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At least 19 records

Impacts of aerosol size-dependent below-cloud scavenging on tropospheric aerosol in the NASA GEOS model

Wet deposition is the major sink for a suite of tropospheric aerosols, and thus largely affects the global distribution and lifetime of aerosols as well as the formation of clouds in the atmosphere. In this study, we implement the aerosol size-dependent below-cloud scavenging (BCS; washout) parameterization of Croft et al. (Atmos. Chem. Phys., 2009; hereafter referred to as C09) in the GOCART bulk aerosol scheme coupled with the NASA Goddard Earth Observing System (GEOS) model, and evaluate the simulated tropospheric aerosols against surface, airborne, and satellite observations. The current below-cloud scavenging in GOCART employs a first-order removal function with a constant scavenging coefficient that is independent of aerosol sizes and precipitation fluxes. The C09 BCS parameterization instead calculates aerosol below-cloud scavenging coefficients based on a size-dependent collision efficiency between aerosol particles and raindrops (or snow crystals). A look-up table of compiled collision efficiencies provides scavenging coefficients for sixty aerosol sizes and nine rain flux rates. We determine instantaneous coefficients according to the C09 BCS look-up table, precipitation fluxes, and a log-normal size distribution of aerosols. The implemented BCS parameterization tends to result in a large diversity of scavenging coefficient values with higher magnitudes, leading to more efficient scavenging. The model-simulated global mean tropospheric Pb-210 aerosol lifetime decreases from 7.4 days to 5.8 days. The separate consideration of rain and snow conditions in the scavenging coefficient lookup table leads to a bi-mode distribution of scavenging coefficients. These changes also cause increased mass fractions of smaller aerosols compared to the current simulation. We examine the impacts of the C09 BCS parameterization on the simulated aerosol vertical profiles, tropospheric lifetimes, and deposition fluxes through comparisons with NASA aircraft measurements (ATom), surface observations of aerosol concentrations (IMPROVE) and wet deposition fluxes (NADP and APQMP), and MODIS aerosol optical depth (AOD) retrievals.

Aerosols↗

Impacts of aerosol size-dependent below-cloud scavenging on tropospheric aerosol in the NASA GEOS model

Cloud scavenging is the major sink for a suite of tropospheric aerosols, and thus largely affects the global distribution and lifetime of aerosols as well as the formation of clouds. Simplified model parameterizations of cloud scavenging of aerosols substantially contribute to large uncertainties in the simulated aerosol burdens, spatial distributions, lifetimes, as well as aerosol radiative forcing. Here we evaluate the wet scavenging scheme in the current NASA GEOS model, develop more physically-based parameterizations of below-cloud scavenging, and assess the impacts of the new scavenging parameterizations on the GEOS simulations of aerosols. The current below-cloud scavenging (BCS; washout) scheme uses a first-order removal with a constant scavenging coefficient. We replaced the current scheme with a size-dependent parameterization of Croft et al.(Atmos. Chem. Phys., 2009; hereafter referred to as C09). The C09 BCS parameterizations calculate aerosol below-cloud scavenging coefficients based on a size-dependent collision efficiency between aerosol particles and raindrops (or snow crystals). A look-up table of compiled collision efficiencies provides values for sixty aerosol sizes and nine rain flux rates. Snow-aerosol collision efficiencies are a function of the sixty aerosol sizes only. We assume a log-normal size distribution for aerosols (bulk) in GOCART. The collision efficiencies are then calculated online using a bilinear interpolation from the look-up table for the given aerosol sizes and precipitation flux rates in the model.

aerosols↗

Evaluation of scavenging in two-stroke-cycle engines

The viewpoints are discussed, according to which the scavenging of two-stroke-cycle engines can be evaluated, and the relations between scavenging pressure and the quantity of the scavenging medium required, as also between the scavenging pressure and the revolution speed, are developed. It is further shown that the power increase is limited by the scavenging process, so that further researches are desirable for qualitative improvement. These results lead to several conclusions regarding the propulsion of motor vehicles by the two-stroke-cycle engines. Lastly, attention is called to the fundamental defect of the two-dimensional treatment of the scavenging process and to the consequent distinction between the two-dimensional and three-dimensional scavenging-type efficiency.

Venediger, Herbert J↗

Weight savings in aerospace vehicles through propellant scavenging

Vehicle payload benefits of scavenging hydrogen and oxygen propellants are addressed. The approach used is to select a vehicle and a mission and then select a scavenging system for detailed weight analysis. The Shuttle 2 vehicle on a Space Station rendezvous mission was chosen for study. The propellant scavenging system scavenges liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen from the launch propulsion tankage during orbital maneuvers and stores them in well insulated liquid accumulators for use in a cryogenic auxiliary propulsion system. The fraction of auxiliary propulsion propellant which may be scavenged for propulsive purposes is estimated to be 45.1 percent. The auxiliary propulsion subsystem dry mass, including the proposed scavenging system, an additional 20 percent for secondary structure, an additional 5 percent for electrical service, a 10 percent weight growth margin, and 15.4 percent propellant reserves and residuals is estimated to be 6331 kg. This study shows that the fraction of the on-orbit vehicle mass required by the auxiliary propulsion system of this Shuttle 2 vehicle using this technology is estimated to be 12.0 percent compared to 19.9 percent for a vehicle with an earth-storable bipropellant system. This results in a vehicle with the capability of delivering an additional 7820 kg to the Space Station.

