Vaporization chambers and associated methods

DOEpatents

Turner, Terry D.; Wilding, Bruce M.; McKellar, Michael G.; Shunn, Lee P.

2017-02-21

A vaporization chamber may include at least one conduit and a shell. The at least one conduit may have an inlet at a first end, an outlet at a second end and a flow path therebetween. The shell may surround a portion of each conduit and define a chamber surrounding the portion of each conduit. Additionally, a plurality of discrete apertures may be positioned at longitudinal intervals in a wall of each conduit, each discrete aperture of the plurality of discrete apertures sized and configured to direct a jet of fluid into each conduit from the chamber. A liquid may be vaporized by directing a first fluid comprising a liquid into the inlet at the first end of each conduit, directing jets of a second fluid into each conduit from the chamber through discrete apertures in a wall of each conduit and transferring heat from the second fluid to the first fluid.

Apparatus for controlling fluid flow in a conduit wall

DOEpatents

Glass, S. Jill; Nicolaysen, Scott D.; Beauchamp, Edwin K.

2003-05-13

A frangible rupture disk and mounting apparatus for use in blocking fluid flow, generally in a fluid conducting conduit such as a well casing, a well tubing string or other conduits within subterranean boreholes. The disk can also be utilized in above-surface pipes or tanks where temporary and controllable fluid blockage is required. The frangible rupture disk is made from a pre-stressed glass with controllable rupture properties wherein the strength distribution has a standard deviation less than approximately 5% from the mean strength. The frangible rupture disk has controllable operating pressures and rupture pressures.

Secondary air injection system and method

DOEpatents

Wu, Ko-Jen; Walter, Darrell J.

2014-08-19

According to one embodiment of the invention, a secondary air injection system includes a first conduit in fluid communication with at least one first exhaust passage of the internal combustion engine and a second conduit in fluid communication with at least one second exhaust passage of the internal combustion engine, wherein the at least one first and second exhaust passages are in fluid communication with a turbocharger. The system also includes an air supply in fluid communication with the first and second conduits and a flow control device that controls fluid communication between the air supply and the first conduit and the second conduit and thereby controls fluid communication to the first and second exhaust passages of the internal combustion engine.

Airfoil-Shaped Fluid Flow Tool for Use in Making Differential Measurements

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

England, John Dwight (Inventor); Kelley, Anthony R. (Inventor); Cronise, Raymond J. (Inventor)

2014-01-01

A fluid flow tool includes an airfoil structure and a support arm. The airfoil structure's high-pressure side and low-pressure side are positioned in a conduit by the support arm coupled to the conduit. The high-pressure and low-pressure sides substantially face opposing walls of the conduit. At least one measurement port is formed in the airfoil structure at each of its high-pressure side and low-pressure side. A first manifold, formed in the airfoil structure and in fluid communication with each measurement port so-formed at the high-pressure side, extends through the airfoil structure and support arm to terminate and be accessible at the exterior wall of the conduit. A second manifold, formed in the airfoil structure and in fluid communication with each measurement port so-formed at the low-pressure side, extends through the airfoil structure and support arm to terminate and be accessible at the exterior wall of the conduit.

Water displacement mercury pump

DOEpatents

Nielsen, Marshall G.

1985-01-01

A water displacement mercury pump has a fluid inlet conduit and diffuser, a valve, a pressure cannister, and a fluid outlet conduit. The valve has a valve head which seats in an opening in the cannister. The entire assembly is readily insertable into a process vessel which produces mercury as a product. As the mercury settles, it flows into the opening in the cannister displacing lighter material. When the valve is in a closed position, the pressure cannister is sealed except for the fluid inlet conduit and the fluid outlet conduit. Introduction of a lighter fluid into the cannister will act to displace a heavier fluid from the cannister via the fluid outlet conduit. The entire pump assembly penetrates only a top wall of the process vessel, and not the sides or the bottom wall of the process vessel. This insures a leak-proof environment and is especially suitable for processing of hazardous materials.

Water displacement mercury pump

DOEpatents

Nielsen, M.G.

1984-04-20

A water displacement mercury pump has a fluid inlet conduit and diffuser, a valve, a pressure cannister, and a fluid outlet conduit. The valve has a valve head which seats in an opening in the cannister. The entire assembly is readily insertable into a process vessel which produces mercury as a product. As the mercury settles, it flows into the opening in the cannister displacing lighter material. When the valve is in a closed position, the pressure cannister is sealed except for the fluid inlet conduit and the fluid outlet conduit. Introduction of a lighter fluid into the cannister will act to displace a heavier fluid from the cannister via the fluid outlet conduit. The entire pump assembly penetrates only a top wall of the process vessel, and not the sides or the bottom wall of the process vessel. This insures a leak-proof environment and is especially suitable for processing of hazardous materials.

Balanced Orifice Plate

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Kelley, Anthony R. (Inventor); Buskirk, Paul D. (Inventor)

2006-01-01

An orifice plate for use in a conduit through which fluid flows is defined by a central circular region having a radius R, and a ring-shaped region surrounding the central circular region. The ring-shaped region has holes formed therethrough with those holes centered at each radius R thereof satisfying a relationship A(sub R)=al(X(sub R)V(sub R)(sup b)) where A(sub R) is a sum of areas of those holes having centers at radius R, X(sub R) is a flow coefficient at radius R, V(sub R) is a velocity of the fluid that is to flow through the conduit at radius R, b is a constant selected to make at least one process variable (associated with the fluid that is to flow through the conduit) approximately equal at each radius R, and a is a constant that is equal to (X(sub R)A(sub R)V(sub R)(sup b)) at each radius R.

Fluid pipeline leak detection and location with miniature RF tags

DOEpatents

McIntyre, Timothy J.

2017-05-16

Sensors locate troublesome leaks in pipes or conduits that carry a flowing medium. These sensors, through tailored physical and geometric properties, preferentially seek conduit leaks or breaches due to flow streaming. The sensors can be queried via transceivers outside the conduit or located and interrogated inside by submersible unmanned vehicle to identify and characterize the nature of a leak. The sensors can be functionalized with other capabilities for additional leak and pipeline characterization if needed. Sensors can be recovered from a conduit flow stream and reused for future leak detection activities.

Heat exchanger with oscillating flow

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Scotti, Stephen J. (Inventor); Blosser, Max L. (Inventor); Camarda, Charles J. (Inventor)

1992-01-01

Various heat exchange apparatuses are described in which an oscillating flow of primary coolant is used to dissipate an incident heat flux. The oscillating flow may be imparted by a reciprocating piston, a double action twin reciprocating piston, fluidic oscillators, or electromagnetic pumps. The oscillating fluid flows through at least one conduit in either an open loop or a closed loop. A secondary flow of coolant may be used to flow over the outer walls of at least one conduit to remove heat transferred from the primary coolant to the walls of the conduit.

Heat exchanger with oscillating flow

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Scotti, Stephen J. (Inventor); Blosser, Max L. (Inventor); Camarda, Charles J. (Inventor)

1993-01-01

Various heat exchange apparatuses are described in which an oscillating flow of primary coolant is used to dissipate an incident heat flux. The oscillating flow may be imparted by a reciprocating piston, a double action twin reciprocating piston, fluidic oscillators or electromagnetic pumps. The oscillating fluid flows through at least one conduit in either an open loop or a closed loop. A secondary flow of coolant may be used to flow over the outer walls of at least one conduit to remove heat transferred from the primary coolant to the walls of the conduit.

Insights into Volcanic Tremor: A Linear Stability Analysis of Waves Propagating Along Fluid-Filled Cracks

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lipovsky, B.; Dunham, E. M.

2012-12-01

Crack waves are guided waves along fluid-filled cracks that propagate with phase velocity less than the sound wave speed. Chouet (JGR, 1986) and Ferrazzini and Aki (JGR, 1977) have shown that such waves could explain volcanic tremor in terms of the resonant modes of a finite length magma-filled crack. Based on an idealized lumped-parameter model, Julian (JGR, 1994) further proposed that the steady flow of a viscous magma in a volcanic conduit is unstable to perturbations, leading to self-excited oscillations of the conduit walls and radiation of seismic waves. Our objective is to evaluate the possibility of self-excited oscillations within a rigorous, continuum framework. Our specific focus has been on basaltic fissure eruptions. In a typical basaltic fissure system, the magnitudes of the wave restoring forces, fluid compressibility and wall elasticity, are highly depth dependent. Because of the elevated fluid compressibility from gas exsolution at shallow depths, fluid pressure perturbations in this regime propagate as acoustic waves with effectively rigid conduit walls. Below the exsolution depth, the conduit walls are more compliant relative to the magma compressibility and perturbations propagate as dispersive crack waves. Viscous magma flow through such a fissure will evolve to a fully developed state characterized by a parabolic velocity profile in several to tens of seconds. This time scale is greater than harmonic tremor periods, typically 0.1 to 1 second. A rigorous treatment of the wave response to pressure perturbations therefore requires a general analysis of conduit flow that is not in a fully developed state. We present a linearized analysis of the coupled fluid and elastic response to general flow perturbations. We assume that deformation of the wall is linear elastic. As our focus is on wavelengths greatly exceeding the crack width, fluid flow is described by a quasi-one dimensional, or width-averaged, model. We account for conservation of magma mass and momentum including compressibility and viscous drag. Our analysis further assumes small perturbations about a steady background flow, a linearized isothermal equation of state, and a nominally constant width channel. We confirm Julian's results that sufficiently rapid flow through a deformable-walled conduit is unstable to perturbations in the form of crack waves. Instability occurs when drag reduction from opening the conduit exceeds the increase in drag from increased fluid velocity. Crack waves are most unstable at long wavelengths, where the conduit becomes more compliant. In the long wavelength limit, we find a simple expression for the critical flow speed beyond which crack waves are unstable: u = c / 2, where c is the crack wave phase velocity. The instability condition is remarkably independent of viscosity. This result more rigorously confirms the conclusion of Dunham and Ogden (2012, J. App. Mech.), who found the same instability criterion under the limiting assumption of fully developed flow. In a typical basaltic system the occurrence of this instability requires flow speeds exceeding ~50 m/s at depths where magma is primarily liquid melt with little exsolved gas. At these depths, flow speeds of this order are unlikely to occur. We conclude that harmonic tremor due to self-excited oscillations is unlikely to occur in nature.

Method and apparatus for improving heat transfer in a fluidized bed

DOEpatents

Lessor, Delbert L.; Robertus, Robert J.

1990-01-01

An apparatus contains a fluidized bed that includes particles of different triboelectrical types, each particle type acquiring an opposite polarity upon contact. The contact may occur between particles of the two types or between particles of etiher type and structure or fluid present in the apparatus. A fluidizing gas flow is passed through the particles to produce the fluidized bed. Immersed within the bed are electrodes. An alternating EMF source connected to the electrodes applies an alternating electric field across the fluidized bed to cause particles of the first type to move relative to particles of the second type and relative to the gas flow. In a heat exchanger incorporating the apparatus, the electrodes are conduits conveying a fluid to be heated. The two particle types alternately contact each conduit to transfer heat from a hot gas flow to the second fluid within the conduit.

Method and apparatus for a catalytic firebox reactor

DOEpatents

Smith, Lance L.; Etemad, Shahrokh; Ulkarim, Hasan; Castaldi, Marco J.; Pfefferle, William C.

2001-01-01

A catalytic firebox reactor employing an exothermic catalytic reaction channel and multiple cooling conduits for creating a partially reacted fuel/oxidant mixture. An oxidation catalyst is deposited on the walls forming the boundary between the multiple cooling conduits and the exothermic catalytic reaction channel, on the side of the walls facing the exothermic catalytic reaction channel. This configuration allows the oxidation catalyst to be backside cooled by any fluid passing through the cooling conduits. The heat of reaction is added to both the fluid in the exothermic catalytic reaction channel and the fluid passing through the cooling conduits. After discharge of the fluids from the exothermic catalytic reaction channel, the fluids mix to create a single combined flow. A further innovation in the reactor incorporates geometric changes in the exothermic catalytic reaction channel to provide streamwise variation of the velocity of the fluids in the reactor.

Transpiring purging access probe for particulate laden or hazardous environments

DOEpatents

VanOsdol, John G

2013-12-03

An access probe for remote-sensing access through a viewing port, viewing volume, and access port into a vessel. The physical boundary around the viewing volume is partially formed by a porous sleeve lying between the viewing volume and a fluid conduit. In a first mode of operation, a fluid supplied to the fluid conduit encounters the porous sleeve and flows through the porous material to maintain the viewing volume free of ash or other matter. When additional fluid force is needed to clear the viewing volume, the pressure of the fluid flow is increased sufficiently to slidably translate the porous sleeve, greatly increasing the flow into the viewing volume. The porous sleeve is returned to position by an actuating spring. The access probe thereby provides for alternate modes of operation based on the pressure of an actuating fluid.

Flow through in situ reactors with suction lysimeter sampling capability and methods of using

DOEpatents

Radtke, Corey W [Idaho Falls, ID; Blackwelder, D Brad [Blackfoot, ID; Hubbell, Joel M [Idaho Falls, ID

2009-11-17

An in situ reactor for use in a geological strata includes a liner defining a centrally disposed passageway and a sampling conduit received within the passageway. The sampling conduit may be used to receive a geological speciment derived from geological strata therein and a lysimeter is disposed within the sampling conduit in communication with the geological specimen. Fluid may be added to the geological specimen through the passageway defined by the liner, between an inside surface of the liner and an outside surface of the sampling conduit. A distal portion of the sampling conduit may be in fluid communication with the passageway.

Momentum transfer conduits -- A new microscopic look at porous media

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

Moaveni, S.

In this paper, the flow of fluid through porous media is investigated on a microscopic scale by representing a porous medium by an assemblage of hypothetical conduits through which the fluid momentum is transferred across the medium. It is shown that the rate of transfer of fluid momentum depends on the geometrical structure of the conduits such as the number density of momentum transfer conduits (MTCs), the length distribution and the directional distribution of these hypothetical conduits. In addition an expression for the total number of momentum transfer conduits reaching an arbitrary areal element is developed. Finally, an average heightmore » normal to an arbitrary areal element at which the MTCs were last discharged is formulated. This idea leads to definition of momentum thickness, which in turn may be used to define an effective (pseudo) viscosity for a given porous medium.« less

Boosting devices with integral features for recirculating exhaust gas

DOEpatents

Wu, Ko-Jen

2015-12-22

According to one embodiment of the invention, a turbine housing includes a turbine inlet in fluid communication with a turbine volute configured to house a turbine wheel, the turbine inlet configured to direct an exhaust gas flow from an engine to the turbine wheel. The turbine housing also includes a turbine outlet in fluid communication with the turbine volute, the turbine outlet configured to direct the exhaust gas flow to an exhaust gas conduit and a first exhaust gas recirculation supply port located on and in fluid communication with the turbine outlet, the first exhaust gas recirculation supply port being configured to direct a portion of the exhaust gas flow to an exhaust gas recirculation supply conduit.

Fluid-bed air-supply system

DOEpatents

Atabay, Keramettin

1979-01-01

The air-supply system for a fluidized-bed furnace includes two air conduits for the same combustion zone. The conduits feed separate sets of holes in a distributor plate through which fluidizing air flows to reach the bed. During normal operation, only one conduit and set of holes is used, but the second conduit and set of holes is employed during start-up.

Hydraulic pump with in-ground filtration and monitoring capability

DOEpatents

Hopkins, C.D.; Livingston, R.R.; Toole, W.R. Jr.

1995-01-01

A hydraulically operated pump is described for in-ground filtering and monitoring of wells or other fluid sources, including a hollow cylindrical pump housing with an inlet and an outlet, filtering devices positioned in the inlet and the outlet, a piston that fits slidably within the pump housing, and an optical cell in fluid communication with the pump housing. A conduit within the piston allows fluid communication between the exterior and one end of the piston. A pair of O-rings form a seal between the inside of the pump housing and the exterior of the piston. A flow valve positioned within the piston inside the conduit allows fluid to flow in a single direction. In operation, fluid enters the pump housing through the inlet, flows through the conduit and towards an end of the pump housing. The piston then makes a downward stroke closing the valve, thus forcing the fluid out from the pump housing into the optical cell, which then takes spectrophotometric measurements of the fluid. A spring helps return the piston back to its starting position, so that a new supply of fluid may enter the pump housing and the downward stroke can begin again. The pump may be used independently of the optical cell, as a sample pump to transport a sample fluid from a source to a container for later analysis.

Hydraulic pump with in-ground filtration and monitoring capability

DOEpatents

Hopkins, C.D.; Livingston, R.R.; Toole, W.R. Jr.

1996-10-29

A hydraulically operated pump is described for in-ground filtering and monitoring of waters or other fluid sources, includes a hollow cylindrical pump housing with an inlet and an outlet, filtering devices positioned in the inlet and the outlet, a piston that fits slidably within the pump housing, and an optical cell in fluid communication with the pump housing. A conduit within the piston allows fluid communication between the exterior and one end of the piston. A pair of o-rings form a seal between the inside of the pump housing and the exterior of the piston. A flow valve positioned within the piston inside the conduit allows fluid to flow in a single direction. In operation, fluid enters the pump housing through the inlet, flows through the conduit and towards an end of the pump housing. The piston then makes a downward stroke closing the valve, thus forcing the fluid out from the pump housing into the optical cell, which then takes spectrophotometric measurements of the fluid. A spring helps return the piston back to its starting position, so that a new supply of fluid may enter the pump housing and the downward stroke can begin again. The pump may be used independently of the optical cell, as a sample pump to transport a sample fluid from a source to a container for later analysis. 5 figs.

Hydraulic pump with in-ground filtration and monitoring capability

DOEpatents

Hopkins, Charles D.; Livingston, Ronald R.; Toole, Jr., William R.

1996-01-01

A hydraulically operated pump for in-ground filtering and monitoring of ws or other fluid sources, including a hollow cylindrical pump housing with an inlet and an outlet, filtering devices positioned in the inlet and the outlet, a piston that fits slidably within the pump housing, and an optical cell in fluid communication with the pump housing. A conduit within the piston allows fluid communication between the exterior and one end of the piston. A pair of o-rings form a seal between the inside of the pump housing and the exterior of the piston. A flow valve positioned within the piston inside the conduit allows fluid to flow in a single direction. In operation, fluid enters the pump housing through the inlet, flows through the conduit and towards an end of the pump housing. The piston then makes a downward stroke closing the valve, thus forcing the fluid out from the pump housing into the optical cell, which then takes spectrophotometric measurements of the fluid. A spring helps return the piston back to its starting position, so that a new supply of fluid may enter the pump housing and the downward stroke can begin again. The pump may be used independently of the optical cell, as a sample pump to transport a sample fluid from a source to a container for later analysis.

Flow plug with length-to-hole size uniformity for use in flow conditioning and flow metering

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

England, John Dwight (Inventor); Kelley, Anthony R. (Inventor)

2012-01-01

A flow plug of varying thickness has a plurality of holes formed therethrough. The plug fits in a conduit such that a fluid flow in the conduit passes through the plug's holes. Each hole is defined by a parameter indicative of size in terms of the cross-sectional area thereof. A ratio of hole length-to-parameter is approximately the same for all of the holes.

Fuel cell repeater unit including frame and separator plate

DOEpatents

Yamanis, Jean; Hawkes, Justin R; Chiapetta, Jr., Louis; Bird, Connie E; Sun, Ellen Y; Croteau, Paul F

2013-11-05

An example fuel cell repeater includes a separator plate and a frame establishing at least a portion of a flow path that is operative to communicate fuel to or from at least one fuel cell held by the frame relative to the separator plate. The flow path has a perimeter and any fuel within the perimeter flow across the at least one fuel cell in a first direction. The separator plate, the frame, or both establish at least one conduit positioned outside the flow path perimeter. The conduit is outside of the flow path perimeter and is configured to direct flow in a second, different direction. The conduit is fluidly coupled with the flow path.

Characterization of Fluid Oscillations at Kilauea Volcano Through Time-Dependent Modeling of Seismic Displacements from Rockfall Events

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Karlstrom, L.; Dunham, E. M.; Thelen, W. A.; Patrick, M. R.; Liang, C.; Prochnow, B. N.

2015-12-01

Beginning with the opening of a summit vent in 2008, Kilauea's (Hawaíi) summit eruption has exhibited frequent rockfalls from the crater walls into the active lava lake. These events perturb the lake surface, causing vigorous outgassing and sometimes explosions. A network of broadband seismometers records these events as a combination of high-frequency, long-period, and very long period (VLP) oscillations. The VLP portion of the signal has varied in period from 20-40 s since the summit vent opened and has a duration of 10-15 min. These seismic signals reflect the coupling of fluid motion in the conduit to elastic wall rocks. Oscillatory flow can be quantified in terms of the eigenmodes of a magma-filled conduit. Wave motion is affected by conduit geometry, multiphase fluid compressibility, viscosity, and pressure dependent H2O and CO2 solubility. Background stratification and a large impedance contrast at the depth where volatiles first exsolve gives rise to spatially localized families of conduit eigenmodes. The longest period modes are sensitive to properties of bubbly magma and to the length of the conduit above exsolution (which is set by total volatile content). To study the VLP events, we linearize the conduit flow equations assuming small perturbations to an initially magmastatic column, accounting for non-equilibrium multiphase fluid properties, stratification and buoyancy, and conduit width changes. We solve for conduit eigenmodes and associated eigenfrequencies, as well as for the time-domain conduit response to forces applied to the surface of the lava lake. We use broadband records of rockfalls from 2011-2015 that exhibit consistent periods along with lake level measurements to estimate conduit parameters. Preliminary results suggest that VLP periods can be matched with volatile contents similar to those inferred from melt inclusions from Halemaumau explosions. We are currently conducting a more thorough exploration of the parameter space to investigate this further.

Wide size range fast integrated mobility spectrometer

DOEpatents

Wang, Jian

2013-10-29

A mobility spectrometer to measure a nanometer particle size distribution is disclosed. The mobility spectrometer includes a conduit and a detector. The conduit is configured to receive and provide fluid communication of a fluid stream having a charged nanometer particle mixture. The conduit includes a separator section configured to generate an electrical field of two dimensions transverse to a dimension associated with the flow of the charged nanometer particle mixture through the separator section to spatially separate charged nanometer particles of the charged nanometer particle mixture in said two dimensions. The detector is disposed downstream of the conduit to detect concentration and position of the spatially-separated nanometer particles.

Cooling system with compressor bleed and ambient air for gas turbine engine

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

Marsh, Jan H.; Marra, John J.

A cooling system for a turbine engine for directing cooling fluids from a compressor to a turbine blade cooling fluid supply and from an ambient air source to the turbine blade cooling fluid supply to supply cooling fluids to one or more airfoils of a rotor assembly is disclosed. The cooling system may include a compressor bleed conduit extending from a compressor to the turbine blade cooling fluid supply that provides cooling fluid to at least one turbine blade. The compressor bleed conduit may include an upstream section and a downstream section whereby the upstream section exhausts compressed bleed airmore » through an outlet into the downstream section through which ambient air passes. The outlet of the upstream section may be generally aligned with a flow of ambient air flowing in the downstream section. As such, the compressed air increases the flow of ambient air to the turbine blade cooling fluid supply.« less

Flow of Gas and Water in Hydraulically Fractured Shale Gas Reservoirs, March 28-29, 2011

EPA Pesticide Factsheets

Underground fluid flow is primarily controlled by two physical factors: hydraulic conduits and pressure gradients. Both are required, or fluids will not move. In their natural state, shale formations are very impermeable.

Glass rupture disk

DOEpatents

Glass, S. Jill; Nicolaysen, Scott D.; Beauchamp, Edwin K.

2002-01-01

A frangible rupture disk and mounting apparatus for use in blocking fluid flow, generally in a fluid conducting conduit such as a well casing, a well tubing string or other conduits within subterranean boreholes. The disk can also be utilized in above-surface pipes or tanks where temporary and controllable fluid blockage is required. The frangible rupture disk is made from a pre-stressed glass with controllable rupture properties wherein the strength distribution has a standard deviation less than approximately 5% from the mean strength. The frangible rupture disk has controllable operating pressures and rupture pressures.

Device to lower NOx in a gas turbine engine combustion system

DOEpatents

Laster, Walter R; Schilp, Reinhard; Wiebe, David J

2015-02-24

An emissions control system for a gas turbine engine including a flow-directing structure (24) that delivers combustion gases (22) from a burner (32) to a turbine. The emissions control system includes: a conduit (48) configured to establish fluid communication between compressed air (22) and the combustion gases within the flow-directing structure (24). The compressed air (22) is disposed at a location upstream of a combustor head-end and exhibits an intermediate static pressure less than a static pressure of the combustion gases within the combustor (14). During operation of the gas turbine engine a pressure difference between the intermediate static pressure and a static pressure of the combustion gases within the flow-directing structure (24) is effective to generate a fluid flow through the conduit (48).

Multi-ported, internally recuperated burners for direct flame impingement heating applications

DOEpatents

Abbasi, Hamid A.; Kurek, Harry; Chudnovsky, Yaroslav; Lisienko, Vladimir G.; Malikov, German K.

2010-08-03

A direct flame impingement method and apparatus employing at least one multi-ported, internally recuperated burner. The burner includes an innermost coaxial conduit having a first fluid inlet end and a first fluid outlet end, an outermost coaxial conduit disposed around the innermost coaxial conduit and having a combustion products outlet end proximate the first fluid inlet end of the innermost coaxial conduit and a combustion products inlet end proximate the first fluid outlet end of the innermost coaxial conduit, and a coaxial intermediate conduit disposed between the innermost coaxial conduit and the outermost coaxial conduit, whereby a second fluid annular region is formed between the innermost coaxial conduit and the intermediate coaxial conduit and a combustion products annular region is formed between the intermediate coaxial conduit and the outermost coaxial conduit. The intermediate coaxial conduit has a second fluid inlet end proximate the first fluid inlet end of the innermost coaxial conduit and a second fluid outlet end proximate the combustion products inlet end of the outermost coaxial conduit.

Capillary channel flow experiments aboard the International Space Station

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Conrath, M.; Canfield, P. J.; Bronowicki, P. M.; Dreyer, M. E.; Weislogel, M. M.; Grah, A.

2013-12-01

In the near-weightless environment of orbiting spacecraft capillary forces dominate interfacial flow phenomena over unearthly large length scales. In current experiments aboard the International Space Station, partially open channels are being investigated to determine critical flow rate-limiting conditions above which the free surface collapses ingesting bubbles. Without the natural passive phase separating qualities of buoyancy, such ingested bubbles can in turn wreak havoc on the fluid transport systems of spacecraft. The flow channels under investigation represent geometric families of conduits with applications to liquid propellant acquisition, thermal fluids circulation, and water processing for life support. Present and near future experiments focus on transient phenomena and conduit asymmetries allowing capillary forces to replace the role of gravity to perform passive phase separations. Terrestrial applications are noted where enhanced transport via direct liquid-gas contact is desired.

Complex magnetohydrodynamic low-Reynolds-number flows.

PubMed

Xiang, Yu; Bau, Haim H

2003-07-01

The interaction between electric currents and a magnetic field is used to produce body (Lorentz) forces in electrolyte solutions. By appropriate patterning of the electrodes, one can conveniently control the direction and magnitude of the electric currents and induce spatially and temporally complicated flow patterns. This capability is useful, not only for fundamental flow studies, but also for inducing fluid flow and stirring in minute devices in which the incorporation of moving components may be difficult. This paper focuses on a theoretical and experimental study of magnetohydrodynamic flows in a conduit with a rectangular cross section. The conduit is equipped with individually controlled electrodes uniformly spaced at a pitch L. The electrodes are aligned transversely to the conduit's axis. The entire device is subjected to a uniform magnetic field. The electrodes are divided into two groups A and C in such a way that there is an electrode of group C between any two electrodes of group A. We denote the various A and C electrodes with subscripts, i.e., A(i) and C(i), where i=0,+/-1,+/-2, .... When positive and negative potentials are, respectively, applied to the even and odd numbered A electrodes, opposing electric currents are induced on the right and left hand sides of each A electrode. These currents generate transverse forces that drive cellular convection in the conduit. We refer to the resulting flow pattern as A. When electrodes of group C are activated, a similar flow pattern results, albeit shifted in space. We refer to this flow pattern as C. By alternating periodically between patterns A and C, one induces Lagrangian chaos. Such chaotic advection may be beneficial for stirring fluids, particularly in microfluidic devices. Since the flow patterns A and C are shifted in space, they also provide a mechanism for Lagrangian drift that allows net migration of passive tracers along the conduit's length.

What goes up might come down: Backflow in the conduits of persistently degassing volcanoes and ramifications for melt-inclusion analysis

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Suckale, J.; Qin, Z.; Picchi, D.; Keller, T.

2017-12-01

Many active volcanoes erupt significantly less magma than they degas, implying that large quantities of magma must descend back into the plumbing system after degassing. The resulting bidirectional flow field in the volcanic conduit is fundamentally unstable. These instabilities are important to understand, because they likely control the episodicity of eruptive behavior observed at persistently degassing volcanoes. Laboratory experiments have provided invaluable insights into the flow regimes that may arise in volcanic conduits, but are not straightforward to scale up to volcanic systems. The goal of this study is to use direct numerical simulations to virtually reproduce the analogue experiments by Stevenson and Blake, 1998, compare them to simple analytical models and gain insights into the different flow regimes and interface instabilities observed in actual volcanic conduits. Direct numerical simulations provide a compelling complement to analogue experiments, because they are not constrained by the scales or flow properties achievable in a laboratory setting. By linking virtual and analogue experiments, we show that the interface between ascending and descending fluid is not usually stationary in volcanic conduits (see fig). The intuition that buoyant, volatile-rich magma moves up while heavy, degassed magma moves down is hence not generally true in bidirectional conduit flow. Instead, our results show that a potentially significant portion of the volatile-rich magma flows downwards despite its positive buoyancy - a process commonly referred to as backflow. The existence of backflow in volcanic conduits has potentially important ramifications for understanding melt-inclusion trends, because it affects exsolved and dissolved volatile components differently. Our preliminary results suggest that carbon dioxide bubbles exsolved at depth tend to decouple from the backflow and escape into the upward moving portion of the fluid, while dissolved water is recycled back to depth. The ascending magma, which is likely sampled by eruptive products, is hence enriched in carbon dioxide but deprived of water, which could be reflected in the common observation that melt inclusions from persistently degassing volcanic systems appear to be shifted to higher carbon dioxide contents for a given amount of water.

Clumped isotopes reveal the influence of deformation style on fluid flow and cementation along the Moab Fault, Paradox Basin, Utah

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Huntington, K. W.; Bergman, S.; Crider, J. G.

2012-12-01

Brittle fault systems can serve as either conduits or barriers to fluid flow, impacting mass and heat transfer in the crust and influencing the potential storage and migration of hydrocarbons and geothermal fluids. For fault systems in porous sandstones, different classes of structures control both hydrological and mechanical behavior during fault evolution: while cataclastic deformation bands form zones of localized deformation and crushed grains that reduce permeability within and across fault zones, joints can act as significant conduits for fluid. We investigate the relationship between structures and fluid flow in porous sandstones by studying calcite cements along the Moab Fault, a large normal fault system in the Paradox Basin, Utah. We use clumped isotope thermometry of fault cements to independently determine both the temperature and δ18O of the water from which the cements grew, placing new constraints on the source and path of diagenetic fluids in the basin. Based on fluid inclusion micro-thermometry and stable isotopic analysis of calcite cements from the Moab Fault, previous workers have hypothesized that joints served as conduits for the ascension of warm (84-125 °C) basinal fluids and deeply circulating meteoric waters. At the minor joint-dominated fault segment from which these data were collected, clumped isotope temperatures range from 57±10 to 101±2°C (2 SE), consistent with this hypothesis. However, at the nearby intersection of two major fault segments - in a zone characterized by both deformation bands and abundant joints - we find a broad range of temperatures (12±4 to 78±4°C) that vary spatially with distance from the fault and correlate with variations in secondary deformation structures (joints and deformation bands). These data provide the first evidence for cement growth from Earth surface-temperature fluids along the Moab Fault and suggests that the Fault served as a conduit for both ascending and descending fluids. The spatial distribution of low-temperature cements argues for rapid penetration of surface waters flowing down intensely-jointed fault intersections and suggests that deformation-band faults served as low-permeability baffles, preventing lateral migration of cold fluids. This interpretation is consistent with the cathodoluminescence patterns and δ18O and δ13C values of the samples, and confirms the important role of structures in transmission and compartmentalization of fluids in porous rocks. Our study illustrates how clumped isotope thermometry can aid in understanding interactions of mechanical, chemical, and transport processes associated with fractures and faults.

The fluid-dynamics of bubble-bearing magmas

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

colucci, simone; papale, paolo; montagna, chiara

2014-05-01

The rheological properties of a fluid establish how the shear stress, τ, is related to the shear strain-rate, γ . The simplest constitutive equation is represented by the linear relationship τ = μγ, where the viscosity parameter, μ, is independent of strain-rate and the velocity profile is parabolic. Fluids with such a flow curve are called Newtonian. Many fluids, though, exhibit non-Newtonian rheology, typically arising in magmas from the presence of a dispersed phase of either crystals or bubbles. In this case it is not possible to define a strain-rate-independent viscosity and the velocity profile is complex. In this work we extend the 1D, steady, isothermal, multiphase non-homogeneous magma ascent model of Papale (2001) to 1.5D including the Non-Newtonian rheology of the bubble-bearing magma. We describe such rheology in terms of an apparent viscosity, η, which is the ratio of stress to strain-rate (η = τ/γ) and varies with strain-rate across the conduit radius. In this way we calculate a depth-dependent Non-newtonian velocity profile across the radius along with shear strain-rate and viscosity distributions. The evolution of the velocity profile can now be studied in order to investigate processes which occur close to the conduit wall, such as fragmentation. Moreover, the model can quantify the effects of the Non-Newtonian rheology on conduit flow dynamics, in terms of flow variables (e.g. velocity, pressure).

Fluid flow modeling at the Lusi mud eruption, East java, Indonesia.

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Collignon, Marine; Schmid, Daniel; Mazzini, Adriano

2016-04-01

The 29th of may 2006, gas water and mud breccia started to erupt at several localities along the Watukosek fault system, in the Sidoarjo Regency in East java, Indonesia. The most prominent eruption, named Lusi, is still active and covering a surface of nearly 7 km2, resulting in the displacement of ~ 30 000 people. Although the origin and the chemical composition of the erupted fluids have been documented, the mechanical and physical properties of the mud are poorly constrained, and many aspects still remain not understood. Very little is known about the internal dynamics of the Lusi conduit(s). In this study, conducted in the framework of the Lusi Lab project (ERC grant n°308126) we use both analytical and numerical methods to better understand the flow dynamics within the main conduit and to try to explain the longevity of the edifice. The 2D numerical model considers a vertical conduit with a reservoir at its base and solves the stokes equations, discretized on a finite element mesh. Although, three phases (solid, liquid and gas) are present in nature, we only consider the liquid phase. The solid phase is treated as rigid particles in suspension in the liquid. The gaseous phase (methane and carbon dioxide) is treated in an analytical manner using the equations of state of the H2O-CO2 and H2O-CH4 systems. Here, we discuss the effects of density, viscosity, gas concentration and clasts concentration and size on the dynamics of the flow in the conduit as well as implications of the conduit stability.

A Trigger Mechanism for Volcanic Low-Frequency Seismic Events on Montserrat

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Neuberg, J. W.; Tuffen, H.; Jolly, A.; Green, D.

2003-12-01

Seismic observations of low-frequency earthquake swarms on Montserrat point to a non-destructive, repeatable source mechanism in a confined area inside or near the conduit. While the seismic wave propagation pattern of the subsequent resonance in and around the conduit is well studied, the trigger mechanism has remained elusive. In this contribution we suggest a trigger mechanism based on new field evidence for fracture and healing of magma in volcanic conduits, together with seismic observations from Montserrat and finite element modelling of magma deformation during conduit flow. As a seismic trigger we suggest a stick-slip motion of highly-viscous magma in the glass transition, that periodically generates networks of seismogenic shear fractures a few metres in length. These fractures are rapidly filled by fine-grained material [cataclasite] that is generated by friction processes on the fracture surfaces, such as corner abrasion, and is locally redeposited by gas flowing within the fracture system. Filled fractures are then swiftly healed as reloading leads to annealing and a return to cohesive viscous deformation. Such a fast healing process, probably on the order of tens of seconds, leads to a repeatable trigger mechanism. Due to a strong lateral viscosity gradient in the conduit, highly-viscous magma near the conduit walls, which can exhibit brittle behaviour, co-exists with low-viscosity, fluid magma in the conduit centre; such that brittle failure provides the seismic trigger mechanism while the fluid part can still act as a seismic resonator.

Local wall heat flux/temperature meter for convective flow and method of utilizing same

DOEpatents

Boyd, Ronald D.; Ekhlassi, Ali; Cofie, Penrose

2004-11-30

According to one embodiment of the invention, a method includes providing a conduit having a fluid flowing therethrough, disposing a plurality of temperature measurement devices inside a wall of the conduit, positioning at least some of the temperature measurement devices proximate an inside surface of the wall of the conduit, positioning at least some of the temperature measurement devices at different radial positions at the same circumferential location within the wall, measuring a plurality of temperatures of the wall with respective ones of the temperature measurement devices to obtain a three-dimensional temperature topology of the wall, determining the temperature dependent thermal conductivity of the conduit, and determining a multi-dimensional thermal characteristic of the inside surface of the wall of the conduit based on extrapolation of the three-dimensional temperature topology and the temperature dependent thermal conductivities.

Local wall heat flux/temperature meter for convective flow and method of utilizing same

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Cofie, Penrose (Inventor); Ekhlassi, Ali (Inventor); Boyd, Ronald D. (Inventor)

2004-01-01

According to one embodiment of the invention, a method includes providing a conduit having a fluid flowing therethrough, disposing a plurality of temperature measurement devices inside a wall of the conduit, positioning at least some of the temperature measurement devices proximate an inside surface of the wall of the conduit, positioning at least some of the temperature measurement devices at different radial positions at the same circumferential location within the wall, measuring a plurality of temperatures of the wall with respective ones of the temperature measurement devices to obtain a three-dimensional temperature topology of the wall, determining the temperature dependent thermal conductivity of the conduit, and determining a multi-dimensional thermal characteristic of the inside surface of the wall of the conduit based on extrapolation of the three-dimensional temperature topology and the temperature dependent thermal conductivities.

Apparatus and method for maintaining multi-component sample gas constituents in vapor phase during sample extraction and cooling

DOEpatents

Felix, Larry Gordon; Farthing, William Earl; Irvin, James Hodges; Snyder, Todd Robert

2010-05-11

A dilution apparatus for diluting a gas sample. The apparatus includes a sample gas conduit having a sample gas inlet end and a diluted sample gas outlet end, and a sample gas flow restricting orifice disposed proximate the sample gas inlet end connected with the sample gas conduit and providing fluid communication between the exterior and the interior of the sample gas conduit. A diluted sample gas conduit is provided within the sample gas conduit having a mixing end with a mixing space inlet opening disposed proximate the sample gas inlet end, thereby forming an annular space between the sample gas conduit and the diluted sample gas conduit. The mixing end of the diluted sample gas conduit is disposed at a distance from the sample gas flow restricting orifice. A dilution gas source connected with the sample gas inlet end of the sample gas conduit is provided for introducing a dilution gas into the annular space, and a filter is provided for filtering the sample gas. The apparatus is particularly suited for diluting heated sample gases containing one or more condensable components.

Preliminary Numerical Simulations of Nozzle Formation in the Host Rock of Supersonic Volcanic Jets

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wohletz, K. H.; Ogden, D. E.; Glatzmaier, G. A.

2006-12-01

Recognizing the difficulty in quantitatively predicting how a vent changes during an explosive eruption, Kieffer (Kieffer, S.W., Rev. Geophys. 27, 1989) developed the theory of fluid dynamic nozzles for volcanism, utilizing a highly developed predictive scheme used extensively in aerodynamics for design of jet and rocket nozzles. Kieffer's work shows that explosive eruptions involve flow from sub to supersonic conditions through the vent and that these conditions control the erosion of the vent to nozzle shapes and sizes that maximize mass flux. The question remains how to predict the failure and erosion of vent host rocks by a high-speed, multiphase, compressible fluid that represents an eruption column. Clearly, in order to have a quantitative model of vent dynamics one needs a robust computational method for a turbulent, compressible, multiphase fluid. Here we present preliminary simulations of fluid flowing from a high-pressure reservoir through an eroding conduit and into the atmosphere. The eruptive fluid is modeled as an ideal gas, the host rock as a simple incompressible fluid with sandstone properties. Although these simulations do not yet include the multiphase dynamics of the eruptive fluid or the solid mechanics of the host rock, the evolution of the host rock into a supersonic nozzle is clearly seen. Our simulations show shock fronts both above the conduit, where the gas has expanded into the atmosphere, and within the conduit itself, thereby influencing the dynamics of the jet decompression.

Forum on unsteady flow - 1985; Proceedings of the Winter Annual Meeting, Miami Beach, FL, November 17-22, 1985

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rothe, P. H.

The conference includes such topics as the reduction of fluid transient pressures by minimax optimization, modeling blockage in unsteady slurry flow in conduits, roles of vacuum breaker and air release devices in reducing waterhammer forces, and an analysis of laminar fluid transients in conduits of unconventional shape. Papers are presented on modulation systems for high speed water jets, water hammer analysis needs in nuclear power plant design, tail profile effects on unsteady large scale flow structure in the wing and plate junction, and a numerical study of pressure transients in a borehole due to pipe movement. Consideration is also given to boundary layer growth near a stagnation point, calculation of unsteady mixing in two-dimensional flows, the trailing edge of a pitching airfoil at high reduced frequencies, and a numerical study of instability-wave control through periodic wall suction/blowing.

Localized arc filament plasma actuators for noise mitigation and mixing enhancement

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Samimy, Mohammad (Inventor); Adamovich, Igor (Inventor)

2008-01-01

A device for controlling fluid flow. The device includes an arc generator coupled to electrodes. The electrodes are placed adjacent a fluid flowpath such that upon being energized by the arc generator, an arc filament plasma adjacent the electrodes is formed. In turn, this plasma forms a localized high temperature, high pressure perturbation in the adjacent fluid flowpath. The perturbations can be arranged to produce vortices, such as streamwise vortices, in the flowing fluid to control mixing and noise in such flows. The electrodes can further be arranged within a conduit configured to contain the flowing fluid such that when energized in a particular frequency and sequence, can excite flow instabilities in the flowing fluid. The placement of the electrodes is such that they are unobtrusive relative to the fluid flowpath being controlled.

