Search NASA⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search NASA

Results for “shared control”

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 1,459 records · Page 81

Ecovoltaic solar energy development can promote grassland bird communities

Ecologically informed photovoltaic (PV) developments that co-prioritize PV electricity generation with ecosystem function (‘ecovoltaics’) have emerged as a promising land sharing strategy to minimize ecological conflicts associated with PV solar energy development. While habitat-focused ecovoltaic designs can conceptually benefit biodiversity by offsetting or enhancing impacts of PV development, foundational field research is needed to examine how wildlife respond to these novel ecosystems. We conducted passive acoustic monitoring (PAM) in 2023 and 2024 at 13 solar facilities and paired control sites to investigate avian community responses to ecovoltaic facilities in the Midwestern United States. Compared to control sites (row crop agricultural fields), we found that ecovoltaic sites supported more grassland bird species throughout a 17-week monitoring period between May and September. Grassland bird communities on ecovoltaic sites were also more stable than on agricultural controls, as measured by the Jaccard dissimilarity index. We also used PAM-based weekly species occurrences in an occupancy-modelling framework to investigate the influence of PV development and other landscape variables on grassland bird occupancy. 10 out of 13 modelled grassland bird species had greater predicted occupancy probabilities (ψ) on PV sites than control sites. Synthesis and applications. Our findings suggest that properly sited and developed ecovoltaic solar facilities in human altered landscapes can improve habitat for birds and other wildlife, but further research is needed to understand which species may benefit most from these novel ecosystems.

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗

Universal structure of propagation-invariant optical pulses

Space–time structuring of light—where spatial and temporal degrees of freedom are deliberately coupled and controlled—is an emerging area of optics that enables novel configurations of electromagnetic fields. Of particular importance for applications are optical pulses whose peak intensity travels at an arbitrary, tunable velocity while maintaining its spatiotemporal profile. Space–time wave packets (STWPs) and the ideal flying focus (FF) are two prominent realizations of these pulses. Here, we show that these realizations share an identical spatiotemporal field structure and that this structure represents a universal solution for constant-velocity, propagation-invariant pulses.

Almeida, R. (ORCID:0000000288435855)↗

Calendar Year 2010 Groundwater Monitoring Report, U.S. Department Of Energy Y-12 National Security Complex, Oak Ridge, Tennessee

This report contains the groundwater and surface water monitoring data that were obtained during calendar year (CY) 2010 at the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Y-12 National Security Complex (hereafter referenced as Y-12) on the DOE Oak Ridge Reservation (ORR) in Oak Ridge, Tennessee. The CY 2010 monitoring data were obtained from wells, springs, and surface water sampling locations in three hydrogeologic regimes at Y-12 (Figure A.1). The Bear Creek Hydrogeologic Regime (Bear Creek Regime) encompasses a section of Bear Creek Valley (BCV) between the west end of Y-12 and the west end of the Bear Creek Watershed (directions are in reference to the Y-12 grid system). The Upper East Fork Poplar Creek Hydrogeologic Regime (East Fork Regime) encompasses the Y-12 industrial facilities and support structures in BCV. The Chestnut Ridge Hydrogeologic Regime (Chestnut Ridge Regime) encompasses a section of Chestnut Ridge directly south of Y-12. Section 2 of this report provides background information pertinent to groundwater and surface water quality monitoring in each hydrogeologic regime, including the topography and bedrock geology, surface water drainage, groundwater system, and extent of groundwater contamination. The CY 2010 groundwater and surface water monitoring data in this report were obtained from sampling and analysis activities implemented under the Y-12 Groundwater Protection Program (GWPP) managed by Babcock & Wilcox Technical Services Y-12, LLC (B&W Y-12) and from sampling and analysis activities implemented under several monitoring programs managed by Bechtel Jacobs Company LLC (BJC). Cooperative implementation of the monitoring programs directed by the Y-12 GWPP and BJC (i.e., coordinating sample collection and sharing data) ensures that the CY 2010 monitoring results fulfill requirements of all the applicable monitoring drivers with no duplication of sampling and analysis efforts. Section 3 of this report contains a summary of information regarding the groundwater and surface water sampling and analysis activities implemented under the Y-12 GWPP including sampling locations and frequency; quality assurance (QA)/quality control (QC) sampling; sample collection and handling; field measurements and laboratory analytes; data management and data quality objective (DQO) evaluation; and groundwater elevation monitoring. However, this report does not include equivalent QA/QC or DQO evaluation information regarding the groundwater and surface water sampling and analysis activities associated with the monitoring programs implemented by BJC. Such details are deferred to the respective programmatic plans and reports issued by BJC (see Section 3.0). Collectively, the groundwater and surface water monitoring data obtained during CY 2010 by the Y-12 GWPP and BJC address DOE Order 450.1A (Environmental Protection Program) requirements for monitoring groundwater and surface water quality in areas: (1) which are, or could be, affected by operations at Y-12 (surveillance monitoring); and (2) where contaminants from Y-12 are most likely to migrate beyond the boundaries of the ORR (exit pathway/perimeter monitoring). Section 4 of this report presents a summary evaluation of the monitoring data with regard to the respective objectives of surveillance monitoring and exit pathway/perimeter monitoring, based on the analytical results for the principal groundwater contaminants at Y-12: nitrate, uranium, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), gross alpha activity, and gross beta activity. Section 5 of this report summarizes the most pertinent findings regarding the principal contaminants, along with recommendations proposed for ongoing groundwater and surface water quality monitoring performed under the Y-12 GWPP.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗

