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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 235 records · Page 13
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NASA NTRS1990

On the average rate of growth in sunspot number and the size of the sunspot cycle

The average rate of growth in sunspot number over selected time intervals and the maximum average value as they both relate to the size of the cycle are examined, in order to predict the size of cycle 22. The predictions are compared with those of Wilson (1990) to determine whether a consensus is apparent. The average rate of growth during the ascending portion of the sunspot cycle, defined as the difference in smoothed sunspot number values between elapsed time t and sunspot minimum divided by t, is shown to correlate with the size of the sunspot cycle, especially for t greater or equal to 18 months. The maximum value of the average rate of growth is also shown to highly correlate (r = 0.98) with the size of the cycle. Using 4.5 as the maximum value of the average rate of growth, a lower limit for R(M) is estimated. The results show that the findings are consistent with the previous single variate predictions for R(M) for cycle 22.

Wilson, Robert M.↗
NASA NTRS1990

Propulsion system filter sizing considerations for the Galileo spacecraft

Filtration capacity of the Galileo propulsion system has been investigated. Ground testing of flight spare components has been conducted to determine the representative number and size distribution of particulate matter collected in flow tests. For these tests and for filter qualification tests, a number of effects were examined. The influence of gravitational particle settling on ground test results vs the flight environment was considered. Centrifugal effects inherent in the test apparatus and/or the propulsion system could have an influence. Variability among particle sizing techniques was explored. The influence of size distribution, particle shape, and density in the choice of a particulate test material was studied. Characteristics for AC Coarse Dust (an industry standard filter test media), microscopic polymer beads, and aluminum oxide particulate test matter are listed. Filtration tests were conducted using AC Coarse Dust and mixtures containing components of AC Coarse Dust. These results are expected to be useful data for filter sizing of future spacecraft.

Jan, Darrell L.↗
NASA NTRS1990

Differences in the size-internal velocity relation of galactic and extragalactic HII regions

The nature of the size-internal velocity relation in extragalactic HII regions is examined in order to improve their use as distance determinants. The relation between the linear size and the internal velocity was compared for HII regions in the Galaxy and in external galaxies. Data for the former are from the researcher's own studies at high spatial resolution, while the latter have been the subject of spectroscopy that includes almost the entire objects. The Galactic HII regions are corrected to values of the internal velocity that would be observed if they were at extragalactic distances. A very different size-internal velocity relation was found for the two types of objects in the sense that the extragalactic objects are some ten times larger at the same internal velocity. This is interpreted to mean that the extragalactic HII regions are actually complexes of small HII regions comparable in size to their Galactic counterparts.

Odell, C. R.↗
NASA NTRS1989

Size distribution of dust grains: A problem of self-similarity

Distribution functions describing the results of natural processes frequently show the shape of power laws, e.g., mass functions of stars and molecular clouds, velocity spectrum of turbulence, size distributions of asteroids, micrometeorites and also interstellar dust grains. It is an open question whether this behavior is a result simply coming about by the chosen mathematical representation of the observational data or reflects a deep-seated principle of nature. The authors suppose the latter being the case. Using a dust model consisting of silicate and graphite grains Mathis et al. (1977) showed that the interstellar extinction curve can be represented by taking a grain radii distribution of power law type n(a) varies as a(exp -p) with 3.3 less than or equal to p less than or equal to 3.6 (example 1) as a basis. A different approach to understanding power laws like that in example 1 becomes possible by the theory of self-similar processes (scale invariance). The beta model of turbulence (Frisch et al., 1978) leads in an elementary way to the concept of the self-similarity dimension D, a special case of Mandelbrot's (1977) fractal dimension. In the frame of this beta model, it is supposed that on each stage of a cascade the system decays to N clumps and that only the portion beta N remains active further on. An important feature of this model is that the active eddies become less and less space-filling. In the following, the authors assume that grain-grain collisions are such a scale-invarient process and that the remaining grains are the inactive (frozen) clumps of the cascade. In this way, a size distribution n(a) da varies as a(exp -(D+1))da (example 2) results. It seems to be highly probable that the power law character of the size distribution of interstellar dust grains is the result of a self-similarity process. We can, however, not exclude that the process leading to the interstellar grain size distribution is not fragmentation at all. It could be, e.g., diffusion-limited growth discussed by Sander (1986), who applied the theory of fractal geometry to the classification of non-equilibrium growth processes. He received D=2.4 for diffusion-limited aggregation in 3d-space.

