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At least 1,783 records · Page 99

A Polytropic Approximation of Compressible Flow in Pipes With Friction

This paper demonstrates the usefulness of treating subsonic Fanno flow (adiabatic flow, with friction, of a perfect gas in a constant-area pipe) as a polytropic process. It is shown that the polytropic model allows an explicit equation for mass flow rate to be developed. The concept of the energy transfer ratio is used to develop a close approximation to the polytropic index. Explicit equations for mass flow rate and net expansion factor in terms of upstream properties and pressure ratio are developed for Fanno and isothermal flows. An approximation for choked flow is also presented. Here, the deviation of the results of this polytropic approximation from the values obtained from a traditional gas dynamics analysis of subsonic Fanno flow is quantified and discussed, and a typical design engineering problem is analyzed using the new method.

42 ENGINEERING↗

Introduction to study and simulation of low rate video coding schemes

During this period, the development of simulators for the various HDTV systems proposed to the FCC were developed. These simulators will be tested using test sequences from the MPEG committee. The results will be extrapolated to HDTV video sequences. Currently, the simulator for the compression aspects of the Advanced Digital Television (ADTV) was completed. Other HDTV proposals are at various stages of development. A brief overview of the ADTV system is given. Some coding results obtained using the simulator are discussed. These results are compared to those obtained using the CCITT H.261 standard. These results in the context of the CCSDS specifications are evaluated and some suggestions as to how the ADTV system could be implemented in the NASA network are made.

Source record↗

On the merging cluster Abell 578 and its central radio galaxy 4C+67.13

Here we analyze radio, optical, and X-ray data for the peculiar cluster Abell 578. This cluster is not fully relaxed and consists of two merging sub-systems. The brightest cluster galaxy (BCG), CGPG 0719.8+6704, is a pair of interacting ellipticals with projected separation ∼10 kpc, the brighter of which hosts the radio source 4C+67.13. The Fanaroff–Riley type-II radio morphology of 4C+67.13 is unusual for central radio galaxies in local Abell clusters. Our new optical spectroscopy revealed that both nuclei of the CGPG 0719.8+6704 pair are active, albeit at low accretion rates corresponding to the Eddington ratio ∼10{sup −4} (for the estimated black hole masses of ∼3×10{sup 8} M{sub ⊙} and ∼10{sup 9} M{sub ⊙}). The gathered X-ray (Chandra) data allowed us to confirm and to quantify robustly the previously noted elongation of the gaseous atmosphere in the dominant sub-cluster, as well as a large spatial offset (∼60 kpc projected) between the position of the BCG and the cluster center inferred from the modeling of the X-ray surface brightness distribution. Detailed analysis of the brightness profiles and temperature revealed also that the cluster gas in the vicinity of 4C+67.13 is compressed (by a factor of about ∼1.4) and heated (from ≃2.0 keV up to 2.7 keV), consistent with the presence of a weak shock (Mach number ∼1.3) driven by the expanding jet cocoon. This would then require the jet kinetic power of the order of ∼10{sup 45} erg s{sup −1}, implying either a very high efficiency of the jet production for the current accretion rate, or a highly modulated jet/accretion activity in the system.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

A comprehensive combustion chemistry study of 2,5-dimethylhexane

Iso-paraffinic molecular structures larger than seven carbon atoms in chain length are commonly found in conventional petroleum, Fischer–Tropsch (FT), and other alternative hydrocarbon fuels, but little research has been done on their combustion behavior. Recent studies have focused on either mono-methylated alkanes and/or highly branched compounds (e.g., 2,2,4-trimethylpentane). In order to better understand the combustion characteristics of real fuels, this study presents new experimental data for the oxidation of 2,5-dimethylhexane under a wide variety of temperature, pressure, and equivalence ratio conditions. This new dataset includes jet stirred reactor speciation, shock tube ignition delay, and rapid compression machine ignition delay, which builds upon recently published data for counterflow flame ignition, extinction, and speciation profiles. The low and high temperature oxidation of 2,5-dimethylhexane has been simulated with a comprehensive chemical kinetic model developed using established reaction rate rules. The agreement between the model and data is presented, along with suggestions for improving model predictions. The oxidation behavior of 2,5-dimethylhexane is compared with oxidation of other octane isomers to confirm the effects of branching on low and intermediate temperature fuel reactivity. Finally, the model is used to elucidate the structural features and reaction pathways responsible for inhibiting the reactivity of 2,5-dimethylhexane.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Dynamic analysis of concentrated solar supercritical CO2-based power generation closed-loop cycle