Schneider, Steven J.↗

Weight savings in aerospace vehicles through propellant scavenging

Vehicle payload benefits of scavenging hydrogen and oxygen propellants are addressed. The approach used is to select a vehicle and a mission and then select a scavenging system for detailed weight analysis. The Shuttle 2 vehicle on a Space Station rendezvous mission was chosen for study. The propellant scavenging system scavenges liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen from the launch propulsion tankage during orbital maneuvers and stores them in well insulated liquid accumulators for use in a cryogenic auxiliary propulsion system. The fraction of auxiliary propulsion propellant which may be scavenged for propulsive purposes is estimated to be 45.1 percent. The auxiliary propulsion subsystem dry mass, including the proposed scavenging system, an additional 20 percent for secondary structure, an additional 5 percent for electrical service, a 10 percent weight growth margin, and 15.4 percent propellant reserves and residuals is estimated to be 6331 kg. This study shows that the fraction of the on-orbit vehicle mass required by the auxiliary propulsion system of this Shuttle 2 vehicle using this technology is estimated to be 12.0 percent compared to 19.9 percent for a vehicle with an earth-storable bipropellant system. This results in a vehicle with the capability of delivering an additional 7820 kg to the Space Station.

Schneider, Steven J.↗

The Impact of Flight Hardware Scavenging on Space Logistics

For a given fixed launch vehicle capacity the logistics payload delivered to the moon may be only roughly 20 percent of the payload delivered to the International Space Station (ISS). This is compounded by the much lower flight frequency to the moon and thus low availability of spares for maintenance. This implies that lunar hardware is much more scarce and more costly per kilogram than ISS and thus there is much more incentive to preserve hardware. The Constellation Lunar Surface System (LSS) program is considering ways of utilizing hardware scavenged from vehicles including the Altair lunar lander. In general, the hardware will have only had a matter of hours of operation yet there may be years of operational life remaining. By scavenging this hardware the program, in effect, is treating vehicle hardware as part of the payload. Flight hardware may provide logistics spares for system maintenance and reduce the overall logistics footprint. This hardware has a wide array of potential applications including expanding the power infrastructure, and exploiting in-situ resources. Scavenging can also be seen as a way of recovering the value of, literally, billions of dollars worth of hardware that would normally be discarded. Scavenging flight hardware adds operational complexity and steps must be taken to augment the crew s capability with robotics, capabilities embedded in flight hardware itself, and external processes. New embedded technologies are needed to make hardware more serviceable and scavengable. Process technologies are needed to extract hardware, evaluate hardware, reconfigure or repair hardware, and reintegrate it into new applications. This paper also illustrates how scavenging can be used to drive down the cost of the overall program by exploiting the intrinsic value of otherwise discarded flight hardware.

Oeftering, Richard C.↗

Space Transportation System (STS) propellant scavenging system study. Volume 1: Technical report

The objectives are to define the most efficient and cost effective methods for scavenging cryogenic and storable propellants and then define the requirements for these scavenging systems. For cryogenic propellants, scavenging is the transfer of propellants from the Shuttle orbiter external tank (ET) and/or main propulsion subsystems (MPS) propellant lines into storage tanks located in the orbiter payload bay for delivery to the user station by a space based transfer stage or the Space Transportation System (STS) by direct insertion. For storable propellants, scavenging is the direct transfer from the orbital maneuvering subsystem (OMS) and/or tankage in the payload bay to users in LEO as well as users in the vicinity of the Space Station.

Source record↗

The Use of Large Valve Overlap in Scavenging a Supercharged Spark-ignition Engine Using Fuel Injection

This investigation was conducted to determine the effect of more complete scavenging on the full throttle power and the fuel consumption of a four-stroke-cycle engine. The NACA single-cylinder universal test engine equipped with both a fuel-injection system and a carburetor was used. The engine was scavenged by using a large valve overlap and maintaining a pressure in the inlet manifold of 2 inches of mercury above atmospheric. The maximum valve overlap used was 112 degrees. Tests were conducted for a range of compression ratios from 5.5 to 8.5. Except for variable speed tests, all tests were conducted at an engine speed of 1,500 r.p.m. The results of the tests show that the clearance volume of an engine can be scavenged by using a large valve overlap and about 2 to 5 inches of mercury pressure difference between the inlet and exhaust valve. With a fuel-injection system when the clearance volume was scavenged, a b.m.e.p. of over 185 pounds per square inch and a fuel consumption of 9.45 pound per brake horsepower per hour were obtained with a 6.5 compression ratio. An increase of approximately 10 pounds per square inch b.m.e.p. was obtained with a fuel-injection system over that with a carburetor.

