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At least 415 records · Page 23

Optimization of a Secondary Air Injector for a Rich-Quench-Lean (RQL) Ammonia Combustor Using Computational Fluid Dynamics

Ammonia has emerged as a promising medium for moving hydrogen around the globe due to its energy density, existing infrastructure for production, transportation, and storage, and multiple applications from fertilizer to power generation. However, one of the most significant challenges with ammonia combustion for power generation is the formation of nitrogen oxides (NOx) during combustion. Several combustion strategies have been developed to minimize the formation of NOx. One such strategy, known as rich-quench-lean (RQL), is a method that combusts NH3 in a fuel-rich environment, followed by a quick mix section and a lean burnout section. Rapid mixing of secondary air before lean burnout is thought to be important to minimize the formation of NOx. A genetic algorithm (GA) is used to parametrically vary the secondary air injector design, including the diameter, count, and angles over a constrained design space. The designs are evaluated using a non-reacting OpenFOAM model, with the objective function being the uniformity index of the secondary air (modeled as a scalar). Optimization campaigns show that traditional correlation-based designs might not be adequate. After running 414 OpenFOAM models, the optimal design is 32, 1 mm diameter, angled air injectors, increasing the uniformity index at the outlet of the quick mix zone by 36.8%. The most promising designs will be manufactured and tested in a small RQL burner setup, which is expected to lead to validation and insight into the practical usage of NH3 combustion for power generation.

ammonia combustion↗

Assessing the Effect of Spaceflight on the Propensity for Astronauts to Develop Disk Herniation

BACKGROUND: A previous study [1] reported that the instantaneous risk of developing a Herniated Nucleus Pulposus (HNP) was higher in astronauts who had flown at least one mission, as compared with those in the corps who had not yet flown. However, the study only analyzed time to HNP after the first mission (if any) and did not account for the possible effects of multiple missions. While many HNP's occurred well into astronauts' careers or in some cases years after retirement, the higher incidence of HNPs relatively soon after completion of space missions appears to indicate that spaceflight may lead to an increased risk of HNP. The purpose of this study was to support the Human System Risk Board assessment of back pain, evaluate the risk of injury due to dynamic loads, and update the previous dataset which contained events up to December 31, 2006. METHODS: Data was queried from the electronic medical record and provided by the Lifetime Surveillance of Astronaut Health. The data included all 330 United States astronauts from 1959 through February 2014. Cases were confirmed by Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Computerized Tomography, Myelography, operative findings, or through clinical confirmation with a neurologist or neurosurgeon. In this analysis, astronauts who had an HNP at selection into the corps or had an HNP diagnosis prior to their first flight were excluded. The statistical challenges in using the available data to separate effects of spaceflight from those associated with general astronaut training and lifestyle on propensity to develop HNPs are many. The primary outcome is reported date of first HNP (if any), which at best is only an approximation to the actual time of occurrence. To properly analyze this data with a survival analysis model, one must also know the "exposure" time - i.e. how long each astronaut has been at risk for developing an HNP. If an HNP is reported soon after a mission, is it mission caused or general? If the former, exposure time should be counted from the time of landing (assuming the risk of HNP occurring during a mission is zero). If the latter, exposure time should be counted from the time of selection; however we can't directly know which one to use. In our analysis we take both of these possibilities into account with a competing risks model, wherein two distinct stochastic processes are going on: TG = time to HNP (general) and TS = time to HNP (spaceflight). Under this type of model, whichever of these occurs first is what we observe; in other words we don't observe TG or TS, only min(TG, TS). Here, we parameterized the model in terms of separate Weibull hazard functions for each process and estimated all parameters using maximum likelihood. In addition, we allowed for a "cured fraction" - i.e. the possibility that some astronauts may never develop an HNP. RESULTS: Results will include a depiction of the competing hazard functions as well as a probability curve for the relative likelihood that an HNP reported at a given time after a mission is actually mission caused. Other factors, such as dwell time in microgravity and vehicle landing environment will be explored. An overall assessment as to whether spaceflight truly exacerbates HNP risk will be made.

