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At least 883 records · Page 49

Airborne remote sensing measurements with a pulsed CO2 DIAL system

The present investigation is concerned with an optical radar instrument which has been developed for airborne remote sensing of atmospheric trace species at infrared wavelengths. The instrument makes use of compact, pulsed carbon dioxide lasers. It was designed for conducting differential absorption lidar (DIAL) measurements. The backscatter of laser pulse energy from the ocean and terrain surface is utilized to determine trace species column content. The instrument, which is carried by the NASA P3 aircraft, is used in a flight test program started in July 1981. The results obtained with the instrument in this program are discussed, taking into account ocean surface backscatter statistics, the ratio of ocean to terrain backscatter, the dual-wavelength correlation coefficient, the dual-wavelength cross-covariance, and the dependence of un-correlated noise variance on the mean backscatter signal.

Bufton, J. L.↗

Identification and measurement of atmospheric ethane (C2H6) from a 1951 infrared solar spectrum

C2H6 absorption features in the 2980/cm spectral region of the solar spectrum recorded in April, 1951 were analyzed to determine the total vertical column amount and average free tropospheric mixing ratio of C2H6 above Jungfraujoch in the Swiss Alps. The PQ1 subbranch is the best isolated of the three C2H6 features in the 1951 spectrum, with an equivalent width of 0.0099 + or - 0.0025/cm. Results give a total vertical column amount of 9.7 x 10 to the 15th C2H6 molecules/sq cm, with an accuracy of + or - 30 percent. March 1981 measurements from this region give a mixing ratio of about 2.0 ppbv, 2.2 times larger than the 1951 value, suggesting a long-term increase in the free tropospheric C2H6 concentration over western Europe.

Rinsland, Curtis P.↗

The mass spectrum of interstellar clouds

The abundances of diffuse clouds and molecular clouds in the inner Galaxy and at the solar circle are compared. Using results of recent low-latitude 21 cm absorption studies, the number of diffuse clouds per kiloparsec along the line of sight is derived as a function of the cloud column density, under two assumptions relating cloud densities and temperatures. The density of clouds is derived as a function of cloud mass. The results are consistent with a single, continuous mass spectrum for interstellar clouds from less than 1 solar mass to 1,000,000 solar masses, with perhaps a change of slope at masses where the atomic and molecular mass fractions are roughly equal.

Dickey, John M.↗

A further study of the molecular cloud associated with the supernova remnant G109.1-1.0

The region of the semicircular SNR G109.1-1.0 is studied on the basis of CO observations with a 45-m radio telescope and X-ray data from the archive of the Einstein Observatory. By observing the J = 1-0 transition of CO at 115 GHz, the distribution of the molecular cloud associated with the remnant is investigated in detail. The resolution of the CO mapping observations is 0.6-1.2 pc and the number of the CO spectra obtained is about 2000. The molecular ridge (CO arm), which was known to show an apparent anticorrelation with the curled x-ray jetlike feature of the remnant, is resolved into two CO filaments. The hardness of the X-ray spectrum toward the CO arm is consistent with the column densities of the two CO filaments. However, the overall appearance of the remnant will not be affected very much by the absorption, because the X-ray absorption is found to be a minor effect.

Tatematsu, Ken'ichi↗

Extreme ultraviolet observations of G191-B2B and the local interstellar medium with the Hopkins Ultraviolet Telescope

During the Astro-l mission in 1990 December, the Hopkins Ultraviolet Telescope (HUT) was used to observe the extreme ultraviolet spectrum (415-912 A) of the hot DA white dwarf GI91-B2B. Absorption by neutral helium shortward of the 504 A He I absorption edge is clearly detected in the raw spectrum. Model fits to the observed spectrum require interstellar neutral helium and neutral hydrogen column densities of 1.45 +/- 0.065 x 10 exp 17/sq cm and 1.69 +/- 0.12 x 10 exp 18/sq cm, respectively. Comparison of the neutral columns yields a direct assessment of the ionization state of the local interstellar cloud surrounding the Sun. The neutral hydrogen to helium ratio of 11.6 +/- 1.0 observed by HUT strongly contradicts the widespread view that hydrogen is much more ionized than helium in the local interstellar medium, a view which has motivated some exotic theoretical explanations for the supposed high ionization.

