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At least 667 records · Page 37

A study to explore the use of orbital remote sensing to determine native arid plant distribution

The author has identified the following significant results. A theory has been developed of a method for determining the reflectivities of natural areas from ERTS-1 data. This method requires the following measurements: (1) ground truth reflectivity data from two different calibration areas; (2) radiance data from ERTS-1 MSS imagery for the same two calibration areas; and (3) radiance data from ERTS-1 MSS imagery for the area(s) in which reflectivity is to be determined. The method takes into account sun angle effects and atmospheric effects on the radiance seen by the space sensor. If certain assumptions are made, the ground truth data collection need not be simultaneous with the ERTS-1 overflight. The method allows the calculation of a conversion factor for converting ERTS-1 MSS radiance measurements of a given overflight to reflectivity values. This conversion factor can be used to determine the reflectivity of any area in the general vicinity of the calibration areas which has a relatively similar overlying atmosphere. This method, or some modification of it, may be useful in ERTS investigations which require the determination of spectral signatures of areas from spacecraft data.

Mcginnies, W. G.↗

A study to explore the use of orbital remote sensing to determine native arid plant distribution

The author has identified the following significant results. Ground truth spectral signature data for various types of scenes, including ground with and without annuals, and various shrubs, were collected. When these signature data are plotted with infrared (MSS band 6 or 7) reflectivity on one axis and red (MSS band 5) reflectivity on the other axis, clusters of data from the various types of scenes are distinct. This method of expressing spectral signature data appears to be more useful for distinguishing types of scenes than a simple infrared to red reflectivity ration. Large areas of varnished desert pavement are visible and mappable on ERTS-1 and high altitude aircraft imagery. A large scale vegetation pattern was found to be correlated with the presence of the desert pavement. The large scale correlation was used in mapping the vegetation of the area. It was found that a distinctive soil type was associated with the presence of the varnished desert pavement. The high salinity and exchangeable sodium percentage of this soil type provide a basis for the explanation of both the large scale and small scale vegetation pattern.

Mcginnies, W. G.↗

A study to explore the use of orbital remote sensing to determine native arid plant distribution

The author has identified the following significant results. It is possible to determine, from ERTS imagery, native arid plant distribution. Using techniques of multispectral masking and extensive fieldwork, three native vegetation communities were defined and mapped in the Avra Valley study area. A map was made of the Yuma area with the aid of ground truth correlations between areas of desert pavement visible on ERTS images and unique vegetation types. With the exception of the Yuma soil-vegetation correlation phenomena, only very gross differentiations of desert vegetation communities can be made from ERTS data. Vegetation communities with obvious vegetation density differences such as saguaro-paloverde, creosote bush, and riparian vegetation can be separated on the Avra Valley imagery while more similar communities such as creosote bush and saltbush could not be differentiated. It is suggested that large differences in vegetation density are needed before the signatures of two different vegetation types can be differentiated on ERTS imagery. This is due to the relatively insignificant contribution of vegetation to the total radiometric signature of a given desert scene. Where more detailed information concerning the vegetation of arid regions is required, large scale imagery is appropriate.

Mcginnies, W. G.↗

A study to explore the use of orbital remote sensing to determine native arid plant distribution

The author has identified the following significant results. Research results include a method for determining the reflectivities of natural areas from ERTS data taking into account sun angle and atmospheric effects on the radiance seen by the satellite sensor. Ground truth spectral signature data for various types of scenes, including ground with and without annuals, and various shrubs were collected. Large areas of varnished desert pavement are visible and mappable on ERTS and high altitude aircraft imagery. A large scale and a small scale vegetation pattern were found to be correlated with presence of desert pavement. A comparison of radiometric data with video recordings shows quantitatively that for most areas of desert vegetation, soils are the most influential factor in determining the signature of a scene. Additive and subtractive image processing techniques were applied in the dark room to enhance vegetational aspects of ERTS.

Mcginnies, W. G.↗

Infrared remote sensing of the vertical and horizontal distribution of clouds

An algorithm has been developed to derive the horizontal and vertical distribution of clouds from the same set of infrared radiance data used to retrieve atmospheric temperature profiles. The method leads to the determination of the vertical atmospheric temperature structure and the cloud distribution simultaneously, providing information on heat sources and sinks, storage rates and transport phenomena in the atmosphere. Experimental verification of this algorithm was obtained using the 15-micron data measured by the NOAA-VTPR temperature sounder. After correcting for water vapor emission, the results show that the cloud cover derived from 15-micron data is less than that obtained from visible data.

