Process for making silver metal filaments

DOEpatents

Bamberger, Carlos E.

1997-01-01

A process for making silver metal particles from silver salt particles having the same morphology. Precursor silver salt particles selected from the group consisting of silver acetate and silver sulfide having a selected morphology are contained in a reactor vessel having means for supporting the particles in an air suspension to prevent the agglomeration of the particles. Air is flowed through the reactor vessel at a flow rate sufficient to suspend the particles in the reactor vessel. The suspended precursor silver salt particles are heated to a processing temperature and at a heating rate below which the physical deterioration of the suspended precursor silver salt particles takes place. The suspended precursor silver salt particles are maintained at the processing temperature for a period of time sufficient to convert the particles into silver metal particles having the same morphology as the precursor silver salt particles.

Design Manual for Microgravity Two-Phase Flow and Heat Transfer

DTIC Science & Technology

1989-10-01

simultaneous solution of two equations. One equation is a dimensionless two-.nhase momentum equation for a separated flow and the other is a dimensionless...created by the flow of the gas over a wave (the Bernoulli effect) is sufficient to lift the waves in a stratified flow to the top of the pipe. A... momentum equation to determine a dimensionless parameter related to the liquid flow rate: 14 [(Ug*Dg*)1(1J*) 2[ [ [ + - 4Y X 2 =9 k (1-16) [U *D1*] -n

Bubble Formation at a Submerged Orifice in Reduced Gravity

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Buyevich, Yu A.; Webbon, Bruce W.

1994-01-01

The dynamic regime of gas injection through a circular plate orifice into an ideally wetting liquid is considered, when successively detached bubbles may be regarded as separate identities. In normal gravity and at relatively low gas flow rates, a growing bubble is modeled as a spherical segment touching the orifice perimeter during the whole time of its evolution. If the flow rate exceeds a certain threshold value, another stage of the detachment process takes place in which an almost spherical gas envelope is connected with the orifice by a nearly cylindrical stem that lengthens as the bubble rises above the plate. The bubble shape resembles then that of a mushroom and the upper envelope continues to grow until the gas supply through the stem is completely cut off. Such a stage is always present under conditions of sufficiently low gravity, irrespective of the flow rate. Two major reasons make for bubble detachment: the buoyancy force and the force due to the momentum inflow into the bubble with the injected gas. The former force dominates the process at normal gravity whereas the second one plays a key role under negligible gravity conditions. It is precisely this fundamental factor that conditions the drastic influence on bubble growth and detachment that changes in gravity are able to cause. The frequency of bubble formation is proportional to and the volume of detached bubbles is independent of the gas flow rate in sufficiently low gravity, while at normal and moderately reduced gravity conditions the first variable slightly decreases and the second one almost linearly increases as the flow rate grows. Effects of other parameters, such as the orifice radius, gas and liquid densities, and surface tension are discussed.

A site-specific slurry application technique on grassland and on arable crops.

PubMed

Schellberg, Jürgen; Lock, Reiner

2009-01-01

There is evidence that unequal slurry application on agricultural land contributes to N losses to the environment. Heterogeneity within fields demands adequate response by means of variable rate application. A technique is presented which allows site-specific application of slurry on grassland and arable land based on pre-defined application maps. The system contains a valve controlling flow rate by an on-board PC. During operation, flow rate is measured and scaled against set point values given in the application map together with the geographic position of the site. The systems worked sufficiently precise at a flow rate between 0 and 25 l s(-1) and an offset of actual slurry flow from set point values between 0.33 and 0.67 l s(-1). Long-term experimentation is required to test if site-specific application de facto reduces N surplus within fields and so significantly contributes to the unloading of N in agricultural areas.

The feasibility of a fluidic respiratory flow meter

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Neradka, V. F.; Bray, H. C., Jr.

1974-01-01

A study was undertaken to determine the feasibility of adapting a fluidic airspeed sensor for use as a respiratory flowmeter. A Pulmonary Function Testing Flowmeter was developed which should prove useful for mass screening applications. The fluidic sensor threshold level was not reduced sufficiently to permit its adaptation to measuring the low respiratory flow rates encountered in many respiratory disorders.

Impact of boundaries on velocity profiles in bubble rafts.

PubMed

Wang, Yuhong; Krishan, Kapilanjan; Dennin, Michael

2006-03-01

Under conditions of sufficiently slow flow, foams, colloids, granular matter, and various pastes have been observed to exhibit shear localization, i.e., regions of flow coexisting with regions of solidlike behavior. The details of such shear localization can vary depending on the system being studied. A number of the systems of interest are confined so as to be quasi two-dimensional, and an important issue in these systems is the role of the confining boundaries. For foams, three basic systems have been studied with very different boundary conditions: Hele-Shaw cells (bubbles confined between two solid plates); bubble rafts (a single layer of bubbles freely floating on a surface of water); and confined bubble rafts (bubbles confined between the surface of water below and a glass plate on top). Often, it is assumed that the impact of the boundaries is not significant in the "quasistatic limit," i.e., when externally imposed rates of strain are sufficiently smaller than internal kinematic relaxation times. In this paper, we directly test this assumption for rates of strain ranging from 10(-3) to 10(-2) s(-1). This corresponds to the quoted rate of strain that had been used in a number of previous experiments. It is found that the top plate dramatically alters both the velocity profile and the distribution of nonlinear rearrangements, even at these slow rates of strain. When a top is present, the flow is localized to a narrow band near the wall, and without a top, there is flow throughout the system.

HEAT TRANSFER METHOD

DOEpatents

Gambill, W.R.; Greene, N.D.

1960-08-30

A method is given for increasing burn-out heat fluxes under nucleate boiling conditions in heat exchanger tubes without incurring an increase in pumping power requirements. This increase is achieved by utilizing a spinning flow having a rotational velocity sufficient to produce a centrifugal acceleration of at least 10,000 g at the tube wall. At this acceleration the heat-transfer rate at burn out is nearly twice the rate which can be achieved in a similar tube utilizing axial flow at the same pumping power. At higher accelerations the improvement over axial flow is greater, and heat fluxes in excess of 50 x 10/sup 6/ Btu/hr/sq ft can be achieved.

Depressurization and two-phase flow of water containing high levels of dissolved nitrogen gas

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Simoneau, R. J.

1981-01-01

Depressurization of water containing various concentrations of dissolved nitrogen gas was studied. In a nonflow depressurization experiment, water with very high nitrogen content was depressurized at rates from 0.09 to 0.50 MPa per second and a metastable behavior which was a strong function of the depressurization rate was observed. Flow experiments were performed in an axisymmetric, converging diverging nozzle, a two dimensional, converging nozzle with glass sidewalls, and a sharp edge orifice. The converging diverging nozzle exhibited choked flow behavior even at nitrogen concentration levels as low as 4 percent of the saturation level. The flow rates were independent of concentration level. Flow in the two dimensional, converging, visual nozzle appeared to have a sufficient pressure drop at the throat to cause nitrogen to come out of solution, but choking occurred further downstream. The orifice flow motion pictures showed considerable oscillation downstream of the orifice and parallel to the flow. Nitrogen bubbles appeared in the flow at back pressures as high as 3.28 MPa, and the level at which bubbles were no longer visible was a function of nitrogen concentration.

Pressure regulator

DOEpatents

Ebeling, Jr., Robert W.; Weaver, Robert B.

1979-01-01

The pressure within a pressurized flow reactor operated under harsh environmental conditions is controlled by establishing and maintaining a fluidized bed of uniformly sized granular material of selected density by passing the gas from the reactor upwardly therethrough at a rate sufficient to fluidize the bed and varying the height of the bed by adding granular material thereto or removing granular material therefrom to adjust the backpressure on the flow reactor.

Development and analysis of closed cycle circulator elements. Final report 31 Jul 978-31 May 1980

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

Shih, C.C.; Karr, G.R.; Perkins, J.F.

1980-05-01

A series of experiments with various flow rates of laser gas and coolants under several levels of energy inputs has been conducted on the Army Closed Cycle Circulator for pulsed EDL to collect sufficient data for flow calibration and coefficient determination. Verification of the theoretical models depicting the functions of the heat exchangers in maintaining the thermal balance in the flow through the steady and transient states are made through comparison with results of the experimental analysis.

On a class of unsteady three-dimensional Navier Stokes solutions relevant to rotating disc flows: Threshold amplitudes and finite time singularities

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hall, Philip; Balakumar, P.

1990-01-01

A class of exact steady and unsteady solutions of the Navier Stokes equations in cylindrical polar coordinates is given. The flows correspond to the motion induced by an infinite disc rotating with constant angular velocity about the z-axis in a fluid occupying a semi-infinite region which, at large distances from the disc, has velocity field proportional to (x,-y,O) with respect to a Cartesian coordinate system. It is shown that when the rate of rotation is large, Karman's exact solution for a disc rotating in an otherwise motionless fluid is recovered. In the limit of zero rotation rate a particular form of Howarth's exact solution for three-dimensional stagnation point flow is obtained. The unsteady form of the partial differential system describing this class of flow may be generalized to time-periodic equilibrium flows. In addition the unsteady equations are shown to describe a strongly nonlinear instability of Karman's rotating disc flow. It is shown that sufficiently large perturbations lead to a finite time breakdown of that flow whilst smaller disturbances decay to zero. If the stagnation point flow at infinity is sufficiently strong, the steady basic states become linearly unstable. In fact there is then a continuous spectrum of unstable eigenvalues of the stability equations but, if the initial value problem is considered, it is found that, at large values of time, the continuous spectrum leads to a velocity field growing exponentially in time with an amplitude decaying algebraically in time.

Pressure-Drop Considerations in the Characterization of Dew-Point Transfer Standards at High Temperatures

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mitter, H.; Böse, N.; Benyon, R.; Vicente, T.

2012-09-01

During calibration of precision optical dew-point hygrometers (DPHs), it is usually necessary to take into account the pressure drop induced by the gas flow between the "point of reference" and the "point of use" (mirror or measuring head of the DPH) either as a correction of the reference dew-point temperature or as part of the uncertainty estimation. At dew-point temperatures in the range of ambient temperature and below, it is sufficient to determine the pressure drop for the required gas flow, and to keep the volumetric flow constant during the measurements. In this case, it is feasible to keep the dry-gas flow into the dew-point generator constant or to measure the flow downstream the DPH at ambient temperature. In normal operation, at least one DPH in addition to the monitoring DPH are used, and this operation has to be applied to each instrument. The situation is different at high dew-point temperatures up to 95 °C, the currently achievable upper limit reported in this paper. With increasing dew-point temperatures, the reference gas contains increasing amounts of water vapour and a constant dry-gas flow will lead to a significant enhanced volume flow at the conditions at the point of use, and therefore, to a significantly varying pressure drop depending on the applied dew-point temperature. At dew-point temperatures above ambient temperature, it is also necessary to heat the reference gas and the mirror head of the DPH sufficiently to avoid condensation which will additionally increase the volume flow and the pressure drop. In this paper, a method is provided to calculate the dry-gas flow rate needed to maintain a known wet-gas flow rate through a chilled mirror for a range of temperature and pressures.

The effects of material loading and flow rate on the disinfection of pathogenic microorganisms using cation resin-silver nanoparticle filter system

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mpenyana-Monyatsi, L.; Mthombeni, N. H.; Onyango, M. S.; Momba, M. N. B.

2017-08-01

Waterborne diseases have a negative impact on public health in instances where the available drinking water is of a poor quality. Decentralised systems are needed to provide safe drinking water to rural communities. Therefore, the present study aimed to develop and investigate the point-of-use (POU) water treatment filter packed with resin-coated silver nanoparticles. The filter performance was evaluated by investigating the effects of various bed masses (10 g, 15 g, 20 g) and flow rates (2 mL/min, 5 mL/min, 10 mL/min) by means of breakthrough curves for the removal efficiency of presumptive Escherichia coli, Shigella dysenteriae, Salmonella typhimurium and Vibrio cholerae from spiked groundwater samples. The results revealed that, as the bed mass increases the breakthrough time also increases with regards to all targeted microorganisms. However, when the flow rate increases the breakthrough time decreased. These tests demonstrated that resin-coated silver nanoparticle can be an effective material in removing all targeted microorganisms at 100% removal efficiency before breakthrough points are achieved. Moreover the filter system demonstrated that it is capable of producing 15 L/day of treated water at an operating condition of 10 mL/min flow rate and 15 g bed mass, which is sufficient to provide for seven individuals in the household if they consume 2 L/person/day for drinking purpose. Therefore, the bed mass of the filter system should be increased in order for it to produce sufficient water that will conform to the daily needs of an individual.

Study of the buffering capacity, pH and salivary flow rate in type 2 well-controlled and poorly controlled diabetic patients.

PubMed

Bernardi, Maria José; Reis, Alessandra; Loguercio, Alessandro Dourado; Kehrig, Ruth; Leite, Mariana Ferreira; Nicolau, José

2007-01-01

This study measured the flow rate, pH and buffering capacity of saliva from well- and poorly metabolically controlled Type 2 diabetic patients in three cities of the southern part of Brazil, compared with healthy individuals from the same cities. Whole saliva was collected by mechanical stimulation and buffering capacity and glucose level were measured. Blood was collected after 12 hours fasting and glucose and glycosylated haemoglobin concentrations were determined. The data were analysed by one-way ANOVA and Student-Newman-Keuls (alpha= 0.05). The flow rate was lower in the Type 2 diabetic patients, regardless of whether they were well or poorly metabolically controlled, compared with healthy individuals (p < 0.05). Salivary glucose concentration was higher in both diabetic patient groups, i.e. well and poorly metabolically controlled, than in the control (p < 0.05). The metabolic control of hyperglycaemia was not sufficient to improve the salivary flow rate or the salivary glucose concentration.

Evaluation of IOM personal sampler at different flow rates.

PubMed

Zhou, Yue; Cheng, Yung-Sung

2010-02-01

The Institute of Occupational Medicine (IOM) personal sampler is usually operated at a flow rate of 2.0 L/min, the rate at which it was designed and calibrated, for sampling the inhalable mass fraction of airborne particles in occupational environments. In an environment of low aerosol concentrations only small amounts of material are collected, and that may not be sufficient for analysis. Recently, a new sampling pump with a flow rate up to 15 L/min became available for personal samplers, with the potential of operating at higher flow rates. The flow rate of a Leland Legacy sampling pump, which operates at high flow rates, was evaluated and calibrated, and its maximum flow was found to be 10.6 L/min. IOM samplers were placed on a mannequin, and sampling was conducted in a large aerosol wind tunnel at wind speeds of 0.56 and 2.22 m/s. Monodisperse aerosols of oleic acid tagged with sodium fluorescein in the size range of 2 to 100 microm were used in the test. The IOM samplers were operated at flow rates of 2.0 and 10.6 L/min. Results showed that the IOM samplers mounted in the front of the mannequin had a higher sampling efficiency than those mounted at the side and back, regardless of the wind speed and flow rate. For the wind speed of 0.56 m/s, the direction-averaged (the average value of all orientations facing the wind direction) sampling efficiency of the samplers operated at 2.0 L/min was slightly higher than that of 10.6 L/min. For the wind speed of 2.22 m/s, the sampling efficiencies at both flow rates were similar for particles < 60 microm. The results also show that the IOM's sampling efficiency at these two different flow rates follows the inhalable mass curve for particles in the size range of 2 to 20 microm. The test results indicate that the IOM sampler can be used at higher flow rates.

Can Wet Rocky Granular Flows Become Debris Flows Due to Fine Sediment Production by Abrasion?

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Arabnia, O.; Sklar, L. S.; Bianchi, G.; Mclaughlin, M. K.

2015-12-01

Debris flows are rapid mass movements in which elevated pore pressures are sustained by a viscous fluid matrix with high concentrations of fine sediments. Debris flows may form from coarse-grained wet granular flows as fine sediments are entrained from hillslope and channel material. Here we investigate whether abrasion of the rocks within a granular flow can produce sufficient fine sediments to create debris flows. To test this hypothesis experimentally, we used a set of 4 rotating drums ranging from 0.2 to 4.0 m diameter. Each drum has vanes along the boundary ensure shearing within the flow. Shear rate was varied by changing drum rotational velocity to maintain a constant Froude Number across drums. Initial runs used angular clasts of granodiorite with a tensile strength of 7.6 MPa, with well-sorted coarse particle size distributions linearly scaled with drum radius. The fluid was initially clear water, which rapidly acquired fine-grained wear products. After each 250 m tangential distance, we measured the particle size distributions, and then returned all water and sediment to the drums for subsequent runs. We calculate particle wear rates using statistics of size and mass distributions, and by fitting the Sternberg equation to the rate of mass loss from the size fraction > 2mm. Abundant fine sediments were produced in the experiments, but very little change in the median grain size was detected. This appears to be due to clast rounding, as evidenced by a decrease in the number of stable equilibrium resting points. We find that the growth in the fine sediment concentration in the fluid scales with unit drum power. This relationship can be used to estimate fine sediment production rates in the field. We explore this approach at Inyo Creek, a steep catchment in the Sierra Nevada, California. There, a significant debris flow occurred in July 2013, which originated as a coarse-grained wet granular flow. We use surveys to estimate flow depth and velocity where super-elevation occurred, to calculate a unit power of 4.5 KW/m2. From this we predict that 14% of the coarse mass is converted to fine sediment by abrasion per km. At that rate, the increase in fines concentration may have been sufficient to cause a wet granular flow to evolve into a debris flow within the first 1 km of its > 4km travel distance.

Effects of flow separation and cove leakage on pressure and heat-transfer distributions along a wing-cove-elevon configuration at Mach 6.9. [Langley 8-ft high temperature tunnel test

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Deveikis, W. D.

1983-01-01

External and internal pressure and cold-wall heating-rate distributions were obtained in hypersonic flow on a full-scale heat-sink representation of the space shuttle orbiter wing-elevon-cove configuration in an effort to define effects of flow separation on cove aerothermal environment as a function of cove seal leak area, ramp angle, and free-stream unit Reynolds number. Average free-stream Mach number from all tests was 6.9; average total temperature from all tests was 3360 R; free-stream dynamic pressure ranged from about 2 to 9 psi; and wing angle of attack was 5 deg (flow compression). For transitional and turbulent flow separation, increasing cove leakage progressively increased heating rates in the cove. When ingested mass flow was sufficient to force large reductions in extent of separation, increasing cove leakage reduced heating rates in the cove to those for laminar attached flow. Cove heating-rate distributions calculated with a method that assumed laminar developing channel flow agreed with experimentally obtained distributions within root-mean-square differences that varied between 11 and 36 percent where cove walls were parallel for leak areas of 50 and 100 percent.

Channel morphometry, sediment transport, and implications for tectonic activity and surficial ages of Titan basins

USGS Publications Warehouse

Cartwright, R.; Clayton, J.A.; Kirk, R.L.

2011-01-01

Fluvial features on Titan and drainage basins on Earth are remarkably similar despite differences in gravity and surface composition. We determined network bifurcation (Rb) ratios for five Titan and three terrestrial analog basins. Tectonically-modified Earth basins have Rb values greater than the expected range (3.0-5.0) for dendritic networks; comparisons with Rb values determined for Titan basins, in conjunction with similarities in network patterns, suggest that portions of Titan's north polar region are modified by tectonic forces. Sufficient elevation data existed to calculate bed slope and potential fluvial sediment transport rates in at least one Titan basin, indicating that 75mm water ice grains (observed at the Huygens landing site) should be readily entrained given sufficient flow depths of liquid hydrocarbons. Volumetric sediment transport estimates suggest that ???6700-10,000 Titan years (???2.0-3.0??105 Earth years) are required to erode this basin to its minimum relief (assuming constant 1m and 1.5m flows); these lowering rates increase to ???27,000-41,000 Titan years (???8.0-12.0??105 Earth years) when flows in the north polar region are restricted to summer months. ?? 2011 Elsevier Inc.

Channel morphometry, sediment transport, and implications for tectonic activity and surficial ages of Titan basins

USGS Publications Warehouse

Cartwright, Richard; Clayton, Jordan A.; Kirk, Randolph L.

2011-01-01

Fluvial features on Titan and drainage basins on Earth are remarkably similar despite differences in gravity and surface composition. We determined network bifurcation (Rb) ratios for five Titan and three terrestrial analog basins. Tectonically-modified Earth basins have Rb values greater than the expected range (3.0–5.0) for dendritic networks; comparisons with Rb values determined for Titanbasins, in conjunction with similarities in network patterns, suggest that portions of Titan's north polar region are modified by tectonic forces. Sufficient elevation data existed to calculate bed slope and potential fluvial sedimenttransport rates in at least one Titanbasin, indicating that 75 mm water ice grains (observed at the Huygens landing site) should be readily entrained given sufficient flow depths of liquid hydrocarbons. Volumetric sedimenttransport estimates suggest that ~6700–10,000 Titan years (~2.0–3.0 x 105 Earth years) are required to erode this basin to its minimum relief (assuming constant 1 m and 1.5 m flows); these lowering rates increase to ~27,000–41,000 Titan years (~8.0–12.0 x 105 Earth years) when flows in the north polar region are restricted to summer months.

Sheared bioconvection in a horizontal tube

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Croze, O. A.; Ashraf, E. E.; Bees, M. A.

2010-12-01

The recent interest in using microorganisms for biofuels is motivation enough to study bioconvection and cell dispersion in tubes subject to imposed flow. To optimize light and nutrient uptake, many microorganisms swim in directions biased by environmental cues (e.g. phototaxis in algae and chemotaxis in bacteria). Such taxes inevitably lead to accumulations of cells, which, as many microorganisms have a density different to the fluid, can induce hydrodynamic instabilites. The large-scale fluid flow and spectacular patterns that arise are termed bioconvection. However, the extent to which bioconvection is affected or suppressed by an imposed fluid flow and how bioconvection influences the mean flow profile and cell transport are open questions. This experimental study is the first to address these issues by quantifying the patterns due to suspensions of the gravitactic and gyrotactic green biflagellate alga Chlamydomonas in horizontal tubes subject to an imposed flow. With no flow, the dependence of the dominant pattern wavelength at pattern onset on cell concentration is established for three different tube diameters. For small imposed flows, the vertical plumes of cells are observed merely to bow in the direction of flow. For sufficiently high flow rates, the plumes progressively fragment into piecewise linear diagonal plumes, unexpectedly inclined at constant angles and translating at fixed speeds. The pattern wavelength generally grows with flow rate, with transitions at critical rates that depend on concentration. Even at high imposed flow rates, bioconvection is not wholly suppressed and perturbs the flow field.

The influence of underlying topography on lava channel networks and flow behavior (Invited)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dietterich, H. R.; Cashman, K. V.; Rust, A.

2013-12-01

New high resolution mapping of historical lava flows in Hawai';i reveals complex topographically controlled channel networks. Network morphologies range from distributary systems dominated by branching around local obstacles, to tributary systems constricted by topographic confinement. Because channel networks govern the distribution of lava within the flow, they can dramatically alter the effective volumetric flux, which affects both flow length and advance rate. The influence of flow bifurcations is evidenced by (1) channelized flows from Pu';u ';O';o episodes 1-20 at Kilauea Volcano, where flow front velocities decreased by approximately half each time a flow split, and (2) the length of confined flows, such as the Mauna Loa 1859 flow, which traveled twice as far as the distributary Mauna Loa 1984 flow, despite similar effusion rates and durations. To study the underlying controls on flow bifurcations, we have undertaken a series of analogue experiments with golden syrup (a Newtonian fluid) to better understand the physics of obstacle interaction and its influence on flow behavior and morphology. Controlling the effusion rate and surface slope, we extrude flows onto a surface with a cylindrical or V-shaped obstacle of variable angle. When the flow is sufficiently fast, a stationary wave forms upslope of the obstacle; if the stationary wave is sufficiently high, the flow can overtop, rather than split around, the obstacle. The stationary wave height increases with flow velocity and with the effective obstacle width. Evidence for stationary waves in Hawaiian lava flows comes from both photographs of active flows and waveforms frozen into solidified flows. We have also performed a preliminary set of similar experiments with molten basalt to identify the effect of cooling and investigate flow merging. In these experiments, a stationary wave develops upslope of the obstacle, which allows the surface to cool and thicken. After splitting, the syrup experiments show minimal impact of the split on flow advance, except in cases where the flow is very thin, and surface tension controls the flow behavior. In contrast, the experiments with molten basalt slow markedly, as measured by both flow front and surface velocities. This difference demonstrates the effect of cooling and crust formation on flowing lava. Crust formation also controls the ability of split flows to merge below an obstacle, such that flows can converge only at high flow rates, which limits time for crust formation, and at narrow obstacle angles, which limits the lateral spreading required for convergence. Our experiments qualitatively support theoretical descriptions of crustal controls on flow spreading and levee development, but our poor knowledge of the appropriate parameter values, particularly that of the strength of the viscoelastic crust, prevents a quantitative comparison. These experiments, and our observations from natural systems, have significant implications for predicting lava flow behavior and inform efforts to mitigate flow hazards with diversion barriers.

Efficiency of autothermal thermophilic aerobic digestion under two different oxygen flow rates.

PubMed

Aynur, Sebnem Koyunluoglu; Riffat, Rumana; Murthy, Sudhir

2014-01-01

The objective of this research was to understand the influence of oxygenation at two different oxygen flow rates (0.105 and 0.210 L/L/h) on autothermal thermophilic aerobic digestion (ATAD), and on the overall performance of Dual Digestion (DD). Profile experiments on an ATAD reactor showed that a significant portion of volatile fatty acids and ammonia were produced in the first 12 h period, and both followed first order kinetics. Ammonia concentrations of ATAD effluent were 1015 mg/L and 1450 mg/L, respectively, at the two oxygenation rates. Ammonia production was not complete in the ATAD reactor at the lower oxygenation rate. However, it was sufficient to maximize volatile solids reduction in the DD process. The biological heat of oxidations were 14,300 J/g Volatile Solids (VS) removed and 15,900 J/g VS removed for the two oxygen flow rates, respectively. The ATAD step provided enhanced digestion for the DD process with higher volatile solids removal and methane yield when compared to conventional digestion.

Lazy river on Mars: Ring-shaped fluvial channel discovered north of Capri Chasma

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Thomson, B. J.

2017-12-01

Many features on Mars are strange, but some are stranger than others. Fluvial features on Mars come in several basic flavors: branching valley networks, massive outflow channels, and possibly presently active recurring slope lineae. Here, we identify a small, valley network-like channel segment whose planform appearance traces out a nearly complete circle. One of the key tenants of hydrogeology and plumbing is that "stuff flows downhill." A seemingly circular loop implies a gross violation of the downhill flow rule, akin to a visual claim of perpetual motion. This M.C. Escher-inspired landform is located at 6.45°S, 39.70°W inside Innsbruck crater, a 59-km diameter impact structure that is just north of Capri Chasma. A close inspection reveals that the loop is not 100% continuous; there is a slight break on the western side of the loop. The pair of channels on either side of this gap terminate abruptly. These appear to be points of origin rather than termini, although admittedly the direction(s) of flow within the channel segments are difficult to constrain uniquely. The overall morphology of this near-circular channel system implies a local source limited both in duration and volume. Assuming that the fluid involved was water, the volume of water was sufficient for incipient erosion of the terrain, but not sufficient to have ponded or continued to flow. Here, the combined infiltration and evaporation rates must have been sufficiently large such that a breakout flow did not occur.

Geometric pumping in autophoretic channels.

PubMed

Michelin, Sébastien; Montenegro-Johnson, Thomas D; De Canio, Gabriele; Lobato-Dauzier, Nicolas; Lauga, Eric

2015-08-07

Many microfluidic devices use macroscopic pressure differentials to overcome viscous friction and generate flows in microchannels. In this work, we investigate how the chemical and geometric properties of the channel walls can drive a net flow by exploiting the autophoretic slip flows induced along active walls by local concentration gradients of a solute species. We show that chemical patterning of the wall is not required to generate and control a net flux within the channel, rather channel geometry alone is sufficient. Using numerical simulations, we determine how geometric characteristics of the wall influence channel flow rate, and confirm our results analytically in the asymptotic limit of lubrication theory.

Proceedings of the 1998 Scientific Conference on Obscuration and Aerosol Research

DTIC Science & Technology

1999-10-01

water surroundings. Figure 2 exhibits minimal terrain effects upon the flow field as streamlines for this simple set of variable terrain for...Cyclone, where the cyclone is fitted with an upstream water spray for washing the cyclone wall. Sampling flow rate is 990 L/min and is controlled by a...990 L/min (35 cfm) and passes the air through a glass cyclone where aerosol particles with sufficient inertia are deposited. Water mist is introduced

Use of Inert Gases to Study the Interaction of Blood Flow and Diffusion during Passive Absorption from the Gastrointestinal Tract of the Rat

PubMed Central

Levitt, Michael D.; Levitt, David G.

1973-01-01

Measurement of the relative absorption rates of inert gases (H2, He, CH4, SF6, and 133Xe) was used to investigate the interaction between diffusion and blood flow during passive absorption from the stomach, small bowel, and colon of the rat. If uptake is blood flow limited, the gases should be absorbed in proportion to their solubilities in blood, but if diffusion limited, uptake should be proportional to the diffusion rate of the gases in mucosal tissues. The observed absorption data were fitted to a series of models of interaction between perfusion and diffusion. A simple model accurately predicted the absorption rates of the gases from all segments of bowel. In this model, gas is absorbed into two distinct blood flows: one which flows in proximity to the lumen and completely equilibrates with the lumen, and a second which is sufficiently rapid and distant from the lumen that its gas uptake is entirely diffusion limited. The fraction of the total absorption attributable to the equilibrating flow can be readily calculated and equalled 93%, 77%, and 33% for the small bowel, colon, and stomach, respectively. Thus the rate of passive absorption of gases from the small bowel is limited almost entirely by the blood flow to the mucosa, and absorption from the stomach is largely limited by the diffusion rate of the gases. The flow which equilibrates with the lumen can be quantitated, and this flow may provide a useful measure of “effective” mucosal blood flow. Images PMID:4719667

Individual variation of sap-flow rate in large pine and spruce trees and stand transpiration: a pilot study at the central NOPEX site

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Čermák, J.; Cienciala, E.; Kučera, J.; Lindroth, A.; Bednářová, E.

1995-06-01

Transpiration in a mixed old stand of sub-boreal forest in the Norunda region (central Sweden) was estimated on the basis of direct measurement of sap flow rate in 24 large Scots pine and Norway spruce trees in July and August 1993. Sap flow rate was measured using the trunk tissue heat balance method based on internal (electric) heating and sensing of temperature. Transpiration was only 0.7 mm day -1 in a relatively dry period in July (i.e. about 20% of potential evaporation) and substantially higher after a rainy period in August. The error of the estimates of transpiration was higher during a dry period (about 13% and 22% in pine and spruce, respectively) and significantly lower (about 9% in both species) during a period of sufficient water supply. Shallow-rooted spruce trees responded much faster to precipitation than deeply rooted pines.

24 CFR 3280.609 - Water distribution systems.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-04-01

... 24 Housing and Urban Development 5 2011-04-01 2011-04-01 false Water distribution systems. 3280....609 Water distribution systems. (a) Water supply—(1) Supply piping. Piping systems shall be sized to provide an adequate quantity of water to each plumbing fixture at a flow rate sufficient to keep the...

24 CFR 3280.609 - Water distribution systems.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-04-01

... 24 Housing and Urban Development 5 2012-04-01 2012-04-01 false Water distribution systems. 3280....609 Water distribution systems. (a) Water supply—(1) Supply piping. Piping systems shall be sized to provide an adequate quantity of water to each plumbing fixture at a flow rate sufficient to keep the...

24 CFR 3280.609 - Water distribution systems.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-04-01

... 24 Housing and Urban Development 5 2013-04-01 2013-04-01 false Water distribution systems. 3280....609 Water distribution systems. (a) Water supply—(1) Supply piping. Piping systems shall be sized to provide an adequate quantity of water to each plumbing fixture at a flow rate sufficient to keep the...

46 CFR 63.25-7 - Exhaust gas boilers.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-10-01

... results in inadequate heat transfer, a high temperature alarm or low flow alarm must be activated. An... insufficient to ensure proper heat transfer. Additionally, an audible alarm must automatically sound, and a... water level, the control system must supply the feed water at a rate sufficient to ensure proper heat...

46 CFR 63.25-7 - Exhaust gas boilers.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-10-01

... results in inadequate heat transfer, a high temperature alarm or low flow alarm must be activated. An... insufficient to ensure proper heat transfer. Additionally, an audible alarm must automatically sound, and a... water level, the control system must supply the feed water at a rate sufficient to ensure proper heat...

REMOVAL OF SLIGHTLY HEAVY GASES FROM A VALLEY BY CROSSWINDS

EPA Science Inventory

Wind-tunnel experiments made to determine how rapidly dense gas is removed from a topographical depression by a crosswind are reported. he density and flow rate of the gas (input at the bottom of a V-shaped valley in otherwise homogeneous, flat terrain)were together sufficiently ...

Evapotranspiration versus oxygen intrusion: which is the main force in alleviating bioclogging of vertical-flow constructed wetlands during a resting operation?

PubMed

Hua, Guofen; Chen, Qiuwen; Kong, Jun; Li, Man

2017-08-01

Clogging is the most significant challenge limiting the application of constructed wetlands. Application of a forced resting period is a practical way to relieve clogging, particularly bioclogging. To reveal the alleviation mechanisms behind such a resting operation, evapotranspiration and oxygen flux were studied during a resting period in a laboratory vertical-flow constructed wetland model through physical simulation and numerical model analysis. In addition, the optimum theoretical resting duration was determined based on the time required for oxygen to completely fill the pores, i.e., formation of a sufficiently thick and completely dry layer. The results indicated that (1) evapotranspiration was not the key factor, but was a driving force in the alleviation of bioclogging; (2) the rate of oxygen diffusion into the pores was sufficient to oxidize and disperse the flocculant biofilm, which was essential to alleviate bioclogging. This study provides important insights into understanding how clogging/bioclogging can be alleviated in vertical-flow constructed wetlands. Graphical abstract Evapotranspiration versus oxygen intrusion in alleviating bioclogging in vertical flow constructed wetlands.

Development of a ROV Deployed Video Analysis Tool for Rapid Measurement of Submerged Oil/Gas Leaks

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

Savas, Omer

Expanded deep sea drilling around the globe makes it necessary to have readily available tools to quickly and accurately measure discharge rates from accidental submerged oil/gas leak jets for the first responders to deploy adequate resources for containment. We have developed and tested a field deployable video analysis software package which is able to provide in the field sufficiently accurate flow rate estimates for initial responders in accidental oil discharges in submarine operations. The essence of our approach is based on tracking coherent features at the interface in the near field of immiscible turbulent jets. The software package, UCB_Plume, ismore » ready to be used by the first responders for field implementation. We have tested the tool on submerged water and oil jets which are made visible using fluorescent dyes. We have been able to estimate the discharge rate within 20% accuracy. A high end WINDOWS laptop computer is suggested as the operating platform and a USB connected high speed, high resolution monochrome camera as the imaging device are sufficient for acquiring flow images under continuous unidirectional illumination and running the software in the field. Results are obtained over a matter of minutes.« less

Pulsatility Index as a Diagnostic Parameter of Reciprocating Wall Shear Stress Parameters in Physiological Pulsating Waveforms

PubMed Central

Avrahami, Idit; Kersh, Dikla

2016-01-01

Arterial wall shear stress (WSS) parameters are widely used for prediction of the initiation and development of atherosclerosis and arterial pathologies. Traditional clinical evaluation of arterial condition relies on correlations of WSS parameters with average flow rate (Q) and heart rate (HR) measurements. We show that for pulsating flow waveforms in a straight tube with flow reversals that lead to significant reciprocating WSS, the measurements of HR and Q are not sufficient for prediction of WSS parameters. Therefore, we suggest adding a third quantity—known as the pulsatility index (PI)—which is defined as the peak-to-peak flow rate amplitude normalized by Q. We examine several pulsating flow waveforms with and without flow reversals using a simulation of a Womersley model in a straight rigid tube and validate the simulations through experimental study using particle image velocimetry (PIV). The results indicate that clinically relevant WSS parameters such as the percentage of negative WSS (P[%]), oscillating shear index (OSI) and the ratio of minimum to maximum shear stress rates (min/max), are better predicted when the PI is used in conjunction with HR and Q. Therefore, we propose to use PI as an additional and essential diagnostic quantity for improved predictability of the reciprocating WSS. PMID:27893801

Fluid mechanics of blood flow in human fetal left ventricles based on patient-specific 4D ultrasound scans.

PubMed

Lai, Chang Quan; Lim, Guat Ling; Jamil, Muhammad; Mattar, Citra Nurfarah Zaini; Biswas, Arijit; Yap, Choon Hwai

2016-10-01

The mechanics of intracardiac blood flow and the epigenetic influence it exerts over the heart function have been the subjects of intense research lately. Fetal intracardiac flows are especially useful for gaining insights into the development of congenital heart diseases, but have not received due attention thus far, most likely because of technical difficulties in collecting sufficient intracardiac flow data in a safe manner. Here, we circumvent such obstacles by employing 4D STIC ultrasound scans to quantify the fetal heart motion in three normal 20-week fetuses, subsequently performing 3D computational fluid dynamics simulations on the left ventricles based on these patient-specific heart movements. Analysis of the simulation results shows that there are significant differences between fetal and adult ventricular blood flows which arise because of dissimilar heart morphology, E/A ratio, diastolic-systolic duration ratio, and heart rate. The formations of ventricular vortex rings were observed for both E- and A-wave in the flow simulations. These vortices had sufficient momentum to last until the end of diastole and were responsible for generating significant wall shear stresses on the myocardial endothelium, as well as helicity in systolic outflow. Based on findings from previous studies, we hypothesized that these vortex-induced flow properties play an important role in sustaining the efficiency of diastolic filling, systolic pumping, and cardiovascular flow in normal fetal hearts.

Interface instabilities during displacements of two miscible fluids in a vertical pipe

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Scoffoni, J.; Lajeunesse, E.; Homsy, G. M.

2001-03-01

We study experimentally the downward vertical displacement of one miscible fluid by another in a vertical pipe at sufficiently high velocities for diffusive effects to be negligible. For certain viscosity ratios and flow rates, the interface between the two fluids can destabilize. We determine the dimensionless flow rate Uc above which the instability is triggered and its dependence on the viscous ratio M, resulting in a stability map Uc=Uc(M). Two different instability modes have been observed: an asymmetric "corkscrew" mode and an axisymmetric one. We remark that the latter is always eventually disturbed by "corkscrew" type instabilities. We speculate that these instabilities are driven by the viscosity stratification and are analogous to those already observed in core annular flows of immiscible fluids.

Design flow factors for sewerage systems in small arid communities.

PubMed

Imam, Emad H; Elnakar, Haitham Y

2014-09-01

Reliable estimation of sewage flow rates is essential for the proper design of sewers, pumping stations, and treatment plants. The design of the various components of the sewerage system should be based on the most critical flow rates with a focus on extremely low and peak flow rates that would be sustained for a duration related to the acceptable limits of behavior of the components under consideration. The extreme flow conditions and to what extent they differ from the average values are closely related to the size of the community or network, and the socioeconomic conditions. A single pumping station is usually sufficient to pump flow from small community in either flat or non-undulating topography. Therefore, the hydraulic loading on the wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) results from the pumped flow from the pumping station rather than the trunk sewer flow. The intermittent operation of the pumping units further accentuates the sewage hydrograph in the final trunk sewer. Accordingly, the design flow for the various components of the WWTP should be determined based on their relevant flow factors. In this study, analysis of one representative small community out of five monitored small communities in Egypt and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is presented. Pumped sewage flow rates were measured and the sewer incoming flows were hydraulically derived. The hourly and daily sewer and pumped flow records were analyzed to derive the relationship between the flow factors that would be sustained for various durations (instantaneously, 1 h, 2 h, etc.) and their probability of non-exceedance. The resulting peaking factors with a consideration for their sustained flow duration and specified probability would permit the design of the various components of the treatment plant using more accurate critical flows.

Design flow factors for sewerage systems in small arid communities

PubMed Central

Imam, Emad H.; Elnakar, Haitham Y.

2013-01-01

Reliable estimation of sewage flow rates is essential for the proper design of sewers, pumping stations, and treatment plants. The design of the various components of the sewerage system should be based on the most critical flow rates with a focus on extremely low and peak flow rates that would be sustained for a duration related to the acceptable limits of behavior of the components under consideration. The extreme flow conditions and to what extent they differ from the average values are closely related to the size of the community or network, and the socioeconomic conditions. A single pumping station is usually sufficient to pump flow from small community in either flat or non-undulating topography. Therefore, the hydraulic loading on the wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) results from the pumped flow from the pumping station rather than the trunk sewer flow. The intermittent operation of the pumping units further accentuates the sewage hydrograph in the final trunk sewer. Accordingly, the design flow for the various components of the WWTP should be determined based on their relevant flow factors. In this study, analysis of one representative small community out of five monitored small communities in Egypt and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is presented. Pumped sewage flow rates were measured and the sewer incoming flows were hydraulically derived. The hourly and daily sewer and pumped flow records were analyzed to derive the relationship between the flow factors that would be sustained for various durations (instantaneously, 1 h, 2 h, etc.) and their probability of non-exceedance. The resulting peaking factors with a consideration for their sustained flow duration and specified probability would permit the design of the various components of the treatment plant using more accurate critical flows. PMID:25685521

In Vitro Evaluation of a Rheolytic Thrombectomy System for Clot Removal from Five Different Temporary Vena Cava Filters

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

Buecker, Arno; Neuerburg, Joerg; Schmitz-Rode, Thomas

1997-11-15

Purpose: To evaluate the feasibility of thrombus removal from temporary vena cava filters using a rheolytic thrombectomy device and to assess the embolization rate of this procedure. Methods: Five temporary vena cava filters together with porcine thrombi were placed in a vena cava flow model (semitranslucent silicone tube of 23 mm diameter, pulsatile flow at a mean flow rate of 4 L/min). A rheolytic thrombectomy system (Hydrolyser) was used with a 9 Fr guiding catheter to remove the clots. The effluent was passed through filters of different size and the amount of embolized particles as well as the remaining thrombusmore » were measured. Results: Thrombus removal rates ranged from 85% to 100%. Embolization rates between 47% and 60% were calculated for the different filters. Conclusion: The Hydrolyser is able to remove sufficiently high amounts of thrombus from temporary vena cava filters. However, the amount of embolized particles makes it impossible to utilize this method without special precautions against embolization.« less

Large eddy simulation of fine water sprays: comparative analysis of two models and computer codes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tsoy, A. S.; Snegirev, A. Yu.

2015-09-01

The model and the computer code FDS, albeit widely used in engineering practice to predict fire development, is not sufficiently validated for fire suppression by fine water sprays. In this work, the effect of numerical resolution of the large scale turbulent pulsations on the accuracy of predicted time-averaged spray parameters is evaluated. Comparison of the simulation results obtained with the two versions of the model and code, as well as that of the predicted and measured radial distributions of the liquid flow rate revealed the need to apply monotonic and yet sufficiently accurate discrete approximations of the convective terms. Failure to do so delays jet break-up, otherwise induced by large turbulent eddies, thereby excessively focuses the predicted flow around its axis. The effect of the pressure drop in the spray nozzle is also examined, and its increase has shown to cause only weak increase of the evaporated fraction and vapor concentration despite the significant increase of flow velocity.

Quantitative passive soil vapor sampling for VOCs--Part 4: Flow-through cell.

PubMed

McAlary, Todd; Groenevelt, Hester; Seethapathy, Suresh; Sacco, Paolo; Crump, Derrick; Tuday, Michael; Schumacher, Brian; Hayes, Heidi; Johnson, Paul; Parker, Louise; Górecki, Tadeusz

2014-05-01

This paper presents a controlled experiment comparing several quantitative passive samplers for monitoring concentrations of volatile organic compound (VOC) vapors in soil gas using a flow-through cell. This application is simpler than conventional active sampling using adsorptive tubes because the flow rate does not need to be precisely measured and controlled, which is advantageous because the permeability of subsurface materials affects the flow rate and the permeability of geologic materials is highly variable. Using passive samplers in a flow-through cell, the flow rate may not need to be known exactly, as long as it is sufficient to purge the cell in a reasonable time and minimize any negative bias attributable to the starvation effect. An experiment was performed in a 500 mL flow-through cell using a two-factor, one-half fraction fractional factorial test design with flow rates of 80, 670 and 930 mL min(-1) and sample durations of 10, 15 and 20 minutes for each of five different passive samplers (passive Automatic Thermal Desorption Tube, Radiello®, SKC Ultra, Waterloo Membrane Sampler™ and 3M™ OVM 3500). A Summa canister was collected coincident with each passive sampler and analyzed by EPA Method TO-15 to provide a baseline for comparison of the passive sampler concentrations. The passive sampler concentrations were within a factor of 2 of the Summa canister concentrations in 32 of 35 cases. Passive samples collected at the low flow rate and short duration showed low concentrations, which is likely attributable to insufficient purging of the cell after sampler placement.

Interaction of monopoles, dipoles, and turbulence with a shear flow

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Marques Rosas Fernandes, V. H.; Kamp, L. P. J.; van Heijst, G. J. F.; Clercx, H. J. H.

2016-09-01

Direct numerical simulations have been conducted to examine the evolution of eddies in the presence of large-scale shear flows. The numerical experiments consist of initial-value-problems in which monopolar and dipolar vortices as well as driven turbulence are superposed on a plane Couette or Poiseuille flow in a periodic two-dimensional channel. The evolution of the flow has been examined for different shear rates of the background flow and different widths of the channel. Results found for retro-grade and pro-grade monopolar vortices are consistent with those found in the literature. Boundary layer vorticity, however, can significantly modify the straining and erosion of monopolar vortices normally seen for unbounded domains. Dipolar vortices are shown to be much more robust coherent structures in a large-scale shear flow than monopolar eddies. An analytical model for their trajectories, which are determined by self-advection and advection and rotation by the shear flow, is presented. Turbulent kinetic energy is effectively suppressed by the shearing action of the background flow provided that the shear is linear (Couette flow) and of sufficient strength. Nonlinear shear as present in the Poiseuille flow seems to even increase the turbulence strength especially for high shear rates.

Effect of External Pressure and Catheter Gauge on Flow Rate, Kinetic Energy, and Endothelial Injury During Intravenous Fluid Administration in a Rabbit Model.

PubMed

Hu, Mei-Hua; Chan, Wei-Hung; Chen, Yao-Chang; Cherng, Chen-Hwan; Lin, Chih-Kung; Tsai, Chien-Sung; Chou, Yu-Ching; Huang, Go-Shine

2016-01-01

The effects of intravenous (IV) catheter gauge and pressurization of IV fluid (IVF) bags on fluid flow rate have been studied. However, the pressure needed to achieve a flow rate equivalent to that of a 16 gauge (G) catheter through smaller G catheters and the potential for endothelial damage from the increased kinetic energy produced by higher pressurization are unclear. Constant pressure on an IVF bag was maintained by an automatic adjustable pneumatic pressure regulator of our own design. Fluids running through 16 G, 18 G, 20 G, and 22 G catheters were assessed while using IV bag pressurization to achieve the flow rate equivalent to that of a 16 G catheter. We assessed flow rates, kinetic energy, and flow injury to rabbit inferior vena cava endothelium. By applying sufficient external constant pressure to an IVF bag, all fluids could be run through smaller (G) catheters at the flow rate in a 16 G catheter. However, the kinetic energy increased significantly as the catheter G increased. Damage to the venous endothelium was negligible or minimal/patchy cell loss. We designed a new rapid infusion system, which provides a constant pressure that compresses the fluid volume until it is free from visible residual fluid. When large-bore venous access cannot be obtained, multiple smaller catheters, external pressure, or both should be considered. However, caution should be exercised when fluid pressurized to reach a flow rate equivalent to that in a 16 G catheter is run through a smaller G catheter because of the profound increase in kinetic energy that can lead to venous endothelium injury.

On the Symmetry of Molecular Flows Through the Pipe of an Arbitrary Shape (I) Diffusive Reflection

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kusumoto, Yoshiro

Molecular gas flows through the pipe of an arbitrary shape is mathematically considered based on a diffusive reflection model. To avoid a perpetual motion, the magnitude of the molecular flow rate must remain invariant under the exchange of inlet and outlet pressures. For this flow symmetry, the cosine law reflection at the pipe wall was found to be sufficient and necessary, on the assumption that the molecular flux is conserved in a collision with the wall. It was also shown that a spontaneous flow occurs in a hemispherical apparatus, if the reflection obeys the n-th power of cosine law with n other than unity. This apparatus could work as a molecular pump with no moving parts.

The mechanism of late deceleration of the heart rate and its relationship to oxygenation in normoxemic and chronically hypoxemic fetal lambs.

PubMed

Itskovitz, J; Goetzman, B W; Rudolph, A M

1982-01-01

The responses of fetal heart rate and blood pressure to a transient reduction in uterine blood flow were studied in normoxemic and chronically hypoxemic lambs. In normoxemic fetuses, a reduction in uterine blood flow, if prolonged sufficiently, produced reflex bradycardia mediated through chemoreceptors and was associated with a decrease in carotid arterial PO2 to below 20 torr. The bradycardia was associated with a marked decrease in left ventricular output as measured by electromagnetic flowmeter; both were abolished by atropine. In chronically hypoxemic fetuses, a reduction in uterine blood flow produced a delayed deceleration of the heart rate which consisted of three components: reflex bradycardia due to chemoreceptor stimulation; baroreceptor-mediated reflex bradycardia which involved the slow and late recovery of the heart rate; and nonreflex bradycardia which was probably secondary to hypoxic myocardial depression. Quantitative analysis revealed a relationship between the components of delayed deceleration and the status of fetal oxygenation prior to the reduction in uterine blood flow. The lower the carotid arterial PO2, the shorter was the delay in the onset of bradycardia, the greater the decrease in heart rate, and the more prolonged the duration of bradycardia. The conclusion is that the response of fetal heart rate to a transient reduction in uterine blood flow is related to the duration of the reduction and to the status of fetal oxygenation prior to the decrease in uterine blood flow.

Study on optical emission analysis of AC air water discharges under He, Ar and N2 environments

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Park, J. Y.; Kostyuk, P. V.; Han, S. B.; Kim, J. S.; Vu, C. N.; Lee, H. W.

2006-09-01

In this paper, hybrid air-water discharges were used to develop an optimal condition for providing a high level of water decomposition for hydrogen evolution. Electrical and optical phenomena accompanying the discharges were investigated along with feeding gases, flow rates and point-to-plane electrode gap distance. The experiments were primarily focused on the optical emission of the near UV range, providing a sufficient energy threshold for water dissociation and excitation. The OH(A 2Σ+ → X 2Π, Δν = 0) band optical emission intensity indicated the presence of plasma chemical reactions involving hydrogen formation. Despite the fact that energy input was high, the OH(A-X) optical emission was found to be negligible at the zero gap distance between the tip of the metal rod and water surface. In the gas atmosphere saturated with water vapour the OH(A-X) intensity was relatively high compared with the liquid and transient phases although the optical emission strongly depended on the flow rate and type of feeding gas. The gas phase was found to be more favourable because of less energy consumption in the cases of He and Ar carrier gases, and quenching mechanisms of oxygen in the N2 carrier gas atmosphere, preventing hydrogen from recombining with oxygen. In the gas phase the discharge was at a steady state, in contrast to the other phases, in which bubbles interrupted propagation of the plasma channel. Optical emission intensity of OH(A-X) band increased according to the flow rate or residence time of the He feeding gas. Nevertheless, a reciprocal tendency was acquired for N2 and Ar carrier gases. The peak value of OH(A-X) band optical emission intensity was observed near the water surface; however in the cases of Ar and N2 with a 0.5 SLM flow rate, it was shifted below the water surface. Rotational temperature was estimated to be in the range of 900-3600 K, according to the carrier gas and flow rate, which is sufficient for hydrogen production.

A novel compact heat exchanger using gap flow mechanism.

PubMed

Liang, J S; Zhang, Y; Wang, D Z; Luo, T P; Ren, T Q

2015-02-01

A novel, compact gap-flow heat exchanger (GFHE) using heat-transfer fluid (HTF) was developed in this paper. The detail design of the GFHE coaxial structure which forms the annular gap passage for HTF is presented. Computational fluid dynamics simulations were introduced into the design to determine the impacts of the gap width and the HTF flow rate on the GFHE performance. A comparative study on the GFHE heating rate, with the gap widths ranged from 0.1 to 1.0 mm and the HTF flow rates ranged from 100 to 500 ml/min, was carried out. Results show that a narrower gap passage and a higher HTF flow rate can yield a higher average heating rate in GFHE. However, considering the compromise between the GFHE heating rate and the HTF pressure drop along the gap, a 0.4 mm gap width is preferred. A testing loop was also set up to experimentally evaluate the GFHE capability. The testing results show that, by using 0.4 mm gap width and 500 ml/min HTF flow rate, the maximum heating rate in the working chamber of the as-made GFHE can reach 18 °C/min, and the average temperature change rates in the heating and cooling processes of the thermal cycle test were recorded as 6.5 and 5.4 °C/min, respectively. These temperature change rates can well satisfy the standard of IEC 60068-2-14:2009 and show that the GFHE developed in this work has sufficient heat exchange capacity and can be used as an ideal compact heat exchanger in small volume desktop thermal fatigue test apparatus.

Methodologies for extracting kinetic constants for multiphase reacting flow simulation

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

Chang, S.L.; Lottes, S.A.; Golchert, B.

1997-03-01

Flows in industrial reactors often involve complex reactions of many species. A computational fluid dynamics (CFD) computer code, ICRKFLO, was developed to simulate multiphase, multi-species reacting flows. The ICRKFLO uses a hybrid technique to calculate species concentration and reaction for a large number of species in a reacting flow. This technique includes a hydrodynamic and reacting flow simulation with a small but sufficient number of lumped reactions to compute flow field properties followed by a calculation of local reaction kinetics and transport of many subspecies (order of 10 to 100). Kinetic rate constants of the numerous subspecies chemical reactions aremore » difficult to determine. A methodology has been developed to extract kinetic constants from experimental data efficiently. A flow simulation of a fluid catalytic cracking (FCC) riser was successfully used to demonstrate this methodology.« less

A Physical Model Study of Two-Phase Gas-Liquid Flows in a Ladle Shroud

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Singh, Prince K.; Mazumdar, Dipak

2018-06-01

Argon-steel flows inside a ladle shroud during teeming from a ladle to a tundish have been modelled physically. To this end, full-scale Perspex models of bloom as well as slab casting shrouds (BCS and SCS), operating with air and water, have been applied. Both open to air as well as immersed conditions were investigated with and without gas injection. Flows inside a ladle shroud under open to air and immersed conditions were found to be substantially different with a strong function of gas and liquid flow rates, collector nozzle and shroud diameters. Depending on the volumetric gas injection rate relative to liquid flow rate, different flow regimes have been observed in an immersed shroud [ i.e., 0 < ( ds/L_{s} ) ≤ 0.24 ]. At extremely low gas flow rates, [ i.e., ( Qg/Q_{L} ) ≤ 0.02 ], injected gas is completely entrained as bubbles by the down-flowing liquid resulting in a bubbly two-phase flow over the entire length of a shroud. However, with an increasing gas flow rate, two distinctly different regions start to develop within the shroud body: a free liquid jet in the upper part and a gas-liquid mixing zone below. The length of the free jet increases with an increasing gas flow rate and at significantly higher gas to liquid flow rates [ viz., ( Qg/Q_{L} )_{BCS} ≥ 0.42 ] and [ viz., ( Qg/Q_{L} )_{SCS} ≥ 0.30 ] , and the free jet is found to prevail over the entire length of the shroud. Within the range of conditions studied, it is observed that the free jet length or the line of demarcation between the jetting and two-phase mixing zone depends on gas and liquid flow rates and is specific to a particular shroud-collector nozzle system. Physical model results further indicate that a sufficiently large free jet length ( shroud length) tends to create a high pressure region inside a shroud and prevent ingression of air. Possible implications of the present findings with reference to industrial teeming practices are also discussed in the text.

Multifield analysis of a piezoelectric valveless micropump: effects of actuation frequency and electric potential

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sayar, Ersin; Farouk, Bakhtier

2012-07-01

Coupled multifield analysis of a piezoelectrically actuated valveless micropump device is carried out for liquid (water) transport applications. The valveless micropump consists of two diffuser/nozzle elements; the pump chamber, a thin structural layer (silicon), and a piezoelectric layer, PZT-5A as the actuator. We consider two-way coupling of forces between solid and liquid domains in the systems where actuator deflection causes fluid flow and vice versa. Flow contraction and expansion (through the nozzle and the diffuser respectively) generate net fluid flow. Both structural and flow field analysis of the microfluidic device are considered. The effect of the driving power (voltage) and actuation frequency on silicon-PZT-5A bi-layer membrane deflection and flow rate is investigated. For the compressible flow formulation, an isothermal equation of state for the working fluid is employed. The governing equations for the flow fields and the silicon-PZT-5A bi-layer membrane motions are solved numerically. At frequencies below 5000 Hz, the predicted flow rate increases with actuation frequency. The fluid-solid system shows a resonance at 5000 Hz due to the combined effect of mechanical and fluidic capacitances, inductances, and damping. Time-averaged flow rate starts to drop with increase of actuation frequency above (5000 Hz). The velocity profile in the pump chamber becomes relatively flat or plug-like, if the frequency of pulsations is sufficiently large (high Womersley number). The pressure, velocity, and flow rate prediction models developed in the present study can be utilized to optimize the design of MEMS based micropumps.

Method for passivating crystal silicon surfaces

DOEpatents

Wang, Qi [Littleton, CO; Wang, Tihu [Littleton, CO; Page, Matthew R [Littleton, CO; Yan, Yanfa [Littleton, CO

2009-12-08

In a method of making a c-Si-based cell or a .mu.c-Si-based cell, the improvement of increasing the minority charge carrier's lifetime, comprising: a) placing a c-Si or polysilicon wafer into CVD reaction chamber under a low vacuum condition and subjecting the substrate of the wafer to heating; and b) passing mixing gases comprising NH.sub.3/H.sub.2 through the reaction chamber at a low vacuum pressure for a sufficient time and at a sufficient flow rate to enable growth of an a-Si:H layer sufficient to increase the lifetime of the c-Si or polysilicon cell beyond that of the growth of an a-Si:H layer without treatment of the wafer with NH.sub.3/H.sub.2.

Application of partial inversion pulse to ultrasonic time-domain correlation method to measure the flow rate in a pipe

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wada, Sanehiro; Furuichi, Noriyuki; Shimada, Takashi

2017-11-01

This paper proposes the application of a novel ultrasonic pulse, called a partial inversion pulse (PIP), to the measurement of the velocity profile and flow rate in a pipe using the ultrasound time-domain correlation (UTDC) method. In general, the measured flow rate depends on the velocity profile in the pipe; thus, on-site calibration is the only method of checking the accuracy of on-site flow rate measurements. Flow rate calculation using UTDC is based on the integration of the measured velocity profile. The advantages of this method compared with the ultrasonic pulse Doppler method include the possibility of the velocity range having no limitation and its applicability to flow fields without a sufficient amount of reflectors. However, it has been previously reported that the measurable velocity range for UTDC is limited by false detections. Considering the application of this method to on-site flow fields, the issue of velocity range is important. To reduce the effect of false detections, a PIP signal, which is an ultrasound signal that contains a partially inverted region, was developed in this study. The advantages of the PIP signal are that it requires little additional hardware cost and no additional software cost in comparison with conventional methods. The effects of inversion on the characteristics of the ultrasound transmission were estimated through numerical calculation. Then, experimental measurements were performed at a national standard calibration facility for water flow rate in Japan. The experimental results demonstrate that measurements made using a PIP signal are more accurate and yield a higher detection ratio than measurements using a normal pulse signal.

Unstable plastic deformation of ultrafine-grained copper at 0.5 K

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Isaev, N. V.; Grigorova, T. V.; Shumilin, S. E.; Polishchuk, S. S.; Davydenko, O. A.

2017-12-01

We investigate the relation between the strain-hardening rate and flow instability of polycrystalline Cu-OF deformed by tension at a constant rate in a liquid 3He atmosphere. The microstructure of the ultrafine-grained crystal, obtained by the equal-channel angular hydro-extrusion method, was varied by annealing at recovery and recrystallization temperatures and was monitored by x-ray diffraction. It is shown that that the flow instability, manifesting itself as macroscopic stress serrations on the tension curve, appears at a threshold tension sufficient for activation of a dynamic recovery that leads to a decrease of the strain-hardening coefficient. We discuss the effect of grain size and the initial dislocation density on the evolution of the dislocation structure that determines the scale and the statistical properties of the flow instability in the investigated crystals at low temperature.

GENERALIZED VISCOPLASTIC MODELING OF DEBRIS FLOW.

USGS Publications Warehouse

Chen, Cheng-lung

1988-01-01

The earliest model developed by R. A. Bagnold was based on the concept of the 'dispersive' pressure generated by grain collisions. Some efforts have recently been made by theoreticians in non-Newtonian fluid mechanics to modify or improve Bagnold's concept or model. A viable rheological model should consist both of a rate-independent part and a rate-dependent part. A generalized viscoplastic fluid (GVF) model that has both parts as well as two major rheological properties (i. e. , the normal stress effect and soil yield criterion) is shown to be sufficiently accurate, yet practical for general use in debris-flow modeling. In fact, Bagnold's model is found to be only a particular case of the GVF model. analytical solutions for (steady) uniform debris flows in wide channels are obtained from the GVF model based on Bagnold's simplified assumption of constant grain concentration.

Pahoehoe and aa in Hawaii: volumetric flow rate controls the lava structure

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rowland, Scott K.; Walker, George Pl

1990-11-01

The historical records of Kilauea and Mauna Loa volcanoes reveal that the rough-surfaced variety of basalt lava called aa forms when lava flows at a high volumetric rate (>5 10 m3/s), and the smooth-surfaced variety called pahoehoe forms at a low volumetric rate (<5 10 m3/s). This relationship is well illustrated by the 1983 1990 and 1969 1974 eruptions of Kilauea and the recent eruptions of Mauna Loa. It is also illustrated by the eruptions that produced the remarkable paired flows of Mauna Loa, in which aa formed during an initial short period of high discharge rate (associated with high fountaining) and was followed by the eruption of pahoehoe over a sustained period at a low discharge rate (with little or no fountaining). The finest examples of paired lava flows are those of 1859 and 1880 1881. We attribute aa formation to rapid and concentrated flow in open channels. There, rapid heat loss causes an increase in viscosity to a threshold value (that varies depending on the actual flow velocity) at which, when surface crust is torn by differential flow, the underlying lava is unable to move sufficiently fast to heal the tear. We attribute pahoehoe formation to the flowage of lava at a low volumetric rate, commonly in tubes that minimize heat loss. Flow units of pahoehoe are small (usually <1 m thick), move slowly, develop a chilled skin, and become virtually static before the viscosity has risen, to the threshold value. We infer that the high-discharge-rate eruptions that generate aa flows result from the rapid emptying of major or subsidiary magma chambers. Rapid near-surface vesiculation of gas-rich magma leads to eruptions with high discharge rates, high lava fountains, and fast-moving channelized flows. We also infer that long periods of sustained flow at a low discharge rate, which favor pahoehoe, result from the development of a free and unimpeded pathway from the deep plumbing system of the volcano and the separation of gases from the magma before eruption. Achievement of this condition requires one or more episodes of rapid magma excursion through the rift zone to establish a stable magma pathway.

Performance of high flow rate samplers for respirable particle collection.

PubMed

Lee, Taekhee; Kim, Seung Won; Chisholm, William P; Slaven, James; Harper, Martin

2010-08-01

The American Conference of Governmental Industrial hygienists (ACGIH) lowered the threshold limit value (TLV) for respirable crystalline silica (RCS) exposure from 0.05 to 0.025 mg m(-3) in 2006. For a working environment with an airborne dust concentration near this lowered TLV, the sample collected with current standard respirable aerosol samplers might not provide enough RCS for quantitative analysis. Adopting high flow rate sampling devices for respirable dust containing silica may provide a sufficient amount of RCS to be above the limit of quantification even for samples collected for less than full shift. The performances of three high flow rate respirable samplers (CIP10-R, GK2.69, and FSP10) have been evaluated in this study. Eleven different sizes of monodisperse aerosols of ammonium fluorescein were generated with a vibrating orifice aerosol generator in a calm air chamber in order to determine the sampling efficiency of each sampler. Aluminum oxide particles generated by a fluidized bed aerosol generator were used to test (i) the uniformity of a modified calm air chamber, (ii) the effect of loading on the sampling efficiency, and (iii) the performance of dust collection compared to lower flow rate cyclones in common use in the USA (10-mm nylon and Higgins-Dewell cyclones). The coefficient of variation for eight simultaneous samples in the modified calm air chamber ranged from 1.9 to 6.1% for triplicate measures of three different aerosols. The 50% cutoff size ((50)d(ae)) of the high flow rate samplers operated at the flow rates recommended by manufacturers were determined as 4.7, 4.1, and 4.8 microm for CIP10-R, GK2.69, and FSP10, respectively. The mass concentration ratio of the high flow rate samplers to the low flow rate cyclones decreased with decreasing mass median aerodynamic diameter (MMAD) and high flow rate samplers collected more dust than low flow rate samplers by a range of 2-11 times based on gravimetric analysis. Dust loading inside the high flow rate samplers does not appear to affect the particle separation in either FSP10 or GK2.69. The high flow rate samplers overestimated compared to the International Standards Organization/Comité Européen de Normalisation/ACGIH respirable convention [up to 40% at large MMAD (27.5 microm)] and could provide overestimated exposure data with the current flow rates. However, both cyclones appeared to be able to provide relatively unbiased assessments of RCS when their flow rates were adjusted.

Performance of High Flow Rate Samplers for Respirable Particle Collection

PubMed Central

Lee, Taekhee; Kim, Seung Won; Chisholm, William P.; Slaven, James; Harper, Martin

2010-01-01

The American Conference of Governmental Industrial hygienists (ACGIH) lowered the threshold limit value (TLV) for respirable crystalline silica (RCS) exposure from 0.05 to 0.025 mg m−3 in 2006. For a working environment with an airborne dust concentration near this lowered TLV, the sample collected with current standard respirable aerosol samplers might not provide enough RCS for quantitative analysis. Adopting high flow rate sampling devices for respirable dust containing silica may provide a sufficient amount of RCS to be above the limit of quantification even for samples collected for less than full shift. The performances of three high flow rate respirable samplers (CIP10-R, GK2.69, and FSP10) have been evaluated in this study. Eleven different sizes of monodisperse aerosols of ammonium fluorescein were generated with a vibrating orifice aerosol generator in a calm air chamber in order to determine the sampling efficiency of each sampler. Aluminum oxide particles generated by a fluidized bed aerosol generator were used to test (i) the uniformity of a modified calm air chamber, (ii) the effect of loading on the sampling efficiency, and (iii) the performance of dust collection compared to lower flow rate cyclones in common use in the USA (10-mm nylon and Higgins–Dewell cyclones). The coefficient of variation for eight simultaneous samples in the modified calm air chamber ranged from 1.9 to 6.1% for triplicate measures of three different aerosols. The 50% cutoff size (50dae) of the high flow rate samplers operated at the flow rates recommended by manufacturers were determined as 4.7, 4.1, and 4.8 μm for CIP10-R, GK2.69, and FSP10, respectively. The mass concentration ratio of the high flow rate samplers to the low flow rate cyclones decreased with decreasing mass median aerodynamic diameter (MMAD) and high flow rate samplers collected more dust than low flow rate samplers by a range of 2–11 times based on gravimetric analysis. Dust loading inside the high flow rate samplers does not appear to affect the particle separation in either FSP10 or GK2.69. The high flow rate samplers overestimated compared to the International Standards Organization/Comité Européen de Normalisation/ACGIH respirable convention [up to 40% at large MMAD (27.5 μm)] and could provide overestimated exposure data with the current flow rates. However, both cyclones appeared to be able to provide relatively unbiased assessments of RCS when their flow rates were adjusted. PMID:20660144

Soft Sensing of Non-Newtonian Fluid Flow in Open Venturi Channel Using an Array of Ultrasonic Level Sensors—AI Models and Their Validations

PubMed Central

Viumdal, Håkon; Mylvaganam, Saba

2017-01-01

In oil and gas and geothermal installations, open channels followed by sieves for removal of drill cuttings, are used to monitor the quality and quantity of the drilling fluids. Drilling fluid flow rate is difficult to measure due to the varying flow conditions (e.g., wavy, turbulent and irregular) and the presence of drilling cuttings and gas bubbles. Inclusion of a Venturi section in the open channel and an array of ultrasonic level sensors above it at locations in the vicinity of and above the Venturi constriction gives the varying levels of the drilling fluid in the channel. The time series of the levels from this array of ultrasonic level sensors are used to estimate the drilling fluid flow rate, which is compared with Coriolis meter measurements. Fuzzy logic, neural networks and support vector regression algorithms applied to the data from temporal and spatial ultrasonic level measurements of the drilling fluid in the open channel give estimates of its flow rate with sufficient reliability, repeatability and uncertainty, providing a novel soft sensing of an important process variable. Simulations, cross-validations and experimental results show that feedforward neural networks with the Bayesian regularization learning algorithm provide the best flow rate estimates. Finally, the benefits of using this soft sensing technique combined with Venturi constriction in open channels are discussed. PMID:29072595

Kelvin-Helmholtz versus Hall magnetoshear instability in astrophysical flows.

PubMed

Gómez, Daniel O; Bejarano, Cecilia; Mininni, Pablo D

2014-05-01

We study the stability of shear flows in a fully ionized plasma. Kelvin-Helmholtz is a well-known macroscopic and ideal shear-driven instability. In sufficiently low-density plasmas, also the microscopic Hall magnetoshear instability can take place. We performed three-dimensional simulations of the Hall-magnetohydrodynamic equations where these two instabilities are present, and carried out a comparative study. We find that when the shear flow is so intense that its vorticity surpasses the ion-cyclotron frequency of the plasma, the Hall magnetoshear instability is not only non-negligible, but it actually displays growth rates larger than those of the Kelvin-Helmholtz instability.

Powder fed sheared dispersal particle generator

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Morrisette, E. L.; Bushnell, D. M. (Inventor)

1984-01-01

A particle generating system is described which is capable of breaking up agglomerations of particles and producing a cloud of uniform, submicron-sized particles at high pressure and high flow rates. This is achieved by utilizing a tubular structure which has injection microslits on is periphery to accept and disperse the desired particle feed. By suppling a carrying fluid at a pressure, of approximately twice the ambient pressure of the velocimeter's settling chamber, the microslits operate at choked flow conditions. The shearing action of this choked flow is sufficient to overcome interparticle bonding forces, thereby breaking up the agglomerates of the particles feed into individual particles.

Vortex multiplication in applied flow: A precursor to superfluid turbulence.

PubMed

Finne, A P; Eltsov, V B; Eska, G; Hänninen, R; Kopu, J; Krusius, M; Thuneberg, E V; Tsubota, M

2006-03-03

A surface-mediated process is identified in 3He-B which generates vortices at a roughly constant rate. It precedes a faster form of turbulence where intervortex interactions dominate. This precursor becomes observable when vortex loops are introduced in low-velocity rotating flow at sufficiently low mutual friction dissipation at temperatures below 0.5Tc. Our measurements indicate that the formation of new loops is associated with a single vortex interacting in the applied flow with the sample boundary. Numerical calculations show that the single-vortex instability arises when a helical Kelvin wave expands from a reconnection kink at the wall and then intersects again with the wall.

Water intrusion in thin-skinned composite honeycomb sandwich structures

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Jackson, Wade C.; O'Brien, T. Kevin

1988-01-01

Thin-skinned composite honeycomb sandwich structures from the trailing edge of the U.S. Army's Apache and Chinook helicopters have been tested to ascertain their susceptibility to water intrusion as well as such intrusions' effects on impact damage and cyclic loading. Minimum-impact and fatigue conditions were determined which would create microcracks sufficiently large to allow the passage of water through the skins; damage sufficient for this to occur was for some skins undetectable under a 40X-magnification optical microscope. Flow rate was a function of moisture content, damage, applied strain, and pressure differences.

The effect of abdominal pressure on urinary flow rate.

PubMed

Hasegawa, N; Kitagawa, Y; Takasaki, N; Miyazaki, S

1983-07-01

We examined the effect of abdominal pressure on urinary flow rate and urethral closure pressure in 46 subjects, ranging in age from 26 to 82 years. An increase in urinary flow rate caused by abdominal straining was not found when organic obstruction was present in the prostatic urethra in men or the proximal urethra in women, or when dysuria is caused by the lowered detrusor pressure. An increase in urinary flow rate caused by straining was noted when anterior urethral stricture or stress incontinence was present. The increase in urinary flow rate owing to straining was undetermined in the control group. The urethral closure pressure on the anti-stress incontinence zone increased as a result of straining at the same time and to the same degree as did the intravesical pressure. When the anti-stress incontinence zone was subjected to transurethral resection for canal formation urination became possible as a result of straining. The patients who were able to urinate with straining sometimes suffered temporary stress incontinence. The degree of straining did not determine whether the patient could urinate with straining. Therefore, it was concluded that abdominal pressure should be excluded from intravesical pressure in performing several urodynamic studies on the lower urinary tract, such as pressure flow studies, and that it is important to have a sufficient canal formation in the anti-stress incontinence zone when urination with straining is expected when performing an operation on patients with urethral obstruction in the anti-stress incontinence zone.

Initial testing of a 3D printed perfusion phantom using digital subtraction angiography

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wood, Rachel P.; Khobragade, Parag; Ying, Leslie; Snyder, Kenneth; Wack, David; Bednarek, Daniel R.; Rudin, Stephen; Ionita, Ciprian N.

2015-03-01

Perfusion imaging is the most applied modality for the assessment of acute stroke. Parameters such as Cerebral Blood Flow (CBF), Cerebral Blood volume (CBV) and Mean Transit Time (MTT) are used to distinguish the tissue infarct core and ischemic penumbra. Due to lack of standardization these parameters vary significantly between vendors and software even when provided with the same data set. There is a critical need to standardize the systems and make them more reliable. We have designed a uniform phantom to test and verify the perfusion systems. We implemented a flow loop with different flow rates (250, 300, 350 ml/min) and injected the same amount of contrast. The images of the phantom were acquired using a Digital Angiographic system. Since this phantom is uniform, projection images obtained using DSA is sufficient for initial validation. To validate the phantom we measured the contrast concentration at three regions of interest (arterial input, venous output, perfused area) and derived time density curves (TDC). We then calculated the maximum slope, area under the TDCs and flow. The maximum slope calculations were linearly increasing with increase in flow rate, the area under the curve decreases with increase in flow rate. There was 25% error between the calculated flow and measured flow. The derived TDCs were clinically relevant and the calculated flow, maximum slope and areas under the curve were sensitive to the measured flow. We have created a systematic way to calibrate existing perfusion systems and assess their reliability.

Rates of CO2 Mineralization in Geological Carbon Storage.

