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Results for “Convective mixing layer”

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 37 records · Page 2
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2024

Influence of Antarctic and Greenland Continental Shelf Circulation on High‐Latitude Oceans in E3SM

The science objectives of this project are to simulate and understand the impacts of both deep-basin warm-water intrusions and land-ice melt on the continental shelf circulations and sea-ice distributions around the margins of Greenland and Antarctica. As well, the role of subsurface ocean heat from the Atlantic on declining sea-ice cover in the Arctic is explored. Mesoscale processes and fine bathymetry are implicated in cross-shelf property transports around both Greenland and Antarctica. Therefore, we configured and ran an atmospheric reanalysis-forced global ocean/sea-ice simulation on a grid that reduces from 8 km at the Equator to 2 km at the poles (UH8to2) with 60 vertical levels. It was produced using the Energy Exascale Earth System Model ‘‘HiLAT’’ code (E3SMv0-HiLAT) that uses the Parallel Ocean Program (POP) and CICE5 as its ocean and sea-ice components, respectively. Two main UH8to2 simulations were carried out: one for 1975-2009 and the other for July 2016-2020 after it was initialized from a 1/25° data-assimilative ocean/sea-ice prediction system ocean/sea-ice state. The UH8to2 is not coupled to an active land-ice model. Rather, land-ice melt is represented by observationally informed freshwater fluxes (FWFs). Short (multi-year) UH8to2 simulations were conducted to understand sensitivities when Greenland ice sheet (GrIS) melt is released only at the ocean surface or when it is distributed over the upper water column in accordance with fjord melt plume behavior; these cases were compared with a no GrIS melt case. West Greenland continental shelf currents were fastest in the vertical distribution case and an increase in baroclinic conversion at the shelf break associated with increased eddy kinetic energy was found relative to the surface release case. Further, salinity is lower and meltwater volume greater in the eastern Labrador Sea in the vertical distribution case. For the Arctic, the veracity of the UH8to2 was evaluated for 2017-2020 using available observations. Simulated seasonal sea-ice thickness and concentration are realistic, but the ice is unrealistically thin in the central and eastern Arctic in the fall. Comparisons of vertical sections of ocean temperature, salinity, and buoyancy collected from Ice-Tethered Profilers (ITPs) in the eastern Arctic in the fall and winter of 2019/2020 and co-located/concurrent UH8to2 fields show the stratification over the top 100 m of the water column is too low in the model, the simulated mixed layer too deep, and the simulated subsurface Atlantic Water (AW) too warm; these biases may contribute to the sea-ice biases. A model intercomparison study using the UH8to2 and a forced 1/25° regional Arctic ocean/sea-ice (uses the HYbrid Coordinate Ocean Model and CICE5) simulation further investigates the relationship between AW and sea-ice in the eastern Arctic. The models show a mesoscale-rich pulse of Atlantic Water extending into the eastern basin that reaches maximum intensity in late winter of 2018, after which it decreases in strength. Concurrent and co-located sea-ice melt or the inhibition of sea-ice growth is seen and is attributed to halocline mesoscale eddies doming into the mixed layer with convection bringing this heat into the vicinity of the sea-ice.

58 GEOSCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2020

A Review of Microwave-Assisted Synthesis-Based Approaches to Reduce Pd-Content in Catalysts

This review article focuses on the latest advances in the synthesis of inorganic nano-catalysts using microwave heating, which has progressed significantly since its initial implementation in the mid-1980s. Over the years, nanoparticles (NPs), which inherently offer better surface accessibility for heterogeneous catalysis, have been synthesized using a wide array of heating methods. Microwave heating is one such method and employs a unique heating mechanism that can have several benefits for catalysis. When compared to conventional form of heating which relies on inter-layer mixing via convection, microwave heating operates through the chemical polarity in the target chemicals leading to an “inside-out” mode of heating. This heating mechanism is more targeted and therefore results in rapid synthesis of catalytically active NPs. Platinum group metals (PGM) have classically been the focus of nano-catalysis; however, recent efforts have also applied non-PGM group metals with the goals of lower costs, and ideally, improved catalytic reactivity and durability. This is especially of interest with respect to Pd because of its current historically high cost. Investigations into these new materials have primarily focused on new/improved synthetic methods and catalytic compositions, but it is important to note that these approaches must also be economic and scalable to attain practical relevance. With this overarching goal in mind, this review summarizes notable recent findings with a focus on Pd-dilution and microwave heating in a chronological fashion.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
NASA NTRS1979

