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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 1,675 records · Page 93
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2016

Modeling seven years of event horizon telescope observations with radiatively inefficient accretion flow models

An initial three-station version of the Event Horizon Telescope, a millimeter-wavelength very-long baseline interferometer, has observed Sagittarius A* (Sgr A*) repeatedly from 2007 to 2013, resulting in the measurement of a variety of interferometric quantities. Of particular importance is that there is now a large set of closure phases measured over a number of independent observing epochs. We analyze these observations within the context of a realization of semi-analytic radiatively inefficient disk models, implicated by the low luminosity of Sgr A*. We find a broad consistency among the various observing epochs and between different interferometric data types, with the latter providing significant support for this class of model of Sgr A*. The new data significantly tighten existing constraints on the spin magnitude and its orientation within this model context, finding a spin magnitude of a=0.10{sub −0.10−0.10}{sup +0.30+0.56}, an inclination with respect to the line of sight of θ=60{sup ∘}{sub −8{sup ∘}−13{sup ∘+5{sup {sup ∘+10{sup {sup ∘}}}}}}, and a position angle of ξ=156{sup ∘}{sub −17{sup ∘}−27{sup ∘+10{sup {sup ∘+14{sup {sup ∘}}}}}} east of north. These are in good agreement with previous analyses. Notably, the previous 180° degeneracy in the position angle has now been conclusively broken by the inclusion of the closure-phase measurements. A reflection degeneracy in the inclination remains, permitting two localizations of the spin vector orientation, one of which is in agreement with the orbital angular momentum of the infrared gas cloud G2 and the clockwise disk of young stars. This may support a relationship between Sgr A*'s accretion flow and these larger-scale features.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2016

The intrinsic shape of Sagittarius A* at 3.5 mm wavelength

The radio emission from Sgr A{sup ∗} is thought to be powered by accretion onto a supermassive black hole of ∼4×10{sup 6} M{sub ⊙} at the Galactic Center. At millimeter wavelengths, Very Long Baseline Interferometry (VLBI) observations can directly resolve the bright innermost accretion region of Sgr A{sup ∗}. Motivated by the addition of many sensitive long baselines in the north–south direction, we developed a full VLBI capability at the Large Millimeter Telescope Alfonso Serrano (LMT). We successfully detected Sgr A{sup ∗} at 3.5 mm with an array consisting of six Very Long Baseline Array telescopes and the LMT. We model the source as an elliptical Gaussian brightness distribution and estimate the scattered size and orientation of the source from closure amplitude and self-calibration analysis, obtaining consistent results between methods and epochs. We then use the known scattering kernel to determine the intrinsic two-dimensional source size at 3.5 mm: (147±7 μas)×(120±12 μas), at position angle 88{sup ∘}±7{sup ∘} east of north. Finally, we detect non-zero closure phases on some baseline triangles, but we show that these are consistent with being introduced by refractive scattering in the interstellar medium and do not require intrinsic source asymmetry to explain.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2022

The Variability of the Black Hole Image in M87 at the Dynamical Timescale

The black hole images obtained with the Event Horizon Telescope (EHT) are expected to be variable at the dynamical timescale near their horizons. For the black hole at the center of the M87 galaxy, this timescale (5–61 days) is comparable to the 6 day extent of the 2017 EHT observations. Closure phases along baseline triangles are robust interferometric observables that are sensitive to the expected structural changes of the images but are free of station-based atmospheric and instrumental errors. We explored the day-to-day variability in closure-phase measurements on all six linearly independent nontrivial baseline triangles that can be formed from the 2017 observations. We showed that three triangles exhibit very low day-to-day variability, with a dispersion of ∼3°–5°. The only triangles that exhibit substantially higher variability (∼90°–180°) are the ones with baselines that cross the visibility amplitude minima on the u–v plane, as expected from theoretical modeling. We used two sets of general relativistic magnetohydrodynamic simulations to explore the dependence of the predicted variability on various black hole and accretion-flow parameters. We found that changing the magnetic field configuration, electron temperature model, or black hole spin has a marginal effect on the model consistency with the observed level of variability. On the other hand, the most discriminating image characteristic of models is the fractional width of the bright ring of emission. Models that best reproduce the observed small level of variability are characterized by thin ring-like images with structures dominated by gravitational lensing effects and thus least affected by turbulence in the accreting plasmas.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2024

