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At least 1,279 records · Page 71

Aeroacoustic Study of a 26%-Scale Semispan Model of a Boeing 777 Wing in the NASA Ames 40- by 80-Foot Wind Tunnel

An acoustic and aerodynamic study was made of a 26%-scale unpowered Boeing 777 aircraft semispan model in the NASA Ames 40- by 80-Foot Wind Tunnel for the purpose of identifying and attenuating airframe noise sources. Simulated approach and landing configurations were evaluated at Mach numbers between 0.12 and 0.24. Cruise configurations were evaluated at Mach numbers between 0.24 and 0.33. The research team used two Ames phased-microphone arrays, a large fixed array and a small traversing array, mounted under the wing to locate and compare various noise sources in the wing high-lift system and landing gear. Numerous model modifications and noise alleviation devices were evaluated. Simultaneous with acoustic measurements, aerodynamic forces were recorded to document aircraft conditions and any performance changes caused by the geometric modifications. Numerous airframe noise sources were identified that might be important factors in the approach and landing noise of the full-scale aircraft. Several noise-control devices were applied to each noise source. The devices were chosen to manipulate and control, if possible, the flow around the various tips and through the various gaps of the high-lift system so as to minimize the noise generation. Fences, fairings, tip extensions, cove fillers, vortex generators, hole coverings, and boundary-layer trips were tested. In many cases, the noise-control devices eliminated noise from some sources at specific frequencies. When scaled to full-scale third-octave bands, typical noise reductions ranged from 1 to 10 dB without significant aerodynamic performance loss.

Horne, W. Clifton↗

Waveform emission location determination systems and associated methods

Waveform emission location determination systems and associated methods are described. According to one aspect, a waveform emission location determination system includes a plurality of detectors configured to receive a waveform emitted by a source and to generate electrical signals corresponding to the waveform, processing circuitry configured to access data corresponding to the electrical signals generated by the detectors, use the data to determine a plurality of spheres, and wherein a surface of each of the spheres contains a location of the source when the waveform was emitted by the source, determine an intersection of the spheres, and use the intersection of the spheres to determine the location of the source when the waveform was emitted by the source.

Hughes, Michael S.↗

The JSNS 2 detector

The JSNS 2 (J-PARC Sterile Neutrino Search at J-PARC Spallation Neutron Source) experiment aims to search for oscillations involving a sterile neutrino in the eV 2 mass-splitting range. The experiment will search for the appearance of electron antineutrinos oscillated from muon antineutrinos. The electron antineutrinos are detected via the inverse beta decay process using a liquid scintillator detector. A 1 MW beam of 3 GeV protons incident on a spallation neutron target produces an intense and pulsed neutrino source from pion, muon, and kaon decay at rest. The JSNS detector is located 24 m away from the neutrino source and began operation from June 2020. The detector contains 17 tonnes of gadolinium (Gd) loaded liquid scintillator (LS) in an acrylic vessel, as a neutrino target. It is surrounded by 31 tonnes of unloaded LS in a stainless steel tank. Optical photons produced in LS are viewed by 120 R7081 Hamamatsu 10-inch Photomultiplier Tubes (PMTs). In this study, we describe the JSNS detector design, construction, and operation.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗

Solar response of the BATSE instrument on the gamma-ray observatory

The Burst and Transient Source Experiment (BATSE) on board the gamma ray observatory (GRO) aims at comprehensive observations of time profiles, spectra, and locations of high-energy transient sources. The mysterious cosmic gamma ray bursts provided the main motivation for the observations, but BATSE will make excellent observations of many classes of sources, and in particular solar flares. The solar response of BATSE, as inferred from its design parameters, is analyzed for two purposes: the optimization of the solar observations themselves, and the characterization of the solar effects on ordinary nonsolar observations.

