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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 433 records · Page 24

Trajectories of the Mount St. Helens eruption plume

The plume of the major eruption of Mount St. Helens on May 18, 1980 penetrated 10 to 11 km into the stratosphere, attaining heights of 22 to 23 km. Wind shears rapidly converted the plume from an expanding vertical cone to a thin, slightly inclined lamina. The lamina was extruded zonally in the stratosphere as the lower part moved eastward at jet stream velocities, while the upper part slowly moved westward in the region of nonsteady transition from the westerlies to the summer stratospheric easterlies. Trajectories computed to position the NASA U-2 aircraft for sampling in the plume are described. Plume volume after 8 hours of strong volcanic emission is estimated at 2,000,000 cu km. Only about 1% of this volume is attributed to the volcano; the rest was entrained from the environment.

Danielsen, E. F.↗

Analysis of turbulent boundary layer on cascade and rotor blades of turbomachinery

The momentum integral technique for predicting the boundary layer growth in three-dimensional flow has been extended to include the entrainment equation as the closure model. The numerical solution is compared with the cascade, inducer, compressor, and fan rotor blade data from various sources. The agreement is found to be excellent in all cases, with the exception of the separated flow. Both the momentum thickness and the limiting streamline angle predicted from this analysis compare well with the measured data for a rotor blade. The technique is extremely useful in engineering design, analysis, and performance prediction.

Lakshminarayana, B.↗

Sunspot dynamics - Gravitational draining - A cooling mechanism

The inward and downward flow of cooled material below sunspots is considered as a possible explanation of the stability, temperature and heat flow characteristics of sunspots. It is suggested that the flow of material inwards towards the center of the sunspot and then downwards towards the center of the sun through magnetic field conduits plays a role in the cooling of sunspots as it does in pores and magnetic knots, although due to the larger size of a sunspot the downflow takes place below the photosphere. In this view, the inflow and cooling of sunspots are sustained by the release of energy by the convecting gas, which then becomes cooler and denser as it returns to the heat source. The lack of a bright ring around sunspots is explained by the entrainment of upward moving heat flux by the downward moving gases. The temperature and density distributions predicted by the present model are shown to be satisfactory agreement with the empirical model of Van't Veer (Tandberg-Hansen, 1966).

Schatten, K. H.↗

Radiative transfer in cometary dust atmospheres: Critique of recent developments

The gas and dust production rates of comets near the sun are intimately linked to the fate of the solar radiation as it is scattered and partially absorbed by the cometary dust envelope or halo surrounding the comet's nucleus. The radiation of nuclear matter (mostly water ice) and the release of dust particles embedded in the ice which are entrained by the escaping gas and subsequently form a dust atmosphere or halo. On the other hand, the interaction of the dust cloud with the solar radiation is in turn responsible for the amount of radiative energy received by the nucleus and thus determines the evaporation rate. It is shown that recent attempts to formulate this problem quantitatively are in error. The correct formulation is given and it is pointed out that negative extinction (enhancement of the primary radiation received by the nucleus due to multiple scattering) may not be as large as predicted.

Vonroos, O.↗

DONBOL: A computer program for predicting axisymmetric nozzle afterbody pressure distributions and drag at subsonic speeds

A Neumann solution for inviscid external flow was coupled to a modified Reshotko-Tucker integral boundary-layer technique, the control volume method of Presz for calculating flow in the separated region, and an inviscid one-dimensional solution for the jet exhaust flow in order to predict axisymmetric nozzle afterbody pressure distributions and drag. The viscous and inviscid flows are solved iteratively until convergence is obtained. A computer algorithm of this procedure was written and is called DONBOL. A description of the computer program and a guide to its use is given. Comparisons of the predictions of this method with experiments show that the method accurately predicts the pressure distributions of boattail afterbodies which have the jet exhaust flow simulated by solid bodies. For nozzle configurations which have the jet exhaust simulated by high-pressure air, the present method significantly underpredicts the magnitude of nozzle pressure drag. This deficiency results because the method neglects the effects of jet plume entrainment. This method is limited to subsonic free-stream Mach numbers below that for which the flow over the body of revolution becomes sonic.

Putnam, L. E.↗

Ground cloud related weather modification effects

The principal concerns about inadvertent weather modification by the solar power satellite system rocket effluents are discussed, namely the possibility that the ground cloud might temporarily modify local weather and the cumulative effects of nearly 500 launches per year. These issues are discussed through the consideration of (1) the possible alteration of the microphysical processes of clouds in the general area due to rocket effluents and debris and cooling water entrained during the launch and (2) the direct dynamical and thermodynamical responses to the inputs of thermal energy and moisture from the rocket exhaust for given ambient meteorological conditions. The huge amount of thermal energy contained in the exhaust of the proposed launch vehicle would in some situations induce a saturated, wet convective cloud or enhance an existing convective activity. Nevertheless, the effects would be limited to the general area of the launch site. The observed long lasting high concentrations of cloud condensation nuclei produced during and after a rocket launch may appreciably affect the frequency of occurrence and persistence of fogs and haze. In view of the high mission frequency proposed for the vehicle launches, a potential exists for a cumulative effect.

