46. AUXILIARY CHAMBER (EAST END), LOOKING NORTHWEST AT STEAM AND ...

Library of Congress Historic Buildings Survey, Historic Engineering Record, Historic Landscapes Survey

46. AUXILIARY CHAMBER (EAST END), LOOKING NORTHWEST AT STEAM AND FEEDWATER PIPING AND PRESSURIZER AND FLASH/BLOWOFF TANK ROOMS (LOCATION EEE) - Shippingport Atomic Power Station, On Ohio River, 25 miles Northwest of Pittsburgh, Shippingport, Beaver County, PA

30 CFR 75.1101-1 - Deluge-type water spray systems.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... discharge from the nozzles. (b) Nozzles attached to the branch lines shall be full cone, corrosion resistant and provided with blow-off dust covers. The spray application rate shall not be less than 0.25 gallon...

Upgrade of Compressed Air Control System Reduces Energy Costs at Michelin Tire Plant

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

None

2002-01-01

This case study highlights the upgraded compressed air system at a Michelin tire manufacturing plant in Spartanburg, South Carolina. The controls upgrade project enabled multiple compressor operation without blow-off, and significantly reduced energy costs.

78 FR 14516 - Notice of Availability of Government-Owned Inventions; Available for Licensing

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-03-06

...,167,670: BLOW-OFF FLOAT VEHICLE RECOVERY APPARATUS//U.S. Patent No. 8,186,275: NON-LETHAL PROJECTILE... APPARATUS REGULATOR//U.S. Patent No. 8,322,231: HYDROSTATIC FORCE/DISPLACEMENT MEASURING DEVICE//U.S. Patent...

Effects of H2O, CO2, and N2 Air Contaminants on Critical Airside Strain Rates for Extinction of Hydrogen-Air Counterflow Diffusion Flames

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Pellett, G. L.; Wilson, L. G.; Northam, G. B.; Guerra, Rosemary

1989-01-01

Coaxial tubular opposed jet burners (OJB) were used to form dish shaped counterflow diffusion flames (CFDF), centered by opposing laminar jets of H2, N2 and both clean and contaminated air (O2/N2 mixtures) in an argon bath at 1 atm. Jet velocities for flame extinction and restoration limits are shown versus wide ranges of contaminant and O2 concentrations in the air jet, and also input H2 concentration. Blowoff, a sudden breaking of CFDF to a stable ring shape, occurs in highly stretched stagnation flows and is generally believed to measure kinetically limited flame reactivity. Restore, a sudden restoration of central flame, is a relatively new phenomenon which exhibits a H2 dependent hysteresis from Blowoff. For 25 percent O2 air mixtures, mole for mole replacement of 25 percent N2 contaminant by steam increased U(air) or flame strength at Blowoff by about 5 percent. This result is consistent with laminar burning velocity results from analogous substitution of steam for N2 in a premixed stoichiometric H2-O2-N2 (or steam) flame, shown by Koroll and Mulpuru to promote a 10 percent increase in experimental and calculated laminar burning velocity, due to enhanced third body efficiency of water in: H + O2 + M yields HO2 + M. When the OJB results were compared with Liu and MacFarlane's experimental laminar burning velocity of premixed stoichiometric H2 + air + steam, a crossover occurred, i.e., steam enhanced OJB flame strength at extinction relative to laminar burning velocity.

40 CFR 53.66 - Test procedure: Volatility test.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... mass concentration and the sample filters are conditioned and preweighed. In phase B, the challenge... preweighed filters for a specified time period. In phase C (the blow-off phase), aerosol and aerosol-vapor... on the filters. The candidate sampler passes the volatility test if the acceptance criteria presented...

40 CFR 53.66 - Test procedure: Volatility test.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-07-01

... mass concentration and the sample filters are conditioned and preweighed. In phase B, the challenge... preweighed filters for a specified time period. In phase C (the blow-off phase), aerosol and aerosol-vapor... on the filters. The candidate sampler passes the volatility test if the acceptance criteria presented...

40 CFR 53.66 - Test procedure: Volatility test.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-07-01

... mass concentration and the sample filters are conditioned and preweighed. In phase B, the challenge... preweighed filters for a specified time period. In phase C (the blow-off phase), aerosol and aerosol-vapor... on the filters. The candidate sampler passes the volatility test if the acceptance criteria presented...

40 CFR 53.66 - Test procedure: Volatility test.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-07-01

... mass concentration and the sample filters are conditioned and preweighed. In phase B, the challenge... preweighed filters for a specified time period. In phase C (the blow-off phase), aerosol and aerosol-vapor... on the filters. The candidate sampler passes the volatility test if the acceptance criteria presented...

40 CFR 53.66 - Test procedure: Volatility test.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-07-01

... mass concentration and the sample filters are conditioned and preweighed. In phase B, the challenge... preweighed filters for a specified time period. In phase C (the blow-off phase), aerosol and aerosol-vapor... on the filters. The candidate sampler passes the volatility test if the acceptance criteria presented...

Upgrade of Compressed Air Control System Reduces Energy Costs at Michelin Tire Plant. Office of Industrial Technologies (OIT) BestPractices Project Case Study

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Not Available

2002-01-01

This case study highlights the upgraded compressed air system at a Michelin tire manufacturing plant in Spartanburg, South Carolina. The controls upgrade project enabled multiple compressor operation without blow-off, and significantly reduced energy costs.

Investigation of impurity transport using laser blow-off technique in the HL-2A Ohmic and ECRH plasmas

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kai, Zhang; Zheng-Ying, Cui; Ping, Sun; Chun-Feng, Dong; Wei, Deng; Yun-Bo, Dong; Shao-Dong, Song; Min, Jiang; Yong-Gao, Li; Ping, Lu; Qing-Wei, Yang

2016-06-01

Impurity transports in two neighboring discharges with and without electron cyclotron resonance heating (ECRH) are studied in the HL-2A tokamak by laser blow-off (LBO) technique. The progression of aluminium ions as the trace impurity is monitored by soft x-ray (SXR) and bolometer detector arrays with good temporal and spatial resolutions. Obvious difference in the time trace of the signal between the Ohmic and ECRH L-mode discharges is observed. Based on the numerical simulation with one-dimensional (1D) impurity transport code STRAHL, the radial profiles of impurity diffusion coefficient D and convective velocity V are obtained for each shot. The result shows that the diffusion coefficient D significantly increases throughout the plasma minor radius for the ECRH case with respect to the Ohmic case, and that the convection velocity V changes from negative (inward) for the Ohmic case to partially positive (outward) for the ECRH case. The result on HL-2A confirms the pump out effect of ECRH on impurity profile as reported on various other devices.

Suppression Characteristics of Cup-Burner Flames in Low Gravity

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Takahashi, Fumiaki; Linteris, Gregory T.; Katta, Viswanath R.

2004-01-01

The structure and suppression of laminar methane-air co-flow diffusion flames formed on a cup burner have been studied experimentally and numerically using physically acting fire-extinguishing agents (CO2, N2, He, and Ar) in normal earth (lg) and zero gravity (0g). The computation uses a direct numerical simulation with detailed chemistry and radiative heat-loss models. An initial observation of the flame without agent was also made at the NASA Glenn 2.2-Second Drop Tower. An agent was introduced into a low-speed coflowing oxidizing stream by gradually replacing the air until extinguishment occurred under a fixed minimal fuel velocity. The suppression of cup-burner flames, which resemble real fires, occurred via a blowoff process (in which the flame base drifted downstream) rather than the global extinction phenomenon typical of counterflow diffusion flames. The computation revealed that the peak reactivity spot (the reaction kernel) formed in the flame base was responsible for attachment and blowoff phenomena of the trailing diffusion flame. The thermal and transport properties of the agents affected the flame extinguishment limits.

Counterflow diffusion flames of hydrogen, and hydrogen plus methane, ethylene, propane, and silane vs. air - Strain rates at extinction

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Pellett, G. L.; Northam, G. Burton; Wilson, L. G.

1991-01-01

Five coaxial tubular opposed jet burners (OJBs) with tube diameter D(T) of 1.8-10 mm and 5 mm conical nozzles were used to form dish-shaped counterflow diffusion flames centered by opposing laminar jets of nitrogen and hydrocarbon-diluted H2 versus air in an argon-purged chamber at 1 atm. Area-averaged air jet velocities at blowoff of the central flame, U(air), characterized extinction of the airside flame as functions of input H2 concentration on the fuelside. A master plot of extensive U(air) data at blowoff versus D(T) shows that U(air) varies linearly with D(T). This and other data sets are used to find that nozzle OJB results for U(air)/diameter average 4.24 + or - 0.28 times larger than tubular OJB results for the same fuel compositions. Critical radial velocity gradients consistent with one-dimensional stagnation point boundary theory and with plug flow inputs are estimated. The results compare favorably with published numerical results based only on potential flow.

Pollutant Emissions and Lean Blowoff Limits of Fuel Flexible Burners Operating on Gaseous Renewable and Fossil Fuels

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Colorado, Andres

This study provides an experimental and numerical examination of pollutant emissions and stability of gaseous fueled reactions stabilized with two premixed-fuel-flexible and ultra-low NOx burner technologies. Both burners feature lean combustion technology to control the formation of nitrogen oxides (NOx). The first fuel--flexible burner is the low-swirl burner (LSB), which features aerodynamic stabilization of the reactions with a divergent flow-field; the second burner is the surface stabilized combustion burner (SSCB), which features the stabilization of the reactions on surface patterns. For combustion applications the most commonly studied species are: NOx, carbon monoxide (CO), and unburned hydrocarbons (UHC). However these are not the only pollutants emitted when burning fossil fuels; other species such as nitrous oxide (N2O), ammonia (NH3) and formaldehyde (CH2O) can be directly emitted from the oxidation reactions. Yet the conditions that favor the emission of these pollutants are not completely understood and require further insight. The results of this dissertation close the gap existing regarding the relations between emission of pollutants species and stability when burning variable gaseous fuels. The results of this study are applicable to current issues such as: 1. Current combustion systems operating at low temperatures to control formation of NOx. 2. Increased use of alternative fuels such as hydrogen, synthetic gas and biogas. 3. Increasing recognition of the need/desire to operate combustion systems in a transient manner to follow load and to offset the intermittency of renewable power. 4. The recent advances in measurement methods allow us to quantify other pollutants, such as N 2O, NH3 and CH2O. Hence in this study, these pollutant species are assessed when burning natural gas (NG) and its binary mixtures with other gaseous fuels such as hydrogen (H2), carbon dioxide (CO2), ethane (C 2H6) and propane (C3H8) at variable operation modes including: ignition; lean blowoff; and variable air to fuel ratio. Some remarkable results of this dissertation include: • At a fixed fire rate (117kW) the addition of hydrogen to NG raises the emission of NO x for the reactions stabilized with the LSB. Under the same conditions, the addition of H2 to NG will reduce the emission levels of the reactions stabilized with the SSCB. • It was found experimentally that nitrous oxide (N2O) is emitted during ignition and blowoff events. • Ammonia (NH3) is also emitted during ignition and blowoff events. • It was found experimentally that at high concentrations of hydrogen in NG (H2>70%), reactions aerodynamically stabilized with the LSB will emit significant amounts of N2O.

Novel spherical hohlraum with cylindrical laser entrance holes and shields

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lan, Ke; Zheng, Wudi

2014-09-01

Our recent works [K. Lan et al., Phys. Plasmas 21, 010704 (2014); K. Lan et al., Phys. Plasmas 21, 052704 (2014)] have shown that the octahedral spherical hohlraums are superior to the cylindrical hohlraums in both higher symmetry during the capsule implosion and lower backscatter without supplementary technology. However, both the coupling efficiency from the drive laser energy to the capsule and the capsule symmetry decrease remarkably when larger laser entrance holes (LEHs) are used. In addition, the laser beams injected at angles > 45° transport close to the hohlraum wall, thus the wall blowoff causes the LEH to close faster and results in strong laser plasma interactions inside the spherical hohlraums. In this letter, we propose a novel octahedral hohlraum with LEH shields and cylindrical LEHs to alleviate these problems. From our theoretical study, with the LEH shields, the laser coupling efficiency is significantly increased and the capsule symmetry is remarkably improved in the spherical hohlraums. The cylindrical LEHs take advantage of the cylindrical hohlraum near the LEH and mitigate the influence of the blowoff on laser transport inside a spherical hohlraum. The cylindrical LEHs can also be applied to the rugby and elliptical hohlraums.

1983 AFOSR/AFRPL Chemical Rocket Research Meeting, Abstracts and Agenda. Includes: Abstracts on Advanced Diagnostics of Reacting Flow, 28 February - 3 March 1983, Lancaster, California.

DTIC Science & Technology

1983-02-01

blow-off stability and fractional conversion was evaluated for design of an experimental study of these phenomena. The apparatus designed will be...the development of an array of experimental methods and test strategies designed to unravel a complex process that is very difficult to observe directly...this effort of lead field theoretic analysis as a design basis has made that possible. The experimental phase of the effort has three major

Giant impact-induced atmospheric blow-off

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Ahrens, Thomas J.

1993-01-01

The relationship between the present atmospheres of the Earth, Venus, and Mars and the earliest (primordial) atmospheres which surrounded these planets is discussed. The termination of the co-accretion of an atmosphere results from at least three different mechanisms, and these mechanisms are presented. To calculate the energy, and hence, approximate planetesimal size, such that upon impact the entire planetary atmosphere is blown off, a different approach than previous efforts is employed, and a shock wave that is entirely propagated within a terrestrial planet is considered.

The Shock and Vibration Bulletin. Part 2. Vibration Analysis.

DTIC Science & Technology

1977-09-01

Spring, MD and J.C.S. Yang, University of Maryland, College Park, MD APPLICATION O LIGHT-INITIATED EXPLOSIVE FOR SIMULATING X -RAY BLOWOFF IMPULSE...0.785t to the free end. effectiveness being produced from the For a spring located at the free end poorest ( X /1=1) to the optimal location ( X /L=1...the eigenvalue coefficient ( X /L=0.785). Although accurate support varies from 1.875 for a null spring placement is imperative, the second mode rate to

Grooved impactor and inertial trap for sampling inhalable particulate matter

DOEpatents

Loo, Billy W.

1984-01-01

An inertial trap and grooved impactor for providing a sharp cutoff for particles over 15 microns from entering an inhalable particulate sampler. The impactor head has a tapered surface and is provided with V-shaped grooves. The tapered surface functions for reducing particle blow-off or reentrainment while the grooves prevent particle bounce. Water droplets and any resuspended material over the 15 micron size are collected by the inertial trap and deposited in a reservoir associated with the impactor.

Optical Properties of Blow-Off Particulates.

DTIC Science & Technology

1984-02-29

examination of the SEM data in Sec- tion 3, for the particulates vary greatly in size, structure and melting points . Table 4. Refractive indices of minerals...of the balance. With no dc field applied the particle oscillates about a point below the midplane of the balance. When a dc field is applied to offset...electric field near the null point (midplane) of the balance is given by V dc Edc,z x- (11) where C is a geometrical constant which takes into account the

AGT-1500 Combustor and Fuel Effects Modeling

DTIC Science & Technology

1980-10-01

test data of Moses and Naegeli (1978) were also con- sidered. These comprised blowoff equivalence ratios obtained using Detroit Diesel Allison T-63...Ofoses and Naegeli , 1978) Power Tin P ma 0 T =lp K % K atm kg/sec DRI JP- 5 Gas 100 547 4.77 1.10 .054 .053 .049 2314 2300 2307 55 494 3.69 .93 .069... Naegeli (1978). Their ignition tests were conducted on the T-63 helicopter engine (can-type comb~ustor with the igniter located in the dome) with 13

Oxy-combustion of high water content fuels

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yi, Fei

As the issues of global warming and the energy crisis arouse extensive concern, more and more research is focused on maximizing energy efficiency and capturing CO2 in power generation. To achieve this, in this research, we propose an unconventional concept of combustion - direct combustion of high water content fuels. Due to the high water content in the fuels, they may not burn under air-fired conditions. Therefore, oxy-combustion is applied. Three applications of this concept in power generation are proposed - direct steam generation for the turbine cycle, staged oxy-combustion with zero flue gas recycle, and oxy-combustion in a low speed diesel-type engine. The proposed processes could provide alternative approaches to directly utilize fuels which intrinsically have high water content. A large amount of energy to remove the water, when the fuels are utilized in a conventional approach, is saved. The properties and difficulty in dewatering high water content fuels (e.g. bioethanol, microalgae and fine coal) are summarized. These fuels include both renewable and fossil fuels. In addition, the technique can also allow for low-cost carbon capture due to oxy-combustion. When renewable fuel is utilized, the whole process can be carbon negative. To validate and evaluate this concept, the research focused on the investigation of the flame stability and characteristics for high water content fuels. My study has demonstrated the feasibility of burning fuels that have been heavily diluted with water in a swirl-stabilized burner. Ethanol and 1-propanol were first tested as the fuels and the flame stability maps were obtained. Flame stability, as characterized by the blow-off limit -- the lowest O2 concentration when a flame could exist under a given oxidizer flow rate, was determined as a function of total oxidizer flow rate, fuel concentration and nozzle type. Furthermore, both the gas temperature contour and the overall ethanol concentration in the droplets along the spray were measured in the chamber for a stable flame. The experimental results indicate significant preferential vaporization of ethanol over water. Modeling results support this observation and indicate that the vaporization process is best described as the distillation limit mode with enhanced mass transfer by convection. Further, the influence of preferential vaporization on flame stability was investigated. A procedure was developed to evaluate the extent of preferential vaporization and subsequent flame stability of a fuel in aqueous solution. Various water soluble fuels were analyzed via this procedure in order to identify a chemical fuel showing strong preferential vaporization. t-Butanol was identified as having excellent physical and chemical properties, indicating stronger preferential vaporization than ethanol. Flame stability tests were run for aqueous solutions of both t-butanol and ethanol under identical flow conditions. Flame stability was characterized by the blow-off limit. In each comparison, the energy contents in the two solutions were kept the same. For the experiments under high swirl flow conditions (100% swirl flow), 12.5 wt% t-butanol has slightly lower blow-off limits than 15 wt% ethanol, and 8.3 wt% t-butanol has much lower blow-off limits than 10 wt% ethanol. For the experiments under a low swirl flow condition (50% swirl/50% axial flow), 12.5 wt% t-butanol has a much lower blow-off limit than 15 wt% ethanol. The time to release the fuel from a droplet was also calculated for both ethanol and t-butanol. For the same size droplet, the time to release t-butanol is much shorter than that of ethanol under the same conditions. Faster release of the fuel from water enhances flame stability, which is consistent with the experimental results. For the oxy-combustion characteristics of low-volatility fuel with high water content, glycerol was chosen as the fuel to study. It is found that self-sustained flame can be obtained for glycerol solution with concentration as high as 60 wt%, when burned in pure O2. However, the flame is lifted far away from the nozzle. To obtain a stable flame for a low glycerol concentration solution, t-butanol or ethanol was added as an additive. Experiments showed that an attached flame can be obtained by burning a mixture of 8.3 wt% t-butanol, 30 wt% glycerol and 61.7 wt% water (B8.3/G30) or 10 wt% ethanol, 30 wt% glycerol and 60 wt% water (E10/G30) under oxy-fired condition. The flame stability for B8.3/G30 and E10/G30 was characterized under 100% and 85% swirl flow conditions. Under 100% swirl flow condition, the blow-off limits are approximately the same for both cases. Under 85% swirl, the blow-off limits for B8.3/G30 are much lower in the low flow rate region. Additionally, the lift-off limits for B8.3/G30 are lower than those for E10/G30, which means the flame stability for B8.3/G30 is better. To study the flame structure, contours of temperature across the chamber's centerline were obtained for four attached flames. It was found that the flame becomes narrower as the swirl intensity decreases. A high temperature zone in the inner recirculation zone (IRZ) is formed for the four flames. This hot zone is critical to provide heat to vaporize the glycerol in near burner region, so that flame can be attached on the nozzle. For practical purposes, a PRB coal water slurry was studied in terms of preparation, characterization, atomization and combustion. A procedure to prepare stable coal water slurry from PRB coal was developed. Triton X-100 is a good nonionic surfactant for PRB coal. On the contrary, PSS, which is ionic, is not effective for PRB coal. Due to the hydrophilic surface property of PRB coal, the maximum loading of the coal in slurry can only reach 50 wt%. The viscosities of slurries containing various concentrations of Triton X-100 were measured. To deliver the slurry in a burner, two types of two fluid nozzles -- internal mixing and external mixing -- were investigated and both nozzles were able to generate a spray with good quality. Preliminary oxy-combustion experiments were successfully conducted. Due to the high swirl flow in the combustor, the nozzle overheated which caused clogging. Additional research is needed to solve this issue and characterize the flame systematically.

The effects of radiative heat loss on microgravity flame spread

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Fakheri, Ahmad; Olson, Sandra L.

1989-01-01

The effect of radiative heat loss from the surface of a solid material burning in a zero gravity environment in an opposed flow is studied through the use of a numerical model. Radiative heat loss is found to decrease the flame spread rate, the boundary layer thickness, and pyrolysis lengths. Blowoff extinction is predicted to occur at slower opposesd flow velocities than would occur if the radiative loss is not present. The radiative heat fluxes are comparable to the conduction fluxes, indicating the significance of the surface energy loss.

Characterization of triboelectrically charged particles deposited on dielectric surfaces

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nesterov, A.; Löffler, F.; Cheng, Yun-Chien; Torralba, G.; König, K.; Hausmann, M.; Lindenstruth, V.; Stadler, V.; Bischoff, F. R.; Breitling, F.

2010-04-01

A device for the measurement of q/m-values and charge degradation of triboelectrically charged particles deposited on a surface was developed. The setup is based on the integration of currents, which are induced in a Faraday cage by insertion of a solid support covered with charged particles. The conductivity of different particle supports was taken into account. The 'blow-off' method, in which the particles are first deposited, and then blown off using an air stream, can be used for characterization of triboelectric properties of particles relative to different surfaces.

An Investigation of Flame Stability in a Coaxial Dump Combustor

DTIC Science & Technology

1979-05-18

M.Sc. Approved: Chairman (9 ~%46 ’A L4A4 lee /0 9 77 Accepted: Dean , School of Engineering Acknowledgements I wish to express my appreciation to Dr...correlating a large quantity of experimental data and to Dr. Frank D. Stull , who made the facility and the services of the test group available for this...correlation quoted by Stull et al. (Ref 1), a value of 6 equal to * Note that U and P in this expression correspond to the values at flame blow-off: these

Draft Environmental Statement/Environmental Impact Report. North Bay Aqueduct (Phase II Facilities) Solano County, California.

DTIC Science & Technology

1981-06-01

be Blow-off pipes in urban areas will be required to "clear" Cache Slough for the fenced to screen them from children , intake would be approximately...tip of Grand numbers of school-aged children . Island southeast of the intake locations. This disposal site, which would probably be best reached by...ind shel I h eads to Porno , Cent ral Wiat un , Wappo :in(I ’e()Ll! litrn Ma idu groups (Davis, 1974 :34-35). of the most distinctive asp~ect.,- of

Diffusion Flame Stabilization

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Takahashi, Fumiaki; Katta, V. R.

2006-01-01

Diffusion flames are commonly used for industrial burners in furnaces and flares. Oxygen/fuel burners are usually diffusion burners, primarily for safety reasons, to prevent flashback and explosion in a potentially dangerous system. Furthermore, in most fires, condensed materials pyrolyze, vaporize, and burn in air as diffusion flames. As a result of the interaction of a diffusion flame with burner or condensed-fuel surfaces, a quenched space is formed, thus leaving a diffusion flame edge, which plays an important role in flame holding in combustion systems and fire spread through condensed fuels. Despite a long history of jet diffusion flame studies, lifting/blowoff mechanisms have not yet been fully understood, compared to those of premixed flames. In this study, the structure and stability of diffusion flames of gaseous hydrocarbon fuels in coflowing air at normal earth gravity have been investigated experimentally and computationally. Measurements of the critical mean jet velocity (U(sub jc)) of methane, ethane, or propane at lifting or blowoff were made as a function of the coflowing air velocity (U(sub a)) using a tube burner (i.d.: 2.87 mm). By using a computational fluid dynamics code with 33 species and 112 elementary reaction steps, the internal chemical-kinetic structures of the stabilizing region of methane and propane flames were investigated. A peak reactivity spot, i.e., reaction kernel, is formed in the flame stabilizing region due to back-diffusion of heat and radical species against an oxygen-rich incoming flow, thus holding the trailing diffusion flame. The simulated flame base moved downstream under flow conditions close to the measured stability limit.

Diffusion Flame Stabilization

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Takahashi, Fumiaki; Katta, Viswanath R.

2007-01-01

Diffusion flames are commonly used for industrial burners in furnaces and flares. Oxygen/fuel burners are usually diffusion burners, primarily for safety reasons, to prevent flashback and explosion in a potentially dangerous system. Furthermore, in most fires, condensed materials pyrolyze, vaporize, and burn in air as diffusion flames. As a result of the interaction of a diffusion flame with burner or condensed-fuel surfaces, a quenched space is formed, thus leaving a diffusion flame edge, which plays an important role in flame holding in combustion systems and fire spread through condensed fuels. Despite a long history of jet diffusion flame studies, lifting/blowoff mechanisms have not yet been fully understood, compared to those of premixed flames. In this study, the structure and stability of diffusion flames of gaseous hydrocarbon fuels in coflowing air at normal earth gravity have been investigated experimentally and computationally. Measurements of the critical mean jet velocity (U(sub jc)) of methane, ethane, or propane at lifting or blowoff were made as a function of the coflowing air velocity (U(sub a)) using a tube burner (i.d.: 2.87 mm) (Fig. 1, left). By using a computational fluid dynamics code with 33 species and 112 elementary reaction steps, the internal chemical-kinetic structures of the stabilizing region of methane and propane flames were investigated (Fig. 1, right). A peak reactivity spot, i.e., reaction kernel, is formed in the flame stabilizing region due to back-diffusion of heat and radical species against an oxygen-rich incoming flow, thus holding the trailing diffusion flame. The simulated flame base moved downstream under flow conditions close to the measured stability limit.