Fishman, G. J.↗

AERMOD Screening Dispersion Factors for INL Facilities

This engineering calculations and analysis report (ECAR) documents the calculation of screening level air dispersion factors (DFs) for use in identifying Idaho National Laboratory (INL) air pollutant sources that would not be of concern relative to state of Idaho Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) significant impact levels for toxic air pollutants (IDAPA 2020). A DF (in units of s/m 3 ) is the maximum time-averaged model-predicted air concentration (g/m 3 ) at an ambient-air receptor location divided by a unit source release or emission rate (1 g/s). DFs were calculated for a generic pollutant released from facilities at the INL Site and the Idaho Falls Research Education Campus (REC) using the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)-recommended AERMOD air-dispersion model (EPA 2019a) and site-specific meteorological data. The use of AERMOD for air quality analyses is specified by EPA in Appendix W of 40 CFR Part 51, Guideline on Air Quality Models, and by DEQ in their air modeling guidance (DEQ 2013). DFs were calculated for 1-hour, 3 hour, 8-hour, 24-hour, monthly, and annual averaging times.

99 GENERAL AND MISCELLANEOUS↗

Techno-economic assessment of electricity market potential for co-located hydro-floating PV systems

Abstract—Harnessing renewable energy from diverse sources is paramount for sustainable power systems. Recently, co-located floating PV (FPV) systems present an intriguing prospect in this context. These hybrid systems, blending hydro and solar power, may offer a more consistent electricity output and potential economic advantages. Yet, assessing their actual potential requires a comprehensive techno-economic assessment. In addition, probabilistic price forecasting has recently gained attention in electricity market because decisions based on such predictions can yield significantly higher profits than those made with point forecasts alone. To this end, this paper embarks on a journey to elucidate the electricity market potential of co-located hydro-FPV systems in a probabilistic fashion to investigate the technological merits and economic viability of co-located hydro-FPV under different market structures. Our preliminary findings suggest that LCOE and payback metrics are sensitive not only to different markets but also to different solar incentives. Concurrently, we also observe that the payback period is generally faster with a production tax credit (PTC) than an investment tax credit (ITC). This assessment serves as a cornerstone for understanding the future prospects of co-located hydro-FPV systems in modern electricity markets.

13 HYDRO ENERGY↗

Ejectable underwater sound source recovery assembly

An underwater sound source is described that may be ejectably mounted on any mobile device that travels over water, to facilitate in the location and recovery of the device when submerged. A length of flexible line maintains a connection between the mobile device and the sound source. During recovery, the sound source is located be particularly useful in the recovery of spent rocket motors that bury in the ocean floor upon impact.

Irick, S. C.↗

Contamination control and plume assessment of low-energy thrusters

A method for evaluating the effects of gases originating from plumes or other direct sources impinging on sensitive surfaces located within their field of view is presented. The method is applied to an Xe ion plasma generator with a thrust of a few mN located near a cryogenic surface. The method is based on experimentally derived plume descriptions of emitted low-pressure vented gases and test results of plume distributions from a similar ion engine. It is concluded that the plume of the Xe neutrals represented by a cosine squared function of the angle is a possible contamination source for certain surfaces of the spacecraft.

Scialdone, John J.↗

Dose conversion factors for absorbed dose in a mobile phone to absorbed dose in critical organs in an anthropomorphic phantom for emergency dosimetry applications: OSL and TL experimental results, and Monte Carlo simulations

Here, an anthropomorphic phantom was equipped with three smartphones and irradiated in five separate exposure geometries in air using a 137 Cs source. The phantom was fitted internally with thermoluminescence dosimeters (TLD-700 chips) to measure the absorbed dose to the individual organs, while the absorbed doses in the phones were evaluated using optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) from the phones’ surface mount resistors (SMRs), along with reference dosimeters, namely Luxel OSL films and TLD-700 chips. The results indicate a strong dependence on the phone location with respect to the source due to shielding and scattering from the body. Dose conversion factors were calculated for several plausible exposure scenarios in order to correlate the absorbed doses measured in the phones to the average body dose received by the phantom. The measured conversion factors were compared with calculated factors using MCNP6.2 Monte Carlo simulations and an ADAM voxel phantom. Experiments were conducted to assess how the phone orientation and angle impacts the dose received by the phone components. The overall results indicate that the doses measured can vary significantly depending upon exposure geometry (including phone position and angle). However, in rotational irradiation symmetry, the phone doses lead to an over-estimate of the average whole-body dose by an average of ~10%, independent of the phone locations tested in this study. This result, if confirmed in future studies, may be acceptable for triage.