The BREKTRIA 500 – A Breakthrough in Technology and Power Density for an Advanced 500kW Utility-Scale String Inverter (Final Technical Report)

The primary goal of this development project, planned to be 36 months in duration, was to create a 500kW utility-scale string inverter, demonstrating an advanced hybrid architecture that would achieve unprecedented high power density, and bring the inverter to the stage of production readiness. Specific key objectives for the 500kW utility-scale string inverter were: Create a 500kW 3-phase 600Vac inverter that was similar in overall size to the existing 250kW string inverters in the market, thereby demonstrating dramatically increased power density; Achieve a cost of goods, including all manufacturing-related costs and overheads, at or below 2.5¢/Wac ($12,500); Demonstrate full-power operation at a 45-50C ambient temperature with no power de-rating; Accommodate a PV array DC input of up to 1MWdc, aka a DC/AC Ratio of 2.0; Demonstrate peak efficiency greater than 99% at any operating dc voltage, and a CEC weighted average efficiency greater than or equal to 98.5%. The motivation for this project was to leapfrog the competition by creating the world’s most powerful string inverter, utilizing an innovative topology and achieving a step change increase in power density. Achieving the goals of the project would have enabled Yaskawa Solectria Solar to demonstrate its technology leadership, manufacture the utility-scale string inverter in the company’s facilities in Illinois, and bring to the market a highly-differentiated and compelling product to help the company grow its share in the large and growing utility market segment. During the course of this project, BREK Electronics’ hybrid architecture inverter was taken from an early-stage 125kW prototype, to a more mature and successfully demonstrated power stage at twice the power. Two 250kW power stages were planned to build the 500kW inverter. Significant progress was made in the inverter controls, achieving a clean AC sinewave and closed-loop operation into the grid, and improved efficiency by control of the high-speed switching. Further, the updated 250kW power stage was on track to achieve full power operation at an ambient temperature of 50C. At the time of the project’s closure in September 2022, global semiconductor supply remained limited, with shortages creating dramatic swings in both availability and price. Given this situation, our ability to predict cost-of-goods two years out with any accuracy or confidence was limited. As a result, the probability of attaining the target cost of 2.5¢/Wac for the 500kW inverter remained uncertain at the closure of the project. This project successfully demonstrated the potential for the advanced hybrid architecture inverter that emerged from a decade of university research on Si IGBTs and SiC mosfets, leading to this unique inverter topology. The team has taken the first steps toward an evolutionary advancement in inverter technology that remains to be fully realized.