Is the atmosphere of the extremely irradiated exoplanet WASP-43b in a blow-off state?

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pino, Lorenzo

2016-10-01

In the past months we have obtained evidence that an unusual phenomenon is happening in the atmosphere of one of the Hot Jupiters with shortest period. High-resolution spectroscopy from the ground reveals a transit spectrum where the sodium absorption signal from the planet peaks at 2-3%, which is larger than the planet transit depth in white light and 100 times larger than the well HST-established detection of sodium in HD 209458b (Charbonneau et al. 2002). Only in the UV have such large signatures been observed, for lighter hydrogen, carbon and oxygen atoms being blown-off by hydrodynamical atmospheric escape. So far, sodium atoms have never been observed higher than the thermosphere, where they should get promptly ionized.Analysis of ground-based data is challenging because the spectroscopic signatures can be mimicked by the Earth atmosphere, and a sophisticated removal of telluric contamination is necessary. Our observations show that an efficient telluric correction for this target, particularly faint in the sodium region, is impossible, making a space-based confirmation necessary. In a single transit, HST/STIS could obtain a 5-sigma confirmation of the signal. This detection would unambiguously show that the planetary atmosphere is in a state of extreme blow-off, with large exospheric densities allowing for a high recombination rate able to maintain sodium in a neutral state even high up in the atmosphere. This would represent the first constraint on atmospheric evaporation obtained in the optical, and would thus open a new, UV-independent path to the characterization of evaporating atmospheres, crucial in the post-HST era.

Negativly streched premixed flames

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Krikunova, A. I.; Saveliev, A. S.; Son, E. E.

2018-01-01

An experimental study of gravity effect on the blow-off and flash-back borders of the conical methane-air flame (normal and ring-stabilized) was performed. The influence of the preferential diffusion on the flame behavior in vicinity of flash-back boundaries was observed. Under conditions at Lewis number Le > 1, the radius of curvature of the flame tip increased gradually approaching flash-back boundaries while for the lean methane-air flames (Le < 1) the radius decreased abruptly. It was shown that the burning velocity for lean flames is less than that for reach ones, so the flash-back occurs at higher strains.

Strain-induced extinction of hydrogen-air counterflow diffusion flames - Effects of steam, CO2, N2, and O2 additives to air

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Pellett, G. L.; Northam, G. B.; Wilson, L. G.

1992-01-01

A fundamental study was performed using axisymmetric nozzle and tubular opposed jet burners to measure the effects of laminar plug flow and parabolic input velocity profiles on the extinction limits of H2-air counterflow diffusion flames. Extinction limits were quantified by 'flame strength', (average axial air jet velocity) at blowoff of the central flame. The effects of key air contaminants, on the extinction limits, are characterized and analyzed relative to utilization of combustion contaminated vitiated air in high enthalpy supersonic test facilities.

On Noble Gas Processing in the Solar Accretion Disk

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pepin, R. O.

2003-04-01

Two fractionation models are applied to the problem of generating the widely distributed “Q-component” noble gases in meteorites from the solar-like isotopic and elemental compositions that presumably characterized the early solar accretion disk. Noble gas fractionation by mass-dependent dissipation of the solar nebula, as suggested by Ozima et al. (1998), is examined in the context of a model developed by Johnstone et al. (1998) for accretion disk photoevaporation driven by intense UV radiation from a neighboring giant star. Hydrodynamic escape of heavier species entrained in hydrogen outflow from the UV-heated outer regions of the disk can generate substantial noble gas fractionations, but they do not match the observed Q-component isotopic pattern and moreover require the physically unrealistic assumption that the fractionated gases are confined to the heated disk boundary zone, without mixing with the interior nebula, for long periods of time. It seems more likely that hydrodynamic outflow is actually established below this zone, in the body of the disk. In this case fractionations are governed by Rayleigh distillation of the entire remaining nebula, and are negligible at the time when disk erosion is halted by the gravitational potential of the young sun embedded in the disk. A “local” model of noble gas fractionation by hydrodynamic blowoff of transient, methane-rich atmospheres outgassed from the interiors of large primitive planetesimals (Pepin, 1991) is updated and assessed against current data. Degassed atmospheres are assumed to contain isotopically solar noble gases except for an additional nucleogenic Xe component that contributes primarily to the two heaviest isotopes; there is evidence that this same component is present at varying levels in other solar-system volatile reservoirs, possibly reflecting a compositional change with time in the solar nebula. Single fixed values for the two free parameters in the blowoff modeling equations can generate fractionated Xe, Kr, Ar and Ne compositions in the residual atmosphere that closely match observed meteoritic isotopic distributions, and Q-gas elemental ratios are approximated by adsorption of fractionated gases on planetesimal surface grains using plausible values of relative Henry Law constants. Additional requirements for adsorption of sufficient absolute amounts of Q-gases on carrier grains, and their subsequent ejection to space, mixing in the nebula, and dispersal into meteorite bodies, are examined in the context of current models for body sizes and dynamical evolution in an early mass-rich asteroid belt (Chambers and Wetherill, 2001). Despite its ability to replicate isotopic compositions, uncertainties about the environments in which the blowoff model can successfully operate suggest that there is, as yet, no entirely satisfactory understanding of how the Q-component noble gases might have evolved from solar-like precursor compositions.

Flashback Detection Sensor for Hydrogen Augmented Natural Gas Combustion

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Thornton, J.D.; Chorpening, B.T.; Sidwell, T.

2007-05-01

The use of hydrogen augmented fuel is being investigated by various researchers as a method to extend the lean operating limit, and potentially reduce thermal NOx formation in natural gas fired lean premixed (LPM) combustion systems. The resulting increase in flame speed during hydrogen augmentation, however, increases the propensity for flashback in LPM systems. Real-time in-situ monitoring of flashback is important for the development of control strategies for use of hydrogen augmented fuel in state-of-the-art combustion systems, and for the development of advanced hydrogen combustion systems. The National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL) and Woodward Industrial Controls are developing a combustionmore » control and diagnostics sensor (CCADS), which has already been demonstrated as a useful sensor for in-situ monitoring of natural gas combustion, including detection of important combustion events such as flashback and lean blowoff. Since CCADS is a flame ionization sensor technique, the low ion concentration produced in pure hydrogen combustion raises concerns of whether CCADS can be used to monitor flashback in hydrogen augmented combustion. This paper discusses CCADS tests conducted at 0.2-0.6 MPa (2-6 atm), demonstrating flashback detection with fuel compositions up to 80% hydrogen (by volume) mixed with natural gas. NETL’s Simulation Validation (SimVal) combustor offers full optical access to pressurized combustion during these tests. The CCADS data and high-speed video show the reaction zone moves upstream into the nozzle as the hydrogen fuel concentration increases, as is expected with the increased flame speed of the mixture. The CCADS data and video also demonstrate the opportunity for using CCADS to provide the necessary in-situ monitor to control flashback and lean blowoff in hydrogen augmented combustion applications.« less

Fire Suppression in Low Gravity Using a Cup Burner

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Takahashi, Fumiaki; Linteris, Gregory T.; Katta, Viswanath R.

2004-01-01

Longer duration missions to the moon, to Mars, and on the International Space Station increase the likelihood of accidental fires. The goal of the present investigation is to: (1) understand the physical and chemical processes of fire suppression in various gravity and O2 levels simulating spacecraft, Mars, and moon missions; (2) provide rigorous testing of numerical models, which include detailed combustion suppression chemistry and radiation sub-models; and (3) provide basic research results useful for advances in space fire safety technology, including new fire-extinguishing agents and approaches. The structure and extinguishment of enclosed, laminar, methane-air co-flow diffusion flames formed on a cup burner have been studied experimentally and numerically using various fire-extinguishing agents (CO2, N2, He, Ar, CF3H, and Fe(CO)5). The experiments involve both 1g laboratory testing and low-g testing (in drop towers and the KC-135 aircraft). The computation uses a direct numerical simulation with detailed chemistry and radiative heat-loss models. An agent was introduced into a low-speed coflowing oxidizing stream until extinguishment occurred under a fixed minimal fuel velocity, and thus, the extinguishing agent concentrations were determined. The extinguishment of cup-burner flames, which resemble real fires, occurred via a blowoff process (in which the flame base drifted downstream) rather than the global extinction phenomenon typical of counterflow diffusion flames. The computation revealed that the peak reactivity spot (the reaction kernel) formed in the flame base was responsible for attachment and blowoff of the trailing diffusion flame. Furthermore, the buoyancy-induced flame flickering in 1g and thermal and transport properties of the agents affected the flame extinguishment limits.

Fire Suppression in Low Gravity Using a Cup Burner

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Takahashi, Fumiaki; Linteris, Gregory T.; Katta, Viswanath R.

2004-01-01

Longer duration missions to the moon, to Mars, and on the International Space Station increase the likelihood of accidental fires. The goal of the present investigation is to: (1) understand the physical and chemical processes of fire suppression in various gravity and O2 levels simulating spacecraft, Mars, and moon missions; (2) provide rigorous testing of numerical models, which include detailed combustion-suppression chemistry and radiation sub-models; and (3) provide basic research results useful for advances in space fire safety technology, including new fire-extinguishing agents and approaches.The structure and extinguishment of enclosed, laminar, methane-air co-flow diffusion flames formed on a cup burner have been studied experimentally and numerically using various fire-extinguishing agents (CO2, N2, He, Ar, CF3H, and Fe(CO)5). The experiments involve both 1g laboratory testing and low-g testing (in drop towers and the KC-135 aircraft). The computation uses a direct numerical simulation with detailed chemistry and radiative heat-loss models. An agent was introduced into a low-speed coflowing oxidizing stream until extinguishment occurred under a fixed minimal fuel velocity, and thus, the extinguishing agent concentrations were determined. The extinguishment of cup-burner flames, which resemble real fires, occurred via a blowoff process (in which the flame base drifted downstream) rather than the global extinction phenomenon typical of counterflow diffusion flames. The computation revealed that the peak reactivity spot (the reaction kernel) formed in the flame base was responsible for attachment and blowoff of the trailing diffusion flame. Furthermore, the buoyancy-induced flame flickering in 1g and thermal and transport properties of the agents affected the flame extinguishment limits.

Analysis of Lean Premixed/Prevaporized Combustion with KIVA-2

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Deur, J. M.; Kundu, K. P.; Darling, D. D.; Cline, M. C.; Micklow, G. J.; Harper, M. R.; Simons, T. A.

1994-01-01

Requirements to reduce the emissions of pollutants from gas turbines used in aircraft propulsion and ground based power generation have led to consideration of lean premixed/prevaporized (LPP) combustion concept. This paper describes some of the LPP flame tube analyses performed at the NASA Research Center with KIVA-2, a well-known multi-dimensional CFD code for problems including sprays, turbulence, and combustion. Modifications to KIVA-2's boundary condition and chemistry treatments have been made to meet the needs of the present study. The study itself focuses on two key aspects of the LPP concept, low emissions and flame stability (including flashback and lean blowoff.

Edge Diffusion Flame Propagation and Stabilization Studied

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Takahashi, Fumiaki; Katta, Viswanath R.

2004-01-01

In most practical combustion systems or fires, fuel and air are initially unmixed, thus forming diffusion flames. As a result of flame-surface interactions, the diffusion flame often forms an edge, which may attach to burner walls, spread over condensed fuel surfaces, jump to another location through the fuel-air mixture formed, or extinguish by destabilization (blowoff). Flame holding in combustors is necessary to achieve design performance and safe operation of the system. Fires aboard spacecraft behave differently from those on Earth because of the absence of buoyancy in microgravity. This ongoing in-house flame-stability research at the NASA Glenn Research Center is important in spacecraft fire safety and Earth-bound combustion systems.

Interaction of 1.05 μm and 0.53 μm lasers with gold disks

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shenye, Liu; Yaonan, Ding; Zhijian, Zheng; Daoyuan, Tang

1996-05-01

Gold disks were irradiated with 1.05 μm and 0.53 μm lasers at pulse duration of ˜0.8 ns, intensity ranging from 5×1013 W/cm2 to 4×1015 W/cm2 on the SHEN GUANG I laser facility in China. The experimental results of laser absorption, scattering light, x-ray emission and plasma blow-off are presented in this paper. When the laser irradiated the gold disk obliquely, the angular distribution of scattered lights produced by 0.53 μm lasers disagree with that predicted by the Brillouin scattering theory. The angular distribution is different from that reported previously by the others.

Kuiper Prize Lecture - Escape of atmospheres, ancient and modern

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hunten, D. M.

1990-05-01

A development history is presented for theories concerning planetary atmosphere gas-escape phenomena, which although firmly grounded in the kinetics of gases achieved truly productive results only after spacecraft remote sensing data for both the earth atmosphere and the planets became widely available. The most significant initial advances, encompassing diffusion-limited flow, nonthermal escape mechanisms, bound nonthermal coronas, and mass fractionation during early blowoff, followed from sounding rocket studies of the earth upper atmosphere, Mariner 5 results on hydrogen near Venus, and the nitrogen isotopic composition discovered by Viking in Mars. Attention has more recently been given to the xenon isotopic patterns in various atmospheres, as well as to the puzzling behavior of the Io atmosphere and plasma torus.

Preliminary design of the spatial filters used in the multipass amplification system of TIL

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhu, Qihua; Zhang, Xiao Min; Jing, Feng

1998-12-01

The spatial filters are used in Technique Integration Line, which has a multi-pass amplifier, not only to suppress parasitic high spatial frequency modes but also to provide places for inserting a light isolator and injecting the seed beam, and to relay image while the beam passes through the amplifiers several times. To fulfill these functions, the parameters of the spatial filters are optimized by calculations and analyzes with the consideration of avoiding the plasma blow-off effect and components demanding by ghost beam focus. The 'ghost beams' are calculated by ray tracing. A software was developed to evaluate the tolerance of the spatial filters and their components, and to align the whole system on computer simultaneously.

Effects of water-contaminated air on blowoff limits of opposed jet hydrogen-air diffusion flames

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Pellett, Gerald L.; Jentzen, Marilyn E.; Wilson, Lloyd G.; Northam, G. Burton

1988-01-01

The effects of water-contaminated air on the extinction and flame restoration of the central portion of N2-diluted H2 versus air counterflow diffusion flames are investigated using a coaxial tubular opposed jet burner. The results show that the replacement of N2 contaminant in air by water on a mole for mole basis decreases the maximum sustainable H2 mass flow, just prior to extinction, of the flame. This result contrasts strongly with the analogous substitution of water for N2 in a relatively hot premixed H2-O2-N2 flame, which was shown by Koroll and Mulpuru (1986) to lead to a significant, kinetically controlled increase in laminar burning velocity.

Data Analysis of the Gated-LEH X-Ray Imaging Diagnostic at the NIF

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Thibodeau, Matthew; Chen, Hui

2017-10-01

The Gated Laser Entrance Hole (G-LEH) x-ray imaging diagnostic in use at the NIF offers a desirable combination of spatial and temporal resolution. By looking inside of NIF hohlraums with time resolution, G-LEH measures target features including LEH size and capsule size. A framework is presented for automated and systematic analysis of G-LEH images that measures several physical parameters of interest and their evolution over time. The results from these analyses enable comparisons with hohlraum models and allow model validation of LEH closure velocity and the extent of capsule blow-off. This work was performed under the auspices of the U.S. Department of Energy by Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory under Contract DE-AC52-07NA27344.

Reducing wall plasma expansion with gold foam irradiated by laser

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Zhang, Lu; Ding, Yongkun, E-mail: ding-yk@vip.sina.com; Jiang, Shaoen, E-mail: jiangshn@vip.sina.com

The experimental study on the expanding plasma movement of low-density gold foam (∼1% solid density) irradiated by a high power laser is reported in this paper. Experiments were conducted using the SG-III prototype laser. Compared to solid gold with 19.3 g/cc density, the velocities of X-ray emission fronts moving off the wall are much smaller for gold foam with 0.3 g/cc density. Theoretical analysis and MULTI 1D simulation results also show less plasma blow-off, and that the density contour movement velocities of gold foam are smaller than those of solid gold, agreeing with experimental results. These results indicate that foam walls havemore » advantages in symmetry control and lowering plasma fill when used in ignition hohlraum.« less

Spray generators for absorption refrigeration systems

DOEpatents

Sibley, Howard W.

1979-06-19

A spray generator for an absorption refrigeration system that includes a heat exchanger comprised of a multiplicity of variably spaced heat exchange tubes. The tubes are spaced close together near the top of the heat exchanger and spaced more widely apart near the bottom of the heat exchanger. Dilute absorbent solution is sprayed down through the heat exchanger. The close nesting of the tubes in the top portion of the heat exchanger retards liquid flow and aids heating of the solution. The wide spacing of the tubes in the lower section of the heat exchanger facilitate vapor flow out of the heat exchanger and eliminates liquid "blow-off". The top tubes are covered by a baffle to prevent the liquid solution from splashing out of the heat exchanger off of these top tubes.

The physical mechanism of comet outbursts: An experiment

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hartmann, William K.

1993-01-01

During a series of impact experiments into regolith-like powders at the NASA Ames Research Center Vertical Gun Facility in 1976, I observed and filmed a unique anomalous event that may illuminate outburst mechanisms in comets. During one test, a new batch of basalt powder (half the mass in particles less than 800 microns in diameter) retained some air pressure while the vacuum chamber was being evacuated. As a result, the projectile impacted into gas-charged regolith. Instead of ejecting the normal, relatively negligible amount of debris, the disturbance triggered a major eruption that lasted at least 18 seconds. The experimental results have been recently re-analyzed with reference to cometary phenomena. A series of frames from this eruption experiment are shown. The ejecta velocities of 150 to 300 cm/s would have been sufficient to drive debris into the coma of a comet nucleus smaller than a few kilometers diameter. The event suggests a mechanism for comet outbursts, discussed briefly by Hartmann et al.: the pore space in a layer of regolith, possibly with weak effective tensile strength, becomes gas charged as ice slowly sublimates. Once the effective tensile strength is exceeded by the gas pressure, the surface fails locally, triggering an eruption such as photographed here. This model is consistent with the emerging view of regolith materials on comets and is closest to the recent model of Rickman et al. The earlier models generally picture a more uniform flow of debris off the comet, not outbursts. Rickman et al. allow gas pressure to build until it matches the overburden pressure, followed by 'instantaneous blow-off'. They note that as soon as the mantle is found to be unstable, we consider it to be instantaneously swept away by the gas pressure. The main new points made here are that the experiment gives a more realistic view of the blow-off process after surface failure occurs, and the present model gives a recharge mechanism that can explain recurrent outbursts on comets such as P/Schwassmann-Wachmann 1 and 2060 Chiron. In fact, the resulting jets resemble distinct jet structures in high-resolution comet comae.

A model of concurrent flow flame spread over a thin solid fuel

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Ferkul, Paul V.

1993-01-01

A numerical model is developed to examine laminar flame spread and extinction over a thin solid fuel in lowspeed concurrent flows. The model provides a more precise fluid-mechanical description of the flame by incorporating an elliptic treatment of the upstream flame stabilization zone near the fuel burnout point. Parabolic equations are used to treat the downstream flame, which has a higher flow Reynolds number. The parabolic and elliptic regions are coupled smoothly by an appropriate matching of boundary conditions. The solid phase consists of an energy equation with surface radiative loss and a surface pyrolysis relation. Steady spread with constant flame and pyrolysis lengths is found possible for thin fuels and this facilitates the adoption of a moving coordinate system attached to the flame with the flame spread rate being an eigen value. Calculations are performed in purely forced flow in a range of velocities which are lower than those induced in a normal gravity buoyant environment. Both quenching and blowoff extinction are observed. The results show that as flow velocity or oxygen percentage is reduced, the flame spread rate, the pyrolysis length, and the flame length all decrease, as expected. The flame standoff distance from the solid and the reaction zone thickness, however, first increase with decreasing flow velocity, but eventually decrease very near the quenching extinction limit. The short, diffuse flames observed at low flow velocities and oxygen levels are consistent with available experimental data. The maximum flame temperature decreases slowly at first as flow velocity is reduced, then falls more steeply close to the quenching extinction limit. Low velocity quenching occurs as a result of heat loss. At low velocities, surface radiative loss becomes a significant fraction of the total combustion heat release. In addition, the shorter flame length causes an increase in the fraction of conduction downstream compared to conduction to the fuel. These heat losses lead to lower flame temperatures, and ultimately, extinction. This extinction mechanism differs from that of blowoff, where the flame is unable to be stabilized due to the high flow velocity.

Premixing quality and flame stability: A theoretical and experimental study

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Radhakrishnan, K.; Heywood, J. B.; Tabaczynski, R. J.

1979-01-01

Models for predicting flame ignition and blowout in a combustor primary zone are presented. A correlation for the blowoff velocity of premixed turbulent flames is developed using the basic quantities of turbulent flow, and the laminar flame speed. A statistical model employing a Monte Carlo calculation procedure is developed to account for nonuniformities in a combustor primary zone. An overall kinetic rate equation is used to describe the fuel oxidation process. The model is used to predict the lean ignition and blow out limits of premixed turbulent flames; the effects of mixture nonuniformity on the lean ignition limit are explored using an assumed distribution of fuel-air ratios. Data on the effects of variations in inlet temperature, reference velocity and mixture uniformity on the lean ignition and blowout limits of gaseous propane-air flames are presented.

Near Earth asteroid orbit perturbation and fragmentation

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Ahrens, Thomas J.; Harris, Alan W.

1992-01-01

Collisions by near earth asteroids or the nuclei of comets pose varying levels of threat to man. A relatively small object, approximately 100 meter diameter, which might be found on an impact trajectory with a populated region of the Earth, could potentially be diverted from an Earth impacting trajectory by mass driver rocket systems. For larger bodies, such systems would appear to be beyond current technology. For any size object, nuclear explosions appear to be more efficient, using either the prompt blow-off from neutron radiation, the impulse from ejecta of near-surface explosion for deflection, or as a fragmenting charge. Practical deflections of bodies with diameters of 0.1, 1, and 10 km require interception, years to decades prior to earth encounter, with explosions a few kilotons, megatons, or gigatons, respectively, of equivalent TNT energy to achieve orbital velocity changes or destruction to a level where fragments are dispersed to harmless spatial densities.

Ultrafast probing of magnetic field growth inside a laser-driven solenoid

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Goyon, C.; Pollock, B. B.; Turnbull, D. P.; Hazi, A.; Divol, L.; Farmer, W. A.; Haberberger, D.; Javedani, J.; Johnson, A. J.; Kemp, A.; Levy, M. C.; Grant Logan, B.; Mariscal, D. A.; Landen, O. L.; Patankar, S.; Ross, J. S.; Rubenchik, A. M.; Swadling, G. F.; Williams, G. J.; Fujioka, S.; Law, K. F. F.; Moody, J. D.

2017-03-01

We report on the detection of the time-dependent B-field amplitude and topology in a laser-driven solenoid. The B-field inferred from both proton deflectometry and Faraday rotation ramps up linearly in time reaching 210 ± 35 T at the end of a 0.75-ns laser drive with 1 TW at 351 nm. A lumped-element circuit model agrees well with the linear rise and suggests that the blow-off plasma screens the field between the plates leading to an increased plate capacitance that converts the laser-generated hot-electron current into a voltage source that drives current through the solenoid. ALE3D modeling shows that target disassembly and current diffusion may limit the B-field increase for longer laser drive. Scaling of these experimental results to a National Ignition Facility (NIF) hohlraum target size (˜0.2 cm3 ) indicates that it is possible to achieve several tens of Tesla.

Ultrafast probing of magnetic field growth inside a laser-driven solenoid.

PubMed

Goyon, C; Pollock, B B; Turnbull, D P; Hazi, A; Divol, L; Farmer, W A; Haberberger, D; Javedani, J; Johnson, A J; Kemp, A; Levy, M C; Grant Logan, B; Mariscal, D A; Landen, O L; Patankar, S; Ross, J S; Rubenchik, A M; Swadling, G F; Williams, G J; Fujioka, S; Law, K F F; Moody, J D

2017-03-01

We report on the detection of the time-dependent B-field amplitude and topology in a laser-driven solenoid. The B-field inferred from both proton deflectometry and Faraday rotation ramps up linearly in time reaching 210 ± 35 T at the end of a 0.75-ns laser drive with 1 TW at 351 nm. A lumped-element circuit model agrees well with the linear rise and suggests that the blow-off plasma screens the field between the plates leading to an increased plate capacitance that converts the laser-generated hot-electron current into a voltage source that drives current through the solenoid. ALE3D modeling shows that target disassembly and current diffusion may limit the B-field increase for longer laser drive. Scaling of these experimental results to a National Ignition Facility (NIF) hohlraum target size (∼0.2cm^{3}) indicates that it is possible to achieve several tens of Tesla.

Mitigate the tent-induced perturbation in ignition capsules by supersonic radiation propagation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dai, Zhensheng; Gu, Jianfa; Zheng, Wudi

2017-10-01

In the inertial confinement fusion (ICF) scheme, to trap the alpha particle products of the D-T reaction, the capsules needs to be imploded and compressed with high symmetry In the laser indirect drive scheme, the capsules are held at the center of high-Z hohlraums by thin membranes (tents). However, the tents are recognized as one of the most important contributors to hot spot asymmetries, areal density perturbations and reduced performance. To improve the capsule implosion performance, various alternatives such as the micro-scale rods, a larger fill-tube and a low-density foam layer around the capsule have been presented. Our simulations show that the radiation propagates supersonically in the low-density foam layer and starts to ablate the capsule before the perturbations induced by the tents reach the ablating fronts. The tent induced perturbations are remarkably weakened when they are propagating in the blow-off plasma.

