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At least 1,531 records · Page 85

Hybrid Reynolds-Averaged/Large Eddy Simulation of the Flow in a Model SCRamjet Cavity Flameholder

Steady-state and scale-resolving simulations have been performed for flow in and around a model scramjet combustor flameholder. Experimental data available for this configuration include velocity statistics obtained from particle image velocimetry. Several turbulence models were used for the steady-state Reynolds-averaged simulations which included both linear and non-linear eddy viscosity models. The scale-resolving simulations used a hybrid Reynolds-averaged/large eddy simulation strategy that is designed to be a large eddy simulation everywhere except in the inner portion (log layer and below) of the boundary layer. Hence, this formulation can be regarded as a wall-modeled large eddy simulation. This e ort was undertaken to not only assess the performance of the hybrid Reynolds-averaged / large eddy simulation modeling approach in a flowfield of interest to the scramjet research community, but to also begin to understand how this capability can best be used to augment standard Reynolds-averaged simulations. The numerical errors were quantified for the steady-state simulations, and at least qualitatively assessed for the scale-resolving simulations prior to making any claims of predictive accuracy relative to the measurements. The steady-state Reynolds-averaged results displayed a high degree of variability when comparing the flameholder fuel distributions obtained from each turbulence model. This prompted the consideration of applying the higher-fidelity scale-resolving simulations as a surrogate "truth" model to calibrate the Reynolds-averaged closures in a non-reacting setting prior to their use for the combusting simulations. In general, the Reynolds-averaged velocity profile predictions at the lowest fueling level matched the particle imaging measurements almost as well as was observed for the non-reacting condition. However, the velocity field predictions proved to be more sensitive to the flameholder fueling rate than was indicated in the measurements.

Baurle, R. A.↗

High-Fidelity Velocity and Concentration Measurements of Turbulent Buoyant Jets

Accurate models of turbulent buoyant flows are essential for the design of the cooling circuit of nuclear reactors and passive safety systems. However, available models fail to fully capture the physics of turbulent mixing when buoyancy becomes predominant with respect to momentum. Therefore, high-fidelity experiments of well-controlled fundamental flows are needed to develop and validate more accurate models. We analyze experiments of positive and negative turbulent buoyant jets, both in uniform and stratified environments, with the aim of understanding the thermal hydraulics of turbulent mixing with variable density and providing high-fidelity data for the development and validation of turbulence models. Non-intrusive, simultaneous particle image velocimetry and laser-induced fluorescence measurements were carried out to acquire instantaneous velocity and concentration fields on a vertical section parallel to the axis of a jet in the self-similar region. The refractive index matching method was applied to measure high-resolution buoyant jets with up to 8.6% density difference. These data are free of the typical errors that characterize optical measurements of buoyancy-driven flows (e.g. natural and mixed convection) where the refractive index of the fluid is inhomogeneous throughout the measurement domain. Turbulent statistics and entrainment of buoyant jets in uniform and stratified environments are presented. These data are compared with non-buoyant jets in a uniform environment, as a reference to investigate the effects of buoyancy and stratification on turbulent mixing. The results will be used for the assessment of current turbulence models and as a basis for the development of a new model that captures turbulent mixing.

laser induced fluorescence↗

Measuring global monopole velocities, one by one

We present an estimation of the average velocity of a network of global monopoles in a cosmological setting using large numerical simulations. In order to obtain the value of the velocity, we improve some already known methods, and present a new one. This new method estimates individual global monopole velocities in a network, by means of detecting each monopole position in the lattice and following the path described by each one of them. Using our new estimate we can settle an open question previously posed in the literature: velocity-dependent one-scale (VOS) models for global monopoles predict two branches of scaling solutions, one with monopoles moving at subluminal speeds and one with monopoles moving at luminal speeds. Previous attempts to estimate monopole velocities had large uncertainties and were not able to settle that question. Our simulations find no evidence of a luminal branch. We also estimate the values of the parameters of the VOS model. With our new method we can also study the microphysics of the complicated dynamics of individual monopoles. Finally we use our large simulation volume to compare the results from the different estimator methods, as well as to asses the validity of the numerical approximations made.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