Predicting the Slowing of Stellar Differential Rotation by Instability-driven Turbulence

Abstract Differentially rotating stars and planets transport angular momentum (AM) internally due to turbulence at rates that have long been a challenge to predict reliably. We develop a self-consistent saturation theory, using a statistical closure approximation, for hydrodynamic turbulence driven by the axisymmetric Goldreich–Schubert–Fricke instability at the stellar equator with radial differential rotation. This instability arises when fast thermal diffusion eliminates the stabilizing effects of buoyancy forces in a system where a stabilizing entropy gradient dominates over the destabilizing AM gradient. Our turbulence closure invokes a dominant three-wave coupling between pairs of linearly unstable eigenmodes and a near-zero frequency, viscously damped eigenmode that features latitudinal jets. We derive turbulent transport rates of momentum and heat and provide them in analytic forms. Such formulae, free of tunable model parameters, are tested against direct numerical simulations; the comparison shows good agreement. They improve upon prior quasi-linear or “parasitic saturation” models containing a free parameter. Given model correspondences, we also extend this theory to heat and compositional transport for axisymmetric thermohaline-instability-driven turbulence in certain regimes.

Astronomy & Astrophysics↗
DOE OSTI2024

Electron Influence on the Parallel Proton Firehose Instability in 10-moment, Multifluid Simulations

Instabilities driven by pressure anisotropy play a critical role in modulating the energy transfer in space and astrophysical plasmas. For the first time, we simulate the evolution and saturation of the parallel proton firehose instability using a multifluid model without adding artificial viscosity. These simulations are performed using a 10-moment, multifluid model with local and gradient relaxation heat-flux closures in high-β proton–electron plasmas. When these higher-order moments are included and pressure anisotropy is permitted to develop in all species, we find that the electrons have a significant impact on the saturation of the parallel proton firehose instability, modulating the proton pressure anisotropy as the instability saturates. Even for lower β's more relevant to heliospheric plasmas, we observe a pronounced electron energization in simulations using the gradient relaxation closure. Our results indicate that resolving the electron pressure anisotropy is important to correctly describe the behavior of multispecies plasma systems.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2016

Cylinder-to-Cylinder Variations in Power Production in a Dual Fuel Internal Combustion Engine Leveraging Late Intake Valve Closings

Advanced internal combustion engines, although generally more efficient than conventional combustion engines, often encounter limitations in multi-cylinder applications due to variations in the combustion process. This study leverages experimental data from an inline 6-cylinder heavy-duty dual fuel engine equipped with a fully-flexible variable intake valve actuation system to study cylinder-to-cylinder variations in power production. The engine is operated with late intake valve closure timings in a dual-fuel combustion mode featuring a port-injection and a direct-injection fueling system in order to improve fuel efficiency and engine performance. Experimental results show increased cylinder-to-cylinder variation in IMEP as IVC timing moves from 570°ATDC to 610°ATDC, indicating an increasingly uneven fuel distribution between cylinders. These observations along with engine simulation models developed using GT-Power have been used to better understand the distribution of the port-injected fuel across cylinders under various operating conditions. This study revealed that the fuel distribution across cylinders in this dual fuel application is significantly affected by changes in the effective compression ratio as determined by the intake valve close timing as well as the design of the intake system (specifically the length of the intake runners). Late intake valve closures allow a portion of the trapped air and port injected fuel to flow back out of the cylinders into the intake manifold. The fuel that is pushed back in the intake manifold is then unevenly redistributed across the cylinders largely due to the dominating direction of the flow in the intake manifold. Experimental and simulation results discussing the impact of operating parameters on the fuel distribution are presented.