Chahine, M. T.↗

Achieving precise multiparameter measurements with distributed optical fiber sensor using wavelength diversity and deep neural networks

The development of advanced distributed optical fiber sensing systems that are capable of performing accurate and spatially resolved multiparameter measurements is of great interest to a wide range of scientific and industrial applications. Here, in this paper, we propose and experimentally demonstrate a wavelength diversity based advanced distributed optical fiber sensor system to accomplish multiparameter sensing while greatly enhancing measurement accuracy. A suite of deep neural network (DNN) algorithms are developed and verified for data denoising, rapid Brillouin frequency shift estimation, and vibration data event classification. As a proof-of-concept, we demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed advanced wavelength diversity distributed fiber sensor system assisted by DNN for simultaneous, independent measurements of static strain, temperature, and acoustic vibrations over a 25 km long sensing fiber at 3 m spatial resolution. These results suggest the potential for an intelligent multiparameter monitoring system with enhanced performance in advanced structural health monitoring applications.

47 OTHER INSTRUMENTATION↗

Magnetic Field Sensing via Acoustic Sensing Fiber with Metglas® 2605SC Cladding Wires

Magnetic field sensing has the potential to become necessary as a critical tool for long-term subsurface geophysical monitoring. The success of distributed fiber optic sensing for geophysical characterization provides a template for the development of next generation downhole magnetic sensors. In this study, Sentek Instrument’s picoDAS is coupled with a multi-material single mode optical fiber with Metglas® 2605SC cladding wire inclusions for magnetic field detection. The response of acoustic sensing fibers with one and two Metglas® 2605SC cladding wires was evaluated upon exposure to lateral AC magnetic fields. An improved response was demonstrated for a sensing fiber with in-cladding wire following thermal magnetic annealing (~400 °C) under a constant static transverse magnetic field (~200 μT). A minimal detectable magnetic field of ~500 nT was confirmed for a sensing fiber with two 10 μm cladding wires. The successful demonstration of a magnetic field sensing fiber with Metglas® cladding wires fabricated via traditional draw processes sets the stage for distributed measurements and joint inversion as a compliment to distributed fiber optic acoustic sensors.

Dejneka, Zach (ORCID:0000000179415708)↗

SU-F-BRD-04: Robustness Analysis of Proton Breast Treatments Using An Alpha-Stable Distribution Parameterization

Purpose: Currently, planning systems allow robustness calculations to be performed, but a generalized assessment methodology is not yet available. We introduce and evaluate a methodology to quantify the robustness of a plan on an individual patient basis. Methods: We introduce the notion of characterizing a treatment instance (i.e. one single fraction delivery) by describing the dose distribution within an organ as an alpha-stable distribution. The parameters of the distribution (shape(α), scale(γ), position(δ), and symmetry(β)), will vary continuously (in a mathematical sense) as the distributions change with the different positions. The rate of change of the parameters provides a measure of the robustness of the treatment. The methodology is tested in a planning study of 25 patients with known residual errors at each fraction. Each patient was planned using Eclipse with an IBA-proton beam model. The residual error space for every patient was sampled 30 times, yielding 31 treatment plans for each patient and dose distributions in 5 organs. The parameters’ change rate as a function of Euclidean distance from the original plan was analyzed. Results: More than 1,000 dose distributions were analyzed. For 4 of the 25 patients the change in scale rate (γ) was considerably higher than the lowest change rate, indicating a lack of robustness. The sign of the shape change rate (α) also seemed indicative but the experiment lacked the power to prove significance. Conclusion: There are indications that this robustness measure is a valuable tool to allow a more patient individualized approach to the determination of margins. In a further study we will also evaluate this robustness measure using photon treatments, and evaluate the impact of using breath hold techniques, and the a Monte Carlo based dose deposition calculation. A principle component analysis is also planned.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗

All-digital Sensor System for Distributed Downhole Pressure Monitoring in Unconventional Fields