Kimble, Randy A.↗

Cosmic-ray heating of the interstellar gas

Cosmic rays streaming out of the Galaxy can become locked to resonantly excited Alfven waves as they pass through a region of increasing temperature at the disk-halo interface. A large fraction of the energy is approximately greater than 1 GeV cosmic rays goes into heating of the thermal gas via nonlinear Landau damping of the waves. This mode of cosmic-ray heating can balance radiative cooling for gas in the temperature range 10(exp 4.5) K approximately less than T approximately less than 10(exp 6), creating a thermal transition zone with a column density exceeding that of an ordinary conductive interface. This layer could be the site of much of the observed emission and absorption by highly ionized species such as C IV, N V, and O VI.

Begelman, Mitchell C.↗

Inferring iron-oxide species content in atmospheric mineral dust from DSCOVR EPIC observations

The iron-oxide content of dust in the atmosphere and most notably its apportionment between hematite (α-Fe2O3) and goethite (α-FeOOH) are key determinants in quantifying dust’s light absorption, its top of atmosphere UV radiances used for dust monitoring, and ultimately shortwave dust direct radiative effects (DRE). Hematite and goethite column mass concentrations and iron-oxide mass fractions of total dust mass concentration were retrieved from the DeepSpace Climate Observatory (DSCOVR) Earth Polychromatic Imaging Camera (EPIC) measurements in the ultraviolet–visible (UV–Vis) channels. The retrievals were performed for dust-identified aerosol plumes over land using aerosol optical depth (AOD) and spectral imaginary refractive index provided by the Multi-Angle Implementation of Atmospheric Correction (MAIAC) algorithm over six continental regions (North America, North Africa, West Asia, Central Asia, EastAsia, and Australia). The dust particles are represented as an internal mixture of non-absorbing host and absorbing hematite and goethite. We use the Maxwell–Garnett effective medium approximation with carefully selected complex refractive indices of hematite and goethite that produce mass fractions of iron oxides species consistent with in situ values found in the literature to derive the hematite and goethite volumetric/mass concentrations from MAIAC EPIC products. We compared the retrieved hematite and goethite concentrations with in situ dust aerosol mineralogical content measurements, as well as with published data. Our data display variations within the published range of hematite, goethite, and iron-oxide mass fractions for pure mineral dust cases. A specific analysis is presented for 15 sites over the main dust source regions. Sites in the central Sahara, Sahel, and Middle East exhibit a greater temporal variability of iron oxides relative to other sites. Niger site(13.52°N, 2.63°E) is dominated by goethite over Harmattan season with median of ~2 weight percentage (wt.%) of iron-oxide. Saudi Arabia site (27.49°N, 41.98°E) over Middle East also exhibited surge of goethite content with the beginning of Shamal season. The Sahel dust is richer in iron-oxide than Saharan and northern China dust except in Summer. The Bodélé Depression area shows a distinctively lower iron-oxide concentration (~1 wt.%) throughout the year. Finally, we show that EPIC data allow to constrain the hematite refractive index. Specifically, we select 5 out of 13 different number of hematite refractive indices widely variable in published laboratory studies by constraining the iron-oxide mass ratio to the known measured values. Provided climatology of hematite and goethite mass fractions across main dust regions of the Earth will be useful for dust shortwave DRE studies and climate modeling.

Sujung Go↗

Arsenic and 17-β-estradiol bind to each other and neutralize each other’s signaling effects

