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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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196 records · Page 11

The response of numerical weather prediction analysis systems to FGGE 2b data

An intercomparison of analyses of the main PGGE Level IIb data set is presented with three advanced analysis systems. The aims of the work are to estimate the extent and magnitude of the differences between the analyses, to identify the reasons for the differences, and finally to estimate the significance of the differences. Extratropical analyses only are considered. Objective evaluations of analysis quality, such as fit to observations, statistics of analysis differences, and mean fields are discussed. In addition, substantial emphasis is placed on subjective evaluation of a series of case studies that were selected to illustrate the importance of different aspects of the analysis procedures, such as quality control, data selection, resolution, dynamical balance, and the role of the assimilating forecast model. In some cases, the forecast models are used as selective amplifiers of analysis differences to assist in deciding which analysis was more nearly correct in the treatment of particular data.

Hollingsworth, A.↗

Volume-energy parameters for heat transfer to supercritical fluids

Reduced Nusselt numbers of supercritical fluids from different sources were grouped by several volume-energy parameters. A modified bulk expansion parameter was introduced based on a comparative analysis of data scatter. Heat transfer experiments on liquefied methane were conducted under near-critical conditions in order to confirm the usefulness of the parameters. It was experimentally revealed that heat transfer characteristics of near-critical methane are similar to those of hydrogen. It was shown that the modified bulk expansion parameter and the Gibbs-energy parameter grouped the heat transfer data of hydrogen, oxygen and methane including the present data on near-critical methane. It was also indicated that the effects of surface roughness on heat transfer were very important in grouping the data of high Reynolds numbers.

A. Kumakawa↗

Accuracy of atmospheric angular momentum estimates from operational analyses

An attempt is made to assess the accuracy of global atmospheric angular momentum determinations by comparing time series of this quantity derived from both the NMC and ECMWF zonal wind analyses for 1981-85. Over this period, the rms difference betwen the two atmospheric series is comparable to the difference between an atmospheric momentum series and the series that is consistent with observed (nontidal) changes in earth rotation. Most of the difference between the NMC and ECMWF global momentum values comes from the region between 33 deg S and 16 deg N. Differences between NMC and ECMWF regional momentum values become vanishingly small in the high latitudes of the Northern Hemisphere, but they remain large throughout the entire Southern Hemisphere. An annual signal of up to 0.5 m/s exists in the difference between the NMC and ECMWF tropospheric zonal wind fields. Although seemingly small, this signal is vertically coherent and leads to a marked annual component in the NMC-ECMWF difference momentum values in the tropics and also for the Northern Hemisphere as a whole.

Rosen, Richard D.↗

Transient heat transfer and thermophysical properties measurements in low gravity

Theoretical computer models and correlations which describe phenomena important in the design of transient heat transfer systems are verified and extended. Attention is given to heat transfer to a fluid near the thermodynamic critical point, i.e., a highly compressible fluid. The validity of the computer model is tested by conducting heat-transfer experiments in a low gravity environment where gravity-driven motion is essentially eliminated. It is noted that the NASA KC135 aircraft provides a useful low-g platform for experimental work and provides valuable experience and background for experiments ultimately designed to fly on the Space Shuttle.

Giarratano, P. J.↗

Concrete lunar base investigation

This paper presents results of structural analyses and a preliminary design of a precast, prestressed concrete lunar based subjected to one atmosphere internal pressure. The proposed infrastructure measures 120 ft in diameter and 72 ft in height, providing 33,000 sq ft of work area for scientific and industrial operations. Three loading conditions were considered in the design: (1) during construction; (2) under pressurization; and (3) during an air-leak scenario. A floating foundation, capable of rigid body rotation and translation as the lunar soil beneath it yields, was developed to support the infrastructure and to ensure the air-tightness of the system. Results reveal that it is feasible to use precast, prestressed concrete for construction of large lunar bases on the moon.

Lin, T. D.↗

Thermophysical properties of Helium-4 from 0.8 to 1500 K with pressures to 2000 MPa

Tabular summary data of the thermophysical properties of fluid helium are given for temperatures from 0.8 to 1500 K, with pressures to 2000 MPa between 75 and 300 K, or to 100 MPa outside of this temperature band. Properties include density, specific heats, enthalpy, entropy, internal energy, sound velocity, expansivity, compressibility, thermal conductivity, and viscosity. The data are calculated from a computer program which is available from the National Institute of Standards and Technology. The computer program is based on carefully fitted state equations for both normal and superfluid helium.

Arp, Vincent D.↗

The peculiar hydrogen cloud in the Virgo Cluster and 3C 273

It is shown that the nearest bright extragalactic object to the peculiar hydrogen cloud recently discovered in the Virgo Cluster by Giovanelli and Haynes is the bright QSO 3C 273. Further, it is pointed out that the jet in 3C 273 points in almost the same direction as the major axis of the cloud. Despite the redshift difference, possible physical connections between the cloud and 3C 273 are explored.