Localized arc filament plasma actuators for noise mitigation and mixing enhancement

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Samimy, Mohammad (Inventor); Adamovich, Igor (Inventor)

2010-01-01

A device for controlling fluid flow. The device includes an arc generator coupled to electrodes. The electrodes are placed adjacent a fluid flowpath such that upon being energized by the arc generator, an arc filament plasma adjacent the electrodes is formed. In turn, this plasma forms a localized high temperature, high pressure perturbation in the adjacent fluid flowpath. The perturbations can be arranged to produce vortices, such as streamwise vortices, in the flowing fluid to control mixing and noise in such flows. The electrodes can further be arranged within a conduit configured to contain the flowing fluid such that when energized in a particular frequency and sequence, can excite flow instabilities in the flowing fluid. The placement of the electrodes is such that they are unobtrusive relative to the fluid flowpath being controlled.

Fluid-Solid Interaction and Multiscale Dynamic Processes: Experimental Approach

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Arciniega-Ceballos, Alejandra; Spina, Laura; Mendo-Pérez, Gerardo M.; Guzmán-Vázquez, Enrique; Scheu, Bettina; Sánchez-Sesma, Francisco J.; Dingwell, Donald B.

2017-04-01

The speed and the style of a pressure drop in fluid-filled conduits determines the dynamics of multiscale processes and the elastic interaction between the fluid and the confining solid. To observe this dynamics we performed experiments using fluid-filled transparent tubes (15-50 cm long, 2-4 cm diameter and 0.3-1 cm thickness) instrumented with high-dynamic piezoelectric sensors and filmed the evolution of these processes with a high speed camera. We analyzed the response of Newtonian fluids to slow and sudden pressure drops from 3 bar-10 MPa to ambient pressure. We used fluids with viscosities of mafic to intermediate silicate melts of 1 to 1000 Pa s and water. The processes observed are fluid mass expansion, fluid flow, jets, bubbles nucleation, growth, coalescence and collapse, degassing, foam building at the surface and vertical wagging. All these processes (in fine and coarse scales) are triggered by the pressure drop and are sequentially coupled in time while interacting with the solid. During slow decompression, the multiscale processes are recognized occurring within specific pressure intervals, and exhibit a localized distribution along the conduit. In this, degassing predominates near the surface and may present piston-like oscillations. In contrast, during sudden decompression the fluid-flow reaches higher velocities, the dynamics is dominated by a sequence of gas-packet pulses driving jets of the gas-fluid mixture. The evolution of this multiscale phenomenon generates complex non-stationary microseismic signals recorded along the conduit. We discuss distinctive characteristics of these signals depending on the decompression style and compare them with synthetics. These synthetics are obtained numerically under an averaging modeling scheme, that accounted for the stress-strain of the cyclic dynamic interaction between the fluid and the solid wall, assuming an incompressible and viscous fluid that flows while the elastic solid responds oscillating. Analysis of time series, both experimental and synthetics, synchronized with high-speed imaging enables the explanation and interpretation of distinct phases of the dynamics of these fluids and the extraction of time and frequency characteristics of the individual processes. We observed that the effects of both, pressure drop triggering function and viscosity, control the characteristics of the micro-signals in time and frequency. This suggests the great potential that experimental and numerical approaches provide to untangle from field volcanic seismograms the multiscale processes of the stress field, driving forces and fluid-rock interaction that determine the volcanic conduit dynamics.

THERMAL COUPLE FOR MEASURING TEMPERATURE IN A REACTOR

DOEpatents

Kanne, W.

1959-11-24

A thermocouple device for measuring the temperature of a flowing fluid in a conduit within which is positioned a metallic rod is presented. A thermocouple junction is secured to the rod centrally, and thermal insulating support disks having a diameter greater than the rod are secured to the end portions of the rod and adapted to fit transversely in the conduit.

MEANS FOR VISUALIZING FLUID FLOW PATTERNS

DOEpatents

Lynch, F.E.; Palmer, L.D.; Poppendick, H.F.; Winn, G.M.

1961-05-16

An apparatus is given for determining both the absolute and relative velocities of a phosphorescent fluid flowing through a transparent conduit. The apparatus includes a source for exciting a narrow trsnsverse band of the fluid to phosphorescence, detecting means such as a camera located downstream from the exciting source to record the shape of the phosphorescent band as it passes, and a timer to measure the time elapsed between operation of the exciting source and operation of the camera.

Experimental observations of pressure oscillations and flow regimes in an analogue volcanic system

USGS Publications Warehouse

Lane, S.J.; Chouet, B.A.; Phillips, J.C.; Dawson, P.; Ryan, G.A.; Hurst, E.

2001-01-01

Gas-liquid flows, designed to be analogous to those in volcanic conduits, are generated in the laboratory using organic gas-gum rosin mixtures expanding in a vertically mounted tube. The expanding fluid shows a range of both flow and pressure oscillation behaviors. Weakly supersaturated source liquids produce a low Reynolds number flow with foam expanding from the top surface of a liquid that exhibits zero fluid velocity at the tube wall; i.e., the conventional "no-slip" boundary condition. Pressure oscillations, often with strong long-period characteristics and consistent with longitudinal and radial resonant oscillation modes, are detected in these fluids. Strongly supersaturated source liquids generate more energetic flows that display a number of flow regimes. These regimes include a static liquid source, viscous flow, detached flow (comprising gas-pockets-at-wall and foam-in-gas annular flow, therefore demonstrating strong radial heterogeneity), and a fully turbulent transonic fragmented or mist flow. Each of these flow regimes displays characteristic pressure oscillations that can be related to resonance of flow features or wall impact phenomena. The pressure oscillations are produced by the degassing processes without the need of elastic coupling to the confining medium or flow restrictors and valvelike features. The oscillatory behavior of the experimental flows is compared to seismoacoustic data from a range of volcanoes where resonant oscillation of the fluid within the conduit is also often invoked as controlling the observed oscillation frequencies. On the basis of the experimental data we postulate on the nature of seismic signals that may be measured during large-scale explosive activity. Copyright 2001 by the American Geophysical Union.

Blueschist preservation in a retrograded, high-pressure, low-temperature metamorphic terrane, Tinos, Greece: Implications for fluid flow paths in subduction zones

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Breeding, Christopher M.; Ague, Jay J.; BröCker, Michael; Bolton, Edward W.

2003-01-01

The preservation of high-pressure, low-temperature (HP-LT) mineral assemblages adjacent to marble unit contacts on the Cycladic island of Tinos in Greece was investigated using a new type of digital outcrop mapping and numerical modeling of metamorphic fluid infiltration. Mineral assemblage distributions in a large blueschist outcrop, adjacent to the basal contact of a 150-meter thick marble horizon, were mapped at centimeter-scale resolution onto digital photographs using a belt-worn computer and graphics editing software. Digital mapping reveals that while most HP-LT rocks in the outcrop were pervasively retrograded to greenschist facies, the marble-blueschist contact zone underwent an even more intense retrogression. Preservation of HP-LT mineral assemblages was mainly restricted to a 10-15 meter zone (or enclave) adjacent to the intensely retrograded lithologic contact. The degree and distribution of the retrograde overprint suggests that pervasively infiltrating fluids were channelized into the marble-blueschist contact and associated veins and flowed around the preserved HP-LT enclave. Numerical modeling of Darcian flow, based on the field observations, suggests that near the marble horizon, deflections in fluid flow paths caused by flow channelization along the high-permeability marble-blueschist contact zone likely resulted in very large fluid fluxes along the lithologic contact and significantly smaller fluxes (as much as 8 times smaller than the input flux) within the narrow, low-flux regions where HP-LT minerals were preserved adjacent to the contact. Our results indicate that lithologic contacts are important conduits for metamorphic fluid flow in subduction zones. Channelization of retrograde fluids into these discrete flow conduits played a critical role in the preservation of HP-LT assemblages.

Simulating groundwater flow in karst aquifers with distributed parameter models—Comparison of porous-equivalent media and hybrid flow approaches

USGS Publications Warehouse

Kuniansky, Eve L.

2016-09-22

Understanding karst aquifers, for purposes of their management and protection, poses unique challenges. Karst aquifers are characterized by groundwater flow through conduits (tertiary porosity), and (or) layers with interconnected pores (secondary porosity) and through intergranular porosity (primary or matrix porosity). Since the late 1960s, advances have been made in the development of numerical computer codes and the use of mathematical model applications towards the understanding of dual (primary [matrix] and secondary [fractures and conduits]) porosity groundwater flow processes, as well as characterization and management of karst aquifers. The Floridan aquifer system (FAS) in Florida and parts of Alabama, Georgia, and South Carolina is composed of a thick sequence of predominantly carbonate rocks. Karst features are present over much of its area, especially in Florida where more than 30 first-magnitude springs occur, numerous sinkholes and submerged conduits have been mapped, and numerous circular lakes within sinkhole depressions are present. Different types of mathematical models have been applied for simulation of the FAS. Most of these models are distributed parameter models based on the assumption that, like a sponge, water flows through connected pores within the aquifer system and can be simulated with the same mathematical methods applied to flow through sand and gravel aquifers; these models are usually referred to as porous-equivalent media models. The partial differential equation solved for groundwater flow is the potential flow equation of fluid mechanics, which is used when flow is dominated by potential energy and has been applied for many fluid problems in which kinetic energy terms are dropped from the differential equation solved. In many groundwater model codes (basic MODFLOW), it is assumed that the water has a constant temperature and density and that flow is laminar, such that kinetic energy has minimal impact on flow. Some models have been developed that incorporate the submerged conduits as a one-dimensional pipe network within the aquifer rather than as discrete, extremely transmissive features in a porous-equivalent medium; these submerged conduit models are usually referred to as hybrid models and may include the capability to simulate both laminar and turbulent flow in the one-dimensional pipe network. Comparisons of the application of a porous-equivalent media model with and without turbulence (MODFLOW-Conduit Flow Process mode 2 and basic MODFLOW, respectively) and a hybrid (MODFLOW-Conduit Flow Process mode 1) model to the Woodville Karst Plain near Tallahassee, Florida, indicated that for annual, monthly, or seasonal average hydrologic conditions, all methods met calibration criteria (matched observed groundwater levels and average flows). Thus, the increased effort required, such as the collection of data on conduit location, to develop a hybrid model and its increased computational burden, is not necessary for simulation of average hydrologic conditions (non-laminar flow effects on simulated head and spring discharge were minimal). However, simulation of a large storm event in the Woodville Karst Plain with daily stress periods indicated that turbulence is important for matching daily springflow hydrographs. Thus, if matching streamflow hydrographs over a storm event is required, the simulation of non-laminar flow and the location of conduits are required. The main challenge in application of the methods and approaches for developing hybrid models relates to the difficulty of mapping conduit networks or having high-quality datasets to calibrate these models. Additionally, hybrid models have long simulation times, which can preclude the use of parameter estimation for calibration. Simulation of contaminant transport that does not account for preferential flow through conduits or extremely permeable zones in any approach is ill-advised. Simulation results in other karst aquifers or other parts of the FAS may differ from the comparison demonstrated herein.

Device useful as a borehole fluid sampler

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

Freifeld, Barry M.

The present invention provides a device comprising: (a) a proximal end of the device comprises an inner first conduit within the lumen of an outer second conduit, (b) a distal end of the device comprises the outer second conduit in fluid communication with a third conduit and a fourth conduit through a Y-shaped, T-shaped or U-shaped junction, (c) the third conduit terminates in a triggering mechanism, and (d) the fourth conduit is in fluid communication through a one-way valve, wherein fluid can only convey in a direction from the fourth conduit towards the second outer conduit, with an aperture.

Capillary interconnect device

DOEpatents

Renzi, Ronald F

2013-11-19

An interconnecting device for connecting a plurality of first fluid-bearing conduits to a corresponding plurality of second fluid-bearing conduits thereby providing fluid communication between the first fluid-bearing conduits and the second fluid-bearing conduits. The device includes a manifold and one or two ferrule plates that are held by compressive axial forces.

Heat exchanger with transpired, highly porous fins

DOEpatents

Kutscher, Charles F.; Gawlik, Keith

2002-01-01

The heat exchanger includes a fin and tube assembly with increased heat transfer surface area positioned within a hollow chamber of a housing to provide effective heat transfer between a gas flowing within the hollow chamber and a fluid flowing in the fin and tube assembly. A fan is included to force a gas, such as air, to flow through the hollow chamber and through the fin and tube assembly. The fin and tube assembly comprises fluid conduits to direct the fluid through the heat exchanger, to prevent mixing with the gas, and to provide a heat transfer surface or pathway between the fluid and the gas. A heat transfer element is provided in the fin and tube assembly to provide extended heat transfer surfaces for the fluid conduits. The heat transfer element is corrugated to form fins between alternating ridges and grooves that define flow channels for directing the gas flow. The fins are fabricated from a thin, heat conductive material containing numerous orifices or pores for transpiring the gas out of the flow channel. The grooves are closed or only partially open so that all or substantially all of the gas is transpired through the fins so that heat is exchanged on the front and back surfaces of the fins and also within the interior of the orifices, thereby significantly increasing the available the heat transfer surface of the heat exchanger. The transpired fins also increase heat transfer effectiveness of the heat exchanger by increasing the heat transfer coefficient by disrupting boundary layer development on the fins and by establishing other beneficial gas flow patterns, all at desirable pressure drops.

Brine flow up a borehole caused by pressure perturbation from CO2 storage: Static and dynamic evaluations

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

Birkholzer, J.T.; Nicot, J.-P.; Oldenburg, C.M.

Industrial-scale storage of CO{sub 2} in saline sedimentary basins will cause zones of elevated pressure, larger than the CO{sub 2} plume itself. If permeable conduits (e.g., leaking wells) exist between the injection reservoir and overlying shallow aquifers, brine could be pushed upwards along these conduits and mix with groundwater resources. This paper discusses the potential for such brine leakage to occur in temperature- and salinity-stratified systems. Using static mass-balance calculations as well as dynamic well flow simulations, we evaluate the minimum reservoir pressure that would generate continuous migration of brine up a leaking wellbore into a freshwater aquifer. Since themore » brine invading the well is denser than the initial fluid in the wellbore, continuous flow only occurs if the pressure perturbation in the reservoir is large enough to overcome the increased fluid column weight after full invasion of brine into the well. If the threshold pressure is exceeded, brine flow rates are dependent on various hydraulic (and other) properties, in particular the effective permeability of the wellbore and the magnitude of pressure increase. If brine flow occurs outside of the well casing, e.g., in a permeable fracture zone between the well cement and the formation, the fluid/solute transfer between the migrating fluid and the surrounding rock units can strongly retard brine flow. At the same time, the threshold pressure for continuous flow to occur decreases compared to a case with no fluid/solute transfer.« less

Multiscale Behavior of Viscous Fluids Dynamics: Experimental Observations

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Arciniega-Ceballos, Alejandra; Spina, Laura; Scheu, Bettina; Dingwell, Donald B.

2016-04-01

The dynamics of Newtonian fluids with viscosities of mafic to intermediate silicate melts (10-1000 Pa s) during slow decompression present multi-time scale processes. To observe these processes we have performed several experiments on silicon oil saturated with Argon gas for 72 hours, in a Plexiglas autoclave. The slow decompression, dropping from 10 MPa to ambient pressure, acting as the excitation mechanism, triggered several processes with their own distinct timescales. These processes generate complex non-stationary microseismic signals, which have been recorded with 7 high-dynamic piezoelectric sensors located along the conduit flanked by high-speed video recordings. The analysis in time and frequency of these time series and their correlation with the associated high-speed imaging enables the characterization of distinct phases and the extraction of the individual processes during the evolution of decompression of these viscous fluids. We have observed fluid-solid elastic interaction, degassing, fluid mass expansion and flow, bubble nucleation, growth, coalescence and collapse, foam building and vertical wagging. All these processes (in fine and coarse scales) are sequentially coupled in time, occur within specific pressure intervals, and exhibit a localized distribution along the conduit. Their coexistence and interactions constitute the stress field and driving forces that determine the dynamics of the conduit system. Our observations point to the great potential of this experimental approach in the understanding of volcanic conduit dynamics and volcanic seismicity.

Geodynamic modeling of the capture and release of a plume conduit by a migrating mid-ocean ridge

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hall, P. S.

2011-12-01

plates over the relatively stationary, long-lived conduits of mantle plumes. However, paleomagnetic data from the Hawaii-Emperor Seamount Chain suggests that the Hawaiian hotspot moved rapidly (~40 mm/yr) between 81 - 47 Ma [Tarduno et al., 2003]. Recently, Tarduno et al. [2009] suggested that this period of rapid motion might be the surface expression of a plume conduit returning to a largely vertical orientation after having been captured and tilted as the result of being "run over" by migrating mid-ocean ridge. I report on a series of analog geodynamic experiments designed to characterize the evolution of a plume conduit as a mid-ocean ridge migrates over. Experiments were conducted in a clear acrylic tank (100 cm x 70 cm x 50 cm) filled with commercial grade high-fructose corn syrup. Plate-driven flow is modeled by dragging two sheets of Mylar film (driven by independent DC motors) in opposite directions over the surface of the fluid. Ridge migration is achieved by moving the point at which the mylar sheets diverge using a separate motor drive. Buoyant plume flow is generated using a small electrical heater placed at the bottom of the tank. Plate velocities and ridge migration rate are controlled and plume temperature monitored using LabView software. Experiments are recorded using digital video which is then analyzed using digital image analysis software to track the position and shape of the plume conduit throughout the course of the experiment. The intersection of the plume conduit with the surface of the fluid is taken as an analog for the locus of hotspot volcanism and tracked as a function of time to obtain a hotspot migration rate. Results show that the plume conduit experiences significant tilting immediately following the passage of the migrating ridge.

Permeability anisotropy in marine mudstones in the Nankai Trough, SW Japan: Implications for hypothesized lateral fluid flow and chemical transport outboard of the trench

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Saffer, D. M.; McKiernan, A. W.; Skarbek, R. M.

2008-12-01

Characterizing dewatering pathways and chemical fluxes near and outboard of subduction trenches is important toward understanding early sediment dewatering and devolatilization. Quantifying fluid flow rates also constrains the hydraulic gradients driving flow, and thus ultimately hold implications for pore pressure distribution and fault mechanical strength. We focus on the well-studied Nankai Trough offshore SW Japan, where drilling has sampled the sedimentary section at several boreholes from ~11 km outboard of the trench to 3 km landward. At these drillsites, &δ37Cl data and correlation of distinct extrema in downhole chloride profiles have been interpreted to reflect substantial horizontal fluid flow to >10 km outboard of the trench within the ~400 m-thick, homogeneous Lower Shikoku Basin (LSB) facies mudstone. The estimated horizontal velocities are 13 ± 5 cm yr-1; the flow is presumably driven by loading during subduction, and mediated by either permeable conduits or strong anisotropy in permeability. However, the pressure gradients and sediment permeabilities necessary for such flow have not been quantified. Here, we address this problem by combining (1) laboratory measurement of horizontal and vertical sediment permeability from a combination of constant rate of strain (CRS) consolidation tests and flow-through measurements on core samples; and (2) numerical models of fluid flow within a cross section perpendicular to the trench. In our models, we assign hydrostatic pressure at the top and seaward edges, a no-flow condition at the base of the sediments, and pore pressures ranging from 40%-100% of lithostatic at the arcward model boundary. We assign sediment permeability on the basis of our laboratory measurements, and evaluate the possible role of thin permeable conduits as well as strong anisotropy in the incoming section. Our laboratory results define a systematic log-linear relationship between sediment permeability and porosity within the LSB mudstones. The overall variation in permeability for our suite of samples is ~1 order of magnitude. Notably, horizontal permeabilities fall within the range of measured vertical permeabilities, and indicate no significant anisotropy. Using laboratory-derived permeability values, simulated horizontal flow rates range from 10-4 to 10-1 cm yr-1, and decrease dramatically with distance seaward of the trench. With permeability anisotropy of 1000x (i.e. kh = 1000kv), simulated flow rates peak at 3 cm yr-1 at the trench, and decrease to 3x10-1 cm yr-1 by 10 km seaward. These flow rates are substantially lower than those inferred from the geochemical data and also lower than the plate convergence rate of 4 cm yr-1, such that net transport of fluids out of the subduction zone is not likely. If discrete conduits are included in our models, permeabilities of ~10-114m2 are required to sustain the inferred flow rates. However, no potential conduits in the LSB were observed by coring or logging- while-drilling. In contrast, net egress of fluids - and associated chemical transport and pressure translation - are plausible at margins where continuous permeable strata are subducting. Overall, our results highlight a major discrepancy between constraints on fluid flow derived from physical hydrogeology and inferences from geochemical data. In this case, we suggest that the chemical signals may be affected by other processes such as in situ clay dehydration and down-section chemical variations.

Numerical modeling of fluid flow in a fault zone: a case of study from Majella Mountain (Italy).

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Romano, Valentina; Battaglia, Maurizio; Bigi, Sabina; De'Haven Hyman, Jeffrey; Valocchi, Albert J.

2017-04-01

The study of fluid flow in fractured rocks plays a key role in reservoir management, including CO2 sequestration and waste isolation. We present a numerical model of fluid flow in a fault zone, based on field data acquired in Majella Mountain, in the Central Apennines (Italy). This fault zone is considered a good analogue for the massive presence of fluid migration in the form of tar. Faults are mechanical features and cause permeability heterogeneities in the upper crust, so they strongly influence fluid flow. The distribution of the main components (core, damage zone) can lead the fault zone to act as a conduit, a barrier, or a combined conduit-barrier system. We integrated existing information and our own structural surveys of the area to better identify the major fault features (e.g., type of fractures, statistical properties, geometrical and petro-physical characteristics). In our model the damage zones of the fault are described as discretely fractured medium, while the core of the fault as a porous one. Our model utilizes the dfnWorks code, a parallelized computational suite, developed at Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL), that generates three dimensional Discrete Fracture Network (DFN) of the damage zones of the fault and characterizes its hydraulic parameters. The challenge of the study is the coupling between the discrete domain of the damage zones and the continuum one of the core. The field investigations and the basic computational workflow will be described, along with preliminary results of fluid flow simulation at the scale of the fault.

Constraints on the Geometries and Compositions of Subvolcanic Conduits from Intrusions of the San Rafael Swell, Utah

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wetmore, P. H.; Connor, C.; Wilson, J.

2010-12-01

Conduit models incorporate varying degrees of complexity (or parsimony) and account for the transport properties of magmas, steady-state or transient behavior, and conduit geometry (e.g., 1- to 1.5 D, variable width and erodable conduit walls). Improvement of these models is important if we are to work toward deployment of eruption models at active volcanoes, link these models to geophysical observations (seismic, deformation, gravity) and eventually forecast eruption magnitude. One conclusion of a recent comparison of many conduit models (Sahagian, 2005 JVGR) is that next generation models need to better account for interaction of the erupting mixture with surrounding wall rocks (accounting for melting, solidification, and erosion) and better account for the effects of conduit shape on flows. In an effort to address these issues our research group has completed mapping of a suite of subvolcanic intrusions (dikes, sills, and conduits) from the west-central San Rafael Swell of central Utah. The results of this study demonstrate that vertical flow of melt through crust in this system of intrusion was dominated by dikes. Conduits form, in nearly all cases, as a result of localized flow along dikes. The conduits are commonly comprised of three distinct lithologic units: brecciated host rock (without any intrusive material), brecciated host rock mixed with brecciated and mechanically contaminated intrusive, and relatively clean (i.e. containing less than ~10% accidental material) intrusive. Contacts between all three of these units are typically discreet and traceable for several tens of meters. In some examples clasts within the unmixed breccia unit exhibit a strong alignment of clasts dipping into the core of the conduit. These observations suggests an evolutionary history that involves an early phase of brecciation and mixing, followed by confined flow with a fluidized mixed unit and an essentially uninvolved outer zone (i.e. the breccia). The final phase likely involves the inward collapse as fluid pressures reduce.

Elastin Shapes Small Molecule Distribution in Lymph Node Conduits.

PubMed

Lin, Yujia; Louie, Dante; Ganguly, Anutosh; Wu, Dequan; Huang, Peng; Liao, Shan

2018-05-01

The spatial and temporal Ag distribution determines the subsequent T cell and B cell activation at the distinct anatomical locations in the lymph node (LN). It is well known that LN conduits facilitate small Ag distribution in the LN, but the mechanism of how Ags travel along LN conduits remains poorly understood. In C57BL/6J mice, using FITC as a fluorescent tracer to study lymph distribution in the LN, we found that FITC preferentially colocalized with LN capsule-associated (LNC) conduits. Images generated using a transmission electron microscope showed that LNC conduits are composed of solid collagen fibers and are wrapped with fibroblastic cells. Superresolution images revealed that high-intensity FITC is typically colocalized with elastin fibers inside the LNC conduits. Whereas tetramethylrhodamine isothiocyanate appears to enter LNC conduits as effectively as FITC, fluorescently-labeled Alexa-555-conjugated OVA labels significantly fewer LNC conduits. Importantly, injection of Alexa-555-conjugated OVA with LPS substantially increases OVA distribution along elastin fibers in LNC conduits, indicating immune stimulation is required for effective OVA traveling along elastin in LN conduits. Finally, elastin fibers preferentially surround lymphatic vessels in the skin and likely guide fluid flow to the lymphatic vessels. Our studies demonstrate that fluid or small molecules are preferentially colocalized with elastin fibers. Although the exact mechanism of how elastin fibers regulate Ag trafficking remains to be explored, our results suggest that elastin can be a potentially new target to direct Ag distribution in the LN during vaccine design. Copyright © 2018 by The American Association of Immunologists, Inc.

Molten salt as a heat transfer fluid for heating a subsurface formation

DOEpatents

Nguyen, Scott Vinh; Vinegar, Harold J.

2010-11-16

A heating system for a subsurface formation includes a conduit located in an opening in the subsurface formation. An insulated conductor is located in the conduit. A material is in the conduit between a portion of the insulated conductor and a portion of the conduit. The material may be a salt. The material is a fluid at operating temperature of the heating system. Heat transfers from the insulated conductor to the fluid, from the fluid to the conduit, and from the conduit to the subsurface formation.

Controlling Wavebreaking in a Viscous Fluid Conduit

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Anderson, Dalton; Maiden, Michelle; Hoefer, Mark

2015-11-01

This poster will present a new technique in the experimental investigation of dispersive hydrodynamics. In shallow water flows, internal ocean waves, superfluids, and optical media, wave breaking can be resolved by a dispersive shock wave (DSW). In this work, an experimental method to control the location of DSW formation (gradient catastrophe) is explained. The central idea is to convert an initial value problem (Riemann problem) into an equivalent boundary value problem. The system to which this technique is applied is a fluid conduit resulting from high viscosity contrast between a buoyant interior and heavier exterior fluid. The conduit cross-sectional area is modeled by a nonlinear, conservative, dispersive, third order partial differential equation. Using this model, the aim is to predict the breaking location of a DSW by controlling one boundary condition. An analytical expression for this boundary condition is derived by solving the dispersionless equation backward in time from the desired step via the method of characteristics. This is used in experiment to generate an injection rate profile for a high precision piston pump. This translates to the desired conduit shape. Varying the jump height and desired breaking location indicates good control of DSW formation. This result can be improved by deriving a conduit profile by numerical simulation of the full model equation. Controlling the breaking location of a DSW allows for the investigation of dynamics independent of the boundary. Support provided by NSF CAREER DMS-1255422 , NSF EXTREEMS.

Capillary Corner Flows With Partial and Nonwetting Fluids

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Bolleddula, D. A.; Weislogel, M. M.

2009-01-01

Capillary flow in containers or conduits with interior corners are common place in nature and industry. The majority of investigations addressing such flows solve the problem numerically in terms of a friction factor for flows along corners with contact angles below the Concus-Finn critical wetting condition for the particular conduit geometry of interest. This research effort provides missing numerical data for the flow resistance function F(sub i) for partially and nonwetting systems above the Concus-Finn condition. In such cases the fluid spontaneously de-wets the interior corner and often retracts into corner-bound drops. A banded numerical coefficient is desirable for further analysis and is achieved by careful selection of length scales x(sub s) and y(sub s) to nondimensionalize the problem. The optimal scaling is found to be identical to the wetting scaling, namely x(sub s) = H and y(sub s) = Htan (alpha), where H is the height from the corner to the free surface and a is the corner half-angle. Employing this scaling produces a relatively weakly varying flow resistance F(sub i) and for subsequent analyses is treated as a constant. Example solutions to steady and transient flow problems are provided that illustrate applications of this result.

Faults simulations for three-dimensional reservoir-geomechanical models with the extended finite element method

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Prévost, Jean H.; Sukumar, N.

2016-01-01

Faults are geological entities with thicknesses several orders of magnitude smaller than the grid blocks typically used to discretize reservoir and/or over-under-burden geological formations. Introducing faults in a complex reservoir and/or geomechanical mesh therefore poses significant meshing difficulties. In this paper, we consider the strong-coupling of solid displacement and fluid pressure in a three-dimensional poro-mechanical (reservoir-geomechanical) model. We introduce faults in the mesh without meshing them explicitly, by using the extended finite element method (X-FEM) in which the nodes whose basis function support intersects the fault are enriched within the framework of partition of unity. For the geomechanics, the fault is treated as an internal displacement discontinuity that allows slipping to occur using a Mohr-Coulomb type criterion. For the reservoir, the fault is either an internal fluid flow conduit that allows fluid flow in the fault as well as to enter/leave the fault or is a barrier to flow (sealing fault). For internal fluid flow conduits, the continuous fluid pressure approximation admits a discontinuity in its normal derivative across the fault, whereas for an impermeable fault, the pressure approximation is discontinuous across the fault. Equal-order displacement and pressure approximations are used. Two- and three-dimensional benchmark computations are presented to verify the accuracy of the approach, and simulations are presented that reveal the influence of the rate of loading on the activation of faults.

Drilling into a present-day migration pathway for hydrocarbons within a fault zone conduit in the Eugene Island 330 field, offshore Louisiana

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

Anderson, R.N.

1995-11-01

Within the Global Basins Research Network, we have developed 4-D seismic analysis techniques that, when integrated with pressure and temperature mapping, production history, geochemical monitoring, and finite element modeling, allow for the imaging of active fluid migration in the subsurface. We have imaged fluid flow pathways that are actively recharging shallower hydrocarbon reservoirs in the Eugene Island 330 field, offshore Louisiana. The hydrocarbons appear to be sourcing from turbidite stacks within the salt-withdrawal mini-basin buried deep within geopressure. Fault zone conduits provide transient migration pathways out of geopressure. To accomplish this 4-D imaging, we use multiple 3-D seismic surveys donemore » several years apart over the same blocks. 3-D volume processing and attribute analysis algorithms are used to identify significant seismic amplitude interconnectivity and changes over time that result from active fluid migration. Pressures and temperatures are then mapped and modeled to pro- vide rate and timing constraints for the fluid movement. Geochemical variability observed in the shallow reservoirs is attributed to the mixing of new with old oils. The Department of Energy has funded an industry cost-sharing project to drill into one of these active conduits in Eugene Island Block 330. Active fluid flow was encountered within the fault zone in the field demonstration experiment, and hydrocarbons were recovered. The active migration events connecting shallow reservoirs to deep sourcing regions imply that large, heretofore undiscovered hydrocarbon reserves exist deep within geopressures along the deep continental shelf of the northern Gulf of Mexico.« less

Apparatus for irradiating a continuously flowing stream of fluid. [For neutron activation analysis

DOEpatents

Speir, L.G.; Adams, E.L.

1982-05-13

An apparatus for irradiating a continuously flowing stream of fluid is disclosed. The apparatus consists of a housing having a spherical cavity and a spherical moderator containing a radiation source positioned within the spherical cavity. The spherical moderator is of lesser diameter than the spherical cavity so as to define a spherical annular volume around the moderator. The housing includes fluid intake and output conduits which open onto the spherical cavity at diametrically opposite positions. Fluid flows through the cavity around the spherical moderator and is uniformly irradiated due to the 4..pi.. radiation geometry. The irradiation source, for example a /sup 252/Cf neutron source, is removable from the spherical moderator through a radial bore which extends outwardly to an opening on the outside of the housing. The radiation source may be routinely removed without interrupting the flow of fluid or breaching the containment of the fluid.

Apparatus for irradiating a continuously flowing stream of fluid

DOEpatents

Speir, Leslie G.; Adams, Edwin L.

1984-01-01

An apparatus for irradiating a continuously flowing stream of fluid is diosed. The apparatus consists of a housing having a spherical cavity and a spherical moderator containing a radiation source positioned within the spherical cavity. The spherical moderator is of lesser diameter than the spherical cavity so as to define a spherical annular volume around the moderator. The housing includes fluid intake and output conduits which open onto the spherical cavity at diametrically opposite positions. Fluid flows through the cavity around the spherical moderator and is uniformly irradiated due to the 4.pi. radiation geometry. The irradiation source, for example a .sup.252 CF neutron source, is removable from the spherical moderator through a radial bore which extends outwardly to an opening on the outside of the housing. The radiation source may be routinely removed without interrupting the flow of fluid or breaching the containment of the fluid.

Ball assisted device for analytical surface sampling

DOEpatents

ElNaggar, Mariam S; Van Berkel, Gary J; Covey, Thomas R

2015-11-03

A system for sampling a surface includes a sampling probe having a housing and a socket, and a rolling sampling sphere within the socket. The housing has a sampling fluid supply conduit and a sampling fluid exhaust conduit. The sampling fluid supply conduit supplies sampling fluid to the sampling sphere. The sampling fluid exhaust conduit has an inlet opening for receiving sampling fluid carried from the surface by the sampling sphere. A surface sampling probe and a method for sampling a surface are also disclosed.

Control Valve

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

Moore, Wayne R.

A control valve includes a first conduit having a first inlet and a first outlet and defining a first passage; a second conduit having a second inlet and a second outlet and defining a second passage, the second conduit extending into the first passage such that the second inlet is located within the first passage; and a valve plate disposed pivotably within the first passage, the valve plate defining a valve plate surface. Pivoting of the valve plate within the first passage varies flow from the first inlet to the first outlet and the valve plate is pivotal between amore » first position and a second position such that in the first position the valve plate substantially prevents fluid communication between the first passage and the second passage and such that in the second position the valve plate permits fluid communication between the first passage and the second passage.« less

Experimental postseismic recovery of fractured rocks assisted by calcite sealing

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Aben, F. M.; Doan, M.-L.; Gratier, J.-P.; Renard, F.

2017-07-01

Postseismic recovery within fault damage zones involves slow healing of coseismic fractures leading to permeability reduction and strength increase with time. To better understand this process, experiments were performed by long-term fluid percolation with calcite precipitation through predamaged quartz-monzonite samples subjected to upper crustal conditions of stress and temperature. This resulted in a P wave velocity recovery of 50% of its initial drop after 64 days. In contrast, the permeability remained more or less constant for the duration of the experiment. Microstructures, fluid chemistry, and X-ray microtomography demonstrate that incipient calcite sealing and asperity dissolution are responsible for the P wave velocity recovery. The permeability is unaffected because calcite precipitates outside of the main flow channels. The highly nonparallel evolution of strength recovery and permeability suggests that fluid conduits within fault damage zones can remain open fluid conduits after an earthquake for much longer durations than suggested by the seismic monitoring of fault healing.

Episodic fluid flow in the Nankai accretionary complex: Timescale, geochemistry, flow rates, and fluid budget

USGS Publications Warehouse

Saffer, D.M.; Bekins, B.A.

1998-01-01

Down-hole geochemical anomalies encountered in active accretionary systems can be used to constrain the timing, rates, and localization of fluid flow. Here we combine a coupled flow and solute transport model with a kinetic model for smectite dehydration to better understand and quantify fluid flow in the Nankai accretionary complex offshore of Japan. Compaction of sediments and clay dehydration provide fluid sources which drive the model flow system. We explicitly include the consolidation rate of underthrust sediments in our calculations to evaluate the impact that variations in this unknown quantity have on pressure and chloride distribution. Sensitivity analysis of steady state pressure solutions constrains bulk and flow conduit permeabilities. Steady state simulations with 30% smectite in the incoming sedimentary sequence result in minimum chloride concentrations at site 808 of 550 mM, but measured chlorinity is as low as 447 mM. We simulate the transient effects of hydrofracture or a strain event by assuming an instantaneous permeability increase of 3-4 orders of magnitude along a flow conduit (in this case the de??collement), using steady state results as initial conditions. Transient results with an increase in de??collement permeability from 10-16 m2 to 10-13 m2 and 20% smectite reproduce the observed chloride profile at site 808 after 80-160 kyr. Modeled chloride concentrations are highly sensitive to the consolidation rate of underthrust sediments, such that rapid compaction of underthrust material leads to increased freshening. Pressures within the de??collement during transient simulations rise rapidly to a significant fraction of lithostatic and remain high for at least 160 kyr, providing a mechanism for maintaining high permeability. Flow rates at the deformation front for transient simulations are in good agreement with direct measurements, but steady state flow rates are 2-3 orders of magnitude smaller than observed. Fluid budget calculations indicate that nearly 71% of the incoming water in the sediments leaves the accretionary wedge via diffuse flow out the seafloor, 0-5% escapes by focused flow along the de??collement, and roughly 1% is subducted. Copyright 1998 by the American Geophysical Union.

Lysimeter apparatus

DOEpatents

Clark, Don T.; Erickson, Eugene E.; Casper, William L.; Everett, David M.; Hubbell, Joel M.; Sisson, James B.

2005-09-06

A suction lysimeter for sampling subsurface liquids includes a lysimeter casing having a drive portion, a reservoir portion, and a tip portion, the tip portion including a membrane through which subsurface liquids may be sampled; a fluid conduit coupled in fluid flowing relation relative to the membrane, and which in operation facilitates the delivery of the sampled subsurface liquids from the membrane to the reservoir portion; and a plurality of tubes coupled in fluid flowing relation relative to the reservoir portion, the tubes in operation facilitating delivery of the sampled subsurface liquids from the reservoir portion for testing. A method of sampling subsurface liquids comprises using this lysimeter.

Apparatus for continuously referenced analysis of reactive components in solution

DOEpatents

Bostick, William D.; Denton, Mark S.; Dinsmore, Stanley R.

1981-01-01

A continuously referenced apparatus for measuring the concentration of a reactive chemical species in solution comprises in combination conduit means for introducing a sample solution, means for introducing one or more reactants into a sample solution, a reaction zone in fluid communication with said conduit means wherein a first chemical reaction occurs between said species and reactants, and a stream separator disposed within the conduit means for separating the sample solution into a sample stream and a reference stream. An enzymatic reactor is disposed in fluid communication with only the sample stream wherein a second reaction takes place between the said reactants, species, and reactor enzymes causing the consumption or production of an indicator species in just the sample stream. Measurement means such as a photometric system are disposed in communication with the sample and reference streams, and the outputs of the measurement means are compared to provide a blanked measurement of the concentration of indicator species. A peristaltic pump is provided to equalize flow through the apparatus by evacuation. The apparatus is particularly suitable for measurement of isoenzymes in body tissues or fluids.

High speed turbogenerator for power recovery from fluid flow within conduit

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

Irvine, M. D.

1985-11-26

A high speed turbogenerator functionally combining, in one machine, an electrical generator and an expansion turbine. The electrical generator itself has a shaft supported on two bearings and the expansion turbine comprises an expander wheel overhung on the generator shaft and which rotates as a high pressure gas is let down in the expansion turbine to a lower pressure at a minimum predetermined flow rate and pressure drop. The shaft operates at speeds of about 6,000 rpm to 32,000 rpm, preferably at the higher end of such range, i.e. 20,000 to 24,000 rpm. The unit is sufficiently compact that amore » new use for the electrical generator is to modify the same such that the entire high speed turbogenerator is contained within the conduit carrying the gas to be let down in pressure and only electrical wires need be led through the conduit. The integrity of the conduit is thus retained to the extent possible and only a high pressure cable fitting extends through the conduit. In the preferred embodiment, the high speed turbogenerator is entirely fitted within a natural gas conduit in a gas distribution station, thereby achieving the pressure letdown and also obtaining useful electrical power.« less

Surface Waves and Flow-Induced Oscillations along an Underground Elliptic Cylinder Filled with a Viscous Fluid

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sakuraba, A.

2015-12-01

I made a linear analysis of flow-induced oscillations along an underground cylindrical conduit with an elliptical cross section on the basis of the hypothesis that volcanic tremor is a result of magma movement through a conduit. As a first step to understand how the self oscillation occurs because of magma flow, I investigated surface wave propagation and attenuation along an infinitely long fluid-filled elliptic cylinder in an elastic medium. The boundary element method is used to obtain the two-dimensional wave field around the ellipse in the frequency-wavenumber domain. When the major axis is much greater than the minor axis of the ellipse, we obtain the analytic form of the dispersion relation of both the crack-wave mode (Korneev 2008, Lipovsky & Dunham 2015) and the Rayleigh-wave mode with flexural deformation. The crack-wave mode generally has a slower phase speed and a higher attenuation than the Rayleigh-wave mode. In the long-wavelength limit, the crack-wave mode disappears because of fluid viscosity, but the Rayleigh-wave mode exists with a constant Q-value that depends on viscosity. When the aspect ratio of the ellipse is finite, the surface waves can basically be understood as those propagating along a fluid pipe. The flexural mode does exist even when the wavelength is much longer than the major axis, but its phase speed coincides with that of the surrounding S-wave (Randall 1991). As its attenuation is zero in the long-wavelength limit, the flexural mode differs in nature from surface wave. I also obtain a result on linear stability of viscous flow through an elliptic cylinder. In this analysis, I made an assumption that the fluid inertia is so small that the Stokes equation can be used. As suggested by the author's previous study (Sakuraba & Yamauchi 2014), the flexural (Rayleigh-wave) mode is destabilized at a critical flow speed that decreases with the wavelength. However, when the wavelength is much greater than the major axis of the ellipse, the unstable solution does exist, but its linear growth rate in amplitude becomes almost zero. Therefore, the unstable solution effectively disappears in the long-wavelength limit, suggesting that the aspect ratio of the conduit is needed to be sufficiently large if the flow-induced oscillation caused by a moderate magma speed is an origin of volcanic tremor.