Dust emission from comets at large heliocentric distances. I - The case of comet Bowell /1980b/

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Houpis, H. L. F.; Mendis, D. A.

1981-01-01

Alternative processes of dust emission from comets at large heliocentric distances are considered, in order to explain the dust coma observed in comet Bowell (1980b) at a heliocentric distance as large as 7.17 AU. It is shown that the electrostatic blow-off of dust from a charged, H2O-dominated nucleus having a layer of loose, fine dust may be the formation process of the dust coma, with the coma size expected from the process being comparable to the observed value and the dust grain size being equal to or less than 0.4 microns in size. The upper limit for the total mass in the coma is 3.9 x 10 to the 8th g, and the spatial extension less than 10,000 km. The observed activity may alternatively be due to dust entrainment by the sublimating gas from a CO2-dominated nucleus.

Lunar Dust and Dusty Plasma Physics

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Wilson, Thomas L.

2009-01-01

In the plasma and radiation environment of space, small dust grains from the Moon s surface can become charged. This has the consequence that their motion is determined by electromagnetic as well as gravitational forces. The result is a plasma-like condition known as "dusty plasmas" with the consequence that lunar dust can migrate and be transported by magnetic, electric, and gravitational fields into places where heavier, neutral debris cannot. Dust on the Moon can exhibit unusual behavior, being accelerated into orbit by electrostatic surface potentials as blow-off dust, or being swept away by moving magnetic fields like the solar wind as pick-up dust. Hence, lunar dust must necessarily be treated as a dusty plasma subject to the physics of magnetohydrodynamics (MHD). A review of this subject has been given before [1], but a synopsis will be presented here to make it more readily available for lunar scientists.

Comparison of soil pollution concentrations determined using AAS and portable XRF techniques.

PubMed

Radu, Tanja; Diamond, Dermot

2009-11-15

Past mining activities in the area of Silvermines, Ireland, have resulted in heavily polluted soils. The possibility of spreading pollution to the surrounding areas through dust blow-offs poses a potential threat for the local communities. Conventional environmental soil and dust analysis techniques are very slow and laborious and consequently there is a need for fast and accurate analytical methods, which can provide real-time in situ pollution mapping. Laboratory-based aqua regia acid digestion of the soil samples collected in the area followed by the atomic absorption spectrophotometry (AAS) analysis confirmed very high pollution, especially by Pb, As, Cu, and Zn. In parallel, samples were analyzed using portable X-ray fluorescence radioisotope and miniature tube powered (XRF) NITON instruments and their performance was compared. Overall, the portable XRF instrument gave excellent correlation with the laboratory-based reference AAS method.

An experimental study of opposed flow diffusion flame extinction over a thin fuel in microgravity. M.S. Thesis. Final Report

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Ferkul, Paul V.

1989-01-01

The flame spread and flame extinction characteristics of a thin fuel burning in a low-speed forced convective environment in microgravity were examined. The flame spread rate was observed to decrease both with decreasing ambient oxygen concentration as well as decreasing free stream velocity. A new mode of flame extinction was observed, caused by either of two means: keeping the free stream velocity constant and decreasing the oxygen concentration, or keeping the oxygen concentration constant and decreasing the free stream velocity. This extinction is called quenching extinction. By combining this data together with a previous microgravity quiescent flame study and normal-gravity blowoff extinction data, a flammability map was constructed with molar percentage oxygen and characteristic relative velocity as coordinates. The Damkohler number is not sufficient to predict flame spread and extinction in the near quench limit region.

Efficient design and verification of diagnostics for impurity transport experiments.

PubMed

Chilenski, M A; Greenwald, M J; Marzouk, Y M; Rice, J E; White, A E

2018-01-01

Recent attempts to measure impurity transport in Alcator C-Mod using an x-ray imaging crystal spectrometer and laser blow-off impurity injector have failed to yield unique reconstructions of the transport coefficient profiles. This paper presents a fast, linearized model which was constructed to estimate diagnostic requirements for impurity transport experiments. The analysis shows that the spectroscopic diagnostics on Alcator C-Mod should be capable of inferring simple profiles of impurity diffusion D Z and convection V Z accurate to better than ±10% uncertainty, suggesting that the failure to infer unique D Z and V Z from experimental data is attributable to an inadequate analysis procedure rather than the result of insufficient diagnostics. Furthermore, the analysis reveals that even a modest spatial resolution can overcome a low time resolution. This approach can be adapted to design and verify diagnostics for transport experiments on any magnetic confinement device.

Three new extreme ultraviolet spectrometers on NSTX-U for impurity monitoring

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Weller, M. E., E-mail: weller4@llnl.gov; Beiersdorfer, P.; Soukhanovskii, V. A.

2016-11-15

Three extreme ultraviolet (EUV) spectrometers have been mounted on the National Spherical Torus Experiment–Upgrade (NSTX-U). All three are flat-field grazing-incidence spectrometers and are dubbed X-ray and Extreme Ultraviolet Spectrometer (XEUS, 8–70 Å), Long-Wavelength Extreme Ultraviolet Spectrometer (LoWEUS, 190–440 Å), and Metal Monitor and Lithium Spectrometer Assembly (MonaLisa, 50–220 Å). XEUS and LoWEUS were previously implemented on NSTX to monitor impurities from low- to high-Z sources and to study impurity transport while MonaLisa is new and provides the system increased spectral coverage. The spectrometers will also be a critical diagnostic on the planned laser blow-off system for NSTX-U, which will bemore » used for impurity edge and core ion transport studies, edge-transport code development, and benchmarking atomic physics codes.« less

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Brady, P.; Ditmire, T.; Horton, W.

Magnetosphere-solar wind interactions are simulated in a laboratory setting with a small permanent magnet driven by two types of supersonic plasma wind sources. The first higher speed, shorter duration plasma wind is from a laser blow-off plasma while the second longer duration, lower speed plasma wind is produced with a capacitor discharge driven coaxial electrode creating plasma jets. The stand off distance of the solar wind from the magnetosphere was measured to be 1.7{+-}0.3 cm for the laser-produced plasma experiment and 0.87{+-}0.03 cm for the coaxial electrode plasma experiment. The stand off distance of the plasma was calculated using datamore » from HYADES[J. T. Larsen and S. M. Lane, J. Quant. Spectrosc. Radiat. Transf. 51, 179 (1994)] as 1.46{+-}0.02 cm for the laser-produced plasma, and estimated for the coaxial plasma jet as r{sub mp}=0.72{+-}0.07 cm. Plasma build up on the poles of the magnets, consistent with magnetosphere systems, was also observed.« less

Pulsed laser ablation of dental calculus in the near ultraviolet.

PubMed

Schoenly, Joshua E; Seka, Wolf; Rechmann, Peter

2014-02-01

Pulsed lasers emitting wavelengths near 400 nm can selectively ablate dental calculus without damaging underlying and surrounding sound dental hard tissue. Our results indicate that calculus ablation at this wavelength relies on the absorption of porphyrins endogenous to oral bacteria commonly found in calculus. Sub- and supragingival calculus on extracted human teeth, irradiated with 400-nm, 60-ns laser pulses at ≤8  J/cm2, exhibits a photobleached surface layer. Blue-light microscopy indicates this layer highly scatters 400-nm photons, whereas fluorescence spectroscopy indicates that bacterial porphyrins are permanently photobleached. A modified blow-off model for ablation is proposed that is based upon these observations and also reproduces our calculus ablation rates measured from laser profilometry. Tissue scattering and a stratified layering of absorbers within the calculus medium explain the gradual decrease in ablation rate from successive pulses. Depending on the calculus thickness, ablation stalling may occur at <5  J/cm2 but has not been observed above this fluence.

Heat-Flux Measurements from Collective Thomson-Scattering Spectra

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Henchen, R. J.; Hu, S. X.; Katz, J.; Froula, D. H.; Rozmus, W.

2015-11-01

Collective Thomson scattering was used to measure heat flux in coronal plasmas. The relative amplitude of the Thomson-scattered power into the up- and downshifted electron plasma wave features was used to determine the flux of electrons moving along the temperature gradient at three to four times the electron thermal velocity. Simultaneously, the ion-acoustic wave features were measured. Their relative amplitude is used to measure the flux of the return-current electrons. The frequencies of these ion-acoustic and electron plasma wave features provide local measurements of the electron temperature and density. These spectra were obtained at five locations along the temperature gradient in a laser-produced blowoff plasma. These measurements of plasma parameters are used to infer the Spitzer -Härm flux qSH = - κ∇Te and are in good agreement with the values of the heat flux measured from the scattering-feature asymmetries. This material is based upon work supported by the Department of Energy National Nuclear Security Administration under Award Number DE-NA0001944.

Impurity transport in enhanced confinement regimes in RFX-mod Reversed Field Pinch

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Carraro, Lorella; Menmuir, Sheena; Fassina, Alessandro

2010-11-01

The results of impurity transport studies in RFX-mod enhanced confinement quasi-single helicity (QSH) and single helical axis (SHAx) regimes are presented and discussed. The impurity diffusion coefficient and pinch velocity are obtained through comparing experimental emission pattern (line emission and SXR time evolutions, SXR profiles) with the results of a 1-D impurity transport code. Previous analysis [S. Menmuir et al. to be published in Plasma Phys. Contr. Fus.] of impurity transport in RFX-mod standard discharges showed that the impurity pinch velocity, always directed outwards, features a barrier with high values around r/a = 0.8, where the diffusion coefficient decreases by one order of magnitude. In the QSH regime, the transition region in D and v is more internal and the barrier in velocity is wider and stronger. New results have been obtained in experiments with Ni laser blow-off (LBO) injection in high current discharges (Ip>1.5 MA) with long lasting QSH, to better characterize the Ni behavior inside the helical magnetic topology.

Development of electrical test procedures for qualification of spacecraft against EID. Volume 1: The CAN test and other relevant data

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Wilkenfeld, J. M.; Judge, R. J. R.; Harlacher, B. L.

1982-01-01

A combined experimental and analytical program to develop system electrical test procedures for the qualification of spacecraft against damage produced by space-electron-induced discharges (EID) occurring on spacecraft dielectric outer surfaces is described. The data on the response of a simple satellite model, called CAN, to electron-induced discharges is presented. The experimental results were compared to predicted behavior and to the response of the CAN to electrical injection techniques simulating blowoff and arc discharges. Also included is a review of significant results from other ground tests and the P78-2 program to form a data base from which is specified those test procedures which optimally simulate the response of spacecraft to EID. The electrical and electron spraying test data were evaluated to provide a first-cut determination of the best methods for performance of electrical excitation qualification tests from the point of view of simulation fidelity.

Effect of bromine-dopant on radiation-driven Rayleigh-Taylor instability in plastic foil

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Xu, Binbin; Ma, Yanyun; Yang, Xiaohu; Tang, Wenhui; Ge, Zheyi; Zhao, Yuan; Ke, Yanzhao; Kawata, Shiego

2017-10-01

Effects of bromine (Br) dopant on the growth of radiation-driven ablative Rayleigh-Taylor instability (RTI) in plastic foils are studied by radiation hydrodynamics simulations and theoretical analysis. It is found that the Br-dopant in plastic foil reduces the seed of ablative RTI. The main reasons of the reduction are attributed to the smaller oscillation amplitude of ablative Richtmyer-Meshkov instability (RMI) induced by the smaller post-shock sound speed, and the smaller oscillation frequency of ablative RMI induced by the smaller ablation velocity and blow-off plasma velocity. The Br-dopant also decreases the linear growth rate of ablative RTI due to the smaller acceleration. Treating the perturbation growth as a function of foil’s displacement, the perturbation growth would increase in Br-doped foil at the phase of ablative RTI, which is attributed to the decrease of the ablation velocity and the density gradient scale length. The results are helpful for further understanding the influence of high-Z dopant on the radiation-driven ablative RTI.

Mechanisms of microgravity flame spread over a thin solid fuel - Oxygen and opposed flow effects

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Olson, S. L.

1991-01-01

Microgravity tests varying oxygen concentration and forced flow velocity have examined the importance of transport processes on flame spread over very thin solid fuels. Flame spread rates, solid phase temperature profiles and flame appearance for these tests are measured. A flame spread map is presented which indicates three distinct regions where different mechanisms control the flame spread process. In the near-quenching region (very low characteristic relative velocities) a new controlling mechanism for flame spread - oxidizer transport-limited chemical reaction - is proposed. In the near-limit, blowoff region, high opposed flow velocities impose residence time limitations on the flame spread process. A critical characteristic relative velocity line between the two near-limit regions defines conditions which result in maximum flammability both in terms of a peak flame spread rate and minimum oxygen concentration for steady burning. In the third region, away from both near-limit regions, the flame spread behavior, which can accurately be described by a thermal theory, is controlled by gas-phase conduction.

Study on Octahedral Spherical Hohlraum

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lan, Ke; Liu, Jie; Huo, Wenyi; Li, Zhichao; Yang, Dong; Li, Sanwei; Ren, Guoli; Chen, Yaohua; Jiang, Shaoen; He, Xian-Tu; Zhang, Weiyan

2015-11-01

In this talk, we report our recent study on octahedral spherical hohlraum which has six laser entrance holes (LEHs). First, our study shows that the octahedral hohlraums have robust high symmetry during the capsule implosion at hohlraum-to- capsule radius ratio larger than 3.7 and have potential superiority on low backscatter without supplementary technology. Second, we study the laser arrangement and constraints of the octahedral hohlraums and give their laser arrangement design for ignition facility. Third, we propose a novel octahedral hohlraum with LEH shields and cylindrical LEHs, in order to increase the laser coupling efficiency and improve the capsule symmetry and to mitigate the influence of the wall blowoff on laser transport. Fourth, we study the sensitivity of capsule symmetry inside the octahedral hohlraums to laser power balance, pointing accuracy, deviations from the optimal position and target fabrication accuracy, and compare the results with that of tradiational cylinders and rugby hohlraums. Finally, we present our recent experimental studies on the octahedral hohlraums on SGIII prototype laser facility.

Radiating dipole model of interference induced in spacecraft circuitry by surface discharges

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Metz, R. N.

1984-01-01

Spacecraft in geosynchronous orbit can be charged electrically to high voltages by interaction with the space plasma. Differential charging of spacecraft surfaces leads to arc and blowoff discharging. The discharges are thought to upset interior, computer-level circuitry. In addition to capacitive or electrostatic effects, significant inductive and less significant radiative effects of these discharges exist and can be modeled in a dipole approximation. Flight measurements suggest source frequencies of 5 to 50 MHz. Laboratory tests indicate source current strengths of several amperes. Electrical and magnetic fields at distances of many centimeters from such sources can be as large as tens of volts per meter and meter squared, respectively. Estimates of field attenuation by spacecraft walls and structures suggest that interior fields may be appreciable if electromagnetic shielding is much thinner than about 0.025 mm (1 mil). Pickup of such fields by wires and cables interconnecting circuit components could be a source of interference signals of several volts amplitude.

Lightweight Target Generates Bright, Energetic X-Rays

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Hazi, A

Radiography with x rays is a long-established method to see inside objects, from human limbs to weapon parts. Livermore scientists have a continuing need for powerful x rays for such applications as backlighting, or illuminating, inertial confinement fusion (ICF) experiments and imaging still or exploding materials for the nation's Stockpile Stewardship Program. X-radiography is one of the prime diagnostics for ICF experiments because it captures the fine detail needed to determine what happens to nearly microscopic targets when they are compressed by laser light. For example, Livermore scientists participating in the National Ignition Facility's (NIF's) 18-month-long Early Light experimental campaign,more » which ended in 2004, used x rays to examine hydrodynamic instabilities in jets of plasma. In these experiments, one laser beam irradiated a solid target of titanium, causing it to form a high-temperature plasma that generated x rays of about 4.65 kiloelectronvolts (keV). These x rays backlit a jet of plasma formed when two other laser beams hit a plastic ablator and sent a shock to an aluminum washer. Livermore physicist Kevin Fournier of the Physics and Advanced Technologies Directorate leads a team that is working to increase the efficiency of converting laser energy into x rays so the resulting images provide more information about the object being illuminated. The main characteristics of x-ray sources are energy and brightness. ''As experimental targets get larger and as compression of the targets increases, the backlighter sources must be brighter and more energetic'', says Fournier. The more energetic the x rays, the further they penetrate an object. The brighter the source--that is, the more photons it has--the clearer the image. historically, researchers have used solid targets such as thin metal foils to generate x rays. however, when photon energies are greater than a few kiloelectronvolts, the conversion efficiency of solid targets is only a fraction of 1 percent. Solid targets have low efficiencies because much of the laser energy is deposited far from the target's x-ray emitting region, and the energy is carried by the relatively slow process of thermal conduction. ''The laser beam ablates material from the massive target, and that material moves away from the target's surface'', says Fournier. With a nanosecond pulse or longer, the laser interacts with the blow-off plasma rather than the remaining bulk sample. As a result, much of the laser's energy goes into the kinetic energy of the blow-off material, not into heating the bulk of the foil.« less

Characteristics of EMI generated by negative metal-positive dielectric voltage stresses due to spacecraft charging

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Chaky, R. C.; Inouye, G. T.

1985-01-01

Charging of spacecraft surfaces by the environmental plasma can result in differential potentials between metallic structure and adjacent dielectric surfaces in which the relative polarity of the voltage stress is either negative dielectric/positive metal or negative metal/positive dielectric. Negative metal/positive dielectric is a stress condition that may arise if relatively large areas of spacecraft surface metals are shadowed from solar UV and/or if the UV intensity is reduced as in the situation in which the spacecraft is entering into or leaving eclipse. The results of experimental studies of negative metal/positive dielectric systems are given. Information is given on: enhanced electron emission I-V curves; e(3) corona noise vs e(3) steady-state current; the localized nature of e(3) and negative metal arc discharge currents; negative metal arc discharges at stress thresholds below 1 kilovolt; negative metal arc discharge characteristics; dependence of blowoff arc discharge current on spacecraft capacitance to space (linear dimension); and damage to second surface mirrors due to negative metal arcs.

Outgassing History and Escape of the Martian Atmosphere and Water Inventory

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lammer, Helmut; Chassefière, Eric; Karatekin, Özgür; Morschhauser, Achim; Niles, Paul B.; Mousis, Olivier; Odert, Petra; Möstl, Ute V.; Breuer, Doris; Dehant, Véronique; Grott, Matthias; Gröller, Hannes; Hauber, Ernst; Pham, Lê Binh San

2013-01-01

The evolution and escape of the martian atmosphere and the planet's water inventory can be separated into an early and late evolutionary epoch. The first epoch started from the planet's origin and lasted ˜500 Myr. Because of the high EUV flux of the young Sun and Mars' low gravity it was accompanied by hydrodynamic blow-off of hydrogen and strong thermal escape rates of dragged heavier species such as O and C atoms. After the main part of the protoatmosphere was lost, impact-related volatiles and mantle outgassing may have resulted in accumulation of a secondary CO2 atmosphere of a few tens to a few hundred mbar around ˜4-4.3 Gyr ago. The evolution of the atmospheric surface pressure and water inventory of such a secondary atmosphere during the second epoch which lasted from the end of the Noachian until today was most likely determined by a complex interplay of various nonthermal atmospheric escape processes, impacts, carbonate precipitation, and serpentinization during the Hesperian and Amazonian epochs which led to the present day surface pressure.

A new static sampler for airborne total dust in workplaces.

PubMed

Mark, D; Vincent, J H; Gibson, H; Lynch, G

1985-03-01

This paper describes the development and laboratory testing of a new static dust sampler for airborne total dust in workplaces. Particular attention is paid to designing the sampling head and entry consistent with the concept of inspirability which in turn defines a biologically-relevant aspiration efficiency. The sampling head has a small cylindrical body and a transverse entry slot with thin protruding lips forming an integral part of a weighable capsule containing a 37 mm filter which collects all of the sampled dust (without introducing errors due to external particle blow-off or internal wall losses). A battery-powered sampling pump provides both air suction at 3 L/min and rigid mounting for the sampling head. The sampling head is rotated continuously through 360 degrees at approximately 1.5 rpm by a simple electric drive, connected to the stationary pump through a rotating seal. Wind tunnel testing of the instrument showed it to display an entry efficiency very close to the inspirability curve of Vincent and Armbruster (now recommended by the ACGIH Technical Committee on Air Sampling Procedures for defining inspirable particulate matter (IPM] for particles of aerodynamic diameter up to 90 micron and for windspeeds in the range of one to three m/sec.

A new model of physical evolution of Jupiter-family comets

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rickman, H.; Szutowicz, S.; Wójcikowski, K.

2014-07-01

We aim to find the statistical physical lifetimes of Jupiter Family comets. For this purpose, we try to model the processes that govern the dynamical and physical evolution of comets. We pay special attention to physical evolution; attempts at such modelling have been made before, but we propose a more accurate model, which will include more physical effects. The model is tested on a sample of fictitious comets based on real Jupiter Family comets with some orbital elements changed to a state before the capture by Jupiter. We model four different physical effects: erosion by sublimation, dust mantling, rejuvenation (mantle blow-off), and splitting. While for sublimation and splitting there already are some models, like di Sisto et. al. (2009), and we only wish to make them more accurate, dust mantling and rejuvenation have not been included in previous, statistical physical evolution models. Each of these effects depends on one or more tunable parameters, which we establish by choosing the model that best fits the observed comet sample in a way similar to di Sisto et. al. (2009). In contrast to di Sisto et. al., our comparison also involves the observed active fractions vs. nuclear radii.

Classical Heat-Flux Measurements in Coronal Plasmas from Collective Thomson-Scattering Spectra

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Henchen, R. J.; Hu, S. X.; Katz, J.; Froula, D. H.; Rozmus, W.

2016-10-01

Collective Thomson scattering was used to measure heat flux in coronal plasmas. The relative amplitude of the Thomson-scattered power into the up- and downshifted electron plasma wave features was used to determine the flux of electrons moving along the temperature gradient at three to four times the electron thermal velocity. Simultaneously, the ion-acoustic wave features were measured. Their relative amplitude was used to measure the flux of the return-current electrons. The frequencies of these ion-acoustic and electron plasma wave features provide local measurements of the electron temperature and density. These spectra were obtained at five locations along the temperature gradient in a laser-produced blowoff plasma. These measurements of plasma parameters are used to infer the Spitzer-Härm flux (qSH = - κ∇Te ) and are in good agreement with the values of the heat flux measured from the scattering-feature asymmetries. Additional experiments probed plasma waves perpendicular to the temperature gradient. The data show small effects resulting from heat flux compared to probing waves along the temperature gradient. This material is based upon work supported by the Department of Energy National Nuclear Security Administration under Award Number DE-NA0001944.

A LIBS method for simultaneous monitoring of the impurities and the hydrogenic composition present in the wall of the TJ-II stellarator

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

López-Miranda, B., E-mail: belen.lopez@ciemat.es; Zurro, B.; Baciero, A.

The study of plasma-wall interactions and impurity transport in the plasma fusion devices is critical for the development of future fusion reactors. An experiment to perform laser induced breakdown spectroscopy, using minor modifications of our existing laser blow-off impurity injection system, has been set up thus making both experiments compatible. The radiation produced by the laser pulse focused at the TJ-II wall evaporates a surface layer of deposited impurities and the subsequent radiation produced by the laser-produced plasma is collected by two separate lens and fiber combinations into two spectrometers. The first spectrometer, with low spectral resolution, records a spectrummore » from 200 to 900 nm to give a survey of impurities present in the wall. The second one, with high resolution, is tuned to the wavelengths of the Hα and Dα lines in order to resolve them and quantify the hydrogen isotopic ratio present on the surface of the wall. The alignment, calibration, and spectral analysis method will be described in detail. First experimental results obtained with this setup will be shown and its relevance for the TJ-II experimental program discussed.« less

Development of a Laminar Flame Test Facility for Bio-Diesel Characterization

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tan, Giam

2009-11-01

The relevance of applying testing standards established for diesel fuels to evaluate bio-diesel fuels motivates the design and fabrication of a vertical combustion chamber to be able to measure flame speeds of the varying strains of bio-diesel fuels and to attain more detailed kinetics information for biodiesel fuel. Extensive research is ongoing to understand the impact of fundamental combustion properties such as ignition characteristics, laminar flame speed, strain sensitivity and extinction strain rates on emission and stability characteristics of the combustor. It is envisioned that further flame studies will provide key kinetics validation data for biodiesel-like molecules -- the current test rig was developed with provisions for optical access and for future spectroscopic measurements. The current work focuses on laminar flame speeds since this important parameter contains fundamental information regarding reactivity, diffusivity, and exothermicity of the fuel mixture. It has a significant impact upon the propensity of a flame to flashback and blowoff and also serves as a key scaling parameter for other important combustion characteristics, such as the turbulent flame structure, turbulent flame speed and flame's spatial distribution etc. The flame experiments are challenging as the tested bio-fuel must be uniformly atomized and uniformly dispersed.

Buoyant Low Stretch Diffusion Flames Beneath Cylindrical PMMA Samples

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Olson, S. L.; Tien, J. S.