We report that arsenic trioxide (ATO) and 17-beta-estradiol (E2) abolish each other’s independent cell signaling effects in respect of cell survival and proliferation/migration of breast cancer (MCF-7) cells. The possibility that this is due to binding of ATO to E2 was confirmed through difference absorption spectroscopy, chromatography-coupled voltammometry and 1-D {sup 1}H and {sup 13}C NMR spectroscopy. Binding leads to attenuation of E2’s hydroxyl {sup 1}H peaks at its C17 and C3 carbon positions. The results suggest that ATO and E2 can titrate each other’s levels, potentially explaining why sustained arsenic exposure tends to be associated with delays in age of menarche, advanced age of menopause, poorer sperm quality, higher overall morbidity in men, and lower incidences of breast cancer in women in some arsenic-contaminated areas. - Highlights: • Difference absorption spectroscopy suggests that arsenic binds to estradiol. • Interaction with arsenic alters {sup 1}H and {sup 13}C NMR spectra of estradiol at positions C3 and C17. • Estradiol traps arsenic on C{sub 18} reverse-phase columns. • Estradiol and arsenic neutralize each other’s ability to stimulate scratch wound healing. • Arsenic appears to form pnictogen bonds with hydroxyls on estradiol.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗

A METAL-STRONG AND DUST-RICH DAMPED Ly{alpha} ABSORPTION SYSTEM TOWARD THE QUASAR SDSS J115705.52+615521.7

We report the discovery of an unusual, extremely dust-rich and metal-strong damped Ly{alpha} absorption system (DLA) at a redshift z{sub a} = 2.4596 toward the quasar SDSS J115705.52+615521.7 with an emission-line redshift z{sub e} = 2.5125. The quasar spectrum, taken in the Sloan Digital Sky Survey, shows a very red color and a number of metal absorption lines, including C II, Al II, Si II, Fe II, and Zn II, which are confirmed and further characterized by follow-up spectroscopy made with the Multiple Mirror Telescope. Its neutral hydrogen column density N {sub HI} = 10{sup 21.8{+-}0.2} cm{sup -2} is among the highest values measured in quasar DLAs. The measured metal column density is N {sub ZnII} Almost-Equal-To 10{sup 13.8} cm{sup -2}, which is about 1.5 times larger than the largest value in any previously observed quasar DLAs. We derive the extinction curve of the dusty DLA using a new technique, which is an analog of the 'pair method' widely used to measure extinction curves in the Milky Way (MW). The best-fit curve is an MW-like law with a significant broad feature centered around 2175 A in the rest frame of the absorber. The measured extinction A{sub V} Almost-Equal-To 0.92 mag is unprecedentedly high in quasar DLAs. After applying an extinction correction, the i-band absolute magnitude of the quasar is as high as M{sub i} Almost-Equal-To -29.4 mag, placing it as one of the most luminous quasars ever known. The large gas-phase relative abundance of [Zn/Fe] Almost-Equal-To 1.0 indicates that metals are heavily depleted onto dust grains in the absorber. The dust depletion level is between that of the warm and cool clouds in the MW. This discovery is suggestive of the existence of a rare yet important population of dust-rich DLAs with both high metallicities and high column densities, which may have significant impact on the measurement of the cosmic evolution of neutral gas mass density and metallicity.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

A Compton-thick Wind in the High Luminosity Quasar, PDS 456

PDS 456 is a nearby (z=0.184), luminous (L(sub bol) approximately equal to 10(exp 47) ergs(exp -1) type I quasar. A deep 190 ks Suzaku observation in February 2007 revealed the complex, broad band X-ray spectrum of PDS 456. The Suzaku spectrum exhibits highly statistically significant absorption features near 9 keV in the quasar rest-frame. We show that the most plausible origin of the absorption is from blue-shifted resonance (1s-2p) transitions of hydrogen-like iron (at 6.97 keV in the rest frame). This indicates that a highly ionized outflow may be present moving at near relativistic velocities (0.26-0.31c). A possible hard X-ray excess is detected above 15 keV with HXD (at 99.8% confidence), which may arise from high column density gas (N(sub H) greater than 10(exp 24)cm(exp -2) partially covering the X-ray emission, or through strong Compton reflection. Here we propose that the iron K-shell absorption in PDS 456 is associated with a thick, possibly clumpy outflow, covering about 20% of 4(pi) steradian solid angle. The outflow is likely launched from the inner accretion disk, within 15-100 gravitational radii of the black hole. The kinetic power of the outflow may be similar to the bolometric luminosity of PDS 456. Such a powerful wind could have a significant effect on the co-evolution of the host galaxy and its supermassive black hole, through feedback.