Analytical volcano deformation source models

USGS Publications Warehouse

Lisowski, Michael; Dzurisin, Daniel

2007-01-01

Primary volcanic landforms are created by the ascent and eruption of magma. The ascending magma displaces and interacts with surrounding rock and fluids as it creates new pathways, flows through cracks or conduits, vesiculates, and accumulates in underground reservoirs. The formation of new pathways and pressure changes within existing conduits and reservoirs stress and deform the surrounding rock. Eruption products load the crust. The pattern and rate of surface deformation around volcanoes reflect the tectonic and volcanic processes transmitted to the surface through the mechanical properties of the crust.

Detection of contamination of municipal water distribution systems

DOEpatents

Cooper, John F [Oakland, CA

2012-01-17

A system for the detection of contaminates of a fluid in a conduit. The conduit is part of a fluid distribution system. A chemical or biological sensor array is connected to the conduit. The sensor array produces an acoustic signal burst in the fluid upon detection of contaminates in the fluid. A supervisory control system connected to the fluid and operatively connected to the fluid distribution system signals the fluid distribution system upon detection of contaminates in the fluid.

Linear model describing three components of flow in karst aquifers using 18O data

USGS Publications Warehouse

Long, Andrew J.; Putnam, L.D.

2004-01-01

The stable isotope of oxygen, 18O, is used as a naturally occurring ground-water tracer. Time-series data for ??18O are analyzed to model the distinct responses and relative proportions of the conduit, intermediate, and diffuse flow components in karst aquifers. This analysis also describes mathematically the dynamics of the transient fluid interchange between conduits and diffusive networks. Conduit and intermediate flow are described by linear-systems methods, whereas diffuse flow is described by mass-balance methods. An automated optimization process estimates parameters of lognormal, Pearson type III, and gamma distributions, which are used as transfer functions in linear-systems analysis. Diffuse flow and mixing parameters also are estimated by these optimization methods. Results indicate the relative proximity of a well to a main conduit flowpath and can help to predict the movement and residence times of potential contaminants. The three-component linear model is applied to five wells, which respond to changes in the isotopic composition of point recharge water from a sinking stream in the Madison aquifer in the Black Hills of South Dakota. Flow velocities as much as 540 m/d and system memories of as much as 71 years are estimated by this method. Also, the mean, median, and standard deviation of traveltimes; time to peak response; and the relative fraction of flow for each of the three components are determined for these wells. This analysis infers that flow may branch apart and rejoin as a result of an anastomotic (or channeled) karst network.

The implications of gas slug ascent in a stratified magma for acoustic and ground deformation source mechanisms in Strombolian eruptions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Capponi, Antonio; Lane, Stephen J.; James, Mike R.

2017-06-01

The interpretation of geophysical measurements at active volcanoes is vital for hazard assessment and for understanding fundamental processes such as magma degassing. For Strombolian activity, interpretations are currently underpinned by first-order fluid dynamic models which give relatively straightforward relationships between geophysical signals and gas and magma flow. However, recent petrological and high-speed video evidence has indicated the importance of rheological stratification within the conduit and, here, we show that under these conditions, the straightforward relationships break down. Using laboratory analogue experiments to represent a rheologically-stratified conduit we characterise the distinct variations in the shear stress exerted on the upper sections of the flow tube and in the gas pressures measured above the liquid surface, during different degassing flow configurations. These signals, generated by varying styles of gas ascent, expansion and burst, can reflect field infrasonic measurements and ground motion proximal to a vent. The shear stress signals exhibit timescales and trends in qualitative agreement with the near-vent inflation-deflation cycles identified at Stromboli. Therefore, shear stress along the uppermost conduit may represent a plausible source of near-vent tilt, and conduit shear contributions should be considered in the interpretation of ground deformation, which is usually attributed to pressure sources only. The same range of flow processes can produce different experimental infrasonic waveforms, even for similar masses of gas escape. The experimental data resembled infrasonic waveforms acquired from different vents at Stromboli associated with different eruptive styles. Accurate interpretation of near-vent ground deformation, infrasonic signal and eruptive style therefore requires detailed understanding of: a) spatiotemporal magma rheology in the shallow conduit, and b) shallow conduit geometry, as well as bubble overpressure and volume.

Spool-type control valve assembly with reduced spool stroke for hydraulic belt-and-pulley type continuously variable transmission

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

Itoh, H.; Akashi, T.; Takada, M.

1987-03-31

This patent describes a hydraulic control system for controlling a speed ratio of a hydraulically-operated continuously variable transmission of belt-and-pulley type having a variable-diameter pulley and a hydraulic cylinder for changing an effective diameter of the variable diameter-pulley of the transmission. The hydraulic control system includes a speed-ratio control valve assembly for controlling the supply and discharge of a pressurized fluid to and from the hydraulic cylinder to thereby change the speed ratio of the transmission. The speed-ratio control valve assembly comprises: a shift-direction switching valve unit disposed in fluid supply and discharge conduits communicating with the hydraulic cylinder, formore » controlling a direction in which the speed ratio of the transmission is varied; a shift-speed control valve unit of spool-valve type connected to the shift-direction switching valve unit. The shift-speed control valve unit is selectively placed in a first state in which the fluid supply and discharge flows to and from the hydraulic cylinder through the conduits are permitted, or in a second state in which the fluid supply flow is restricted while the fluid discharge flow is inhibited; an actuator means for placing the shift speed control valve unit alternately in the first and second states to control a rate of variation in the speed ratio of the transmission in the direction established by the shift-direction switching valve unit.« less

Pressurized fluidized bed reactor

DOEpatents

Isaksson, J.

1996-03-19

A pressurized fluid bed reactor power plant includes a fluidized bed reactor contained within a pressure vessel with a pressurized gas volume between the reactor and the vessel. A first conduit supplies primary gas from the gas volume to the reactor, passing outside the pressure vessel and then returning through the pressure vessel to the reactor, and pressurized gas is supplied from a compressor through a second conduit to the gas volume. A third conduit, comprising a hot gas discharge, carries gases from the reactor, through a filter, and ultimately to a turbine. During normal operation of the plant, pressurized gas is withdrawn from the gas volume through the first conduit and introduced into the reactor at a substantially continuously controlled rate as the primary gas to the reactor. In response to an operational disturbance of the plant, the flow of gas in the first, second, and third conduits is terminated, and thereafter the pressure in the gas volume and in the reactor is substantially simultaneously reduced by opening pressure relief valves in the first and third conduits, and optionally by passing air directly from the second conduit to the turbine. 1 fig.

Pressurized fluidized bed reactor

DOEpatents

Isaksson, Juhani

1996-01-01

A pressurized fluid bed reactor power plant includes a fluidized bed reactor contained within a pressure vessel with a pressurized gas volume between the reactor and the vessel. A first conduit supplies primary gas from the gas volume to the reactor, passing outside the pressure vessel and then returning through the pressure vessel to the reactor, and pressurized gas is supplied from a compressor through a second conduit to the gas volume. A third conduit, comprising a hot gas discharge, carries gases from the reactor, through a filter, and ultimately to a turbine. During normal operation of the plant, pressurized gas is withdrawn from the gas volume through the first conduit and introduced into the reactor at a substantially continuously controlled rate as the primary gas to the reactor. In response to an operational disturbance of the plant, the flow of gas in the first, second, and third conduits is terminated, and thereafter the pressure in the gas volume and in the reactor is substantially simultaneously reduced by opening pressure relief valves in the first and third conduits, and optionally by passing air directly from the second conduit to the turbine.

Thermal power transfer system using applied potential difference to sustain operating pressure difference

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Bhandari, Pradeep (Inventor); Fujita, Toshio (Inventor)

1991-01-01

A thermal power transfer system using a phase change liquid gas fluid in a closed loop configuration has a heat exchanger member connected to a gas conduit for inputting thermal energy into the fluid. The pressure in the gas conduit is higher than a liquid conduit that is connected to a heat exchanger member for outputting thermal energy. A solid electrolyte member acts as a barrier between the gas conduit and the liquid conduit adjacent to a solid electrolyte member. The solid electrolyte member has the capacity of transmitting ions of a fluid through the electrolyte member. The ions can be recombined with electrons with the assistance of a porous electrode. An electrical field is applied across the solid electrolyte member to force the ions of the fluid from a lower pressure liquid conduit to the higher pressure gas conduit.

Non-intrusive cooling system

DOEpatents

Morrison, Edward F.; Bergman, John W.

2001-05-22

A readily replaceable heat exchange cooling jacket for applying fluid to a system conduit pipe. The cooling jacket comprises at least two members, separable into upper and lower portions. A chamber is formed between the conduit pipe and cooling jacket once the members are positioned about the pipe. The upper portion includes a fluid spray means positioned above the pipe and the bottom portion includes a fluid removal means. The heat exchange cooling jacket is adaptable with a drain tank, a heat exchanger, a pump and other standard equipment to provide a system for removing heat from a pipe. A method to remove heat from a pipe, includes the steps of enclosing a portion of the pipe with a jacket to form a chamber between an outside surface of the pipe and the cooling jacket; spraying cooling fluid at low pressure from an upper portion of the cooling jacket, allowing the fluid to flow downwardly by gravity along the surface of the pipe toward a bottom portion of the chamber; and removing the fluid at the bottom portion of the chamber.

Lysimeter methods and apparatus

DOEpatents

Clark, Don T.; Erickson, Eugene E.; Casper, William L.; Everett, David M.; Hubbell, Joel M.; Sisson, James B.

2004-12-07

A suction lysimeter for sampling subsurface liquids includes a lysimeter casing having a drive portion, a reservoir portion, and a tip portion, the tip portion including a membrane through which subsurface liquids may be sampled; a fluid conduit coupled in fluid flowing relation relative to the membrane, and which in operation facilitates the delivery of the sampled subsurface liquids from the membrane to the reservoir portion; and a plurality of tubes coupled in fluid flowing relation relative to the reservoir portion, the tubes in operation facilitating delivery of the sampled subsurface liquids from the reservoir portion for testing. A method of sampling subsurface liquids comprises using this lysimeter.

The sensitivity of conduit flow models to basic input parameters: there is no need for magma trolls!

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Thomas, M. E.; Neuberg, J. W.

2012-04-01

Many conduit flow models now exist and some of these models are becoming extremely complicated, conducted in three dimensions and incorporating the physics of compressible three phase fluids (magmas), intricate conduit geometries and fragmentation processes, to name but a few examples. These highly specialised models are being used to explain observations of the natural system, and there is a danger that possible explanations may be getting needlessly complex. It is coherent, for instance, to propose the involvement of sub-surface dwelling magma trolls as an explanation for the change in a volcanoes eruptive style, but assuming the simplest explanation would prevent such additions, unless they were absolutely necessary. While the understanding of individual, often small scale conduit processes is increasing rapidly, is this level of detail necessary? How sensitive are these models to small changes in the most basic of governing parameters? Can these changes be used to explain observed behaviour? Here we will examine the sensitivity of conduit flow models to changes in the melt viscosity, one of the fundamental inputs to any such model. However, even addressing this elementary issue is not straight forward. There are several viscosity models in existence, how do they differ? Can models that use different viscosity models be realistically compared? Each of these viscosity models is also heavily dependent on the magma composition and/or temperature, and how well are these variables constrained? Magma temperatures and water contents are often assumed as "ball-park" figures, and are very rarely exactly known for the periods of observation the models are attempting to explain, yet they exhibit a strong controlling factor on the melt viscosity. The role of both these variables will be discussed. For example, using one of the available viscosity models a 20 K decrease in temperature of the melt results in a greater than 100% increase in the melt viscosity. With changes of this magnitude resulting from small alterations in the basic governing parameters does this render any changes in individual conduit processes of secondary importance? As important as the melt viscosity is to any conduit flow model, it is a meaningless parameter unless there is a conduit through which to flow. The shape and size of a volcanic conduit are even less well constrained than magma's temperature and water content, but have an equally important role to play. Rudimentary changes such as simply increasing or decreasing the radius of a perfectly cylindrical conduit can have large effects, and when coupled with the range of magma viscosities that may be flowing through them can completely change interpretations. Although we present results specifically concerning the variables of magma temperature and water content and the radius of a cylindrical conduit, this is just the start, by systematically identifying the effect each parameter has on the conduit flow models it will be possible to identify which areas are most requiring of future attention.

Cyclic Activity of Mud Volcanoes: Evidences from Trinidad (SE Caribbean)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Deville, E.

2007-12-01

Fluid and solid transfer in mud volcanoes show different phases of activity, including catastrophic events followed by periods of relative quiescence characterized by moderate activity. This can be notably shown by historical data onshore Trinidad. Several authors have evoked a possible link between the frequencies of eruption of some mud volcanoes and seismic activity, but in Trinidad there is no direct correlation between mud eruptions and seisms. It appears that each eruptive mud volcano has its own period of catastrophic activity, and this period is highly variable from one volcano to another. The frequency of activity of mud volcanoes seems essentially controlled by local pressure regime within the sedimentary pile. At the most, a seism can, in some cases, activate an eruption close to its term. The dynamics of expulsion of the mud volcanoes during the quiescence phases has been studied notably from temperature measurements within the mud conduits. The mud temperature is concurrently controlled by, either, the gas flux (endothermic gas depressurizing induces a cooling effect), or by the mud flux (mud is a vector for convective heat transfer). Complex temperature distribution was observed in large conduits and pools. Indeed, especially in the bigger pools, the temperature distribution characterizes convective cells with an upward displacement of mud above the deep outlet, and ring-shaped rolls associated with the burial of the mud on the flanks of the pools. In simple, tube-like shaped, narrow conduits, the temperature is more regular, but we observed different types of profiles, with either downward increasing or decreasing temperatures. If the upward flow of mud would be regular, we should expect increasing temperatures and progressively decreasing gradient with depth within the conduits. However, the variable measured profiles from one place to another, as well as time-variable measured temperatures within the conduits and especially, at the base of the conduits, shows that the fluid flow expelled by the studied mud volcanoes is not constant but highly variable through short time-periods. We notably observed very short time-period cyclic variations with a frequency of about 10 minutes. These high frequencies temperature changes could be related to the dynamics of two-phase flows (gas and mud) through the mud volcano conduits. We also observed locally a significant daily changes of the temperature of the expelled mud which shows also that the mud flux is changing very rapidly from one day to another.

Using Temperature as a Tracer to Study Fluid Flow Patterns On and Offshore Taiwan

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chi, W. C.

2017-12-01

Fluid flows are a dynamic system in the crust that affect crustal deformation and formation of natural resources. It is difficult to study fluid flow velocity instrumentally, but temperature data offers a quantitative tool that can be used as a tracer to study crustal hydrogeology. Here we present numerical techniques we have applied to study the fluid migration velocity along conduits including faults in on and offshore settings. Offshore SW Taiwan, we use a bottom-simulating reflector (BSR) from seismic profiles to study the temperature field at several hundred meters subbottom depth. The BSR is interpreted as the base of a gas hydrate stability zone under the seabed. Gas hydrates are solid-state water with gas molecules enclosed, which can be found where the temperature, pressure, and salinity conditions allow hydrates to be stable. Using phase diagrams and hydro pressure information we can derive the temperature at the BSR. BSRs are widespread in the study area, providing very dense temperature field information which shows upward bending of the BSR near faults. We have quantitatively estimated the 1D and 2D fluid flow patterns required to fit the BSR-based temperature field. This shows that fault zones can act as conduits with high permeability parallel to the fault planes. On the other hand, fault zones can also act as barriers to fluid flow, as demonstrated in our onland temperature data. We have collected temperature profiles at several bore holes onland that are very close together. The preliminary results show that the fault zones separate the ground water systems, causing very different geothermal gradients. Our results show that the physical properties of fault zones can be anisotropic, as demonstrated in previous work. Future work includes estimating the regional water expulsion budget offshore SW Taiwan, in particular for several gas hydrate sites.

A Treadmill to Localize, Exercise, and Measure the Propulsive Power of Nematodes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yuan, Jinzhou; Chuan, Han-Sheng; Gnatt, Michael; Raizen, David; Bau, Haim

2011-11-01

The nematodes C. elegans is often used as model biological system to study the genetic basis of behavior, disease-progression, and aging, as well as to develop new therapies and screen drugs. On occasion, it is desirable to quantify the nematode's muscle power. Here, we present a kind of nematode treadmill. The device consists of a tapered conduit filled with aqueous solution. The conduit is subjected to a DC electric field and to pressure-driven flow directed from the narrow end. The nematode is inserted at the conduit's wide end. Directed by the electric field (through electrotaxis), the nematode swims deliberately upstream toward the negative pole. As the conduit narrows, the average fluid velocity and the drag force on the nematode increase. Eventually, the nematode arrives at an equilibrium position, at which its propulsive power balances the viscous drag force. The nematode's propulsive power is estimated with direct numerical simulations of the flow field around the nematode. The calculations utilize the experimentally imaged gait as a boundary condition. The device is useful to retain the nematode at a nearly fixed position for prolonged observations under a microscope, to keep the nematode exercising, and to estimate the nematode's power based on the conduit's width at the equilibrium position.

Everything you wanted to know about VAMPs but were afraid to ask

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Martin, K. M.; Stern, R. J.; Barth, G. A.; Wood, W. T.; Scholl, D. W.; Scheirer, D. S.

2017-12-01

Velocity-AMPlitude anomalies (VAMPs) are distinctive seismic reflection features attributed to regions of fluid upflow in sedimentary basins. The largely Cenozoic, flat-lying sediments of the Aleutian Basin have many VAMPs and make a natural laboratory to without complicating factors such as faults or folds. VAMPs were first identified in the Bering Sea in 1978 and have since been found in several other basins where stratigraphic reflections are almost perfectly parallel across hundreds of kilometers. VAMPs are high amplitude anomalies disrupting these smooth reflectors at depths consistent with the base of the gas Hydrate Stability Zone (HSZ). Below these "bright" areas are "push-downs" of the flat reflectors, increasing in downward deflection with depth, in a column often visible to basement. This downward deflection is consistent with presence of methane gas, while high amplitudes near the HSZ are consistent with build-up of hydrate that traps the gas below. Analysis of multi-channel seismic reflection data acquired by RV Marcus G. Langseth in 2011 reveals VAMPs as radially symmetric features. Methane flowing up a roughly circular conduit is slowed by hydrate build up in the pore space of the HSZ and spreads outward, creating more hydrate. Over time, amplitude anomalies spread outward and thicken into a shape resembling a pointy mushroom (caps as wide as 5 km, conduits thinner than 300 meters). Using available seismic reflection data for the Aleutian Basin, we mapped VAMPs, top of basement, and a Bottom Simulating Reflector (BSR) at the base of the HSZ. The widely distributed BSR indicates gas is present in and migrating through sediments outside of VAMP conduits. Thus some portions of the system host diffuse upward flow of fluids in addition to the VAMPs generated by focused flow. The BSR depth gives constraints on the magnitude and variation of basin heat flow. The BSR amplitudes show how areas of diffuse fluid upwelling interact with the VAMP system.

Separation and/or sequestration apparatus and methods

DOEpatents

Rieke, Peter C; Towne, Silas A; Coffey, Greg W; Appel, Aaron M

2015-02-03

Apparatus for separating CO.sub.2 from an electrolyte solution are provided. Example apparatus can include: a vessel defining an interior volume and configured to house an electrolyte solution; an input conduit in fluid communication with the interior volume; an output conduit in fluid communication with the interior volume; an exhaust conduit in fluid communication with the interior volume; and an anode located within the interior volume. Other example apparatus can include: an elongated vessel having two regions; an input conduit extending outwardly from the one region; an output conduit extending outwardly from the other region; an exhaust conduit in fluid communication with the one region; and an anode located within the one region. Methods for separating CO.sub.2 from an electrolyte solution are provided. Example methods can include: providing a CO.sub.2 rich electrolyte solution to a vessel containing an anode; and distributing hydrogen from the anode to acidify the electrolyte solution.

Lateral fluid flow in a compacting sand-shale sequence: South Caspian basin.

USGS Publications Warehouse

Bredehoeft, J.D.; Djevanshir, R.D.; Belitz, K.R.

1988-01-01

The South Caspian basin contains both sands and shales that have pore-fluid pressures substantially in excess of hydrostatic fluid pressure. Pore-pressure data from the South Caspian basin demonstrate that large differences in excess hydraulic head exist between sand and shale. The data indicate that sands are acting as drains for overlying and underlying compacting shales and that fluid flows laterally through the sand on a regional scale from the basin interior northward to points of discharge. The major driving force for the fluid movement is shale compaction. We present a first- order mathematical analysis in an effort to test if the permeability of the sands required to support a regional flow system is reasonable. The results of the analysis suggest regional sand permeabilities ranging from 1 to 30 md; a range that seems reasonable. This result supports the thesis that lateral fluid flow is occurring on a regional scale within the South Caspian basin. If vertical conduits for flow exist within the basin, they are sufficiently impermeable and do not provide a major outlet for the regional flow system. The lateral fluid flow within the sands implies that the stratigraphic sequence is divided into horizontal units that are hydraulically isolated from one another, a conclusion that has important implications for oil and gas migration.-Authors

Pressurized fluidized bed reactor and a method of operating the same

DOEpatents

Isaksson, J.

1996-02-20

A pressurized fluid bed reactor power plant includes a fluidized bed reactor contained within a pressure vessel with a pressurized gas volume between the reactor and the vessel. A first conduit supplies primary gas from the gas volume to the reactor, passing outside the pressure vessel and then returning through the pressure vessel to the reactor, and pressurized gas is supplied from a compressor through a second conduit to the gas volume. A third conduit, comprising a hot gas discharge, carries gases from the reactor, through a filter, and ultimately to a turbine. During normal operation of the plant, pressurized gas is withdrawn from the gas volume through the first conduit and introduced into the reactor at a substantially continuously controlled rate as the primary gas to the reactor. In response to an operational disturbance of the plant, the flow of gas in the first, second, and third conduits is terminated, and thereafter the pressure in the gas volume and in the reactor is substantially simultaneously reduced by opening pressure relief valves in the first and third conduits, and optionally by passing air directly from the second conduit to the turbine. 1 fig.

Pressurized fluidized bed reactor and a method of operating the same

DOEpatents

Isaksson, Juhani

1996-01-01

A pressurized fluid bed reactor power plant includes a fluidized bed reactor contained within a pressure vessel with a pressurized gas volume between the reactor and the vessel. A first conduit supplies primary gas from the gas volume to the reactor, passing outside the pressure vessel and then returning through the pressure vessel to the reactor, and pressurized gas is supplied from a compressor through a second conduit to the gas volume. A third conduit, comprising a hot gas discharge, carries gases from the reactor, through a filter, and ultimately to a turbine. During normal operation of the plant, pressurized gas is withdrawn from the gas volume through the first conduit and introduced into the reactor at a substantially continuously controlled rate as the primary gas to the reactor. In response to an operational disturbance of the plant, the flow of gas in the first, second, and third conduits is terminated, and thereafter the pressure in the gas volume and in the reactor is substantially simultaneously reduced by opening pressure relief valves in the first and third conduits, and optionally by passing air directly from the second conduit to the turbine.

Heating systems for heating subsurface formations

DOEpatents

Nguyen, Scott Vinh [Houston, TX; Vinegar, Harold J [Bellaire, TX

2011-04-26

Methods and systems for heating a subsurface formation are described herein. A heating system for a subsurface formation includes a sealed conduit positioned in an opening in the formation and a heat source. The sealed conduit includes a heat transfer fluid. The heat source provides heat to a portion of the sealed conduit to change phase of the heat transfer fluid from a liquid to a vapor. The vapor in the sealed conduit rises in the sealed conduit, condenses to transfer heat to the formation and returns to the conduit portion as a liquid.

Turbulent and Laminar Flow in Karst Conduits Under Unsteady Flow Conditions: Interpretation of Pumping Tests by Discrete Conduit-Continuum Modeling

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Giese, M.; Reimann, T.; Bailly-Comte, V.; Maréchal, J.-C.; Sauter, M.; Geyer, T.

2018-03-01

Due to the duality in terms of (1) the groundwater flow field and (2) the discharge conditions, flow patterns of karst aquifer systems are complex. Estimated aquifer parameters may differ by several orders of magnitude from local (borehole) to regional (catchment) scale because of the large contrast in hydraulic parameters between matrix and conduit, their heterogeneity and anisotropy. One approach to deal with the scale effect problem in the estimation of hydraulic parameters of karst aquifers is the application of large-scale experiments such as long-term high-abstraction conduit pumping tests, stimulating measurable groundwater drawdown in both, the karst conduit system as well as the fractured matrix. The numerical discrete conduit-continuum modeling approach MODFLOW-2005 Conduit Flow Process Mode 1 (CFPM1) is employed to simulate laminar and nonlaminar conduit flow, induced by large-scale experiments, in combination with Darcian matrix flow. Effects of large-scale experiments were simulated for idealized settings. Subsequently, diagnostic plots and analyses of different fluxes are applied to interpret differences in the simulated conduit drawdown and general flow patterns. The main focus is set on the question to which extent different conduit flow regimes will affect the drawdown in conduit and matrix depending on the hydraulic properties of the conduit system, i.e., conduit diameter and relative roughness. In this context, CFPM1 is applied to investigate the importance of considering turbulent conditions for the simulation of karst conduit flow. This work quantifies the relative error that results from assuming laminar conduit flow for the interpretation of a synthetic large-scale pumping test in karst.

Flow regimes in a T-mixer operating with a binary mixture

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Camarri, Simone; Siconolfi, Lorenzo; Galletti, Chiara; Salvetti, Maria Vittoria

2015-11-01

Efficient mixing in small volumes is a key target in many processes. Among the most common micro-devices, passive T-shaped micro-mixers are widely used. For this reason, T-mixers have been studied in the literature and its working flow regimes have been identified. However, in most of the available theoretical studies it is assumed that only one working fluid is used, i.e. that the same fluid at the same thermodynamic conditions is entering the two inlet conduits of the mixer. Conversely, the practical use of micro-devices often involves the mixing of two different fluids or of the same fluid at different thermodynamic conditions. In this case flow regimes significantly different than those observed for a single working fluid may occur. The present work aims at investigating the flow regimes in a T-mixers when water at two different temperatures, i.e. having different viscosity and density, is entering the mixer. The effect of the temperature difference on the flow regimes in a 3D T-mixer is investigated by DNS and stability analysis and the results are compared to the case in which a single working fluid is employed.

Unsteady resurgence flows in karstic media

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Adler, Pierre; Drygas, Piotr; Mityushev, Vladimir

2017-04-01

Geological porous media are heterogeneous materials which in addition contain discontinuities such as fractures and conduits which facilitate fluid transport. Fractures are relatively plane objects which strongly interact with the surrounding porous medium because of their large contact surface. A different situation occurs in karsts where distant regions of the medium can be connected by relatively thin conduits which have little if any hydrodynamic interaction with the porous medium that they cross, except at their ends. This phenomenon is called resurgence because of the obvious analogy with rivers which suddenly disappear underground and go out at the ground surface again. Similar ideas have already been developed in other fields, such as Physics with random networks and Geophysics with electrical tomography. Media with resurgences are addressed in the following way. They consist of a double structure. The first one is the continuous porous medium described by the classical Darcy law. The second one is composed by the resurgences modeled by conduits with impermeable walls which relate distant points of the continuous medium. When non steady regimes are considered, it appears necessary to confer a capacity to these conduits in addition to their hydrodynamic resistance. Therefore, the conduits are able to store some quantity of fluid. In addition, two kinds of resurgence are addressed, namely punctual and extended; in the second case, the dimensions of the ends of the conduit are not negligible compared to the characteristic length scales of the embedding porous medium. Capacities and extended resurgences are new features which were not taken into account in our previous studies. The punctual resurgence is described by a spatial network with a finite number of conduits embedded in a continuous porous medium. The flow in the network is described by the classical Kirchhoff law (including capacities). The equations for flow in the network and in the continuous medium are related by the unknown flow rates jn(t) (n = 1,2, …, N) depending on time at the nth vertices of the network. Application of the conservation law at the vertices yields a system of integral equations for jn(t). The structure of this system depends on the structure of the network. The Laplace transformation yields a linear algebraic system. When this system is solved, the flow rates jn(t) can be constructed by the inverse Laplace transform. Extended resurgences are modeled as extensions of punctual resurgences when instead of two vertices at each edge two domains are connected point by point by an uncountable number of edges. Another type of extended resurgence is described by a non local integral operator. A numerical finite difference method is also applied to solve the equations. Examples of network with two and more vertices are detailed. The mathematical aspects will be kept to a minimum during the presentation and emphasis will be put on the physics and on several illustrative examples.

Evaluating MRI based vascular wall motion as a biomarker of Fontan hemodynamic performance

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Menon, Prahlad G.; Hong, Haifa

2015-03-01

The Fontan procedure for single-ventricle heart disease involves creation of pathways to divert venous blood from the superior & inferior venacavae (SVC, IVC) directly into the pulmonary arteries (PA), bypassing the right ventricle. For optimal surgical outcomes, venous flow energy loss in the resulting vascular construction must be minimized and ensuring close to equal flow distribution from the Fontan conduit connecting IVC to the left & right PA is paramount. This requires patient-specific hemodynamic evaluation using computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations which are often time and resource intensive, limiting applicability for real-time patient management in the clinic. In this study, we report preliminary efforts at identifying a new non-invasive imaging based surrogate for CFD simulated hemodynamics. We establish correlations between computed hemodynamic criteria from CFD modeling and cumulative wall displacement characteristics of the Fontan conduit quantified from cine cardiovascular MRI segmentations over time (i.e. 20 cardiac phases gated from the start of ventricular systole), in 5 unique Fontan surgical connections. To focus our attention on diameter variations while discounting side-to-side swaying motion of the Fontan conduit, the difference between its instantaneous regional expansion and inward contraction (averaged across the conduit) was computed and analyzed. Maximum Fontan conduit-average expansion over the cardiac cycle correlated with the anatomy-specific diametric offset between the axis of the IVC and SVC (r2=0.13, p=0.55) - a known factor correlated with Fontan energy loss and IVC-to-PA flow distribution. Investigation in a larger study cohort is needed to establish stronger statistical correlations.

Conditions Leading to Sudden Release of Magma Pressure

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Damjanac, B.; Gaffney, E. S.

2005-12-01

Buildup of magmatic pressures in a volcanic system can arise from a variety of mechanisms. Numerical models of the response of volcanic structures to buildup of pressures in magma in dikes and conduits provide estimates of the pressures needed to reopen blocked volcanic vents. They also can bound the magnitude of sudden pressure drops in a dike or conduit due to such reopening. Three scenarios are considered: a dike that is sheared off by covolcanic normal faulting, a scoria cone over a conduit that is blocked by in-falling scoria and some length of solidified magma, and a lava flow whose feed has partially solidified due to an interruption of magma supply from below. For faulting, it is found that magma would be able to follow the fault to a new surface eruption. A small increase in magma pressure over that needed to maintain flow prior to faulting is required to open the new path, and the magma pressure needed to maintain flow is lower but still greater than for the original dike. The magma pressure needed to overcome the other types of blockages depends on the details of the blockage. For example, for a scoria cone, it depends on the depth of the slumped scoria and on the depth to which the magma has solidified in the conduit. In general, failure of the blockage is expected to occur by radial hydrofracture just below the blocked length of conduit at magma pressures of 10 MPa or less, resulting in radial dikes. However, this conclusion is based on the assumption that the fluid magma has direct access to the rock surrounding the conduit. If, on the other hand, there is a zone of solidified basalt, still hot enough to deform plastically, surrounding the molten magma in the conduit, this could prevent breakout of a hydrofracture and allow higher pressures to build up. In such cases, pressures could build high enough to deform the overlying strata (scoria cone or lava flow). Models of such deformations suggest the possibility of more violent eruptions resulting from sudden shear failure of a scoria cone with material accelerations near 100 m/s2.

Shallow plumbing systems inferred from spatial analysis of pockmark arrays

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Maia, A.; Cartwright, J. A.; Andersen, E.

2016-12-01

This study describes and analyses an extraordinary array of pockmarks at the modern seabed of the Lower Congo Basin (offshore Angola), in order to understand the fluid migration routes and shallow plumbing system of the area. The 3D seismic visualization of feeding conduits (pipes) allowed the identification of the source interval for the fluids expelled during pockmark formation. Spatial statistics are used to show the relationship between the underlying (polarised) polygonal fault (PPFs) patterns and seabed pockmarks distributions. Our results show PPFs control the linear arrangement of pockmarks and feeder pipes along fault strike, but faults do not act as conduits. Spatial statistics also revealed pockmark occurrence is not considered to be random, especially at short distances to nearest neighbours (<200m) where anti-clustering distributions suggest the presence of an exclusion zone around each pockmark in which no other pockmark will form. The results of this study are relevant for the understanding of shallow fluid plumbing systems in offshore settings, with implications on our current knowledge of overall fluid flow systems in hydrocarbon-rich continental margins.

Simulation of particle motion in a closed conduit validated against experimental data

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dolanský, Jindřich

2015-05-01

Motion of a number of spherical particles in a closed conduit is examined by means of both simulation and experiment. The bed of the conduit is covered by stationary spherical particles of the size of the moving particles. The flow is driven by experimentally measured velocity profiles which are inputs of the simulation. Altering input velocity profiles generates various trajectory patterns. The lattice Boltzmann method (LBM) based simulation is developed to study mutual interactions of the flow and the particles. The simulation enables to model both the particle motion and the fluid flow. The entropic LBM is employed to deal with the flow characterized by the high Reynolds number. The entropic modification of the LBM along with the enhanced refinement of the lattice grid yield an increase in demands on computational resources. Due to the inherently parallel nature of the LBM it can be handled by employing the Parallel Computing Toolbox (MATLAB) and other transformations enabling usage of the CUDA GPU computing technology. The trajectories of the particles determined within the LBM simulation are validated against data gained from the experiments. The compatibility of the simulation results with the outputs of experimental measurements is evaluated. The accuracy of the applied approach is assessed and stability and efficiency of the simulation is also considered.

Regional-scale analysis of karst underground flow deduced from tracing experiments: examples from carbonate aquifers in Malaga province, southern Spain

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Barberá, J. A.; Mudarra, M.; Andreo, B.; De la Torre, B.

2018-02-01

Tracer concentration data from field experiments conducted in several carbonate aquifers (Malaga province, southern Spain) were analyzed following a dual approach based on the graphical evaluation method (GEM) and solute transport modeling to decipher flow mechanisms in karst systems at regional scale. The results show that conduit system geometry and flow conditions are the principal factors influencing tracer migration through the examined karst flow routes. Solute transport is mainly controlled by longitudinal advection and dispersion throughout the conduit length, but also by flow partitioning between mobile and immobile fluid phases, while the matrix diffusion process appears to be less relevant. The simulation of tracer breakthrough curves (BTCs) suggests that diffuse and concentrated flow through the unsaturated zone can have equivalent transport properties under extreme recharge, with high flow velocities and efficient mixing due to the high hydraulic gradients generated. Tracer mobilization within the saturated zone under low flow conditions mainly depends on the hydrodynamics (rather than on the karst conduit development), which promote a lower longitudinal advection and retardation in the tracer migration, resulting in a marked tailing effect of BTCs. The analytical advection-dispersion equation better approximates the effective flow velocity and longitudinal dispersion estimations provided by the GEM, while the non-equilibrium transport model achieves a better adjustment of most asymmetric and long-tailed BTCs. The assessment of karst underground flow properties from tracing tests at regional scale can aid design of groundwater management and protection strategies, particularly in large hydrogeological systems (i.e. transboundary carbonate aquifers) and/or in poorly investigated ones.

Apparatus for removing a contaminant from a fluid stream

DOEpatents

Brewster, M.D.; Posa, R.P.

1998-12-22

A device for removing a contaminant from a fluid stream flowing within a conduit is disclosed. The device includes a container and a barrier. The container has a first wall generated about an axis and a second wall generated about the same axis. The first wall defines a first volume therewithin, while the first and second walls define an annular second volume therebetween. Both the first and second volumes are sealed at one end of the device, while at the other end of the device the second volume only is sealed. A filter material occupies the second volume. The first and second walls are permeable to the fluid stream and are capable of retaining the filter material in the second volume. The barrier is impermeable to the fluid stream and creates a seal between the second wall and the conduit wall. The barrier is positioned adjacent the other end of the device such that when the other end of the device is the upstream end, the fluid stream must sequentially pass into the first volume, through the first wall, into the second volume and through the filter material, and through the second wall. 4 figs.

Apparatus for removing a contaminant from a fluid stream

DOEpatents

Brewster, Michael D.; Posa, Richard P.

1998-01-01

A device for removing a contaminant from a fluid stream flowing within a conduit is disclosed. The device includes a container and a barrier. The container has a first wall generated about an axis and a second wall generated about the same axis. The first wall defines a first volume therewithin, while the first and second walls define an annular second volume therebetween. Both the first and second volumes are sealed at one end of the device, while at the other end of the device the second volume only is sealed. A filter material occupies the second volume. The first and second walls are permeable to the fluid stream and are capable of retaining the filter material in the second volume. The barrier is impermeable to the fluid stream and creates a seal between the second wall and the conduit wall. The barrier is positioned adjacent the other end of the device such that when the other end of the device is the upstream end, the fluid stream must sequentially pass into the first volume, through the first wall, into the second volume and through the filter material, and through the second wall.

A mean curvature model for capillary flows in asymmetric containers and conduits

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chen, Yongkang; Tavan, Noël; Weislogel, Mark M.

2012-08-01

Capillarity-driven flows resulting from critical geometric wetting criterion are observed to yield significant shifts of the bulk fluid from one side of the container to the other during "zero gravity" experiments. For wetting fluids, such bulk shift flows consist of advancing and receding menisci sometimes separated by secondary capillary flows such as rivulet-like flows along gaps. Here we study the mean curvature of an advancing meniscus in hopes of approximating a critical boundary condition for fluid dynamics solutions. It is found that the bulk shift flows behave as if the bulk menisci are either "connected" or "disconnected." For the connected case, an analytic method is developed to calculate the mean curvature of the advancing meniscus in an asymptotic sense. In contrast, for the disconnected case the method to calculate the mean curvature of the advancing and receding menisci uses a well-established procedure. Both disconnected and connected bulk shifts can occur as the first tier flow of more complex compound capillary flows. Preliminary comparisons between the analytic method and the results of drop tower experiments are encouraging.

Finite element modeling of self-potential signals over conduits and fractures in covered karst terrain Peter Bumpus and Sarah Kruse

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bumpus, P. B.; Kruse, S. E.

2013-12-01

A year of continuous monitoring with two grids of 12-15 electrodes each measured self-potential (SP) over two small covered-karst conduits in Tampa, Florida. Positive and negative SP anomalies episodically manifested over conduits, suggesting that conduit flow is dynamic, not static. Various SP flow regimes in the conduits are postulated: flow in the conduit is faster than through surrounding surficial sediment, flow in the conduit is slower than through surrounding sediment, and conduit flow rates match those through the surrounding sediments. It is further postulated that conduits change permeability with inflow and washing out of sediment, especially associated with rain events. Numerical simulations of the postulated flow regimes were run with 2D simulations using the Comsol finite element modeling code. Simulations show that each regime produces different SP patterns. Models simulate the Tampa field setting in which a 1-2 meter-thick high permeability sand layer overlies a low-permeability clay-rich layer. A funnel-shaped conduit breaches both layers. In the models, when the permeability of the conduit sands is equal to surrounding surficial sands, a small (several mV) negative anomaly manifests locally at the conduit. This negative anomaly can be explained as the result of the depression of the SPS surface (the first sediment surface with a change in conductance or streaming potential coefficient) in the conduit. However a permeability difference of as little as 5 to 20 percent between conduit and background can cause an SP anomaly of tens to several hundred millivolts, either positive or negative. When the permeability is higher in the conduit than the surficial sands, lateral flow into the conduit within the sand layer and through the conduit to the underlying aquifer are both high, and the SP signal over the conduit is positive. This may contradict the concept exemplified in other studies that downward flow creates a negative anomaly. In our case the positive voltage is the result of high lateral flow toward a high flux conduit. As a result, the horizontal dimension of the conduit plays a role in whether a positive or negative anomaly is observed locally near the surface, depending on the degree to which the terminus of the inward lateral flow affects voltage over the conduit center. When the conduit has lower permeability than surrounding surficial sediment, models show that the SP anomaly is negative. In this case lateral flow is small to a low-flux conduit and there is little build-up of positive SP to overcome the negative potential associated with the SPS trough.

Temperature limited heater with a conduit substantially electrically isolated from the formation

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

Vinegar, Harold J; Sandberg, Chester Ledlie

2009-07-14

A system for heating a hydrocarbon containing formation is described. A conduit may be located in an opening in the formation. The conduit includes ferromagnetic material. An electrical conductor is positioned inside the conduit, and is electrically coupled to the conduit at or near an end portion of the conduit so that the electrical conductor and the conduit are electrically coupled in series. Electrical current flows in the electrical conductor in a substantially opposite direction to electrical current flow in the conduit during application of electrical current to the system. The flow of electrons is substantially confined to the insidemore » of the conduit by the electromagnetic field generated from electrical current flow in the electrical conductor so that the outside surface of the conduit is at or near substantially zero potential at 25.degree. C. The conduit may generate heat and heat the formation during application of electrical current.« less

Soliton-mediated conduit flow: Deep Hawaiian magma migration

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ryan, M.; Stanley, B.