1999-01-01

A unique new way to study low gravity flames in normal gravity has been developed. To study flame structure and extinction characteristics in low stretch environments, a normal gravity low-stretch diffusion flame is generated using a cylindrical PMMA sample of varying large radii. Burning rates, visible flame thickness, visible flame standoff distance, temperature profiles in the solid and gas, and radiative loss from the system were measured. A transition from the blowoff side of the flammability map to the quenching side of the flammability map is observed at approximately 6-7/ sec, as determined by curvefits to the non-monotonic trends in peak temperatures, solid and gas-phase temperature gradients, and non-dimensional standoff distances. A surface energy balance reveals that the fraction of heat transfer from the flame that is lost to in-depth conduction and surface radiation increases with decreasing stretch until quenching extinction is observed. This is primarily due to decreased heat transfer from the flame, while the magnitude of the losses remains the same. A unique local extinction flamelet phenomena and associated pre-extinction oscillations are observed at very low stretch. An ultimate quenching extinction limit is found at low stretch with sufficiently high induced heat losses.

Control of edge localized modes by pedestal deposited impurity in the HL-2A tokamak

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhang, Y. P.; Mazon, D.; Zou, X. L.; Zhong, W. L.; Gao, J. M.; Zhang, K.; Sun, P.; Dong, C. F.; Cui, Z. Y.; Liu, Yi; Shi, Z. B.; Yu, D. L.; Cheng, J.; Jiang, M.; Xu, J. Q.; Isobe, M.; Xiao, G. L.; Chen, W.; Song, S. D.; Bai, X. Y.; Zhang, P. F.; Yuan, G. L.; Ji, X. Q.; Li, Y. G.; Zhou, Y.; Delpech, L.; Ekedahl, A.; Giruzzi, G.; Hoang, T.; Peysson, Y.; Song, X. M.; Song, X. Y.; Li, X.; Ding, X. T.; Dong, J. Q.; Yang, Q. W.; Xu, M.; Duan, X. R.; Liu, Y.; the HL-2A Team

2018-04-01

Effect of the pedestal deposited impurity on the edge-localized mode (ELM) behaviour has been observed and intensively investigated in the HL-2A tokamak. Impurities have been externally seeded by a newly developed laser blow-off (LBO) system. Both mitigation and suppression of ELMs have been realized by LBO-seeded impurity. Measurements have shown that the LBO-seeded impurity particles are mainly deposited in the pedestal region. During the ELM mitigation phase, the pedestal density fluctuation is significantly increased, indicating that the ELM mitigation may be achieved by the enhancement of the pedestal transport. The transition from ELM mitigation to ELM suppression was triggered when the number of the LBO-seeded impurity exceeds a threshold value. During the ELM suppression phase, a harmonic coherent mode (HCM) is excited by the LBO-seeded impurity, and the pedestal density fluctuation is significantly decreased, the electron density is continuously increased, implying that HCM may reduce the pedestal turbulence, suppress ELMs, increase the pedestal pressure, thus extending the Peeling-Ballooning instability limit. It has been found that the occurance of the ELM mitigation and ELM suppression closely depends on the LBO laser spot diameter.

Heat-Flux Measurements in Laser-Produced Plasmas Using Thomson Scattering from Electron Plasma Waves

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Henchen, R. J.; Goncharov, V. N.; Cao, D.; Katz, J.; Froula, D. H.; Rozmus, W.

2017-10-01

An experiment was designed to measure heat flux in coronal plasmas using collective Thomson scattering. Adjustments to the electron distribution function resulting from heat flux affect the shape of the collective Thomson scattering features through wave-particle resonance. The amplitude of the Spitzer-Härm electron distribution function correction term (f1) was varied to match the data and determines the value of the heat flux. Independent measurements of temperature and density obtained from Thomson scattering were used to infer the classical heat flux (q = - κ∇Te) . Time-resolved Thomson-scattering data were obtained at five locations in the corona along the target normal in a blowoff plasma formed from a planar Al target with 1.5 kJ of 351-nm laser light in a 2-ns square pulse. The flux measured through the Thomson-scattering spectra is a factor of 5 less than the κ∇Te measurements. The lack of collisions of heat-carrying electrons suggests a nonlocal model is needed to accurately describe the heat flux. This material is based upon work supported by the Department of Energy National Nuclear Security Administration under Award Number DE-NA0001944.

Self Induced Buoyant Blow Off in Upward Flame Spread on Thin Solid Fuels

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Johnston, Michael C.; T'ien, James S.; Muff, Derek E.; Olson, Sandra L.; Ferkul, Paul V.

2013-01-01

Upward flame spread experiments were conducted on a thin fabric cloth consisting of 75% cotton and 25% fiberglass. The sample is sandwiched symmetrically with stainless steel plates with the exposed width varying between 2 to 8.8 cm from test to test and >1.5m tall. The bottom edge was ignited resulting in a symmetric two sided flame. For the narrower samples (. 5cm), two sided flame growth would proceed until reaching some limiting value (15-30 cm depending on sample width). Fluctuation or instability of the flame base on one side would initially become visible and then the flame base would retreat downstream and cause extinguishment on one side. Detailed examination of the still images shows that the fuel continues to vaporize from the extinguished side due to the thermally thin nature of the fuel. But, due to the remaining inert fiberglass mesh, which acts as a flashback arrestor, the extinguished side was not able to be reignited by the remaining flame. The remaining flame would then shrink in length due to the reduced heat transfer to the solid to a shorter length. The one-sided flame will spread stably with a constant speed and a constant flame length to the end of the sample. A constant length flame implies that the pyrolysis front and the burnt out fronts move at the same speed. For the wider samples (. 7cm), no one-sided extinction is observed. Two-sided flames spread all the way to the top of the sample. For these wider widths, the flames are still growing and have not reached their limiting length if it exists. Care was taken to minimize the amount of non-symmetries in the experimental configuration. Repeated tests show that blow-off can occur on either side of the sample. The flame growth is observed to be very symmetric during the growth phase and grew to significant length (>10cm) before extinction of the flame on one side. Our proposed explanation of this unusual phenomenon (i.e. stronger two ]sided flame cannot exist but weaker one-sided flame can) is as follows: The observed one-sided extinction is a blow- off induced by buoyant entrainment. It is known that the flammable diffusion flame regime is bounded by quenching and blow ]off limits when varying incoming air velocity. The narrowest samples tested (between 2 and 5 cm) begin within the flammable range, but as the flame grows, the buoyancy driven air velocity increases at the neighborhood of the flame base. The initially stable flame crosses the extinguishment boundary resulting in a flame blow-off. When one-side of the flame extinguishes, the remaining side shrinks due to the reduced heat transfer to the solid. This reduces the induced velocity and the flame becomes stable. It is proposed that this may have implications to upward flame growth beyond this experiment.

A Method for Assessing Material Flammability for Micro-Gravity Environments

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Steinhaus, T.; Olenick, S. M.; Sifuentes, A.; Long, R. T.; Torero, J. L.

1999-01-01

On a spacecraft, one of the greatest fears during a mission is the outbreak of a fire. Since spacecraft are enclosed spaces and depend highly on technical electronics, a small fire could cause a large amount of damage. NASA uses upward flame spread as a "worst case scenario" evaluation for materials and the Heat and Visible Smoke Release Rates Test to assess the damage potential of a fire. Details of these tests and the protocols followed are provided by the "Flammability, Odor, Offgassing, and Compatibility Requirements and Test Procedures for Materials in Environments that Support Combustion" document. As pointed by Ohlemiller and Villa, the upward flame spread test does not address the effect of external radiation on ignition and spread. External radiation, as that coming from an overheated electrical component, is a plausible fire scenario in a space facility and could result in a reversal of the flammability rankings derived from the upward flame spread test. The "Upward Flame Propagation Test" has been the subject of strong criticism in the last few years. In many cases, theoretical exercises and experimental results have demonstrated the possibility of a reversal in the material flammability rankings from normal to micro-gravity. Furthermore, the need to incorporate information on the effects of external radiation and opposed flame spread when ranking materials based on their potential to burn in micro-gravity has been emphasized. Experiments conducted in a 2.2 second drop tower with an ethane burner in an air cross flow have emphasized that burning at the trailing edge is deterred in micro-gravity due to the decreased oxygen transport. For very low air flow velocities (U<0.005 m/s) the flame envelopes the burner and a slight increase in velocity results in extinction of the trailing edge (U>0.01 m/s). Only for U>0.l m/s extinction is observed at the leading edge (blow-off). Three dimensional numerical calculations performed for thin cellulose centrally ignited with an axisymmetric source have shown that under the presence of a forced flow slower than 0.035 m/s flames spreads only opposing the flow. Extinction is observed at the trailing edge with no concurrent propagation. Experiments conducted by the same authors at the JAMIC 10 second drop tower verified these calculations. Reducing the oxygen supply to the flame also results in a decrease of the Damk6hler number which might lead to extinction. Greyson et al. and Ferkul conducted experiments in micro-gravity (5 second drop tower) with thin paper and observed that at very low flow velocities concurrent flame spread will stop propagating and the flame will reduce in size and extinguish. They noted that quenching differs significantly from blow-off in that the upstream leading edge will remain anchored to the burn out edge.

Damage areas on selected LDEF aluminum surfaces

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Coombs, Cassandra R.; Atkinson, Dale R.; Allbrooks, Martha K.; Watts, Alan J.; Hennessy, Corey J.; Wagner, John D.

1993-01-01

With the U.S. about to embark on a new space age, the effects of the space environment on a spacecraft during its mission lifetime become more relevant. Included among these potential effects are degradation and erosion due to micrometeoroid and debris impacts, atomic oxygen and ultraviolet light exposure as well as material alteration from thermal cycling, and electron and proton exposure. This paper focuses on the effects caused by micrometeoroid and debris impacts on several LDEF aluminum plates from four different bay locations: C-12, C-10, C-01, and E-09. Each plate was coated with either a white, black, or gray thermal paint. Since the plates were located at different orientations on the satellite, their responses to the hypervelocity impacts varied. Crater morphologies range from a series of craters, spall zones, domes, spaces, and rings to simple craters with little or no spall zones. In addition, each of these crater morphologies is associated with varying damage areas, which appear to be related to their respective bay locations and thus exposure angles. More than 5% of the exposed surface area examined was damaged by impact cratering and its coincident effects (i.e., spallation, delamination and blow-off). Thus, results from this analysis may be significant for mission and spacecraft planners and designers.

Numerical Simulation of Combustion and Extinction of a Solid Cylinder in Low-Speed Cross Flow

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Tien, J. S.; Yang, Chin Tien

1998-01-01

The combustion and extinction behavior of a diffusion flame around a solid fuel cylinder (PMMA) in low-speed forced flow in zero gravity was studied numerically using a quasi-steady gas phase model. This model includes two-dimensional continuity, full Navier Stokes' momentum, energy, and species equations with a one-step overall chemical reaction and second-order finite-rate Arrhenius kinetics. Surface radiation and Arrhenius pyrolysis kinetics are included on the solid fuel surface description and a parameter Phi, representing the percentage of gas-phase conductive heat flux going into the solid, is introduced into the interfacial energy balance boundary condition to complete the description for the quasi-steady gas-phase system. The model was solved numerically using a body-fitted coordinate transformation and the SIMPLE algorithm. The effects of varying freestream velocity and Phi were studied. These parameters have a significant effect on the flame structure and extinction limits. Two flame modes were identified: envelope flame and wake flame. Two kinds of flammability limits were found: quenching at low-flow speeds due to radiative loss and blow-off at high flow speeds due to insufficient gas residence time. A flammability map was constructed showing the existence of maximum Phi above which the solid is not flammable at any freestream velocity.

Modeling of Dynamic Behavior of Carbon Fiber-Reinforced Polymer (CFRP) Composite under X-ray Radiation.

PubMed

Zhang, Kun; Tang, Wenhui; Fu, Kunkun

2018-01-16

Carbon fiber-reinforced polymer (CFRP) composites have been increasingly used in spacecraft applications. Spacecraft may encounter highenergy-density X-ray radiation in outer space that can cause severe damage. To protect spacecraft from such unexpected damage, it is essential to predict the dynamic behavior of CFRP composites under X-ray radiation. In this study, we developed an in-house three-dimensional explicit finite element (FEM) code to investigate the dynamic responses of CFRP composite under X-ray radiation for the first time, by incorporating a modified PUFF equation-of-state. First, the blow-off impulse (BOI) momentum of an aluminum panel was predicted by our FEM code and compared with an existing radiation experiment. Then, the FEM code was utilized to determine the dynamic behavior of a CFRP composite under various radiation conditions. It was found that the numerical result was comparable with the experimental one. Furthermore, the CFRP composite was more effective than the aluminum panel in reducing radiation-induced pressure and BOI momentum. The numerical results also revealed that a 1 keV X-ray led to vaporization of surface materials and a high-magnitude compressive stress wave, whereas a low-magnitude stress wave was generated with no surface vaporization when a 3 keV X-ray was applied.

Laser cutting of bone tissue under bulk water with a pulsed ps-laser at 532 nm.

PubMed

Tulea, Cristian-Alexander; Caron, Jan; Gehlich, Nils; Lenenbach, Achim; Noll, Reinhard; Loosen, Peter

2015-10-01

Hard-tissue ablation was already investigated for a broad variety of pulsed laser systems, which cover almost the entire range of available wavelengths and pulse parameters. Most effective in hard-tissue ablation are Er:YAG and CO2 lasers, both utilizing the effect of absorption of infrared wavelengths by water and so-called explosive vaporization, when a thin water film or water–air spray is supplied. The typical flow rates and the water layer thicknesses are too low for surgical applications where bleeding occurs and wound flushing is necessary. We studied a 20 W ps-laser with 532 nm wavelength and a pulse energy of 1 mJ to effectively ablate bones that are submerged 14 mm under water. For these laser parameters, the plasma-mediated ablation mechanism is dominant. Simulations based on the blow-off model predict the cut depth and cross-sectional shape of the incision. The model is modified considering the cross section of the Gaussian beam, the incident angle, and reflections. The ablation rate amounts to 0.2  mm3/s, corresponding to an increase by at least 50% of the highest values published so far for ultrashort laser ablation of hard tissue.

Predictive analysis of optical ablation in several dermatological tumoral tissues

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fanjul-Vélez, F.; Blanco-Gutiérrez, A.; Salas-García, I.; Ortega-Quijano, N.; Arce-Diego, J. L.

2013-06-01

Optical techniques for treatment and characterization of biological tissues are revolutionizing several branches of medical praxis, for example in ophthalmology or dermatology. The non-invasive, non-contact and non-ionizing character of optical radiation makes it specially suitable for these applications. Optical radiation can be employed in medical ablation applications, either for tissue resection or surgery. Optical ablation may provide a controlled and clean cut on a biological tissue. This is particularly relevant in tumoral tissue resection, where a small amount of cancerous cells could make the tumor appear again. A very important aspect of tissue optical ablation is then the estimation of the affected volume. In this work we propose a complete predictive model of tissue ablation that provides an estimation of the resected volume. The model is based on a Monte Carlo approach for the optical propagation of radiation inside the tissue, and a blow-off model for tissue ablation. This model is applied to several types of dermatological tumoral tissues, specifically squamous cells, basocellular and infiltrative carcinomas. The parameters of the optical source are varied and the estimated resected volume is calculated. The results for the different tumor types are presented and compared. This model can be used for surgical planning, in order to assure the complete resection of the tumoral tissue.

Large Eddy Simulations of the Vortex-Flame Interaction in a Turbulent Swirl Burner

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lu, Zhen; Elbaz, Ayman M.; Hernandez Perez, Francisco E.; Roberts, William L.; Im, Hong G.

2017-11-01

A series of swirl-stabilized partially premixed flames are simulated using large eddy simulation (LES) along with the flamelet/progress variable (FPV) model for combustion. The target burner has separate and concentric methane and air streams, with methane in the center and the air flow swirled through the tangential inlets. The flame is lifted in a straight quarl, leading to a partially premixed state. By fixing the swirl number and air flow rate, the fuel jet velocity is reduced to study flame stability as the flame approaches the lean blow-off limit. Simulation results are compared against measured data, yielding a generally good agreement on the velocity, temperature, and species mass fraction distributions. The proper orthogonal decomposition (POD) method is applied on the velocity and progress variable fields to analyze the dominant unsteady flow structure, indicating a coupling between the precessing vortex core (PVC) and the flame. The effects of vortex-flame interactions on the stabilization of the lifted swirling flame are also investigated. For the stabilization of the lifted swirling flame, the effects of convection, enhanced mixing, and flame stretching introduced by the PVC are assessed based on the numerical results. This research work was sponsored by King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) and used computational resources at KAUST Supercomputing Laboratory.

Modeling of Dynamic Behavior of Carbon Fiber-Reinforced Polymer (CFRP) Composite under X-ray Radiation

PubMed Central

Zhang, Kun; Tang, Wenhui; Fu, Kunkun

2018-01-01

Carbon fiber-reinforced polymer (CFRP) composites have been increasingly used in spacecraft applications. Spacecraft may encounter highenergy-density X-ray radiation in outer space that can cause severe damage. To protect spacecraft from such unexpected damage, it is essential to predict the dynamic behavior of CFRP composites under X-ray radiation. In this study, we developed an in-house three-dimensional explicit finite element (FEM) code to investigate the dynamic responses of CFRP composite under X-ray radiation for the first time, by incorporating a modified PUFF equation-of-state. First, the blow-off impulse (BOI) momentum of an aluminum panel was predicted by our FEM code and compared with an existing radiation experiment. Then, the FEM code was utilized to determine the dynamic behavior of a CFRP composite under various radiation conditions. It was found that the numerical result was comparable with the experimental one. Furthermore, the CFRP composite was more effective than the aluminum panel in reducing radiation-induced pressure and BOI momentum. The numerical results also revealed that a 1 keV X-ray led to vaporization of surface materials and a high-magnitude compressive stress wave, whereas a low-magnitude stress wave was generated with no surface vaporization when a 3 keV X-ray was applied. PMID:29337891

Development of a Self-Sluicing Pressure Leaf Filter

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cousineau, Bernard L.; Lumsden, J. R.

The cylindrical Kelly filter presses installed in the Ewarton Works "C" phase did not perform satisfactorily because of difficulties with head seals, locking rings, and shell retraction mechanisms. As rectification required major modifications, a concept of a press which did not require to be opened for sluicing was proposed. Test work of various sluicing and res lurrying spray arrangements was carried out, and this led to the design of a self-sluicing press which used the shell of an existing Kelly press with its main axis vertical. One press was converted by July 1972, and a development period started. Although initial operation was encouraging, effective sluicing could not be guaranteed after 30 shifts. Modifications to leaf spacing, spray rotational speed, spray slot width, feed pressure and pre-coat control by November 1973, however, allowed effective performance for all of the 800 hour canvas life. Advantages are: reduced operating and maintenance manpower, clean environment, and reduced maintenance cost. The use of 1st wash overflow for sluicing has reduced caustic soda and canvas consumption. Ewarton Works now has four converted self-sluicing presses, and arc converting five more, and Arvida Works plan the installation of one for tests on red pressing (blow-off filtration). A side benefit of the development was the study of the benefits of constant pressure overflow filtration.

Asteroid diversion considerations and comparisons of diversion techniques

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Owen, J. Michael; Miller, Paul; Rovny, Jared

The threat of asteroid impacts on Earth poses a low-probability but high consequence risk, with possible outcomes ranging from regional to global catastrophe. However, unique amongst such global threats we have the capability of averting such disasters. Diversion approaches by either kinetic impactor or nuclear energy deposition are the two most practical technologies for mitigating hazardous near Earth asteroids. One of the greatest challenges in understanding our options is the uncertain response of asteroids to such impulsive techniques, due both to our lack of knowledge of the composition and structure of these objects as well as their highly varied nature.more » Predicting whether we will simply divert or break up a given object is a crucial: the weak self-gravity and inferred weak structure of typical asteroids present the strong possibility the body will fragment for modest impulses. Predictive modeling of failure and fragmentation is one important tool for such studies. In this paper we apply advances in modeling failure and fracture using Adaptive Smoothed Particle Hydrodynamics (ASPH) to understand mega-cratering on asteroids as a validation exercise, and show examples of diverting the near Earth asteroid Bennu using both a kinetic impactor and ablative blow-off due to nuclear energy deposition.« less

Asteroid diversion considerations and comparisons of diversion techniques

DOE PAGES

Owen, J. Michael; Miller, Paul; Rovny, Jared; ...

2015-05-19

The threat of asteroid impacts on Earth poses a low-probability but high consequence risk, with possible outcomes ranging from regional to global catastrophe. However, unique amongst such global threats we have the capability of averting such disasters. Diversion approaches by either kinetic impactor or nuclear energy deposition are the two most practical technologies for mitigating hazardous near Earth asteroids. One of the greatest challenges in understanding our options is the uncertain response of asteroids to such impulsive techniques, due both to our lack of knowledge of the composition and structure of these objects as well as their highly varied nature.more » Predicting whether we will simply divert or break up a given object is a crucial: the weak self-gravity and inferred weak structure of typical asteroids present the strong possibility the body will fragment for modest impulses. Predictive modeling of failure and fragmentation is one important tool for such studies. In this paper we apply advances in modeling failure and fracture using Adaptive Smoothed Particle Hydrodynamics (ASPH) to understand mega-cratering on asteroids as a validation exercise, and show examples of diverting the near Earth asteroid Bennu using both a kinetic impactor and ablative blow-off due to nuclear energy deposition.« less

Sampling errors in blunt dust samplers arising from external wall loss effects

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Vincent, J. H.; Gibson, H.

Evidence is given that, with some forms of blunt dust sampler under conditions relating to those encountered in practical occupational hygiene and environmental monitoring, particles which impact onto the outer surface of the sampler body may not adhere permanently, and may eventually enter the sampling orifice. The effect of such external wall loss is to bring about excess sampling, where errors as high as 100% could arise. The problem is particularly important in the sampling of dry airborne particulates of the type commonly found in practical situations. For a given sampler configuration, the effect becomes more marked as the particle size increases or as the ratio of sampling velocity to ambient wind speed increases. We would expect it be greater for gritty, crystalline material than for smoother, amorphous material. Possible mechanisms controlling external wall losses were examined, and it was concluded that particle 'blow-off' (as opposed to particle 'bounce') is the most plausible. On the basis of simple experiments, it might be possible to make corrections for the sampling errors in question, but caution is recommended in doing so because of the unpredictable effects of environmental factors such as temperature and relative humidity. Of the possible practical solutions to the problem, it is felt that the best approach lies in the correct choice of sampler inlet design.

Theory for planetary exospheres: III. Radiation pressure effect on the Circular Restricted Three Body Problem and its implication on planetary atmospheres

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Beth, A.; Garnier, P.; Toublanc, D.; Dandouras, I.; Mazelle, C.

2016-12-01

The planetary exospheres are poorly known in their outer parts, since the neutral densities are low compared with the instruments detection capabilities. The exospheric models are thus often the main source of information at such high altitudes. We present a new way to take into account analytically the additional effect of the stellar radiation pressure on planetary exospheres. In a series of papers, we present with a Hamiltonian approach the effect of the radiation pressure on dynamical trajectories, density profiles and escaping thermal flux. Our work is a generalization of the study by Bishop and Chamberlain [1989] Icarus, 81, 145-163. In this third paper, we investigate the effect of the stellar radiation pressure on the Circular Restricted Three Body Problem (CR3BP), called also the photogravitational CR3BP, and its implication on the escape and the stability of planetary exospheres, especially for hot Jupiters. In particular, we describe the transformation of the equipotentials and the location of the Lagrange points, and we provide a modified equation for the Hill sphere radius that includes the influence of the radiation pressure. Finally, an application to the hot Jupiter HD 209458b and hot Neptune GJ 436b reveals the existence of a blow-off escape regime induced by the stellar radiation pressure.

Development of Automatic Control of Bayer Plant Digestion

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Riffaud, J. P.

Supervisory computer control has been achieved in Alcan's Bayer Plants at Arvida, Quebec, Canada. The purpose of the automatic control system is to stabilize and consequently increase, the alumina/caustic ratio within the digester train and in the blow-off liquor. Measurements of the electrical conductivity of the liquor are obtained from electrodeless conductivity meters. These signals, along with several others are scanned by the computer and converted to engineering units, using specific relationships which are updated periodically for calibration purposes. On regular time intervals, values of ratio are compared to target values and adjustments are made to the bauxite flow entering the digesters. Dead time compensation included in the control algorithm enables a faster rate for corrections. Modification of production rate is achieved through careful timing of various flow changes. Calibration of the conductivity meters is achieved by sampling at intervals the liquor flowing through them, and analysing it with a thermometric titrator. Calibration of the thermometric titrator is done at intervals with a standard solution. Calculations for both calibrations are performed by computer from data entered by the analyst. The computer was used for on-line data collection, modelling of the digester system, calculation of disturbances and simulation of control strategies before implementing the most successful strategy in the Plant. Control of ratio has been improved by the integrated system, resulting in increased Plant productivity.

Validation of TGLF in C-Mod and DIII-D using machine learning and integrated modeling tools

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rodriguez-Fernandez, P.; White, Ae; Cao, Nm; Creely, Aj; Greenwald, Mj; Grierson, Ba; Howard, Nt; Meneghini, O.; Petty, Cc; Rice, Je; Sciortino, F.; Yuan, X.

2017-10-01

Predictive models for steady-state and perturbative transport are necessary to support burning plasma operations. A combination of machine learning algorithms and integrated modeling tools is used to validate TGLF in C-Mod and DIII-D. First, a new code suite, VITALS, is used to compare SAT1 and SAT0 models in C-Mod. VITALS exploits machine learning and optimization algorithms for the validation of transport codes. Unlike SAT0, the SAT1 saturation rule contains a model to capture cross-scale turbulence coupling. Results show that SAT1 agrees better with experiments, further confirming that multi-scale effects are needed to model heat transport in C-Mod L-modes. VITALS will next be used to analyze past data from DIII-D: L-mode ``Shortfall'' plasma and ECH swing experiments. A second code suite, PRIMA, allows for integrated modeling of the plasma response to Laser Blow-Off cold pulses. Preliminary results show that SAT1 qualitatively reproduces the propagation of cold pulses after LBO injections and SAT0 does not, indicating that cross-scale coupling effects play a role in the plasma response. PRIMA will be used to ``predict-first'' cold pulse experiments using the new LBO system at DIII-D, and analyze existing ECH heat pulse data. Work supported by DE-FC02-99ER54512, DE-FC02-04ER54698.