Lee, J.↗

The modeling and prediction of multiple jet VTOL aircraft flow fields in ground effect

An engineering methodology based on an empirical data base and analytical fluid dynamic models was developed for the prediction of propulsive lift system induced aerodynamic effects for multiple lift jet VTOL aircraft operating in the hover mode in and out of ground effect. The effects of aircraft geometry, aircraft orientation (pitch, roll) as well as height above ground are considered. Lift jet vector and splay directions fit the airframe, lift jet exit flow conditions, and both axisymmetric and rectangular nozzle exit geometry are also accommodated. The induced suckdown flows are computed from the potential flowfield induced by the turbulent entrainment of both the free jets and wall jets in ground effect and from the free jets alone out of ground effect. The methodology emphasized geometric considerations, computation of stagnation lines and fountain upwash inclination, fountain upwash formation and development, and fountain impingement on the airframe.

Kotansky, D. R.↗

Drop processes in natural clouds

A model of the diffusive mixing of dry and cloudy air, a process considered to be fundamental to the development of natural clouds, is presented. Water drops are formed at the cloud base by condensation upon nuclei and as they rise they grow by vapor diffusion in the slightly supersaturated environment of the clouds. Turbulent mixing between cloudy air and undersaturated air entrained from outside produces fluctuations in supersaturation, not linked to changes in vertical velocity, which cause broadening of the condensate spectrum and the rapid production of droplets large enough to engage in growth by coalescence. The probabilities of permanent union or the production of satellite droplets following the collision of a pair of raindrops is a sensitive function of several parameters. In some circumstances electrohydrodynamic bursting may influence the properties of clouds.

Latham, J.↗

Static investigation of the circulation control wing/upper surface blowing concept applied to the quiet short haul research aircraft

Full scale static investigations were conducted on the Quiet Short Haul Research Aircraft (QSRA) to determine the thrust deflecting capabilities of the circulation control wing/upper surface blowing (CCW/USB) concept. This scheme, which combines favorable characteristics of both the A-6/CCW and QSRA, employs the flow entrainment properties of CCW to pneumatically deflect engine thrust in lieu of the mechanical USB flap system. Results show that the no moving parts blown system produced static thrust deflections in the range of 40 deg to 97 deg (depending on thrust level) with a CCW pressure of 208,900 Pa (30.3 psig). In addition, the ability to vary horizontal forces from thrust to drag while maintaining a constant vertical (or lift) value was demonstrated by varying the blowing pressure. The versatility of the CCW/USB system, if applied to a STOL aircraft, was confirmed, where rapid conversion from a high drag approach mode to a thrust recovering waveoff or takeoff configuration could be achieved by nearly instantaneous blowing pressure variation.

Eppel, J. C.↗

Doppler radar observations of the three-dimensional turbulent structure of a quasi-steady thunderstorm

The spatial patterns and temporal evolution of Doppler radar-inferred turbulence within a quasi-steady, left-moving thunderstorm are reported. An organized downdraft circulation was observed, which maintained a persistent, continuously-propagating, anticyclonic and turbulent updraft. The updrafts attained peak speeds of 25 m/s, and maximum estimated reflectivity factors exhibited peak magnitudes of 50-55 dBZ. Mechanical and buoyant production appeared to be the primary generators of turbulence, although buoyancy generation may have also significantly contributed, since turbulent and dynamic entrainment into the vertically accelerating updraft was appreciable below the strongest turbulent activity at 7 km. Patterns of the radial shears of radial velocity exhibited a significant decrease in strength and areal coverage as the storm weakened, which is attributed to decreased activity of large turbulent eddies and the diminution of large-scale mean wind gradients produced by vertical exchanges of horizontal momentum and strong updraft gradients.

Knupp, K. R.↗

Dust emission from comets at large heliocentric distances. I - The case of comet Bowell /1980b/

Alternative processes of dust emission from comets at large heliocentric distances are considered, in order to explain the dust coma observed in comet Bowell (1980b) at a heliocentric distance as large as 7.17 AU. It is shown that the electrostatic blow-off of dust from a charged, H2O-dominated nucleus having a layer of loose, fine dust may be the formation process of the dust coma, with the coma size expected from the process being comparable to the observed value and the dust grain size being equal to or less than 0.4 microns in size. The upper limit for the total mass in the coma is 3.9 x 10 to the 8th g, and the spatial extension less than 10,000 km. The observed activity may alternatively be due to dust entrainment by the sublimating gas from a CO2-dominated nucleus.

Houpis, H. L. F.↗

Air quality model studies with application for southeastern Virginia

A single-cell photochemical air quality model incorporating (1) a published chemical mechanism, (2) advection, and (3) entrainment and emissions processes was constructed and compared with data from the EPA Regional Air Pollution Study. While agreement with measured CO and NO2 was established, O3 production was found to occur too rapidly and in excess. Calculated O3 levels improved when a 20% reduction in photolytic rate constants and a doubling of wind speed were applied. The results of the model sensitivity studies are being incorporated into the design and conduct of field measurement programs for the characterization of the vertical and horizontal homogeneity of an air quality region.