2006-12-01

Solitons have first-order attributes that include shape- and volume-conserving packets of fluid that migrate with characteristic wavelengths, amplitudes, wave numbers, and pulse durations. For ascent in dike-like magma- filled fractures, the soliton pulse duration is directly proportional to the conduit wall region viscosity and inversely proportional to the density contrast that drives the flow. Second-order effects that modify pathways include heat loss to conduit wall rocks, and progressive crystallization episodes along conduit walls. Long-lived (and intermediate duration) historical eruption episodes of Kilauea volcano, Hawai'i, include the 1959 Kilauea summit series at Kilauea Iki, the 1969-1974 series at Mauna Ulu and the 1983-to-present series at Pu'u `O'o-Kupaianaha. For each locale, the eruptions display a variable time-series in their erupted volumes, as well as fountain heights and vent flow rates. Inter-episode repose periods, however, often show broad regularity over extended periods. We suggest that these dynamics represent serendipitous windows into the characteristic system dynamics of deep magma migration beneath Hawai'i: all made possible by the chance clearance of mechanical obstructions allowing virtually open-system behavior. The rhythmic `beat' of eruptive episodes within a long-lived series (and their roughly regular repose periods) arise directly from the soliton migration mechanism. For non-summit locales such as Mauna Ulu and Pu'u `O'o-Kupaianaha, the fluid contents of the sub-caldera reservoir and the shallow molten rift zone core modulate the observed intrusion- eruption dynamics as volumetric displacements transmit down-rift the pressure pulses first felt beneath Halemaumau and the summit caldera. Analytic calculations of wave speed, wave length, batch volume, parcel shapes and repose periods reveal the dependence on material properties appropriate for Kilauea intrusions and eruptions. Analogue laboratory experiments using stiff mixtures of gelatin as the matrix `fluid' and dyed aqueous solutions as the injected phase, reveal that the injections exhibit soliton-like ascent modes: independent packets of fluid rise along vertical fractures with bulbous noses and slender tails that thin with depth and increasing confining pressures. Spatially-varying azimuths of principal stress components ( ) result in systematic rotations of the ascent pathway as the rising soliton rotates to reestablish an orthogonal relationship with the minimum compressive stress component ( ) orientation. These rotations in ascent pathway orientation are appropriate for the inferred transitions from the upper mantle, through the oceanic crust and into Kilauea's volcanic shield and laterally extensive East Rift Zone and Southwest Rift Zone.

Pressure charged airlift pump

DOEpatents

Campbell, Gene K.

1983-01-01

A pumping system is described for pumping fluids, such as water with entrained mud and small rocks, out of underground cavities such as drilled wells, which can effectively remove fluids down to a level very close to the bottom of the cavity and which can operate solely by compressed air pumped down through the cavity. The system utilizes a subassembly having a pair of parallel conduit sections (44, 46) adapted to be connected onto the bottom of a drill string utilized for drilling the cavity, the drill string also having a pair of coaxially extending conduits. The subassembly includes an upper portion which has means for connection onto the drill string and terminates the first conduit of the drill string in a plenum (55). A compressed air-driven pump (62) is suspended from the upper portion. The pump sucks fluids from the bottom of the cavity and discharges them into the second conduit. Compressed air pumped down through the first conduit (46) to the plenum powers the compressed air-driven pump and aerates the fluid in the second conduit to lift it to the earth's surface.

Adaptive particle-based pore-level modeling of incompressible fluid flow in porous media: a direct and parallel approach

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ovaysi, S.; Piri, M.

2009-12-01

We present a three-dimensional fully dynamic parallel particle-based model for direct pore-level simulation of incompressible viscous fluid flow in disordered porous media. The model was developed from scratch and is capable of simulating flow directly in three-dimensional high-resolution microtomography images of naturally occurring or man-made porous systems. It reads the images as input where the position of the solid walls are given. The entire medium, i.e., solid and fluid, is then discretized using particles. The model is based on Moving Particle Semi-implicit (MPS) technique. We modify this technique in order to improve its stability. The model handles highly irregular fluid-solid boundaries effectively. It takes into account viscous pressure drop in addition to the gravity forces. It conserves mass and can automatically detect any false connectivity with fluid particles in the neighboring pores and throats. It includes a sophisticated algorithm to automatically split and merge particles to maintain hydraulic connectivity of extremely narrow conduits. Furthermore, it uses novel methods to handle particle inconsistencies and open boundaries. To handle the computational load, we present a fully parallel version of the model that runs on distributed memory computer clusters and exhibits excellent scalability. The model is used to simulate unsteady-state flow problems under different conditions starting from straight noncircular capillary tubes with different cross-sectional shapes, i.e., circular/elliptical, square/rectangular and triangular cross-sections. We compare the predicted dimensionless hydraulic conductances with the data available in the literature and observe an excellent agreement. We then test the scalability of our parallel model with two samples of an artificial sandstone, samples A and B, with different volumes and different distributions (non-uniform and uniform) of solid particles among the processors. An excellent linear scalability is obtained for sample B that has more uniform distribution of solid particles leading to a superior load balancing. The model is then used to simulate fluid flow directly in REV size three-dimensional x-ray images of a naturally occurring sandstone. We analyze the quality and consistency of the predicted flow behavior and calculate absolute permeability, which compares well with the available network modeling and Lattice-Boltzmann permeabilities available in the literature for the same sandstone. We show that the model conserves mass very well and is stable computationally even at very narrow fluid conduits. The transient- and the steady-state fluid flow patterns are presented as well as the steady-state flow rates to compute absolute permeability. Furthermore, we discuss the vital role of our adaptive particle resolution scheme in preserving the original pore connectivity of the samples and their narrow channels through splitting and merging of fluid particles.

System for measuring multiphase flow using multiple pressure differentials

DOEpatents

Fincke, James R.

2003-01-01

An improved method and system for measuring a multi-phase flow in a pressure flow meter. An extended throat venturi is used and pressure of the multi-phase flow is measured at three or more positions in the venturi, which define two or more pressure differentials in the flow conduit. The differential pressures are then used to calculate the mass flow of the gas phase, the total mass flow, and the liquid phase. The system for determining the mass flow of the high void fraction fluid flow and the gas flow includes taking into account a pressure drop experienced by the gas phase due to work performed by the gas phase in accelerating the liquid phase.

Freeform fluidics

DOEpatents

Dehoff, Ryan R; Lind, Randall F; Love, Lonnie L; Peter, William H; Richardson, Bradley S

2015-02-10

A robotic, prosthetic or orthotic member includes a body formed of a solidified metallic powder. At least one working fluid cylinder is formed in the body. A piston is provided in the working fluid cylinder for pressurizing a fluid in the cylinder. At least one working fluid conduit receives the pressurized fluid from the cylinder. The body, working fluid cylinder and working fluid conduit have a unitary construction. A method of making a robotic member is also disclosed.

Separated two-phase flow and basaltic eruptions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Vergniolle, Sylvie; Jaupart, Claude

1986-11-01

Fluid dynamical models of volcanic eruptions are usually made in the homogeneous approximation where gas and liquid are constrained to move at the same velocity. Basaltic eruptions exhibit the characteristics of separated flows, including transitions in their flow regime, from bubbly to slug flow in Strombolian eruptions and from bubbly to annular flow in Hawaiian ones. These regimes can be characterized by a parameter called the melt superficial velocity, or volume flux per unit cross section, which takes values between 10-3 and 10-2 m/s for bubbly and slug flow, and about 1 m/s for annular flow. We use two-phase flow equations to determine under which conditions the homogeneous approximation is not valid. In the bubbly regime, in which many bubbles rise through the moving liquid, there are large differences between the two-phase and homogeneous models, especially in the predictions of gas content and pressure. The homogeneous model is valid for viscous lavas such as dacites because viscosity impedes bubble motion. It is not valid for basaltic lavas if bubble sizes are greater than 1 cm, which is the case. Accordingly, basaltic eruptions should be characterized by lower gas contents and lower values of the exit pressure, and they rarely erupt in the mist and froth regimes, which are a feature of more viscous lavas. The two-phase flow framework allows for the treatment of different bubble populations, including vesicles due to exsolution by pressure release in the volcanic conduit and bubbles from the magma chamber. This yields information on poorly constrained parameters including the effective friction coefficient for the conduit, gas content, and bubble size in the chamber. We suggest that the observed flow transitions record changes in the amount and size of gas bubbles in the magma chamber at the conduit entry.

High temperature pressure gauge

DOEpatents

Echtler, J. Paul; Scandrol, Roy O.

1981-01-01

A high temperature pressure gauge comprising a pressure gauge positioned in fluid communication with one end of a conduit which has a diaphragm mounted in its other end. The conduit is filled with a low melting metal alloy above the diaphragm for a portion of its length with a high temperature fluid being positioned in the remaining length of the conduit and in the pressure gauge.

A Linearized Model for Wave Propagation through Coupled Volcanic Conduit-crack Systems Filled with Multiphase Magma

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Liang, C.; Dunham, E. M.; OReilly, O. J.; Karlstrom, L.

2015-12-01

Both the oscillation of magma in volcanic conduits and resonance of fluid-filled cracks (dikes and sills) are appealing explanations for very long period signals recorded at many active volcanoes. While these processes have been studied in isolation, real volcanic systems involve interconnected networks of conduits and cracks. The overall objective of our work is to develop a model of wave propagation and ultimately eruptive fluid dynamics through this coupled system. Here, we present a linearized model for wave propagation through a conduit with multiple cracks branching off of it. The fluid is compressible and viscous, and is comprised of a mixture of liquid melt and gas bubbles. Nonequilibrium bubble growth and resorption (BGR) is quantified by introducing a time scale for mass exchange between phases, following the treatment in Karlstrom and Dunham (2015). We start by deriving the dispersion relation for crack waves travelling along the multiphase-magma-filled crack embedded in an elastic solid. Dissipation arises from magma viscosity, nonequilibrium BGR, and radiation of seismic waves into the solid. We next introduce coupling conditions between the conduit and crack, expressing conservation of mass and the balance of forces across the junction. Waves in the conduit, like those in the crack, are influenced by nonequilibrium BGR, but the deformability of the surrounding solid is far less important than for cracks. Solution of the coupled system of equations provides the evolution of pressure and fluid velocity within the conduit-crack system. The system has various resonant modes that are sensitive to fluid properties and to the geometry of the conduit and cracks. Numerical modeling of seismic waves in the solid allows us to generate synthetic seismograms.

Fluid sampling system for a nuclear reactor

DOEpatents

Lau, Louis K.; Alper, Naum I.

1994-01-01

A system of extracting fluid samples, either liquid or gas, from the interior of a nuclear reactor containment utilizes a jet pump. To extract the sample fluid, a nonradioactive motive fluid is forced through the inlet and discharge ports of a jet pump located outside the containment, creating a suction that draws the sample fluid from the containment through a sample conduit connected to the pump suction port. The mixture of motive fluid and sample fluid is discharged through a return conduit to the interior of the containment. The jet pump and means for removing a portion of the sample fluid from the sample conduit can be located in a shielded sample grab station located next to the containment. A non-nuclear grade active pump can be located outside the grab sampling station and the containment to pump the nonradioactive motive fluid through the jet pump.

Fluid sampling system for a nuclear reactor

DOEpatents

Lau, L.K.; Alper, N.I.

1994-11-22

A system of extracting fluid samples, either liquid or gas, from the interior of a nuclear reactor containment utilizes a jet pump. To extract the sample fluid, a nonradioactive motive fluid is forced through the inlet and discharge ports of a jet pump located outside the containment, creating a suction that draws the sample fluid from the containment through a sample conduit connected to the pump suction port. The mixture of motive fluid and sample fluid is discharged through a return conduit to the interior of the containment. The jet pump and means for removing a portion of the sample fluid from the sample conduit can be located in a shielded sample grab station located next to the containment. A non-nuclear grade active pump can be located outside the grab sampling station and the containment to pump the nonradioactive motive fluid through the jet pump. 1 fig.

Hydraulic Roughness and Flow Resistance in a Subglacial Conduit

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chen, Y.; Liu, X.; Mankoff, K. D.

2017-12-01

The hydraulic roughness significantly affects the flow resistance in real subglacial conduits, but has been poorly understood. To address this knowledge gap, this paper first proposes a procedure to define and quantify the geometry roughness, and then relates such a geometry roughness to the hydraulic roughness based on a series of computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations. The results indicate that by using the 2nd order structure function, the roughness field can be well quantified by the powers of the scaling-law, the vertical and horizontal length scales of the structure functions. The vertical length scale can be further chosen as the standard deviation of the roughness field σr. The friction factors calculated from either total drag force or the linear decreasing pressure agree very well with those calculated from traditional rough pipe theories when the equivalent hydraulic roughness height is corrected as ks = (1.1 ˜ 1.5)σr. This result means that the fully rough pipe resistance formula λ = [2 log(D0/2ks) + 1.74]-2, and the Moody diagram are still valid for the friction factor estimation in subglacial conduits when σr /D0<18% and ks/D0<22%. The results further show that when a proper hydraulic roughness is determined, the total flow resistance corresponding to the given hydraulic roughness height can be accurately modelled by using a rough wall function. This suggests that the flow resistance for the longer realistic subglacial conduits with large sinuosity and cross-sectional variations may be correctly predicted by CFD simulations. The results also show that the friction factors from CFD modeling are much larger than those determined from traditional rough pipe theories when σr /D0>20%.

Non-contact handling device

DOEpatents

Reece, Mark [Albuquerque, NM; Knorovsky, Gerald A [Albuquerque, NM; MacCallum, Danny O [Edgewood, NM

2007-05-15

A pressurized fluid handling nozzle has a body with a first end and a second end, a fluid conduit and a recess at the second end. The first end is configured for connection to a pressurized fluid source. The fluid conduit has an inlet at the first end and an outlet at the recess. The nozzle uses the Bernoulli effect for lifting a part.

Water Flow in Karst Aquifer Considering Dynamically Variable Saturation Conduit

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tan, Chaoqun; Hu, Bill X.

2017-04-01

The karst system is generally conceptualized as dual-porosity system, which is characterized by low conductivity and high storage continuum matrix and high conductivity and quick flow conduit networks. And so far, a common numerical model for simulating flow in karst aquifer is MODFLOW2005-CFP, which is released by USGS in 2008. However, the steady-state approach for conduit flow in CFP is physically impractical when simulating very dynamic hydraulics with variable saturation conduit. So, we adopt the method proposed by Reimann et al. (2011) to improve current model, in which Saint-Venant equations are used to model the flow in conduit. Considering the actual background that the conduit is very big and varies along flow path and the Dirichlet boundary varies with rainfall in our study area in Southwest China, we further investigate the influence of conduit diameter and outflow boundary on numerical model. And we also analyze the hydraulic process in multi-precipitation events. We find that the numerical model here corresponds well with CFP for saturated conduit, and it could depict the interaction between matrix and conduit during very dynamic hydraulics pretty well compare with CFP.

Archuleta County CO Lineaments

DOE Data Explorer

Richard E. Zehner

2012-01-01

This layer traces apparent topographic and air-photo lineaments in the area around Pagosa springs in Archuleta County, Colorado. It was made in order to identify possible fault and fracture systems that might be conduits for geothermal fluids. Geothermal fluids commonly utilize fault and fractures in competent rocks as conduits for fluid flow. Geothermal exploration involves finding areas of high near-surface temperature gradients, along with a suitable plumbing system that can provide the necessary permeability. Geothermal power plants can sometimes be built where temperature and flow rates are high. To do this, georeferenced topographic maps and aerial photographs were utilized in an existing GIS, using ESRI ArcMap 10.0 software. The USA_Topo_Maps and World_Imagery map layers were chosen from the GIS Server at server.arcgisonline.com, using a UTM Zone 13 NAD27 projection. This line shapefile was then constructed over that which appeared to be through-going structural lineaments in both the aerial photographs and topographic layers, taking care to avoid manmade features such as roads, fence lines, and right-of-ways. These lineaments may be displaced somewhat from their actual location, due to such factors as shadow effects with low sun angles in the aerial photographs. Note: This shape file was constructed as an aid to geothermal exploration in preparation for a site visit for field checking. We make no claims as to the existence of the lineaments, their location, orientation, and nature.

Effects of dynamically variable saturation and matrix-conduit coupling of flow in karst aquifers

USGS Publications Warehouse

Reimann, T.; Geyer, T.; Shoemaker, W.B.; Liedl, R.; Sauter, M.

2011-01-01

Well-developed karst aquifers consist of highly conductive conduits and a relatively low permeability fractured and/or porous rock matrix and therefore behave as a dual-hydraulic system. Groundwater flow within highly permeable strata is rapid and transient and depends on local flow conditions, i.e., pressurized or nonpressurized flow. The characterization of karst aquifers is a necessary and challenging task because information about hydraulic and spatial conduit properties is poorly defined or unknown. To investigate karst aquifers, hydraulic stresses such as large recharge events can be simulated with hybrid (coupled discrete continuum) models. Since existing hybrid models are simplifications of the system dynamics, a new karst model (ModBraC) is presented that accounts for unsteady and nonuniform discrete flow in variably saturated conduits employing the Saint-Venant equations. Model performance tests indicate that ModBraC is able to simulate (1) unsteady and nonuniform flow in variably filled conduits, (2) draining and refilling of conduits with stable transition between free-surface and pressurized flow and correct storage representation, (3) water exchange between matrix and variably filled conduits, and (4) discharge routing through branched and intermeshed conduit networks. Subsequently, ModBraC is applied to an idealized catchment to investigate the significance of free-surface flow representation. A parameter study is conducted with two different initial conditions: (1) pressurized flow and (2) free-surface flow. If free-surface flow prevails, the systems is characterized by (1) a time lag for signal transmission, (2) a typical spring discharge pattern representing the transition from pressurized to free-surface flow, and (3) a reduced conduit-matrix interaction during free-surface flow. Copyright 2011 by the American Geophysical Union.

Preliminary findings on the effects of geometry on two-phase flow through volcanic conduits

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mitchell, K. L.; Wilson, L.; Lane, S. J.; James, M. R.

2003-04-01

We attempt to ascertain whether some of the geometrical assumptions utilised in modelling of flows through volcanic conduits are valid. Flow is often assumed to be through a vertical conduit, but some volcanoes, such as Pu'u 'O'o (Kilauea, Hawai'i) and Stromboli (Italy), are known to exhibit inclined or more complex conduit systems. Our numerical and experimental studies have revealed that conduit inclination is a first-order influence on flow properties and eruptive style. Even a few degrees of inclination from vertical can increase gas-liquid phase separation by locally enhancing the gas volume fraction on the upper surface of the conduit. We explore the consequences of phase separation and slug flow for styles of magmatic eruption, and consider how these apply to particular eruptions. Modellers also tend to assume a simple parallel-sided geometry for volcanic conduits. Some have used a pressure-balanced assumption allowing conduits to choke and flare, resulting in higher eruption velocities. The pressure-balanced assumption is flawed in that it does not deal with the effects of compressibility and associated shocks when the flow is supersonic. Both parallel-sided and pressure-balanced assumptions avoid addressing how conduit shape evolves from an initial dyke-shaped fracture. However, we assert that evolution of conduit shape is impossible to quantify accurately using a deterministic approach. Therefore we adopt a simplified approach, with the initial conduit shape as a blade-shaped dyke, and the potential end-member as a system that is pressure-balanced up to the supersonic choking point and undetermined beyond (flow is constrained by a narrow jet envelope and not by the walls). Intermediate geometries are assumed to change quasi-steadily at locations where conduit wall stresses are high, and the consequences of these geometries are explored. We find that quite small changes in conduit geometry, which are likely to occur in volcanic systems, can have a significant effect on flow speeds.

Examining shear processes during magma ascent

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kendrick, J. E.; Wallace, P. A.; Coats, R.; Lamur, A.; Lavallée, Y.

2017-12-01

Lava dome eruptions are prone to rapid shifts from effusive to explosive behaviour which reflects the rheology of magma. Magma rheology is governed by composition, porosity and crystal content, which during ascent evolves to yield a rock-like, viscous suspension in the upper conduit. Geophysical monitoring, laboratory experiments and detailed field studies offer the opportunity to explore the complexities associated with the ascent and eruption of such magmas, which rest at a pivotal position with regard to the glass transition, allowing them to either flow or fracture. Crystal interaction during flow results in strain-partitioning and shear-thinning behaviour of the suspension. In a conduit, such characteristics favour the formation of localised shear zones as strain is concentrated along conduit margins, where magma can rupture and heal in repetitive cycles. Sheared magmas often record a history of deformation in the form of: grain size reduction; anisotropic permeable fluid pathways; mineral reactions; injection features; recrystallisation; and magnetic anomalies, providing a signature of the repetitive earthquakes often observed during lava dome eruptions. The repetitive fracture of magma at ( fixed) depth in the conduit and the fault-like products exhumed at spine surfaces indicate that the last hundreds of meters of ascent may be controlled by frictional slip. Experiments on a low-to-high velocity rotary shear apparatus indicate that shear stress on a slip plane is highly velocity dependent, and here we examine how this influences magma ascent and its characteristic geophysical signals.

Exhaust gas recirculation system for an internal combustion engine

DOEpatents

Wu, Ko-Jen

2013-05-21

An exhaust gas recirculation system for an internal combustion engine comprises an exhaust driven turbocharger having a low pressure turbine outlet in fluid communication with an exhaust gas conduit. The turbocharger also includes a low pressure compressor intake and a high pressure compressor outlet in communication with an intake air conduit. An exhaust gas recirculation conduit fluidly communicates with the exhaust gas conduit to divert a portion of exhaust gas to a low pressure exhaust gas recirculation branch extending between the exhaust gas recirculation conduit and an engine intake system for delivery of exhaust gas thereto. A high pressure exhaust gas recirculation branch extends between the exhaust gas recirculation conduit and the compressor intake and delivers exhaust gas to the compressor for mixing with a compressed intake charge for delivery to the intake system.

Treatment of aortic stenosis with aortic valve bypass (apicoaortic conduit) surgery: an assessment using computational modeling.

PubMed

Balaras, Elias; Cha, K S; Griffith, Bartley P; Gammie, James S

2009-03-01

Aortic valve bypass surgery treats aortic valve stenosis with a valve-containing conduit that connects the left ventricular apex to the descending thoracic aorta. After aortic valve bypass, blood is ejected from the left ventricle via both the native stenotic aortic valve and the conduit. We performed computational modeling to determine the effects of aortic valve bypass on aortic and cerebral blood flow, as well as the effect of conduit size on relative blood flow through the conduit and the native valve. The interaction of blood flow with the vascular boundary was modeled using a hybrid Eurelian-Lagrangian formulation, where an unstructured Galerkin finite element method was coupled with an immersed boundary approach. Our model predicted native (stenotic) valve to conduit flow ratios of 45:55, 52:48, and 60:40 for conduits with diameters of 20, 16, and 10 mm, respectively. Mean gradients across the native aortic valve were calculated to be 12.5, 13.8, and 17.6 mm Hg, respectively. Post-aortic valve bypass cerebral blood flow was unchanged from preoperative aortic valve stenosis configurations and was constant across all conduit sizes. In all cases modeled, cerebral blood flow was completely supplied by blood ejected across the native aortic valve. An aortic valve bypass conduit as small as 10 mm results in excellent relief of left ventricular outflow tract obstruction in critical aortic valve stenosis. The presence of an aortic valve bypass conduit has no effect on cerebral blood flow. All blood flow to the brain occurs via antegrade flow across the native stenotic valve; this configuration may decrease the long-term risk of cerebral thromboembolism.

The impact of fluid advection on gas hydrate stability: Investigations at sites of methane seepage offshore Costa Rica

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Crutchley, G. J.; Klaeschen, D.; Planert, L.; Bialas, J.; Berndt, C.; Papenberg, C.; Hensen, C.; Hornbach, M. J.; Krastel, S.; Brueckmann, W.

2014-09-01

Fluid flow through marine sediments drives a wide range of processes, from gas hydrate formation and dissociation, to seafloor methane seepage including the development of chemosynthetic ecosystems, and ocean acidification. Here, we present new seismic data that reveal the 3D nature of focused fluid flow beneath two mound structures on the seafloor offshore Costa Rica. These mounds have formed as a result of ongoing seepage of methane-rich fluids. We show the spatial impact of advective heat flow on gas hydrate stability due to the channelled ascent of warm fluids towards the seafloor. The base of gas hydrate stability (BGHS) imaged in the seismic data constrains peak heat flow values to ∼60 mW m and ∼70 mW m beneath two separate seep sites known as Mound 11 and Mound 12, respectively. The initiation of pronounced fluid flow towards these structures was likely controlled by fault networks that acted as efficient pathways for warm fluids ascending from depth. Through the gas hydrate stability zone, fluid flow has been focused through vertical conduits that we suggest developed as migrating fluids generated their own secondary permeability by fracturing strata as they forced their way upwards towards the seafloor. We show that Mound 11 and Mound 12 (about 1 km apart on the seafloor) are sustained by independent fluid flow systems through the hydrate system, and that fluid flow rates across the BGHS are probably similar beneath both mounds. 2D seismic data suggest that these two flow systems might merge at approximately 1 km depth, i.e. much deeper than the BGHS. This study provides a new level of detail and understanding of how channelled, anomalously-high fluid flow towards the seafloor influences gas hydrate stability. Thus, gas hydrate systems have good potential for quantifying the upward flow of subduction system fluids to seafloor seep sites, since the fluids have to interact with and leave their mark on the hydrate system before reaching the seafloor.

A one-dimensional heat-transport model for conduit flow in karst aquifers

USGS Publications Warehouse

Long, Andrew J.; Gilcrease, P.C.

2009-01-01

A one-dimensional heat-transport model for conduit flow in karst aquifers is presented as an alternative to two or three-dimensional distributed-parameter models, which are data intensive and require knowledge of conduit locations. This model can be applied for cases where water temperature in a well or spring receives all or part of its water from a phreatic conduit. Heat transport in the conduit is simulated by using a physically-based heat-transport equation that accounts for inflow of diffuse flow from smaller openings and fissures in the surrounding aquifer during periods of low recharge. Additional diffuse flow that is within the zone of influence of the well or spring but has not interacted with the conduit is accounted for with a binary mixing equation to proportion these different water sources. The estimation of this proportion through inverse modeling is useful for the assessment of contaminant vulnerability and well-head or spring protection. The model was applied to 7 months of continuous temperature data for a sinking stream that recharges a conduit and a pumped well open to the Madison aquifer in western South Dakota. The simulated conduit-flow fraction to the well ranged from 2% to 31% of total flow, and simulated conduit velocity ranged from 44 to 353 m/d.

How important is exact knowledge of preferential flowpath locations and orientations for understanding spatiotemporally integrated spring hydrologic and transport response?

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Henson, W.; De Rooij, R.; Graham, W. D.

2016-12-01

The Upper Floridian Aquifer is hydrogeologically complex; limestone dissolution has led to vertical and horizontal preferential flow paths. Locations of karst conduits are unknown and conduit properties are poorly constrained. Uncertainty in effects of conduit location, size, and density, network geometry and connectivity on hydrologic and transport responses is not well quantified, leading to limited use of discrete-continuum models that incorporate conduit networks for regional-scale hydrologic regulatory models. However, conduit networks typically dominate flow and contaminant transport in karst aquifers. We evaluated sensitivity of simulated water and nitrate fluxes and flow paths to karst conduit geometry in a springshed representative of Silver Springs, Florida, using a novel calcite dissolution conduit-generation algorithm coupled with a discrete-continuum flow and transport model (DisCo). Monte Carlo simulations of conduit generation, groundwater flow, and conservative solute transport indicate that, if a first magnitude spring system conduit network developed (i.e., spring flow >2.8 m3/s), the uncertainty in hydraulic and solute pulse response metrics at the spring vent was minimally related to locational uncertainty of network elements. Across the ensemble of realizations for various distributions of conduits, first magnitude spring hydraulic pulse metrics (e.g., steady-flow, peak flow, and recession coefficients) had < 0.01 coefficient of variation (CV). Similarly, spring solute breakthrough curve moments had low CV (<0.08); peak arrival had CV=0.06, mean travel time had CV=0.05, and travel time standard deviation had CV=0.08. Nevertheless, hydraulic and solute pulse response metrics were significantly different than those predicted by an equivalent porous-media model. These findings indicate that regional-scale decision models that incorporate karst preferential flow paths within an uncertainty framework can be used to better constrain aquifer-vulnerability estimates, despite lacking information about actual conduit locations.

System and method for filling a plurality of isolated vehicle fluid circuits through a common fluid fill port

DOEpatents

Sullivan, Scott C; Fansler, Douglas

2014-10-14

A vehicle having multiple isolated fluid circuits configured to be filled through a common fill port includes a first fluid circuit disposed within the vehicle, the first fluid circuit having a first fill port, a second fluid circuit disposed within the vehicle, and a conduit defining a fluid passageway between the first fluid circuit and second fluid circuit, the conduit including a valve. The valve is configured such that the first and second fluid circuits are fluidly coupled via the passageway when the valve is open, and are fluidly isolated when the valve is closed.

Acoustic sand detector for fluid flowstreams

DOEpatents

Beattie, Alan G.; Bohon, W. Mark

1993-01-01

The particle volume and particle mass production rate of particulate solids entrained in fluid flowstreams such as formation sand or fracture proppant entrained in oil and gas production flowstreams is determined by a system having a metal probe interposed in a flow conduit for transmitting acoustic emissions created by particles impacting the probe to a sensor and signal processing circuit which produces discrete signals related to the impact of each of the particles striking the probe. The volume or mass flow rate of particulates is determined from making an initial particle size distribution and particle energy distribution and comparing the initial energy distribution and/or the initial size distribution with values related to the impact energies of a predetermined number of recorded impacts. The comparison is also used to recalibrate the system to compensate for changes in flow velocity.

Rapid fabrication of pressure-driven open-channel microfluidic devices in omniphobic R(F) paper.

PubMed

Glavan, Ana C; Martinez, Ramses V; Maxwell, E Jane; Subramaniam, Anand Bala; Nunes, Rui M D; Soh, Siowling; Whitesides, George M

2013-08-07

This paper describes the fabrication of pressure-driven, open-channel microfluidic systems with lateral dimensions of 45-300 microns carved in omniphobic paper using a craft-cutting tool. Vapor phase silanization with a fluorinated alkyltrichlorosilane renders paper omniphobic, but preserves its high gas permeability and mechanical properties. When sealed with tape, the carved channels form conduits capable of guiding liquid transport in the low-Reynolds number regime (i.e. laminar flow). These devices are compatible with complex fluids such as droplets of water in oil. The combination of omniphobic paper and a craft cutter enables the development of new types of valves and switches, such as "fold valves" and "porous switches," which provide new methods to control fluid flow.

Vertical and lateral fluid flow related to a large growth fault, South Eugene Island Block 330 field, offshore Louisiana

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

Losh, S.; Eglinton, L.; Schoell, M.

1999-02-01

Data from sediments in and near a large growth fault adjacent to the giant South Eugene Island Block 330 field, offshore Louisiana, indicate that the fault has acted as a conduit for fluids whose flux has varied in space and time. Core and cuttings samples from two wells that penetrated the same fault about 300 m apart show markedly different thermal histories and evidence for mass flux. Sediments within and adjacent to the fault zone in the US Department of Energy-Pennzoil Pathfinder well at about 2200 m SSTVD (subsea true vertical depth) showed little paleothermal or geochemical evidence for through-goingmore » fluid flow. The sediments were characterized by low vitrinite reflectances (R{sub {omicron}}), averaging 0.3% R{sub {omicron}}, moderate to high {delta}{sup 18}O and {delta}{sup 13}C values, and little difference in major or trace element composition between deformed and undeformed sediments. In contrast, faulted sediments from the A6ST well, which intersects the A fault at 1993 m SSTVD, show evidence for a paleothermal anomaly (0.55% R{sub {omicron}}) and depleted {delta}{sup 18}O and {delta}{sup 13}C values. Overall, indicators of mass and heat flux indicate the main growth fault zone in South Eugene Island Block 330 has acted as a conduit for ascending fluids, although the cumulative fluxes vary along strike. This conclusion is corroborated by oil and gas distribution in downthrown sands in Blocks 330 and 331, which identify the fault system in northwestern Block 330 as a major feeder.« less

Biological detector and method

DOEpatents

Sillerud, Laurel; Alam, Todd M; McDowell, Andrew F

2013-02-26

A biological detector includes a conduit for receiving a fluid containing one or more magnetic nanoparticle-labeled, biological objects to be detected and one or more permanent magnets or electromagnet for establishing a low magnetic field in which the conduit is disposed. A microcoil is disposed proximate the conduit for energization at a frequency that permits detection by NMR spectroscopy of whether the one or more magnetically-labeled biological objects is/are present in the fluid.

Biological detector and method

DOEpatents

Sillerud, Laurel; Alam, Todd M; McDowell, Andrew F

2014-04-15

A biological detector includes a conduit for receiving a fluid containing one or more magnetic nanoparticle-labeled, biological objects to be detected and one or more permanent magnets or electromagnet for establishing a low magnetic field in which the conduit is disposed. A microcoil is disposed proximate the conduit for energization at a frequency that permits detection by NMR spectroscopy of whether the one or more magnetically-labeled biological objects is/are present in the fluid.

Biological detector and method

DOEpatents

Sillerud, Laurel; Alam, Todd M.; McDowell, Andrew F.

2015-11-24

A biological detector includes a conduit for receiving a fluid containing one or more magnetic nanoparticle-labeled, biological objects to be detected and one or more permanent magnets or electromagnet for establishing a low magnetic field in which the conduit is disposed. A microcoil is disposed proximate the conduit for energization at a frequency that permits detection by NMR spectroscopy of whether the one or more magnetically-labeled biological objects is/are present in the fluid.

Biological detector and method

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

Sillerud, Laurel; Alam, Todd M.; McDowell, Andrew F.

A biological detector includes a conduit for receiving a fluid containing one or more magnetic nanoparticle-labeled, biological objects to be detected and one or more permanent magnets or electromagnet for establishing a low magnetic field in which the conduit is disposed. A microcoil is disposed proximate the conduit for energization at a frequency that permits detection by NMR spectroscopy of whether the one or more magnetically-labeled biological objects is/are present in the fluid.

Structural cooling fluid tube for supporting a turbine component and supplying cooling fluid to transition section

DOEpatents

Charron, Richard; Pierce, Daniel

2015-08-11

A shaft cover support for a gas turbine engine is disclosed. The shaft cover support not only provides enhanced support to a shaft cover of the gas turbine engine, but also includes a cooling fluid chamber for passing fluids from a rotor air cooling supply conduit to an inner ring cooling manifold. Furthermore, the shaft cover support may include a cooling shield supply extending from the cooling fluid chamber between the radially outward inlet and the radially inward outlet on the radially extending region and in fluid communication with the cooling fluid chamber for providing cooling fluids to a transition section. The shaft cover support may also provide additional stiffness and reduce interference of the flow from the compressor. In addition, the shaft cover support accommodates a transition section extending between compressor and turbine sections of the gas turbine engine.

Long-Time Asymptotics of a Box-Type Initial Condition in a Viscous Fluid Conduit

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Franco, Nevil; Webb, Emily; Maiden, Michelle; Hoefer, Mark; El, Gennady

2017-11-01

The initial value problem for a localized hump disturbance is fundamental to dispersive nonlinear waves, beginning with studies of the celebrated, completely integrable Korteweg-de Vries equation. However, understanding responses to similar disturbances in many realistic dispersive wave systems is more complicated because they lack the mathematical property of complete integrability. This project applies Whitham nonlinear wave modulation theory to estimate how a viscous fluid conduit evolves this classic initial value problem. Comparisons between theory, numerical simulations, and experiments are presented. The conduit system consists of a viscous fluid column (glycerol) and a diluted, dyed version of the same fluid introduced to the column through a nozzle at the bottom. Steady injection and the buoyancy of the injected fluid leads to the eventual formation of a stable fluid conduit. Within this structure, a one hump disturbance is introduced and is observed to break up into a quantifiable number of solitons. This structure's experimental evolution is to Whitham theory and numerical simulations of a long-wave interfacial model equation. The method presented is general and can be applied to other dispersive nonlinear wave systems. Please email me, as I am the submitter.

Origin and hydrology of a large, intact Early Cambrian paleocave system and its role in overlying fluidisation structures, Arctic Canada

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mathieu, Jordan; Turner, Elizabeth C.; Rainbird, Robert H.

2017-04-01

Paleokarst is most commonly expressed as subtle stratigraphic surfaces rather than large void systems penetrating deeply into the paleo-subsurface. In contrast, a regional Precambrian-Cambrian unconformity on Victoria Island (NWT, Canada), is associated with exceptional exposure of large, intact Cambrian paleocaverns (100 m diameter; tens of m high). The paleocaves are distributed along a paleo-horizontal plane, and an associated gryke network is present in the 30-60 m of Neoproterozoic dolostone between cave rooves and the base of overlying Cambrian sandstone; both are filled by Cambrian sandstone. The formation and preservation of such karst features require aggressive dissolution along a stable paleo-water-table shortly before transgression and deposition of shallow-marine sand over the dolostone. During the transgression, the karst network acted as a conduit for flowing groundwater that was discharged through overlying, unconsolidated Cambrian shallow-marine sand, producing water-escape structures (sand volcanoes and their conduits). The conduits are preserved as cylindrical remnants of the sand volcanoes' feeder pipes. Sediment fluidisation was probably caused by variations in the hydraulic-head gradient in a meteoric lens near the Cambrian coastline under a tropical climate with abundant, probably seasonally variable rainfall that caused pulses in subsurface fluid flow. Spatial distribution of the paleocaves and sand volcanoes suggests their formation on the southeast side of a recently faulted horst of Proterozoic carbonate bedrock that formed a nearshore island during early Cambrian sea-level rise. Fluidisation structures such as those reported here have generally been difficult to interpret owing to a lack of data on the fluid hydraulics of the underlying aquifer. This is the first report linking the hydraulics of a well-characterised paleokarst to development of fluid-escape structures. Such structures are widely known from sandstones overlying the sub-Cambrian unconformity around the circumference of Laurentia.

Nozzle for a turbomachine

DOEpatents

Lacy, Benjamin Paul; Kraemer, Gilbert Otto; Yilmaz, Ertan; Melton, Patrick Benedict

2012-10-30

A turbomachine includes a compressor, a combustor operatively connected to the compressor, and an injection nozzle operatively connected to the combustor. The injection nozzle includes a main body having a first end section that extends to a second end section to define an inner flow path. The injection nozzle further includes an outlet arranged at the second end section of the main body, at least one passage that extends within the main body and is fluidly connected to the outlet, and at least one conduit extending between the inner flow path and the at least one passage.

Portable Suction Lysimeter

DOEpatents

Hubbell, Joel M.; Sisson, James B.

2004-07-13

A portable lysimeter including a collection vessel having an inflatable bladder and a semi-permeable member assembly at least partially movable in response to inflation of the bladder, a sample conduit in fluid communication with the semi-permeable member and a reservoir in fluid communication with the sample conduit.

Microfluidic hubs, systems, and methods for interface fluidic modules

DOEpatents

Bartsch, Michael S; Claudnic, Mark R; Kim, Hanyoup; Patel, Kamlesh D; Renzi, Ronald F; Van De Vreugde, James L

2015-01-27

Embodiments of microfluidic hubs and systems are described that may be used to connect fluidic modules. A space between surfaces may be set by fixtures described herein. In some examples a fixture may set substrate-to-substrate spacing based on a distance between registration surfaces on which the respective substrates rest. Fluidic interfaces are described, including examples where fluid conduits (e.g. capillaries) extend into the fixture to the space between surfaces. Droplets of fluid may be introduced to and/or removed from microfluidic hubs described herein, and fluid actuators may be used to move droplets within the space between surfaces. Continuous flow modules may be integrated with the hubs in some examples.

Gas slug ascent through changes in conduit diameter: Laboratory insights into a volcano-seismic source process in low-viscosity magmas

USGS Publications Warehouse

James, M.R.; Lane, S.J.; Chouet, B.A.

2006-01-01

Seismic signals generated during the flow and degassing of low-viscosity magmas include long-period (LP) and very-long-period (VLP) events, whose sources are often attributed to dynamic fluid processes within the conduit. We present the results of laboratory experiments designed to investigate whether the passage of a gas slug through regions of changing conduit diameter could act as a suitable source mechanism. A vertical, liquid-filled glass tube featuring a concentric diameter change was used to provide canonical insights into potentially deep or shallow seismic sources. As gas slugs ascend the tube, we observe systematic pressure changes varying with slug size, liquid depth, tube diameter, and liquid viscosity. Gas slugs undergoing an abrupt flow pattern change upon entering a section of significantly increased tube diameter induce a transient pressure decrease in and above the flare and an associated pressure increase below it, which stimulates acoustic and inertial resonant oscillations. When the liquid flow is not dominantly controlled by viscosity, net vertical forces on the apparatus are also detected. The net force is a function of the magnitude of the pressure transients generated and the tube geometry, which dictates where, and hence when, the traveling pressure pulses can couple into the tube. In contrast to interpretations of related volcano-seismic data, where a single downward force is assumed to result from an upward acceleration of the center of mass in the conduit, our experiments suggest that significant downward forces can result from the rapid deceleration of relatively small volumes of downward-moving liquid. Copyright 2006 by the American Geophysical Union.

Open cycle ocean thermal energy conversion system

DOEpatents

Wittig, J. Michael

1980-01-01

An improved open cycle ocean thermal energy conversion system including a flash evaporator for vaporizing relatively warm ocean surface water and an axial flow, elastic fluid turbine having a vertical shaft and axis of rotation. The warm ocean water is transmitted to the evaporator through a first prestressed concrete skirt-conduit structure circumferentially situated about the axis of rotation. The unflashed warm ocean water exits the evaporator through a second prestressed concrete skirt-conduit structure located circumferentially about and radially within the first skirt-conduit structure. The radially inner surface of the second skirt conduit structure constitutes a cylinder which functions as the turbine's outer casing and obviates the need for a conventional outer housing. The turbine includes a radially enlarged disc element attached to the shaft for supporting at least one axial row of radially directed blades through which the steam is expanded. A prestressed concrete inner casing structure of the turbine has upstream and downstream portions respectively situated upstream and downstream from the disc element. The radially outer surfaces of the inner casing portions and radially outer periphery of the axially interposed disc cooperatively form a downwardly radially inwardly tapered surface. An annular steam flowpath of increasing flow area in the downward axial direction is radially bounded by the inner and outer prestressed concrete casing structures. The inner casing portions each include a transversely situated prestressed concrete circular wall for rotatably supporting the turbine shaft and associated structure. The turbine blades are substantially radially coextensive with the steam flowpath and receive steam from the evaporator through an annular array of prestressed concrete stationary vanes which extend between the inner and outer casings to provide structural support therefor and impart a desired flow direction to the steam.

Modelling fluid flow in clastic eruptions: application to the Lusi mud eruption.

