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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 109 records · Page 6

A Diagnostic Analysis of the Kennedy Space Center LDAR Network: Data Characteristics - 1

An analytical framework is developed in which to analyze climatological VHF (66 MHz) radiation measurements taken by the Kennedy Space Center Lightning Detection and Ranging (LDAR) network. A 19-month noise-filtered sample of LDAR observations is examined using this framework. It is found that the climatological VHF source density as observed by LDAR falls off approximately 10 dB every 71 km of ground range away from the network centroid (a 31 km e-folding scale). From this framework it is inferred that the underlying source distribution is likely inverse exponential in amplitude, with a log-slope of 126-147 mW(sup -1/2). The underlying vertical distribution of VHF sources is approximately normally distributed with a mean altitude of 9 km and a standard deviation of 2.7 km; this implies that the loss of below-horizon sources has a negligible effect on column-integrated source densities within 200 km ground range. At medium to far ranges, location errors are primarily radial and have a slightly asymmetric distribution whose first moment increases as range squared. Error moments estimated from observed lightning are significantly higher than those from aircraft-based signal generator or analytic solution estimates, suggesting that timing errors arising from poor signal identification and discrimination may dominate over timing errors arising from nominal sensor resolution. The VHF source properties of individual LDAR-observed flashes are computed and an analytic expression for flash detection efficiency vs. range is derived. This reveals nearly constant flash detection efficiency to 80-94 km range from the network centroid.

Boccippio, D. J.↗

Extracting the Galactic Center excess’ source-count distribution with neural nets

The two leading hypotheses for the Galactic Center excess (GCE) in the Fermi data are an unresolved population of faint millisecond pulsars (MSPs) and dark-matter (DM) annihilation. The dichotomy between these explanations is typically reflected by modeling them as two separate emission components. However, point sources (PSs) such as MSPs become statistically degenerate with smooth Poisson emission in the ultrafaint limit (formally where each source is expected to contribute much less than one photon on average), leading to an ambiguity that can render questions such as whether the emission is PS-like or Poissonian in nature ill defined. We present a conceptually new approach that describes the PS and Poisson emission in a unified manner and only afterwards derives constraints on the Poissonian component from the so obtained results. For the implementation of this approach, we leverage deep learning techniques, centered around a neural network-based method for histogram regression that expresses uncertainties in terms of quantiles. We demonstrate that our method is robust against a number of systematics that have plagued previous approaches, in particular DM/PS misattribution. In the Fermi data, we find a faint GCE described by a median source-count distribution (SCD) peaked at a flux of ~ 4 x 10 -11 counts cm -2 s -1 (corresponding to ~ 3-4 expected counts per PS), which would require N ~ $\mathscr{O}$(10 4 ) sources to explain the entire excess (median value N = 29,300 across the sky). Although faint, this SCD allows us to derive the constraint η ρ ≤ 66% for the Poissonian fraction of the GCE flux η ρ at 95% confidence, suggesting that a substantial amount of the GCE flux is due to PSs.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗

Atmospheric carbon monoxide - Latitudinal distribution of sources

Global measurements of CO, taken over 2-8 years at 16 sites, are used to estimate the latitudinal and seasonal distributions of the sources. It is found that the most concentrated sources of CO, amounting to some 30 percent of the global production, are in the industrialized regions bounded by 30 and 50 deg N. About 47 percent of CO comes from the whole of the midnorthern latitudes and another 40 percent comes from the tropics. The calculations show that the production of CO is significantly higher during spring and summer, particularly in the industrialized latitudes. From these results it is apparent that the observed seasonal cycle of CO concentrations cannot be explained by the seasonal variation of OH alone.