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗

The Modern Research Data Portal: A Design Pattern for Networked, Data-Intensive Science

Here we describe best practices for providing convenient, high-speed, secure access to large data via research data portals. We capture these best practices in a new design pattern, the Modern Research Data Portal, that disaggregates the traditional monolithic web-based data portal to achieve orders-of-magnitude increases in data transfer performance, support new deployment architectures that decouple control logic from data storage, and reduce development and operations costs. We introduce the design pattern; explain how it leverages high-performance Science DMZs and cloud-based data management services; review representative examples at research laboratories and universities, including both experimental facilities and supercomputer sites; describe how to leverage Python APIs for authentication, authorization, data transfer, and data sharing; and use coding examples to demonstrate how these APIs can be used to implement a range of research data portal capabilities. Sample code at a companion web site, https://docs.globus.org/mrdp, provides application skeletons that readers can adapt to realize their own research data portals.

96 KNOWLEDGE MANAGEMENT AND PRESERVATION↗

The Modern Research Data Portal: a design pattern for networked, data-intensive science

We describe best practices for providing convenient, high-speed, secure access to large data via research data portals. Here, we capture these best practices in a new design pattern, the Modern Research Data Portal, that disaggregates the traditional monolithic web-based data portal to achieve orders-of-magnitude increases in data transfer performance, support new deployment architectures that decouple control logic from data storage, and reduce development and operations costs. We introduce the design pattern; explain how it leverages high-performance data enclaves and cloud-based data management services; review representative examples at research laboratories and universities, including both experimental facilities and supercomputer sites; describe how to leverage Python APIs for authentication, authorization, data transfer, and data sharing; and use coding examples to demonstrate how these APIs can be used to implement a range of research data portal capabilities. Sample code at a companion web site, https://docs.globus.org/mrdp , provides application skeletons that readers can adapt to realize their own research data portals.

97 MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTING↗

Adaptive data rate control TDMA systems as a rain attenuation compensation technique

Rainfall attenuation has a severe effect on signal strength and impairs communication links for future mobile and personal satellite communications using Ka-band and millimeter wave frequencies. As rain attenuation compensation techniques, several methods such as uplink power control, site diversity, and adaptive control of data rate or forward error correction have been proposed. In this paper, we propose a TDMA system that can compensate rain attenuation by adaptive control of transmission rates. To evaluate the performance of this TDMA terminal, we carried out three types of experiments: experiments using a Japanese CS-3 satellite with Ka-band transponders, in house IF loop-back experiments, and computer simulations. Experimental results show that this TDMA system has advantages over the conventional constant-rate TDMA systems, as resource sharing technique, in both bit error rate and total TDMA burst lengths required for transmitting given information.

Sato, Masaki↗

Teams in Space: Knowledge Gained, but More to Explore

NASA’s Human Research Program oversees the Team Risk (i.e., Risk of Performance and Behavioral Health Decrements due to Inadequate Cooperation, Coordination, Communication and Psychosocial Adaptation within a Team). Research in this area informs all aspects of an astronaut’s career, from hiring to training to mission support, and works to address new challenges related to lunar and Mars missions. NASA’s astronaut selection process creates an astronaut corps of highly qualified, team-oriented individuals, which allows mission planners much flexibility in composing small crews for specific missions. These crews are further developed and supported through extensive training, including team skills training, and countermeasures available to the crew throughout the mission. However, in the high consequence environment of long-duration missions, team composition is complex and is not a one-time concern to be addressed pre-mission. Team factors such as team cohesion, dyadic relationships, and shared team cognition are likely to change dynamically in response to each interaction and event experienced by the individuals and the team as a whole. Thus, monitoring and optimizing team composition at a more micro level (e.g., per task) is one way to support team functioning and performance. Spaceflight teams research also includes the multi-team system of Mission Control and coordination between space-to-ground, adding another avenue in which risk might be introduced, particularly under exploration missions that experience significant communication delays. Spaceflight teams research has recently experienced a concentrated flurry of analog research over the past decade, shedding light on the many unique challenges and potential solutions to mitigate the team risk in long-duration exploration missions. However, questions still remain about how to, for example, create unobtrusive operational measures and how to advance interdisciplinary teams research and countermeasure development. We present an overview of the challenges facing teams in space, our current knowledge, and the next steps for research and spaceflight operations.