Theoretical studies of the transport and removal processes of Sahara dust

The processes controlling the evolution of aerosol particles may be divided into dynamic processes concerned with the motions of air currents and microphysical processes concerned with the growth of the individual particles. The Ames planetary boundary layer model was modified to construct a subsynoptic scale aerosol model to study the long term fate of the Saharan dust. The transport model consists of a mixed layer, a convection layer, and free atmosphere. Conditions used for a preliminary test run and results obtained are described.

Lee, I. Y.↗
NASA NTRS1999

Use of Data to Improve El Nino Southern Oscillation Simulations and Forecasts

Various data over the period 1980-1998 have been used to improve El Nino Southern Oscillation (ENSO) simulations and forecasts performed by coupled ocean/atmosphere models. For such a study, oceanic and atmospheric satellite data are necessary. Models assume a baroclinic ocean with a mixed layer coupled to a baroclinic atmosphere to simulate the anomalous fields. The various data have been used to revisit the parameterizations of the subsurface temperature in the mixed layer, atmospheric convection, and friction in the baroclinic ocean. This new model, named Tsub.Conv, simulates 4-year oscillations like the model with the original parameterization, but with anomalous thermocline and wind anomalies that agree a lot better with reality. The atmospheric model still presents some deficiencies in the eastern Pacific and when it is replaced by a statistical atmosphere, the coupled model (Tsub.Astat) performs even better. It is found that the off-equatorial ocean and wind curl anomalies play a crucial role for all these models and that Tsub.Astat simulates an ocean heat content recharge coming from the north prior to a warm event like the ones observed during the 1985-1992 period. The ENSO forecasts over 1980-1998 are considerably improved with Tsub.Astat. One needs to add the simulation of westerly wind bursts to be able to forecast the 1997 event one year in advance. Additional information is contained in the original.

Perigaud, Claire↗
NASA NTRS2006

Updraft Model for Development of Autonomous Soaring Uninhabited Air Vehicles

Large birds and glider pilots commonly use updrafts caused by convection in the lower atmosphere to extend flight duration, increase cross-country speed, improve range, or simply to conserve energy. Uninhabited air vehicles may also have the ability to exploit updrafts to improve performance. An updraft model was developed at NASA Dryden Flight Research Center (Edwards, California) to investigate the use of convective lift for uninhabited air vehicles in desert regions. Balloon and surface measurements obtained at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Surface Radiation station (Desert Rock, Nevada) enabled the model development. The data were used to create a statistical representation of the convective velocity scale, w*, and the convective mixing-layer thickness, zi. These parameters were then used to determine updraft size, vertical velocity profile, spacing, and maximum height. This paper gives a complete description of the updraft model and its derivation. Computer code for running the model is also given in conjunction with a check case for model verification.

Allen, Michael J.↗
NASA NTRS1998

Influence of Mesoscale Eddies on New Production in the Sargasso Sea

It is problematic that geochemical estimates of new production - that fraction of total primary production in surface waters fueled by externally supplied nutrients - in oligotrophic waters of the open ocean surpass that which can be sustained by the traditionally accepted mechanisms of nutrient supply. In the case of the Sargasso Sea, for example, these mechanisms account for less than half of the annual nutrient requirement indicated by new production estimates based on three independent transient-tracer techniques. Specifically, approximately one-quarter to one-third of the annual nutrient requirement can be supplied by entrainment into the mixed layer during wintertime convection, with minor contributions from mixing in the thermocline and wind-driven transport (the potentially important role of nitrogen fixation - for which estimates vary by an order of magnitude in this region - is excluded from this budget). Here we present four lines of evidence - eddy-resolving model simulations, high-resolution observations from moored instrumentation, shipboard surveys, and satellite data - which suggest that the vertical flux of nutrients induced by the dynamics of mesoscale eddies is sufficient to balance the nutrient budget in the Sargasso Sea. Additional information is contained in the original extended abstract.