PubMed

Zhang, Shuo; DePaolo, Donald J

2017-09-19

Geologic carbon storage (GCS) involves capture and purification of CO 2 at industrial emission sources, compression into a supercritical state, and subsequent injection into geologic formations. This process reverses the flow of carbon to the atmosphere with the intention of returning the carbon to long-term geologic storage. Models suggest that most of the injected CO 2 will be "trapped" in the subsurface by physical means, but the most risk-free and permanent form of carbon storage is as carbonate minerals (Ca,Mg,Fe)CO 3 . The transformation of CO 2 to carbonate minerals requires supply of the necessary divalent cations by dissolution of silicate minerals. Available data suggest that rates of transformation are highly uncertain and difficult to predict by standard approaches. Here we show that the chemical kinetic observations and experimental results, when they can be reduced to a single cation-release time scale that describes the fractional rate at which cations are released to solution by mineral dissolution, show sufficiently systematic behavior as a function of pH, fluid flow rate, and time that the rates of mineralization can be estimated with reasonable certainty. The rate of mineralization depends on both the abundance (determined by the reservoir rock mineralogy) and the rate at which cations are released from silicate minerals by dissolution into pore fluid that has been acidified with dissolved CO 2 . Laboratory-measured rates and field observations give values spanning 8 to 10 orders of magnitude, but when they are evaluated in the context of a reservoir-scale reactive transport simulation, this range becomes much smaller. The reservoir scale simulations provide limits on the applicable conditions under which silicate mineral dissolution and subsequent carbonate mineral precipitation are likely to occur (pH 4.5 to 6, fluid flow velocity less than 5 m/year, and 50-100 years or more after the start of injection). These constraints lead to estimates of 200 to 2000 years for conversion of 60-90% of injected CO 2 when the reservoir rock has a sufficient volume fraction of divalent cation-bearing silicate minerals and confirms that when reservoir rock mineralogy is not favorable the fraction of CO 2 converted to carbonate minerals is minimal over 10 4 years. A sufficient amount of reactive minerals is typically about 20% by volume. Our approach may allow for rapid evaluation of mineralization potential of subsurface storage reservoirs and illustrates how reservoir scale modeling can be integrated with other observations to address key issues relating to engineering of geologic systems.

Study of the Structure of Turbulence in Accelerating Transitional Boundary Layers.

DTIC Science & Technology

1987-12-23

be sufficient to relaminarize even fully turbulent boundary layers. Since local heat transfer rates are very sensitive to the state of the boundary...was calibrated for velocity and angular sensitivity in a low- .’ turbulence 1 1/2-in. dia. jet flow for approximately twenty jet flow speeds "-’ ranging...intersection of the wires of the x. The angular sensitivity of the wires was assumed to conform to Champagne’s k2 law (Ref. 20), UE2 (0) = U2(0 = 0) (cos 2

Passive injection control for microfluidic systems

DOEpatents

Paul, Phillip H.; Arnold, Don W.; Neyer, David W.

2004-12-21

Apparatus for eliminating siphoning, "dead" regions, and fluid concentration gradients in microscale analytical devices. In its most basic embodiment, the present invention affords passive injection control for both electric field-driven and pressure-driven systems by providing additional fluid flow channels or auxiliary channels disposed on either side of a sample separation column. The auxiliary channels are sized such that volumetric fluid flow rate through these channels, while sufficient to move the sample away from the sample injection region in a timely fashion, is less than that through the sample separation channel or chromatograph.

Flow Modification Induced by Quincke Rotation in a Capillary

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cebers, A.; Lemaire, E.; Lobry, L.

When particles immersed in a semi-insulating liquid are submitted to a sufficiently high DC field, they can rotate spontaneously around any axis perpendicular to the field (Quincke rotation). Recently we have shown that due to Quincke effect the effective viscosity of a colloidal suspension could be reduced. When the suspension is submitted to a shear, the particles rotation is amplified by the electric torque and drives the suspending liquid. For a flow in a capillary, this effect manifests itself by an increase of the flow rate. We present the results of our experiments carried out with a rectangular cross section capillary. These results are compared with the direct determination of the apparent viscosity in a Couette flow rheometer.

Using nonlinear ac electrokinetics vortex flow to enhance catalytic activities of sol-gel encapsulated trypsin in microfluidic devices

PubMed Central

Wang, Shau-Chun; Chen, Hsiao-Ping; Lai, Yi-Wen; Chau, Lai-Kwan; Chuang, Yu-Chun; Chen, Yi-Jie

2007-01-01

A novel microstirring strategy is applied to accelerate the digestion rate of the substrate Nα-benzoyl-L-arginine-4-nitroanilide (L-BAPA) catalyzed by sol-gel encapsulated trypsin. We use an ac nonlinear electrokinetic vortex flow to stir the solution in a microfluidic reaction chamber to reduce the diffusion length between the immobilized enzyme and substrate in the solution. High-intensity nonlinear electroosmotic microvortices, with angular speeds in excess of 1 cm∕s, are generated around a small (∼1.2 mm) conductive ion exchange granule when ac electric fields (133 V∕cm) are applied across a miniature chamber smaller than 10 μl. Coupling between these microvortices and the on-and-off electrophoretic motion of the granule in low frequency (0.1 Hz) ac fields produces chaotic stream lines to stir substrate molecules sufficiently. We demonstrate that, within a 5-min digestion period, the catalytic reaction rate of immobilized trypsin increases almost 30-fold with adequate reproducibility (15%) due to sufficient stirring action through the introduction of the nonlinear electrokinetic vortices. In contrast, low-frequency ac electroosmotic flow without the granule, provides limited stirring action and increases the reaction rate approximately ninefold with barely acceptable reproducibility (30%). Dye molecules are used to characterize the increases in solute diffusivity in the reaction reservoir in which sol-gel particles are placed, with and without the presence of granule, and compared with the static case. The solute diffusivity enhancement data show respective increases of ∼30 and ∼8 times, with and without the presence of granule. These numbers are consistent with the ratios of the enhanced reaction rate. PMID:19693360

Using nonlinear ac electrokinetics vortex flow to enhance catalytic activities of sol-gel encapsulated trypsin in microfluidic devices.

PubMed

Wang, Shau-Chun; Chen, Hsiao-Ping; Lai, Yi-Wen; Chau, Lai-Kwan; Chuang, Yu-Chun; Chen, Yi-Jie

2007-09-04

A novel microstirring strategy is applied to accelerate the digestion rate of the substrate N(alpha)-benzoyl-L-arginine-4-nitroanilide (L-BAPA) catalyzed by sol-gel encapsulated trypsin. We use an ac nonlinear electrokinetic vortex flow to stir the solution in a microfluidic reaction chamber to reduce the diffusion length between the immobilized enzyme and substrate in the solution. High-intensity nonlinear electroosmotic microvortices, with angular speeds in excess of 1 cms, are generated around a small ( approximately 1.2 mm) conductive ion exchange granule when ac electric fields (133 Vcm) are applied across a miniature chamber smaller than 10 mul. Coupling between these microvortices and the on-and-off electrophoretic motion of the granule in low frequency (0.1 Hz) ac fields produces chaotic stream lines to stir substrate molecules sufficiently. We demonstrate that, within a 5-min digestion period, the catalytic reaction rate of immobilized trypsin increases almost 30-fold with adequate reproducibility (15%) due to sufficient stirring action through the introduction of the nonlinear electrokinetic vortices. In contrast, low-frequency ac electroosmotic flow without the granule, provides limited stirring action and increases the reaction rate approximately ninefold with barely acceptable reproducibility (30%). Dye molecules are used to characterize the increases in solute diffusivity in the reaction reservoir in which sol-gel particles are placed, with and without the presence of granule, and compared with the static case. The solute diffusivity enhancement data show respective increases of approximately 30 and approximately 8 times, with and without the presence of granule. These numbers are consistent with the ratios of the enhanced reaction rate.

Multiscale Sediment-Laden Flow Theory and Its Application in Flood Risk Management

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cao, Z. X.; Pender, G.; Hu, P.

2011-09-01

Sediment-laden flows over erodible bed normally feature multiple time scales. The time scales of sediment transport and bed deformation relative to the flow essentially measure how fast sediment transport adapts to capacity regime in line with local flow scenario and the bed deforms as compared to the flow, which literally dictate if a capacity based and/or decoupled model is justified. This paper synthesizes the recently developed multiscale theory for sediment-laden flows over erodible bed, with bed load and suspended load transport respectively. It is unravelled that bed load transport can adapt to capacity sufficiently rapidly even under highly unsteady flows and thus a capacity model is mostly applicable, whereas a non-capacity model is critical for suspended sediment because of the lower rate of adaptation to capacity. Physically coupled modeling is critical for cases characterized by rapid bed variation. Applications are outlined on flash floods and landslide dam break floods.

The Physics of Traffic

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Davis, L. Craig

2006-03-01

Congestion in freeway traffic is an example of self-organization in the language of complexity theory. Nonequilibrium, first-order phase transitions from free flow cause complex spatiotemporal patterns. Two distinct phases of congestion are observed in empirical traffic data--wide moving jams and synchronous flow. Wide moving jams are characterized by stopped or slowly moving vehicles within the jammed region, which widens and moves upstream at 15-20 km/h. Above a critical density of vehicles, a sudden decrease in the velocity of a lead vehicle can initiate a transition from metastable states to this phase. Human behaviors, especially delayed reactions, are implicated in the formation of jams. The synchronous flow phase results from a bottleneck such as an on-ramp. Thus, in contrast to a jam, the downstream front is pinned at a fixed location. The name of the phase comes from the equilibration (or synchronization) of speed and flow rate across all lanes caused by frequent vehicle lane changes. Synchronous flow occurs when the mainline flow and the rate of merging from an on-ramp are sufficiently large. Large-scale simulations using car-following models reproduce the physical phenomena occurring in traffic and suggest methods to improve flow and mediate congestion.

A NEW METHOD FOR ENVIRONMENTAL FLOW ASSESSMENT BASED ON BASIN GEOLOGY. APPLICATION TO EBRO BASIN.

PubMed

2018-02-01

The determination of environmental flows is one of the commonest practical actions implemented on European rivers to promote their good ecological status. In Mediterranean rivers, groundwater inflows are a decisive factor in streamflow maintenance. This work examines the relationship between the lithological composition of the Ebro basin (Spain) and dry season flows in order to establish a model that can assist in the calculation of environmental flow rates.Due to the lack of information on the hydrogeological characteristics of the studied basin, the variable representing groundwater inflows has been estimated in a very simple way. The explanatory variable used in the proposed model is easy to calculate and is sufficiently powerful to take into account all the required characteristics.The model has a high coefficient of determination, indicating that it is accurate for the intended purpose. The advantage of this method compared to other methods is that it requires very little data and provides a simple estimate of environmental flow. It is also independent of the basin area and the river section order.The results of this research also contribute to knowledge of the variables that influence low flow periods and low flow rates on rivers in the Ebro basin.

Experimental characterization of novel microdiffuser elements

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ehrlich, L.; Punch, J.; Jeffers, N.; Stafford, J.

2014-07-01

Micropumps can play a significant role in thermal management applications, as a component of microfluidic cooling systems. For next-generation high density optical communication systems, in particular, heat flux levels are sufficiently high to require a microfluidic circuit for cooling. Valveless piezoelectrically-actuated micropumps are a particularly promising technology to be deployed for this application. These pumps exploit the asymmetric flow behaviour of microdiffusers to achieve net flow. They feature no rotating or contacting parts, which make them intrinsically reliable in comparison to micropumps with active valves. In this paper, two novel microdiffuser elements are reported and characterized. The micropumps were fabricated using a 3D Printer. Each single diffuser had a length of 1800 pm and a depth of 400 pm. An experimental characterization was conducted in which the flow rate and differential pressure were measured as a function of operating frequency. In comparison with standard diffuser, both elements showed an increase in differential pressure in the range of 40 - 280 %, but only one of the elements exhibited an improved flow rate, of about 85 %.

Recovery of datable charcoal beneath young lavas: lessons from Hawaii.

USGS Publications Warehouse

Lockwood, J.P.; Lipman, P.W.

1980-01-01

Field studies in Hawaii aimed at providing a radiocarbon-based chronology of prehistoric eruptive activity have led to a good understanding of the processes that govern the formation and preservation of charcoal beneath basaltic lava flows. Charcoal formation is a rate-dependent process controlled primarily by temperature and duration of heating, as well as by moisture content, density, and size of original woody material. Charcoal will form wherever wood buried by lava is raised to sufficiently high temperatures, but owing to the availability of oxygen it is commonly burned to ash soon after formation. Wherever oxygen circulation is sufficiently restricted, charcoal will be preserved, but where atmospheric oxygen circulates freely, charcoal will only be preserved at a lower temperature, below that required for charcoal ignition or catalytic oxidation. These factors cause carbonized wood, especially that derived from living roots, to be commonly preserved beneath all parts of pahoehoe flows (where oxygen circulation is restricted), but only under margins of aa. Practical guidelines are given for the recovery of datable charcoal beneath pahoehoe and aa. Although based on Hawaiian basaltic flows, the guidelines should be applicable to other areas. -Authors

Long-range ordered vorticity patterns in living tissue induced by cell division

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rossen, Ninna S.; Tarp, Jens M.; Mathiesen, Joachim; Jensen, Mogens H.; Oddershede, Lene B.

2014-12-01

In healthy blood vessels with a laminar blood flow, the endothelial cell division rate is low, only sufficient to replace apoptotic cells. The division rate significantly increases during embryonic development and under halted or turbulent flow. Cells in barrier tissue are connected and their motility is highly correlated. Here we investigate the long-range dynamics induced by cell division in an endothelial monolayer under non-flow conditions, mimicking the conditions during vessel formation or around blood clots. Cell divisions induce long-range, well-ordered vortex patterns extending several cell diameters away from the division site, in spite of the system’s low Reynolds number. Our experimental results are reproduced by a hydrodynamic continuum model simulating division as a local pressure increase corresponding to a local tension decrease. Such long-range physical communication may be crucial for embryonic development and for healing tissue, for instance around blood clots.

Effects of vacuum level and pulsation rate on milk ejection and milk flow traits in Tunisian dairy camels (Camelus dromedarius).

PubMed

Atigui, Moufida; Marnet, Pierre-Guy; Barmat, Ahmed; Khorchani, Touhami; Hammadi, Mohamed

2015-01-01

This work aims to compare the effects of milking at two vacuum levels (38 and 48 kPa) and three pulsation rates (60, 90, and 120 cpm) on milk production and milk flow characteristics. Six multiparous Maghrebi camels in late lactation and once daily milked were used. The best combination of setting for camel's milking was high vacuum and low pulsation rate (48 kPa/60 cpm). Milk yield and average and peak milk flow rate were the highest, while milking time was the shortest using this combination of setting (3.05 ± 0.30 kg, 1.52 ± 0.21 kg/min, 2.52 ± 0.21 kg/min, and 3.32 ± 0.31 min, respectively). Lower vacuum level lengthened milking time by more than 100 % and was not sufficient to extract milk correctly (1.69 to 2.48 times less milk yield harvested), suggesting a negative interaction with the stimulatory effect of pulsation. Higher pulsation rates did not better stimulate the camels and induced more bimodality and lower milk flow rates. Animal characteristics and liner/claw design affect machine milking and further investigations must be carried out to verify their effects and to study long-term effect of high vacuum level on udder health and teat condition.

Silicon Web Process Development

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Duncan, C. S.; Seidensticker, R. G.; Hopkins, R. H.; Mchugh, J. P.; Hill, F. E.; Heimlich, M. E.; Driggers, J. M.

1978-01-01

Progress in the development of techniques to grow silicon web at 25 wq cm/min output rate is reported. Feasibility of web growth with simultaneous melt replenishment is discussed. Other factors covered include: (1) tests of aftertrimmers to improve web width; (2) evaluation of growth lid designs to raise speed and output rate; (3) tests of melt replenishment hardware; and (4) investigation of directed gas flow systems to control unwanted oxide deposition in the system and to improve convective cooling of the web. Compatibility with sufficient solar cell performance is emphasized.

Rheology and microstructure of magmatic emulsions - Theory and experiments

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Stein, Daniel J.; Spera, Frank J.

1992-01-01

The rheological properties of a dilute mixture of melt plus vapor bubbles, referred to as emulsion, are investigated theoretically and in rheometric experiments on dilute viscous germanium dioxide emulsions at temperatures between 1100 and 1175 C and at 100 kPa pressure in a rotating rod rheometer at shear rates between 0.05/s and 7/s. The results indicate that the emulsions may be described by a power-law constitutive relation when observations cover a sufficient range of shear rates to resolve nonlinear flow.

The distribution of saturated clusters in wetted granular materials

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Li, Shuoqi; Hanaor, Dorian; Gan, Yixiang

2017-06-01

The hydro-mechanical behaviour of partially saturated granular materials is greatly influenced by the spatial and temporal distribution of liquid within the media. The aim of this paper is to characterise the distribution of saturated clusters in granular materials using an optical imaging method under different water drainage conditions. A saturated cluster is formed when a liquid phase fully occupies the pore space between solid grains in a localized region. The samples considered here were prepared by vibrating mono-sized glass beads to form closely packed assemblies in a rectangular container. A range of drainage conditions were applied to the specimen by tilting the container and employing different flow rates, and the liquid pressure was recorded at different positions in the experimental cell. The formation of saturated clusters during the liquid withdrawal processes is governed by three competing mechanisms arising from viscous, capillary, and gravitational forces. When the flow rate is sufficiently large and the gravity component is sufficiently small, the viscous force tends to destabilize the liquid front leading to the formation of narrow fingers of saturated material. As the water channels along these liquid fingers break, saturated clusters are formed inside the specimen. Subsequently, a spatial and temporal distribution of saturated clusters can be observed. We investigated the resulting saturated cluster distribution as a function of flow rate and gravity to achieve a fundamental understanding of the formation and evolution of such clusters in partially saturated granular materials. This study serves as a bridge between pore-scale behavior and the overall hydro-mechanical characteristics in partially saturated soils.

Microfluidic oscillators with widely tunable periods

PubMed Central

Kim, Sung-Jin; Yokokawa, Ryuji; Takayama, Shuichi

2013-01-01

We present experiments and theory of a constant flow-driven microfluidic oscillator with widely tunable oscillation periods. This oscillator converts two constant input-flows from a syringe pump into an alternating, periodic output-flow with oscillation periods that can be adjusted to between 0.3 s to 4.1 h by tuning an external membrane capacitor. This capacitor allows multiple adjustable periods at a given input flow-rate, thus providing great flexibility in device operation. Also, we show that a sufficiently large external capacitance, relative to the internal capacitance of the microfluidic valve itself, is a critical requirement for oscillation. These widely tunable microfluidic oscillators are envisioned to be broadly useful for the study of biological rhythms, as on-chip timing sources for microfluidic logic circuits, and other applications that require variation in timed flow switching. PMID:23429765

Vibroconvective mixing applied to vertical Bridgman growth

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zawilski, Kevin T.; Claudia, M.; Custodio, C.; DeMattei, Robert C.; Feigelson, Robert S.

2003-10-01

A promising method for stirring melts during vertical Bridgman growth is the coupled vibrational stirring (CVS) method. It involves the application of low frequency vibrations to the outside of the growth ampoule and produces strong flows emanating from the fluid surface. Although the technique was pioneered a number of years ago, previous studies have not provided sufficient information to explain how to control CVS generated flows in a particular system. This paper examines both the fluid flow produced by CVS and the effect of these flows on a model oxide growth system. CVS generated flows were studied using tracer particles in a water/glycerin system. The particle velocities were measured as a function of distance from the fluid surface. A large velocity gradient, decreasing from the surface, was found to be present. The velocity profile produced was dependent on the vibrational amplitude and frequency, the crucible diameter, and the fluid viscosity. The effects of CVS flows on the crystal growth interface were studied using NaNO 3 as a model oxide. Under non-growth conditions (i.e. no furnace or crucible translation), the solid-liquid interface position was found to be a strong function of vibrational frequency once CVS generated flows approached the interface. During crystal growth, undesirable growth rate fluctuations were found as the growth interface moved into regions of increasing fluid flow. This data suggests that a control system in which CVS flows are continuously decreased during growth to maintain a constant flow rate in the vicinity of the growth interface is necessary in order to prevent or reduce growth rate fluctuations.

Volume requirements for aerated mud drilling

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

Guo, B.; Rajtar, J.M.

1995-09-01

Aerated mud drilling has been recognized as having many advantages over conventional mud drilling, such ass higher penetration rate, less formation damage, minimized lost circulation, and lower drilling cost. In some areas, the use of aerated mud as a circulating medium for drilling oil and gas wells is becoming an attractive practice. Maintaining an optimum combination of liquid and air flow rates is important in aerated drilling operations. However, most drilling operators are unclear on what constitutes the ``optimum combination of the liquid and air flow rates.`` Guo et al. presented a mathematical approach to determining the flowing bottomhole pressuremore » (BHP) for aerated mud drilling. This paper addresses the use of Guo et al.`s mathematical model to determine liquid and air volume requirements considering wellbore stability, pipe sticking, and formation damage as well as the cuttings-carry capacity of the aerated mud. For a formation-damage-prevention point of view, the liquid fraction in the fluid stream should e as low as possible. However, a sufficient mud flow rate is always required to make the hole stable and to maintain the cuttings-carrying capacity of the aerated mud without injecting much air volume. This paper provides a simple approach to determining the liquid and air volume requirements for aerated mud drilling.« less

Computational study for the effects of coil configuration on blood flow characteristics in coil-embolized cerebral aneurysm.

PubMed

Otani, Tomohiro; Ii, Satoshi; Shigematsu, Tomoyoshi; Fujinaka, Toshiyuki; Hirata, Masayuki; Ozaki, Tomohiko; Wada, Shigeo

2017-05-01

Coil embolization of cerebral aneurysms with inhomogeneous coil distribution leads to an incomplete occlusion of the aneurysm. However, the effects of this factor on the blood flow characteristics are still not fully understood. This study investigates the effects of coil configuration on the blood flow characteristics in a coil-embolized aneurysm using computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulation. The blood flow analysis in the aneurysm with coil embolization was performed using a coil deployment (CD) model, in which the coil configuration was constructed using a physics-based simulation of the CD. In the CFD results, total flow momentum and kinetic energy in the aneurysm gradually decayed with increasing coil packing density (PD), regardless of the coil configuration attributed to deployment conditions. However, the total shear rate in the aneurysm was relatively high and the strength of the local shear flow varied based on the differences in coil configuration, even at adequate PDs used in clinical practice (20-25 %). Because the sufficient shear rate reduction is a well-known factor in the blood clot formation occluding the aneurysm inside, the present study gives useful insight into the effects of coil configuration on the treatment efficiency of coil embolization.

Controlling the column spacing in isothermal magnetic advection to enable tunable heat and mass transfer.

DOE PAGES

Solis, Kyle Jameson; Martin, James E.

2012-11-01

Isothermal magnetic advection is a recently discovered method of inducing highly organized, non-contact flow lattices in suspensions of magnetic particles, using only uniform ac magnetic fields of modest strength. The initiation of these vigorous flows requires neither a thermal gradient nor a gravitational field and so can be used to transfer heat and mass in circumstances where natural convection does not occur. These advection lattices are comprised of a square lattice of antiparallel flow columns. If the column spacing is sufficiently large compared to the column length, and the flow rate within the columns is sufficiently large, then one wouldmore » expect efficient transfer of both heat and mass. Otherwise, the flow lattice could act as a countercurrent heat exchanger and only mass will be efficiently transferred. Although this latter case might be useful for feeding a reaction front without extracting heat, it is likely that most interest will be focused on using IMA for heat transfer. In this paper we explore the various experimental parameters of IMA to determine which of these can be used to control the column spacing. These parameters include the field frequency, strength, and phase relation between the two field components, the liquid viscosity and particle volume fraction. We find that the column spacing can easily be tuned over a wide range, to enable the careful control of heat and mass transfer.« less

Incident shock strength evolution in overexpanded jet flow out of rocket nozzle

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Silnikov, Mikhail V.; Chernyshov, Mikhail V.

2017-06-01

The evolution of the incident shock in the plane overexpanded jet flow or in the axisymmetric one is analyzed theoretically and compared at the whole range of governing flow parameters. Analytical results can be applied to avoid jet flow instability and self-oscillation effects at rocket launch, to improve launch safety and to suppress shock-wave induced noise harmful to environment and personnel. The mathematical model of ;differential conditions of dynamic compatibility; was applied to the curved shock in non-uniform plane or axisymmetrical flow. It allowed us to study such features of the curved incident shock and flow downstream it as shock geometrical curvature, jet boundary curvature, local increase or decrease of the shock strength, flow vorticity rate (local pressure gradient) in the vicinity of the nozzle lip, static pressure gradient in the compressed layer downstream the shock, and many others. All these quantities sufficiently depend on the flow parameters (flow Mach number, jet overexpansion rate, nozzle throat angle, and ration of gas specific heats). These dependencies are sometimes unusual, especially at small Mach numbers. It was also surprising that there is no great difference among all these flowfield features in the plane jet and in the axisymmetrical jet flow out of a nozzle with large throat angle, but all these parameters behave in a quite different way in an axisymmetrical jet at small and moderate nozzle throat angles.

Evaporation of ice in planetary atmospheres - Ice-covered rivers on Mars

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Wallace, D.; Sagan, C.

1979-01-01

The existence of ice covered rivers on Mars is considered. It is noted that the evaporation rate of water ice on the surface of a planet with an atmosphere involves an equilibrium between solar heating and radiative and evaporative cooling of the ice layer. It is determined that even with a mean Martian insolation rate above the ice of approximately 10 to the -8th g per sq cm/sec, a flowing channel of liquid water will be covered by ice which evaporates sufficiently slowly that the water below can flow for hundreds of kilometers even with modest discharges. Evaporation rates are calculated for a range of frictional velocities, atmospheric pressures, and insolations and it is suggested that some subset of observed Martian channels may have formed as ice-choked rivers. Finally, the exobiological implications of ice covered channels or lakes on Mars are discussed.

Experimental investigation of MHD pressure losses in a mock-up of a liquid metal blanket

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mistrangelo, C.; Bühler, L.; Brinkmann, H.-J.

2018-03-01

Experiments have been performed to investigate the influence of a magnetic field on liquid metal flows in a scaled mock-up of a helium cooled lead lithium (HCLL) blanket. During the experiments pressure differences between points on the mock-up have been recorded for various values of flow rate and magnitude of the imposed magnetic field. The main contributions to the total pressure drop in the test-section have been identified as a function of characteristic flow parameters. For sufficiently strong magnetic fields the non-dimensional pressure losses are practically independent on the flow rate, namely inertia forces become negligible. Previous experiments on MHD flows in a simplified test-section for a HCLL blanket showed that the main contributions to the total pressure drop in a blanket module originate from the flow in the distributing and collecting manifolds. The new experiments confirm that the largest pressure drops occur along manifolds and near the first wall of the blanket module, where the liquid metal passes through small openings in the stiffening plates separating two breeder units. Moreover, the experimental data shows that with the present manifold design the flow does not distribute homogeneously among the 8 stacked boxes that form the breeding zone.

Long-life leak standard assembly

DOEpatents

Basford, James A.; Mathis, John E.; Wright, Harlan C.

1982-01-01

The present invention is directed to a portable leak standard assembly which is capable of providing a stream of high-purity reference gas at a virtually constant flow rate over an extensive period of time. The leak assembly comprises a high pressure reservoir coupled to a metal leak valve through a valve-controlled conduit. A reproducible leak valve useful in this assembly is provided by a metal tube crimped with a selected pressure loading for forming an orifice in the tube with this orifice being of a sufficient size to provide the selected flow rate. The leak valve assembly is formed of metal so that it can be "baked-out" in a vacuum furnace to rid the reservoir and attendent components of volatile impurities which reduce the efficiency of the leak standard.

Long-life leak standard assembly. [Patent application

DOEpatents

Basford, J.A.; Mathis, J.E.; Wright, H.C.

1980-11-12

The present invention is directed to a portable leak standard assembly which is capable of providing a stream of high-purity reference gas at a virtually constant flow rate over an extensive period of time. The leak assembly comprises a high pressure reservoir coupled to a metal leak valve through a valve-controlled conduit. A reproducible leak valve useful in this assembly is provided by a metal tube crimped with a selected pressure loading for forming an orifice in the tube with this orifice being of a sufficient size to provide the selected flow rate. The leak valve assembly is formed of metal so that it can be baked-out in a vacuum furnace to rid the reservoir and attendent components of volatile impurities which reduce the efficiency of the leak standard.

Microgravity experiment study on the vane type surface tension tank

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kang, Qi; Duan, Li; Rui, Wei

Having advantages of low cost, convenience and high level of microgravity, the drop tower has become a significant microgravity experiment facility. National Microgravity Laboratory/CAS(NMLC) drop tower has 3.5s effective microgravity time, meanwhile the level of microgravity can reach 10 (-5) g. And the impact acceleration is less than 15g in the recovery period. The microgravity experiments have been conducted on the scaling model of vane type surface tension tank in NMLC’s drop tower. The efficiency of Propellant Management Devices (PMDs) was studied, which focus on the effects of Propellant Management Devices (PMDs), numbers of PMDs, contact angle, and liquid viscosity on the flow rate. The experimental results shown that the numbers of PMDs have little or no effect on the flow rate while the liquid is sufficient. The experiments about the influence of different charging ratio have been carried out while tank is placed positively and reversely, and we find the charging ratio has less effect on the capillary flow rate when the charging ratio is greater than 2%.

Performance of a passively vented field-scale biofilter for the microbial oxidation of landfill methane.

PubMed

Gebert, J; Gröngröft, A

2006-01-01

An upflow biofilter system was operated on a passively vented landfill for the treatment of residual landfill methane. Biofilter methane emissions as a basis for determining methane removal rates were assessed by manual and automated chamber measurements, by measuring methane concentrations in the top layer gaseous phase in combination with gas flow rates, and by evaluating the methane load in the reverse gas flow following the change of landfill gas flux direction as governed by the course of barometric pressure. Methane removal rates were very high with maximum values of 80 g h(-1) m(-3). For the observed cases, the limit of biofilter methane oxidation capacity was not reached and absolute removal rates were thus linearly correlated to the amount of methane entering the filter. The analysis of methane loads flowing back from the biofilter following phases of longer, continuous and non-oscillating landfill gas emission, however, revealed that in these situations biofilter performance is restricted by deficient oxygen supply. At the oxygen-restricted capacity limit, removal rates are influenced by temperature (positively), methane influx (negatively) and flow rate (negatively) as a measure for the displacement of oxygen. These situations, however, account for only 12% of all emission phases. The investigated biofilter capacity, as derived from laboratory analyses of methanotrophic activities, is sufficient to oxidise 62% of the methane load emitted annually. Field and laboratory data provide a stable basis for the dimensioning of filters in future applications.

Influence of viscosity modifying admixtures on the rheological behavior of cement and mortar pastes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bouras, R.; Kaci, A.; Chaouche, M.

2012-03-01

The influence of Viscosity-modifying admixtures (VMA) dosage rate on the steady state rheological properties, including the yield stress, fluid consistency index and flow behaviour index, of cementitious materials is considered experimentally. The investigation is undertaken both at cement paste and mortar scales. It is found that the rheological behaviour of the material is in general dependent upon shear-rate interval considered. At sufficiently low shear-rates the materials exhibit shear-thinning. This behaviour is attributed to flow-induced defloculation of the solid particles and VMA polymer disentanglement and alignment. At relatively high shear-rates the pastes becomes shear-thickening, due to repulsive interactions among the solid particles. There is a qualitative difference between the influence of VMA dosage at cement and mortar scales: at cement scale we obtain a monotonic increase of the yield stress, while at mortar scale there exists an optimum VMA dosage for which the yield stress is a minimum. The flow behaviour index exhibit a maximum in the case of cement pastes and monotonically decreases in the case of mortars. On the other hand, the fluid consistency index presents a minimum for both cement pastes and mortars.

A Novel Counter Sheet-flow Sandwich Cell Culture Device for Mammalian Cell Growth in Space

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sun, Shujin; Gao, Yuxin; Shu, Nanjiang; Tang, Zemei; Tao, Zulai; Long, Mian

2008-08-01

Cell culture and growth in space is crucial to understand the cellular responses under microgravity. The effects of microgravity were coupled with such environment restrictions as medium perfusion, in which the underlying mechanism has been poorly understood. In the present work, a customer-made counter sheet-flow sandwich cell culture device was developed upon a biomechanical concept from fish gill breathing. The sandwich culture unit consists of two side chambers where the medium flow is counter-directional, a central chamber where the cells are cultured, and two porous polycarbonate membranes between side and central chambers. Flow dynamics analysis revealed the symmetrical velocity profile and uniform low shear rate distribution of flowing medium inside the central culture chamber, which promotes sufficient mass transport and nutrient supply for mammalian cell growth. An on-orbit experiment performed on a recovery satellite was used to validate the availability of the device.

MRI measurement of the temporal evolution of relative CMRO(2) during rat forepaw stimulation.

PubMed

Mandeville, J B; Marota, J J; Ayata, C; Moskowitz, M A; Weisskoff, R M; Rosen, B R

1999-11-01

This study reports the first measurement of the relative cerebral metabolic rate of oxygen utilization (rCMRO(2)) during functional brain activation with sufficient temporal resolution to address the dynamics of blood oxygen level-dependent (BOLD) MRI signal. During rat forepaw stimulation, rCMRO(2) was determined in somatosensory cortex at 3-sec intervals, using a model of BOLD signal and measurements of the change in BOLD transverse relaxation rate, the resting state BOLD transverse relaxation rate, relative cerebral blood flow (rCBF), and relative cerebral blood volume (rCBV). Average percentage changes from 10 to 30 sec after onset of forepaw stimulation for rCBF, rCBV, rCMRO(2), and BOLD relaxation rate were 62 +/- 16, 17 +/- 2, 19 +/- 17, and -26 +/- 12, respectively. A poststimulus undershoot in BOLD signal was quantitatively attributed to the temporal mismatch between changes in blood flow and volume, and not to the role of oxygen metabolism. Magn Reson Med 42:944-951, 1999. Copyright 1999 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

Preliminary study of the use of the STAR-100 computer for transonic flow calculations

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Keller, J. D.; Jameson, A.

1977-01-01

An explicit method for solving the transonic small-disturbance potential equation is presented. This algorithm, which is suitable for the new vector-processor computers such as the CDC STAR-100, is compared to successive line over-relaxation (SLOR) on a simple test problem. The convergence rate of the explicit scheme is slower than that of SLOR, however, the efficiency of the explicit scheme on the STAR-100 computer is sufficient to overcome the slower convergence rate and allow an overall speedup compared to SLOR on the CYBER 175 computer.

A theoretical evaluation of rigid baffles in suppression of combustion instability

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Baer, M. R.; Mitchell, C. E.

1976-01-01

An analytical technique for the prediction of the effects of rigid baffles on the stability of liquid propellant combustors is presented. A three dimensional combustor model characterized by a concentrated combustion source at the chamber injector and a constant Mach number nozzle is used. The linearized partial differential equations describing the unsteady flow field are solved by an eigenfunction matching method. Boundary layer corrections to this unsteady flow are used to evaluate viscous and turbulence effects within the flow. An integral stability relationship is then employed to predict the decay rate of the oscillations. Results show that sufficient dissipation exists to indicate that the proper mechanism of baffle damping is a fluid dynamic loss. The response of the dissipation model to varying baffle blade length, mean flow Mach number and oscillation amplitude is examined.

Numerical marching techniques for fluid flows with heat transfer

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hornbeck, R. W.

1973-01-01

The finite difference formulation and method of solution is presented for a wide variety of fluid flow problems with associated heat transfer. Only a few direct results from these formulations are given as examples, since the book is intended primarily to serve a discussion of the techniques and as a starting point for further investigations; however, the formulations are sufficiently complete that a workable computer program may be written from them. In the appendixes a number of topics are discussed which are of interest with respect to the finite difference equations presented. These include a very rapid method for solving certain sets of linear algebraic equations, a discussion of numerical stability, the inherent error in flow rate for confined flow problems, and a method for obtaining high accuracy with a relatively small number of mesh points.

Process for producing cadmium sulfide on a cadmium telluride surface

DOEpatents

Levi, Dean H.; Nelson, Art J.; Ahrenkiel, Richard K.

1996-01-01

A process for producing a layer of cadmium sulfide on a cadmium telluride surface to be employed in a photovoltaic device. The process comprises providing a cadmium telluride surface which is exposed to a hydrogen sulfide plasma at an exposure flow rate, an exposure time and an exposure temperature sufficient to permit reaction between the hydrogen sulfide and cadmium telluride to thereby form a cadmium sulfide layer on the cadmium telluride surface and accomplish passivation. In addition to passivation, a heterojunction at the interface of the cadmium sulfide and the cadmium telluride can be formed when the layer of cadmium sulfide formed on the cadmium telluride is of sufficient thickness.

Process for producing cadmium sulfide on a cadmium telluride surface

DOEpatents

Levi, D.H.; Nelson, A.J.; Ahrenkiel, R.K.

1996-07-30

A process is described for producing a layer of cadmium sulfide on a cadmium telluride surface to be employed in a photovoltaic device. The process comprises providing a cadmium telluride surface which is exposed to a hydrogen sulfide plasma at an exposure flow rate, an exposure time and an exposure temperature sufficient to permit reaction between the hydrogen sulfide and cadmium telluride to thereby form a cadmium sulfide layer on the cadmium telluride surface and accomplish passivation. In addition to passivation, a heterojunction at the interface of the cadmium sulfide and the cadmium telluride can be formed when the layer of cadmium sulfide formed on the cadmium telluride is of sufficient thickness. 12 figs.

Subsidence transition during the post-rift stage of the Dongpu Sag, Bohai Bay Basin, NE China: A new geodynamic model

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Xu, Han; Wang, Xin-Wen; Yan, Dan-Ping; Qiu, Liang

2018-06-01

The Dongpu Sag, located in the Bohai Bay Basin, NE China, is a Cenozoic continental rift basin. The post-rift evolution of the Dongpu Sag is associated with the development of petroleum reservoirs and has implications for Neogene-Quaternary basin evolution along the eastern margin of Eurasia. To determine the nature and origin of post-rift subsidence in the Dongpu Sag, we apply backstripping, modified strain-rate inversion, and revised finite extension modelling techniques, using data from 14 real and synthetic wells that are intersected by three seismic lines. Our results reveal discrepancies by subsidence based on backstripping of well data (the observed subsidence) minus that predicted by modified strain-rate inversion and revised finite extension modelling (the predicted subsidence). During the Miocene, the observed subsidence was smaller than the predicted subsidence, leaving negative discrepancies referred to here as "insufficient subsidence" ranging from -343 to -96 m. In contrast, during the Pliocene-Quaternary the observed subsidence was greater than the predicted subsidence by +123 to +407 m, which left positive discrepancies referred to as "over-sufficient subsidence". Therefore, we infer a transition from insufficient to over-sufficient subsidence during the post-rift stage. Normal faulting that started at ca. 5.3 Ma is estimated to have produced only ∼20% of the over-sufficient subsidence. Therefore, the remaining over-sufficient subsidence, as well as the preceding insufficient subsidence and the transition between the two, were likely controlled by lithosphere processes. We propose a new tectonic model in which variations in the conditions (e.g. rate, direction, and angle) associated with subduction of the Pacific plate resulted in a change of heat flow decreasing from a linear to a curvilinear pattern, leading to a transition from insufficient to over-sufficient subsidence.

Pattern palette for complex fluid flows

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sandnes, B.

2012-04-01

From landslides to oil and gas recovery to the squeeze of a toothpaste tube, flowing complex fluids are everywhere around us in nature and engineering. That is not to say, though, that they are always well understood. The dissipative interactions, through friction and inelastic collisions, often give rise to nonlinear dynamics and complexity manifested in pattern formation on large scales. The images displayed on this poster illustrate the diverse morphologies found in multiphase flows involving wet granular material: Air is injected into a generic mixture of granular material and fluid contained in a 500 µm gap between two parallel glass plates. At low injection rates, friction between the grains - glass beads averaging 100 µm in diameter - dominates the rheology, producing "stick-slip bubbles" and labyrinthine frictional fingering. A transition to various other morphologies, including "corals" and viscous fingers, emerges for increasing injection rate. At sufficiently high granular packing fractions, the material behaves like a deformable, porous solid, and the air rips through in sudden fractures.

Numerical Simulations of the Steady and Unsteady Aerodynamic Characteristics of a Circulation Control Wing Airfoil

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Liu, Yi; Sankar, Lakshmi N.; Englar, Robert J.; Ahuja, Krishan K.

2003-01-01

The aerodynamic characteristics of a Circulation Control Wing (CCW) airfoil have been numerically investigated, and comparisons with experimental data have been made. The configuration chosen was a supercritical airfoil with a 30 degree dual-radius CCW flap. Steady and pulsed jet calculations were performed. It was found that the use of steady jets, even at very small mass flow rates, yielded a lift coefficient that is comparable or superior to conventional high-lift systems. The attached flow over the flap also gave rise to lower drag coefficients, and high L/D ratios. Pulsed jets with a 50% duty cycle were also studied. It was found that they were effective in generating lift at lower reduced mass flow rates compared to a steady jet, provided the pulse frequency was sufficiently high. This benefit was attributable to the fact that the momentum coefficient of the pulsed jet, during the portions of the cycle when the jet was on, was typically twice as much as that of a steady jet.

Laminar, Transitional, and Turbulent Heating on Mid Lift-to-Drag Ratio Entry Vehicles

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hollis, Brian R.; Hollingsworth, Kevin E.

2013-01-01

The boundary-layer transition characteristics and convective aeroheating levels on mid lift-to-drag ratio entry vehicle configurations have been studied through wind-tunnel testing. Several configurations were investigated, including elliptically blunted cylinders with both circular and elliptically flattened cross sections, biconic geometries based on launch vehicle dual-use shrouds, and parametrically optimized analytic geometries. Vehicles of this class have been proposed for high-mass Mars missions, such as sample return and crewed exploration, for which the conventional sphere-cone entry-vehicle geometries of previous Mars missions are insufficient. Testing was conducted at Mach 6 over a range of Reynolds numbers sufficient to generate laminar, transitional, and turbulent flow. Transition onset locations, both straight-line and cross-flow, and heating rates were obtained through global phosphor thermography. Supporting computations were performed to obtain heating rates for comparison with the data. Laminar data and predictions agreed to well within the experimental uncertainty. Fully turbulent data and predictions also agreed well. However, in transitional flow regions, greater differences were observed.

Asm-Triggered too Observations of Z Sources at Low Accretion Rate

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

van der Klis, Michiel

We propose to perform a pointed observation if the ASM shows that a Z source has entered a state of low accretion rate. This would provide a unique opportunity to detect millisecond pulsations. In Sco X-1 we would expect to discover beat-frequency QPO, and could perform a unique high count rate study of them. At sufficiently low accretion rate it would be possible to study the accretion flow when the magnetospheric radius approaches the corotation radius. The frequency of the horizontal branch QPO should go to zero here, and centrifugal inhibition of the accretion should set in, providing direct tests of the magnetospheric model of Z sources.

A Taxonomy for Software Defined Networking, Man In The Middle Attacks

DTIC Science & Technology

2016-09-01

that separates it from the networks of today’s world . As Stallings (2013) describes, “current networks are vertically integrated, meaning that the data...cause overpopulation of flow tables increasing processing rate on the switch (Zarek, 2012). More specifically, premature evictions result 16 in...Mininet demonstrated our proof of concept but was not sufficient for real world implementation. Our overall goal was to grab an HTTP response packet

The initiation and persistence of cracks in Enceladus' ice shell

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rudolph, M. L.; Jordan, J.; Manga, M.; Hawkins, E. K.; Grannan, A. M.; Reinhard, A.; Farough, A.; Mittal, T.; Hernandez, J. A.

2016-12-01

The eruption of water from a global ocean underlying Enceladus' ice shell requires; i. a mechanism to create stresses sufficient to produce cracks that reach the ocean, ii. that the ascent of water through the crack must be fast enough to keep the crack from freezing. We develop models for the evolution of stresses in the ice shell and overpressure in the ocean, the propagation of cracks into the ice shell, and the melting of ice caused by the eruption of water through the cracks. We show that modest cooling of Enceladus' interior can produce extensional stresses in the ice shell sufficient to overcome the tensile strength of ice. We show that the resultant ice shell cracks can penetrate to depths greater than 10 km. Cracks of 10 km are required to reach the interior oceans of Enceladus in the polar regions. After crack formation, we show that the present eruption rate is sufficient to keep cracks from freezing below the water-table, at which water boils and subsequently erupts. The ascent of warm water from Enceladus' ocean widens the cracks and thins the ice shell in the South Polar Terrain (SPT). Model predictions show that a crack with the minimum, sufficient heat flow to persist without freezing, would thin the surrounding ice shell by about a factor of two. This calculation for heat flow is consistent with observed heat fluxes at the surface and recent inferences of the ice shell thickness in the SPT based on the shape and gravity of Enceladus.

A low-cost method to measure the timing of post-fire flash floods and debris flows relative to rainfall

USGS Publications Warehouse

Kean, Jason W.; Staley, Dennis M.; Leeper, Robert J.; Schmidt, Kevin Michael; Gartner, Joseph E.

2012-01-01

Data on the specific timing of post-fire flash floods and debris flows are very limited. We describe a method to measure the response times of small burned watersheds to rainfall using a low-cost pressure transducer, which can be installed quickly after a fire. Although the pressure transducer is not designed for sustained sampling at the fast rates ({less than or equal to}2 sec) used at more advanced debris-flow monitoring sites, comparisons with high-data rate stage data show that measured spikes in pressure sampled at 1-min intervals are sufficient to detect the passage of most debris flows and floods. Post-event site visits are used to measure the peak stage and identify flow type based on deposit characteristics. The basin response timescale (tb) to generate flow at each site was determined from an analysis of the cross correlation between time series of flow pressure and 5-min rainfall intensity. This timescale was found to be less than 30 minutes for 40 post-fire floods and 11 post-fire debris flows recorded in 15 southern California watersheds ({less than or equal to} 1.4 km2). Including data from 24 other debris flows recorded at 5 more instrumentally advanced monitoring stations, we find there is not a substantial difference in the median tb for floods and debris flows (11 and 9 minutes, respectively); however, there are slight, statistically significant differences in the trends of flood and debris-flow tb with basin area, which are presumably related to differences in flow speed between floods and debris flows.

Applications of ERTS-1 Data Collection System (DCS) in the Arizona Regional Ecological Test Site (ARETS). [water management, streamflow rates, flood control

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Schumann, H. H. (Principal Investigator)

1973-01-01

The author has identified the following significant results. The DCS water-stage data from the USGS streamflow gaging station on the Verde River near Camp Verde furnished information sufficient for the accurate computation of daily mean streamflow rates during the first 2 months of operation. Daily mean flow rates computed from the DCS data agreed with those computed from the digital recorder data within + or - 5% during periods of stable or slowly changing flow and within + or - 10% during periods of rapidly changing high flow. The SRP was furnished near-real time DCS information on snow moisture content and streamflow rates for use in the management and operation of the multiple-use reservoir system. The SRP, by prudent water management and the use of near-real time hydrologic data furnished by microwave and ERTS DCS telemetry, was successful in anticipating the amount of flow into the Salt and Verde Rivers and in the subsequent release of water at rates that did not create flooding in metropolitan Phoenix. Only minor flooding occurred along the Gila River west of Phoenix. According to the Maricopa County Civil Defense agency, wage and salary losses of about $11,400,000 resulted from closing of roads across the Salt River in the winter and spring of 1972-73; however, the number and duration of the closing were minimized by use of DCS data.

Progress Toward an Efficient and General CFD Tool for Propulsion Design/Analysis

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Cox, C. F.; Cinnella, P.; Westmoreland, S.

1996-01-01

The simulation of propulsive flows inherently involves chemical activity. Recent years have seen substantial strides made in the development of numerical schemes for reacting flowfields, in particular those involving finite-rate chemistry. However, finite-rate calculations are computationally intensive and require knowledge of the actual kinetics, which are not always known with sufficient accuracy. Alternatively, flow simulations based on the assumption of local chemical equilibrium are capable of obtaining physically reasonable results at far less computational cost. The present study summarizes the development of efficient numerical techniques for the simulation of flows in local chemical equilibrium, whereby a 'Black Box' chemical equilibrium solver is coupled to the usual gasdynamic equations. The generalization of the methods enables the modelling of any arbitrary mixture of thermally perfect gases, including air, combustion mixtures and plasmas. As demonstration of the potential of the methodologies, several solutions, involving reacting and perfect gas flows, will be presented. Included is a preliminary simulation of the SSME startup transient. Future enhancements to the proposed techniques will be discussed, including more efficient finite-rate and hybrid (partial equilibrium) schemes. The algorithms that have been developed and are being optimized provide for an efficient and general tool for the design and analysis of propulsion systems.

In-vitro evaluation of limitations and possibilities for the future use of intracorporeal gas exchangers placed in the upper lobe position.

PubMed

Schumer, Erin; Höffler, Klaus; Kuehn, Christian; Slaughter, Mark; Haverich, Axel; Wiegmann, Bettina

2018-03-01

The lack of donor organs has led to the development of alternative "destination therapies", such as a bio-artificial lung (BA) for end-stage lung disease. Ultimately aiming at a fully implantable BA, general capabilities and limitations of different oxygenators were tested based on the model of BA positioning at the right upper lobe. Three different-sized oxygenators (neonatal, paediatric, and adult) were tested in a mock circulation loop regarding oxygenation and decarboxylation capacities for three respiratory pathologies. Blood flows were imitated by a roller pump, and respiration was imitated by a mechanical ventilator with different FiO 2 applications. Pressure drops across the oxygenators and the integrity of the gas-exchange hollow fibers were analyzed. The neonatal oxygenator proved to be insufficient regarding oxygenation and decarboxylation. Despite elevated pCO 2 levels, the paediatric and adult oxygenators delivered comparable sufficient oxygen levels, but sufficient decarboxylation across the oxygenators was ensured only at flow rates of 0.5 L min. Only the adult oxygenator indicated no significant pressure drops. For all tested conditions, gas-exchange hollow fibers remained intact. This is the first study showing the general feasibility of delivering sufficient levels of gas exchange to an intracorporeal BA via patient's breathing, without damaging gas-exchange hollow fiber membranes.

Constitutive relations for determining the critical conditions for dynamic recrystallization behavior

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Choe, J. I.

2016-04-01

A series mathematical model has been developed for the prediction of flow stress and microstructure evolution during the hot deformation of metals such as copper or austenitic steels with low stacking fault energies, involving features of both diffusional flow and dislocation motion. As the strain rate increases, multiple peaks on the stress-strain curve decrease. At a high strain rate, the stress rises to a single peak, while dynamic recrystallization causes an oscillatory behavior. At a low strain rate (when there is sufficient time for the recrystallizing grains to grow before they become saturated with high dislocation density with an increase in strain rate), the difference in stored stress between recrystallizing and old grains diminishes, resulting in reduced driving force for grain growth and rendering smaller grains in the alloy. The final average grain size at the steady stage (large strain) increases with a decrease in the strain rate. During large strain deformation, grain size reduction accompanying dislocation creep might be balanced by the grain growth at the border delimiting the ranges of realization (field boundary) of the dislocation-creep and diffusion-creep mechanisms.

Simplified models of rates of CO2 mineralization in Geologic Carbon Storage

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

DePaolo, D. J.; Zhang, S.

2017-12-01

Geologic carbon storage (GCS) reverses the flow of carbon to the atmosphere, returning the carbon to long-term geologic storage. Models suggest that most of the injected CO2 will be "trapped" in the subsurface by physical means, but the most risk-free and permanent form of carbon storage is as carbonate minerals (Ca,Mg,Fe)CO3. The transformation of CO2 to carbonate minerals requires supply of divalent cations by dissolution of silicate minerals. Available data suggest that rates of transformation are difficult to predict. We show that the chemical kinetic observations and experimental results, when reduced to a single timescale that describes the fractional rate at which cations are released to solution by mineral dissolution, show sufficiently systematic behavior that the rates of mineralization can be estimated with reasonable certainty. Rate of mineralization depends on both the abundance (determined by the reservoir rock mineralogy) and the rate at which cations are released by dissolution into pore fluid that has been acidified with dissolved CO2. Laboratory-measured rates and field observations give values spanning 8 to 10 orders of magnitude, but when evaluated in the context of reservoir-scale reactive transport simulations, this range becomes much smaller. Reservoir scale simulations indicate that silicate mineral dissolution and subsequent carbonate mineral precipitation occur at pH 4.5 to 6, fluid flow velocity less than 5m/yr, and 50-100 years or more after the start of injection. These constraints lead to estimates of 200 to 2000 years for conversion of 60-90% of injected CO2 when the reservoir rock has a sufficient volume fraction of divalent cation-bearing silicate minerals (ca. 20%), and confirms that when reservoir rock mineralogy is not favorable the fraction of CO2 converted to carbonate minerals is minimal over 104 years. A sufficient amount of reactive minerals represents the condition by which the available cations per volume of rock plus pore space exceeds the locally trapped CO2 by a factor of two or more. Our approach may allow for rapid evaluation of mineralization potential of subsurface storage reservoirs, and illustrates how reservoir scale modeling can be integrated with other observations to address key issues for engineering geologic systems.

Cottonwood Tree Rings and Climate in Western North America

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Friedman, J. M.; Edmondson, J.; Griffin, E. R.; Meko, D. M.; Merigliano, M. F.; Scott, J. A.; Scott, M. L.; Touchan, R.

2012-12-01

In dry landscapes of interior western USA, cottonwood (Populus spp.) seedling establishment often occurs only close to river channels after floods. Where winter is sufficiently cold, cottonwoods also have distinct annual rings and can live up to 370 years, allowing us to reconstruct the long-term history of river flows and channel locations. We have analyzed the annual rate of cottonwood establishment along streams in Montana, Wyoming, Colorado, North Dakota and Idaho. Because the trees germinate next to the river, establishment rates are strongly correlated with the rate of channel migration driven by floods. Along large rivers dominated by snowmelt from the mountains, interannual variation in peak flows and cottonwood establishment is small, and century-scale variation driven by climate change is apparent. The upper Snake, Yellowstone and Green rivers all show a strong decrease in cottonwood establishment beginning in the late 1800s and continuing to the present, indicating a decrease in peak flows prior to flow regulation by large dams. This is consistent with published tree-ring studies of montane conifers showing decreases in snowpack at the same time scale. In contrast, beginning in the late 1800s cottonwood ring widths along the Little Missouri River, North Dakota show an increase in annual growth that continues into the present. Because annual growth is strongly correlated with April-July flows (r=0.69) the ring-width data suggest an increase in April-July flows at the same time tree establishment dates suggest a decrease in peak flows. These results may be reconciled by the hypothesis that increases in low temperatures have decreased snowpack while lengthening the growing season.

Weakly nonparallel and curvature effects on stationary crossflow instability: Comparison of results from multiple-scales analysis and parabolized stability equations

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Singer, Bart A.; Choudhari, Meelan; Li, Fei

1995-01-01

A multiple-scales approach is used to approximate the effects of nonparallelism and streamwise surface curvature on the growth of stationary crossflow vortices in incompressible, three-dimesional boundary layers. The results agree with results predicted by solving the parabolized stability equations in regions where the nonparallelism is sufficiently weak. As the nonparallelism increases, the agreement between the two approaches worsens. An attempt has been made to quantify the nonparallelism on flow stability in terms of a nondimensional number that describes the rate of change of the mean flow relative to the disturbance wavelength. We find that the above nondimensional number provides useful information about the adequacy of the multiple-scales approximation for different disturbances for a given flow geometry, but the number does not collapse data for different flow geometries onto a single curve.

Influence of mechanical rock properties and fracture healing rate on crustal fluid flow dynamics

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sachau, Till; Bons, Paul; Gomez-Rivas, Enrique; Koehn, Daniel; de Riese, Tamara

2016-04-01

Fluid flow in the Earth's crust is very slow over extended periods of time, during which it occurs within the connected pore space of rocks. If the fluid production rate exceeds a certain threshold, matrix permeability alone is insufficient to drain the fluid volume and fluid pressure builds up, thereby reducing the effective stress supported by the rock matrix. Hydraulic fractures form once the effective pressure exceeds the tensile strength of the rock matrix and act subsequently as highly effective fluid conduits. Once local fluid pressure is sufficiently low again, flow ceases and fractures begin to heal. Since fluid flow is controlled by the alternation of fracture permeability and matrix permeability, the flow rate in the system is strongly discontinuous and occurs in intermittent pulses. Resulting hydraulic fracture networks are largely self-organized: opening and subsequent healing of hydraulic fractures depends on the local fluid pressure and on the time-span between fluid pulses. We simulate this process with a computer model and describe the resulting dynamics statistically. Special interest is given to a) the spatially and temporally discontinuous formation and closure of fractures and fracture networks and b) the total flow rate over time. The computer model consists of a crustal-scale dual-porosity setup. Control parameters are the pressure- and time-dependent fracture healing rate, and the strength and the permeability of the intact rock. Statistical analysis involves determination of the multifractal properties and of the power spectral density of the temporal development of the total drainage rate and hydraulic fractures. References Bons, P. D. (2001). The formation of large quartz veins by rapid ascent of fluids in mobile hydrofractures. Tectonophysics, 336, 1-17. Miller, S. a., & Nur, A. (2000). Permeability as a toggle switch in fluid-controlled crustal processes. Earth and Planetary Science Letters, 183(1-2), 133-146. Sachau, T., Bons, P. D., & Gomez-Rivas, E. (2015). Transport efficiency and dynamics of hydraulic fracture networks. Frontiers in Physics, 3.

Blood flow in hemodialysis catheters: a numerical simulation and microscopic analysis of in vivo-formed fibrin.

PubMed

Lucas, Thabata Coaglio; Tessarolo, Francesco; Jakitsch, Victor; Caola, Iole; Brunori, Giuliano; Nollo, Giandomenico; Huebner, Rudolf

2014-07-01

Although catheters with side holes allow high flow rate during hemodialysis, they also induce flow disturbances and create a critical hemodynamic environment that can favor fibrin deposition and thrombus formation. This study compared the blood flow and analyzed the influence of shear stress and shear rate in fibrin deposition and thrombus formation in nontunneled hemodialysis catheters with unobstructed side holes (unobstructed device) or with some side holes obstructed by blood thrombi (obstructed device). Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) was performed to simulate realistic blood flow under laminar and turbulent conditions. The results from the numerical simulations were compared with the fibrin distribution and thrombus architecture data obtained from scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and two photons laser scanning microscopy (TPLSM) on human thrombus formed in catheters removed from patients. CFD showed that regions of flow eddies and separation were mainly found in the venous holes region. TPLSM characterization of thrombi and fibrin structure in patient samples showed fibrin formations in accordance with simulated flux dynamics. Under laminar flow conditions, the wall shear stress close to border holes increased from 87.3±0.2 Pa in the unobstructed device to 176.2±0.5 Pa in the obstructed one. Under turbulent flow conditions, the shear stress increased by 47% when comparing the obstructed to the unobstructed catheter. The shear rates were generally higher than 5000/s and therefore sufficient to induce fibrin deposition. This findings were supported by SEM data documenting a preferential fibrin arrangement on side hole walls. Copyright © 2013 International Center for Artificial Organs and Transplantation and Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Injectable Solid Peptide Hydrogel as Cell Carrier: Effects of Shear Flow on Hydrogel and Cell Payload

PubMed Central

Yan, Congqi; Mackay, Michael E.; Czymmek, Kirk; Nagarkar, Radhika P.; Schneider, Joel P.; Pochan, Darrin J.

2012-01-01

β-hairpin peptide-based hydrogels are a class of injectable solid hydrogels that can deliver encapsulated cells or molecular therapies to a target site via syringe or catheter injection as a carrier material. These physical hydrogels can shear-thin and consequently flow as a low-viscosity material under a sufficient shear stress but immediately recover back into a solid upon removal of the stress, allowing them to be injected as preformed gel solids. Hydrogel behavior during flow was studied in a cylindrical capillary geometry that mimicked the actual situation of injection through a syringe needle in order to quantify effects of shear-thin injection delivery on hydrogel flow behavior and encapsulated cell payloads. It was observed that all β-hairpin peptide hydrogels investigated displayed a promising flow profile for injectable cell delivery: a central wide plug flow region where gel material and cell payloads experienced little or no shear rate and a narrow shear zone close to the capillary wall where gel and cells were subject to shear deformation. The width of the plug flow region was found to be weakly dependent on hydrogel rigidity and flow rate. Live-dead assays were performed on encapsulated MG63 cells three hours after injection flow and revealed that shear-thin delivery through the capillary had little impact on cell viability and the spatial distribution of encapsulated cell payloads. These observations help us to fundamentally understand how the gels flow during injection through a thin catheter and how they immediately restore mechanically and morphologically relative to pre-flow, static gels. PMID:22390812

Estimation of inhalation flow profile using audio-based methods to assess inhaler medication adherence.

PubMed

Taylor, Terence E; Lacalle Muls, Helena; Costello, Richard W; Reilly, Richard B

2018-01-01

Asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients are required to inhale forcefully and deeply to receive medication when using a dry powder inhaler (DPI). There is a clinical need to objectively monitor the inhalation flow profile of DPIs in order to remotely monitor patient inhalation technique. Audio-based methods have been previously employed to accurately estimate flow parameters such as the peak inspiratory flow rate of inhalations, however, these methods required multiple calibration inhalation audio recordings. In this study, an audio-based method is presented that accurately estimates inhalation flow profile using only one calibration inhalation audio recording. Twenty healthy participants were asked to perform 15 inhalations through a placebo Ellipta™ DPI at a range of inspiratory flow rates. Inhalation flow signals were recorded using a pneumotachograph spirometer while inhalation audio signals were recorded simultaneously using the Inhaler Compliance Assessment device attached to the inhaler. The acoustic (amplitude) envelope was estimated from each inhalation audio signal. Using only one recording, linear and power law regression models were employed to determine which model best described the relationship between the inhalation acoustic envelope and flow signal. Each model was then employed to estimate the flow signals of the remaining 14 inhalation audio recordings. This process repeated until each of the 15 recordings were employed to calibrate single models while testing on the remaining 14 recordings. It was observed that power law models generated the highest average flow estimation accuracy across all participants (90.89±0.9% for power law models and 76.63±2.38% for linear models). The method also generated sufficient accuracy in estimating inhalation parameters such as peak inspiratory flow rate and inspiratory capacity within the presence of noise. Estimating inhaler inhalation flow profiles using audio based methods may be clinically beneficial for inhaler technique training and the remote monitoring of patient adherence.

Estimation of inhalation flow profile using audio-based methods to assess inhaler medication adherence

PubMed Central

Lacalle Muls, Helena; Costello, Richard W.; Reilly, Richard B.

2018-01-01

Asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients are required to inhale forcefully and deeply to receive medication when using a dry powder inhaler (DPI). There is a clinical need to objectively monitor the inhalation flow profile of DPIs in order to remotely monitor patient inhalation technique. Audio-based methods have been previously employed to accurately estimate flow parameters such as the peak inspiratory flow rate of inhalations, however, these methods required multiple calibration inhalation audio recordings. In this study, an audio-based method is presented that accurately estimates inhalation flow profile using only one calibration inhalation audio recording. Twenty healthy participants were asked to perform 15 inhalations through a placebo Ellipta™ DPI at a range of inspiratory flow rates. Inhalation flow signals were recorded using a pneumotachograph spirometer while inhalation audio signals were recorded simultaneously using the Inhaler Compliance Assessment device attached to the inhaler. The acoustic (amplitude) envelope was estimated from each inhalation audio signal. Using only one recording, linear and power law regression models were employed to determine which model best described the relationship between the inhalation acoustic envelope and flow signal. Each model was then employed to estimate the flow signals of the remaining 14 inhalation audio recordings. This process repeated until each of the 15 recordings were employed to calibrate single models while testing on the remaining 14 recordings. It was observed that power law models generated the highest average flow estimation accuracy across all participants (90.89±0.9% for power law models and 76.63±2.38% for linear models). The method also generated sufficient accuracy in estimating inhalation parameters such as peak inspiratory flow rate and inspiratory capacity within the presence of noise. Estimating inhaler inhalation flow profiles using audio based methods may be clinically beneficial for inhaler technique training and the remote monitoring of patient adherence. PMID:29346430

An Empirical Method Permitting Rapid Determination of the Area, Rate and Distribution of Water-Drop Impingement on an Airfoil of Arbitrary Section at Subsonic Speeds

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Bergrun, N. R.

1951-01-01

An empirical method for the determination of the area, rate, and distribution of water-drop impingement on airfoils of arbitrary section is presented. The procedure represents an initial step toward the development of a method which is generally applicable in the design of thermal ice-prevention equipment for airplane wing and tail surfaces. Results given by the proposed empirical method are expected to be sufficiently accurate for the purpose of heated-wing design, and can be obtained from a few numerical computations once the velocity distribution over the airfoil has been determined. The empirical method presented for incompressible flow is based on results of extensive water-drop. trajectory computations for five airfoil cases which consisted of 15-percent-thick airfoils encompassing a moderate lift-coefficient range. The differential equations pertaining to the paths of the drops were solved by a differential analyzer. The method developed for incompressible flow is extended to the calculation of area and rate of impingement on straight wings in subsonic compressible flow to indicate the probable effects of compressibility for airfoils at low subsonic Mach numbers.

Plasma motion in the Venus ionosphere: Transition to supersonic flow

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

Whitten, R.C.; Barnes, A.; McCormick, P.T.

1991-07-01

A remarkable feature of the ionosphere of Venus is the presence of nightward supersonic flows at high altitude near the terminator. In general the steady flow of an ideal gas admits a subsonic-supersonic transition only in the presence of special conditions, such as a convergence of the flow followed by divergence, or external forces. In this paper, the authors show that the relatively high pressure dayside plasma wells up slowly, and at high altitude it is accelerated horizontally through a relatively constricted region near the terminator toward the low-density nightside. In effect, the plasma flows through a nozzle that ismore » first converging, then diverging, permitting the transition to supersonic flow. Analysis of results from previously published models of the plasma flow in the upper ionosphere of Venus shows how such a nozzle is formed. The model plasma does indeed accelerate to supersonic speeds, reaching sonic speed just behind the terminator. The computed speeds prove to be close to those observed by the Pioneer Venus orbiter, and the ion transport rates are sufficient to produce and maintain the nightside ionosphere.« less

Structural state diagram of concentrated suspensions of jammed soft particles in oscillatory shear flow

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Khabaz, Fardin; Cloitre, Michel; Bonnecaze, Roger T.

2018-03-01

In a recent study [Khabaz et al., Phys. Rev. Fluids 2, 093301 (2017), 10.1103/PhysRevFluids.2.093301], we showed that jammed soft particle glasses (SPGs) crystallize and order in steady shear flow. Here we investigate the rheology and microstructures of these suspensions in oscillatory shear flow using particle-dynamics simulations. The microstructures in both types of flows are similar, but their evolutions are very different. In both cases the monodisperse and polydisperse suspensions form crystalline and layered structures, respectively, at high shear rates. The crystals obtained in the oscillatory shear flow show fewer defects compared to those in the steady shear. SPGs remain glassy for maximum oscillatory strains less than about the yield strain of the material. For maximum strains greater than the yield strain, microstructural and rheological transitions occur for SPGs. Polydisperse SPGs rearrange into a layered structure parallel to the flow-vorticity plane for sufficiently high maximum shear rates and maximum strains about 10 times greater than the yield strain. Monodisperse suspensions form a face-centered cubic (FCC) structure when the maximum shear rate is low and hexagonal close-packed (HCP) structure when the maximum shear rate is high. In steady shear, the transition from a glassy state to a layered one for polydisperse suspensions included a significant induction strain before the transformation. In oscillatory shear, the transformation begins to occur immediately and with different microstructural changes. A state diagram for suspensions in large amplitude oscillatory shear flow is found to be in close but not exact agreement with the state diagram for steady shear flow. For more modest amplitudes of around one to five times the yield strain, there is a transition from a glassy structure to FCC and HCP crystals, at low and high frequencies, respectively, for monodisperse suspensions. At moderate frequencies, the transition is from glassy to HCP via an intermediate FCC phase.

How Important Is Connectivity for Surface Water Fluxes? A Generalized Expression for Flow Through Heterogeneous Landscapes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Larsen, Laurel G.; Ma, Jie; Kaplan, David

2017-10-01

How important is hydrologic connectivity for surface water fluxes through heterogeneous floodplains, deltas, and wetlands? While significant for management, this question remains poorly addressed. Here we adopt spatial resistance averaging, based on channel and patch configuration metrics quantifiable from aerial imagery, to produce an upscaled rate law for discharge. Our model suggests that patch coverage largely controls discharge sensitivity, with smaller effects from channel connectivity and vegetation patch fractal dimension. However, connectivity and patch configuration become increasingly important near the percolation threshold and at low water levels. These effects can establish positive feedbacks responsible for substantial flow change in evolving landscapes (14-36%, in our Everglades case study). Connectivity also interacts with other drivers; flow through poorly connected hydroscapes is less resilient to perturbations in other drivers. Finally, we found that flow through heterogeneous patches is alone sufficient to produce non-Manning flow-depth relationships commonly observed in wetlands but previously attributed to depth-varying roughness.

Evaluation of four fast-response flow measurement devices

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

Gero, A.J.; Suppers, K.L.; Tomb, T.F.

1988-01-01

The Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977 requires that sampling of dust in coal mine environments be conducted with an approved sampler operating at a flow rate of 2.0 liters of air per minute or at such other flow rate as prescribed by the Secretaries of Labor and of Health and Human Services. Standard procedures for calibration of these samplers within the Mine Safety and Health Administration utilize either a 3.0 liter capacity wet test meter or a 1.0 liter soap film calibrator. Several new flow calibrating devices have become commercially available. This paper describes an evaluation conductedmore » on four such devices: the Mast Model 823-2 bubble flowmeter, the Buck Calibrator, the Kurz Model 541S mass flowmeter and the Kurz Pocket Calibrator. The precision of a series of measurements made with each instrument was compared to the precision of a series of measurements made with the wet test meter. The comparison showed that the variability of calibration measurements obtained with the fast response flow calibrators was between 1.5 and 4.5 times larger than that obtained with the WTM; however, with all of the calibration devices evaluated, three repetitive measurements were sufficient to obtain a precision of {plus minus}0.1 liters per minute. 4 refs., 2 figs., 1 tab.« less

Extensional Rheology Experiment Developed to Investigate the Rheology of Dilute Polymer Solutions in Microgravity

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Logsdon, Kirk A.

2001-01-01

A fundamental characteristic of fluid is viscosity; that is, the fluid resists forces that cause it to flow. This characteristic, or parameter, is used by manufacturers and end-users to describe the physical properties of a specific material so that they know what to expect when a material, such as a polymer, is processed through an extruder, a film blower, or a fiber-spinning apparatus. Normally, researchers will report a shear viscosity that depends on the rate of an imposed shearing flow. Although this type of characterization is sufficient for some processes, simple shearing experiments do not provide a complete picture of what a processor may expect for all materials. Extensional stretching flows are common in many polymer-processing operations such as extrusion, blow molding, and fiber spinning. Therefore, knowledge of the complete rheological (ability to flow and be deformed) properties of the polymeric fluid being processed is required to accurately predict and account for the flow behavior. In addition, if numerical simulations are ever able to serve as a priori design tools for optimizing polymer processing operations such as those described above, an accurate knowledge of the extensional viscosity of a polymer system and its variation with temperature, concentration, molecular weight, and strain rate is critical.

Numerical modelling of ozone production in a wire-cylinder corona discharge and comparison with a wire-plate corona discharge

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, Pengxiang; Chen, Junhong

2009-02-01

The effect of electrode configuration on ozone production in the direct-current corona discharge of dry and humid air is studied by a numerical model that combines the electron distribution in the corona plasma, plasma chemistry and transport phenomena. Two electrode configurations are considered: wire-cylinder discharge with air flowing along the wire axis and wire-plate discharge with air flowing transverse to the wire. The ozone distributions in both types of discharges are compared. For both electrode configurations, the ozone production rate is higher in the negative corona than in the positive corona and it decreases with an increase in relative humidity. More importantly, the detailed ozone distribution in the neighbourhood of the discharge wire, together with the ozone kinetics, reveals the possible difference in the ozone production from the two discharges. With the same operating conditions and sufficiently short flow residence time, the ozone production rate is nearly the same for both electrode configurations. When the flow residence time is longer than the characteristic time for homogeneous ozone destruction, the net ozone production is higher in the wire-cylinder discharge than in the wire-plate discharge due to relatively less ozone destruction.

Estimated flows of gases and carbon within CEEF ecosystem composed of human, crops and goats

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tako, Y.; Komatsubara, O.; Honda, G.; Arai, R.; Nitta, K.

The Closed Ecology Experiment Facilities (CEEF) can be used as a test bed for Controlled Ecological Life Support Systems (CELSS), because technologies developed for the CEEF system facilitate self-sufficient material circulation necessary for long term missions such as Lunar and Mars exploration. In the experiment conducted under closed condition in FY2003, rice and soybeans were cultivated sequentially in two chambers and a chamber, each having a cultivation area of 30 m2 and floor area of 43 m2, inside the Plantation Module with artificial lighting of the CEEF. In the chamber having a cultivation area of 60 m2 and floor area of 65 m2, inside the Plantation Module with natural and artificial lighting, peanuts and safflowers were also cultivated. Stable transplant (or seeding) and harvest of each crop were maintained during a month. Flows of CO2, O2 and carbon to and from the crops were analyzed during the stable cultivation period. Simulated works and stay in the CEEF lasting five days were conducted two times under ventilating condition in FY2003. Gas exchange of human was estimated using heart rate data collected during the experiments and correlation between gas exchange rate and heart rate. Gas exchange rate and carbon balance of female goats were determined using an open-flow measurement system with a gastight chamber. From these results, flows of gases and carbon in the CEEF were discussed.

Particle velocity measurements with macroscopic fluorescence imaging in lymph tissue mimicking microfluidic phantoms

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hennessy, Ricky; Koo, Chiwan; Ton, Phuc; Han, Arum; Righetti, Raffaella; Maitland, Kristen C.

2011-03-01

Ultrasound poroelastography can quantify structural and mechanical properties of tissues such as stiffness, compressibility, and fluid flow rate. This novel ultrasound technique is being explored to detect tissue changes associated with lymphatic disease. We have constructed a macroscopic fluorescence imaging system to validate ultrasonic fluid flow measurements and to provide high resolution imaging of microfluidic phantoms. The optical imaging system is composed of a white light source, excitation and emission filters, and a camera with a zoom lens. The field of view can be adjusted from 100 mm x 75 mm to 10 mm x 7.5 mm. The microfluidic device is made of polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) and has 9 channels, each 40 μm deep with widths ranging from 30 μm to 200 μm. A syringe pump was used to propel water containing 15 μm diameter fluorescent microspheres through the microchannels, with flow rates ranging from 0.5 μl/min to 10 μl/min. Video was captured at a rate of 25 frames/sec. The velocity of the microspheres in the microchannels was calculated using an algorithm that tracked the movement of the fluorescent microspheres. The imaging system was able to measure particle velocities ranging from 0.2 mm/sec to 10 mm/sec. The range of flow velocities of interest in lymph vessels is between 1 mm/sec to 10 mm/sec; therefore our imaging system is sufficient to measure particle velocity in phantoms modeling lymphatic flow.

A novel experimental setup to study the Hagen-Poiseuille and Bernoulli equations for a gas and determination of the viscosity of air

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chakrabarti, Surajit

2015-11-01

We have performed an experiment in which we have determined the viscosity of air using the Hagen-Poiseuille equation in the proper range of the Reynolds number (Re). The experiment is novel and simple which students even at high school level can perform with minimal equipment.The experiment brings out the fact that determination of viscosity of a fluid is possible only when its Reynolds number is sufficiently small. At very large Reynolds number, the gas behaves more like an inviscid fluid and its flow rate satisfies Bernoulli’s equation. In the intermediate range of the Reynolds number, the flow rate satisfies neither the Hagen-Poiseuille equation nor the Bernoulli equation. A wide range of Reynolds numbers from 40 to about 5000 has been studied. In the case of air, this large range has not shown any sign of turbulence.