Lauren Blackwell Landon↗

A dynamic model of once-through steam generator (OTSG) for prototypical advanced reactor - 374

new design of Small Modular Reactor, the Prototypical Advanced Reactor (PAR), features two sodium primary systems each connected to dedicated steam generators (SGs) and sharing a balance of plant (BOP) system. PAR adopts once-through steam generators (OTSG) for its compact structure. The existence of superheated steam in a OTSG improves turbine design by eliminating the need of bulky moisture separator in SG. The two cores and SGs' design enable PAR to adjust power flexibly, as a result, introduce more challenges to the control. Therefore, a fast simulation model with high accuracy OTSG model is needed. In this paper, a dynamic model is built for OTSG of PAR based on the conservation of mass, momentum, and energy. The OTSG is simulated as lumped pipe and divided into subcooled, evaporating, and superheated regions by moving boundaries. SIMULINK is adopted to this OTSG simulation to be merged into existing PAR system models easily. The steady state results show that key parameters are rational. The 5% step increase of feedwater enthalpy transient demonstrates that the model is capable to respond to the perturbations. Since the basic laws and algebraic method used in this paper are suitable for other fluids, the model can be easily applied to any other OTSG. Future work will also focus on model optimization, merging and improved control. The final aim is to perform full scope realtime simulations for PAR under normal operational transients. (authors)

21 SPECIFIC NUCLEAR REACTORS AND ASSOCIATED PLANTS↗

Multi-core processing and scheduling performance in CMS

Commodity hardware is going many-core. We might soon not be able to satisfy the job memory needs per core in the current single-core processing model in High Energy Physics. In addition, an ever increasing number of independent and incoherent jobs running on the same physical hardware not sharing resources might significantly affect processing performance. It will be essential to effectively utilize the multi-core architecture. CMS has incorporated support for multi-core processing in the event processing framework and the workload management system. Multi-core processing jobs share common data in memory, such us the code libraries, detector geometry and conditions data, resulting in a much lower memory usage than standard single-core independent jobs. Exploiting this new processing model requires a new model in computing resource allocation, departing from the standard single-core allocation for a job. The experiment job management system needs to have control over a larger quantum of resource since multi-core aware jobs require the scheduling of multiples cores simultaneously. CMS is exploring the approach of using whole nodes as unit in the workload management system where all cores of a node are allocated to a multi-core job. Whole-node scheduling allows for optimization of the data/workflow management (e.g. I/O caching, local merging) but efficient utilization of all scheduled cores is challenging. Dedicated whole-node queues have been setup at all Tier-1 centers for exploring multi-core processing workflows in CMS. We present the evaluation of the performance scheduling and executing multi-core workflows in whole-node queues compared to the standard single-core processing workflows.

Hernandez, J. M.↗

Modular Controllable Transformers (MCT)