Kassa, Mateos↗
DOE OSTI2016

Feedforward Control of Fuel Distribution on Advanced Dual-Fuel Engines with Varying Intake Valve Closing Timings

This study examines the dynamics and control of an engine operated with late intake valve closure (LIVC) timings in a dual-fuel combustion mode. The engine features a fuel delivery system in which diesel is direct-injected and natural gas is port-injected. Despite the benefits of LIVC and dual-fuel strategy, combining these two techniques resulted in efficiency losses due to the variability of the combustion process across cylinders. The difference in power production across cylinders ranges from 9% at an IVC of 570°ATDC* to 38% at an IVC of 620 °ATDC and indicates an increasingly uneven fuel distribution as the intake valve remains open longer in the compression stroke. This paper describes an approach for controlling the amount of fuel injected into each cylinders’ port of an inline six- cylinder heavy-duty dual-fuel engine to minimize the variations in fuel distribution across cylinder. Since measuring the actual fuel reaching each cylinder is not a practical option on stock engines, this study aimed to produce a feedforward control technique. Using a model developed on an engine simulation software, the optimal fuel injection amounts at each cylinder port across 125 operating conditions (consisting of sweeps of five engine speeds, five engine loads, and five IVC timings) were determined by using PI controllers that adjust the amount of fuel injected at each port based on the amount of fuel reaching the cylinders. The results from the PI controller were expressed as a function of the operating condition (engine speed, engine load, and IVC timing); and consequently, could be reproduced without relying on a measurement of the amount of fuel reaching each cylinder. The feedforward control strategy, unlike the PI controller, is easily implementable on a stock engine and significantly reduces the variations in fuel distribution across cylinders.

Kassa, Mateos↗
DOE OSTI2013

Aerosol measurements at a high-elevation site: composition, size, and cloud condensation nuclei activity

We present measurements of CCN concentrations and associated aerosol composition and size properties at a high-elevation research site in March 2011. CCN closure and aerosol hygroscopicity were assessed using simplified assumptions of bulk aerosol properties as well as a new method utilizing single particle composition and size to assess the importance of particle mixing state in CCN activation. Free troposphere analysis found no significant difference between the CCN activity of free tropospheric aerosol and boundary layer aerosol at this location. Closure results indicate that using only size and number information leads to adequate prediction, in the majority of cases within 50%, of CCN concentrations, while incorporating the hygroscopicity parameters of the individual aerosol components measured by single particle mass spectrometry adds to the agreement, in most cases within 20%, between predicted and measured CCN concentrations. For high-elevation continental sites, with largely aged aerosol and low amounts of local area emissions, a lack of chemical knowledge and hygroscopicity may not hinder models in predicting CCN concentrations. At sites influenced by fresh emissions or more heterogeneous particle types, single particle composition information may be more useful in predicting CCN concentrations and understanding the importance of particle mixing state on CCN activation.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2018

Using spectral methods to obtain particle size information from optical data: applications to measurements from CARES 2010

Abstract. Multi-wavelength in situ aerosol extinction, absorption and scattering measurements made at two ground sites during the 2010 Carbonaceous Aerosols and Radiative Effects Study (CARES) are analyzed using a spectral deconvolution method that allows extraction of particle-size-related information, including the fraction of extinction produced by the fine-mode particles and the effective radius of the fine mode. The spectral deconvolution method is typically applied to analysis of remote sensing measurements. Here, its application to in situ measurements allows for comparison with more direct measurement methods and validation of the retrieval approach. Overall, the retrieved fine-mode fraction and effective radius compare well with other in situ measurements, including size distribution measurements and scattering and absorption measurements made separately for PM1 and PM10, although there were some periods during which the different methods yielded different results. One key contributor to differences between the results obtained is the alternative, spectrally based definitions of fine and coarse modes from the optical methods, relative to instruments that use a physically defined cut point. These results indicate that for campaigns where size, composition and multi-wavelength optical property measurements are made, comparison of the results can result in closure or can identify unusual circumstances. The comparison here also demonstrates that in situ multi-wavelength optical property measurements can be used to determine information about particle size distributions in situations where direct size distribution measurements are not available.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗
DOE OSTI2025