Design and monitoring of horizontal subsurface-flow constructed wetlands for treating nursery leachates.

PubMed

Narváez, Lola; Cunill, Conrad; Cáceres, Rafaela; Marfà, Oriol

2011-06-01

Nursery leachates usually contain high concentrations of nitrates, phosphorus and potassium, so discharging them into the environment often causes pollution. Single-stage or two-stage horizontal subsurface flow constructed wetlands (HSSCW) filled with different substrates were designed to evaluate the effect and evolution over time of the removal of nitrogen and other nutrients contained in nursery leachates. The addition of sodium acetate to achieve a C:NO(3)(-)-N ratio of 3:1 was sufficient to reach complete denitrification in all HSSCW. The removal rate of nitrate was high throughout the operation period (over 98%). Nevertheless, the removal rate of ammonium decreased about halfway through the operation. Removal of the COD was enhanced by the use of two-stage HSSCW. In general, the substrates and the number of stages of the wetlands did not affect the removal of nitrogen, total phosphorus and potassium. Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Two-dimensional analysis of two-phase reacting flow in a firing direct-injection diesel engine

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Nguyen, H. Lee

1989-01-01

The flow field, spray penetration, and combustion in two-stroke diesel engines are described. Fuel injection begins at 345 degrees after top dead center (ATDC) and n-dodecane is used as the liquid fuel. Arrhenius kinetics is used to calculate the reaction rate term in the quasi-global combustion model. When the temperature, fuel, and oxygen mass fraction are within suitable flammability limits, combustion begins spontaneously. No spark is necessary to ignite a localized high temperature region. Compression is sufficient to increase the gaseous phase temperature to a point where spontaneous chemical reactions occur. Results are described for a swirl angle of 22.5 degrees.

Experimental and CFD Studies of Coolant Flow Mixing within Scaled Models of the Upper and Lower Plenums of NGNP Gas-Cooled Reactors

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

Hassan, Yassin; Anand, Nk

2016-03-30

A 1/16th scaled VHTR experimental model was constructed and the preliminary test was performed in this study. To produce benchmark data for CFD validation in the future, the facility was first run at partial operation with five pipes being heated. PIV was performed to extract the vector velocity field for three adjacent naturally convective jets at statistically steady state. A small recirculation zone was found between the pipes, and the jets entered the merging zone at 3 cm from the pipe outlet but diverged as the flow approached the top of the test geometry. Turbulence analysis shows the turbulence intensitymore » peaked at 41-45% as the jets mixed. A sensitivity analysis confirmed that 1000 frames were sufficient to measure statistically steady state. The results were then validated by extracting the flow rate from the PIV jet velocity profile, and comparing it with an analytic flow rate and ultrasonic flowmeter; all flow rates lie within the uncertainty of the other two methods for Tests 1 and 2. This test facility can be used for further analysis of naturally convective mixing, and eventually produce benchmark data for CFD validation for the VHTR during a PCC or DCC accident scenario. Next, a PTV study of 3000 images (1500 image pairs) were used to quantify the velocity field in the upper plenum. A sensitivity analysis confirmed that 1500 frames were sufficient to precisely estimate the flow. Subsequently, three (3, 9, and 15 cm) Y-lines from the pipe output were extracted to consider the output differences between 50 to 1500 frames. The average velocity field and standard deviation error that accrued in the three different tests were calculated to assess repeatability. The error was varied, from 1 to 14%, depending on Y-elevation. The error decreased as the flow moved farther from the output pipe. In addition, turbulent intensity was calculated and found to be high near the output. Reynolds stresses and turbulent intensity were used to validate the data by comparing it with benchmark data. The experimental data gave the same pattern as the benchmark data. A turbulent single buoyant jet study was performed for the case of LOFC in the upper plenum of scaled VHTR. Time-averaged profiles show that 3,000 frames of images were sufficient for the study up to second-order statistics. Self-similarity is an important feature of jets since the behavior of jets is independent of Reynolds number and a sole function of geometry. Self-similarity profiles were well observed in the axial velocity and velocity magnitude profile regardless of z/D where the radial velocity did not show any similarity pattern. The normal components of Reynolds stresses have self-similarity within the expected range. The study shows that large vortices were observed close to the dome wall, indicating that the geometry of the VHTR has a significant impact on its safety and performance. Near the dome surface, large vortices were shown to inhibit the flows, resulting in reduced axial jet velocity. The vortices that develop subsequently reduce the Reynolds stresses that develop and the impact on the integrity of the VHTR upper plenum surface. Multiple jets study, including two, three and five jets, were investigated.« less

On the structure of the turbulent vortex

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Roberts, L.

1985-01-01

The trailing vortex generated by a lifting surface, the structure of its turbulent core and the influence of axial flow within the vortex on its initial persistence and on its subsequent decay are described. Similarity solutions of the turbulent diffusion equation are given in closed form and results are expressed in sufficiently simple terms that the influence of the lifting surface parameters on the length of persistence and the rate of decay of the vortex can be evaluated.

Elevated removal of middle molecules without significant albumin loss with mixed-dilution hemodiafiltration for patients unable to provide sufficient blood flow rates.

PubMed

Potier, Jacky; Le Roy, Frank; Faucon, Jean Paul; Besselièvre, Thibault; Renaudineau, Eric; Farquet, Christian; Soihan, Pascale; Touzard, Dominique; Djema, Asia; Ilinca, Toma

2013-01-01

We examined the hypothesis that mixed-dilution online hemodiafiltration (MIXED) rather than predilution online hemodiafiltration (PRE) could enable patients with low blood flow rate (Qb) to benefit from advantages of convective therapies. Thirty-eight patients were included in a prospective, randomized, crossover and multicenter study conducted with a view to comparing the equilibrated Kt/V, reduction ratio (RR) of phosphates, β2-microglobulin (β2-M) and myoglobin (myo) between PRE and MIXED, each at two Qb values of 250 and 300 ml/min during 4 h sessions with a FX1000HDF dialyzer. Albumin losses (Alb) were also measured in 12 patients. MIXED was always found to be more efficient compared to PRE notably for middle molecules (MM). RRβ2-M: MIX250: 81.3 ± 3.6 vs. PRE250: 75.2 ± 5.9; MIX300: 82.7 ± 3.6 vs. PRE300: 78.1 ± 5.4; RRmyo: MIX250: 70.2 ± 3.6 vs. PRE250: 42.6 ± 2.6; MIX300: 70.6 ± 3.6 vs. PRE300: 45.7 ± 3.6 and with Alb <3.0 g/session. MIXED allows patients unable to provide sufficiently high Qb to achieve high levels of MM removal. © 2013 S. Karger AG, Basel.

Experimental study of the laminar-turbulent transition of a concave wall in a parallel flow

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Bippes, H.

1978-01-01

The instability of the laminar boundary layer flow along a concave wall was studied. Observations of these three-dimensional boundary layer phenomena were made using the hydrogen-bubble visualization technique. With the application of stereo-photogrammetric methods in the air-water system it was possible to investigate the flow processes qualitatively and quantitatively. In the case of a concave wall of sufficient curvature, a primary instability occurs first in the form of Goertler vortices with wave lengths depending upon the boundary layer thickness and the wall curvature. At the onset the amplification rate is in agreement with the linear theory. Later, during the non-linear amplification stage, periodic spanwise vorticity concentrations develop in the low velocity region between the longitudinal vortices. Then a meandering motion of the longitudinal vortex streets subsequently ensues, leading to turbulence.

Laminar, Transitional, and Turbulent Heating on Mid Lift-to-Drag Ratio Entry Vehicles

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hollis, Brian R.; Hollingsworth, Kevin E.

2012-01-01

The boundary-layer transition characteristics and convective aeroheating levels on mid lift-to-drag ratio entry vehicle configurations have been studied through wind tunnel testing. Several configurations were investigated, including elliptically-blunted cylinders with both circular and elliptically-flattened cross sections, biconic geometries based on launch vehicle dual-use shrouds, and parametrically-optimized analytic geometries. Vehicles of this class have been proposed for high-mass Mars missions, such as sample return and crewed exploration, for which the conventional sphere-cone entry-vehicle geometries of previous Mars missions are insufficient. Testing was conducted at Mach 6 over a range of Reynolds numbers sufficient to generate laminar, transitional, and turbulent flow. Transition onset locations - both straight-line and cross-flow - and heating rates were obtained through global phosphor thermography. Supporting computations were performed to obtain heating rates for comparison with the data. Laminar data and predictions agreed to well within the experimental uncertainty. Fully-turbulent data and predictions also agreed well. However, in transitional flow regions, greater differences were observed. Additional aerodynamic performance data were also generated through Modified-Newtonian analyses of the geometries.

Real-time high-velocity resolution color Doppler OCT

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Westphal, Volker; Yazdanfar, Siavash; Rollins, Andrew M.; Izatt, Joseph A.

2001-05-01

Color Doppler optical coherence tomography (CDOCT), also called Optical Doppler Tomography) is a noninvasive optical imaging technique, which allows for micron-scale physiological flow mapping simultaneous with morphological OCT imaging. Current systems for real-time endoscopic optical coherence tomography (EOCT) would be enhanced by the capability to visualize sub-surface blood flow for applications in early cancer diagnosis and the management of bleeding ulcers. Unfortunately, previous implementations of CDOCT have either been sufficiently computationally expensive (employing Fourier or Hilbert transform techniques) to rule out real-time imaging of flow, or have been restricted to imaging of excessively high flow velocities when used in real time. We have developed a novel Doppler OCT signal-processing strategy capable of imaging physiological flow rates in real time. This strategy employs cross-correlation processing of sequential A-scans in an EOCT image, as opposed to autocorrelation processing as described previously. To measure Doppler shifts in the kHz range using this technique, it was necessary to stabilize the EOCT interferometer center frequency, eliminate parasitic phase noise, and to construct a digital cross correlation unit able to correlate signals of megahertz bandwidth by a fixed lag of up to a few ms. The performance of the color Doppler OCT system was demonstrated in a flow phantom, demonstrating a minimum detectable flow velocity of ~0.8 mm/s at a data acquisition rate of 8 images/second (with 480 A-scans/image) using a handheld probe. Dynamic flow as well as using it freehanded was shown. Flow was also detectable in a phantom in combination with a clinical usable endoscopic probe.

Generation of net sediment transport by velocity skewness in oscillatory sheet flow

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chen, Xin; Li, Yong; Chen, Genfa; Wang, Fujun; Tang, Xuelin

2018-01-01

This study utilizes a qualitative approach and a two-phase numerical model to investigate net sediment transport caused by velocity skewness beneath oscillatory sheet flow and current. The qualitative approach is derived based on the pseudo-laminar approximation of boundary layer velocity and exponential approximation of concentration. The two-phase model can obtain well the instantaneous erosion depth, sediment flux, boundary layer thickness, and sediment transport rate. It can especially illustrate the difference between positive and negative flow stages caused by velocity skewness, which is considerably important in determining the net boundary layer flow and sediment transport direction. The two-phase model also explains the effect of sediment diameter and phase-lag to sediment transport by comparing the instantaneous-type formulas to better illustrate velocity skewness effect. In previous studies about sheet flow transport in pure velocity-skewed flows, net sediment transport is only attributed to the phase-lag effect. In the present study with the qualitative approach and two-phase model, phase-lag effect is shown important but not sufficient for the net sediment transport beneath pure velocity-skewed flow and current, while the asymmetric wave boundary layer development between positive and negative flow stages also contributes to the sediment transport.

The effect of viscoelasticity on the stability of a pulmonary airway liquid layer

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Halpern, David; Fujioka, Hideki; Grotberg, James B.

2010-01-01

The lungs consist of a network of bifurcating airways that are lined with a thin liquid film. This film is a bilayer consisting of a mucus layer on top of a periciliary fluid layer. Mucus is a non-Newtonian fluid possessing viscoelastic characteristics. Surface tension induces flows within the layer, which may cause the lung's airways to close due to liquid plug formation if the liquid film is sufficiently thick. The stability of the liquid layer is also influenced by the viscoelastic nature of the liquid, which is modeled using the Oldroyd-B constitutive equation or as a Jeffreys fluid. To examine the role of mucus alone, a single layer of a viscoelastic fluid is considered. A system of nonlinear evolution equations is derived using lubrication theory for the film thickness and the film flow rate. A uniform film is initially perturbed and a normal mode analysis is carried out that shows that the growth rate g for a viscoelastic layer is larger than for a Newtonian fluid with the same viscosity. Closure occurs if the minimum core radius, Rmin(t), reaches zero within one breath. Solutions of the nonlinear evolution equations reveal that Rmin normally decreases to zero faster with increasing relaxation time parameter, the Weissenberg number We. For small values of the dimensionless film thickness parameter ɛ, the closure time, tc, increases slightly with We, while for moderate values of ɛ, ranging from 14% to 18% of the tube radius, tc decreases rapidly with We provided the solvent viscosity is sufficiently small. Viscoelasticity was found to have little effect for ɛ >0.18, indicating the strong influence of surface tension. The film thickness parameter ɛ and the Weissenberg number We also have a significant effect on the maximum shear stress on tube wall, max(τw), and thus, potentially, an impact on cell damage. Max(τw) increases with ɛ for fixed We, and it decreases with increasing We for small We provided the solvent viscosity parameter is sufficiently small. For large ɛ ≈0.2, there is no significant difference between the Newtonian flow case and the large We cases.

Impact of membrane lung surface area and blood flow on extracorporeal CO2 removal during severe respiratory acidosis.

PubMed

Karagiannidis, Christian; Strassmann, Stephan; Brodie, Daniel; Ritter, Philine; Larsson, Anders; Borchardt, Ralf; Windisch, Wolfram

2017-12-01

Veno-venous extracorporeal CO 2 removal (vv-ECCO 2 R) is increasingly being used in the setting of acute respiratory failure. Blood flow rates through the device range from 200 ml/min to more than 1500 ml/min, and the membrane surface areas range from 0.35 to 1.3 m 2 . The present study in an animal model with similar CO 2 production as an adult patient was aimed at determining the optimal membrane lung surface area and technical requirements for successful vv-ECCO 2 R. Four different membrane lungs, with varying lung surface areas of 0.4, 0.8, 1.0, and 1.3m 2 were used to perform vv-ECCO 2 R in seven anesthetized, mechanically ventilated, pigs with experimentally induced severe respiratory acidosis (pH 7.0-7.1) using a 20Fr double-lumen catheter with a sweep gas flow rate of 8 L/min. During each experiment, the blood flow was increased stepwise from 250 to 1000 ml/min. Amelioration of severe respiratory acidosis was only feasible when blood flow rates from 750 to 1000 ml/min were used with a membrane lung surface area of at least 0.8 m 2 . Maximal CO 2 elimination was 150.8 ml/min, with pH increasing from 7.01 to 7.30 (blood flow 1000 ml/min; membrane lung 1.3 m 2 ). The membrane lung with a surface of 0.4 m 2 allowed a maximum CO 2 elimination rate of 71.7 mL/min, which did not result in the normalization of pH, even with a blood flow rate of 1000 ml/min. Also of note, an increase of the surface area above 1.0 m 2 did not result in substantially higher CO 2 elimination rates. The pressure drop across the oxygenator was considerably lower (<10 mmHg) in the largest membrane lung, whereas the smallest revealed a pressure drop of more than 50 mmHg with 1000 ml blood flow/min. In this porcine model, vv-ECCO 2 R was most effective when using blood flow rates ranging between 750 and 1000 ml/min, with a membrane lung surface of at least 0.8 m 2 . In contrast, low blood flow rates (250-500 ml/min) were not sufficient to completely correct severe respiratory acidosis, irrespective of the surface area of the membrane lung being used. The converse was also true, low surface membrane lungs (0.4 m 2 ) were not capable of completely correcting severe respiratory acidosis across the range of blood flows used in this study.

Manipulation and control of instabilities for surfactant-laden liquid film flowing down an inclined plane using a deformable solid layer

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tomar, Dharmendra S.; Sharma, Gaurav

2018-01-01

We analyzed the linear stability of surfactant-laden liquid film with a free surface flowing down an inclined plane under the action of gravity when the inclined plane is coated with a deformable solid layer. For a flow past a rigid incline and in the presence of inertia, the gas-liquid (GL) interface is prone to the free surface instability and the presence of surfactant is known to stabilize the free surface mode when the Marangoni number increases above a critical value. The rigid surface configuration also admits a surfactant induced Marangoni mode which remains stable for film flows with a free surface. This Marangoni mode was observed to become unstable for a surfactant covered film flow past a flexible inclined plane in a creeping flow limit when the wall is made sufficiently deformable. In view of these observations, we investigate the following two aspects. First, what is the effect of inertia on Marangoni mode instability induced by wall deformability? Second, and more importantly, whether it is possible to use a deformable solid coating to obtain stable flow for the surfactant covered film for cases when the Marangoni number is below the critical value required for stabilization of free surface instability. In order to explore the first question, we continued the growth rates for the Marangoni mode from the creeping flow limit to finite Reynolds numbers (Re) and observed that while the increase in Reynolds number has a small stabilizing effect on growth rates, the Marangoni mode still remains unstable for finite Reynolds numbers as long as the wall is sufficiently deformable. The Marangoni mode remains the dominant mode for zero and small Reynolds numbers until the GL mode also becomes unstable with the increase in Re. Thus, for a given set of parameters and beyond a critical Re, there is an exchange of dominant mode of instability from the Marangoni to free surface GL mode. With respect to the second important aspect, our results clearly demonstrate that for cases when the stabilizing contribution of surfactant is not sufficient for suppressing GL mode instability, a deformable solid coating could be employed to suppress free surface instability without triggering Marangoni or liquid-solid interfacial modes. Specifically, we have shown that for a given solid thickness, as the shear modulus of the solid layer decreases (i.e., the solid becomes more deformable) the GL mode instability is suppressed. With further decrease in shear modulus, the Marangoni and liquid-solid interfacial modes become unstable. Thus, there exists a stability window in terms of shear modulus where the surfactant-laden film flow remains stable even when the Marangoni number is below the critical value required for free surface instability suppression. Further, when the Marangoni number is greater than the critical value so that the GL mode remains stable in the rigid limit or with the deformable wall, the increase in wall deformability or solid thickness triggers Marangoni mode instability and, thus, renders a stable flow configuration into an unstable one. Thus, we show that the soft solid layer can be used to manipulate and control the stability of surfactant-laden film flows.

Arrhenius' law in turbulent media and an equivalent tunnel effect. [in binary exchange chemical reactions

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Tsuge, S.; Sagara, K.

1978-01-01

The indeterminacy inherent to the formal extension of Arrhenius' law to reactions in turbulent flows is shown to be surmountable in the case of a binary exchange reaction with a sufficiently high activation energy. A preliminary calculation predicts that the turbulent reaction rate is invariant in the Arrhenius form except for an equivalently lowered activation energy. This is a reflection of turbulence-augmented molecular vigor, and causes an appreciable increase in the reaction rate. A similarity to the tunnel effect in quantum mechanics is indicated. The anomaly associated with the mild ignition of oxy-hydrogen mixtures is discussed in this light.

A Realizable Reynolds Stress Algebraic Equation Model

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Shih, Tsan-Hsing; Zhu, Jiang; Lumley, John L.

1993-01-01

The invariance theory in continuum mechanics is applied to analyze Reynolds stresses in high Reynolds number turbulent flows. The analysis leads to a turbulent constitutive relation that relates the Reynolds stresses to the mean velocity gradients in a more general form in which the classical isotropic eddy viscosity model is just the linear approximation of the general form. On the basis of realizability analysis, a set of model coefficients are obtained which are functions of the time scale ratios of the turbulence to the mean strain rate and the mean rotation rate. The coefficients will ensure the positivity of each component of the mean rotation rate. These coefficients will ensure the positivity of each component of the turbulent kinetic energy - realizability that most existing turbulence models fail to satisfy. Separated flows over backward-facing step configurations are taken as applications. The calculations are performed with a conservative finite-volume method. Grid-independent and numerical diffusion-free solutions are obtained by using differencing schemes of second-order accuracy on sufficiently fine grids. The calculated results are compared in detail with the experimental data for both mean and turbulent quantities. The comparison shows that the present proposal significantly improves the predictive capability of K-epsilon based two equation models. In addition, the proposed model is able to simulate rotational homogeneous shear flows with large rotation rates which all conventional eddy viscosity models fail to simulate.

Measuring peak expiratory flow in general practice: comparison of mini Wright peak flow meter and turbine spirometer.

PubMed Central

Jones, K P; Mullee, M A

1990-01-01

OBJECTIVE--To compare measurements of the peak expiratory flow rate taken by the mini Wright peak flow meter and the turbine spirometer. DESIGN--Pragmatic study with randomised order of use of recording instruments. Phase 1 compared a peak expiratory flow type expiration recorded by the mini Wright peak flow meter with an expiration to forced vital capacity recorded by the turbine spirometer. Phase 2 compared peak expiratory flow type expirations recorded by both meters. Reproducibility was assessed separately. SETTING--Routine surgeries at Aldermoor Health Centre, Southampton. SUBJECTS--212 Patients aged 4 to 78 presenting with asthma or obstructive airways disease. Each patient contributed only once to each phase (105 in phase 1, 107 in phase 2), but some entered both phases on separate occasions. Reproducibility was tested on a further 31 patients. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE--95% Limits of agreement between measurements on the two meters. RESULTS--208 (98%) Of the readings taken by the mini Wright meter were higher than the corresponding readings taken by the turbine spirometer, but the 95% limits of agreement (mean difference (2 SD] were wide (1 to 173 l/min). Differences due to errors in reproducibility were not sufficient to predict this level of disagreement. Analysis by age, sex, order of use, and the type of expiration did not detect any significant differences. CONCLUSIONS--The two methods of measuring peak expiratory flow rate were not comparable. The mini Wright meter is likely to remain the preferred instrument in general practice. PMID:2142611

Io's Volcanism: Thermo-Physical Models of Silicate Lava Compared with Observations of Thermal Emission

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Davies, Ashely G.

1996-01-01

Analyses of thermal infrared outbursts from the jovian satellite Io indicate that at least some of these volcanic events are due to silicate lava. Analysis of the January 9, 1990 outburst indicates that this was an active eruption consisting of a large lava flow (with mass eruption rate of order 10(exp 5) cubic m/sec) and a sustained area at silicate liquidus temperatures. This is interpreted as a series of fire fountains along a rift zone. A possible alternative scenario is that of an overflowing lava lake with extensive fire fountaining. The January 9, 1990 event is unique as multispectral observations with respect to time were obtained. In this paper, a model is presented for the thermal energy lost by active and cooling silicate lava flows and lakes on Io. The model thermal emission is compared with Earth-based observations and Voyager IRIS data. The model (a) provides an explanation of the thermal anomalies on Io's surface; (b) provides constraints on flow behavior and extent and infers some flow parameters; and (c) determines flow geometry and change in flow size with time, and the temperature of each part of the flow or lava lake surface as a function of its age. Models of heat output from active lava flows or inactive but recently emplaced lava flows or overturning lava lakes alone are unable to reproduce the observations. If the January 9, 1990 event is the emplacement of a lava flow, the equivalent of 27 such events per year would yield a volume of material sufficient, if uniformly distributed, to resurface all of Io at a rate of 1 cm/year.

SIMULATION OF A BIOFEEDBACK MICROCLIMATE COOLING SYSTEM USING A HUMAN THERMOREGULATION MODEL

DTIC Science & Technology

2017-02-01

garment (LCG) The rate of LCG heat removal from the human body depends on coolant inlet temperature (Tin), clothing insulation worn over the LCG, flow...The efficiency η is equal to one when the outer clothing has sufficient insulation and the heat exchange between LCG and the external environment...0.27 m2·ºC·W-1 (1.73 clo). Insulation of protective ensembles prevent the LCG from absorbing heat from the environment (circulating liquid temperature

Droplet collisions and interaction with the turbulent flow within a two-phase wind tunnel

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bordás, Róbert; Hagemeier, Thomas; Wunderlich, Bernd; Thévenin, Dominique

2011-08-01

Experiments in wind tunnels concerning meteorological issues are not very frequent in the literature. However, such experiments might be essential, for instance for a careful investigation of droplet-droplet interactions in turbulent flows. This issue is crucial for many configurations, in particular to understand warm rain initiation. It is clearly impossible to completely reproduce cloud turbulence within a wind tunnel due to the enormous length scales involved. Nevertheless, it is not necessary to recover the whole spectrum in order to quantify droplet interactions. It is sufficient for this purpose to account correctly for the relevant properties only. In the present paper, these properties and a methodology for setting those in a two-phase wind tunnel are first described. In particular, droplet size and number density, velocities, turbulent kinetic energy, k, and its dissipation rate, ɛ, are suitably reproduced, as demonstrated by non-intrusive measurement techniques. A complete experimental characterization of the air and droplet properties is freely available in a database accessible at http://www.ovgu.de/isut/lss/metstroem. Finally, quantifications of droplet collision rates and comparisons with theoretical predictions are presented, showing that measured collision rates are higher, typically by a factor of 2 to 5. These results demonstrate that model modifications are needed to estimate correctly droplet collision probabilities in turbulent flows

High Resolution Pre-Clinical CT and SPECT Imaging Techniques for Investigating Flow and Transport Mechanisms in Porous Media

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dogan, M.; Moysey, S. M.; Mamun, A. A.; DeVol, T. A.; Powell, B. A.; Murdoch, L. C.

2017-12-01

Single Photon Emission Computed Tomography (SPECT) and x-ray Computed Tomography (CT) are both high-resolution imaging methods for investigating laboratory scale samples. We have recently conducted several experiments to determine the capabilities of two preclinical imaging systems; the imaging resolution of the two systems studied were found to be 0.2 mm for CT and 2-4 mm for SPECT depending on the tracer and scan times. While the resolution of these instruments is not sufficient for imaging the pore structure of most soils, it is sufficient to resolve macropore structures such as cracks and root channels and to observe their impact on transport. For example, we have used CT scans to monitor the formation of desiccation cracks within soils obtained from the Savannah River Site. We were then able to observe the interaction between the crack network and pore matrix during an infiltration experiment by spiking the infiltrating water with an iodide contrast agent as a tracer. We found a complex interaction between the flow systems, where flow shifted from matrix dominated at low flow rates to macropore dominated at high flow rates. SPECT imaging is capable of monitoring the distribution of gamma-ray emitting radionuclides in 3D. It is therefore also a useful tool for monitoring transport processes, but is particularly powerful when a redox sensitive isotope like 99mTc is used as the tracer. We show an example of a transport experiment where a 99mTc solution is passed through a column containing zones with different redox properties, i.e., a zone amended with titanomagnetite, another with anatase, and a third with silica flour. The 99mTc is captured by the strongly reducing materials, but not the zone with silica flour. The example illustrates how these imaging modalities can be used to discriminate between chemical and physical processes controlling fate and transport of the radionuclide. In particular, CT and SPECT can be used to image contaminant transport in lab scale columns by combining the structural information obtained from CT with the concentration distributions from SPECT.

Does Don Fisher's high-pressure manifold model account for phloem transport and resource partitioning?

PubMed Central

Patrick, John W.

2013-01-01

The pressure flow model of phloem transport envisaged by Münch (1930) has gained wide acceptance. Recently, however, the model has been questioned on structural and physiological grounds. For instance, sub-structures of sieve elements may reduce their hydraulic conductances to levels that impede flow rates of phloem sap and observed magnitudes of pressure gradients to drive flow along sieve tubes could be inadequate in tall trees. A variant of the Münch pressure flow model, the high-pressure manifold model of phloem transport introduced by Donald Fisher may serve to reconcile at least some of these questions. To this end, key predicted features of the high-pressure manifold model of phloem transport are evaluated against current knowledge of the physiology of phloem transport. These features include: (1) An absence of significant gradients in axial hydrostatic pressure in sieve elements from collection to release phloem accompanied by transport properties of sieve elements that underpin this outcome; (2) Symplasmic pathways of phloem unloading into sink organs impose a major constraint over bulk flow rates of resources translocated through the source-path-sink system; (3) Hydraulic conductances of plasmodesmata, linking sieve elements with surrounding phloem parenchyma cells, are sufficient to support and also regulate bulk flow rates exiting from sieve elements of release phloem. The review identifies strong circumstantial evidence that resource transport through the source-path-sink system is consistent with the high-pressure manifold model of phloem transport. The analysis then moves to exploring mechanisms that may link demand for resources, by cells of meristematic and expansion/storage sinks, with plasmodesmal conductances of release phloem. The review concludes with a brief discussion of how these mechanisms may offer novel opportunities to enhance crop biomass yields. PMID:23802003

Elastic Instability of Slender Rods in Steady Shear Flow Yields Positive First Normal Stress Differences

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Becker, Leif E.; Shelley, Michael J.

2000-11-01

First normal stress differences in shear flow are a fundamental property of Non-Newtonian fluids. Experiments involving dilute suspensions of slender fibers exhibit a sharp transition to non-zero normal stress differences beyond a critical shear rate, but existing continuum theories for rigid rods predict neither this transition nor the corresponding magnitude of this effect. We present the first conclusive evidence that elastic instabilities are predominantly responsible for observed deviations from the dilute suspension theory of rigid rods. Our analysis is based on slender body theory and the equilibrium equations of elastica. A straight slender body executing its Jeffery orbit in Couette flow is subject to axial fluid forcing, alternating between compression and tension. We present a stability analysis showing that elastic instabilities are possible for strong flows. Simulations give the fully non-linear evolution of this shape instability, and show that flexibility of the fibers alone is sufficient to cause both shear-thinning and significant first normal stress differences.

Zero absolute vorticity: insight from experiments in rotating laminar plane Couette flow.

PubMed

Suryadi, Alexandre; Segalini, Antonio; Alfredsson, P Henrik

2014-03-01

For pressure-driven turbulent channel flows undergoing spanwise system rotation, it has been observed that the absolute vorticity, i.e., the sum of the averaged spanwise flow vorticity and system rotation, tends to zero in the central region of the channel. This observation has so far eluded a convincing theoretical explanation, despite experimental and numerical evidence reported in the literature. Here we show experimentally that three-dimensional laminar structures in plane Couette flow, which appear under anticyclonic system rotation, give the same effect, namely, that the absolute vorticity tends to zero if the rotation rate is high enough. It is shown that this is equivalent to a local Richardson number of approximately zero, which would indicate a stable condition. We also offer an explanation based on Kelvin's circulation theorem to demonstrate that the absolute vorticity should remain constant and approximately equal to zero in the central region of the channel when going from the nonrotating fully turbulent state to any state with sufficiently high rotation.

Hierarchical tailoring of strut architecture to control permeability of additive manufactured titanium implants.

PubMed

Zhang, Z; Jones, D; Yue, S; Lee, P D; Jones, J R; Sutcliffe, C J; Jones, E

2013-10-01

Porous titanium implants are a common choice for bone augmentation. Implants for spinal fusion and repair of non-union fractures must encourage blood flow after implantation so that there is sufficient cell migration, nutrient and growth factor transport to stimulate bone ingrowth. Additive manufacturing techniques allow a large number of pore network designs. This study investigates how the design factors offered by selective laser melting technique can be used to alter the implant architecture on multiple length scales to control and even tailor the flow. Permeability is a convenient parameter that characterises flow, correlating to structure openness (interconnectivity and pore window size), tortuosity and hence flow shear rates. Using experimentally validated computational simulations, we demonstrate how additive manufacturing can be used to tailor implant properties by controlling surface roughness at a microstructual level (microns), and by altering the strut ordering and density at a mesoscopic level (millimetre). Copyright © 2013 The Authors. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Flow-induced gelation of living (micellar) polymers

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Bruinsma, Robijn; Gelbart, William M.; Ben-Shaul, Avinoam

1992-01-01

The effect of shear velocity gradients on the size (L) of rodlike micelles in dilute and semidilute solution is considered. A kinetic equation is introduced for the time-dependent concentration of aggregates of length L, consisting of 'bimolecular' combination processes L + L-prime yield (L + L-prime) and unimolecular fragmentations L yield L + (L - L-prime). The former are described by a generalization (from spheres to rods) of the Smoluchowski mechanism for shear-induced coalesence of emulsions, and the latter by incorporating the tension-deformation effects due to flow. Steady-state solutions to the kinetic equation are obtained, with the corresponding mean micellar size evaluated as a function of the Peclet number P (i.e., the dimensionless ratio of the flow rate and the rotational diffusion coefficient). For sufficiently dilute solutions, only a weak dependence of the micellar size on P is found. In the semidilute regime, however, an apparent divergence in the micellar size at P of about 1 suggests a flow-induced first-order gelation phenomenon.

Advancement of atmospheric-vacuum interfaces for mass spectrometers with a focus on increasing gas throughput for improving sensitivity.

PubMed

Prasad, Satendra; Wouters, Eloy R; Dunyach, Jean-Jacques

2015-08-18

Ion sampling from an electrospray ionization (ESI) source was improved by increasing gas conductance of the MS inlet by 4.3-fold. Converting the gas throughput (Q) into sensitivity improvement was dependent on ion desolvation and handling of the gas load. Desolvation was addressed by using a novel slot shaped inlet that exhibited desolvation properties identical to the 0.58 mm i.d capillary. An assay tailored for "small molecules" at high chromatographic flow rate (500 μL/min) yielded a compound dependent 6.5 to 14-fold signal gain while analysis at nano chromatographic flow rate (300 nL/min) showed 2 to 3.5-fold improvement for doubly charged peptides. Improvement exceeding the Q (4.3-fold) at high chromatographic flow rate was explained by superior sampling of the spatially dispersed ion spray when using the slot shaped capillary. Sensitivity improvement across a wide range of chromatographic flow rate confirmed no compromise in ion desolvation with the increase in Q. Another improvement included less overflow of gas into the mass analyzer from the foreline region owing to the slot shape of the capillary. By doubling the roughing pump capacity and operating the electrodynamic ion funnel (EDIF) at ∼4 Torr, a single pumping stage was sufficient to handle the gas load. The transport of solvent clusters from the LC effluent into the mass analyzer was prevented by a "wavy shaped" transfer quadrupole and was compared with a benchmark approach that delivered ions orthogonally into a differentially pumped dual EDIF at comparable gas Q.

Implicit Coupling Approach for Simulation of Charring Carbon Ablators

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Chen, Yih-Kanq; Gokcen, Tahir

2013-01-01

This study demonstrates that coupling of a material thermal response code and a flow solver with nonequilibrium gas/surface interaction for simulation of charring carbon ablators can be performed using an implicit approach. The material thermal response code used in this study is the three-dimensional version of Fully Implicit Ablation and Thermal response program, which predicts charring material thermal response and shape change on hypersonic space vehicles. The flow code solves the reacting Navier-Stokes equations using Data Parallel Line Relaxation method. Coupling between the material response and flow codes is performed by solving the surface mass balance in flow solver and the surface energy balance in material response code. Thus, the material surface recession is predicted in flow code, and the surface temperature and pyrolysis gas injection rate are computed in material response code. It is demonstrated that the time-lagged explicit approach is sufficient for simulations at low surface heating conditions, in which the surface ablation rate is not a strong function of the surface temperature. At elevated surface heating conditions, the implicit approach has to be taken, because the carbon ablation rate becomes a stiff function of the surface temperature, and thus the explicit approach appears to be inappropriate resulting in severe numerical oscillations of predicted surface temperature. Implicit coupling for simulation of arc-jet models is performed, and the predictions are compared with measured data. Implicit coupling for trajectory based simulation of Stardust fore-body heat shield is also conducted. The predicted stagnation point total recession is compared with that predicted using the chemical equilibrium surface assumption

Fluidic oscillator-mediated microbubble generation to provide cost effective mass transfer and mixing efficiency to the wastewater treatment plants.

PubMed

Rehman, Fahad; Medley, Gareth J D; Bandulasena, Hemaka; Zimmerman, William B J

2015-02-01

Aeration is one of the most energy intensive processes in the waste water treatment plants and any improvement in it is likely to enhance the overall efficiency of the overall process. In the current study, a fluidic oscillator has been used to produce microbubbles in the order of 100 μm in diameter by oscillating the inlet gas stream to a pair of membrane diffusers. Volumetric mass transfer coefficient was measured for steady state flow and oscillatory flow in the range of 40-100l/min. The highest improvement of 55% was observed at the flow rates of 60, 90 and 100l/min respectively. Standard oxygen transfer rate and efficiency were also calculated. Both standard oxygen transfer rate and efficiency were found to be considerably higher under oscillatory air flow conditions compared to steady state airflow. The bubble size distributions and bubble densities were measured using an acoustic bubble spectrometer and confirmed production of monodisperse bubbles with approximately 100 μm diameters with fluidic oscillation. The higher number density of microbubbles under oscillatory flow indicated the effect of the fluidic oscillation in microbubble production. Visual observations and dissolved oxygen measurements suggested that the bubble cloud generated by the fluidic oscillator was sufficient enough to provide good mixing and to maintain uniform aerobic conditions. Overall, improved mass transfer coefficients, mixing efficiency and energy efficiency of the novel microbubble generation method could offer significant savings to the water treatment plants as well as reduction in the carbon footprint. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Laboratory Experiments to Investigate Breakout and Bifurcation of Lava Flows on Mars

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Miyamoto, H.; Zimbelman, J. R.; Tokunaga, T.; Tosaka, H.

2001-05-01

Mars Orbiter Camera (MOC) images show that many lava flows on Mars have morphologies quite similar to aa lava flows. Such flows often have many lobes and branches that overlap each other, making a compound flow unit. These features cannot be explained by any simple flow model because longer effusion duration will simply make the flow longer, although actual lavas often will bifurcate to make additonal flow units. Similarly, formation of a lava tube is difficult to predict by a model that does not contain preset conditions for their formation. Treatment of the surface crust is very important to the flow morphology, especially for effusion over a long duration. To understand the effect of a crust on flow morphology, paraffin wax is especially useful in laboratory experiments. In our experiments, a flow on a constant slope typically progresses with a constant width at first. Then, the flow front cools to form a crust, which inhibits the progress of the flow. At that time, the flow sometimes becomes sinuous or ceases its movement. With a sufficient flux after that, uplift of thickness (inflation) can occur. Uplift sometimes attains a sufficient thickening to produce a breakout at the side of the flow, bifurcating to form a new cooling unit. Bifurcated flows do not always follow the main flow (some branches moved several cm away from the initial flow). The bifurcations continue to develop into a complicated flow field, given a sufficiently long duration of effusion. Although the movement of the flow with a surface crust is difficult to predict, our simple analysis suggests that the maximum thickness attained by the inflation (by fluid continuing to enter a stopped flow) before a breakout can occur is roughly estimated by a balance between the overpressure and the crust tensile strength. The maximum extent of a bifurcated flow after a breakout can probably be constrained, which will be a significant goal for future modeling of compound flows.

A critical review of the experimental data for developed free turbulent shear layers

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Birch, S. F.; Eggers, J. M.

1973-01-01

Experimental shear layer data are reviewed and the results are compared to numerical predictions for three test cases. It was concluded from the study that many, if not most, of the apparent inconsistencies which exist in the interpretation of the experimental data for free shear layers result from confusing data taken in developed turbulent flows with those taken in transitional or developing flows. Other conclusions drawn from the study include the following: (1) The effects of Mach number are more uncertain primarily because of limited data and the absence of any turbulence measurements for supersonic shear layers. (2) The data available for heterogeneous shear layers are not sufficient to clearly establish the effect of density ratio on mixing rate.

Design and Fabrication of a PDMS Microchip Based Immunoassay

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

Shao, Guocheng; Wang, Wanjun; Wang, Jun

2010-07-01

In this paper, we describe the design and fabrication process of a polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) microchip for on-chip multiplex immunoassay application. The microchip consists of a PDMS microfluidic channel layer and a micro pneumatic valve control layer. By selectively pressurizing the pneumatic microvalves, immuno reagents were controlled to flow and react in certain fluidic channel sites. Cross contamination was prevented by tightly closed valves. Our design was proposed to utilize PDMS micro channel surface as the solid phase immunoassay substrate and simultaneously detect four targets antigens on chip. Experiment result shows that 20psi valve pressure is sufficient to tightly close amore » 200µm wide micro channel with flow rate up to 20µl/min.« less

Three-dimensional vesicles under shear flow: numerical study of dynamics and phase diagram.

PubMed

Biben, Thierry; Farutin, Alexander; Misbah, Chaouqi

2011-03-01

The study of vesicles under flow, a model system for red blood cells (RBCs), is an essential step in understanding various intricate dynamics exhibited by RBCs in vivo and in vitro. Quantitative three-dimensional analyses of vesicles under flow are presented. The regions of parameters to produce tumbling (TB), tank-treating, vacillating-breathing (VB), and even kayaking (or spinning) modes are determined. New qualitative features are found: (i) a significant widening of the VB mode region in parameter space upon increasing shear rate γ and (ii) a robustness of normalized period of TB and VB with γ. Analytical support is also provided. We make a comparison with existing experimental results. In particular, we find that the phase diagram of the various dynamics depends on three dimensionless control parameters, while a recent experimental work reported that only two are sufficient.

Flow dynamics and energy efficiency of flow in the left ventricle during myocardial infarction.

PubMed

Vasudevan, Vivek; Low, Adriel Jia Jun; Annamalai, Sarayu Parimal; Sampath, Smita; Poh, Kian Keong; Totman, Teresa; Mazlan, Muhammad; Croft, Grace; Richards, A Mark; de Kleijn, Dominique P V; Chin, Chih-Liang; Yap, Choon Hwai

2017-10-01

Cardiovascular disease is a leading cause of death worldwide, where myocardial infarction (MI) is a major category. After infarction, the heart has difficulty providing sufficient energy for circulation, and thus, understanding the heart's energy efficiency is important. We induced MI in a porcine animal model via circumflex ligation and acquired multiple-slice cine magnetic resonance (MR) images in a longitudinal manner-before infarction, and 1 week (acute) and 4 weeks (chronic) after infarction. Computational fluid dynamic simulations were performed based on MR images to obtain detailed fluid dynamics and energy dynamics of the left ventricles. Results showed that energy efficiency flow through the heart decreased at the acute time point. Since the heart was observed to experience changes in heart rate, stroke volume and chamber size over the two post-infarction time points, simulations were performed to test the effect of each of the three parameters. Increasing heart rate and stroke volume were found to significantly decrease flow energy efficiency, but the effect of chamber size was inconsistent. Strong complex interplay was observed between the three parameters, necessitating the use of non-dimensional parameterization to characterize flow energy efficiency. The ratio of Reynolds to Strouhal number, which is a form of Womersley number, was found to be the most effective non-dimensional parameter to represent energy efficiency of flow in the heart. We believe that this non-dimensional number can be computed for clinical cases via ultrasound and hypothesize that it can serve as a biomarker for clinical evaluations.

Simulation of ground-water flow in the Cedar River alluvial aquifer flow system, Cedar Rapids, Iowa

USGS Publications Warehouse

Turco, Michael J.; Buchmiller, Robert C.

2004-01-01

Model results indicate that the primary sources of inflow to the modeled area are infiltration from the Cedar River (53.0 percent) and regional flow in the glacial and bedrock materials (34.1 percent). The primary sources of outflow from the modeled area are discharge to the Cedar River (45.4 percent) and pumpage (44.8 percent). Current steady-state pumping rates have increased the flow of water from the Cedar River to the alluvial aquifer by 43.8 cubic feet per second. Steady-state and transient hypothetical pumpage scenarios were used to show the relation between changes in pumpage and changes in infiltration of water from the Cedar River. Results indicate that more than 99 percent of the water discharging from municipal wells infiltrates from the Cedar River, that the time required for induced river recharge to equilibrate with municipal pumpage may be 150 days or more, and that ground-water availability in the Cedar Rapids area will not be significantly affected by doubling current pumpage as long as there is sufficient flow in the Cedar River to provide recharge.

Visualizing dissolved oxygen transport for liquid ventilation in an in vitro model of the human airways

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Janke, T.; Bauer, K.

2017-04-01

Up until to now, the measurement of dissolved oxygen concentrations during liquid ventilation is limited to the determination of averaged concentrations of the liquid entering or leaving the body. The work presented in this paper aims to extend the possible measurement techniques in the research of liquid ventilation. Therefore optical measurements of the dissolved oxygen concentration, using a luminescent sensor dye, are performed. The preparation of a suitable sensor liquid, based on the metal complex Dichlorotris(1,10)-(phenanthroline)ruthenium(II), is presented. A transparent simplified human lung geometry is used for conducting the experiments. Inspiratory as well as expiratory flow at three different constant flow rates is investigated, covering the flow regimes \\text{Re}=83 -333 and \\text{Pe}=33 300 -133 000. The applied measurement technique is capable to reveal distinctive concentration patterns during inspiration and expiration caused by the laminar flow characteristics. Allowing a sufficiently long flow duration, local concentration inhomogeneities disappear and an exponential rise and decay of the mean values can be observed for inspiration and expiration.

Turbulence and mixing from optimal perturbations to a stratified shear layer

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kaminski, Alexis; Caulfield, C. P.; Taylor, John

2014-11-01

The stability and mixing of stratified shear layers is a canonical problem in fluid dynamics with relevance to flows in the ocean and atmosphere. The Miles-Howard theorem states that a necessary condition for normal-mode instability in parallel, inviscid, steady stratified shear flows is that the gradient Richardson number, Rig is less than 1/4 somewhere in the flow. However, substantial transient growth of non-normal modes may be possible at finite times even when Rig > 1 / 4 everywhere in the flow. We have calculated the ``optimal perturbations'' associated with maximum perturbation energy gain for a stably-stratified shear layer. These optimal perturbations are then used to initialize direct numerical simulations. For small but finite perturbation amplitudes, the optimal perturbations grow at the predicted linear rate initially, but then experience sufficient transient growth to become nonlinear and susceptible to secondary instabilities, which then break down into turbulence. Remarkably, this occurs even in flows for which Rig > 1 / 4 everywhere. We will describe the nonlinear evolution of the optimal perturbations and characterize the resulting turbulence and mixing.

A Burning Rate Emulator (BRE) for Study in Microgravity

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Markan, A.; Sunderland, P. B.; Quintiere, J. G.; DeRis, J.; Stocker, D. P.

2015-01-01

A gas-fueled burner, the Burning Rate Emulator (BRE), is used to emulate condensed-phase fuel flames. The design has been validated to easily measure the burning behavior of condensed-phase fuels by igniting a controlled stream of gas fuel and diluent. Four properties, including the heat of combustion, the heat of gasification, the surface temperature, and the laminar smoke point, are assumed to be sufficient to define the steady burning rate of a condensed-phase fuel. The heat of gasification of the fuel is determined by measuring the heat flux and the fuel flow rate. Microgravity BRE tests in the NASA 5.2 s drop facility have examined the burning of pure methane and ethylene (pure and 50 in N2 balance). Fuel flow rates, chamber oxygen concentration and initial pressure have been varied. Two burner sizes, 25 and 50 mm respectively, are chosen to examine the nature of initial microgravity burning. The tests reveal bubble-like flames that increase within the 5.2s drop but the heat flux received from the flame appears to asymptotically approach steady state. Portions of the methane flames appear to locally detach and extinguish at center, while its shape remains fixed, but growing. The effective heat of gasification is computed from the final measured net heat flux and the fuel flow rate under the assumption of an achieved steady burning. Heat flux (or mass flux) and flame position are compared with stagnant layer burning theory. The analysis offers the prospect of more complete findings from future longer duration ISS experiments.

Characterization of a continuous agitated cell reactor for oxygen dependent biocatalysis.

PubMed

Toftgaard Pedersen, Asbjørn; de Carvalho, Teresa Melo; Sutherland, Euan; Rehn, Gustav; Ashe, Robert; Woodley, John M

2017-06-01

Biocatalytic oxidation reactions employing molecular oxygen as the electron acceptor are difficult to conduct in a continuous flow reactor because of the requirement for high oxygen transfer rates. In this paper, the oxidation of glucose to glucono-1,5-lactone by glucose oxidase was used as a model reaction to study a novel continuous agitated cell reactor (ACR). The ACR consists of ten cells interconnected by small channels. An agitator is placed in each cell, which mixes the content of the cell when the reactor body is shaken by lateral movement. Based on tracer experiments, a hydrodynamic model for the ACR was developed. The model consisted of ten tanks-in-series with back-mixing occurring within and between each cell. The back-mixing was a necessary addition to the model in order to explain the observed phenomenon that the ACR behaved as two continuous stirred tank reactors (CSTRs) at low flow rates, while it at high flow rates behaved as the expected ten CSTRs in series. The performance of the ACR was evaluated by comparing the steady state conversion at varying residence times with the conversion observed in a stirred batch reactor of comparable size. It was found that the ACR could more than double the overall reaction rate, which was solely due to an increased oxygen transfer rate in the ACR caused by the intense mixing as a result of the spring agitators. The volumetric oxygen transfer coefficient, k L a, was estimated to be 344 h -1 in the 100 mL ACR, opposed to only 104 h -1 in a batch reactor of comparable working volume. Interestingly, the large deviation from plug flow behavior seen in the tracer experiments was found to have little influence on the conversion in the ACR, since both a plug flow reactor (PFR) model and the backflow cell model described the data sufficiently well. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2017;114: 1222-1230. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Magnesite Dissolution Rates Across Scales: Role of Spatial Heterogeneity, Equilibrium Lengths, and Reactive Time Scales

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wen, H.; Li, L.

2017-12-01

This work develops a general rate law for magnesite dissolution in heterogeneous media under variable flow and length conditions, expanding the previous work under one particular flow and length conditions (Wen and Li, 2017). We aim to answer: 1) How does spatial heterogeneity influence the time and length scales to reach equilibrium? 2) How do relative timescales of advection, diffusion/dispersion, and reactions influence dissolution rates under variable flow and length conditions? We carried out 640 Monte-Carlo numerical experiments of magnesite dissolution within quartz matrix with heterogeneity characterized by permeability variance and correlation length under a range of length and flow velocity. A rate law Rhete = kAT(1-exp(τeq,m/τa))(1-exp(- Lβ))^α was developed. The former part is rates in equivalent homogeneous media kAT(1-exp(τeq,m/τa)), depending on rate constant k, magnesite surface area AT, and relative timescales of reactions τeq,m and advection τa. The latter term (1-exp(- Lβ))^α is the heterogeneity factor χ that quantifies the deviation of heterogeneous media from its homogeneous counterpart. The term has a scaling factor, called reactive transport number β=τa/(τad,r+τeq,m), for domain length L, and the geostatistical characteristics of heterogeneity α. The β quantifies the relative timescales of advection at the domain scale τa versus the advective-diffusive-dispersive transport time out of reactive zones τad,r and reaction time τeq,m. The χ is close to 1 and is insignificant under long residence time conditions (low flow velocity and / or long length) where the residence time is longer than the time needed for Mg to dissolve and transport out of reactive zones (τad,r+τeq,m) so that equilibrium is reached and homogenization occurs. In contrast, χ deviates from 1 and is significant only when β is small, which occurs at short length or fast flow where timescales of reactive transport in reactive zones are much longer than the global residence time so that reactive transport is the limiting step. These findings demonstrate that dissolution rates in heterogeneous media reach asymptotic values in homogeneous media at "sufficiently" long lengths. Wen, H. and Li, L. (2017) An upscaled rate law for magnesite dissolution in heterogeneous porous media. Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta 210, 289-305.

Preliminary validation of a new magnetic wireless blood pump.

PubMed

Kim, Sung Hoon; Ishiyama, Kazushi; Hashi, Shuichiro; Shiraishi, Yasuyuki; Hayatsu, Yukihiro; Akiyama, Masatoshi; Saiki, Yoshikatsu; Yambe, Tomoyuki

2013-10-01

In general, a blood pump must be small, have a simple configuration, and have sufficient hydrodynamic performance. Herein, we introduce new mechanisms for a wireless blood pump that is small and simple and provides wireless and battery-free operation. To achieve wireless and battery-free operation, we implement magnetic torque and force control methods that use two external drivers: an external coil and a permanent magnet with a DC-motor, respectively. Power harvesting can be used to drive an electronic circuit for wireless monitoring (the observation of the pump conditions and temperature) without the use of an internal battery. The power harvesting will be used as a power source to drive other electronic devices, such as various biosensors with their driving circuits. To have both a compact size and sufficient pumping capability, the fully magnetic impeller has five stages and each stage includes four backward-curved blades. The pump has total and inner volumes of 20 and 9.8 cc, respectively, and weighs 52 g. The pump produces a flow rate of approximately 8 L/min at 80 mm Hg and the power generator produces 0.3 W of electrical power at 120 Ω. The pump also produces a minimum flow rate of 1.5 L/min and a pressure of 30 mm Hg for circulation at a maximum distance of 7.5 cm. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. and International Center for Artificial Organs and Transplantation.

Secondary flow in a curved artery model with Newtonian and non-Newtonian blood-analog fluids

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Najjari, Mohammad Reza; Plesniak, Michael W.

2016-11-01

Steady and pulsatile flows of Newtonian and non-Newtonian fluids through a 180°-curved pipe were investigated using particle image velocimetry (PIV). The experiment was inspired by physiological pulsatile flow through large curved arteries, with a carotid artery flow rate imposed. Sodium iodide (NaI) and sodium thiocyanate (NaSCN) were added to the working fluids to match the refractive index (RI) of the test section to eliminate optical distortion. Rheological measurements revealed that adding NaI or NaSCN changes the viscoelastic properties of non-Newtonian solutions and reduces their shear-thinning property. Measured centerline velocity profiles in the upstream straight pipe agreed well with an analytical solution. In the pulsatile case, secondary flow structures, i.e. deformed-Dean, Dean, Wall and Lyne vortices, were observed in various cross sections along the curved pipe. Vortical structures at each cross section were detected using the d2 vortex identification method. Circulation analysis was performed on each vortex separately during the systolic deceleration phase, and showed that vortices split and rejoin. Secondary flow structures in steady flows were found to be morphologically similar to those in pulsatile flows for sufficiently high Dean number. supported by the George Washington University Center for Biomimetics and Bioinspired Engineering.

Microfluidics for producing poly (lactic-co-glycolic acid)-based pharmaceutical nanoparticles.

PubMed

Li, Xuanyu; Jiang, Xingyu

2017-12-24

Microfluidic chips allow the rapid production of a library of nanoparticles (NPs) with distinct properties by changing the precursors and the flow rates, significantly decreasing the time for screening optimal formulation as carriers for drug delivery compared to conventional methods. The batch-to-batch reproducibility which is essential for clinical translation is achieved by precisely controlling the precursors and the flow rate, regardless of operators. Poly (lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) is the most widely used Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved biodegradable polymers. Researchers often combine PLGA with lipids or amphiphilic molecules to assemble into a core/shell structure to exploit the potential of PLGA-based NPs as powerful carriers for cancer-related drug delivery. In this review, we discuss the advantages associated with microfluidic chips for producing PLGA-based functional nanocomplexes for drug delivery. These laboratory-based methods can readily scale up to provide sufficient amount of PLGA-based NPs in microfluidic chips for clinical studies and industrial-scale production. Copyright © 2017. Published by Elsevier B.V.

In-situ chemical barrier and method of making

DOEpatents

Cantrell, K.J.; Kaplan, D.I.

1999-01-12

A chemical barrier is formed by injecting a suspension of solid particles or colloids into the subsurface. First, a stable colloid suspension is made including a surfactant and a non-Newtonian fluid. This stable colloid suspension is characterized by colloid concentration, colloid size, colloid material, solution ionic strength, and chemical composition. A second step involves injecting the optimized stable colloid suspension at a sufficiently high flow rate to move the colloids through the subsurface sediment, but not at such a high rate so as to induce resuspending indigenous soil particles in the aquifer. While injecting the stable colloid suspension, a withdrawal well may be used to draw the injected colloids in a direction perpendicular to the flow path of a contaminant plume. The withdrawal well, may then be used as an injection well, and a third well, in line with the first two wells, may then be used as a withdrawal well, thereby increasing the length of the colloid barrier. This process would continue until emplacement of the colloid barrier is complete. 7 figs.

In-situ chemical barrier and method of making

DOEpatents

Cantrell, Kirk J.; Kaplan, Daniel I.

1999-01-01

A chemical barrier is formed by injecting a suspension of solid particles or colloids into the subsurface. First, a stable colloid suspension is made including a surfactant and a non-Newtonian fluid. This stable colloid suspension is characterized by colloid concentration, colloid size, colloid material, solution ionic strength, and chemical composition. A second step involves injecting the optimized stable colloid suspension at a sufficiently high flow rate to move the colloids through the subsurface sediment, but not at such a high rate so as to induce resuspending indigenous soil particles in the aquifer. While injecting the stable colloid suspension, a withdrawal well may be used to draw the injected colloids in a direction perpendicular to the flow path of a contaminant plume. The withdrawal well, may then be used as an injection well, and a third well, in line with the first two wells, may then be used as a withdrawal well, thereby increasing the length of the colloid barrier. This process would continue until emplacement of the colloid barrier is complete.

Disturbances to Air-Layer Skin-Friction Drag Reduction at High Reynolds Numbers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dowling, David; Elbing, Brian; Makiharju, Simo; Wiggins, Andrew; Perlin, Marc; Ceccio, Steven

2009-11-01

Skin friction drag on a flat surface may be reduced by more than 80% when a layer of air separates the surface from a flowing liquid compared to when such an air layer is absent. Past large-scale experiments utilizing the US Navy's Large Cavitation Channel and a flat-plate test model 3 m wide and 12.9 m long have demonstrated air layer drag reduction (ALDR) on both smooth and rough surfaces at water flow speeds sufficient to reach downstream-distance-based Reynolds numbers exceeding 100 million. For these experiments, the incoming flow conditions, surface orientation, air injection geometry, and buoyancy forces all favored air layer formation. The results presented here extend this prior work to include the effects that vortex generators and free stream flow unsteadiness have on ALDR to assess its robustness for application to ocean-going ships. Measurements include skin friction, static pressure, airflow rate, video of the flow field downstream of the injector, and profiles of the flowing air-water mixture when the injected air forms bubbles, when it is in transition to an air layer, and when the air layer is fully formed. From these, and the prior measurements, ALDR's viability for full-scale applications is assessed.

Optimal pressure regulation of the pneumatic ventricular assist device with bellows-type driver.

PubMed

Lee, Jung Joo; Kim, Bum Soo; Choi, Jaesoon; Choi, Hyuk; Ahn, Chi Bum; Nam, Kyoung Won; Jeong, Gi Seok; Lim, Choon Hak; Son, Ho Sung; Sun, Kyung

2009-08-01

The bellows-type pneumatic ventricular assist device (VAD) generates pneumatic pressure with compression of bellows instead of using an air compressor. This VAD driver has a small volume that is suitable for portable devices. However, improper pneumatic pressure setup can not only cause a lack of adequate flow generation, but also cause durability problems. In this study, a pneumatic pressure regulation system for optimal operation of the bellows-type VAD has been developed. The optimal pneumatic pressure conditions according to various afterload conditions aiming for optimal flow rates were investigated, and an afterload estimation algorithm was developed. The developed regulation system, which consists of a pressure sensor and a two-way solenoid valve, estimates the current afterload and regulates the pneumatic pressure to the optimal point for the current afterload condition. Experiments were performed in a mock circulation system. The afterload estimation algorithm showed sufficient performance with the standard deviation of error, 8.8 mm Hg. The flow rate could be stably regulated with a developed system under various afterload conditions. The shortcoming of a bellows-type VAD could be handled with this simple pressure regulation system.

Thermal performance and heat transport in aquifer thermal energy storage

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sommer, W. T.; Doornenbal, P. J.; Drijver, B. C.; van Gaans, P. F. M.; Leusbrock, I.; Grotenhuis, J. T. C.; Rijnaarts, H. H. M.

2014-01-01

Aquifer thermal energy storage (ATES) is used for seasonal storage of large quantities of thermal energy. Due to the increasing demand for sustainable energy, the number of ATES systems has increased rapidly, which has raised questions on the effect of ATES systems on their surroundings as well as their thermal performance. Furthermore, the increasing density of systems generates concern regarding thermal interference between the wells of one system and between neighboring systems. An assessment is made of (1) the thermal storage performance, and (2) the heat transport around the wells of an existing ATES system in the Netherlands. Reconstruction of flow rates and injection and extraction temperatures from hourly logs of operational data from 2005 to 2012 show that the average thermal recovery is 82 % for cold storage and 68 % for heat storage. Subsurface heat transport is monitored using distributed temperature sensing. Although the measurements reveal unequal distribution of flow rate over different parts of the well screen and preferential flow due to aquifer heterogeneity, sufficient well spacing has avoided thermal interference. However, oversizing of well spacing may limit the number of systems that can be realized in an area and lower the potential of ATES.

Age differences in arterial and venous extra-cerebral blood flow in healthy adults: contributions of vascular risk factors and genetic variants.

PubMed

Raz, Naftali; Daugherty, Ana M; Sethi, Sean K; Arshad, Muzamil; Haacke, E Mark

2017-08-01

Sufficient cerebral blood flow (CBF) and venous drainage are critical for normal brain function, and their alterations can affect brain aging. However, to date, most studies focused on arterial CBF (inflow) with little attention paid to the age differences in venous outflow. We measured extra-cerebral arterial and venous blood flow rates with phase-contrast MRI and assessed the influence of vascular risk factors and genetic polymorphisms (ACE insertion/deletion, COMT val158met, and APOEε4) in 73 adults (age 18-74 years). Advanced age, elevated vascular risk, ACE Deletion, and COMT met alleles were linked to lower in- and outflow, with no effects of APOE ε4 noted. Lower age-related CBF rate was unrelated to brain volume and was observed only in val homozygotes of COMTval158met. Thus, in a disease-free population, age differences in CBF may be notable only in persons with high vascular risk and carriers of genetic variants associated with vasoconstriction and lower dopamine availability. It remains to be established if treatments targeting alleviation of the mutable factors can improve the course of cerebrovascular aging in spite of the immutable genetic influence.

Computational and experimental analysis of the flow in an annular centrifugal contactor

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wardle, Kent E.

The annular centrifugal contactor has been developed for solvent extraction processes for recycling used nuclear fuel. The compact size and high efficiency of these contactors have made them the choice for advanced reprocessing schemes and a key equipment for a proposed future advanced fuel cycle facility. While a sufficient base of experience exists to facilitate successful operation of current contactor technology, a more complete understanding of the fluid flow within the contactor would enable further advancements in design and operation of future units and greater confidence for use of such contactors in a variety of other solvent extraction applications. This research effort has coupled computational fluid dynamics modeling with a variety of experimental measurements and observations to provide a valid detailed analysis of the flow within the centrifugal contactor. CFD modeling of the free surface flow in the annular mixing zone using the Volume of Fluid (VOF) volume tracking method combined with Large Eddy Simulation (LES) of turbulence was found to have very good agreement with the experimental measurements and observations. A detailed study of the flow and mixing for different housing vane geometries was performed and it was found that the four straight mixing vane geometry had greater mixing for the flow rate simulated and more predictable operation over a range of low to moderate flow rates. The separation zone was also modeled providing a useful description of the flow in this region and identifying critical design features. It is anticipated that this work will form a foundation for additional efforts at improving the design and operation of centrifugal contactors and provide a framework for progress towards simulation of solvent extraction processes.

Evaluation of environmental flow requirements using eco-hydrologic-hydraulic methods in perennial rivers.

PubMed

Abdi, Reza; Yasi, Mehdi

2015-01-01

The assessment of environmental flows in rivers is of vital importance for preserving riverine ecosystem processes. This paper addresses the evaluation of environmental flow requirements in three reaches along a typical perennial river (the Zab transboundary river, in north-west Iran), using different hydraulic, hydrological and ecological methods. The main objective of this study came from the construction of three dams and inter-basin transfer of water from the Zab River to the Urmia Lake. Eight hydrological methods (i.e. Tennant, Tessman, flow duration curve analysis, range of variability approach, Smakhtin, flow duration curve shifting, desktop reserve and 7Q2&10 (7-day low flow with a 2- and 10-year return period)); two hydraulic methods (slope value and maximum curvature); and two habitat simulation methods (hydraulic-ecologic, and Q Equation based on water quality indices) were used. Ecological needs of the riverine key species (mainly Barbus capito fish), river geometries, natural flow regime and the environmental status of river management were the main indices for determining the minimum flow requirements. The results indicate that the order of 35%, 17% and 18% of the mean annual flow are to be maintained for the upper, middle and downstream river reaches, respectively. The allocated monthly flow rates in the three Dams steering program are not sufficient to preserve the Zab River life.

Hillslope-channel coupling in a steep Hawaiian catchment accelerates erosion rates over 100-fold

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Stock, J. D.; Hanshaw, M. N.; Rosener, M.; Schmidt, K. M.; Brooks, B. A.; Tribble, G.; Jacobi, J.

2009-12-01

In tropical watersheds, hillslope changes are producing increasing amounts of fine sediment that can be quickly carried to reefs by channels. Suspended sediment concentrations off the reefs of Molokai, Hawaii, chronically exceed a toxic level of 10 mg/L, threatening reef ecosystems. We hypothesize that historic conversion of watersheds from soil creep to overland flow erosion increased both magnitude and frequency of sediment flooding adjacent reefs. We combined surficial and ecological mapping, hillslope and stream gages, and novel sensors to locate, quantify and model the generation of fine sediments polluting the Molokai reef. Ecological and geomorphic mapping from LiDAR and multi-spectral imagery located a subset of overland flow areas with vegetation cover below a threshold value preventing erosion. Here, feral goat grazing exposed cohesive volcanic soils whose low matrix hydraulic conductivities (1-20 mm/hour) promote Horton overland flow erosion. We instrumented steep, barren hillslopes with soil moisture sensors, overland flow meters, Parshall flumes, ISCO sediment samplers, and a rain gage and conducted repeat Tripod LiDAR and infiltration tests. To characterize soil resistance here and elsewhere to overland flow erosion, we deployed a Cohesive Strength Meter (CSM) to simulate the stresses of flowing water. At the 13.5 km 2 watershed mouth we used a USGS stream gage and ISCO sediment sampler to estimate total load. Over 2 years, storms triggered overland flow during rainfall intensities above 10-15 mm/hr. Overland flow meters indicate such flows can be up to 3 cm deep, with a tendency to deepen downslope. CSM tests indicate that these depths are insufficient to erode soils where vegetation is dense, but far above threshold values of 2-3 mm depth for bare soil erosion. Sediment ratings curves for both hillslope and downstream catchment gages show strong clock-wise hysteresis during the first intense storms in the Fall, becoming linear later in the rainy season. During Fall storms, sediment concentration is often 10X higher at a given stage. During intense Fall storms, we measured erosion rates using erosion pins (1.0 cm/a), suspended sediment flux (1.5 cm/a) and repeat tripod LiDAR (1.7 cm/a). These rates are at least 100-fold greater than the long-term lowering rate of 0.13 mm/a. A sediment budget constructed by extrapolating hillslope lowering rates to the portions of the catchments mapped as overland flow hotspots predicts a total yearly flux of ~ 6500 t, in agreement with the measured total of ~6200 t. A decadal record illustrates that rainfall intensities sufficient to generate overland flow occur for at least 8-10 hours every year, coincident with 1-3 large storm events. We hypothesize that high lowering rates reflect a combination of long-duration overland flow events, and availability of weathered soils that can be entrained by thin flows. It appears that the generation of loose, seasonally weathered silt is a 1st order control on the amount of sediment exported to the reef. If climate change increases storm frequency or duration, or decreases vegetation cover, sediment loading rates to the reef here could increase dramatically.

Industrial application of ultrasound based in-line rheometry: From stationary to pulsating pipe flow of chocolate suspension in precrystallization process

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ouriev, Boris; Windhab, Erich; Braun, Peter; Birkhofer, Beat

2004-10-01

In-line visualization and on-line characterization of nontransparent fluids becomes an important subject for process development in food and nonfood industries. In our work, a noninvasive Doppler ultrasound-based technique is introduced. Such a technique is applied for investigation of nonstationary flow in the chocolate precrystallization process. Unstable flow conditions were induced by abrupt flow interruption and were followed up by strong flow pulsations in the piping system. While relying on available process information, such as absolute pressures and temperatures, no analyses of flow conditions or characterization of suspension properties could possibly be done. It is obvious that chocolate flow properties are sensitive to flow boundary conditions. Therefore, it becomes essential to perform reliable structure state monitoring and particularly in application to nonstationary flow processes. Such flow instabilities in chocolate processing can often lead to failed product quality with interruption of the mainstream production. As will be discussed, a combination of flow velocity profiles, on-line fit into flow profiles, and pressure difference measurement are sufficient for reliable analyses of fluid properties and flow boundary conditions as well as monitoring of the flow state. Analyses of the flow state and flow properties of chocolate suspension are based on on-line measurement of one-dimensional velocity profiles across the flow channel and their on-line characterization with the power-law model. Conclusions about flow boundary conditions were drawn from a calculated velocity standard mean deviation, the parameters of power-law fit into velocity profiles, and volumetric flow rate information.

Intra-Wellbore Head Losses in a Horizontal Well with both Kinematic and Frictional Effects in an Anisotropic Confined Aquifer between Two Streams

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, Q.; Zhan, H.

2017-12-01

Horizontal drilling becomes an appealing technology for water exploration or aquifer remediation in recent decades, due to the decreasing operational cost and many technical advantages over the vertical wells. However, many previous studies on the flow into horizontal wells were based on the uniform flux boundary condition (UFBC) for treating horizontal wells, which could not reflect the physical processes of flow inside the well accurately. In this study, we investigated transient flow into a horizontal well in an anisotropic confined aquifer between two streams for three types of boundary conditions of treating the horizontal well, including UFBC, uniform head boundary condition (UHBC), and mixed-type boundary condition (MTBC). The MTBC model considered both kinematic and frictional effects inside the horizontal well, in which the kinematic effect referred to the accelerational and fluid inflow effects. The new solution of UFBC was derived by superimposing the point sink/source solutions along the axis of the horizontal well with a uniform strength. The solutions of UHBC and MTBC were obtained by a hybrid analytical-numerical method, and an iterative method was proposed to determine the minimum well segment number required to yield sufficiently accurate answer. The results showed that the differences among the UFBC, UHBC, MTBCFriction and MTBC solutions were obvious, in which MTBCFriction represented the solutions considering the frictional effect but ignoring the kinematic effect. The MTBCFriction and MTBC solutions were sensitive to the flow rate, and the difference of these two solutions increases with the flow rate, suggesting that the kinematic effect could not be ignored for studying flow to a horizontal well, especially when the flow rate is great. The well specific inflow (WSI) (which is the inflow per unit screen length at a specified location of the horizontal well) increased with the distance along the wellbore for the MTBC model at early stage, while the minimum WSI moved to the well center with time going, following a cubic polynomial function.

On the decades-long stability of the interstellar wind through the solar system

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lallement, R.; Bertaux, J. L.

2014-05-01

We have revisited the series of observations recently used to infer a temporal variation in the interstellar helium flow over the past forty years. Concerning the recent IBEX-Lo direct detection of helium neutrals, there are two types of precise and unambiguous measurements that do not rely on the exact response of the instrument: the count rate maxima as a function of the spin angle, which determines the ecliptic latitude of the flow, and the count rate maxima as a function of IBEX longitude, which determines a tight relationship between the ecliptic longitude of the flow and its velocity far from the Sun. These measurements provide parameters (and couples of parameters in the second case) that are remarkably similar to the canonical, old values. In contrast, the preferred choice of a lower velocity and higher longitude reported before from IBEX data is only based on the count rate variation (at each spin phase maximum) as a function of the satellite longitude, when drifting across the region of high fluxes. We have examined the consequences of dead-time counting effects and conclude that including them at a realistic level is sufficient to reconcile the data with the old parameters, calling for further investigations. We discuss the analyses of the STEREO pickup ion data and argue that the statistical method that has been preferred to infer the neutral flow longitude (instead of the more direct method based on the pickup ion maximum flux directions) is not appropriate. Moreover, transport effects may have been significant at the very weak solar activity level of 2007-2009, in which case the longitudes of the pickup ion maxima are only upper limits on the flow longitude. Finally, we found that using some flow longitude determinations based on UV glow data is not adequate. Based on this global study, and at variance with recent conclusions, we find no evidence for a temporal variability of the interstellar helium flow. This has implications for inner and outer heliosphere studies.

The effect of omalizumab on small airway inflammation as measured by exhaled nitric oxide in moderate-to-severe asthmatic patients.

PubMed

Pasha, M Asghar; Jourd'heuil, David; Jourd'heuil, Francis; Mahon, Lori; Romero, Francisco; Feustel, Paul J; Evans, Mary; Smith, Thomas; Mitchell, Jesse; Gendapodi, Pradeep; Demeyere-Coursey, Kelly C; Townley, Robert G

2014-01-01

Measurement of fractional nitric oxide concentration in exhaled breath (FENO) is a simple, noninvasive method to evaluate eosinophilic airway inflammation. Nitric oxide (NO) arising from peripheral small airways/alveoli (alveolar NO concentration [CalvNO]) can be estimated using multiple flow rates and a two-compartment model of the airways and alveoli. Omalizumab, a monoclonal anti-IgE antibody, is approved for the treatment of allergic asthma and also has been shown to decrease FENO levels. This study investigates the effects of omalizumab, when added to an inhaled corticosteroid (ICS) ± long-acting beta-adrenergic agonist (LABA) treatment, on peripheral small airway/alveolar inflammation reflected by FENO measurements at higher flow rates. We hypothesized that compared with placebo, omalizumab would decrease CalvNO levels in asthmatic patients on ICS ± LABA. Forty-two patients with moderate-to-severe asthma were randomly assigned 2:1 to either omalizumab (n = 29) or placebo treatment (n = 13) for 16 weeks. Selection criteria included moderate-to-severe asthmatic patients on an ICS ± LABA, positive skin test to one or more perennial allergen, screening FENO of >13 ppb, and a baseline IgE of 30-700 IU/mL. FENO measured at multiple flow rates was used to calculate CalvNO over the course of 16 weeks. FENO levels decrease with increasing flow rates (p < 0.05 repeated measures ANOVA) but no differences between the placebo and treatment groups in overall CalvNO levels or in the changes of CalvNO with time were found. Omalizumab did not lower the CalvNO, which could have been caused by the initial low CalvNO in this asthmatic population. The model used may not be completely sufficient and/or sensitive enough to detect small changes in CalvNO.

Instability-induced ordering, universal unfolding and the role of gravity in granular Couette flow

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Alam, Meheboob; Arakeri, V. H.; Nott, P. R.; Goddard, J. D.; Herrmann, H. J.

2005-01-01

Linear stability theory and bifurcation analysis are used to investigate the role of gravity in shear-band formation in granular Couette flow, considering a kinetic-theory rheological model. We show that the only possible state, at low shear rates, corresponds to a "plug" near the bottom wall, in which the particles are densely packed and the shear rate is close to zero, and a uniformly sheared dilute region above it. The origin of such plugged states is shown to be tied to the spontaneous symmetry-breaking instabilities of the gravity-free uniform shear flow, leading to the formation of ordered bands of alternating dilute and dense regions in the transverse direction, via an infinite hierarchy of pitchfork bifurcations. Gravity plays the role of an "imperfection", thus destroying the "perfect" bifurcation structure of uniform shear. The present bifurcation problem admits universal unfolding of pitchfork bifurcations which subsequently leads to the formation of a sequence of a countably infinite number of "isolas", with the solution structures being a modulated version of their gravity-free counterpart. While the solution with a plug near the bottom wall looks remarkably similar to the shear-banding phenomenon in dense slow granular Couette flows, a "floating" plug near the top wall is also a solution of these equations at high shear rates. A two-dimensional linear stability analysis suggests that these floating plugged states are unstable to long-wave travelling disturbances.The unique solution having a bottom plug can also be unstable to long waves, but remains stable at sufficiently low shear rates. The implications and realizability of the present results are discussed in the light of shear-cell experiments under "microgravity" conditions.