61 RADIATION PROTECTION AND DOSIMETRY↗

Preliminary results of geologic and remote sensing studies of Rima Mozart

In order to better understand the processes responsible for the formation of lunar sinuous rilles, a study of Rima Mozart was conducted using a variety of geologic, photographic, and remote sensing data. The apparent source of this rille is located in a highlands unit of known composition and it is hypothesized that thermal and mechanical erosion played an important role in the formation of Rima Mozart. Excellent photographic, topographic, multispectral, and radar data exist for this rille. The preliminary results of an analysis of this data are presented. Photographic data indicates the presence of two volcanic source vents for Rima Mozart: Kathleen and Ann. It is suggested that Rima Mozart, like many other lunar sinuous rilles, was most likely formed by a combination of events. Rima Mozart does follow a pre-existing, dominant NW/SE structural trend suggesting the influence of structural features on the rille, however, the tectonic influence is not the sole source for the formation of the rille, as suggested by the presence of the two source vents and the spatter around Ann. It is suggested that the rille formation began with an explosive eruption at Kathleen which later calmed down to a pulsating, high volume, low-viscosity lava flow. The rapid effusion rate of the magma as well as its high temperature and turbid nature helped carve the sinuous rille into the fractured and structurally weak Apennine Bench Formation underneath. Similar eruptions and subsequent flows were also created at Ann and joined to the main channel by a NE-trending secondary rille.

Coombs, C. R.↗

High Temperature Test Facility At Scale Testing, Validation, and Demonstration

Theses slides will be used to brief the Tribal DOE and Council Chairman for the project listed below. The High Temperature Test Facility (HTTF) is a demonstration-scale high temperature electrolysis (HTE) system that provides the ability to produce, process, store, and dispense electrolytically produced hydrogen. The system will be designed to accommodate electrolysis systems from various industry partners. The HTTF will be supplied up to 10 MW of power for electrolysis at 5 separate test article locations, each up to 2MW. The system will include post-processing and compression, storage, and capabilities to provide hydrogen for consumption by future end users. The HTTF will also provide the ability to test and demonstrate an HTE system in a configuration that would simulate the use of a nuclear generated steam supply for the high temperature heat source. The HTTF will be located at the Central Facilities Area (CFA) adjacent to CFA-686 on the INL site, 45 miles west of Idaho Falls.

08 HYDROGEN↗

Observations of supernova remnants in the Large Magellanic Cloud with the Einstein Observatory

Consideration is given to the Large Magellanic Cloud (LMC), noting that above 2 keV, the X-ray luminosity of the LMC is dominated by emission from 3-5 point sources similar to the bright sources near the center of our own Galaxy. The imaging proportional counter aboard the Einstein Observatory has been used to locate about 40 X-ray sources in the LMC. Supernova remnants observed in the LMC are presented, noting X-ray position, X-ray counting rate, and radio flux. For the six brightest sources, X-ray spectra have been analyzed to determine temperatures and intrinsic luminosity corrected for the interstellar absorption. These data are compared for parameters for the young galactic remnant of Tycho's supernova. Attention is given to the ratio of X-ray luminosity to radio luminosity, and the data are discussed within the framework of the standard blast-wave theory. The results of applying the model to recorded observations are numerically presented. In addition to providing a sample of objects for investigations of supernova remnants, the data are applicable to studies of galaxies of other morphological types and individual objects, such as N49.

Helfand, D. J.↗

Laser measuring system for incremental assemblies

Wire-wrapped frame assemblies used in spark chambers and the like can be measured using a system which utilizes a laser, an interferometer, and a retroreflector to precisely measure distance. A light source and a photodetector are located adjacent the incremental assembly and mounted on a movable carriage. The interferometer is also mounted on the movable carriage, while the laser and retroreflector are positioned at either end of the carriage track. The carriage is moved along one edge of the incremental assembly between the retroreflector and the laser, and as the carriage is moved, the light from the light source to the photodetector is interrupted. This produces a trigger command to a control unit which in turn causes a distance measurement to be made. A printout is provided for each sampling trigger command to list such items as ideal position, actual position and amount of error.