Feiveson, A. H.↗

Ortho- and clinopyroxene compositions in ordinary chondrites and related blander model calculation procedures

Chemical analyses of the orthopyroxene and clinopyroxene compositions in chondrites are reported. Standard microprobe techniques to 15 kilovolts, 0.03 microamperes, and 40 second counting time were employed. Duplicate analyses were conducted on three grains of each opx and cpx together with two different raw data correction methods as checks on analytical precision and correction procedures. Only those analytical summations of between 99.20 and 100.80 weight percent, and cation summations between 3.980 and 4.020 (based on 6 oxygens) were used.

Bunch, T. E.↗

Some atmospheric scattering considerations relevant to BATSE: A model calculation

The orbiting Burst and Transient Source Experiement (BATSE) will locate gamma ray burst sources by analysis of the relative numbers of photons coming directly from a source and entering its prescribed array of detectors. In order to accurately locate burst sources it is thus necessary to identify and correct for any counts contributed by events other than direct entry by a mainstream photon. An effort is described which estimates the photon numbers which might be scattered into the BATSE detectors from interactions with the Earth atmosphere. A model was developed which yielded analytical expressions for single-scatter photon contributions in terms of source and satellite locations.

Young, John H.↗

An intercalibration of Meteosat-1 and GOES-2 visible and infrared measurements

An intercomparison between radiative parameters determined from visible and infrared channels of the Meteosat-1 and GOES-2 geosynchronous satellites has been carried out using data obtained over the central Atlantic Ocean for 5 November 1978. Hourly visible-infrared measurement pairs at a nominal resolution of 5 km (Meteosat) or 8 km (GOES) have been stored in 1 deg x 1 deg longitude-latitude regions. For the infrared intercomparisons, the GOES 11.5 micron radiance has been compared to Meteosat infrared counts. The scatter in partly cloudy regions is interpreted as being caused by meteorological differences arising from differences in measurement time between the two data sets. For the visible intercomparison, the GOES measurements for clear and cloudy scenes have first been converted with the aid of scene-dependent angular reflectance and albedo models to estimates of the filtered shortwave radiance that GOES would have measured had it been in the Meteosat position. This value has then been compared to Meteosat counts for the shortwave channel. The results indicate that earlier Meteosat calibrations made from airplane overflights of a limited variety of surfaces are applicable to much larger areas of cloud and ocean.

Brooks, D. R.↗

Modeling of the mechanical alloying process

Two programs have been developed to compute the dimensional and property changes that occur with repetitive impacts during the mechanical alloying process. The more sophisticated of the programs also maintains a running count of the fractions of particles present and from this calculates a population distribution. The programs predict powder particle size and shape changes in accord with the accepted stages of powder development during mechanical alloying of ductile species. They also predict hardness and lamellar thickness changes with processing, again with reasonable agreement with experimental results. These predictions offer support of the model (and thereby give insight into the possible 'actual' happenings of mechanical alloying) and hence allow refinement and calibration of the myriad aspects of the model. They also provide a vehicle for establishing control over the dimensions and properties of the output powders used for consolidation, thereby facilitating optimization of the consolidation process.