Functional and biocompatibility performances of an integrated Maglev pump-oxygenator.

PubMed

Zhang, Tao; Cheng, Guangming; Koert, Andrew; Zhang, Juntao; Gellman, Barry; Yankey, G Kwame; Satpute, Aditee; Dasse, Kurt A; Gilbert, Richard J; Griffith, Bartley P; Wu, Zhongjun J

2009-01-01

To provide respiratory support for patients with lung failure, a novel compact integrated pump-oxygenator is being developed. The functional and biocompatibility performances of this device are presented. The pump-oxygenator is designed by combining a magnetically levitated pump/rotor with a uniquely configured hollow fiber membrane bundle to create an assembly free, ultracompact, all-in-one system. The hemodynamics, gas transfer and biocompatibility performances of this novel device were investigated both in vitro in a circulatory flow loop and in vivo in an ovine animal model. The in vitro results showed that the device was able to pump blood flow from 2 to 8 L/min against a wide range of pressures and to deliver an oxygen transfer rate more than 300 mL/min at a blood flow of 6 L/min. Blood damage tests demonstrated low hemolysis (normalized index of hemolysis [NIH] approximately 0.04) at a flow rate of 5 L/min against a 100-mm Hg afterload. The data from five animal experiments (4 h to 7 days) demonstrated that the device could bring the venous blood to near fully oxygen-saturated condition (98.6% +/- 1.3%). The highest oxygen transfer rate reached 386 mL/min. The gas transfer performance was stable over the study duration for three 7-day animals. There was no indication of blood damage. The plasma free hemoglobin and platelet count were within the normal ranges. No gross thrombus is found on the explanted pump components and fiber surfaces. Both in vitro and in vivo results demonstrated that the newly developed pump-oxygenator can achieve sufficient blood flow and oxygen transfer with excellent biocompatibility.

Evaluation of the process performance of a down-flow hanging sponge reactor for direct treatment of domestic wastewater in Bangkok, Thailand.

PubMed

Miyaoka, Yuma; Yoochatchaval, Wilasinee; Sumino, Haruhiko; Banjongproo, Pathan; Yamaguchi, Takashi; Onodera, Takashi; Okadera, Tomohiro; Syutsubo, Kazuaki

2017-08-24

This study assesses the performance of an aerobic trickling filter, down-flow hanging sponge (DHS) reactor, as a decentralized domestic wastewater treatment technology. Also, the characteristic eukaryotic community structure in DHS reactor was investigated. Long-term operation of a DHS reactor for direct treatment of domestic wastewater (COD = 150-170 mg/L and BOD = 60-90 mg/L) was performed under the average ambient temperature ranged from 28°C to 31°C in Bangkok, Thailand. Throughout the evaluation period of 550 days, the DHS reactor at a hydraulic retention time of 3 h showed better performance than the existing oxidation ditch process in the removal of organic carbon (COD removal rate = 80-83% and BOD removal rate = 91%), nitrogen compounds (total nitrogen removal rate = 45-51% and NH 4 + -N removal rate = 95-98%), and low excess sludge production (0.04 gTS/gCOD removed). The clone library based on the 18S ribosomal ribonucleic acid gene sequence revealed that phylogenetic diversity of 18S rRNA gene in the DHS reactor was higher than that of the present oxidation ditch process. Furthermore, the DHS reactor also demonstrated sufficient COD and NH 4 + -N removal efficiency under flow rate fluctuation conditions that simulates a small-scale treatment facility. The results show that a DHS reactor could be applied as a decentralized domestic wastewater treatment technology in tropical regions such as Bangkok, Thailand.

Drying regimes in homogeneous porous media from macro- to nanoscale

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Thiery, J.; Rodts, S.; Weitz, D. A.; Coussot, P.

2017-07-01

Magnetic resonance imaging visualization down to nanometric liquid films in model porous media with pore sizes from micro- to nanometers enables one to fully characterize the physical mechanisms of drying. For pore size larger than a few tens of nanometers, we identify an initial constant drying rate period, probing homogeneous desaturation, followed by a falling drying rate period. This second period is associated with the development of a gradient in saturation underneath the sample free surface that initiates the inward recession of the contact line. During this latter stage, the drying rate varies in accordance with vapor diffusion through the dry porous region, possibly affected by the Knudsen effect for small pore size. However, we show that for sufficiently small pore size and/or saturation the drying rate is increasingly reduced by the Kelvin effect. Subsequently, we demonstrate that this effect governs the kinetics of evaporation in nanopores as a homogeneous desaturation occurs. Eventually, under our experimental conditions, we show that the saturation unceasingly decreases in a homogeneous manner throughout the wet regions of the medium regardless of pore size or drying regime considered. This finding suggests the existence of continuous liquid flow towards the interface of higher evaporation, down to very low saturation or very small pore size. Paradoxically, even if this net flow is unidirectional and capillary driven, it corresponds to a series of diffused local capillary equilibrations over the full height of the sample, which might explain that a simple Darcy's law model does not predict the effect of scaling of the net flow rate on the pore size observed in our tests.

The Role of Neuronal Signaling in Controlling Cerebral Blood Flow

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Drake, Carrie T.; Iadecola, Costantino

2007-01-01

Well-regulated blood flow within the brain is vital to normal function. The brain's requirement for sufficient blood flow is ensured by a tight link between neural activity and blood flow. The link between regional synaptic activity and regional cerebral blood flow, termed functional hyperemia, is the basis for several modern imaging techniques…

Development of a Ceramic Rolling Contact Bearing for High Temperature Use

DTIC Science & Technology

1961-07-11

operation) suspended in a gas stream was suprlied sufficient hardness, stability, and strength in through a tube in the bearing housing and was ex- an...and microfine MOS2, dried and screened, was supplied radial bearing mounting surfaces was less than to the bearing at an average rate of about 0.16...L.UBRICANT B ATMOSPHERE I".LlT TUBE DRILL TS5.ULAiT. INT. SEAL B TAP ONE KOLE I*G1-TEtMPjRAIUNE AS 45- TO SHEAR PIN SLOT FOR TTREAO END FLOW FOR HEATINM OP

Propagation of a finite bubble in a Hele-Shaw channel of variable depth

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Juel, Anne; Franco-Gomez, Andres; Thompson, Alice; Hazel, Andrew

2017-11-01

We study the propagation of finite bubbles in a Hele-Shaw channel, where a centred rail is introduced to provide a small axially-uniform depth constriction. We demonstrate experimentally that this channel geometry can be used as a passive sorting device. Single air bubbles carried within silicone oil are generally transported on one side of the rail. However, for flow rates marginally larger than a critical value, a narrow band of bubble sizes on the order of the rail width can propagate over the rail, while bubbles of other sizes segregate to the side of the rail. The width of this band of bubble sizes increases with flow rate and the size of the most stable bubble can be tuned by varying the rail width. We present a depth-averaged theory which reveals that the mechanism relies on a non-trivial interaction between capillary and viscous forces that is fully dynamic, rather than being a simple modification of capillary static solutions. In contrast, for larger bubbles and sufficiently large imposed flow rates, we find that initially centred bubbles do not converge onto a steady mode of propagation. Instead they transiently explore weakly unstable steady modes, an evolution which results in their break-up and eventual settling into a steady state of changed topology. The financial support of CONICYT and the Leverhulme Trust are gratefully acknowledged.

Investigations on humic acid removal from water using surfactant-modified zeolite as adsorbent in a fixed-bed reactor

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Elsheikh, Awad F.; Ahmad, Umi Kalthom; Ramli, Zainab

2017-10-01

Natural organic matter (NOM) is ubiquitous in aquatic environments and has recently become an issue of worldwide concern in drinking water treatment. The major component of NOM is humic acids (HA). In this study, a natural zeolite (mordenite) was modified employing hexadecyltrimethylammonium bromide (HDTMA) to enhance greater efficient sites for sorption of HA. The natural zeolite and surfactant-modified zeolite (SMZ) were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier-transform infrared spectrometer (FT-IR), N2 Adsorption-desorption isotherms and BET-specific surface area, thermographic analysis, derivative thermographic analysis (TGA-DTA) and Field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM). A fixed-bed reactor was used for the removal of HA and the effects of different experimental parameters such as HDTMA loading levels, HA solution flow rate, solution pH and eluent concentration were investigated. The results indicated that the SMZ bed with HDTMA loading of 75% of external cation exchange capacity (ECEC) at a flow rate of 2 BV/h and pH of 10 showed the greatest enhanced removal efficiency of HA while ethanol solutions (25%v/v) with feed flow rate of 2 BV/h were sufficient for complete regeneration of SMZ and desorption of HA. Measurements of surface area of SMZ indicated that a monolayer formation of the surfactant at those conditions allowed the optimum removal of HA.

Acute microcirculatory response to nicotine in frog web.

PubMed

Horimoto, M; Koyama, T

1982-01-01

Acute effects of nicotine (NC) on the microcirculation of frog webs were studied by measuring the blood flow velocity in arterioles, and by determining the diameter of both arterioles and venules. Simultaneous recordings of the ventricular pressure and heart rate were obtained in order to compute the vascular resistance and to interpret the changes in microcirculation. The web of right hindlimb was immersed in a solution of NC (2.6 to 3.4 mg/ml) for 4 min. Blood flow velocity in web arterioles of left hindlimb was measured by means of a laser Doppler microscope. Internal diameters of web microvessels were determined using a micrometer on the ocular lens of the microscope. Mean flow velocity (MV) and pulsatile amplitude (PA) were calculated from the pulsatile flow-velocity contour for each vessel. Both MV and PA were increased after the immersion of the web in NC solution. Although the magnitude of the increment in MV was proportional to that in ventricular pressure, the vasodilation of both arterioles and venules and the flow rate in arterioles higher than the initial state continued even after the ventricular pressure had returned to the initial control value. Calculation of the relative change in vascular resistance in web arterioles following NC administration suggested a vasodilator response to NC. Furthermore, our results indicate that sufficient NC can be absorbed across the web epithelium to produce a systemic vascular response when the concentration of NC in the bathing solution is 2.6 mg/ml.

Fuel cell current collector

DOEpatents

Katz, Murray; Bonk, Stanley P.; Maricle, Donald L.; Abrams, Martin

1991-01-01

A fuel cell has a current collector plate (22) located between an electrode (20) and a separate plate (25). The collector plate has a plurality of arches (26, 28) deformed from a single flat plate in a checkerboard pattern. The arches are of sufficient height (30) to provide sufficient reactant flow area. Each arch is formed with sufficient stiffness to accept compressive load and sufficient resiliently to distribute the load and maintain electrical contact.

Reaction processes and permeability changes during CO2-rich brine flow through fractured Portland cement

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Abdoulghafour, H.; Luquot, L.; Gouze, P.

2012-12-01

So far, cement alteration was principally studied experimentally using batch reactor (with static or renewed fluid). All exhibit similar carbonation mechanisms. The acidic solution, formed by the dissolution of the CO2 into the pore water or directly surrounding the cement sample, diffuses into the cement and induces dissolution reactions of the cement hydrates in particular portlandite and CSH. The calcium released by the dissolution of these calcium bearing phases combining with carbonate ions of the fluid forms calcium carbonates. The cement pH, initially around 13, falls to values where carbonate ion is the most dominant element (pH ~ 9), then CaCO3 phases can precipitate. These studies mainly associate carbonation process with a reduction of porosity and permeability. Indeed an increase of volume (about 10%) is expected during the formation of calcite from portlandite (equation 2) assuming a stoichiometric reaction. Here we investigated the cement alteration mechanisms in the frame of a controlled continuous renewal of CO2-rich fluid in a fracture. This situation is that expected when seepage is activated by the mechanical failure of the cement material that initially seals two layers of distinctly different pressure: the storage reservoir and the aquifer above the caprock, for instance. We study the effect of flow rates from quasi-static flow to higher flow rates for well-connected fractures. In the quasi-static case we observed an extensive conversion of portlandite (Ca(OH)2) to calcite in the vicinity of the fracture similar to that observed in the published batch experiments. Eventually, the fracture was almost totally healed. The experiments with constant flow revealed a different behaviour triggered by the continuous renewing of the reactants and withdrawal of reaction products. We showed that calcite precipitation is more efficient for low flow rate. With intermediate flow rate, we measured that permeability increases slowly at the beginning of the experiment and then remains constant due to calcite precipitation in replacement of CSH and CH into fracture border. With higher flow rate, we measured a constant permeability which can be explained by the development of a highly hydrated Si-rich zone which maintains the initial fracture aperture during all over the experiment while noticeable mass is released from the sample. These preliminary results emphasize that more complex behaviours than that envisaged from batch experiments may take place in the vicinity of flowing fractures. We demonstrated that if only micro-cracks appear in the cement well, carbonation reaction may heal these micro-cracks and mitigate leakage whereas conductive fractures allowing high flow may represent a risk of perennial leakage because the net carbonation process, including the calcite precipitation and its subsequent re-dissolution, is sufficiently to heal the fracture. However, the precipitation of Si-rich amorphous phases may maintain the initial fracture aperture and limit the leakage rate. Keywords: leakage, cement alteration, flow rate, fracture, permeability changes, reaction processes.

48 CFR 232.072-3 - Cash flow forecasts.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-10-01

... 48 Federal Acquisition Regulations System 3 2010-10-01 2010-10-01 false Cash flow forecasts. 232..., DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE GENERAL CONTRACTING REQUIREMENTS CONTRACT FINANCING 232.072-3 Cash flow forecasts. (a) A contractor must be able to sustain a sufficient cash flow to perform the contract. When there is...

Extraction and Capture of Water from Martian Regolith Experimental Proof-of-Concept

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Linne, Diane L.; Kleinhenz, Julie E.; Bauman, Steven W.; Johnson, Kyle A.

2016-01-01

A novel concept for extraction of water from the Mars soil in a real-time, open-air process was demonstrated in a Mars environment chamber. The concept breadboard uses radiative heating to bake off water from exposed soil contained in a bin. An enclosure, intended to mimic the bottom of a rover, covers the bin. A fan continuously blows the Mars atmospheric gases through the enclosure to collect the evolved water while a tiller was used to churn up moist subsurface soil. These initial tests verified concept feasibility. The sweep gas generated by commercially available muffin fans at 7 Torr was sufficient to transfer water vapor into a condenser flow loop. The radiative heating, while non-optimized, heated the soil surface to 60 C to generate water vapor. A rototiller working through the soil bin brought sufficient amounts of new moist soil to the heated surface to show an increase in rate of water extraction.

Startup analysis for a high temperature gas loaded heat pipe

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Sockol, P. M.

1973-01-01

A model for the rapid startup of a high-temperature gas-loaded heat pipe is presented. A two-dimensional diffusion analysis is used to determine the rate of energy transport by the vapor between the hot and cold zones of the pipe. The vapor transport rate is then incorporated in a simple thermal model of the startup of a radiation-cooled heat pipe. Numerical results for an argon-lithium system show that radial diffusion to the cold wall can produce large vapor flow rates during a rapid startup. The results also show that startup is not initiated until the vapor pressure p sub v in the hot zone reaches a precise value proportional to the initial gas pressure p sub i. Through proper choice of p sub i, startup can be delayed until p sub v is large enough to support a heat-transfer rate sufficient to overcome a thermal load on the heat pipe.

The maximum drag reduction asymptote

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Choueiri, George H.; Hof, Bjorn

2015-11-01

Addition of long chain polymers is one of the most efficient ways to reduce the drag of turbulent flows. Already very low concentration of polymers can lead to a substantial drag and upon further increase of the concentration the drag reduces until it reaches an empirically found limit, the so called maximum drag reduction (MDR) asymptote, which is independent of the type of polymer used. We here carry out a detailed experimental study of the approach to this asymptote for pipe flow. Particular attention is paid to the recently observed state of elasto-inertial turbulence (EIT) which has been reported to occur in polymer solutions at sufficiently high shear. Our results show that upon the approach to MDR Newtonian turbulence becomes marginalized (hibernation) and eventually completely disappears and is replaced by EIT. In particular, spectra of high Reynolds number MDR flows are compared to flows at high shear rates in small diameter tubes where EIT is found at Re < 100. The research leading to these results has received funding from the People Programme (Marie Curie Actions) of the European Union's Seventh Framework Programme (FP7/2007-2013) under REA grant agreement n° [291734].

Lamination and mixing in laminar flows driven by Lorentz body forces

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rossi, L.; Doorly, D.; Kustrin, D.

2012-01-01

We present a new approach to the design of mixers. This approach relies on a sequence of tailored flows coupled with a new procedure to quantify the local degree of striation, called lamination. Lamination translates to the distance over which the molecular diffusion needs to act to finalise mixing. A novel in situ mixing is achieved by the tailored sequence of flows. This sequence is shown with the property that material lines and lamination grow exponentially, according to processes akin to the well-known baker's map. The degree of mixing (stirring coefficient) likewise shows exponential growth before the saturation of the stirring rate. Such saturation happens when the typical striations' thickness is smaller than the diffusion's length scale. Moreover, without molecular diffusion, the predicted striations' thickness would be smaller than the size of an atom of hydrogen within 40 flow turnover times. In fact, we conclude that about 3 minutes, i.e. 15 turnover times, are sufficient to mix species with very low diffusivities, e.g. suspensions of virus, bacteria, human cells, and DNA.

Temperature and Material Flow Prediction in Friction-Stir Spot Welding of Advanced High-Strength Steel

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Miles, M.; Karki, U.; Hovanski, Y.

2014-10-01

Friction-stir spot welding (FSSW) has been shown to be capable of joining advanced high-strength steel, with its flexibility in controlling the heat of welding and the resulting microstructure of the joint. This makes FSSW a potential alternative to resistance spot welding if tool life is sufficiently high, and if machine spindle loads are sufficiently low that the process can be implemented on an industrial robot. Robots for spot welding can typically sustain vertical loads of about 8 kN, but FSSW at tool speeds of less than 3000 rpm cause loads that are too high, in the range of 11-14 kN. Therefore, in the current work, tool speeds of 5000 rpm were employed to generate heat more quickly and to reduce welding loads to acceptable levels. Si3N4 tools were used for the welding experiments on 1.2-mm DP 980 steel. The FSSW process was modeled with a finite element approach using the Forge® software. An updated Lagrangian scheme with explicit time integration was employed to predict the flow of the sheet material, subjected to boundary conditions of a rotating tool and a fixed backing plate. Material flow was calculated from a velocity field that is two-dimensional, but heat generated by friction was computed by a novel approach, where the rotational velocity component imparted to the sheet by the tool surface was included in the thermal boundary conditions. An isotropic, viscoplastic Norton-Hoff law was used to compute the material flow stress as a function of strain, strain rate, and temperature. The model predicted welding temperatures to within 4%, and the position of the joint interface to within 10%, of the experimental results.

Temperature and Material Flow Prediction in Friction-Stir Spot Welding of Advanced High-Strength Steel

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

Miles, Michael; Karki, U.; Hovanski, Yuri

Friction-stir spot welding (FSSW) has been shown to be capable of joining advanced high-strength steel, with its flexibility in controlling the heat of welding and the resulting microstructure of the joint. This makes FSSW a potential alternative to resistance spot welding if tool life is sufficiently high, and if machine spindle loads are sufficiently low that the process can be implemented on an industrial robot. Robots for spot welding can typically sustain vertical loads of about 8 kN, but FSSW at tool speeds of less than 3000 rpm cause loads that are too high, in the range of 11–14 kN.more » Therefore, in the current work, tool speeds of 5000 rpm were employed to generate heat more quickly and to reduce welding loads to acceptable levels. Si3N4 tools were used for the welding experiments on 1.2-mm DP 980 steel. The FSSW process was modeled with a finite element approach using the Forge* software. An updated Lagrangian scheme with explicit time integration was employed to predict the flow of the sheet material, subjected to boundary conditions of a rotating tool and a fixed backing plate. Material flow was calculated from a velocity field that is two-dimensional, but heat generated by friction was computed by a novel approach, where the rotational velocity component imparted to the sheet by the tool surface was included in the thermal boundary conditions. An isotropic, viscoplastic Norton-Hoff law was used to compute the material flow stress as a function of strain, strain rate, and temperature. The model predicted welding temperatures to within percent, and the position of the joint interface to within 10 percent, of the experimental results.« less

Sediment budget for a polluted Hawaiian reef using hillslope monitoring and process mapping (Invited)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Stock, J. D.; Rosener, M.; Schmidt, K. M.; Hanshaw, M. N.; Brooks, B. A.; Tribble, G.; Jacobi, J.

2010-12-01

Pollution from coastal watersheds threatens the ecology of the nearshore, including tropical reefs. Suspended sediment concentrations off the reefs of Molokai, Hawaii, chronically exceed a toxic 10 mg/L, threatening reef ecosystems. We hypothesize that historic conversion of hillslope processes from soil creep to overland flow increased both magnitude and frequency of erosion. To create a process sediment budget, we used surficial and ecological mapping, hillslope and stream gages, and novel sensors to locate, quantify and model the generation of fine sediments polluting the reef. Ecological and geomorphic mapping from LiDAR and multi-spectral imagery located overland flow areas with vegetation cover below a threshold preventing erosion. Here, feral goat grazing exposed volcanic soils whose low matrix hydraulic conductivities (1-25 mm/hour) promote Horton overland flow. We instrumented steep, barren hillslopes with soil moisture sensors, overland flow meters, Parshal flumes, ISCO sediment samplers, and a rain gage and conducted repeat Tripod LiDAR and infiltration tests. To characterize soil resistance to overland flow erosion, we used a Cohesive Strength Meter (CSM) to simulate water stress. At the 13.5 km 2 watershed mouth we used a USGS stream gage with an ISCO sediment sampler to estimate total load. Over 3 years, storms triggered overland flow during rainfall intensities above 10-15 mm/hr. Overland flow meters indicate such flows can be up to 3 cm deep, with a tendency to deepen downslope. CSM tests indicate that these depths are insufficient to erode soils where vegetation is dense, but far above threshold values of 2-3 mm for bare soils. Sediment ratings curves for both hillslope and downstream catchment gages show clock-wise hysteresis during the first intense storms in the fall, becoming linear later in the season. During fall storms, sediment concentration is often 10X higher at a given stage. Revised annual lowering rates from experimental hillslopes are 1.5 cm/a (erosion pins), 1.4 cm/a (suspended sediment) and 1.6 cm/a (repeat Tripod LiDAR). These rates are at least 100-fold greater than the long-term river lowering rate of 0.13 mm/a. A sediment budget constructed by extrapolating hillslope lowering rates to the portions of the catchments mapped as unvegetated overland flow predicts a total yearly flux of ~ 6500 t, in agreement with the measured total of ~6200 t. Decadal records illustrate that rainfall intensities sufficient to generate overland flow occur for at least 8-10 hours every year, coincident with 1-3 large storm events. We hypothesize that high lowering rates reflect a combination of long-duration overland flow events, and availability of weathered soils that can be entrained by thin flow. It appears that generation of loose, seasonally weathered silt is a 1st order control on the amount of sediment exported to the reef. If climate change increases storm frequency or duration, or decreases vegetation cover, sediment loading to reefs could increase dramatically.

Enhancing Bioremediation of Oil-contaminated Soils by Controlling Nutrient Transport using Dual Characteristics of Soil Pore Structure

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mori, Y.; Suetsugu, A.; Matsumoto, Y.; Fujihara, A.; Suyama, K.; Miyamoto, T.

2012-12-01

Soil structure is heterogeneous with cracks or macropores allowing bypass flow, which may lead to applied chemicals avoiding interaction with soil particles or the contaminated area. We investigated the bioremediation efficiency of oil-contaminated soils by applying suction at the bottom of soil columns during bioremediation. Unsaturated flow conditions were investigated so as to avoid bypass flow and achieve sufficient dispersion of chemicals in the soil column. The boundary conditions at the bottom of the soil columns were 0 kPa and -3 kPa, and were applied to a volcanic ash soil with and without macropores. Unsaturated flow was achieved with -3 kPa and an injection rate of 1/10 of the saturated hydraulic conductivity. The resultant biological activities of the effluent increased dramatically in the unsaturated flow with macropores condition. Unsaturated conditions prevented bypass flow and allowed dispersion of the injected nutrients. Unsaturated flow achieved 60-80% of saturation, which enhanced biological activity in the soil column. Remediation results were better for unsaturated conditions because of higher biological activity. Moreover, unsaturated flow with macropores achieved uniform remediation efficiency from upper through lower positions in the column. Finally, taking the applied solution volume into consideration, unsaturated flow with -3 kPa achieved 10 times higher efficiency when compared with conventional saturated flow application. These results suggest that effective use of nutrients or remediation chemicals is possible by avoiding bypass flow and enhancing biological activity using relatively simple and inexpensive techniques.

Hypersonic Combustor Model Inlet CFD Simulations and Experimental Comparisons

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Venkatapathy, E.; TokarcikPolsky, S.; Deiwert, G. S.; Edwards, Thomas A. (Technical Monitor)

1995-01-01

Numerous two-and three-dimensional computational simulations were performed for the inlet associated with the combustor model for the hypersonic propulsion experiment in the NASA Ames 16-Inch Shock Tunnel. The inlet was designed to produce a combustor-inlet flow that is nearly two-dimensional and of sufficient mass flow rate for large scale combustor testing. The three-dimensional simulations demonstrated that the inlet design met all the design objectives and that the inlet produced a very nearly two-dimensional combustor inflow profile. Numerous two-dimensional simulations were performed with various levels of approximations such as in the choice of chemical and physical models, as well as numerical approximations. Parametric studies were conducted to better understand and to characterize the inlet flow. Results from the two-and three-dimensional simulations were used to predict the mass flux entering the combustor and a mass flux correlation as a function of facility stagnation pressure was developed. Surface heat flux and pressure measurements were compared with the computed results and good agreement was found. The computational simulations helped determine the inlet low characteristics in the high enthalpy environment, the important parameters that affect the combustor-inlet flow, and the sensitivity of the inlet flow to various modeling assumptions.

Dynamic Energy Loss Characteristics in the Native Aortic Valve

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hwai Yap, Choon; Dasi, Laksmi P.; Yoganathan, Ajit P.

2009-11-01

Aortic Valve (AV) stenosis if untreated leads to heart failure. From a mechanics standpoint, heart failure implies failure to generate sufficient mechanical power to overcome energy losses in the circulation. Thus energy efficiency-based measures are direct measures of AV disease severity, which unfortunately is not used in current clinical measures of stenosis severity. We present an analysis of the dynamic rate of energy dissipation through the AV from direct high temporal resolution measurements of flow and pressure drop across the AV in a pulsatile left heart setup. Porcine AV was used and measurements at various conditions were acquired: varying stroke volumes; heart rates; and stenosis levels. Energy dissipation waveform has a distinctive pattern of being skewed towards late systole, attributed to the explosive growth of flow instabilities from adverse pressure gradient. Increasing heart rate and stroke volume increases energy dissipation, but does not alter the normalized shape of the dissipation temporal profile. Stenosis increases energy dissipation and also alters the normalized shape of dissipation waveform with significantly more losses during late acceleration phase. Since stenosis produces a departure from the signature dissipation waveform shape, dynamic energy dissipation analysis can be extended into a clinical tool for AV evaluation.

Performance of deep-rooted phreatophytic trees at a site containing total petroleum hydrocarbons.

PubMed

Ferro, Ari M; Adham, Tareq; Berra, Brett; Tsao, David

2013-01-01

Poplar and willow tree stands were installed in 2003 at a site in Raleigh, North Carolina containing total petroleum hydrocarbon - contaminated groundwater. The objective was groundwater uptake and plume control. The water table was 5 to 6 m below ground surface (bgs) and therefore methods were used to encourage deep root development. Growth rates, rooting depth and sap flow were measured for trees in Plot A located in the center of the plume and in Plot B peripheral to the plume. The trees were initially sub-irrigated with vertically installed drip-lines and by 2005 had roots 4 to 5 m bgs. Water balance calculations suggested groundwater uptake. In 2007, the average sap flow was higher for Plot B (approximately 59 L per day per tree) than for Plot A (approximately 23 L per day per tree), probably as a result of TPH-induced stress in Plot A. Nevertheless, the estimated rate of groundwater uptake for Plot A was sufficient, relative to the calculated rate of groundwater flux beneath the stand, that a high level of plume control was achieved based on MODFLOW modeling results. Down-gradient groundwater monitoring wells installed in late 2011 should provide quantitative data for plume control.

Eruption Dynamics and Flow Morphology during the 2005 Sierra Negra Eruption, Galapagos Islands

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rader, E.; Harpp, K.; Geist, D.

2006-12-01

Sierra Negra volcano began erupting on October 22nd, 2005. The eruption lasted nine days and provided an opportunity to examine emplacement of lava flows and their morphology. During the first two days, fire fountaining produced a broad, unchannelized flow that coated the northern caldera wall and benches directly below the vents as it moved onto the eastern caldera floor. After the first day of the eruption, the caldera floor a'a flow grew primarily by inflation, lateral spreading along linear upwelling regions, and pahoehoe breakouts at the perimeter. Simultaneously, four 4km long rootless flows formed on the northern flanks of the volcano, supplied by spatter from the vents inboard of the caldera rim. Samples from different morphological types of lava from the caldera floor, bench, and outer flanks were collected and examined by BSE imaging. Transitions from pahoehoe to a'a and back to pahoehoe were observed in a low viscosity flow on the caldera bench that cascaded over a steep escarpment. Plagioclase microlite content in the bench flow varies little, with 27% in pahoehoe and 33% in a'a, on average. Consequently, we propose that the transformation was driven by changes in strain rate rather than cooling. As the lava first flowed over the bench edge, the increased strain rate caused it to become a'a. The elevation drop was small enough, however, that the flow remained sufficiently hot to revert to pahoehoe as it pooled on the flat surface at the base of the drop; comparable flows have been described on Kilauea. Similarly, pahoehoe breakouts from the caldera floor a'a flow were driven by pressure from the inflating flow, causing well-insulated lava to emerge from the a'a body as pahoehoe. Quenched lava collected from the incandescent breakouts have higher crystal contents than those collected closer to the vents, indicating that they experienced ~30° cooling during transport within the inflating flow. At the southern tip of the caldera floor flow, several km from the vents, lavas with toothpaste morphology were observed in breakouts. The greater crystallinity and imbricated feldspar crystals in these samples also likely reflect cooling during transport in the flow.

Fungal mycelia show lag time before re-growth on endogenous carbon.

PubMed

Pollack, Judith K; Li, Zheng Jian; Marten, Mark R

2008-06-15

Nutrient starvation is a common occurrence for filamentous fungi. To better understand the effects of starvation, we used a parallel plate flow chamber to study individual fungal mycelia when subjected to a step change in glucose concentration. We report the presence of a finite "lag time" in starved mycelia during which they ceased to grow/extend while switching from growth on exogenous carbon to re-growth on endogenous carbon. This lag time precedes other morphological or physiological changes such as change in growth rate (50-70% reduction), vacuolation (up to 16%), and decreased hyphal diameter (almost 50% reduction). Data suggests that during lag time, vacuolar degradation produces sufficient endogenous carbon to support survival and restart hyphal extension. Lag time is inversely related to the size of the mycelium at the time of starvation, which suggests a critical flow of endogenous carbon to the apical tip. We present a mathematical model consistent with our experimental observations that relate lag time, area, and flow of endogenous carbon. (c) 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Modelling heat transfer during flow through a random packed bed of spheres

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Burström, Per E. C.; Frishfelds, Vilnis; Ljung, Anna-Lena; Lundström, T. Staffan; Marjavaara, B. Daniel

2018-04-01

Heat transfer in a random packed bed of monosized iron ore pellets is modelled with both a discrete three-dimensional system of spheres and a continuous Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) model. Results show a good agreement between the two models for average values over a cross section of the bed for an even temperature profiles at the inlet. The advantage with the discrete model is that it captures local effects such as decreased heat transfer in sections with low speed. The disadvantage is that it is computationally heavy for larger systems of pellets. If averaged values are sufficient, the CFD model is an attractive alternative that is easy to couple to the physics up- and downstream the packed bed. The good agreement between the discrete and continuous model furthermore indicates that the discrete model may be used also on non-Stokian flow in the transitional region between laminar and turbulent flow, as turbulent effects show little influence of the overall heat transfer rates in the continuous model.

Relativistic low angular momentum accretion: long time evolution of hydrodynamical inviscid flows

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mach, Patryk; Piróg, Michał; Font, José A.

2018-05-01

We investigate relativistic low angular momentum accretion of inviscid perfect fluid onto a Schwarzschild black hole. The simulations are performed with a general-relativistic, high-resolution (second-order), shock-capturing, hydrodynamical numerical code. We use horizon-penetrating Eddington–Finkelstein coordinates to remove inaccuracies in regions of strong gravity near the black hole horizon and show the expected convergence of the code with the Michel solution and stationary Fishbone–Moncrief toroids. We recover, in the framework of relativistic hydrodynamics, the qualitative behavior known from previous Newtonian studies that used a Bondi background flow in a pseudo-relativistic gravitational potential with a latitude-dependent angular momentum at the outer boundary. Our models exhibit characteristic ‘turbulent’ behavior and the attained accretion rates are lower than those of the Bondi–Michel radial flow. For sufficiently low values of the asymptotic sound speed, geometrically thick tori form in the equatorial plane surrounding the black hole horizon while accretion takes place mainly through the poles.

Applications of ERTS-A Data Collection System (DCS) in the Arizona Regional Ecological Test Site (ARETS)

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Schumann, H. H. (Principal Investigator)

1972-01-01

The author has identified the following significant results. Preliminary analysis of DCS data from the USGS Verde River stream flow measuring site indicates the DCS system is furnishing high quality data more frequently than had been expected. During the 43-day period between Nov. 3, and Dec. 15, 1972, 552 DCS transmissions were received during 193 data passes. The amount of data received far exceeded the single high quality transmission per 12-hour period expected from the DCS system. The digital-parallel ERTS-1 data has furnished sufficient to accurately compute mean daily gage heights. These in turn, are used to compute average daily streamflow rates during periods of stable or slowly changing flow conditions. The digital-parallel data has also furnished useful information during peak flow periods. However, the serial-digital DCS capability, currently under development for transmitting streamflow data, should provide data of greater utility for determining times of flood peaks.

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.

Sufficient condition for a finite-time singularity in a high-symmetry Euler flow: Analysis and statistics

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ng, C. S.; Bhattacharjee, A.

1996-08-01

A sufficient condition is obtained for the development of a finite-time singularity in a highly symmetric Euler flow, first proposed by Kida [J. Phys. Soc. Jpn. 54, 2132 (1995)] and recently simulated by Boratav and Pelz [Phys. Fluids 6, 2757 (1994)]. It is shown that if the second-order spatial derivative of the pressure (pxx) is positive following a Lagrangian element (on the x axis), then a finite-time singularity must occur. Under some assumptions, this Lagrangian sufficient condition can be reduced to an Eulerian sufficient condition which requires that the fourth-order spatial derivative of the pressure (pxxxx) at the origin be positive for all times leading up to the singularity. Analytical as well as direct numerical evaluation over a large ensemble of initial conditions demonstrate that for fixed total energy, pxxxx is predominantly positive with the average value growing with the numbers of modes.

Method and apparatus for nitrogen oxide determination

DOEpatents

Hohorst, Frederick A.

1990-01-01

Method and apparatus for determining nitrogen oxide content in a high temperature process gas, which involves withdrawing a sample portion of a high temperature gas containing nitrogen oxide from a source to be analyzed. The sample portion is passed through a restrictive flow conduit, which may be a capillary or a restriction orifice. The restrictive flow conduit is heated to a temperature sufficient to maintain the flowing sample portion at an elevated temperature at least as great as the temperature of the high temperature gas source, to thereby provide that deposition of ammonium nitrate within the restrictive flow conduit cannot occur. The sample portion is then drawn into an aspirator device. A heated motive gas is passed to the aspirator device at a temperature at least as great as the temperature of the high temperature gas source. The motive gas is passed through the nozzle of the aspirator device under conditions sufficient to aspirate the heated sample portion through the restrictive flow conduit and produce a mixture of the sample portion in the motive gas at a dilution of the sample portion sufficient to provide that deposition of ammonium nitrate from the mixture cannot occur at reduced temperature. A portion of the cooled dilute mixture is then passed to analytical means capable of detecting nitric oxide.

Large-scale production of kappa-carrageenan droplets for gel-bead production: theoretical and practical limitations of size and production rate.

PubMed

Hunik, J H; Tramper, J

1993-01-01

Immobilization of biocatalysts in kappa-carrageenan gel beads is a widely used technique nowadays. Several methods are used to produce the gel beads. The gel-bead production rate is usually sufficient to make the relatively small quantities needed for bench-scale experiments. The droplet diameter can, within limits, be adjusted to the desired size, but it is difficult to predict because of the non-Newtonian fluid behavior of the kappa-carrageenan solution. Here we present the further scale-up of the extrusion technique with the theory to predict the droplet diameters for non-Newtonian fluids. The emphasis is on the droplet formation, which is the rate-limiting step in this extrusion technique. Uniform droplets were formed by breaking up a capillary jet with a sinusoidal signal of a vibration exciter. At the maximum production rate of 27.6 dm3/h, uniform droplets with a diameter of (2.1 +/- 0.12) x 10(-3) m were obtained. This maximum flow rate was limited by the power transfer of the vibration exciter to the liquid flow. It was possible to get a good prediction of the droplet diameter by estimating the local viscosity from shear-rate calculations and an experimental relation between the shear rate and viscosity. In this way the theory of Newtonian fluids could be used for the non-Newtonian kappa-carrageenan solution. The calculated optimal break-up frequencies and droplet sizes were in good agreement with those found in the experiments.

Liquefaction, flow, and associated ground failure

USGS Publications Warehouse

Youd, T. Leslie

1973-01-01

Ambiguities in the use of the term liquefaction and in defining the relation between liquefaction and ground failure have led to encumbered communication between workers in various fields and between specialists in the same field, and the possibility that evaluations of liquefaction potential could be misinterpreted or misapplied. Explicit definitions of liquefaction and related concepts are proposed herein. These definitions, based on observed laboratory behavior, are then used to clarify the relation between liquefaction and ground failure. Soil liquefaction is defined as the transformation of a granular material from a solid into a liquefied state as a consequence of increased pore-water pressures. This definition avoids confusion between liquefaction and possible flow-failure conditions after liquefaction. Flow-failure conditions are divided into two types: (1) unlimited flow if pore-pressure reductions caused by dilatancy during flow deformation are not sufficient to solidify the material and thus arrest flow, and (2) limited flow if they are sufficient to solidify the material after a finite deformation. After liquefaction in the field, unlimited flow commonly leads to flow landslides, whereas limited flow leads at most to lateral-spreading landslides. Quick-condition failures such as loss of bearing capacity form a third type of ground failure associated with liquefaction.

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

McManamay, Ryan A; Orth, Dr. Donald J; Davis, Dr, Mary

Generalized and quantitative relationships between flow and ecology are pivotal to developing environmental flow standards based on socially acceptable ecological conditions. Informing management at regional scales requires compiling sufficient hydrologic and ecological sources of information, identifying information gaps, and creating a framework for hypothesis development and testing. We compiled studies of empirical and theoretical relationships between flow and ecology in the South Atlantic region (SAR) of the United States to evaluate their utility for the development of environmental flow standards. Using database searches, internet searches, and agency contacts, we gathered 186 sources of information that provided a qualitative or quantitativemore » relationship between flow and ecology within states encompassing the SAR. A total of 109 of the 186 sources had sufficient information to support quantitative analyses. Ecological responses to natural changes in flow magnitude, frequency, and duration were highly variable regardless of the direction and magnitude of changes in flow. In contrast, the majority of ecological responses to anthropogenic-induced flow alterations were negative. Fish consistently showed negative responses to anthropogenic flow alterations whereas other ecological groups showed somewhat variable responses (e.g. macroinvertebrates and riparian vegetation) and even positive responses (e.g. algae). Fish and organic matter had sufficient sample sizes to stratify natural flow-ecology relationships by specific flow categories (e.g. high flow, baseflows) or by region (e.g. coastal plain, uplands). After stratifying relationships, we found that significant correlations existed between changes in natural flow and ecological responses. In addition, a regression tree explained 57% of the variation in fish responses to anthropogenic and natural changes in flow. Because of some ambiguity in interpreting the directionality in ecological responses, we utilized ecological gains or losses, where each represents a benefit or reduction to ecosystem services, respectively. Variables explained 49% of the variation in ecological gains and losses for all ecological groups combined. Altogether, our results suggested that the source of flow change and the ecological group of interest played primary roles in determining the direction and magnitude of ecological responses. Furthermore, our results suggest that developing broadly generalized relationships between ecology and changes in flow at a regional scale is unlikely unless relationships are placed within meaningful contexts, such as environmental flow components or by geomorphic setting.« less

Flow Visualization of Three-Dimensionality Inside the 12 cc Penn State Pulsatile Pediatric Ventricular Assist Device

PubMed Central

Roszelle, Breigh N.; Deutsch, Steven; Manning, Keefe B.

2010-01-01

In order to aid the ongoing concern of limited organ availability for pediatric heart transplants, Penn State has continued development of a pulsatile Pediatric Ventricular Assist Device (PVAD). Initial studies of the PVAD observed an increase in thrombus formation due to differences in flow field physics when compared to adult sized devices, which included a higher degree of three-dimensionality. This unique flow field brings into question the use of 2D planar particle image velocimetry (PIV) as a flow visualization technique, however the small size and high curvature of the PVAD make other tools such as stereoscopic PIV impractical. In order to test the reliability of the 2D results, we perform a pseudo-3D PIV study using planes both parallel and normal to the diaphragm employing a mock circulatory loop containing a viscoelastic fluid that mimics 40% hematocrit blood. We find that while the third component of velocity is extremely helpful to a physical understanding of the flow, particularly of the diastolic jet and the development of a desired rotational pattern, the flow data taken parallel to the diaphragm is sufficient to describe the wall shear rates, a critical aspect to the study of thrombosis and design of such pumps. PMID:19936926

CFD Investigation of the effects of bubble aerator layouts on hydrodynamics of an activated sludge channel reactor.

PubMed

Hreiz, Rainier; Potier, Olivier; Wicks, Jim; Commenge, Jean-Marc

2018-03-08

In this paper, computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations are employed to characterize the effects of bubble aerator layouts (i.e. spatial arrangement) on the hydrodynamics in activated sludge (AS) reactors. The first configuration considered is a channel reactor with aerators placed alongside one lateral wall, for which velocity measurements are available in literature. CFD results were in good agreement with experimental data, which proves that the model is sufficiently accurate and predictive. Accordingly, simulations and numerical residence time distribution tests were conducted for different aerator layouts to determine their effects on the reactor hydrodynamics. The results revealed that the flow characteristics are extremely sensitive to the aerators arrangement given the high gas flow rates used in AS processes. Among the layouts investigated, the one where diffusers are placed all over the reactor floor has led to the least dispersive flow, i.e. which characteristics best tend toward that of an ideal plug flow reactor. Indeed, this flow field presented the lowest average turbulent diffusion and the most uniform axial velocity and turbulence fields. Such a flow behaviour is expected to be highly beneficial for biological treatment since it reduces pollutant dilution by axial diffusion and limits raw wastewater channelling to the outlet.

Time resolved flow-field measurements of a turbulent mixing layer over a rectangular cavity

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bian, Shiyao; Driscoll, James F.; Elbing, Brian R.; Ceccio, Steven L.

2011-07-01

High Reynolds number, low Mach number, turbulent shear flow past a rectangular, shallow cavity has been experimentally investigated with the use of dual-camera cinematographic particle image velocimetry (CPIV). The CPIV had a 3 kHz sampling rate, which was sufficient to monitor the time evolution of large-scale vortices as they formed, evolved downstream and impinged on the downstream cavity wall. The time-averaged flow properties (velocity and vorticity fields, streamwise velocity profiles and momentum and vorticity thickness) were in agreement with previous cavity flow studies under similar operating conditions. The time-resolved results show that the separated shear layer quickly rolled-up and formed eddies immediately downstream of the separation point. The vortices convect downstream at approximately half the free-stream speed. Vorticity strength intermittency as the structures approach the downstream edge suggests an increase in the three-dimensionality of the flow. Time-resolved correlations reveal that the in-plane coherence of the vortices decays within 2-3 structure diameters, and quasi-periodic flow features are present with a vortex passage frequency of ~1 kHz. The power spectra of the vertical velocity fluctuations within the shear layer revealed a peak at a non-dimensional frequency corresponding to that predicted using linear, inviscid instability theory.

Turbulent Heat Transfer from a Thermally Forced Boundary in a Stratified Fluid

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Burns, K. J.; Wells, A.; Flierl, G.

2017-12-01

When a marine-terminating glacier melts into a stratified ocean, a buoyancy-driven flow develops along the ice surface. The resulting turbulent heat and salt fluxes provide a key feedback on the ice melting rate. To build insight into such flows, we consider direct numerical simulations of an analogue problem with convection driven by a thermally forced sidewall in a stably stratified Boussinesq fluid. Our model considers vertical and inclined periodic channels in 2D with a constant background buoyancy gradient. When the lateral or upper boundary is given a sufficient thermal perturbation relative to the ambient, a confined and homogeneous turbulent plume emerges along the heated wall. We present a scaling analysis for the resulting heat transport across the plume, and compare it to simulations over a range of Rayleigh numbers, Prandtl numbers, and wall-inclination angles.

Mitral Valve Disease

MedlinePlus

... leaflets) that open and close, allowing blood to flow from your left atrium to your left ventricle ... does not open enough to allow sufficient blood flow. Usually this is the result of hardening (calcification) ...

30 CFR 57.22212 - Air flow (I-C, II-A, and V-A mines).

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... Standards for Methane in Metal and Nonmetal Mines Ventilation § 57.22212 Air flow (I-C, II-A, and V-A mines). Air flow across each working face shall be sufficient to carry away any accumulation of methane, smoke...

Effects of hydrology on short term plant decomposition and nutrient content in a re-created Everglades wetland

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Serna, A.; Richards, J.; Scinto, L.

2012-12-01

The effect of water depth and flow on tissue nutrients and decomposition rates of marsh plant species, and soil chemistry in vegetated plots was measured in the Loxahatchee Impoundment Landscape Assessment (LILA) facility in Boynton Beach, Florida, USA. The LILA facility consists of replicated wetland macrocosms that mimic Everglades ridge-and-slough landscape features. The experiments were conducted in two macrocosms that each had three habitats at different water depths (ridge, shallow slough and deep slough) but differed in flow. Decomposition rates of three common Everglades species, Cladium jamaicense (sawgrass), Eleocharis cellulosa (spikerush), and Nymphaea odorata (white water lily), were measured using litter bags incubated during both a wet and dry condition. Litter bag losses were more pronounced under wet conditions, and decomposition rates were not affected by the hydrologic conditions in this experiment, but rather by litter nutrient content and species. Litter nutrient (TC, TN, TP) concentrations varied over time. Species rich in the limiting nutrient (P) in the ecosystem decomposed faster. Therefore, N. odorata decomposed faster than C. jamaicense and E. cellulosa, confirming the importance of P availability in controlling microbial processes in the Everglades. Planted species had no effect on soil nutrient content over the 3 yrs period of plant growth in these plots. Our results have contributed to defining potential flow targets for restoration in Florida's Everglades by showing that average water velocities of 0.5 cm s-1 may not be sufficient to drive ecosystem changes in decomposition rates for the native species and soil chemistry.

Storm loads of culturable and molecular fecal indicators in an inland urban stream.

PubMed

Liao, Hehuan; Krometis, Leigh-Anne H; Cully Hession, W; Benitez, Romina; Sawyer, Richard; Schaberg, Erin; von Wagoner, Emily; Badgley, Brian D

2015-10-15

Elevated concentrations of fecal indicator bacteria in receiving waters during wet-weather flows are a considerable public health concern that is likely to be exacerbated by future climate change and urbanization. Knowledge of factors driving the fate and transport of fecal indicator bacteria in stormwater is limited, and even less is known about molecular fecal indicators, which may eventually supplant traditional culturable indicators. In this study, concentrations and loading rates of both culturable and molecular fecal indicators were quantified throughout six storm events in an instrumented inland urban stream. While both concentrations and loading rates of each fecal indicator increased rapidly during the rising limb of the storm hydrographs, it is the loading rates rather than instantaneous concentrations that provide a better estimate of transport through the stream during the entire storm. Concentrations of general fecal indicators (both culturable and molecular) correlated most highly with each other during storm events but not with the human-associated HF183 Bacteroides marker. Event loads of general fecal indicators most strongly correlated with total runoff volume, maximum discharge, and maximum turbidity, while event loads of HF183 most strongly correlated with the time to peak flow in a hydrograph. These observations suggest that collection of multiple samples during a storm event is critical for accurate predictions of fecal indicator loading rates and total loads during wet-weather flows, which are required for effective watershed management. In addition, existing predictive models based on general fecal indicators may not be sufficient to predict source-specific genetic markers of fecal contamination. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Three dimensional instabilities of an electron scale current sheet in collisionless magnetic reconnection

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

Jain, Neeraj; Büchner, Jörg; Max Planck Institute for Solar System Research, Justus-Von-Liebig-Weg-3, Göttingen

In collisionless magnetic reconnection, electron current sheets (ECS) with thickness of the order of an electron inertial length form embedded inside ion current sheets with thickness of the order of an ion inertial length. These ECS's are susceptible to a variety of instabilities which have the potential to affect the reconnection rate and/or the structure of reconnection. We carry out a three dimensional linear eigen mode stability analysis of electron shear flow driven instabilities of an electron scale current sheet using an electron-magnetohydrodynamic plasma model. The linear growth rate of the fastest unstable mode was found to drop with themore » thickness of the ECS. We show how the nature of the instability depends on the thickness of the ECS. As long as the half-thickness of the ECS is close to the electron inertial length, the fastest instability is that of a translational symmetric two-dimensional (no variations along flow direction) tearing mode. For an ECS half thickness sufficiently larger or smaller than the electron inertial length, the fastest mode is not a tearing mode any more and may have finite variations along the flow direction. Therefore, the generation of plasmoids in a nonlinear evolution of ECS is likely only when the half-thickness is close to an electron inertial length.« less

A Comprehensive Study of a Micro-Channel Heat Sink Using Integrated Thin-Film Temperature Sensors

PubMed Central

Wang, Tao; Wang, Jiejun; He, Jian; Wu, Chuangui; Luo, Wenbo; Shuai, Yao; Zhang, Wanli; Chen, Xiancai; Zhang, Jian; Lin, Jia

2018-01-01

A micro-channel heat sink is a promising cooling method for high power integrated circuits (IC). However, the understanding of such a micro-channel device is not sufficient, because the tools for studying it are very limited. The details inside the micro-channels are not readily available. In this letter, a micro-channel heat sink is comprehensively studied using the integrated temperature sensors. The highly sensitive thin film temperature sensors can accurately monitor the temperature change in the micro-channel in real time. The outstanding heat dissipation performance of the micro-channel heat sink is proven in terms of maximum temperature, cooling speed and heat resistance. The temperature profile along the micro-channel is extracted, and even small temperature perturbations can be detected. The heat source formed temperature peak shifts towards the flow direction with the increasing flow rate. However, the temperature non-uniformity is independent of flow rate, but solely dependent on the heating power. Specific designs for minimizing the temperature non-uniformity are necessary. In addition, the experimental results from the integrated temperature sensors match the simulation results well. This can be used to directly verify the modeling results, helping to build a convincing simulation model. The integrated sensor could be a powerful tool for studying the micro-channel based heat sink. PMID:29351248

Effect of molecular topology on the transport properties of dendrimers in dilute solution at Θ temperature: A Brownian dynamics study

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bosko, Jaroslaw T.; Ravi Prakash, J.

2008-01-01

Structure and transport properties of dendrimers in dilute solution are studied with the aid of Brownian dynamics simulations. To investigate the effect of molecular topology on the properties, linear chain, star, and dendrimer molecules of comparable molecular weights are studied. A bead-spring chain model with finitely extensible springs and fluctuating hydrodynamic interactions is used to represent polymer molecules under Θ conditions. Structural properties as well as the diffusivity and zero-shear-rate intrinsic viscosity of polymers with varied degrees of branching are analyzed. Results for the free-draining case are compared to and found in very good agreement with the Rouse model predictions. Translational diffusivity is evaluated and the difference between the short-time and long-time behavior due to dynamic correlations is observed. Incorporation of hydrodynamic interactions is found to be sufficient to reproduce the maximum in the intrinsic viscosity versus molecular weight observed experimentally for dendrimers. Results of the nonequilibrium Brownian dynamics simulations of dendrimers and linear chain polymers subjected to a planar shear flow in a wide range of strain rates are also reported. The flow-induced molecular deformation of molecules is found to decrease hydrodynamic interactions and lead to the appearance of shear thickening. Further, branching is found to suppress flow-induced molecular alignment and deformation.

A Comprehensive Study of a Micro-Channel Heat Sink Using Integrated Thin-Film Temperature Sensors.

PubMed

Wang, Tao; Wang, Jiejun; He, Jian; Wu, Chuangui; Luo, Wenbo; Shuai, Yao; Zhang, Wanli; Chen, Xiancai; Zhang, Jian; Lin, Jia

2018-01-19

A micro-channel heat sink is a promising cooling method for high power integrated circuits (IC). However, the understanding of such a micro-channel device is not sufficient, because the tools for studying it are very limited. The details inside the micro-channels are not readily available. In this letter, a micro-channel heat sink is comprehensively studied using the integrated temperature sensors. The highly sensitive thin film temperature sensors can accurately monitor the temperature change in the micro-channel in real time. The outstanding heat dissipation performance of the micro-channel heat sink is proven in terms of maximum temperature, cooling speed and heat resistance. The temperature profile along the micro-channel is extracted, and even small temperature perturbations can be detected. The heat source formed temperature peak shifts towards the flow direction with the increasing flow rate. However, the temperature non-uniformity is independent of flow rate, but solely dependent on the heating power. Specific designs for minimizing the temperature non-uniformity are necessary. In addition, the experimental results from the integrated temperature sensors match the simulation results well. This can be used to directly verify the modeling results, helping to build a convincing simulation model. The integrated sensor could be a powerful tool for studying the micro-channel based heat sink.

The impact of non-isothermal soil moisture transport on evaporation fluxes in a maize cropland

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shao, Wei; Coenders-Gerrits, Miriam; Judge, Jasmeet; Zeng, Yijian; Su, Ye

2018-06-01

The process of evaporation interacts with the soil, which has various comprehensive mechanisms. Multiphase flow models solve air, vapour, water, and heat transport equations to simulate non-isothermal soil moisture transport of both liquid water and vapor flow, but are only applied in non-vegetated soils. For (sparsely) vegetated soils often energy balance models are used, however these lack the detailed information on non-isothermal soil moisture transport. In this study we coupled a multiphase flow model with a two-layer energy balance model to study the impact of non-isothermal soil moisture transport on evaporation fluxes (i.e., interception, transpiration, and soil evaporation) for vegetated soils. The proposed model was implemented at an experimental agricultural site in Florida, US, covering an entire maize-growing season (67 days). As the crops grew, transpiration and interception became gradually dominated, while the fraction of soil evaporation dropped from 100% to less than 20%. The mechanisms of soil evaporation vary depending on the soil moisture content. After precipitation the soil moisture content increased, exfiltration of the liquid water flow could transport sufficient water to sustain evaporation from soil, and the soil vapor transport was not significant. However, after a sufficient dry-down period, the soil moisture content significantly reduced, and the soil vapour flow significantly contributed to the upward moisture transport in topmost soil. A sensitivity analysis found that the simulations of moisture content and temperature at the soil surface varied substantially when including the advective (i.e., advection and mechanical dispersion) vapour transport in simulation, including the mechanism of advective vapour transport decreased soil evaporation rate under wet condition, while vice versa under dry condition. The results showed that the formulation of advective soil vapor transport in a soil-vegetation-atmosphere transfer continuum can affect the simulated evaporation fluxes, especially under dry condition.

Flow-induced conformational changes in gelatin structure and colloidal stabilization.

PubMed

Akbulut, Mustafa; Reddy, Naveen K; Bechtloff, Bernd; Koltzenburg, Sebastian; Vermant, Jan; Prud'homme, Robert K

2008-09-02

Flow can change the rate at which solutes adsorb on surfaces by changing mass transfer to the surface, but moreover, flow can induce changes in the conformation of macromolecules in solution by providing sufficient stresses to perturb the segmental distribution function. However, there are few studies where the effect of flow on macromolecules has been shown to alter the structure of macromolecules adsorbed on surfaces. We have studied how the local energy dissipation alters the adsorption of gelatin onto polystyrene nanoparticles ( r = 85 nm). The change in the nature of the adsorbed layer is manifest in the change in the ability of the nanoparticles to resist aggregation. Circular dichroism spectroscopy was used to assess conformational changes in gelatin, and dynamic light scattering was used to assess the colloid stability. Experiments were conducted in a vortex jet mixer where energy density and mixing times have been quantified; mixing of the gelatin and unstable nanoparticles occurs on the order of milliseconds. The adsorption of the gelatin provides steric stabilization to the nanoparticles. We found that the stability of the gelatin-adsorbed nanoparticles increased with increasing mixing velocities: when the mixing velocities were changed from 0.9 to 550 m/s, the radius of the nanoclusters (aggregates) formed 12 h after the mixing decreased from 2620 to 600 nm. Increasing temperature also gave rise to similar trends in the stability behavior with increasing temperature, leading to increasing colloid stability. Linear flow birefringence studies also suggested that the velocity fields in the mixer are sufficiently strong to produce conformational changes in the gelatin. These results suggest that the energy dissipation produced by mixing can activate conformational changes in gelatin to alter its adsorption on the surfaces of nanoparticles. Understanding how such conformational changes in gelatin can be driven by local fluid mechanics and how these changes are related to the adsorption behavior of gelatin is very important both industrially and scientifically.

A New Test Method for Material Flammability Assessment in Microgravity and Extraterrestrial Environments

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Olson, S. L.; Beeson, H. D.; Haas, J. P.; Baas, J. S.

2004-01-01

The standard oxygen consumption (cone) calorimeter (described in ASTM E 1354 and NASA STD 6001 Test 2) is modified to provide a bench-scale test environment that simulates the low velocity buoyant or ventilation flow generated by or around a burning surface in a spacecraft or extraterrestrial gravity level. The Equivalent Low Stretch Apparatus (ELSA) uses an inverted cone geometry with the sample burning in a ceiling fire (stagnation flow) configuration. For a fixed radiant flux, ignition delay times for characterization material PMMA are shown to decrease by a factor of three at low stretch, demonstrating that ignition delay times determined from normal cone tests significantly underestimate the risk in microgravity. The critical heat flux for ignition is found to be lowered at low stretch as the convective cooling is reduced. At the limit of no stretch, any heat flux that exceeds the surface radiative loss at the surface ignition temperature is sufficient for ignition. Regression rates for PMMA increase with heat flux and stretch rate, but regression rates are much more sensitive to heat flux at the low stretch rates, where a modest increase in heat flux of 25 kW/m2 increases the burning rates by an order of magnitude. The global equivalence ratio of these flames is very fuel rich, and the quantity of CO produced in this configuration is significantly higher than standard cone tests. These results [2] demonstrate the ELSA apparatus allows us to conduct normal gravity experiments that accurately and quantifiably evaluate a material s flammability characteristics in the real-use environment of spacecraft or extra-terrestrial gravitational acceleration. These results also demonstrate that current NASA STD 6001 Test 2 (standard cone) is not conservative since it evaluates materials flammability with a much higher inherent buoyant convective flow.

Applicability of Different Hydraulic Parameters to Describe Soil Detachment in Eroding Rills

PubMed Central

Wirtz, Stefan; Seeger, Manuel; Zell, Andreas; Wagner, Christian; Wagner, Jean-Frank; Ries, Johannes B.

2013-01-01

This study presents the comparison of experimental results with assumptions used in numerical models. The aim of the field experiments is to test the linear relationship between different hydraulic parameters and soil detachment. For example correlations between shear stress, unit length shear force, stream power, unit stream power and effective stream power and the detachment rate does not reveal a single parameter which consistently displays the best correlation. More importantly, the best fit does not only vary from one experiment to another, but even between distinct measurement points. Different processes in rill erosion are responsible for the changing correlations. However, not all these procedures are considered in soil erosion models. Hence, hydraulic parameters alone are not sufficient to predict detachment rates. They predict the fluvial incising in the rill's bottom, but the main sediment sources are not considered sufficiently in its equations. The results of this study show that there is still a lack of understanding of the physical processes underlying soil erosion. Exerted forces, soil stability and its expression, the abstraction of the detachment and transport processes in shallow flowing water remain still subject of unclear description and dependence. PMID:23717669

A porous media theory for characterization of membrane blood oxygenation devices

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sano, Yoshihiko; Adachi, Jun; Nakayama, Akira

2013-07-01

A porous media theory has been proposed to characterize oxygen transport processes associated with membrane blood oxygenation devices. For the first time, a rigorous mathematical procedure based a volume averaging procedure has been presented to derive a complete set of the governing equations for the blood flow field and oxygen concentration field. As a first step towards a complete three-dimensional numerical analysis, one-dimensional steady case is considered to model typical membrane blood oxygenator scenarios, and to validate the derived equations. The relative magnitudes of oxygen transport terms are made clear, introducing a dimensionless parameter which measures the distance the oxygen gas travels to dissolve in the blood as compared with the blood dispersion length. This dimensionless number is found so large that the oxygen diffusion term can be neglected in most cases. A simple linear relationship between the blood flow rate and total oxygen transfer rate is found for oxygenators with sufficiently large membrane surface areas. Comparison of the one-dimensional analytic results and available experimental data reveals the soundness of the present analysis.

Shear-induced laning transition in a confined colloidal film

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gerloff, Sascha; Vezirov, Tarlan A.; Klapp, Sabine H. L.

2017-06-01

Using Brownian dynamics simulations, we investigate a dense system of charged colloids exposed to shear flow in a confined (slit-pore) geometry. The equilibrium system at zero flow consists of three well-pronounced layers with a squarelike crystalline in-plane structure. We demonstrate that, for sufficiently large shear rates, the middle layer separates into two sublayers where the particles organize into moving lanes with opposite velocities. The formation of this "microlaned" state results in a destruction of the applied shear profile; it also has a strong impact on the structure of the system, and on its rheology as measured by the elements of the stress tensor. At higher shear rates, we observe a disordered state and finally a recrystallization reminiscent of the behavior of bilayer films. We also discuss the system size dependence and the robustness of the microlaned state against variations of the slit-pore width. In fact, for a pore width allowing for four layers, we observe a similar shear-induced state in which the system splits into two domains with opposite velocities.

Angiographic flow grading and graft arrangement of arterial conduits.

PubMed

Nakajima, Hiroyuki; Kobayashi, Junjiro; Tagusari, Osamu; Niwaya, Kazuo; Funatsu, Toshihiro; Kawamura, Atsushi; Yagihara, Toshikatsu; Kitamura, Soichiro

2006-11-01

We sought to delineate the effects of competitive and reverse flow on the intermediate-term patency of arterial conduits and examined graft arrangements for maximizing antegrade bypass flow. The angiograms of 2083 bypass grafts in 570 patients who underwent off-pump total arterial revascularization without aortic manipulation since December 2000 were reviewed. The blood flow in the bypass grafts were graded A (antegrade), B (competitive), C (reverse), or O (occlusion). The mean number of distal anastomoses was 3.65 +/- 0.94 per patient. In the early angiography 91.3% (1901/2083) of the bypasses were grade A. Thirty (1.4%) bypasses were grade O, whereas 2.9% (61/2083) were grade B, and 4.4%(91/2083) were grade C. In the multivariate analysis the end-to-side anastomosis (P < .0001), 4 or more distal anastomoses of the conduit (P = .01), native coronary stenosis of less than 75% (P < .0001), and target branch location of the right coronary artery territory (P < .0001) and left circumflex artery territory (P = .02) significantly correlated with grade non-A. The patency rate in the late angiography of the bypasses graded B or C in the early angiography was 7 (28.0%) of 25, whereas that of the bypasses graded A was 164 (89.1%) of 184 (P < .0001). The actuarial graft patency rate of the bypasses graded A was 72.3% at 3 years and was significantly higher than that of the bypasses graded B or C (28.6% at 3 years after surgical intervention, P < .0001). The sufficient antegrade bypass flow had a favorable effect on the graft patency of arterial conduits. The graft arrangement should be adjusted for each patient so as to maximize the antegrade bypass flow and to confirm the advantage of arterial grafts.

Solar receiver protection means and method for loss of coolant flow

DOEpatents

Glasgow, L.E.

1980-11-24

An apparatus and method are disclosed for preventing a solar receiver utilizing a flowing coolant liquid for removing heat energy therefrom from overheating after a loss of coolant flow. Solar energy is directed to the solar receiver by a plurality of reflectors which rotate so that they direct solar energy to the receiver as the earth rotates. The apparatus disclosed includes a first storage tank for containing a first predetermined volume of the coolant and a first predetermined volume of gas at a first predetermined pressure. The first storage tank includes an inlet and outlet through which the coolant can enter and exit. The apparatus also includes a second storage tank for containing a second predetermined volume of the coolant and a second predetermined volume of the gas at a second predetermined pressure, the second storage tank having an inlet through which the coolant can enter. The first and second storage tanks are in fluid communication with each other through the solar receiver. The first and second predetermined coolant volumes, the first and second gas volumes, and the first and second predetermined pressures are chosen so that a predetermined volume of the coolant liquid at a predetermined rate profile will flow from the first storage tank through the solar receiver and into the second storage tank. Thus, in the event of a power failure so that coolant flow ceases and the solar reflectors stop rotating, a flow rate maintained by the pressure differential between the first and second storage tanks will be sufficient to maintain the coolant in the receiver below a predetermined upper temperature until the solar reflectors become defocused with respect to the solar receiver due to the earth's rotation.

On the mound of Macrotermes michaelseni as an organ of respiratory gas exchange.

PubMed

Turner, J S

2001-01-01

Patterns and rates of air movements in the mounds and nests of Macrotermes michaelseni were studied using tracer methods. Wind is a significant source of energy for powering nest ventilation, despite the mound being a completely enclosed structure. Nests are ventilated by a tidal movement of air driven by temporal variation in wind speed and wind direction. Density gradients sufficiently steep to drive bulk flow by natural convection will be rare. However, metabolism-induced buoyant forces may interact with wind energy in a way that promotes homeostasis of the mound atmosphere.

Low cost solar array project silicon materials task. Development of a process for high capacity arc heater production of silicon for solar arrays

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Reed, W. H.

1978-01-01

Silicon tetrachloride and a reductant (sodium) will be injected into an arc heated mixture of hydrogen and argon, yielding silicon and gaseous sodium chloride. Detailed characterization of the Sonicore sodium injection nozzle, using water as the test fluid was completed. Results indicated that flow rates of 45 gph sodium and 50 scfm argon should produce sufficiently small droplet sizes. The design effort was also completed for the test system preparation which was divided into two categories: (1) system components and (2) test system-laboratory integration.

The precession dynamo experiment at HZDR

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Giesecke, A.; Albrecht, T.; Gerbeth, G.; Gundrum, T.; Nore, C.; Stefani, F.; Steglich, C.

2013-12-01

Most planets of the solar system are accompanied by a magnetic field with a large scale structure. These fields are generated by the dynamo effect, the process that provides for the transfer of kinetic energy from a flow of a conducting fluid into magnetic energy. In case of planetary dynamos it is generally assumed that these flows are driven by thermal and/or chemical convection but other driving sources like libration, tidal forcing or precession are possible as well. Precessional forcing, in particular, has been discussed since long as an at least additional power source for the geodynamo. A fluid flow of liquid sodium, solely driven by precession, will be the source for magnetic field generation in the next generation dynamo experiment currently under development at the Helmholz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR). In contrast to previous dynamo experiments no internal blades, propellers or complex systems of guiding tubes will be used for the optimization of the flow properties. However, in order to reach sufficiently high magnetic Reynolds numbers required for the onset of dynamo action rather large dimensions of the container are necessary making the construction of the experiment a challenge. At present state a small scale water experiment is running in order to estimate the hydrodynamic flow properties in dependence of precession angle and precession rate. The measurements are utilized in combination with numerical simulations of the hydrodynamic case as input data for kinematic simulations of the induction equation. The resulting growth rates and the corresponding critical magnetic Reynolds numbers will provide a restriction of the useful parameter regime and will allow an optimization of the experimental configuration.

Hydrology of a zero-order Southern Piedmont watershed through 45 years of changing agricultural land use. Part 1. Monthly and seasonal rainfall-runoff relationships

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Endale, Dinku M.; Fisher, Dwight S.; Steiner, Jean L.

2006-01-01

Few studies have reported runoff from small agricultural watersheds over sufficiently long period so that the effect of different cover types on runoff can be examined. We analyzed 45-yrs of monthly and annual rainfall-runoff characteristics of a small (7.8 ha) zero-order typical Southern Piedmont watershed in southeastern United States. Agricultural land use varied as follows: 1. Row cropping (5-yrs); 2. Kudzu ( Pueraria lobata; 5-yrs); 3. Grazed kudzu and rescuegrass ( Bromus catharticus; 7-yrs); and 4. Grazed bermudagrass and winter annuals ( Cynodon dactylon; 28-yrs). Land use and rainfall variability influenced runoff characteristics. Row cropping produced the largest runoff amount, percentage of the rainfall partitioned into runoff, and peak flow rates. Kudzu reduced spring runoff and almost eliminated summer runoff, as did a mixture of kudzu and rescuegrass (KR) compared to row cropping. Peak flow rates were also reduced during the kudzu and KR. Peak flow rates increased under bermudagrass but were lower than during row cropping. A simple process-based 'tanh' model modified to take the previous month's rainfall into account produced monthly rainfall and runoff correlations with coefficient of determination ( R2) of 0.74. The model was tested on independent data collected during drought. Mean monthly runoff was 1.65 times the observed runoff. Sustained hydrologic monitoring is essential to understanding long-term rainfall-runoff relationships in agricultural watersheds.

Simulation of freshwater-saltwater interfaces in the Brooklyn-Queens aquifer system, Long Island, New York

USGS Publications Warehouse

Kontis, Angelo L.

1999-01-01

The seaward limit of the fresh ground-water system underlying Kings and Queens Counties on Long Island, N.Y., is at the freshwater-saltwater transition zone. This zone has been conceptualized in transient-state, three-dimensional models of the aquifer system as a sharp interface between freshwater and saltwater, and represented as a stationary, zero lateral-flow boundary. In this study, a pair of two-dimensional, four-layer ground-water flow models representing a generalized vertical section in Kings County and one in adjacent Queens County were developed to evaluate the validity of the boundary condition used in three-dimensional models of the aquifer system. The two-dimensional simulations used a model code that can simulate the movement of a sharp interface in response to transient stress. Sensitivity of interface movement to four factors was analyzed; these were (1) the method of simulating vertical leakage between freshwater and saltwater; (2) recharge at the normal rate, at 50-percent of the normal rate, and at zero for a prolonged (3-year) period; (3) high, medium, and low pumping rates; and (4) pumping from a hypothetical cluster of wells at two locations. Results indicate that the response of the interfaces to the magnitude and duration of pumping and the location of the hypothetical wells is probably sufficiently slow that the interfaces in three-dimensional models can reasonably be approximated as stationary, zero-lateral- flow boundaries.

Behaviour of tetraalkylammonium ions in high-field asymmetric waveform ion mobility spectrometry.

PubMed

Aksenov, Alexander A; Kapron, James T

2010-05-30

High-field asymmetric waveform ion mobility spectrometry (FAIMS) is an ion-filtering technique recently adapted for use with liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry (LC/MS) to remove interferences during analysis of complex matrices. This is the first systematic study of a series of singly charged tetraalkylammonium ions by FAIMS-MS. The compensation voltage (CV) is the DC offset of the waveform which permits the ion to emerge from FAIMS and it was determined for each member of the series under various conditions. The electrospray ionization conditions explored included spray voltage, vaporizer temperature, and sheath and auxiliary gas pressure. The FAIMS conditions explored included carrier gas flow rate, electrode temperature and composition of the carrier gas. Optimum desolvation was achieved using sufficient carrier gas (flow rate > or = 2 L/min) to ensure stable response. Low-mass ions (m/z 100-200) are more susceptible to changes in electrode temperature and gas composition than high mass ions (m/z 200-700). As a result of this study, ions are reliably analyzed using standard FAIMS conditions (dispersion voltage -5000 V, carrier gas flow rate 3 L/min, 50% helium/50%nitrogen, inner electrode temperature 70 degrees C and outer electrode temperature 90 degrees C). Variation of FAIMS conditions may be of great use for the separation of very low mass tetraalkylammonium (TAA) ions from other TAA ions. The FAIMS conditions do not appear to have a major effect on higher mass ions. Copyright 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Immortal solution of the Ricci flow

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ruan, Qihua; Chen, Zhihua

2005-12-01

For any complete noncompact K$\\ddot{a}$hler manifold with nonnegative and bounded holomorphic bisectional curvature,we provide the necessary and sufficient condition for non-ancient solution to the Ricci flow in this paper.

Sap flow measurements to determine the transpiration of facade greenings

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hölscher, Marie-Therese; Nehls, Thomas; Wessolek, Gerd

2014-05-01

Facade greening is expected to make a major contribution to the mitigation of the urban heat-island effect through transpiration cooling, thermal insulation and shading of vertical built structures. However, no studies are available on water demand and the transpiration of urban vertical green. Such knowledge is needed as the plants must be sufficiently watered, otherwise the posited positive effects of vertical green can turn into disadvantages when compared to a white wall. Within the framework of the German Research Group DFG FOR 1736 "Urban Climate and Heat Stress" this study aims to test the practicability of the sap flow technique for transpiration measurements of climbing plants and to obtain potential transpiration rates for the most commonly used species. Using sap flow measurements we determined the transpiration of Fallopia baldschuanica, Parthenocissus tricuspidata and Hedera helix in pot experiments (about 1 m high) during the hot summer period from August 17th to August 30th 2012 under indoor conditions. Sap flow measurements corresponded well to simultaneous weight measurement on a daily base (factor 1.19). Fallopia baldschuanica has the highest daily transpiration rate based on leaf area (1.6 mm d-1) and per base area (5.0 mm d-1). Parthenocissus tricuspidata and Hedera helix show transpiration rates of 3.5 and 0.4 mm d-1 (per base area). Through water shortage, transpiration strongly decreased and leaf temperature measured by infrared thermography increased by 1 K compared to a well watered plant. We transferred the technique to outdoor conditions and will present first results for facade greenings in the inner-city of Berlin for the hottest period in summer 2013.