Khalil, M. A. K.↗

A viscous/potential flow interaction analysis method for multi-element infinite swept wings, volume 1

An analysis method and computer program have been developed for the calculation of the viscosity dependent aerodynamic characteristics of multi-element infinite swept wings in incompressible flow. The wing configuration consisting at the most of a slat, a main element and double slotted flap is represented in the method by a large number of panels. The inviscid pressure distribution about a given configuration in the normal chord direction is determined using a two dimensional potential flow program employing a vortex lattice technique. The boundary layer development over each individual element of the high lift configuration is determined using either integral or finite difference boundary layer techniques. A source distribution is then determined as a function of the calculated boundary layer displacement thickness and pressure distributions. This source distribution is included in the second calculation of the potential flow about the configuration. Once the solution has converged (usually after 2-5 iterations between the potential flow and boundary layer calculations) lift, drag, and pitching moments can be determined as functions of Reynolds number.

Dvorak, F. A.↗

Prediction on Underestimation of Statistical Uncertainty in Monte Carlo Eigenvalue Calculation for Two-dimensional Heterogeneous Color Set Geometry

In a Monte Carlo calculation, statistical uncertainty is inevitably included in the result. The statistical uncertainty is commonly estimated by the central limit theorem without considering correlation among generations. The statistical uncertainty is usually expected to decrease at the inverse square root of the number of neutron histories. However, in a Monte Carlo eigenvalue calculation in a large geometry whose dominance ratio is close to unity, the central limit theorem would not be valid and thus the statistical uncertainty of fission source distribution can be significantly underestimated when inter-cycle correlation is not appropriately taken into account. The true statistical uncertainty can be calculated by statistical processing of the results obtained by multiple Monte Carlo runs using different initial random seeds, but this approach has a drawback of large calculation cost. Therefore, prediction of true statistical uncertainty by alternate approach is desirable. One of the solutions for this issue is an evaluation method of statistical uncertainty based on the eigenfunction expansion and the Autoregressive model (AR model). In this method, the true statistical uncertainty is theoretically derived by applying the AR model to behavior of expansion coefficients of eigenfunction in fission source distribution during cycles. Underestimation ratio of statistical uncertainty of fission source distribution can be predicted by this method. Note that the underestimation ratio of statistical uncertainty is defined by the ratio of estimated error by a Monte Carlo calculation to the true statistical error. In the previous study, the proposed method was verified in a simple condition such as one energy group, one dimensional homogeneous slab geometry. Contributions of this summary are as follows. Firstly, expression of the noise term that is appeared in the AR model is theoretically derived. Secondly, prediction on underestimation ratio of statistical uncertainty is carried out in a more general case, i.e., flux of each fuel cell in 2 x 2 heterogeneous assembly geometry taken from the C5G7 benchmark problem. Through the present study, applicability of the theoretical prediction for underestimation of statistical uncertainty in practical problems will be verified. (authors)

21 SPECIFIC NUCLEAR REACTORS AND ASSOCIATED PLANTS↗

Numerical algorithm conjugating steady and transient, separated, compressible flow and a solid body having arbitrarily distributed heat sources

A numerical algorithm that is second-order accurate in time has been developed for the conjugated problem of a separated, compressible flow field and a conductive solid body. The full two-dimensional time-dependent Navier-Stokes equations are coupled with the time-dependent energy equation for the solid body and are solved simultaneously. using implicit algorithms. The energy equation for the solid body may include arbitrarily distributed heat sources. The algorithm has been exmined for the case of two-dimensional supersonic compression-corner interaction, with a heat source embedded in the wall in the vicinity of the separation bubble and the attached boundary layer. The effect of the heat source on the flow field is studied for steady and transient cases.

Degani, D.↗

Recent progress on the APOLLO3 calculation scheme for the FLUOLE2 experiment

Studies of the neutron fluence on reactor pressure vessel and the correlated reactor lifetime issues require very good knowledge of the neutron source distribution in the reactor core and especially in the peripheral region. The FLUOLE2 experiment offers an appropriate starting configuration to investigate the possibility of using the APOLLO3 deterministic code with a two-step calculation scheme. It enables us to calculate a pin-by-pin neutron source distribution in the core, then to carry out the neutron propagation from the core to neutron detectors. In this paper, we focus on a calculation scheme dedicated to the determination of core neutron source distribution using APOLLO3 with the SHEM281 energy mesh, a Method of Characteristics (MOC) to solve the transport equation for the lattice computation step and a 20-groups 3D computation using the MINARET SN solver of APOLLO3. Reactivity and pin-by-pin reaction rate results have been analyzed. Results obtained with both lattice and core computations show a good agreement with those produced through a reference calculation using the TRIPOLI-4 Monte Carlo transport code. (authors)