Here, the dynamic behavior of a concentrated solar power (CSP) supercritical CO 2 cycle is studied under different seasonal conditions. The system analyzed is composed of a central receiver, hot and cold thermal energy storage units, a heat exchanger, a recuperator, and multi-stage compression-expansion subsystems with intercoolers and reheaters between compressors and turbines respectively. Energy models for each component of the system are developed in order to optimize operating and design parameters such as mass flow rate, intermediate pressures and the effective area of the recuperator to lead to maximum efficiency. Our results show that the parametric optimization leads the system to a process efficiency of about 21 % and a maximum power output close to 1.5 MW. The thermal energy storage allows the system to operate for several hours after sunset. This operating time is approximately increased from 220 to 480 minutes after optimization. The hot and cold thermal energy storage also lessens the temperature fluctuations by providing smooth changes of temperatures at the turbines and compressors inlets. Our results indicate that concentrated solar systems using supercritical CO 2 could be a viable alternative to satisfying energy needs in desert areas with scarce water and fossil fuel resources.

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗

A cavitation and dynamic void growth model for a general class of strain-softening amorphous materials

In this work, we derive a homogenized framework for cavitation and dynamic void growth in a general class of strain-softening materials with particular emphasis on amorphous materials. Analytic solutions are derived by considering an assemblage of spherical shells subject to dynamic hydrostatic tensile pressure. The isochoric response of the matrix material is captured by a free volume theory based amorphous viscoplasticity model. The framework accounts for the coupled rate-dependent, strain-softening behavior typically exhibited in amorphous materials. Validation of the homogenized theory is carried out against numerous direct numerical simulations with excellent agreement. Furthermore, we find that a reduction in cavitation strength and significant acceleration of dynamic void growth rates is induced as a consequence of strain-softening in the amorphous matrix material. Lastly, the model is utilized to interpret some non-intuitive experimental observations of amorphous materials subject to shock compression and subsequent spall failure.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Integrated-fin gasket for palm cubic-anvil high pressure apparatus

We described an integrated-fin gasket technique for the palm cubic-anvil apparatus specialized for the high-pressure and low-temperature measurements. By using such a gasket made from the semi-sintered MgO ceramics and the tungsten-carbide anvils of 2.5 mm square top, we successfully generate pressures over 16 GPa at both room and cryogenic temperatures down to 0.5 K. We observed a pressure self-increment for this specific configuration and further characterized the thermally induced pressure variation by monitoring the antiferromagnetic transition temperature of chromium up to 12 GPa. In addition to enlarge the pressure capacity, such a modified gasket also improves greatly the surviving rate of electrical leads hanging the sample inside a Teflon capsule filled with the liquid pressure-transmitting medium. These improvements should be attributed to the reduced extrusion of gasket materials during the initial compression.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

MemGaze: Rapid and Effective Load-Level Memory Trace Analysis

A major challenge of memory analysis tools is combining high-resolution analysis and low overhead measurement. Currently, hardware/software-based analysis of load-level sequences incurs time slowdowns of O(100×). We present MemGaze, a tool for low-overhead, high-resolution memory analysis. MemGaze uses Intel’s Processor Tracing (PT) instruction ptwrite to collect sampled and compressed memory address traces for load-level, sequence-aware analysis of data reuse. We describe multi-resolution analysis for locations vs. operations, accesses vs. spatio-temporal reuse, and reuse (distance, rate, volume) vs. access patterns. Both trace size and resolution are controllable. We use MemGaze to elucidate the memory effects of different data structures and algorithms. For sampled traces that are ˜1% of a full one, analysis metrics have 1-25% MAPE for histograms of varying dynamic sequence lengths. With current suboptimal kernel support (PT runs continuously), MemGaze’s time overhead is typically 10–95%; 7× at worst. However, when PT runs only during samples, overhead is 10–35% on memory intensive regions and correlates with executed ptwrites.