Monochromatic x-ray radiography of laser-driven spherical targets using high-energy, picoseconds LFEX laser

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sawada, Hiroshi; Fujioka, S.; Lee, S.; Arikawa, Y.; Shigemori, K.; Nagatomo, H.; Nishimura, H.; Sunahara, A.; Theobald, W.; Perez, F.; Patel, P. K.; Beg, F. N.

2015-11-01

Formation of a high density fusion fuel is essential in both conventional and advanced Inertial Confinement Fusion (ICF) schemes for the self-sustaining fusion process. In cone-guided Fast Ignition (FI), a metal cone is attached to a spherical target to maintain the path for the injection of an intense short-pulse ignition laser from blow-off plasma created when nanoseconds compression lasers drive the target. We have measured a temporal evolution of a compressed deuterated carbon (CD) sphere using 4.5 keV K-alpha radiography with the Kilo-Joule, picosecond LFEX laser at the Institute of Laser Engineering. A 200 μm CD sphere attached to the tip of a Au cone was directly driven by 9 Gekko XII beams with 300 J/beam in a 1.3 ns Gaussian pulse. The LFEX laser irradiated on a Ti foil to generate 4.51 Ti K-alpha x-ray. By varying the delay between the compression and backlighter lasers, the measured radiograph images show an increase of the areal density of the imploded target. The detail of the quantitative analyses to infer the areal density and comparisons to hydrodynamics simulations will be presented. This work was performed with the support and under the auspices of the NIFS Collaboration Research program (NIFS13KUGK072). H.S. was supported by the UNR's International Activities Grant program.

Measurements of Hard X-Ray Emission Suggest Absorption Along the Path of the Inner Beams in High Foot Implosion Experiments on the NIF

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ralph, Joseph; Pak, Arthur; Otto, Landen; Kritcher, Andrea; Ma, Tammy; Charles, Jarrott; Callahan, Debra; Hinkel, Denise; Berzak Hopkins, Laura; Moody, John; Khan, Shahab; Doeppner, Tilo; Rygg, Ryan; Hurricane, Omar

2016-10-01

The current high foot hohlraum design fielded on the National Ignition Facility is aimed at providing uniform x-ray drive to provide a spherical implosion by lowering the gas fill from 1.6 to 0.6 mg/cc and increasing the hohlraum width from 5.75 to 6.72 mm while maintaining the same 1.8 mm capsule diameter from previous designs. These changes are intended to improve beam propagation without the need for crossed beam energy transfer. Analysis of the measurements of hard x-ray emission from the gated x-ray detector (GXD) and the static x-ray imager (SXI) looking through the laser entrance hole indicate a significant fraction of the inner beam incident energy is absorbed in the high z blow-off region (either uranium or gold) before reaching the inner wall near the equator. Comparison of inner beam absorption in this region and its effect on the implosion symmetry measurements will be presented. Additionally, the sensitivity of this absorption feature and therefore the implosion symmetry to the pulse shape, hohlraum fill pressure and fraction of energy in beams depositing energy at the hohlraum equator will be discussed. This work was performed under the auspices of the U.S. Department of Energy by Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory under Contract DE-AC52-07NA27344.

Ceiling Fires Studied to Simulate Low-Gravity Fires

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Olson, Sandra L.

2001-01-01

A unique new way to study low-gravity flames in normal gravity has been developed. To study flame structure and extinction characteristics in low-stretch environments, a normal gravity low-stretch diffusion flame was generated using a cylindrical PMMA sample of varying large radii, as shown in the photograph. These experiments have demonstrated that low-gravity flame characteristics can be generated in normal gravity through the proper use of scaling. On the basis of this work, it is feasible to apply this concept toward the development of an Earth-bound method of evaluating material flammability in various gravitational environments from normal gravity to microgravity, including the effects of partial gravity low-stretch rates such as those found on the Moon (1/6g) or Mars (1/3g). During these experiments, the surface regression rates for PMMA were measured for the first time over the full range of flammability in air, from blowoff at high stretch, to quenching at low stretch, as plotted in the graph. The solid line drawn through the central portion of the data (3

The Effect of Microgravity on Flame Spread over a Thin Fuel

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Olson, Sandra L.

1987-01-01

A flame spreading over a thermally thin cellulose fuel was studied in a quiescent microgravity environment. Flame spread over two different fuel thicknesses was studied in ambient oxygen-nitrogen environments from the limiting oxygen concentration to 100 percent oxygen at 1 atm pressure. Comparative normal-gravity tests were also conducted. Gravity was found to play an important role in the mechanism of flame spread. In lower oxygen environments, the buoyant flow induced in normal gravity was found to accelerate the flame spread rate as compared to the microgravity flame spread rates. It was also found to stabilize the flame in oxidizer environments, where microgravity flames in a quiescent environment extinguish. In oxygen-rich environments, however, it was determined that gravity does not play an important role in the flame spread mechanism. Fuel thickness influences the flame spread rate in both normal gravity and microgravity. The flame spread rate varies inversely with fuel thickness in both normal gravity and in an oxygen-rich microgravity environment. In lower oxygen microgravity environments, however, the inverse relationship breaks down because finite-rate kinetics and heat losses become important. Two different extinction limits were found in microgravity for the two thicknesses of fuel. This is in contrast to the normal-gravity extinction limit, which was found to be independent of fuel thickness. In microgravity the flame is quenched because of excessive thermal losses, whereas in normal gravity the flame is extinguished by blowoff.

Surface motion of a fluid planet induced by impacts

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ni, Sidao; Ahrens, Thomas J.

2006-10-01

In order to approximate the free-surface motion of an Earth-sized planet subjected to a giant impact, we have described the excitation of body and surface waves in a spherical compressible fluid planet without gravity or intrinsic material attenuation for a buried explosion source. Using the mode summation method, we obtained an analytical solution for the surface motion of the fluid planet in terms of an infinite series involving the products of spherical Bessel functions and Legendre polynomials. We established a closed form expression for the mode summation excitation coefficient for a spherical buried explosion source, and then calculated the surface motion for different spherical explosion source radii a (for cases of a/R = 0.001 to 0.035, R is the radius of the Earth) We also studied the effect of placing the explosion source at different radii r0 (for cases of r0/R = 0.90 to 0.96) from the centre of the planet. The amplitude of the quasi-surface waves depends substantially on a/R, and slightly on r0/R. For example, in our base-line case, a/R = 0.03, r0/R = 0.96, the free-surface velocity above the source is 0.26c, whereas antipodal to the source, the peak free surface velocity is 0.19c. Here c is the acoustic velocity of the fluid planet. These results can then be applied to studies of atmosphere erosion via blow-off caused by asteroid impacts.

Investigation of extinction and re-ignition in piloted turbulent non-premixed methane-air flames using LES and high-speed OH-LIF

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Prasad, Vinayaka N.; Juddoo, Mrinal; Masri, Assaad R.; Jones, William P.; Luo, Kai H.

2013-06-01

Extinction and re-ignition processes observed experimentally in thin reaction zones of piloted turbulent non-premixed methane flames approaching blow-off are analysed using Large Eddy Simulation (LES) along with the Eulerian stochastic field method representing the unresolved sub-grid turbulence-chemistry interactions. Eight stochastic fields in conjunction with a reduced chemical mechanism involving 19 species are employed to perform simulations of the Sydney flames L, B and M, which exhibit increasing levels of extinction. The agreement of the flame statistics of the velocities, mixture fraction and selected reactive species were found to be encouraging and highlight the ability of the method to capture quantitatively the effects of increasing jet velocity in this series. In a subsequent analysis of the flame structure using the LES simulation data, the strong three-dimensionality of the flame was emphasised. Quantitative comparisons with recent measurements using high-speed Planar Laser-Induced Fluorescence of OH (OH-PLIF) were found to be in reasonably good agreement with LES simulations and confirm the previous observations that the rates of flame breakages are greater than those of flame closures. This study, which also represents the first successful numerical attempt to describe the entire flame series, highlights the potential and complementary capabilities of a hybrid LES and high-speed imaging approach to resolve issues such as the role of out-of-plane motion in the investigation of transient processes such as flame breakages and re-ignition.

High precision laser sclerostomy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Góra, W. S.; Urich, A.; McIntosh, L.; Carter, R. M.; Wilson, C. G.; Dhillon, B.; Hand, D. P.; Shephard, J. D.

2015-03-01

Ultrafast lasers offer a possibility of removing soft ophthalmic tissue without introducing collateral damage at the ablation site or in the surrounding tissue. The potential for using ultrashort pico- and femtosecond pulse lasers for modification of ophthalmic tissue has been reported elsewhere and has resulted in the introduction of new, minimally invasive procedures into clinical practice. Our research aims to define the most efficient parameters to allow for the modification of scleral tissue without introducing collateral damage. Our experiments were carried out on hydrated porcine sclera in vitro. Porcine sclera, which has similar collagen organization, histology and water content (~70%) to human tissue was used. Supporting this work we present a 2D finite element blow-off model which employs a one-step heating process. It is assumed that the incident laser radiation that is not reflected is absorbed in the tissue according to the Beer-Lambert law and transformed into heat energy. The experimental setup uses an industrial picosecond laser (TRUMPF TruMicro 5x50) with 5.9 ps pulses at 1030 nm, with pulse energies up to 125 μJ and a focused spot diameter of 35 μm. Use of a beam steering scan head allows flexibility in designing complicated scanning patterns. In this study we have demonstrated that picosecond pulses are capable of removing scleral tissue without introducing any major thermal damage which offers a possible route for minimally invasive sclerostomy. In assessing this we have tested several different scanning patterns including single line ablation, square and circular cavity removal.

A Fragment-Cloud Model for Breakup of Asteroids with Varied Internal Structures

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Wheeler, Lorien; Mathias, Donovan; Stokan, Ed; Brown, Peter

2016-01-01

As an asteroid descends toward Earth, it deposits energy in the atmosphere through aerodynamic drag and ablation. Asteroid impact risk assessments rely on energy deposition estimates to predict blast overpressures and ground damage that may result from an airburst, such as the one that occurred over Chelyabinsk, Russia in 2013. The rates and altitudes at which energy is deposited along the entry trajectory depend upon how the bolide fragments, which in turn depends upon its internal structure and composition. In this work, we have developed an analytic asteroid fragmentation model to assess the atmospheric energy deposition of asteroids with a range of structures and compositions. The modeling approach combines successive fragmentation of larger independent pieces with aggregate debris clouds released with each fragmentation event. The model can vary the number and masses of fragments produced, the amount of mass released as debris clouds, the size-strength scaling used to increase the robustness of smaller fragments, and other parameters. The initial asteroid body can be seeded with a distribution of independent fragment sizes amid a remaining debris mass to represent loose rubble pile conglomerations, can be given an outer regolith later, or can be defined as a coherent or fractured monolith. This approach enables the model to represent a range of breakup behaviors and reproduce detailed energy deposition features such as multiple flares due to successive burst events, high-altitude regolith blow-off, or initial disruption of rubble piles followed by more energetic breakup of the constituent boulders. These capabilities provide a means to investigate sensitivities of ground damage to potential variations in asteroid structure.

Tungsten impurity transport experiments in Alcator C-Mod to address high priority research and development for ITER

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Loarte, A.; Polevoi, A. R.; Hosokawa, M.

2015-05-15

Experiments in Alcator C-Mod tokamak plasmas in the Enhanced D-alpha H-mode regime with ITER-like mid-radius plasma density peaking and Ion Cyclotron Resonant heating, in which tungsten is introduced by the laser blow-off technique, have demonstrated that accumulation of tungsten in the central region of the plasma does not take place in these conditions. The measurements obtained are consistent with anomalous transport dominating tungsten transport except in the central region of the plasma where tungsten transport is neoclassical, as previously observed in other devices with dominant neutral beam injection heating, such as JET and ASDEX Upgrade. In contrast to such results,more » however, the measured scale lengths for plasma temperature and density in the central region of these Alcator C-Mod plasmas, with density profiles relatively flat in the core region due to the lack of core fuelling, are favourable to prevent inter and intra sawtooth tungsten accumulation in this region under dominance of neoclassical transport. Simulations of ITER H-mode plasmas, including both anomalous (modelled by the Gyro-Landau-Fluid code GLF23) and neoclassical transport for main ions and tungsten and with density profiles of similar peaking to those obtained in Alcator C-Mod show that accumulation of tungsten in the central plasma region is also unlikely to occur in stationary ITER H-mode plasmas due to the low fuelling source by the neutral beam injection (injection energy ∼ 1 MeV), which is in good agreement with findings in the Alcator C-Mod experiments.« less

A Fragment-Cloud Approach for Modeling Atmospheric Breakup of Asteroids with Varied Internal Structures

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wheeler, Lorien; Mathias, Donovan; NASA Engineering Risk Assessment Team, NASA Asteroid Threat Assessment Project

2016-10-01

As an asteroid descends toward Earth, it deposits energy in the atmosphere through aerodynamic drag and ablation. Asteroid impact risk assessments rely on energy deposition estimates to predict blast overpressures and ground damage that may result from an airburst, such as the one that occurred over Chelyabinsk, Russia in 2013. The rates and altitudes at which energy is deposited along the entry trajectory depend upon how the bolide fragments, which in turn depends upon its internal structure and composition. In this work, an analytic asteroid fragmentation model has been developed to model the atmospheric breakup and resulting energy deposition of asteroids with a range of internal structures. The modeling approach combines successive fragmentation of larger independent pieces with aggregate debris clouds released with each fragmentation event. The model can vary the number and masses of fragments produced, the amount of mass released as debris clouds, and the size-strength scaling used to increase the robustness of smaller fragments. The initial asteroid body can be seeded with a distribution of independent fragment sizes amid a remaining debris mass to represent loose rubble pile conglomerations, or can be defined as a monolith with an outer regolith layer. This approach enables the model to represent a range of breakup behaviors and reproduce detailed energy deposition features such as multiple flares due to successive burst events, high-altitude regolith blow-off, or initial disruption of rubble piles followed by more energetic breakup of the constituent boulders. These capabilities provide a means to investigate sensitivities of ground damage to potential variations in asteroid structure.

Efficiency analysis of the electrocoagulation and electroflotation treatment of poultry slaughterhouse wastewater using aluminum and graphite anodes.

PubMed

Paulista, Larissa Oliveira; Presumido, Pedro Henrique; Theodoro, Joseane Debora Peruço; Pinheiro, Alexei Lorenzetti Novaes

2018-05-08

The application of electrocoagulation (EC) and electroflotation (EF) was investigated for the treatment of poultry slaughterhouse wastewater in a bench scale unit cell electrolyzer with different EC-to-EF ratios at current densities of 3, 9, and 15 mA cm -2 . The EC-to-EF ratio was controlled by current reversal using aluminum and graphite electrodes. The electrochemical treatment showed satisfactory removal efficiencies for Al coagulant loads greater than 51.8 mg L -1 . The 4/5 EC to EF ratio (69.1 mg L -1 Al and 32.2 NmL L -1 additional EF gas) and 3/5 (51.8 mg L -1 Al/64 NmL L -1 additional EF gas) presented the best results for the removal of COD (76-85%), color (93-99%), and turbidity (95-99%), with the additional benefit of reducing the electrode consumption and sludge disposal costs proportionally to the EC-to-EF ratio. The effects of the EC-to-EF ratio and the current density on efficiency of the electrochemical treatment for the removal of COD, apparent color, turbidity, TSS, TSD, and NH 3 -N were discussed in the light of the physicochemical and electrochemical processes underlying the removal mechanism for each parameter. In particular, the blow-off mechanism seems to play an important role in the NH 3 -N removal, whereas indirect electrooxidation mechanism accounts for a fraction of the soluble COD removal for the electrodes configuration used in the treatment.

XUV-exposed, non-hydrostatic hydrogen-rich upper atmospheres of terrestrial planets. Part I: atmospheric expansion and thermal escape.

PubMed

Erkaev, Nikolai V; Lammer, Helmut; Odert, Petra; Kulikov, Yuri N; Kislyakova, Kristina G; Khodachenko, Maxim L; Güdel, Manuel; Hanslmeier, Arnold; Biernat, Helfried

2013-11-01

The recently discovered low-density "super-Earths" Kepler-11b, Kepler-11f, Kepler-11d, Kepler-11e, and planets such as GJ 1214b represent the most likely known planets that are surrounded by dense H/He envelopes or contain deep H₂O oceans also surrounded by dense hydrogen envelopes. Although these super-Earths are orbiting relatively close to their host stars, they have not lost their captured nebula-based hydrogen-rich or degassed volatile-rich steam protoatmospheres. Thus, it is interesting to estimate the maximum possible amount of atmospheric hydrogen loss from a terrestrial planet orbiting within the habitable zone of late main sequence host stars. For studying the thermosphere structure and escape, we apply a 1-D hydrodynamic upper atmosphere model that solves the equations of mass, momentum, and energy conservation for a planet with the mass and size of Earth and for a super-Earth with a size of 2 R(Earth) and a mass of 10 M(Earth). We calculate volume heating rates by the stellar soft X-ray and extreme ultraviolet radiation (XUV) and expansion of the upper atmosphere, its temperature, density, and velocity structure and related thermal escape rates during the planet's lifetime. Moreover, we investigate under which conditions both planets enter the blow-off escape regime and may therefore experience loss rates that are close to the energy-limited escape. Finally, we discuss the results in the context of atmospheric evolution and implications for habitability of terrestrial planets in general.

Effects of Gas-Phase Radiation and Detailed Kinetics on the Burning and Extinction of a Solid Fuel

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Rhatigan, Jennifer L.

2001-01-01

This is the first attempt to analyze both radiation and detailed kinetics on the burning and extinction of a solid fuel in a stagnation-point diffusion flame. We present a detailed and comparatively accurate computational model of a solid fuel flame along with a quantitative study of the kinetics mechanism, radiation interactions, and the extinction limits of the flame. A detailed kinetics model for the burning of solid trioxane (a trimer of formaldehyde) is coupled with a narrowband radiation model, with carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, and water vapor as the gas-phase participating media. The solution of the solid trioxane diffusion flame over the flammable regime is presented in some detail, as this is the first solution of a heterogeneous trioxane flame. We identify high-temperature and low-temperature reaction paths for the heterogeneous trioxane flame. We then compare the adiabatic solution to solutions that include Surface radiation only and gas-phase and surface radiation using a black surface model. The analysis includes discussion of detailed flame chemistry over the flammable regime and, in particular, at the low stretch extinction limit. We emphasize the low stretch regime of the radiatively participating flame, since this is the region representative of microgravity flames. When only surface radiation is included, two extinction limits exist (the blow-off limit, and the low stretch radiative limit), and the burning rate and maximum flame temperatures are lower, as expected. With the inclusion of surface and gas-phase radiation, results show that, while flame temperatures are lower, the burning rate of the trioxane diffusion flame may actually increase at low stretch rate due to radiative feedback from the flame to the surface.

Response dynamics of bluff-body stabilized conical premixed turbulent flames with spatial mixture gradients

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Chaudhuri, Swetaprovo; Cetegen, Baki M.

2009-03-15

Response of bluff-body stabilized conical turbulent premixed flames was experimentally studied for a range of excitation frequencies (10-400 Hz), mean flow velocities (5, 10 and 15 m/s) and three different spatial mixture distributions (uniform, inner and outer enrichment). Upstream excitation was provided by a loudspeaker producing velocity oscillation amplitudes of about 8% of the mean flow velocity. Flame response was detected by a photomultiplier observing the CH{sup *} emission from the flame. The studied turbulent flames exhibited transfer function characteristics of a low-pass filter with a cutoff Strouhal number between 0.08 and 0.12. The amplification factors at low frequencies rangedmore » from 2 to 20 and generally increased for mean flow velocities from 5 to 15 m/s. The highest levels of amplification were found for the outer mixture enrichment followed in decreasing order by uniform and inner mixture gradient cases. The high levels of flame response for the outer enrichment case were attributed to the enhanced flame-vortex interaction in outer jet shear layer. At high excitation levels (u{sup '}/U{sub m}{approx}0.3) for U{sub m}=5 m/ s where non-linear flame response is expected, the flame exhibited a reduced amplitude response in the frequency range between 40 and 100 Hz for the uniform and outer equivalence ratio gradient cases and no discernible effect for the inner equivalence ratio gradient. In all cases, transfer function phase was found to vary linearly with excitation frequency. Finally, a relationship between the amplitude characteristics of the bluff-body wake transfer function and flame blowoff equivalence ratio was presented. (author)« less

Optical coherence tomography (OCT) guided smart laser knife for cancer surgery (Conference Presentation)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Katta, Nitesh; Mcelroy, Austin; Estrada, Arnold; Milner, Thomas E.

2017-02-01

Neurological cancer surgeries require specialized tools that enhance imaging for precise cutting and removal of tissue without damaging adjacent neurological structures. The novel combination of high-resolution fast optical coherence tomography (OCT) alongside short pulsed nanosecond thulium (Tm) lasers offers stark advantages utilizing the superior beam quality, high volumetric tissue removal rates of thulium lasers with minimal residual thermal footprint in the tissue and avoiding damage to delicate sub-surface structures (e.g., nerves and microvessels); which has not been showcased before. A bench-top system is constructed, using a 15W 1940nm nanosecond pulsed Tm fiber laser (500uJ pulse energy, 100ns pulse duration, 30kHz repetition rate) for removing tissue and a swept source laser (1310±70nm, 100kHz sweep rate) is utilized for OCT imaging, forming a combined Tm/OCT system - a smart laser knife. The OCT image-guidance informs the Tm laser for cutting/removal of targeted tissue structures. Tissue phantoms were constructed to demonstrate surgical incision with blood vessel avoidance on the surface where 2mm wide 600um deep cuts are executed around the vessel using OCT to guide the procedure. Cutting up to delicate subsurface blood vessels (2mm deep) is demonstrated while avoiding damage to their walls. A tissue removal rate of 5mm^3/sec is obtained from the bench-top system. We constructed a blow-off model to characterize Tm cut depths taking into account the absorption coefficients and beam delivery systems to compute Arrhenius damage integrals. The model is used to compare predicted tissue removal rate and residual thermal injury with experimental values in response to Tm laser-tissue modification.

XUV-Exposed, Non-Hydrostatic Hydrogen-Rich Upper Atmospheres of Terrestrial Planets. Part I: Atmospheric Expansion and Thermal Escape

PubMed Central

Lammer, Helmut; Odert, Petra; Kulikov, Yuri N.; Kislyakova, Kristina G.; Khodachenko, Maxim L.; Güdel, Manuel; Hanslmeier, Arnold; Biernat, Helfried

2013-01-01

Abstract The recently discovered low-density “super-Earths” Kepler-11b, Kepler-11f, Kepler-11d, Kepler-11e, and planets such as GJ 1214b represent the most likely known planets that are surrounded by dense H/He envelopes or contain deep H2O oceans also surrounded by dense hydrogen envelopes. Although these super-Earths are orbiting relatively close to their host stars, they have not lost their captured nebula-based hydrogen-rich or degassed volatile-rich steam protoatmospheres. Thus, it is interesting to estimate the maximum possible amount of atmospheric hydrogen loss from a terrestrial planet orbiting within the habitable zone of late main sequence host stars. For studying the thermosphere structure and escape, we apply a 1-D hydrodynamic upper atmosphere model that solves the equations of mass, momentum, and energy conservation for a planet with the mass and size of Earth and for a super-Earth with a size of 2 REarth and a mass of 10 MEarth. We calculate volume heating rates by the stellar soft X-ray and extreme ultraviolet radiation (XUV) and expansion of the upper atmosphere, its temperature, density, and velocity structure and related thermal escape rates during the planet's lifetime. Moreover, we investigate under which conditions both planets enter the blow-off escape regime and may therefore experience loss rates that are close to the energy-limited escape. Finally, we discuss the results in the context of atmospheric evolution and implications for habitability of terrestrial planets in general. Key Words: Stellar activity—Low-mass stars—Early atmospheres—Earth-like exoplanets—Energetic neutral atoms—Ion escape—Habitability. Astrobiology 13, 1011–1029. PMID:24251443

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Regan, S.P.

This volume of the LLE Review, covering the period October--December 1998, includes two articles addressing issues applicable to direct-drive ICF on the National Ignition Facility (NIF): laser-plasma interactions and laser-irradiation uniformity. Additional highlights of the research presented in this issue are: (1) P.B. Radha and S. Skupsky present a novel charged-particle diagnostic that performs simultaneous {rho}R measurements of the fuel, shell, and ablator regions of a compressed ICF target, consisting of an inner DT fuel region, a plastic (CH) shell, and an ablator (CD), by measuring the knock-on deuteron spectrum. (2) F. Dahmani, S. Burns, J. Lambropoulos, S. Papernov, andmore » A. Schmid report results from stress-inhibited laser-driven crack propagation and stress-delayed damage-initiation experiments in fused silica at 351 nm. Research is underway presently to determine the ramifications of these findings for large-aperture systems, such as OMEGA. (3) V. Goncharov presents an analytic theory of the ablative Richtmyer-Meshkov instability, which shows that the main stabilizing mechanism of the ablation-front perturbations is the dynamic overpressure of the blowoff plasma with respect to the target material. The perturbation evolution during the shock transit time is studied to determine the initial conditions for the Rayleigh-Taylor phase of the instability and to analyze the level of laser imprint on ICF direct-drive targets. (4) J.M. Larkin, W.R. Donaldson, T.H. Foster, and R.S. Knox examine the triplet state of rose bengal, a dye used in photodynamic therapy, that is produced by 1,064-nm excitation of T{sub 1}. (5) R. Adam, M. Currie, R. Sobolewski, O. Harnack, and M. Darula report measurements of the picosecond photoresponse of a current-biased YBCO microbridge coupled to a bicrystal YBCO Josephson junction.« less

Radiant extinction of gaseous diffusion flames

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Atreya, Arvind; Agrawal, Sanjay; Shamim, Tariq; Pickett, Kent; Sacksteder, Kurt R.; Baum, Howard R.