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Collignon, Marine; Schmid, Daniel W.; Galerne, Christophe; Lupi, Matteo; Mazzini, Adriano

2017-04-01

Clastic eruptions involve the rapid ascension of clasts together with fluids, gas and/or liquid phases that may deform and brecciate the host rocks. These fluids transport the resulting mixture, called mud breccia, to the surface. Such eruptions are often associated with geological structures such as mud volcanoes, hydrothermal vent complexes and more generally piercement structures. They involve various processes, acting over a wide range of scales which makes them a complex and challenging, multi-phase system to model. Although piercement structures have been widely studied and discussed, only few attempts have been made to model the dynamics of such clastic eruptions. The ongoing Lusi mud eruption, in the East Java back-arc basin, which began in May 2006, is probably the most spectacular clastic eruption. Lusi's eruptive behaviour has been extensively studied over the past decade and thus represents a unique opportunity to better understand the dynamics driving clastic eruptions, including fossil clastic systems. We use both analytical formulations and numerical models to simulate Lusi's eruptive dynamics and to investigate simple relationships between the mud breccia properties (density, viscosity, gas and clast content) and the volumetric flow rate. Our results show that the conduit radius of such piercement system cannot exceeds a few meters at depth, and that clasts, if not densely packed, will not affect the flow rate when they are smaller than a fifth of the conduit size. Using published data for the annual gas fluxes at Lusi, we infer a maximal depth at which exsolution starts. This occurs between 1800 m and 3200 m deep for the methane and between 750 m and 1000 m for the carbon dioxide.

He isotope ratios in the Nankai Trough and Costa Rica subduction zones - implications for volatile cycling

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kastner, M.; Hilton, D. R.; Jenkins, W. J.; Solomon, E. A.; Spivack, A. J.

2013-12-01

The noble gas 3He is a clear indicator of primordial volatile flux from the mantle, thus providing important insights on the interaction between Earth's interior and exterior reservoirs. Volatile cycling at ridge-crests and its impact on the evolution of seawater chemistry is rather well known as constrained by the 3He flux, whereas the impact of volatile cycling at subduction zones (SZs) on seawater chemistry is as yet poorly known. Constraining chemical and isotopic cycling at SZs is important for understanding the evolution of the mantle-crust and ocean-atmosphere systems. To gain insights on volatile cycling in SZs, pore fluids were sampled for He concentration and isotopic analyses at two tectonically contrasting SZs, Nankai Trough (offshore Japan, Muroto and Kumano transects), an accretionary SZ, and Costa Rica (Offshore Osa Peninsula), an erosional SZ. Sampling for He was achieved by rapidly subsampling core sediments, cleaning and transferring these samples into Ti squeezers in a glove bag, and storing the squeezed pore fluids in crimped Cu tubes for shore-based He concentration and isotope ratio analyses. At the Nankai Trough SZ there is a remarkable range of He isotopic values. The 3He/4He ratios relative to atmospheric ratio (RA) range from mostly crustal 0.47 RA to 4.30 RA which is ~55% of the MORB value of 8 RA. Whereas at the Costa Rica SZ, offshore Osa Peninsula, the ratios range from 0.86 to 1.14 RA, indicating the dominance of crustal radiogenic 4He that is from U and Th decay. The distribution of the He isotope values at Nankai Trough is most interesting, fluids that contain significant mantle 3He components (3He/4He >1) were sampled along and adjacent to fluid conduits that were identified by several chemical and isotopic data (i.e. Cl, B, and Li), including the presence of thermogenic hydrocarbons. Whereas the fluids dominated by 4He (3He/4He ≤1) were obtained from sediment sections that were between the fluid conduits. At Costa Rica, however, even along conduits, the fluids were not greatly enriched in 3He, hence there is no evidence for fluid advection from the subducting Cocos Ridge and numerous seamounts into the sediments, suggesting greatly diminished hydrothermal activity. Focused flow along faults, the décollement, splay and out of sequence faults, and fractured and permeable horizons at SZs play a key role in controlling fluid and heat transport, including mantle He, whereas diffuse flow plays a minor role; mud volcanoes and seeps as well play some role in volatile cycling.

The hydrodynamics of the Big Horn Basin: a study of the role of faults

USGS Publications Warehouse

Bredehoeft, J.D.; Belitz, K.; Sharp-Hansen, S.

1992-01-01

A three-dimensional mathematical model simulates groundwater flow in the Big Horn basin, Wyoming. The hydraulic head at depth over much of the Big Horn basin is near the land surface elevation, a condition usually defined as hydrostatic. This condition indicates a high, regional-scale, vertical conductivity for the sediments in the basin. Our hypothesis to explain the high conductivity is that the faults act as vertical conduits for fluid flow. These same faults can act as either horizontal barriers to flow or nonbarriers, depending upon whether the fault zones are more permeable or less permeable than the adjoining aquifers. -from Authors

Lossless droplet transfer of droplet-based microfluidic analysis

DOEpatents

Kelly, Ryan T [West Richland, WA; Tang, Keqi [Richland, WA; Page, Jason S [Kennewick, WA; Smith, Richard D [Richland, WA

2011-11-22

A transfer structure for droplet-based microfluidic analysis is characterized by a first conduit containing a first stream having at least one immiscible droplet of aqueous material and a second conduit containing a second stream comprising an aqueous fluid. The interface between the first conduit and the second conduit can define a plurality of apertures, wherein the apertures are sized to prevent exchange of the first and second streams between conduits while allowing lossless transfer of droplets from the first conduit to the second conduit through contact between the first and second streams.

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.

Apparatus and method of direct water cooling several parallel circuit cards each containing several chip packages

DOEpatents

Cipolla, Thomas M [Katonah, NY; Colgan, Evan George [Chestnut Ridge, NY; Coteus, Paul W [Yorktown Heights, NY; Hall, Shawn Anthony [Pleasantville, NY; Tian, Shurong [Mount Kisco, NY

2011-12-20

A cooling apparatus, system and like method for an electronic device includes a plurality of heat producing electronic devices affixed to a wiring substrate. A plurality of heat transfer assemblies each include heat spreaders and thermally communicate with the heat producing electronic devices for transferring heat from the heat producing electronic devices to the heat transfer assemblies. The plurality of heat producing electronic devices and respective heat transfer assemblies are positioned on the wiring substrate having the regions overlapping. A heat conduit thermally communicates with the heat transfer assemblies. The heat conduit circulates thermally conductive fluid therethrough in a closed loop for transferring heat to the fluid from the heat transfer assemblies via the heat spreader. A thermally conductive support structure supports the heat conduit and thermally communicates with the heat transfer assemblies via the heat spreader transferring heat to the fluid of the heat conduit from the support structure.

Simulating long term nitrate-N contamination processes in the Woodville Karst Plain using CFPv2 with UMT3D

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Xu, Zexuan; Hu, Bill X.; Davis, Hal; Cao, Jianhua

2015-05-01

A research version of CFP (Conduit Flow Process) code, CFPv2, is applied with UMT3D to simulate long term (1966-2018) nitrate-N contamination transport processes in the Woodville Karst Plain (WKP), northern Florida, where karst conduit networks are well developed. Groundwater flow in the WKP limestone porous matrix is simulated using Darcy's law, and non-laminar flow within conduits is described by Darcy-Weisbach equation. Nitrate-N conduit transport and advective exchanges of groundwater and nitrate-N between conduits and limestone matrix are calculated by CFPv2 and UMT3D, instead of MODFLOW and MT3DMS since Reynolds numbers for flows in conduits are over the criteria of laminar flow. The developed numerical model is calibrated by field observations and then applied to simulate nitrate-N transport in the WKP. The numerical simulations verify the theories that two sprayfields near the City of Tallahassee and septic tanks in the rural area are major nitrate-N point sources within the WKP. High nitrate-N concentrations occur near Lost Creek Sink, and conduits of Wakulla Spring and Spring Creek Springs where aquifer discharge groundwater. Conduit networks control nitrate-N transport and regional contaminant distributions in the WKP, as nitrate-N is transported through conduits rapidly and spread over large areas.

Fault zone hydrogeology

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bense, V. F.; Gleeson, T.; Loveless, S. E.; Bour, O.; Scibek, J.

2013-12-01

Deformation along faults in the shallow crust (< 1 km) introduces permeability heterogeneity and anisotropy, which has an important impact on processes such as regional groundwater flow, hydrocarbon migration, and hydrothermal fluid circulation. Fault zones have the capacity to be hydraulic conduits connecting shallow and deep geological environments, but simultaneously the fault cores of many faults often form effective barriers to flow. The direct evaluation of the impact of faults to fluid flow patterns remains a challenge and requires a multidisciplinary research effort of structural geologists and hydrogeologists. However, we find that these disciplines often use different methods with little interaction between them. In this review, we document the current multi-disciplinary understanding of fault zone hydrogeology. We discuss surface- and subsurface observations from diverse rock types from unlithified and lithified clastic sediments through to carbonate, crystalline, and volcanic rocks. For each rock type, we evaluate geological deformation mechanisms, hydrogeologic observations and conceptual models of fault zone hydrogeology. Outcrop observations indicate that fault zones commonly have a permeability structure suggesting they should act as complex conduit-barrier systems in which along-fault flow is encouraged and across-fault flow is impeded. Hydrogeological observations of fault zones reported in the literature show a broad qualitative agreement with outcrop-based conceptual models of fault zone hydrogeology. Nevertheless, the specific impact of a particular fault permeability structure on fault zone hydrogeology can only be assessed when the hydrogeological context of the fault zone is considered and not from outcrop observations alone. To gain a more integrated, comprehensive understanding of fault zone hydrogeology, we foresee numerous synergistic opportunities and challenges for the discipline of structural geology and hydrogeology to co-evolve and address remaining challenges by co-locating study areas, sharing approaches and fusing data, developing conceptual models from hydrogeologic data, numerical modeling, and training interdisciplinary scientists.

High pressure capillary connector

DOEpatents

Renzi, Ronald F.

2005-08-09

A high pressure connector capable of operating at pressures of 40,000 psi or higher is provided. This connector can be employed to position a first fluid-bearing conduit that has a proximal end and a distal end to a second fluid-bearing conduit thereby providing fluid communication between the first and second fluid-bearing conduits. The connector includes (a) an internal fitting assembly having a body cavity with (i) a lower segment that defines a lower segment aperture and (ii) an interiorly threaded upper segment, (b) a first member having a first member aperture that traverses its length wherein the first member aperture is configured to accommodate the first fluid-bearing conduit and wherein the first member is positioned in the lower segment of the internal fitting assembly, and (c) a second member having a second member aperture that traverses its length wherein the second member is positioned in the upper segment of the fitting assembly and wherein a lower surface of the second member is in contact with an upper surface of the first member to assert a compressive force onto the first member and wherein the first member aperture and the second member aperture are coaxial.

Virtual surgical planning, flow simulation, and 3-dimensional electrospinning of patient-specific grafts to optimize Fontan hemodynamics.

PubMed

Siallagan, Dominik; Loke, Yue-Hin; Olivieri, Laura; Opfermann, Justin; Ong, Chin Siang; de Zélicourt, Diane; Petrou, Anastasios; Daners, Marianne Schmid; Kurtcuoglu, Vartan; Meboldt, Mirko; Nelson, Kevin; Vricella, Luca; Johnson, Jed; Hibino, Narutoshi; Krieger, Axel

2018-04-01

Despite advances in the Fontan procedure, there is an unmet clinical need for patient-specific graft designs that are optimized for variations in patient anatomy. The objective of this study is to design and produce patient-specific Fontan geometries, with the goal of improving hepatic flow distribution (HFD) and reducing power loss (P loss ), and manufacturing these designs by electrospinning. Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging data from patients who previously underwent a Fontan procedure (n = 2) was used to create 3-dimensional models of their native Fontan geometry using standard image segmentation and geometry reconstruction software. For each patient, alternative designs were explored in silico, including tube-shaped and bifurcated conduits, and their performance in terms of P loss and HFD probed by computational fluid dynamic (CFD) simulations. The best-performing options were then fabricated using electrospinning. CFD simulations showed that the bifurcated conduit improved HFD between the left and right pulmonary arteries, whereas both types of conduits reduced P loss . In vitro testing with a flow-loop chamber supported the CFD results. The proposed designs were then successfully electrospun into tissue-engineered vascular grafts. Our unique virtual cardiac surgery approach has the potential to improve the quality of surgery by manufacturing patient-specific designs before surgery, that are also optimized with balanced HFD and minimal P loss , based on refinement of commercially available options for image segmentation, computer-aided design, and flow simulations. Copyright © 2017 The American Association for Thoracic Surgery. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Forced flow evaporator for unusual gravity conditions

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Niggemann, Richard E. (Inventor); Ellis, Wilbert E. (Inventor)

1987-01-01

Low efficiency heat transfer in evaporators subject to unusual gravitational conditions is avoided through the use of a spiral evaporator conduit 12 receiving at an inlet 14 a vaporizable coolant at least partly in the liquid phase. Flow of the coolant through the conduit 12 demists the coolant by centrifuging the liquid phase against a pressurre wall 44 of the conduit 12. Vapor flow 40 induces counterrotating vortices 46, 48 which circulate the liquid phase coolant around the interior of the conduit 12 to wet all surfaces thereof.

Blood flow speed of the gastric conduit assessed by indocyanine green fluorescence

PubMed Central

Koyanagi, Kazuo; Ozawa, Soji; Oguma, Junya; Kazuno, Akihito; Yamazaki, Yasushi; Ninomiya, Yamato; Ochiai, Hiroki; Tachimori, Yuji

2016-01-01

Abstract Anastomotic leakage is considered as an independent risk factor for postoperative mortality after esophagectomy, and an insufficient blood flow in the reconstructed conduit may be a risk factor of anastomotic leakage. We investigated the clinical significance of blood flow visualization by indocyanine green (ICG) fluorescence in the gastric conduit as a means of predicting the leakage of esophagogastric anastomosis after esophagectomy. Forty patients who underwent an esophagectomy with gastric conduit reconstruction were prospectively investigated. ICG fluorescence imaging of the gastric conduit was detected by a near-infrared camera system during esophagectomy and correlated with clinical parameters or surgical outcomes. In 25 patients, the flow speed of ICG fluorescence in the gastric conduit wall was simultaneous with that of the greater curvature vessels (simultaneous group), whereas in 15 patients this was slower than that of the greater curvature vessels (delayed group). The reduced speed of ICG fluorescence stream in the gastric conduit wall was associated with intraoperative blood loss (P = 0.008). Although anastomotic leakage was not found in the simultaneous group, it occurred in 7 patients of the delayed group (P < 0.001). A flow speed of ICG fluorescence in the gastric conduit wall of 1.76 cm/s or less was determined by a receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve, identified as a significant independent predictor of anastomotic leakage after esophagectomy (P = 0.004). This preliminary study demonstrates that intraoperative evaluation of blood flow speed by ICG fluorescence in the gastric conduit wall is a useful means to predict the risk of anastomotic leakage after esophagectomy. PMID:27472732

Conduit enlargement in an eogenetic karst aquifer

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Moore, Paul J.; Martin, Jonathan B.; Screaton, Elizabeth J.; Neuhoff, Philip S.

2010-11-01

SummaryMost concepts of conduit development have focused on telogenetic karst aquifers, where low matrix permeability focuses flow and dissolution along joints, fractures, and bedding planes. However, conduits also exist in eogenetic karst aquifers, despite high matrix permeability which accounts for a significant component of flow. This study investigates dissolution within a 6-km long conduit system in the eogenetic Upper Floridan aquifer of north-central Florida that begins with a continuous source of allogenic recharge at the Santa Fe River Sink and discharges from a first-magnitude spring at the Santa Fe River Rise. Three sources of water to the conduit include the allogenic recharge, diffuse recharge through epikarst, and mineralized water upwelling from depth. Results of sampling and inverse modeling using PHREEQC suggest that dissolution within the conduit is episodic, occurring only during 30% of 16 sampling times between March 2003 and April 2007. During low flow conditions, carbonate saturated water flows from the matrix to the conduit, restricting contact between undersaturated allogenic water with the conduit wall. When gradients reverse during high flow conditions, undersaturated allogenic recharge enters the matrix. During these limited periods, estimates of dissolution within the conduit suggest wall retreat averages about 4 × 10 -6 m/day, in agreement with upper estimates of maximum wall retreat for telogenetic karst. Because dissolution is episodic, time-averaged dissolution rates in the sink-rise system results in a wall retreat rate of about 7 × 10 -7 m/day, which is at the lower end of wall retreat for telogenetic karst. Because of the high permeability matrix, conduits in eogenetic karst thus enlarge not just at the walls of fractures or pre-existing conduits such as those in telogenetic karst, but also may produce a friable halo surrounding the conduits that may be removed by additional mechanical processes. These observations stress the importance of matrix permeability in eogenetic karst and suggest new concepts may be necessary to describe how conduits develop within these porous rocks.

Conduit Stability and Collapse in Explosive Volcanic Eruptions: Coupling Conduit Flow and Failure Models

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mullet, B.; Segall, P.

2017-12-01

Explosive volcanic eruptions can exhibit abrupt changes in physical behavior. In the most extreme cases, high rates of mass discharge are interspaced by dramatic drops in activity and periods of quiescence. Simple models predict exponential decay in magma chamber pressure, leading to a gradual tapering of eruptive flux. Abrupt changes in eruptive flux therefore indicate that relief of chamber pressure cannot be the only control of the evolution of such eruptions. We present a simplified physics-based model of conduit flow during an explosive volcanic eruption that attempts to predict stress-induced conduit collapse linked to co-eruptive pressure loss. The model couples a simple two phase (gas-melt) 1-D conduit solution of the continuity and momentum equations with a Mohr-Coulomb failure condition for the conduit wall rock. First order models of volatile exsolution (i.e. phase mass transfer) and fragmentation are incorporated. The interphase interaction force changes dramatically between flow regimes, so smoothing of this force is critical for realistic results. Reductions in the interphase force lead to significant relative phase velocities, highlighting the deficiency of homogenous flow models. Lateral gas loss through conduit walls is incorporated using a membrane-diffusion model with depth dependent wall rock permeability. Rapid eruptive flux results in a decrease of chamber and conduit pressure, which leads to a critical deviatoric stress condition at the conduit wall. Analogous stress distributions have been analyzed for wellbores, where much work has been directed at determining conditions that lead to wellbore failure using Mohr-Coulomb failure theory. We extend this framework to cylindrical volcanic conduits, where large deviatoric stresses can develop co-eruptively leading to multiple distinct failure regimes depending on principal stress orientations. These failure regimes are categorized and possible implications for conduit flow are discussed, including cessation of eruption.

Dump assembly

DOEpatents

Goldmann, Louis H.

1986-01-01

A dump assembly having a fixed conduit and a rotatable conduit provided with overlapping plates, respectively, at their adjacent ends. The plates are formed with openings, respectively, normally offset from each other to block flow. The other end of the rotatable conduit is provided with means for securing the open end of a filled container thereto. Rotation of the rotatable conduit raises and inverts the container to empty the contents while concurrently aligning the conduit openings to permit flow of material therethrough.

Method for braze-joining spirally wound tapes to inner walls of heat exchanger tubes

DOEpatents

Garrison, Melton E.

1984-01-01

The present invention is directed to a method of fabricating heat exchanger tubes in which twisted tapes are utilized for promoting turbulence and heat transfer. The method of the present invention provides for the brazing of the tapes to the inner walls of the tubes for enhancing heat transfer between the fluid within the conduit and a fluid medium outside of the conduit by conduction through the tape. The braze joint of the present invention is coextensive with the tape over the entire length thereof within the conduit. The practice of the present invention is achieved by placing a filler wire of brazing metal along the tape at a location removed from the side walls and then heating the conduit and tape sufficiently to effect the displacement of the filler metal by wicking to the contact point between the tape and the conduit wall to form a braze joint coextensive with the length of the tape within the conduit. This arrangement provides maximum heat transfer and assures that the tape is in contact with the conduit over the entire common length thereof.

Method for braze-joining spirally wound tapes to inner walls of heat exchanger tubes

DOEpatents

Garrison, M.E.

1982-09-03

The present invention is directed to a method of fabricating heat exchanger tubes in which twisted tapes are utilized for promoting turbulence and heat transfer. The method of the present invention provides for the brazing of the tapes to the inner walls of the tubes for enhancing heat transfer between the fluid within the conduit and a fluid medium outside of the conduit by conduction through the tape. The braze joint of the present invention is coextensive with the tape over the entire length thereof within the conduit. The practice of the present invention is achieved by placing a filler wire of brazing metal along the tape at a location removed from the side walls and then heating the conduit and tape sufficiently to effect the displacement of the filler metal by wicking to the contact point between the tape and the conduit wall to form a braze joint coextensive with the length of the tape within the conduit. This arrangement provides maximum heat transfer and assures that the tape is in contact with the conduit over the entire common length thereof.

Self-Contained Compressed-Flow Generation Device for Use in Making Differential Measurements

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

England, John Dwight (Inventor); Kelley, Anthony R. (Inventor); Cronise, Raymond J. (Inventor)

2014-01-01

A device used in making differential measurements of a flow includes a flow obstruction and a support arm. The flow obstruction's forward portion is a nose cone. The flow obstruction's aft portion is coupled to the nose cone. The support arm's first end is coupled to an exterior wall of a conduit, and its second end is coupled to the forward portion of the flow obstruction. The support arm positions the flow obstruction in the conduit such that a flow region is defined around its nose cone, and such that the support arm's first and second end are separated from one another with respect to a length dimension of the conduit. Measurement ports are provided in the support arm and flow obstruction. Manifolds extending through the flow obstruction and support arm couple the ports to points at the exterior wall of the conduit.

Apparatus for separating and recovering hydrogen isotopes

DOEpatents

Heung, Leung K.

1994-01-01

An apparatus for recovering hydrogen and separating its isotopes. The apparatus includes a housing bearing at least a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet. A baffle is disposed within the housing, attached thereto by a bracket. A hollow conduit is coiled about the baffle, in spaced relation to the baffle and the housing. The coiled conduit is at least partially filled with a hydride. The hydride can be heated to a high temperature and cooled to a low temperature quickly by circulating a heat transfer fluid in the housing. The spacing between the baffle and the housing maximizes the heat exchange rate between the fluid in the housing and the hydride in the conduit. The apparatus can be used to recover hydrogen isotopes (protium, deuterium and tritium) from gaseous mixtures, or to separate hydrogen isotopes from each other.

Incorporating seismic observations into 2D conduit flow modeling

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Collier, L.; Neuberg, J.

2006-04-01

Conduit flow modeling aims to understand the conditions of magma at depth, and to provide insight into the physical processes that occur inside the volcano. Low-frequency events, characteristic to many volcanoes, are thought to contain information on the state of magma at depth. Therefore, by incorporating information from low-frequency seismic analysis into conduit flow modeling a greater understanding of magma ascent and its interdependence on magma conditions and physical processes is possible. The 2D conduit flow model developed in this study demonstrates the importance of lateral pressure and parameter variations on overall magma flow dynamics, and the substantial effect bubbles have on magma shear viscosity and on magma ascent. The 2D nature of the conduit flow model developed here allows in depth investigation into processes which occur at, or close to the wall, such as magma cooling and brittle failure of melt. These processes are shown to have a significant effect on magma properties and therefore, on flow dynamics. By incorporating low-frequency seismic information, an advanced conduit flow model is developed including the consequences of brittle failure of melt, namely friction-controlled slip and gas loss. This model focuses on the properties and behaviour of magma at depth within the volcano, and their interaction with the formation of seismic events by brittle failure of melt.

A Poroelastic Fluid/Structure-Interaction Model of Cerebrospinal Fluid Dynamics in the Cord With Syringomyelia and Adjacent Subarachnoid-Space Stenosis.

PubMed

Bertram, C D; Heil, M

2017-01-01

An existing axisymmetric fluid/structure-interaction (FSI) model of the spinal cord, pia mater, subarachnoid space, and dura mater in the presence of syringomyelia and subarachnoid-space stenosis was modified to include porous solids. This allowed investigation of a hypothesis for syrinx fluid ingress from cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). Gross model deformation was unchanged by the addition of porosity, but pressure oscillated more in the syrinx and the subarachnoid space below the stenosis. The poroelastic model still exhibited elevated mean pressure in the subarachnoid space below the stenosis and in the syrinx. With realistic cord permeability, there was slight oscillatory shunt flow bypassing the stenosis via the porous tissue over the syrinx. Weak steady streaming flow occurred in a circuit involving craniocaudal flow through the stenosis and back via the syrinx. Mean syrinx volume was scarcely altered when the adjacent stenosis bisected the syrinx, but increased slightly when the syrinx was predominantly located caudal to the stenosis. The fluid content of the tissues over the syrinx oscillated, absorbing most of the radial flow seeping from the subarachnoid space so that it did not reach the syrinx. To a lesser extent, this cyclic swelling in a boundary layer of cord tissue just below the pia occurred all along the cord, representing a mechanism for exchange of interstitial fluid (ISF) and cerebrospinal fluid which could explain recent tracer findings without invoking perivascular conduits. The model demonstrates that syrinx volume increase is possible when there is subarachnoid-space stenosis and the cord and pia are permeable.

Laboratory analog and numerical study of groundwater flow and solute transport in a karst aquifer with conduit and matrix domains.

PubMed

Faulkner, Jonathan; Hu, Bill X; Kish, Stephen; Hua, Fei

2009-11-03

New mathematical and laboratory methods have been developed for simulating groundwater flow and solute transport in karst aquifers having conduits imbedded in a porous medium, such as limestone. The Stokes equations are used to model the flow in the conduits and the Darcy equation is used for the flow in the matrix. The Beavers-Joseph interface boundary conditions are adopted to describe the flow exchange at the interface boundary between the two domains. A laboratory analog is used to simulate the conduit and matrix domains of a karst aquifer. The conduit domain is located at the bottom of the transparent plexiglas laboratory analog and glass beads occupy the remaining space to represent the matrix domain. Water flows into and out of the two domains separately and each has its own supply and outflow reservoirs. Water and solute are exchanged through an interface between the two domains. Pressure transducers located within the matrix and conduit domains of the analog provide data that is processed and stored in digital format. Dye tracing experiments are recorded using time-lapse imaging. The data and images produced are analyzed by a spatial analysis program. The experiments provide not only hydraulic head distribution but also capture solute front images and mass exchange measurements between the conduit and matrix domains. In the experiment, we measure and record pressures, and quantify flow rates and solute transport. The results present a plausible argument that laboratory analogs can characterize groundwater water flow, solute transport, and mass exchange between the conduit and matrix domains in a karst aquifer. The analog validates the predictions of a numerical model and demonstrates the need of laboratory analogs to provide verification of proposed theories and the calibration of mathematical models.

Multiple-port valve

DOEpatents

Doody, Thomas J.

1978-08-22

A multiple-port valve assembly is designed to direct flow from a primary conduit into any one of a plurality of secondary conduits as well as to direct a reverse flow. The valve includes two mating hemispherical sockets that rotatably receive a spherical valve plug. The valve plug is attached to the primary conduit and includes diverging passageways from that conduit to a plurality of ports. Each of the ports is alignable wih one or more of a plurality of secondary conduits fitted into one of the hemispherical sockets. The other hemispherical socket includes a slot for the primary conduit such that the conduit's motion along that slot with rotation of the spherical plug about various axes will position the valve-plug ports in respect to the secondary conduits.

Emergency core cooling system

DOEpatents

Schenewerk, William E.; Glasgow, Lyle E.

1983-01-01

A liquid metal cooled fast breeder reactor provided with an emergency core cooling system includes a reactor vessel which contains a reactor core comprising an array of fuel assemblies and a plurality of blanket assemblies. The reactor core is immersed in a pool of liquid metal coolant. The reactor also includes a primary coolant system comprising a pump and conduits for circulating liquid metal coolant to the reactor core and through the fuel and blanket assemblies of the core. A converging-diverging venturi nozzle with an intermediate throat section is provided in between the assemblies and the pump. The intermediate throat section of the nozzle is provided with at least one opening which is in fluid communication with the pool of liquid sodium. In normal operation, coolant flows from the pump through the nozzle to the assemblies with very little fluid flowing through the opening in the throat. However, when the pump is not running, residual heat in the core causes fluid from the pool to flow through the opening in the throat of the nozzle and outwardly through the nozzle to the assemblies, thus providing a means of removing decay heat.

Dump assembly

DOEpatents

Goldmann, L.H.

1984-12-06

This is a claim for a dump assembly having a fixed conduit and a rotatable conduit provided with overlapping plates, respectively, at their adjacent ends. The plates are formed with openings, respectively, normally offset from each other to block flow. The other end of the rotatable conduit is provided with means for securing the open end of a filled container thereto. Rotation of the rotatable conduit raises and inverts the container to empty the contents while concurrently aligning the conduit openings to permit flow of material therethrough. 4 figs.

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

Reed, R.D.

An apparatus is described for reducing hydrocarbon fuel requirements for haber ammonia synthesis by the supply of selected gases to the second reformer of such system, comprising a first cylindrical conduit, a second smaller coaxial cylinder inside of the first conduit, forming a first annular space therebetween, the downstream end of said second conduit closed, and a plurality of circumferentially-spaced orifices in the wall of said conduit upstream of the closed end. Means are provided to supply air at selected pressure p1, temperature and flow rate to the first annular space, means to supply at least methane at a pressuremore » p2 greater than p1, to said second conduit, so that the concentration of methane in the air will be less than the lower explosive limit, and means to shield the jets of gas from the orifices in the second conduit , as they flow radially outwardly across the annular space. Means are also provided for adding steam in selected ratio with the methane prior to flow into the second conduit, whereby air, methane and steam are mixed together prior to flow into the second haber reformer.« less

Verification of the karst flow model under laboratory controlled conditions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gotovac, Hrvoje; Andric, Ivo; Malenica, Luka; Srzic, Veljko

2016-04-01

Karst aquifers are very important groundwater resources around the world as well as in coastal part of Croatia. They consist of extremely complex structure defining by slow and laminar porous medium and small fissures and usually fast turbulent conduits/karst channels. Except simple lumped hydrological models that ignore high karst heterogeneity, full hydraulic (distributive) models have been developed exclusively by conventional finite element and finite volume elements considering complete karst heterogeneity structure that improves our understanding of complex processes in karst. Groundwater flow modeling in complex karst aquifers are faced by many difficulties such as a lack of heterogeneity knowledge (especially conduits), resolution of different spatial/temporal scales, connectivity between matrix and conduits, setting of appropriate boundary conditions and many others. Particular problem of karst flow modeling is verification of distributive models under real aquifer conditions due to lack of above-mentioned information. Therefore, we will show here possibility to verify karst flow models under the laboratory controlled conditions. Special 3-D karst flow model (5.6*2.6*2 m) consists of concrete construction, rainfall platform, 74 piezometers, 2 reservoirs and other supply equipment. Model is filled by fine sand (3-D porous matrix) and drainage plastic pipes (1-D conduits). This model enables knowledge of full heterogeneity structure including position of different sand layers as well as conduits location and geometry. Moreover, we know geometry of conduits perforation that enable analysis of interaction between matrix and conduits. In addition, pressure and precipitation distribution and discharge flow rates from both phases can be measured very accurately. These possibilities are not present in real sites what this model makes much more useful for karst flow modeling. Many experiments were performed under different controlled conditions such as different levels in left and right end of reservoirs (boundary conditions), different flow regimes in conduits, flow with and without precipitation, free and pressurized discharge from conduits or influence of epikarst (top layer) on recession period. Experimental results are verified by conventional karst flow model (such as MODFLOW-CFP) showing that hydraulic (distributive) models can describe complex behavior of karst flow processes if substantial amount of input data are known from site investigations and monitoring. These results enable us to develop more advanced karst flow models that will improve understanding and analysis of complex flow processes in the real karst aquifers.

Language as Fluid: A Description of the Conduit Metaphor in Japanese.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Nomura, Masuhiro

1993-01-01

The question of how 'communication' is metaphorized in Japanese is examined and this metaphorization is contrasted with Reddy's (1979) conduit metaphor. A claim is made that there is a strong tendency for Japanese to conceptualize 'word' as 'fluid' and to fuse 'word' and 'meaning.' English, which unlike Japanese, has overt count/mass and…

Power generation systems and methods

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Jones, Jack A. (Inventor); Chao, Yi (Inventor)

2011-01-01

A power generation system includes a plurality of submerged mechanical devices. Each device includes a pump that can be powered, in operation, by mechanical energy to output a pressurized output liquid flow in a conduit. Main output conduits are connected with the device conduits to combine pressurized output flows output from the submerged mechanical devices into a lower number of pressurized flows. These flows are delivered to a location remote of the submerged mechanical devices for power generation.

Device for separating CO2 from fossil-fueled power plant emissions

DOEpatents

Burchell, Timothy D [Oak Ridge, TN; Judkins, Roddie R [Knoxville, TN; Wilson, Kirk A [Knoxville, TN

2002-04-23

A gas separation device includes an inner conduit, and a concentric outer conduit. An electrically conductive filter media, preferably a carbon fiber composite molecular sieve, is provided in the annular space between the inner conduit and the outer conduit. Gas flows through the inner conduit and the annular space between the inner conduit and the outer conduit, so as to contact the filter media. The filter media preferentially adsorbs at least one constituent of the gas stream. The filter media is regenerated by causing an electric current to flow through the filter media. The inner conduit and outer conduit are preferably electrically conductive whereby the regeneration of the filter media can be electrically stimulated. The invention is particularly useful for the removal of CO.sub.2 from the exhaust gases of fossil-fueled power plants.

Assessment of Hemodynamic Conditions in the Aorta Following Root Replacement with Composite Valve-Conduit Graft.

PubMed

Cheng, Zhuo; Kidher, Emaddin; Jarral, Omar A; O'Regan, Declan P; Wood, Nigel B; Athanasiou, Thanos; Xu, Xiao Yun

2016-05-01

This paper presents the analysis of detailed hemodynamics in the aortas of four patients following replacement with a composite bio-prosthetic valve-conduit. Magnetic resonance image-based computational models were set up for each patient with boundary conditions comprising subject-specific three-dimensional inflow velocity profiles at the aortic root and central pressure waveform at the model outlet. Two normal subjects were also included for comparison. The purpose of the study was to investigate the effects of the valve-conduit on flow in the proximal and distal aorta. The results suggested that following the composite valve-conduit implantation, the vortical flow structure and hemodynamic parameters in the aorta were altered, with slightly reduced helical flow index, elevated wall shear stress and higher non-uniformity in wall shear compared to normal aortas. Inter-individual analysis revealed different hemodynamic conditions among the patients depending on the conduit configuration in the ascending aorta, which is a key factor in determining post-operative aortic flow. Introducing a natural curvature in the conduit to create a smooth transition between the conduit and native aorta may help prevent the occurrence of retrograde and recirculating flow in the aortic arch, which is particularly important when a large portion or the entire ascending aorta needs to be replaced.

Pump having pistons and valves made of electroactive actuators

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Bar-Cohen, Yoseph (Inventor)

1997-01-01

The present invention provides a pump for inducing a displacement of a fluid from a first medium to a second medium, including a conduit coupled to the first and second media, a transducing material piston defining a pump chamber in the conduit and being transversely displaceable for increasing a volume of the chamber to extract the fluid from the first medium to the chamber and for decreasing the chamber volume to force the fluid from the chamber to the second medium, a first transducing material valve mounted in the conduit between the piston and the first medium and being transversely displaceable from a closed position to an open position to admit the fluid to the chamber, and control means for changing a first field applied to the piston to displace the piston for changing the chamber volume and for changing a second field applied to the first valve to change the position of the first valve.

Capillary interconnect device

DOEpatents

Renzi, Ronald F.

2007-12-25

A manifold for connecting external capillaries to the inlet and/or outlet ports of a microfluidic device for high pressure applications is provided. The fluid connector for coupling at least one fluid conduit to a corresponding port of a substrate that includes: (i) a manifold comprising one or more channels extending therethrough wherein each channel is at least partially threaded, (ii) one or more threaded ferrules each defining a bore extending therethrough with each ferrule supporting a fluid conduit wherein each ferrule is threaded into a channel of the manifold, (iii) a substrate having one or more ports on its upper surface wherein the substrate is positioned below the manifold so that the one or more ports is aligned with the one or more channels of the manifold, and (iv) means for applying an axial compressive force to the substrate to couple the one or more ports of the substrate to a corresponding proximal end of a fluid conduit.

Edge compression manifold apparatus

DOEpatents

Renzi, Ronald F.

2004-12-21

A manifold for connecting external capillaries to the inlet and/or outlet ports of a microfluidic device for high pressure applications is provided. The fluid connector for coupling at least one fluid conduit to a corresponding port of a substrate that includes: (i) a manifold comprising one or more channels extending therethrough wherein each channel is at least partially threaded, (ii) one or more threaded ferrules each defining a bore extending therethrough with each ferrule supporting a fluid conduit wherein each ferrule is threaded into a channel of the manifold, (iii) a substrate having one or more ports on its upper surface wherein the substrate is positioned below the manifold so that the one or more ports is aligned with the one or more channels of the manifold, and (iv) device to apply an axial compressive force to the substrate to couple the one or more ports of the substrate to a corresponding proximal end of a fluid conduit.

Edge compression manifold apparatus

DOEpatents

Renzi, Ronald F [Tracy, CA

2007-02-27

A manifold for connecting external capillaries to the inlet and/or outlet ports of a microfluidic device for high pressure applications is provided. The fluid connector for coupling at least one fluid conduit to a corresponding port of a substrate that includes: (i) a manifold comprising one or more channels extending therethrough wherein each channel is at least partially threaded, (ii) one or more threaded ferrules each defining a bore extending therethrough with each ferrule supporting a fluid conduit wherein each ferrule is threaded into a channel of the manifold, (iii) a substrate having one or more ports on its upper surface wherein the substrate is positioned below the manifold so that the one or more ports is aligned with the one or more channels of the manifold, and (iv) device to apply an axial compressive force to the substrate to couple the one or more ports of the substrate to a corresponding proximal end of a fluid conduit.

Geologic nozzles

USGS Publications Warehouse

Werner, Kieffer S.

1989-01-01

The importance of the low characteristic velocities of geologic fluids has not been widely recognized, and as a result, the importance of supercritical and supersonic flow in geological processes has generally been underestimated. The lateral blast at Mount St. Helens, Washington, propelled a gas heavily laden with dust into the atmosphere. Because of the low sound speed in this gas (about 100 m/s), the flow was internally supersonic. Old Faithful Geyser, Wyoming, is a converging-diverging nozzle in which liquid water refilling the conduit during the recharge cycle changes during eruption into a two-phase liquid-vapor mixture with a very low sound velocity. The high sound speed of liquid water determines the characteristics of harmonic tremor observed at the geyser during the recharge interval, whereas the low sound speed of the liquid-vapor mixture influences the fluid flow characteristics of the eruption. At the rapids of the Colorado River in the Grand Canyon, Arizona, the channel is constricted into the shape of a converging-diverging nozzle by the debris flows that enter from tributary canyons. Both subcritical and supercritical flow occur within the rapids. -from Author

Water exchange, mixing and transient storage between a saturated karstic conduit and the surrounding aquifer: Groundwater flow modeling and inputs from stable water isotopes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Binet, S.; Joigneaux, E.; Pauwels, H.; Albéric, P.; Fléhoc, Ch.; Bruand, A.

2017-01-01

Water exchanges between a karstic conduit and the surrounding aquifer are driven by hydraulic head gradient at the interface between these two domains. The case-study presented in this paper investigates the impact of the geometry and interface conditions around a conduit on the spatial distribution of these exchanges. Isotopic (δ18O and δD), discharge and water head measurements were conducted at the resurgences of a karst system with a strong allogenic recharge component (Val d'Orléans, France), to estimate the amounts of water exchanged and the mixings between a saturated karstic conduit and the surrounding aquifer. The spatio-temporal variability of the observed exchanges was explored using a 2D coupled continuum-conduit flow model under saturated conditions (Feflow®). The inputs from the water heads and stable water isotopes in the groundwater flow model suggest that the amounts of water flowing from the aquifer are significant if the conduit flow discharges are less than the conduit flow capacity. This condition creates a spatial distribution of exchanges from upstream where the aquifer feeds the conduit (recharge area) to downstream where the conduit reaches its maximum discharge capacity and can feed the aquifer (discharge area). In the intermediate transport zone no exchange between the two domains takes place that brings a new criterion to delineate the vulnerable zones to surface water. On average, 4% of the water comes from the local recharge, 80% is recent river water and 16% is old river water. During the November 2008 flood, both isotopic signatures and model suggest that exchanges fluctuate around this steady state, limited when the river water level increases and intensified when the river water level decreases. The existence of old water from the river suggests a transient storage at the aquifer/conduit interface that can be considered as an underground hyporheic zone.

Tensiometer and method of determining soil moisture potential in below-grade earthen soil

DOEpatents

Hubbell, J.M.; Mattson, E.D.; Sisson, J.B.

1998-06-02

A tensiometer to in-situ determine below-grade soil moisture, potential of earthen soil includes, (a) an apparatus adapted for insertion into earthen soil below grade, the apparatus having a below-grade portion, and, comprising; (b) a porous material provided in the below-grade portion, the porous material at least in part defining a below-grade first fluid chamber; (c) a first fluid conduit extending outwardly of the first fluid chamber; (d) a first controllable isolation valve provided within the first fluid conduit, the first controllable isolation valve defining a second fluid chamber in fluid communication with the first fluid chamber through the first fluid conduit and the isolation valve, the first controllable isolation valve being received within the below-grade portion; and (e) a pressure transducer in fluid communication with the first fluid chamber, the pressure transducer being received within the below-grade portion. An alternate embodiment includes an apparatus adapted for insertion into earthen soil below grade, the apparatus having a below-grade portion, and including: (1) a porous material provided in the below-grade portion, the porous material at least in part defining a below-grade first fluid chamber; and (2) a pressure sensing apparatus in fluid communication with the first fluid chamber, the pressure sensing apparatus being entirely received within the below-grade portion. A method is also disclosed using the above and other apparatus. 6 figs.

Tensiometer and method of determining soil moisture potential in below-grade earthen soil

DOEpatents

Hubbell, Joel M.; Mattson, Earl D.; Sisson, James B.

1998-01-01

A tensiometer to in situ determine below-grade soil moisture, potential of earthen soil includes, a) an apparatus adapted for insertion into earthen soil below grade, the apparatus having a below-grade portion, and, comprising; b) a porous material provided in the below-grade portion, the porous material at least in part defining a below-grade first fluid chamber; c) a first fluid conduit extending outwardly of the first fluid chamber; d) a first controllable isolation valve provided within the first fluid conduit, the first controllable isolation valve defining a second fluid chamber in fluid communication with the first fluid chamber through the first fluid conduit and the isolation valve, the first controllable isolation valve being received within the below-grade portion; and e) a pressure transducer in fluid communication with the first fluid chamber, the pressure transducer being received within the below-grade portion. An alternate embodiment includes an apparatus adapted for insertion into earthen soil below grade, the apparatus having a below-grade portion, and including: i) a porous material provided in the below-grade portion, the porous material at least in part defining a below-grade first fluid chamber; and ii) a pressure sensing apparatus in fluid communication with the first fluid chamber, the pressure sensing apparatus being entirely received within the below-grade portion. A method is also disclosed using the above and other apparatus.