Estimation of the radiation budget during MOSAiC based on ground-based and satellite remote sensing observations

An accurate representation of the radiation budget is essential for investigating the impact of clouds on the climate system, especially in the Arctic, an environment highly sensitive to complex and rapid environmental changes. In this study, we analyse a unique dataset of observations from the central Arctic made during the MOSAiC (Multidisciplinary drifting Observatory for the Study of Arctic Climate) expedition in conjunction with state-of-the-art satellite products from CERES (Clouds and the Earth's Radiant Energy System) to investigate the radiative effect of clouds and radiative closure at the surface and the top of the atmosphere (TOA). We perform a series of radiative transfer simulations using derived cloud macro- and microphysical properties as inputs to the simulations for the entire MOSAiC period, comparing our results to collocated satellite products and ice-floe observations. The radiative closure biases were generally within the instrumental uncertainty, indicating that the simulations are sufficiently accurate to reproduce the radiation budget during MOSAiC. Comparisons of the simulated radiation budget relative to CERES show similar values in the terrestrial flux but relatively large differences in the solar flux, which are attributed to a lower surface albedo and a possible underestimation of atmospheric opacity by CERES. While the simulation results were consistent with the observations, more detailed analyses reveal an overestimation of simulated cloud opacity for cases involving geometrically thick ice clouds. In the annual mean, we found that, during the MOSAiC expedition, the presence of clouds leads to a loss of 5.2 W m −2 of the atmosphere–surface system to space, while the surface gains 25.0 W m −2 and the atmosphere is cooled by 30.2 W m −2 .

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2015

The influence of warm-season precipitation on the diel cycle of the surface energy balance and carbon dioxide at a Colorado subalpine forest site

Precipitation changes the physical and biological characteristics of an ecosystem. Using a precipitation-based conditional sampling technique and a 14 year data set from a 25 m micrometeorological tower in a high-elevation subalpine forest, we examined how warm-season precipitation affected the above-canopy diel cycle of wind and turbulence, net radiation R net , ecosystem eddy covariance fluxes (sensible heat H , latent heat LE, and CO 2 net ecosystem exchange NEE) and vertical profiles of scalars (air temperature T a , specific humidity q , and CO 2 dry mole fraction χ c ). This analysis allowed us to examine how precipitation modified these variables from hourly (i.e., the diel cycle) to multi-day time-scales (i.e., typical of a weather-system frontal passage). During mid-day we found the following: (i) even though precipitation caused mean changes on the order of 50–70 % to R net , H , and LE, the surface energy balance (SEB) was relatively insensitive to precipitation with mid-day closure values ranging between 90 and 110 %, and (ii) compared to a typical dry day, a day following a rainy day was characterized by increased ecosystem uptake of CO 2 (NEE increased by ≈ 10 %), enhanced evaporative cooling (mid-day LE increased by ≈ 30 W m −2 ), and a smaller amount of sensible heat transfer (mid-day H decreased by ≈ 70 W m −2 ). Based on the mean diel cycle, the evaporative contribution to total evapotranspiration was, on average, around 6 % in dry conditions and between 15 and 25 % in partially wet conditions. Furthermore, increased LE lasted at least 18 h following a rain event. At night, even though precipitation (and accompanying clouds) reduced the magnitude of R net , LE increased from ≈ 10 to over 20 W m −2 due to increased evaporation. Any effect of precipitation on the nocturnal SEB closure and NEE was overshadowed by atmospheric phenomena such as horizontal advection and decoupling that create measurement difficulties. Above-canopy mean χ c during wet conditions was found to be about 2–3 μmol mol −1 larger than χ c on dry days. This difference was fairly constant over the full diel cycle suggesting that it was due to synoptic weather patterns (different air masses and/or effects of barometric pressure). Finally, the effect of clouds on the timing and magnitude of daytime ecosystem fluxes is described.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2022