Synthetic observables for electron-capture supernovae and low-mass core collapse supernovae

Stars in the mass range from 8 M ⊙ to 10 M⊙ are expected to produce one of two types of supernovae (SNe), either electron-capture supernovae (ECSNe) or core-collapse supernovae (CCSNe), depending on their previous evolution. Either of the associated progenitors retain extended and massive hydrogen-rich envelopes and the observables of these SNe are, therefore, expected to be similar. In this study, we explore the differences in these two types of SNe. Specifically, we investigate three different progenitor models: a solar-metallicity ECSN progenitor with an initial mass of 8.8 M ⊙ , a zero-metallicity progenitor with 9.6 M ⊙ , and a solar-metallicity progenitor with 9 M ⊙ , carrying out radiative transfer simulations for these progenitors. Here, we present the resulting light curves for these models. The models exhibit very low photospheric velocity variations of about 2000 km s -1 ; therefore, this may serve as a convenient indicator of low-mass SNe. The ECSN has very unique light curves in broad-bands, especially the U band, and does not resemble any currently observed SN. This ECSN progenitor being part of a binary will lose its envelope for which reason the light curve becomes short and undetectable. The SN from the 9.6 M ⊙ progenitor exhibits also quite an unusual light curve, explained by the absence of metals in the initial composition. The artificially iron-polluted 9.6 M ⊙ model demonstrates light curves closer to normal SNe IIP. The SN from the 9 M ⊙ progenitor remains the best candidate for so-called low-luminosity SNe IIP like SN 1999br and SN 2005cs.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

Ducted fan acoustic radiation including the effects of nonuniform mean flow and acoustic treatment

Forward and aft acoustic propagation and radiation from a ducted fan is modeled using a finite element discretization of the acoustic field equations. The fan noise source is introduced as equivalent body forces representing distributed blade loading. The flow in and around the nacelle is assumed to be nonuniform, reflecting the effects of forward flight and flow into the inlet. Refraction due to the fan exit jet shear layer is not represented. Acoustic treatment on the inlet and exhaust duct surfaces provides a mechanism for attenuation. In a region enclosing the fan a pressure formulation is used with the assumption of locally uniform flow. Away from the fan a velocity potential formulation is used and the flow is assumed nonuniform but irrotational. A procedure is developed for matching the two regions by making use of local duct modal amplitudes as transition state variables and determining the amplitudes by enforcing natural boundary conditions at the interface between adjacent regions in which pressure and velocity potential are used. Simple models of rotor alone and rotor/exit guide vane generated noise are used to demonstrate the calculation of the radiated acoustic field and to show the effect of acoustic treatment. The model has been used to assess the success of four techniques for acoustic lining optimization in reducing far field noise.

Eversman, Walter↗

Comparing Velocity Profiles Along the Rod Length of a Helical Coil Steam Generator Model