McGillicuddy , Dennis J., Jr.↗
NASA NTRS1998

Influence of Mesoscale Eddies on New Production in the Sargasso Sea

It is problematic that geochemical estimates of new production, that fraction of total primary production in surface waters fueled by externally supplied nutrients, in oligotrophic waters of the open ocean surpass that which can be sustained by the traditionally accepted mechanisms of nutrient supply. In the cam of the Sargasso Sea, for example, these mechanisms account for less than half of the annual nutrient requirement indicated by new production estimates based on three independent transient-tracer techniques. Specifically, approximately one-quarter to one-third of the annual nutrient requirement can be supplied by entrainment into the mixed layer during wintertime convection, with minor contributions from mixing in the thermocline and wind-driven transport (the potentially important role of nitrogen fixation- for which estimates vary by an order of magnitude in this region- is excluded from this budget). Here we present four lines of evidence-eddy-resolving model simulations, high-resolution observations from moored instrumentation, shipboard surveys and satellite data-which suggest that the vertical flux of nutrients induced by the dynamics of mesoscale eddies is sufficient to balance the nutrient budget in the Sargasso Sea.

McGillicuddy, D. J., Jr.↗
DOE OSTI2025

Convective shells in the interior of Cepheid variable stars: Overshooting models based on hydrodynamic simulations

Context. Because Cepheid variable stars have long been used as a cosmic benchmark for scaling distances in our Galaxy and beyond, the accuracy of stellar evolution models for Cepheids have wide-reaching effects. However, our understanding of the dynamics in the interiors of these physically complex stars is limited. Aims. Our goal is to provide a detailed multi-dimensional picture of hydrodynamic convection and convective boundary mixing in the interior of Cepheids. Methods. Using the Modules for Experiments in Stellar Astrophysics (MESA), we studied the structure of intermediate-mass stars that cross the instability strip. Then, we performed two-dimensional hydrodynamic simulations of six stars with the fully compressible Multidimensional Stellar Implicit Code (MUSIC). Our simulations did not model the radial pulsations but focused on the interior structure of this family of stars. We developed and applied a new statistical analysis to examine convection and convective boundary mixing in the interior of these stellar simulations. Results. Based on a grid of MESA models, we demonstrated that a common structure for intermediate mass Cepheids includes an interior convective shell as well as a thin outer convective envelope. Using the extreme value theory approach to analyze our MUSIC simulation data, we found that overshooting above the convective shell fills the space between these convectively unstable layers. We developed a new statistical analysis that provides a clearer picture of how overshooting fills this layer; it also allowed us to formulate a detailed comparison between overshooting above and below the convective shell. Our analysis effectively decomposes the overshooting layer into two layers: a weak overshooting layer and a strong overshooting layer. Statistically, this is accomplished by decomposing the strongly non-Gaussian probability density function into a mixture of gamma distributions. Using our mixture model, we showed that the ratio of overshooting lengths above and below the convective shell depends directly on the radial extent of the convective shell as well as its depth in the star. We proposed a new form for the diffusion coefficient that addresses the need for overlapping overshooting layers between convective shells. We introduced the idea of a “super-mixing layer” where overshooting from both the convective shell and the convective envelope results in efficient mixing and could be viewed as merging the two adjacent convective zones.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
NASA NTRS1999

Effects of Precipitation on Ocean Mixed-Layer Temperature and Salinity as Simulated in a 2-D Coupled Ocean-Cloud Resolving Atmosphere Model

A two-dimensional coupled ocean-cloud resolving atmosphere model is used to investigate possible roles of convective scale ocean disturbances induced by atmospheric precipitation on ocean mixed-layer heat and salt budgets. The model couples a cloud resolving model with an embedded mixed layer-ocean circulation model. Five experiment are performed under imposed large-scale atmospheric forcing in terms of vertical velocity derived from the TOGA COARE observations during a selected seven-day period. The dominant variability of mixed-layer temperature and salinity are simulated by the coupled model with imposed large-scale forcing. The mixed-layer temperatures in the coupled experiments with 1-D and 2-D ocean models show similar variations when salinity effects are not included. When salinity effects are included, however, differences in the domain-mean mixed-layer salinity and temperature between coupled experiments with 1-D and 2-D ocean models could be as large as 0.3 PSU and 0.4 C respectively. Without fresh water effects, the nocturnal heat loss over ocean surface causes deep mixed layers and weak cooling rates so that the nocturnal mixed-layer temperatures tend to be horizontally-uniform. The fresh water flux, however, causes shallow mixed layers over convective areas while the nocturnal heat loss causes deep mixed layer over convection-free areas so that the mixed-layer temperatures have large horizontal fluctuations. Furthermore, fresh water flux exhibits larger spatial fluctuations than surface heat flux because heavy rainfall occurs over convective areas embedded in broad non-convective or clear areas, whereas diurnal signals over whole model areas yield high spatial correlation of surface heat flux. As a result, mixed-layer salinities contribute more to the density differences than do mixed-layer temperatures.