River flow and ammonium discharge determine spring phytoplankton blooms in an urbanized estuary

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dugdale, Richard; Wilkerson, Frances; Parker, Alexander E.; Marchi, Al; Taberski, Karen

2012-12-01

Nutrient loadings to urbanized estuaries have increased over the past decades in response to population growth and upgrading to secondary sewage treatment. Evidence from the San Francisco Estuary (SFE) indicates that increased ammonium (NH4) loads have resulted in reduced primary production, a counter-intuitive finding; the NH4 paradox. Phytoplankton uptake of nitrate (NO3), the largest pool of dissolved inorganic nitrogen, is necessary for blooms to occur in SFE. The relatively small pool of ambient NH4, by itself insufficient to support a bloom, prevents access to NO3 and bloom development. This has contributed to the current rarity of spring phytoplankton blooms in the northern SFE (Suisun Bay), in spite of high inorganic nutrient concentrations, improved water transparency and seasonally low biomass of bivalve grazers. The lack of blooms has likely contributed to deleterious bottom-up impacts on estuarine fish. This bloom suppression may also occur in other estuaries that receive large amounts of anthropogenic NH4. In 2010 two rare diatom blooms were observed in spring in Suisun Bay (followed by increased abundances of copepods and pelagic fish), and like the prior bloom observed in 2000, chlorophyll accumulated after NH4 concentrations were decreased. In 2010, low NH4 concentrations were apparently due to a combination of reduced NH4 discharge from a wastewater treatment plant and increased river flow. To understand the interactions of river flow, NH4 discharge and bloom initiation, a conceptual model was constructed with three criteria; 1) NH4 loading must not exceed the capacity of the phytoplankton to assimilate the inflow of NH4, 2) the NH4 concentration must be ≤4 μmol L-1 to enable phytoplankton NO3 uptake, 3) the dilution rate of phytoplankton biomass set by river flow must not exceed the phytoplankton growth rate to avoid "washout". These criteria were determined for Suisun Bay; with sufficient irradiance and present day discharge of 15 tons NH4-N d-1at the upstream wastewater treatment plant (WTP). The loading criterion requires phytoplankton NH4 uptake to exceed 1.58 mmol m-2 d-1; the concentration criterion requires river flow >800 m3 s-1 at the WTP for sufficient NH4 dilution and the washout criterion requires river flow at Suisun Bay <1100 m3 s-1. The model and criteria are used to suggest how a reduction in anthropogenic NH4, either by reduced discharge or increased dilution (river flow), could be used as a management tool to restore pre-existing productivity in the SFE and similarly impacted estuaries.

Ischemia may be the primary cause of the neurologic deficits in classic migraine

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

Skyhoj Olsen, T.; Friberg, L.; Lassen, N.A.

1987-02-01

This study investigates whether the cerebral blood flow reduction occurring in attacks of classic migraine is sufficient to cause neurologic deficits. Regional cerebral blood flow measured with the xenon 133 intracarotid injection technique was analyzed in 11 patients in whom a low-flow area developed during attacks of classic migraine. When measured with this technique, regional cerebral blood flow in focal low-flow areas will be overestimated because of the effect of scattered radiation (Compton scatter) on the recordings. In this study, this effect was particularly taken into account when evaluating the degree of blood flow reduction. During attacks of classic migraine,more » cerebral blood flow reductions averaging 52% were observed focally in the 11 patients. Cerebral blood flow levels known to be insufficient for normal cortical function (less than 16 to 23 mL/100 g/min) were measured in seven patients during the attacks. This was probably also the case in the remaining four patients, but the effect of scattered radiation made a reliable evaluation of blood flow impossible. It is concluded that the blood flow reduction that occurs during attacks of classic migraine is sufficient to cause ischemia and neurologic deficits. Hence, this study suggests a vascular origin of the prodromal neurologic deficits that may accompany attacks of classic migraine.« less

Bubble propagation in Hele-Shaw channels with centred constrictions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Franco-Gómez, Andrés; Thompson, Alice B.; Hazel, Andrew L.; Juel, Anne

2018-04-01

We study the propagation of finite bubbles in a Hele-Shaw channel, where a centred occlusion (termed a rail) is introduced to provide a small axially uniform depth constriction. For bubbles wide enough to span the channel, the system’s behaviour is similar to that of semi-infinite fingers and a symmetric static solution is stable. Here, we focus on smaller bubbles, in which case the symmetric static solution is unstable and the static bubble is displaced towards one of the deeper regions of the channel on either side of the rail. Using a combination of experiments and numerical simulations of a depth-averaged model, we show that a bubble propagating axially due to a small imposed flow rate can be stabilised in a steady symmetric mode centred on the rail through a subtle interaction between stabilising viscous forces and destabilising surface tension forces. However, for sufficiently large capillary numbers Ca, the ratio of viscous to surface tension forces, viscous forces in turn become destabilising thus returning the bubble to an off-centred propagation regime. With decreasing bubble size, the range of Ca for which steady centred propagation is stable decreases, and eventually vanishes through the coalescence of two supercritical pitchfork bifurcations. The depth-averaged model is found to accurately predict all the steady modes of propagation observed experimentally, and provides a comprehensive picture of the underlying steady bifurcation structure. However, for sufficiently large imposed flow rates, we find that initially centred bubbles do not converge onto a steady mode of propagation. Instead they transiently explore weakly unstable steady modes, an evolution which results in their break-up and eventual settling into a steady propagating state of changed topology.

Predictions of hydrothermal alteration within near-ridge oceanic crust from coordinated geochemical and fluid flow models

USGS Publications Warehouse

Wetzel, L.R.; Raffensperger, Jeff P.; Shock, E.L.

2001-01-01

Coordinated geochemical and hydrological calculations guide our understanding of the composition, fluid flow patterns, and thermal structure of near-ridge oceanic crust. The case study presented here illustrates geochemical and thermal changes taking place as oceanic crust ages from 0.2 to 1.0 Myr. Using a finite element code, we model fluid flow and heat transport through the upper few hundred meters of an abyssal hill created at an intermediate spreading rate. We use a reaction path model with a customized database to calculate equilibrium fluid compositions and mineral assemblages of basalt and seawater at 500 bars and temperatures ranging from 150 to 400??C. In one scenario, reaction path calculations suggest that volume increases on the order of 10% may occur within portions of the basaltic basement. If this change in volume occurred, it would be sufficient to fill all primary porosity in some locations, effectively sealing off portions of the oceanic crust. Thermal profiles resulting from fluid flow simulations indicate that volume changes along this possible reaction path occur primarily within the first 0.4 Myr of crustal aging. ?? 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.

Nonlinear Slewing Spacecraft Control Based on Exergy, Power Flow, and Static and Dynamic Stability

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Robinett, Rush D.; Wilson, David G.

2009-10-01

This paper presents a new nonlinear control methodology for slewing spacecraft, which provides both necessary and sufficient conditions for stability by identifying the stability boundaries, rigid body modes, and limit cycles. Conservative Hamiltonian system concepts, which are equivalent to static stability of airplanes, are used to find and deal with the static stability boundaries: rigid body modes. The application of exergy and entropy thermodynamic concepts to the work-rate principle provides a natural partitioning through the second law of thermodynamics of power flows into exergy generator, dissipator, and storage for Hamiltonian systems that is employed to find the dynamic stability boundaries: limit cycles. This partitioning process enables the control system designer to directly evaluate and enhance the stability and performance of the system by balancing the power flowing into versus the power dissipated within the system subject to the Hamiltonian surface (power storage). Relationships are developed between exergy, power flow, static and dynamic stability, and Lyapunov analysis. The methodology is demonstrated with two illustrative examples: (1) a nonlinear oscillator with sinusoidal damping and (2) a multi-input-multi-output three-axis slewing spacecraft that employs proportional-integral-derivative tracking control with numerical simulation results.

Size effects under homogeneous deformation of single crystals: A discrete dislocation analysis

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Guruprasad, P. J.; Benzerga, A. A.

Mechanism-based discrete dislocation plasticity is used to investigate the effect of size on micron scale crystal plasticity under conditions of macroscopically homogeneous deformation. Long-range interactions among dislocations are naturally incorporated through elasticity. Constitutive rules are used which account for key short-range dislocation interactions. These include junction formation and dynamic source and obstacle creation. Two-dimensional calculations are carried out which can handle high dislocation densities and large strains up to 0.1. The focus is laid on the effect of dimensional constraints on plastic flow and hardening processes. Specimen dimensions ranging from hundreds of nanometers to tens of microns are considered. Our findings show a strong size-dependence of flow strength and work-hardening rate at the micron scale. Taylor-like hardening is shown to be insufficient as a rationale for the flow stress scaling with specimen dimensions. The predicted size effect is associated with the emergence, at sufficient resolution, of a signed dislocation density. Heuristic correlations between macroscopic flow stress and macroscopic measures of dislocation density are sought. Most accurate among those is a correlation based on two state variables: the total dislocation density and an effective, scale-dependent measure of signed density.

Experimental study of humidity changes on the performance of an elliptical single four-channel PEM fuel cell

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gholizadeh, Mohammad; Ghazikhani, Mohsen; Khazaee, Iman

2017-01-01

Humidity and humidification in a proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEM) can significantly affect the performance of these energy generating devices. Since protons (H+) needs to be accompanied by water molecules to pass from the anode side to the cathode side, the PEM fuel cell membrane should be sufficiently wet. Low or high amount of water in the membrane can interrupt the flow of protons and thus reduce the efficiency of the fuel cell. In this context, several experimental studies and modeling have been carried out on PEM fuel cell and interesting results have been achieved. In this paper, the humidity and flow rate of gas in the anode and cathode are modified to examine its effect on fuel cell performance. The results show that the effect of humidity changing in the anode side is greater than that of the cathode so that at zero humidity of anode and 70 % humidity of the cathode, a maximum current flow of 0.512 A/cm2 for 0.12 V was obtained. However, at 70 % anode humidity and zero cathode humidity, a maximum flow of 0.86 A/cm2 for 0.13 V was obtained.

The effectiveness of simple drainage technique in improvement of cerebral blood flow in patients with chronic subdural hemorrhage.

PubMed

Kaplan, Metin; Erol, Fatih Serhat; Bozgeyik, Zülküf; Koparan, Mehmet

2007-07-01

In the present study, the clinical effectiveness of a surgical procedure in which no draining tubes are installed following simple burr hole drainage and saline irrigation is investigated. 10 patients, having undergone operative intervention for unilateral chronic subdural hemorrhage, having a clinical grade of 2 and a hemorrhage thickness of 2 cm, were included in the study. The cerebral blood flow rates of middle cerebral artery were evaluated bilaterally with Doppler before and after the surgery. All the cases underwent the operation using the simple burr hole drainage technique without the drain and consequent saline irrigation. Statistical analysis was performed by Wilcoxon signed rank test (p<0.05). There was a pronounced decrease in the preoperative MCA blood flow in the hemisphere the hemorrhage had occurred (p=0.008). An increased PI value on the side of the hemorrhage drew our attention (p=0.005). Postoperative MCA blood flow measurements showed a statistically significant improvement (p=0.005). Furthermore, the PI value showed normalization (p<0.05). The paresis and the level of consciousness improved in all cases. Simple burr hole drainage technique is sufficient for the improvement of cerebral blood flow and clinical recovery in patients with chronic subdural hemorrhage.

Measurements of Turbulent Kinetic Energy Dissipation Rate in Complex Terrain from the Perdigão Experiment

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lundquist, J. K.; Bariteau, L.; Hocut, C. M.; Creegan, E.; Chow, F. K.; Mazzaro, L.; Bodini, N.; Tomaszewski, J.; Murphy, P.; Neher, J.; van Veen, L.; Pattantyus, A.

2017-12-01

To investigate the turbulent mixing events within and around Portugal's Perdigão valley during the intensive field campaign of 1 May - 15 June 2017, the University of Colorado Boulder (CU) and the Army Research Laboratory (ARL) deployed Tethered Lifting Systems (TLS). The TLS carried turbulence probes to sample from the ground to 500 m above the surface. These probes sample temperature, relative humidity, and winds, including very high-rate measurements that enable measurement of turbulence dissipation rate and temperature structure parameters. The vertical resolution of the systems is defined by the ascent and descent rates of the probes, making this platform uniquely suited for sensing and characterizng stratification and layering undetectable by other instrumentation in the campaign. Therefore, the detailed information provided by the TLS (see Figure 1) allows us to characterize the intermittent turbulence events and circulations above and within the valley with detail sufficient for evaluation of mesoscale-microscale modeling of these flows. This presentation will survey the datasets collected by the University of Colorado's TLS located in the center of the valley. Specific case studies will be highlighted, including turbine wake measurements, interactions between drainage flow down-valley and mesoscale forcing up-valley, evening transitions, and morning transitions. Several coordinated "flights" of the CU and ARL systems within and outside of the valley enabled contrasting measurements to provide insight into the terrain-driven mixing events.

Disruption of thalamic functional connectivity is a neural correlate of dexmedetomidine-induced unconsciousness

PubMed Central

Akeju, Oluwaseun; Loggia, Marco L; Catana, Ciprian; Pavone, Kara J; Vazquez, Rafael; Rhee, James; Contreras Ramirez, Violeta; Chonde, Daniel B; Izquierdo-Garcia, David; Arabasz, Grae; Hsu, Shirley; Habeeb, Kathleen; Hooker, Jacob M; Napadow, Vitaly; Brown, Emery N; Purdon, Patrick L

2014-01-01

Understanding the neural basis of consciousness is fundamental to neuroscience research. Disruptions in cortico-cortical connectivity have been suggested as a primary mechanism of unconsciousness. By using a novel combination of positron emission tomography and functional magnetic resonance imaging, we studied anesthesia-induced unconsciousness and recovery using the α2-agonist dexmedetomidine. During unconsciousness, cerebral metabolic rate of glucose and cerebral blood flow were preferentially decreased in the thalamus, the Default Mode Network (DMN), and the bilateral Frontoparietal Networks (FPNs). Cortico-cortical functional connectivity within the DMN and FPNs was preserved. However, DMN thalamo-cortical functional connectivity was disrupted. Recovery from this state was associated with sustained reduction in cerebral blood flow and restored DMN thalamo-cortical functional connectivity. We report that loss of thalamo-cortical functional connectivity is sufficient to produce unconsciousness. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.7554/eLife.04499.001 PMID:25432022

Internal friction between fluid particles of MHD tangent hyperbolic fluid with heat generation: Using coefficients improved by Cash and Karp

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Salahuddin, T.; Khan, Imad; Malik, M. Y.; Khan, Mair; Hussain, Arif; Awais, Muhammad

2017-05-01

The present work examines the internal resistance between fluid particles of tangent hyperbolic fluid flow due to a non-linear stretching sheet with heat generation. Using similarity transformations, the governing system of partial differential equations is transformed into a coupled non-linear ordinary differential system with variable coefficients. Unlike the current analytical works on the flow problems in the literature, the main concern here is to numerically work out and find the solution by using Runge-Kutta-Fehlberg coefficients improved by Cash and Karp (Naseer et al., Alexandria Eng. J. 53, 747 (2014)). To determine the relevant physical features of numerous mechanisms acting on the deliberated problem, it is sufficient to have the velocity profile and temperature field and also the drag force and heat transfer rate all as given in the current paper.

Near-field transport of {sup 129}I from a point source in an in-room disposal vault

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

Kolar, M.; Leneveu, D.M.; Johnson, L.H.

1995-12-31

A very small number of disposal containers of heat generating nuclear waste may have initial manufacturing defects that would lead to pin-hole type failures at the time of or shortly after emplacement. For sufficiently long-lived containers, only the initial defects need to be considered in modeling of release rates from the disposal vault. Two approaches to modeling of near-field mass transport from a single point source within a disposal room have been compared: the finite-element code MOTIF (A Model Of Transport In Fractured/porous media) and a boundary integral method (BIM). These two approaches were found to give identical results formore » a simplified model of the disposal room without groundwater flow. MOTIF has then been used to study the effects of groundwater flow on the mass transport out of the emplacement room.« less

The vanishing cryovolcanoes of Ceres

USGS Publications Warehouse

Sori, Michael M.; Byrne, Shane; Bland, Michael T.; Bramson, Ali; Ermakov, Anton; Hamilton, Christoper; Otto, Katharina; Ruesch, Ottaviano; Russell, Christopher

2017-01-01

Ahuna Mons is a 4 km tall mountain on Ceres interpreted as a geologically young cryovolcanic dome. Other possible cryovolcanic features are more ambiguous, implying that cryovolcanism is only a recent phenomenon or that other cryovolcanic structures have been modified beyond easy identification. We test the hypothesis that Cerean cryovolcanic domes viscously relax, precluding ancient domes from recognition. We use numerical models to predict flow velocities of Ahuna Mons to be 10–500 m/Myr, depending upon assumptions about ice content, rheology, grain size, and thermal parameters. Slower flow rates in this range are sufficiently fast to induce extensive relaxation of cryovolcanic structures over 108–109 years, but gradual enough for Ahuna Mons to remain identifiable today. Positive topographic features, including a tholus underlying Ahuna Mons, may represent relaxed cryovolcanic structures. A composition for Ahuna Mons of >40% ice explains the observed distribution of cryovolcanic structures because viscous relaxation renders old cryovolcanoes unrecognizable.

Tertiary instability of zonal flows within the Wigner-Moyal formulation of drift turbulence

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhu, Hongxuan; Ruiz, D. E.; Dodin, I. Y.

2017-10-01

The stability of zonal flows (ZFs) is analyzed within the generalized-Hasegawa-Mima model. The necessary and sufficient condition for a ZF instability, which is also known as the tertiary instability, is identified. The qualitative physics behind the tertiary instability is explained using the recently developed Wigner-Moyal formulation and the corresponding wave kinetic equation (WKE) in the geometrical-optics (GO) limit. By analyzing the drifton phase space trajectories, we find that the corrections proposed in Ref. to the WKE are critical for capturing the spatial scales characteristic for the tertiary instability. That said, we also find that this instability itself cannot be adequately described within a GO formulation in principle. Using the Wigner-Moyal equations, which capture diffraction, we analytically derive the tertiary-instability growth rate and compare it with numerical simulations. The research was sponsored by the U.S. Department of Energy.

Digital Archiving of People Flow by Recycling Large-Scale Social Survey Data of Developing Cities

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sekimoto, Y.; Watanabe, A.; Nakamura, T.; Horanont, T.

2012-07-01

Data on people flow has become increasingly important in the field of business, including the areas of marketing and public services. Although mobile phones enable a person's position to be located to a certain degree, it is a challenge to acquire sufficient data from people with mobile phones. In order to grasp people flow in its entirety, it is important to establish a practical method of reconstructing people flow from various kinds of existing fragmentary spatio-temporal data such as social survey data. For example, despite typical Person Trip Survey Data collected by the public sector showing the fragmentary spatio-temporal positions accessed, the data are attractive given the sufficiently large sample size to estimate the entire flow of people. In this study, we apply our proposed basic method to Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) PT data pertaining to developing cities around the world, and we propose some correction methods to resolve the difficulties in applying it to many cities and stably to infrastructure data.

A review of radioactive isotopes and other residence time tracers in understanding groundwater recharge: Possibilities, challenges, and limitations

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cartwright, Ian; Cendón, Dioni; Currell, Matthew; Meredith, Karina

2017-12-01

Documenting the location and magnitude of groundwater recharge is critical for understanding groundwater flow systems. Radioactive tracers, notably 14C, 3H, 36Cl, and the noble gases, together with other tracers whose concentrations vary over time, such as the chlorofluorocarbons or sulfur hexafluoride, are commonly used to estimate recharge rates. This review discusses some of the advantages and problems of using these tracers to estimate recharge rates. The suite of tracers allows recharge to be estimated over timescales ranging from a few years to several hundred thousand years, which allows both the long-term and modern behaviour of groundwater systems to be documented. All tracers record mean residence times and mean recharge rates rather than a specific age and date of recharge. The timescale over which recharge rates are averaged increases with the mean residence time. This is an advantage in providing representative recharge rates but presents a problem in comparing recharge rates derived from these tracers with those from other techniques, such as water table fluctuations or lysimeters. In addition to issues relating to the sampling and interpretation of specific tracers, macroscopic dispersion and mixing in groundwater flow systems limit how precisely groundwater residence times and recharge rates may be estimated. Additionally, many recharge studies have utilised existing infrastructure that may not be ideal for this purpose (e.g., wells with long screens that sample groundwater several kilometres from the recharge area). Ideal recharge studies would collect sufficient information to optimise the use of specific tracers and minimise the problems of mixing and dispersion.

Personal and demographic factors and change of subjective indoor air quality reported by school children in relation to exposure at Swedish schools: a 2-year longitudinal study.

PubMed

Wang, Juan; Smedje, Greta; Nordquist, Tobias; Norbäck, Dan

2015-03-01

This paper studies changes in subjective indoor air quality (SIAQ) among school children and relates these data to repeated exposure measurements during a two-year follow-up period. Data on SIAQ and demographic information were gathered by a questionnaire sent to 1476 primary and secondary school pupils in 39 randomly selected schools at baseline and after two years (follow-up). Exposure measurements were applied after questionnaire data were collected at baseline and follow-up in approximately 100 classrooms. The arithmetic mean values for baseline and follow-up were: for indoor air temperature 23.6°C and 21.8°C and for outdoor air flow rate 5.4 L/s and 7.9L/s. Older children, those with atopy at baseline, and those in larger schools reported impaired SIAQ during follow-up. Installation of new ventilation systems, higher personal air flow rate and air exchange rate, and better illumination were associated with improved SIAQ. Higher CO2 levels were associated with impaired SIAQ. In conclusion, sufficient ventilation and illumination in classrooms are essential for the perception of good indoor air quality. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

A tissue snap-freezing apparatus without sacrificial cryogens

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Vanapalli, Srinivas; Jagga, Sahil; Holland, Harry; ter Brake, Marcel

2017-12-01

Molecular technologies in cancer diagnosis require a fresh and frozen tissue, which is obtained by means of snap-freezing. Currently, coolants such as solid carbon dioxide and liquid nitrogen are used to preserve good morphology of the tissue. Using these coolants, snap freezing of tissues for diagnostic and research purposes is often time consuming, laborious, even hazardous and not user friendly. For that reason snap-freezing is not routinely applied at the location of biopsy acquisition. Furthermore, the influence of optimal cooling rate and cold sink temperature on the viability of the cells is not well known. In this paper, a snap-freezing apparatus powered by a small cryocooler is presented that will allow bio-medical research of tissue freezing methods and is safe to use in a hospital. To benchmark this apparatus, cooldown of a standard aluminum cryo-vial in liquid nitrogen is measured and the cooling rate is about -25 K/s between 295 K and 120 K. Sufficient cooling rate is obtained by a forced convective helium gas flow through a gap formed between the cryo-vial and a cold surface and is therefore chosen as the preferred cooling method. A conceptual design of the snap-apparatus with forced flow is discussed in this paper.

Using Laboratory Experiments to Improve Ice-Ocean Parameterizations

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

McConnochie, C. D.; Kerr, R. C.

2017-12-01

Numerical models of ice-ocean interactions are typically unable to resolve the transport of heat and salt to the ice face. Instead, models rely upon parameterizations that have not been sufficiently validated by observations. Recent laboratory experiments of ice-saltwater interactions allow us to test the standard parameterization of heat and salt transport to ice faces - the three-equation model. The three-equation model predicts that the melt rate is proportional to the fluid velocity while the experimental results typically show that the melt rate is independent of the fluid velocity. By considering an analysis of the boundary layer that forms next to a melting ice face, we suggest a resolution to this disagreement. We show that the three-equation model makes the implicit assumption that the thickness of the diffusive sublayer next to the ice is set by a shear instability. However, at low flow velocities, the sublayer is instead set by a convective instability. This distinction leads to a threshold velocity of approximately 4 cm/s at geophysically relevant conditions, above which the form of the parameterization should be valid. In contrast, at flow speeds below 4 cm/s, the three-equation model will underestimate the melt rate. By incorporating such a minimum velocity into the three-equation model, predictions made by numerical simulations could be easily improved.

Hydrologic analysis of Mojave River Basin, California, using electric analog model

USGS Publications Warehouse

Hardt, W.F.

1971-01-01

The water needs of the Mojave River basin will increase because of population and industrial growth. The Mojave Water Agency is responsible for providing sufficient water of good quality for the full economic development of the area. The U.S. Geological Survey suggested an electric analog model of the basin as a predictive tool to aid management. About 1,375 square miles of the alluvial basin was simulated by a passive resistor-capacitor network. The Mojave River, the main source of recharge, was simulated by subdividing the river into 13 reaches, depending on intermittent or perennial flow and on phreatophytes. The water loss to the aquifer was based on records at five gaging stations. The aquifer system depends on river recharge to maintain the water table as most of the ground-water pumping and development is adjacent to the river. The accuracy and reliability of the model was assessed by comparing the water-level changes computed by the model for the period 1930-63 with the changes determined from field data for the same period. The model was used to predict the effects on the physical system by determining basin-wide water-level changes from 1930-2000 under different pumping rates and extremes in flow of the Mojave River. Future pumping was based on the 1960-63 rate, on an increase of 20 percent from this rate, and on population projections to 2000 in the Barstow area. For future predictions, the Mojave River was modeled as average flow based on 1931-65 records and also as high flow, 1937-46, and low flow, 1947-65. Other model runs included water-level change 1930-63 assuming aquifer depletion only and no recharge, effects of a well field pumping 10,000 acre-feet in 4 months north of Victorville and southeast of Yermo, and effects of importing 10,000, 35,000, and 50,800 acre-feet of water per year from the California Water Project into the Mojave River for conveyance downstream.

Advancements in Afterbody Radiative Heating Simulations for Earth Entry

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Johnston, Christopher O.; Panesi, Marco; Brandis, Aaron M.

2016-01-01

Four advancements to the simulation of backshell radiative heating for Earth entry are presented. The first of these is the development of a flow field model that treats electronic levels of the dominant backshell radiator, N, as individual species. This is shown to allow improvements in the modeling of electron-ion recombination and two-temperature modeling, which are shown to increase backshell radiative heating by 10 to 40%. By computing the electronic state populations of N within the flow field solver, instead of through the quasi-steady state approximation in the radiation code, the coupling of radiative transition rates to the species continuity equations for the levels of N, including the impact of non-local absorption, becomes feasible. Implementation of this additional level of coupling between the flow field and radiation codes represents the second advancement presented in this work, which is shown to increase the backshell radiation by another 10 to 50%. The impact of radiative transition rates due to non-local absorption indicates the importance of accurate radiation transport in the relatively complex flow geometry of the backshell. This motivates the third advancement, which is the development of a ray-tracing radiation transport approach to compute the radiative transition rates and divergence of the radiative flux at every point for coupling to the flow field, therefore allowing the accuracy of the commonly applied tangent-slab approximation to be assessed for radiative source terms. For the sphere considered at lunar-return conditions, the tangent-slab approximation is shown to provide a sufficient level of accuracy for the radiative source terms, even for backshell cases. This is in contrast to the agreement between the two approaches for computing the radiative flux to the surface, which differ by up to 40%. The final advancement presented is the development of a nonequilibrium model for NO radiation, which provides significant backshell radiation at velocities below 10 km/s. The developed model reduces the nonequilibrium NO radiation by 50% relative to the previous model.

Scaling of normalized mean energy and scalar dissipation rates in a turbulent channel flow

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Abe, Hiroyuki; Antonia, Robert Anthony

2011-05-01

Non-dimensional parameters for the mean energy and scalar dissipation rates Cɛ and Cɛθ are examined using direct numerical simulation (DNS) data obtained in a fully developed turbulent channel flow with a passive scalar (Pr = 0.71) at several values of the Kármán (Reynolds) number h+. It is shown that Cɛ and Cɛθ are approximately equal in the near-equilibrium region (viz., y+ = 100 to y/h = 0.7) where the production and dissipation rates of either the turbulent kinetic energy or scalar variance are approximately equal and the magnitudes of the diffusion terms are negligibly small. The magnitudes of Cɛ and Cɛθ are about 2 and 1 in the logarithmic and outer regions, respectively, when h+ is sufficiently large. The former value is about the same for the channel, pipe, and turbulent boundary layer, reflecting the similarity between the mean velocity and temperature distributions among these three canonical flows. The latter value is, on the other hand, about twice as large as in homogeneous isotropic turbulence due to the existence of the large-scale u structures in the channel. The behaviour of Cɛ and Cɛθ impacts on turbulence modeling. In particular, the similarity between Cɛ and Cɛθ leads to a simple relation for the scalar variance to turbulent kinetic energy time-scale ratio, an important ingredient in the eddy diffusivity model. This similarity also yields a relation between the Taylor and Corrsin microscales and analogous relations, in terms of h+, for the Taylor microscale Reynolds number and Corrsin microscale Peclet number. This dependence is reasonably well supported by both the DNS data at small to moderate h+ and the experimental data of Comte-Bellot [Ph. D. thesis (University of Grenoble, 1963)] at larger h+. It does not however apply to a turbulent boundary layer where the mean energy dissipation rate, normalized on either wall or outer variables, is about 30% larger than for the channel flow.

Influence of secondary settling tank performance on suspended solids mass balance in activated sludge systems.

PubMed

Patziger, M; Kainz, H; Hunze, M; Józsa, J

2012-05-01

Secondary settling is the final step of the activated sludge-based biological waste water treatment. Secondary settling tanks (SSTs) are therefore an essential unit of producing a clear effluent. A further important function of SSTs is the sufficient thickening to achieve highly concentrated return sludge and biomass within the biological reactor. In addition, the storage of activated sludge is also needed in case of peak flow events (Ekama et al., 1997). Due to the importance of a high SST performance the problem has long been investigated (Larsen, 1977; Krebs, 1991; Takács et al., 1991; Ekama et al., 1997; Freimann, 1999; Patziger et al., 2005; Bürger et al., 2011), however, a lot of questions are still to solve regarding e.g. the geometrical features (inflow, outflow) and operations (return sludge control, scraper mechanism, allowable maximum values of surface overflow rates). In our study we focused on SSTs under dynamic load considering both the overall unsteady behaviour and the features around the peaks, investigating the effect of various sludge return strategies as well as the inlet geometry on SST performance. The main research tool was a FLUENT-based novel mass transport model consisting of two modules, a 2D axisymmetric SST model and a mixed reactor model of the biological reactor (BR). The model was calibrated and verified against detailed measurements of flow and concentration patterns, sludge settling, accompanied with continuous on-line measurement of in- and outflow as well as returned flow rates of total suspended solids (TSS) and water. As to the inlet arrangement a reasonable modification of the geometry could result in the suppression of the large scale flow structures of the sludge-water interface thus providing a significant improvement in the SST performance. Furthermore, a critical value of the overflow rate (q(crit)) was found at which a pronounced large scale circulation pattern develops in the vertical plane, the density current in such a way hitting the outer wall of the SST, turning then to the vertical direction accompanied with significant flow velocities. This phenomenon strengthens with the hydraulic load and can entrain part of the sludge thus resulting in unfavourable turbid effluent. As a representative case study an operating circular SST most commonly used in practice was investigated. Focusing on the sludge return strategies, it was found that up to a threshold peak flow rate the most efficient way is to keep the return sludge flow rate constant, at 0.4Q(MAX). However, once the inflow rate exceeds the threshold value the return sludge flow rate should be slowly increased up to 0.6Q(MAX), performed in a delayed manner, about 20-30 min after the threshold value is exceeded. For preserving the methodology outlined in the present paper, other types of SSTs, however, need further individual investigations. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Fractured cement reactivity during CO2-rich brine leakage: Consequences on hydrodynamic and structural properties

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

abdelghafour, H.; Luquot, L.; Gouze, P.

2013-12-01

So far, cement alteration was principally studied experimentally using batch reactor (with static or renewed fluid). All exhibit similar carbonation mechanisms. The acidic solution, formed by the dissolution of the CO2 into the pore water or directly surrounding the cement sample, diffuses into the cement and induces dissolution reactions of the cement hydrates in particular portlandite and CSH. The calcium released by the dissolution of these calcium bearing phases combining with carbonate ions of the fluid forms calcium carbonates. The cement pH, initially around 13, falls to values where carbonate ion is the most dominant element (pH ~ 9), then CaCO3 phases can precipitate. These studies mainly associate carbonation process with a reduction of porosity and permeability. Indeed an increase of volume (about 10%) is expected during the formation of calcite from portlandite assuming a stoichiometric reaction. Here we investigated the cement alteration mechanisms in the frame of a controlled continuous renewal of CO2-rich fluid in a fracture. This situation is that expected when seepage is activated by the mechanical failure of the cement material that initially seals two layers of distinctly different pressure: the storage reservoir and the aquifer above the caprock, for instance. We study the effect of flow rates from quasi-static flow to higher flow rates for well-connected fractures. In the quasi-static case we observed an extensive conversion of portlandite (Ca(OH)2) to calcite in the vicinity of the fracture similar to that observed in the published batch experiments. Eventually, the fracture was almost totally healed. The experiments with constant flow revealed a different behavior triggered by the continuous renewing of the reactants and withdrawal of the reaction products. We showed that calcite precipitation is more efficient for low flow rate. With intermediate flow rate, we measured that permeability increases slowly at the beginning of the experiment and then remains constant due to calcite precipitation in replacement of CSH and CH into fracture border. With higher flow rate, we measured a constant permeability which can be explained by the development of a highly hydrated Si-rich zone which maintains the initial fracture aperture during all over the experiment while noticeable mass is released from the sample. These results emphasize that more complex behaviors than that envisaged from batch experiments may take place in the vicinity of flowing fractures. We demonstrated that if only micro-cracks appear in the cement well, carbonation reaction may heal these micro-cracks and mitigate leakage whereas conductive fractures allowing high flow may represent a risk of perennial leakage because the net carbonation process, including the calcite precipitation and its subsequent re-dissolution, is sufficiently to heal the fracture. However, the precipitation of Si-rich amorphous phases may maintain the initial fracture aperture and limit the leakage rate.

Measurements of myocardial flow vs. extraction of rubidium under varying physiological conditions

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

Budinger, T.F.; Yano, Y.; Moyer, B.R.

1984-01-01

The relationship between myocardial rubidium extraction (E) and flow (F) are well described by the single capillary model E = (1-exp(-PS/F)) with a permeability surface product PS = 0.87 cc/min/gm. Some effects of alkalosis and acidosis have been reported. Here the authors investigate the effects of dipyridamole, norepinephrine-atropine, exsanguination, pacing, ouabain and calcium on extraction using Rb-82 PET and Rb-86 acute studies with microspheres in dogs. Thoracotomies were performed for left atrial microsphere infusion. Anesthesia was by N/sub 2/O and methoxyflurane. The degree of exsanguination, drug levels administered and pacing rates were sufficient to produce flow modifications. Extraction was calculatedmore » by dividing FE from Rb observations by F from microsphere data. These results of extraction vs. flow do not show a significant dependence on the method used for flow modification. There was less than a 20% change in FE after an infusion of 0.04 mg/kg ouabain over 5 minutes in 3 replicate studies each on 4 dogs. An important finding not previously explained in flow vs. extraction studies is the occurrence of extraction values greater than 1.0 which is possible only if the distribution opportunities of small cations are greater than that of microspheres. This is equivalent to the well known hematocrit effect in small channels.« less

Experimental investigation of liquid-liquid system drop size distribution in Taylor-Couette flow and its application in the CFD simulation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Farzad, Reza; Puttinger, Stefan; Pirker, Stefan; Schneiderbauer, Simon

Liquid-liquid systems are widely used in the several industries such as food, pharmaceutical, cosmetic, chemical and petroleum. Drop size distribution (DSD) plays a key role as it strongly affects the overall mass and heat transfer in the liquid-liquid systems. To understand the underlying mechanisms single drop breakup experiments have been done by several researchers in the Taylor-Couette flow; however, most of those studies concentrate on the laminar flow regime and therefore, there is no sufficient amount of data in the case of in turbulent flows. The well-defined pattern of the Taylor-Couette flow enables the possibility to investigate DSD as a function of the local fluid dynamic properties, such as shear rate, which is in contrast to more complex devices such as stirred tank reactors. This paper deals with the experimental investigation of liquid-liquid DSD in Taylor-Couette flow. From high speed camera images we found a simple correlation for the Sauter mean diameter as a function of the local shear employing image processing. It is shown that this correlation holds for different oil-in-water emulsions. Finally, this empirical correlation for the DSD is used as an input data for a CFD simulation to compute the local breakup of individual droplets in a stirred tank reactor.

Study of process variables in supercritical carbon dioxide extraction of soybeans.

PubMed

Wilkinson, Nikolas; Hilton, Ramsey; Hendry, Doug; Venkitasamy, Chandrasekar; Jacoby, William

2014-01-01

Soybean flakes were extracted using supercritical carbon dioxide at 48.3 MPa and 80 °C, which is a higher temperature than previously reported. Several operational parameters were explored to determine their effect on extractions. Flakes, as typically used in this industry, provided the best extraction performance. Particle size distributions were created through grinding. Reducing average particle diameters smaller than 0.069 mm had no appreciable effect on increasing extraction efficiencies. Exploration of flow rate indicated that a residence time of less than 60 s for the supercritical carbon dioxide would be sufficient for complete extractions. A solvent mass to load mass ratio of 10:1 was found to be sufficient for extraction of oils from soybean flakes. Increasing moisture in the soybeans led to decreasing extraction efficiency of oils. Finally, soybean hulls had no effect on extraction efficiency. Thus, the de-hulling procedure can be removed from the extraction process without decreasing extraction efficiency.

Effect of a Flared Renal Stent on the Performance of Fenestrated Stent-Grafts at Rest and Exercise Conditions.

PubMed

Kandail, Harkamaljot; Hamady, Mohamad; Xu, Xiao Yun

2016-10-01

To quantify the hemodynamic impact of a flared renal stent on the performance of fenestrated stent-grafts (FSGs) by analyzing flow patterns and wall shear stress-derived parameters in flared and nonflared FSGs in different physiologic scenarios. Hypothetical models of FSGs were created with and without flaring of the proximal portion of the renal stent. Flared FSGs with different dilation angles and protrusion lengths were examined, as well as a nonplanar flared FSG to account for lumbar curvature. Laminar and pulsatile blood flow was simulated by numerically solving Navier-Stokes equations. A physiologically realistic flow rate waveform was prescribed at the inlet, while downstream vasculature was modeled using a lumped parameter 3-element windkessel model. No slip boundary conditions were imposed at the FSG walls, which were assumed to be rigid. While resting simulations were performed on all the FSGs, exercise simulations were also performed on a flared FSG to quantify the effect of flaring in different physiologic scenarios. For cycle-averaged inflow of 2.94 L/min (rest) and 4.63 L/min (exercise), 27% of blood flow was channeled into each renal branch at rest and 21% under exercise for all the flared FSGs examined. Although the renal flow waveform was not affected by flaring, flow within the flared FSGs was disturbed. This flow disturbance led to high endothelial cell activation potential (ECAP) values at the renal ostia for all the flared geometries. Reducing the dilation angle or protrusion length and exercise lowered the ECAP values for flared FSGs. Flaring of renal stents has a negligible effect on the time dependence of renal flow rate waveforms and can maintain sufficient renal perfusion at rest and exercise. Local flow patterns are, however, strongly dependent on renal flaring, which creates a local flow disturbance and may increase the thrombogenicity at the renal ostia. Smaller dilation angles, shorter protrusion lengths, and moderate lower limb exercise are likely to reduce the risk of thrombosis in flared geometries. © The Author(s) 2016.

Three-dimensional wave evolution on electrified falling films

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tomlin, Ruben; Papageorgiou, Demetrios; Pavliotis, Greg

2016-11-01

We consider the full three-dimensional model for a thin viscous liquid film completely wetting a flat infinite solid substrate at some non-zero angle to the horizontal, with an electric field normal to the substrate far from the flow. Thin film flows have applications in cooling processes. Many studies have shown that the presence of interfacial waves increases heat transfer by orders of magnitude due to film thinning and convection effects. A long-wave asymptotics procedure yields a Kuramoto-Sivashinsky equation with a non-local term to model the weakly nonlinear evolution of the interface dynamics for overlying film arrangements, with a restriction on the electric field strength. The non-local term is always linearly destabilising and produces growth rates proportional to the cube of the magnitude of the wavenumber vector. A sufficiently strong electric field is able promote non-trivial dynamics for subcritical Reynolds number flows where the flat interface is stable in the absence of an electric field. We present numerical simulations where we observe rich dynamical behavior with competing attractors, including "snaking" travelling waves and other fully three-dimensional wave formations. EPSRC studentship (RJT).

Fission gas release restrictor for breached fuel rod

DOEpatents

Kadambi, N. Prasad; Tilbrook, Roger W.; Spencer, Daniel R.; Schwallie, Ambrose L.

1986-01-01

In the event of a breach in the cladding of a rod in an operating liquid metal fast breeder reactor, the rapid release of high-pressure gas from the fission gas plenum may result in a gas blanketing of the breached rod and rods adjacent thereto which impairs the heat transfer to the liquid metal coolant. In order to control the release rate of fission gas in the event of a breached rod, the substantial portion of the conventional fission gas plenum is formed as a gas bottle means which includes a gas pervious means in a small portion thereof. During normal reactor operation, as the fission gas pressure gradually increases, the gas pressure interiorly of and exteriorly of the gas bottle means equalizes. In the event of a breach in the cladding, the gas pervious means in the gas bottle means constitutes a sufficient restriction to the rapid flow of gas therethrough that under maximum design pressure differential conditions, the fission gas flow through the breach will not significantly reduce the heat transfer from the affected rod and adjacent rods to the liquid metal heat transfer fluid flowing therebetween.

A free-flowing soap film combined with cavity ring-down spectroscopy as a detection system for liquid chromatography.

PubMed

Vogelsang, Markus; Welsch, Thomas; Jones, Harold

2010-05-07

We have shown that a free-flowing soap film has sufficiently high-quality optical properties to allow it to be used in the cavity of a ring-down spectrometer (CRDS). The flow rates required to maintain a stable soap film were similar to those used in liquid chromatography and thus allowed interfacing with an HPLC system for use as an optical detector. We have investigated the properties of the system in a relevant analytical application. The soap film/CRDS combination was used at 355 nm as a detector for the separation of a mixture of nitroarenes. These compounds play a role in the residue analysis of areas contaminated with explosives and their decomposition products. In spite of the short absorption path length (9 microm) obtained by the soap film, the high-sensitivity of CRDS allowed a limit of detection of 4 x 10(-6) in absorption units (AU) or less than 17 fmol in the detection volume to be achieved. Copyright (c) 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Rheological equations in asymptotic regimes of granular flow

USGS Publications Warehouse

Chen, C.-L.; Ling, C.-H.

1998-01-01

This paper assesses the validity of the generalized viscoplastic fluid (GVF) model in light of the established constitutive relations in two asymptotic flow regimes, namely, the macroviscous and grain-inertia regimes. A comprehensive review of the literature on constitutive relations in both regimes reveals that except for some material constants, such as the coefficient of restitution, the normalized shear stress in both regimes varies only with the grain concentration, C. It is found that Krieger-Dougherty's relative viscosity, ??*(C), is sufficiently coherent among the monotonically nondecreasing functions of C used in describing the variation of the shear stress with C in both regimes. It not only accurately represents the C-dependent relative viscosity of a suspension in the macroviscous regime, but also plays a role of the radial distribution function that describes the statistics of particle collisions in the grain-inertia regime. Use of ??*(C) alone, however, cannot link the two regimes. Another parameter, the shear-rate number, N, is needed in modelling the rheology of neutrally buoyant granular flows in transition between the two asymptotic regimes. The GVF model proves compatible with most established relations in both regimes.

Investigation of a continuous heating/cooling technique for cardiac output measurement.

PubMed

Ehlers, K C; Mylrea, K C; Calkins, J M

1987-01-01

Cardiac output is frequently measured to assess patient hemodynamic status in the operating room and intensive care unit. Current research for measuring cardiac output includes continuous sinusoidal heating and synchronous detection of thermal signals. This technique is limited by maximum heating element temperatures and background thermal noise. A continuous heating and cooling technique was investigated in vitro to determine if greater thermal signal magnitudes could be obtained. A fast responding thermistor was employed to measure consecutive ejected temperature plateaus in the thermal signal. A flow bath and mechanical ventricle were used to simulate the cardiovascular system. A thermoelectric module was used to apply heating and cooling energy to the flow stream. Trials encompassing a range of input power, input frequency, and flow rate were conducted. By alternating heating and cooling, thermal signal magnitude can be increased when compared to continuous heating alone. However, the increase was not sufficient to allow for recording in all patients over the expected normal range of cardiac output. Consecutive ejected temperature plateaus were also measured on the thermal signal and ejection fraction calculations were made.

Small-scale behavior in distorted turbulent boundary layers at low Reynolds number

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Saddoughi, Seyed G.

1994-01-01

During the last three years we have conducted high- and low-Reynolds-number experiments, including hot-wire measurements of the velocity fluctuations, in the test-section-ceiling boundary layer of the 80- by 120-foot Full-Scale Aerodynamics Facility at NASA Ames Research Center, to test the local-isotropy predictions of Kolmogorov's universal equilibrium theory. This hypothesis, which states that at sufficiently high Reynolds numbers the small-scale structures of turbulent motions are independent of large-scale structures and mean deformations, has been used in theoretical studies of turbulence and computational methods such as large-eddy simulation; however, its range of validity in shear flows has been a subject of controversy. The present experiments were planned to enhance our understanding of the local-isotropy hypothesis. Our experiments were divided into two sets. First, measurements were taken at different Reynolds numbers in a plane boundary layer, which is a 'simple' shear flow. Second, experiments were designed to address this question: will our criteria for the existence of local isotropy hold for 'complex' nonequilibrium flows in which extra rates of mean strain are added to the basic mean shear?

Modeling the Inhomogeneous Response of Steady and Transient Flows of Entangled Micellar Solutions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

McKinley, Gareth

2008-03-01

Surfactant molecules can self-assemble in solution into long flexible structures known as wormlike micelles. These structures entangle, forming a viscoelastic network similar to those in entangled polymer melts and solutions. However, in contrast to `inert' polymeric networks, wormlike micelles continuously break and reform leading to an additional relaxation mechanism and the name `living polymers'. Observations in both classes of entangled fluids have shown that steady and transient shearing flows of these solutions exhibit spatial inhomogeneities such as `shear-bands' at sufficiently large applied strains. In the present work, we investigate the dynamical response of a class of two-species elastic network models which can capture, in a self-consistent manner, the creation and destruction of elastically-active network segments, as well as diffusive coupling between the microstructural conformations and the local state of stress in regions with large spatial gradients of local deformation. These models incorporate a discrete version of the micellar breakage and reforming dynamics originally proposed by Cates and capture, at least qualitatively, non-affine tube deformation and chain disentanglement. The `flow curves' of stress and apparent shear rate resulting from an assumption of homogeneous deformation is non-monotonic and linear stability analysis shows that the region of non-monotonic response is unstable. Calculation of the full inhomogeneous flow field results in localized shear bands that grow linearly in extent across the gap as the apparent shear rate increases. Time-dependent calculations in step strain, large amplitude oscillatory shear (LAOS) and in start up of steady shear flow show that the velocity profile in the gap and the total stress measured at the bounding surfaces are coupled and evolve in a complex non-monotonic manner as the shear bands develop and propagate.

Numerical Simulation of Unsteady Blood Flow through Capillary Networks.

PubMed

Davis, J M; Pozrikidis, C

2011-08-01

A numerical method is implemented for computing unsteady blood flow through a branching capillary network. The evolution of the discharge hematocrit along each capillary segment is computed by integrating in time a one-dimensional convection equation using a finite-difference method. The convection velocity is determined by the local and instantaneous effective capillary blood viscosity, while the tube to discharge hematocrit ratio is deduced from available correlations. Boundary conditions for the discharge hematocrit at divergent bifurcations arise from the partitioning law proposed by Klitzman and Johnson involving a dimensionless exponent, q≥1. When q=1, the cells are partitioned in proportion to the flow rate; as q tends to infinity, the cells are channeled into the branch with the highest flow rate. Simulations are performed for a tree-like, perfectly symmetric or randomly perturbed capillary network with m generations. When the tree involves more than a few generations, a supercritical Hopf bifurcation occurs at a critical value of q, yielding spontaneous self-sustained oscillations in the absence of external forcing. A phase diagram in the m-q plane is presented to establish conditions for unsteady flow, and the effect of various geometrical and physical parameters is examined. For a given network tree order, m, oscillations can be induced for a sufficiently high value of q by increasing the apparent intrinsic viscosity, decreasing the ratio of the vessel diameter from one generation to the next, or by decreasing the diameter of the terminal vessels. With other parameters fixed, oscillations are inhibited by increasing m. The results of the continuum model are in excellent agreement with the predictions of a discrete model where the motion of individual cells is followed from inlet to outlet.

Coiling of viscous jets

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ribe, Neil M.

2004-11-01

A stream of viscous fluid falling from a sufficient height onto a surface forms a series of regular coils. I use a numerical model for a deformable fluid thread to predict the coiling frequency as a function of the thread's radius, the flow rate, the fall height, and the fluid viscosity. Three distinct modes of coiling can occur: viscous (e.g. toothpaste), gravitational (honey falling from a moderate height) and inertial (honey falling from a great height). When inertia is significant, three states of steady coiling with different frequencies can exist over a range of fall heights. The numerically predicted coiling frequencies agree well with experimental measurements in the inertial coiling regime.

Planning Student Flow with Linear Programming: A Tunisian Case Study.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Bezeau, Lawrence

A student flow model in linear programming format, designed to plan the movement of students into secondary and university programs in Tunisia, is described. The purpose of the plan is to determine a sufficient number of graduating students that would flow back into the system as teachers or move into the labor market to meet fixed manpower…

Sensitive gas analysis system on a microchip and application for on-site monitoring of NH3 in a clean room.

PubMed

Hiki, Shinichiro; Mawatari, Kazuma; Aota, Arata; Saito, Maki; Kitamori, Takehiko

2011-06-15

A portable, highly sensitive, and continuous ammonia gas monitoring system was developed with a microfluidic chip. The system consists of a main unit, a gas pumping unit, and a computer which serves as an operation console. The size of the system is 45 cm width × 30 cm depth × 30 cm height, and the portable system was realized. A highly efficient and stable extraction method was developed by utilizing an annular gas/liquid laminar flow. In addition, a stable gas/liquid separation method with a PTFE membrane was developed by arranging a fluidic network in three dimensions to achieve almost zero dead volume at the gas/liquid extraction part. The extraction rate was almost 100% with a liquid flow rate of 3.5 μL/min and a gas flow rate of 100 mL/min (contact time of ~15 ms), and the concentration factor was 200 times by calculating the NH(3) concentration (w/w unit) in the gas and liquid phases. Stable phase separation and detection was sustained for more than 3 weeks in an automated operation, which was sufficient for the monitoring application. The lower limit of detection calculated based on a signal-to-noise ratio of 3 was 84 ppt, which showed good detectability for NH(3) analysis. We believe that our system is a very powerful tool for gas analysis due to the advantages of portable size, high sensitivity, and continuous monitoring, and it is particularly useful in the semiconductor field.

Spontaneous generation and reversals of mean flows in a convectively-generated internal gravity wave field

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Couston, Louis-Alexandre; Lecoanet, Daniel; Favier, Benjamin; Le Bars, Michael

2017-11-01

We investigate via direct numerical simulations the spontaneous generation and reversals of mean zonal flows in a stably-stratified fluid layer lying above a turbulent convective fluid. Contrary to the leading idealized theories of mean flow generation by self-interacting internal waves, the emergence of a mean flow in a convectively-generated internal gravity wave field is not always possible because nonlinear interactions of waves of different frequencies can disrupt the mean flow generation mechanism. Strong mean flows thus emerge when the divergence of the Reynolds stress resulting from the nonlinear interactions of internal waves produces a strong enough anti-diffusive acceleration for the mean flow, which, as we will demonstrate, is the case when the Prandtl number is sufficiently low, or when the energy input into the internal wavefield by the convection and density stratification are sufficiently large. Implications for mean zonal flow production as observed in the equatorial stratospheres of the Earth, Saturn and Jupiter, and possibly occurring in other geophysical systems such as planetary and stellar interiors will be briefly discussed. Funding provided by the European Research Council (ERC) under the European Union's Horizon 2020 research and innovation program through Grant Agreement No. 681835-FLUDYCO-ERC-2015-CoG.

Steady-state hydrodynamic instabilities of active liquid crystals: hybrid lattice Boltzmann simulations.

PubMed

Marenduzzo, D; Orlandini, E; Cates, M E; Yeomans, J M

2007-09-01

We report hybrid lattice Boltzmann (HLB) simulations of the hydrodynamics of an active nematic liquid crystal sandwiched between confining walls with various anchoring conditions. We confirm the existence of a transition between a passive phase and an active phase, in which there is spontaneous flow in the steady state. This transition is attained for sufficiently "extensile" rods, in the case of flow-aligning liquid crystals, and for sufficiently "contractile" ones for flow-tumbling materials. In a quasi-one-dimensional geometry, deep in the active phase of flow-aligning materials, our simulations give evidence of hysteresis and history-dependent steady states, as well as of spontaneous banded flow. Flow-tumbling materials, in contrast, rearrange themselves so that only the two boundary layers flow in steady state. Two-dimensional simulations, with periodic boundary conditions, show additional instabilities, with the spontaneous flow appearing as patterns made up of "convection rolls." These results demonstrate a remarkable richness (including dependence on anchoring conditions) in the steady-state phase behavior of active materials, even in the absence of external forcing; they have no counterpart for passive nematics. Our HLB methodology, which combines lattice Boltzmann for momentum transport with a finite difference scheme for the order parameter dynamics, offers a robust and efficient method for probing the complex hydrodynamic behavior of active nematics.

Flow-field in a vortex with breakdown above sharp edged delta wings

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hayashi, Y.; Nakaya, T.

1978-01-01

The behavior of vortex-flow, accompanied with breakdown, formed above sharp-edged delta wings, was studied experimentally as well as theoretically. Emphasis is placed particularly on the criterion for the breakdown at sufficiently large Reynolds numbers

Correlation of the Deccan and Rajahmundry Trap lavas: Are these the longest and largest lava flows on Earth?

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Self, S.; Jay, A. E.; Widdowson, M.; Keszthelyi, L. P.

2008-05-01

We propose that the Rajahmundry Trap lavas, found near the east coast of peninsular India , are remnants of the longest lava flows yet recognized on Earth (˜ 1000 km long). These outlying Deccan-like lavas are shown to belong to the main Deccan Traps. Several previous studies have already suggested this correlation, but have not demonstrated it categorically. The exposed Rajahmundry lavas are interpreted to be the distal parts of two very-large-volume pāhoehoe flow fields, one each from the Ambenali and Mahabaleshwar Formations of the Wai Sub-group in the Deccan Basalt Group. Eruptive conditions required to emplace such long flows are met by plausible values for cooling and eruption rates, and this is shown by applying a model for the formation of inflated pāhoehoe sheet flow lobes. The model predicts flow lobe thicknesses similar to those observed in the Rajahmundry lavas. For the last 400 km of flow, the lava flows were confined to the pre-existing Krishna valley drainage system that existed in the basement beyond the edge of the gradually expanding Deccan lava field, allowing the flows to extend across the subcontinent to the eastern margin where they were emplaced into a littoral and/or shallow marine environment. These lavas and other individual flow fields in the Wai Sub-group may exceed eruptive volumes of 5000 km 3, which would place them amongst the largest magnitude effusive eruptive units yet known. We suggest that the length of flood basalt lava flows on Earth is restricted mainly by the size of land masses and topography. In the case of the Rajahmundry lavas, the flows reached estuaries and the sea, where their advance was perhaps effectively terminated by cooling and/or disruption. However, it is only during large igneous province basaltic volcanism that such huge volumes of lava are erupted in single events, and when the magma supply rate is sufficiently high and maintained to allow the formation of very long lava flows. The Rajahmundry lava fields were emplaced around 65 Ma during the later times of Deccan volcanism, probably just after the K/T environmental crisis. However, many lava-forming eruptions of similar magnitude and style straddled the K/T boundary.

Correlation of the Deccan and Rajahmundry Trap lavas: Are these the longest and largest lava flows on Earth?

USGS Publications Warehouse

Self, S.; Jay, A.E.; Widdowson, M.; Keszthelyi, L.P.

2008-01-01

We propose that the Rajahmundry Trap lavas, found near the east coast of peninsular India, are remnants of the longest lava flows yet recognized on Earth (??? 1000??km long). These outlying Deccan-like lavas are shown to belong to the main Deccan Traps. Several previous studies have already suggested this correlation, but have not demonstrated it categorically. The exposed Rajahmundry lavas are interpreted to be the distal parts of two very-large-volume pa??hoehoe flow fields, one each from the Ambenali and Mahabaleshwar Formations of the Wai Sub-group in the Deccan Basalt Group. Eruptive conditions required to emplace such long flows are met by plausible values for cooling and eruption rates, and this is shown by applying a model for the formation of inflated pa??hoehoe sheet flow lobes. The model predicts flow lobe thicknesses similar to those observed in the Rajahmundry lavas. For the last 400??km of flow, the lava flows were confined to the pre-existing Krishna valley drainage system that existed in the basement beyond the edge of the gradually expanding Deccan lava field, allowing the flows to extend across the subcontinent to the eastern margin where they were emplaced into a littoral and/or shallow marine environment. These lavas and other individual flow fields in the Wai Sub-group may exceed eruptive volumes of 5000??km3, which would place them amongst the largest magnitude effusive eruptive units yet known. We suggest that the length of flood basalt lava flows on Earth is restricted mainly by the size of land masses and topography. In the case of the Rajahmundry lavas, the flows reached estuaries and the sea, where their advance was perhaps effectively terminated by cooling and/or disruption. However, it is only during large igneous province basaltic volcanism that such huge volumes of lava are erupted in single events, and when the magma supply rate is sufficiently high and maintained to allow the formation of very long lava flows. The Rajahmundry lava fields were emplaced around 65??Ma during the later times of Deccan volcanism, probably just after the K/T environmental crisis. However, many lava-forming eruptions of similar magnitude and style straddled the K/T boundary. ?? 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

A numerical investigation of choked flow dynamics and its application to the triggering mechanism of long-period events at Redoubt Volcano, Alaska

USGS Publications Warehouse

Morrissey, M.M.; Chouet, B.A.

1997-01-01

We use numerical simulations of transonic flow through a crack to study the dynamics of the formation of shock waves downstream from a nozzle-like constriction inside the crack. The model solves the full set of Navier-Stokes equations in two dimensions via an explicit multifield finite difference representation. The crack walls are assumed to be perfectly rigid, and elastic coupling to the solid is not considered. The simulations demonstrate how the behavior of unsteady shock waves near the walls can produce recurring step-like pressure transients in the flow, which in turn induce resonance of the fluid-filled crack. The motion of the shock waves is governed primarily by smooth, low-amplitude pressure fluctuations at the outlet of the crack. The force induced on the walls scales with the amplitude of the shock, which is a function of the magnitude of the inlet pressure, aperture of the constriction, and thickness of the boundary layer. The applied force also scales in proportion to the spatial extent of the shock excursion, which depends on the fluctuation rate of outlet pressure. Using the source parameters of long-period (LP) events at Redoubt Volcano, Alaska, as a guide for our simulations, we infer that coupling of the shock to the walls occurs for crack inlet to outlet pressure ratios pipo > 2.31 and that the position of the shock front becomes most sensitive to outlet pressure fluctuations for flow regimes with pipo > 2.48. For such regimes, fluctuations of outlet pressure of up to ??0.5 MPa at rates up to 3 MPa/s are sufficient to induce pressure transients with magnitudes up to 12.5 MPa over 0.1-2.5 m of the walls within ???0.5 s. These flow parameters may be adequate for triggering the LP events in the precursory swarm to the December 14, 1989, eruption of Redoubt. According to the flow model the recurrence rate and amplitudes of LP events are inferred to be a manifestation of the response of a shallow hydrothermal reservoir to the sustained injection of superheated steam from a magma column roofing below this reservoir.

Comparison of aquifer characterization approaches through steady state groundwater model validation: A controlled laboratory sandbox study

USGS Publications Warehouse

Illman, W.A.; Zhu, J.; Craig, A.J.; Yin, D.

2010-01-01

Groundwater modeling has become a vital component to water supply and contaminant transport investigations. An important component of groundwater modeling under steady state conditions is selecting a representative hydraulic conductivity (K) estimate or set of estimates which defines the K field of the studied region. Currently, there are a number of characterization approaches to obtain K at various scales and in varying degrees of detail, but there is a paucity of information in terms of which characterization approach best predicts flow through aquifers or drawdowns caused by some drawdown inducing events. The main objective of this paper is to assess K estimates obtained by various approaches by predicting drawdowns from independent cross-hole pumping tests and total flow rates through a synthetic heterogeneous aquifer from flow-through tests. Specifically, we (1) characterize a synthetic heterogeneous aquifer built in the sandbox through various techniques (permeameter analyses of core samples, single-hole, cross-hole, and flow-through testing), (2) obtain mean K fields through traditional analysis of test data by treating the medium to be homogeneous, (3) obtain heterogeneous K fields through kriging and steady state hydraulic tomography, and (4) conduct forward simulations of 16 independent pumping tests and six flowthrough tests using these homogeneous and heterogeneous K fields and comparing them to actual data. Results show that the mean K and heterogeneous K fields estimated through kriging of small-scale K data (core and single-hole tests) yield biased predictions of drawdowns and flow rates in this synthetic heterogeneous aquifer. In contrast, the heterogeneous K distribution or ?K tomogram? estimated via steady state hydraulic tomography yields excellent predictions of drawdowns of pumping tests not used in the construction of the tomogram and very good estimates of total flow rates from the flowthrough tests. These results suggest that steady state groundwater model validation is possible in this laboratory sandbox aquifer if the heterogeneous K distribution and forcing functions (boundary conditions and source/sink terms) are characterized sufficiently. ?? 2010 by the American Geophysical Union.

MODELING OF HIGH SPEED FRICTION STIR SPOT WELDING USING A LAGRANGIAN FINITE ELEMENT APPROACH

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

Miles, Michael; Karki, U.; Woodward, C.

2013-09-03

Friction stir spot welding (FSSW) has been shown to be capable of joining steels of very high strength, while also being very flexible in terms of controlling the heat of welding and the resulting microstructure of the joint. This makes FSSW a potential alternative to resistance spot welding (RSW) if tool life is sufficiently high, and if machine spindle loads are sufficiently low so that the process can be implemented on an industrial robot. Robots for spot welding can typically sustain vertical loads of about 8kN, but FSSW at tool speeds of less than 3000 rpm cause loads that aremore » too high, in the range of 11-14 kN. Therefore, in the current work tool speeds of 3000 rpm and higher were employed, in order to generate heat more quickly and to reduce welding loads to acceptable levels. The FSSW process was modeled using a finite element approach with the Forge® software package. An updated Lagrangian scheme with explicit time integration was employed to model the flow of the sheet material, subjected to boundary conditions of a rotating tool and a fixed backing plate [3]. The modeling approach can be described as two-dimensional, axisymmetric, but with an aspect of three dimensions in terms of thermal boundary conditions. Material flow was calculated from a velocity field which was two dimensional, but heat generated by friction was computed using a virtual rotational velocity component from the tool surface. An isotropic, viscoplastic Norton-Hoff law was used to model the evolution of material flow stress as a function of strain, strain rate, and temperature. The model predicted welding temperatures and the movement of the joint interface with reasonable accuracy for the welding of a dual phase 980 steel.« less

Is the scaling of swim speed in sharks driven by metabolism?

PubMed Central

Jacoby, David M. P.; Siriwat, Penthai; Freeman, Robin; Carbone, Chris

2015-01-01

The movement rates of sharks are intrinsically linked to foraging ecology, predator–prey dynamics and wider ecosystem functioning in marine systems. During ram ventilation, however, shark movement rates are linked not only to ecological parameters, but also to physiology, as minimum speeds are required to provide sufficient water flow across the gills to maintain metabolism. We develop a geometric model predicting a positive scaling relationship between swim speeds in relation to body size and ultimately shark metabolism, taking into account estimates for the scaling of gill dimensions. Empirical data from 64 studies (26 species) were compiled to test our model while controlling for the influence of phylogenetic similarity between related species. Our model predictions were found to closely resemble the observed relationships from tracked sharks, providing a means to infer mobility in particularly intractable species. PMID:26631246

Hydrogeochemical processes governing the origin, transport and fate of major and trace elements from mine wastes and mineralized rock to surface waters

USGS Publications Warehouse

Nordstrom, D. Kirk

2011-01-01

Mobility of potential or actual contaminants from mining and mineral processing activities depends on (1) occurrence: is the mineral source of the contaminant actually present? (2) abundance: is the mineral present in sufficient quantity to make a difference? (3) reactivity: what are the energetics, rates, and mechanisms of sorption and mineral dissolution and precipitation relative to the flow rate of the water? and (4) hydrology: what are the main flow paths for contaminated water? Estimates of relative proportions of minerals dissolved and precipitated can be made with mass-balance calculations if minerals and water compositions along a flow path are known. Combined with discharge, these mass-balance estimates quantify the actual weathering rate of pyrite mineralization in the environment and compare reasonably well with laboratory rates of pyrite oxidation except when large quantities of soluble salts and evaporated mine waters have accumulated underground. Quantitative mineralogy with trace-element compositions can substantially improve the identification of source minerals for specific trace elements through mass balances. Post-dissolution sorption and precipitation (attenuation) reactions depend on the chemical behavior of each element, solution composition and pH, aqueous speciation, temperature, and contact-time with mineral surfaces. For example, little metal attenuation occurs in waters of low pH (2, and redox-sensitive oxyanions (As, Sb, Se, Mo, Cr, V). Once dissolved, metal and metalloid concentrations are strongly affected by redox conditions and pH. Iron is the most reactive because it is rapidly oxidized by bacteria and archaea and Fe(III) hydrolyzes and precipitates at low pH (1–3) which is related directly to its first hydrolysis constant, pK1 = 2.2. Several insoluble sulfate minerals precipitate at low pH including anglesite, barite, jarosite, alunite and basaluminite. Aluminum hydrolyzes near pH 5 (pK1 = 5.0) and provides buffering and removal of Al by mineral precipitation from pH 4–5.5. Dissolved sulfate behaves conservatively because the amount removed from solution by precipitation is usually too small relative to the high concentrations in the water column and relative to the flow rate of the water.

Study of Basin Recession Characteristics and Groundwater Storage Properties

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yen-Bo, Chen; Cheng-Haw, Lee

2017-04-01

Stream flow and groundwater storage are freshwater resources that human live on.In this study, we discuss southern area basin recession characteristics and Kao-Ping River basin groundwater storage, and hope to supply reference to Taiwan water resource management. The first part of this study is about recession characteristics. We apply Brutsaert (2008) low flow analysis model to establish two recession data pieces sifting models, including low flow steady period model and normal condition model. Within individual event analysis, group event analysis and southern area basin recession assessment, stream flow and base flow recession characteristics are parameterized. The second part of this study is about groundwater storage. Among main basin in southern Taiwan, there are sufficient stream flow and precipitation gaging station data about Kao-Ping River basin and extensive drainage data, and data about different hydrological characteristics between upstream and downstream area. Therefore, this study focuses on Kao-Ping River basin and accesses groundwater storage properties. Taking residue of groundwater volume in dry season into consideration, we use base flow hydrograph to access periodical property of groundwater storage, in order to establish hydrological period conceptual model. With groundwater storage and precipitation accumulative linearity quantified by hydrological period conceptual model, their periodical changing and alternation trend properties in each drainage areas of Kao-Ping River basin have been estimated. Results of this study showed that the recession time of stream flow is related to initial flow rate of the recession events. The recession time index is lower when the flow is stream flow, not base flow, and the recession time index is higher in low flow steady flow period than in normal recession condition. By applying hydrological period conceptual model, groundwater storage could explicitly be analyzed and compared with precipitation, by only using stream flow data. Keywords: stream flow, base flow, recession characteristics, groundwater storage

A spectral chart method for estimating the mean turbulent kinetic energy dissipation rate

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Djenidi, L.; Antonia, R. A.

2012-10-01

We present an empirical but simple and practical spectral chart method for determining the mean turbulent kinetic energy dissipation rate < \\varepsilon rangle in a variety of turbulent flows. The method relies on the validity of the first similarity hypothesis of Kolmogorov (C R (Doklady) Acad Sci R R SS, NS 30:301-305, 1941) (or K41) which implies that spectra of velocity fluctuations scale on the kinematic viscosity ν and < \\varepsilon rangle at large Reynolds numbers. However, the evidence, based on the DNS spectra, points to this scaling being also valid at small Reynolds numbers, provided effects due to inhomogeneities in the flow are negligible. The methods avoid the difficulty associated with estimating time or spatial derivatives of the velocity fluctuations. It also avoids using the second hypothesis of K41, which implies the existence of a -5/3 inertial subrange only when the Taylor microscale Reynods number R λ is sufficiently large. The method is in fact applied to the lower wavenumber end of the dissipative range thus avoiding most of the problems due to inadequate spatial resolution of the velocity sensors and noise associated with the higher wavenumber end of this range.The use of spectral data (30 ≤ R λ ≤ 400) in both passive and active grid turbulence, a turbulent mixing layer and the turbulent wake of a circular cylinder indicates that the method is robust and should lead to reliable estimates of < \\varepsilon rangle in flows or flow regions where the first similarity hypothesis should hold; this would exclude, for example, the region near a wall.

Global Monitoring RSEM System for Crop Production by Incorporating Satellite-based Photosynthesis Rates and Anomaly Data of Sea Surface Temperature

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kaneko, D.; Sakuma, H.

2014-12-01

The first author has been developing RSEM crop-monitoring system using satellite-based assessment of photosynthesis, incorporating meteorological conditions. Crop production comprises of several stages and plural mechanisms based on leaf photosynthesis, surface energy balance, and the maturing of grains after fixation of CO2, along with water exchange through soil vegetation-atmosphere transfer. Grain production in prime countries appears to be randomly perturbed regionally and globally. Weather for crop plants reflects turbulent phenomena of convective and advection flows in atmosphere and surface boundary layer. It has been difficult for scientists to simulate and forecast weather correctly for sufficiently long terms to crop harvesting. However, severely poor harvests related to continental events must originate from a consistent mechanism of abnormal energetic flow in the atmosphere through both land and oceans. It should be remembered that oceans have more than 100 times of energy storage compared to atmosphere and ocean currents represent gigantic energy flows, strongly affecting climate. Anomalies of Sea Surface Temperature (SST), globally known as El Niño, Indian Ocean dipole, and Atlantic Niño etc., affect the seasonal climate on a continental scale. The authors aim to combine monitoring and seasonal forecasting, considering such mechanisms through land-ocean biosphere transfer. The present system produces assessments for all continents, specifically monitoring agricultural fields of main crops. Historical regions of poor and good harvests are compared with distributions of SST anomalies, which are provided by NASA GSFC. Those comparisons fairly suggest that the Worst harvest in 1993 and the Best in 1994 relate to the offshore distribution of low temperature anomalies and high gaps in ocean surface temperatures. However, high-temperature anomalies supported good harvests because of sufficient solar radiation for photosynthesis, and poor harvests because of insufficient precipitation. Integrated rates of photosynthesis on prime grains with planted areas were compared with the SST anomalies in poor and good harvests years. Other factors for poor harvest such as rainfall, solar radiation in addition to the intensity of winds as a measure of pressure perturbations need to be studied.

Smouldering (thermal) remediation of soil contaminated with industrial organic liquids: novel insights into heat transfer and kinetics uncovered by integrating experiments and modelling

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gerhard, J.; Zanoni, M. A. B.; Torero, J. L.

2017-12-01

Smouldering (i.e., flameless combustion) underpins the technology Self-sustaining Treatment for Active Remediation (STAR). STAR achieves the in situ destruction of nonaqueous phase liquids (NAPLs) by generating a self-sustained smouldering reaction that propagates through the source zone. This research explores the nature of the travelling reaction and the influence of key in situ and engineered characteristics. A novel one-dimensional numerical model was developed (in COMSOL) to simulate the smouldering remediation of bitumen-contaminated sand. This model was validated against laboratory column experiments. Achieving model validation depended on correctly simulating the energy balance at the reaction front, including properly accounting for heat transfer, smouldering kinetics, and heat losses. Heat transfer between soil and air was demonstrated to be generally not at equilibrium. Moreover, existing heat transfer correlations were found to be inappropriate for the low air flow Reynold's numbers (Re < 30) relevant in this and similar thermal remediation systems. Therefore, a suite of experiments were conducted to generate a new heat transfer correlation, which generated correct simulations of convective heat flow through soil. Moreover, it was found that, for most cases of interest, a simple two-step pyrolysis/oxidation set of kinetic reactions was sufficient. Arrhenius parameters, calculated independently from thermogravimetric experiments, allowed the reaction kinetics to be validated in the smouldering model. Furthermore, a simple heat loss term sufficiently accounted for radial heat losses from the column. Altogether, these advances allow this simple model to reasonably predict the self-sustaining process including the peak reaction temperature, the reaction velocity, and the complete destruction of bitumen behind the front. Simulations with the validated model revealed numerous unique insights, including how the system inherently recycles energy, how air flow rate and NAPL saturation dictate contaminant destruction rates, and the extremes that lead to extinction. Overall, this research provides unique insights into the complex interplay of thermochemical processes that govern the success of smouldering as well as other thermal remediation approaches.

Identifying, characterizing and predicting spatial patterns of lacustrine groundwater discharge

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tecklenburg, Christina; Blume, Theresa

2017-10-01

Lacustrine groundwater discharge (LGD) can significantly affect lake water balances and lake water quality. However, quantifying LGD and its spatial patterns is challenging because of the large spatial extent of the aquifer-lake interface and pronounced spatial variability. This is the first experimental study to specifically study these larger-scale patterns with sufficient spatial resolution to systematically investigate how landscape and local characteristics affect the spatial variability in LGD. We measured vertical temperature profiles around a 0.49 km2 lake in northeastern Germany with a needle thermistor, which has the advantage of allowing for rapid (manual) measurements and thus, when used in a survey, high spatial coverage and resolution. Groundwater inflow rates were then estimated using the heat transport equation. These near-shore temperature profiles were complemented with sediment temperature measurements with a fibre-optic cable along six transects from shoreline to shoreline and radon measurements of lake water samples to qualitatively identify LGD patterns in the offshore part of the lake. As the hydrogeology of the catchment is sufficiently homogeneous (sandy sediments of a glacial outwash plain; no bedrock control) to avoid patterns being dominated by geological discontinuities, we were able to test the common assumptions that spatial patterns of LGD are mainly controlled by sediment characteristics and the groundwater flow field. We also tested the assumption that topographic gradients can be used as a proxy for gradients of the groundwater flow field. Thanks to the extensive data set, these tests could be carried out in a nested design, considering both small- and large-scale variability in LGD. We found that LGD was concentrated in the near-shore area, but alongshore variability was high, with specific regions of higher rates and higher spatial variability. Median inflow rates were 44 L m-2 d-1 with maximum rates in certain locations going up to 169 L m-2 d-1. Offshore LGD was negligible except for two local hotspots on steep steps in the lake bed topography. Large-scale groundwater inflow patterns were correlated with topography and the groundwater flow field, whereas small-scale patterns correlated with grain size distributions of the lake sediment. These findings confirm results and assumptions of theoretical and modelling studies more systematically than was previously possible with coarser sampling designs. However, we also found that a significant fraction of the variance in LGD could not be explained by these controls alone and that additional processes need to be considered. While regression models using these controls as explanatory variables had limited power to predict LGD rates, the results nevertheless encourage the use of topographic indices and sediment heterogeneity as an aid for targeted campaigns in future studies of groundwater discharge to lakes.

Mass flow in interacting binaries observed in the ultraviolet

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Kondo, Yoji

1989-01-01

Recent satellite observations of close binary systems show that practically all binaries exhibit evidence of mass flow and that, where the observations are sufficiently detailed, a fraction of the matter flowing out of the mass-losing component is accreted by the companion and the remainder is lost from the binary system. The mass flow is not conservative. During the phase of dynamic mass flow, the companion star becomes immersed in optically-thick plasma and the physical properties of that star elude close scrutiny.

On the tertiary instability formalism of zonal flows in magnetized plasmas

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rath, F.; Peeters, A. G.; Buchholz, R.; Grosshauser, S. R.; Seiferling, F.; Weikl, A.

