Search NASA⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search NASA

Results for “analytic solution”

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 1,207 records · Page 67

SUPERNOVAE AND AGN DRIVEN GALACTIC OUTFLOWS

We present analytical solutions for winds from galaxies with a Navarro-Frank-White (NFW) dark matter halo. We consider winds driven by energy and mass injection from multiple supernovae (SNe), as well as momentum injection due to radiation from a central black hole. We find that the wind dynamics depends on three velocity scales: (1) v{sub *}{approx}( E-dot / 2 M-dot ){sup 1/2} describes the effect of starburst activity, with E-dot and M-dot as energy and mass injection rate in a central region of radius R; (2) v {sub .} {approx} (GM {sub .}/2R){sup 1/2} for the effect of a central black hole of mass M {sub .} on gas at distance R; and (3) v{sub s}=(GM{sub h} / 2Cr{sub s}){sup 1/2}, which is closely related to the circular speed (v{sub c} ) for an NFW halo, where r{sub s} is the halo scale radius and C is a function of the halo concentration parameter. Our generalized formalism, in which we treat both energy and momentum injection from starbursts and radiation from the central active galactic nucleus (AGN), allows us to estimate the wind terminal speed to be (4v {sup 2} {sub *} + 6({Gamma} - 1)v {sub .} {sup 2} - 4v {sup 2} {sub s}){sup 1/2}, where {Gamma} is the ratio of force due to radiation pressure to gravity of the central black hole. Our dynamical model also predicts the following: (1) winds from quiescent star-forming galaxies cannot escape from 10{sup 11.5} M {sub Sun} {<=} M{sub h} {<=} 10{sup 12.5} M {sub Sun} galaxies; (2) circumgalactic gas at large distances from galaxies should be present for galaxies in this mass range; (3) for an escaping wind, the wind speed in low- to intermediate-mass galaxies is {approx}400-1000 km s{sup -1}, consistent with observed X-ray temperatures; and (4) winds from massive galaxies with AGNs at Eddington limit have speeds {approx}> 1000 km s{sup -1}. We also find that the ratio [2v {sup 2} {sub *} - (1 - {Gamma})v {sub .} {sup 2}]/v {sup 2} {sub c} dictates the amount of gas lost through winds. Used in conjunction with an appropriate relation between M {sub .} and M{sub h} and an appropriate opacity of dust grains in infrared (K band), this ratio has the attractive property of being minimum at a certain halo mass scale (M{sub h} {approx} 10{sup 12}-10{sup 12.5} M {sub Sun }) that signifies the crossover of AGN domination in outflow properties from starburst activity at lower masses. We find that stellar mass for massive galaxies scales as M {sub *}{proportional_to}M {sup 0.26} {sub h}, and for low-mass galaxies, M {sub *}{proportional_to}M {sup 5/3} {sub h}.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

Random matrix approach to three-dimensional QCD with a Chern-Simons term

We propose a random matrix theory for QCD in three dimensions with a Chern-Simons term at level k which spontaneously breaks the flavor symmetry according to U(2Nf) → U(Nf+k)×U(Nf-k). This random matrix model is obtained by adding a complex part to the action for the k = 0 random matrix model. We derive the pattern of spontaneous symmetry breaking from the analytical solution of the model. Additionally, we obtain explicit analytical results for the spectral density and the spectral correlation functions for the Dirac operator at finite matrix dimension, that become complex. In the microscopic domain where the matrix size tends to infinity, they are expected to be universal, and give an exact analytical prediction to the spectral properties of the Dirac operator in the presence of a Chern-Simons term. Here, we calculate the microscopic spectral density. It shows exponentially large (complex) oscillations which cancel the phase of the k = 0 theory.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗

Thermomechanics coupling to Monte Carlo particle transport on unstructured mesh geometries using Cardinal

Geometry deformation due to thermal expansion influences neutron transport in many systems. Studying this phenomenon involves coupling models for neutronics, thermal hydraulics, and solid mechanics. To enable high fidelity modeling of these coupled physics, new capabilities were introduced in Cardinal, coupling OpenMC Monte Carlo particle transport models with MOOSE thermomechanical physics on unstructured moving-mesh geometries. In this work, we present a fully open-source capability leveraging on-the-fly mesh skinning to automatically regenerate OpenMC geometry, which allows multiphysics feedback from temperature, density, and geometry changes. The new capability is verified using an analytic benchmark slab problem, which couples S 2 neutron transport with thermal conduction, convective boundary conditions, Doppler-broadened cross sections, and nonlinear thermal expansion effects along the heated slab. Cardinal reproduces the analytic solutions for the neutron flux, heating, k eff , and temperature with demonstrated convergence in various error terms including mesh resolution and cross section temperature library spacing. For the nominal benchmark conditions and with a fine mesh, maximum relative errors for neutron flux, temperature, and heating are lower than 1%, while errors in integral quantities such as k eff and slab length are within 1 pcm and 48 µm, respectively. This work (i) presents a new numerical approach to thermomechanics coupling with OpenMC models, (ii) is the first (to our knowledge) to utilize a mechanical partial differential equation (PDE) solution to solve the (Griesheimer and Kooreman, 2022) analytic benchmark, and (iii) develops this verified capability within an open-source package.

