Search NASA⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search NASA

Results for “Circulation”

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.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 1,009 records · Page 56

Effect of bottom topography, eddy diffusivity, and wind variation on circulation in a two-layer stratified lake

The steady-state, wind-driven circulation is calculated in a stratified lake composed of two layers having uniform but unequal densities and eddy diffusivities. The position of the thermocline and the velocities in both layers are calculated from an asymptotic solution of the shallow lake equations when the Ekman number in the epilimnion (upper layer) is of order one but the ratio of hypolimnion (lower layer) to epilimnion eddy diffusivities is much less than one. Large differences in the thermocline shape and the velocities occur between the solution for uniform wind stress and the one for unit order wind stress gradients. For the latter solution the hypolimnion eddy diffusivity magnitude and the bottom topography have a large and important effect.

Gedney, R. T.↗

Design of the UCLA general circulation model

An edited version is reported of notes distributed at the Summer Workshop on the UCLA General Circulation Model in June 1971. It presents the computational schemes of the UCLA model, along with the mathematical and physical principles on which these schemes are based. Included are the finite difference schemes for the governing fluid-dynamical equations, designed to maintain the important integral constraints and dispersion characteristics of the motion. Also given are the principles of parameterization of cumulus convection by an ensemble of identical clouds. A model of the ground hydrology, involving the liquid, ice and snow states of water, is included. A short summary is given of the scheme for computing solar and infrared radiation transfers through clear and cloudy air.

Arakawa, A.↗

Sea-ice and surface water circulation, Alaskan continental shelf

The author has identified the following significant results. Over 1500 water samples from surface and from standard hydrographic depths were collected during June and July 1973 from Bering Sea and Gulf of Alaska. The measurement of temperature, salinity, and productivity indicated that various distinct water masses cover the Bering Sea Shelf. The suspended load in surface waters will be correlated with the ERTS-1 imagery as it becomes available to delineate the surface water circulation. The movement of ice floes in the Bering Strait and Bering Sea indicated that movement of ice varies considerably and may depend on wind stress as well as ocean currents.

Wright, F. F.↗

Some effects of surface anomalies in a global general circulation model.

The Mintz-Arakawa two-level general circulation model has been used in a series of experiments to compute the response of the atmosphere to certain persistent sea-surface temperature anomalies and to changes in the position of the continental Northern Hemisphere snow line over periods up to 90 days. Results are shown in terms of differences between anomaly and control histories are revealed by global, 30-day mean sea-level pressure maps, and time series of three regional indices of synoptic activity. The experiments show significant interhemispheric effects after about 1 month, phase shifts of 1 to 2 weeks in major cyclone developments, stronger reactions to sea-temperature anomalies in winter than in summer, and marked influence of the snow line on the winter monsoonal pressure difference between the continents and the North Atlantic Ocean.

Spar, J.↗

Numerical simulation of the world ocean circulation

A multi-level model, based on the primitive equations, is developed for simulating the temperature and velocity fields produced in the world ocean by differential heating and surface wind stress. The model ocean has constant depth, free slip at the lower boundary, and neglects momentum advection; so that there is no energy exchange between the barotropic and baroclinic components of the motion, although the former influences the latter through temperature advection. The ocean model was designed to be coupled to the UCLA atmospheric general circulation model, for the study of the dynamics of climate and climate changes. But here, the model is tested by prescribing the observed seasonally varying surface wind stress and the incident solar radiation, the surface air temperature and humidity, cloudiness and the surface wind speed, which, together with the predicted ocean surface temperature, determine the surface flux of radiant energy, sensible heat and latent heat.

Takano, K.↗

Interhemispheric comparison of atmospheric circulation features as evaluated from Nimbus satellite data

Atmospheric structure derived from satellite, multichannel radiance data is used to calculate zonally averaged vertical motions in the wintertime stratosphere of both hemispheres using a heat budget approach. The Northern Hemisphere calculations based on the satellite data are shown to compare favorably with a computation carried out with conventional data, and with results of previous studies. The mean Southern Hemisphere pattern for the month of July 1969 indicates a two-celled structure with the high latitude cell centered at 60-65S. The axis of sinking motion in this cell is at approximately 50S, while the rising motion is centered at 70S. Thus the Antarctic stratospheric jet stream is associated with an indirect cell. Two individual ten-day periods from July 1969 are examined to compare the mean meridional circulation and eddy heat flux patterns in the Southern Hemisphere during a minor midwinter warming and during a quiet period.