2018-05-01

This paper investigates the so-called tertiary instabilities driven by the zonal flow in gyro-kinetic tokamak core turbulence. The Kelvin Helmholtz instability is first considered within a 2D fluid model and a threshold in the zonal flow wave vector kZF>kZF,c for instability is found. This critical scale is related to the breaking of the rotational symmetry by flux-surfaces, which is incorporated into the modified adiabatic electron response. The stability of undamped Rosenbluth-Hinton zonal flows is then investigated in gyro-kinetic simulations. Absolute instability, in the sense that the threshold zonal flow amplitude tends towards zero, is found above a zonal flow wave vector kZF,cρi≈1.3 ( ρi is the ion thermal Larmor radius), which is comparable to the 2D fluid results. Large scale zonal flows with kZF

Skin cooling on contact with cold materials: the effect of blood flow during short-term exposures.

PubMed

Jay, Ollie; Havenith, George

2004-03-01

This study investigates the effect of blood flow upon the short-term (<180 s) skin contact cooling response in order to ascertain whether sufferers of circulatory disorders, such as the vasospastic disorder Raynaud's disease, are at a greater risk of cold injury than people with a normal rate of blood flow. Eight female volunteers participated, touching blocks of stainless steel and nylon with a finger contact force of 2.9 N at a surface temperature of -5 degrees C under occluded and vasodilated conditions. Contact temperature (Tc) of the finger pad was measured over time using a T-type thermocouple. Forearm blood flow was measured using strain gauge plethysmography. Contact cooling responses were analysed by fitting a modified Newtonian cooling curve. A significant difference was found between the starting skin temperatures for the two blood flow conditions (P<0.001). However, no effect of blood flow was found upon any of the derived cooling curve parameters characterizing the skin cooling response (P>0.05). It is hypothesized that the finger contact force used (2.9 N) and the resultant pressure upon the tissue of the contact finger pad restricted the blood supply to the contact area under both blood flow conditions; therefore, no effect of blood flow was found upon the parameters describing the contact cooling response. Whilst the findings of this study are sufficient to draw a conclusion for those in a working environment, i.e. contact forces below 2.9 N will seldom be encountered, a further study will be required to ascertain conclusively whether blood flow does affect the contact cooling response at a finger contact force low enough to allow unrestricted blood flow to the finger pad. Further protocol improvements are also recommended.

Semi-analytical solution for flow in a leaky unconfined aquifer toward a partially penetrating pumping well

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Malama, Bwalya; Kuhlman, Kristopher L.; Barrash, Warren

2008-07-01

SummaryA semi-analytical solution is presented for the problem of flow in a system consisting of unconfined and confined aquifers, separated by an aquitard. The unconfined aquifer is pumped continuously at a constant rate from a well of infinitesimal radius that partially penetrates its saturated thickness. The solution is termed semi-analytical because the exact solution obtained in double Laplace-Hankel transform space is inverted numerically. The solution presented here is more general than similar solutions obtained for confined aquifer flow as we do not adopt the assumption of unidirectional flow in the confined aquifer (typically assumed to be horizontal) and the aquitard (typically assumed to be vertical). Model predicted results show significant departure from the solution that does not take into account the effect of leakage even for cases where aquitard hydraulic conductivities are two orders of magnitude smaller than those of the aquifers. The results show low sensitivity to changes in radial hydraulic conductivities for aquitards that are two or more orders of magnitude smaller than those of the aquifers, in conformity to findings of earlier workers that radial flow in aquitards may be neglected under such conditions. Hence, for cases were aquitard hydraulic conductivities are two or more orders of magnitude smaller than aquifer conductivities, the simpler models that restrict flow to the radial direction in aquifers and to the vertical direction in aquitards may be sufficient. However, the model developed here can be used to model flow in aquifer-aquitard systems where radial flow is significant in aquitards.

Wavelength selection and symmetry breaking in orbital wave ripples

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nienhuis, Jaap H.; Perron, J. Taylor; Kao, Justin C. T.; Myrow, Paul M.

2014-10-01

Sand ripples formed by waves have a uniform wavelength while at equilibrium and develop defects while adjusting to changes in the flow. These patterns arise from the interaction of the flow with the bed topography, but the specific mechanisms have not been fully explained. We use numerical flow models and laboratory wave tank experiments to explore the origins of these patterns. The wavelength of "orbital" wave ripples (λ) is directly proportional to the oscillating flow's orbital diameter (d), with many experimental and field studies finding λ/d ≈ 0.65. We demonstrate a coupling that selects this ratio: the maximum length of the flow separation zone downstream of a ripple crest equals λ when λ/d ≈ 0.65. We show that this condition maximizes the growth rate of ripples. Ripples adjusting to changed flow conditions develop defects that break the bed's symmetry. When d is shortened sufficiently, two new incipient crests appear in every trough, but only one grows into a full-sized crest. Experiments have shown that the same side (right or left) wins in every trough. We find that this occurs because incipient secondary crests slow the flow and encourage the growth of crests on the next flank. Experiments have also shown that when d is lengthened, ripple crests become increasingly sinuous and eventually break up. We find that this occurs because crests migrate preferentially toward the nearest adjacent crest, amplifying any initial sinuosity. Our results reveal the mechanisms that form common wave ripple patterns and highlight interactions among unsteady flows, sediment transport, and bed topography.

Frame Rate Considerations for Real-Time Abdominal Acoustic Radiation Force Impulse Imaging

PubMed Central

Fahey, Brian J.; Palmeri, Mark L.; Trahey, Gregg E.

2008-01-01

With the advent of real-time Acoustic Radiation Force Impulse (ARFI) imaging, elevated frame rates are both desirable and relevant from a clinical perspective. However, fundamental limitations on frame rates are imposed by thermal safety concerns related to incident radiation force pulses. Abdominal ARFI imaging utilizes a curvilinear scanning geometry that results in markedly different tissue heating patterns than those previously studied for linear arrays or mechanically-translated concave transducers. Finite Element Method (FEM) models were used to simulate these tissue heating patterns and to analyze the impact of tissue heating on frame rates available for abdominal ARFI imaging. A perfusion model was implemented to account for cooling effects due to blood flow and frame rate limitations were evaluated in the presence of normal, reduced and negligible tissue perfusions. Conventional ARFI acquisition techniques were also compared to ARFI imaging with parallel receive tracking in terms of thermal efficiency. Additionally, thermocouple measurements of transducer face temperature increases were acquired to assess the frame rate limitations imposed by cumulative heating of the imaging array. Frame rates sufficient for many abdominal imaging applications were found to be safely achievable utilizing available ARFI imaging techniques. PMID:17521042

An Experimental and Theoretical Study of Radiative Extinction of Diffusion Flames

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Atreya, Arvind; Wichman, Indrek; Guenther, Mark; Ray, Anjan; Agrawal, Sanjay

1993-01-01

In a recent paper on 'Observations of candle flames under various atmospheres in microgravity' by Ross et al., it was found that for the same atmosphere, the burning rate per unit wick surface area and the flame temperature were considerably reduced in microgravity as compared with normal gravity. Also, the flame (spherical in microgravity) was much thicker and further removed from the wick. It thus appears that the flame becomes 'weaker' in microgravity due to the absence of buoyancy generated flow which serves to transport the oxidizer to the combustion zone and remove the hot combustion products from it. The buoyant flow, which may be characterized by the strain rate, assists the diffusion process to execute these essential functions for the survival of the flame. Thus, the diffusion flame is 'weak' at very low strain rates and as the strain rate increases the flame is initially 'strengthened' and eventually it may be 'blown out'. The computed flammability boundaries of T'ien show that such a reversal in material flammability occurs at strain rates around 5 sec. At very low or zero strain rates, flame radiation is expected to considerably affect this 'weak' diffusion flame because: (1) the concentration of combustion products which participate in gas radiation is high in the flame zone; and (2) low strain rates provide sufficient residence time for substantial amounts of soot to form which is usually responsible for a major portion of the radiative heat loss. We anticipate that flame radiation will eventually extinguish this flame. Thus, the objective of this project is to perform an experimental and theoretical investigation of radiation-induced extinction of diffusion flames under microgravity conditions. This is important for spacecraft fire safety.

Generation, ascent and eruption of magma on the Moon: New insights into source depths, magma supply, intrusions and effusive/explosive eruptions (Part 2: Predicted emplacement processes and observations)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Head, James W.; Wilson, Lionel

2017-02-01

We utilize a theoretical analysis of the generation, ascent, intrusion and eruption of basaltic magma on the Moon to develop new insights into magma source depths, supply processes, transport and emplacement mechanisms via dike intrusions, and effusive and explosive eruptions. We make predictions about the intrusion and eruption processes and compare these with the range of observed styles of mare volcanism, and related features and deposits. Density contrasts between the bulk mantle and regions with a greater abundance of heat sources will cause larger heated regions to rise as buoyant melt-rich diapirs that generate partial melts that can undergo collection into magma source regions; diapirs rise to the base of the anorthositic crustal density trap (when the crust is thicker than the elastic lithosphere) or, later in history, to the base of the lithospheric rheological trap (when the thickening lithosphere exceeds the thickness of the crust). Residual diapiric buoyancy, and continued production and arrival of diapiric material, enhances melt volume and overpressurizes the source regions, producing sufficient stress to cause brittle deformation of the elastic part of the overlying lithosphere; a magma-filled crack initiates and propagates toward the surface as a convex upward, blade-shaped dike. The volume of magma released in a single event is likely to lie in the range 102 km3 to 103 km3, corresponding to dikes with widths of 40-100 m and both vertical and horizontal extents of 60-100 km, favoring eruption on the lunar nearside. Shallower magma sources produce dikes that are continuous from the source region to the surface, but deeper sources will propagate dikes that detach from the source region and ascend as discrete penny-shaped structures. As the Moon cools with time, the lithosphere thickens, source regions become less abundant, and rheological traps become increasingly deep; the state of stress in the lithosphere becomes increasingly contractional, inhibiting dike emplacement and surface eruptions. In contrast to small dike volumes and low propagation velocities in terrestrial environments, lunar dike propagation velocities are typically sufficiently high that shallow sill formation is not favored; local low-density breccia zones beneath impact crater floors, however, may cause lateral magma migration to form laccoliths (e.g., Vitello Crater) and sills (e.g., Humboldt Crater) in floor-fractured craters. Dikes emplaced into the shallow crust may stall and produce crater chains due to active and passive gas venting (e.g., Mendeleev Crater Chain) or, if sufficiently shallow, may create a near-surface stress field that forms linear and arcuate graben, often with pyroclastic and small-scale effusive eruptions (e.g., Rima Parry V). Effusive eruptions are modulated by effusion rates, eruption durations, cooling and supply limitations to flow length, and pre-existing topography. Relatively low effusion rate, cooling-limited flows lead to small shield volcanoes (e.g., Tobias Mayer, Milicius); higher effusion rate, cooling-limited flows lead to compound flow fields (e.g., most mare basins) and even higher effusion rate, long-duration flows lead to thermal erosion of the vent, effusion rate enhancement, and thermal erosion of the substrate to produce sinuous rilles (e.g., Rimae Prinz). Extremely high effusion rate flows on slopes lead to volume-limited flow with lengths of many hundreds of kilometers (e.g., the young Imbrium basin flows). Explosive, pyroclastic eruptions are common on the Moon. The low pressure environment in propagating dike crack-tips can cause gas formation at great depths and throughout dike ascent; at shallow crustal depths both the smelting reaction and the recently documented abundant magmatic volatiles in mare basalt magmas contribute to significant shallow degassing and pyroclastic activity associated with the dike as it erupts at the surface. Dikes penetrating to the surface produce a wide range of explosive eruption types whose manifestations are modulated by lunar environmental conditions: (1) terrestrial strombolian-style eruptions map to cinder/spatter cone-like constructs (e.g., Isis and Osiris); (2) Hawaiian-style eruptions map to broad flat pyroclastic blankets (e.g., Taurus-Littrow Apollo 17 dark mantle deposits); (3) gas-rich ultraplinian-like venting can cause Moon-wide dispersal of gas and foam droplets (e.g., many isolated glass beads in lunar soils); (4) vulcanian-like eruptions caused by solidification of magma in the dike tip, buildup of gas pressure and explosive disruption, can form dark-halo craters with mixed country rock (e.g., Alphonsus Crater floor); (5) ionian-like eruptions can be caused by artificial gas buildup in wide dikes, energetic explosive eruption and formation of a dark pyroclastic ring (e.g., Orientale dark ring); (6) multiple eruptions from many gas-rich fissures can form regional dark mantle deposits (e.g., Rima Bode, Sinus Aestuum); and (7) long duration, relatively high effusion rate eruptions accompanied by continuing pyroclastic activity cause a central thermally eroded lava pond and channel, a broader pyroclastic 'spatter' edifice, an even broader pyroclastic glass deposit and, if the eruption lasts sufficiently long, an associated inner thermally eroded vent and sinuous rille channel (e.g., Cobra Head and Aristarchus Plateau dark mantle). The asymmetric nearside-farside distribution of mare basalt deposits is most plausibly explained by crustal thickness differences; intrusion is favored on the thicker farside crust and extrusion is favored on the thinner nearside crust. Second-order effects include regional and global thermal structure (areal variations in lithospheric thickness as a function of time) and broad geochemical anomalies (the Procellarum-KREEP Terrain). Differences in mare basalt titanium content as a function of space and time are testimony to a laterally and vertically heterogeneous mantle source region. The rapidly decreasing integrated flux of mare basalts is a result of the thermal evolution of the Moon; continued cooling decreased diapiric rise and mantle melting, thickened the lithosphere, and caused the global state of stress to be increasingly contractional, all factors progressively inhibiting the generation, ascent and eruption of basaltic magma. Late-stage volcanic eruptions are typically widely separated in time and characterized by high-volume, high-effusion rate eruptions producing extensive volume-limited flows, a predictable characteristic of deep source regions below a thick lithosphere late in lunar history. This improved paradigm for the generation, ascent, intrusion and eruption of basaltic magma provides the basis for the broader interpretation of the lunar volcanic record in terms of variations in eruption conditions in space and time, and their relation to mantle heterogeneity and a more detailed understanding of lunar thermal evolution.

Emergency sternal intraosseous access for warm fresh whole blood transfusion in damage control resuscitation.

PubMed

Bjerkvig, Christopher Kalhagen; Fosse, Theodor Kaurin; Apelseth, Torunn Oveland; Sivertsen, Joar; Braathen, Hanne; Eliassen, Håkon Skogrand; Guttormsen, Anne Berit; Cap, Andrew P; Strandenes, Geir

2018-06-01

Intraosseous (IO) vascular access is increasingly used as an emergency tool for achieving access to the systemic circulation in critically ill patients. The role of IO transfusion of blood in damage control resuscitation is however questionable due to possible inadequate flow rate and hemolysis. Some experts claim that IO transfusion is contraindicated. In this study, we have challenged this statement by looking at flow rates of autologous fresh whole blood reinfusion and hemolysis using two of the commonly used Food and Drug Administration-approved and Conformité Européenne (CE)-marked sternal needles. Additionally, the success rate of sternal access between the two devices is evaluated. Volunteer professional military personnel, were enrolled prospectively in a nonrandomized observational study design. We collected 450 mL of autologous whole blood from each participant. Participants were divided into the following three groups of 10: Tactically Advanced Lifesaving IO Needle (T.A.L.O.N.) IO, FAST1 IO, and intravenous group. The reinfusion was done by gravity only. Blood sampling was performed before blood collection and 30 minutes after reinfusion. Investigation of hemolysis was performed by measurements of haptoglobin and lactate dehydrogenase. Success rate was evaluated by correct aspiration of bone marrow. Median reinfusion rate was 46.2 mL/min in the FAST1 group, 32.4 mL/min in the T.A.L.O.N. group, and 74.1 mL/min in the intravenous group. Blood samples from all participants were within normal ranges. There was no statistically significant difference in haptoglobin and lactate dehydrogenase between the groups. In the FAST1 group, 1 (9%) of 11 procedures failed. In the T.A.L.O.N. group, 4 (29%) of 14 procedures failed. Although preferable, achieving peripheral venous access in the bleeding patient is a major problem. Our findings suggest that fresh whole-blood transfusion through the IO route is safe, reliable, and provide sufficient flow for resuscitation. Therapeutic/Care management study, level III.

Stepped chute training wall height requirements

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

Stepped chutes are commonly used for overtopping protection for embankment dams. Aerated flow is commonly associated with stepped chutes if the chute has sufficient length. The aeration and turbulence of the flow can create a significant amount of splash over the training wall if not appropriately...

Breaking out of the comfort zone: El Niño-Southern Oscillation as a driver of trophic flows in a benthic consumer of the Humboldt Current ecosystem.

PubMed

Riascos, José M; Solís, Marco A; Pacheco, Aldo S; Ballesteros, Manuel

2017-06-28

The trophic flow of a species is considered a characteristic trait reflecting its trophic position and function in the ecosystem and its interaction with the environment. However, climate patterns are changing and we ignore how patterns of trophic flow are being affected. In the Humboldt Current ecosystem, arguably one of the most productive marine systems, El Niño-Southern Oscillation is the main source of interannual and longer-term variability. To assess the effect of this variability on trophic flow we built a 16-year series of mass-specific somatic production rate (P/B) of the Peruvian scallop ( Argopecten purpuratus ), a species belonging to a former tropical fauna that thrived in this cold ecosystem. A strong increase of the P/B ratio of this species was observed during nutrient-poor, warmer water conditions typical of El Niño, owing to the massive recruitment of fast-growing juvenile scallops. Trophic ecology theory predicts that when primary production is nutrient limited, the trophic flow of organisms occupying low trophic levels should be constrained (bottom-up control). For former tropical fauna thriving in cold, productive upwelling coastal zones, a short time of low food conditions but warm waters during El Niño could be sufficient to waken their ancestral biological features and display massive proliferations. © 2017 The Author(s).

Hydrodynamic Constraints of Suction Feeding in Low Reynolds Numbers, and the Critical Period of Larval Fishes.

PubMed

Holzman, Roi; China, Victor; Yaniv, Sarit; Zilka, Miri

2015-07-01

Larval fishes suffer prodigious mortality rates, eliminating 99% of the cohort within a few days after their first feeding. Hjort (1914) famously attributed this "critical period" of low survival to larval inability to obtain sufficient food. We discuss recent experimental and modeling work, suggesting that the viscous hydrodynamic regime have marked effects on the mechanism of suction feeding in larval fish. As larvae grow, the size of the gape and associated volume of the mouth increase. At the same time, larvae swim faster and can generate faster suction flows, thus transiting to a hydrodynamic regime of higher Reynolds numbers. This hydrodynamic regime further leads to changes in the spatio-temporal patterns of flow in front of the mouth, and an increasing ability in larger larvae to exert suction forces on the prey. Simultaneously, the increase in swimming speed and the distance from which the prey is attacked result in higher rates of encountering prey by larger (older) larvae. In contrast, during the first few days after feeding commence the lower rates of encounter and success in feeding translate to low feeding rates. We conclude that young larvae experience "hydrodynamic starvation," in which low Reynolds numbers mechanically limit their feeding performance even under high densities of prey. © The Author 2015. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the Society for Integrative and Comparative Biology. All rights reserved. For permissions please email: journals.permissions@oup.com.

Solar receiver protection means and method for loss of coolant flow

DOEpatents

Glasgow, Lyle E.

1983-01-01

An apparatus and method for preventing a solar receiver (12) utilizing a flowing coolant liquid for removing heat energy therefrom from overheating after a loss of coolant flow. Solar energy is directed to the solar receiver (12) by a plurality of reflectors (16) which rotate so that they direct solar energy to the receiver (12) as the earth rotates. The apparatus disclosed includes a first storage tank (30) for containing a first predetermined volume of the coolant and a first predetermined volume of gas at a first predetermined pressure. The first storage tank (30) includes an inlet and outlet through which the coolant can enter and exit. The apparatus also includes a second storage tank (34) for containing a second predetermined volume of the coolant and a second predetermined volume of the gas at a second predetermined pressure, the second storage tank (34) having an inlet through which the coolant can enter. The first and second storage tanks (30) and (34) are in fluid communication with each other through the solar receiver (12). The first and second predetermined coolant volumes, the first and second gas volumes, and the first and second predetermined pressures are chosen so that a predetermined volume of the coolant liquid at a predetermined rate profile will flow from the first storage tank (30) through the solar receiver (12) and into the second storage tank (34). Thus, in the event of a power failure so that coolant flow ceases and the solar reflectors (16) stop rotating, a flow rate maintained by the pressure differential between the first and second storage tanks (30) and (34) will be sufficient to maintain the coolant in the receiver (12) below a predetermined upper temperature until the solar reflectors (16) become defocused with respect to the solar receiver (12) due to the earth's rotation.

The Influence of Dome Size, Parent Vessel Angle, and Coil Packing Density on Coil Embolization Treatment in Cerebral Aneurysms

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Frakes, David H.; Indahlastari, Aprinda; Ryan, Justin; Babiker, M. Haithem; Nair, Priya; Parthas, Varsha

2013-11-01

Intracranial aneurysms (ICAs) are dilated cerebral blood vessels. Treating ICAs effectively prior rupture is crucial since their association with 45% mortality rate. Embolic coiling is the most effective ICA treatment. Series of embolic coils are deployed into the aneurysm with the intent of reaching a sufficient packing density (PD) to help seal off the ICA from circulation. While coiling is effective, treatment failures have been associated with basilar tip aneurysms (BTAs), perhaps because of their geometry. The aim of this study was to examine the effect of dome size, parent vessel (PV) angle, and PD on intraaneurysmal (IA) velocity, crossneck (CN) flow and low wall shear stress (WSS) area using simulations and experiments in idealized BTA models. IA velocity and CN flow decreased after coiling, while low WSS area increased. With increasing PD, IA velocity and CN flow were further reduced, but low WSS area had a minimal change. Coil PD had the greatest impact on post-treatment flow while dome size had a greater impact than PV angle. Overall, the role of aneurysmal geometries may vary depending on treatment goal and timing e.g., high coil PD may reduce IA velocity more effectively during early aneurysmal growth when the dome size is small. Funded by the American Heart Association.

The roles of cerebral blood flow, capillary transit time heterogeneity, and oxygen tension in brain oxygenation and metabolism

PubMed Central

Jespersen, Sune N; Østergaard, Leif

2012-01-01

Normal brain function depends critically on moment-to-moment regulation of oxygen supply by the bloodstream to meet changing metabolic needs. Neurovascular coupling, a range of mechanisms that converge on arterioles to adjust local cerebral blood flow (CBF), represents our current framework for understanding this regulation. We modeled the combined effects of CBF and capillary transit time heterogeneity (CTTH) on the maximum oxygen extraction fraction (OEFmax) and metabolic rate of oxygen that can biophysically be supported, for a given tissue oxygen tension. Red blood cell velocity recordings in rat brain support close hemodynamic–metabolic coupling by means of CBF and CTTH across a range of physiological conditions. The CTTH reduction improves tissue oxygenation by counteracting inherent reductions in OEFmax as CBF increases, and seemingly secures sufficient oxygenation during episodes of hyperemia resulting from cortical activation or hypoxemia. In hypoperfusion and states of blocked CBF, both lower oxygen tension and CTTH may secure tissue oxygenation. Our model predicts that disturbed capillary flows may cause a condition of malignant CTTH, in which states of higher CBF display lower oxygen availability. We propose that conditions with altered capillary morphology, such as amyloid, diabetic or hypertensive microangiopathy, and ischemia–reperfusion, may disturb CTTH and thereby flow-metabolism coupling and cerebral oxygen metabolism. PMID:22044867

Flow regimes during immiscible displacement

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

Armstrong, Ryan T.; Mcclure, James; Berrill, Mark A.

Fractional ow of immiscible phases occurs at the pore scale where grain surfaces and phases interfaces obstruct phase mobility. However, the larger scale behavior is described by a saturation-dependent phenomenological relationship called relative permeability. As a consequence, pore-scale parameters, such as phase topology and/ or geometry, and details of the flow regime cannot be directly related to Darcy-scale flow parameters. It is well understood that relative permeability is not a unique relationship of wetting-phase saturation and rather depends on the experimental conditions at which it is measured. Herein we use fast X-ray microcomputed tomography to image pore-scale phase arrangements duringmore » fractional flow and then forward simulate the flow regimes using the lattice-Boltzmann method to better understand the underlying pore-scale flow regimes and their influence on Darcy-scale parameters. We find that relative permeability is highly dependent on capillary number and that the Corey model fits the observed trends. At the pore scale, while phase topologies are continuously changing on the scale of individual pores, the Euler characteristic of the nonwetting phase (NWP) averaged over a sufficiently large field of view can describe the bulk topological characteristics; the Euler characteristic decreases with increasing capillary number resulting in an increase in relative permeability. Lastly, we quantify the fraction of NWP that flows through disconnected ganglion dynamics and demonstrate that this can be a significant fraction of the NWP flux for intermediate wetting-phase saturation. Furthermore, rate dependencies occur in our homogenous sample (without capillary end effect) and the underlying cause is attributed to ganglion flow that can significantly influence phase topology during the fractional flow of immiscible phases.« less

Flow regimes during immiscible displacement

DOE PAGES

Armstrong, Ryan T.; Mcclure, James; Berrill, Mark A.; ...

2017-02-01

Fractional ow of immiscible phases occurs at the pore scale where grain surfaces and phases interfaces obstruct phase mobility. However, the larger scale behavior is described by a saturation-dependent phenomenological relationship called relative permeability. As a consequence, pore-scale parameters, such as phase topology and/ or geometry, and details of the flow regime cannot be directly related to Darcy-scale flow parameters. It is well understood that relative permeability is not a unique relationship of wetting-phase saturation and rather depends on the experimental conditions at which it is measured. Herein we use fast X-ray microcomputed tomography to image pore-scale phase arrangements duringmore » fractional flow and then forward simulate the flow regimes using the lattice-Boltzmann method to better understand the underlying pore-scale flow regimes and their influence on Darcy-scale parameters. We find that relative permeability is highly dependent on capillary number and that the Corey model fits the observed trends. At the pore scale, while phase topologies are continuously changing on the scale of individual pores, the Euler characteristic of the nonwetting phase (NWP) averaged over a sufficiently large field of view can describe the bulk topological characteristics; the Euler characteristic decreases with increasing capillary number resulting in an increase in relative permeability. Lastly, we quantify the fraction of NWP that flows through disconnected ganglion dynamics and demonstrate that this can be a significant fraction of the NWP flux for intermediate wetting-phase saturation. Furthermore, rate dependencies occur in our homogenous sample (without capillary end effect) and the underlying cause is attributed to ganglion flow that can significantly influence phase topology during the fractional flow of immiscible phases.« less

Investigation on the effect of diaphragm on the combustion characteristics of solid-fuel ramjet

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gong, Lunkun; Chen, Xiong; Yang, Haitao; Li, Weixuan; Zhou, Changsheng

2017-10-01

The flow field characteristics and the regression rate distribution of solid-fuel ramjet with three-hole diaphragm were investigated by numerical and experimental methods. The experimental data were obtained by burning high-density polyethylene using a connected-pipe facility to validate the numerical model and analyze the combustion efficiency of the solid-fuel ramjet. The three-dimensional code developed in the present study adopted three-order MUSCL and central difference schemes, AUSMPW + flux vector splitting method, and second-order moment turbulence-chemistry model, together with k-ω shear stress transport (SST) turbulence model. The solid fuel surface temperature was calculated with fluid-solid heat coupling method. The numerical results show that strong circumferential flow exists in the region upstream of the diaphragm. The diaphragm can enhance the regression rate of the solid fuel in the region downstream of the diaphragm significantly, which mainly results from the increase of turbulent viscosity. As the diaphragm port area decreases, the regression rate of the solid fuel downstream of the diaphragm increases. The diaphragm can result in more sufficient mixing between the incoming air and fuel pyrolysis gases, while inevitably producing some pressure loss. The experimental results indicate that the effect of the diaphragm on the combustion efficiency of hydrocarbon fuels is slightly negative. It is conjectured that the diaphragm may have some positive effects on the combustion efficiency of the solid fuel with metal particles.

Feed intake, forestomach fluid volume, dilution rate and mean retention of fluid in the forestomach during water deprivation and rehydration in camels (Camelus sp.).

PubMed

von Engelhardt, W; Haarmeyer, P; Lechner-Doll, M

2006-04-01

Camels were deprived of water for 11 days. Before and during water deprivation and during rehydration changes in body weight, feed and water intake were measured. Using the liquid marker Cr-EDTA forestomach fluid volume, mean fluid retention and fluid dilution in the forestomach were estimated. At the eleventh day of water deprivation hay intake had decreased to only 9.6% of controls, dilution rates had decreased to 31%, mean retention time of fluid in the forestomach had increased to 189%. At the end of dehydration flow of saliva of 2 l/h mainly contributed to the still rather high dilution rates. Thereby buffering capacity and flow of fluid into the forestomach for microbial digestion as well as the outflow from the forestomach were maintained. At the beginning of rehydration camels drank 97 l within a few minutes, and animals thereby replaced all the water lost. Following this first huge water intake water is rapidly absorbed from the forestomach, and forestomach volume decreased again to dehydration values. At the third day of rehydration control values were reached again. Although feed intake decreased dramatically during water deprivation, functions of the forestomach can be maintained sufficiently mainly due to saliva inflow. This explains the mostly rapid recovery of camels when water is available again.

Predicting the impact of chromium on flow-accelerated corrosion

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

Chexal, B.; Goyette, L.F.; Horowitz, J.S.

1996-12-01

Flow-Accelerated Corrosion (FAC) continues to cause problems in nuclear and fossil power plants. Many experiments have been performed to understand the mechanism of FAC. For approximately twenty years, it has ben widely recognized that the presence of small amounts of chromium will reduce the rate of FAC. This effect was quantified in the eighties by research performed in France, Germany and the Netherlands. The results of this research has been incorporated into the computer-based tools used by utility engineers to deal with this issue. For some time, plant data from Diablo Canyon has suggested that the existing correlations relating themore » concentration of chromium to the rate of FAC are conservative. Laboratory examinations have supported this observation. It appears that the existing correlations fail to capture a change in mechanism from a FAC process with linear kinetics to a general corrosion process with parabolic kinetics. This change in mechanism occurs at a chromium level of approximately 0.1%, within the allowable alloy range of typical carbon steel (ASTM/ASME A106 Grade B) used in power piping in most domestic plants. It has been difficult to obtain plant data that has sufficient chromium to develop a new correlation. Data from Diablo Canyon and the Dukovany Power Plant in the Czech Republic will be used to develop a new chromium correlation for predicting FAC rate.« less

Getting the gas out - developing gas networks in magmatic systems

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cashman, Katharine; Rust, Alison; Oppenheimer, Julie; Belien, Isolde

2015-04-01

Volcanic eruption style, and explosive potential, are strongly controlled by the pre-eruptive history of the magmatic volatiles: specifically, the more efficient the gas loss prior to eruption, the lower the likelihood of primary (magmatic) explosive activity. Commonly considered gas loss mechanisms include separated flow, where individual bubbles (or bubble clouds) travel at a rate that is faster than the host magma, and permeable flow, where gas escapes through permeable (connected) pathways developed within a (relatively) static matrix. Importantly, gas loss via separated flow is episodic, while gas loss via permeable flow is likely to be continuous. Analogue experiments and numerical models on three phase (solid-liquid-gas) systems also suggest a third mechanism of gas loss that involves the opening and closing of 'pseudo fractures'. Pseudo fractures form at a critical crystallinity that is close to the maximum particle packing. Fractures form by local rearrangement of solid particles and liquid to form a through-going gas fracture; gas escape is episodic, and modulated by the available gas volume and the rate of return flow of interstitial liquid back into the fracture. In all of the gas escape scenarios described above, a fundamental control on gas behaviour is the melt viscosity, which affects the rate of individual bubble rise, the rate of bubble expansion, the rate of film thinning (required for bubble coalescence), and the rate of melt flow into gas-generated fractures. From the perspective of magma degassing, rates of gas expansion and film thinning are key to the formation of an interconnected (permeable) gas pathway. Experiments with both analogue and natural materials show that bubble coalescence is relatively slow, and, in particle-poor melts, does not necessarily create permeable gas networks. As a result, degassing efficiency is modulated by the time scales required either (1) to produce large individual bubbles or bubble clouds (in low viscosity melts) or (2) to develop sufficient porosity for full connectivity of a bubble network (in high viscosity melts). In contrast, our experiments suggest that the presence of solid particles may greatly enhance gas escape. On the one hand, the addition of solid particles increases the bulk viscosity of the mixture, which reduces the migration rate of large single bubbles. On the other hand, the strength of networks created by touching crystals inhibits bulk magma deformation and forces smaller bubbles to deform to occupy the spaces between particles, thereby increasing both the bubble shape anisotropy and, correspondingly, the probability of bubble coalescence. Gas pathways created in this way take advantage of inhomogeneities in the spatial distribution of crystals and allow large-scale gas release at relatively low vesicularities. This mechanism of gas escape is likely to be important not only in mafic arc volcanoes, where shallow conduits are likely to be highly crystalline, but also for degassing of crystal-mush-dominated magmatic systems.

Estimated splash and training wall height requirements for stepped chutes applied to embankment dams

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

Aging embankment dams are commonly plagued with insufficient spillway capacity. To provide increased spillway capacity, stepped chutes are frequently applied as an overtopping protection system for embankment dams. Stepped chutes with sufficient length develops aerated flow. The aeration and flow...

Electrophoretic sample insertion. [device for uniformly distributing samples in flow path

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Mccreight, L. R. (Inventor)

1974-01-01

Two conductive screens located in the flow path of an electrophoresis sample separation apparatus are charged electrically. The sample is introduced between the screens, and the charge is sufficient to disperse and hold the samples across the screens. When the charge is terminated, the samples are uniformly distributed in the flow path. Additionally, a first separation by charged properties has been accomplished.

Experimental Investigation of the Flow Field in a Transonic, Axial Flow Compressor with Respect to the Development of Blockage and Loss

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Suder, Kenneth L.

1996-01-01

A detailed experimental investigation to understand and quantify the development of loss and blockage in the flow field of a transonic, axial flow compressor rotor has been undertaken. Detailed laser anemometer measurements were acquired upstream, within, and downstream of a transonic, axial compressor rotor operating at design and off-design conditions. The rotor was operated at 100%, 85%, 80%, and 60% of design speed which provided inlet relative Mach numbers at the blade tip of 1.48, 1.26, 1.18, and 0.89 respectively. At design speed the blockage is evaluated ahead of the rotor passage shock, downstream of the rotor passage shock, and near the trailing edge of the blade row. The blockage is evaluated in the core flow area as well as in the casing endwall region. Similarly at pm speed conditions for the cases of (1) where the rotor passage shock is much weaker than that at design speed and (2) where there is no rotor passage shock, the blockage and loss are evaluated and compared to the results at design speed. Specifically, the impact of the rotor passage shock on the blockage and loss development, pertaining to both the shock/boundary layer interactions and the shock/tip clearance flow interactions, is discussed. In addition, the blockage evaluated from the experimental data is compared to (1) an existing correlation of blockage development which was based on computational results, and (2) computational results on a limited basis. The results indicate that for this rotor the blockage in the endwall region is 2-3 times that of the core flow region and the blockage in the core flow region more than doubles when the shock strength is sufficient to separate the suction surface boundary layer. The distribution of losses in the care flow region indicate that the total loss is primarily comprised of the shock loss when the shock strength is not sufficient to separate the suction surface boundary layer. However, when the shock strength is sufficient to separate the suction surface boundary layer, the profile loss is comparable to the shock loss and can exceed the shock loss.

Quantitative framework for preferential flow initiation and partitioning

USGS Publications Warehouse

Nimmo, John R.

2016-01-01

A model for preferential flow in macropores is based on the short-range spatial distribution of soil matrix infiltrability. It uses elementary areas at two different scales. One is the traditional representative elementary area (REA), which includes a sufficient heterogeneity to typify larger areas, as for measuring field-scale infiltrability. The other, called an elementary matrix area (EMA), is smaller, but large enough to represent the local infiltrability of soil matrix material, between macropores. When water is applied to the land surface, each EMA absorbs water up to the rate of its matrix infiltrability. Excess water flows into a macropore, becoming preferential flow. The land surface then can be represented by a mesoscale (EMA-scale) distribution of matrix infiltrabilities. Total preferential flow at a given depth is the sum of contributions from all EMAs. Applying the model, one case study with multi-year field measurements of both preferential and diffuse fluxes at a specific depth was used to obtain parameter values by inverse calculation. The results quantify the preferential–diffuse partition of flow from individual storms that differed in rainfall amount, intensity, antecedent soil water, and other factors. Another case study provided measured values of matrix infiltrability to estimate parameter values for comparison and illustrative predictions. These examples give a self-consistent picture from the combination of parameter values, directions of sensitivities, and magnitudes of differences caused by different variables. One major practical use of this model is to calculate the dependence of preferential flow on climate-related factors, such as varying soil wetness and rainfall intensity.

Investigation of Various Novel Air-Breathing Propulsion Systems

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wilhite, Jarred M.

The current research investigates the operation and performance of various air-breathing propulsion systems, which are capable of utilizing different types of fuel. This study first focuses on a modular RDE configuration, which was mainly studied to determine which conditions yield stable, continuous rotating detonation for an ethylene-air mixture. The performance of this RDE was analyzed by studying various parameters such as mass flow rate, equivalence ratios, wave speed and cell size. For relatively low mass flow rates near stoichiometric conditions, a rotating detonation wave is observed for an ethylene-RDE, but at speeds less than an ideal detonation wave. The current research also involves investigating the newly designed, Twin Oxidizer Injection Capable (TOXIC) RDE. Mixtures of hydrogen and air were utilized for this configuration, resulting in sustained rotating detonation for various mass flow rates and equivalence ratios. A thrust stand was also developed to observe and further measure the performance of the TOXIC RDE. Further analysis was conducted to accurately model and simulate the response of thrust stand during operation of the RDE. Also included in this research are findings and analysis of a propulsion system capable of operating on the Inverse Brayton Cycle. The feasibility of this novel concept was validated in a previous study to be sufficient for small-scale propulsion systems, namely UAV applications. This type of propulsion system consists of a reorganization of traditional gas turbine engine components, which incorporates expansion before compression. This cycle also requires a heat exchanger to reduce the temperature of the flow entering the compressor downstream. While adding a heat exchanger improves the efficiency of the cycle, it also increases the engine weight, resulting in less endurance for the aircraft. Therefore, this study focuses on the selection and development of a new heat exchanger design that is lightweight, and is capable of transferring significant amounts of heat and improving the efficiency and performance of the propulsion system.

A scalable, micropore, platelet rich plasma separation device.

PubMed

Dickson, Mary Nora; Amar, Levy; Hill, Michael; Schwartz, Joseph; Leonard, Edward F

2012-12-01

We have designed a novel, low energy platelet-rich-plasma (PRP) separator capable of producing 50 mL of PRP in 30 min, intended for military and emergency applications. Blood flows over a 3 mm length of sieve at high rates of shear. A plasma-platelet filtrate passes through the sieve's pores while erythrocytes remain. The filtrate is flowed over a second 3 mm length of smaller-pored sieve that withdraws plasma. Bulk blood volume is maintained by returning platelet-free plasma to the erythrocyte pool, enabling a nearly complete multi-pass platelet extraction. The total percentage of platelets extracted is:θ(T)=1-exp (-V(f)(T)Φ(P)/V) where V is the original plasma volume, V ( f )(T) is the total filtered volume, and ϕ ( P ) is platelet passage ratio (filtrate concentration/bulk average concentration) taken to be constant. Maximum θ(T) occurs at maximum V ( f )(T)× ϕ ( P ) Test microsieves, 3 mm long × 3 mm wide, were used. ϕ ( P ) values measured at various filtrate flow rates (20-100 uL/min) and utilizing various filter pore sizes (1.2-3.5 μm), was as high as 150 %. Maximum V ( f )(T)× ϕ ( P ) was achieved utilizing the 3.5 um filters at the highest flow rate, 100 uL/min. Erythrocyte leakages were always below 2,000/uL, far below the allowable limit stipulated by the American Association of Blood Banking. These data imply that a 13.7 cm(2) filter area is sufficient to achieve the target separation of 50 mL of platelet concentrate in 30 min. The filtration cartridge would consist of multiple microporous strips of 3 mm width arranged in parallel so that each element would see the conditions used in the prototype experiments presented here. Other microfiltration schemes suggest no method of scaling to practical levels.

An experimental study of the influence of stress history on fault slip during injection of supercritical CO2

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cuss, Robert J.; Wiseall, Andrew C.; Tamayo-Mas, Elena; Harrington, Jon F.

2018-04-01

The injection of super-critical CO2 into a depleted reservoir will alter the pore pressure of the basin, which if sufficiently perturbed could result in fault slip. Therefore, knowledge of the acceptable pressure limits is required in order to maintain fault stability. A two-part laboratory study was conducted on fully saturated kaolinite fault gouge to investigate this issue. Previously, we showed that fault slip occurred once pore-pressure within the gouge was sufficient to overcome the normal stress acting on the fault. For kaolinite, this behaviour occurred at a pressure similar to the yield stress. The current study shows that following a slow-reduction in the maximum principal stress, as would be expected through changes in effective stress, the reactivation pressure shows a stress memory. Consequently, the pressure necessary to initiate fault slip is similar to that required at the maximum stress encountered. Therefore, fault slip is at least partially controlled by the previous maximum stress and not the current stress state. During the slow reduction in normal stress, the flow characteristics of the fault remain unchanged until pore-pressure exceeds shear stress and does not increase significantly until it exceeds normal stress. This results in fault slip, which slows the rate of flow increase as shear is an effective self-sealing mechanism. These observations lead to the conclusion that stress history is a vital parameter when considering fault stability.

Carbon particles

DOEpatents

Hunt, Arlon J.

1984-01-01

A method and apparatus whereby small carbon particles are made by pyrolysis of a mixture of acetylene carried in argon. The mixture is injected through a nozzle into a heated tube. A small amount of air is added to the mixture. In order to prevent carbon build-up at the nozzle, the nozzle tip is externally cooled. The tube is also elongated sufficiently to assure efficient pyrolysis at the desired flow rates. A key feature of the method is that the acetylene and argon, for example, are premixed in a dilute ratio, and such mixture is injected while cool to minimize the agglomeration of the particles, which produces carbon particles with desired optical properties for use as a solar radiant heat absorber.

The Use of Laser-Induced Fluorescence to Characterize Discharge Cathode Erosion in a 30 cm Ring-Cusp Ion Thruster

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Sovey, James S. (Technical Monitor); Williams, George J., Jr.

2004-01-01

Relative erosion rates and impingement ion production mechanisms have been identified for the discharge cathode of a 30 cm ion engine using laser-induced fluorescence (LIF). Mo and W erosion products as well as neutral and singly ionized xenon were interrogated. The erosion increased with both discharge current and voltage and spatially resolved measurements agreed with observed erosion patters. Ion velocity mapping identified back-flowing ions near the regions of erosion with energies potentially sufficient to generate the level of observed erosion. Ion production regions downstream of the cathode were indicated and were suggested as possible sources of the erosion causing ions.

Counterflow absorber for an absorption refrigeration system

DOEpatents

Reimann, Robert C.

1984-01-01

An air-cooled, vertical tube absorber for an absorption refrigeration system is disclosed. Strong absorbent solution is supplied to the top of the absorber and refrigerant vapor is supplied to the bottom of the absorber to create a direct counterflow of refrigerant vapor and absorbent solution in the absorber. The refrigeration system is designed so that the volume flow rate of refrigerant vapor in the tubes of the absorber is sufficient to create a substantially direct counterflow along the entire length of each tube in the absorber. This provides several advantages for the absorber such as higher efficiency and improved heat transfer characteristics, and allows improved purging of non-condensibles from the absorber.

Carbon-particle generator

DOEpatents

Hunt, A.J.

1982-09-29

A method and apparatus whereby small carbon particles are made by pyrolysis of a mixture of acetylene carried in argon. The mixture is injected through a nozzle into a heated tube. A small amount of air is added to the mixture. In order to prevent carbon build-up at the nozzle, the nozzle tip is externally cooled. The tube is also elongated sufficiently to assure efficient pyrolysis at the desired flow rates. A key feature of the method is that the acetylene and argon, for example, are premixed in a dilute ratio, and such mixture is injected while cool to minimize the agglomeration of the particles, which produces carbon particles with desired optical properties for use as a solar radiant heat absorber.

Photoinduced nucleation: a novel tool for detecting molecules in air at ultra-low concentrations

DOEpatents

Katz, Joseph L.; Lihavainen, Heikki; Rudek, Markus M.; Salter, Brian C.

2002-01-01

A method and apparatus for determining the presence of molecules in a gas at concentrations of less than about 100 ppb. Light having wavelengths in the range from about 200 nm to about 350 nm is used to illuminate a flowing sample of the gas causing the molecules if present to form clusters. A mixture of the illuminated gas and a vapor is cooled until the vapor is supersaturated so that there is a small rate of homogeneous nucleation. The supersaturated vapor condenses on the clusters thus causing the clusters to grow to a size sufficient to be counted by light scattering and then the clusters are counted.

Measuring Flow With Laser-Speckle Velocimetry

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Smith, C. A.; Lourenco, L. M. M.; Krothapalli, A.

1988-01-01

Spatial resolution sufficient for calculation of vorticity.In laser-speckle velocimetry, pulsed or chopped laser beam expanded in one dimension by cylindrical lens to illuminate thin, fan-shaped region of flow measured. Flow seeded by small particles. Lens with optical axis perpendicular to illuminating beam forms image of illuminated particles on photographic plate. Speckle pattern of laser-illuminiated, seeded flow recorded in multiple-exposure photographs and processed to extract data on velocity field. Technique suited for study of vortical flows like those about helicopter rotor blades or airplane wings at high angles of attack.

Vaporizing particle velocimeter

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Weinstein, Leonard M. (Inventor)

1992-01-01

A velocimeter measures flow characteristics of a flow traveling through a chamber in a given direction. Tracer particles are entrained in the flow and a source of radiant energy produces an output stream directed transversely to the chamber, having a sufficient intensity to vaporize the particles as they pass through the output stream. Each of the vaporized particles explodes to produce a shock wave and a hot core, and a flow visualization system tracks the motion of the hot cores and shock waves to measure the velocity of each tracer particle and the temperature of the flow around the tracer.

Identifying natural flow regimes using fish communities

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chang, Fi-John; Tsai, Wen-Ping; Wu, Tzu-Ching; Chen, Hung-kwai; Herricks, Edwin E.

2011-10-01

SummaryModern water resources management has adopted natural flow regimes as reasonable targets for river restoration and conservation. The characterization of a natural flow regime begins with the development of hydrologic statistics from flow records. However, little guidance exists for defining the period of record needed for regime determination. In Taiwan, the Taiwan Eco-hydrological Indicator System (TEIS), a group of hydrologic statistics selected for fisheries relevance, is being used to evaluate ecological flows. The TEIS consists of a group of hydrologic statistics selected to characterize the relationships between flow and the life history of indigenous species. Using the TEIS and biosurvey data for Taiwan, this paper identifies the length of hydrologic record sufficient for natural flow regime characterization. To define the ecological hydrology of fish communities, this study connected hydrologic statistics to fish communities by using methods to define antecedent conditions that influence existing community composition. A moving average method was applied to TEIS statistics to reflect the effects of antecedent flow condition and a point-biserial correlation method was used to relate fisheries collections with TEIS statistics. The resulting fish species-TEIS (FISH-TEIS) hydrologic statistics matrix takes full advantage of historical flows and fisheries data. The analysis indicates that, in the watersheds analyzed, averaging TEIS statistics for the present year and 3 years prior to the sampling date, termed MA(4), is sufficient to develop a natural flow regime. This result suggests that flow regimes based on hydrologic statistics for the period of record can be replaced by regimes developed for sampled fish communities.

Effects of alternative instream-flow criteria and water-supply demands on ground-water development options in the Big River Area, Rhode Island

USGS Publications Warehouse

Granato, Gregory E.; Barlow, Paul M.

2005-01-01

Transient numerical ground-water-flow simulation and optimization techniques were used to evaluate potential effects of instream-flow criteria and water-supply demands on ground-water development options and resultant streamflow depletions in the Big River Area, Rhode Island. The 35.7 square-mile (mi2) study area includes three river basins, the Big River Basin (30.9 mi2), the Carr River Basin (which drains to the Big River Basin and is 7.33 mi2 in area), the Mishnock River Basin (3.32 mi2), and a small area that drains directly to the Flat River Reservoir. The overall objective of the simulations was to determine the amount of ground water that could be withdrawn from the three basins when constrained by streamflow requirements at four locations in the study area and by maximum rates of withdrawal at 13 existing and hypothetical well sites. The instream-flow requirement for the outlet of each basin and the outfall of Lake Mishnock were the primary variables that limited the amount of ground water that could be withdrawn. A requirement to meet seasonal ground-water-demand patterns also limits the amount of ground water that could be withdrawn by up to about 50 percent of the total withdrawals without the demand-pattern constraint. Minimum water-supply demands from a public water supplier in the Mishnock River Basin, however, did not have a substantial effect on withdrawals in the Big River Basin. Hypothetical dry-period instream-flow requirements and the effects of artificial recharge also affected the amount of ground water that could be withdrawn. Results of simulations indicate that annual average ground-water withdrawal rates that range up to 16 million gallons per day (Mgal/d) can be withdrawn from the study area under simulated average hydrologic conditions depending on instream-flow criteria and water-supply demand patterns. Annual average withdrawals of 10 to 12 Mgal/d are possible for proposed demands of 3.4 Mgal/d in the Mishnock Basin, and for a constant annual instream-flow criterion of 0.5 cubic foot per second per square mile (ft3/s/mi2) at the four streamflow-constraint locations. An average withdrawal rate of 10 Mgal/d can meet estimates of future (2020) water-supply needs of surrounding communities in Rhode Island. This withdrawal rate represents about 13 percent of the average 2002 daily withdrawal from the Scituate Reservoir (76 Mgal/d), the State?s largest water supply. Average annual withdrawal rates of 6 to 7 Mgal/d are possible for more stringent instream-flow criteria that might be used during dry-period hydrologic conditions. Two example scenarios of dry-period instream-flow constraints were evaluated: first, a minimum instream flow of 0.1 cubic foot per second at any of the four constraint locations; and second, a minimum instream flow of 10 percent of the minimum monthly streamflow estimate for each streamflow-constraint location during the period 1961?2000. The State of Rhode Island is currently (2004) considering methods for establishing instream-flow criteria for streams within the State. Twelve alternative annual, seasonal, or monthly instream-flow criteria that have been or are being considered for application in southeastern New England were used as hypothetical constraints on maximum ground-water-withdrawal rates in management-model calculations. Maximum ground-water-withdrawal rates ranged from 5 to 16 Mgal/d under five alternative annual instream-flow criteria. Maximum ground-water-withdrawal rates ranged from 0 to 13.6 Mgal/d under seven alternative seasonal or monthly instream-flow criteria. The effect of ground-water withdrawals on seasonal variations in monthly average streamflows under each criterion also were compared. Evaluation of management-model results indicates that a single annual instream-flowcriterion may be sufficient to preserve seasonal variations in monthly average streamflows and meet water-supply demands in the Big River Area, because withdrawals from wells in the Big

Improved Separations of Proteins and Sugar Derivatives Using the Small-Scale Cross-Axis Coil Planet Centrifuge with Locular Multilayer Coiled Columns.

PubMed

Shinomiya, Kazufusa; Umezawa, Motoki; Seki, Manami; Nitta, Jun; Zaima, Kazumasa; Harikai, Naoki; Ito, Yoichiro

2016-12-01

Countercurrent chromatography (CCC) is liquid-liquid partition chromatography without using a solid support matrix. This technique requires further improvement of partition efficiency and shortening theseparation time. The locular multilayer coils modified with and without mixer glass beads were developed for the separation of proteins and 4-methylumbelliferyl (MU) sugar derivatives using the small-scale cross-axis coil planet centrifuge. Proteins were well separated from each other and the separation was improved at a low flow rate of the mobile phase. On the other hand, 4-MU sugar derivatives were sufficiently resolved with short separation time at a highflow rate of the mobile phase under satisfactory stationary phase retention. Effective separations were achieved using the locular multilayer coil for proteins with aqueous-aqueous polymer phase systems and for 4-MU sugar derivatives with organic-aqueous two-phase solvent systems by inserting a glass bead into each locule.

A preliminary evaluation of a dual crystal positron camera

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Holte, S.; Ostertag, H.; Kesselberg, M.

1987-03-01

A dual crystal whole body camera based on Bi4Ge3O12 and Gd2SiO5 was built. Spatial transaxial resolution is better than 5 mm FWH1, with maintained high sensitivity. The system can be equipped with up to four rings to give sufficient coverage of the organs under study. It can perform true dynamic function studies with frame rates of the order of 1 sec or less and can handle high data acquisition rates, encountered in cerebral blood flow studies and in perfusion studies of the heart, with low dead time losses. High sampling redundancy is achieved by wobbling over two detector channels. Fast image reconstructions is achieved by an array processor. Tilting and rotating capabilities of the gantry facilitate the anatomical alignment of the image plane. A rotating line source is used for accurate transmission images with a low scatter level.

Mississippi River streamflow measurement techniques at St. Louis, Missouri

USGS Publications Warehouse

Wastson, Chester C.; Holmes, Robert R.; Biedenham, David S.

2013-01-01

Streamflow measurement techniques of the Mississippi River at St. Louis have changed through time (1866–present). In addition to different methods used for discrete streamflow measurements, the density and range of discrete measurements used to define the rating curve (stage versus streamflow) have also changed. Several authors have utilized published water surface elevation (stage) and streamflow data to assess changes in the rating curve, which may be attributed to be caused by flood control and/or navigation structures. The purpose of this paper is to provide a thorough review of the available flow measurement data and techniques and to assess how a strict awareness of the limitations of the data may affect previous analyses. It is concluded that the pre-1930s discrete streamflow measurement data are not of sufficient accuracy to be compared with modern streamflow values in establishing long-term trends of river behavior.

Passive containment cooling system

DOEpatents

Conway, Lawrence E.; Stewart, William A.

1991-01-01

A containment cooling system utilizes a naturally induced air flow and a gravity flow of water over the containment shell which encloses a reactor core to cool reactor core decay heat in two stages. When core decay heat is greatest, the water and air flow combine to provide adequate evaporative cooling as heat from within the containment is transferred to the water flowing over the same. The water is heated by heat transfer and then evaporated and removed by the air flow. After an initial period of about three to four days when core decay heat is greatest, air flow alone is sufficient to cool the containment.

Uncertainty estimation with bias-correction for flow series based on rating curve

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shao, Quanxi; Lerat, Julien; Podger, Geoff; Dutta, Dushmanta

2014-03-01

Streamflow discharge constitutes one of the fundamental data required to perform water balance studies and develop hydrological models. A rating curve, designed based on a series of concurrent stage and discharge measurements at a gauging location, provides a way to generate complete discharge time series with a reasonable quality if sufficient measurement points are available. However, the associated uncertainty is frequently not available even though it has a significant impact on hydrological modelling. In this paper, we identify the discrepancy of the hydrographers' rating curves used to derive the historical discharge data series and proposed a modification by bias correction which is also in the form of power function as the traditional rating curve. In order to obtain the uncertainty estimation, we propose a further both-side Box-Cox transformation to stabilize the regression residuals as close to the normal distribution as possible, so that a proper uncertainty can be attached for the whole discharge series in the ensemble generation. We demonstrate the proposed method by applying it to the gauging stations in the Flinders and Gilbert rivers in north-west Queensland, Australia.

Aerosol counterflow two-jets unit for continuous measurement of the soluble fraction of atmospheric aerosols.

PubMed

Mikuska, Pavel; Vecera, Zbynek

2005-09-01

A new type of aerosol collector employing a liquid at laboratory temperature for continuous sampling of atmospheric particles is described. The collector operates on the principle of a Venturi scrubber. Sampled air flows at high linear velocity through two Venturi nozzles "atomizing" the liquid to form two jets of a polydisperse aerosol of fine droplets situated against each other. Counterflow jets of droplets collide, and within this process, the aerosol particles are captured into dispersed liquid. Under optimum conditions (air flow rate of 5 L/min and water flow rate of 2 mL/min), aerosol particles down to 0.3 microm in diameter are quantitatively collected in the collector into deionized water while the collection efficiency of smaller particles decreases. There is very little loss of fine aerosol within the aerosol counterflow two-jets unit (ACTJU). Coupling of the aerosol collector with an annular diffusion denuder located upstream of the collector ensures an artifact-free sampling of atmospheric aerosols. Operation of the ACTJU in combination with on-line detection devices allows in situ automated analysis of water-soluble aerosol species (e.g., NO2-, NO3-)with high time resolution (as high as 1 s). Under the optimum conditions, the limit of detection for particulate nitrite and nitrate is 28 and 77 ng/m(3), respectively. The instrument is sufficiently rugged for its application at routine monitoring of aerosol composition in the real time.

Effects of soil aggregates on debris-flow mobilization: Results from ring-shear experiments

USGS Publications Warehouse

Iverson, Neal R.; Mann, Janet E.; Iverson, Richard M.

2010-01-01

Rates and styles of landslide motion are sensitive to pore-water pressure changes caused by changes in soil porosity accompanying shear deformation. Soil may either contract or dilate upon shearing, depending upon whether its initial porosity is greater or less, respectively, than a critical-state porosity attained after sufficiently high strain. We observed complications in this behavior, however, during rate-controlled (0.02 m s−1) ring-shear experiments conducted on naturally aggregated dense loamy sand at low confining stresses (10.6 and 40 kPa). The aggregated soil first dilated and then contracted to porosities less than initial values, whereas the same soil with its aggregates destroyed monotonically dilated. We infer that aggregates persisted initially during shear and caused dilation before their eventual breakdown enabled net contraction. An implication of this contraction, demonstrated in experiments in which initial soil porosity was varied, is that the value of porosity distinguishing initially contractive from dilative behavior can be significantly larger than the critical-state porosity, which develops only after disaggregation ceases at high strains. In addition, post-dilative contraction may produce excess pore pressures, thereby reducing frictional strength and facilitating debris-flow mobilization. We infer that results of triaxial tests, which generally produce strains at least a factor of ∼ 4 smaller than those we observed at the inception of post-dilative contraction, do not allow soil contraction to be ruled out as a mechanism for debris-flow mobilization in dense soils containing aggregates.

Polymeric check valve with an elevated pedestal for precise cracking pressure in a glaucoma drainage device.

PubMed

Park, Chang-Ju; Yang, Dong-Seong; Cha, Jung-Joon; Lee, Jong-Hyun

2016-02-01

This paper presents the design, fabrication, and characterization of a polymeric micro check valve for a glaucoma drainage device (GDD) featuring the precise regulation of intraocular pressure (IOP) and effective aqueous humor turnover (AHT). The pedestal, slightly elevated by selective coating of a parylene C film, induces pre-stress in the thin valve membrane, which enhances the predictability of the cracking pressure of the GDD. The proposed GDD comprises a cannula and a normally closed polymeric micro check valve, which are made of PDMS, a biocompatible polymer, with three layers: top (cover), intermediate (thin valve membrane), and bottom (base plate). A feedback channel, located between the top and intermediate layers, prevents reverse flow by feeding the pressure of the outlet channel back to the thin valve membrane. To achieve a precise cracking pressure and sufficient drainage of humor for humans, the thicknesses of the valve membrane and parylene C film are designed to be 58 μm and 1 μm, respectively, which are confirmed using a COMSOL simulation. The experimental results show that the cracking pressure of the fabricated GDD lies within the range of normal IOP (1.33-2.67 kPa). The forward flow rate (drainage rate), 4.3 ± 0.9 μL/min at 2.5 kPa, is adequate to accommodate the rate of AHT in a normal human eye (2.4 ± 0.6 μL/min). The reverse flow was not observed when a hydrostatic pressure of up to 4 kPa was applied to the outlet and the feedback channel.

Global stability behaviour for the BEK family of rotating boundary layers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Davies, Christopher; Thomas, Christian

2017-12-01

Numerical simulations were conducted to investigate the linear global stability behaviour of the Bödewadt, Ekman, von Kármán (BEK) family of flows, for cases where a disc rotates beneath an incompressible fluid that is also rotating. This extends the work reported in recent studies that only considered the rotating-disc boundary layer with a von Kármán configuration, where the fluid that lies above the boundary layer remains stationary. When a homogeneous flow approximation is made, neglecting the radial variation of the basic state, it can be shown that linearised disturbances are susceptible to absolute instability. We shall demonstrate that, despite this prediction of absolute instability, the disturbance development exhibits globally stable behaviour in the BEK boundary layers with a genuine radial inhomogeneity. For configurations where the disc rotation rate is greater than that of the overlying fluid, disturbances propagate radially outwards and there is only a convective form of instability. This replicates the behaviour that had previously been documented when the fluid did not rotate beyond the boundary layer. However, if the fluid rotation rate is taken to exceed that of the disc, then the propagation direction reverses and disturbances grow while convecting radially inwards. Eventually, as they approach regions of smaller radii, where stability is predicted according to the homogeneous flow approximation, the growth rates reduce until decay takes over. Given sufficient time, such disturbances can begin to diminish at every radial location, even those which are positioned outwards from the radius associated with the onset of absolute instability. This leads to the confinement of the disturbance development within a finitely bounded region of the spatial-temporal plane.

Site suitability for riverbed filtration system in Tanah Merah, Kelantan-A physical model study for turbidity removal

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ghani, Mastura; Adlan, Mohd Nordin; Kamal, Nurul Hana Mokhtar; Aziz, Hamidi Abdul

2017-10-01

A laboratory physical model study on riverbed filtration (RBeF) was conducted to investigate site suitability of soil from Tanah Merah, Kelantan for RBeF. Soil samples were collected and transported to the Geotechnical Engineering Laboratory, Universiti Sains Malaysia for sieve analysis and hydraulic conductivity tests. A physical model was fabricated with gravel packs laid at the bottom of it to cover the screen and then soil sample were placed above gravel pack for 30 cm depth. River water samples from Lubok Buntar, Kedah were used to simulate the effectiveness of RBeF for turbidity removal. Turbidity readings were tested at the inlet and outlet of the filter with specified flow rate. Results from soil characterization show that the soil samples were classified as poorly graded sand with hydraulic conductivity ranged from 7.95 x 10-3 to 6.61 x 10-2 cm/s. Turbidity removal ranged from 44.91% - 92.75% based on the turbidity of water samples before filtration in the range of 33.1-161 NTU. The turbidity of water samples after RBeF could be enhanced up to 2.53 NTU. River water samples with higher turbidity of more than 160 NTU could only reach 50% or less removal by the physical model. Flow rates of the RBeF were in the range of 0.11-1.61 L/min while flow rates at the inlet were set up between 2-4 L/min. Based on the result of soil classification, Tanah Merah site is suitable for RBeF whereas result from physical model study suggested that 30 cm depth of filter media is not sufficient to be used if river water turbidity is higher.

On Stationary Navier-Stokes Flows Around a Rotating Obstacle in Two-Dimensions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Higaki, Mitsuo; Maekawa, Yasunori; Nakahara, Yuu

2018-05-01

We study the two-dimensional stationary Navier-Stokes equations describing the flows around a rotating obstacle. The unique existence of solutions and their asymptotic behavior at spatial infinity are established when the rotation speed of the obstacle and the given exterior force are sufficiently small.

76 FR 77490 - Endangered and Threatened Species; Take of Anadromous Fish

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-12-13

... be deployed for effective sampling during pulse flows, flood releases, and high riverine turbidity... Interim Flows Project is implemented to maintain sufficient river conditions for fish in the SJRRP... restoration area. Trammel nets will be deployed to drift during short durations in high velocity water in...

Radiohalogenated thienylethylamine derivatives for evaluating local cerebral blood flow

DOEpatents

Goodman, Mark M.; Knapp, Jr., Furn F.

1990-01-01

Radiopharmaceuticals useful in brain imaging comprising radiohalogenated thienylethylamine derivatives. The compounds are 5-halo-thiophene-2-isopropyl amines able to cross the blood-brain barrier and be retained for a sufficient length of time to allow the evaluation or regional blood flow by radioimaging of the brain.

Effects of maternal blood loss on embryonic and placental development in the rat.

PubMed

Bruce, N W; Cabral, D A

1975-11-01

The effects of acute loss of maternal blood on embryonic and placental development was examined in 50 rats on Days 8 or 9 of gestation. Blood was withdrawn from conscious, cannulated rats over a 1-min period at 1-0 or 2-0 ml/100 g body weight. These degrees of blood loss were expected to produce a mild (about 50%) and severe (about 80%) reduction in uterine blood flow, respectively, for at least 15 min. There was no evidence that loss of blood affected either fetal survival and malformation rates or fetal weights and sex ratios. The anaemia resulting from haemorrhage lasted no longer than 6 days. Placental weights were 11% higher in rats losing 2-0 ml blood/100 g than in controls (P less than 0-05). It appears that the 8- or 9- day rat embryo is highly resistant to the partial reduction in uterine blood flow, maternal anaemia and other possible challenges induced by maternal loss of blood at levels sufficient to affect the mothers.

A neural model of motion processing and visual navigation by cortical area MST.

PubMed

Grossberg, S; Mingolla, E; Pack, C

1999-12-01

Cells in the dorsal medial superior temporal cortex (MSTd) process optic flow generated by self-motion during visually guided navigation. A neural model shows how interactions between well-known neural mechanisms (log polar cortical magnification, Gaussian motion-sensitive receptive fields, spatial pooling of motion-sensitive signals and subtractive extraretinal eye movement signals) lead to emergent properties that quantitatively simulate neurophysiological data about MSTd cell properties and psychophysical data about human navigation. Model cells match MSTd neuron responses to optic flow stimuli placed in different parts of the visual field, including position invariance, tuning curves, preferred spiral directions, direction reversals, average response curves and preferred locations for stimulus motion centers. The model shows how the preferred motion direction of the most active MSTd cells can explain human judgments of self-motion direction (heading), without using complex heading templates. The model explains when extraretinal eye movement signals are needed for accurate heading perception, and when retinal input is sufficient, and how heading judgments depend on scene layouts and rotation rates.

Quantitative Doppler Analysis Using Conventional Color Flow Imaging Acquisitions.

PubMed

Karabiyik, Yucel; Ekroll, Ingvild Kinn; Eik-Nes, Sturla H; Lovstakken, Lasse

2018-05-01

Interleaved acquisitions used in conventional triplex mode result in a tradeoff between the frame rate and the quality of velocity estimates. On the other hand, workflow becomes inefficient when the user has to switch between different modes, and measurement variability is increased. This paper investigates the use of power spectral Capon estimator in quantitative Doppler analysis using data acquired with conventional color flow imaging (CFI) schemes. To preserve the number of samples used for velocity estimation, only spatial averaging was utilized, and clutter rejection was performed after spectral estimation. The resulting velocity spectra were evaluated in terms of spectral width using a recently proposed spectral envelope estimator. The spectral envelopes were also used for Doppler index calculations using in vivo and string phantom acquisitions. In vivo results demonstrated that the Capon estimator can provide spectral estimates with sufficient quality for quantitative analysis using packet-based CFI acquisitions. The calculated Doppler indices were similar to the values calculated using spectrograms estimated on a commercial ultrasound scanner.

A proposed origin for palimpsests and anomalous pit craters on Ganymede and Callisto

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Croft, S. K.

1983-01-01

The hypothesis that palimpsests and anomalous pit craters are essentially pristine crater forms derived from high-velocity impacts and/or impacts into an ice crust with preimpact temperatures near melting is explored. The observational data are briefly reviewed, and an impact model is proposed for the direct formation of a palimpsest from an impact when the modification flow which produces the final crater is dominated by 'wet' fluid flow, as opposed to the 'dry' granular flow which produces normal craters. Conditions of 'wet' modification occur when the volume of impact melt remaining in the transient crater attains a volume comparable to the transient crater. The normal crater-palimpsest transition is found to occur for sufficiently large impacts or sufficiently fast impactors. The range of crater diameters and morphological characteristics inferred from the impact model is consistent with the observed characteristics of palimpsests and anomalous pit craters.

Satellite geological and geophysical remote sensing of Iceland

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Williams, R. S., Jr. (Principal Investigator)

1978-01-01

The author has identified the following significant results. The ERTS imagery has sufficient resolution to map, from MSS color composites, areas of altered ground caused by high temperature geothermal activity at the Namafjall, Torfajokull, and Reykjanes geothermal areas. The major axes of the fallout pattern of tephra from the May - July 1970 volcanic eruption from Hekla Volcano can be mapped where sufficient depth of deposition was present to seriously affect the normal vegetation. Lava flows from the 1961 volcanic eruption at Askja; some of the lava flows from the 1947-48 eruption, and and all of the lava flows from the 1970 eruption at Hekla; and the areas covered by tephra and lava from the 1973 eruption on Heimaey could be delineated. Low sun angle imagery of less than 10 deg of snow covered terrain was particularly valuable in mapping structural and volcanic features concealed beneath glacial ice in the active volcanic zones of Iceland.

Application of the methods of gas dynamics to water flows with free surface I : flows with no energy dissipation

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Preiswerk, Ernst

1940-01-01

The application is treated in sufficient detail to facilitate as much as possible its application by the engineer who is less familiar with the subject. The present work was undertaken with two objects in view. In the first place, it is considered as a contribution to the water analogy of gas flows, and secondly, a large portion is devoted to the general theory of the two-dimensional supersonic flows.

Investigation of the effect of impeller speed on granules formed using a PMA-1 high shear granulator.

PubMed

Logan, R; Briens, L

2012-11-01

Impeller speed was varied from 300 to 1500 rpm during the wet high shear granulation of a placebo formulation using a new vertical shaft PharmaMATRIX-1 granulator. The resulting granules were extensively analysed for differences caused by the varying impeller speed with emphasis on flowability. Microscopy showed that initial granules were formed primarily from microcrystalline cellulose at all tested impeller speeds. At low impeller speed of 300 rpm in the "bumpy" flow regime, forces from the impeller were insufficient to incorporate all the components of the formulation into the granules and to promote granule growth to a size that significantly improved flowability. The "roping" flow regime at higher impeller speeds promoted granule growth to a median particle size of at least 100 µm that improved the flowability of the mixture. Particle size distribution measurements and advanced indicators based on avalanching behavior, however, showed that an impeller speed of 700 rpm produced the largest fraction of optimal granules with the best flowability potential. This impeller speed allowed good development of "roping" flow for sufficient mixing, collision rates and kinetic energy for collisions while minimizing excessive centrifugal forces that promote buildup around the bowl perimeter.

Material Cycles and Chemicals: Dynamic Material Flow Analysis of Contaminants in Paper Recycling.

PubMed

Pivnenko, Kostyantyn; Laner, David; Astrup, Thomas F

2016-11-15

This study provides a systematic approach for assessment of contaminants in materials for recycling. Paper recycling is used as an illustrative example. Three selected chemicals, bisphenol A (BPA), diethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP) and mineral oil hydrocarbons (MOHs), are evaluated within the paper cycle. The approach combines static material flow analysis (MFA) with dynamic material and substance flow modeling. The results indicate that phasing out of chemicals is the most effective measure for reducing chemical contamination. However, this scenario was also associated with a considerable lag phase (between approximately one and three decades) before the presence of chemicals in paper products could be considered insignificant. While improved decontamination may appear to be an effective way of minimizing chemicals in products, this may also result in lower production yields. Optimized waste material source-segregation and collection was the least effective strategy for reducing chemical contamination, if the overall recycling rates should be maintained at the current level (approximately 70% for Europe). The study provides a consistent approach for evaluating contaminant levels in material cycles. The results clearly indicate that mass-based recycling targets are not sufficient to ensure high quality material recycling.

Lateral Erosion Encourages Vertical Incision in a Bimodal Alluvial River

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gran, K. B.

2015-12-01

Sand can have a strong impact on gravel transport, increasing gravel transport rates by orders of magnitude as sand content increases. Recent experimental work by others indicates that adding sand to an armored bed can even cause armor to break-up and mobilize. These two elements together help explain observations from a bimodal sand and gravel-bedded river, where lateral migration into sand-rich alluvium breaks up the armor layer, encouraging further incision into the bed. Detailed bedload measurements were coupled with surface and subsurface grain size analyses and cross-sectional surveys in a seasonally-incised channel carved into the upper alluvial fan of the Pasig-Potrero River at Mount Pinatubo, Philippines. Pinatubo erupted in 1991, filling valleys draining the flanks of the volcano with primarily sand-sized pyroclastic flow debris. Twenty years after the eruption, sand-rich sediment inputs are strongly seasonal, with most sediment input to the channel during the rainy season. During the dry season, flow condenses from a wide braided planform to a single-thread channel in most of the upper basin, extending several km onto the alluvial fan. This change in planform creates similar unit discharge ranges in summer and winter. Lower sediment loads in the dry season drive vertical incision until the bed is sufficiently armored. Incision proceeds downstream in a wave, with increasing sediment transport rates and decreasing grain size with distance downstream, eventually reaching a gravel-sand transition and return to a braided planform. Incision depths in the gravel-bedded section exceeded 3 meters in parts of a 4 km-long study reach, a depth too great to be explained by predictions from simple winnowing during incision. Instead, lateral migration into sand-rich alluvium provides sufficient fine sediment to break up the armor surface, allowing incision to start anew and increasing the total depth of the seasonally-incised valley. Lateral migration is recorded in a series of inset terraces within the valley. The importance of sand on channel behavior thus extends beyond transport rates, affecting the depth of incision and volume of material excavated during a rainy to dry season transition.

Constant-flow ventilation in canine experimental pulmonary emphysema.

PubMed

Hachenberg, T; Wendt, M; Meyer, J; Struckmeier, O; Lawin, P

1989-07-01

The efficacy of constant-flow ventilation (CFV) was investigated in eight mongrel dogs before (control-phase) and after development of papain-induced panlobular emphysema (PLE-phase). For CFV, heated, humidified and oxygen-enriched air was continuously delivered via two catheters positioned within each mainstem bronchus at flow rates (V) of 0.33, 0.5 and 0.66 l/s. Data obtained during intermittent positive pressure ventilation (IPPV) served as reference. In the control-phase, Pao2 was lower (P less than or equal to 0.05) and alveolo-arterial O2 difference (P(A-a)O2) was higher (P less than or equal to 0.01) during CFV at all flow rates when compared with IPPV. This may be due to inhomogeneities of intrapulmonary gas distribution and increased ventilation-perfusion (VA/Q) mismatching. Paco2 and V showed a hyperbolic relationship; constant normocapnia (5.3 kPa) was achieved at 0.48 +/- 0.21 l/s (V53). Development of PLE resulted in an increase of functional residual capacity (FRC), residual volume (RV) and static compliance (Cstat) (P less than or equal to 0.05). PaO2 had decreased and P(A-a)O2 had increased (P less than or equal to 0.05), indicating moderate pulmonary dysfunction. Oxygenation during CFV was not significantly different in the PLE-phase when compared with the control-phase. Paco2 and V showed a hyperbolic relationship and V5.3 was even lower than in the control-group (0.42 +/- 0.13 l/s). In dogs with emphysematous lungs CFV maintains sufficient gas exchange. This may be due to preferential ventilation of basal lung units, thereby counterbalancing the effects of impaired lung morphometry and increased airtrapping. Conventional mechanical ventilation is more effective in terms of oxygenation and CO2-elimination.