21 SPECIFIC NUCLEAR REACTORS AND ASSOCIATED PLANTS↗

Learjet 25D Jet Noise Flyover Measurements: Comparisons with Scale-Model Data

Continued interest in commercial supersonic flight has highlighted the need for accurate jet-noise predictions as jet noise is expected to be a dominant noise source for aircraft takeoff conditions. The current study compares the acoustic spectra obtained from a scale-model investigation to that from a Learjet 25D flyover test. Reasonable agreement was achieved between the scale-model and flight data in both peak level and frequency when the physical scale factor for the scale-model was increased by roughly 6%. The peak perceived noise levels (PNL) for the flight data were between 1.29 dB and 1.65 dB higher than those for the scale model. The roll-off of PNL with time for large emission angles was greater for the flight data than for the scale-model data. Using a distributed source model for shear-layer-refraction corrections to the scale-model data slightly improved comparisons to flight data at low frequencies for emission angles near 70° and between 110° and 130°. Distributed source models had no impact on the scale-model spectra near the peak jet-noise angle. Applying a stretching factor to the distributed source models to capture the effects of a flight stream had a very limited impact on the computed spectra.

Acoustics↗

Measurements of the distribution of sound source intensities in turbulent jets.

The spatial distribution of sound source intensities in jets is determined from the sound radiated into the acoustic far field by means of a concave mirror-microphone system. The mirror forms an image of the sound sources in a region far enough from the jet so that near field pressure fluctuations can be neglected. The sound intensity in the image is thus closely related to the strength of the actual sound sources in the jet. Results of measurements with jets of Mach numbers 0.7 to 1.9 emanating from circular nozzles and from slot nozzle-flap combinations demonstrate the influence of Mach number and of other parameters upon the sound source distribution.

Grosche, F.-R.↗

Revisiting Source Convergence Diagnostics in the KENO Monte Carlo Neutron Transport Codes [Abstract]

Monte Carlo criticality transport codes, which rely on the power iteration procedure, are a fundamental tool for nuclear criticality safety practitioners in assessing the neutron multiplication factor (k eff ) for problems involving fissile material. In these calculations, ensuring the convergence of both the fission source distributions and the k eff estimate for accurate results is crucial. However, a converged k eff estimate does not necessarily mean the fission source distribution is also converged because the fission source and flux distribution may continue to evolve even after k eff convergence. Therefore, most Monte Carlo transport criticality codes now offer various diagnostic tests to assess fission source convergence in addition to the k eff convergence by analyzing the trends of these quantities over multiple generations.

AZURE↗

Active control of aircraft engine inlet noise using compact sound sources and distributed error sensors

An active noise control system using a compact sound source is effective to reduce aircraft engine duct noise. The fan noise from a turbofan engine is controlled using an adaptive filtered-x LMS algorithm. Single multi channel control systems are used to control the fan blade passage frequency (BPF) tone and the BPF tone and the first harmonic of the BPF tone for a plane wave excitation. A multi channel control system is used to control any spinning mode. The multi channel control system to control both fan tones and a high pressure compressor BPF tone simultaneously. In order to make active control of turbofan inlet noise a viable technology, a compact sound source is employed to generate the control field. This control field sound source consists of an array of identical thin, cylindrically curved panels with an inner radius of curvature corresponding to that of the engine inlet. These panels are flush mounted inside the inlet duct and sealed on all edges to prevent leakage around the panel and to minimize the aerodynamic losses created by the addition of the panels. Each panel is driven by one or more piezoelectric force transducers mounted on the surface of the panel. The response of the panel to excitation is maximized when it is driven at its resonance; therefore, the panel is designed such that its fundamental frequency is near the tone to be canceled, typically 2000-4000 Hz.