Maurice, D.↗

Icy Satellites of Saturn: Impact Cratering and Age Determination

Saturn is the first giant planet to be visited by an orbiting spacecraft that can transmit large amounts of data to Earth. Crater counts on satellites from Phoebe inward to the regular satellites and ring moons are providing unprecedented insights into the origin and time histories of the impacting populations. Many Voyager-era scientists concluded that the satellites had been struck by at least two populations of impactors. In this view, the Population I impactors, which were generally judged to be comets orbiting the Sun, formed most of the larger and older craters, while Population II impactors, interpreted as Saturn-orbiting ejecta from impacts on satellites, produced most of the smaller and younger craters. Voyager data also implied that all of the ring moons, and probably some of the midsized classical moons, had been catastrophically disrupted and reaccreted since they formed. We examine models of the primary impactor populations in the Saturn system. At the present time, ecliptic comets, which likely originate in the Kuiper belt/scattered disk, are predicted to dominate impacts on the regular satellites and ring moons, but the models require extrapolations in size (from the observed Kuiper belt objects to the much smaller bodies that produce the craters) or in distance (from the known active Jupiter family comets to 9.5 AU). Phoebe, Iapetus, and perhaps even moons closer to Saturn have been struck by irregular satellites as well. We describe the Nice model, which provides a plausible mechanism by which the entire Solar System might have experienced an era of heavy bombardment long after the planets formed. We then discuss the three cratering chronologies, including one based upon the Nice model, that have been used to infer surface ages from crater densities on the saturnian satellites. After reviewing scaling relations between the properties of impactors and the craters they produce, we provide model estimates of the present-day rate at which comets impact, and catastrophically disrupt, the saturnian moons. Finally, we present crater counts on the satellites from two different groups. Many of the heavily cratered terrains appear to be nearly saturated, so it is difficult to infer the provenance of the impactors from crater counts alone. More large craters have been found on Iapetus than on any other satellite. Enceladus displays an enormous range of surface ages, ranging from the old mid-latitude plains to the extremely young South Polar Terrain. Cassini images provide some evidence for the reality of Population II. Most of the observed craters may have formed in one or more cataclysms, but more work is needed to determine the roles of heliocentric and planetocentric bodies in creating the craters.

Dones, L.↗

Regulation of hematopoiesis in rats exposed to antiorthostatic, hypokinetic/hypodynamia. I - Model description

The effect of a 7-day suspension in a jacket and harness with 20-deg head-down tilt on body weight, food and water consumption, and hematological parameters is investigated experimentally in male Sprague-Dawley rats weighing 150-175 g. The results are presented in graphs and compared with those for unsuspended controls and with published data on rats and humans exposed to microgravity in space flight. Suspended rats are found to have reduced red-blood-cell mass, erythropoiesis, plasma volume (leading to temporarily increased hematocrit), body weight, and food and water consumption; rightward-shifted oxyhemoglobin-dissociation curves; and unchanged platelet count, leucocyte count or PHA reactivity, and red-blood-cell shape distribution. Since many of these effects are also seen in space flight, the present experimental model is considered a promising technique for simulating the hematopoietic effects of microgravity at 1 g.

Dunn, C. D. R.↗

A survey of particle measurements in the Arctic from the Forward Scattering Spectrometer Probe model 300

A new instrument, the Forward Scattering Spectrometer Probe (FSSP) 300, was used on the NASA ER-2 during the Airborne Arctic Stratospheric Expedition (AASE) to count and size particles in the size range 0.4-24 microns in diameter. A brief description of the instrument is presented, and observations for each ER-2 flight are summarized. Measurements were made in both type I and type II polar stratospheric clouds as well as in the background sulfuric-acid particles. Total particle concentrations up to 16/cu cm with total particle volumes up to 10 cubic micron/cu cm were observed in some of the polar-stratospheric-cloud events.

Dye, J. E.↗

Evolution of Tropical Cyclone Properties Across the Development Cycle of the GISS-E3 Global Climate Model

The next-generation global climate model from the NASA Goddard Institute for Space Studies, GISS-E3, contains many improvements to resolution and physics that allow for improved representation of tropical cyclones (TCs) in the model. This study examines the properties of TCs in two different versions of E3 at different points in its development cycle, run for 20 years at 0.5 degree resolution, and compares these TCs with observations, the previous generation GISS model, E2, and other climate models. E3 shares many TC biases common to global climate models, such as having too few tropical cyclones, but is much improved from E2. E3 produces strong enough TCs that observation-based wind speed thresholds can now be used to detect and track them, and some storms now reach hurricane intensity; neither of these was true of E2. Model development between the first and second versions of E3 further increased the number and intensity of TCs and reduced TC count biases globally and in most regions. One-year sensitivity tests to changes in various microphysical and dynamical tuning parameters are also examined. Increasing the entrainment rate for the more strongly-entraining plume in the convection scheme increases the number of TCs (though also affecting other climate variables, and in some cases increasing biases). Variations in divergence damping did not have a strong effect on simulated TC properties, contrary to expectations based on previous studies. Overall, the improvements in E3 make it more credible for studies of TC activity and its relationship to climate.

