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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 217 records · Page 12

Prospecting for Critical Minerals and Rare Earth Elements from Marcellus Shale in the Western Portion of the Appalachian Basin with Non-Destructive Core Characterization

Identification of sources for domestic critical minerals and rare earth elements (CM/REE) has been deemed essential for the energy transition by the United States Department of Energy (DOE). The U.S. DOE’s National Energy Technology Laboratory’s (NETL) Geomaterials Characterization Laboratory has performed non-destructive core characterizations on energy-relevant rock cores for the past decade. During this time, NETL has published over 36 technical reports and made the associated data publicly available. Much of this work focuses on unconventional shale gas, subsurface carbon storage systems, and carbon-ore. These efforts provide cm-scale petrophysical and elemental data, photographic documentation, detailed core descriptions, and computed tomography (CT) data for each well. This provides a first phase prospecting resource for CM/REE resources and can provide a map for pin-pointing intervals and lithologies for further development. Using historical core characterization data from 12 Marcellus wells from the western portion of the Appalachian Basin, this study builds an improved understanding of the chemostratigraphy of the basin. X-ray fluorescence (XRF) and CT images were used to determine lithologic intervals and potential ore bodies for further analysis, including benchtop digestion and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) to better understand the CM/REE enrichments.

Paronish, Thomas J.↗

Calculating Methane Emissions from Offshore Facilities Using Bottom-Up Methods

With changing demands in regulation, understanding methane emissions from offshore oil and gas production infrastructure has become increasingly important. Reported emissions from facilities in the Gulf of Mexico range from zero to thousands of tons of methane per hour, but these is currently no clear understanding of how this range compares to expected emissions from normally operating facilities. To generate realistic emission estimates, we create two bottom-up models that simulate emissions from facilities operating in the Gulf of Mexico. We estimate type 1 prototypical facilities (typically unmanned, older, lower-producing platforms in shallow water with little processing equipment, compressors, or storage tanks) to emit an average of 13 kg CH 4 h −1 , which corresponds to a loss of 2.7% of the average facility production. Type 2 prototypical facilities (continuously manned, higher production and operate in deeper water with processing equipment, oil storage tanks, compressors and power generation) emit an average of 88 kg CH 4 h −1 , which corresponds to a loss of 2.5% of production. The average measured emission from type 1 facilities was 18 kg CH 4 h −1 with a median production loss estimated at 8%. The average measured emission from type 2 facilities was 36 kg CH 4 h −1 with a median production loss estimated at 2.4%. Using emission factors that consider the long-tail emission distribution partly reconciles the difference between modelled and measured emission estimates, but we suggest the current the fugitive emission estimate may be an underestimate and more data on the number and size of fugitive emissions could explain differences between the modelled and measured emission estimate. We suggest the bottom-up approach described here that uses production data coupled with facility equipment could be used to identify facilities that have abnormally large measured emissions, caused by methodological failure or larger than expected fugitive emissions, which should be targeted for further evaluation resulting in remeasurement or identification of source type so that a more accurate estimates can be made on the absolute emission.

bottom-up↗

Accurate assessment of land–atmosphere coupling in climate models requires high-frequency data output