Large Power Transformers (LPTs) are at the heart of the electricity infrastructure and are critical pieces in today’s grid. Aging assets, long turn-around times, transportation delays and dependence on foreign manufacturing for these components have created conditions for points of failure across the system. Moreover, there is no available dynamic control on these passive sections of the grid. For all the automation embedded on the low voltage side of the low voltage side of the system there is absolutely no flexibility on the high voltage side. Changes in power flow patterns are brought about by altering dispatch patterns for generators which requires a coordinated effort and is often time consuming. Traditional FACTS based approaches such as UPFC or HVDC light involve massive modifications to the existing infrastructure. Recent instances of physical attacks on LPTs and the slow recovery process associated with fixing or replacing these damaged units has created an increased awareness for this issue. LPT designs are highly customized owing to specific field requirements. Long lead times coupled with transportation delays make procuring and installing LPTs a lengthy process. In an attempt to minimize the recovery time following an LPT failure, transformer manufacturers have developed mobile transformer units. These units typically consist of either a single-phase or three-phase transformer mounted on a truck and characterized by compact form factors. By reducing the assembly time and transport time these units offer a fast and temporary solution to LPT failures. Several efforts led by DOE, Edison Electric Company (EEI) and North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) have led to the RecX program. RecX transformers consist of single phase transformers transported on specialized assemblies to enable fast restoration and minimal installation time. NERC and EEI have instituted transformer sharing programs like Spare Equipment Database (SED) as well as Spare Transformer Equipment Database (STEP) which encourage utilities to maintain and share a fleet of LPTs. Mobile transformers are typically limited to less than 100 MVA to enable transportation on a trailer. Also, the efficiency of mobile transformer units and RecX transformers is lower since they are temporary solutions. The ideal replacement solution would be one that could utilize a set of standardized transformers while incorporating flexibility to influence metrics like power flow, apparent impedance and voltage profiles. In view of these issues the team at Georgia Tech proposed a concept called Modular Controllable Transformers (MCTs). This project was commissioned as a part of DOE’s Transformer Resiliency and Advance Component (TRAC) program. The approach consists of splitting one large unit rated upwards of 100 MVA with smaller modular, standardized units. Each of these smaller units are augmented with a converter to add power flow, voltage and impedance control. Splitting the power level into multiple units has two important implications. By making smaller units, the transportation times can be reduced drastically. Moreover, even though these units have very specific impedance and other parameters, the augmented converters can make it emulate the unit being replaced. Thus, faster replacement times and added controls are achieved making this an extremely resilient approach. In the event of one modular units failure, the other two controllable units can operate in the most resilient fashion keeping the net system overloads to a minimum. Moreover, for the same probability of failure only a fraction of the system capacity is lost. The converter is augmented on to the tertiary winding of the transformer making it retrofittable in the field without massive modifications to the system. The material proposed in this report highlights design considerations to minimize recovery time as well as results displaying overall improvement in resiliency. The cost analysis of this approach shows significant savings compared to UPFC and HVDC lite based approaches. Extensive analysis was conducted on numerous aspects of this project over the course of this project. Simulation studies were conducted to prove the 5MVA converter design. Challenging BIL constraints and transient issues were addressed over the course of this project. Simulations on EMTP platform presented in consequent sections were used to finely tune the control for the same. A final design for a back-to-back 5MVA neutral-point-clamped (NPC) converter was completed in this project. Furthermore, switching components like high power IGBTs from IXYS Westcode Press-Pack series and ABB Stackpack series were identified for this application. These devices exhibit a blocking voltage of 6.5 kV and a nominal collector current of 900 A. Potential housing options as well as existing commercial option were identified for this converter design. A 56 MVA modular transformer unit was designed with Delta Star Inc. with consultation and inputs from all project members. The transformer cooling systems were chosen to be Oil Natural Air Forced (ONAF) to optimize ease of transport. A full Product Requirement Document (PRD) for the converter and the transformer was generated. The team also investigated key aspects of resiliency and how to quantify the same. A metric was developed to analyze resiliency and numerous simulation cases were presented. Increased (N-1) resiliency and outage resistance was showcased through simulation on the Texas Large scale power system. Dynamic control capabilities were also showcased on numerous system level simulations. An IEEE 30 bus system was used to show the ability of the MCT approach to reduce line congestion. Power flow control; a part of the MCTs abilities, showcased a 29% reduction in transformer loading on the same system. Full control over tie line flows was demonstrated on a modified IEEE 13 bus system. Dynamic LTC capabilities were shown through simulation and were compared to traditional LTCs. Furthermore, the ability of the MCTs to alter apparent transformer impedance was simulated to promote standardization of modular transformer units while retaining the ability to emulate a varied range of impedance characteristics. Thus granular control over power flow, voltages, impedances and was presented. Regulatory analysis conducted by Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) further bolstered the efficacy of the MCT approach and verified the added resiliency achieved due to this approach. As a conclusion, it was proved that the resilience improvement obtained from using the MCT approach is justified by just one failure in a 30-year period. This means that the benefits obtained from using the MCT approach far outweigh the cost of setting this approach up. As a part of the future efforts, the team is proposing building a (12.47-24) kV/400 kVA scaled down unit to control 5MVA of power flows. Emphasis would be laid on using commercial components to speed up the build of these units. Further the actual transport of the modular transformer unit would be a part of this operation and would provide insight into transportation issues. The approach shows much promise and adds key dynamic control on passive sub transmission and transmission sectors.

