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At least 1,261 records · Page 70

Core electron temperature turbulence and transport during sawtooth oscillations in the DIII-D tokamak

Abstract Sawteeth are one of the concerning instabilities in ITER and future burning plasma experiments. Sawtooth dynamics and its interaction with broadband plasma turbulence has been a challenge for predictive simulations of core transport in future fusion devices. This study provides new observations of core turbulence behavior during sawtooth oscillations in DIII-D hydrogen L-mode neutral beam injection heated plasmas in an inner wall limited configuration. A strong correlation of electron temperature and density turbulence levels with the sawtooth oscillation phase has been observed at locations inside the T e inversion radius and/or safety factor q = 1 magnetic surface. The T e turbulence amplitude in the core during the sawtooth ramp exhibits a critical T e gradient behavior inside but not near the T e inversion radius/ q = 1 magnetic surface. The most unstable mode calculated from the trapped gyro-landau fluid turbulence simulations reveal a change from low- k ion-type to low-k electron-type modes from pre- to post- sawtooth crash time periods.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗

SU-G-TeP3-12: Retrospective Assessment of R2star Using Ultra-High Field MRI in a Rodent Model of Radiation Necrosis

Purpose: To establish a quantitative MRI method that would be capable of predicting radiation necrosis without using a contrast agent. Methods: Healthy male Fischer 344 rats were irradiated using an animal irradiator capable of delivering 2.3 Gy/min with a kVp of 225 V. A dose of 40 Gy was given to half the brain in a single session. Rats were scanned using a 9.4 T animal MRI before irradiation and every two weeks following radiation until either necrosis developed or they were sacrificed for health reasons. A multi-echo gradient-echo sequence was acquired at every time point and the apparent transverse relaxation rate R{sub 2}* was calculated based on the measured signal decay. At the last time point, an ROI mask with an R{sub 2}* value of greater than 45 s{sup −1} was applied in the area of the external and internal capsule where radiation necrosis was confirmed. A retrospective analysis was performed to determine whether R{sub 2}* values would be able to predict where radiation necrosis would occur. Results: Radiation necrosis was morphologically visible between weeks 22–24 following treatment. Gadolinium MRI and histology confirmed radiation necrosis in the area of MRI enhancement. Our data suggests that there is a trend towards significance in the lesion as early as 12 weeks prior to morphological changes on MRI with significance occurring 6 weeks prior (p≤0.05, p≤0.01 at week 24). Measurements of the R{sub 2}* in the hippocampus did not show any significant difference; however, there are areas of visible R{sub 2}* change within sub-hippocampal regions. Conclusion: R{sub 2}* is a promising method that could be able to predict an underlying disease process that occurs prior to radiation necrosis. The constant increase in R{sub 2}* values suggests a possible neuroinflammatory mechanism rather than an acute vascular event where R{sub 2}* would tend to decrease in the area.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗

Learning local and semi-local density functionals from exact exchange-correlation potentials and energies

Finding accurate exchange-correlation (XC) functionals remains the defining challenge in density functional theory (DFT). Despite 40 years of active development, attaining general purpose chemical accuracy is still elusive with existing functionals. We present a data-driven pathway to learn the XC functional by using the exact density, XC energy, and XC potential. While the exact densities are obtained from accurate configuration interaction (CI), the exact XC energies and XC potentials are obtained via inverse DFT calculations on the CI densities. We demonstrate how simple neural network (NN)–based local density approximation (LDA) and generalized gradient approximation (GGA), trained on just five atoms and two molecules, provide remarkable improvement in total energies and densities. Particularly, the NN-based GGA functional attains similar accuracy as the higher rung SCAN meta-GGA on various thermochemistry datasets. These results underscore the promise of using the XC potential in modeling XC functionals and can pave the way for systematic learning of increasingly accurate XC functionals.

Science & Technology - Other Topics↗

Analysis of the LSC microbunching instability in MaRIE linac reference design

In this report we estimate the effect of the microbunching instability in the MaRIE XFEL linac. The reference design for the linac is described in a separate report. The parameters of the L1, L2, and L3 linacs as well as BC1 and BC2 bunch compressors were the same as in the referenced report. The beam dynamics was assumed to be linear along the accelerator (which is a reasonable assumption for estimating the effect of the microbunching instability). The parameters of the bunch also match the parameters described in the referenced report. Additionally, it was assumed that the beam radius is equal to R = 100 m and does not change along linac. This assumption needs to be revisited at later studies. The beam dynamics during acceleration was accounted in the matrix formalism using a Matlab code. The input parameters for the linacs are: RF peak gradient, RF frequency, RF phase, linac length, and initial beam energy. The energy gain and the imposed chirp are calculated based on the RF parameters self-consistently. The bunch compressors are accounted in the matrix formalism as well. Each chicane is characterized by the beam energy and the R56 matrix element. It was confirmed that the linac and beam parameters described previously provide two-stage bunch compression with compression ratios of 10 and 20 resulting in the bunch of 3kA peak current.