Land–atmosphere (L–A) interactions are important for understanding convective processes, climate feedbacks, the development and perpetuation of droughts, heatwaves, pluvials, and other land-centered climate anomalies. Local L–A coupling (LoCo) metrics capture relevant L–A processes, highlighting the impact of soil and vegetation states on surface flux partitioning and the impact of surface fluxes on boundary layer (BL) growth and development and the entrainment of air above the BL. A primary goal of the Climate Process Team in the Coupling Land and Atmospheric Subgrid Parameterizations (CLASP) project is parameterizing and characterizing the impact of subgrid heterogeneity in global and regional Earth system models (ESMs) to improve the connection between land and atmospheric states and processes. A critical step in achieving that aim is the incorporation of L–A metrics, especially LoCo metrics, into climate model diagnostic process streams. However, because land–atmosphere interactions span timescales of minutes (e.g., turbulent fluxes), hours (e.g., BL growth and decay), days (e.g., soil moisture memory), and seasons (e.g., variability in behavioral regimes between soil moisture and latent heat flux), with multiple processes of interest happening in different geographic regions at different times of year, there is not a single metric that captures all the modes, means, and methods of interaction between the land and the atmosphere. And while monthly means of most of the LoCo-relevant variables are routinely saved from ESM simulations, data storage constraints typically preclude routine archival of the hourly data that would enable the calculation of all LoCo metrics. Here, we outline a reasonable data request that would allow for adequate characterization of sub-daily coupling processes between the land and the atmosphere, preserving enough sub-daily output to describe, analyze, and better understand L–A coupling in modern climate models. A secondary request involves embedding calculations within the models to determine mean properties in and above the BL to further improve characterization of model behavior. Higher-frequency model output will (i) allow for more direct comparison with observational field campaigns on process-relevant timescales, (ii) enable demonstration of inter-model spread in L–A coupling processes, and (iii) aid in targeted identification of sources of deficiencies and opportunities for improvement of the models.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗

Role of pressure transients in the detection and identification of lunar surface gas sources.

The dynamic behavior of neutral gases emitted from lunar surface sources is investigated. Pressure transients to be expected from several types of possible lunar surface sources are constructed. An approximate method is developed to estimate the source-sensor separation distance and the amount of effluent release. The case for which the source location and effluent molecular weight can be determined from ancillary data is discussed. It is shown that, if such data are available, pressure transients detected by either Apollo lunar surface experiment package ion spectrometers or cold cathode gages can be used to determine the release rate and the total amount of effluent release from the source.

Hall, F. G.↗

Investigation of a Real-time Processing System for the NASA Multifrequency Microwave Radiometer

A study was conducted to investigate the data reduction and processing requirements for the multifrequency microwave radiometer system (MFMR). The objectives were to develop and evaluate algorithms and processing techniques which might provide for dedicated real time or near real time data processing and to develop a configuration design and processor recommendation to accomplish the data reduction. An analysis of the required data reduction and calibration equations was included along with the identification of sources of error which may be present in the (MFMR) data. The definition and evaluation of the significance of effects introduced by aircraft perturbation was given.

Source record↗

A computer program for the identification of helicopter impulsive noise sources

A computer program is presented for calculating the source location of implusive noise in helicopters. The program (INSL) is written in FORTRAN for the CDC 7600 computer. Inputs are the rotor operating conditions and the time intervals (T) between rotor 1/rev index and impulsive noises as measured by different microphones. The outputs are the possible noise source locations in terms of rotor radial and azimuthal coordinates. Typical computer time for a run of six microphone measurements is 1.5 sec, and the cost is about 12 cents for the CDC 7600.

Lee, A.↗

GP-B error modeling and analysis

Individual source errors and their effects on the accuracy of the Gravity Probe B (GP-B) experiment were investigated. Emphasis was placed on: (1) the refinement of source error identification and classifications of error according to their physical nature; (2) error analysis for the GP-B data processing; and (3) measurement geometry for the experiment.

Hung, J. C.↗

NASA/Army supported noise source/noise reduction programs at Langley

The helicopter noise research related to noise source mechanism identification and reduction includes many of the critical noise problems experienced by the helicopter. These include blade vortex interaction (BVI) noise, broadband turbulence ingestion noise, rotor blade self noise including trailing edge effects, model scale effects evaluations, and to some degree main rotor/tail rotor interaction noise. Issues that arise from this evaluation are; (1) Broadband noise can be a significant contribution to the overall noise problem. (2) Scale model investigations are an effective means of conducting helicopter noise research; however, more model/flight correlation studies are required to develop a high degree of confidence of the use of scale model results in the design process of helicopters. (3) More detailed investigations identifying critical factors affecting the main rotor/tail rotor noise mechanism are required.