Characterization of Nanoparticles by Capillary Electrophoresis and Trapping of Nanoparticles in Microfluidics Device

DTIC Science & Technology

2009-08-01

tubular mode driven by electroosmotic flow and the inherent electrophoretic mobility of the analytes under the influence of an applied electric field...could be due to unlabeled beads. Figure 3 (C and D) also shows electropherogram of a neutral electroosmotic flow (EOF) marker dye BODIPY and...internal turbulent mixing . The current microfabricated electromagnets cannot produce sufficient fields to trap the NPs against a large flow forces

Infrared Images of Boundary Layer Transition on the D8 Transport Configuration in the LaRC 14- by 22-Foot Subsonic Tunnel

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Mason, Michelle L.; Gatlin, Gregory M.

2015-01-01

Grit, trip tape, or trip dots are routinely applied on the leading-edge regions of the fuselage, wings, tails or nacelles of wind tunnel models to trip the flow from laminar to turbulent. The thickness of the model's boundary layer is calculated for nominal conditions in the wind tunnel test to determine the effective size of the trip dots, but the flow over the model may not transition as intended for runs with different flow conditions. Temperature gradients measured with an infrared camera can be used to detect laminar to turbulent boundary layer transition on a wind tunnel model. This non-intrusive technique was used in the NASA Langley 14- by 22-Foot Subsonic Tunnel to visualize the behavior of the flow over a D8 transport configuration model. As the flow through the wind tunnel either increased to or decreased from the run conditions, a sufficient temperature difference existed between the air and the model to visualize the transition location (due to different heat transfer rates through the laminar and the turbulent boundary layers) for several runs in this test. Transition phenomena were visible without active temperature control in the atmospheric wind tunnel, whether the air was cooler than the model or vice-versa. However, when the temperature of the model relative to the air was purposely changed, the ability to detect transition in the infrared images was enhanced. Flow characteristics such as a wing root horseshoe vortex or the presence of fore-body vortical flows also were observed in the infrared images. The images of flow features obtained for this study demonstrate the usefulness of current infrared technology in subsonic wind tunnel tests.

How vegetation and sediment transport feedbacks drive landscape change in the Everglades and wetlands worldwide

USGS Publications Warehouse

Larsen, Laurel G.; Harvey, Judson W.

2010-01-01

Mechanisms reported to promote landscape self‐organization cannot explain vegetation patterning oriented parallel to flow. Recent catastrophic shifts in Everglades landscape pattern and ecological function highlight the need to understand the feedbacks governing these ecosystems. We modeled feedback between vegetation, hydrology, and sediment transport on the basis of a decade of experimentation. Results from more than 100 simulations showed that flows just sufficient to redistribute sediment from sparsely vegetated sloughs to dense ridges were needed for an equilibrium patterned landscape oriented parallel to flow. Surprisingly, although vegetation heterogeneity typically conveys resilience, in wetlands governed by flow/sediment feedbacks it indicates metastability, whereby the landscape is prone to catastrophic shifts. Substantial increases or decreases in flow relative to the equilibrium condition caused an expansion of emergent vegetation and loss of open‐water areas that was unlikely to revert upon restoration of the equilibrium hydrology. Understanding these feedbacks is critical in forecasting wetland responses to changing conditions and designing management strategies that optimize ecosystem services, such as carbon sequestration or habitat provision. Our model and new sensitivity analysis techniques address these issues and make it newly apparent that simply returning flow to predrainage conditions in the Everglades may not be sufficient to restore historic landscape patterns and processes.

Successful flow reduction surgery for a ruptured true posterior communicating artery aneurysm caused by the common carotid artery ligation for epistaxis.

PubMed

Yamao, Yukihiro; Takahashi, Jun C; Satow, Tetsu; Iihara, Koji; Miyamoto, Susumu

2014-01-01

Carotid artery occlusion can lead to the development of rare true posterior communicating artery (PCoA) aneurysms because of hemodynamic stress on the PCoA. Surgical treatment of these lesions is challenging. The authors report a case of a true PCoA aneurysm that developed and ruptured 37 years after ligation of the ipsilateral common carotid artery for epistaxis. The lesion was successfully treated with clipping of the distal M1 segment of the middle cerebral artery (MCA) after the occipital artery-radial artery free graft-MCA bypass, which led to extreme reduction in collateral flow through the PCoA. A cortical branch, located just proximal to the obliteration site, functioned as a sufficient flow outlet. The aneurysm shrank, and the patient has been doing well without any symptoms for 5 years after surgery. M1 obliteration combined with high-flow extra-intracranial bypass might be a promising option for a true PCoA aneurysm, and therapeutic design that leaves a sufficient flow outlet on the M1 is mandatory to avoid unexpected occlusion of the M1 and its perforators.

Successful flow reduction surgery for a ruptured true posterior communicating artery aneurysm caused by the common carotid artery ligation for epistaxis

PubMed Central

Yamao, Yukihiro; Takahashi, Jun C.; Satow, Tetsu; Iihara, Koji; Miyamoto, Susumu

2014-01-01

Background: Carotid artery occlusion can lead to the development of rare true posterior communicating artery (PCoA) aneurysms because of hemodynamic stress on the PCoA. Surgical treatment of these lesions is challenging. Case Description: The authors report a case of a true PCoA aneurysm that developed and ruptured 37 years after ligation of the ipsilateral common carotid artery for epistaxis. The lesion was successfully treated with clipping of the distal M1 segment of the middle cerebral artery (MCA) after the occipital artery-radial artery free graft-MCA bypass, which led to extreme reduction in collateral flow through the PCoA. A cortical branch, located just proximal to the obliteration site, functioned as a sufficient flow outlet. The aneurysm shrank, and the patient has been doing well without any symptoms for 5 years after surgery. Conclusions: M1 obliteration combined with high-flow extra-intracranial bypass might be a promising option for a true PCoA aneurysm, and therapeutic design that leaves a sufficient flow outlet on the M1 is mandatory to avoid unexpected occlusion of the M1 and its perforators. PMID:25525556

Sufficient Condition for Finite-Time Singularity in a High-Symmetry Euler Flow

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bhattacharjee, A.; Ng, C. S.

1997-11-01

The possibility of a finite-time singularity (FTS) with a smooth initial condition is considered in a high-symmetry Euler flow (the Kida flow). It has been shown recently [C. S. Ng and A. Bhattacharjee, Phys. Rev. E 54 1530, 1996] that there must be a FTS if the fourth order pressure derivative (p_xxxx) is always positive within a finite range X on the x-axis around the origin. This sufficient condition is now extended to the case when the range X is itself time-dependent. It is shown that a FTS must still exist even when X arrow 0 if the p_xxxx value at the origin is growing faster than X-2. It is tested statistically that p_xxxx at the origin is most probably positive for a Kida flow with random Fourier amplitudes and that it is generally growing as energy cascades to Fourier modes with higher wavenumbers k. The condition that p_xxxx grows faster than X-2 is found to be satisfied when the spectral index ν of the energy spectrum E(k) ∝ k^-ν of the random flow is less than 3.

Spectral derivation of the classic laws of wall-bounded turbulent flows.

PubMed

Gioia, Gustavo; Chakraborty, Pinaki

2017-08-01

We show that the classic laws of the mean-velocity profiles (MVPs) of wall-bounded turbulent flows-the 'law of the wall,' the 'defect law' and the 'log law'-can be predicated on a sufficient condition with no manifest ties to the MVPs, namely that viscosity and finite turbulent domains have a depressive effect on the spectrum of turbulent energy. We also show that this sufficient condition is consistent with empirical data on the spectrum and may be deemed a general property of the energetics of wall turbulence. Our findings shed new light on the physical origin of the classic laws and their immediate offshoot, Prandtl's theory of turbulent friction.

Information system support as a critical success factor for chronic disease management: Necessary but not sufficient.

PubMed

Green, Carolyn J; Fortin, Patricia; Maclure, Malcolm; Macgregor, Art; Robinson, Sylvia

2006-12-01

Improvement of chronic disease management in primary care entails monitoring indicators of quality over time and across patients and practices. Informatics tools are needed, yet implementing them remains challenging. To identify critical success factors enabling the translation of clinical and operational knowledge about effective and efficient chronic care management into primary care practice. A prospective case study of positive deviants using key informant interviews, process observation, and document review. A chronic disease management (CDM) collaborative of primary care physicians with documented improvement in adherence to clinical practice guidelines using a web-based patient registry system with CDM guideline-based flow sheet. Thirty community-based physician participants using predominantly paper records, plus a project management team including the physician lead, project manager, evaluator and support team. A critical success factor (CSF) analysis of necessary and sufficient pathways to the translation of knowledge into clinical practice. A web-based CDM 'toolkit' was found to be a direct CSF that allowed this group of physicians to improve their practice by tracking patient care processes using evidence-based clinical practice guideline-based flow sheets. Moreover, the information and communication technology 'factor' was sufficient for success only as part of a set of seven direct CSF components including: health delivery system enhancements, organizational partnerships, funding mechanisms, project management, practice models, and formal knowledge translation practices. Indirect factors that orchestrated success through the direct factor components were also identified. A central insight of this analysis is that a comprehensive quality improvement model was the CSF that drew this set of factors into a functional framework for successful knowledge translation. In complex primary care settings environment where physicians have low adoption rates of electronic tools to support the care of patients with chronic conditions, successful implementation may require a set of interrelated system and technology factors.

[Carotid plaque assessment using inversion recovery T1 weighted-3 dimensions variable refocus flip angle turbo spin echo sampling perfection with application optimized contrast using different angle evolutions black blood imaging].

PubMed

Inoue, Yuji; Yoneyama, Masami; Nakamura, Masanobu; Ozaki, Satoshi; Ito, Kenjiro; Hiura, Mikio

2012-01-01

Vulnerable plaque can be attributed to induction of ischemic symptoms and magnetic resonance imaging of carotid artery is valuable to detect the plaque. Magnetization prepared rapid acquisition with gradient echo (MPRAGE) method could detect hemorrhagic vulnerable plaque as high intensity signal; however, blood flow is not sufficiently masked by this method. The contrast for plaque in T1 weighted image (T1WI) could not be obtained sufficiently with black blood image (BBI) by sampling perfection with application optimized contrast using different angle evolutions (SPACE) method as turbo spin echo (TSE). In addition, an appearance of artifact by slow flow is a problem. Considering these controversial situations in plaque imaging, we examined the modified BBI inversion recovery (IR)-SPACE in which IR was added for SPACE method so that the contrast for plaque in T1WI was optimized. We investigated the application of this method in plaque imaging. As a result of phantom imaging, the contrast for plaque in T1WI was definitely obtained by choosing an appropriate inversion time (TI) for the corresponding repetition time. In clinical cases, blood flow was sufficiently masked by IR-SPACE method and the plaque imaging was clearly obtained in clinical cases to the same extent as MPRAGE method. Since BBI with IR-SPACE method was derived from both IR pulse and flow void effect, this method could obtain the blood flow masking effect definitely. The present study suggested that SPACE method might be applicable to estimate properties of carotid artery plaque.

Performance Capability of Single-Cavity Vortex Gaseous Nuclear Rockets

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Ragsdale, Robert G.

1963-01-01

An analysis was made to determine the maximum powerplant thrust-to-weight ratio possible with a single-cavity vortex gaseous reactor in which all the hydrogen propellant must diffuse through a fuel-rich region. An assumed radial temperature profile was used to represent conduction, convection, and radiation heat-transfer effects. The effect of hydrogen property changes due to dissociation and ionization was taken into account in a hydrodynamic computer program. It is shown that, even for extremely optimistic assumptions of reactor criticality and operating conditions, such a system is limited to reactor thrust-to-weight ratios of about 1.2 x 10(exp -3) for laminar flow. For turbulent flow, the maximum thrust-to-weight ratio is less than 10(exp -3). These low thrusts result from the fact that the hydrogen flow rate is limited by the diffusion process. The performance of a gas-core system with a specific impulse of 3000 seconds and a powerplant thrust-to-weight ratio of 10(exp -2) is shown to be equivalent to that of a 1000-second advanced solid-core system. It is therefore concluded that a single-cavity vortex gaseous reactor in which all the hydrogen must diffuse through the nuclear fuel is a low-thrust device and offers no improvement over a solid-core nuclear-rocket engine. To achieve higher thrust, additional hydrogen flow must be introduced in such a manner that it will by-pass the nuclear fuel. Obviously, such flow must be heated by thermal radiation. An illustrative model of a single-cavity vortex system employing supplementary flow of hydrogen through the core region is briefly examined. Such a system appears capable of thrust-to-weight ratios of approximately 1 to 10. For a high-impulse engine, this capability would be a considerable improvement over solid-core performance. Limits imposed by thermal radiation heat transfer to cavity walls are acknowledged but not evaluated. Alternate vortex concepts that employ many parallel vortices to achieve higher hydrogen flow rates offer the possibility of sufficiently high thrust-to-weight ratios, if they are not limited by short thermal-radiation path lengths.

Variably Saturated Flow and Multicomponent Biogeochemical Reactive Transport Modeling of a Uranium Bioremediation Field Experiment

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

Yabusaki, Steven B.; Fang, Yilin; Williams, Kenneth H.

2011-11-01

Field experiments at a former uranium mill tailings site have identified the potential for stimulating indigenous bacteria to catalyze the conversion of aqueous uranium in the +6 oxidation state to immobile solid-associated uranium in the +4 oxidation state. This effectively removes uranium from solution resulting in groundwater concentrations below actionable standards. Three-dimensional, coupled variably-saturated flow and biogeochemical reactive transport modeling of a 2008 in situ uranium bioremediation field experiment is used to better understand the interplay of transport rates and biogeochemical reaction rates that determine the location and magnitude of key reaction products. A comprehensive reaction network, developed largely throughmore » previous 1-D modeling studies, was used to simulate the impacts on uranium behavior of pulsed acetate amendment, seasonal water table variation, spatially-variable physical (hydraulic conductivity, porosity) and geochemical (reactive surface area) material properties. A principal challenge is the mechanistic representation of biologically-mediated terminal electron acceptor process (TEAP) reactions whose products significantly alter geochemical controls on uranium mobility through increases in pH, alkalinity, exchangeable cations, and highly reactive reduction products. In general, these simulations of the 2008 Big Rusty acetate biostimulation field experiment in Rifle, Colorado confirmed previously identified behaviors including (1) initial dominance by iron reducing bacteria that concomitantly reduce aqueous U(VI), (2) sulfate reducing bacteria that become dominant after {approx}30 days and outcompete iron reducers for the acetate electron donor, (3) continuing iron-reducer activity and U(VI) bioreduction during dominantly sulfate reducing conditions, and (4) lower apparent U(VI) removal from groundwater during dominantly sulfate reducing conditions. New knowledge on simultaneously active metal and sulfate reducers has been incorporated into the modeling. In this case, an initially small population of slow growing sulfate reducers is active from the initiation of biostimulation. Three-dimensional, variably saturated flow modeling was used to address impacts of a falling water table during acetate injection. These impacts included a significant reduction in aquifer saturated thickness and isolation of residual reactants and products, as well as unmitigated uranium, in the newly unsaturated vadose zone. High permeability sandy gravel structures resulted in locally high flow rates in the vicinity of injection wells that increased acetate dilution. In downgradient locations, these structures created preferential flow paths for acetate delivery that enhanced local zones of TEAP reactivity and subsidiary reactions. Conversely, smaller transport rates associated with the lower permeability lithofacies (e.g., fine) and vadose zone were shown to limit acetate access and reaction. Once accessed by acetate, however, these same zones limited subsequent acetate dilution and provided longer residence times that resulted in higher concentrations of TEAP products when terminal electron donors and acceptors were not limiting. Finally, facies-based porosity and reactive surface area variations were shown to affect aqueous uranium concentration distributions; however, the ranges were sufficiently small to preserve general trends. Large computer memory and high computational performance were required to simulate the detailed coupled process models for multiple biogeochemical components in highly resolved heterogeneous materials for the 110-day field experiment and 50 days of post-biostimulation behavior. In this case, a highly-scalable subsurface simulator operating on 128 processor cores for 12 hours was used to simulate each realization. An equivalent simulation without parallel processing would have taken 60 days, assuming sufficient memory was available.« less

Recommended care adherence: improved by patient reminder letters but with potential attenuation by the healthcare process complexity.

PubMed

Zhang, Zhou; Fish, Jason

2012-01-01

American adults receive the recommended care just over half of the time for all recommended services. Many patient reminder strategies have attempted to increase the adherence rates for preventative and chronic disease management. However, there is a lack of data available in relation to adherence rates for symptom-specific recommended services and a lack of data identifying any contributions from the organisational structures to these adherence rates. To identify the efficacy and differences in patient reminder letter strategies on various categories of recommended services, as well as to analyse the relationship between a novel quantification of a healthcare system's process complexity with adherence rates. Retrospective cohort study analysing pilot data collected from an urban, academic healthcare provider utilising patient reminder letters. Adults attending one academic medical centre's outpatient practice from 2008 to 2009. Two reminder letters sent chronologically if the recommended care was not completed in the appropriate time frame. Adherence rates of each recommended service at baseline, after first and second reminder letters, and non-adherence rates despite the reminder letter intervention. Process flow complexity was calculated as a composite score combining elements of fastest time to complete routine order, number of different steps in routine order, number of departments involved, and number of sites patients visit. Patient adherence rates increased for all the recommended services after the first reminder letter. Preventative and Chronic Disease Management recommendations demonstrated additional moderate increases after the second reminder letter. Referrals and Radiologogy and Diagnostic Testing (acute, symptom specific) and Labs (acute and nonacute) demonstrated additional minimal adherence rate increases after the second reminder letter. Comparison of the process flow complexity demonstrated an inverse relationship between process complexity and adherence rates, particularly for non-acute orders. One reminder letter seemed to be sufficient for most recommended care. The complexity of the healthcare process may be an important predictive factor for patient adherence.

Improved computer programs for calculating potential flow in propulsion system inlets

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Stockman, N. O.; Farrell, C. A., Jr.

1977-01-01

Computer programs to calculate the incompressible potential flow corrected for compressibility in axisymmetric inlets at arbitrary operating conditions are presented. Included are a statement of the problem to be solved, a description of each of the programs and sufficient documentation, including a test case, to enable a user to run the programs.

Estimating Divergence Parameters With Small Samples From a Large Number of Loci

PubMed Central

Wang, Yong; Hey, Jody

2010-01-01

Most methods for studying divergence with gene flow rely upon data from many individuals at few loci. Such data can be useful for inferring recent population history but they are unlikely to contain sufficient information about older events. However, the growing availability of genome sequences suggests a different kind of sampling scheme, one that may be more suited to studying relatively ancient divergence. Data sets extracted from whole-genome alignments may represent very few individuals but contain a very large number of loci. To take advantage of such data we developed a new maximum-likelihood method for genomic data under the isolation-with-migration model. Unlike many coalescent-based likelihood methods, our method does not rely on Monte Carlo sampling of genealogies, but rather provides a precise calculation of the likelihood by numerical integration over all genealogies. We demonstrate that the method works well on simulated data sets. We also consider two models for accommodating mutation rate variation among loci and find that the model that treats mutation rates as random variables leads to better estimates. We applied the method to the divergence of Drosophila melanogaster and D. simulans and detected a low, but statistically significant, signal of gene flow from D. simulans to D. melanogaster. PMID:19917765

AGN self-regulation in cooling flow clusters

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cattaneo, A.; Teyssier, R.

2007-04-01

We use three-dimensional high-resolution adaptive-mesh-refinement simulations to investigate if mechanical feedback from active galactic nucleus jets can halt a massive cooling flow in a galaxy cluster and give rise to a self-regulated accretion cycle. We start with a 3 × 109 Msolar black hole at the centre of a spherical halo with the mass of the Virgo cluster. Initially, all the baryons are in a hot intracluster medium in hydrostatic equilibrium within the dark matter's gravitational potential. The black hole accretes the surrounding gas at the Bondi rate, and a fraction of the accretion power is returned into the intracluster medium mechanically through the production of jets. The accretion, initially slow (~2 × 10-4 Msolaryr-1), becomes catastrophic, as the gas cools and condenses in the dark matter's potential. Therefore, it cannot prevent the cooling catastrophe at the centre of the cluster. However, after this rapid phase, where the accretion rate reaches a peak of ~0.2Msolaryr-1, the cavities inflated by the jets become highly turbulent. The turbulent mixing of the shock-heated gas with the rest of the intracluster medium puts a quick end to this short-lived rapid-growth phase. After dropping by almost two orders of magnitudes, the black hole accretion rate stabilizes at ~0.006 Msolaryr-1, without significant variations for several billions of years, indicating that a self-regulated steady state has been reached. This accretion rate corresponds to a negligible increase of the black hole mass over the age of the Universe, but is sufficient to create a quasi-equilibrium state in the cluster core.

Protection of Salivary Function by Concomitant Pilocarpine During Radiotherapy: A Double-Blind, Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Study

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

Burlage, Fred R.; Roesink, Judith M.; Kampinga, Harm H.

2008-01-01

Purpose: To investigate the effect of concomitant administration of pilocarpine during radiotherapy for head-and-neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) on postradiotherapy xerostomia. Methods and Materials: A prospective, double blind, placebo-controlled randomized trial including 170 patients with HNSCC was executed to study the protective effect of pilocarpine on radiotherapy-induced parotid gland dysfunction. The primary objective endpoint was parotid flow rate complication probability (PFCP) scored 6 weeks, 6 months, and 12 months after radiotherapy. Secondary endpoints included Late Effects of Normal Tissue/Somatic Objective Management Analytic scale (LENT SOMA) and patient-rated xerostomia scores. For all parotid glands, dose-volume histograms were assessed because the dosemore » distribution in the parotid glands is considered the most important prognostic factor with regard to radiation-induced salivary dysfunction. Results: Although no significant differences in PFCP were found for the two treatments arms, a significant (p = 0.03) reduced loss of parotid flow 1 year after radiotherapy was observed in those patients who received pilocarpine and a mean parotid dose above 40 Gy. The LENT SOMA and patient-rated xerostomia scores showed similar trends toward less dryness-related complaints for the pilocarpine group. Conclusions: Concomitant administration of pilocarpine during radiotherapy did not improve the PFCP or LENT SOMA and patient-rated xerostomia scores. In a subgroup of patients with a mean dose above 40 Gy, pilocarpine administration resulted in sparing of parotid gland function. Therefore, pilocarpine could be provided to patients in whom sufficient sparing of the parotid is not achievable.« less

Buffeting of NACA 0012 airfoil at high angle of attack

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhou, Tong; Dowell, Earl

2014-11-01

Buffeting is a fluid instability caused by flow separation or shock wave oscillations in the flow around a bluff body. Typically there is a dominant frequency of these flow oscillations called Strouhal or buffeting frequency. In prior work several researchers at Duke University have noted the analogy between the classic Von Karman Vortex Street behind a bluff body and the flow oscillations that occur for flow around a NACA 0012 airfoil at sufficiently large angle of attack. Lock-in is found for certain combinations of airfoil oscillation (pitching motion) frequencies and amplitudes when the frequency of the airfoil motion is sufficiently close to the buffeting frequency. The goal of this paper is to explore the flow around a static and an oscillating airfoil at high angle of attack by developing a method for computing buffet response. Simulation results are compared with experimental data. Conditions for the onset of buffeting and lock-in of a NACA 0012 airfoil at high angle of attack are determined. Effects of several parameters on lift coefficient and flow response frequency are studied including Reynolds number, angle of attack and blockage ratio of the airfoil size to the wind tunnel dimensions. Also more detailed flow field characteristics are determined. For a static airfoil, a universal Strouhal number scaling has been found for angles of attack from 30° to 90°, where the flow around airfoil is fully separated. For an oscillating airfoil, conditions for lock-in are discussed. Differences between the lock-in case and the unlocked case are also studied. The second affiliation: Duke University.

Fluid dynamics analysis of a gas attenuator for X-ray FELs under high-repetition-rate operation

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

Yang, Bo; Wu, Juhao; Raubenheimer, Tor O.

Newtonian fluid dynamics simulations were performed using the Navier–Stokes–Fourier formulations to elucidate the short time-scale (µs and longer) evolution of the density and temperature distributions in an argon-gas-filled attenuator for an X-ray free-electron laser under high-repetition-rate operation. Both hydrodynamic motions of the gas molecules and thermal conductions were included in a finite-volume calculation. It was found that the hydrodynamic wave motions play the primary role in creating a density depression (also known as a filament) by advectively transporting gas particles away from the X-ray laser–gas interaction region, where large pressure and temperature gradients have been built upon the initial energymore » depositionviaX-ray photoelectric absorption and subsequent thermalization. Concurrent outward heat conduction tends to reduce the pressure in the filament core region, generating a counter gas flow to backfill the filament, but on an initially slower time scale. If the inter-pulse separation is sufficiently short so the filament cannot recover, the depth of the filament progressively increases as the trailing pulses remove additional gas particles. Since the rate of hydrodynamic removal decreases while the rate of heat conduction back flow increases as time elapses, the two competing mechanisms ultimately reach a dynamic balance, establishing a repeating pattern for each pulse cycle. Finally, by performing simulations at higher repetition rates but lower per pulse energies while maintaining a constant time-averaged power, the amplitude of the hydrodynamic motion per pulse becomes smaller, and the evolution of the temperature and density distributions approach asymptotically towards, as expected, those calculated for a continuous-wave input of the equivalent power.« less

Fluid dynamics analysis of a gas attenuator for X-ray FELs under high-repetition-rate operation

DOE PAGES

Yang, Bo; Wu, Juhao; Raubenheimer, Tor O.; ...

2017-05-01

Newtonian fluid dynamics simulations were performed using the Navier–Stokes–Fourier formulations to elucidate the short time-scale (µs and longer) evolution of the density and temperature distributions in an argon-gas-filled attenuator for an X-ray free-electron laser under high-repetition-rate operation. Both hydrodynamic motions of the gas molecules and thermal conductions were included in a finite-volume calculation. It was found that the hydrodynamic wave motions play the primary role in creating a density depression (also known as a filament) by advectively transporting gas particles away from the X-ray laser–gas interaction region, where large pressure and temperature gradients have been built upon the initial energymore » depositionviaX-ray photoelectric absorption and subsequent thermalization. Concurrent outward heat conduction tends to reduce the pressure in the filament core region, generating a counter gas flow to backfill the filament, but on an initially slower time scale. If the inter-pulse separation is sufficiently short so the filament cannot recover, the depth of the filament progressively increases as the trailing pulses remove additional gas particles. Since the rate of hydrodynamic removal decreases while the rate of heat conduction back flow increases as time elapses, the two competing mechanisms ultimately reach a dynamic balance, establishing a repeating pattern for each pulse cycle. Finally, by performing simulations at higher repetition rates but lower per pulse energies while maintaining a constant time-averaged power, the amplitude of the hydrodynamic motion per pulse becomes smaller, and the evolution of the temperature and density distributions approach asymptotically towards, as expected, those calculated for a continuous-wave input of the equivalent power.« less

Quantifying measurement uncertainties in ADCP measurements in non-steady, inhomogeneous flow

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Schäfer, Stefan

2017-04-01

The author presents a laboratory study of fixed-platform four-beam ADCP and three-beam ADV measurements in the tailrace of a micro hydro power setup with a 35kW Kaplan-turbine and 2.5m head. The datasets discussed quantify measurement uncertainties of the ADCP measurement technique coming from non-steady, inhomogeneous flow. For constant discharge of 1.5m3/s, two different flow scenarios were investigated: one being the regular tailrace flow downstream the draft tube and the second being a straightened, less inhomogeneous flow, which was generated by the use of a flow straightening device: A rack of diameter 40mm pipe sections was mounted right behind the draft tube. ADCP measurements (sampling rate 1.35Hz) were conducted in three distances behind the draft tube and compared bin-wise to measurements of three simultaneously measuring ADV probes (sampling rate 64Hz). The ADV probes were aligned horizontally and the ADV bins were placed in the centers of two facing ADCP bins and in the vertical under the ADCP probe of the corresponding depth. Rotating the ADV probes by 90° allowed for measurements of the other two facing ADCP bins. For reasons of mutual probe interaction, ADCP and ADV measurements were not conducted at the same time. The datasets were evaluated by using mean and fluctuation velocities. Turbulence parameters were calculated and compared as far as applicable. Uncertainties coming from non-steady flow were estimated with the normalized mean square error und evaluated by comparing long-term measurements of 60 minutes to shorter measurement intervals. Uncertainties coming from inhomogeneous flow were evaluated by comparison of ADCP with ADV data along the ADCP beams where ADCP data were effectively measured and in the vertical under the ADCP probe where velocities of the ADCP measurements were displayed. Errors coming from non-steady flow could be compensated through sufficiently long measurement intervals with high enough sampling rates depending on the turbulence scales of the flow. In case of heterogeneous distributions of vertical velocity components in the ADCP beams, the resulting errors significantly biased the mean velocities and could not be recognized by sole ADCP measurements. For the straightened flow scenario, the results showed good agreement of ADCP and ADV data for mean velocities, whereas the ADCP data consistently overestimated turbulence intensities by a factor of 2. Reynolds stresses were in good agreement as well as were turbulent kinetic energies, apart from one measurement with outliers of up to 30%. For the tailrace flow scenario, the mean velocities from the ADCP data underestimated the ADV data by 23%. Turbulence intensities from the ADCP data were fluctuant, overestimated the ADV data by factors of up to 2.8 and showed spatial discrepancies over the depth. Reynolds stresses were only partly in good agreement and turbulent kinetic energies were over- and underestimated in a range of [-50; +30] %.

Debris flows resulting from glacial-lake outburst floods in tibet, China

USGS Publications Warehouse

Cui, P.; Dang, C.; Cheng, Z.; Scott, K.

2010-01-01

During the last 70 years of general climatic amelioration, 18 glacial-lake outburst floods (GLOFs) and related debris flows have occurred from 15 moraine-dammed lakes in Tibet, China. Catastrophic loss of life and property has occurred because of the following factors: the large volumes of water discharged, the steep gradients of the U-shaped channels, and the amount and texture of the downstream channel bed and bank material. The peak discharge of each GLOF exceeded 1000 m3/s. These flood discharges transformed to non-cohesive debris flows if the channels contained sufficient loose sediment for entrainment (bulking) and if their gradients were >1%. We focus on this key element, transformation, and suggest that it be included in evaluating future GLOF-related risk, the probability of transformation to debris flow and hyperconcentrated flow. The general, sequential evolution of the flows can be described as from proximal GLOFs, to sedimentladen streamflow, to hyperconcentrated flow, to non-cohesive debris flow (viscous or cohesive debris flow only if sufficient fine sediment is present), and then, distally, back to hyperconcentrated flow and sediment-laden streamflow as sediment is progressively deposited. Most of the Tibet examples transformed only to non-cohesive debris flows. The important lesson for future hazard assessment and mitigation planning is that, as a GLOF entrains (bulks) enough sediment to become a debris flow, the flow volume must increase by at least three times (the "bulking factor"). In fact, the transforming flow waves overrun and mix with downstream streamflow, in addition to adding the entrained sediment (and thus enabling addition of yet more sediment and a bulking factor in excess of three times). To effectively reduce the risk of GLOF debris flows, reducing the level of a potentially dangerous lake with a siphon or excavated spillway or installing gabions in combination with a downstream debris dam are the primary approaches.

Development and evaluation of an ultrasonic ground water seepage meter.

PubMed

Paulsen, R J; Smith, C F; O'Rourke, D; Wong, T F

2001-01-01

Submarine ground water discharge can influence significantly the near-shore transport and flux of chemicals into the oceans. Quantification of the sources and rates of such discharge requires a ground water seepage meter that provides continuous measurements at high resolution over an extended period of time. An ultrasonic flowmeter has been adapted for such measurements in the submarine environment. Connected to a steel collection funnel, the meter houses two piezoelectric transducers mounted at opposite ends of a cylindrical flow tube. By monitoring the perturbations of fluid flow on the propagation of sound waves inside the flow tube, the ultrasonic meter can measure both forward and reverse fluid flows in real time. Laboratory and field calibrations show that the ultrasonic meter can resolve ground water discharges on the order of 0.1 microm/sec, and it is sufficiently robust for deployment in the field for several days. Data from West Neck Bay, Shelter Island, New York, elucidate the temporal and spatial heterogeneity of submarine ground water discharge and its interplay with tidal loading. A negative correlation between the discharge and tidal elevation was generally observed. A methodology was also developed whereby data for the sound velocity as a function of temperature can be used to infer the salinity and source of the submarine discharge. Independent measurements of electrical conductance were performed to validate this methodology.

Two-zone countercurrent smelter system and process

DOEpatents

Cox, J.H.; Fruehan, R.J.; Elliott, J.F.

1995-01-03

A process for continuously smelting iron ore by use of coal to yield molten iron or semi-steel is disclosed. The process comprises the steps of establishing a melt covered by slag; inducing the slag and the molten iron to flow countercurrently to one another, toward opposite ends of the smelter; maintaining iron oxide-reducing conditions in that zone of the smelter towards which the slag flows; maintaining carbon-oxidizing conditions in that zone of the smelter towards which the molten iron flows; continuously or semicontinuously tapping the slag from the reducing zone end of the smelter; continuously or semicontinuously tapping the molten iron from the oxidizing zone end of the smelter; and adding to both zones iron ore, coal, oxygen, and flux at addition rates sufficient to keep the molten iron in the reducing zone substantially saturated with carbon, maintain in the slag being tapped an FeO content of about 5 weight percent or less, and maintain in the molten iron being tapped a carbon content of about 0.5 to 5 weight percent. A slag dam preferably is included in the smelter, to impede the backflow of the slag from the reducing zone to the oxidizing zone. A metal bath dam with one or more flow-through portals also is preferably used, submerged below the slag dam, to impede the backflow of the hot metal. 8 figures.

Two-zone countercurrent smelter system and process

DOEpatents

Cox, James H.; Fruehan, Richard J.; Elliott, deceased, John F.

1995-01-01

A process for continuously smelting iron ore by use of coal to yield molten iron or semi-steel is disclosed. The process comprises the steps of establishing a melt covered by slag; inducing the slag and the molten iron to flow countercurrently to one another, toward opposite ends of the smelter; maintaining iron oxide-reducing conditions in that zone of the smelter towards which the slag flows; maintaining carbon-oxidizing conditions in that zone of the smelter towards which the molten iron flows; continuously or semicontinuously tapping the slag from the reducing zone end of the smelter; continuously or semicontinuously tapping the molten iron from the oxidizing zone end of the smelter; and adding to both zones iron ore, coal, oxygen, and flux at addition rates sufficient to keep the molten iron in the reducing zone substantially saturated with carbon, maintain in the slag being tapped an FeO content of about 5 weight percent or less, and maintain in the molten iron being tapped a carbon content of about 0.5 to 5 weight percent. A slag dam preferably is included in the smelter, to impede the backflow of the slag from the reducing zone to the oxidizing zone. A metal bath dam with one or more flow-through portals also is preferably used, submerged below the slag dam, to impede the backflow of the hot metal.

Device for temporarily closing duct-formers in well completion apparatus

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

Zandmer, H.M.; Zandmer, S.M.

A duct-forming device is disclosed for use in a well completion apparatus of the kind, wherein a bore hole casing is positioned in a bore hole and duct-forming devices of alkali- and acid resistant metal-such as steel-are secured at spaced levels to the casing in alignment with holes machined in the casing wall. In accordance with the invention, a closure device is arranged within the duct-forming device which permits flow of predetermined amounts of liquid, such as acid, from the interior of the casing through the duct-forming device and into the producing formation, while gradually being moved by the liquidmore » into a position in which such fluid flow is prevented. After the fluid flow has been stopped by the closure device and when the formation pressure exceeds the pressure within the duct-forming device and the casing, fluid from the formation then forces the closure device toward and into the casing space to permit thereafter free flow of formation fluid into the duct-forming device and the casing or of pressurized treatment liquid from the casing into the formation. The inventive arrangement permits inter alia the establishment of a sufficient and substantially uniform feeding rate of treatment liquid, such as acid, from the casing into the producing formation through all the duct-formers in preparation for subsequent acidification or other treatments, such as sand fracking.« less

Micro-Flow Studies in the 1 to 50 Micron Domain

DTIC Science & Technology

2001-08-01

heating the samples in a torch was sufficient to restore them to their original condition. 18 2.1.1.2 Fabrication of Small (pm) Microchannels UCI was...SUMMARY 1 1.0 INTRODUCTION 1 1.1 Program Overview 1 1.2 Survey of the Literature 3 1.2.1 Flow in Rectangular Microchannel Ducts 3 1.2.2 Heat Transfer...in Microchannel Ducts 6 1.2.3 Other Micro-Flow Studies 8 2.0 STRAIGHT MICROCHANNEL FLOW STUDIES 9 2.1 Experimental Approach 9 2.1.1 Sample Fabrication

Gas-cooled nuclear reactor

DOEpatents

Peinado, Charles O.; Koutz, Stanley L.

1985-01-01

A gas-cooled nuclear reactor includes a central core located in the lower portion of a prestressed concrete reactor vessel. Primary coolant gas flows upward through the core and into four overlying heat-exchangers wherein stream is generated. During normal operation, the return flow of coolant is between the core and the vessel sidewall to a pair of motor-driven circulators located at about the bottom of the concrete pressure vessel. The circulators repressurize the gas coolant and return it back to the core through passageways in the underlying core structure. If during emergency conditions the primary circulators are no longer functioning, the decay heat is effectively removed from the core by means of natural convection circulation. The hot gas rising through the core exits the top of the shroud of the heat-exchangers and flows radially outward to the sidewall of the concrete pressure vessel. A metal liner covers the entire inside concrete surfaces of the concrete pressure vessel, and cooling tubes are welded to the exterior or concrete side of the metal liner. The gas coolant is in direct contact with the interior surface of the metal liner and transfers its heat through the metal liner to the liquid coolant flowing through the cooling tubes. The cooler gas is more dense and creates a downward convection flow in the region between the core and the sidewall until it reaches the bottom of the concrete pressure vessel when it flows radially inward and up into the core for another pass. Water is forced to flow through the cooling tubes to absorb heat from the core at a sufficient rate to remove enough of the decay heat created in the core to prevent overheating of the core or the vessel.

Flow Analysis Tool White Paper

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Boscia, Nichole K.

2012-01-01

Faster networks are continually being built to accommodate larger data transfers. While it is intuitive to think that implementing faster networks will result in higher throughput rates, this is often not the case. There are many elements involved in data transfer, many of which are beyond the scope of the network itself. Although networks may get bigger and support faster technologies, the presence of other legacy components, such as older application software or kernel parameters, can often cause bottlenecks. Engineers must be able to identify when data flows are reaching a bottleneck that is not imposed by the network and then troubleshoot it using the tools available to them. The current best practice is to collect as much information as possible on the network traffic flows so that analysis is quick and easy. Unfortunately, no single method of collecting this information can sufficiently capture the whole endto- end picture. This becomes even more of a hurdle when large, multi-user systems are involved. In order to capture all the necessary information, multiple data sources are required. This paper presents a method for developing a flow analysis tool to effectively collect network flow data from multiple sources and provide that information to engineers in a clear, concise way for analysis. The purpose of this method is to collect enough information to quickly (and automatically) identify poorly performing flows along with the cause of the problem. The method involves the development of a set of database tables that can be populated with flow data from multiple sources, along with an easyto- use, web-based front-end interface to help network engineers access, organize, analyze, and manage all the information.

A numerical and experimental investigation of crystalline silica exposure control during tuck pointing.

PubMed

Heitbrink, William; Bennett, James

2006-07-01

National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health researchers investigated control measures for the removal of mortar between bricks, using a grinder. This task, "tuck pointing," is associated with crystalline silica exposures many times greater than the permissible exposure limit enforced by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration. Previous studies showed that local exhaust ventilation (LEV) of the grinding wheel through a shroud was often ineffective. Tuck pointing occurs on a scaffold. For practical purposes, this limits the size and power of the LEV system. Thus, the goal of this study was to develop a recommended flow rate for exposure control. Flow induced by the rotating grinding wheel, flow induced by the mortar particle stream, and particle momentum are potential control challenges. Computational fluid dynamic (CFD) simulation of the grinder, supported by some experimental measurements, showed the relative importance of these factors through varying parameters and tracking particles. In a simulation of the shroud and grinding wheel, with the wheel inserted to a cutting depth of 0.750 inch flush into the brick wall, -0.461 cubic feet per meter (0.461 into the exhaust takeoff) was induced by the rotating wheel. The more realistic situation of the wheel in a cut in the wall 1.25 inches deep (forming a trench circumferentially 0.500 inch below the wheel edge) induced an airflow of 8.24 cfm out of the shroud exhaust. Experimental measurements taken for validation were 7.3% lower than the CFD value. The trench effect disappeared when a stream of 10-mu m particles was launched from the grinding wheel edge, as the simulations with and without the trench had nearly identical induced flow rates, 10.8 cfm and 10.9 cfm. We thus interpreted the particle stream as more important than the wheel in inducing flow. This insight was possible because of the power of CFD, compared to intuition and classical boundary layer analysis. In this situation of no forced exhaust, all particles escaped through the gap between the shroud edge and the brick wall into the worker's environment. Experiments and simulations indicated that approximately 85 cfm was required for good control of silica exposure, clearly demonstrating that the exhaust rate must accomplish much more than balancing the induced flow. The simulations showed that the exhaust must create a vacuum in the shroud sufficient to bend the particle paths into the shroud. In the simulations, stopping the particle stream through collision (effectively removing or reducing the "daylight" between the wall and shroud) greatly lessened the required flow rate. This is difficult in practice because the gaps between the shroud and the brick and between bricks create escape paths.

40 CFR 1065.545 - Validation of proportional flow control for batch sampling.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... of the estimate, SEE, of the sample flow rate versus the total flow rate. For each test interval, demonstrate that SEE was less than or equal to 3.5% of the mean sample flow rate. (b) For any pair of flow meters, use recorded sample and total flow rates, where total flow rate means the raw exhaust flow rate...

Hawking-like radiation does not require a trapped region.

PubMed

Barceló, Carlos; Liberati, Stefano; Sonego, Sebastiano; Visser, Matt

2006-10-27

We discuss the issue of quasiparticle production by "analogue black holes" with particular attention paid to the possibility of reproducing Hawking radiation in a laboratory. By constructing simple geometric acoustic models, we obtain a somewhat unexpected result: We show that, in order to obtain a stationary and Planckian emission of quasiparticles, it is not necessary to create a trapped region in the acoustic spacetime (corresponding to a supersonic regime in the fluid flow). It is sufficient to set up a dynamically changing flow asymptotically approaching a sonic regime with sufficient rapidity in laboratory time. This result is generic to curved-space quantum field theory, the "analogue spacetimes" we consider providing a guide to physical intuition, and a possible route to laboratory experiments.

Finite gradient elasticity and plasticity: a constitutive thermodynamical framework

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bertram, Albrecht

2016-05-01

In Bertram (Continuum Mech Thermodyn. doi: 10.1007/s00161-014-0387-0 , 2015), a mechanical framework for finite gradient elasticity and plasticity has been given. In the present paper, this is extended to thermodynamics. The mechanical theory is only briefly repeated here. A format for a rather general constitutive theory including all thermodynamic fields is given in a Euclidian invariant setting. The plasticity theory is rate-independent and unconstrained. The Clausius-Duhem inequality is exploited to find necessary and sufficient conditions for thermodynamic consistency. The residual dissipation inequality restricts the flow and hardening rules in combination with the yield criterion.

US Coast Guard lightweight fire-fighting module

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

1980-05-01

The U.S. Coast Guard Fire-fighting Module developed for the purpose of fighting fires in harbors and on ships is described. The module can be lifted by a dockside crane or helicopter and placed on the deck of a patrol boat or cutter for transportation to the scene of the fire. At the fire the module can be set up and put in operation by a crew of two in approximately fifteen minutes. Once in operation the module will deliver water to two fire nozzles at a pressure of 150 psi and a flow rate of 2000 gpm. Sufficient fuel is carried in the module for three hours of continuous operation. A record of the development of the fire fighting module is also presented.

Methodological Variability Using Electronic Nose Technology For Headspace Analysis

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

Knobloch, Henri; Turner, Claire; Spooner, Andrew

Since the idea of electronic noses was published, numerous electronic nose (e-nose) developments and applications have been used in analyzing solid, liquid and gaseous samples in the food and automotive industry or for medical purposes. However, little is known about methodological pitfalls that might be associated with e-nose technology. Some of the methodological variation caused by changes in ambient temperature, using different filters and changes in mass flow rates are described. Reasons for a lack of stability and reproducibility are given, explaining why methodological variation influences sensor responses and why e-nose technology may not always be sufficiently robust for headspacemore » analysis. However, the potential of e-nose technology is also discussed.« less

US Coast Guard lightweight fire-fighting module

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1980-01-01

The U.S. Coast Guard Fire-fighting Module developed for the purpose of fighting fires in harbors and on ships is described. The module can be lifted by a dockside crane or helicopter and placed on the deck of a patrol boat or cutter for transportation to the scene of the fire. At the fire the module can be set up and put in operation by a crew of two in approximately fifteen minutes. Once in operation the module will deliver water to two fire nozzles at a pressure of 150 psi and a flow rate of 2000 gpm. Sufficient fuel is carried in the module for three hours of continuous operation. A record of the development of the fire fighting module is also presented.

Computer programs for calculating two-dimensional potential flow in and about propulsion system inlets

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hawk, J. D.; Stockman, N. O.; Farrell, C. A., Jr.

1978-01-01

Incompressible potential flow calculations are presented that were corrected for compressibility in two-dimensional inlets at arbitrary operating conditions. Included are a statement of the problem to be solved, a description of each of the computer programs, and sufficient documentation, including a test case, to enable a user to run the program.

Computer programs for calculating two-dimensional potential flow through deflected nozzles

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hawk, J. D.; Stockman, N. O.

1979-01-01

Computer programs to calculate the incompressible potential flow, corrected for compressibility, in two-dimensional nozzles at arbitrary operating conditions are presented. A statement of the problem to be solved, a description of each of the computer programs, and sufficient documentation, including a test case, to enable a user to run the program are included.

Hot foil transducer skin friction sensor

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Vranas, T. (Inventor)

1982-01-01

The device utilizes foil transducers with only one edge exposed to the fluid flow. The surfaces are polished producing a foil transducer that does not generate turbulence while sufficiently thick to carry the required electrical current for high temperature fluid flow. The assembly utilizes a precut layered metal sandwich with attached electrodes eliminating a need for welding and individual sensor calibration.

Modeling and Evaluating the Environmental Degradation of UHTCs under Hypersonic Flow (Preprint)

DTIC Science & Technology

2014-02-01

nozzle resulting in a supersonic flow at Mach 1.8 to 15 Approved for public release; distribution unlimited. Wiley STM / Fahrenholtz, Wuchina, Lee, and...employs an exit nozzle before reaching a probe housing. It is within the probe housing that leading edge samples were introduced. The gas composition...from air, and the actual gas flow velocities are not sufficient to cause dissociation of gases behind the bow shock. 4 Approved for public release

Nonlinear Analysis of Cavitating Propellers in Nonuniform Flow

DTIC Science & Technology

1992-10-16

Helmholtz more than a century ago [4]. The method was later extended to treat curved bodies at zero cavitation number by Levi - Civita [4]. The theory was...122, 1895. [63] M.P. Tulin. Steady two -dimensional cavity flows about slender bodies . Technical Report 834, DTMB, May 1953. [64] M.P. Tulin...iterative solution for two -dimensional flows is remarkably fast and that the accuracy of the first iteration solution is sufficient for a wide range of

Physical and Numerical Model Studies of Cross-flow Turbines Towards Accurate Parameterization in Array Simulations

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wosnik, M.; Bachant, P.

2014-12-01

Cross-flow turbines, often referred to as vertical-axis turbines, show potential for success in marine hydrokinetic (MHK) and wind energy applications, ranging from small- to utility-scale installations in tidal/ocean currents and offshore wind. As turbine designs mature, the research focus is shifting from individual devices to the optimization of turbine arrays. It would be expensive and time-consuming to conduct physical model studies of large arrays at large model scales (to achieve sufficiently high Reynolds numbers), and hence numerical techniques are generally better suited to explore the array design parameter space. However, since the computing power available today is not sufficient to conduct simulations of the flow in and around large arrays of turbines with fully resolved turbine geometries (e.g., grid resolution into the viscous sublayer on turbine blades), the turbines' interaction with the energy resource (water current or wind) needs to be parameterized, or modeled. Models used today--a common model is the actuator disk concept--are not able to predict the unique wake structure generated by cross-flow turbines. This wake structure has been shown to create "constructive" interference in some cases, improving turbine performance in array configurations, in contrast with axial-flow, or horizontal axis devices. Towards a more accurate parameterization of cross-flow turbines, an extensive experimental study was carried out using a high-resolution turbine test bed with wake measurement capability in a large cross-section tow tank. The experimental results were then "interpolated" using high-fidelity Navier--Stokes simulations, to gain insight into the turbine's near-wake. The study was designed to achieve sufficiently high Reynolds numbers for the results to be Reynolds number independent with respect to turbine performance and wake statistics, such that they can be reliably extrapolated to full scale and used for model validation. The end product of this work will be a cross-flow turbine actuator line model to be used as an extension to the OpenFOAM computational fluid dynamics (CFD) software framework, which will likely require modifications to commonly-used dynamic stall models, in consideration of the turbines' high angle of attack excursions during normal operation.

Ridge-crossing mantle plumes and gaps in tracks

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sleep, Norman H.

2002-12-01

Hot spot tracks approach, cross, and leave ridge axes. The complications of this process make it difficult to determine the track followed by a plume and the evolution of its vigor. When a plume is sufficiently near the ridge axis, buoyant plume material flows along the base of the lithosphere toward the axis, forming an on-axis hot spot. The track of the on-axis hot spot is a symmetric V on both plates and an unreliable indication of the path followed by the plume. Aseismic ridges form more or less along flowlines from a plume to a ridge axis when channels form at the base of the lithosphere. A dynamic effect is that off-axis hot spots appear to shut off at the time that an on-axis hot spot becomes active along an axis-approaching track. This produces a gap in the obvious track and a jump of the hot spot to the ridge axis. The gap results from the effects of ponded plume material on intraplate (membrane) stress. Membrane tension lets dikes ascend efficiently to produce obvious tracks of edifices. An off-axis hot spot shuts down when the plume is sufficiently near the ridge axis that plume material flows there, putting the nearby lithosphere above the plume into compression, preventing dikes. In addition, the off-axis thickness of plume material, which produces membrane tension, decreases as the slope of the base of the lithosphere increases beneath young lithosphere. Slow spreading rates favor gaps produced in this way. Gaps are observed near both fast and slow ridges.

Is Compton Cooling Sufficient to Explain Evolution of Observed Quasi-periodic Oscillations in Outburst Sources?

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mondal, Santanu; Chakrabarti, Sandip K.; Debnath, Dipak

2015-01-01

In outburst sources, quasi-periodic oscillation (QPO) frequency is known to evolve in a certain way: in the rising phase, it monotonically goes up until a soft intermediate state is achieved. In the propagating oscillatory shock model, oscillation of the Compton cloud is thought to cause QPOs. Thus, in order to increase QPO frequency, the Compton cloud must collapse steadily in the rising phase. In decline phases, the exact opposite should be true. We investigate cause of this evolution of the Compton cloud. The same viscosity parameter that increases the Keplerian disk rate also moves the inner edge of the Keplerian component, thereby reducing the size of the Compton cloud and reducing the cooling timescale. We show that cooling of the Compton cloud by inverse Comptonization is enough for it to collapse sufficiently so as to explain the QPO evolution. In the two-component advective flow configuration of Chakrabarti-Titarchuk, centrifugal force-induced shock represents the boundary of the Compton cloud. We take the rising phase of 2010 outburst of Galactic black hole candidate H 1743-322 and find an estimation of variation of the α parameter of the sub-Keplerian flow to be monotonically rising from 0.0001 to 0.02, well within the range suggested by magnetorotational instability. We also estimate the inward velocity of the Compton cloud to be a few meters per second, which is comparable to what is found in several earlier studies of our group by empirically fitting the shock locations with the time of observations.

Argon metastable dynamics and lifetimes in a direct current microdischarge

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Stefanović, Ilija; Kuschel, Thomas; Schröter, Sandra; Böke, Marc

2014-09-01

In this paper we study the properties of a pulsed dc microdischarge with the continuous flow of argon. Argon metastable lifetimes are measured by tunable diode laser absorption spectroscopy (TDLAS) and are compared with calculated values which yield information about excitation and de-excitation processes. By increasing the gas flow-rate about 5 times from 10 to 50 sccm, the Arm lifetime increases from 1 to 5 μs due to the reduction of metastable quenching with gas impurities. Optical emission spectroscopy reveals nitrogen and water molecules as the main gas impurities. The estimated N2 density [N2] = 0.1% is too low to explain the measured metastable lifetimes. Water impurity was found to be the main de-excitation source of argon metastable atoms due to high quenching coefficients. The water impurity level of [H2O] = 0.15% to 1% is sufficient to bring calculated metastable lifetimes in line with experiments. The maximum value of water content in the discharge compared to the argon atoms is estimated to approximately 6%, due to the large surface to volume ratio of the microdischarge. The current pulse releases the water molecules from the electrode surface and they are either re-adsorbed in the time between 0.4 ms for [H2O] = 1% and 2.6 ms for [H2O] = 0.15% or pumped out of the discharge with the speed equal to the gas flow-rate. Depending on its partial pressure, the water impurity re-adsorption time is of the order of magnitude or less then the argon gas residence time.

Feasibility of recanalization of human coronary arteries using high-intensity ultrasound.

PubMed

Ernst, A; Schenk, E A; Woodlock, T J; Alliger, H; Gottlieb, S; Child, S Z; Meltzer, R S

1994-01-15

To investigate the feasibility of ultrasonic recanalization of obstructed human coronary arteries in vitro, high-intensity ultrasound was applied to 16 coronary arteries obtained at autopsy, using a prototype instrument enabling insonification through a catheter tip. It was a 119 cm long, 0.95 mm thick wire in an 8Fr catheter connected to an external ultrasonic transformer and power generator. A 5 MHz phased-array 2-dimensional echocardiography instrument was used to determine minimal luminal diameter and percent diameter narrowing before and after ultrasound application. The ultrasonic energy was delivered at 21.5 kHz and with a 52 +/- 19 micrometer average amplitude of tip displacement. The mean percent luminal diameter narrowing, flow rate and mean pressure gradient before ultrasound exposure were 74 +/- 11%, 97 +/- 61 ml/min, and 92 +/- 18 mm Hg, respectively. After recanalization, the mean percent luminal diameter narrowing decreased to 45 +/- 17% (p < 0.001), the mean flow rate increased to 84 +/- 92 ml/min (p < 0.001), and the mean pressure gradient was reduced to 45 +/- 24 mm Hg (p < 0.001). Of the debris particles, 95% had a diameter < 9 microns (range 5 to 12). Arterial perforation occurred in 5 of 16 arteries (31%) and all 5 occurred due to stiff wire manipulation and without ultrasound application. Mechanical fracture of the wire occurred in 8 cases (50%). No signs of thermal injury were found on histology. Thus, ultrasonic recanalization of human coronary arteries in vitro is feasible. It may reduce obstruction and improve blood flow. Debris sizes are sufficiently small to minimize the hazard of peripheral embolization.

Cardiorespiratory upregulation during seawater acclimation in rainbow trout: effects on gastrointestinal perfusion and postprandial responses.

PubMed

Brijs, Jeroen; Gräns, Albin; Ekström, Andreas; Olsson, Catharina; Axelsson, Michael; Sandblom, Erik

2016-05-01

Increased gastrointestinal blood flow is essential for euryhaline fishes to maintain osmotic homeostasis during the initial phase of a transition from freshwater to seawater. However, the cardiorespiratory responses and hemodynamic changes required for a successful long-term transition to seawater remain largely unknown. In the present study, we simultaneously measured oxygen consumption rate (ṀO2), cardiac output (CO), heart rate (HR), and gastrointestinal blood flow (GBF) in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) acclimated to either freshwater or seawater for at least 6 wk. Seawater-acclimated trout displayed significantly elevated ṀO2 (day: 18%, night: 19%), CO (day: 22%, night: 48%), and GBF (day: 96%, night: 147%), demonstrating that an overall cardiorespiratory upregulation occurs during seawater acclimation. The elevated GBF was achieved via a combination of increased CO, mediated through elevated stroke volume (SV), and a redistribution of blood flow to the gastrointestinal tract. Interestingly, virtually all of the increase in CO of seawater-acclimated trout was directed to the gastrointestinal tract. Although unfed seawater-acclimated trout displayed substantially elevated cardiorespiratory activity, the ingestion of a meal resulted in a similar specific dynamic action (SDA) and postprandial GBF response as in freshwater-acclimated fish. This indicates that the capacity for the transportation of absorbed nutrients, gastrointestinal tissue oxygen delivery, and acid-base regulation is maintained during digestion in seawater. The novel findings presented in this study clearly demonstrate that euryhaline fish upregulate cardiovascular function when in seawater, while retaining sufficient capacity for the metabolic and cardiovascular changes associated with the postprandial response. Copyright © 2016 the American Physiological Society.

The Radiator-Enhanced Geothermal System

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hilpert, M.; Marsh, B. D.; Geiser, P.

2015-12-01

Standard Enhanced Geothermal Systems (EGS) have repeatedly been hobbled by the inability of rock to conductively transfer heat at rates sufficient to re-supply heat extracted convectively via artificially made fracture systems. At the root of this imbalance is the basic magnitude of thermal diffusivity for most rocks, which severely hampers heat flow once the cooled halos about fractures reach ~0.1 m or greater. This inefficiency is exacerbated by the standard EGS design of mainly horizontally constructed fracture systems with inflow and outflow access at the margins of the fracture network. We introduced an alternative system whereby the heat exchanger mimics a conventional radiator in an internal combustion engine, which we call a Radiator-EGS (i.e., RAD-EGS). The heat exchanger is built vertically with cool water entering the base and hot water extracted at the top. The RAD-EGS itself consists of a family of vertical vanes produced through sequential horizontal drilling and permeability stimulation through propellant fracking. The manufactured fracture zones share the orientation of the natural transmissive fracture system. As below about 700 m, S1 is vertical and the average strike of transmissive fractures parallels SHmax, creating vertical fractures that include S1 and SHmax requires drilling stacked laterals parallel to SHmax. The RAD-EGS is also based on the observation that the longevity of natural hydrothermal systems depends on thermal recharge through heat convection but not heat conduction. In this paper, we present numerical simulations that examine the effects of the depths of the injector and extraction wells, vane size, coolant flow rate, the natural crustal geothermal gradient, and natural regional background flow on geothermal energy extraction.

Effects of homogeneous condensation in compressible flows: Ludwieg-tube experiments and simulations

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Luo, Xisheng; Lamanna, Grazia; Holten, A. P. C.; van Dongen, M. E. H.

Effects of homogeneous nucleation and subsequent droplet growth in compressible flows in humid nitrogen are investigated numerically and experimentally. A Ludwieg tube is employed to produce expansion flows. Corresponding to different configurations, three types of experiment are carried out in such a tube. First, the phase transition in a strong unsteady expansion wave is investigated to demonstrate the mutual interaction between the unsteady flow and the condensation process and also the formation of condensation-induced shock waves. The role of condensation-induced shocks in the gradual transition from a frozen initial structure to an equilibrium structure is explained. Second, the condensing flow in a slender supersonic nozzle G2 is considered. Particular attention is given to condensation-induced oscillations and to the transition from symmetrical mode-1 oscillations to asymmetrical mode-2 oscillations in a starting nozzle flow, as first observed by Adam & Schnerr. The transition is also found numerically, but the amplitude, frequency and transition time are not yet well predicted. Third, a sharp-edged obstacle is placed in the tube to generate a starting vortex. Condensation in the vortex is found. Owing to the release of latent heat of condensation, an increase in the pressure and temperature in the vortex core is observed. Condensation-induced shock waves are found, for a sufficiently high initial saturation ratio, which interact with the starting vortex, resulting in a very complex flow. As time proceeds, a subsonic or transonic free jet is formed downstream of the sharp-edged obstacle, which becomes oscillatory for a relatively high main-flow velocity and for a sufficiently high humidity.

Porous plug phase separator and superfluid film flow suppression system for the soft x-ray spectrometer onboard ASTRO-H

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ezoe, Yuichiro; Ishikawa, Kumi; Mitsuishi, Ikuyuki; Ohashi, Takaya; Mitsuda, Kazuhisa; Fujimoto, Ryuichi; Murakami, Masahide; Kanao, Kenichi; Yoshida, Seiji; Tsunematsu, Shoji; DiPirro, Michael; Shirron, Peter

2016-07-01

Suppression of super fluid helium flow is critical for the Soft X-ray Spectrometer onboard ASTRO-H (Hitomi). In nominal operation, a small helium gas flow of 30 μg/s must be safely vented and a super fluid film flow must be sufficiently small <2 μg/s. To achieve a life time of the liquid helium, a porous plug phase separator and a film flow suppression system composed of an orifice, a heat exchanger, and knife edge devices are employed. In this paper, design, on-ground testing results and in-orbit performance of the porous plug and the film flow suppression system are described.

Discharge variability and bedrock river incision on the Hawaiian island of Kaua'i

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Huppert, K.; Deal, E.; Perron, J. T.; Ferrier, K.; Braun, J.

2017-12-01

Bedrock river incision occurs during floods that generate sufficient shear stress to strip riverbeds of sediment cover and erode underlying bedrock. Thresholds for incision can prevent erosion at low flows and slow down erosion at higher flows that do generate excess shear stress. Because discharge distributions typically display power-law tails, with non-negligible frequencies of floods much greater than the mean, models incorporating stochastic discharge and incision thresholds predict that discharge variability can sometimes have greater effects on long-term incision rates than mean discharge. This occurs when the commonly observed inverse scalings between mean discharge and discharge variability are weak or when incision thresholds are high. Because the effects of thresholds and discharge variability have only been documented in a few locations, their influence on long-term river incision rates remains uncertain. The Hawaiian island of Kaua'i provides an ideal natural laboratory to evaluate the effects of discharge variability and thresholds on bedrock river incision because it has one of Earth's steepest spatial gradients in mean annual rainfall and it also experiences dramatic spatial variations in rainfall and discharge variability, spanning a wide range of the conditions reported on Earth. Kaua'i otherwise has minimal variations in lithology, vertical motion, and other factors that can influence erosion. River incision rates averaged over 1.5 - 4.5 Myr timescales can be estimated along the lengths of Kauaian channels from the depths of river canyons and lava flow ages. We characterize rainfall and discharge variability on Kaua'i using records from an extensive network of rain and stream gauges spanning the past century. We use these characterizations to model long-term bedrock river incision along Kauaian channels with a threshold-dependent incision law, modulated by site-specific discharge-channel width scalings. Our comparisons between modeled and observed erosion rates suggest that variations in river incision rates on Kaua'i are dominated by variations in mean rainfall and discharge, rather than by differences in storminess across the island. We explore the implications of this result for the threshold dependence of river incision across Earth's varied climates.

An investigation into inflection-point instability in the entrance region of a pulsating pipe flow

PubMed Central

Wang, R. H.; Jian, T. W.; Hsu, Y. T.

2017-01-01

This paper investigates the inflection-point instability that governs the flow disturbance initiated in the entrance region of a pulsating pipe flow. Under such a flow condition, the flow instability grows within a certain phase region in a pulsating cycle, during which the inflection point in the unsteady mean flow lifts away from the viscous effect-dominated region known as the Stokes layer. The characteristic frequency of the instability is found to be in agreement with that predicted by the mixing-layer model. In comparison with those cases not falling in this category, it is further verified that the flow phenomenon will take place only if the inflection point lifts away sufficiently from the Stokes layer. PMID:28265188

Stream bed temperature profiles as indicators of percolation characteristics beneath arroyos in the middle Rio Grande Basin, USA

USGS Publications Warehouse

Constantz, J.; Thomas, C.L.

1997-01-01

Stream bed temperature profiles were monitored continuously during water year 1990 and 1991 (WY90 and 91) in two New Mexico arroyos, similar in their meteorological features and dissimilar in their hydrological features. Stream bed temperature profiles between depths of 30 and 300 cm were examined to determine whether temporal changes in temperature profiles represent accurate indicators of the timing, depth and duration of percolation in each stream bed. These results were compared with stream flow, air temperature, and precipitation records for WY90 and 91, to evaluate the effect of changing surface conditions on temperature profiles. Temperature profiles indicate a persistently high thermal gradient with depth beneath Grantline Arroyo, except during a semi-annual thermal reversal in spring and autumn. This typifies the thermal response of dry sediments with low thermal conductivities. High thermal gradients were disrupted only during infrequent stream flows, followed by rapid re-establishment of high gradients. The stream bed temperature at 300 cm was unresponsive to individual precipitation or stream flow during WY90 and 91. This thermal pattern provides strong evidence that most seepage into Grantline Arroyo failed to percolate at a sufficient rate to reach 300 cm before being returned to the atmosphere. A distinctly different thermal pattern was recorded beneath Tijeras Arroyo. Low thermal gradients between 30 and 300 cm and large diurnal variations in temperature, suggest that stream flow created continuous, advection-dominated heat transport for over 300 days, annually. Beneath Tijeras Arroyo, low thermal gradients were interrupted only briefly during periodic, dry summer conditions. Comparisons of stream flow records for WY90 and 91 with stream bed temperature profiles indicate that independent analysis of thermal patterns provides accurate estimates of the timing, depth and duration of percolation beneath both arroyos. Stream flow loss estimates indicate that seepage rates were 15 times greater for Tijeras Arroyo than for Grantline Arroyo, which supports qualitative conclusions derived from analysis of stream bed temperature responses to surface conditions. ?? 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Transverse mixing of ellipsoidal particles in a rotating drum

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

He, Siyuan; Gan, Jieqing; Pinson, David; Zhou, Zongyan

2017-06-01

Rotating drums are widely used in industry for mixing, milling, coating and drying processes. In the past decades, mixing of granular materials in rotating drums has been extensively investigated, but most of the studies are based on spherical particles. Particle shape has an influence on the flow behaviour and thus mixing behaviour, though the shape effect has as-yet received limited study. In this work, discrete element method (DEM) is employed to study the transverse mixing of ellipsoidal particles in a rotating drum. The effects of aspect ratio and rotating speed on mixing quality and mixing rate are investigated. The results show that mixing index increases exponentially with time for both spheres and ellipsoids. Particles with various aspect ratios are able to reach well-mixed states after sufficient revolutions in the rolling or cascading regime. Ellipsoids show higher mixing rate when rotational speed is set between 25 and 40 rpm. The relationship between mixing rate and aspect ratio of ellipsoids is established, demonstrating that, particles with aspect ratios of 0.5 and 2.0 achieve the highest mixing rates. Increasing rotating speed from 15 rpm to 40 rpm does not necessarily increase the mixing speed of spheres, while monotonous increase is observed for ellipsoids.

Decoupling flood and interflood deposits for delta island formation and channel bifurcation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Daniller-Varghese, M. S.; Kim, W.

2016-12-01

Channel islands' size and organization dictate delta networks' morphology. To understand their complex network organization, a single channel island node within that network should be investigated first as the fundamental building block. When a sediment-laden flow enters slack water, it loses momentum and carrying capacity, depositing its sediment. As sediment accumulates, flow moves around it and a mouth bar island develops. We present an experimental investigation of island formation and channel bifurcation using the Sediment Transport and Earth-surface Processes (STEP) basin. We made mouth bar deposits and flow bifurcations in transport-limited turbulent conditions. Time-lapse images, elevation scans on the deltaic surface, and a low-cost particle imaging velocimetry system allow us to characterize the flow and depositional evolution of our experimental islands. Using two flow discharges (0.355 l/s, 6 l/s) and uniform sediment, our experiments have two characteristic advection lengths and corresponding deposit types. One, associated with interflood bedload transport, and the other with flood-suspended transport: proximal low-angle deposits and distal steep deposits, respectively. By varying the frequency of floods (one every 20s-20 mins) while keeping sediment and water mass constant across experiments, we are able to control the time and spatial organization of these two deposit types and examine the effect on bifurcation length and bifurcation incidence time. As the interflood flow deposit and flood deposit accumulate sediment over time, the interflood deposit encroaches onto the flood deposit. Flow is routed from the interflood deposit to the flood deposit but does not have the momentum to uniformly cover it. The flow becomes unsteady, and bifurcates around an island. After the bifurcation, the island's vertical aggradation rate also increases. The experiments suggest that the interaction between deposits stemming from different particle advection lengths is a sufficient condition for island formation and flow bifurcation.

In vivo flow speed measurement of capillaries by photoacoustic correlation spectroscopy.

PubMed

Chen, Sung-Liang; Xie, Zhixing; Carson, Paul L; Wang, Xueding; Guo, L Jay

2011-10-15

We recently proposed photoacoustic correlation spectroscopy (PACS) and demonstrated a proof-of-concept experiment. Here we use the technique for in vivo flow speed measurement in capillaries in a chick embryo model. The photoacoustic microscopy system is used to render high spatial resolution and high sensitivity, enabling sufficient signals from single red blood cells. The probe beam size is calibrated by a blood-mimicking phantom. The results indicate the feasibility of using PACS to study flow speeds in capillaries.

Rheology of the lithosphere and the folding caused by horizontal compression

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Birger, B. I.

2015-05-01

The laboratory tests of rock specimens show that transient creep, at which deformations increase with time whereas strain rate decreases occurs when creep strains are sufficiently small. Since plate tectonics only permits small deformations in the lithospheric plates, the creep of the lithosphere is transient (non-steady-state). In this work, we study how the rheology of the lithosphere that possesses elasticity, brittleness (pseudo-plasticity), and creep affects the folding in the Earth's crust. Folding is caused by horizontal compression that results from the collision between the lithospheric plates. The effective viscosity characterizing the transient creep is lower than in the case of a steady-state creep and depends on the characteristic time of the considered process. The allowance for transient creep gives the distribution of the rheological properties of the horizontally compressed lithosphere in which the upper crust is brittle, whereas the lower crust and mantle lithosphere are dominated by transient creep. It is shown that the flows that arise in the lithosphere due to the instability under horizontal compression and cause folding are small-scale. These flows are concentrated in the upper brittle crust, they determine the short-wave Earth's surface topography, penetrate into the lower, creep-dominated crust to a shallow depth, and do not penetrate into the mantle. Therefore, these flows do not deform the Moho.

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

Jackson, Scott I.

As detonation is a coupled fluid-chemical process, flow divergence inside the detonation reaction zone can strongly influence detonation velocity and energy release. Such divergence is responsible for the diameter-effect and failure-diameter phenomena in condensed-phase explosives and particularly dominant in detonation of nonideal explosives such as Ammonium Nitrate and Fuel Oil (ANFO). In this study, the effect of reaction zone flow divergence on ANFO detonation was explored through variation of the inert confinement and explosive diameter in the rate-stick geometry with cylinder expansion experiments. New tests are discussed and compared to prior experiments. Presented results include the detonation velocity as amore » function of diameter and confinement, reaction zone times, detonation product isentropes and energies, as well as sonic surface pressures and velocities. Product energy densities and isentropes were found to increase with detonation velocity, indicating more complete chemical reaction with increased detonation velocity. In addition, detonation reaction zone times were found to scale with the acoustic transit time of the confiner wall and used to show that the ANFO diameter effect scaled with the reaction zone time for a particle along the flow centerline, regardless of the confinement. Such a result indicates that the ANFO reaction mechanisms are sufficiently slow that the centerline fluid expansion timescale is a limiting factor controlling detonation velocity and energy release.« less

Sugar demand of ripening grape berries leads to recycling of surplus phloem water via the xylem.

PubMed

Keller, Markus; Zhang, Yun; Shrestha, Pradeep M; Biondi, Marco; Bondada, Bhaskar R

2015-06-01

We tested the common assumption that fleshy fruits become dependent on phloem water supply because xylem inflow declines at the onset of ripening. Using two distinct grape genotypes exposed to drought stress, we found that a sink-driven rise in phloem inflow at the beginning of ripening was sufficient to reverse drought-induced berry shrinkage. Rewatering accelerated berry growth and sugar accumulation concurrently with leaf photosynthetic recovery. Interrupting phloem flow through the peduncle prevented the increase in berry growth after rewatering, but interrupting xylem flow did not. Nevertheless, xylem flow in ripening berries, but not berry size, remained responsive to root or shoot pressurization. A mass balance analysis on ripening berries sampled in the field suggested that phloem water inflow may exceed growth and transpiration water demands. Collecting apoplastic sap from ripening berries showed that osmotic pressure increased at distinct rates in berry vacuoles and apoplast. Our results indicate that the decrease in xylem inflow at the onset of ripening may be a consequence of the sink-driven increase in phloem inflow. We propose a conceptual model in which surplus phloem water bypasses the fruit cells and partly evaporates from the berry surface and partly moves apoplastically to the xylem for outflow. © 2014 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Hydrodynamic turbulence cannot transport angular momentum effectively in astrophysical disks.

PubMed

Ji, Hantao; Burin, Michael; Schartman, Ethan; Goodman, Jeremy

2006-11-16

The most efficient energy sources known in the Universe are accretion disks. Those around black holes convert 5-40 per cent of rest-mass energy to radiation. Like water circling a drain, inflowing mass must lose angular momentum, presumably by vigorous turbulence in disks, which are essentially inviscid. The origin of the turbulence is unclear. Hot disks of electrically conducting plasma can become turbulent by way of the linear magnetorotational instability. Cool disks, such as the planet-forming disks of protostars, may be too poorly ionized for the magnetorotational instability to occur, and therefore essentially unmagnetized and linearly stable. Nonlinear hydrodynamic instability often occurs in linearly stable flows (for example, pipe flows) at sufficiently large Reynolds numbers. Although planet-forming disks have extreme Reynolds numbers, keplerian rotation enhances their linear hydrodynamic stability, so the question of whether they can be turbulent and thereby transport angular momentum effectively is controversial. Here we report a laboratory experiment, demonstrating that non-magnetic quasi-keplerian flows at Reynolds numbers up to millions are essentially steady. Scaled to accretion disks, rates of angular momentum transport lie far below astrophysical requirements. By ruling out purely hydrodynamic turbulence, our results indirectly support the magnetorotational instability as the likely cause of turbulence, even in cool disks.

Fluid Dynamics in Rotary Piston Blood Pumps.

PubMed

Wappenschmidt, Johannes; Sonntag, Simon J; Buesen, Martin; Gross-Hardt, Sascha; Kaufmann, Tim; Schmitz-Rode, Thomas; Autschbach, Ruediger; Goetzenich, Andreas

2017-03-01

Mechanical circulatory support can maintain a sufficient blood circulation if the native heart is failing. The first implantable devices were displacement pumps with membranes. They were able to provide a sufficient blood flow, yet, were limited because of size and low durability. Rotary pumps have resolved these technical drawbacks, enabled a growing number of mechanical circulatory support therapy and a safer application. However, clinical complications like gastrointestinal bleeding, aortic insufficiency, thromboembolic complications, and impaired renal function are observed with their application. This is traced back to their working principle with attenuated or non-pulsatile flow and high shear stress. Rotary piston pumps potentially merge the benefits of available pump types and seem to avoid their complications. However, a profound assessment and their development requires the knowledge of the flow characteristics. This study aimed at their investigation. A functional model was manufactured and investigated with particle image velocimetry. Furthermore, a fluid-structure interaction computational simulation was established to extend the laboratory capabilities. The numerical results precisely converged with the laboratory measurements. Thus, the in silico model enabled the investigation of relevant areas like gap flows that were hardly feasible with laboratory means. Moreover, an economic method for the investigation of design variations was established.

Secondary flow structures in large rivers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chauvet, H.; Devauchelle, O.; Metivier, F.; Limare, A.; Lajeunesse, E.