Combination gas producing and waste-water disposal well

DOEpatents

Malinchak, Raymond M.

1984-01-01

The present invention is directed to a waste-water disposal system for use in a gas recovery well penetrating a subterranean water-containing and methane gas-bearing coal formation. A cased bore hole penetrates the coal formation and extends downwardly therefrom into a further earth formation which has sufficient permeability to absorb the waste water entering the borehole from the coal formation. Pump means are disposed in the casing below the coal formation for pumping the water through a main conduit towards the water-absorbing earth formation. A barrier or water plug is disposed about the main conduit to prevent water flow through the casing except for through the main conduit. Bypass conduits disposed above the barrier communicate with the main conduit to provide an unpumped flow of water to the water-absorbing earth formation. One-way valves are in the main conduit and in the bypass conduits to provide flow of water therethrough only in the direction towards the water-absorbing earth formation.

Combination gas-producing and waste-water disposal well. [DOE patent application

DOEpatents

Malinchak, R.M.

1981-09-03

The present invention is directed to a waste-water disposal system for use in a gas recovery well penetrating a subterranean water-containing and methane gas-bearing coal formation. A cased bore hole penetrates the coal formation and extends downwardly therefrom into a further earth formation which has sufficient permeability to absorb the waste water entering the borehole from the coal formation. Pump means are disposed in the casing below the coal formation for pumping the water through a main conduit towards the water-absorbing earth formation. A barrier or water plug is disposed about the main conduit to prevent water flow through the casing except for through the main conduit. Bypass conduits disposed above the barrier communicate with the main conduit to provide an unpumped flow of water to the water-absorbing earth formation. One-way valves are in the main conduit and in the bypass conduits to provide flow of water therethrough only in the direction towards the water-absorbing earth formation.

Visualization of conduit-matrix conductivity differences in a karst aquifer using time-lapse electrical resistivity

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Meyerhoff, Steven B.; Karaoulis, Marios; Fiebig, Florian; Maxwell, Reed M.; Revil, André; Martin, Jonathan B.; Graham, Wendy D.

2012-12-01

In the karstic upper Floridan aquifer, surface water flows into conduits of the groundwater system and may exchange with water in the aquifer matrix. This exchange has been hypothesized to occur based on differences in discharge at the Santa Fe River Sink-Rise system, north central Florida, but has yet to be visualized using any geophysical techniques. Using electrical resistivity tomography, we conducted a time-lapse study at two locations with mapped conduits connecting the Santa Fe River Sink to the Santa Fe River Rise to study changes of electrical conductivity during times of varying discharge over a six-week period. Our results show conductivity differences between matrix, conduit changes in resistivity occurring through time at the locations of mapped karst conduits, and changes in electrical conductivity during rainfall infiltration. These observations provide insight into time scales and matrix conduit conductivity differences, illustrating how surface water flow recharged to conduits may flow in a groundwater system in a karst aquifer.

Heat exchange assembly

DOEpatents

Lowenstein, Andrew; Sibilia, Marc; Miller, Jeffrey; Tonon, Thomas S.

2004-06-08

A heat exchange assembly comprises a plurality of plates disposed in a spaced-apart arrangement, each of the plurality of plates includes a plurality of passages extending internally from a first end to a second end for directing flow of a heat transfer fluid in a first plane, a plurality of first end-piece members equaling the number of plates and a plurality of second end-piece members also equaling the number of plates, each of the first and second end-piece members including a recessed region adapted to fluidly connect and couple with the first and second ends of the plate, respectively, and further adapted to be affixed to respective adjacent first and second end-piece members in a stacked formation, and each of the first and second end-piece members further including at least one cavity for enabling entry of the heat transfer fluid into the plate, exit of the heat transfer fluid from the plate, or 180.degree. turning of the fluid within the plate to create a serpentine-like fluid flow path between points of entry and exit of the fluid, and at least two fluid conduits extending through the stacked plurality of first and second end-piece members for providing first fluid connections between the parallel fluid entry points of adjacent plates and a fluid supply inlet, and second fluid connections between the parallel fluid exit points of adjacent plates and a fluid discharge outlet so that the heat transfer fluid travels in parallel paths through each respective plate.

Hear Exchange Assembly

DOEpatents

Lowenstein, Andrew; Sibilia, Marc; Miller, Jeffrey; Tonon, Thomas S.

2003-05-27

A heat exchange assembly comprises a plurality of plates disposed in a spaced-apart arrangement, each of the plurality of plates includes a plurality of passages extending internally from a first end to a second end for directing flow of a heat transfer fluid in a first plane, a plurality of first end-piece members equaling the number of plates and a plurality of second end-piece members also equaling the number of plates, each of the first and second end-piece members including a recessed region adapted to fluidly connect and couple with the first and second ends of the plate, respectively, and further adapted to be affixed to respective adjacent first and second end-piece members in a stacked formation, and each of the first and second end-piece members further including at least one cavity for enabling entry of the heat transfer fluid into the plate, exit of the heat transfer fluid from the plate, or 180.degree. turning of the fluid within the plate to create a serpentine-like fluid flow path between points of entry and exit of the fluid, and at least two fluid conduits extending through the stacked plurality of first and second end-piece members for providing first fluid connections between the parallel fluid entry points of adjacent plates and a fluid supply inlet, and second fluid connections between the parallel fluid exit points of adjacent plates and a fluid discharge outlet so that the heat transfer fluid travels in parallel paths through each respective plate.

Interactions of large amplitude solitary waves in viscous fluid conduits

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lowman, Nicholas K.; Hoefer, M. A.; El, G. A.

2014-07-01

The free interface separating an exterior, viscous fluid from an intrusive conduit of buoyant, less viscous fluid is known to support strongly nonlinear solitary waves due to a balance between viscosity-induced dispersion and buoyancy-induced nonlinearity. The overtaking, pairwise interaction of weakly nonlinear solitary waves has been classified theoretically for the Korteweg-de Vries equation and experimentally in the context of shallow water waves, but a theoretical and experimental classification of strongly nonlinear solitary wave interactions is lacking. The interactions of large amplitude solitary waves in viscous fluid conduits, a model physical system for the study of one-dimensional, truly dissipationless, dispersive nonlinear waves, are classified. Using a combined numerical and experimental approach, three classes of nonlinear interaction behavior are identified: purely bimodal, purely unimodal, and a mixed type. The magnitude of the dispersive radiation due to solitary wave interactions is quantified numerically and observed to be beyond the sensitivity of our experiments, suggesting that conduit solitary waves behave as "physical solitons." Experimental data are shown to be in excellent agreement with numerical simulations of the reduced model. Experimental movies are available with the online version of the paper.

Tile drainage as karst: Conduit flow and diffuse flow in a tile-drained watershed

USGS Publications Warehouse

Schilling, K.E.; Helmers, M.

2008-01-01

The similarity of tiled-drained watersheds to karst drainage basins can be used to improve understanding of watershed-scale nutrient losses from subsurface tile drainage networks. In this study, short-term variations in discharge and chemistry were examined from a tile outlet collecting subsurface tile flow from a 963 ha agricultural watershed. Study objectives were to apply analytical techniques from karst springs to tile discharge to evaluate water sources and estimate the loads of agricultural pollutants discharged from the tile with conduit, intermediate and diffuse flow regimes. A two-member mixing model using nitrate, chloride and specific conductance was used to distinguish rainwater versus groundwater inputs. Results indicated that groundwater comprised 75% of the discharge for a three-day storm period and rainwater was primarily concentrated during the hydrograph peak. A contrasting pattern of solute concentrations and export loads was observed in tile flow. During base flow periods, tile flow consisted of diffuse flow from groundwater sources and contained elevated levels of nitrate, chloride and specific conductance. During storm events, suspended solids and pollutants adhered to soil surfaces (phosphorus, ammonium and organic nitrogen) were concentrated and discharged during the rapid, conduit flow portion of the hydrograph. During a three-day period, conduit flow occurred for 5.6% of the time but accounted for 16.5% of the total flow. Nitrate and chloride were delivered primarily with diffuse flow (more than 70%), whereas 80-94% of total suspended sediment, phosphorus and ammonium were exported with conduit and intermediate flow regimes. Understanding the water sources contributing to tile drainage and the manner by which pollutant discharge occurs from these systems (conduit, intermediate or diffuse flow) may be useful for designing, implementing and evaluating non-point source reduction strategies in tile-drained landscapes. ?? 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Karst landforms revealed at various scales using LiDAR and UAV in semi-arid Brazil: Consideration on karstification processes and methodological constraints

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Silva, Orildo L.; Bezerra, Francisco H. R.; Maia, Rubson P.; Cazarin, Caroline L.

2017-10-01

This paper analyzes different types of karst landforms and their relationships with fracture systems, sedimentary bedding, and fluvial processes. We mapped karst features in the Cretaceous carbonates of the Jandaíra Formation in the Potiguar Basin, Brazil. We used high-resolution digital elevation models acquired using LiDAR and aerial orthophotographs acquired using an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). We grouped and described karst evolution according to scale and degree of karstification. These degrees of karst evolution are coeval. Fractures are opened by dissolution, forming vertical fluid conduits, whereas coeval dissolution occurs along horizontal layers. This conduit system acts as pathways for water flow. The enlargement of conduits contributes to the collapse of blocks in sinkholes and expansion of caves during an intermediate degree of karstification. Propagation of dissolution can cause the coalescence of sinkholes and the capture of small streams. Fluvial processes dominate karst dissolution at an advanced degree of karstification. Comparisons with previously published ground-penetrating radar (GPR), borehole and seismic surveys in sedimentary basins indicate that these structures can be partially preserved during burial.

Integrated exhaust gas recirculation and charge cooling system

DOEpatents

Wu, Ko-Jen

2013-12-10

An intake system for an internal combustion engine comprises an exhaust driven turbocharger configured to deliver compressed intake charge, comprising exhaust gas from the exhaust system and ambient air, through an intake charge conduit and to cylinders of the internal combustion engine. An intake charge cooler is in fluid communication with the intake charge conduit. A cooling system, independent of the cooling system for the internal combustion engine, is in fluid communication with the intake charge cooler through a cooling system conduit. A coolant pump delivers a low temperature cooling medium from the cooling system to and through the intake charge cooler for the transfer of heat from the compressed intake charge thereto. A low temperature cooler receives the heated cooling medium through the cooling system conduit for the transfer or heat therefrom.

Plume capture by a migrating ridge: Analog geodynamic experiments

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mendez, J. S.; Hall, P.

2010-12-01

Paleomagnetic data from the Hawaii-Emperor Seamount Chain (HESC) suggests that the Hawaiian hotspot moved rapidly (~40 mm/yr) between 81 - 47 Ma but has remained relatively stationary since that time. This implies that the iconic bend in the HESC may in fact reflect the transition from a period of rapid hotspot motion to a stationary state, rather than a change in motion of the Pacific plate. Tarduno et al. (2009) have suggested that this period of rapid hotspot motion might be the surface expression of a plume conduit returning to a largely vertical orientation after having been “captured” and tilted by a migrating mid-ocean ridge. We report on a series of analog fluid dynamic experiments designed to characterize the interaction between a migrating spreading center and a thermally buoyant mantle plume. Experiments were conducted in a clear acrylic tank (100 cm x 70 cm x 50 cm) filled with commercial grade high-fructose corn syrup. Plate-driven flow is modeled by dragging two sheets of Mylar film (driven by independent DC motors) in opposite directions over the surface of the fluid. Ridge migration is achieved by moving the point at which the mylar sheets diverge using a separate motor drive. Buoyant plume flow is modeled using corn syrup introduced into the bottom of the tank from an external, heated, pressurized reservoir. Small (~2 mm diameter), neutrally buoyant Delrin spheres are mixed into reservoir of plume material to aid in visualization. Plate velocities and ridge migration rate are controlled and plume temperature monitored using LabView software. Experiments are recorded using digital video which is then analyzed using digital image analysis software to track the position and shape of the plume conduit throughout the course of the experiment. The intersection of the plume conduit with the surface of the fluid is taken as an analog for the locus of hotspot volcanism and tracked as a function of time to obtain a hotspot migration rate. Experiments are scaled to the Earth's mantle through a combination of a Peclet number and a plume buoyancy number. A range of spreading rates, ridge migration rates, and plume excess temperatures representative of the Earth are considered.

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

Van Berkel, Gary J.

A system for sampling a sample material includes a probe which can have an outer probe housing with an open end. A liquid supply conduit within the housing has an outlet positioned to deliver liquid to the open end of the housing. The liquid supply conduit can be connectable to a liquid supply for delivering liquid at a first volumetric flow rate to the open end of the housing. A liquid exhaust conduit within the housing is provided for removing liquid from the open end of the housing. A liquid exhaust system can be provided for removing liquid from themore » liquid exhaust conduit at a second volumetric flow rate, the first volumetric flow rate exceeding the second volumetric flow rate, wherein liquid at the open end will receive sample, liquid containing sample material will be drawn into and through the liquid exhaust conduit, and liquid will overflow from the open end.« less

Open port sampling interface

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

Van Berkel, Gary J

A system for sampling a sample material includes a probe which can have an outer probe housing with an open end. A liquid supply conduit within the housing has an outlet positioned to deliver liquid to the open end of the housing. The liquid supply conduit can be connectable to a liquid supply for delivering liquid at a first volumetric flow rate to the open end of the housing. A liquid exhaust conduit within the housing is provided for removing liquid from the open end of the housing. A liquid exhaust system can be provided for removing liquid from themore » liquid exhaust conduit at a second volumetric flow rate, the first volumetric flow rate exceeding the second volumetric flow rate, wherein liquid at the open end will receive sample, liquid containing sample material will be drawn into and through the liquid exhaust conduit, and liquid will overflow from the open end.« less

Kinking and Torsion Can Significantly Improve the Efficiency of Valveless Pumping in Periodically Compressed Tubular Conduits. Implications for Understanding of the Form-Function Relationship of Embryonic Heart Tubes.

PubMed

Hiermeier, Florian; Männer, Jörg

2017-11-19

Valveless pumping phenomena (peristalsis, Liebau-effect) can generate unidirectional fluid flow in periodically compressed tubular conduits. Early embryonic hearts are tubular conduits acting as valveless pumps. It is unclear whether such hearts work as peristaltic or Liebau-effect pumps. During the initial phase of its pumping activity, the originally straight embryonic heart is subjected to deforming forces that produce bending, twisting, kinking, and coiling. This deformation process is called cardiac looping. Its function is traditionally seen as generating a configuration needed for establishment of correct alignments of pulmonary and systemic flow pathways in the mature heart of lung-breathing vertebrates. This idea conflicts with the fact that cardiac looping occurs in all vertebrates, including gill-breathing fishes. We speculate that looping morphogenesis may improve the efficiency of valveless pumping. To test the physical plausibility of this hypothesis, we analyzed the pumping performance of a Liebau-effect pump in straight and looped (kinked) configurations. Compared to the straight configuration, the looped configuration significantly improved the pumping performance of our pump. This shows that looping can improve the efficiency of valveless pumping driven by the Liebau-effect. Further studies are needed to clarify whether this finding may have implications for understanding of the form-function relationship of embryonic hearts.

Kinking and Torsion Can Significantly Improve the Efficiency of Valveless Pumping in Periodically Compressed Tubular Conduits. Implications for Understanding of the Form-Function Relationship of Embryonic Heart Tubes

PubMed Central

Hiermeier, Florian; Männer, Jörg

2017-01-01

Valveless pumping phenomena (peristalsis, Liebau-effect) can generate unidirectional fluid flow in periodically compressed tubular conduits. Early embryonic hearts are tubular conduits acting as valveless pumps. It is unclear whether such hearts work as peristaltic or Liebau-effect pumps. During the initial phase of its pumping activity, the originally straight embryonic heart is subjected to deforming forces that produce bending, twisting, kinking, and coiling. This deformation process is called cardiac looping. Its function is traditionally seen as generating a configuration needed for establishment of correct alignments of pulmonary and systemic flow pathways in the mature heart of lung-breathing vertebrates. This idea conflicts with the fact that cardiac looping occurs in all vertebrates, including gill-breathing fishes. We speculate that looping morphogenesis may improve the efficiency of valveless pumping. To test the physical plausibility of this hypothesis, we analyzed the pumping performance of a Liebau-effect pump in straight and looped (kinked) configurations. Compared to the straight configuration, the looped configuration significantly improved the pumping performance of our pump. This shows that looping can improve the efficiency of valveless pumping driven by the Liebau-effect. Further studies are needed to clarify whether this finding may have implications for understanding of the form-function relationship of embryonic hearts. PMID:29367548

Liquid-phase chromatography detector

DOEpatents

Voigtman, E.G.; Winefordner, J.D.; Jurgensen, A.R.

1983-11-08

A liquid-phase chromatography detector comprises a flow cell having an inlet tubular conduit for receiving a liquid chromatographic effluent and discharging it as a flowing columnar stream onto a vertically adjustable receiving surface spaced apart from and located vertically below and in close proximity to the discharge end of the tubular conduit; a receiver adapted to receive liquid overflowing from the receiving surface; an exit conduit for continuously removing liquid from the receiver; a light source for focusing fluorescence-producing light pulses on the flowing columnar stream as it passes from the outlet of the conduit to the receiving surface and a fluorescence detector to detect the produced fluorescence; a source of light pulse for producing acoustic waves in the columnar stream as it passes from the conduit outlet to the receiving surface; and a piezoelectric transducer adapted to detect those waves; and a source of bias voltage applied to the inlet tubular conduit and adapted to produce ionization of the liquid flowing through the flow cell so as to produce photocurrents therein and an electrical system to detect and record the photocurrents. This system is useful in separating and detecting individual chemical compounds from mixtures thereof. 5 figs.

Liquid-phase chromatography detector

DOEpatents

Voigtman, Edward G.; Winefordner, James D.; Jurgensen, Arthur R.

1983-01-01

A liquid-phase chromatography detector comprising a flow cell having an inlet tubular conduit for receiving a liquid chromatographic effluent and discharging it as a flowing columnar stream onto a vertically adjustable receiving surface spaced apart from and located vertically below and in close proximity to the discharge end of the tubular conduit; a receiver adapted to receive liquid overflowing from the receiving surface; an exit conduit for continuously removing liquid from the receiver; a light source for focussing fluorescence-producing light pulses on the flowing columnar stream as it passes from the outlet of the conduit to the receiving surface and a fluorescence detector to detect the produced fluorescence; a source of light pulse for producing acoustic waves in the columnar stream as it passes from the conduit outlet to the receiving surface; and a piezoelectric transducer adapted to detect those waves; and a source of bias voltage applied to the inlet tubular conduit and adapted to produce ionization of the liquid flowing through the flow cell so as to produce photocurrents therein and an electrical system to detect and record the photocurrents. This system is useful in separating and detecting individual chemical compounds from mixtures thereof.

Chemotactic Motility of Sperm in Shear

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Guasto, Jeffrey S.; Riffell, Jeffrey A.; Zimmer, Richard K.; Stocker, Roman

2011-11-01

Chemical gradients are utilized by plants and animals in sexual reproduction to guide swimming sperm cells toward the egg. This process (``chemotaxis''), which can greatly increase the success of fertilization, is subject to interference by fluid flow, both in the bodily conduits of internal fertilizers (e.g. mammals) and in the aquatic environment of external fertilizers (e.g. benthic invertebrates). We studied the biomechanics of chemotaxing sea urchin spermatozoa using microfluidic devices, which allow for the precise and independent control of attractant gradients and fluid shear. We captured swimming trajectories and flagellar beat patterns using high-speed video-microscopy, to detect chemotactic responses and measure the effect of fluid forces on swimming. This work will ultimately help us to understand how swimming sperm cells actively navigate natural chemoattractant gradients for successful fertilization.

Numerical and experimental investigation of the 3D free surface flow in a model Pelton turbine

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fiereder, R.; Riemann, S.; Schilling, R.

2010-08-01

This investigation focuses on the numerical and experimental analysis of the 3D free surface flow in a Pelton turbine. In particular, two typical flow conditions occurring in a full scale Pelton turbine - a configuration with a straight inlet as well as a configuration with a 90 degree elbow upstream of the nozzle - are considered. Thereby, the effect of secondary flow due to the 90 degree bending of the upstream pipe on the characteristics of the jet is explored. The hybrid flow field consists of pure liquid flow within the conduit and free surface two component flow of the liquid jet emerging out of the nozzle into air. The numerical results are validated against experimental investigations performed in the laboratory of the Institute of Fluid Mechanics (FLM). For the numerical simulation of the flow the in-house unstructured fully parallelized finite volume solver solver3D is utilized. An advanced interface capturing model based on the classic Volume of Fluid method is applied. In order to ensure sharp interface resolution an additional convection term is added to the transport equation of the volume fraction. A collocated variable arrangement is used and the set of non-linear equations, containing fluid conservation equations and model equations for turbulence and volume fraction, are solved in a segregated manner. For pressure-velocity coupling the SIMPLE and PISO algorithms are implemented. Detailed analysis of the observed flow patterns in the jet and of the jet geometry are presented.

The significance of turbulent flow representation in single-continuum models

USGS Publications Warehouse

Reimann, T.; Rehrl, C.; Shoemaker, W.B.; Geyer, T.; Birk, S.

2011-01-01

Karst aquifers exhibit highly conductive features caused from rock dissolution processes. Flow within these structures can become turbulent and therefore can be expressed by nonlinear gradient functions. One way to account for these effects is by coupling a continuum model with a conduit network. Alternatively, turbulent flow can be considered by adapting the hydraulic conductivity within the continuum model. Consequently, the significance of turbulent flow on the dynamic behavior of karst springs is investigated by an enhanced single-continuum model that results in conduit-type flow in continuum cells (CTFC). The single-continuum approach CTFC represents laminar and turbulent flow as well as more complex hybrid models that require additional programming and numerical efforts. A parameter study is conducted to investigate the effects of turbulent flow on the response of karst springs to recharge events using the new CTFC approach, existing hybrid models, and MODFLOW-2005. Results reflect the importance of representing (1) turbulent flow in karst conduits and (2) the exchange between conduits and continuum cells. More specifically, laminar models overestimate maximum spring discharge and underestimate hydraulic gradients within the conduit. It follows that aquifer properties inferred from spring hydrographs are potentially impaired by ignoring flow effects due to turbulence. The exchange factor used for hybrid models is necessary to account for the scale dependency between hydraulic properties of the matrix continuum and conduits. This functionality, which is not included in CTFC, can be mimicked by appropriate use of the Horizontal Flow Barrier package for MODFLOW. Copyright 2011 by the American Geophysical Union.

Generation of Complex Karstic Conduit Networks with a Hydro-chemical Model

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

De Rooij, R.; Graham, W. D.

2016-12-01

The discrete-continuum approach is very well suited to simulate flow and solute transport within karst aquifers. Using this approach, discrete one-dimensional conduits are embedded within a three-dimensional continuum representative of the porous limestone matrix. Typically, however, little is known about the geometry of the karstic conduit network. As such the discrete-continuum approach is rarely used for practical applications. It may be argued, however, that the uncertainty associated with the geometry of the network could be handled by modeling an ensemble of possible karst conduit networks within a stochastic framework. We propose to generate stochastically realistic karst conduit networks by simulating the widening of conduits as caused by the dissolution of limestone over geological relevant timescales. We illustrate that advanced numerical techniques permit to solve the non-linear and coupled hydro-chemical processes efficiently, such that relatively large and complex networks can be generated in acceptable time frames. Instead of specifying flow boundary conditions on conduit cells to recharge the network as is typically done in classical speleogenesis models, we specify an effective rainfall rate over the land surface and let model physics determine the amount of water entering the network. This is advantageous since the amount of water entering the network is extremely difficult to reconstruct, whereas the effective rainfall rate may be quantified using paleoclimatic data. Furthermore, we show that poorly known flow conditions may be constrained by requiring a realistic flow field. Using our speleogenesis model we have investigated factors that influence the geometry of simulated conduit networks. We illustrate that our model generates typical branchwork, network and anastomotic conduit systems. Flow, solute transport and water ages in karst aquifers are simulated using a few illustrative networks.

Seismic texture and amplitude analysis of large scale fluid escape pipes using time lapses seismic surveys: examples from the Loyal Field (Scotland, UK)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Maestrelli, Daniele; Jihad, Ali; Iacopini, David; Bond, Clare

2016-04-01

Fluid escape pipes are key features of primary interest for the analysis of vertical fluid flow and secondary hydrocarbon migration in sedimentary basin. Identified worldwide (Løset et al., 2009), they acquired more and more importance as they represent critical pathways for supply of methane and potential structure for leakage into the storage reservoir (Cartwright & Santamarina, 2015). Therefore, understanding their genesis, internal characteristics and seismic expression, is of great significance for the exploration industry. Here we propose a detailed characterization of the internal seismic texture of some seal bypass system (e.g fluid escape pipes) from a 4D seismic survey (released by the BP) recently acquired in the Loyal Field. The seal by pass structure are characterized by big-scale fluid escape pipes affecting the Upper Paleogene/Neogene stratigraphic succession in the Loyal Field, Scotland (UK). The Loyal field, is located on the edge of the Faroe-Shetland Channel slope, about 130 km west of Shetland (Quadrants 204/205 of the UKCS) and has been recently re-appraised and re developed by a consortium led by BP. The 3D detailed mapping analysis of the full and partial stack survey (processed using amplitude preservation workflows) shows a complex system of fluid pipe structure rooted in the pre Lista formation and developed across the paleogene and Neogene Units. Geometrical analysis show that pipes got diameter varying between 100-300 m and a length of 500 m to 2 km. Most pipes seem to terminate abruptly at discrete subsurface horizons or in diffuse termination suggesting multiple overpressured events and lateral fluid migration (through Darcy flows) across the overburden units. The internal texture analysis of the large pipes, (across both the root and main conduit zones), using near, medium and far offset stack dataset (processed through an amplitude preserved PSTM workflow) shows a tendency of up-bending of reflection (rather than pulls up artefacts) affected by large scale fracture (semblance image) and seem consistent with a suspended mud/sand mixture non-fluidized fluid flow. Near-Middle-Far offsets amplitude analysis confirms that most of the amplitude anomalies within the pipes conduit and terminus are only partly related to gas. An interpretation of the possible texture observed is proposed with a discussion of the noise and artefact induced by resolution and migration problems. Possible hypothetical formation mechanisms for those Pipes are discussed.

Non-invasive energy meter for fixed and variable flow systems

DOEpatents

Menicucci, David F.; Black, Billy D.

2005-11-01

An energy metering method and apparatus for liquid flow systems comprising first and second segments of one or more conduits through which a liquid flows, comprising: attaching a first temperature sensor for connection to an outside of the first conduit segment; attaching a second temperature sensor for connection to an outside of the second conduit segment; via a programmable control unit, receiving data from the sensors and calculating energy data therefrom; and communicating energy data from the meter; whereby the method and apparatus operate without need to temporarily disconnect or alter the first or second conduit segments. The invention operates with both variable and fixed flow systems, and is especially useful for both active and passive solar energy systems.

Extracardiac conduit obstruction: initial experience in the use of Doppler echocardiography for noninvasive estimation of pressure gradient.

PubMed

Reeder, G S; Currie, P J; Fyfe, D A; Hagler, D J; Seward, J B; Tajik, A J

1984-11-01

Extracardiac valved conduits are often employed in the repair of certain complex congenital heart defects; late obstruction is a well recognized problem that usually requires catheterization for definitive diagnosis. A reliable noninvasive method for detecting conduit stenosis would be clinically useful in identifying the small proportion of patients who develop this problem. Continuous wave Doppler echocardiography has been used successfully to estimate cardiac valvular obstructive lesions noninvasively. Twenty-three patients with prior extracardiac conduit placement for complex congenital heart disease underwent echocardiographic and continuous wave Doppler echocardiographic examinations to determine the presence and severity of conduit stenosis. In 20 of the 23 patients, an adequate conduit flow velocity profile was obtained, and in 10 an abnormally increased conduit flow velocity was present. All but one patient had significant obstruction proven at surgery and in one patient, surgery was planned. In three patients, an adequate conduit flow velocity profile could not be obtained but obstruction was still suspected based on high velocity tricuspid regurgitant Doppler signals. In these three patients, subsequent surgery also proved that conduit stenosis was present. Doppler-predicted gradients and right ventricular pressures showed an overall good correlation (r = 0.90) with measurements at subsequent cardiac catheterization. Continuous wave Doppler echocardiography appears to be a useful noninvasive tool for the detection and semiquantitation of extracardiac conduit stenosis.

Seismic and structural characterization of the fluid bypass system using 3D and partial stack seismic from passive margin: inside the plumbing system.

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Iacopini, David; Maestrelli, Daniele; Jihad, Ali; Bond, Clare; Bonini, Marco

2017-04-01

In recent years enormous attention has been paid to the understanding of the process and mechanism controlling the gas seepage and more generally the fluid expulsion affecting the earth system from onshore to offshore environment. This is because of their demonstrated impact to our environment, climate change and during subsea drilling operation. Several example from active and paleo system has been so far characterized and proposed using subsurface exploration, geophysical and geochemical monitoring technology approaches with the aims to explore what trigger and drive the overpressure necessary maintain the fluid/gas/material expulsion and what are the structure that act as a gateway for gaseous fluid and unconsolidated rock. In this contribution we explore a series of fluid escape structure (ranging from seepage pipes to large blowout pipes structure of km length) using 3D and partial stack seismic data from two distinctive passive margin from the north sea (Loyal field, West Shetland) and the Equatorial Brazil (Ceara' Basin). We will focuses on the characterization of the plumbing system internal architecture and, for selected example, exploring the AVO response (using partial stack) of the internal fluid/unconsolidated rock. The detailed seismic mapping and seismic attributes analysis of the conduit system helped us to recover some detail from the signal response of the chimney internal structures. We observed: (1) small to medium seeps and pipes following structural or sedimentary discontinuities (2) large pipes (probably incipient mud volcanoes) and blowup structures propagating upward irrespective of pre-existing fault by hydraulic fracturing and assisted by the buoyancy of a fluidised and mobilised mud-hydrocarbon mixture. The reflector termination observed inside the main conduits, the distribution of stacked bright reflectors and the AVO analysis suggests an evolution of mechanisms (involving mixture of gas, fluid and probably mud) during pipe birth and development, cycling through classical fluid escape pipes evoking non-Darcy flow to Darcy flow exploiting surrounding permeable bodies (during low fluid recharge period). Limit and uncertainty of the seismic data imaging the internal structure are still controlled by illumination factor, the lateral and vertical resolution (Fresnel. Tuning thickness) and scattering/noise effect of seismic wave when they interact with the plumbing system.

Operation of a cascade air conditioning system with two-phase loop

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

Feng, Yinshan; Wang, Jinliang; Zhao, Futao

A method of operating a heat transfer system includes starting operation of a first heat transfer fluid vapor/compression circulation loop including a fluid pumping mechanism, a heat exchanger for rejecting thermal energy from a first heat transfer fluid, and a heat absorption side of an internal heat exchanger. A first conduit in a closed fluid circulation loop circulates the first heat transfer fluid therethrough. Operation of a second two-phase heat transfer fluid circulation loop is started after starting operation of the first heat transfer fluid circulation loop. The second heat transfer fluid circulation loop transfers heat to the first heatmore » transfer fluid circulation loop through the internal heat exchanger and includes a heat rejection side of the internal heat exchanger, a liquid pump, and a heat exchanger evaporator. A second conduit in a closed fluid circulation loop circulates a second heat transfer fluid therethrough.« less

Nitrogen Fate in a Phreatic Fluviokarst Watershed: a Stable Isotope, Sediment Tracing, and Numerical Modeling Approach

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Husic, A.; Fox, J.; Ford, W. I., III; Agouridis, C.; Currens, J. C.; Taylor, C. J.

2017-12-01

Sediment tracing tools provide an insight into provenance, fate, and transport of sediment and, when coupled to stable isotopes, can elucidate in-stream biogeochemical processes. Particulate nitrogen fate in fluviokarst systems is a relatively unexplored area of research partially due to the complex hydrodynamics at play in karst systems. Karst topography includes turbulent conduits that transport groundwater and contaminants at speeds more typical of open channel flows than laminar Darcian flows. While it is accepted that karst hydro-geomorphology represents a hybrid surface-subsurface system for fluid, further investigation is needed to determine whether, and to what extent, karst systems behave like surface agricultural streams or porous media aquifers with respect to their role in nitrogen cycling. Our objective is to gain an understanding of in-conduit nitrogen processes and their effect on net nitrogen-exports from karst springs to larger waterbodies. The authors apply water, sediment, carbon, and nitrogen tracing techniques to analyze water for nitrate, sediment carbon and nitrogen, and stable sediment nitrogen isotope (δ15N). Thereafter, a new numerical model is formulated that: simulates dissolved inorganic nitrogen and sediment nitrogen transformations in the phreatic karst conduit; couples carbon turnover and nitrogen transformations in the model structure; and simulates the nitrogen stable isotope mass balance for the dissolved and sediment phases. Nitrogen tracing data results show a significant increase in δ15N of sediment nitrogen at the spring outlet relative to karst inputs indicating the potential for isotope fractionation during dissolved N uptake by bed sediments in the conduit and during denitrification within bed sediments. The new numerical modeling structure is then used to reproduce the data results and provide an estimate of the relative dominance of N uptake and denitrification within the surficial sediments of the karst conduit system. For the first time to our knowledge, results shed light on sediment processes that help control nutrient retention in phreatic karst conduits and tend to suggest that the karst systems behave as an intermediate N conveyor relative to surface agricultural streams and porous media aquifers.

Apparatus and method for noninvasive particle detection using doppler spectroscopy

DOEpatents

Sinha, Dipen N.

2016-05-31

An apparatus and method for noninvasively detecting the presence of solid particulate matter suspended in a fluid flowing through a pipe or an oil and gas wellbore are described. Fluid flowing through a conduit containing the particulate solids is exposed to a fixed frequency (>1 MHz) of ultrasonic vibrations from a transducer attached to the outside of the pipe. The returning Doppler frequency shifted signal derived from the scattering of sound from the moving solid particles is detected by an adjacent transducer. The transmitted signal and the Doppler signal are combined to provide sensitive particulate detection. The magnitude of the signal and the Doppler frequency shift are used to determine the particle size distribution and the velocity of the particles. Measurement of the phase shift between the applied frequency and the detected Doppler shifted may be used to determine the direction of motion of the particles.

Structural cooling fluid tube for supporting a turbine component and supplying cooling fluid

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

Charron, Richard; Pierce, Daniel

2015-02-24

A shaft cover support for a gas turbine engine is disclosed. The shaft cover support not only provides enhanced support to a shaft cover of the gas turbine engine, but also includes a cooling fluid chamber for passing fluids from a rotor air cooling supply conduit to an inner ring cooling manifold. As such, the shaft cover support accomplishes in a single component what was only partially accomplished in two components in conventional configurations. The shaft cover support may also provide additional stiffness and reduce interference of the flow from the compressor. In addition, the shaft cover support accommodates amore » transition section extending between compressor and turbine sections of the engine. The shaft cover support has a radially extending region that is offset from the inlet and outlet that enables the shaft cover support to surround the transition, thereby reducing the overall length of this section of the engine.« less

Dissolution along faults-fractures and hypogenic karst in carbonates: examples from Brazil

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ennes-Silva, Renata; Cazarin, Caroline; Bezerra, Francisco; Auler, Augusto; Klimchouk, Alexander

2015-04-01

Dissolution along faults-fractures and hypogenic karst in carbonates: examples from Brazil Ennes-Silva, R.A; Cazarin, C.L.; Bezerra, F.H.; Auler, A.S.; Klimchouk, A.B. Dissolution along zones of preferential flow enhances anisotropy in geological media and increases its complexity. Changes in parameters such as porosity and permeability due to diagenesis and presence of ascendant fluids along fractures and faults can be responsible for hypogenic karstic system. The present study investigates the relationship between lithofacies, tectonics and karstification in the Neoproterozoic Salitre Formation, located in the central-eastern Brazil. This unit comprises several systems of caves including the Toca da Boa Vista and da Barriguda hypogenic caves, the largests in South America, and focus of this study. We focused on cave mapping and morphogenetic analysis, determination of petrophysical properties, thin-section description, micro-tomography, and isotopic analysis. The Salitre Formation, deposited in an epicontinental sea, comprises mud/wakestones, grainstones, microbial facies, and fine siliciclastic rocks. Passages occur in several levels within ca. 60 m thick cave-forming section, limited at the top by lithofacies with low permeability and fractures. Cave development occurred in phreatic sluggish-flow environment with overall upwelling flow. Fluids rise via cross-formational fractures and were distributed laterally within the cave-forming section using geological heterogeneities to eventually discharge up through outlets breaching across the upper confining beds. Maps of conduits show preferred directions for development of conduits: NNE-SSW and E-W. These two directions represents a relation between structures and hypogenic morphology. Joints, axis fold and fractures allowed pathways to the fluid rises, and then development of channels of entrance (feeders), outputs (outlets) and some cupolas, which are clearly aligned to fractures. Our data indicate several events of porosity evolution, such as subaerial exposure, folds and fractures, hydrothermal events (exotic minerals assemblage), sulfuric acid dissolution, dissolution at the water table, condensation corrosion, and faults and fractures reactivation. The major enhancement of secondary porosity was due to hypogene speleogenesis.

A numerical simulation of magma motion, crustal deformation, and seismic radiation associated with volcanic eruptions

USGS Publications Warehouse

Nishimura, T.; Chouet, B.

2003-01-01

The finite difference method is used to calculate the magma dynamics, seismic radiation, and crustal deformation associated with a volcanic eruption. The model geometry consists of a cylindrical reservoir and narrow cylindrical conduit embedded in a homogeneous crust. We consider two models of eruption. In the first model, a lid caps the vent and the magma is overpressurized prior to the eruption. The eruption is triggered by the instantaneous removal of the lid, at which point the exit pressure becomes equal to the atmospheric pressure. In the second model, a plug at the reservoir outlet allows pressurization of only the magmatic fluid in the reservoir before the eruption. Magma transfer between the reservoir and conduit is triggered by the instantaneous removal of the plug, and the eruption occurs when the pressure at the conduit orifice exceeds the material strength of the lid capping the vent. In both models, magma dynamics are expressed by the equations of mass and momentum conservation in a compressible fluid, in which fluid expansion associated with depressurization is accounted for by a constitutive law relating pressure and density. Crustal motions are calculated from the equations of elastodynamics. The fluid and solid are dynamically coupled by applying the continuity of wall velocities and normal stresses across the conduit and reservoir boundaries. Free slip is allowed at the fluid-solid boundary. Both models predict the gradual depletion of the magma reservoir, which causes crustal deformation observed as a long-duration dilatational signal. Superimposed on this very-long-period (VLP) signal generated by mass transport are long-period (LP) oscillations of the magma reservoir and conduit excited by the acoustic resonance of the reservoir-conduit system during the eruption. The volume of the reservoir, vent size, and magma properties control the duration of VLP waves and dominant periods of LP oscillations. The second model predicts that when the magmatic fluid reaches the vent, a high-pressure pulse occurs at this location in accordance with the basic theory of compressible fluid dynamics. This abrupt pressure increase just beneath the vent is consistent with observed seismograms in which pulse-like Rayleigh waves excited by a shallow source are dominant. The strength of the lid plays an important role in the character of the seismograms and in defining the type of eruption observed.

Flow analysis system and method

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hill, Wayne S. (Inventor); Barck, Bruce N. (Inventor)

1998-01-01

A non-invasive flow analysis system and method wherein a sensor, such as an acoustic sensor, is coupled to a conduit for transmitting a signal which varies depending on the characteristics of the flow in the conduit. The signal is amplified and there is a filter, responsive to the sensor signal, and tuned to pass a narrow band of frequencies proximate the resonant frequency of the sensor. A demodulator generates an amplitude envelope of the filtered signal and a number of flow indicator quantities are calculated based on variations in amplitude of the amplitude envelope. A neural network, or its equivalent, is then used to determine the flow rate of the flow in the conduit based on the flow indicator quantities.

Deformation of a 3D granular media caused by fluid invasion

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dalbe, M. J.; Juanes, R.

2016-12-01

Multiphase flow in porous media plays a fundamental role in many natural and engineered subsurface processes. The interplay between fluid flow, medium deformation and fracture is essential in geoscience problems as disparate as fracking for unconventional hydrocarbon production, conduit formation and methane venting from lake and ocean sediments, and desiccation cracks in soil. Several experimental and computational studies have shown that the competition between capillary and friction forces can lead to different regimes of deformation, from frictional fingering to hydro-capillary fracturing (Sandnes et al., Nat. Comm. 2011, Holtzman et al., PRL 2012). Most of these investigations have focused, however, on 2D or quasi-2D systems. Here, we develop an experimental set-up that allows us to observe two-phase flow in a fully 3D granular bed and measure the fluid pressure while controlling the level of confining stress. We use an index matching technique to directly visualize the injection of a liquid in a granular media saturated with another, immiscible liquid. We extract the deformation the whole granular bulk as well as at the particle level. Our results show the existence of different regimes of invasion patterns depending on key dimensionless groups that control the system.

Deformation of a 3D granular media caused by fluid invasion

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dalbe, Marie-Julie; Juanes, Ruben

2016-11-01

Multiphase flow in porous media plays a fundamental role in many natural and engineered subsurface processes. The interplay between fluid flow, medium deformation and fracture is essential in geoscience problems as disparate as fracking for unconventional hydrocarbon production, conduit formation and methane venting from lake and ocean sediments, and desiccation cracks in soil. Several experimental and computational studies have shown that the competition between capillary and friction forces can lead to different regimes of deformation, from frictional fingering to hydro-capillary fracturing. Most of these investigations have focused, however, on 2D or quasi-2D systems. Here, we develop an experimental set-up that allows us to observe two-phase flow in a fully 3D granular bed and measure the fluid pressure while controlling the level of confining stress. We use an index matching technique to directly visualize the injection of a liquid in a granular media saturated with another, immiscible liquid. We extract the deformation the whole granular bulk as well as at the particle level. Our results show the existence of different regimes of invasion patterns depending on key dimensionless groups that control the system.