Hoad, D. R.↗

The first identification of a mainbelt asteroid source for a meteorite Class E-type Apollo asteroid (3103) 1982BB: A link between the Hungaria asteroid zone and the Aubrite meteorites

One of the major goals of asteroid investigators has been to determine the source bodies of the meteorites, and, thus, to provide the needed spatial context. However, despite careful investigation of many of these asteroids, no specific mainbelt asteroidal parent bodies for particular meteorites have yet been identified. Results are reported that represent the first direct link of a set of meteorites (the aubrites or enstatite achondrites) back to a particular source region in the asteroid belt (the Hungaria zone of the innermost belt located at a heliocentric distance of about 1.9 AU (1.9 times the Earth's distance from the Sun)). Since most asteroids in the belt are still located near their original heliocentric formation distances, this link allows the composition and temperature of the solar nebula to be determined at a specific distance from the Sun during the time of planetesimal formation. Orbital considerations suggest that 3103 could be derived from the Hungaria zone. However, the spectral gype of 3103 makes such a source probable. The Hungaria zone is the only region of the asteroid belt where E-type asteroids are common. E-type objects constitute about 55 percent of the classified Hungaria population. Although a more detailed investigation of the dynamical evolution of this object is needed, it appears highly probable that 3103 1982BB was derived from the Hungaria region of the innermost asteroid belt, that it is a fragment of the collisional breakup of an E-object near 1.9 AU, and escaped the mainbelt via the nu sup 16 resonance.

Gaffey, M. J.↗

Assessment of Microphone Phased Array for Measuring Launch Vehicle Lift-off Acoustics

The specific purpose of the present work was to demonstrate the suitability of a microphone phased array for launch acoustics applications via participation in selected firings of the Ares I Scale Model Acoustics Test. The Ares I Scale Model Acoustics Test is a part of the discontinued Constellation Program Ares I Project, but the basic understanding gained from this test is expected to help development of the Space Launch System vehicles. Correct identification of sources not only improves the predictive ability, but provides guidance for a quieter design of the launch pad and optimization of the water suppression system. This document contains the results of the NASA Engineering and Safety Center assessment.

Garcia, Roberto↗

The NuSTAR Extragalactic Survey: A First Sensitive Look at the High-Energy Cosmic X-Ray Background Population

We report on the first 10 identifications of sources serendipitously detected by the Nuclear Spectroscopic Telescope Array (NuSTAR) to provide the first sensitive census of the cosmic X-ray background source population at approximately greater than 10 keV. We find that these NuSTAR-detected sources are approximately 100 times fainter than those previously detected at approximately greater than 10 keV and have a broad range in redshift and luminosity (z = 0.020-2.923 and L(sub 10-40 keV) approximately equals 4 × 10(exp 41) - 5 × 10(exp 45) erg per second; the median redshift and luminosity are z approximately equal to 0.7 and L(sub 10-40 keV) approximately equal to 3 × 10(exp 44) erg per second, respectively. We characterize these sources on the basis of broad-band approximately equal to 0.5 - 32 keV spectroscopy, optical spectroscopy, and broad-band ultraviolet-to-mid-infrared spectral energy distribution analyses. We find that the dominant source population is quasars with L(sub 10-40 keV) greater than 10(exp 44) erg per second, of which approximately 50% are obscured with N(sub H) approximately greater than 10(exp 22) per square centimeters. However, none of the 10 NuSTAR sources are Compton thick (N(sub H) approximately greater than 10(exp 24) per square centimeters) and we place a 90% confidence upper limit on the fraction of Compton-thick quasars (L(sub 10-40 keV) greater than 10(exp 44) erg per second) selected at approximately greater than 10 keV of approximately less than 33% over the redshift range z = 0.5 - 1.1. We jointly fitted the rest-frame approximately equal to 10-40 keV data for all of the non-beamed sources with L(sub 10-40 keV) greater than 10(exp 43) erg per second to constrain the average strength of reflection; we find R less than 1.4 for gamma = 1.8, broadly consistent with that found for local active galactic nuclei (AGNs) observed at approximately greater than 10 keV. We also constrain the host-galaxy masses and find a median stellar mass of approximately 10(exp 11) solar mass, a factor approximately 5 times higher than the median stellar mass of nearby high-energy selected AGNs, which may be at least partially driven by the order of magnitude higher X-ray luminosities of the NuSTAR sources. Within the low source-statistic limitations of our study, our results suggest that the overall properties of the NuSTAR sources are broadly similar to those of nearby high-energy selected AGNs but scaled up in luminosity and mass.