Reeves, J. N.↗

Revealing the location and structure of the accretion disk wind in PDS 456

We present evidence for the rapid variability of the high-velocity iron K-shell absorption in the nearby (z = 0.184) quasar PDS 456. From a recent long Suzaku observation in 2013 (∼1 Ms effective duration), we find that the equivalent width of iron K absorption increases by a factor of ∼5 during the observation, increasing from <105 eV within the first 100 ks of the observation, toward a maximum depth of ∼500 eV near the end. The implied outflow velocity of ∼0.25 c is consistent with that claimed from earlier (2007, 2011) Suzaku observations. The absorption varies on timescales as short as ∼1 week. We show that this variability can be equally well attributed to either (1) an increase in column density, plausibly associated with a clumpy time-variable outflow, or (2) the decreasing ionization of a smooth homogeneous outflow which is in photo-ionization equilibrium with the local photon field. The variability allows a direct measure of absorber location, which is constrained to within r = 200-3500 r {sub g} of the black hole. Even in the most conservative case, the kinetic power of the outflow is ≳ 6% of the Eddington luminosity, with a mass outflow rate in excess of ∼40% of the Eddington accretion rate. The wind momentum rate is directly equivalent to the Eddington momentum rate which suggests that the flow may have been accelerated by continuum scattering during an episode of Eddington-limited accretion.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

Infrared Camera System for Visualization of IR-Absorbing Gas Leaks

Leak detection and location remain a common problem in NASA and industry, where gas leaks can create hazardous conditions if not quickly detected and corrected. In order to help rectify this problem, this design equips an infrared (IR) camera with the means to make gas leaks of IR-absorbing gases more visible for leak detection and location. By comparing the output of two IR cameras (or two pictures from the same camera under essentially identical conditions and very closely spaced in time) on a pixel-by-pixel basis, one can cancel out all but the desired variations that correspond to the IR absorption of the gas of interest. This can be simply done by absorbing the IR lines that correspond to the gas of interest from the radiation received by one of the cameras by the intervention of a filter that removes the particular wavelength of interest from the "reference" picture. This can be done most sensitively with a gas filter (filled with the gas of interest) placed in front of the IR detector array, or (less sensitively) by use of a suitable line filter in the same location. This arrangement would then be balanced against the unfiltered "measurement" picture, which will have variations from IR absorption from the gas of interest. By suitable processing of the signals from each pixel in the two IR pictures, the user can display only the differences in the signals. Either a difference or a ratio output of the two signals is feasible. From a gas concentration viewpoint, the ratio could be processed to show the column depth of the gas leak. If a variation in the background IR light intensity is present in the field of view, then large changes in the difference signal will occur for the same gas column concentration between the background and the camera. By ratioing the outputs, the same signal ratio is obtained for both high- and low-background signals, even though the low-signal areas may have greater noise content due to their smaller signal strength. Thus, one embodiment would use a ratioed output signal to better represent the gas column concentration. An alternative approach uses a simpler multiplication of the filtered signal to make the filtered signal equal to the unfiltered signal at most locations, followed by a subtraction to remove all but the wavelength-specific absorption in the unfiltered sample. This signal processing can also reveal the net difference signal representing the leaking gas absorption, and allow rapid leak location, but signal intensity would not relate solely to gas absorption, as raw signal intensity would also affect the displayed signal. A second design choice is whether to use one camera with two images closely spaced in time, or two cameras with essentially the same view and time. The figure shows the two-camera version. This choice involves many tradeoffs that are not apparent until some detailed testing is done. In short, the tradeoffs involve the temporal changes in the field picture versus the pixel sensitivity curves and frame alignment differences with two cameras, and which system would lead to the smaller variations from the uncontrolled variables.