43 PARTICLE ACCELERATORS↗

Development of the Technical Basis of a Unified Viscoplastic Model of 316H Stainless Steel for Incorporation into ASME Division 5

This report describes the development of a unified viscoplastic model describing the deformation of 316 stainless steel. The model was developed for incorporation into Section III, Division 5 of the ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code covering the design and fabrication of Class A high temperature nuclear reactor components. The current version of the Code does not provide reference inelastic models, leaving the responsibility of defining an adequate model up to either the plant owner or designer. This approach represents a substantial barrier to using the ASME design by inelastic analysis methods. As historical practice demonstrates these methods produce much more efficient designs, compared to the design by elastic analysis methods, eliminating this barrier could result in safer, more effective, and more efficient structural designs thereby lowering the cost of future advanced reactors. This report summarizes the process of gathering experimental data, calibrating the candidate inelastic model against that data, and validating the model. The report also summarizes work on a new method of calculating the sensitivities of history dependent nonlinear constitutive models that was used to calibrate the 316H model using gradient-based optimization.

22 GENERAL STUDIES OF NUCLEAR REACTORS↗

The occultation of beta Scorpii by Jupiter. I - The structure of the Jovian upper atmosphere

The light curves of beta Scorpii AB and C were recorded during occultation by Jupiter with a time resolution of 0.01 sec. The spikes on the curves, correlated with flashes observed through the eyepiece, are shown to be due to density fluctuations in Jupiter's atmosphere. Using the delays in spike arrival times, the ratio of the refractivities at 3934 and 6201 A is found to be 0.9713 + or - 0.0015. Temperature profiles for three different assumed atmospheric compositions are generated from the light curves. Assuming the terrestrial value for the eddy diffusion coefficient, the turbopause is calculated to occur at the 10 to the 13th power per cu cm level, below which a positive temperature gradient of about 1 K/km is indicated.

Veverka, J.↗

Thermal diffusion calculations for the ionosphere of Venus

Simplified multicomponent diffusion calculations are made for the ionosphere of Venus. Large differences in temperature between electrons and ions and appreciable temperature gradients that are near those of recent measurements are used. Compositions for which binary thermal diffusion coefficients for ions are the same as multi-ion ones are examined as well as those that are quite different. An attempt to combine binary coefficients to give multi-ions ones has not been particularly successful.

Nakada, M. P.↗

Two-phase flow and heat transfer under low gravity

Spacelab experiment to investigate two-phase flow patterns under gravity uses a water-air mixture experiment. Air and water are circulated through the system. The quality or the mixture or air-water is controlled. Photographs of the test section are made and at the same time pressure drop across the test section is measured. The data establishes a flow regime map under reduced gravity conditions with corresponding pressure drop correlations. The test section is also equipped with an electrical resistance heater in order to allow a flow boiling experiment to be carried out using Freon II. High-speed photographs of the test section are used to determine flow patterns. The temperature gradient and pressure drop along the duct can be measured. Thus, quality change can be measured, and heat transfer calculated.

Walter Frost↗

Optical Studies of model binary miscibility gap system

In order to develop a better understanding of separation processes in binary miscibility gap metal alloys, model transparent fluid systems were studied. The system selected was diethylene glycol-ethyl salicylate which has convenient working temperatures (288 to 350 K), low toxicity, and is relatively easy to purify. The system is well characterized with respect to its phase diagram, density, surface and interfacial tensions, viscosity and other pertinent physical properties. Studies of migration of the dispersed phase in a thermal gradient were performed using conventional photomicroscopy. Velocities of the droplets of the dispersed phase were measured and compared to calculated rates which included both Stokes and thermal components. A holographic microscopy system was used to study growth, coalescence, and particle motions. Sequential holograms allowed determination of particle size distribution changes with respect to time and temperature. Holographic microscopy is capable of recording particle densities up to 10 to the 7th power particles/cu cm and is able to resolve particles of the order of 2 to 3 microns in diameter throughout the entire volume of the test cell. The reconstructed hologram produces a wavefront that is identical to the original wavefront as it existed when the hologram was made. The reconstructed wavefront is analyzed using a variety of conventional optical methods.

Lacy, L. L.↗

Transport of infrared radiation in cuboidal clouds

The transport of infrared radiation in a single cuboidal cloud is modeled using a variable azimuth two-stream approximation. Computations are made at 10 microns for a Deirmendjian (1969) C-1 water cloud where the single scattering albedo is equal to 0.638 and the asymmetry parameter is 0.865. The results indicate that the emittance of the top face of the model cloud is always less than that for a plane parallel cloud of the same optical depth. The hemispheric flux escaping from the cloud top possesses a gradient from the center to the edges which are warmer when the cloud is over warmer ground. Cooling rate calculations in the 8-13.6 micron region demonstrate that there is cooling out of the sides of the cloud at all levels even when there is heating of the core from the ground below. The radiances exiting from model cuboidal clouds are computed by path integration over the source function obtained with the two-stream approximation. Results indicate that the brightness temperature measured from finite clouds will overestimate the cloud-top temperature.