This project developed and validated (through field tests) a new low-cost all-digital pressure sensing technology for in situ distributed downhole pressure monitoring in unconventional oil and gas (UOG) fields. The all-digital sensing technology uses a built-in non-electric analog-to-digital converter (ADC) to transform the pressure information into a combination of binary (ON/OFF) states. As such, the system does not need downhole electronics for signal conditioning and telemetry. The all-digital sensors can be remotely logged over a long distance, and many sensors can be multiplexed for distributed sensing. Based on a review of unconventional wells in the Lower 48 states, the specification of the sensor is to measure pressure up to 69 MPa (10,000 psi) and temperature up to 250°C. A sensor with a helical bourdon sensing element and a digital signal decoder of 50 mm diameter and 109 mm length was constructed. The helical bourdon sensing element was made of 304L stainless steel and filled with motor oil. The digital converter was made up of 8 digital reading pads constructed of high-temperature epoxy with conductive inserts made of stainless steel. The sensor had a linear response to pressure with an accuracy of 0.14 MPa (20 psi). To withstand the high pressure, the sensor was enclosed in a stainless-steel pressure housing with a wall thickness of 5.5 mm, a diameter of 73 mm, and a length of 724 mm. In the laboratory tests, the sensor exhibited no temperature-related effects on the results. The sensor did not show drift over a 14-day test period at elevated pressure. A field test was conducted where the sensor was deployed in a test wellbore at the Quest drilling test facility to a depth of 0 feet over three weeks. The sensor was attached to the production rods, along with a downhole reference sensor of PPS27 type, which is a permanent downhole monitoring system. During the testing phase, the test well annular blow-out preventer was closed, and the well was pressurized at the surface to 11 MPa (1600 psi). The sensor read the elevated bottom hole pressure of 1500 psi. A multiplexing unit was created for the sensor to deploy multiple sensors on one data transmission line in a distributed approach. The multiplexing unit was tested in a simulated environment of 3048 m (10,000 ft) with five sensors distributed. The sensors were pressurized at different intervals. The multiplexed sensors recorded the correct pressure, and the multiplexing did not interfere with the readings. The proposed concept of an all-digital pressure sensor for harsh downhole environments was designed, manufactured, and tested in the laboratory and tested at the field to a up to 69 MPa and 250°C. This technology has high-temperature tolerance and has potential in downhole areas outside oil and gas, such as carbon capture and storage (CCS) and geothermal wells. The sensor concept has been proven in this project, but to create a commercially viable product, manufacturing a sensor with a smaller diameter needs to be performed.

02 PETROLEUM↗

Advancing Temperature Monitoring of the Bottom Anode in a Direct Current Electric Arc Furnace Operations with Distributed Optical Fiber Sensors.

The bottom anode in the Direct Current Electric Arc Furnace (DC EAF) is critical for completing the electrical circuit necessary for sustaining the arc within the furnace. For pin-type bottom anodes, monitoring of the temperature of select pins instrumented with thermocouples is performed to track bottom wear in the EAF and inform the operator when the furnace should be removed from service. Furthermore, this work presents the results from a plant trial using distributed temperature monitoring of bottom anode pins in a 165-ton DC EAF over a two-month service period utilizing two optical fiber sensing techniques: fiber Bragg grating (FBG) and Rayleigh backscattering (RBS). The early detection of temperature anomalies along the length of the anode pin through distributed sensing enhances operational safety, providing a robust alternative to traditional thermocouples.

42 ENGINEERING↗

Retrieving the Vertical Structure of the Effective Aerosol Complex Index of Refraction from a Combination of Aerosol in Situ and Remote Sensing Measurements During TARFOX

The largest uncertainty in estimates of the effects of atmospheric aerosols on climate stems from uncertainties in the determination of their microphysical properties, including the aerosol complex index of refraction, which in turn determines their optical properties. A novel technique is used to estimate the aerosol complex index of refraction in distinct vertical layers from a combination of aerosol in situ size distribution and remote sensing measurements during the Tropospheric Aerosol Radiative Forcing Observational Experiment (TARFOX). In particular, aerosol backscatter measurements using the NASA Langley LASE (Lidar Atmospheric Sensing Experiment) instrument and in situ aerosol size distribution data are utilized to derive vertical profiles of the "effective" aerosol complex index of refraction at 815 nm (i.e., the refractive index that would provide the same backscatter signal in a forward calculation on the basis of the measured in situ particle size distributions for homogeneous, spherical aerosols). A sensitivity study shows that this method yields small errors in the retrieved aerosol refractive indices, provided the errors in the lidar-derived aerosol backscatter are less than 30% and random in nature. Absolute errors in the estimated aerosol refractive indices are generally less than 0.04 for the real part and can be as much as 0.042 for the imaginary part in the case of a 30% error in the lidar-derived aerosol backscatter. The measurements of aerosol optical depth from the NASA Ames Airborne Tracking Sunphotometer (AATS-6) are successfully incorporated into the new technique and help constrain the retrieved aerosol refractive indices. An application of the technique to two TARFOX case studies yields the occurrence of vertical layers of distinct aerosol refractive indices. Values of the estimated complex aerosol refractive index range from 1.33 to 1.45 for the real part and 0.001 to 0.008 for the imaginary part. The methodology devised in this study provides, for the first time, a complete set of vertically resolved aerosol size distribution and refractive index data. yielding the vertical distribution of aerosol optical properties required for the determination of aerosol-induced radiative flux changes.

Redemann, J.↗