Youngquist, Robert↗

Standoff detection of chemical plumes from high explosive open detonations using a swept-wavelength external cavity quantum cascade laser

A swept-wavelength external cavity quantum cascade laser (ECQCL) is used to perform standoff detection of combustion gases in a plume generated from an outdoor high-explosive (HE) open detonation. The swept-ECQCL system was located at a standoff distance of 830 m from a 41kg charge of LX-14(polymer-bonded high explosive) and was used to measure the infrared transmission/absorption through the post-detonation plume as it propagated through the beam path. The swept-ECQCL was operated continuously to record broadband absorption spectra at 200hz rate over a spectral range from 2050 to 2230 cm -1 (4.48 - 4.88 μm). Fitting of measured spectra was used to determine time-resolved column densities of CO, CO 2 , H 2 O, and N 2 O. Analysis of visible video imagery was used to provide timing correlations and to estimate plume dimensions, from which gas mixing ratios were estimated. Measured emission factors and modified combustion efficiency show good agreement with previously reported values.

47 OTHER INSTRUMENTATION↗

Investigating nearby star-forming galaxies in the ultraviolet with HST/COS spectroscopy. I. Spectral analysis and interstellar abundance determinations

This is the first in a series of three papers describing a project with the Cosmic Origins Spectrograph on the Hubble Space Telescope to measure abundances of the neutral interstellar medium (ISM) in a sample of nine nearby star-forming galaxies. The goal is to assess the (in)homogeneities of the multiphase ISM in galaxies where the bulk of metals can be hidden in the neutral phase, yet the metallicity is inferred from the ionized gas in the H II regions. The sample, spanning a wide range in physical properties, is to date the best suited to investigate the metallicity behavior of the neutral gas at redshift z = 0. ISM absorption lines were detected against the far-ultraviolet spectra of the brightest star-forming region(s) within each galaxy. Here we report on the observations, data reduction, and analysis of these spectra. Column densities were measured by a multicomponent line-profile fitting technique, and neutral-gas abundances were obtained for a wide range of elements. Several caveats were considered, including line saturation, ionization corrections, and dust depletion. Ionization effects were quantified with ad hoc CLOUDY models reproducing the complex photoionization structure of the ionized and neutral gas surrounding the UV-bright sources. An 'average spectrum of a redshift z = 0 star-forming galaxy' was obtained from the average column densities of unsaturated profiles of neutral-gas species. This template can be used as a powerful tool for studies of the neutral ISM at both low and high redshift.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

Optimal Design and Techno-Economic Analysis of 3D-Printed, Intensified Packings for Absorbers and Strippers in Solvent-Based CO 2 Capture

A potential technology for the CO 2 absorption process is utilizing intensified structured packing with embedded cooling/heating channels for continuous heat exchange, which can overcome limitations of discrete methods, such as discrete intercooling and centralized reboilers, to aid in reducing energy consumption and decreasing costs. This work investigates the modeling of intensified packing (IP) for the stripper tower, extending on previous work for the absorber, which distributes heat internally within the column, improving the thermodynamics for the solvent regeneration process. The model includes submodels for steam turbine extraction to produce steam at various qualities as well as a surrogate model for calculating steam enthalpy. A cost model for a plant-scale absorption capture process was developed, allowing for the design of the plant to be optimized, subject to minimizing capture cost using two different power plant flue gas sources. In this optimization, the placement of IP in both towers is optimized to balance the trade-off between enhanced heat transfer and reduced mass transfer volume. For natural gas combined cycle flue gas, the standard process configuration had a minimum cost of $\$$65.40/tonne CO 2 , and considering IP, the minimum capture cost is reduced to $\$$62.73/tonne, with utilization in the stripper column, which reduces yearly costs by up to $\$$2.67 MM/yr. Cooling the absorber through IP, or intercoolers, was only found to be beneficial at higher capture rates, with IP in both towers having a cost of capture of $\$$68.08/tonne at 99.9% capture, a reduction of $\$$12.64/tonne when using only intercoolers at the same capture rate. When capturing from pulverized-coal power plants, the minimum cost of capture when using IP in both towers is $\$$44.18/tonne (at 97% capture), while the standard configuration with and without intercoolers was $\$$45.69 and $\$$47.22 per tonne, respectively. This results in a reduction in yearly costs of $\$$16.98 MM/yr from the base-case configuration. At this higher CO 2 concentration, cooling in the absorber from the IP becomes extremely beneficial, reducing energy consumption by up to 6%.