1995-01-01

The absence of buoyancy-induced flows in microgravity significantly alters the fundamentals of many combustion processes. Substantial differences between normal-gravity and microgravity flames have been reported during droplet combustion, flame spread over solids, candle flames, and others. These differences are more basic than just in the visible flame shape. Longer residence time and higher concentration of combustion products create a thermochemical environment which changes the flame chemistry. Processes such as flame radiation, that are often ignored under normal gravity, become very important and sometimes even controlling. This is particularly true for conditions at extinction of a microgravity diffusion flame. Under normal-gravity, the buoyant flow, which may be characterized by the strain rate, assists the diffusion process to transport the fuel and oxidizer to the combustion zone and remove the hot combustion products from it. These are essential functions for the survival of the flame which needs fuel and oxidizer. Thus, as the strain rate is increased, the diffusion flame which is 'weak' (reduced burning rate per unit flame area) at low strain rates is initially 'strengthened' and eventually it may be 'blown-out'. Most of the previous research on diffusion flame extinction has been conducted at the high strain rate 'blow-off' limit. The literature substantially lacks information on low strain rate, radiation-induced, extinction of diffusion flames. At the low strain rates encountered in microgravity, flame radiation is enhanced due to: (1) build-up of combustion products in the flame zone which increases the gas radiation, and (2) low strain rates provide sufficient residence time for substantial amounts of soot to form which further increases the flame radiation. It is expected that this radiative heat loss will extinguish the already 'weak' diffusion flame under certain conditions. Identifying these conditions (ambient atmosphere, fuel flow rate, fuel type, etc.) is important for spacecraft fire safety. Thus, the objective is to experimentally and theoretically investigate the radiation-induced extinction of diffusion flames in microgravity and determine the effect of flame radiation on the 'weak' microgravity diffusion flame.

Field Effects of Buoyancy on Lean Premixed Turbulent Flames

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Cheng, R. K.; Johnson, M. R.; Greenberg, P. S.; Wernet, M. P.

2003-01-01

The study of field effects of buoyancy on premixed turbulent flames is directed towards the advancement of turbulent combustion theory and the development of cleaner combustion technologies. Turbulent combustion is considered the most important unsolved problem in combustion science and laboratory studies of turbulence flame processes are vital to theoretical development. Although buoyancy is dominant in laboratory flames, most combustion models are not yet capable to consider buoyancy effects. This inconsistency has impeded the validation of theories and numerical simulations with experiments. Conversely, the understanding of buoyancy effects is far too limited to help develop buoyant flame models. Our research is also relevant to combustion technology because lean premixed combustion is a proven method to reduce the formation of oxides of nitrogen (NOx). In industrial lean premixed combustion systems, their operating conditions make them susceptible to buoyancy thus affecting heat distribution, emissions, stability, flashback and blowoff. But little knowledge is available to guide combustion engineers as to how to avoid or overcome these problems. Our hypothesis is that through its influence on the mean pressure field, buoyancy has direct and indirect effects on local flame/turbulence interactions. Although buoyancy acts on the hot products in the farfield the effect is also felt in the nearfield region upstream of the flame. These changes also influence the generation and dissipation of turbulent kinetic energy inside the flame brush and throughout the flowfield. Moreover, the plume of an open flame is unstable and the periodic fluctuations make additional contributions to flame front dynamics in the farfield. Therefore, processes such as flame wrinkling, flow acceleration due to heat release and flame- generated vorticity are all affected. Other global flame properties (e.g. flame stabilization limits and flame speed) may all be coupled to buoyancy. This problem poses major challenges to combustion modeling due to its need for a computation domain extending into the farfield and full specifications of upstream, wall and downstream boundary conditions.

Study of impurity transport in HL-2A ECRH L-mode plasmas with radially different ECRH power depositions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cui, Z. Y.; Zhang, K.; Morita, S.; Ji, X. Q.; Ding, X. T.; Xu, Y.; Sun, P.; Gao, J. M.; Dong, C. F.; Zheng, D. L.; Li, Y. G.; Jiang, M.; Li, D.; Zhong, W. L.; Liu, Yi; Dong, Y. B.; Song, S. D.; Yu, L. M.; Shi, Z. B.; Fu, B. Z.; Lu, P.; Huang, M.; Yuan, B. S.; Yang, Q. W.; Duan, X. R.

2018-05-01

In HL-2A, an inverse sawtooth oscillation is observed with a long-lasting m/n  =  1/1 mode during ECRH phase with power deposition inside sawtooth inversion radius (inner-deposited ECRH), while a normal sawtooth instead appears when the ECRH power is deposited outside sawtooth inversion radius (outer-deposited ECRH). Aluminum is then injected as a trace impurity with laser blow-off (LBO) method into the inner- and outer-deposited ECRH phases of HL-2A discharges to investigate the effect of ECRH on impurity transport. Temporal behavior of soft x-ray (SXR) array signals is analyzed with a 1D impurity transport code, and radial structures of impurity transport coefficients are obtained. The result shows that the radial transport of Al ions is strongly enhanced during the inner-deposited ECRH phase. In particular, an outward convection velocity is developed with positive values of 0  ⩽  V(ρ)  ⩽  3.8 m s-1 in ρ  ⩽  0.5, while the convection velocity is inward in ρ  ⩾  0.6. In the outer-deposited ECRH discharge, on the other hand, the convection velocity takes a big negative value in ρ  ⩽  0.4 and close to zero at ρ ~ 0.6. In ohmic discharges, an inward V(ρ) always appears in the whole plasma radii and gradually increases toward the plasma edge (-3.2 m s-1 at ρ  =  1). The simulation result also indicates that centrally-peaked Al ion density profiles presented in the outer-deposited ECRH discharge can be flattened by the inner-deposited ECRH. Modification of impurity transport is discussed in the presence of long-lasting m/n  =  1/1 MHD mode.

EUPDF: Eulerian Monte Carlo Probability Density Function Solver for Applications With Parallel Computing, Unstructured Grids, and Sprays

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Raju, M. S.

1998-01-01

The success of any solution methodology used in the study of gas-turbine combustor flows depends a great deal on how well it can model the various complex and rate controlling processes associated with the spray's turbulent transport, mixing, chemical kinetics, evaporation, and spreading rates, as well as convective and radiative heat transfer and other phenomena. The phenomena to be modeled, which are controlled by these processes, often strongly interact with each other at different times and locations. In particular, turbulence plays an important role in determining the rates of mass and heat transfer, chemical reactions, and evaporation in many practical combustion devices. The influence of turbulence in a diffusion flame manifests itself in several forms, ranging from the so-called wrinkled, or stretched, flamelets regime to the distributed combustion regime, depending upon how turbulence interacts with various flame scales. Conventional turbulence models have difficulty treating highly nonlinear reaction rates. A solution procedure based on the composition joint probability density function (PDF) approach holds the promise of modeling various important combustion phenomena relevant to practical combustion devices (such as extinction, blowoff limits, and emissions predictions) because it can account for nonlinear chemical reaction rates without making approximations. In an attempt to advance the state-of-the-art in multidimensional numerical methods, we at the NASA Lewis Research Center extended our previous work on the PDF method to unstructured grids, parallel computing, and sprays. EUPDF, which was developed by M.S. Raju of Nyma, Inc., was designed to be massively parallel and could easily be coupled with any existing gas-phase and/or spray solvers. EUPDF can use an unstructured mesh with mixed triangular, quadrilateral, and/or tetrahedral elements. The application of the PDF method showed favorable results when applied to several supersonic-diffusion flames and spray flames. The EUPDF source code will be available with the National Combustion Code (NCC) as a complete package.

Planetary Scale Impacts and Consequences for the Mars Hemispheric Dichotomy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Marinova, M. M.; Aharonson, O.; Asphaug, E.

2007-12-01

Planetary-scale impacts are events in which the resultant impact basin is a significant fraction of the planet's circumference. The curvature of the planet is expected to be important in the impact process, especially as it relates to the fate of downrange ejecta in off-axis events. Planetary-scale impacts are abundant in the Solar System, especially early in its evolution. A possible candidate planetary-scale impact basin is the Martian hemispheric dichotomy, expressed as a difference in surface elevation, crustal thickness, and surface age between the northern lowlands and the southern highlands. We investigate the characteristics of planetary-scale impacts, and in particular the effects of a mega impact on Mars. We use a 3 dimensional self-gravitational Smoothed Particle Hydrodynamics (SPH) model to simulate the impacts, implementing an olivine equation of state derived for the Tillotson formulation, and use this to establish the initial pressure and internal energy profile of the planet. The parameter space of impactor energy, impactor size, and impact velocity are explored for Mars hemispheric impacts. We find that for a given impact energy, head-on large but slow impacts produce more melt and cover more of the planet with melt than small, fast, and oblique events. Head-on impacts produce crustal blow-off and a melt pool at the antipode. Oblique impacts do not cover much of the planet with melt, but create sizable basins. Various degrees of crustal thickening are apparent around the crater over a length of ~1000 km; this crustal thickening could relax over geological time. Fast impacts eject material with escape velocity many times their own mass. In all cases, less than 10% of the impactor's mass is placed in orbit. For oblique events, a significant fraction of the angular momentum in the system is carried away by escaping material, limiting the efficiency of angular momentum transfer to the planet.

Midlatitude Cirrus Clouds Derived from Hurricane Nora: A Case Study with Implications for Ice Crystal Nucleation and Shape.

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sassen, Kenneth; Arnott, W. Patrick; O'C. Starr, David; Mace, Gerald G.; Wang, Zhien; Poellot, Michael R.

2003-04-01

Hurricane Nora traveled up the Baja Peninsula coast in the unusually warm El Niño waters of September 1997 until rapidly decaying as it approached southern California on 24 September. The anvil cirrus blowoff from the final surge of tropical convection became embedded in subtropical flow that advected the cirrus across the western United States, where it was studied from the Facility for Atmospheric Remote Sensing (FARS) in Salt Lake City, Utah, on 25 September. A day later, the cirrus shield remnants were redirected southward by midlatitude circulations into the southern Great Plains, providing a case study opportunity for the research aircraft and ground-based remote sensors assembled at the Clouds and Radiation Testbed (CART) site in northern Oklahoma. Using these comprehensive resources and new remote sensing cloud retrieval algorithms, the microphysical and radiative cloud properties of this unusual cirrus event are uniquely characterized.Importantly, at both the FARS and CART sites the cirrus generated spectacular halos and arcs, which acted as a tracer for the hurricane cirrus, despite the limited lifetimes of individual ice crystals. Lidar depolarization data indicate widespread regions of uniform ice plate orientations, and in situ particle replicator data show a preponderance of pristine, solid hexagonal plates and columns. It is suggested that these unusual aspects are the result of the mode of cirrus particle nucleation, presumably involving the lofting of sea salt nuclei in strong thunderstorm updrafts into the upper troposphere. This created a reservoir of haze particles that continued to produce halide-salt-contaminated ice crystals during the extended period of cirrus cloud maintenance. The inference that marine microbiota are embedded in the replicas of some ice crystals collected over the CART site points to the longevity of marine effects. Various nucleation scenarios proposed for cirrus clouds based on this and other studies, and the implications for understanding cirrus radiative properties on a global scale, are discussed.

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Farmer, W. A.; Koning, J. M.; Strozzi, D. J.

Here, we present radiation-hydrodynamic simulations of self-generated magnetic field in a hohlraum, which show an increased temperature in large regions of the underdense fill. Non-parallel gradients in electron density and temperature in a laser-heated plasma give rise to a self-generated field by the “Biermann battery” mechanism. Here, HYDRA simulations of three hohlraum designs on the National Ignition Facility are reported, which use a partial magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) description that includes the self-generated source term, resistive dissipation, and advection of the field due to both the plasma flow and the Nernst term. Anisotropic electron heat conduction parallel and perpendicular to the fieldmore » is included, but not the Righi-Leduc heat flux. The field strength is too small to compete significantly with plasma pressure, but affects plasma conditions by reducing electron heat conduction perpendicular to the field. Significant reductions in heat flux can occur, especially for high Z plasma, at modest values of the Hall parameter, Ω eτ ei≲1, where Ω e = eB/m ec and τ ei is the electron-ion collision time. The inclusion of MHD in the simulations leads to 1 keV hotter electron temperatures in the laser entrance hole and high- Z wall blowoff, which reduces inverse-bremsstrahlung absorption of the laser beam. This improves propagation of the inner beams pointed at the hohlraum equator, resulting in a symmetry shift of the resulting capsule implosion towards a more prolate shape. The time of peak x-ray production in the capsule shifts later by only 70 ps (within experimental uncertainty), but a decomposition of the hotspot shape into Legendre moments indicates a shift of P 2/P 0 by ~20%. As a result, this indicates that MHD cannot explain why simulated x-ray drive exceeds measured levels, but may be partially responsible for failures to correctly model the symmetry.« less

Simulation of self-generated magnetic fields in an inertial fusion hohlraum environment

DOE PAGES

Farmer, W. A.; Koning, J. M.; Strozzi, D. J.; ...

2017-05-09

Here, we present radiation-hydrodynamic simulations of self-generated magnetic field in a hohlraum, which show an increased temperature in large regions of the underdense fill. Non-parallel gradients in electron density and temperature in a laser-heated plasma give rise to a self-generated field by the “Biermann battery” mechanism. Here, HYDRA simulations of three hohlraum designs on the National Ignition Facility are reported, which use a partial magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) description that includes the self-generated source term, resistive dissipation, and advection of the field due to both the plasma flow and the Nernst term. Anisotropic electron heat conduction parallel and perpendicular to the fieldmore » is included, but not the Righi-Leduc heat flux. The field strength is too small to compete significantly with plasma pressure, but affects plasma conditions by reducing electron heat conduction perpendicular to the field. Significant reductions in heat flux can occur, especially for high Z plasma, at modest values of the Hall parameter, Ω eτ ei≲1, where Ω e = eB/m ec and τ ei is the electron-ion collision time. The inclusion of MHD in the simulations leads to 1 keV hotter electron temperatures in the laser entrance hole and high- Z wall blowoff, which reduces inverse-bremsstrahlung absorption of the laser beam. This improves propagation of the inner beams pointed at the hohlraum equator, resulting in a symmetry shift of the resulting capsule implosion towards a more prolate shape. The time of peak x-ray production in the capsule shifts later by only 70 ps (within experimental uncertainty), but a decomposition of the hotspot shape into Legendre moments indicates a shift of P 2/P 0 by ~20%. As a result, this indicates that MHD cannot explain why simulated x-ray drive exceeds measured levels, but may be partially responsible for failures to correctly model the symmetry.« less

Midlatitude Cirrus Clouds Derived from Hurricane Nora: A Case Study with Implications for Ice Crystal Nucleation and Shape

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Sassen, Kenneth; Arnott, W. Patrick; OCStarr, David; Mace, Gerald G.; Wang, Zhien; Poellot, Michael R.

2002-01-01

Hurricane Nora traveled up the Bala Peninsula coast in the unusually warm El Nino waters of September 1997, until rapidly decaying as it approached Southern California on 24 September. The anvil cirrus blowoff from the final surge of tropical convection became embedded in subtropical flow that advected the cirrus across the western US, where it was studied from the Facility for Atmospheric Remote Sensing (FARS) in Salt Lake City, Utah. A day later, the cirrus shield remnants were redirected southward by midlatitude circulations into the Southern Great Plains, providing a case study opportunity for the research aircraft and ground-based remote sensors assembled at the Clouds and Radiation Testbed (CART) site in northern Oklahoma. Using these comprehensive resources and new remote sensing cloud retrieval algorithms, the microphysical and radiative cloud properties of this unusual cirrus event are uniquely characterized. Importantly, at both the FARS and CART sites the cirrus generated spectacular optical displays, which acted as a tracer for the hurricane cirrus, despite the limited lifetimes of individual ice crystals. Lidar polarization data indicate widespread regions of uniform ice plate orientations, and in situ particle masticator data show a preponderance of pristine, solid hexagonal plates and columns. It is suggested that these unusual aspects are the result of the mode of cirrus particle nucleation, presumably involving the lofting of sea-salt nuclei in thunderstorm updrafts into the upper troposphere. This created a reservoir of haze particles that continued to produce halide-saltcontaminated ice crystals during the extended period of cirrus cloud maintenance. The reference that marine microliters are embedded in the replicas of ice crystals collected over the CART site points to the longevity of marine effects. Various nucleation scenarios proposed for cirrus clouds based on this and other studies, and the implications for understanding cirrus radiative properties or a global scale, are discussed.

Plasma Interactions with Mixed Materials and Impurity Transport

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Rognlien, T. D.; Beiersdorfer, Peter; Chernov, A.

2016-10-28

The project brings together three discipline areas at LLNL to develop advanced capability to predict the impact of plasma/material interactions (PMI) on metallic surfaces in magnetic fusion energy (MFE) devices. These areas are (1) modeling transport of wall impurity ions through the edge plasma to the core plasma, (2) construction of a laser blow-off (LBO) system for injecting precise amounts of metallic atoms into a tokamak plasma, and (3) material science analysis of fundamental processes that modify metallic surfaces during plasma bombardment. The focus is on tungsten (W), which is being used for the ITER divertor and in designs ofmore » future MFE devices. In area (1), we have worked with the University of California, San Diego (UCSD) on applications of the UEDGE/DUSTT coupled codes to predict the influx of impurity ions from W dust through the edge plasma, including periodic edge-plasma oscillations, and revived a parallel version of UEDGE to speed up these simulations. In addition, the impurity transport model in the 2D UEDGE code has been implemented into the 3D BOUT++ turbulence/transport code to allow fundamental analysis of the impact of strong plasma turbulence on the impurity transport. In area (2), construction and testing of the LBO injection system has been completed. The original plan to install the LBO on the National Spherical Torus Experiment Upgrade (NSTX-U) at Princeton and its use to validate the impurity transport simulations is delayed owing to NSTX-U being offline for substantial magnetic coil repair period. In area (3), an analytic model has been developed to explain the growth of W tendrils (or fuzz) observed for helium-containing plasmas. Molecular dynamics calculations of W sputtering by W and deuterium (D) ions shows that a spatial blending of interatomic potentials is needed to describe the near-surface and deeper regions of the material.« less

Simulation of self-generated magnetic fields in an inertial fusion hohlraum environment

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Farmer, W. A.; Koning, J. M.; Strozzi, D. J.; Hinkel, D. E.; Berzak Hopkins, L. F.; Jones, O. S.; Rosen, M. D.

2017-05-01

We present radiation-hydrodynamic simulations of self-generated magnetic field in a hohlraum, which show an increased temperature in large regions of the underdense fill. Non-parallel gradients in electron density and temperature in a laser-heated plasma give rise to a self-generated field by the "Biermann battery" mechanism. Here, HYDRA simulations of three hohlraum designs on the National Ignition Facility are reported, which use a partial magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) description that includes the self-generated source term, resistive dissipation, and advection of the field due to both the plasma flow and the Nernst term. Anisotropic electron heat conduction parallel and perpendicular to the field is included, but not the Righi-Leduc heat flux. The field strength is too small to compete significantly with plasma pressure, but affects plasma conditions by reducing electron heat conduction perpendicular to the field. Significant reductions in heat flux can occur, especially for high Z plasma, at modest values of the Hall parameter, Ωeτei≲1 , where Ωe=e B /mec and τei is the electron-ion collision time. The inclusion of MHD in the simulations leads to 1 keV hotter electron temperatures in the laser entrance hole and high-Z wall blowoff, which reduces inverse-bremsstrahlung absorption of the laser beam. This improves propagation of the inner beams pointed at the hohlraum equator, resulting in a symmetry shift of the resulting capsule implosion towards a more prolate shape. The time of peak x-ray production in the capsule shifts later by only 70 ps (within experimental uncertainty), but a decomposition of the hotspot shape into Legendre moments indicates a shift of P2/P0 by ˜20 % . This indicates that MHD cannot explain why simulated x-ray drive exceeds measured levels, but may be partially responsible for failures to correctly model the symmetry.

Large Diameter, Radiative Extinction Experiments with Decane Droplets in Microgravity

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Easton, John; Tien, James; Dietrich, Daniel

1999-01-01

The extinction of a diffusion flame is of fundamental interest in combustion science. Linan, Law, and Chung and Law analytically and experimentally determined an extinction boundary in terms of droplet diameter and pressure for a single droplet due to Damkohler, or blowoff, extinction. More recently, other researchers demonstrated extinction due to finite rate kinetics in reduced gravity for free droplets of heptane. Chao modeled the effect of radiative heat loss on a quasi-steady spherically symmetric single droplet burning in the absence of buoyancy. They determined that for increasing droplet diameter, a second limit can be reached such that combustion is no longer possible. This second, larger droplet diameter limit arises due to radiative heat loss, which increases with increasing droplet and flame diameter. This increase in radiative heat loss arises due to an increase in the surface area of the flame. Recently, Marchese modeled fuel droplets with detailed chemistry and radiative effects, and compared the results to other work. The modeling also showed the importance of radiative loss and radiative extinction Experiments examined the behavior of a large droplet of decane burning in reduced gravity onboard the NASA Lewis DC-9 aircraft, but did not show a radiative extinction boundary due to g-jitter (Variations in gravitational level and direction) effects. Dietrich conducted experiments in the reduced gravity environment of the Space Shuttle. This work showed that the extinction diameter of methanol droplets increased when the initial diameter of the droplets was large (in this case, approximately 5 mm). Theoretical results agreed with these experimental results only when the theory included radiative effects . Radiative extinction was experimentally verified by Nayagam in a later Shuttle mission. The following work focuses on the combustion and extinction of a single fuel droplet. The goal is to experimentally determine a large droplet diameter limit that arises due to radiative heat loss from the flame to the surroundings.

Orbit Modification of Earth-Crossing Asteroids/Comets Using Rendezvous Spacecraft and Laser Ablation

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Park, Sang-Young; Mazanek, Daniel D.

2005-01-01

This report describes the approach and results of an end-to-end simulation to deflect a long-period comet (LPC) by using a rapid rendezvous spacecraft and laser ablation system. The laser energy required for providing sufficient deflection DELTA V and an analysis of possible intercept/rendezvous spacecraft trajectories are studied in this analysis. These problems minimize a weighted sum of the flight time and required propellant by using an advanced propulsion system. The optimal thrust-vector history and propellant mass to use are found in order to transfer a spacecraft from the Earth to a targeted celestial object. One goal of this analysis is to formulate an optimization problem for intercept/rendezvous spacecraft trajectories. One approach to alter the trajectory of the object in a highly controlled manner is to use pulsed laser ablative propulsion. A sufficiently intense laser pulse ablates the surface of a near-Earth object (NEO) by causing plasma blowoff. The momentum change from a single laser pulse is very small. However, the cumulative effect is very effective because the laser can interact with the object over long periods of time. The laser ablation technique can overcome the mass penalties associated with other nondisruptive approaches because no propellant is required to generate the DELTA V (the material of the celestial object is the propellant source). Additionally, laser ablation is effective against a wide range of surface materials and does not require any landing or physical attachment to the object. For diverting distant asteroids and comets, the power and optical requirements of a laser ablation system on or near the Earth may be too extreme to contemplate in the next few decades. A hybrid solution would be for a spacecraft to carry a laser as a payload to a particular celestial body. The spacecraft would require an advanced propulsion system capable of rapid rendezvous with the object and an extremely powerful electrical generator, which is likely needed for the propulsion system as well. The spacecraft would station-keep with the object at a small standoff distance while the laser ablation is performed.

Turbulent piloted partially-premixed flames with varying levels of O2/N2: stability limits and PDF calculations

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Juddoo, Mrinal; Masri, Assaad R.; Pope, Stephen B.

2011-12-01

This paper reports measured stability limits and PDF calculations of piloted, turbulent flames of compressed natural gas (CNG) partially-premixed with either pure oxygen, or with varying levels of O2/N2. Stability limits are presented for flames of CNG fuel premixed with up to 20% oxygen as well as CNG-O2-N2 fuel where the O2 content is varied from 8 to 22% by volume. Calculations are presented for (i) Sydney flame B [Masri et al. 1988] which uses pure CNG as well as flames B15 to B25 where the CNG is partially-premixed with 15-25% oxygen by volume, respectively and (ii) Sandia methane-air (1:3 by volume) flame E [Barlow et al. 2005] as well as new flames E15 and E25 that are partially-premixed with 'reconstituted air' where the O2 content in nitrogen is 15 and 25% by volume, respectively. The calculations solve a transported PDF of composition using a particle-based Monte Carlo method and employ the EMST mixing model as well as detailed chemical kinetics. The addition of oxygen to the fuel increases stability, shortens the flames, broadens the reaction zone, and shifts the stoichiometric mixture fraction towards the inner side of the jet. It is found that for pure CNG flames where the reaction zone is narrow (∼0.1 in mixture fraction space), the PDF calculations fail to reproduce the correct level of local extinction on approach to blow-off. A broadening in the reaction zone up to about 0.25 in mixture fraction space is needed for the PDF/EMST approach to be able to capture these finite-rate chemistry effects. It is also found that for the same level of partial premixing, increasing the O2/N2 ratio increases the maximum levels of CO and NO but shifts the peak to richer mixture fractions. Over the range of oxygenation investigated here, stability limits have shown to improve almost linearly with increasing oxygen levels in the fuel and with increasing the contribution of release rate from the pilot.