Experiments and Modeling of Proppant Embedment and Fracture Conductivity for the Caney Shale, Oklahoma, USA

ABSTRACT: The ultimate aim of hydraulic fracturing is to have a long and conductive flow path that extends from the wellbore into the formation. The effective fracture length is part of a hydraulically propped fracture which contributes to production. The difficulty in achieving economical production targets from shale reservoirs is at the forefront in many exploration companies. Fracture conductivity loss is related to; proppant embedment under depletion, proppant crushing, damage as a result of fracturing fluid, fines migration and proppant-pack permeability-damage are some of the factors that contribute to production decline after hydraulic fracturing in shale reservoirs. The Caney Shale is a calcareous organic-rich mudrock. Various studies have investigated the effect that clay on shale well productivity, however, there is currently no literature on the Caney shale in relation to horizontal wells; all available literature exists in vertical wells as well as on formations of the Caney that are shallow in comparison to an emerging play which is twice the depth. In this paper we investigate stress-dependent fracture conductivity of proppant-filled fractures and proppant embedment in Caney shale through laboratory and modeling studies. API fracture conductivity tests were conducted using 2% KCl on five locations within the Caney shale that consisted of selecting three brittle(reservoir) zones and two ductile zones. Confining pressures range from 1,000 psi to 12,000 psi at 210°F. Conductivity, permeability as well as embedment were measured during the test. Our experimental results have confirmed that improved fracture conductivity is attributed to; proppant size, the increase in porosity of the proppant pack, closure pressure changes and the reduction in fracture conductivity are a function of many factors such as fracture closure stress. The findings from this study could help the stimulation design by providing new insights into the critical factors that are to be determined to facilitate the choice of proppants as well as fracturing fluids for long term production and recovery from shale reservoirs. 1 INTRODUCTION The development of low permeability formations, like shales, has been aided by hydraulic fracturing of horizontal wells (Radonjic et al., 2020). Hydraulic fracturing fluid is injected at a high pressure to induce tensile fractures that can link to and stimulate natural fractures (Katende et al., 2021a,b). Preserving adequate conductivity in hydraulic fractures over the life of the wells is required for economic production; nevertheless, conserving such conductivity can be difficult in some circumstances, particularly in soft, clay-rich formations (Wang et al., 2021). Proppant particles help to keep the fractures open when the pumping stops and the fracturing fluid returns to the wellbore, producing one or more propped hydraulic fractures of varying length, breadth, and height (Katende et al., 2021a). The proppant pack within the hydraulic fracture boosts well output by providing a greater permeability flowpath for hydrocarbons (Duenckel et al., 2016). Proppant in the fracture is under complicated stress conditions, and the interplay between the rock formation and the proppant pack has a significant impact on proppant-pack permeability (Karazincir et al., 2019). Proppant may be embedded (Katende et al., 2021a) in the rock or crushed into small pieces if the proppant size and strength characteristics are not specified appropriately, resulting in a loss in proppant-pack permeability and fracture aperture, and consequently a fall in well output.

Katende, A.↗
NASA NTRS1971

Calculation of turbulent boundary layers with heat transfer and pressure gradient utilizing a compressibility transformation. Part 1: Summary report

The analysis uses a compressibility transformation and utilizes higher order closure rules to complete the transformation. By requiring that the momentum equations in differential form be satisfied at the wall and at the sublayer edge, correspondence rules are obtained which relate the variable property (VP) flow to a constant property (CP) flow in which mass transfer and pressure gradient occur simultaneously. A new CP formulation is developed and numerical results for a variety of cases are presented. Comparisons with earlier forms of the transformation and with experiment are included. For the zero pressure gradient case some differences between the various predictions are observed. For the several pressure gradient cases examined, the results are found to be essentially identical to those given by first order closure rules; i.e., by a form of transformation which relates the VP flow to a CP flow with pressure gradient but zero mass transfer.