Etzel, J. G.↗

INDUSTRY ENGAGEMENT TO ESTABLISH A ROBUST SECURITY APPROACH TO MOBILE RADIOACTIVE SOURCES

The mobile radiological sources used in the well-logging and radiography industries are of sufficient curie quantities to be categorized as desirable material for malicious actors. Beyond the security risk posed by these sources, there is also an understanding of the potential damage, both reputational and monetary, that a lost source would have on the licensee and the industry overall. Identifying and communicating the risk these sources pose with impacted stakeholders is a critical first step in developing a security approach. Common day-to-day operations within both industries drive the unique security challenge of mobile sources. From storage facilities, transportation vehicles, temporary storage locations, and use in the field, each phase creates challenges regarding source control and accountability. All aspects of the operational use of these sources needs to be fully understood in order to address security equipment enhancements, policies, procedures, and training. This paper will leverage more than ten years of experience that ORS has gained working closely with industry partners and mobile radiological source users across the well-logging and radiography industries. It will identify the risk posed by mobile radiological sources, clearly define the operational phases of each industry, identify security best practices of mobile sources, and discuss what long-term, sustainable security looks like within these industries. In addition, it will explore areas of a robust security approach that are not commonly given priority in these industries, such as alarm adjudication and response.

Office of Radiological Security↗

Analytical and Experimental Studies of Leak Location and Environment Characterization for the International Space Station

The International Space Station program is developing a robotically-operated leak locator tool to be used externally. The tool would consist of a Residual Gas Analyzer for partial pressure measurements and a full range pressure gauge for total pressure measurements. The primary application is to detect NH3 coolant leaks in the ISS thermal control system.An analytical model of leak plume physics is presented that can account for effusive flow as well as plumes produced by sonic orifices and thruster operations. This model is used along with knowledge of typical RGA and full range gauge performance to analyze the expected instrument sensitivity to ISS leaks of various sizes and relative locations (directionality).The paper also presents experimental results of leak simulation testing in a large thermal vacuum chamber at NASA Goddard Space Flight Center. This test characterized instrument sensitivity as a function of leak rates ranging from 1 lbmyr. to about 1 lbmday. This data may represent the first measurements collected by an RGA or ion gauge system monitoring off-axis point sources as a function of location and orientation. Test results are compared to the analytical model and used to propose strategies for on-orbit leak location and environment characterization using the proposed instrument while taking into account local ISS conditions and the effects of ramwake flows and structural shadowing within low Earth orbit.

Leak Locator↗

The illusive Geminga: What is it

The first unassociated gamma-ray source was discovered by SAS-2 in 1973 (Kniffen, et al., 1975) and later confirmed by COS-B (Bennett, et al., 1977). Followed the announcement, there were numerous attempts to find a counterpart, and many models were developed to explain the source. Now over fifteen years later this illusive source still remains as one of the major riddles of astrophysics. The question of why an object, which is able to emit such energetic photons is so well concealed at other wavelengths, still remains to be answered. The association with the Einstein source 1E 0630+178 is the most favored (Bignami, Caraveo, and Lamb, 1983), but this cannot be considered proven. The pulsar emission model of Ruderman and Cheng (1988) is appealing in its broad applicability, but awaits observational confirmation. The EGRET (Energetic Gamma-Ray Experimental Telescope) instrument on the Gamma-Ray Observatory provides a major improvement in observational capability to better define the location and spectrum of this source, and hopefully leads to a confident identification.

Kniffen, Donald A.↗

Global Distribution of Dust, Smoke, Volcanic Ash, and Pollutant Aerosols Seen from Space

New technique for observing aerosols from space, using ultraviolet (UV) wavelengths, have been developed during the past three years. The chief benefit from observing aerosols in the UV is that they are easily visible over both land and water. While there is presently more than one satellite that can observe aerosols in the UV, only Total Ozone Mapping Spectrometer (TOMS) has a long-term record (since 1979) and adequate spatial resolutions (50 to 100 km) to observe the seasonal and interannual variations, and to locate some of the land sources of dust, smoke, volcanic ash and sulfate pollutants. The data has been assembled into daily images of the atmospheric aerosol loading in terms of optical depth and UV transmittance. For the major sources of aerosols, it is common for at least 50% of the total UV to be absorbed underneath aerosol plumes. This is particularly true for the spectacular smoke plumes originating from the recent Indonesian and Mexican fires, as well as under the huge African dust plumes. The sulfate pollutants are mostly present in the Northern Hemisphere and are associated with regions of high industrial activity. The location and seasonal dependence of these aerosol plumes over Europe and North America will be contrasted with the relatively clean Southern Hemisphere. Because of the success of this technique, it has formed the basis for a new generation of space-borne aerosol detection instruments. These new instruments combine the UV observations with the more traditional visible-wavelength data to obtain a more comprehensive characterization of aerosols that is possible with either UV or visible techniques by themselves.