Schey, Oscar W↗

Crank case scavenging of a two-stroke-cycle engine

Experiments with a two-stroke-cycle, crank case scavenging engine. Effect of systematic variation of the height of the scavenge and exhaust ports on the scavenging, as determined by gas analysis. The best results were obtained under conditions differing from the usual ones.

ENGINES - TWO-CYCLE↗

Space Transportatioin System (STS) propellant scavenging system study. Volume 3: Cost and work breakdown structure-dictionary

Fundamentally, the volumes of the oxidizer and fuel propellant scavenged from the orbiter and external tank determine the size and weight of the scavenging system. The optimization of system dimensions and weights is stimulated by the requirement to minimize the use of partial length of the orbiter payload bay. Thus, the cost estimates begin with weights established for the optimum design. Both the design, development, test, and evaluation and theoretical first unit hardware production costs are estimated from parametric cost weight scaling relations for four subsystems. For cryogenic propellants, the widely differing characteristics of the oxidizer and the fuel lead to two separate tank subsystems, in addition to the electrical and instrumentation subsystems. Hardwares costs also involve quantity, as an independent variable, since the number of production scavenging systems is not firm. For storable propellants, since the tankage volume of the oxidizer and fuel are equal, the hardware production costs for developing these systems are lower than for cryogenic propellants.

Source record↗

The effect of random precipitation times on the scavenging rate for tropospheric nitric acid

A model for the effective scavenging rate of a soluble species has been developed. The model takes into account the possibility of positive as well as negative correlations between departures from the mean of the scavenging rate and species concentration. The model is demonstrated for the case of late afternoon rainout of nitric acid occurring just prior to the nighttime cessation of its chemical production. The calculations give effective scavenging rates which are about a factor of 2 to 3 greater than those calculated using the models of Rodhe and Grandell (1972) and Giorgi and Chameides (1985).

Stewart, Richard W.↗

Implications of using MERRA-2 cloud water in aerosol wet scavenging for Pb-210 surface concentrations and vertical profiles in GEOS-Chem

Precipitation scavenging is the dominant loss process for a whole suite of aerosols but model parameterizations of this process are highly uncertain, substantially contributing to large uncertainties in the simulated loadings and radiative forcing of aerosols. Lead-210 (210Pb, radioactive half-life of 22.3 years) is produced by radioactive decay of soil-emitted gaseous 222Rn. It attaches to ambient submicron aerosols and is subject to precipitation scavenging processes. Liu et al. [2001] estimated the global mean lifetime of tropospheric 210Pb aerosols to be ~9 days using the GEOS-Chem model. Luo et al. [2019, 2020] provided an option to use MERRA-2 cloud water in the model aerosol scavenging scheme. In this study, we examine the impact of this revision on 210Pb simulations and compare results with climatological observations of 210Pb surface and UT/LS concentrations, as well as aircraft profile measurements from eleven NASA field missions.

Bo Zhang↗

Atmospheric scavenging of hydrochloric acid

The scavenging of hydrogen chloride from a solid rocket exhaust cloud was investigated. Water drops were caused to fall through a confined exhaust cloud and then analyzed to determine the amount of HCl captured during fall. Bubblers were used to measure HCl concentration within the chamber. The measured chamber HCl concentration, together with the measured HCl deposition on the chamber walls, accounted for 81 to 94% of the theoretical HCl. It was found that the amount of HCl captured was approximately one-half of that predicted by the Frossling correlation. No effect of humidity was detected through a range of 69-98% R.H.. The scavenging of HCl from a solid rocket exhaust cloud was calculated using an idealized Kennedy Space Center rain cycle. Results indicate that this cycle would reduce the cloud HCl concentration to 20.6% if its value in the absence of rain.

Knutson, E. O.↗

STS propellant scavenging systems study. Part 2, volume 2: Cost and WBS/dictionary

Presented are the results of the cost analysis performed to update and refine the program phase C/D cost estimates for a Shuttle Derived Vehicle (SDV) tanker. The SDV tanker concept is an unmanned cargo vehicle incorporating a set of propellant tanks in the vehicle's payload module. The tanker will be used to meet the demand for a cryogenic propellant supply in orbit. The propellant tanks are delivered to a low Earth orbit or to an orbit in the vicinity of the Space Station. The intent of the economic analysis is to provide NASA with economic justification for the propellant scavenging concept that minimizes the total Space Transportation System life cycle cost. The detailed costs supporting the concept selection process are presented with descriptive text to aid in forecasting the phase C/D project and program planning. Included are all propellant scavenging costs as well as all SDV, STS and Orbital Maneuvering Vehicle charges to deliver the propellants to the Space Station.