Brewer, D. A.↗

Unusual structure of the dayside low-latitude magnetopause energetic electron layer

An analysis of high time resolution energetic electron data from an ISEE 1 spacecraft crossing of the magnetopause on Nov. 6, 1977 is presented. Low-energy proton measurements were taken with an ultralow energy and charge analyzer and energetic electron measurements were made with an ultralow energy wide-angle telescope (ULEWAT). Electrons were observed in four rate channels between 75 and 1300 keV and particle angular distributions are provided. The ecliptic was scanned by the particle angular detector as the spacecraft rotated at 19.7 rpm. Trapped energetic electrons were found to drift from dusk to dawn by way of the midnight sector. The electrons which started at midnight met the magnetopause at the dawnside, were entrained on the field lines, and resulted in a filamentary small-scale structure. A diffusion time scale across the magnetosheath was determined to be a few seconds, and electrons diffused tailward or into the interplanetary medium

Scholer, M.↗

Bubble migration inside a liquid drop in a space laboratory

The design of experiments in materials processing for trials on board the Shuttle are described. Thermocapillary flows will be examined as an aid to mixing in the formation of glasses. Acoustically levitated molten glass spheres will be spot heated to induce surface flow away from the hot spot to induce mixing. The surface flows are also expected to cause internal convective motion which will drive entrained gas bubbles toward the hot spot, a process also enhanced by the presence of thermal gradients. The method is called fining, and will be augmented by rotation of the sphere to cause bubble migration toward the axes of rotation to form one large bubble which is more easily removed. Centering techniques to fix the maximum centering accuracy will also be tried. Ground-based studies of bubble migration in a rotating liquid and in a temperature gradient in a liquid drop are reviewed.

Annamalai, P.↗

Thermonuclear processes on accreting neutron stars - A systematic study

A series of model calculations for the evolution of the surface layers of an accreting neutron star is carried out. The neutron star mass, radius, core temperature, and surface magnetic field strength are systematically varied, as are the accretion rate onto the neutron star surface and the metallicity of the accreting matter, in order to determine the effects of these parameters on the properties of thermonuclear flashes in the surface layers and the emitted X-ray bursts that result from such flashes. The core temperatures required for thermal equilibrium are found to be approximately a factor of 2 lower than estimated in earlier work. Owing to the effects of the gravitational redshift, the emitted X-ray bursts have lower peak luminosities and longer durations than those calculated in the Newtonian approximation. The entrainment of hydrogen into helium flashes can cause the flashes to exhibit a rather wide range of observable effects and can decrease by a factor of more than 2 the ratio of persistent accretion-driven luminosity to time-averaged burst luminosity emitted by the neutron star.

Ayasli, S.↗

Experimental study of the effects of secondary air on the emissions and stability of a lean premixed combustor

A study of the effects of secondary air addition on the stability and emissions of a gas turbine combustor has been performed. Tests were conducted with two types of flameholders and varying amounts of dilution air addition. Results indicate that NO(x) decreases with increasing dilution air injection, whereas CO is independent of the amount of dilution air and is related to the gas temperature near the walls. The axial location of the dilution air addition has no effect on the performance or stability. Results also indicate that the amount of secondary air entrained by the flameholder recirculation zone is dependent on the amount of dilution air and flameholder geometry.

Roffe, G.↗

Measurements of cloud nuclei in the effluents from launches of liquid- and solid-fueled rockets

Airborne measurements of two types of cloud nuclei, cloud condensation nuclei (CCN) and ice nuclei (IN), were conducted in the stabilized ground clouds which resulted from the launches of a liquid-fueled ATLAS/Centaur rocket and a solid-fueled TITAN III rocket. Results show that the concentrations of CCN in both types of clouds were greater than ambient values for the 2 hours duration of the measurements. The initial production of CCN active at 0.5% supersaturation in the ATLAS and TITAN clouds was found to be equivalent to a 20 and 700 sec emission, respectively, by the city of Denver, Colorado. After the initial production, the clouds continued to generate CCN at a rate of about 1/cu cm sec. However, concentrations of IN in the ATLAS cloud were greater than ambient values for only a short period after launch, and it appears that the nuclei resulted from entrained launch pad and ground debris. The concentrations of IN in the TITAN cloud were found to be at or below ambient levels until about 2 hours after launch when they increased substantially above ambient values.

Hindman, E. E.↗

Transonic, Axisymmetric Flow Over Nozzle Afterbodies With Supersonic Jet Exhausts

Predictions require less computation than Navier-Stokes solutions. RAXJET computer program predicts transonic, axisymmetric flow over nozzle afterbodies with supersonic jet exhausts and includes effects of boundarylayer displacement, separation, jet entrainment, and inviscid jet plume blockage. RAXJET written in FORTRAN IV.

Wilmoth, R. G.↗