A model of a specific type of tube and shell heat exchanger, the helical coil steam generator (HCSG), was designed and constructed to study multiple fluidic properties that attribute to the efficiency of the heat transfer it provides. Tube and shell heat exchangers are currently used throughout industry in chemical, power and petroleum engineering. Most commonly, a primary flow is circulated through a shell, while the secondary flow is run through several small tubes that are bundled together. Methods to increase the heat transfer between the two flows include adding baffles to force shell side flow over more tubes, fins added in-between layers of tubes and passing tubes multiple times through the shell to increase heat exchanger effectiveness. The HCSG incorporates many of the proposed methods but also relies on a complex geometry to increase the heat transfer between tube and shell side flow. In an area where cost effectiveness is favorable, such as inside a nuclear reactor, helically banked steam generators makes extensive use of the room with no sharp tube bends. This increases the pressure loss on the secondary flow and can solve potential temperature manufacturing issues at the welds of junctions. Additionally, they have exhibited pure cross flow behaviors with high heat transfer coefficients and axial temperature profiles that correspond to pure counter-flow with high mean temperature differences. Early work showed that helical banks can have a significant increase of 16 to 43% higher heat transfer coefficient than straight pipe heat exchangers. While many previous studies have looked at the heat transfer, pressure drop and flow fields of a tube and shell heat exchanger, they all focus on tube bundles that are either in-line or staggered. The early flow visualization studies on these types of bundle arrangements reported that attached eddies were formed alternatively behind each of the rods and were occasionally dragged into the main stream of shell side flow. Later studies suggested that observable periodic vortex shedding was dependent on geometry. Experimental data taken using techniques such as laser Doppler anemometry (LDV) by Simonin and Barcouda (1986) as mentioned in Hassan (2002), hot-wire anemometry with Tsuchida (1982) and particle image velocimetry (PIV) conducted by researchers as late as 2007 have been used to characterize turbulent flow and distinguish flow field structures within in-line and staggered tube bundles. By studying these flow field structures, their contribution to fluidic properties such as heat transfer efficiency and pressure drop can be characterized effectively. Literature review lead to a design that incorporated five layers of coils wrapped around one another. The outermost and middle layers of tubes coiled at a specific pitch in a clockwise direction while the other two layers coiled counterclockwise. The proposed design incorporates a constantly changing lateral pitch ratio, a, between adjacent rods. The constructed test section isolates a single interface between two adjacent coiling rod bundles of twelve rods. Three distinct cross sectional planes along the rod bundles were looked at to study the effect of the local geometry to flow fields, Section A, B and C. Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV) frames of 896 x 848 pixels were captured at each section across a specific height. Profiles of mean velocity fields for each section are compared and discussed as possible features of the changing lateral pitch ratio.

22 GENERAL STUDIES OF NUCLEAR REACTORS↗

Laser pulse-length dependent ablation and shock generation in silicon at 5 × 10 14 W/ cm 2 intensities

The effect of laser pulse duration on energy coupling into a planar silicon target is investigated in experiments at the OMEGA-EP facility by varying the laser pulse length τ —spanning 3 orders of magnitude from 100 ps to 10 ns—while maintaining a constant peak laser intensity, I 0 = 5 × 10 14 W/ cm 2 . In theoretical models, the ablation pressure primarily scales for a given material with laser intensity and wavelength, which are all fixed variables here, allowing us to explore the specific role of laser pulse duration. Two-dimensional radiation-hydrodynamics simulations benchmarked with optical probing of the expanding plasma show that the pulse duration is critical for the ablation pressure to reach a steady state. Moreover, the pulse duration impacts shock decay and multiple wave effects, which strongly dictate the evolving shock profile that propagates within the laser-shocked target as ultimately measured by rear-surface diagnostics. The shock velocities inferred from the theoretical model, after considering shock decay, impedance matching, and shock Hugoniot, are found to be in good agreement with velocimetry measurements. However, discrepancies are observed with simulations for the shorter (0.1 ns) and longer (10 ns) pulse durations, which are respectively attributed to unaccounted contributions of kinetic absorption mechanisms and instabilities in simulations. Published by the American Physical Society 2024

Bailly-Grandvaux, M. (ORCID:0000000175294013)↗

Impact-generated atmospheres over Titan, Ganymede, and Callisto

The current distribution of atmospheres among Ganymede, Titan, and Callisto are presently accounted for by a process of competition between impact erosion and impact-furnished supply of atmosphile-laden late veneers. Titan's lower impact velocities have allowed it to accommodate an atmosphere, while Callisto and Ganymede remain barren. The model applied entails that the threshold impact velocity for atmospheric cratering by icy impactors be in the 10-14 km/sec range, consistent with the implications of the Schmidt and Housen (1987) crater-energy scaling for nonporous targets.

Zahnle, Kevin↗

Dominant Controls on Preferential Flow and Their Implications for Future Soil Water Fluxes