2012-04-01

Measuring the velocity field in large rivers remains a challenge, even with recent measurement techniques such as Acoustic Doppler Current Profiler (ADCP). Indeed, due to the diverging angle between its ultrasonic beams, an ADCP cannot detect small-scale flow structures. However, when the measurements are limited to a single location for a sufficient period of time, averaging can reveal large, stationary flow structures. Here we present velocity measurements in a straight reach of the Seine river in Paris, France, where the cross-section is close to rectangular. The transverse modulation of the streamwise velocity indicates secondary flow cells, which seem to occupy the entire width of the river. This observation is reminiscent of the longitudinal vortices observed in laboratory experiments (e.g. Blanckaert et al., Advances in Water Resources, 2010, 33, 1062-1074). Although the physical origin of these secondary structures remains unclear, their measured velocity is sufficient to significantly impact the distribution of streamwise momentum. We propose a model for the transverse profile of the depth-averaged velocity based on a crude representation of the longitudinal vortices, with a single free parameter. Preliminary results are in good agreement with field measurements. This model also provides an estimate for the bank shear stress, which controls bank erosion.

In vivo study of flow-rate accuracy of the MedStream Programmable Infusion System.

PubMed

Venugopalan, Ramakrishna; Ginggen, Alec; Bork, Toralf; Anderson, William; Buffen, Elaine

2011-01-01

  Flow-rate accuracy and precision are important parameters to optimizing the efficacy of programmable intrathecal (IT) infusion pump delivery systems. Current programmable IT pumps are accurate within ±14.5% of their programmed infusion rate when assessed under ideal environmental conditions and specific flow-rate settings in vitro. We assessed the flow-rate accuracy of a novel programmable pump system across its entire flow-rate range under typical conditions in sheep (in vivo) and nominal conditions in vitro.   The flow-rate accuracy of the MedStream Programmable Pump was assessed in both the in vivo and in vitro settings. In vivo flow-rate accuracy was assessed in 16 sheep at various flow-rates (producing 90 flow intervals) more than 90 ± 3 days. Pumps were then explanted, re-sterilized and in vitro flow-rate accuracy was assessed at 37°C and 1013 mBar (80 flow intervals).   In vivo (sheep body temperatures 38.1°C-39.8°C), mean ± SD flow-rate error was 9.32% ± 9.27% and mean ± SD leak-rate was 0.028 ± 0.08 mL/day. Following explantation, mean in vitro flow-rate error and leak-rate were -1.05% ± 2.55% and 0.003 ± 0.004 mL/day (37°C, 1013 mBar), respectively.   The MedStream Programmable Pump demonstrated high flow-rate accuracy when tested in vivo and in vitro at normal body temperature and environmental pressure as well as when tested in vivo at variable sheep body temperature. The flow-rate accuracy of the MedStream Programmable Pump across its flow-rate range, compares favorably to the accuracy of current clinically utilized programmable IT infusion pumps reported at specific flow-rate settings and conditions. © 2011 International Neuromodulation Society.

Flow Energy Piezoelectric Bimorph Nozzle Harvester

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Walkemeyer, Phillip E. (Inventor); Tosi, Phillipe (Inventor); Corbett, Thomas Gary (Inventor); Hall, Jeffrey L. (Inventor); Lee, Hyeong Jae (Inventor); Arrazola, Alvaro Jose (Inventor); Sherrit, Stewart (Inventor); Colonius, Tim (Inventor); Kim, Namhyo (Inventor); Sun, Kai (Inventor)

2016-01-01

A flow energy harvesting device having a harvester pipe includes a flow inlet that receives flow from a primary pipe, a flow outlet that returns the flow into the primary pipe, and a flow diverter within the harvester pipe having an inlet section coupled to the flow inlet, a flow constriction section coupled to the inlet section and positioned at a midpoint of the harvester pipe and having a spline shape with a substantially reduced flow opening size at a constriction point along the spline shape, and an outlet section coupled to the constriction section. The harvester pipe may further include a piezoelectric structure extending from the inlet section through the constriction section and point such that the fluid flow past the constriction point results in oscillatory pressure amplitude inducing vibrations in the piezoelectric structure sufficient to cause a direct piezoelectric effect and to generate electrical power for harvesting.

Investigation of Separation of the Turbulent Boundary Layer

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Schubauer, G B; Klebanoff, P S

1951-01-01

An investigation was conducted on a turbulent boundary layer near a smooth surface with pressure gradients sufficient to cause flow separation. The reynolds number was high, but the speeds were entirely within the incompressible flow range. The investigation consisted of measurements of mean flow, three components of turbulence intensity, turbulent shearing stress, and correlations between two fluctuation components at a point and between the same component of different points. The results are given in the form of tables and graphs. The discussion deals first with separation and then with the more fundamental question of basic concepts of turbulent flow.

Interaction of a finite-length ion beam with a background plasma - Reflected ions at the quasi-parallel bow shock

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Onsager, T. G.; Winske, D.; Thomsen, M. F.

1991-01-01

The coupling of a finite-length, field-aligned, ion beam with a uniform background plasma is investigated using one-dimensional hybrid computer simulations. The finite-length beam is used to study the interaction between the incident solar wind and ions reflected from the earth's quasi-parallel bow shock, where the reflection process may vary with time. The coupling between the reflected ions and the solar wind is relevant to ion heating at the bow shock and possibly to the formation of hot, flow anomalies and re-formation of the shock itself. Consistent with linear theory, the waves which dominate the interaction are the electromagnetic right-hand polarized resonant and nonresonant modes. However, in addition to the instability growth rates, the length of time that the waves are in contact with the beam is also an important factor in determining which wave mode will dominate the interaction. It is found that interaction will result in strong coupling, where a significant fraction of the available free energy is converted into thermal energy in a short time, provided the beam is sufficiently dense or sufficiently long.

Satellite geological and geophysical remote sensing of Iceland

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Williams, R. S., Jr. (Principal Investigator)

1974-01-01

The author has identified the following significant results. ERTS-1 imagery provides sufficient resolution to discern two effects of geothermal activity at the Namafjall geothermal area: snowmelt anomalies and delineation of altered ground. The fallout pattern of tephra from Hekla's 1970 volcanic eruption can be mapped where sufficient depth of deposition destroyed the vegetation. Lava flows from the volcanic eruptions at Askja and Hekla can be delineated. Low sun-angle imagery of snow-covered terrain has permitted the mapping of new structural and volcanic features beneath the icecaps. Coastline changes on the islands of Surtsey and Heimaey can be mapped. Variations of sediment plumes from glacial rivers on the south coast give a qualitative indication of seasonal changes in melting rates of glaciers. ERTS-1 imagery has been shown to be especially amenable to portrayal of changing glaciological phenomena: surging glaciers, collapse features in icecaps caused by subglacial volcanic (?) and geothermal activity and resulting jokulhlaups, and variations in size of glacier-margin lakes. A fifth vegetation class has now been added: lichen-covered bedrock. The high latitude permits more precise analysis of landforms, vegetation distribution, occurrence of snow cover, glaciers, and geologic structure.

Retardation of mobile radionuclides in granitic rock fractures by matrix diffusion

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hölttä, P.; Poteri, A.; Siitari-Kauppi, M.; Huittinen, N.

Transport of iodide and sodium has been studied by means of block fracture and core column experiments to evaluate the simplified radionuclide transport concept. The objectives were to examine the processes causing retention in solute transport, especially matrix diffusion, and to estimate their importance during transport in different scales and flow conditions. Block experiments were performed using a Kuru Grey granite block having a horizontally planar natural fracture. Core columns were constructed from cores drilled orthogonal to the fracture of the granite block. Several tracer tests were performed using uranine, 131I and 22Na as tracers at water flow rates 0.7-50 μL min -1. Transport of tracers was modelled by applying the advection-dispersion model based on the generalized Taylor dispersion added with matrix diffusion. Scoping calculations were combined with experiments to test the model concepts. Two different experimental configurations could be modelled applying consistent transport processes and parameters. The processes, advection-dispersion and matrix diffusion, were conceptualized with sufficient accuracy to replicate the experimental results. The effects of matrix diffusion were demonstrated on the slightly sorbing sodium and mobile iodine breakthrough curves.

Computer-assisted recording of tensile tests for the evaluation of serrated flow

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

Weinhandl, H.; Mitter, F.; Bernt, W.

1994-12-01

In a previous paper the authors pointed out the difficulties which arise in the evaluation of serrated flow curves when the applied tensile strain rates are just above normal''. The recording system of tensile testing machines which were built, say, twenty years ago, are not capable of recording the full size of the load drops due to the inertia of the recording pen. This handicap was then overcome by establishing correction factors which were determined from recording a small number of load drops with an oscilloscope. Modern testing machines are equipped with digital recording. The disadvantage of the common systemmore » is, however, their limited capacity, so that not enough space for data points is available. Consequently, the time intervals between data points are of the order of tenths of seconds. It will become obvious from the present results that such a time interval is too large for recording a correct serration size. This report is concerned with the recording of complete load-extension relations during tensile tests using a computer which is capable of storing the data at sufficiently small time intervals.« less

Effect of hindpaw electrical stimulation on capillary flow heterogeneity and oxygen delivery (Conference Presentation)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Li, Yuandong; Wei, Wei; Li, Chenxi; Wang, Ruikang K.

2017-02-01

We report a novel use of optical coherence tomography (OCT) based angiography to visualize and quantify dynamic response of cerebral capillary flow pattern in mice upon hindpaw electrical stimulation through the measurement of the capillary transit-time heterogeneity (CTH) and capillary mean transit time (MTT) in a wide dynamic range of a great number of vessels in vivo. The OCT system was developed to have a central wavelength of 1310 nm, a spatial resolution of 8 µm and a system dynamic range of 105 dB at an imaging rate of 92 kHz. The mapping of dynamic cerebral microcirculations was enabled by optical microangiography protocol. From the imaging results, the spatial homogenization of capillary velocity (decreased CTH) was observed in the region of interest (ROI) corresponding to the stimulation, along with an increase in the MTT in the ROI to maintain sufficient oxygen exchange within the brain tissue during functional activation. We validated the oxygen consumption due to an increase of the MTT through demonstrating an increase in the deoxygenated hemoglobin (HbR) during the stimulation by the use of laser speckle contrast imaging.

Conservation laws in baroclinic inertial-symmetric instabilities

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Grisouard, Nicolas; Fox, Morgan B.; Nijjer, Japinder

2017-04-01

Submesoscale oceanic density fronts are structures in geostrophic and hydrostatic balance, but are more prone to instabilities than mesoscale flows. As a consequence, they are believed to play a large role in air-sea exchanges, near-surface turbulence and dissipation of kinetic energy of geostrophically and hydrostatically balanced flows. We will present two-dimensional (x, z) Boussinesq numerical experiments of submesoscale baroclinic fronts on the f-plane. Instabilities of the mixed inertial and symmetric types (the actual name varies across the literature) develop, with the absence of along-front variations prohibiting geostrophic baroclinic instabilities. Two new salient facts emerge. First, contrary to pure inertial and/or pure symmetric instability, the potential energy budget is affected, the mixed instability extracting significant available potential energy from the front and dissipating it locally. Second, in the submesoscale regime, the growth rate of this mixed instability is sufficiently large that significant radiation of near-inertial internal waves occurs. Although energetically small compared to e.g. local dissipation within the front, this process might be a significant source of near-inertial energy in the ocean.

Carbon-dioxide flow measurement in geodynamically active area of West Bohemia

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Vlcek, Josef; Fischer, Tomas; Heinicke, Jens

2016-04-01

Geodynamically active area of West Bohemia is interesting not only due to its earthquake swarms occurrence but also due to degassing flux of magmatic origin occurring in natural moffettes and mineral springs. While monitoring of earthquakes is done by a standard local seismic network, monitoring of amount of CO2 is at its initial stage. Despite lack of data, the 2014 earthquake swarm showed also very interesting increase in CO2 flow. This correlation with seismicity motivated us to develop robust and reliable methods of CO2 flow measurement, which would be sufficient to create denser monitoring network. Standard usage of gas-flowmeter for the purpose of gas flow measurement is dependent on the weather and device conditions, which makes the measurement instable in time and unreliable. Although gas-flowmeter is also accompanied with measurement of the gas pressure in the well to check flow rate value, reliability of this method is still low. This problematic behavior of the flow measurement was the reason to test new methods to measure CO2 amount - the first is based on measuring the density water with bubbles in the well by differential pressure gauge. The second one utilizes electric conductivity measurement to determine the density of bubbles in the water-gas mixture. Advantage of these methods is that their probes are directly in the well or moffette, where the concentration is measured. This approach is free of the influence of moving parts and assures the independence of measurements of environmental conditions. In this paper we show examples of obtained data series from selected sites and compare the trend of the curves, the mutual relations of the measured quantities and the influence of environmental conditions.

Improved Separations of Proteins and Sugar Derivatives Using the Small-Scale Cross-Axis Coil Planet Centrifuge with Locular Multilayer Coiled Columns

PubMed Central

Shinomiya, Kazufusa; Umezawa, Motoki; Seki, Manami; Nitta, Jun; Zaima, Kazumasa; Harikai, Naoki; Ito, Yoichiro

2016-01-01

1) Background Countercurrent chromatography (CCC) is liquid-liquid partition chromatography without using a solid support matrix. This technique requires further improvement of partition efficiency and shortening theseparation time. 2) Methods The locular multilayer coils modified with and without mixer glass beads were developed for the separation of proteins and 4-methylumbelliferyl (MU) sugar derivatives using the small-scale cross-axis coil planet centrifuge. 3) Results Proteins were well separated from each other and the separation was improved at a low flow rate of the mobile phase. On the other hand, 4-MU sugar derivatives were sufficiently resolved with short separation time at a highflow rate of the mobile phase under satisfactory stationary phase retention. 4) Conclusion Effective separations were achieved using the locular multilayer coil for proteins with aqueous-aqueous polymer phase systems and for 4-MU sugar derivatives with organic-aqueous two-phase solvent systems by inserting a glass bead into each locule. PMID:27891507

Contribution of Surface Thermal Forcing to Mixing in the Ocean

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, Fei; Huang, Shi-Di; Xia, Ke-Qing

2018-02-01

A critical ingredient of the meridional overturning circulation (MOC) is vertical mixing, which causes dense waters in the deep sea to rise throughout the stratified interior to the upper ocean. Here, we report a laboratory study aimed at understanding the contributions from surface thermal forcing (STF) to this mixing process. Our study reveals that the ratio of the thermocline thickness to the fluid depth largely determines the mixing rate and the mixing efficiency in an overturning flow driven by STF. By applying this finding to a hypothetical MOC driven purely by STF, we obtain a mixing rate of O(10-6 m2/s) and a corresponding meridional heat flux of O(10-2 petawatt, PW), which are far smaller than the values found for real oceans. These results provide quantitative support for the notion that STF alone is not sufficient to drive the MOC, which essentially acts as a heat conveyor belt powered by other energy sources.

Effect of soil fortified by polyurethane foam on septic tank effluent treatment.

PubMed

Nie, J Y; Zhu, N W; Lin, K M; Song, F Y

2011-01-01

Fortified soil was made up of a mixture at a mass ratio 4/1000-6/1000 of sponge and natural soil according to the results of column experiment. The fortified soil had bigger porosity and higher hydraulic conductivity than the natural soil. The columns packed with 900 mm of the fortified soil endured a flow rate equivalent to 100 L/m(2)/d of septic tank effluent and the average chemical oxygen demand, nitrogen, and phosphorus removal rates were around 92%, 75% and 96%, respectively. After 100 weeks of operation, the saturated hydraulic conductivity of the fortified soil kept higher than 0.2 m/d. The bigger porosity of sponge improved the effective porosity, and the bigger specific surface area of sponge acted as an ideal support for biomat growth and ensured the sewage treatment performance of the fortified soil. The comparable performance was due to a similar and sufficient degree of soil clogging genesis coupled with bioprocesses that effectively purified the septic tank effluent given the adequate retention times.

A Linear Programming Approach to Routing Control in Networks of Constrained Nonlinear Positive Systems with Concave Flow Rates

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Arneson, Heather M.; Dousse, Nicholas; Langbort, Cedric

2014-01-01

We consider control design for positive compartmental systems in which each compartment's outflow rate is described by a concave function of the amount of material in the compartment.We address the problem of determining the routing of material between compartments to satisfy time-varying state constraints while ensuring that material reaches its intended destination over a finite time horizon. We give sufficient conditions for the existence of a time-varying state-dependent routing strategy which ensures that the closed-loop system satisfies basic network properties of positivity, conservation and interconnection while ensuring that capacity constraints are satisfied, when possible, or adjusted if a solution cannot be found. These conditions are formulated as a linear programming problem. Instances of this linear programming problem can be solved iteratively to generate a solution to the finite horizon routing problem. Results are given for the application of this control design method to an example problem. Key words: linear programming; control of networks; positive systems; controller constraints and structure.

Nonequilibrium phase transitions of sheared colloidal microphases: Results from dynamical density functional theory

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Stopper, Daniel; Roth, Roland

2018-06-01

By means of classical density functional theory and its dynamical extension, we consider a colloidal fluid with spherically symmetric competing interactions, which are well known to exhibit a rich bulk phase behavior. This includes complex three-dimensional periodically ordered cluster phases such as lamellae, two-dimensional hexagonally packed cylinders, gyroid structures, or spherical micelles. While the bulk phase behavior has been studied extensively in earlier work, in this paper we focus on such structures confined between planar repulsive walls under shear flow. For sufficiently high shear rates, we observe that microphase separation can become fully suppressed. For lower shear rates, however, we find that, e.g., the gyroid structure undergoes a kinetic phase transition to a hexagonally packed cylindrical phase, which is found experimentally and theoretically in amphiphilic block copolymer systems. As such, besides the known similarities between the latter and colloidal systems regarding the equilibrium phase behavior, our work reveals further intriguing nonequilibrium relations between copolymer melts and colloidal fluids with competing interactions.

Computer Simulation To Assess The Feasibility Of Coring Magma

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Su, J.; Eichelberger, J. C.

2017-12-01

Lava lakes on Kilauea Volcano, Hawaii have been successfully cored many times, often with nearly complete recovery and at temperatures exceeding 1100oC. Water exiting nozzles on the diamond core bit face quenches melt to glass just ahead of the advancing bit. The bit readily cuts a clean annulus and the core, fully quenched lava, passes smoothly into the core barrel. The core remains intact after recovery, even when there are comparable amounts of glass and crystals with different coefficients of thermal expansion. The unique resulting data reveal the rate and sequence of crystal growth in cooling basaltic lava and the continuous liquid line of descent as a function of temperature from basalt to rhyolite. Now that magma bodies, rather than lava pooled at the surface, have been penetrated by geothermal drilling, the question arises as to whether similar coring could be conducted at depth, providing fundamentally new insights into behavior of magma. This situation is considerably more complex because the coring would be conducted at depths exceeding 2 km and drilling fluid pressures of 20 MPa or more. Criteria that must be satisfied include: 1) melt is quenched ahead of the bit and the core itself must be quenched before it enters the barrel; 2) circulating drilling fluid must keep the temperature of the coring assembling cooled to within operational limits; 3) the drilling fluid column must nowhere exceed the local boiling point. A fluid flow simulation was conducted to estimate the process parameters necessary to maintain workable temperatures during the coring operation. SolidWorks Flow Simulation was used to estimate the effect of process parameters on the temperature distribution of the magma immediately surrounding the borehole and of drilling fluid within the bottom-hole assembly (BHA). A solid model of the BHA was created in SolidWorks to capture the flow behavior around the BHA components. Process parameters used in the model include the fluid properties and temperature of magma, coolant flow rate, rotation speed, and rate of penetration (ROP). The modeling results indicate that there are combinations of process parameters that will provide sufficient cooling to enable the desired coring process in magma.

Mass-loss rates, ionization fractions, shock velocities, and magnetic fields of stellar jets

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hartigan, Patrick; Morse, Jon A.; Raymond, John

1994-01-01

In this paper we calculate emission-line ratios from a series of planar radiative shock models that cover a wide range of shock velocities, preshock densities, and magnetic fields. The models cover the initial conditions relevant to stellar jets, and we show how to estimate the ionization fractions and shock velocities in jets directly from observations of the strong emission lines in these flows. The ionization fractions in the HH 34, HH 47, and HH 111 jets are approximately 2%, considerably smaller than previous estimates, and the shock velocities are approximately 30 km/s. For each jet the ionization fractions were found from five different line ratios, and the estimates agree to within a factor of approximately 2. The scatter in the estimates of the shock velocities is also small (+/- 4 km/s). The low ionization fractions of stellar jets imply that the observed electron densities are much lower than the total densities, so the mass-loss rates in these flows are correspondingly higher (approximately greater than 2 x 10(exp -7) solar mass/yr). The mass-loss rates in jets are a significant fraction (1%-10%) of the disk accretion rates onto young stellar objects that drive the outflows. The momentum and energy supplied by the visible portion of a typical stellar jet are sufficient to drive a weak molecular outflow. Magnetic fields in stellar jets are difficult to measure because the line ratios from a radiative shock with a magnetic field resemble those of a lower velocity shock without a field. The observed line fluxes can in principle indicate the strength of the field if the geometry of the shocks in the jet is well known.

Hydrodynamically-driven drug release during interstitial flow through hollow fibers implanted near lymphatics

PubMed Central

Dukhin, Stanislav S.; Labib, Mohamed E.

2016-01-01

Current drug delivery devices (DDD) are mainly based on the use of diffusion as the main transport process. Diffusion-driven processes can only achieve low release rate because diffusion is a slow process. This represents a serious obstacle in the realization of recent successes in the suppression of lymphatic metastasis and in the prevention of limb and organ transplant rejection. Surprisingly, it was overlooked that there is a more favorable drug release mode which can be achieved when a special DDD is implanted near lymphatics. This opportunity can be realized when the interstitial fluid flow penetrates a drug delivery device of proper design and allows such fluid to flow out of it. This design is based on hollow fibers loaded with drug and whose hydrodynamic permeability is much higher than that of the surrounding tissue. The latter is referred to as hollow fiber of high hydrodynamic permeability (HFHP). The interstitial flow easily penetrates the hollow fiber membrane as well as its lumen with a higher velocity than that in the adjacent tissue. The interstitial liquid stream entering the lumen becomes almost saturated with drug as it flows out of the HFHP. This is due to the drug powder dissolution in the lumens of HFHP which forms a strip of drug solution that crosses the interstitium and finally enters the lymphatics. This hydrodynamically-driven release (HDR) may exceed the concomitant diffusion-driven release (DDR) by one or even two orders of magnitude. The hydrodynamics of the two-compartment media is sufficient for developing the HDR theory which is detailed in this paper. Convective diffusion theory for two compartments (membrane of hollow fiber and adjacent tissue) is required for exact quantification when a small contribution of DDR to predominating HDR is present. Hence, modeling is important for HDR which would lead to establishing a new branch in physico-chemical hydrodynamics. The release rate achieved with the use of HFHP increases proportional to the number of hollow fibers in the fabric employed in drug delivery. Based on this contribution, it is now possible to simultaneously provide high release rates and long release durations, thus overcoming a fundamental limitation in drug delivery. Perhaps this breakthrough in long-term drug delivery has potential applications in targeting lymphatics and in treating cancer and cancer metastasis without causing the serious side effects of systemic drugs. PMID:28579697

Energy Requirements for the Transport of Methylthio-β-d-Galactoside by Escherichia coli: Measurement by Microcalorimetry and by Rates of Oxygen Consumption and Carbon Dioxide Production1

PubMed Central

Long, Richard A.; Martin, W. G.; Schneider, Henry

1977-01-01

The energy cost for maintenance of gradients of methylthio-β-d-galactoside in Escherichia coli was evaluated. Information was also obtained concerning the energy flow associated with gradient establishment under some circumstances. Energy flow was evaluated from transport-induced changes in the rate of heat evolution, oxygen consumption, and carbon dioxide production in metabolically active cells. Heats were measured with an isothermal calorimeter. Energy expenditure behavior was characterized by a transition that depended on the level of accumulation. The data for steady-state maintenance could be rationalized in terms of the Mitchell hypothesis, two models for influx and efflux, and a transition between them. At low levels of uptake, steady-state proton-methylthio-β-d-galactoside (TMG) symport for influx and efflux occurred via a nonenergy-requiring exchange process. The only energy requirement was that necessary to pump back in any TMG exiting via a leakage pathway (model I). Above the transition, all influx occurred with proton symport, but all exit, leak and carrier mediated, occurred without proton symport (model II). The H+/TMG stoichiometric ratio computed for the region of model II applicability (carbon source present, high level of uptake) approached 1. This value agreed with that of other workers for downhill β-galactoside flow, suggesting that the energy cost for both downhill and uphill flow was approximately the same. For low levels of uptake, initial establishment of the gradient was followed by a burst of metabolism that was much larger than that expected on the basis of the chemiosmotic hypothesis. In the absence of carbon source, the stimulation in respiration was sufficient to produce 13 times more protons than are apparently necessary to establish the gradient. The results indicate also that the nature of the biochemical process stimulated by TMG depends on its level of uptake. Insight into several aspects of the nature of these processes was provided through analysis of the heat, oxygen, and CO2 data. The key factor controlling the transition in energy flow behavior is suggested to be rate of flux. The present data suggest that it occurs at a flux of ∼120 nmol/min per mg of protein. PMID:324976

Large-scale volcano-ground ice interactions on Mars

USGS Publications Warehouse

Squyres, S. W.; Wilhelms, D.E.; Moosman, A.C.

1987-01-01

The process of volcano-ground ice interaction on Mars is investigated by thermodynamic calculations and observations of Viking Orbiter images. We develop a numerical model of volcano-ground ice interaction that includes heat transport by conduction, radiation from the surface, heat transfer to the atmosphere, and H2O phase changes in an ice-rich permafrost. We consider eruption of lava flows over permafrost, and intrusion of sills into permafrost. For eruption of lava over permafrost, most of the heat in the flow is lost by radiation and atmospheric effects. The amount of H2O liquid and vapor produced is small, and its removal would not be sufficient to cause collapse that would lower the surface of the lava flow below the surrounding terrain. For intrusion of a sill, most of the heat in the sill eventually goes into H2O phase changes, producing much larger amounts of water that could have profound geomorphic and geochemical effects. Approximate meltwater discharge rates are calculated for both extrusive and intrusive interactions. We examine two large regions of large-scale volcano-ground ice interactions. Near Aeolis Mensae, intrusion of a complex of dikes and sills into ice-rich ground has produced substantial melting, with mobilization and flow of material. This interaction probably also produced large quantities of palagonite tuff and breccia. Morphologic evidence for progressive fluidization implies that meltwater was stored beneath the surface for some time, and that most of the release of water and volcanic mudflow took place late in the interaction. Northeast of Hellas, several large channels emanate from the area near the volcano Hadriaca Patera. If genetically related to the volcanic activity, large collapse features at the sources of some channels must have originated due to heat from large buried magma bodies. A channel emerging directly from the base of Hadriaca Patera may have originated from release of heat from thick extruded material. Other small channels in the region results from heat released from surface lava flows. Inferred channel discharges may be compared to discharge rates calculated for lava-ground ice interactions. Such comparisons show that meltwater probably accumulated beneath the surface and then was released rapidly, with a discharge rate limited by soil permeability. Volcano-ground ice interaction has been a widespread and important geologic process on Mars, and may be the primary source of palagonites making up the ubiquitous Martian dust. ?? 1987.

Kinetic energy density and agglomerate abrasion rate during blending of agglomerates into powders.

PubMed

Willemsz, Tofan A; Hooijmaijers, Ricardo; Rubingh, Carina M; Tran, Thanh N; Frijlink, Henderik W; Vromans, Herman; van der Voort Maarschalk, Kees

2012-01-23

Problems related to the blending of a cohesive powder with a free flowing bulk powder are frequently encountered in the pharmaceutical industry. The cohesive powder often forms lumps or agglomerates which are not dispersed during the mixing process and are therefore detrimental to blend uniformity. Achieving sufficient blend uniformity requires that the blending conditions are able to break up agglomerates, which is often an abrasion process. This study was based on the assumption that the abrasion rate of agglomerates determines the required blending time. It is shown that the kinetic energy density of the moving powder bed is a relevant parameter which correlates with the abrasion rate of agglomerates. However, aspects related to the strength of agglomerates should also be considered. For this reason the Stokes abrasion number (St(Abr)) has been defined. This parameter describes the ratio between the kinetic energy density of the moving powder bed and the work of fracture of the agglomerate. The St(Abr) number is shown to predict the abrasion potential of agglomerates in the dry-mixing process. It appeared possible to include effects of filler particle size and impeller rotational rate into this concept. A clear relationship between abrasion rate of agglomerates and the value of St(Abr) was demonstrated. Copyright © 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Numerical investigation on the regression rate of hybrid rocket motor with star swirl fuel grain

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhang, Shuai; Hu, Fan; Zhang, Weihua

2016-10-01

Although hybrid rocket motor is prospected to have distinct advantages over liquid and solid rocket motor, low regression rate and insufficient efficiency are two major disadvantages which have prevented it from being commercially viable. In recent years, complex fuel grain configurations are attractive in overcoming the disadvantages with the help of Rapid Prototyping technology. In this work, an attempt has been made to numerically investigate the flow field characteristics and local regression rate distribution inside the hybrid rocket motor with complex star swirl grain. A propellant combination with GOX and HTPB has been chosen. The numerical model is established based on the three dimensional Navier-Stokes equations with turbulence, combustion, and coupled gas/solid phase formulations. The calculated fuel regression rate is compared with the experimental data to validate the accuracy of numerical model. The results indicate that, comparing the star swirl grain with the tube grain under the conditions of the same port area and the same grain length, the burning surface area rises about 200%, the spatially averaged regression rate rises as high as about 60%, and the oxidizer can combust sufficiently due to the big vortex around the axis in the aft-mixing chamber. The combustion efficiency of star swirl grain is better and more stable than that of tube grain.

Energetic cost of sexual attractiveness: ultrasonic advertisement in wax moths.

PubMed

Reinhold; Greenfield; Jang; Broce

1998-04-01

Pair formation in the lesser wax moth, Achroia grisella (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae), is initiated by male ultrasonic signals that attract receptive females. Individual males vary in attractiveness to females, and the most attractive males are distinguished by exaggeration of three signal characters: pulse rate, peak amplitude and asynchrony interval (temporal separation between pulses generated by movements of the left and right wings during a given wing upstroke or downstroke). Using flow-through respirometry, we measured the resting and signalling metabolic rates of males whose relative attractiveness was known. Acoustic recordings and metabolic measurements were made simultaneously, and we calculated net metabolic rates and factorial metabolic scopes as measures for the energetic cost of signalling. On average, attractive males had higher net metabolic rates and factorial metabolic scopes than unattractive ones, but many unattractive males also had high values. Thus, high expenditure of energy on signalling is necessary but not sufficient for attractiveness. This may result because only one of the three signal characters critical for female preference, pulse rate, is correlated with energy expenditure. Although the results are consistent with the good genes model of sexual selection, they do not conflict with other indirect or direct mechanisms of female choice. Copyright 1998 The Association for the Study of Animal Behaviour. Copyright 1998 The Association for the Study of Animal Behaviour.

A Martian global groundwater model

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Howard, Alan D.

1991-01-01

A global groundwater flow model was constructed for Mars to study hydrologic response under a variety of scenarios, improving and extending earlier simple cross sectional models. The model is capable of treating both steady state and transient flow as well as permeability that is anisotropic in the horizontal dimensions. A single near surface confining layer may be included (representing in these simulations a coherent permafrost layer). Furthermore, in unconfined flow, locations of complete saturation and seepage are determined. The flow model assumes that groundwater gradients are sufficiently low that DuPuit conditions are satisfied and the flow component perpendicular to the ground surface is negligible. The flow equations were solved using a finite difference method employing 10 deg spacing of latitude and longitude.

Ultrasonically Encoded Photoacoustic Flowgraphy in Biological Tissue

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, Lidai; Xia, Jun; Yao, Junjie; Maslov, Konstantin I.; Wang, Lihong V.

2013-11-01

Blood flow speed is an important functional parameter. Doppler ultrasound flowmetry lacks sufficient sensitivity to slow blood flow (several to tens of millimeters per second) in deep tissue. To address this challenge, we developed ultrasonically encoded photoacoustic flowgraphy combining ultrasonic thermal tagging with photoacoustic imaging. Focused ultrasound generates a confined heat source in acoustically absorptive fluid. Thermal waves propagate with the flow and are directly visualized in pseudo color using photoacoustic computed tomography. The Doppler shift is employed to calculate the flow speed. This method requires only acoustic and optical absorption, and thus is applicable to continuous fluid. A blood flow speed as low as 0.24mm·s-1 was successfully measured. Deep blood flow imaging was experimentally demonstrated under 5-mm-thick chicken breast tissue.

On the Variation of Zonal Gravity Coefficients of a Giant Planet Caused by Its Deep Zonal Flows

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kong, Dali; Zhang, Keke; Schubert, Gerald

2012-04-01

Rapidly rotating giant planets are usually marked by the existence of strong zonal flows at the cloud level. If the zonal flow is sufficiently deep and strong, it can produce hydrostatic-related gravitational anomalies through distortion of the planet's shape. This paper determines the zonal gravity coefficients, J 2n , n = 1, 2, 3, ..., via an analytical method taking into account rotation-induced shape changes by assuming that a planet has an effective uniform density and that the zonal flows arise from deep convection and extend along cylinders parallel to the rotation axis. Two different but related hydrostatic models are considered. When a giant planet is in rigid-body rotation, the exact solution of the problem using oblate spheroidal coordinates is derived, allowing us to compute the value of its zonal gravity coefficients \\bar{J}_{2n}, n=1,2,3, \\dots, without making any approximation. When the deep zonal flow is sufficiently strong, we develop a general perturbation theory for estimating the variation of the zonal gravity coefficients, \\Delta {J}_{2n}={J}_{2n}-\\bar{J}_{2n}, n=1,2,3, \\dots, caused by the effect of the deep zonal flows for an arbitrarily rapidly rotating planet. Applying the general theory to Jupiter, we find that the deep zonal flow could contribute up to 0.3% of the J 2 coefficient and 0.7% of J 4. It is also found that the shape-driven harmonics at the 10th zonal gravity coefficient become dominant, i.e., \\Delta {J}_{2n} \\,{\\ge}\\, \\bar{J}_{2n} for n >= 5.

An exact closed form solution for constant area compressible flow with friction and heat transfer

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Sturas, J. I.

1971-01-01

The well-known differential equation for the one-dimensional flow of a compressible fluid with heat transfer and wall friction has no known solution in closed form for the general case. This report presents a closed form solution for the special case of constant heat flux per unit length and constant specific heat. The solution was obtained by choosing the square of a dimensionless flow parameter as one of the independent variables to describe the flow. From this exact solution, an approximate simplified form is derived that is applicable for predicting subsonic flow performance characteristics for many types of constant area passages in internal flow. The data included in this report are considered sufficiently accurate for use as a guide in analyzing and designing internal gas flow systems.

Direct uptake of canopy rainwater causes turgor-driven growth spurts in the mangrove Avicennia marina.

PubMed

Steppe, Kathy; Vandegehuchte, Maurits W; Van de Wal, Bart A E; Hoste, Pieter; Guyot, Adrien; Lovelock, Catherine E; Lockington, David A

2018-03-17

Mangrove forests depend on a dense structure of sufficiently large trees to fulfil their essential functions as providers of food and wood for animals and people, CO2 sinks and protection from storms. Growth of these forests is known to be dependent on the salinity of soil water, but the influence of foliar uptake of rainwater as a freshwater source, additional to soil water, has hardly been investigated. Under field conditions in Australia, stem diameter variation, sap flow and stem water potential of the grey mangrove (Avicennia marina (Forssk.) Vierh.) were simultaneously measured during alternating dry and rainy periods. We found that sap flow in A. marina was reversed, from canopy to roots, during and shortly after rainfall events. Simultaneously, stem diameters rapidly increased with growth rates up to 70 μm h-1, which is about 25-75 times the normal growth rate reported in temperate trees. A mechanistic tree model was applied to provide evidence that A. marina trees take up water through their leaves, and that this water contributes to turgor-driven stem growth. Our results indicate that direct uptake of freshwater by the canopy during rainfall supports mangrove tree growth and serve as a call to consider this water uptake pathway if we aspire to correctly assess influences of changing rainfall patterns on mangrove tree growth.

Evaluation of intranuclear BrdU detection procedures for use in multicolor flow cytometry*

PubMed Central

Rothaeusler, Kristina; Baumgarth, Nicole

2010-01-01

Background Measurement of cell proliferation via BrdU incorporation in combination with multicolor cell surface staining would facilitate studies on cell subsets that require multiple markers for their identification. However, the extent to which the often harsh cell preparation procedures required affect the staining quality of more recently developed fluorescent dyes has not been assessed. Methods Three cell preparation protocols for BrdU measurement were compared for their ability to maintain fluorescent surface staining and scatter parameters of in vivo BrdU-labeled cells by flow cytometry. A 10-color fluorescent panel was developed to test the quality of surface staining following cell treatment and the ability to perform BrdU measurements on even small B lymphocyte subsets. Results All cell preparation procedures affected the quality of fluorescent and/or scatter parameters to varying degrees. Paraformaldehyde / saponin-based procedures preserved sufficient fluorescent surface staining to determine BrdU incorporation rates among all splenic B cell subsets, including B-1a cells, which constitute roughly 0.5% of cells. Turnover rates of B-1a cells were similar to immature B cells and higher than those of the other mature B cell subsets. Conclusion Paraformaldehyde / saponin-based cell preparation procedures facilitate detailed cell turnover studies on small cell subsets in vivo, revealing new functional information on rare cell populations. PMID:16538653

Implications of sediment transport by subglacial water flow for interpreting contemporary glacial erosion rates

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Beaud, Flavien; Flowers, Gwenn E.; Venditti, Jeremy G.

2017-04-01

The role of glaciers in landscape evolution is central to the interactions between climate and tectonic forces at high latitudes and in mountainous regions. Sediment yields from glacierized basins are used to quantify contemporary erosion rates on seasonal to decadal timescales, often under the assumption that subglacial water flow is the main contributor to these yields. Two recent studies have furthermore used such sediment fluxes to calibrate a glacial erosion rule, where erosion rate scales with ice sliding speed raised to a power greater than one. Subglacial sediment transport by water flow has however seldom been studied, thus the controls on sediment yield from glacierized basins remain enigmatic. To bridge this gap, we develop a 1-D model of morphodynamics in semi-circular bedrock-floored subglacial channels. We adapt a sediment conservation law from the fluvial literature, developed for both mixed bedrock / alluvial and alluvial conditions, to subglacial channels. Channel evolution is a function of the traditional melt-opening due to viscous heat dissipation from the water flow, and creep closure of the overlying ice, to which we add the closure or enlargement due to sediment deposition or removal, respectively. Using a simple ice geometry representing a land-terminating glacier, we find that the shear stresses produced by the water flow on the bed decrease significantly near the terminus. As the ice thins, creep closure decreases and large hydraulic potential gradients cannot be sustained. The resulting gradients in sediment transport lead to a bottleneck, and sediment accumulates if the sediment supply is adequate. A similar bottleneck occurs if a channel is well established and water discharge drops. Whether such constriction happens in space of time, in the presence of a sufficiently large sediment supply sediment accumulates temporarily near the terminus, followed shortly thereafter by enhanced sediment transport. Reduction in the cross-sectional area of the channel by sediment storage leads to enhanced shear stresses and transport rates. As a result, assuming a constant sediment input and a seasonal water forcing sediment delivery to the proglacial environment undergoes two phases determined by a combination of meltwater discharge and channel development. In the stage of the melt season dominated by channel growth and increasing discharge, the sediment yield is virtually constant and matches the input. In contrast, during the stage dominated by channel closure and decreasing discharge the sediment yield exhibits daily fluctuations caused by temporary sediment storage in the channel. Our findings thus suggest that contemporary sediment yields may be controlled by the dynamics of subglacial water flow in the vicinity of the terminus. This provides a new perspective for the interpretation of proglacial sediment fluxes, fluxes which are central to refining glacial erosion laws utilized in landscape evolution models.

Hydrocarbon fluid, ejector refrigeration system

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

Kowalski, G.J.; Foster, A.R.

1993-08-31

A refrigeration system is described comprising: a vapor ejector cycle including a working fluid having a property such that entropy of the working fluid when in a saturated vapor state decreases as pressure decreases, the vapor ejector cycle comprising: a condenser located on a common fluid flow path; a diverter located downstream from the condenser for diverting the working fluid into a primary fluid flow path and a secondary fluid flow path parallel to the primary fluid flow path; an evaporator located on the secondary fluid flow path; an expansion device located on the secondary fluid flow path upstream ofmore » the evaporator; a boiler located on the primary fluid flow path parallel to the evaporator for boiling the working fluid, the boiler comprising an axially extending core region having a substantially constant cross sectional area and a porous capillary region surrounding the core region, the core region extending a length sufficient to produce a near sonic velocity saturated vapor; and an ejector having an outlet in fluid communication with the inlet of the condenser and an inlet in fluid communication with the outlet of the evaporator and the outlet of the boiler and in which the flows of the working fluid from the evaporator and the boiler are mixed and the pressure of the working fluid is increased to at least the pressure of the condenser, the ejector inlet, located downstream from the axially extending core region, including a primary nozzle located sufficiently close to the outlet of the boiler to minimize a pressure drop between the boiler and the primary nozzle, the primary nozzle of the ejector including a converging section having an included angle and length preselected to receive the working fluid from the boiler as a near sonic velocity saturated vapor.« less

Flow characteristics of Korea multi-purpose research reactor

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

Heonil Kim; Hee Taek Chae; Byung Jin Jun

1995-09-01

The construction of Korea Multi-purpose Research Reactor (KMRR), a 30 MW{sub th} open-tank-in-pool type, is completed. Various thermal-hydraulic experiments have been conducted to verify the design characteristics of the KMRR. This paper describes the commissioning experiments to determine the flow distribution of KMRR core and the flow characteristics inside the chimney which stands on top of the core. The core flow is distributed to within {+-}6% of the average values, which is sufficiently flat in the sense that the design velocity in the fueled region is satisfied. The role of core bypass flow to confine the activated core coolant inmore » the chimney structure is confirmed.« less

Stability of magnetohydrodynamic Dean Flow as applied to centrifugally confined plasmas

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

Hassam, A.B.

1999-10-01

Dean Flow is the azimuthal flow of fluid between static concentric cylinders. In a magnetized plasma, there may also be radial stratification of the pressure. The ideal magnetohydrodynamic stability of such a flow in the presence of a strong axial magnetic field and an added radial gravitational force is examined. It is shown that both the Kelvin{endash}Helmholtz instability and pressure-gradient-driven interchanges can be stabilized if the flow is driven by a unidirectional external force and if the plasma annulus is sufficiently thin (large aspect ratio). These results find application in schemes using centrifugal confinement of plasma for fusion. {copyright} {italmore » 1999 American Institute of Physics.}« less

Pulsatile support using a rotary left ventricular assist device with an electrocardiography-synchronized rotational speed control mode for tracking heart rate variability.

PubMed

Arakawa, Mamoru; Nishimura, Takashi; Takewa, Yoshiaki; Umeki, Akihide; Ando, Masahiko; Kishimoto, Yuichiro; Kishimoto, Satoru; Fujii, Yutaka; Date, Kazuma; Kyo, Shunei; Adachi, Hideo; Tatsumi, Eisuke

2016-06-01

We previously developed a novel control system for a continuous-flow left ventricular assist device (LVAD), the EVAHEART, and demonstrated that sufficient pulsatility can be created by increasing its rotational speed in the systolic phase (pulsatile mode) in a normal heart animal model. In the present study, we assessed this system in its reliability and ability to follow heart rate variability. We implanted an EVAHEART via left thoracotomy into five goats for the Study for Fixed Heart Rate with ventricular pacing at 80, 100, 120 and 140 beats/min and six goats for the Study for native heart rhythm. We tested three modes: the circuit clamp, the continuous mode and the pulsatile mode. In the pulsatile mode, rotational speed was increased during the initial 35 % of the RR interval by automatic control based on the electrocardiogram. Pulsatility was evaluated by pulse pressure and dP/dt max of aortic pressure. As a result, comparing the pulsatile mode with the continuous mode, the pulse pressure was 28.5 ± 5.7 vs. 20.3 ± 7.9 mmHg, mean dP/dt max was 775.0 ± 230.5 vs 442.4 ± 184.7 mmHg/s at 80 bpm in the study for fixed heart rate, respectively (P < 0.05). The system successfully determined the heart rate to be 94.6 % in native heart rhythm. Furthermore, pulse pressure was 41.5 ± 7.9 vs. 27.8 ± 5.6 mmHg, mean dP/dt max was 716.2 ± 133.9 vs 405.2 ± 86.0 mmHg/s, respectively (P < 0.01). In conclusion, our newly developed the pulsatile mode for continuous-flow LVADs reliably provided physiological pulsatility with following heart rate variability.

Brine-in-crude-oil emulsions at the Strategic Petroleum Reserve

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

Nemer, Martin B.; Lord, David L.; MacDonald, Terry L.

2013-10-01

Metastable water-in-crude-oil emulsion formation could occur in a Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR) cavern if water were to flow into the crude-oil layer at a sufficient rate. Such a situation could arise during a drawdown from a cavern with a broken-hanging brine string. A high asphaltene content (> 1.5 wt %) of the crude oil provides the strongest predictor of whether a metastable water-in-crude-oil emulsion will form. However there are many crude oils with an asphaltene content > 1.5 wt % that don't form stable emulsions, but few with a low asphaltene content that do form stable emulsions. Most of themore » oils that form stable emulsions are "sour" by SPR standards indicating they contain total sulfur > 0.50 wt %.« less

Thermal acidization and recovery process for recovering viscous petroleum

DOEpatents

Poston, Robert S.

1984-01-01

A thermal acidization and recovery process for increasing production of heavy viscous petroleum crude oil and synthetic fuels from subterranean hydrocarbon formations containing clay particles creating adverse permeability effects is described. The method comprises injecting a thermal vapor stream through a well bore penetrating such formations to clean the formation face of hydrocarbonaceous materials which restrict the flow of fluids into the petroleum-bearing formation. Vaporized hydrogen chloride is then injected simultaneously to react with calcium and magnesium salts in the formation surrounding the bore hole to form water soluble chloride salts. Vaporized hydrogen fluoride is then injected simultaneously with its thermal vapor to dissolve water-sensitive clay particles thus increasing permeability. Thereafter, the thermal vapors are injected until the formation is sufficiently heated to permit increased recovery rates of the petroleum.

Inflation of Long Valley caldera, California, Basin and Range strain, and possible Mono Craters dike opening from 1990-94 GPS surveys

USGS Publications Warehouse

Marshall, G.A.; Langbein, J.; Stein, R.S.; Lisowski, M.; Svarc, J.

1997-01-01

Five years of annual Global Positioning System (GPS) surveys of a network centered on Long Valley, California, constrain displacement rates for these stations relative to a central station in the network. These observations are consistent with recent models of resurgent dome inflation in Long Valley (Langbein et al., 1995) and have sufficient signal to detect the presence of Basin and Range strain in the Long Valley region. The data also allow for the possibility of dike inflation beneath the Mono Craters; dike intrusion is consistent with the Mono Craters' recent geologic history of ash eruptions, with seismic tomography, leveling data, and geologic studies of these volcanic domes and flows. Copyright 1997 by the American Geophysical Union.

Point-vortex stability under the influence of an external periodic flow

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ortega, Rafael; Ortega, Víctor; Torres, Pedro J.

2018-05-01

We provide sufficient conditions for the stability of the particle advection around a fixed vortex in a two-dimensional ideal fluid under the action of a periodic background flow. The proof relies on the identification of closed invariant curves around the origin by means of Moser’s invariant curve theorem. Partially supported by Spanish MINECO and ERDF project MTM2014-52232-P.

Physiological Responses to Acute Exercise-Heat Stress

DTIC Science & Technology

1988-01-01

muscle contraction and to dissipate the associated heat release. In hot environments, the core to skin temperature gradient is reduced to skin blood flow needs to be relatively high (compared to cooler environments) to achieve heat transfer sufficient for thermal balance. In addition, sweat secretion can result in a reduced plasma (by dehydration) and thus blood volume. Both high skin blood flow and reduced plasma volume can reduce

A modified Fermi-Walker derivative for inextensible flows of binormal spherical image

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Suroğlu, Gülden Altay

2018-03-01

Fermi-Walker derivative and biharmonic particle play an important role in skillful applications. We obtain a new characterization on binormal spherical indicatrix by using the Fermi-Walker derivative and parallelism in space. We suggest that an inextensible flow is the necessary and sufficient condition for this particle. Finally, we give some characterizations for a non-rotating frame of this binormal spherical indicatrix.

Flow stagnation at Enceladus: The effects of neutral gas and charged dust

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Omidi, N.; Tokar, R. L.; Averkamp, T.; Gurnett, D. A.; Kurth, W. S.; Wang, Z.

2012-06-01

Enceladus is one of Saturn's most active moons. It ejects neutral gas and dust particles from its southern plumes with velocities of hundreds of meters per second. The interaction between the ejected material and the corotating plasma in Saturn's magnetosphere leads to flow deceleration in ways that remain to be understood. The most effective mechanism for the interaction between the corotating plasma and the neutral gas is charge exchange which replaces the hotter corotating ions with nearly stationary cold ions that are subsequently accelerated by the motional electric field. Dust particles in the plume can become electrically charged through electron absorption and couple to the plasma through the motional electric field. The objective of this study is to determine the level of flow deceleration associated with each of these processes using Cassini RPWS dust impact rates, Cassini Plasma Spectrometer (CAPS) plasma data, and 3-D electromagnetic hybrid (kinetic ions, fluid electrons) simulations. Hybrid simulations show that the degree of flow deceleration by charged dust varies considerably with the spatial distribution of dust particles. Based on the RPWS observations of dust impacts during the E7 Cassini flyby of Enceladus, we have constructed a dust model consisting of multiple plumes. Using this model in the hybrid simulation shows that when the dust density is high enough for complete absorption of electrons at the point of maximum dust density, the corotating flow is decelerated by only a few km/s. This is not sufficient to account for the CAPS observation of flow stagnation in the interaction region. On the other hand, charge exchange with neutral gas plumes similar to the modeled dust plumes but with base (plume opening) densities of ˜109 cm-3 result in flow deceleration similar to that observed by CAPS. The results indicate that charge exchange with neutral gas is the dominant mechanism for flow deceleration at Enceladus.

Development of a silicone hollow fiber membrane oxygenator for ECMO application.

PubMed

Yamane, S; Ohashi, Y; Sueoka, A; Sato, K; Kuwana, J; Nosé, Y

1998-01-01

A new silicone hollow fiber membrane oxygenator for extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) was developed using an ultrathin silicone hollow fiber, with a 300 microm outer diameter and a wall thickness of 50 microm. The hollow fibers were mechanically cross-wound on the flow distributor to achieve equal distribution of blood flow without changing the fiber shape. The housing, made of silicone coated acryl, was 236 mm long with an inner diameter of 60 mm. The surface area was 1.0 m2 for prototype 211, and 1.1 m2 for prototype 209. The silicone fiber length was 150 mm, and the silicone membrane packing density was 43% for prototype 211 and 36% for prototype 209. Prototype 211 has a priming volume of 208 ml, and prototype 209 has a priming volume of 228 ml. The prototype 211 oxygenator demonstrates a gas transfer rate of 120 +/- 5 ml/min (mean +/- SD) for O2 and 67 +/- 12 ml/min for CO2 under 2 L of blood flow and 4 L of O2 gas flow. Prototype 209 produced the same values. The blood side pressure drop was low compared with the silicone sheet oxygenator (Avecor, 1500ECMO). These results showed that this new oxygenator for ECMO had efficiency similar to the silicone sheet oxygenator that has a 50% larger surface area. These results suggest that the new generation oxygenator using an ultrathin silicone hollow fiber possesses sufficient gas transfer performance for long-term extracorporeal lung support.

Intrawellbore kinematic and frictional losses in a horizontal well in a bounded confined aquifer

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, Quanrong; Zhan, Hongbin

2017-01-01

Horizontal drilling has become an appealing technology for water resource exploration or aquifer remediation in recent decades, due to decreasing operational cost and many technical advantages over vertical wells. However, many previous studies on flow into horizontal wells were based on the Uniform Flux Boundary Condition (UFBC), which does not reflect the physical processes of flow inside the well accurately. In this study, we investigated transient flow into a horizontal well in an anisotropic confined aquifer laterally bounded by two constant-head boundaries. Three types of boundary conditions were employed to treat the horizontal well, including UFBC, Uniform-Head Boundary Condition (UHBC), and Mixed-Type Boundary Condition (MTBC). The MTBC model considered both kinematic and frictional effects inside the horizontal well, in which the kinematic effect referred to the accelerational and fluid-inflow effects. A new solution of UFBC was derived by superimposing the point sink/source solutions along the axis of a horizontal well with a uniform flux distribution. New solutions of UHBC and MTBC were obtained by a hybrid analytical-numerical method, and an iterative method was proposed to determine the well discretization required for achieving sufficiently accurate results. This study showed that the differences among the UFBC, UHBC, and MTBC solutions were obvious near the well screen, decreased with distance from the well, and became negligible near the constant-head boundary. The relationship between the flow rate and the drawdown was nonlinear for the MTBC solution, while it was linear for the UFBC and UHBC solutions.

Recent progress towards a physics-based understanding of the H-mode transition

DOE PAGES

Tynan, G. R.; Cziegler, I.; Diamond, P. H.; ...

2016-01-22

Results from recent experiment and numerical simulation point towards a picture of the L-H transition in which edge shear flows interacting with edge turbulence create the conditions needed to produce a non-zero turbulent Reynolds stress at and just inside the LCFS during L-mode discharges. This stress acts to reinforce the shear flow at this location and the flow drive gets stronger as heating is increased. The L-H transition ensues when the rate of work done by this stress is strong enough to drive the shear flow to large values, which then grows at the expense of the turbulence intensity. Themore » drop in turbulence intensity momentarily reduces the heat flux across the magnetic flux surface, which then allows the edge plasma pressure gradient to build. A sufficiently strong ion pressure gradient then locks in the H-mode state. The results are in general agreement with previously published reduced 0D and 1D predator prey models. An extended predator–prey model including separate ion and electron heat channels yields a non-monotonic power threshold dependence on plasma density provided that the fraction of heat deposited on the ions increases with plasma density. Possible mechanisms to explain other macroscopic transition threshold criteria are identified. A number of open questions and unexplained observations are identified, and must be addressed and resolved in order to build a physics-based model that can yield predictions of the macroscopic conditions needed for accessing H-mode.« less

Method and apparatus for producing composites of materials exhibiting thermoplastic properties

DOEpatents

Garvey, Raymond E.; Grostick, Edmund T.

1992-01-01

A mobile device for the complete consolidation of layers of material which exhibit thermoplastic properties for the formation of a composite of the layers upon a complex contoured substrate. The principal of the device is to provide heating into the molten temperature range of the thermoplastic material, applying sufficient pressure to the layers to cause flow of the plastic for a time sufficient to achieve full consolidation of the layers, and quickly cooling the structure to prevent delamination or other non-consolidation action. In the preferred form, there is an element to deposit a layer of the mateiral against another layer in close proximity. The two layers are pre-heated to near the melting temperature, and then further heated into the melting temperature range as they are brought into intimate contact with sufficient pressure to cause flow of the plastic for a time sufficient to achieve the full consolidation. The structure is then cooled. The mechanism for the application of pressure is selected such that the layers can be deformed to conform to a complex contour. In the preferred form, this pressurization is produced using a compliant hood that supplies both the pressure and at least a portion of the melting temperature, as well as the cooling. The apparatus, and method of operation, are described relative to the use of fiber-reinforced PEEK in the making of fully-consolidated composites. Other applications are discussed.

Flow behaviour of supercritical CO2 and brine in Berea sandstone during drainage and imbibition revealed by medical X-ray CT images

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhang, Yi; Nishizawa, Osamu; Kiyama, Tamotsu; Chiyonobu, Shun; Xue, Ziqiu

2014-06-01

We injected Berea sandstone with supercritical CO2 and imaged the results with a medical X-ray computed tomography (CT) scanner. The images were acquired by injecting CO2 into a core of brine-saturated sandstone (drainage), and additional images were acquired during reinjection of brine (imbibition) after drainage. We then analysed the temporal variations of CO2 saturation maps obtained from the CT images. The experiments were performed under a confining pressure of 12 MPa, a pore pressure of 10 MPa and a temperature of 40 °C. Porosity and CO2 saturation were calculated for each image voxel of the rock on the basis of the Hounsfield unit values (CT numbers) measured at three states of saturation: dry, full brine saturation and full CO2 saturation. The saturation maps indicated that the distributions of CO2 and brine were controlled by the sub-core-scale heterogeneities which consisted of a laminated structure (bedding) with high- and low-porosity layers. During drainage, CO2 preferentially flowed through the high-porosity layers where most of the CO2 was entrapped during low flow-rate imbibition. The entrapped CO2 was flushed out when high flow-rate imbibition commenced. Plots of the voxel's CT number against porosity revealed the relationship between fluid replacement and porosity. By reference to the CT numbers at the full brine-saturated stage, differential CT numbers were classified into three bins corresponding to voxel porosity: high, medium and low porosity. Distributions of the differential CT number for the three porosity bins were bimodal and in order with respect to the porosity bins during both drainage and imbibitions; however, the order differed between the two stages. This difference suggested that different replacement mechanisms operated for the two processes. Spatial autocorrelation of CO2 saturation maps on sections perpendicular to the flow direction revealed remarkable changes during passage of the replacement fronts during both drainage and imbibition, changes reflecting the interfingering pattern across the replacement fronts. Although the permeability differences between high- and low-porosity layers were not sufficiently large to disturb the uniform flow of brine, the CO2 concentration in the high-porosity layers may have been caused by the differences of capillary pressure between wide and narrow pore throats, perhaps enhanced by an invasion percolation mechanism in flow-path networks.

Effect of flow rate on environmental variables and phytoplankton dynamics: results from field enclosures

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhang, Haiping; Chen, Ruihong; Li, Feipeng; Chen, Ling

2015-03-01

To investigate the effects of flow rate on phytoplankton dynamics and related environment variables, a set of enclosure experiments with different flow rates were conducted in an artificial lake. We monitored nutrients, temperature, dissolved oxygen, pH, conductivity, turbidity, chlorophyll- a and phytoplankton levels. The lower biomass in all flowing enclosures showed that flow rate significantly inhibited the growth of phytoplankton. A critical flow rate occurred near 0.06 m/s, which was the lowest relative inhibitory rate. Changes in flow conditions affected algal competition for light, resulting in a dramatic shift in phytoplankton composition, from blue-green algae in still waters to green algae in flowing conditions. These findings indicate that critical flow rate can be useful in developing methods to reduce algal bloom occurrence. However, flow rate significantly enhanced the inter-relationships among environmental variables, in particular by inducing higher water turbidity and vegetative reproduction of periphyton ( Spirogyra). These changes were accompanied by a decrease in underwater light intensity, which consequently inhibited the photosynthetic intensity of phytoplankton. These results warn that a universal critical flow rate might not exist, because the effect of flow rate on phytoplankton is interlinked with many other environmental variables.

Syringe Pump Performance Maintained with IV Filter Use During Low Flow Rate Delivery for Pediatric Patients.

PubMed

Chau, Destiny F; Vasilopoulos, Terrie; Schoepf, Miriam; Zhang, Christina; Fahy, Brenda G

2016-09-01

Complex surgical and critically ill pediatric patients rely on syringe infusion pumps for precise delivery of IV medications. Low flow rates and in-line IV filter use may affect drug delivery. To determine the effects of an in-line filter to remove air and/or contaminants on syringe pump performance at low flow rates, we compared the measured rates with the programmed flow rates with and without in-line IV filters. Standardized IV infusion assemblies with and without IV filters (filter and control groups) attached to a 10-mL syringe were primed and then loaded onto a syringe pump and connected to a 16-gauge, 16-cm single-lumen catheter. The catheter was suspended in a normal saline fluid column to simulate the back pressure from central venous circulation. The delivered infusate was measured by gravimetric methods at predetermined time intervals, and flow rate was calculated. Experimental trials for initial programmed rates of 1.0, 0.8, 0.6, and 0.4 mL/h were performed in control and filter groups. For each trial, the flow rate was changed to double the initial flow rate and was then returned to the initial flow rate to analyze pump performance for titration of rates often required during medication administration. These conditions (initial rate, doubling of initial rate, and return to initial rate) were analyzed separately for steady-state flow rate and time to steady state, whereas their average was used for percent deviation analysis. Differences between control and filter groups were assessed using Student t tests with adjustment for multiplicity (using n = 3 replications per group). Mean time from 0 to initial flow (startup delay) was <1 minute in both groups with no statistical difference between groups (P = 1.0). The average time to reach steady-state flow after infusion startup or rate changes was not statistically different between the groups (range, 0.8-5.5 minutes), for any flow rate or part of the trial (initial rate, doubling of initial rate, and return to initial rate), although the study was underpowered to detect small time differences. Overall, the mean steady-state flow rate for each trial was below the programmed flow rate with negative mean percent deviations for each trial. In the 1.0-mL/h initial rate trial, the steady-state flow rate attained was lower in the filter than the control group for the initial rate (P = 0.04) and doubling of initial rate (P = 0.04) with a trend during the return to initial rate (P = 0.06), although this same effect was not observed when doubling the initial rate trials of 0.8 or 0.6 mL/h or any other rate trials compared with the control group. With low flow rates used in complex surgical and pediatric critically ill patients, the addition of IV filters did not confer statistically significant changes in startup delay, flow variability, or time to reach steady-state flow of medications administered by syringe infusion pumps. The overall flow rate was lower than programmed flow rate with or without a filter.

Thermofluidic compression effects to achieve combustion in a low-compression scramjet engine

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Moura, A. F.; Wheatley, V.; Jahn, I.

2018-07-01

The compression provided by a scramjet inlet is an important parameter in its design. It must be low enough to limit thermal and structural loads and stagnation pressure losses, but high enough to provide the conditions favourable for combustion. Inlets are typically designed to achieve sufficient compression without accounting for the fluidic, and subsequently thermal, compression provided by the fuel injection, which can enable robust combustion in a low-compression engine. This is investigated using Reynolds-averaged Navier-Stokes numerical simulations of a simplified scramjet engine designed to have insufficient compression to auto-ignite fuel in the absence of thermofluidic compression. The engine was designed with a wide rectangular combustor and a single centrally located injector, in order to reduce three-dimensional effects of the walls on the fuel plume. By varying the injected mass flow rate of hydrogen fuel (equivalence ratios of 0.22, 0.17, and 0.13), it is demonstrated that higher equivalence ratios lead to earlier ignition and more rapid combustion, even though mean conditions in the combustor change by no more than 5% for pressure and 3% for temperature with higher equivalence ratio. By supplementing the lower equivalence ratio with helium to achieve a higher mass flow rate, it is confirmed that these benefits are primarily due to the local compression provided by the extra injected mass. Investigation of the conditions around the fuel plume indicated two connected mechanisms. The higher mass flow rate for higher equivalence ratios generated a stronger injector bow shock that compresses the free-stream gas, increasing OH radical production and promoting ignition. This was observed both in the higher equivalence ratio case and in the case with helium. This earlier ignition led to increased temperature and pressure downstream and, consequently, stronger combustion. The heat release from combustion provided thermal compression in the combustor, further increasing combustion efficiency.

Thermofluidic compression effects to achieve combustion in a low-compression scramjet engine

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Moura, A. F.; Wheatley, V.; Jahn, I.

2017-12-01

The compression provided by a scramjet inlet is an important parameter in its design. It must be low enough to limit thermal and structural loads and stagnation pressure losses, but high enough to provide the conditions favourable for combustion. Inlets are typically designed to achieve sufficient compression without accounting for the fluidic, and subsequently thermal, compression provided by the fuel injection, which can enable robust combustion in a low-compression engine. This is investigated using Reynolds-averaged Navier-Stokes numerical simulations of a simplified scramjet engine designed to have insufficient compression to auto-ignite fuel in the absence of thermofluidic compression. The engine was designed with a wide rectangular combustor and a single centrally located injector, in order to reduce three-dimensional effects of the walls on the fuel plume. By varying the injected mass flow rate of hydrogen fuel (equivalence ratios of 0.22, 0.17, and 0.13), it is demonstrated that higher equivalence ratios lead to earlier ignition and more rapid combustion, even though mean conditions in the combustor change by no more than 5% for pressure and 3% for temperature with higher equivalence ratio. By supplementing the lower equivalence ratio with helium to achieve a higher mass flow rate, it is confirmed that these benefits are primarily due to the local compression provided by the extra injected mass. Investigation of the conditions around the fuel plume indicated two connected mechanisms. The higher mass flow rate for higher equivalence ratios generated a stronger injector bow shock that compresses the free-stream gas, increasing OH radical production and promoting ignition. This was observed both in the higher equivalence ratio case and in the case with helium. This earlier ignition led to increased temperature and pressure downstream and, consequently, stronger combustion. The heat release from combustion provided thermal compression in the combustor, further increasing combustion efficiency.

Sequestration of Sr-90 Subsurface Contamination in the Hanford 100-N Area by Surface Infiltration of a Ca-Citrate-Phosphate Solution

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

Szecsody, James E.; Rockhold, Mark L.; Oostrom, Martinus

The objective of this project is to develop a method to emplace apatite precipitate in the 100N vadose zone, which results in sorption and ultimately incorporation of Sr-90 into the apatite structure. The Ca-citrate-PO4 solution can be infiltrated into unsaturated sediments to result in apatite precipitate to provide effective treatment of Sr-90 contamination. Microbial redistribution during solution infiltration and a high rate of citrate biodegradation for river water microbes (water used for solution infiltration) results in a relatively even spatial distribution of the citrate biodegradation rate and ultimately apatite precipitate in the sediment. Manipulation of the Ca-citrate-PO4 solution infiltration strategymore » can be used to result in apatite precipitate in the lower half of the vadose zone (where most of the Sr-90 is located) and within low-K layers (which are hypothesized to have higher Sr-90 concentrations). The most effective infiltration strategy to precipitate apatite at depth (and with sufficient lateral spread) was to infiltrate a high concentration solution (6 mM Ca, 15 mM citrate, 60 mM PO4) at a rapid rate (near ponded conditions), followed by rapid, then slow water infiltration. Repeated infiltration events, with sufficient time between events to allow water drainage in the sediment profile can be used to buildup the mass of apatite precipitate at greater depth. Low-K heterogeneities were effectively treated, as the higher residual water content maintained in these zones resulted in higher apatite precipitate concentration. High-K zones did not receive sufficient treatment by infiltration, although an alternative strategy of air/surfactant (foam) was demonstrated effective for targeting high-K zones. The flow rate manipulation used in this study to treat specific depths and heterogeneities are not as easy to implement at field scale due to the lack of characterization of heterogeneities and difficulty tracking the wetting front over a large subsurface area. However, the use of real-time surface and cross-borehole geophysics can be used to track the infiltrating Ca-citrate-PO4 front so some adjustments can be made in the infiltration rate to precipitate apatite in desired zones. In addition, the reactive transport code used in this study with field scale physical parameters for sediments can be used to evaluate infiltration strategies along with preliminary water infiltration tests at field scale.« less

Data Base for CFD Validation

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Deiwert, George S.

1997-01-01

The flow behind the shock wave formed around objects which fly at hypervelocity behaves differently from that of a perfect gas. Molecules become vibrationally excited, dissociated, and ionized. The hot gas may emit or absorb radiation. When the atoms produced by dissociation reach the wall surface, chemical reactions, including recombination, may occur. The thermochemical phenomena of vibration, dissociation, ionization, surface chemical reaction, and radiation are referred to commonly as high-temperature real-gas phenomena. The phenomena cause changes in the dynamic behavior of the flow and the surface pressure and heat transfer distribution around the object. The character of a real gas is described by the internal degrees of freedom and state of constituent molecules; nitrogen and oxygen for air. The internal energy states, rotation, vibration and electronic, of the molecules are excited and, in the limit, the molecular bonds are exceeded and the gas dissociated into atomic and, possibly, ionic constituents. The process of energy transfer causing excitation, dissociation and recombination is a rate process controlled by particle collisions. Binary, two-body, collisions are sufficient to cause internal excitation, dissociation and ionization while three-body collisions are required to recombine the particles into molecular constituents. If the rates of energy transfer are fast with respect to the local fluid dynamic time scale the gas is in, or nearly in, equilibrium. If the energy transfer rates are very slow the gas can be described as frozen. In all other instances, wherein any of the energy exchange rates are comparable to the local fluid time scale, the gas will be thermally or chemically reacting and out of equilibrium. Real gas thermochemical nonequilibrium processes are important in the determination of aerodynamic heating; both convective (including wall catalytic effects) and radiative heating. To illustrate this we consider the hypervelocity flow over a bluff body typical of an atmospheric entry vehicle or an aerospace transfer vehicle (ASTV). The qualitative aspects of a hypersonic flow field over a bluff body are discussed in two parts, forebody and afterbody, with attention to which particular physical effects must be included in an analysis. This will indicate what type of numerical modeling will be adequate in each region of the flow. A bluff forebody flow field is dominated by the presence of the strong bow shock wave and the consequent heating, and chemical reaction of the gas. At high altitude hypersonic flight conditions the thermal excitation and chemical reaction of the gas occur slowly enough that a significant portion of the flow field is in a state of thermochemical nonequilibrium. A second important effect is the presence of the thick boundary layer along the forebody surface. In this region there are large thermal and chemical species gradients due to the interaction of the gas with the wall. Also at high altitudes the shock wave and the boundary layer may become so thick that they merge; in this case the entire shock layer is dominated by viscous effects.

Dynamics of lava flow - Thickness growth characteristics of steady two-dimensional flow

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Park, S.; Iversen, J. D.

1984-01-01

The thickness growth characteristics of flowing lava are investigated using a heat balance model and a two-dimensional model for flow of a Bingham plastic fluid down an inclined plane. It is found that yield strength plays a crucial role in the thickening of a lava flow of given flow rate. To illustrate this point, downstream thickness profiles and yield strength distributions were calculated for flows with mass flow rates of 10,000 and 100,000 kg/m-sec. Higher flow rates led to slow cooling rates which resulted in slow rate of increase of yield strength and thus greater flow lengths.

The relation between saliva flow after different stimulations and the perception of flavor and texture attributes in custard desserts.

PubMed

Engelen, Lina; de Wijk, Rene A; Prinz, Jon F; van der Bilt, Andries; Bosman, Frits

2003-01-01

Salivary flow rates were measured at rest and after three types of stimulation; odor, Parafilm chewing, and citric acid. The highest flow rate was elicited by citric acid followed by Parafilm and odor, while the lowest flow rate was unstimulated. In order to investigate whether and how the amount of saliva a subject produces influences the sensory ratings, the four types of salivary flow rates were correlated with sensory ratings of three different types of vanilla custard dessert. No significant correlation could be found between any of the salivary flow rates and the sensory ratings. A subject with a larger saliva flow rate during eating did not rate the foods differently from a subject with less saliva flow. The same pattern was seen for all types of stimulation. This finding could indicate that subjects are used to their respective amounts of saliva to such a degree that the differences in sensory ratings between subjects cannot be explained by the interindividual difference in saliva flow rate.

Groundwater flow, heat transport, and water table position within volcanic edifices: Implications for volcanic processes in the Cascade Range

USGS Publications Warehouse

Hurwitz, S.; Kipp, K.L.; Ingebritsen, S.E.; Reid, M.E.

2003-01-01

The position of the water table within a volcanic edifice has significant implications for volcano hazards, geothermal energy, and epithermal mineralization. We have modified the HYDROTHERM numerical simulator to allow for a free-surface (water table) upper boundary condition and a wide range of recharge rates, heat input rates, and thermodynamic conditions representative of continental volcano-hydrothermal systems. An extensive set of simulations was performed on a hypothetical stratovolcano system with unconfined groundwater flow. Simulation results suggest that the permeability structure of the volcanic edifice and underlying material is the dominant control on water table elevation and the distribution of pressures, temperatures, and fluid phases at depth. When permeabilities are isotropic, water table elevation decreases with increasing heat flux and increases with increasing recharge, but when permeabilities are anisotropic, these effects can be much less pronounced. Several conditions facilitate the ascent of a hydrothermal plume into a volcanic edifice: a sufficient source of heat and magmatic volatiles at depth, strong buoyancy forces, and a relatively weak topography-driven flow system. Further, the plume must be connected to a deep heat source through a pathway with a time-averaged effective permeability ???1 ?? 10-16 m2, which may be maintained by frequent seismicity. Topography-driven flow may be retarded by low permeability in the edifice and/or the lack of precipitation recharge; in the latter case, the water table may be relatively deep. Simulation results were compared with observations from the Quaternary stratovolcanoes along the Cascade Range of the western United States to infer hydrothermal processes within the edifices. Extensive ice caps on many Cascade Range stratovolcanoes may restrict recharge on the summits and uppermost flanks. Both the simulation results and limited observational data allow for the possibility that the water table beneath the stratovolcanoes is relatively deep.

Simultaneous estimation of aquifer thickness, conductivity, and BC using borehole and hydrodynamic data with geostatistical inverse direct method

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gao, F.; Zhang, Y.

2017-12-01

A new inverse method is developed to simultaneously estimate aquifer thickness and boundary conditions using borehole and hydrodynamic measurements from a homogeneous confined aquifer under steady-state ambient flow. This method extends a previous groundwater inversion technique which had assumed known aquifer geometry and thickness. In this research, thickness inversion was successfully demonstrated when hydrodynamic data were supplemented with measured thicknesses from boreholes. Based on a set of hybrid formulations which describe approximate solutions to the groundwater flow equation, the new inversion technique can incorporate noisy observed data (i.e., thicknesses, hydraulic heads, Darcy fluxes or flow rates) at measurement locations as a set of conditioning constraints. Given sufficient quantity and quality of the measurements, the inverse method yields a single well-posed system of equations that can be solved efficiently with nonlinear optimization. The method is successfully tested on two-dimensional synthetic aquifer problems with regular geometries. The solution is stable when measurement errors are increased, with error magnitude reaching up to +/- 10% of the range of the respective measurement. When error-free observed data are used to condition the inversion, the estimated thickness is within a +/- 5% error envelope surrounding the true value; when data contain increasing errors, the estimated thickness become less accurate, as expected. Different combinations of measurement types are then investigated to evaluate data worth. Thickness can be inverted with the combination of observed heads and at least one of the other types of observations such as thickness, Darcy fluxes, or flow rates. Data requirement of the new inversion method is thus not much different from that of interpreting classic well tests. Future work will improve upon this research by developing an estimation strategy for heterogeneous aquifers while drawdown data from hydraulic tests will also be incorporated as conditioning measurements.

Anisotropy of MHD Turbulence at Low Magnetic Reynolds Number

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Zikanov, O.; Vorobev, A.; Thess, A.; Davidson, P. A.; Knaepen, B.

2004-01-01

Turbulent fluctuations in MHD flows are known to become dimensionally anisotropic under the action of a sufficiently strong magnetic field. We consider the technologically relevant case of low magnetic Reynolds number and apply the method of DNS of forced flow in a periodic box to generate velocity fields. The analysis based on different anisotropy characteristics shows that the dimensional anisotropy is virtually scale-independent. We also find that, except for the case of very strong magnetic field, the flow is componentally isotropic. Its kinetic energy is practically uniformly distributed among the velocity components.