details are particularly applicable to procedures in which the crack extension force J(I) is determined from the work done on the specimen.

Buzzard, R. J.↗
NASA NTRS1979

Recombination of NO/+/ in the mid-latitude trough and the polar ionization hole

The dissociative recombination of NO(+) with electrons is further examined using a sample of Atmosphere Explorer data from the midlatitude ionization trough. The electron temperature for this data sample covered a range of 2500 K, thus allowing an accurate determination of the temperature dependence of the rate coefficient. The results confirm earlier determinations which were made from a large data base, and the rate coefficient alpha is found to be inversely proportional to the electron temperature. The possibility of a neglected process in the NO(+) chemistry is investigated which, if it were included, might result in a smaller temperature dependence of alpha. Such a source would require a direct dependence on electron temperature. A possible candidate is associative recombination of energetic N(D-2) with O. The results confirm recent measurements which find that this process cannot be significant. The NO(+) chemistry is a very sensitive indicator of chemical equilibrium conditions. By using measurements of the relevant parameters made in the polar ionization hole it is found that horizontal drifts do not appear to be significant in this region.

Torr, M. R.↗
NASA NTRS1980

Design considerations for optical heterodyne receivers: A review

The current state of knowledge concerning optical heterodyne receivers is reviewed. Following a discussion of noise processes in the heterodyne receiver and the manner in which sensitivity is increased through time integration of the detected signal, an expression for the mean square signal current is derived by mixing a coherent local oscillator with a partially coherent, quasimonochromatic source. Then the manner in which the IF signal calculation can be transferred to any convenient plane in the optical front end of the receiver is demonstrated. Using these techniques, a relatively simple equation is obtained for the coherently detected signal from an extended incoherent source and applied to the heterodyne detection of an extended thermal source and to the backscatter lidar problem where the antenna patterns of both the transmitter beam and heterodyne receiver must be taken into account. Finally, the detection of a coherent source is considered and, in particular, a distant point source such as a star or laser transmitter in a long range heterodyne communications system is discussed.

Degnan, J. J.↗
NASA NTRS1982

Flow structure in continuous flow electrophoresis chambers

There are at least two ways that hydrodynamic processes can limit continiuous flow electrophoresis. One arises from the sensitivity of the flow to small temerature gradients, especially at low flow rates and power levels. This sensitivity can be suppressed, at least in principle, by providing a carefully tailored, stabilizing temperature gradient in the cooling system that surrounds the flow channel. At higher power levels another limitation arises due to a restructuring of the main flow. This restructuring is caused by buoyancy, which is in turn affected by the electro-osmotic crossflow. Approximate solutions to appropriate partial differential equations have been computed by finite difference methods. One set of results is described here to illustrate the strong coupling between the structure of the main (axial) flow and the electro-osmotic flow.

Deiber, J. A.↗
NASA NTRS1985

A comparison of electronic heterodyne moire deflectometry and electronic heterodyne holographic interferometry for flow measurements

Electronic heterodyne moire deflectometry and electronic heterodyne holographic interferometry are compared as methods for the accurate measurement of refractive index and density change distributions of phase objects. Experimental results are presented to show that the two methods have comparable accuracy for measuring the first derivative of the interferometric fringe shift. The phase object for the measurements is a large crystal of KD*P, whose refractive index distribution can be changed accurately and repeatably for the comparison. Although the refractive index change causes only about one interferometric fringe shift over the entire crystal, the derivative shows considerable detail for the comparison. As electronic phase measurement methods, both methods are very accurate and are intrinsically compatible with computer controlled readout and data processing. Heterodyne moire is relatively inexpensive and has high variable sensitivity. Heterodyne holographic interferometry is better developed, and can be used with poor quality optical access to the experiment.