97 - MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTING↗

Enhancements to the Munson-Dawson Model for Rock Salt

The Munson-Dawson (MD) constitutive model was originally developed in the 1980's to predict the thermomechanical behavior of rock salt. Since then, it has been used to simulate the evolution of the underground in nuclear waste repositories, mines, and storage caverns for gases and liquids. This report covers three enhancements to the MD model. (1) New transient and steady-state rate terms were added to capture salt's creep behavior at low equivalent stresses (below about 8 MPa). These new terms were calibrated against a series of triaxial compression creep experiments on salt from the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant. (2) The equivalent stress measure was changed from the Tresca stress to the Hosford stress. By varying a single exponent, the Hosford stress can reduce to the Tresca stress, the von Mises stress, or a range of behaviors in-between. This exponent was calibrated against true triaxial compression experiments on salt hollow cylinders. (3) The MD model's numerical implementation was overhauled, adding a line search algorithm to the implicit solution scheme. The new implementation was verified against analytical solutions, and benchmarked against a pre-existing implementation on a room closure simulation. The new implementation pre- dicted virtually identical room closure, yet sped up the simulation by 16x . (The source code of the new implementation is included in an appendix of this report.)

12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE W↗

Shape determination and control for large space structures

An integral operator approach is used to derive solutions to static shape determination and control problems associated with large space structures. Problem assumptions include a linear self-adjoint system model, observations and control forces at discrete points, and performance criteria for the comparison of estimates or control forms. Results are illustrated by simulations in the one dimensional case with a flexible beam model, and in the multidimensional case with a finite model of a large space antenna. Modal expansions for terms in the solution algorithms are presented, using modes from the static or associated dynamic mode. These expansions provide approximated solutions in the event that a used form analytical solution to the system boundary value problem is not available.

Weeks, C. J.↗

Static shape determination and control for a large space antenna

An integral operator approach is used to derive solutions to static shape determination and control problems associated with large space structures. Problem assumptions include a linear self-adjoint system model, observations and control forces at discrete points, and quadratic performance criteria for the comparison of estimates or control forces. Results are illustrated by simulations with a finite element model of a large space antenna. Modal expansions for terms in the solution algorithms are presented, using modes from the static or associated dynamic model. These expansions provide approximate solutions in the event that a closed form analytical solution to the system boundary value problem is not available.

Weeks, C.↗

A decomposition method for optimization of large-system reliability

This paper considers a decomposition approach for optimization of the reliability of a large system with a general network structure. A 3-level methodology is developed for optimal allocation of available resources among subsystems in order to ensure maximization of system-reliability. The decentralized nature of this methodology greatly reduces the complexity of the large problem and facilitates seeking the optimal solution. Two examples show that the complexity of a large system can be greatly reduced by solving several smaller-dimensional sub-problems iteratively. Sub-problems whose dimensions are small can be efficiently solved by any existing nonlinear programming method. Another important feature of this approach is the possible simplification of the objective function during the solution. This leads in some cases to an analytic solution for the lower-level optimization problems in a 3-level decomposition solution.

Li, Duan↗

A massively parallel computational approach to coupled thermoelastic/porous gas flow problems

A new computational scheme for coupled thermoelastic/porous gas flow problems is presented. Heat transfer, gas flow, and dynamic thermoelastic governing equations are expressed in fully explicit form, and solved on a massively parallel computer. The transpiration cooling problem is used as an example problem. The numerical solutions have been verified by comparison to available analytical solutions. Transient temperature, pressure, and stress distributions have been obtained. Small spatial oscillations in pressure and stress have been observed, which would be impractical to predict with previously available schemes. Comparisons between serial and massively parallel versions of the scheme have also been made. The results indicate that for small scale problems the serial and parallel versions use practically the same amount of CPU time. However, as the problem size increases the parallel version becomes more efficient than the serial version.