Spectroscopic↗

Accurate Assessment of Land-Atmosphere Coupling in Climate Models Requires High Frequency Data Output

Land-atmosphere (L-A) interactions are important for understanding convective processes, climate feedbacks, the development and perpetuation of droughts, heatwaves, pluvials, and other land-centred climate anomalies. Local L-A coupling (LoCo) metrics capture relevant L-A processes, highlighting the impact of soil and vegetation states on surface flux partitioning, and the impact of surface fluxes on boundary layer (BL) growth, development, and entrainment of air above the BL. A primary goal of the Climate Process Team on Coupling Land and Atmospheric Subgrid Parameterizations (CLASP) is parameterizing and characterizing the impact of subgrid heterogeneity in global and regional earth system models (ESMs) to improve the connection between land and atmospheric states and processes. A critical step in achieving that aim is the incorporation of L-A metrics, especially LoCo metrics, into climate model diagnostic process streams. However, because land-atmosphere interactions span time scales of minutes (e.g., turbulent fluxes), hours (e.g., BL growth and decay), days (e.g., soil moisture memory), and seasons (e.g., variability of behavioural regimes between soil moisture and latent heat flux), with multiple processes of interest happening in different geographic regions at different times of year, there is not a single metric that captures all the modes, means, and methods of interaction between the land and the atmosphere. And while monthly means of most of the LoCo-relevant variables are routinely saved from ESM simulations, data storage constraints typically preclude routine archival of the hourly data that would enable the calculation of all LoCo metrics. Here we outline a reasonable data request that would allow for adequate characterization of sub-daily coupling processes between the land and the atmosphere, preserving enough sub-daily output to describe, analyse, and better understand L-A coupling in modern climate models. A secondary request involves embedding calculations within the models to determine mean properties in and above the BL to further improve characterization of model behaviour. Higher-frequency model output will (i) allow for more direct comparison with observational field campaigns on process-relevant time scales, (ii) enable demonstration of inter-model spread in L-A coupling processes, and (iii) aid in targeted identification of sources of deficiencies and opportunities for improvement of the models.

Kirsten L. Findell↗

The ROSAT Deep Survey: Optical Identification, Photometry and Spectra of X-Ray Sources in the Lockman Field - 2

The ROSAT Deep Survey includes a complete sample of 50 X-ray sources with fluxes in the 0.5 - 2 keV band larger than 5.5 x 10(exp -15)erg/sq cm/s in the Lockman field (Hasinger et al., Paper 1). We have obtained deep broad-band CCD images of the field and spectra of many optical objects near the positions of the X-ray sources. We define systematically the process leading to the optical identifications of the X-ray sources. For this purpose, we introduce five identification (ID) classes that characterize the process in each case. Among the 50 X-ray sources, we identify 39 AGNs, 3 groups of galaxies, 1 galaxy and 3 galactic stars. Four X-ray sources remain unidentified so far; two of these objects may have an unusually large ratio of X-ray to optical flux.

Schmidt, M.↗

Optical Identification of Quasar 0917+7122 in the Direction of an Extreme-Ultraviolet Source

We report the optical identification of an R = 18.3 mag, z = 2.432 quasar at the position of a 6 cm radio source and a faint ROSAT PSPC X-ray source. The quasar lies within the error circles of unidentified extreme-UV (EUV) detections by the EUVE and ROSAT WFC all-sky surveys at approximately 400 A and approximately 150 A, respectively. A 21 cm H I emission measurement in the direction of the quasar with a 21'-diameter beam yields a total H I column density of N(sub H) = 3.3 x 10(exp 20) /sq cm, two orders of magnitude higher than the maximum allowed for transparency through the Galaxy in the EUV The source of the EUV flux is therefore probably nearby (approximately < 100 pc), and unrelated to the quasar.

Maoz, D.↗