24 POWER TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION↗

Surface Engineering of Nanostructured Energy Materials

All nanostructures share a common feature of large surface-to-volume ratio, which makes surface engineering a vital tool for exploring their new and important applications in many different areas. Particularly, inorganic nanostructures represent a class of intriguing catalysts that can find wide uses in energy conversion, energy storage, and environmental remediation. In this work, a number of surface engineering strategies, including morphology control, defect incorporation, and interface manipulation for tailoring the shape, facet, defect, interfacial property, and composition of nanostructures, aiming at controlling the chemical and physical properties such as energy bandgap and surface energy toward great enhancement in catalytic performance, are discussed.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Wild bees and natural enemies prefer similar flower species and respond to similar plant traits

Designing wildflower habitats to support beneficial insects providing pollination and pest control services is important for supporting sustainable crop production. It is often desirable to support both groups of insects, making the selection of resource plants for insect conservation programs more challenging. Moreover, the process of selecting resource plants is complicated by the array of possible options in each region, and the need to provide resources over the entire growing season. Identifying traits shared by resource plants that are attractive to both bees and natural enemies can reduce the need to evaluate new plants in each region, by providing a guide for the types of plants expected to be rewarding to these insects. Using insect visitation data collected from replicated common garden plantings of native wildflower and shrub species from the Great Lakes region of the United States, we found a high degree of correlation between the abundance of bees and natural enemies visiting native plant species. These results were used to identify a set of 15 plant species that can provide resources for these insects throughout the summer. Across all tested species, pollen quantity per flower and the week of bloom were positively correlated with some, but not all, taxonomic groupings of beneficial insects. In contrast, floral area was consistently positively associated with visitation of both natural enemies and wild bees. This trait is easy to document and can allow for efficient local testing of potential resource plants, providing a faster path to implementing insect conservation in working landscapes.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗

Improving Primary Frequency Response in Networked Microgrid Operations using Multilayer Perceptron-Driven Reinforcement Learning

Individual microgrids can improve the reliability of power grids during extreme events, and networked microgrids can further improve efficiency through resource sharing and increase the resilience of critical end-use loads. However, networked microgrid operations are subject to large switching transients, which can cause dynamic instability and lead to system collapse. These transients are especially prevalent in microgrids with high penetrations of inverter-connected renewable energy resources, which do not provide the system inertia needed to mitigate the transients. Existing generator controls can be modified to invoke a drop in terminal voltage in response to a frequency deviation, thereby reducing load and improving frequency response. This paper investigates the use of a reinforcement-learning--based controller trained over several switching transient scenarios to modify generator controls during large frequency deviations. Compared to previously used proportional integral controllers, the proposed controller can improve primary frequency response while adapting to changes in system topologies and events.