Henning, TH.↗
NASA NTRS1990

Clast sizes in terrestrial and Martian ignimbrite lag deposits

A theoretical model for predicting the sizes of clasts which may be expected in proximal ignimbrite deposits on the earth and Mars is developed. The model can provide an explanation of the eruption mechanism. It takes into account the inside and outside conditions of a vent from which a large-scale pyroclastic flow takes place. The drag forces exerted by the dusty gas on relatively large clasts are also taken into account. The sizes of the largest clasts that contribute to a proximal lag breccia deposit can thus be deduced. The analysis has shown that the pressure at the surface vent level in an ignimbrite-forming eruption is independent of the planetary atmospheric pressure; the gravity and vent size then become the major factors controlling the size of the largest clast which can be erupted.

Wilson, Lionel↗
NASA NTRS1990

Erosive Augmentation of Solid Propellant Burning Rate: Motor Size Scaling Effect

Two different independent variable forms, a difference form and a ratio form, were investigated for correlating the normalized magnitude of the measured erosive burning rate augmentation above the threshold in terms of the amount that the driving parameter (mass flux or Reynolds number) exceeds the threshold value for erosive augmentation at the test condition. The latter was calculated from the previously determined threshold correlation. Either variable form provided a correlation for each of the two motor size data bases individually. However, the data showed a motor size effect, supporting the general observation that the magnitude of erosive burning rate augmentation is reduced for larger rocket motors. For both independent variable forms, the required motor size scaling was attained by including the motor port radius raised to a power in the independent parameter. A boundary layer theory analysis confirmed the experimental finding, but showed that the magnitude of the scale effect is itself dependent upon scale, tending to diminish with increasing motor size.

Strand, L. D.↗
NASA NTRS1992

Determining water cloud particle sizes from lidar depolarization measurements and time dependent multiple scattering coefficients

We present a technique of extracting water cloud particle size information from lidar measurements in conjunction with double scattering calculations. In this presentation, we describe the technique and give examples using data taken with the Air Force Phillips Laboratory's (Geophysics Directorate) low altitude Nd:YAG, elastic backscatter lidar. In a related presentation we describe the double scattering lidar model which we developed for this work. The technique uses simultaneous measurements of two orthogonal linear polarization components of lidar returns from water clouds or other media composed of spherical particles. Any depolarization of the incident lidar radiation backscattered by such a media can only be due to multiple scattering. The amount of depolarization is dependent on the extinction coefficient and the single scatter phase matrix, both of which are functions of position in the medium. The phase matrix is dependent on the index of refraction of the particles and the particle size distribution. Our technique is a modification of a procedure presented in Reference 1. There, particle sizes of water clouds are determined from double scattering calculations together with measurements of radiation scattered from volumes outside the lidar receiver's field of view (which can only be multiply scattered radiation). The methodology of our technique is similar but our 'probe' of the scattering phase function (and thus the particle size distribution) is different.

Garner, R. C.↗
NASA NTRS1992

Generic grain size distribution for liquid phase sintering

In order to develop an empirical model to represent a generic grain size distribution for liquid phase sintering, experimental data and theoretical models are analyzed using the plot of standard normal vs normalized size. From the experimental 3D grain size plot, the most representative line is deduced. The line best fits the Lifshitz-Slyozov encounter modified model except for the small size ranges of the lower 15 percent of the distribution. It is shown that grain coalescence might be a cause for this departure from theory.

German, R. M.↗
NASA NTRS1993

Velocity and drop size measurements in a swirl-stabilized, combusting spray

Velocity and drop size measurements are reported for a swirl-stabilized, combusting spray. For the gas phase, three components of mean and fluctuating velocity are reported. For the droplets, three components of mean and fluctuating velocity, diameter, and number flux are reported. The liquid fuel utilized for all the tests was heptane. The fuel was injected using an air-assist atomizer. The combustor configuration consisted of a center-mounted, air-assist atomizer surrounded by a coflowing air stream. Both the coflow and the atomizing air streams were passed through 45 degree swirlers. The swirl was imparted to both streams in the same direction. The combustion occurred unconfined in stagnant surroundings. The nonintrusive measurements were obtained using a two-component phase/Doppler particle analyzer. The laser-based instrument measured two components of velocity as well as droplet size at a particular point. Gas phase measurements were obtained by seeding the air streams with nominal 1 micron size aluminum-oxide particles and using the measured velocity from that size to represent the gas phase velocity. The atomizing air, coflow air, and ambient surroundings were all seeded with the aluminum-oxide particles to prevent biasing. Measurements are reported at an axial distance of 5 mm from the nozzle. Isothermal single-phase gas velocities are also reported for comparison with the combusting case.

Bulzan, Daniel L.↗
NASA NTRS1991

Seed particle response and size characterization in high speed flows

The response of seed particles ranging between 0.7 and 8.7 micron is determined using a phase Doppler particle analyzer which simultaneously measures particle size and velocity. The stagnant seed particles are entrained into a high speed free jet at velocities ranging from 40 to 300 m/s. The size-mean axial velocity correlation and size-rms velocity correlations are used to determine the particle response to the sudden acceleration. It was determined that at the lower speeds, seed particles up to approximately 5 microns are adequate, but as velocities approach 300 m/s only particles on the order of one micron are suitable. The ability to determine size and velocity simultaneously is essential if seeding with polydispersions is used since it allows the rejection of data which will not accurately represent the flow field.