Kilic, Ozgur O.↗

Compressive sensing for nuclear security

Special nuclear material (SNM) detection has applications in nuclear material control, treaty verification, and national security. The neutron and gamma-ray radiation signature of SNMs can be indirectly observed in scintillator materials, which fluoresce when exposed to this radiation. A photomultiplier tube (PMT) coupled to the scintillator material is often used to convert this weak fluorescence to an electrical output signal. The fluorescence produced by a neutron interaction event differs from that of a gamma-ray interaction event, leading to a slightly different pulse in the PMT output signal. The ability to distinguish between these pulse types, i.e., pulse shape discrimination (PSD), has enabled applications such as neutron spectroscopy, neutron scatter cameras, and dual-mode neutron/gamma-ray imagers. In this research, we explore the use of compressive sensing to guide the development of novel mixed-signal hardware for PMT output signal acquisition. Effectively, we explore smart digitizers that extract sufficient information for PSD while requiring a considerably lower sample rate than conventional digitizers. Given that we determine the feasibility of realizing these designs in custom low-power analog integrated circuits, this research enables the incorporation of SNM detection into wireless sensor networks.

11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS↗

Development of Novel Carbon Sorbents for CO 2 Capture

An innovative, low-cost, and low-energy-consuming carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) capture technology was developed, based on CO 2 adsorption on a high-capacity and durable carbon sorbent. This report describes the (1) performance of the concept on a bench-scale system; (2) results of parametric tests to determine the optimum operating conditions; (3) results of the testing with a flue gas from coal-fired boilers; and (4) evaluation of the technical and economic viability of the technology. The process uses a falling bed of carbon sorbent microbeads to separate the flue gas into two streams: a CO 2 -lean flue gas stream from which > 90% of the CP 2 is removed and a pure stream of CO 2 that is ready for compression and sequestration. The carbo sorbent microbeads have several unique properties such as high CO 2 capacity, low heat of adsorption and desorption (25 to 28 kJ/mole), mechanically robust, and rapid adsorption and desorption rates.

20 FOSSIL-FUELED POWER PLANTS↗

CMS High Granularity Calorimeter ECON-D ASIC overview and radiation testing results

The Compact Muon Solenoid (CMS) Experiment’s High Granularity Calorimeter (HGCAL) upgrade replaces the CMS electromagnetic and hadronic endcap calorimeters in preparation for the high-rate and high-radiation environment of the High Luminosity LHC. To effectively use the over 6 million channels of this highly-segmented “imaging” calorimeter, CMS is pioneering very front-end data compression with the Endcap Concentrator (ECON) ASICs – the ECON-T for the trigger path and the ECON-D for the data path. These 65 nm CMOS ASICs are radiation tolerant (200 Mrad) and low-power (< 2.5 mW/channel). In June 2023, we received the first full-functionality prototype of the data path concentrator ASIC, the ECON-D-P1. This talk will present an overview of the ECON-D-P1, summarize functionality and system testing, and present results from both Total Ionizing Dose (TID) and Single Event Effect (SEE) testing campaigns completed in summer 2023, validating the ECON-D radiation tolerant performance.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗

High-temperature, low-cycle fatigue of advanced copper-base alloys for rocket nozzles. Part 2: NASA 1.1, Glidcop, and sputtered copper alloys

Short-term tensile and low-cycle fatigue data are reported for five advance copper-base alloys: Sputtered Zr-Cu as received, sputtered Zr-Cu heat-treated, Glidcop AL-10, and NASA alloys 1-1A and 1-1B. Tensile tests were performed in argon at 538 C using an axial strain rate of 0.002/sec. Yield strength and ultimate tensile strength data are reported along with reduction in area values. Axial strain controlled low-cycle fatigue tests were performed in argon at 538C using an axial strain rate of 0.002/sec to define the fatigue life over the range from 100 to 3000 cycles for the five materials studied. It was found that the fatigue characteristics of the NASA 1-1A and NASA 1-1B compositions are identical and represent fatique life values which are much greater than those for the other materials tested. The effect of temperature on NASA 1-1B alloy at a strain rate of 0.002/sec was evaluated along with the effect of strain rates of 0.0004 and 0.01/sec at 538 C. Hold-time data are reported for the NASA 1-1B alloy at 538 C using 5 minute hold periods in tension only and compression only at two different strain range values. Hold periods in tension were much more detrimental than hold periods in compression.