Shia, David↗

Parsec-Scale Obscuring Accretion Disk with Large-Scale Magnetic Field in AGNs

A magnetic field dragged from the galactic disk, along with inflowing gas, can provide vertical support to the geometrically and optically thick pc (parsec) -scale torus in AGNs (Active Galactic Nuclei). Using the Soloviev solution initially developed for Tokamaks, we derive an analytical model for a rotating torus that is supported and confined by a magnetic field. We further perform three-dimensional magneto-hydrodynamic simulations of X-ray irradiated, pc-scale, magnetized tori. We follow the time evolution and compare models that adopt initial conditions derived from our analytic model with simulations in which the initial magnetic flux is entirely contained within the gas torus. Numerical simulations demonstrate that the initial conditions based on the analytic solution produce a longer-lived torus that produces obscuration that is generally consistent with observed constraints.

galaxies↗

Fast and Reliable Approximations for Interplanetary Low-Thrust Transfers

A three-step process bridges the gap between lower-fidelity solutions that ignore optimal dynamics and fully optimized solutions that are computationally expensive to generate. First, analytic solutions for transfers with free time and angle characterize the evolution of the shape and orientation of the orbit. Next, optimal control theory supplies the thrust vector with variable specific impulse while satisfying flight time and transfer angle constraints. Transfers with the additional constraint of constant specific impulse then provide a more realistic thruster model for preliminary trade studies. These approximations deliver a hundredfold improvement in run time at the expense of a few percent error in mass.

Landau, Damon↗

An upwind differencing scheme for the time-accurate incompressible Navier-Stokes equations

The two-dimensional incompressible Navier-Stokes equations are solved in a time-accurate manner in using the method of pseudocompressibility. Using this method, subiterations in pseudotime are required to satisfy the continuity equation at each time step. An upwind differencing scheme based on flux-difference splitting is used to compute the convective terms. The upwind differencing is biased based on the sign of the local eigenvalue of the Jacobian matrix. Third-order or fifth-order spatial accuracy is maintained throughout the interior grid points. The equations are solved using an implicit line-relaxation scheme. This solution scheme is stable and is capable of running at large time steps in pseudotime, leading to fast convergence for each physical time step. A variety of computed results are presented to validate the present scheme. Results for the flow over an oscillating plate are compared with the exact analytic solution, good agreement is seen. Excellent comparison is obtained between the computed solution and the analytical results for inviscid channel flow with an oscillating back pressure. Flow solutions over a circular cylinder with vortex shedding are also presented. Finally, the flow past an airfoil at -90 deg angle-of-attack is also computed.

Rogers, Stuart E.↗

Polar decomposition for attitude determination from vector observations

This work treats the problem of weighted least squares fitting of a 3D Euclidean-coordinate transformation matrix to a set of unit vectors measured in the reference and transformed coordinates. A closed-form analytic solution to the problem is re-derived. The fact that the solution is the closest orthogonal matrix to some matrix defined on the measured vectors and their weights is clearly demonstrated. Several known algorithms for computing the analytic closed form solution are considered. An algorithm is discussed which is based on the polar decomposition of matrices into the closest unitary matrix to the decomposed matrix and a Hermitian matrix. A somewhat longer improved algorithm is suggested too. A comparison of several algorithms is carried out using simulated data as well as real data from the Upper Atmosphere Research Satellite. The comparison is based on accuracy and time consumption. It is concluded that the algorithms based on polar decomposition yield a simple although somewhat less accurate solution. The precision of the latter algorithms increase with the number of the measured vectors and with the accuracy of their measurement.

Bar-Itzhack, Itzhack Y.↗

Code Verification of the HIGRAD Computational Fluid Dynamics Solver

The purpose of this report is to outline code and solution verification activities applied to HIGRAD, a Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) solver of the compressible Navier-Stokes equations developed at the Los Alamos National Laboratory, and used to simulate various phenomena such as the propagation of wildfires and atmospheric hydrodynamics. Code verification efforts, as described in this report, are an important first step to establish the credibility of numerical simulations. They provide evidence that the mathematical formulation is properly implemented without significant mistakes that would adversely impact the application of interest. Highly accurate analytical solutions are derived for four code verification test problems that exercise different aspects of the code. These test problems are referred to as: (i) the quiet start, (ii) the passive advection, (iii) the passive diffusion, and (iv) the piston-like problem. These problems are simulated using HIGRAD with different levels of mesh discretization and the numerical solutions are compared to their analytical counterparts. In addition, the rates of convergence are estimated to verify the numerical performance of the solver. The first three test problems produce numerical approximations as expected. The fourth test problem (piston-like) indicates the extent to which the code is able to simulate a 'mild' discontinuity, which is a condition that would typically be better handled by a Lagrangian formulation. The current investigation concludes that the numerical implementation of the solver performs as expected. The quality of solutions is sufficient to provide credible simulations of fluid flows around wind turbines. The main caveat associated to these findings is the low coverage provided by these four problems, and somewhat limited verification activities. A more comprehensive evaluation of HIGRAD may be beneficial for future studies.