Rudoff, Roger C.↗
NASA NTRS1993

Dimethylsulfide/cloud condensation nuclei/climate system - Relevant size-resolved measurements of the chemical and physical properties of atmospheric aerosol particles

The mass and number relationships occurring within the atmospheric dimethylsulfide/cloud condensation nuclei (CCN)/climate system, using simultaneous measurements of particulate phase mass size distributions of nss SO4(2-), methanesulfonic acid (MSA), and NH4(+); number size distributions of particles having diameters between 0.02 and 9.6 microns; CCN concentrations at a supersaturation of 0.3 percent; relative humidity; and temperature, obtained for the northeastern Pacific Ocean in April and May 1991. Based on these measurements, particulate nss SO4(2-), MSA, and NH4(+) mass appeared to be correlated with both particle effective surface area and number in the accumulation mode size range (0.16 to 0.5 micron). No correlations were found in the size range below 0.16 micron. A correlation was also found between nss SO4(2-) mass and the CCN number concentration, such that a doubling of the SO4(2-) mass corresponded to a 40 percent increase in the CCN number concentration. However, no correlation was found between MSA mass and CCN concentration.

Quinn, P. K.↗
NASA NTRS1942

New method of extrapolation of the resistance of a model planing boat to full size

The previously employed method of extrapolating the total resistance to full size with lambda(exp 3) (model scale) and thereby foregoing a separate appraisal of the frictional resistance, was permissible for large models and floats of normal size. But faced with the ever increasing size of aircraft a reexamination of the problem of extrapolation to full size is called for. A method is described by means of which, on the basis of an analysis of tests on planing surfaces, the variation of the wetted surface over the take-off range is analytically obtained. The friction coefficients are read from Prandtl's curve for turbulent boundary layer with laminar approach. With these two values a correction for friction is obtainable.

Sottorf, W↗
NASA NTRS1994

Method Of Predicting Size Of Software Under Development

Method of estimating size and complexity of large computer program under development based on metric called "function mass." Simplification of Demarco's "function bang" metric. Size of completed program usually expressed in terms of number of lines of code (SLOC), shown in previous research to be highly correlated with amount of development effort and therefore important predictor of development cost. Proposed method of estimating ultimate size of program is intermediate product of continuing research on estimation of size and structured analysis of developmental software.

Hihn, Jairus M.↗
NASA NTRS1993

Martian particle size based on thermal inertia corrected for elevation-dependent atmospheric properties

Thermal inertia is commonly used to derive physical properties of the Martian surface. If the surface is composed of loosely consolidated grains, then the thermal conductivity derived from the inertia can theoretically be used to compute the particle size. However, one persistent difficulty associated with the interpretation of thermal inertia and the derivation of particle size from it has been the degree to which atmospheric properties affect both the radiation balance at the surface and the gas conductivity. These factors vary with atmospheric pressure so that derived thermal inertias and particle sizes are a function of elevation. By utilizing currently available thermal models and laboratory information, a fine component thermal inertia map was convolved with digital topography to produce particle size maps of the Martian surface corrected for these elevation-dependent effects. Such an approach is especially applicable for the highest elevations on Mars, where atmospheric back radiation and gas conductivity are low.

Bridges, N. T.↗
NASA NTRS1993

Deviations from the straight line: Bumps (and grinds) in the collisionally evolved size distribution of asteroids

Dohnanyi established that the size distribution of a collisionally relaxed population is a power-law with a -3.5 slope (incremental diameter), provided that: (1) collisional parameters are independent of size and (2) there is no lower limit on the population size for shattering impacts. In the course of studying collisional effects over a wide range of asteroid sizes (cm up to hundreds of km range), we have investigated the consequences of relaxing the second condition, while maintaining the first one.

Davis, D. R.↗
NASA NTRS1993

Remote sensing estimates of cirrus particle size for tropical and midlatitude cirrus: Hexagonal crystals and ice spheres