Harshvardhan, MR.↗

Duct-Flow Analysis

Quasi-two-dimensional velocity distribution through annular duct calculated. Computer program ANDUCT developed for calculating velocity distribution along arbitrary line between inner and outer walls of annular duct with axisymmetric swirling flow. Velocity gradient equation used with assumed variation of meridional streamline curvature. ANDUCT written in FORTRAN IV for use on IBM 370/3033 computer.

Katsanis, T.↗

Predictions of transonic separated flow with an eddy-viscosity/Reynolds-shear-stress closure model

In previous work, a new turbulence-closure model was specifically developed for two-dimensional turbulent boundary layers subjected to strong, adverse-pressure gradients and the attendant separation. This closure model was shown to perform well, but the inverse, boundary-layer calculations used in evaluating the model were not truly predictive since the mass-flux parameter distribution obtained from the experimental data had to be specified. The objective of this study was to evaluate this closure model for a series of strong, transonic, inviscid-viscous interactions with varying degrees of separation using a fully predictive calculation method based on the Reynolds-averaged, Navier-Stokes equations. Calculated results are compared with experimental results and are shown to be in excellent agreement, even for the interactions with massive separation. This closure model has the very favorable property of requiring little more computational effort than equilibrium, algebraic models.

Johnson, D. A.↗

A turbulent transport model for free-shear flows

An attempt is made to formulate a more accurate and physically plausible diffusion model, which will include the effects of large eddy motion on turbulent transport, by incorporating bulk convection and gradient diffusion. The two-equation model of turbulence thus obtained is used in self-similar form to calculate axisymmetric and plane two-dimensional jets.

Biringen, S.↗

Horizontal plasma flow velocities in the ionosphere of Mars - A test case for the solar wind interaction

On the apparently nonmagnetic planets Mars and Venus, ionospheric plasma can be driven from the day to the nightside by two different mechanisms: (1) the pressure gradient force across the terminator, and (2) a solar wind-induced force via a viscous boundary layer interaction. Calculations of the horizontal flow velocities in the ionosphere of Mars using the two mechanisms produce results differing by an order of magnitude. It is pointed out that the detailed observations of the horizontal flow velocity in the ionosphere of Mars may provide a test case for the resolution of some problems relating to the interaction of the solar wind with the planets Mars and Venus.

Singhal, R. P.↗

The stability of a three-dimensional laminar boundary layer on a swept flat plate

The linear stability of the laminar boundary layer on a swept flat plate with an imposed favorable pressure gradient was studied utilizing a linear stability model which accounts for streamline curvature for three-dimensional incompressible flows. Calculations were performed for an effective leading-edge sweep angle of 42.5 degrees and freestream velocity of 19 m/s. Computed disturbance amplification rates for the spectrum of amplified frequencies and wavelengths for stationary crossflow vortices were compared with experimental results.

Collier, F. S., Jr.↗

Sound transmission through a high-temperature acoustic probe tube

An investigation was conducted of acoustic transmission through a tube subjected to an intense thermal gradient along its axis. The results are of interest in the interpretation of acoustic data from probe tube configurations designed to measure fluctuating pressures in high temperature environments. The measured transfer function across a localized heated region in the tube was compared to a computed transfer function based on a theoretical analysis of propagation through strong temperature gradients. Over the frequency range 0.4 kHz to 6.0 kHz, generally good agreement was obtained between the measured and calculated attenuation across the heated region with some discrepancy occurring at the attenuation minima. Agreement between measured and calculated phase difference was excellent to within the measurement resolution.

Parrott, Tony L.↗

The stability of a three dimensional laminar boundary layer over a swept flat plate

The linear stability of the laminar boundary layer on a swept flat plate with an imposed favorable pressure gradient was studied utilizing a linear stability model which accounts for streamline curvature for three-dimensional incompressible flows. Calculations were performed for a leading-edge sweep angle of 45 degrees and freestream valocity of 19 m/s. Computed disturbance amplification rates and wavelengths for stationary crossflow vortices were compared with available experimental results.

Mueller, B.↗

A finite-volume Euler solver for computing rotary-wing aerodynamics on unstructured meshes

An unstructured-grid solver for the unsteady Euler equations has been developed for predicting the aerodynamics of helicopter rotor blades. This flow solver is a finite-volume scheme that computes flow quantities at the vertices of the mesh. Special treatments are used for the flux differencing and boundary conditions in order to compute rotary-wing flowfields, and these are detailed in the paper. The unstructured-grid solver permits adaptive grid refinement in order to improve the resolution of flow features such as shocks, rotor wakes and acoustic waves. These capabilities are demonstrated in the paper. Example calculations are presented for two hovering rotors. In both cases, adaptive-grid refinement is used to resolve high gradients near the rotor surface and also to capture the vortical regions in the rotor wake. The computed results show good agreement with experimental results for surface airloads and wake geometry.

Strawn, Roger C.↗