Herman, Jay R.↗

Assessing the link between aerosol mixing state, structure and composition and their optical properties: Ascension Island as a testbed for the South‐East Atlantic aerosol regimes

Forest and savanna fires are a major source of pollution over the globe. Such fire events emit to the atmosphere a considerable amount of “fluffy” fractal black looking particles that are often referred to as black carbon (BC) or soot aerosols. In fact, BC particles (aerosols) emitted from savanna and agricultural fires over the African continent play an important role in the region’s and the global climate. These fires occur each year between July and October, which is referred to as the biomass burning (BB) season and are considered among the globe's largest man-made emission sources of BC particles. However, during these fire events, not only BC particles are emitted, but also other types of particles and gases that can interact with each other to create new particles, generating a slew of particles often generally referred to as BB aerosols. Although the majority of the fire emissions occur inland in the sub-Saharan part of Africa, their effect reaches far beyond the continent due to the prevailing easterly winds, which transport those aerosols over the South-East Atlantic (SEA) ocean, off the west-coast of Africa. The reason why these particles are so important to the regional and global climate is that they absorb sunlight radiation, which overall warms the climate. However, the magnitude of this warming effect is highly uncertain and depends upon a multitude of aspects. Our overarching goal for this project was to better understand the changes in the aerosol properties as they transport from fire sources downstream toward the ocean and how this can eventually affect the earth's radiative budget in terms of warming or cooling. Following the above, our work here was focused on the investigation of the African BB aerosol plumes mixing state (mixing of BB aerosols and other aerosol types), composition and size distribution as they transport from the African continent towards the SEA ocean, and their link with some of the commonly measurable bulk optical properties such as mass absorption coefficient (MAC) and single scattering albedo (SSA). We utilized three field missions that were conducted over the SEA ocean between 2016 and 2018. Specifically, we used (1) ground-based measurements from the DOE ARM Mobile Facility (AMF1), which was deployed at Ascension Island (ASI) for the LASIC (Layered Atlantic Smoke Interactions with Clouds) campaign between June 2016 and October 2017, (2) airborne measurements from the UK CLARIFY (Clouds and Aerosol Radiative impacts and Forcing) campaign during Aug-Sep-2017, and (3) airborne measurements from the ORACLES (Observations of Aerosols above Clouds and their interactions) campaign during Aug-2017, and Sep-Oct-2018. The three campaigns cover a relatively large region, from the western African coast on the east towards Ascension Island in the middle of the SEA to the west. We used the data gathered by these campaigns to find how BB properties and composition change from near emission sources (the ORACLES campaign flights) downstream (the CLARIFY flights and the ground based LASIC measurements). We used particle trajectory following methodologies to connect the measurements from the different campaigns, which allowed us to follow a certain aerosol plume (airmass) from near-source towards Ascension Island. We found out that atmospheric aging processes governed by the UV light from the sun (photochemistry) and cloud processes (aqueous chemistry) govern the changes seen in the particle composition during the transport were more dominant in dictating aerosol composition than specific emission composition or source types. We assessed how aerosol optical properties change during the BB season and what are the main drivers of this change. We found that the enhanced ratio of BC to CO is well correlated with single scattering albedo (SSA) and mass absorption coefficient (MACBC), providing a simple way to estimate the aerosol optical characteristics in the south-eastern Atlantic Ocean. From the analysis of the location of BB, the primary source fuel, the water content in the fuel, combined with the mean cloud cover and precipitation in the transport areas of the BB plume, we conclude that the increase in BC/CO from June to August is likely to be caused by burning becoming more flaming (hot fires), and the decrease in BC/CO in September and October may be caused by smoldering (colder) fires. We found that aerosol hygroscopicity increases with decreasing altitude below 2km, and that enhanced BB hygroscopicity at lower altitudes is mainly due to a lower organic aerosol (OA) fraction, increased sulfate fraction, and greater hygroscopicity parameter of OA at lower altitudes.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