Evaporative cooler including one or more rotating cooler louvers

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

Gerlach, David W

An evaporative cooler may include an evaporative cooler housing with a duct extending therethrough, a plurality of cooler louvers with respective porous evaporative cooler pads, and a working fluid source conduit. The cooler louvers are arranged within the duct and rotatably connected to the cooler housing along respective louver axes. The source conduit provides an evaporative cooler working fluid to the cooler pads during at least one mode of operation.

Hermetically sealed superconducting magnet motor

DOEpatents

DeVault, Robert C.; McConnell, Benjamin W.; Phillips, Benjamin A.

1996-01-01

A hermetically sealed superconducting magnet motor includes a rotor separated from a stator by either a radial gap, an axial gap, or a combined axial and radial gap. Dual conically shaped stators are used in one embodiment to levitate a disc-shaped rotor made of superconducting material within a conduit for moving cryogenic fluid. As the rotor is caused to rotate when the field stator is energized, the fluid is pumped through the conduit.

The use of subsurface thermal data, isotopic tracers and earthquake hypocenter locations to unravel deep regional flow systems within the crystalline basement beneath the Rio Grande rift, New Mexico. (Invited)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Person, M. A.; Woolsey, E.; Pepin, J.; Crossey, L. J.; Karlstrom, K. E.; Phillips, F. M.; Kelley, S.; Timmons, S.

2013-12-01

The Rio Grande rift in New Mexico hosts a number of low-temperature geothermal systems as well as the 19 km deep Socorro Magma Body. The presence of a mantle helium anomaly measured at San Acacia spring (3He/4He = 0.295 RA) and in an adjacent shallow well (50m < ; 0.8 RA) overlying the Socorro Magma Body at the southern terminus of the Albuquerque Basin suggests that deeply sourced fluids mix with the sedimentary basin groundwater flow system. Temperatures recorded at the base of the San Acacia well is elevated (29 oC). Published estimates of uplift rates and heat flow suggest that the magma body was emplaced about 1-3 ka and reflects a long-lived (several Ma) magmatic system. Further south near the southern terminus of the Engle Basin, much warmer temperatures (42 oC) occur at shallow depths within the spa district in the town of Truth or Consequences at shallow depths also suggesting deep-fluid circulation. 14C constrained apparent groundwater residence times in the spa district range between 6-10 ka. We have developed two 6-19 km deep crustal-scale, cross-sectional models that simulate subsurface fluid flow, heat and isotope (3He/4He) transport as well as groundwater residence times along the Rio Grande rift. The North-South oriented model of the Albuquerque Basin incorporates a high-permeability conduit 100 m wide having hydrologic properties differing from surrounding crystalline basement units. We use these models to constrain the crustal permeability structure and fluid circulation patterns beneath the Albuquerque and Engle Basins. Model results are compared to measurements of groundwater temperatures, residence times (14C), and 3He/4He data. We also use the distribution of earthquake hypocenters to constrain likely fault-crystalline basement hydraulic interactions in the seismogenic crust above the Socorro Magma Body. For the case of the southern Albuquerque Basin, conduit permeability associated with the Indian Hill conduit/fault zone must range between about 1.0E-13 to 1.0E-15 m2 in order for simulated 3He/4He, solute concentrations, and temperatures to match observed conditions. Basement permeability outside of the fault damage zone must range between 1.0E-17 to 1.0E-18 m2. However, a much longer transport time is required (between about 20-30 ka) in order to match observed conditions suggesting multiple magmatic intrusion events. For the case of the Engle Basin near Truth or Consequences, bulk crustal permeability between a depth of 2-6 km below the sedimentary succession must approach 1.0E-12 m2 in order to reproduce hot spring temperatures and groundwater residence times. We compare these model derived permeability estimates to published permeability-depth relationships for crustal rocks (Manning and Ingebritsen, 1999; Ingebritsen and Manning, 2010).

Numerical simulation of freshwater/seawater interaction in a dual-permeability karst system with conduits: the development of discrete-continuum VDFST-CFP model

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Xu, Zexuan; Hu, Bill

2016-04-01

Dual-permeability karst aquifers of porous media and conduit networks with significant different hydrological characteristics are widely distributed in the world. Discrete-continuum numerical models, such as MODFLOW-CFP and CFPv2, have been verified as appropriate approaches to simulate groundwater flow and solute transport in numerical modeling of karst hydrogeology. On the other hand, seawater intrusion associated with fresh groundwater resources contamination has been observed and investigated in numbers of coastal aquifers, especially under conditions of sea level rise. Density-dependent numerical models including SEAWAT are able to quantitatively evaluate the seawater/freshwater interaction processes. A numerical model of variable-density flow and solute transport - conduit flow process (VDFST-CFP) is developed to provide a better description of seawater intrusion and submarine groundwater discharge in a coastal karst aquifer with conduits. The coupling discrete-continuum VDFST-CFP model applies Darcy-Weisbach equation to simulate non-laminar groundwater flow in the conduit system in which is conceptualized and discretized as pipes, while Darcy equation is still used in continuum porous media. Density-dependent groundwater flow and solute transport equations with appropriate density terms in both conduit and porous media systems are derived and numerically solved using standard finite difference method with an implicit iteration procedure. Synthetic horizontal and vertical benchmarks are created to validate the newly developed VDFST-CFP model by comparing with other numerical models such as variable density SEAWAT, couplings of constant density groundwater flow and solute transport MODFLOW/MT3DMS and discrete-continuum CFPv2/UMT3D models. VDFST-CFP model improves the simulation of density dependent seawater/freshwater mixing processes and exchanges between conduit and matrix. Continuum numerical models greatly overestimated the flow rate under turbulent flow condition but discrete-continuum models provide more accurate results. Parameters sensitivities analysis indicates that conduit diameter and friction factor, matrix hydraulic conductivity and porosity are important parameters that significantly affect variable-density flow and solute transport simulation. The pros and cons of model assumptions, conceptual simplifications and numerical techniques in VDFST-CFP are discussed. In general, the development of VDFST-CFP model is an innovation in numerical modeling methodology and could be applied to quantitatively evaluate the seawater/freshwater interaction in coastal karst aquifers. Keywords: Discrete-continuum numerical model; Variable density flow and transport; Coastal karst aquifer; Non-laminar flow

Seismicity at Old Faithful Geyser: an isolated source of geothermal noise and possible analogue of volcanic seismicity

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kieffer, Susan Werner

1984-09-01

Old Faithful Geyser in Yellowstone National Park, U.S.A., is a relatively isolated source of seismic noise and exhibits seismic behavior similar to that observed at many volcanoes, including "bubblequakes" that resemble B-type "earthquakes", harmonic tremor before and during eruptions, and periods of seismic quiet prior to eruptions. Although Old Faithful differs from volcanoes in that the conduit is continuously open, that rock-fracturing is not a process responsible for seismicity, and that the erupting fluid is inviscid H 2O rather than viscous magma, there are also remarkable similarities in the problems of heat and mass recharge to the system, in the eruption dynamics, and in the seismicity. Water rises irregularly into the immediate reservoir of Old Faithful as recharge occurs, a fact that suggests that there are two enlarged storage regions: one between 18 and 22 m (the base of the immediate reservoir) and one between about 10 and 12 m depth. Transport of heat from hot water or steam entering at the base of the recharging water column into cooler overlying water occurs by migration of steam bubbles upward and their collapse in the cooler water, and by episodes of convective overturn. An eruption occurs when the temperature of the near-surface water exceeds the boiling point if the entire water column is sufficiently close to the boiling curve that the propagation of pressure-release waves (rarefactions) down the column can bring the liquid water onto the boiling curve. The process of conversion of the liquid water in the conduit at the onset of an eruption into a two-phase liquid-vapor mixture takes on the order of 30 s. The seismicity is directly related to the sequence of filling and heating during the recharge cycle, and to the fluid mechanics of the eruption. Short (0.2-0.3 s), monochromatic, high-frequency events (20-60 Hz) resembling unsustained harmonic tremor and, in some instances, B-type volcanic earthquakes, occur when exploding or imploding bubbles of steam cause transient vibrations of the fluid column. The frequency of the events is determined by the length of the water column and the speed of sound of the fluid in the conduit when these events occur; damping is controlled by the characteristic and hydraulic impedances, which depend on the above parameters, as well as on the recharge rate of the fluid. Two periods of reduced seismicity (of a few tens of seconds to nearly a minute in duration) occur during the recharge cycle, apparently when the water rises rapidly through the narrow regions of the conduit, causing a sudden pressure increase that temporarily suppresses steam bubble formation. A period of decreased seismicity also precedes preplay or an eruption; this appears to be the time when rising steam bubbles move into a zone of boiling that is acoustically decoupled from the wall of the conduit because of the acoustic impedance mismatch between boiling water ( ρ c ˜ 10 3g cm -2 s -1) and rock ( ρ c ˜ 3 × 10 5g cm 2 s -1). Sustained harmonic tremor occurs during the first one to one-and-a-half minutes of an eruption of Old Faithful, but is not detectable in the succeeding minutes of the eruption. The eruption tremor is caused by hydraulic transients propagating within a sublayer of unvesiculated water that underlies the erupting two-phase liquid—vapor mixture. The resonant frequencies of the fluid column decrease to about 1 Hz when all of the water in the conduit has been converted to a water—steam mixture. Surges are observed in the flow at this frequency, but the resonance has not been detected seismically, possibly because the two-phase erupting fluid is seismically decoupled from the rock on which seismometers are placed. If Old Faithful is an analogue for volcanic seismicity, this study shows that because the frequency of tremor depends on the acoustic properties of the fluid and on conduit dimensions, both properties must be considered in analysis of tremor in volcanic regions. Because magma sound speed can vary over nearly two orders of magnitude as it changes from an undersaturated liquid into a saturated two-phase mixture, tremor frequency might vary by this magnitude and very broad-band seismographs may be required if tremor is to be monitored as magma goes from an undersaturated liquid to a vesiculated froth. Cessation of fluid-induced seismicity may indicate that the processes that drive the transients cease, but it is also possible that the processes that drive the transients continue but the fluid properties change so that the fluid becomes acoustically decoupled from the rock on which seismometers are placed.

Delineating saturated conduit patterns and dimensions in the upper Floridan aquifer through numerical groundwater flow modeling (Invited)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kincaid, T. R.; Meyer, B. A.

2009-12-01

In groundwater flow modeling, aquifer permeability is typically defined through model calibration. Since the pattern and size of conduits are part of a karstic permeability framework, those parameters should be constrainable through the same process given a sufficient density of measured conditions. H2H Associates has completed a dual-permeability steady-state model of groundwater flow through the western Santa Fe River Basin, Florida from which a 380.9 km network of saturated conduits was delineated through model calibration to heads and spring discharges. Two calibration datasets were compiled describing average high-water and average low-water conditions based on heads at 145 wells and discharge from 18 springs for the high-water scenario and heads at 188 wells and discharge from 9 springs for the low-water scenario. An initial conduit network was defined by assigning paths along mapped conduits and inferring paths along potentiometric troughs between springs and swallets that had been connected by groundwater tracing. These initial conduit assignments accounted for only 13.75 and 34.1 km of the final conduit network respectively. The model was setup using FEFLOW™ where conduits were described as discrete features embedded in a porous matrix. Flow in the conduits was described by the Manning-Strickler equation where variables for conduit area and roughness were used to adjust the volume and velocity of spring flows. Matrix flow was described by Darcy’s law where hydraulic conductivity variations were limited to three geologically defined internally homogeneous zones that ranged from ~2E-6 m/s to ~4E-3 m/s. Recharge for both the high-water and low-water periods was determined through a water budget analysis where variations were restricted to nine zones defined by land-use. All remaining variations in observed head were then assumed to be due to conduits. The model was iteratively calibrated to the high-water and low-water datasets wherein the location, size and roughness of the conduits were assigned as needed to accurately simulate observed heads and spring discharges while bounding simulated velocities by the tracer test results. Conduit diameters were adjusted to support high-water spring discharges but the locations were best determined by calibration to the low-water head field. The final model calibrated to within 5% of the total head change across the model region at 143 of the 145 wells in the high-water scenario and at 176 of the 188 wells in the low-water scenario. Simulated spring discharges fell within 13% of the observed range under high-water conditions and to within 100% of the observed range under low-water conditions. Simulated velocities ranged from as low as 10-4 m/day in the matrix to as high as 10+3 m/day in the largest conduits. The significance of these results that we emphasize here is two-fold. First, plausible karstic groundwater flow conditions can be reasonably simulated if adequate efforts are made to include springs, swallets, caves, and traced flow paths. And second, detailed saturated conduit networks can be delineated from careful evaluation of hydraulic head data particularly when dense datasets can be constructed by correlating values obtained from different wells under similar hydraulic periods.

Laboratory simulations of fluid-induced seismicity in shallow volcanic faults

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fazio, Marco; Benson, Philip; Vinciguerra, Sergio; Meredith, Philip

2015-04-01

Seismicity is a key tool used for monitoring fracturing and faulting in around volcanoes, with a particular emphasis placed on the frequency (Long period or Low Frequency, LF events) thought to be due to fluid movement, as compared to Volcano-Tectonic activity driven by pure fracture. To better understand these fundamental processes this research presents new rock deformation experiments designed to simulate shallow volcano-tectonic pressure/temperature conditions, linking pore fluid flow to the induced seismicity. A particular emphasis is placed on the conditions of pressure and temperature required to stimulate LF activity. Our setup imposes a rapid pore pressure release or "venting" via a small pre-drilled axial conduit to stimulate rapid fluid movement through an established fracture damage zone via a two stage process. Firstly experiments are conducted to generate a through-going shear fracture, with pore fluid connectivity to this fracture enhanced via the axial conduit. The shear failure is imaged via AE location with ~mm scale accuracy. The second stage vents pore fluid pressure via an electrical solenoid valve. We find that this second stage is accompanied by a swarm of LF activity akin to Long Period (LP) activity on active volcanoes. We find that a significant change in the dominant frequency of LF events is recorded as pore fluid pressure decrease through, and beyond, the water boiling point and the transition between LF and VLF occurred at the pressure at which the superheated water turn to vapour. In addition, we observe a significant dependence of the recorded LF upon the fluid flow rate. Finally, we present new data using low frequency (200 kHz) AE sensors, in conjunction with our standard 1 MHz-central-frequency sensors, which permit us to better constraint LF and VLF events with lower attenuation, and hence an improved characterization of these LF seismic signals. Data are used to forecast the final time of failure via the fracture forecast methods of Kilburn (2004), showing a good correlation between measured sample failure time and the forecast time based on AE event rate. Our data showed little change in forecast accuracy when using LF data compared to regular HF data, illustrating the importance of newly fracturing surfaces in the application of such models.

Laboratory simulations of fluid-induced seismicity in shallow volcanic faults

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fazio, M.; Benson, P. M.; Vinciguerra, S.

2014-12-01

Seismicity is a key tool used for monitoring fracturing and faulting in around volcanoes, with a particular emphasis placed on the frequency (Long period or Low Frequency, LF events) thought to be due to fluid movement, as compared to Volcano-Tectonic activity driven by pure fracture. To better understand these fundamental processes this research presents new rock deformation experiments designed to simulate shallow volcano-tectonic pressure/temperature conditions, linking pore fluid flow to the induced seismicity. A particular emphasis is placed on the conditions of pressure and temperature required to stimulate LF activity. Our setup imposes a rapid pore pressure release or "venting" via a small pre-drilled axial conduit to stimulate rapid fluid movement through an established fracture damage zone via a two stage process. Firstly experiments are conducted to generate a through-going shear fracture, with pore fluid connectivity to this fracture enhanced via the axial conduit. The shear failure is imaged via AE location with ~mm scale accuracy. The second stage vents pore fluid pressure via an electrical solenoid valve. We find that this second stage is accompanied by a swarm of LF activity akin to Long Period (LP) activity on active volcanoes. We find that a significant change in the dominant frequency of LF events is recorded as pore fluid pressure decrease through, and beyond, the water boiling point and the transition between LF and VLF occurred at the pressure at which the superheated water turn to vapour. In addition, we observe a significant dependence of the recorded LF upon the fluid flow rate. Finally, we present new data using low frequency (200 kHz) AE sensors, in conjunction with our standard 1 MHz-central-frequency sensors, which permit us to better constraint LF and VLF events with lower attenuation, and hence an improved characterization of these LF seismic signals. Data are used to forecast the final time of failure via the fracture forecast methods of Kilburn (2004), showing a good correlation between measured sample failure time and the forecast time based on AE event rate. Our data showed little change in forecast accuracy when using LF data compared to regular HF data, illustrating the importance of newly fracturing surfaces in the application of such models.

Seismicity at Old Faithful Geyser: an isolated source of geothermal noise and possible analogue of volcanic seismicity

USGS Publications Warehouse

Kieffer, S.W.

1984-01-01

Old Faithful Geyser in Yellowstone National Park, U.S.A., is a relatively isolated source of seismic noise and exhibits seismic behavior similar to that observed at many volcanoes, including "bubblequakes" that resemble B-type "earthquakes", harmonic tremor before and during eruptions, and periods of seismic quiet prior to eruptions. Although Old Faithful differs from volcanoes in that the conduit is continuously open, that rock-fracturing is not a process responsible for seismicity, and that the erupting fluid is inviscid H2O rather than viscous magma, there are also remarkable similarities in the problems of heat and mass recharge to the system, in the eruption dynamics, and in the seismicity. Water rises irregularly into the immediate reservoir of Old Faithful as recharge occurs, a fact that suggests that there are two enlarged storage regions: one between 18 and 22 m (the base of the immediate reservoir) and one between about 10 and 12 m depth. Transport of heat from hot water or steam entering at the base of the recharging water column into cooler overlying water occurs by migration of steam bubbles upward and their collapse in the cooler water, and by episodes of convective overturn. An eruption occurs when the temperature of the near-surface water exceeds the boiling point if the entire water column is sufficiently close to the boiling curve that the propagation of pressure-release waves (rarefactions) down the column can bring the liquid water onto the boiling curve. The process of conversion of the liquid water in the conduit at the onset of an eruption into a two-phase liquid-vapor mixture takes on the order of 30 s. The seismicity is directly related to the sequence of filling and heating during the recharge cycle, and to the fluid mechanics of the eruption. Short (0.2-0.3 s), monochromatic, high-frequency events (20-60 Hz) resembling unsustained harmonic tremor and, in some instances, B-type volcanic earthquakes, occur when exploding or imploding bubbles of steam cause transient vibrations of the fluid column. The frequency of the events is determined by the length of the water column and the speed of sound of the fluid in the conduit when these events occur; damping is controlled by the characteristic and hydraulic impedances, which depend on the above parameters, as well as on the recharge rate of the fluid. Two periods of reduced seismicity (of a few tens of seconds to nearly a minute in duration) occur during the recharge cycle, apparently when the water rises rapidly through the narrow regions of the conduit, causing a sudden pressure increase that temporarily suppresses steam bubble formation. A period of decreased seismicity also precedes preplay or an eruption; this appears to be the time when rising steam bubbles move into a zone of boiling that is acoustically decoupled from the wall of the conduit because of the acoustic impedance mismatch between boiling water (??c ??? 103 g cm-2 s-1) and rock (??c ??? 3 ?? 105 g cm2 s-1). Sustained harmonic tremor occurs during the first one to one-and-a-half minutes of an eruption of Old Faithful, but is not detectable in the succeeding minutes of the eruption. The eruption tremor is caused by hydraulic transients propagating within a sublayer of unvesiculated water that underlies the erupting two-phase liquid-vapor mixture. The resonant frequencies of the fluid column decrease to about 1 Hz when all of the water in the conduit has been converted to a water-steam mixture. Surges are observed in the flow at this frequency, but the resonance has not been detected seismically, possibly because the two-phase erupting fluid is seismically decoupled from the rock on which seismometers are placed. If Old Faithful is an analogue for volcanic seismicity, this study shows that because the frequency of tremor depends on the acoustic properties of the fluid and on conduit dimensions, both properties must be considered in analysis of tremor in volcanic regions. Because magma sound

Mouthpart conduit sizes of fluid-feeding insects determine the ability to feed from pores

DOE PAGES

Lehnert, Matthew S.; Bennett, Andrew; Reiter, Kristen E.; ...

2017-01-04

Fluid-feeding insects, such as butterflies, moths, and flies (20% of all animal species), are faced with the common selection pressure of having to remove and feed on trace amounts of fluids from porous surfaces. Insects able to acquire fluids that are confined to pores during drought conditions would have an adaptive advantage and increased fitness over other individuals. Here we performed feeding trials using solutions with magnetic nanoparticles to show that butterflies and flies have mouthparts adapted to pull liquids from porous surfaces using capillary action as the governing principle. In addition, the ability to feed on the liquids collectedmore » from pores depends on a relationship between the diameter of the mouthpart conduits and substrate pore size diameter; insects with mouthpart conduit diameters larger than the pores cannot successfully feed, thus there is a limiting substrate pore size from which each species can acquire liquids for fluid uptake. In conclusion, given that natural selection independently favored mouthpart architectures that support these methods of fluid uptake (Diptera and Lepidoptera share a common ancestor 280 mya that had chewing mouthparts), we suggest that the convergence of this mechanism advocates this as an optimal strategy for pulling trace amounts of fluids from porous surfaces.« less

Mouthpart conduit sizes of fluid-feeding insects determine the ability to feed from pores

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

Lehnert, Matthew S.; Bennett, Andrew; Reiter, Kristen E.

Fluid-feeding insects, such as butterflies, moths, and flies (20% of all animal species), are faced with the common selection pressure of having to remove and feed on trace amounts of fluids from porous surfaces. Insects able to acquire fluids that are confined to pores during drought conditions would have an adaptive advantage and increased fitness over other individuals. Here we performed feeding trials using solutions with magnetic nanoparticles to show that butterflies and flies have mouthparts adapted to pull liquids from porous surfaces using capillary action as the governing principle. In addition, the ability to feed on the liquids collectedmore » from pores depends on a relationship between the diameter of the mouthpart conduits and substrate pore size diameter; insects with mouthpart conduit diameters larger than the pores cannot successfully feed, thus there is a limiting substrate pore size from which each species can acquire liquids for fluid uptake. In conclusion, given that natural selection independently favored mouthpart architectures that support these methods of fluid uptake (Diptera and Lepidoptera share a common ancestor 280 mya that had chewing mouthparts), we suggest that the convergence of this mechanism advocates this as an optimal strategy for pulling trace amounts of fluids from porous surfaces.« less

Deep Lysimeter

DOEpatents

Hubbell, Joel M.; Sisson, James B.

2004-06-01

A deep lysimeter including a hollow vessel having a chamber, a fill conduit extending into the chamber through apertures, a semi-permeable member mounted on the vessel and in fluid communication with the fill conduit, and a line connection for retrieving the lysimeter.

Hermetically sealed superconducting magnet motor

DOEpatents

DeVault, R.C.; McConnell, B.W.; Phillips, B.A.

1996-07-02

A hermetically sealed superconducting magnet motor includes a rotor separated from a stator by either a radial gap, an axial gap, or a combined axial and radial gap. Dual conically shaped stators are used in one embodiment to levitate a disc-shaped rotor made of superconducting material within a conduit for moving cryogenic fluid. As the rotor is caused to rotate when the field stator is energized, the fluid is pumped through the conduit. 6 figs.

Article, component, and method of forming an article

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

Lacy, Benjamin Paul; Itzel, Gary Michael; Kottilingam, Srikanth Chandrudu

An article and method of forming an article are provided. The article includes a body portion separating an inner region and an outer region, an aperture in the body portion, the aperture fluidly connecting the inner region to the outer region, and a conduit extending from an outer surface of the body portion at the aperture and being arranged and disposed to controllably direct fluid from the inner region to the outer region. The method includes providing a body portion separating an inner region and an outer region, providing an aperture in the body portion, and forming a conduit overmore » the aperture, the conduit extending from an outer surface of the body portion and being arranged and disposed to controllably direct fluid from the inner region to the outer region. The article is arranged and disposed for insertion within a hot gas path component.« less

Using TLS to Improve Models of Volcano Conduit Processes (Invited)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Connor, C.; Connor, L.

2010-12-01

In volcanology, diverse numerical models of conduit flow have been developed to relate the properties of these flows to processes that occur at the surface during eruptions. Conduit models incorporate varying degrees of complexity and account for the transport properties of magmas, steady-state or transient behavior, and conduit geometry (e.g., 1- to 1.5 D, variable width and erodable conduit walls). Improvement of these models is important if we are to work toward deployment of eruption models at active volcanoes, link these models to geophysical observations (seismic, deformation, gravity) and eventually forecast eruption magnitude. One conclusion of a recent comparison of many conduit models is that next generation models need to better account for interaction of the erupting mixture with surrounding wall rocks (accounting for melting, solidification, and erosion) and better account for the effects of conduit shape on flows. We made progress toward accounting for this interaction by using TLS to map basaltic conduits in a deeply eroded volcanic field, the San Rafael volcanic field, Utah. TLS data were collected with UNAVCO support during a field campaign in summer 2010. A region of approximately 1 x 1 km was imaged from 9 TLS stations. TLS data reveal the exact geometries of several exposed conduits, their relationship to sills and dikes, and dramatic change in reflectivity of the Entrada sandstone country rock with alteration. The TLS data are particularly good for (a) quantifying rapid change in conduit shape and area as a function of height, (b) differentiating breccias zones (complex mixing zones along conduit margins) from areas of late stage intrusion, (c) imaging complexity of sill geometry near conduits, illustrating the mechanical and perhaps geochemical interaction between sills and conduits in volcanic fields. Overall, application of TLS in this volcanic field has resulted in substantial improvement in our models of volcanic conduit formation, growth, and interaction with shallow magma storage systems.

Water exchange and pressure transfer between conduits and matrix and their influence on hydrodynamics of two karst aquifers with sinking streams

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bailly-Comte, Vincent; Martin, Jonathan B.; Jourde, Hervé; Screaton, Elizabeth J.; Pistre, Séverin; Langston, Abigail

2010-05-01

SummaryKarst aquifers are heterogeneous media where conduits usually drain water from lower permeability volumes (matrix and fractures). For more than a century, various approaches have used flood recession curves, which integrate all hydrodynamic processes in a karst aquifer, to infer physical properties of the movement and storage of groundwater. These investigations typically only consider flow to the conduits and thus have lacked quantitative observations of how pressure transfer and water exchange between matrix and conduit during flooding could influence recession curves. We present analyses of simultaneous discharge and water level time series of two distinctly different karst systems, one with low porosity and permeability matrix rocks in southern France, and one with high porosity and permeability matrix rocks in north-central Florida (USA). We apply simple mathematical models of flood recession using time series representations of recharge, storage, and discharge processes in the karst aquifer. We show that karst spring hydrographs can be interpreted according to pressure transfer between two distinct components of the aquifer, conduit and matrix porosity, which induce two distinct responses at the spring. Water exchange between conduits and matrix porosity successively control the flow regime at the spring. This exchange is governed by hydraulic head differences between conduits and matrix, head gradients within conduits, and the contrast of permeability between conduits and matrix. These observations have consequences for physical interpretations of recession curves and modeling of karst spring flows, particularly for the relative magnitudes of base flow and quick flow from karst springs. Finally, these results suggest that similar analyses of recession curves can be applied to karst aquifers with distinct physical characteristics utilizing well and spring hydrograph data, but information must be known about the hydrodynamics and physical properties of the aquifer before the results can be correctly interpreted.

Experimental investigations of aeration efficiency in high-head gated circular conduits.

PubMed

Cihat Tuna, M; Ozkan, Fahri; Baylar, Ahmet

2014-01-01

The primary purpose of water aeration is to increase the oxygen saturation of the water. This can be achieved by using hydraulic structures because of substantial air bubble entrainment at these structures. Closed conduit aeration is a particular instance of this. While there has been a great deal of research on air-demand ratio within closed conduit, very little research has specifically addressed aeration efficiency of closed conduit. In the present work an experimental study was conducted to investigate the aeration efficiency of high-head gated circular conduits. Results showed that high-head gated circular conduits were effective for oxygen transfer. The effects of Froude number and ratio of the water cross-sectional flow area to the conduit cross-sectional area on aeration efficiency were particularly significant, whereas the effect of conduit length was only moderate. Further, a design formula for the aeration efficiency was presented relating the aeration efficiency to ratio of water cross-sectional flow area to conduit cross-sectional area and Froude number. The obtained results will be useful in future modeling processes and aid the practicing engineer in predicting aeration efficiency for design purposes.

VLP seismicity from resonant modes of acoustic-gravity waves in a conduit-crack system filled with multiphase magma

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Liang, C.; Prochnow, B. N.; OReilly, O. J.; Dunham, E. M.; Karlstrom, L.

2016-12-01

Oscillation of magma in volcanic conduits connected to cracks (dikes and sills) has been suggested as an explanation for very long period (VLP) seismic signals recorded at active basaltic volcanoes such as. Kilauea, Hawaii, and Erebus, Antarctica. We investigate the VLP seismicity using a linearized model for waves in and associated eigenmodes of a coupled conduit-crack system filled with multiphase magma, an extension of the Karlstrom and Dunham (2016) model for acoustic-gravity waves in volcanic conduits. We find that the long period surface displacement (as recorded on broadband seismometers) is dominated by opening/closing of the crack rather than the deformation of the conduit conduit walls. While the fundamental eigenmode is sensitive to the fluid properties and the geometry of the magma plumbing system, a closer scrutiny of various resonant modes reveals that the surface displacement is often more sensitive to higher modes. Here we present a systematic analysis of various long period acoustic-gravity wave resonant modes of a coupled conduit-crack system that the surface displacement is most sensitive to. We extend our previous work on a quasi-one-dimensional conduit model with inviscid magma to a more general axisymmetric conduit model that properly accounts for viscous boundary layers near the conduit walls, based on the numerical method developed by Prochnow et al. (submitted to Computers and Fluids, 2016). The surface displacement is dominated by either the fundamental or higher eigenmodes, depending on magma properties and the geometry of conduit and crack. An examination of the energetics of these modes reveals the complex interplay of different restoring forces (magma compressibility in the conduit, gravity, and elasticity of the crack) driving the VLP oscillations. Both nonequilibrium bubble growth and resorption and viscosity contribute to the damping of VLP signals. Our models thus provide a means to infer properties of open-vent basaltic volcanoes from seismic observations of VLP events.

Carbonate cements indicate channeled fluid flow along a zone of vertical faults at the deformation front of the Cascadia accretionary wedge (northwest U.S. coast)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sample, James C.; Reid, Mary R.; Tols, Harold J.; Moore, J. Casey

1993-06-01

To understand the relation between fluid seeps and structures, sedimentary rocks were collected with the DSRV Alvin from a vertical fault zone that transects the deformation front of the Cascadia accretionary wedge. The rocks contained diagenetic carbonate cement that was precipitated from fluids expelled during accretion. Carbon, oxygen, and strontium isotope data are consistent with a fluid source at >2 km depth. Most carbon isotopes range from -1‰ to -25‰ (PDB [Peedee belemnitel] standard) consistent with a thermogenic methane source. Oxygen isotopes show extreme 18O depletions (-4‰ to -13‰ PDB) that are consistent with precipitation from fluids with temperatures as high as 100 °C. 87Sr/86Sr values of 0.70975 to 0.71279 may be due to strontium in fluids derived from clay-rich parts of the stratigraphic section. The ubiquity of carbonate precipitates and the isotope data indicate that the vertical fault zone is an efficient conduit for fluid dewatering from deep levels of the accretionary wedge.

Stress concentrations at structural discontinuities in active fault zones in the western United States: Implications for permeability and fluid flow in geothermal fields

USGS Publications Warehouse

Siler, Drew; Hinz, Nicholas H.; Faulds, James E.

2018-01-01

Slip can induce concentration of stresses at discontinuities along fault systems. These structural discontinuities, i.e., fault terminations, fault step-overs, intersections, bends, and other fault interaction areas, are known to host fluid flow in ore deposition systems, oil and gas reservoirs, and geothermal systems. We modeled stress transfer associated with slip on faults with Holocene-to-historic slip histories at the Salt Wells and Bradys geothermal systems in western Nevada, United States. Results show discrete locations of stress perturbation within discontinuities along these fault systems. Well field data, surface geothermal manifestations, and subsurface temperature data, each a proxy for modern fluid circulation in the fields, indicate that geothermal fluid flow is focused in these same areas where stresses are most highly perturbed. These results suggest that submeter- to meter-scale slip on these fault systems generates stress perturbations that are sufficiently large to promote slip on an array of secondary structures spanning the footprint of the modern geothermal activity. Slip on these secondary faults and fractures generates permeability through kinematic deformation and allows for transmission of fluids. Still, mineralization is expected to seal permeability along faults and fractures over time scales that are generally shorter than either earthquake recurrence intervals or the estimated life span of geothermal fields. This suggests that though stress perturbations resulting from fault slip are broadly important for defining the location and spatial extent of enhanced permeability at structural discontinuities, continual generation and maintenance of flow conduits throughout these areas are probably dependent on the deformation mechanism(s) affecting individual structures.

Coiling, Entrainment, and Hydrodynamic Coupling of Decelerated Fluid Jets

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dombrowski, Christopher; Lewellyn, Braddon; Pesci, Adriana I.; Restrepo, Juan M.; Kessler, John O.; Goldstein, Raymond E.

2005-10-01

From algal suspensions to magma upwellings, one finds jets which exhibit complex symmetry-breaking instabilities as they are decelerated by their surroundings. We consider here a model system—a saline jet descending through a salinity gradient—which produces dynamics unlike those of standard momentum jets or plumes. The jet coils like a corkscrew within a conduit of viscously entrained fluid, whose upward recirculation braids the jet, and nearly confines transverse mixing to the narrow conduit. We show that the underlying jet structure and certain scaling relations follow from similarity solutions to the fluid equations and the physics of Kelvin-Helmholtz instabilities.

Diffuse-flow conceptualization and simulation of the Edwards aquifer, San Antonio region, Texas

USGS Publications Warehouse

Lindgren, R.J.

2006-01-01

A numerical ground-water-flow model (hereinafter, the conduit-flow Edwards aquifer model) of the karstic Edwards aquifer in south-central Texas was developed for a previous study on the basis of a conceptualization emphasizing conduit development and conduit flow, and included simulating conduits as one-cell-wide, continuously connected features. Uncertainties regarding the degree to which conduits pervade the Edwards aquifer and influence ground-water flow, as well as other uncertainties inherent in simulating conduits, raised the question of whether a model based on the conduit-flow conceptualization was the optimum model for the Edwards aquifer. Accordingly, a model with an alternative hydraulic conductivity distribution without conduits was developed in a study conducted during 2004-05 by the U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with the San Antonio Water System. The hydraulic conductivity distribution for the modified Edwards aquifer model (hereinafter, the diffuse-flow Edwards aquifer model), based primarily on a conceptualization in which flow in the aquifer predominantly is through a network of numerous small fractures and openings, includes 38 zones, with hydraulic conductivities ranging from 3 to 50,000 feet per day. Revision of model input data for the diffuse-flow Edwards aquifer model was limited to changes in the simulated hydraulic conductivity distribution. The root-mean-square error for 144 target wells for the calibrated steady-state simulation for the diffuse-flow Edwards aquifer model is 20.9 feet. This error represents about 3 percent of the total head difference across the model area. The simulated springflows for Comal and San Marcos Springs for the calibrated steady-state simulation were within 2.4 and 15 percent of the median springflows for the two springs, respectively. The transient calibration period for the diffuse-flow Edwards aquifer model was 1947-2000, with 648 monthly stress periods, the same as for the conduit-flow Edwards aquifer model. The root-mean-square error for a period of drought (May-November 1956) for the calibrated transient simulation for 171 target wells is 33.4 feet, which represents about 5 percent of the total head difference across the model area. The root-mean-square error for a period of above-normal rainfall (November 1974-July 1975) for the calibrated transient simulation for 169 target wells is 25.8 feet, which represents about 4 percent of the total head difference across the model area. The root-mean-square error ranged from 6.3 to 30.4 feet in 12 target wells with long-term water-level measurements for varying periods during 1947-2000 for the calibrated transient simulation for the diffuse-flow Edwards aquifer model, and these errors represent 5.0 to 31.3 percent of the range in water-level fluctuations of each of those wells. The root-mean-square errors for the five major springs in the San Antonio segment of the aquifer for the calibrated transient simulation, as a percentage of the range of discharge fluctuations measured at the springs, varied from 7.2 percent for San Marcos Springs and 8.1 percent for Comal Springs to 28.8 percent for Leona Springs. The root-mean-square errors for hydraulic heads for the conduit-flow Edwards aquifer model are 27, 76, and 30 percent greater than those for the diffuse-flow Edwards aquifer model for the steady-state, drought, and above-normal rainfall synoptic time periods, respectively. The goodness-of-fit between measured and simulated springflows is similar for Comal, San Marcos, and Leona Springs for the diffuse-flow Edwards aquifer model and the conduit-flow Edwards aquifer model. The root-mean-square errors for Comal and Leona Springs were 15.6 and 21.3 percent less, respectively, whereas the root-mean-square error for San Marcos Springs was 3.3 percent greater for the diffuse-flow Edwards aquifer model compared to the conduit-flow Edwards aquifer model. The root-mean-square errors for San Antonio and San Pedro Springs were appreciably greater, 80.2 and 51.0 percent, respectively, for the diffuse-flow Edwards aquifer model. The simulated water budgets for the diffuse-flow Edwards aquifer model are similar to those for the conduit-flow Edwards aquifer model. Differences in percentage of total sources or discharges for a budget component are 2.0 percent or less for all budget components for the steady-state and transient simulations. The largest difference in terms of the magnitude of water budget components for the transient simulation for 1956 was a decrease of about 10,730 acre-feet per year (about 2 per-cent) in springflow for the diffuse-flow Edwards aquifer model compared to the conduit-flow Edwards aquifer model. This decrease in springflow (a water budget discharge) was largely offset by the decreased net loss of water from storage (a water budget source) of about 10,500 acre-feet per year.

Temporal evolution of magma flow and degassing conditions during dome growth, insights from 2D numerical modeling

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chevalier, Laure; Collombet, Marielle; Pinel, Virginie

2017-03-01

Understanding magma degassing evolution during an eruption is essential to improving forecasting of effusive/explosive regime transitions at andesitic volcanoes. Lava domes frequently form during effusive phases, inducing a pressure increase both within the conduit and within the surrounding rocks. To quantify the influence of dome height on magma flow and degassing, we couple magma and gas flow in a 2D numerical model. The deformation induced by magma flow evolution is also quantified. From realistic initial magma flow conditions in effusive regime (Collombet, 2009), we apply increasing pressure at the conduit top as the dome grows. Since volatile solubility increases with pressure, dome growth is then associated with an increase in magma dissolved water content at a given depth, which corresponds with a decrease in magma porosity and permeability. Magma flow evolution is associated with ground deflation of a few μrad in the near field. However this signal is not detectable as it is hidden by dome subsidence (a few mrad). A Darcy flow model is used to study the impact of pressure and permeability conditions on gas flow in the conduit and surrounding rock. We show that dome permeability has almost no influence on magma degassing. However, increasing pressure in the surrounding rock, due to dome loading, as well as decreasing magma permeability in the conduit limit permeable gas loss at the conduit walls, thus causing gas pressurization in the upper conduit by a few tens of MPa. Decreasing magma permeability and increasing gas pressure increase the likelihood of magma explosivity and hazard in the case of a rapid decompression due to dome collapse.

Dissolved noble gases and stable isotopes as tracers of preferential fluid flow along faults in the Lower Rhine Embayment, Germany

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gumm, L. P.; Bense, V. F.; Dennis, P. F.; Hiscock, K. M.; Cremer, N.; Simon, S.

2016-02-01

Groundwater in shallow unconsolidated sedimentary aquifers close to the Bornheim fault in the Lower Rhine Embayment (LRE), Germany, has relatively low δ2H and δ18O values in comparison to regional modern groundwater recharge, and 4He concentrations up to 1.7 × 10-4 cm3 (STP) g-1 ± 2.2 % which is approximately four orders of magnitude higher than expected due to solubility equilibrium with the atmosphere. Groundwater age dating based on estimated in situ production and terrigenic flux of helium provides a groundwater residence time of ˜107 years. Although fluid exchange between the deep basal aquifer system and the upper aquifer layers is generally impeded by confining clay layers and lignite, this study's geochemical data suggest, for the first time, that deep circulating fluids penetrate shallow aquifers in the locality of fault zones, implying that sub-vertical fluid flow occurs along faults in the LRE. However, large hydraulic-head gradients observed across many faults suggest that they act as barriers to lateral groundwater flow. Therefore, the geochemical data reported here also substantiate a conduit-barrier model of fault-zone hydrogeology in unconsolidated sedimentary deposits, as well as corroborating the concept that faults in unconsolidated aquifer systems can act as loci for hydraulic connectivity between deep and shallow aquifers. The implications of fluid flow along faults in sedimentary basins worldwide are far reaching and of particular concern for carbon capture and storage (CCS) programmes, impacts of deep shale gas recovery for shallow groundwater aquifers, and nuclear waste storage sites where fault zones could act as potential leakage pathways for hazardous fluids.

Fault and fracture patterns in low porosity chalk and their potential influence on sub-surface fluid flow-A case study from Flamborough Head, UK

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sagi, D. A.; De Paola, N.; McCaffrey, K. J. W.; Holdsworth, R. E.

2016-10-01

To better understand fault zone architecture and fluid flow in mesoscale fault zones, we studied normal faults in chalks with displacements up to 20 m, at two representative localities in Flamborough Head (UK). At the first locality, chalk contains cm-thick, interlayered marl horizons, whereas at the second locality marl horizons were largely absent. Cm-scale displacement faults at both localities display ramp-flat geometries. Mesoscale fault patterns in the marl-free chalk, including a larger displacement fault (20 m) containing multiple fault strands, show widespread evidence of hydraulically-brecciated rocks, whereas clays smears along fault planes, and injected into open fractures, and a simpler fault zone architecture is observed where marl horizons are present. Hydraulic brecciation and veins observed in the marl-free chalk units suggest that mesoscale fault patterns acted as localized fault conduit allowing for widespread fluid flow. On the other hand, mesoscale fault patterns developed in highly fractured chalk, which contains interlayered marl horizons can act as localized barriers to fluid flow, due to the sealing effect of clays smears along fault planes and introduced into open fractures in the damage zone. To support our field observations, quantitative analyses carried out on the large faults suggest a simple fault zone in the chalk with marl units with fracture density/connectivity decreasing towards the protolith. Where marls are absent, density is high throughout the fault zone, while connectivity is high only in domains nearest the fault core. We suggest that fluid flow in fractured chalk is especially influenced by the presence of marls. When present, it can smear onto fault planes, forming localised barriers. Fluid flow along relatively large displacement faults is additionally controlled by the complexity of the fault zone, especially the size/geometry of weakly and intensely connected damage zone domains.