Williams, Frank L.↗

Boundary scavenging in the Pacific Ocean - A comparison of Be-10 and Pa-231

Measurements of U, Th, Pa-231, and Be-10 concentrations were conducted in Holocene sediments from several sites representing open-ocean and ocean-margin environments in the Pacific Ocean. The results show that boundary scavenging plays a major role in the removal of Be-10 from the Pacific. Deposition of Be-10 is more than an order of magnitude greater at margin sites than at deep central Pacific sites, while Pa-231 is 4- to 5-fold greater at margin sites. The factors controling boundary scavenging of Pa and Be are discussed.

Anderson, R. F.↗

Scavenging a Piston-ported Two-stroke Cylinder

An investigation was made with a specially designed engine to determine the scavenging characteristics of a large number of inlet-port shapes and arrangements and the optimum port arrangement and timing for this particular type of engine. A special cylinder construction permitted wide variations in timing for this particular type of engine. A special cylinder construction permitted wide variations in timing as well as in shape and arrangement of both the inlet and exhaust ports. The study of the effect of port shape combinations and timings on engine performance was made using illuminating gas as a fuel. Through variations in inlet-port arrangement and port timings, the value of the scavenging efficiency was increased from an original 44 percent to approximately 67 percent with a corresponding increase in power. With the optimum port arrangement and timing determined, a large number of performance runs were made under both spark-ignition and compression-ignition operation.

Rogowski, A R↗

Increasing the Air Charge and Scavenging the Clearance Volume of a Compression-Ignition Engine

The object of the investigation presented in this report was to determine the effects of increasing the air charge and scavenging the clearance volume of a 4-stroke-cycle compression-ignition engine having a vertical-disk form combustion chamber. Boosting the inlet-air pressure with normal valve timing increased the indicated engine power in proportion to the additional air inducted and resulted in smoother engine operation with less combustion shock. Scavenging the clearance volume by using a valve overlap of 145 degrees and an inlet-air boost pressure of approximately 2 1/2 inches of mercury produced a net increase in performance for clear exhaust operation of 33 percent over that obtained with normal valve timing and the same boost pressure. The improved combustion characteristics result in lower specific fuel consumption, and a clearer exhaust.

Spanogle, J A↗

Vertical Transport Processes for Inert and Scavenged Species: TRACE-A Measurements

The TRACE-A mission of the NASA DC-8 aircraft made a large-scale survey of the tropical and subtropical atmosphere in September and October of 1992. Both In-situ measurements of CO (G. Sachsen NASA Langley) and aerosol size (J. Browell group, NASA Langley) provide excellent data sets with which to constrain vertical transport by planetary boundary layer mixing and deep-cloud cumulus convection. Lidar profiles of aerosol-induced scattering and ozone (also by Bremen) are somewhat require more subtle interpretation as tracers, but the vertical information on layering largely compensates for these complexities. The reason this DC-8 dataset is so useful is that very large areas of biomass burning over Africa and South America provide surface sources of appropriate sizes with which to characterize vertical and horizontal motions; the major limitation of our source description is that biomass burning patterns move considerably every few days, and daily burning inventories are a matter of concurrent, intensive research. We use the Penn State / NCAR MM5 model in an assimilation mode on the synoptic and intercontinental scale, and assess the success it shows in vertical transport descriptions. We find that the general level of emissions suggested by the climatological approach (Will. Has, U. of Montana) appears to be approximately correct, possibly a bit low, for this October, 1992, time period. Vertical transport in planetary boundary layer mixing to 5.5 kin was observed and reproduced in our simulations. Furthermore we find evidence that Blackader "transilient" or matrix-transport scheme is needed, but may require some adaptation in our tracer model: CO seems to exhibit very high values at the top of the planetary boundary layer, a process that stretches the eddy-diffusion parameterization. We will report on progress in improving the deep convective transport of carbon monoxide: the Grail scheme as we used it at 100 kin resolution did not transport enough material to the upper troposphere. We expect to be able to attribute this to either parameterization reasons (inadequacy of this parameterization at the large 100km scale) or other reasons. Nevertheless, the qualitative nature of deep transport by clouds shows up well in the simulations. As for scavengable species, the simulations predict tens of micrograms per standard cubic meter of smoke aerosol in the boundary layer. In a straightforward illustration of our simple bulk-mass scavenging parameterization, to one or two micrograms per standard cubic meter of smoke aerosol in the free troposphere just above the source regions: very high concentrations for the free troposphere. We expect to report on comparisons of these predictions to a variety of observations.

Chatfield, Robert B.↗