Li, Xiaofan↗
NASA NTRS1985

Simulation of turbulent mixing layers

A hybrid numerical scheme, combined with a scalar convection scheme, is used to compute turbulent mixing layers. The hybrid scheme is used to solve the vorticity equation by dividing the domain into two regions, applying a Lagrangian method in one region and an Eulerian method in the other. The scalar convection scheme is used to track an interface which separates a dyed fluid from a dye-free fluid, thereby distinguishing the fluid that starts on the high speed side from the fluid that starts on the low speed side. A two-dimensional mixing layer has been simulated using this new method; the roll up of a vortex sheet into structures that interact and pair is observed. The growth of the momentum thickness and the development of the mean turbulence statistics are found to be consistent with experimental observations. Forcing of the layer at moderate and low frequencies shows a dramatic effect on the growth of the momentum thickness and the entrainment ratio. Low frequency forcing enhances the growth of the layer; moderate frequency forcing inhibits the growth.

Mansour, N. N.↗
NASA NTRS1997

Enhancement of Mixing and Reaction in High-speed Combustor Flowfields

Research has been underway for a number of years, both in the United States and abroad, to develop advanced aerospace propulsion systems for use late in this century and beyond. One program is now underway at the NASA Langley Research Research has been underway for a number of years, both in the United States and abroad, to develop advanced aerospace propulsion systems for use late in this century and beyond. One program is now underway at the NASA Langley Research Center to develop a hydrogen-fueled supersonic combustion ramjet (scramjet) that is capable of propelling a vehicle at hypersonic speeds in the atmosphere. A part of that research has been directed toward the optimization of the scramjet combustor and, in particular, the efficiency of fuel-air mixing and reaction taking place in the engine. In the high-speed vehicle configurations currently being considered, achieving a high combustor efficiency becomes particularly difficult. With increasing combustor Mach number, the degree of fuel-air mixing that can be achieved through natural convective and diffusive processes is reduced leading to an overall decrease in combustion efficiency and thrust. Compressible shear layers and jets provide a good model for studying the physical processes occurring in high speed mixing and combustion in a scramjet. Mixing layers are characterized by large scale eddies that form due to the high shear that is present between the fuel and the air streams. These eddies entrain the fuel and air into the mixing region between the fluids leading to increased surface area and locally steep concentration gradients. Molecular diffusion then occurs across the strained interfaces. In an early study of high-speed mixing, Brown and Roshko show that the spreading rate of a supersonic mixing layer decreases with increasing Mach number, exhibiting a factor of three decrease in spread rate as compared with an incompressible mixing layer with the same density ratio. They conclude that the reduced spread rate is primarily due to compressibility. Papamoschou and Roshko also observe that the spreading rate of compressible mixing layers is significantly reduced over that of incompressible layers. To characterize the structure of the flow quantitatively, they define a convective Mach number. The reduction in mixing layer spreading rate is shown in these experiments to correlate well with increasing convective Mach number.