Reiter, E. R.↗

A small parameter model of circulation in a homogeoneous baroclinic ocean

A small parameter model of circulation in a homogeneous baroclinic ocean is presented. The principles common to the construction of small parameter models and certain energetic principles developed in connection with atmospheric processes are made use of. These principles were applied in the study of processes in a baroclinic ocean.

Borisenkov, Y. P.↗

Blood circulation under weightless conditions

Biomedical data obtained on men and animals during weightlessness conditions establish instabilities in pulse rate and blood circulation that smooth out in proportion to adaptation to the weightless condition. The unusual slowness of recovery of pulse rate to initial values after space flight stress is attributed to biological simulation of hormonal shifts and discharge of humoral substances into the blood that prevent a rapid recovery of some biological indicators to initial values.

Kasyan, I. I.↗

Monitoring estuarine circulation and ocean waste dispersion using an integrated satellite-aircraft-drogue approach

The author has identified the following significant results. An integrated satellite-aircraft-drogue approach was developed which employs remotely tracked expendable drogues together with satellite and aircraft observations of oil slicks, waste plumes, and natural tracers, such as suspended sediment. Tests conducted on the Continental Shelf and in Delaware Bay indicate that the system provides a cost effective means of monitoring current circulation and verifying oil slick and ocean waste dispersion models even under severe environmental conditions.

Klemas, V.↗

Computer mapping of turbidity and circulation patterns in Saginaw Bay, Michigan from LANDSAT data

The author has identified the following significant results. LANDSAT was used as a basis for producing geometrically-corrected, color-coded imagery of turbidity and circulation patterns in Saginaw Bay, Michigan (Lake Huron). This imagery shows nine discrete categories of turbidity, as indicated by nine Secchi depths between 0.3 and 3.3 meters. The categorized imagery provided an economical basis for extrapolating water quality parameters from point samples to unsample areas. LANDSAT furnished a synoptic view of water mass boundaries that no amount of ground sampling or monitoring could provide.

Rogers, R. H.↗

Wind Tunnel Generation of Sinusoidal Lateral and Longitudinal Gusts by Circulation of Twin Parallel Airfoils

A gust generator capable of producing sinusoidal lateral and longitudinal gusts was developed for the purpose of studying the gust response of a model rotor-propeller in a wind tunnel. The gust generator utilized harmonic circulation control of twin parallel airfoils to achieve the harmonic lift variation required for gust generation. The gust generator design, construction, and testing is described. Typical test results are presented in the form of lateral and longitudinal gust perturbation velocities as a function of generator reduced frequency.

Ham, N. D.↗

Correlation of coastal water turbidity and current circulation with ERTS-1 and Skylab imagery

The article reviews investigations of current circulation patterns, suspended sediment concentration, coastal frontal systems, and waste disposal plumes based on visual interpretation and digital analysis of ERTS-1 and Skylab/EREP imagery. Data on conditions in the Delaware Bay area were obtained from 10 ERTS-1 passes and one Skylab pass, with simultaneous surface and airborne sensing. The current patterns and sediments observed by ERTS-1 correlated well with ground-based observations. Methods are suggested which would make it possible to identify certain pollutants and sediment types from multispectral scanner data.

Klemas, V.↗

A comparison of the general circulations of the Northern and Southern Hemispheres based on satellite, multi-channel radiance data

Certain aspects of the general circulations of the Northern and Southern Hemispheres are compared using atmospheric structure obtained from Nimbus 3 Satellite Infrared Spectrometer (SIRS) data. Comparisons between the hemispheres of zonal and eddy available potential energy (AZ and AE) and zonal and eddy kinetic energy (KZ and KE) indicate that the ratios of AZ to AE and KZ to KE are larger in the Southern Hemisphere. The relative importance of standing and transient eddies in both hemispheres is investigated. The results show that standing eddies in the Southern Hemisphere contribute less to eddy available potential energy (AE) and eddy kinetic energy (KE) than in the Northern Hemisphere. The same type of inter-hemispheric distinction is true for the mid-latitude eddy heat flux. The distribution with latitude of the relative importance of standing and transient eddies is also studied. Horizontal eddy heat fluxes in the upper troposphere of both hemispheres are examined and in midlatitudes found to be approximately equal in magnitude when averaged over the summer and winter month. The Southern Hemisphere mid-latitude eddy heat flux is also shown to have significant longitudinal variations, apparently associated with the location of the southern continents.