Radhakrishnan, Nikitha↗

Multiport Converter based Auxiliary Power Supply for Heavy Duty Fuel Cell Power Train

This paper presents a multiport converter (MPC) based power supply to charge the 12 V and 24 V auxiliary batteries in heavy duty (HD) fuel cell (FC) electric vehicle (EV) power train. Compared to conventional auxiliary power supply architectures, the proposed architecture shares the power electronic components of the main power train yet preserves the isolation and all other desirable features of auxiliary power supplies. The proposed auxiliary power supply architecture reduces the requirements of the devices, gate drivers and thermal requirements thereby having potential benefits towards improving the power density, cost and weight of the overall power train. The topology, design parameters and control methodology are discussed, and results are presented to validate the proposed architecture.

Mukherjee, Subho↗

Assessing Inverter-Based Resources Modeling Gaps in Commonly Used Short-Circuit Programs

Future bulk power systems are expected to operate with a high penetration of inverter-based resources (IBR). This is anticipated to fundamentally change the system’s short-circuit behaviors and demand a change in existing transmission line protection settings or schemes. Phasor-domain short circuit programs (e.g., ASPEN, CAPE, and CYME) remain the mainstream tools for developing protection settings. However, the system protection community has shared concerns about the accuracy of IBR models in short-circuit programs. This report compares the performance of existing generic IBR models in short-circuit programs with detailed electro-magnetic transient (EMT) models provided by several different IBR manufacturers in PSCAD, to quantify the short-circuit program’s IBR model accuracy, assess their ability to replicate individual IBR controls such as negative sequence current injections, and identify specific gaps in the existing generic phasor-domain IBR models that are currently available.

42 ENGINEERING↗

Light Regulation of Phytoplankton Growth in San Francisco Bay Studied Using a 3D Sediment Transport Model

In San Francisco Bay (SFB), light availability is largely determined by the concentration of suspended particulate matter (SPM) in the water column. SPM exhibits substantial variation with time, depth, and location. To study how SPM influences light and phytoplankton growth, we coupled a sediment transport model with a hydrodynamic model and a biogeochemical model. The coupled models were used to simulate conditions for the year of 2011 with a focus on northern SFB. For comparison, two simulations were conducted with ecosystem processes driven by SPM concentrations supplied by the sediment transport model and by applying a constant SPM concentration of 20 mg l –1 . The sediment transport model successfully reproduced the general pattern of SPM variation in northern SFB, which improved the chlorophyll-a simulation resulting from the biogeochemical model, with vertically integrated primary productivity varying greatly, from 40 g[C] m –2 year –1 over shoals to 160 g[C] m –2 year –1 in the deep channel. Primary productivity in northern SFB is influenced by euphotic zone depth ( Ze ). Our results show that Ze in shallow water regions (<2 m) is mainly determined by water depth, while Ze in deep water regions is controlled by SPM concentration. As a result, Ze has low (high) values in shallow (deep) water regions. Large (small) differences in primary productivity exist between the two simulations in deep (shallow) water regions. Furthermore, we defined a new parameter F light for “averaged light limitation” in the euphotic zone. The averaged chlorophyll-a concentration in the euphotic zone and F light share a similar distribution such that both have high (low) values in shallow (deep) water regions. Our study demonstrates that light is a critical factor in regulating the phytoplankton growth in northern SFB, and a sediment transport model improves simulation of light availability in the water column.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗

Multirole cargo aircraft options and configurations

A future requirements and advanced market evaluation study indicates derivatives of current wide-body aircraft, using 1980 advanced technology, would be economically attractive through 2008, but new dedicated airfreighters incorporating 1990 technology, would offer little or no economic incentive. They would be economically attractive for all payload sizes, however, if RD and T costs could be shared in a joint civil/military arrangement. For the 1994-2008 cargo market, option studies indicate Mach 0.7 propfans would be economically attractive in trip cost, aircraft price and airline ROI. Spanloaders would have an even lower price and higher ROI but would have a relatively high trip cost because of aerodynamic inefficiencies. Dedicated airfreighters using propfans at Mach 0.8 cruise, laminar flow control, or cryofuels, would not provide any great economic benefits. Air cushion landing gear configurations are identified as an option for avoiding runway constraints on airport requirements and/or operational constraints are noted.

Conner, D. W.↗