Decker, A. J.↗
NASA NTRS1986

Micromechanisms of thermomechanical fatigue: A comparison with isothermal fatigue

Thermomechanical Fatigue (TMF) experiments were conducted on Mar-M 200, B-1900, and PWA-1480 (single crystals) over temperature ranges representative of gas turbine airfoil environments. The results were examined from both a phenomenological basis and a micromechanical basis. Depending on constituents present in the superalloy system, certain micromechanisms dominated the crack initiation process and significantly influenced the TMF lives as well as sensitivity of the material to the type TMF cycle imposed. For instance, high temperature cracking around grain boundary carbides in Mar-M 200 resulted in short in-phase TMF lives compared to either out-of-phase or isothermal lives. In single crystal PWA-1480, the type of coating applied was seen to be the controlling factor in determining sensitivity to the type of TMF cycle imposed. Micromechanisms of deformation were observed over the temperature range of interest to the TMF cycles, and provided some insight as to the differences between TMF damage mechanisms and isothermal damage mechanisms. Finally, the applicability of various life prediction models to TMF results was reviewed. Current life prediction models based on isothermal data must be modified before being generally applied to TMF.

Bill, R. C.↗
NASA NTRS1985

A comparison of electronic heterodyne moire deflectometry and electronic heterodyne holographic interferometry for flow measurements

Electronic heterodyne moire deflectometry and electronic heterodyne holographic interferometry are compared as methods for the accurate measurement of refractive index and density change distributions of phase objects. Experimental results are presented to show that the two methods have comparable accuracy for measuring the first derivative of the interferometric fringe shift. The phase object for the measurements is a large crystal of KD P, whose refractive index distribution can be changed accurately and repeatably for the comparison. Although the refractive index change causes only about one interferometric fringe shift over the entire crystal, the derivative shows considerable detail for the comparison. As electronic phase measurement methods, both methods are very accurate and are intrinsically compatible with computer controlled readout and data processing. Heterodyne moire is relatively inexpensive and has high variable sensitivity. Heterodyne holographic interferometry is better developed, and can be used with poor quality optical access to the experiment.

Decker, A. J.↗
NASA NTRS1987

Evaluation of the ERBE scene identification algo-rithm

The sensitivity of the radiation budget parameters and the scene selection process to different factors is evaluated. The use of ERB-7 CLE models provides instantaneous albedo and longwave flux values which are in essential agreement in the 70 deg cutoff case with those from the SAB method. The increase in albedo with increasing satellite zenith angle cutoff is not apparent at the target area level for different surface types. GOES models seem to show an increase in instantaneous albedo at the global level with satellite zenith angle of the same nature as the ERB-7 models investigated in a previous report and are, therefore, probably not an improvement. The use of recently derived NCLE models did not make a noticeable change in the budget parameters; but the cloud classification did show hemispherical differences and caused a day-night readjustment of cloudiness amounts. Preliminary results for an additional month (December 1979) indicate good agreement between the SAB and MLE methods. Additional work is required to establish the agreement for all seasons. Comparison of derived cloud amounts with other data sets such as THIR/TOMS indicates good zonal agreement. Sampling adequacy investigations at different temporal averaging intervals with the SAB method, indicate large uncertainties in small time average cases. For a 6-day averaging period, sampling is very poor with only 23% of the globe contributing toward the global mean albedo. Effect of modifications to the MLE procedure seem to have little effect on the derived budget quantities in an averaged sense. Significant differences in the flux values due to differences in scene selection are apparent in individual target areas studies. A modification of the MLE procedure to mimic the perpendicular bisector algorithm indicated no effect on the gross radiation budget quantities.

Vemury, S. K.↗
NASA NTRS1988

Observation of airplane flow fields by natural condensation effects

In-flight condensation patterns can illustrate a variety of airplane flow fields, such as attached and separated flows, vortex flows, and expansion and shock waves. These patterns are a unique source of flow visualization that has not been utilized previously. Condensation patterns at full-scale Reynolds number can provide useful information for researchers experimenting in subscale tunnels. It is also shown that computed values of relative humidity in the local flow field provide an inexpensive way to analyze the qualitative features of the condensation pattern, although a more complete theoretical modeling is necessary to obtain details of the condensation process. Furthermore, the analysis revealed that relative humidity is more sensitive to changes in local static temperature than to changes in pressure.

Campbell, James F.↗