Tropical Cyclones↗

Photometry of late type stars

Broad band filter photometry for 57 bright stars of spectral type A2 discussed with peak instrument responses at 3320, 2980, 2460 and 1910 A. The data include nearly all usable filter observations of G, K and M types. Sampling is nearly complete for A and F giants and supergiants, with the exception of Cepheid variables. The basic results presented are relative digital counting rates obtained with a field-stop aperture of 10 minutes of arc. Characteristics of the four filter-photometer combinations and errors are discussed. Some observations require substantial correction if they are to represent the visually brightest star in the field. These corrections and the effects of interstellar reddening are discussed. The adjusted counts are then used to construct color-color diagrams and are compared to the recent SAO grid of model atmospheres.

Doherty, L. R.↗

X-ray emission and spin-up evolution of the 6.1-ms pulsar

An upper bound is calculated for the X ray luminosity of the binary pulsar PSR1953+29 and discussed in terms of effects on theretical models for the pulsar's formation and spin-up. The upper limit was obtained by summing the detected counts measured by the Einstein Observatory within a circle of radius 150 arcsec and subtracting local background fluxes. A flux upper bound of less than 4 x 10 to the 32 erg/sec, a neutron star radius of 15 km, a temperature less than 1,000,000 K, and a pulsar age of at least 3000 year are obtained. The neutron star could be much older than 10,000,000 yr, the spin-down rate is up to 10 to the minus 17 str/sec, and formation occurred by accretion when the companion was in a red giant phase. The pulsar has a mass of about 0.3 solar mass, travels an orbit of about 10 to the 13 cm, and evolved from a white dwarf near its Chandrasekhar limit. It is suggested that the magnetic surface field of the pulsar has stabilized near 1 billion G.

Helfand, D. J.↗

Fanaroff-Riley I galaxies as the parent population of BL Lacertae objects. I - X-ray constraints

The hypothesis that BL Lacertae objects are a special subset of Fanaroff-Riley type I radio galaxies, namely, those dominated by beamed emission from a relativistic jet aligned with the line of sight, is examined by looking at the relative number densities. The calculation depends primarily on observed quantities, including the X-ray luminosity function of Fanaroff-Riley type I galaxies. The model predicts the X-ray luminosity function of BL Lacertae objects, the shape of the X-ray counts below currently observed fluxes, and the velocity of the X-ray emitting jet. With Fanaroff-Riley type I galaxies as the parent population the flat luminosity function, the observed X-ray number counts, and the partial redshift distribution of BL Lacertae objects can be explained.

Padovani, P.↗

Testing the Big Bang: Light elements, neutrinos, dark matter and large-scale structure

Several experimental and observational tests of the standard cosmological model are examined. In particular, a detailed discussion is presented regarding: (1) nucleosynthesis, the light element abundances, and neutrino counting; (2) the dark matter problems; and (3) the formation of galaxies and large-scale structure. Comments are made on the possible implications of the recent solar neutrino experimental results for cosmology. An appendix briefly discusses the 17 keV thing and the cosmological and astrophysical constraints on it.

Schramm, David N.↗

Generation and comparison of globally isotropic space-filling truss structures

The purposes of this paper are to present a rationale for obtaining space-filling truss structures that behave like a globally isotropic continuum and to use continuum modeling to investigate their relative structural efficiencies (e.g., modulus-to-density, strength-to-density, and part-count-to-volume ratios). The trusses considered herein are generated by replication of a characteristic truss cell uniformly through space. The characteristic cells are categorized by one of a set of possible geometric symmetry groups derived using the techniques of crystallography. The implied elastic symmetry associated with each geometric symmetry group is identified to simplify the task of determining stiffness tailoring rules for guaranteeing global isotropy. Four truss geometries are analyzed to determine stiffness tailoring necessary for isotropy. All geometries exhibit equivalent isotropic Poisson's ratios of 1/4 and equivalent modulus-to-density ratios of 1/6 times the modulus-to-density ratio of the material used in their members. The truss configuration that has the lowest percent difference in member lengths is shown to have the lowest component part-count-to-volume ratios of all geometries considered when compared on a basis of equal stiffness, equal strength, and equal mass.