Burdisso, Ricardo↗

Active control of aircraft engine inlet noise using compact sound sources and distributed error sensors

An active noise control system using a compact sound source is effective to reduce aircraft engine duct noise. The fan noise from a turbofan engine is controlled using an adaptive filtered-x LMS algorithm. Single multi channel control systems are used to control the fan blade passage frequency (BPF) tone and the BPF tone and the first harmonic of the BPF tone for a plane wave excitation. A multi channel control system is used to control any spinning mode. The multi channel control system to control both fan tones and a high pressure compressor BPF tone simultaneously. In order to make active control of turbofan inlet noise a viable technology, a compact sound source is employed to generate the control field. This control field sound source consists of an array of identical thin, cylindrically curved panels with an inner radius of curvature corresponding to that of the engine inlet. These panels are flush mounted inside the inlet duct and sealed on all edges to prevent leakage around the panel and to minimize the aerodynamic losses created by the addition of the panels. Each panel is driven by one or more piezoelectric force transducers mounted on the surface of the panel. The response of the panel to excitation is maximized when it is driven at its resonance; therefore, the panel is designed such that its fundamental frequency is near the tone to be canceled, typically 2000-4000 Hz.

Burdisso, Ricardo↗

Distribution and Sources of Tropospheric Aerosols Over the Western North Atlantic During ACTIVATE (February-March 2020)

The Aerosol Cloud meTeorology Interactions oVer the western ATlantic Experiment (ACTIVATE) is a five-year (2019-2023) NASA Earth-Venture Suborbital-3 (EVS-3) mission to robustly characterize aerosol-cloud-meteorology interactions during February-June, with a focus on marine boundary layer clouds. This characterization requires understanding of aerosol composition, distribution, transport pathways, and sources. Here we use the GEOS-Chem chemical transport model driven by the MERRA-2 reanalysis to simulate tropospheric carbon monoxide (CO) and aerosols over the western North Atlantic Ocean (WNAO) during the first field deployment of ACTIVATE (February-March 2020). CO is used as a tracer to diagnose transport pathways for continental pollution outflow to the WNAO. The aerosol simulation represents all major aerosols including sulfate-nitrate-ammonium (SNA), mineral dust, sea salt, black and organic carbon aerosols. Model-simulated mixing ratios of SNA and organic carbon are compared with aircraft observations. We show that intensive aerosol mass measurements in the lower troposphere over the North American outflow region during ACTIVATE provide strong constraints on model aerosol wet scavenging. Comparisons of model aerosol extinctions with the airborne High Spectral Resolution Lidar-2 (HSRL-2) measurements indicate that the model generally captures continental outflow of aerosols and enhanced extinctions associated with sea salt. Simulated aerosol optical depths (AODs) and extinction vertical profiles are also compared with satellite retrievals from MODIS/Aqua and CALIOP/CALIPSO, respectively. CALIOP sometimes observes enhanced aerosol extinction at altitudes between ~1.5km and ~2.0km south of 32°N. The model reproduces this enhancement and attributes it to coarse-mode sea salt associated with high relative humidity. The relative contributions of continental and oceanic sources to the aerosol loading, AOD, and their distributions over the study domain will also be discussed.