Adler, R. F.↗

First results of a general circulation model applied to the SST-NOx problem

Results of model runs, one using two-dimensional distribution of NO2 in the unperturbed stratosphere and another including an additional localized source of NO2 to approximate the effect of SSTs, are reported. The general circulation model and chemical reactions are described, and corrections in the previous latitudinal and seasonal gradients of total columnar ozone and the diffusion coefficient in the neighborhood of the tropopause are noted. Excellent agreement with previous observations was obtained. Global distributions of ozone and NO2 are described and represented in graphs. Results indicate ozone reduction of approximately 16% in the Northern Hemisphere and approximately 8% in the Southern Hemisphere, with the mid-latitude source of NO2 apparently having a blocking effect on the horizontal transport of ozone, resulting in larger reductions of ozone at high latitudes than at low ones.

Cunnold, D. M.↗

A general circulation model of stratospheric ozone

The paper reports on a general circulation model being developed with the ultimate objective of assessing the effect of SST operations on the atmospheric ozone distribution. The model variables are represented in the spectral domain using 79 spherical harmonics and 26 vertical levels between the ground and 70 km. Initial calculations have attempted to simulate the seasonal variations of the unperturbed global ozone distribution. The model shows the presence of a westerly stratospheric jet in the winter hemisphere with amplitudes similar to those observed in the polar night jet. Easterlies dominate in the summer hemisphere. The model also shows ozone to be transported polewards and downwards. Furthermore the annual cycle in ozone concentrations at mid-latitudes has been simulated. Preliminary comparisons are also made with other features of the dynamics and the ozone distribution in the stratosphere.

Cunnold, D. M.↗

An analysis of the strong zonal circulation within the stratosphere of Venus

A dynamic model is presented for the strong zonal circulation within the stratosphere of Venus which was observed by Mariner 10 and Venera. Rotational effects are neglected, a compressible and radiating atmosphere is considered, and diurnal radiative heating is shown to be negligible in the lower stratosphere (below 85 km). Analysis of the model indicates that propagating internal gravity waves generated by solar heating of the upper stratosphere may induce mean zonal velocities within the upper and lower stratosphere which would have a retrograde direction. The nonlinear equations of motion and energy are solved by an approximate analytical method to determine the magnitude of the zonal velocity, which is found to increase from zero at the tropopause to about 200 m/sec at the 85-km level. The calculated velocity near the UV cloud level compares favorably with the observed value of 100 m/sec.

Ramanathan, V.↗

Mean meridional circulation in the Southern Hemisphere stratosphere based on satellite information

Atmospheric structure derived from satellite multi-channel radiance data is used to calculate zonally-averaged vertical motions in the wintertime stratosphere of both hemispheres using a heat budget approach. The Northern Hemisphere calculations based on the satellite data are shown to compare favorably with a computation carried out with conventional data, and with results of previous studies. The mean Southern Hemisphere pattern for the month of July 1969 indicates a high-latitude cell with the axis of sinking motion at approximately 50 deg S, while the rising motion is centered at 70 deg S. Thus the Antarctic stratospheric jet stream is associated with an indirect cell. Two individual 10-day periods from July 1969 are also examined to compare the mean meridional circulation and eddy heat flux patterns in the Southern Hemisphere during a minor midwinter warming and during a quiet period.

Adler, R. F.↗

Circulating-lines digital filter

Filter has array of line segments of various lengths which may be switched into circulating line by machine operator. Design is useful in cases where filter speed is not critical; by sacrificing speed, filter can be made at lower cost.

Zohar, S.↗