17 WIND ENERGY↗

A Model of Radiative and Conductive Energy Transfer in Planetary Regoliths

The thermal regime in planetary regoliths involves three processes: propagation of visible radiation, propagation of thermal radiation, and thermal conduction. The equations of radiative transfer and heat conduction are formulated for particulate media composed of anisotropically scattering particles. Although the equations are time dependent, only steady state problems are considered in this paper. Using the two-stream approximation, solutions are obtained for two cases: a layer of powder heated from below and an infinitely thick regolith illuminated by visible radiation. Radiative conductivity, subsurface temperature gradients, and the solid state greenhouse effect all appear intrinsically in the solutions without ad hoc additions. Although the equations are nonlinear, approximate analytic solutions that are accurate to a few percent are obtained. Analytic expressions are given for the temperature distribution, the optical and thermal radiance distributions, the hemispherical albedo, the hemispherical emissivity, and the directional emissivity. Additional applications of the new model to three problems of interest in planetary regoliths are presented by Hapke.

Hapke, Bruce↗

A coupled ALE-AMR method for shock hydrodynamics

We present a numerical method combining adaptive mesh refinement (AMR) with arbitrary Lagrangian-Eulerian (ALE) mesh motion for the simulation of shock hydrodynamics on unstructured grids. The primary goal of the coupled method is to use AMR to reduce numerical error in ALE simulations at reduced computational expense relative to uniform fine mesh calculations, in the same manner that AMR has been used in Eulerian simulations. We also identify deficiencies with ALE methods that AMR is able to mitigate, and discuss the unique coupling challenges. The coupled method is demonstrated using three-dimensional unstructured meshes of up to O(10 7 ) tetrahedral cells. Convergence of ALE-AMR solutions towards both uniform fine mesh ALE results and analytic solutions is demonstrated. Speed-ups of 5-10× for a given level of error are observed relative to uniform fine mesh calculations.

42 ENGINEERING↗

A conceptual model for how to design for building envelope characteristics. Impact of thermal comfort intervals and thermal mass on commercial buildings in U.S. climates

The paper presents a simplified conceptual model for energy demand calculations based on building envelope characteristics, thermal mass and local climate. It is based on a network model and lumped analysis of the dynamic process. Characteristic parameters for the buildings are suggested; Driving temperature (DT), Driving temperature difference, (DTD), External Load Temperature (ELT), and Thermal Load Resistance (TLR). The Building Envelope Performance ( BEP 0 ), based on a controlled constant indoor temperature is introduced. Solution techniques using stable explicit forward differences based on analytical solutions are derived. The conceptual model has been used for mapping the Driving temperature difference and introduced two performance factors and . The first factor represents the effect of thermal comfort interval and thermal mass on the energy demand. The latter represents the ratio between cooling and heating energy demand. These three parameters and factors have been visualized on U.S. maps and enable a possibility to communicate the demand of energy, and cooling and the coupling to building characteristics, in a concise way.

32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATI↗

A hybrid analytical and numerical model for cross-over and performance decay in a unit cell vanadium redox flow battery

Developing an accurate and efficient model for cross-over is critical for improving the long-term performance of redox flow batteries (RFBs). Here, this work presents a hybrid analytical and numerical model that combines a two-dimensional analytical solution to the active species, a one-dimensional analytical model for cross-over mechanisms, and a zero-dimensional numerical model for outlet concentrations of reactants. By comparing with experiment over 41 cycles (ca. 144 h), the model reported a mean voltage difference of 0.0089 V, mean time difference of 14 s per cycle (of 3.5 h), maximum relative difference for capacity and energy of 1.34% and 1.63%, respectively. The predicted mean concentrations for V 2+ , V 3+ , and VO$_{2}^{+}$ in membrane are 65%~77% of measured values from the literature. Upon validation, the model reproduced behaviors in electrolyte imbalance similar to those observed in experiments and numerical models, and revealed the control of cross-over, self-discharge, stoichiometry of side reactions, and Coulombic efficiency on electrolyte imbalance. The model also demonstrates excellent computational efficiency for simulating 41 cycles (around 37,000 points) within 3~4 s. The demonstrated efficiency and accuracy for predicting cross-over and its impacts on voltage, capacity&energy decay, membrane concentrations, and electrolyte imbalance makes it a reliable tool for optimizing RFBs’ long-term performance.

25 ENERGY STORAGE↗