Abstract Soil water flow, particularly preferential flow (PF), is a critical control on hydrological and biogeochemical processes, including groundwater recharge, contaminant transport, and carbon cycling. However, it remains challenging to predict PF occurrence across large environmental gradients. Here, we developed a deep learning (DL) model to estimate event‐scale soil water flow velocity and the probability of PF occurrence using high‐frequency soil moisture and precipitation data from 33 sites across the National Ecological Observatory Network. The model demonstrated high skill in predicting the binary occurrence of PF (91% F1‐score; 85% accuracy) but the performance was limited in predicting soil water velocity ( R 2 = 0.31). We found that precipitation characteristics (duration, volume, and intensity) were the most important predictors for soil water velocity. Among the non‐precipitation event variables, sand content showed relatively high predictive skill, though differences among non‐event climate variables were generally modest. Lower sand content was associated with increased predicted soil water velocity, a finding that highlights the role of soil structure in producing more non‐uniform flow, which contrasts with traditional uniform flow models. Projecting a reduced DL model under both moderate and high‐emissions future climate scenarios (2060–2099 Representative Concentration Pathways 4.5 and 8.5), we found ∼7.3% increase under RCP4.5 and ∼15% under RCP8.5 of soil water velocities compared to the historical simulation, while modeled likelihood of PF changed little. These findings suggest climate change is not making PF more frequent, but it is making existing PF pathways more efficient with important consequences for associated nutrient and contaminant transport under climate change. Plain Language Summary Water movement in soil is critical for water quality. While often modeled as a uniform flow process, in reality water moves rapidly through cracks and burrows in what is called “preferential flow” (PF), which limits natural filtration and can transport pollutants. We developed a deep learning model, trained on data from 33 U.S. sites, to predict when and how fast this PF occurs based on precipitation, soil, and climate data. The model showed that precipitation characteristics (duration, intensity, volume) were the most important predictors of PF. Lower soil sand content/higher clay content was associated with faster water flow, likely due to clay soils forming aggregates and cracks that water moves through rather than infiltrating uniformly. Further analyses based on climate projections suggest that the speed at which PF occurs will become more rapid under future climate scenarios compared to historical simulation. This highlights the need to represent PF in soil water models when assessing future water quality. Key Points The effect of precipitation peak intensity on soil water velocities declined with increasing precipitation intensity Antecedent soil moisture failed to predict preferential flow (PF), contrasting the high predictive power of sand content Climate predictions suggest that soil water velocities through PF paths will increase ∼15% by 2099

Li, Bonan↗

NEW LIMITS ON THERMALLY ANNIHILATING DARK MATTER FROM NEUTRINO TELESCOPES

We used a consistent and robust solar model to obtain upper limits placed by neutrino telescopes, such as IceCube and Super-Kamiokande, on the dark matter-nucleon scattering cross-section, for a general model of dark matter with a velocity dependent (p -wave) thermally averaged cross-section. In this picture, the Boltzmann equation for the dark matter abundance is numerically solved, satisfying the dark matter density measured from the cosmic microwave background. We show that for lower cross-sections and higher masses, the dark matter annihilation rate drops sharply, resulting in upper bounds on the scattering cross-section that are one order of magnitude above those derived from a velocity independent (s -wave) annihilation cross-section. Our results show that upper limits on the scattering cross-section obtained from dark matter annihilating in the Sun are sensible to the uncertainty in current standard solar models, fluctuating by a maximum of 20% depending on the annihilation channel.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

Model of non-stationary, inhomogeneous turbulence

Here, we compare results from a spectral model for non-stationary, inhomogeneous turbulence (Besnard et al. in Theor Comp Fluid Dyn 8:1–35, 1996) with direct numerical simulation (DNS) data of a shear-free mixing layer (SFML) (Tordella et al. in Phys Rev E 77:016309, 2008). The SFML is used as a test case in which the efficacy of the model closure for the physical-space transport of the fluid velocity field can be tested in a flow with inhomogeneity, without the additional complexity of mean-flow coupling. The model is able to capture certain features of the SFML quite well for intermediate to long times, including the evolution of the mixing-layer width and turbulent kinetic energy. At short-times, and for more sensitive statistics such as the generation of the velocity field anisotropy, the model is less accurate. We propose two possible causes for the discrepancies. The first is the local approximation to the pressure-transport and the second is the a priori spherical averaging used to reduce the dimensionality of the solution space of the model, from wavevector to wavenumber space. DNS data are then used to gauge the relative importance of both possible deficiencies in the model.