Initial Computational Study of a New Multi-Hole Hohlraum (the "Midraum")

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Tabak, M.; Jones, O. S.

2017-11-02

Existing cylindrical hohlraums with two oppositely positioned laser entrance holes (LEHs) have multiple constraints. Their goal is to produce radiation sources distributed over the sky, as visible from the spherical implosion capsule, with most of the deposition near the zeroes of the fourth Legendre polynomial in cosine of the polar angle. This requires some of the laser light to propagate across the hohlraum to positions near the hohlraum symmetry plane. The ratio of case spherical radius to capsule spherical radius should exceed 3 so that the light doesn’t pass through over-dense ablator plasma. Radiation transport can smooth higher radiation modes.more » For capsules that demand long pulse lengths, hohlraum walls can blow in and change the position where light is absorbed. This changes the radiation symmetry in a time dependent fashion. This affects both P2 and P4. This wall motion can be reduced by introducing fill gas into the hohlraum. The gas provides back pressure and tamps the wall motion. Adding the fill gas comes at some cost. It leads to increased absorption of laser light along the path. The fill gas adds heat capacity to the system, ultimately requiring more laser energy to meet the radiation flux goals, both in total and particularly in the amount of radiation coming from the vicinity of the capsule waist. Given the existing beam pointing at NIF energy from the outer beams must be transferred into the inner beams. Cross beam energy transport (CBET) is accomplished via a plasma instability. This transfer is not perfectly predictable. In addition, the higher intensity required to make up for the losses along the long path can lead to stimulated backscatter as well as the generation of suprathermal electrons. The inner beams will pass through the plasma ablated from the capsule toward the end of the pulse. Heating this plasma acts as another parasitic loss. In addition, the light passing through the turbulent blow-off can be refracted in unpredictable directions.« less

Optical coherence tomography image-guided smart laser knife for surgery.

PubMed

Katta, Nitesh; McElroy, Austin B; Estrada, Arnold D; Milner, Thomas E

2018-03-01

Surgical oncology can benefit from specialized tools that enhance imaging and enable precise cutting and removal of tissue without damage to adjacent structures. The combination of high-resolution, fast optical coherence tomography (OCT) co-aligned with a nanosecond pulsed thulium (Tm) laser offers advantages over conventional surgical laser systems. Tm lasers provide superior beam quality, high volumetric tissue removal rates with minimal residual thermal footprint in tissue, enabling a reduction in unwanted damage to delicate adjacent sub-surface structures such as nerves or micro-vessels. We investigated such a combined Tm/OCT system with co-aligned imaging and cutting beams-a configuration we call a "smart laser knife." A blow-off model that considers absorption coefficients and beam delivery systems was utilized to predict Tm cut depth, tissue removal rate and spatial distribution of residual thermal injury. Experiments were performed to verify the volumetric removal rate predicted by the model as a function of average power. A bench-top, combined Tm/OCT system was constructed using a 15W 1940 nm nanosecond pulsed Tm fiber laser (500 μJ pulse energy, 100 ns pulse duration, 30 kHz repetition rate) for removing tissue and a swept source laser (1310 ± 70 nm, 100 kHz sweep rate) for OCT imaging. Tissue phantoms were used to demonstrate precise surgery with blood vessel avoidance. Depth imaging informed cutting/removal of targeted tissue structures by the Tm laser was performed. Laser cutting was accomplished around and above phantom blood vessels while avoiding damage to vessel walls. A tissue removal rate of 5.5 mm 3 /sec was achieved experimentally, in comparison to the model prediction of approximately 6 mm 3 /sec. We describe a system that combines OCT and laser tissue modification with a Tm laser. Simulation results of the tissue removal rate using a simple model, as a function of average power, are in good agreement with experimental results using tissue phantoms. Lasers Surg. Med. 50:202-212, 2018. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

A young Moon-forming giant impact at 70-110 million years accompanied by late-stage mixing, core formation and degassing of the Earth.

PubMed

Halliday, Alex N

2008-11-28

New W isotope data for lunar metals demonstrate that the Moon formed late in isotopic equilibrium with the bulk silicate Earth (BSE). On this basis, lunar Sr isotope data are used to define the former composition of the Earth and hence the Rb-Sr age of the Moon, which is 4.48+/-0.02Ga, or 70-110Ma (million years) after the start of the Solar System. This age is significantly later than had been deduced from W isotopes based on model assumptions or isotopic effects now known to be cosmogenic. The Sr age is in excellent agreement with earlier estimates based on the time of lunar Pb loss and the age of the early lunar crust (4.46+/-0.04Ga). Similar ages for the BSE are recorded by xenon and lead-lead, providing evidence of catastrophic terrestrial degassing, atmospheric blow-off and significant late core formation accompanying the ca 100Ma giant impact. Agreement between the age of the Moon based on the Earth's Rb/Sr and the lead-lead age of the Moon is consistent with no major losses of moderately volatile elements from the Earth during the giant impact. The W isotopic composition of the BSE can be explained by end member models of (i) gradual accretion with a mean life of roughly 35Ma or (ii) rapid growth with a mean life of roughly 10Ma, followed by a significant hiatus prior to the giant impact. The former assumes that approximately 60 per cent of the incoming metal from impactors is added directly to the core during accretion. The latter includes complete mixing of all the impactor material into the BSE during accretion. The identical W isotopic composition of the Moon and the BSE limits the amount of material that can be added as a late veneer to the Earth after the giant impact to less than 0.3+/-0.3 per cent of ordinary chondrite or less than 0.5+/-0.6 per cent CI carbonaceous chondrite based on their known W isotopic compositions. Neither of these on their own is sufficient to explain the inventories of both refractory siderophiles such as platinum group elements and rhenium, and volatiles such as sulphur, carbon and water.

Basic Science Simulations Provide New Insights to Aid Hydrogen Gas Turbine Development (Fact Sheet), NREL Highlights, Science

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Not Available

2011-11-01

Massive first-principles simulation provides insight into flame anchoring in a hydrogen-rich jet in cross-flow. When gas turbine designers want to use gasified biomass for stationary power generation, they are faced with a challenge: bio-derived syngas typically contains significant amounts of hydrogen, which is far more reactive than the methane that is the traditional gas turbine fuel. This reactivity leads to a safety design issue, because with hydrogen-rich fuels a flame may anchor in the fuel injection section of the combustor instead of the downstream design point. In collaboration with Jacqueline Chen of Sandia National Laboratories and Andrea Gruber of SINTEF,more » a Norwegian energy think tank, the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) is carrying out fundamental simulations to provide new insight into the physics of flame anchoring in canonical 'jet in cross-flow' configurations using hydrogen-rich fuels. To deal with the large amount and complexity of the data, the combustion scientists also teamed up with computer scientists from across the U.S. Department of Energy's laboratories to develop novel ways to analyze the data. These simulations have shown that fine-scale turbulence structures formed at the jet boundary provide particularly intense mixing between the fuel and air, which then enters a quiescent region formed downstream of the jet in a separate, larger turbulent structure. This insight explains the effect that reducing the wall-normal velocity of the fuel jet causes the flame to blow off; with the aid of the simulation, we now understand this counterintuitive result because reducing the wall-normal velocity would reduce the intensity of the mixing as well as move the quiescent region farther downstream. NREL and its research partners are conducting simulations that provide new insight into the physics of flame anchoring in canonical 'jet in cross-flow' configurations using hydrogen-rich fuels. Simulation results explain the mechanism behind flame blow-off occurring when a component in the cross-flow direction is progressively added to the jet velocity vector, thereby reducing the relative impact of its wall-normal velocity component. Understanding the mechanism for flame anchoring aids the design of fuel injection nozzles that meet safety requirements when using hydrogen-rich fuels.« less

Coupled Monte Carlo Probability Density Function/ SPRAY/CFD Code Developed for Modeling Gas-Turbine Combustor Flows

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1995-01-01

The success of any solution methodology for studying gas-turbine combustor flows depends a great deal on how well it can model various complex, rate-controlling processes associated with turbulent transport, mixing, chemical kinetics, evaporation and spreading rates of the spray, convective and radiative heat transfer, and other phenomena. These phenomena often strongly interact with each other at disparate time and length scales. In particular, turbulence plays an important role in determining the rates of mass and heat transfer, chemical reactions, and evaporation in many practical combustion devices. Turbulence manifests its influence in a diffusion flame in several forms depending on how turbulence interacts with various flame scales. These forms range from the so-called wrinkled, or stretched, flamelets regime, to the distributed combustion regime. Conventional turbulence closure models have difficulty in treating highly nonlinear reaction rates. A solution procedure based on the joint composition probability density function (PDF) approach holds the promise of modeling various important combustion phenomena relevant to practical combustion devices such as extinction, blowoff limits, and emissions predictions because it can handle the nonlinear chemical reaction rates without any approximation. In this approach, mean and turbulence gas-phase velocity fields are determined from a standard turbulence model; the joint composition field of species and enthalpy are determined from the solution of a modeled PDF transport equation; and a Lagrangian-based dilute spray model is used for the liquid-phase representation with appropriate consideration of the exchanges of mass, momentum, and energy between the two phases. The PDF transport equation is solved by a Monte Carlo method, and existing state-of-the-art numerical representations are used to solve the mean gasphase velocity and turbulence fields together with the liquid-phase equations. The joint composition PDF approach was extended in our previous work to the study of compressible reacting flows. The application of this method to several supersonic diffusion flames associated with scramjet combustor flow fields provided favorable comparisons with the available experimental data. A further extension of this approach to spray flames, three-dimensional computations, and parallel computing was reported in a recent paper. The recently developed PDF/SPRAY/computational fluid dynamics (CFD) module combines the novelty of the joint composition PDF approach with the ability to run on parallel architectures. This algorithm was implemented on the NASA Lewis Research Center's Cray T3D, a massively parallel computer with an aggregate of 64 processor elements. The calculation procedure was applied to predict the flow properties of both open and confined swirl-stabilized spray flames.

Simultaneous alloy-silicate fractionation of carbon, nitrogen, and sulfur at high pressures and temperatures: Implications for establishing the volatile budget of the Earth

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Grewal, D. S.; Dasgupta, R.; Sun, C.; Tsuno, K.

2017-12-01

Constraining the origin, distribution and evolution of volatiles such as carbon (C), nitrogen (N) and sulfur (S) in terrestrial planets is essential to understand planetary differentiation, habitability and comparative planetology [1]. C/N ratio of Bulk Silicate Earth (BSE) is superchondritic (40 ± 8), while C/S ratio is nearly chondritic (0.49 ± 0.14) [2]. Accretion, core formation, and magma ocean (MO) crystallization are the key processes that could have set the relative budgets of C, N and S in different planetary reservoirs [3]. However, experiments using either C-N or C-S-bearing systems have shown that C is more siderophile than N and S, consequently core formation would have left behind subchondritic C/N and C/S ratios in BSE [4-6]. Accretion of extremely C-rich bodies during core formation or/and as a late veneer along with an early atmospheric blow-off are amongst the scenarios that have been suggested to explain C/N ratio while the addition of a differentiated body with a C-rich mantle has been suggested to explain C/S ratio in BSE [4-6]. However, no internally consistent explanations exist on the origin of all the volatile elements. We performed piston cylinder and multi-anvil experiments, using Fe-Ni-N-C±S alloy with variable amounts of S and mafic-ultramafic silicate mixtures in graphite saturated conditions at 1-7 GPa, 1600-1800 °C, and fO2 ranging from ΔIW of -1.1 to -0.3. EPMA and SIMS were used to determine major elements and volatile abundances in the coexisting alloy and silicate melt phases, while the speciation of the volatiles was determined using Raman spectroscopy. Our experimental data reveals that C becomes less siderophile in the presence of N and S during core-mantle differentiation involving an S-rich alloy. Using a set of inverse Monte-Carlo simulations, we propose that a disequilibrium merger of a Mars-sized planetary embryo with a C-saturated, S-rich core to a volatile-depleted proto-Earth during the main stage of accretion could have simultaneously satisfied C-N-S abundances and ratios in BSE along with setting up the stage of for the presence of NH3 and HCN in the Earth's early atmosphere via MO degassing. [1] Zahnle et al. (2007) Space Sci. Rev. [2] Marty (2012) EPSL. [3] Dasgupta et al. (2013) GCA. [4] Hirschmann (2016) AM. [5] Dalou et al. (2017) EPSL. [6] Li et al. (2016) Nat. Geosci.

Hybrid-PIC modeling of laser-plasma interactions and hot electron generation in gold hohlraum walls

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Thoma, C.; Welch, D. R.; Clark, R. E.; Rose, D. V.; Golovkin, I. E.

2017-06-01

The walls of the hohlraum used in experiments at the national ignition facility are heated by laser beams with intensities ˜ 10 15 W/cm2, a wavelength of ˜ 1 / 3 μm, and pulse lengths on the order of a ns, with collisional absorption believed to be the primary heating mechanism. X-rays generated by the hot ablated plasma at the gold walls are then used to implode a target in the hohlraum interior. In addition to the collisional absorption of laser energy at the walls, non-linear laser-plasma interactions (LPI), such as stimulated Raman scattering and two plasmon decay, are believed to generate a population of supra-thermal electrons which, if present in the hohlraum, can have a deleterious effect on target implosion. We describe results of hohlraum modeling using a hybrid particle-in-cell code. To enable this work, new particle-based algorithms for a multiple-ion magneto-hydrodynamic (MHD) treatment, and a particle-based ray-tracing model were developed. The use of such hybrid methods relaxes the requirement to resolve the laser wavelength, and allows for relatively large-scale hohlraum simulations with a reasonable number of cells. But the non-linear effects which are believed to be the cause of hot electron generation can only be captured by fully kinetic simulations with good resolution of the laser wavelength. For this reason, we employ a two-tiered approach to hohlraum modeling. Large-scale simulations of the collisional absorption process can be conducted using the fast quasi-neutral MHD algorithm with fluid particle species. From these simulations, we can observe the time evolution of the hohlraum walls and characterize the density and temperature profiles. From these results, we can transition to smaller-scale highly resolved simulations using traditional kinetic particle-in-cell methods, from which we can fully model all of the non-linear laser-plasma interactions, as well as assess the details of the electron distribution function. We find that vacuum hohlraums should be stable to both two plasmon decay and stimulated Raman scattering instabilities for intensities ≤ 10 15 W/cm2. In gas-filled hohlraums, shocks may be induced in the blowoff gold plasma, which leads to more complex density and temperatures profiles. The resulting effect on LPI stability depends strongly on the details of the profile, and it is possible for the gas-filled hohlraum to become unstable to two plasmon decay at 1015 W/cm2 if the quarter-critical surface reaches temperatures exceeding 1 keV.

A unified theory of impact crises and mass extinctions: quantitative tests.

PubMed

Rampino, M R; Haggerty, B M; Pagano, T C

1997-05-30

Several quantitative tests of a general hypothesis linking impacts of large asteroids and comets with mass extinctions of life are possible based on astronomical data, impact dynamics, and geological information. The waiting times of large-body impacts on the Earth derived from the flux of Earth-crossing asteroids and comets, and the estimated size of impacts capable of causing, large-scale environmental disasters, predict the impacts of objects > or = 5 km in diameter (> or = 10(7) Mt TNT equivalent) could be sufficient to explain the record of approximately 25 extinction pulses in the last 540 Myr, with the 5 recorded major mass extinctions related to impacts of the largest objects of > or = 10 km in diameter (> or = 10(8) Mt events). Smaller impacts (approximately 10(6) Mt), with significant regional environmental effects, could be responsible for the lesser boundaries in the geologic record. Tests of the "kill curve" relationship for impact-induced extinctions based on new data on extinction intensities, and several well-dated large impact craters, also suggest that major mass extinctions require large impacts, and that a step in the kill curve may exist at impacts that produce craters of approximately 100 km diameter, smaller impacts being capable of only relatively weak extinction pulses. Single impact craters less than approximately 60 km in diameter should not be associated with detectable global extinction pulses (although they may explain stage and zone boundaries marked by lesser faunal turnover), but multiple impacts in that size range may produce significant stepped extinction pulses. Statistical tests of the last occurrences of species at mass-extinction boundaries are generally consistent with predictions for abrupt or stepped extinctions, and several boundaries are known to show "catastrophic" signatures of environmental disasters and biomass crash, impoverished postextinction fauna and flora dominated by stress-tolerant and opportunistic species, and gradual ecological recovery and radiation of new taxa. Isotopic and other geochemical signatures are also generally consistent with the expected after-effects of catastrophic impacts. Seven of the recognized extinction pulses seem to be associated with concurrent (in some cases multiple) stratigraphic impact markers (e.g., layers with high iridium, shocked minerals, microtektites), and/or large, dated impact craters. Other less well-studied crisis intervals show elevated iridium, but well below that of the K/T spike, which might be explained by low-Ir impactors, ejecta blowoff, or sedimentary reworking and dilution of impact signatures. The best explanation for a possible periodic component of approximately 30 Myr in mass extinctions and clusters of impacts is the pulselike modulation of the comet flux associated with the solar system's periodic passage through the plane of the Milky Way Galaxy. The quantitative agreement between paleontologic and astronomical data suggests an important underlying unification of the processes involved.

Turbulent Jet Flames Into a Vitiated Coflow. PhD Thesis awarded Spring 2003

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Holdeman, James D. (Technical Monitor); Cabra, Ricardo

2004-01-01

Examined is the vitiated coflow flame, an experimental condition that decouples the combustion processes of flows found in practical combustors from the associated recirculating fluid mechanics. The configuration consists of a 4.57 mm diameter fuel jet into a coaxial flow of hot combustion products from a lean premixed flame. The 210 mm diameter coflow isolates the jet flame from the cool ambient, providing a hot environment similar to the operating conditions of advanced combustors; this important high temperature element is lacking in the traditional laboratory experiments of jet flames into cool (room) air. A family of flows of increasing complexity is presented: 1) nonreacting flow, 2) all hydrogen flame (fuel jet and premixed coflow), and 3) set of methane flames. This sequence of experiments provides a convenient ordering of validation data for combustion models. Laser Raman-Rayleigh-LIF diagnostics at the Turbulent Diffusion Flame laboratory of Sandia National Laboratories produced instantaneous multiscalar point measurements. These results attest to the attractive features of the vitiated coflow burner and the well-defined boundary conditions provided by the coflow. The coflow is uniform and steady, isolating the jet flame from the laboratory air for a downstream distance ranging from z/d = 50-70. The statistical results show that differential diffusion effects in this highly turbulent flow are negligible. Complementing the comprehensive set of multiscalar measurements is a parametric study of lifted methane flames that was conducted to analyze flame sensitivity to jet and coflow velocity, as well as coflow temperature. The linear relationship found between the lift-off height and the jet velocity is consistent with previous experiments. New linear sensitivities were found correlating the lift-off height to coflow velocity and temperature. A blow-off study revealed that the methane flame blows off at a common coflow temperature (1260 K), regardless of coflow or jet velocity. An explanation for this phenomenon is that entrainment of ambient air at the high lift-off heights prevents autoignition. Analysis of the results suggests that flame stabilization occurs through a combination of flame propagation, autoignition, and localized extinction processes. Proposed is an expanded view of distributed reaction combustion based on analysis of the distributions of probe volume conditions at the stabilization region of the lifted hydrogen and methane flames. Turbulent eddies the size of the flame thickness mix fuel and hot coflow across the flame front, thereby enhancing the reaction zone with autoignition of reactants at elevated temperatures; this is the reverse effect of turbulent flames in ambient air, where intense turbulence in cool mixtures result in localized extinction. Each of the three processes (i.e., flame propagation, autoignition and localized extinction) contributes to flame stabilization in varying degrees, depending on flow conditions.

Impact Crises, Mass Extinctions, and Galactic Dynamics: A Unified Theory

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Rampino, M.R.

1997-01-01

A general hypothesis linking mass extinctions of life with impacts of large asteroids and comets is based on astronomical data, impact dynamics, and geological information. The waiting times of large-body impacts on the Earth, derived from the flux of Earth-crossing asteroids and comets, and the estimated size of impacts capable of causing large-scale environmental disasters predict that impacts of objects (sup 3)5 km in diameter ((sup 3)10(exp 7) Mt TNT equivalent) could be sufficient to explain the record of about 25 extinction pulses in the last 540 m.y., with the five recorded major mass extinctions related to the impacts of the largest objects of (sup 3)10 km in diameter ( (sup 3)10(exp 8) Mt events). Smaller impacts (about 10(exp 6)-10(exp 7) Mt), with significant regional and even global environmental effects, could be responsible for the lesser boundaries in the geologic record. Tests of the "kill curve" relationship for impact-induced extinctions based on new data on extinction intensities and several well-dated large impact craters suggest that major mass extinctions require large impacts, and that a step in the kill curve may exist at impacts that produce craters of -100 km diameter, with smaller impacts capable of only relatively weak extinction pulses. Single impact craters < about 60 km in diameter should not be associated with global extinction pulses detectable in the Sepkoski database (although they may explain stage and zone boundaries marked by lesser faunal turnover), but multiple impacts in that size range may produce significant stepped extinction pulses. Statistical tests of the last occurrences of species at mass-extinction boundaries are generally consistent with predictions for abrupt or stepped extinctions, and several boundaries are known to show "catastrophic" signatures of environmental disasters and biomass crash, impoverished postextinction fauna and flora dominated by stress-tolerant and opportunistic species, and gradual ecological recovery and radiation of new taxa. Isotopic and other geochemical signatures are also generally consistent with the expected after-effects of catastrophic impacts. Seven of the recognized extinction pulses are associated with concurrent (in some cases multiple) stratigraphic impact markers (e.g., layers with high Ir, shocked minerals, microtektites), and/or large, dated impact craters. Other less-well-studied crisis intervals show elevated Ir, still well below that of the K/T spike, which might be explained by low-Ir impactors, ejecta blowoff, or the sedimentary reworking and dilution of impact signatures. The best explanation for a possible periodic component of about 30 m.y. in mass extinctions and clusters of impacts is the modulation of the comet flux associated with the solar system's periodic passage through the plane of the Milky Way Galaxy. The quantitative agreement among paleontological, geological, and astronomical data suggests an important underlying unification of the processes involved.

Observations of Subvisible Cirrus Clouds and Gravity Waves at the Tropical Tropopause

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Pfister, Leonhard; Browell, E. V.; Hipskind, R. Stephen (Technical Monitor)

1998-01-01

Thin, subvisible cirrus (SVC) clouds at the tropical tropopause have been observed by a number of methods in a variety of observational programs, including in situ sampling and aircraft and space-based lidar. Modeling studies suggest that these clouds play an important role in dehydrating tropospheric air as it enters the stratosphere. This is because particles large enough to have significant fall speeds can form under the conditions of slow cooling that are implied by the large horizontal extent of the SVC sheets. The IR radiation that these clouds absorb, and the upward vertical motion this implies, also makes them candidates for a tropical troposphere-to-stratosphere mass transfer mechanism. They may also play a role in the earth's radiation budget. These sheets were observed on five flights during the Tropical Ozone Transport Experiment (TOTE) by the NASA Langley DIAL lidar aboard NASA's DC-8 research aircraft operating during December 1995 and February 1996 south of Hawaii. The relationship of the SVC's observed during TOTE to convection was not a simple one. One class of SVC's are within 1000 km of the persistent strong convection near 15S (the SPCZ). Trajectory analyses indicated that the SVC air masses have in fact passed through the SPCZ within a few days of observation. These clouds are very close to the tropopause, with maximum potential temperatures not much higher than 370K, consistent with in situ water and total water measurements near the tropopause made during the Stratosphere Troposphere Exchange Project in January 1987 at Darwin, Australia. A second class of SVC's are not immediately downstream of convection. These clouds tend to be higher, reaching potential temperatures of 390K or more. Trajectory analyses indicate that the air in these SVC's originates either in the equatorial western Pacific or along the subtropical jet. In any case, the warm temperatures the SVC air masses encounter just prior to the observation time along the back trajectory imply that the clouds cannot be residual particles from cirrus blowoff, but must form locally as the air move upward and equatorward south of Hawaii. Since all the parcels have encountered colder temperatures than those at the time of observation early in their history, subsynoptic scale temperatures colder than the analysis temperatures appear to be required to explain the formation of ice particles. In fact, the sloping shapes of the SVC's do suggest that they are gravity or inertia-gravity waves. In situ meteorological measurements made by the ER-2 within a day of the DC-8 remote lidar observations show a gravity wave structure near the equator with an estimated period of about 30 hours. This is sufficiently long to allow large particles to form and fall out (thus allowing dehydration). Other ER-2 flights south of Hawaii at other times of year show gravity and inertia-gravity waves with a poleward wavenumber component and significant (5 degrees peak to peak) temperature perturbation.

Impact Cratering Calculations

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Ahrens, Thomas J.