aerosols↗

CONSTRAINING SOURCE REDSHIFT DISTRIBUTIONS WITH GRAVITATIONAL LENSING

We introduce a new method for constraining the redshift distribution of a set of galaxies, using weak gravitational lensing shear. Instead of using observed shears and redshifts to constrain cosmological parameters, we ask how well the shears around clusters can constrain the redshifts, assuming fixed cosmological parameters. This provides a check on photometric redshifts, independent of source spectral energy distribution properties and therefore free of confounding factors such as misidentification of spectral breaks. We find that {approx}40 massive ({sigma}{sub v} = 1200 km s{sup -1}) cluster lenses are sufficient to determine the fraction of sources in each of six coarse redshift bins to {approx}11%, given weak (20%) priors on the masses of the highest-redshift lenses, tight (5%) priors on the masses of the lowest-redshift lenses, and only modest (20%-50%) priors on calibration and evolution effects. Additional massive lenses drive down uncertainties as N{sub lens}{sup -1/2}, but the improvement slows as one is forced to use lenses further down the mass function. Future large surveys contain enough clusters to reach 1% precision in the bin fractions if the tight lens-mass priors can be maintained for large samples of lenses. In practice this will be difficult to achieve, but the method may be valuable as a complement to other more precise methods because it is based on different physics and therefore has different systematic errors.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

Application of ex-vessel neutron dosimetry combined with in-core measurements for correction of neutron source used for RPV fluence calculations

This paper deals with calculated and semi-analytical evaluations of VVER-1000 reactor core neutron source distributions and their influence on measurements and calculations of the integral through-vessel neutron leakage. Neutron activation measurements analyzed in the paper were carried out in an ex-vessel air cavity at different nuclear power plant units with VVER-1000 during different fuel cycles. The time-integrated neutron source distributions used for DORT calculations were prepared via two different approaches based on (a) calculated fuel burnup (standard routine procedure) and (b) in-core measurements by means of self-powered detectors (SPDs) and thermocouples (TCs) (new approach). Considering that fuel burnup distributions in operating VVER may be evaluated now by the use of analytical methods (calculations) only, it is necessary to develop new approaches for the testing and correction of calculated evaluations of a neutron source. The results presented in this paper allow one to consider the reverse task of the alternative estimation of fuel burnup distributions. The proposed approach is based on the adjustment (fitting) of time-integrated neutron source distributions, and thus fuel burnup patterns, in some part of the reactor core, taking into account neutron leakage measurements, neutron-physical calculations, and in-core SPD and TC measurement data. (authors)

21 SPECIFIC NUCLEAR REACTORS AND ASSOCIATED PLANTS↗

Utilities for master source code distribution: MAX and Friends

MAX is a program for the manipulation of FORTRAN master source code (MSC). This is a technique by which one maintains one and only one master copy of a FORTRAN program under a program developing system, which for MAX is assumed to be VAX/VMS. The master copy is not intended to be directly compiled. Instead it must be pre-processed by MAX to produce compilable instances. These instances may correspond to different code versions (for example, double precision versus single precision), different machines (for example, IBM, CDC, Cray) or different operating systems (i.e., VAX/VMS versus VAX/UNIX). The advantage os using a master source is more pronounced in complex application programs that are developed and maintained over many years and are to be transported and executed on several computer environments. The version lag problem that plagues many such programs is avoided by this approach. MAX is complemented by several auxiliary programs that perform nonessential functions. The ensemble is collectively known as MAX and Friends. All of these programs, including MAX, are executed as foreign VAX/VMS commands and can easily be hidden in customized VMS command procedures.

Felippa, Carlos A.↗

THE GALACTIC SPATIAL DISTRIBUTION OF OB ASSOCIATIONS AND THEIR SURROUNDING SUPERNOVA-GENERATED SUPERBUBBLES

The Galactic spatial distribution of OB associations and their surrounding superbubbles (SBs) reflect the distribution of a wide range of important processes in our Galaxy. In particular, it can provide a three-dimensional measure not only of the major source distribution of Galactic cosmic rays, but also the Galactic star formation distribution, the Lyman continuum ionizing radiation distribution, the core-collapse supernova distribution, the neutron star and stellar black hole production distribution, and the principal source distribution of freshly synthesized elements. Thus, we construct a three-dimensional spatial model of the massive-star distribution based primarily on the emission of the H II envelopes that surround the giant SBs and are maintained by the ionizing radiation of the embedded O stars. The Galactic longitudinal distribution of the 205 μm N II radiation, emitted by these H II envelopes, is used to infer the spatial distribution of SBs. We find that the Galactic SB distribution is dominated by the contribution of massive-star clusters residing in the spiral arms.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