A large discrepancy exists in current estimates of a mean cirrus particle size appropriate for calculations of the effects of these ice clouds on solar and thermal infrared radiative fluxes. For spheres with large size parameter (x = (2 pi r / lambda) is greater than 30, where r is particle radius), and moderate absorption (n(sup i) x less than 1, where n(sup i) is imaginary index of refraction for ice), the optimal effective particle radius is given by: r(sub e) = integral of r(exp 3)n(r)dr / integral of r(exp 2)n(r)dr. For the remote sensing of cirrus particle size at wavelengths of 0.83, 1.65, and 2.21 mu m, a 50 mu m ice sphere would have a size parameter of about 200, and values of n(sup i) x of 0, 0.045, and 0.06, satisfying the above conditions. However, while r(sub e) is a well-defined parameter for spheres, this cross-section area-weighted particle radius can only be extended to non-spherical particles by defining some equivalent sphere, typically an equivalent volume or equivalent cross-section area sphere. Using equivalent volume spheres, values of r(sub e) obtained over Lake Michigan on October 28, 1986, during FIRE phase I varied from 200 mu m (King Air 2D Imaging probes) to 60 mu m (Landsat reflectances at 0.83, 1.65, and 2.2 mu m), to 25 mu m (HIS spectrometer thermal emission between 8 and 12 mu m). Three major uncertainties were identified in this comparison: small ice particles missed by the 2D-C aircraft probes, uncertain ice refractive index, and uncertainties in the single scatter albedos and scattering phase functions used in the radiative calculations. Since the first FIRE cirrus results, advances have been made in all three areas. The present paper reports on improvements in the radiative modeling of ice particles at 0.83, 1.65, and 2.21 mu m wavelengths appropriate for comparisons to Landsat Thematic Mapper data. The paper also includes new results for Landsat observations of ice clouds in the eastern and western tropical Pacific.

Wielicki, Bruce A.↗
NASA NTRS1994

Drop size distributions and related properties of fog for five locations measured from aircraft

Fog drop size distributions were collected from aircraft as part of the Synthetic Vision Technology Demonstration Program. Three west coast marine advection fogs, one frontal fog, and a radiation fog were sampled from the top of the cloud to the bottom as the aircraft descended on a 3-degree glideslope. Drop size versus altitude versus concentration are shown in three dimensional plots for each 10-meter altitude interval from 1-minute samples. Also shown are median volume radius and liquid water content. Advection fogs contained the largest drops with median volume radius of 5-8 micrometers, although the drop sizes in the radiation fog were also large just above the runway surface. Liquid water content increased with height, and the total number of drops generally increased with time. Multimodal variations in number density and particle size were noted in most samples where there was a peak concentration of small drops (2-5 micrometers) at low altitudes, midaltitude peak of drops 5-11 micrometers, and high-altitude peak of the larger drops (11-15 micrometers and above). These observations are compared with others and corroborate previous results in fog gross properties, although there is considerable variation with time and altitude even in the same type of fog.

Zak, J. Allen↗
NASA NTRS1994

Particle-in-cell simulations of the critical ionization velocity effect in finite size clouds

The critical ionization velocity (CIV) mechanism in a finite size cloud is studied with a series of electrostatic particle-in-cell simulations. It is observed that an initial seed ionization, produced by non-CIV mechanisms, generates a cross-field ion beam which excites a modified beam-plasma instability (MBPI) with frequency in the range of the lower hybrid frequency. The excited waves accelerate electrons along the magnetic field up to the ion drift energy that exceeds the ionization energy of the neutral atoms. The heated electrons in turn enhance the ion beam by electron-neutral impact ionization, which establishes a positive feedback loop in maintaining the CIV process. It is also found that the efficiency of the CIV mechanism depends on the finite size of the gas cloud in the following ways: (1) Along the ambient magnetic field the finite size of the cloud, L (sub parallel), restricts the growth of the fastest growing mode, with a wavelength lambda (sub m parallel), of the MBPI. The parallel electron heating at wave saturation scales approximately as (L (sub parallel)/lambda (sub m parallel)) (exp 1/2); (2) Momentum coupling between the cloud and the ambient plasma via the Alfven waves occurs as a result of the finite size of the cloud in the direction perpendicular to both the ambient magnetic field and the neutral drift. This reduces exponentially with time the relative drift between the ambient plasma and the neutrals. The timescale is inversely proportional to the Alfven velocity. (3) The transvers e charge separation field across the cloud was found to result in the modulation of the beam velocity which reduces the parallel heating of electrons and increases the transverse acceleration of electrons. (4) Some energetic electrons are lost from the cloud along the magnetic field at a rate characterized by the acoustic velocity, instead of the electron thermal velocity. The loss of energetic electrons from the cloud seems to be larger in the direction of plasma drift relative to the neutrals, where the loss rate is characterized by the neutral drift velocity. It is also shown that a factor of 4 increase in the ambient plasma density, increases the CIV ionization yield by almost 2 orders of magnitude at the end of a typical run. It is concluded that a larger ambient plasma density can result in a larger CIV yield because of (1) larger seed ion production by non-CIV mechanisms, (2) smaller Alfven velocity and hence weak momentum coupling, and (3) smaller ratio of the ion beam density to the ambient ion density, and therefore a weaker modulation of the beam velocity. The simulation results are used to interpret various chemical release experiments in space.

Moghaddam-Taaheri, E.↗