Lake, Mark S.↗

The Response of the BATSE LADs to Radiation From the Crab Nebula and Plans for Radioactivity Studies on Space Station

The Burst And Transient Source Experiment (BATSE) onboard the Compton Gamma-Ray Observatory (CGRO) was designed to measure X-rays and gamma rays with energies from about 50 keV to above 2 MeV. As with many scientific investigations, the success of the original experiment lead to additional areas of research interest. In the case of BATSE the ability to observe the radiation from sources down to about 20 keV became readily apparent. This lead to a continuing program of measuring the spectrum of radiation from stellar objects at these lower energies. One of these, the Crab Nebula, has a very steady radiation flux and, thus, has become a "standard candle" for such measurements. The Large Area Detectors (LADS) on BATSE contain a 1.27-cm thick, 25.4-cm radius NaI(Tl) detector behind a 6.35-mm thick polystyrene Charged Particle Detector (CPD) used to "veto" charged particles signals. The detectors have been calibrated with a series of gamma and X-ray sources and the results carefully simulated with a Monte Carlo code. In the calibration process the computer simulation accounts for scattering from material in the counting room as well as the BATSE structure. For an orbiting detector, scattering from the entire spacecraft must be modeled as well as for all covering material over the detectors. Five years after CGRO was launched on April 5, 1991, a large body of observational data has been taken of the Crab Nebula. The technique used for these observations, and for many other X-ray sources, is Earth occultation. From the perspective of the spacecraft, the Earth occults most stellar objects once in orbit, i.e., the signal is lost as the source sets and is regained as the source rises. A careful analysis of the continuing signals from all sources measured allows for an accurate measurement of the spectrum of a given source. An analysis of this data from the Crab has indicated that the LADs are very responsive at energies as low as 20 keV-at energies below the range of calibration. While the model accounts for many of the interactions of the photons with the detectors, the observation of nonstatistical deviations at low energy and at small angles has suggested a need to recalibrate at energies where the attenuation effects are increasing exponentially.

Laird, C. E.↗

Earth Occultation Techniques

Earth occultation is a familiar phenomenon to all residents of the Earth, although most know it as sunrise and sunset. Satellites observe Earth occultations of an astrophysical source when it sets behind or rises above the Earth's horizon (also called the Earth's limb). Two occultations, a rise and a set, occur every satellite orbit. The most extensive use of Earth occultation to measure sources was with the Burst and Transient Source Experiment (BATSE) on the Compton Gamma Ray Observatory (CGRO) for 9 years. The entire sky was subject to Earth occultation for some portion of CGRO's precession period. In BATSE data, atmospheric attenuation produced step-like features when astrophysical sources underwent occultation. The observed change in count rate in several energy bands provided a measurement of the source intensity and spectrum without requiring sophisticated background models. I will describe (1) a brief history of occultation techniques in X-ray and gamma ray astronomy; (2) how occultation features were used to locate and monitor astrophysical sources with BATSE and (3) how the Earth occultation technique can be applied to future instruments.

Wilson, Colleen A.↗

Flow Control on Low-Pressure Turbine Airfoils Using Vortex Generator Jets

Motivation - Higher loading on Low-Pressure Turbine (LPT) airfoils: Reduce airfoil count, weight, cost. Increase efficiency, and Limited by suction side separation. Growing understanding of transition, separation, wake effects: Improved models. Take advantage of wakes. Higher lift airfoils in use. Further loading increases may require flow control: Passive: trips, dimples, etc. Active: plasma actuators, vortex generator jets (VGJs). Can increased loading offset higher losses on high lift airfoils. Objectives: Advance knowledge of boundary layer separation and transition under LPT conditions. Demonstrate, improve understanding of separation control with pulsed VGJs. Produce detailed experimental data base. Test and develop computational models.

Volino, Ralph J.↗