Drummond, J. Philip↗
DOE OSTI2023

Uniform momentum and temperature zones in unstably stratified turbulent flows

Wall-bounded turbulent flows exhibit a zonal arrangement, in which streamwise velocity organizes into uniform momentum zones (UMZs), separated by thin layers of elevated interfacial shear. While significant research efforts have focused on these structural features in neutrally stratified flows, the effects of unstable thermal stratification on UMZs and on analogous uniform temperature zones (UTZs) have not been considered previously. In this article, statistical properties of UMZs and UTZs are investigated using a suite of large eddy simulations of unstably stratified turbulent channel flow spanning weakly to highly convective conditions. When normalized by the friction velocity and stability-dependent mixing length, the mean velocity gradient based on UMZ interfacial velocity jumps and the vorticity thickness exhibits good collapse for all stabilities, establishing a link between UMZ properties and scaling predictions from Monin–Obukhov similarity theory. A similar relationship is found between UTZ properties and surface-layer scaling of the mean temperature gradient. In the mixed layer, mean UMZ depth is quasi-constant with wall-normal distance, while the deepest UTZs are found in the centre of the boundary layer. These instantaneous structures are found to be linked to the well-mixed velocity and temperature profiles in the convective mixed layer. Conditional averaging indicates that both UMZ and UTZ interfaces are associated with ejections of momentum and warm updrafts below the interface and sweeps of momentum and cool downdrafts above the interface. These results demonstrate a tangible connection between instantaneous structural features, mean properties and scaling laws in unstably stratified flows.

Mechanics↗
NASA NTRS1991

A two-equation turbulence model for compressible reacting flows

A two-equation turbulence model (k-epsilon) has been modified to model compressible reacting flows. A compressibility correction model based on modeling the dilatational terms in the Reynolds stress equations has been used. Computations are carried out using the Navier-Stokes solver SPARK which includes a finite rate chemistry model for hydrogen-air combustion. Initially, planar compressible mixing layers are simulated. Comparisons of the predictions with available experimental data and the predictions of a compressible Reynolds stress closure indicate that the model is well suited for the study of such flows. The decrease in the growth rate of the mixing layer with increasing convective Mach number is well predicted. The model is then tested on a three-dimensional supersonic flow problem where solid boundaries are present. An axisymmetric nonreacting mixing layer flow involving dissimilar gases is evaluated next using the model and the predictions are compared with available experimental data. Finally, two reacting turbulent flow configurations have been studied and comparison of predictions and experimental data has been done. The comparisons indicate that the model predicts the overall features of the test cases very well.

Narayan, J. R.↗
NASA NTRS1993

Two-equation turbulence model for compressible reacting flows

A two-equation k-epsilon turbulence model is presently modified for applicability to compressible flows by adapting a compressibility correction model. Compressible mixing layer computations show that the reduced growth rate of the mixing layer with increasing convective Mach number is accurately predicted by these means. Preliminary studies of reacting mixing problems involving dissimilar gases show the model's suitability for application to such flows.

Narayan, J. R.↗
NASA NTRS1991

Computation of turbulent high speed mixing layers using a two-equation turbulence model

A two-equation turbulence model was extended to be applicable for compressible flows. A compressibility correction based on modelling the dilational terms in the Reynolds stress equations were included in the model. The model is used in conjunction with the SPARK code for the computation of high speed mixing layers. The observed trend of decreasing growth rate with increasing convective Mach number in compressible mixing layers is well predicted by the model. The predictions agree well with the experimental data and the results from a compressible Reynolds stress model. The present model appears to be well suited for the study of compressible free shear flows. Preliminary results obtained for the reacting mixing layers are included.

Narayan, J. R.↗
NASA NTRS1973

Turbulent correlation measurements in a two-stream mixing layer.

Two point space-time measurements of the axial component of fluctuating velocity were made using linearized hot-wire anemometry. Space scales, convected frame correlations and time scales, and convection velocities in the shear layer were evaluated. Both filtered narrow and broad band convected frame autocorrelations were determined. Differences between axial broad band convection velocities and both mean turbulence and mean entrained fluid velocities were observed. Scaled broad band convection velocities for the mixing layer and simple round jets were found to collapse to a common curve. Axial narrow band convection velocities showed strong frequency and transverse position dependence.

Jones, B. G.↗
NASA NTRS1995

Dual Wall Angles Would Enhance Performance Of A Solar Pond

Proposed dual-angle design for Sun-facing wall of solar pond enhances solar-energy-storage performance of pond; increase in performance over that of similar pond with conventional (single-angle) wall estimated to be 25 percent. Design compromises between maximizing heating and minimizing convection. Top part of Sun-facing wall optimized for top colder layer of water, less tendency toward convective mixing. Bottom part of wall optimized for bottom, warmer layer of water, greater tendency towards convection. Optimization involves consideration of both anticipated temperature-vs.-depth profile (affects tendency toward convection) and latitude (affects angle of incidence of solar radiation and rate of heating).

Noever, David A.↗