42 ENGINEERING↗

Tests of Five Metal Model Propellers with Various Pitch Distributions in a Free Wind Stream and in Combination with Model VE-7 Fuselage

This report describes the tests of five adjustable blade metal model propellers both in a free wind stream and in combination with a model fuselage with stub wings. The propellers are of the same form and cross section but have variations in radial distributions of pitch. By making a survey of the radial distribution of air velocity through the propeller plane of the model fuselage it was found that this velocity varies from zero at the hub center to approximately free stream velocity at the blade tip. The tests show that the efficiency of a propeller when operating in the presence of the airplane is, over the working range, generally less than when operating in a free wind stream, but that a propeller with a radial distribution of pitch of the same nature as the radial distribution of air velocity through the propeller plane suffers the smallest loss in efficiency.

Lesley, E P↗

Scaling of the detonation product state with reactant kinetic energy

Chemical explosives provide one of the most high-power and energy-dense storage materials available. During detonation, transfer of this energy to adjacent materials is governed by the detonation product equation of state. No accurate methodology exists for prediction of this thermodynamic relationship and equation-of-state data continues to be experimentally characterized for each new formulation or charge density. Here we present a universal detonation product equation of state derived from several newly discovered empirical correlations in prior condensed-phase detonation product measurements. This model depends only on initial charge density and detonation velocity as inputs, dramatically simplifying the calibration process relative to existing models, which require measurement of up to seven formulation-specific parameters. This new result implies the product energy density scales with reactant kinetic energy density, which is the product of the explosive initial density and detonation velocity squared, for all condensed-phase energetic materials and that explosive microstructural or chemical details only influence the product energy density though these two parameters.

25 ENERGY STORAGE↗

Real-Time State Estimation of Structural Modes for an Aeroelastic Wind Tunnel Model

A method is presented for estimating displacements, velocities, and accelerations of structural modes in generalized coordinates from measured sensor data in real time. Specifically, strain data from conventional strain gauges and fiber optic strain sensors (FOSS) were combined with the strain modes (obtained from a finite element model) in a least-squares estimator to produce structural mode displacement estimates and uncertainties. Likewise, accelerometer data were combined with displacement mode shapes in a second least-squares estimator to produce structural mode acceleration estimates. A Kalman filter was then used to refine the displacement estimates and obtain velocity estimates. The method was applied to the half-span wind tunnel test article used in the NASA-Boeing collaboration called the Integrated Adaptive Wing Technology Maturation (IAWTM) project. The technique was found to be useful for real-time control and system identification applications.

Jared A. Grauer↗

Uncertainty Quantification Enabled by Automatic Differentiation for Hydrodynamic Simulation of Shock‐to‐Detonation Transition in High Explosives

Quantifying the effects of uncertainty in a reactive burn model on the run-to-detonation time in high explosives (HEs) provides a robust methodology for assessing the probability of an HE failing the IHE qualification standard. Moreover, uncertainty quantification helps evaluate whether the model calibration accurately represents data outside the calibration set. This study uses a specialized hydrodynamic simulation code for modeling detonation to determine the run-to-detonation time of the HE PBX 9502 for various impact velocities. To quickly approximate uncertainties in the model, a surrogate was constructed using a Taylor series expansion centered at the mean of the input parameters. To obtain the sensitivities required for constructing the Taylor series, HYP-percomplex Automatic Differentiation (HYPAD) was implemented. HYPAD is a methodology for infusing existing codes with automatic differentiation capabilities by augmenting variables with one or more imaginary units to compute step-size independent partial derivatives. These derivatives are accurate to machine precision with respect to the implemented numerical algorithm, meaning their accuracy reflects that of the underlying method (e.g., integration or discretization schemes). Using reduced order modeling techniques, the mean and standard deviation of the run-to-detonation time of a shock within PBX 9502 were computed for a number of initial impact velocities. A weighted least squares regression was then performed to obtain a best fit curve and prediction interval for the computed statistics. Historical data points from explosively driven wedge tests were utilized to validate the prediction interval, ensuring its reliability in predicting future outcomes. With this prediction interval and a known safety constraint curve, the most probable point of failure and the probability of failure for the HE PBX 9502 were determined.