Economos, C.↗
NASA NTRS1969

Performance of the CSM RCS during the AS 506/CSM 107/LM 5 mission (Apollo 11)

The Apollo 11 service module and the command module (CM) reaction control system performed satisfactorily throughout the mission. Two anomalies which occurred were an inadvertent isolation valve closure during command and service module/Saturn S4B/lunar module separation and a failure of a CM thruster to respond to automatic commands. The isolation valves were later opened by the crew and remained open during the remainder of the mission. The cause of the closure was determined to be the shock loads generated during separation. The CM engine malfunction was caused by a faulty terminal board connector. All system parameters were normal during the mission, and all mission requirements were satisfied.

Lingle, W. N.↗
NASA NTRS1972

Effects of display format on pilot describing function and remnant

As part of a program to develop a comprehensive theory of manual control displays, six display formats were used by three instrument-rated pilots to regulate against random disturbances with a controlled element under both foveal and 10 deg parafoveal viewing conditions. The six display formats were: CRT line, CRT thermometer bar, 14-bar quantized on a CRT, a rotary dial and pointer, and two variations of a moving scale tape-drive. All were scaled to equivalent movement and apparent brightness. Measures included overall performance, describing functions, error remnant power spectra, critical instability scores, and subjective display ratings. The results show that the main effect of display format is on the loop closure properties. Less desirable displays induce lower bandwidth closures with consequent effects on the closed-loop remnant and performance.

Jex, H. R.↗
NASA NTRS1973

High-performance space shuttle auxiliary propellant valve system

Several potential valve closures for the space shuttle auxiliary propulsion system (SS/APS) were investigated analytically and experimentally in a modeling program. The most promising of these were analyzed and experimentally evaluated in a full-size functional valve test fixture of novel design. The engineering investigations conducted for both model and scale evaluations of the SS/APS valve closures and functional valve fixture are described. Preliminary designs, laboratory tests, and overall valve test fixture designs are presented, and a final recommended flightweight SS/APS valve design is presented.

Smith, G. M.↗
NASA NTRS1974

A finite element solution algorithm for the Navier-Stokes equations

A finite element solution algorithm is established for the two-dimensional Navier-Stokes equations governing the steady-state kinematics and thermodynamics of a variable viscosity, compressible multiple-species fluid. For an incompressible fluid, the motion may be transient as well. The primitive dependent variables are replaced by a vorticity-streamfunction description valid in domains spanned by rectangular, cylindrical and spherical coordinate systems. Use of derived variables provides a uniformly elliptic partial differential equation description for the Navier-Stokes system, and for which the finite element algorithm is established. Explicit non-linearity is accepted by the theory, since no psuedo-variational principles are employed, and there is no requirement for either computational mesh or solution domain closure regularity. Boundary condition constraints on the normal flux and tangential distribution of all computational variables, as well as velocity, are routinely piecewise enforceable on domain closure segments arbitrarily oriented with respect to a global reference frame.

Baker, A. J.↗
NASA NTRS1974

Elastic-plastic analysis of a propagating crack under cyclic loading

Development and application of a two-dimensional finite-element analysis to predict crack-closure and crack-opening stresses during specified histories of cyclic loading. An existing finite-element computer program which accounts for elastic-plastic material behavior under cyclic loading was modified to account for changing boundary conditions - crack growth and intermittent contact of crack surfaces. This program was subsequently used to study the crack-closure behavior under constant-amplitude and simple block-program loading.

Newman, J. C., Jr.↗