20 FOSSIL-FUELED POWER PLANTS↗

A numerical study of the spectral radiative properties of packed bed with mixed bauxite and silica spheres

Bauxite and silica particles have gained increasing attention for applications in the field of concentrated solar power. In this work, a Monte Carlo ray-tracing simulation is performed to predict the radiative properties (absorptance, reflectance, and transmittance) of packed beds with mixed bauxite and silica spherical particles at wavelengths of 0.5, 2.6, 9.0, and 9.35 µm. These wavelengths are representative for the visible, near-infrared, and the mid-infrared regions that are important for solar and thermal radiation, respectively. A repeating unit-column approach is used to mathematically represent the particle bed. The effects of particle mixing ratio, volume fraction, and wavelength on the predicted radiative properties are examined. The obtained radiative properties are inputted to an inverse method to retrieve the effective absorption and scattering coefficients as well as the scattering albedo, which may be later used in a continuous-scale radiative heat transfer analysis. Furthermore, the independent scattering model is used to obtain the absorption coefficient and scattering albedo based on the absorption and scattering cross sections predicted by a Monte Carlo algorithm for a single particle. It is shown that the independent scattering model underpredicts the scattering coefficient for opaque particles but overpredicts the scattering coefficient for semitransparent particles for sufficiently high particle volume fractions. Here, the radiative properties calculated from the independent scattering model are compared to the full Monte Carlo simulation of the particle bed to examine the influence of particle mixing on dependent scattering.

42 ENGINEERING↗

A glimpse at quasar host galaxy far-UV emission using damped Lyα's as natural coronagraphs

In merger-driven models of massive galaxy evolution, the luminous quasar phase is expected to be accompanied by vigorous star formation in quasar host galaxies. In this paper, we use high column density damped Lyα (DLA) systems along quasar sight lines as natural coronagraphs to directly study the far-UV (FUV) radiation from the host galaxies of luminous background quasars. We have stacked the spectra of ∼2000 DLA systems (N {sub H} {sub I} > 10{sup 20.6} cm{sup –2}) with a median absorption redshift (z) = 2.6 selected from quasars observed in the SDSS-III Baryon Oscillation Spectroscopic Survey. We detect residual flux in the dark troughs of the composite DLA spectra. The level of this residual flux significantly exceeds systematic errors in the Sloan Digital Sky Survey fiber sky subtraction; furthermore, the residual flux is strongly correlated with the continuum luminosity of the background quasar, while uncorrelated with DLA column density or metallicity. We conclude that the flux could be associated with the average FUV radiation from the background quasar host galaxies (with medium redshift (z) = 3.1) that is not blocked by the intervening DLA. Assuming that all of the detected flux originates from quasar hosts, for the highest quasar luminosity bin ((L) = 2.5 × 10{sup 13} L {sub ☉}), the host galaxy has an FUV intensity of 1.5 ± 0.2 × 10{sup 40} erg s{sup –1} Å{sup –1}; this corresponds to an unobscured UV star formation rate of 9 M {sub ☉} yr{sup –1}.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

Optimal Design of Intensified Towers for CO2 Capture with Internal, Printed Heat Exchangers

Solvent-based carbon capture processes typically suffer from the temperature rise of the solvent due to the heat of absorption of CO2. This increased temperature is not thermodynamically favor-able and results in a significant reduction in performance in the absorber column. As opposed to interstage coolers, which only remove, cool, and return the solvent at discrete locations in the column, internal coolers that are integrated with the packing can cool the process inline, which can result in improved efficiency. This work presents the modeling of these internal coolers within an existing generic, equation-oriented absorber column model that can cool the process while allowing for simultaneous mass transfer. Optimization of this model is also performed, which is capable of optimally choosing the best locations to place these devices, such that heat removal and mass transfer area are balanced. Results of the optimization have shown that optimally placed cooling elements result in a significant increase in the capture efficiency of the process, compared to a similar column with no internal cooling, with a common trend being the cooling of the column in the temperature bulge region. It is observed that by optimally placing an internal cooler, the solvent flow rate can be decreased, and the CO2 lean loading can be increased while still maintaining the same efficiency. These process changes can lead to a substantial reduction in costs due to lower reboiler duty.

Summits, Stephen↗