97 MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTING↗

Plate motion in sheared granular fault system

Plate motion near the fault gouge layer, and the elastic interplay between the gouge layer and the plate under stick-slip conditions, is key to understanding the dynamics of sheared granular fault systems. Here, a two-dimensional implementation of the combined finite-discrete element method (FDEM), which merges the finite element method (FEM) and the discrete element method (DEM), is used to explicitly simulate a sheared granular gouge fault system. In this work we focus on investigating the influence of normal load, driving shear velocity and plate stiffness on the velocities and displacements in the direction parallel to the shear direction (x-direction) measured at locations on the upper and lower plates just adjacent to the gouge. The simulations show that during slip phases the magnitudes of the measured velocities on the upper and lower plates are proportional to the normal load and may be inversely proportional to the square root of the plate's shear modulus. Whereas, the driving shear velocity does not show distinct influence on the measured velocities. Additionally, large slip velocities are generally associated with large macroscopic friction coefficient drops. For the models subjected to smaller normal loads, larger shear velocities and with stiffer shear plates, the same magnitude of slip velocity could cause a larger drop of macroscopic friction coefficient. During stick phases, the velocities of the upper and lower plates are respectively slightly greater and slightly smaller than half of the driving shear velocity and are both in the same direction of shear. The shear strain rate of the gouge is calculated from this velocity difference between the upper and lower plate during stick phases and thus the gouge effective shear modulus can be calculated. The results show that the gouge effective shear modulus increases proportionally with normal load, while the influence of shear velocity and plate stiffness on gouge effective shear modulus is minor. The simulations address the dynamics of a laboratory-scale fault gouge system and may aid in revealing the complexities of earthquake frictional dynamics.

58 GEOSCIENCES↗

CFD-DEM modeling the effect of column size and bed height on minimum fluidization velocity in micro fluidized beds with Geldart B particles

The fluidization behavior of Geldart B particles in micro fluidized beds is investigated numerically using Computational Fluid Dynamics coupled with Discrete Element Method (CFD-DEM) available in the open-source Multiphase Flow with Interphase eXchanges (MFIX) code. The effects of different bed inner diameters (D) of 8 mm, 12 mm, 16 mm and various initial static bed heights (H) were examined. It is found that both decreasing the column diameter and increasing the bed height in a micro fluidized bed increases the minimum fluidization velocity (Umf). The observed overshoot in pressure drop that occurs before the onset of fluidization decreases in magnitude with increasing column diameter, however there is less sensitivity to bed height. Overall, the numerical results agree qualitatively with existing theoretical correlations and experimental studies. The simulations show that both column diameter and particle-wall friction contribute to the variation in minimum fluidization velocity. Finally, these two factors are coupled and hard to separate. The detailed influences of wall friction on minimum fluidization velocity are then investigated for a prescribed column diameter of 8 mm by varying the wall friction from 0 to 0.4.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗

Information-theoretic astrophysical uncertainties in the effective theory of dark matter direct detection

The impact of astrophysical uncertainties in direct detection searches can vary significantly across particle dark matter models and detector targets, due to the different velocity and momentum dependencies of the scattering cross section. We address these uncertainties for all operators of the nonrelativistic effective field theory of dark-matter/nucleon interactions, making use of the Kullback-Leibler (KL) information divergence to measure the deviation of the true dark matter velocity distribution from the Maxwell-Boltzmann form. This approach quantifies how astrophysical uncertainties affect each operator in the effective theory, without assuming any specific functional form for the velocity distribution. While for some operators the uncertainties are smaller than 1 order of magnitude for entropically motivated deviations from the Maxwell-Boltzmann form, for other operators, these uncertainties can be as large as three orders of magnitude near threshold. Furthermore, we identify the dependence of the scattering rate for various operators of the effective theory with different velocity-weighted moments of the velocity distribution, functionally analogous to the mean, variance, or skewness. This provides new analytic insight into which features of the velocity distribution are most relevant to detect a given particle dark matter model. Our technique is general and could be applied to a broader class of physics problems where a physical observable depends on the statistical moments of an uncertain theoretical distribution.

Herrera, Gonzalo [MIT, MKI; Harvard U.; Virginia T↗