Conway, J. B.↗

Experiments to evaluate high-temperature rolling as a low-cost process for silicon solar cells

Mechanical rolling (a process used in industry for producing large quantities of metallic sheet and strip) has been suggested for the rapid low-cost manufacture of silicon sheet to be used for photovoltaic power generation equipment, such as solar arrays. The advantages of rolling include: high rates of production, wide sheets as products, good control of dimension, and (in the case of solar grade silicon) minimal development of impurities. Experiments have been performed using high-temperature, high-speed compression of polycrystalline silicon cylinders. Metallography and X-ray diffraction techniques have been used to examine the samples both before and after compression, and a model process has been designed to evaluate the technical practicality and economic feasibility of the method.

Noel, G. T.↗

Theory of bubble dynamics in condensed explosive during start-up transient

Test firings with experimental liquid propellant gun systems indicate that the main concern standing in the way of practical application of LPG's is the possibility of unexpected explosions during start up when pressure is rapidly applied to the liquid monopropellant in the chamber. The phenomenon of many collapse-rebound cycles of imploding bubbles is theorized as the probable cause of explosions in LP systems. It may be concluded that LPG safety would be enhanced by choosing an LP with low bulk modulus, as well as low decomposition reaction rate, and that a benign looking DTA trace is not a sufficient quarantee of insensitivity to a pressure induced explosion. It is also shown that pre-pressurizing an LP charge, thus pre-compressing the bubbles near-isothermally, makes the system relatively insensitive to such pressure induced explosions. The applicability of this analysis to the question of acceleration induced explosion of explosive filled warheads is indicated.

Benreuven, M.↗

A concept for dynamic control of RPV information system parameters

A globally adaptive image compression structure has been developed for use in the tactical environment of a remotely piloted vehicle. The control structure is based on an image compression algorithm RM2 but can be easily extended to standard algorithms. It is shown that this structure provides an operator with the flexibility to dynamically maximize the usefulness of a limited and changing bit rate and should significantly improve overall system performance in tactical environments.

Rice, R. F.↗

A data compression technique for synthetic aperture radar images

A data compression technique is developed for synthetic aperture radar (SAR) imagery. The technique is based on an SAR image model and is designed to preserve the local statistics in the image by an adaptive variable rate modification of block truncation coding (BTC). A data rate of approximately 1.6 bit/pixel is achieved with the technique while maintaining the image quality and cultural (pointlike) targets. The algorithm requires no large data storage and is computationally simple.

Frost, V. S.↗

Non-linear evolution of a second mode wave in supersonic boundary layers

The nonlinear time evolution of a second mode instability in a Mach 4.5 wall-bounded flow is computed by solving the full compressible, time-dependent Navier-Stokes equations. High accuracy is achieved by using a Fourier-Chebyshev collocation algorithm. Primarily inviscid in nature, second modes are characterized by high frequency and high growth rates compared to first modes. Time evolution of growth rate as a function of distance from the plate suggests this problem is amenable to the Stuart-Watson perturbation theory as generalized by Herbert.

Erlebacher, Gordon↗

Skin-friction measurements by laser interferometry

The measurement of skin friction in rapidly distorted compressible flows is difficult, and very few reliable techniques are available. A recent development, the laser interferometer skin friction (LISF) meter, promises to be useful for this purpose. This technique interferometrically measures the time rate of thinning of an oil film applied to an aerodynamic surface. Under the proper conditions the wall shear stress may thus be found directly, without reference to flow properties. The applicability of the LISF meter to supersonic boundary layers is examined experimentally. Its accuracy and repeatability are assessed, and conditions required for its successful application are considered.

Kim, K.-S.↗