Arp, H. C.↗

The extragalactic universe - An alternative view

It is argued that the currently popular cosmological model is subject to many doubts based on observational data which suggest that there never was a Big Bang. It is further argued that the observational evidence concerning nonthermal objects with large redshifts leads to the conclusion that these redshifts are largely intrinsic in origin. These objects do not lie at large cosmological distances, but rather much closer with z(c) less than about 0.1. This in turn means that there is no evidence for evolution in the discrete objects, and that what is seen in them are creation events involving the ejection of new matter from the nuclei of galaxies.

Arp, H. C.↗

Hydrogen slush production with a large auger

The design and construction of a 178-mm-diameter auger-type hydrogen slush generator are described. A supercritical helium flow loop, which simulates the performance of a helium refrigerator, cools the generator. The coolant temperature varies down to 5 K and the flow varies about the 1.4 L/s (3 cfm) design point. The computer model of the auger-type generator shows that coolant temperature and auger speed have the greatest influence on slush production rate, although coolant flow rate and auger radial clearance are also important.

Daney, D. E.↗

Computer program for computing the properties of seventeen fluids

The present study describes modifications and additions to the MIPROPS computer program for calculating the thermophysical properties of 17 fluids. These changes include adding new fluids, new properties, and a new interface to the program. The new program allows the user to select the input and output parameters and the units to be displayed for each parameter. Fluids added to the MIPROPS program are carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, deuterium, helium, normal hydrogen, and xenon. The most recent modifications to the MIPROPS program are the addition of viscosity and thermal conductivity correlations for parahydrogen and the addition of the fluids normal hydrogen and xenon. The recently added interface considerably increases the program's utility.

Brennan, J. A.↗

Concrete lunar base investigation

This paper presents results of structural analyses and a preliminary design of a precast, prestressed concrete lunar base subjected to 1-atm internal pressure. The proposed infrastructure measures 120 ft in diameter and 72 ft in height, providing 33,000 sq ft of work area for scientific and industrial operations. Three loading conditions were considered in the design (1) during construction, (2) under pressurization, and (3) during an air-leak scenario. A floating foundation, capable of rigid body rotation and translation as the lunar soil beneath it yields, was developed to support the infrastructure and to ensure the airtightness of the system. Results reveal that it is feasible to use precast, prestressed concrete for construction of large lunar bases on the Moon.

Lin, T. D.↗

Development and Testing of Laser-induced Breakdown Spectroscopy for the Mars Rover Program: Elemental Analyses at Stand-Off Distances

One of the most fundamental pieces of information about any planetary body is the elemental composition of its surface materials. The Viking Martian landers employed XRF (x-ray fluorescence) and the MER rovers are carrying APXS (alpha-proton x-ray spectrometer) instruments upgraded from that used on the Pathfinder rover to supply elemental composition information for soils and rocks to which direct contact is possible. These in- situ analyses require that the lander or rover be in contact with the sample. In addition to in-situ instrumentation, the present generation of rovers carry instruments that operate at stand-off distances. The Mini-TES is an example of a stand-off instrument on the MER rovers. Other examples for future missions include infrared point spectrometers and microscopic-imagers that can operate at a distance. The main advantage of such types of analyses is obvious: the sensing element does not need to be in contact or even adjacent to the target sample. This opens up new sensing capabilities. For example, targets that cannot be reached by a rover due to impassable terrain or targets positioned on a cliff face can now be accessed using stand-off analysis. In addition, the duty cycle of stand-off analysis can be much greater than that provided by in-situ measurements because the stand-off analysis probe can be aimed rapidly at different features of interest eliminating the need for the rover to actually move to the target. Over the past five years we have been developing a stand-off method of elemental analysis based on atomic emission spectroscopy called laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS). A laser-produced spark vaporizes and excites the target material, the elements of which emit at characteristic wavelengths. Using this method, material can be analyzed from within a radius of several tens of meters from the instrument platform. A relatively large area can therefore be sampled from a simple lander without requiring a rover or sampling arms. The placement of such an instrument on a rover would allow the sampling of locations distant from the landing site. Here we give a description of the LIBS method and its advantages. We discuss recent work on determining its characteristics for Mars exploration, including accuracy, detection limits, and suitability for determining the presence of water ice and hydrated minerals. We also give a description of prototype instruments we have tested in field settings.

D A Cremers↗

Validation Database Based Thermal Analysis of an Advanced RPS Concept

Advanced RPS concepts can be conceived, designed and assessed using high-end computational analysis tools. These predictions may provide an initial insight into the potential performance of these models, but verification and validation are necessary and required steps to gain confidence in the numerical analysis results. This paper discusses the findings from a numerical validation exercise for a small advanced RPS concept, based on a thermal analysis methodology developed at JPL and on a validation database obtained from experiments performed at Oregon State University. Both the numerical and experimental configurations utilized a single GPHS module enabled design, resembling a Mod-RTG concept. The analysis focused on operating and environmental conditions during the storage phase only. This validation exercise helped to refine key thermal analysis and modeling parameters, such as heat transfer coefficients, and conductivity and radiation heat transfer values. Improved understanding of the Mod-RTG concept through validation of the thermal model allows for future improvements to this power system concept.

numerical model↗