1997-01-01

Understanding the physical processes of impact cratering on planetary surfaces and atmospheres as well as collisions of finite-size self-gravitating objects is vitally important to planetary science. The observation has often been made that craters are the most ubiquitous landform on the solid planets and the satellites. The density of craters is used to date surfaces on planets and satellites. For large ringed basin craters (e.g. Chicxulub), the issue of identification of exactly what 'diameter' transient crater is associated with this structure is exemplified by the arguments of Sharpton et al. (1993) versus those of Hildebrand et al. (1995). The size of a transient crater, such as the K/T extinction crater at Yucatan, Mexico, which is thought to be the source of SO,-induced sulfuric acid aerosol that globally acidified surface waters as the result of massive vaporization of CASO, in the target rock, is addressed by our present project. The impact process excavates samples of planetary interiors. The degree to which this occurs (e.g. how deeply does excavation occur for a given crater diameter) has been of interest, both with regard to exposing mantle rocks in crater floors, as well as launching samples into space which become part of the terrestrial meteorite collection (e.g. lunar meteorites, SNC's from Mars). Only in the case of the Earth can we test calculations in the laboratory and field. Previous calculations predict, independent of diameter, that the depth of excavation, normalized by crater diameter, is d(sub ex)/D = 0.085 (O'Keefe and Ahrens, 1993). For Comet Shoemaker-Levy 9 (SL9) fragments impacting Jupiter, predicted excavation depths of different gas-rich layers in the atmosphere, were much larger. The trajectory and fate of highly shocked material from a large impact on the Earth, such as the K/T bolide is of interest. Melosh et al. (1990) proposed that the condensed material from the impact upon reentering the Earth's atmosphere induced. radiative heating, and producing global firestorms. The observed reentry splash of the SL-9 impact-induced plumes that reimpact Jupiter (Boslough et al., 1994) supported Melosh's K/T model. The fate of early primitive planetary atmospheres during the latter stages of planetary accretion, resulting from impactors in the 100 to 103 km diameter require modeling, e.g. Newman et al. (1997). Ahrens (1990; 1993) and Chen and Ahrens (1997) found that upon delivery of most of the impact energy to the solid planet, very large ground motions arise, which couple sufficient kinetic energy to the atmosphere to cause substantial atmospheric escape. The trade-off of this model with that of Cameron (1997) who suggests that atmospheric blow-off occurs as a result of the massive impact-induced heating of the atmosphere and Pepin (1997) who uses this heating event to model differential hydrodynamic loss of lighter atmospheric gases, requires further research.

Effects of Buoyancy on Laminar and Turbulent Premixed V-Flame

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Cheng, Robert K.; Bedat, Benoit

1997-01-01

Turbulent combustion occurs naturally in almost all combustion systems and involves complex dynamic coupling of chemical and fluid mechanical processes. It is considered as one of the most challenging combustion research problems today. Though buoyancy has little effect on power generating systems operating under high pressures (e.g., IC engines and turbines), flames in atmospheric burners and the operation of small to medium furnaces and boilers are profoundly affected by buoyancy. Changes in burner orientation impacts on their blow-off, flash-back and extinction limits, and their range of operation, burning rate, heat transfer, and emissions. Theoretically, buoyancy is often neglected in turbulent combustion models. Yet the modeling results are routinely compared with experiments of open laboratory flames that are obviously affected by buoyancy. This inconsistency is an obstacle to reconciling experiments and theories. Consequently, a fundamental understanding of the coupling between turbulent flames and buoyancy is significant to both turbulent combustion science and applications. The overall effect of buoyancy relates to the dynamic interaction between the flame and its surrounding, i.e., the so-called elliptical problem. The overall flame shape, its flowfield, stability, and mean and local burning rates are dictated by both upstream and downstream boundary conditions. In steady propagating premixed flames, buoyancy affects the products region downstream of the flame zone. These effects are manifested upstream through the mean and fluctuating pressure fields to influence flame stretch and flame wrinkling. Intuitively, the effects buoyancy should diminish with increasing flow momentum. This is the justification for excluding buoyancy in turbulent combustion models that treats high Reynolds number flows. The objectives of our experimental research program is to elucidate flame-buoyancy coupling processes in laminar and turbulent premixed flames, and to characterize microgravity (micro g) premixed flames. The results are used to derive appropriate scaling parameters for guiding the development of theoretical models to include the effects of buoyancy. Knowledge gain from the analysis will also contribute to further understanding of the elliptical nature of premixed flames. Our current emphasis is to examine the momentum limit above which the effects of buoyancy would become insignificant. This is accomplished by comparing the flowfields and the mean properties of normal gravity flames (+g), and reversed gravity flames (-g, up-side-down flames) at different flow velocities and turbulence intensities. Microgravity (micro g) flames experiments provide the key reference data to reconcile the differences between flames in +g and -g. As flame configuration has significant impact on premixed flames characteristics we have studied axi-symmetric conical flames and plane-symmetric rod-stabilized v-flames. The two configurations produce distinct features that dictates how the flames couple with buoyancy. In a conical flame, the hot products plume completely envelopes the flame cone and shields the flame from direct interaction with the ambient air. The plume originates at the burner rim and generates a divergent flowfield. In comparison, the products region of v-flames forms between the twin flame sheets and it is convergent towards the center-plane. Interaction with ambient air is limited to the two end regions of the stabilized rod and beyond the flame sheets.

A Theory of Oscillating Edge Flames

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Buckmaster, J.; Zhang, Yi

1999-01-01

It has been known for some years that when a near-limit flame spreads over a liquid pool of fuel, the edge of the flame can oscillate relative to a frame moving with the mean speed. Each period of oscillation is characterized by long intervals of modest motion during which the edge gases radiate like those of a diffusion flame, punctuated by bursts of rapid advance during which the edge gases radiate like those in a deflagration. Substantial resources have been brought to bear on this issue within the microgravity program, both experimental and numerical. It is also known that when a near-asphyxiated candle-flame burns at zero gravity, the edge of the (hemispherical) flame can oscillate violently prior to extinction. Thus a web-surfer, turning to the NASA web-site at http://microgravity.msfc.nasa.gov, and following the trail combustion science/experiments/experimental results/candle flame, will find photographs and a description of candle burning experiments carried out on board both the Space-shuttle and the Russian space station Mir. A brief report can also be found in the proceedings of the Fourth Workshop. And recently, in a third microgravity program, the leading edge of the flame supported by injection of ethane through the porous surface of a plate over which air is blown has been found to oscillate when conditions are close to blow-off. A number of important points can be made with respect to these observations: It is the edge itself which oscillates, advancing and retreating, not the diffusion flame that trails behind the edge; oscillations only occur under near limit conditions; in each case the Lewis number of the fuel is significantly larger than 1; and because of the edge curvature, the heat losses from the reacting edge structure are larger than those from the trailing diffusion flame. We propose a general theory for these oscillations, invoking Occam's 'Law of Parsimony' in an expanded form, to wit: The same mechanism is responsible for the oscillations in all three experiments; and no new mechanism is invoked (Occam's original 'Razor'). Such a strategy eliminates Marangoni effects as the source, for these are absent in the second and third experiments. And it eliminates arguments that point to numerically predicted gas eddies as the source, a new mechanism, unelucidated. Indeed, we hypothesize that the essential driving mechanism for the instability is a combination of large Lewis number and heat losses from the reacting structure near the flame edge. Instabilities driven by these mechanisms are commonplace in 1D configurations. Chemical reactor theory, for example, leads to system responses which mimic the response of the candle flame - steady flame, oscillations, extinction. In a combustion context, oscillating instabilities were first reported for diffusion flames in a theoretical study by Kirkby and Schmitz, and here also the instabilities are associated with near-extinction conditions, large Lewis numbers, and heat losses. And deflagrations will oscillate if the Lewis number is large enough, oscillations that are exacerbated when heat losses are present, whether global or to a surface.

Elemental Fractionation During Rapid Accretion of the Moon Triggered by a Giant Impact

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Abe, Y.; Zahnle, K. J.; Hashimoto, A.

1998-01-01

Recently, Ida et al. made an N-body simulation of lunar accretion from a protolunar disk formed by a giant impact. One of their important conclusions is that the accretion time of the Moon is as short as one month. Such rapid accretion is a necessary consequence of the high surface density of a lunar mass disk accreting just beyond the Roche limit (about 3Re); the Safronov accretion time (a few days) is even shorter. The energy of accretion always exceeds the gravitational binding energy of newly arriving matter. Hence, without an energy sink, the accreting body is thermally unstable. For the Earth and other planets, radiation acts as the sink. However, in such a short accretion time, the Moon cannot radiate the accretional energy. Even radiating at a silicate cloudtop temperature of roughly 2000 K, it would take more than 100 yr to radiatively cool the Moon. The plausible alternative heat sinks are heat capacity, latent heat of vaporization, and thermal escape of the gas to space (i.e., hydrodynamic blowoff). The latter becomes plausible for the Moon because the scale height at 2000 K (about 300 km) is a significant fraction of the lunar radius. The early stages of lunar (or "lunatesimal") growth release relatively little energy and can occur simply by heating the material, especially if the accreting material is originally cold. However, the material is unlikely to be cold, because the disk itself is hot and cooling time is long, while the lunar accretion time iss very short. Therefore, the moon is likely to accrete condensed material just after it condenses. Accordingly, the newly accreted material will be on the verge of vaporization and will have very little heat capacity to spare. The immediate heat sink is the latent heat of vaporization. Most of the vapor will escape from the moon, because the thermal energy in the gas can be used to drive escape. However, vaporization is generally incomplete. the latent heat of vaporization exceeds the energy of accretion. Viewed globally, the accretional energy is about half the energy required to vaporize the entire Moon. Thus to first approximation, half of the Moon-forming material can be vaporized and lost during accretion. During this process, we would expect preferential loss of relatively volatile elements. Escape will retard the rate of accretion. To test these ideas, we computed detailed models of the thermal state of the Moon during accretion. We pay special attention to the structure of the silicate atmosphere and its loss rate by calculating the chemical species at equilibrium. We used the PHEQ program which includes 12 elements (H,O,C,Mg,Si,Fe,Ca, Al, Na,Ti, and N.) and 272 compounds (including ionic compounds). Because of the large heats of vaporization and ionization, the adiabatic atmosphere is nearly isothermal and massive escape is expected. The pressure of the atmosphere is determined by the balance between vaporization of a accreting material and escape. If the accretion time is one month, a 0.3 bar atmosphere is expected. Elemental fractionation depends strongly on the temperature of the accreting material. The initial temperature of the material can be estimated from the condition of gravitational instability in the protolunar disk. As shown by Ida et al, accretion starts when gravitational instability occurs when more than 99% of the material condenses. At this point, all of Ca, Al, Si, Mg, and Fe, and 95% of Na (probably K also), are in condensed phases. If the moon is formed from the accretion of such material, volatile elements such as Na, and K are retained by the moon only early in accretion. At later times, K and Na are lost and a fraction of the MG, Si and Fe is lost. However, refractory elements such as Ca and Al are retained and so achieve a mild degree (factor 2) of superabundance.

Loss of Water to Space from Mars: Processes and Implications

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kass, D. M.

2001-12-01

One of the major sinks for water on Mars is the loss to space. This occurs via a complex series of processes that transport the individual atoms to the upper atmosphere, where several escape mechanisms remove them. Hydrogen and deuterium are lost primarily by Jeans escape. Non-thermal processes also remove H and D, but are only important in determining D loss at solar minimum under modern conditions. The present H loss rate is equivalent to the loss of 10-3~pr-\\micron~yr-1 of water. The loss of oxygen is more complicated. The three main processes are indirect (or ionospheric) sputtering, solar wind pickup of O+, and O2+ dissociative recombination. Their relative importance has varied over the history of Mars. The combined effect of the O loss processes is to remove a ~ 50~m global layer of water over the last 3.5 Gyr. Based on photochemical modeling, the loss of oxygen and hydrogen are balanced (over geological timescales) by a feedback process. During the early history of Mars, impact erosion and hydrodynamic blow-off may have removed significant water. But, it is difficult to estimate their quantitative effects. The transport of individual H, D and O atoms to the exosphere where they can escape is not completely understood. It occurs primarily via intermediate species, H2, HD, O2 and CO2. The H2 and HD are formed by photolysis of water and the odd hydrogen photochemistry. One open issue is the mechanism regulating the partitioning of D between HDO and HD (which controls the supply of D available for escape from the exosphere). The various loss processes isotopically enrich Martian water since the exospheric escape source region is depleted. Jeans escape and the transport from the lower atmosphere further fractionate hydrogen, the most useful isotopic system. Based on recent observations, the D/H fractionation factor, F ~ 0.02. Measurements of atmospheric water vapor indicate it is enriched in deuterium, with a D/H ratio ~ 5 times the terrestrial value. Since most of the water on Mars is likely to be in the form of ice, it is presumably further fractionated by ~ 0.8 due to ice/water vapor interactions. This yields an effective D/H enrichment of ~ 7 for reservoirs in equilibrium with the atmosphere. From a loss to space point of view, Martian water can be divided into three reservoirs. The first is the thin, 10 pr-\\micron, atmospheric water. The second is a global exchangeable reservoir in long term isotopic equilibrium with the atmosphere. This probably encompasses the polar caps, ice in polar layered deposits and any other near surface ice or adsorbed water. The third, more speculative, reservoir is a non-exchanging reservoir (a deep sub-surface cryosphere). In addition, due to the small size of the atmospheric reservoir, difficulty in isotopically equilibrating it with the entire exchangeable reservoir, and the relatively rapid H2 loss rate, there is also an intermediate exchangeable reservoir of ~ 4~mm. This is probably either a surface layer on the polar caps or near surface ice deposits. By assuming an initial terrestrial D/H ratio for Martian water (based on condritic meteorites) and a loss to space of ~ 50~m (based on the total O loss), the size of the exchangeable reservoir can be estimated. Two conceptual models are possible, depending on whether or not the non-exchangeable reservoir replenishes the exchangeable one. Quantitatively, the two models yield almost identical reservoir sizes, ~ 9~m (about the size of the northern polar cap). If, due to slow rate of isotopic diffusion in ice, the exchangeable reservoir actually has the same isotopic enrichment as the atmosphere, it would contain ~ 12~m of water.

Oxygen and carbon discovered in exoplanet atmosphere `blow-off'

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

2004-02-01

Oxygen and carbon discovered in exoplanet atmosphere ‘blow-off’ hi-res Size hi-res: 1096 kb Credits: ESA/Alfred Vidal-Madjar (Institut d’Astrophysique de Paris, CNRS, France) Oxygen and carbon discovered in exoplanet atmosphere ‘blow-off’ This artist’s impression shows an extended ellipsoidal envelope - the shape of a rugby-ball - of oxygen and carbon discovered around the well-known extrasolar planet HD 209458b. An international team of astronomers led by Alfred Vidal-Madjar (Institut d’Astrophysique de Paris, CNRS, France) observed the first signs of oxygen and carbon in the atmosphere of a planet beyond our Solar System for the first time using the NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope. The atoms of carbon and oxygen are swept up from the lower atmosphere with the flow of escaping atmospheric atomic hydrogen - like dust in a supersonic whirlwind - in a process called atmospheric ‘blow off’. Oxygen and carbon have been detected in the atmosphere of a planet beyond our Solar System for the first time. Scientists using the NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope have observed the famous extrasolar planet HD 209458b passing in front of its parent star, and found oxygen and carbon surrounding the planet in an extended ellipsoidal envelope - the shape of a rugby-ball. These atoms are swept up from the lower atmosphere with the flow of the escaping atmospheric atomic hydrogen, like dust in a supersonic whirlwind. The team led by Alfred Vidal-Madjar (Institut d’Astrophysique de Paris, CNRS, France) reports this discovery in a forthcoming issue of Astrophysical Journal Letters. The planet, called HD 209458b, may sound familiar. It is already an extrasolar planet with an astounding list of firsts: the first extrasolar planet discovered transiting its sun, the first with an atmosphere, the first observed to have an evaporating hydrogen atmosphere (in 2003 by the same team of scientists) and now the first to have an atmosphere containing oxygen and carbon. Furthermore the ‘blow-off’ effect observed by the team during their October and November 2003 observations with Hubble had never been seen before. In honour of such a distinguished catalogue this extraordinary extrasolar planet has provisionally been dubbed 'Osiris'. Osiris was the Egyptian god who lost part of his body - like HD 209458b - after his brother killed and cut him into pieces to prevent his return to life. Oxygen is one of the possible indicators of life that is often looked for in experiments searching for extraterrestrial life (such as those onboard the Viking probes and the Spirit and Opportunity rovers), but according to Vidal-Madjar: “Naturally this sounds exciting - the possibility of life on Osiris - but it is not a big surprise as oxygen is also present in the giant planets of our Solar System, like Jupiter and Saturn.” What, on the other hand was surprising was to find the carbon and oxygen atoms surrounding the planet in an extended envelope. Although carbon and oxygen have been observed on Jupiter and Saturn, it is always in combined form as methane and water deep in the atmosphere. In HD 209458b the chemicals are broken down into the basic elements. But on Jupiter or Saturn, even as elements, they would still remain invisible low in the atmosphere. The fact that they are visible in the upper atmosphere of HD 209458b confirms that atmospheric ‘blow off’ is occurring. The scorched Osiris orbits ‘only’ seven million kilometres from its yellow Sun-like star and its surface is heated to about 1000 degrees Celsius. Whereas hydrogen is a very light element - the lightest in fact - oxygen and carbon are much heavier in comparison. This has enabled scientists to conclude that this phenomenon is more efficient than simple evaporation. The gas is essentially ripped away at a speed of more than 35 000 kilometres an hour. “We speculate that even heavier elements such as iron are blown off at this stage as well,” says team member Alain Lecavelier des Etangs (Institut d'Astrophysique de Paris, CNRS, France). The whole evaporation mechanism is so distinctive that there is reason to propose the existence of a new class of extrasolar planets - the chthonian planets, a reference to the Greek God Khtôn, used for Greek deities from the hot infernal underworld (also used in the French word autochton). The chthonian planets are thought to be the solid remnant cores of ‘evaporated gas giants’, orbiting even closer to their parent star than Osiris. The detection of these planets should soon be within reach of current telescopes both on the ground and in space. The discovery of the fierce evaporation process is, according to the scientists, 'highly unusual', but may indirectly confirm theories of our own Earth’s childhood. “This is a unique case in which such a hydrodynamic escape is directly observed. It has been speculated that Venus, Earth and Mars may have lost their entire original atmospheres during the early part of their lives. Their present atmospheres have their origins in asteroid and cometary impacts and outgassing from the planet interiors,” says Vidal-Madjar.

Periglacial landforms on Mars as evidence of undersurface ice

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sik, A.

1. Introduction By the methods of comparative planetology we can acquire new information not only from other planets, but from the Earth as well. The purpose of my research is to compare the periglacial environment of Mars and Earth, their forms and geomorphological processes. Hereby we might could refine our understanding of the paleoclimatic changes on these two planets, the history of near-surface water on Mars and the possibility of Martian life. I used the high resolution narrow angle images of Mars Global Surveyor's Mars Oriber Camera [1] to define landforms and the profiles of Mars Oriber Laser Altimeter [2] to characterize the relief on the examined terrains. Because of the "difficulties" of real field work on the surface of Mars, I obtained these kind of data during a periglacial research expedition of my university, carried out in the summer of 2000. 2. Short history of water on Mars After the formation of the planet, Mars had a stable and thick atmosphere, probably dominated by carbon-dioxide, water-vapour and nitrogen. So during the first part of its history, called "wet Mars period", planet Mars had active water-cycle and as a part of it, water-related erosion landforms had taken shape. This can be the explanation of the seashore-like, regionally identical altitude lines which separates different surface regions, the river channels and the inner crater pond sediments widely general on the surface. But as a result of more mechanisms, about 3,5 billion years ago this era ended. The main reasons probably were some giant impact events, produced a kind of atmospheric blow-off and resulted huge impact forms, like Hellas- and Argyre- basins. Another factor of it was the loss of global magnetic field, so the charged particles of solar wind was able to erode the outer part of the atmosphere. Besides, the low escape velocity caused by the small mass of the planet enabled gas molecules of the Martian atmosphere to leave for the interplanetary space. For all these reasons the quantity and pressure of the Martian atmosphere decreased, the previously generated green house effect became weaker and the surface temperature fallen down. From this time the volatiles frozen out and water was not stable on the surface in liquid form any more. So polar ice caps was formed and the pores in the thick regolith-mantle of the surface was filled with ice, resulting in a permafrost-like global cryosphere [3]. 3. Periglacial environment The periglacial regions most exactly can be defined by the temporary presence of ice under the surface. This often produce an ever-frozen, ice-saturated section of the ground, called permafrost, which is the reason of the most periglacial mechanisms and forms. The climate of these regions fluctuates round about 0°C in the year because it is needed to establish the conditions of ice-melting. The surface materials are also an important factor of the periglacial processes because most of these are related to rock debris covered surfaces. Well, it seems to be a complex environmental system and all these compounds are required to build- up a real periglacial landscape. These complex systems are very sensitive to the smallest environmental changes and because of their dynamic character (in comparison with other morpho-climatological regions) the reaction for any changing comes very quickly after that. In addition, if the observed terrain has significant relief, the mass movements are particularly important. 4. Rock glaciers on Earth As Earth-analogies, I collected data directly in two study area: 1) in a ruins of the former caldera of Erciyas Mountain in Anatolia, Turkey (38,5°N, 35,3°E) and 2) in a northwest-facing valley in Aladaglar Mountains of Anatolia, Turkey (37,7°N, 35°E). These locations are approximately 3100 m above sea level. The results of our expedition are high scale topographic and geomorphologic maps, microclimatic measurements and a huge number of photographs. At the first area there are some middle-sized rock glaciers formed from the gravitational talus regions of the inner walls of the caldera. The most typical form is a young and active, lobate-shaped rock glacier bordered by steep side- and front slopes and with well-defined transversal furrows-and-ridges pattern on its surface. The second location is more isolated, in the Pleistocene it was a cirque-region of a normal glacier. Recently there is only one rock glacier in the area, so that is very well bordered. The geomorpological map of this form shows curvilinear pattern, as a result of plastic deformation of inner ice lens. The lower end of this rock glacier has bigger units and deeper troughs between them. Perhaps it is resulted from changing active and less active periods of movement, in connection with temperature oscillations. 5. Debris aprons on Mars From Viking Orbiter images fretted terrains of Mars has known as high-relief transition zones between the young, northern low-lying plains and the old, southern highlands of the planet [4]. Here the isolated highland-mesas are surrounded by plastic, skirt-like forms of rock debris: these are called debris aprons. Their formation is supported by the global cryosphere. Other morphological evidences of this latitude-specific ice-rich layer are the rampart craters, relief relaxation phenomena, poligon-shaped surface matrix, thermokarst-like features and indirectly the formation of outflow channels [5]. These debris aprons can extend to 15-25 km long, they have a convex shape, steep frontal- and side slopes and they are differs from gravitational talus or fluvial aprons, respectively. The source of their rock debris is the intensive physical weathering, and their ice emanates from the underlying layers, from the mesa's material or condense from the atmosphere [6]. Primarily the ice content-related mass movement mechanisms (continuous creep and episodic sliding) are responsible for the plastic appearance of these forms [7]. The detailed analysis of three Martian debris aprons on MOC image M02-04416 and their corresponding MOLA profiles show morphological similarities to terrestrial rock glaciers. The source zone of the aprons seems like a gravitational talus formed on the weathering free rock face, with longitudinal lineaments on it. Downhill the surface of the aprons breaks up and changes from knobby to more disturbed character, furthermore tongue-shaped units can be separated, like girlands on Earth. In the middle part, where the plastic deformation causes the strongest extension, larger mass movements occur, with curvilinear fronts. 6. Conclusions On the basis of all the above mentioned things, truly the rock glaciers are the best terrestrial analogies of Martian periglacial debris aprons. They occur in similar environmental conditions, show analogous morphology and perhaps their movement mechanisms are the same as well. The most important difference is the temporal variety of the periglacial environments of Mars and Earth, because our planet is more dynamic. For this reason, the same mechanisms acting on the two planets can resulted in different landscape, considering the importance of time of form-evolution [8]. By Idrisi geoinformatic software I compared Martian images from the same location, which were taken minimum one Martian year time difference. There are only a few image-pair, but based on these no sign of seasonal changes can be found on the aprons. Nevertheless from longer period alteration no sure statement can be claimed, because the time expired since our first usable observations is very short. Though the detailed analysis of crater-density and crater erosion status provide more accurate time-information about the aprons, indicate that these are the relatively youngest landforms in their surface environment. 7. Implication of life on Mars If ice is present in the surface layers of Mars, it can be hopeful for the case of Martian life. Because the climate oscillation of the planet can cause warmer periods on short timescale when the partial melting of the ice content can not be ruled out and so a specially adapted organism can survive the frozen state in spore form and after revive in liquid water. If this conception is correct, recently Mars is in frozen state and we have to wait for the discovery of Martian life until a warmer period begin. 8. Proposal for future research We are planning to model these forms in the environment of our Hunveyor experimental space probe [9], but the best Earth-analogies (for its lithology, climate and orography as well) of these terrains are the McMurdo Dry Valleys of Antarctica [10]. So the new theories in connection with the topic of Martian periglacial environments should be tested there in the future. By doing so, and by a better understanding of correlation between morphology of terrestrial rock glaciers and climatic oscillation, we will able to refine our view of near-surface water-history and paleoclimate of Mars. References [1] www.msss.com; [2] lptwww.gsfc.nasa.gov/tharsis/mola.html; [3] Kereszturi, Á. and Sik, A. (2000) LPSC XXXI., #1216; [4] Squyres, S. W. et al. (1992) in Kieffer, H. H. et. al.: Mars, University of Arizona Press, Tucson, 523-554; [5] Carr, M. H. and Schaber, G. G. (1977) JGR, 82, 4039-4054; [6] Mangold, N. et. al. (2000) LPSC XXXI., #1131; [7] Vitek, J. D. (1987) in J. R. Giardino et. al.: Rock glaciers, Allen and Unwin, London, 239-264; [8] Humlum, O. (2000) Geomorphology, 35, 41-67; [9] Bérczi, Sz. et. al. (1999) LPSC XXX., #1332; [10] Nagy, B. and Szalai, Z.: Study of periglacial mass movements at King George Island (Southern Shetland Islands, Western Antarctica), Geographical Proceedings, in press.