Bulk Viscosity of Bubbly Magmas and the Amplification of Pressure Waves

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Navon, O.; Lensky, N. G.; Neuberg, J. W.; Lyakhovsky, V.

2001-12-01

The bulk viscosity of magma is needed in order to describe the dynamics of a compressible bubbly magma flowing in conduits and to follow the attenuation of pressure waves travelling through a compressible magma. We developed a model for the bulk viscosity of a suspension of gas bubbles in an incompressible Newtonian liquid that exsolves volatiles (e.g. magma). The suspension is modeled as a close pack of spherical cells, consisting of gas bubbles centered in spherical shells of a volatile-bearing liquid. Following a drop in the ambient pressure the resulting dilatational motion and driving pressure are obtained in terms of the two-phase cell parameters, i.e. bubble radius and gas pressure. By definition, the bulk viscosity of a fluid is the relation between changes of the driving pressure with respect to changes in the resulted expansion strain-rate. Thus, we can use the two-phase solution to define the bulk viscosity of a hypothetical cell, composed of a homogeneously compressible, one-phase, continuous fluid. The resulted bulk viscosity is highly non-linear. At the beginning of the expansion process, when gas exsolution is efficient, the expansion rate grows exponentially while the driving pressure decreases slightly. That means that bulk viscosity is formally negative. The negative value reflects the release of the energy stored in the supersaturated liquid (melt) and its conversion to mechanical work during exsolution. Later, when bubbles are large enough and the gas influx decreases significantly, the strain rate decelerates and the bulk viscosity becomes positive as expected in a dissipative system. We demonstrate that amplification of seismic wave travelling through a volcanic conduit filled with a volatile saturated magma may be attributed to the negative bulk viscosity of the compressible magma. Amplification of an expansion wave may, at some level in the conduit, damage the conduit walls and initiate opening of new pathways for magma to erupt.

Gas-lift pumps for flowing and purifying molten silicon

DOEpatents

Kellerman, Peter L.; Carlson, Frederick

2016-02-23

The embodiments herein relate to a sheet production apparatus. A vessel is configured to hold a melt of a material and a cooling plate is disposed proximate the melt. This cooling plate configured to form a sheet of the material on the melt. A pump is used. In one instance, this pump includes a gas source and a conduit in fluid communication with the gas source. In another instance, this pump injects a gas into a melt. The gas can raise the melt or provide momentum to the melt.

98. (Credit BLV) Detail of gravity, flow conduit intake at ...

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

98. (Credit BLV) Detail of gravity, flow conduit intake at cross Lake dam Cribbing supports extra suction intake installed in 1930. - McNeil Street Pumping Station, McNeil Street & Cross Bayou, Shreveport, Caddo Parish, LA

Superconducting magnet cooling system

DOEpatents

Vander Arend, Peter C.; Fowler, William B.

1977-01-01

A device is provided for cooling a conductor to the superconducting state. The conductor is positioned within an inner conduit through which is flowing a supercooled liquid coolant in physical contact with the conductor. The inner conduit is positioned within an outer conduit so that an annular open space is formed therebetween. Through the annular space is flowing coolant in the boiling liquid state. Heat generated by the conductor is transferred by convection within the supercooled liquid coolant to the inner wall of the inner conduit and then is removed by the boiling liquid coolant, making the heat removal from the conductor relatively independent of conductor length.

Experimental and analytical studies of a true airspeed sensor

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Goglia, G. L.; Shen, J. Y.

1983-01-01

A true airspeed sensor based on the precession of a vortex whistle for sensing airspeeds up to 321.9 km/hr (200 mph). In an attempt to model the complicated fluid mechanics of the vortex precession, three dimensional, inviscid, unsteady, incompressible fluid flow was studied by using the hydrodynamical linearized stability theory. The temporal stability approach was used to derive the relationship between the true airspeed and frequency response. The results show that the frequency response is linearly proportional to the airspeed. A computer program was developed to obtain the numerical solution. Computational results for various parameters were obtained. The designed sensor basically consisted of a vortex tube, a swirler, and a transducer system. A microphone converted the audible tone to an electronic frequency signal. Measurements for both the closed conduit tests and wind tunnel tests were recorded. For a specific flow rate or airspeed, larger exit swirler angles produced higher frequencies. For a smaller cross sectional area in the precessional flow region, the frequency was higher. It was observed that as the airspeed was increased the Strouhal number remained constant.

Spatial resolution of transport parameters in a subtropical karst conduit system during dry and wet seasons

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ender, Anna; Goeppert, Nadine; Goldscheider, Nico

2018-04-01

Karst aquifers are characterized by a high degree of hydrologic variability and spatial heterogeneity of transport parameters. Tracer tests allow the quantification of these parameters, but conventional point-to-point experiments fail to capture spatiotemporal variations of flow and transport. The goal of this study was to elucidate the spatial distribution of transport parameters in a karst conduit system at different flow conditions. Therefore, six tracer tests were conducted in an active and accessible cave system in Vietnam during dry and wet seasons. Injections and monitoring were done at five sites along the flow system: a swallow hole, two sites inside the cave, and two springs draining the system. Breakthrough curves (BTCs) were modeled with CXTFIT software using the one-dimensional advection-dispersion model and the two-region nonequilibrium model. In order to obtain transport parameters in the individual sections of the system, a multi-pulse injection approach was used, which was realized by using the BTCs from one section as input functions for the next section. Major findings include: (1) In the entire system, mean flow velocities increase from 183 to 1,043 m/h with increasing discharge, while (2) the proportion of immobile fluid regions decrease; (3) the lowest dispersivity was found at intermediate discharge; (4) in the individual cave sections, flow velocities decrease along the flow direction, related to decreasing gradients, while (5) dispersivity is highest in the middle section of the cave. The obtained results provide a valuable basis for the development of an adapted water management strategy for a projected water-supply system.

Sources, Fluxes, and Effects of Fluids in the Alpine Fault Zone, South Island, New Zealand

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Menzies, C. D.; Teagle, D. A. H.; Niedermann, S.; Cox, S.; Craw, D.; Zimmer, M.; Cooper, M. J.; Erzinger, J.

2015-12-01

Historic ruptures on some plate boundary faults occur episodically. Fluids play a key role in modifying the chemical and physical properties of fault zones, which may prime them for repeated rupture by the generation of high pore fluid pressures. Modelling of fluid loss rates from fault zones has led to estimates of fluid fluxes required to maintain overpressure (Faulkner and Rutter, 2001), but fluid sources and fluxes, and permeability evolution in fault zones remain poorly constrained. High mountains in orogenic belts can drive meteoric water to the middle crust, and metamorphic water is generated during rock dehydration. Additionally, fluids from the mantle are transported into the crust when fluid pathways are created by tectonism or volcanism. Here we use geochemical tracers to determine fluid flow budgets for meteoric, metamorphic and mantle fluids at a major compressional tectonic plate boundary. The Alpine Fault marks the transpressional Pacific-Australian plate boundary through South Island of New Zealand, it has historically produced large earthquakes (Mw ~8) and is late in its 329±68 year seismic cycle, having last ruptured in 1717. We present strontium isotope ratios of hot springs and hydrothermal minerals that trace fluid flow paths in and around the Alpine Fault to illustrate that the fluid flow regime is restricted by low cross-fault permeability. Fluid-rock interaction limits cross-fault fluid flow by the precipitating clays and calcite that infill pore spaces and fractures in the Alpine Fault alteration zone. In contrast, helium isotopes ratios measured in hot springs near to the fault (0.15-0.81 RA) indicate the fault acts as a conduit for mantle fluids from below. Mantle fluid fluxes are similar to the San Andreas Fault (<1x10-5 m3m-2/yr) and insufficient to promote fault weakening. The metamorphic fluid flux is of similar magnitude to the mantle flux. The dominant fluid throughout the seismogenic zone is meteoric in origin (secondary mineral δDH2O = -45 to -87 ‰), but fluid channelling into the fault zone is required to maintain high pore fluid pressure that would promote fault weakening. Our results show that meteoric waters are primarily responsible for modifying fault zone permeability and for maintaining high pore fluid pressures that may assist episodic earthquake rupture.

Formation of magmatic brine lenses via focussed fluid-flow beneath volcanoes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Afanasyev, Andrey; Blundy, Jon; Melnik, Oleg; Sparks, Steve

2018-03-01

Many active or dormant volcanoes show regions of high electrical conductivity at depths of a few kilometres beneath the edifice. We explore the possibility that these regions represent lenses of high-salinity brine separated from a single-phase magmatic fluid containing H2O and NaCl. Since chloride-bearing fluids are highly conductive and have an exceptional capacity to transport metals, these regions can be an indication of an active hydrothermal ore-formation beneath volcanoes. To investigate this possibility we have performed hydrodynamic simulations of magma degassing into permeable rock. In our models the magma source is located at 7 km depth and the fluid salinity approximates that expected for fluids released from typical arc magmas. Our model differs from previous models of a similar process because it is (a) axisymmetric and (b) includes a static high-permeability pathway that links the magma source to the surface. This pathway simulates the presence of a volcanic conduit and/or plexus of feeder dykes that are typical of most volcanic systems. The presence of the conduit leads to a number of important hydrodynamic consequences, not observed in previous models. Importantly, we show that an annular brine lens capped by crystallised halite is likely to form above an actively degassing sub-volcanic magma body and can persist for more than 250 kyr after degassing ceases. Parametric analysis shows that brine lenses are more prevalent when the fluid is released at temperatures above the wet granite solidus, when magmatic fluid salinity is high, and when the high-permeability pathway is narrow. The calculated depth, form and electrical conductivity of our modelled system shares many features with published magnetotelluric images of volcano subsurfaces. The formation and persistence of sub-volcanic brine lenses has implications for geothermal systems and hydrothermal ore formation, although these features are not explored in the presented model.

Environmental tracers as indicators of karst conduits in groundwater in South Dakota, USA

USGS Publications Warehouse

Long, Andrew J.; Sawyer, J.F.; Putnam, L.D.

2008-01-01

Environmental tracers sampled from the carbonate Madison aquifer on the eastern flank of the Black Hills, South Dakota, USA indicated the approximate locations of four major karst conduits. Contamination issues are a major concern because these conduits are characterized by direct connections to sinking streams, high groundwater velocities, and proximity to public water supplies. Objectives of the study were to estimate approximate conduit locations and assess possible anthropogenic influences associated with conduits. Anomalies of young groundwater based on chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), tritium, and electrical conductivity (EC) indicated fast moving, focused flow and thus the likely presence of conduits. ??18O was useful for determining sources of recharge for each conduit, and nitrate was a useful tracer for assessing flow paths for anthropogenic influences. Two of the four conduits terminate at or near a large spring complex. CFC apparent ages ranged from 15 years near conduits to >50 years in other areas. Nitrate-N concentrations >0.4 mg/L in groundwater were associated with each of the four conduits compared with concentrations ranging from <0.1 to 0.4 mg/L in other areas. These higher nitrate-N concentrations probably do not result from sinking streams but rather from other areas of infiltration. ?? Springer-Verlag 2007.

Novel technique for airless connection of artificial heart to vascular conduits.

PubMed

Karimov, Jamshid H; Gao, Shengqiang; Dessoffy, Raymond; Sunagawa, Gengo; Sinkewich, Martin; Grady, Patrick; Sale, Shiva; Moazami, Nader; Fukamachi, Kiyotaka

2017-12-01

Successful implantation of a total artificial heart relies on multiple standardized procedures, primarily the resection of the native heart, and exacting preparation of the atrial and vascular conduits for pump implant and activation. Achieving secure pump connections to inflow/outflow conduits is critical to a successful outcome. During the connection process, however, air may be introduced into the circulation, traveling to the brain and multiple organs. Such air emboli block blood flow to these areas and are detrimental to long-term survival. A correctly managed pump-to-conduit connection prevents air from collecting in the pump and conduits. To further optimize pump-connection techniques, we have developed a novel connecting sleeve that enables airless connection of the Cleveland Clinic continuous-flow total artificial heart (CFTAH) to the conduits. In this brief report, we describe the connecting sleeve design and our initial results from two acute in vivo implantations using a scaled-down version of the CFTAH.

Consolidation patterns during initiation and evolution of a plate-boundary decollement zone: Northern Barbados accretionary prism

USGS Publications Warehouse

Moore, J.C.; Klaus, A.; Bangs, N.L.; Bekins, B.; Bucker, C.J.; Bruckmann, W.; Erickson, S.N.; Hansen, O.; Horton, T.; Ireland, P.; Major, C.O.; Moore, Gregory F.; Peacock, S.; Saito, S.; Screaton, E.J.; Shimeld, J.W.; Stauffer, P.H.; Taymaz, T.; Teas, P.A.; Tokunaga, T.

1998-01-01

Borehole logs from the northern Barbados accretionary prism show that the plate-boundary decollement initiates in a low-density radiolarian claystone. With continued thrusting, the decollement zone consolidates, but in a patchy manner. The logs calibrate a three-dimensional seismic reflection image of the decollement zone and indicate which portions are of low density and enriched in fluid, and which portions have consolidated. The seismic image demonstrates that an underconsolidated patch of the decollement zone connects to a fluid-rich conduit extending down the decollement surface. Fluid migration up this conduit probably supports the open pore structure in the underconsolidated patch.

Cooling system for superconducting magnet

DOEpatents

Gamble, Bruce B.; Sidi-Yekhlef, Ahmed

1998-01-01

A cooling system is configured to control the flow of a refrigerant by controlling the rate at which the refrigerant is heated, thereby providing an efficient and reliable approach to cooling a load (e.g., magnets, rotors). The cooling system includes a conduit circuit connected to the load and within which a refrigerant circulates; a heat exchanger, connected within the conduit circuit and disposed remotely from the load; a first and a second reservoir, each connected within the conduit, each holding at least a portion of the refrigerant; a heater configured to independently heat the first and second reservoirs. In a first mode, the heater heats the first reservoir, thereby causing the refrigerant to flow from the first reservoir through the load and heat exchanger, via the conduit circuit and into the second reservoir. In a second mode, the heater heats the second reservoir to cause the refrigerant to flow from the second reservoir through the load and heat exchanger via the conduit circuit and into the first reservoir.

Cooling system for superconducting magnet

DOEpatents

Gamble, B.B.; Sidi-Yekhlef, A.

1998-12-15

A cooling system is configured to control the flow of a refrigerant by controlling the rate at which the refrigerant is heated, thereby providing an efficient and reliable approach to cooling a load (e.g., magnets, rotors). The cooling system includes a conduit circuit connected to the load and within which a refrigerant circulates; a heat exchanger, connected within the conduit circuit and disposed remotely from the load; a first and a second reservoir, each connected within the conduit, each holding at least a portion of the refrigerant; a heater configured to independently heat the first and second reservoirs. In a first mode, the heater heats the first reservoir, thereby causing the refrigerant to flow from the first reservoir through the load and heat exchanger, via the conduit circuit and into the second reservoir. In a second mode, the heater heats the second reservoir to cause the refrigerant to flow from the second reservoir through the load and heat exchanger via the conduit circuit and into the first reservoir. 3 figs.

The flow of power law fluids in elastic networks and porous media.

PubMed

Sochi, Taha

2016-02-01

The flow of power law fluids, which include shear thinning and shear thickening as well as Newtonian as a special case, in networks of interconnected elastic tubes is investigated using a residual-based pore scale network modeling method with the employment of newly derived formulae. Two relations describing the mechanical interaction between the local pressure and local cross-sectional area in distensible tubes of elastic nature are considered in the derivation of these formulae. The model can be used to describe shear dependent flows of mainly viscous nature. The behavior of the proposed model is vindicated by several tests in a number of special and limiting cases where the results can be verified quantitatively or qualitatively. The model, which is the first of its kind, incorporates more than one major nonlinearity corresponding to the fluid rheology and conduit mechanical properties, that is non-Newtonian effects and tube distensibility. The formulation, implementation, and performance indicate that the model enjoys certain advantages over the existing models such as being exact within the restricting assumptions on which the model is based, easy implementation, low computational costs, reliability, and smooth convergence. The proposed model can, therefore, be used as an alternative to the existing Newtonian distensible models; moreover, it stretches the capabilities of the existing modeling approaches to reach non-Newtonian rheologies.

Numerical study of groundwater flow cycling controlled by seawater/freshwater interaction in a coastal karst aquifer through conduit network using CFPv2.

PubMed

Xu, Zexuan; Hu, Bill X; Davis, Hal; Kish, Stephen

2015-11-01

In this study, a groundwater flow cycling in a karst springshed and an interaction between two springs, Spring Creek Springs and Wakulla Springs, through a subground conduit network are numerically simulated using CFPv2, the latest research version of MODFLOW-CFP (Conduit Flow Process). The Spring Creek Springs and Wakulla Springs, located in a marine estuary and 11 miles inland, respectively, are two major groundwater discharge spots in the Woodville Karst Plain (WKP), North Florida, USA. A three-phase conceptual model of groundwater flow cycling between the two springs and surface water recharge from a major surface creek (Lost Creek) was proposed in various rainfall conditions. A high permeable subground karst conduit network connecting the two springs was found by tracer tests and cave diving. Flow rate of discharge, salinity, sea level and tide height at Spring Creek Springs could significantly affect groundwater discharge and water stage at Wakulla Springs simultaneously. Based on the conceptual model, a numerical hybrid discrete-continuum groundwater flow model is developed using CFPv2 and calibrated by field measurements. Non-laminar flows in conduits and flow exchange between conduits and porous medium are implemented in the hybrid coupling numerical model. Time-variable salinity and equivalent freshwater head boundary conditions at the submarine spring as well as changing recharges have significant impacts on seawater/freshwater interaction and springs' discharges. The developed numerical model is used to simulate the dynamic hydrological process and quantitatively represent the three-phase conceptual model from June 2007 to June 2010. Simulated results of two springs' discharges match reasonably well to measurements with correlation coefficients 0.891 and 0.866 at Spring Creeks Springs and Wakulla Springs, respectively. The impacts of sea level rise on regional groundwater flow field and relationship between the inland springs and submarine springs are evaluated as well in this study. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Numerical study of groundwater flow cycling controlled by seawater/freshwater interaction in a coastal karst aquifer through conduit network using CFPv2

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Xu, Zexuan; Hu, Bill X.; Davis, Hal; Kish, Stephen

2015-11-01

In this study, a groundwater flow cycling in a karst springshed and an interaction between two springs, Spring Creek Springs and Wakulla Springs, through a subground conduit network are numerically simulated using CFPv2, the latest research version of MODFLOW-CFP (Conduit Flow Process). The Spring Creek Springs and Wakulla Springs, located in a marine estuary and 11 miles inland, respectively, are two major groundwater discharge spots in the Woodville Karst Plain (WKP), North Florida, USA. A three-phase conceptual model of groundwater flow cycling between the two springs and surface water recharge from a major surface creek (Lost Creek) was proposed in various rainfall conditions. A high permeable subground karst conduit network connecting the two springs was found by tracer tests and cave diving. Flow rate of discharge, salinity, sea level and tide height at Spring Creek Springs could significantly affect groundwater discharge and water stage at Wakulla Springs simultaneously. Based on the conceptual model, a numerical hybrid discrete-continuum groundwater flow model is developed using CFPv2 and calibrated by field measurements. Non-laminar flows in conduits and flow exchange between conduits and porous medium are implemented in the hybrid coupling numerical model. Time-variable salinity and equivalent freshwater head boundary conditions at the submarine spring as well as changing recharges have significant impacts on seawater/freshwater interaction and springs' discharges. The developed numerical model is used to simulate the dynamic hydrological process and quantitatively represent the three-phase conceptual model from June 2007 to June 2010. Simulated results of two springs' discharges match reasonably well to measurements with correlation coefficients 0.891 and 0.866 at Spring Creeks Springs and Wakulla Springs, respectively. The impacts of sea level rise on regional groundwater flow field and relationship between the inland springs and submarine springs are evaluated as well in this study.

Sinter-vein correlations at Buckskin Mountain, National district, Humboldt County, Nevada

USGS Publications Warehouse

Vikre, P.G.

2007-01-01

At Buckskin Mountain (elev 2,650 m, 8,743 ft), Humboldt County, Nevada, a hydrothermal system, imposed on a middle Miocene volcanic sequence with contrasting permeabilities and tensile strengths, produced alteration assemblages controlled by elevation, from Hg-mineralized sinter to subjacent precious metal veins over a vertical distance exceeding 790 m. Sinter and epiclastic deposits, interpreted to be remnant paleosurface basinal strata enclosed by 16.6 to 16.1 Ma rhyolites, overlie older volcaniclastic basinal deposits and were part of a regional fluvial-lacustrine system developed among ca. 16 to 12 Ma basalt-rhyolite eruptive centers throughout the northern Great Basin. Because of contrasting erosional resistance among altered and unaltered rocks, Buckskin Mountain represents inverse topography with sinter and silicified epiclastic deposits at the summit. Sinter and veins, correlated by common elements, similar mineralogy, age constraints, textures, S isotope compositions, and fluid inclusion microthermometry, were deposited by sinter-vein fluid, the first of two sequential hydrothermal fluid regimes that evolved in response to magmatism, tectonism, hydrology, and topography. Thermal quenching of distally derived sinter-vein fluid in planar conduits caused deposition of banded quartz-silicate-selenide-sulfide veins ???270 to > 440 m below sinter at 16.1 Ma; vei??ns were initially enveloped by zoned selvages of proximal K-feldspar + K-mica + quartz + pyrite and distal illite + chlorite + calcite + pyrite. Mixing of sinter-vein fluid with local meteoric water in saturated basinal deposits caused deposition of silica, Hg-Se-S-Cl minerals, and precious metals in sinter and epiclastic deposits. Elevated ???Se/???S in sinter-vein fluid, and the relatively large stability fields of reduced aqueous selenide species in the temperature range of 250?? to <100??C, enabled (but was not the cause of) codeposition of selenide-sulfide minerals and common element associations in veins and sinter. Acid-sulfate fluid of the second fluid regime was derived from oxidation of H2S and other volatiles exsolved from sinter-vein fluid. Acid-sulfate fluid produced (1) a subhorizontal zone of partially leached basinal deposits and rhyolite from the paleosurface to a depth of ???60 m, and (2) laterally pervasive zones, ???100 to 200 m thick, of quartz + alunite ?? hematite and quartz + kaolinite + pyrite in volcaniclastic deposits immediately beneath partially leached rocks, but this fluid did not decompose selenide-sulfide-precious metal phases in sinter. Paragenetically late vein and wall-rock assemblages, including marcasite + pyrite, calcite, and kaolinite-replaced K minerals, record deeper transition of sinter-vein fluid into acid-sulfate fluid in vein conduits. This transition occurred as regional subsidence, manifested by the Goosey Lake depression immediately east of Buckskin Mountain, lowered the pieziometric surface at Buckskin Mountain, terminated sinter deposition, and caused boiling and/or degassing of sinter-vein fluid. The timing of subsidence is recorded by a decrease in alunite ages, from ca. 15.8 to 15.6 Ma, with depth below sinter. Lateral replacement of sinter and partially leached epiclastic deposits and rhyolite by opal-A marks the termination of the two hydrothermal regimes that lasted ???0.5 m.y. and followed rhyolitic volcanism of similar duration. Veins and sinter display textures that attest to plastic deformation, spalling, and gravitational settling, and indicate fluid-flow direction, velocity, and density stratification which, with conduit topology, may have influenced precious metal tenor in the veins. Components of sinter and veins were transported as colloids, formed in supersaturated sinter-vein fluid, that aggregated or coagulated as incompetent gelatinous layers in shallow pools and in underlying, near-vertical conduits in rhyolite and initially crystallized as opal and chalcedony. The low thermal conductivity of ho

Inactive supply wells as conduits for flow and contaminant migration: conditions of occurrence and suggestions for management

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gailey, Robert M.

2017-11-01

Water supply wells can act as conduits for vertical flow and contaminant migration between water-bearing strata under common hydrogeologic and well construction conditions. While recognized by some for decades, there is little published data on the magnitude of flows and extent of resulting water quality impacts. Consequently, the issue may not be acknowledged widely enough and the need for better management persists. This is especially true for unconsolidated alluvial groundwater basins that are hydrologically stressed by agricultural activities. Theoretical and practical considerations indicate that significant water volumes can migrate vertically through wells. The flow is often downward, with shallow groundwater, usually poorer in quality, migrating through conduit wells to degrade deeper water quality. Field data from locations in California, USA, are presented in combination with modeling results to illustrate both the prevalence of conditions conducive to intraborehole flow and the resulting impacts to water quality. Suggestions for management of planned wells include better enforcement of current regulations and more detailed consideration of hydrogeologic conditions during design and installation. A potentially greater management challenge is presented by the large number of existing wells. Monitoring for evidence of conduit flow and solute transport in areas of high well density is recommended to identify wells that pose greater risks to water quality. Conduit wells that are discovered may be addressed through approaches that include structural modification and changes in operations.

Modifications to the Conduit Flow Process Mode 2 for MODFLOW-2005

USGS Publications Warehouse

Reimann, T.; Birk, S.; Rehrl, C.; Shoemaker, W.B.

2012-01-01

As a result of rock dissolution processes, karst aquifers exhibit highly conductive features such as caves and conduits. Within these structures, groundwater flow can become turbulent and therefore be described by nonlinear gradient functions. Some numerical groundwater flow models explicitly account for pipe hydraulics by coupling the continuum model with a pipe network that represents the conduit system. In contrast, the Conduit Flow Process Mode 2 (CFPM2) for MODFLOW-2005 approximates turbulent flow by reducing the hydraulic conductivity within the existing linear head gradient of the MODFLOW continuum model. This approach reduces the practical as well as numerical efforts for simulating turbulence. The original formulation was for large pore aquifers where the onset of turbulence is at low Reynolds numbers (1 to 100) and not for conduits or pipes. In addition, the existing code requires multiple time steps for convergence due to iterative adjustment of the hydraulic conductivity. Modifications to the existing CFPM2 were made by implementing a generalized power function with a user-defined exponent. This allows for matching turbulence in porous media or pipes and eliminates the time steps required for iterative adjustment of hydraulic conductivity. The modified CFPM2 successfully replicated simple benchmark test problems. ?? 2011 The Author(s). Ground Water ?? 2011, National Ground Water Association.

Emplacement and dewatering of the world's largest exposed sand injectite complex

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sherry, Timothy J.; Rowe, Christie D.; Kirkpatrick, James D.; Brodsky, Emily E.

2012-08-01

Sandstone injectites form by up or down-section flow of a mobilized sand slurry through fractures in overlying rock. They act as reservoirs and high-permeability conduits through lower permeability rock in hydrocarbon systems. The Yellow Bank Creek Complex, Santa Cruz County, California is the largest known exposure of a sandstone injectite in the world. The complex contains granular textures that record processes of sand slurry flow, multiple pore fluids, and dewatering after emplacement. The injection was initially mobilized from a source containing both water and hydrocarbons. The water-sand slurry reached emplacement depth first, due to lower fluid viscosity. As the sand slurry emplaced, the transition from slurry flow to pore water percolation occurred. This transition resulted in preferred flow channels ˜6 mm wide in which sand grains were weakly aligned (laminae). The hydrocarbon-sand slurry intruded the dewatering sands and locally deformed the laminae. Compaction of the injectite deposit and pore fluid escape caused spaced compaction bands and dewatering pipes which created convolutions of the laminae. The hydrocarbon-rich sand slurry is preserved today as dolomite-cemented sand with oil inclusions. The laminae in this injectite are easily detected due to preferential iron oxide-cementation of the well-aligned sand laminae, and lack of cement in the alternating laminae. Subtle textures like these may develop during sand flow and be present but difficult to detect in other settings. They may explain permeability anisotropy in other sand deposits.

Aerodynamic improvement of the assembly through which gas conduits are taken into a smoke stack by simulating gas flow on a computer

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Prokhorov, V. B.; Fomenko, M. V.; Grigor'ev, I. V.

2012-06-01

Results from computer simulation of gas flow motion for gas conduits taken on one and two sides into the gas-removal shaft of a smoke stack with a constant cross section carried out using the SolidWorks and FlowVision application software packages are presented.

Impact of the lithographic discontinuities on the karst conduit development - insights from modelling

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Petrus, Karine; Szymczak, Piotr

2016-04-01

Karst formation is controlled by the processes of the fluid flow and reactant transport coupled to the chemical erosion of the limestone rock [1]. The coupling between these processes can lead to a number of different instabilities, resulting in the formation of dissolutional voids, caverns and conduits. Arguably the simplest systems of this kind are solution pipes, in which gravitationally driven water movement carves vertical conduits in limestone rocks. In the homogeneous rocks these conduits are often cylindrical, with almost a constant diameter along their length. However, in a stratified medium, the morphology of the pipes changes. For example, if a number of less porous layers is introduced in an otherwise homogeneous medium, then the pipes are observed to narrow as they cross the layers and then widen up to form bulbous caverns as they emerge from the layer [1]. In this communication, we investigate these effects more closely, considering different kind of lithographic discontinuities to be present in the system: the layers of increased/decreased porosity and/or permeability as well as the solubility which is different from the rest of the system. Using a Darcy-scale numerical model we analyze the effects these layers have on the shape and growth of solution pipes and compare the results on the piping morphologies observed in nature. Finally we comment on the possible relevance of these results to the cave-formation phenomena and the inception horizon concept [3]. References: 1.Howard A. D., The development of karst features, Bull. Natl. Spel. Soc. 25, 45-65 (1963) 2. Petrus, K. and Szymczak, P., Influence of layering on the formation and growth of solution pipes. Frontiers in Physics (submitted) 3.Filipponi , M., Jeannin, P. and Tacher, L., Evidence of inception horizons in karst conduit networks, Geomorphology, 106, 86-99 (2009)

Welding of Pyroclastic Deposits: Questions Arising from Experiments (Invited)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Russell, K.; Quane, S.; Robert, G.; Andrews, G. D.; Kennedy, B. M.

2009-12-01

Ultimately, all natural magmas vesiculate near the Earth’s surface to produce bubble-rich melts, that commonly foam to the point of fragmentation producing pyroclastic deposits. Vesiculation processes increase porosity and create permeability thereby increasing the efficacy of fluid escape and suppressing explosivity. Conversely, processes that destroy porosity and permeability, including bubble collapse, compaction, and welding, inhibit the escape of fluids and can produce overpressures leading to explosive behavior. Compaction and welding processes are pervasive in volcanic deposits and pertinent to: i) formation of spatter-fed clastogenic lava flows, ii) sintering of fragmental material in volcanic conduits, and to iii) welding of pyroclastic flow and fall deposits. The rate at which porous pyroclastic deposits compact and sinter (i.e., welding; cf. Grunder and Russell, 2005) governs the efficacy with which porosity (and ultimately permeability) is lost (Sparks et al., 1999). Ultimately, rates of welding reflect the aggregate rheological properties of the deposit. Here, we present an ensemble of experimental results used to investigate the rheology of hot, porous, pyroclastic materials during compaction. We have used a GEOCOMP Loadtrac II device modified to perform constant displacement rate or constant load deformation experiments on large (7 x 4.5 cm) unconfined cores of pumice, lava, or sintered ash. The experiments are at temperatures (T ~ 800-900°C), load stresses (< 150 MPa), and strain rates (10-6 to -2 s-1) consistent with the emplacement of pyroclastic flows. The effects of fluid pressure have also been studied experimentally by using a steel cell and piston system that permits high-T deformation experiments at controlled PH2O (Robert et al. 2008). Our experiments simulate compaction of natural pyroclastic deposits and provide the data to parameterize a relationship between the effective viscosity of the hot, porous deposit of ash (η), the viscosity of the melt fragments (ηo) and porosity (Φ) of the deposit (Quane et al. 2009): log η = log ηo - 2.5Φ/(1-Φ). This relationship is used to model compaction and welding of processes in ignimbrites and in volcanic conduits as a function of load, temperature and porosity. Our analysis shows that compaction operates very rapidly at high-T such that welding in ignimbrites is fully decoupled from cooling history and may even rival the depositional timescales of pyroclastic density currents. Experiments performed at PH2O values of ~1-3 MPa recover lower values of effective viscosity (109.2 - 9.4 Pa s), despite being run at substantially lower temperature (640-665°C). The presence of the H2O fluid expands the window of viscous (vs. brittle) deformation and prevents the strain hardening that normally accompanies porosity reduction allowing for the continuous accumulation of strain. These results apply to welding of rheomorphic ignimbrites and the compaction, annealing and eventual sealing of volcanic conduits.

Slip stream apparatus and method for treating water in a circulating water system

DOEpatents

Cleveland, J.R.

1997-03-18

An apparatus is described for treating water in a circulating water system that has a cooling water basin which includes a slip stream conduit in flow communication with the circulating water system, a source of acid solution in flow communication with the slip stream conduit, and a decarbonator in flow communication with the slip stream conduit and the cooling water basin. In use, a slip stream of circulating water is drawn from the circulating water system into the slip stream conduit of the apparatus. The slip stream pH is lowered by contact with an acid solution provided from the source thereof. The slip stream is then passed through a decarbonator to form a treated slip stream, and the treated slip stream is returned to the cooling water basin. 4 figs.

Complex interactions between diapirs and 4-D subduction driven mantle wedge circulation.

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sylvia, R. T.; Kincaid, C. R.

2015-12-01

Analogue laboratory experiments generate 4-D flow of mantle wedge fluid and capture the evolution of buoyant mesoscale diapirs. The mantle is modeled with viscous glucose syrup with an Arrhenius type temperature dependent viscosity. To characterize diapir evolution we experiment with a variety of fluids injected from multiple point sources. Diapirs interact with kinematically induced flow fields forced by subducting plate motions replicating a range of styles observed in dynamic subduction models (e.g., rollback, steepening, gaps). Data is collected using high definition timelapse photography and quantified using image velocimetry techniques. While many studies assume direct vertical connections between the volcanic arc and the deeper mantle source region, our experiments demonstrate the difficulty of creating near vertical conduits. Results highlight extreme curvature of diapir rise paths. Trench-normal deflection occurs as diapirs are advected downward away from the trench before ascending into wedge apex directed return flow. Trench parallel deflections up to 75% of trench length are seen in all cases, exacerbated by complex geometry and rollback motion. Interdiapir interaction is also important; upwellings with similar trajectory coalesce and rapidly accelerate. Moreover, we observe a new mode of interaction whereby recycled diapir material is drawn down along the slab surface and then initiates rapid fluid migration updip along the slab-wedge interface. Variability in trajectory and residence time leads to complex petrologic inferences. Material from disparate source regions can surface at the same location, mix in the wedge, or become fully entrained in creeping flow adding heterogeneity to the mantle. Active diapirism or any other vertical fluid flux mechanism employing rheological weakening lowers viscosity in the recycling mantle wedge affecting both solid and fluid flow characteristics. Many interesting and insightful results have been presented based upon 2-D, steady-state thermal and flow regimes. We reiterate the importance of 4-D time evolution in subduction models. Analogue experiments allow added feedbacks and complexity improving intuition and providing insight for further investigation.

Solitonic Dispersive Hydrodynamics: Theory and Observation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Maiden, Michelle D.; Anderson, Dalton V.; Franco, Nevil A.; El, Gennady A.; Hoefer, Mark A.

2018-04-01

Ubiquitous nonlinear waves in dispersive media include localized solitons and extended hydrodynamic states such as dispersive shock waves. Despite their physical prominence and the development of thorough theoretical and experimental investigations of each separately, experiments and a unified theory of solitons and dispersive hydrodynamics are lacking. Here, a general soliton-mean field theory is introduced and used to describe the propagation of solitons in macroscopic hydrodynamic flows. Two universal adiabatic invariants of motion are identified that predict trapping or transmission of solitons by hydrodynamic states. The result of solitons incident upon smooth expansion waves or compressive, rapidly oscillating dispersive shock waves is the same, an effect termed hydrodynamic reciprocity. Experiments on viscous fluid conduits quantitatively confirm the soliton-mean field theory with broader implications for nonlinear optics, superfluids, geophysical fluids, and other dispersive hydrodynamic media.

STRUCTURAL HETEROGENEITIES AND PALEO FLUID FLOW IN AN ANALOG SANDSTONE RESERVOIR 2001-2004

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

Pollard, David; Aydin, Atilla

2005-02-22

Fractures and faults are brittle structural heterogeneities that can act both as conduits and barriers with respect to fluid flow in rock. This range in the hydraulic effects of fractures and faults greatly complicates the challenges faced by geoscientists working on important problems: from groundwater aquifer and hydrocarbon reservoir management, to subsurface contaminant fate and transport, to underground nuclear waste isolation, to the subsurface sequestration of CO2 produced during fossil-fuel combustion. The research performed under DOE grant DE-FG03-94ER14462 aimed to address these challenges by laying a solid foundation, based on detailed geological mapping, laboratory experiments, and physical process modeling, onmore » which to build our interpretive and predictive capabilities regarding the structure, patterns, and fluid flow properties of fractures and faults in sandstone reservoirs. The material in this final technical report focuses on the period of the investigation from July 1, 2001 to October 31, 2004. The Aztec Sandstone at the Valley of Fire, Nevada, provides an unusually rich natural laboratory in which exposures of joints, shear deformation bands, compaction bands and faults at scales ranging from centimeters to kilometers can be studied in an analog for sandstone aquifers and reservoirs. The suite of structures there has been documented and studied in detail using a combination of low-altitude aerial photography, outcrop-scale mapping and advanced computational analysis. In addition, chemical alteration patterns indicative of multiple paleo fluid flow events have been mapped at outcrop, local and regional scales. The Valley of Fire region has experienced multiple episodes of fluid flow and this is readily evident in the vibrant patterns of chemical alteration from which the Valley of Fire derives its name. We have successfully integrated detailed field and petrographic observation and analysis, process-based mechanical modeling, and numerical simulation of fluid flow to study a typical sandstone aquifer/reservoir at a variety of scales. We have produced many tools and insights which can be applied to active subsurface flow systems and practical problems of pressing global importance.« less

Thermo-Hydraulic Characteristics of Anatase Titania Nanofluids Flowing Through a Circular Conduit.

PubMed

Kristiawan, Budi; Kamal, Samsul; Yanuar

2016-06-01

The thermo-hydraulic characteristics of anatase titanium dioxide dispersed into distilled water with particle concentration of 0.1, 0.3, and 0.5 vol.% were investigated experimentally in this work. The influence of rheological behavior on hydrodynamic and convective heat transfer characteristics was evaluated under both laminar and turbulent flow conditions in a plain conduit and with twisted tape insert for twist ratio of 7. The nanofluids exhibited a strong shear-thinning behavior at low shear rate particularly higher particle concentration. The non-Newtonian titania nanofluids have also demonstrated a drag reduction phenomena in turbulent flow. At equal Reynolds number, the values of performance evaluation criterion in a conduit inserted a twisted tape were lower than those of in a plain conduit. It implies the unfavourable energy budget for twisted tape insert. The convective heat transfer coefficient does not gradually enhance with an increase of particle concentration. The flow features due mainly to the rheology of colloidal dispersions might be a reason for this phenomenon.

Assessment of key transport parameters in a karst system under different dynamic conditions based on tracer experiments: the Jeita karst system, Lebanon

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Doummar, Joanna; Margane, Armin; Geyer, Tobias; Sauter, Martin

2018-03-01

Artificial tracer experiments were conducted in the mature karst system of Jeita (Lebanon) under various flow conditions using surface and subsurface tracer injection points, to determine the variation of transport parameters (attenuation of peak concentration, velocity, transit times, dispersivity, and proportion of immobile and mobile regions) along fast and slow flow pathways. Tracer breakthrough curves (TBCs) observed at the karst spring were interpreted using a two-region nonequilibrium approach (2RNEM) to account for the skewness in the TBCs' long tailings. The conduit test results revealed a discharge threshold in the system dynamics, beyond which the transport parameters vary significantly. The polynomial relationship between transport velocity and discharge can be related to the variation of the conduit's cross-sectional area. Longitudinal dispersivity in the conduit system is not a constant value (α = 7-10 m) and decreases linearly with increasing flow rate because of dilution effects. Additionally, the proportion of immobile regions (arising from conduit irregularities) increases with decreasing water level in the conduit system. From tracer tests with injection at the surface, longitudinal dispersivity values are found to be large (8-27 m). The tailing observed in some TBCs is generated in the unsaturated zone before the tracer actually arrives at the major subsurface conduit draining the system. This work allows the estimation and prediction of the key transport parameters in karst aquifers. It shows that these parameters vary with time and flow dynamics, and they reflect the geometry of the flow pathway and the origin of infiltrating (potentially contaminated) recharge.

What Can We Learn About Karst Aquifer Heterogeneity From Pumping Tests

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Marechal, J. C.; Dewandel, B.; Ladouche, B.; Fleury, P.

2016-12-01

Due to the complexity and duality of flows, well-test interpretation into karst systems constitutes a challenging task for hydrogeologists. This is especially true when the pumping well intersects karst heterogeneities such as the conduit network. The method of diagnostic plots, widely used in oil industry, can be applied to karst hydrogeology. In this paper, the classical response of a well-test into a karst conduit is described on a log-log drawdown derivative curve. It allows identifying successive flow regimes corresponding to the contribution of various karst aquifer subsystems (fractured matrix, karst conduit, main karst drainage network) to the pumped well. In heterogeneous karst systems, the log-log diagnostic plot of drawdown and its derivative in the pumping well can help identifying departures in flow-geometry from the classical homogeneous radial case. Classically, the diagnostic plot can be divided into several portions with: (a) early data used for identifying the karst conduit storage; (b) intermediate data for identifying the type of aquifer model that should be used (e.g. double porosity, anisotropy...); and (c) late data for identifying the possible boundaries. This is illustrated on three examples from Mediterranean karsts in southern France. A one-month duratio pumping test on a well intersecting the main karst drainage network of the Cent-Fonts karst system shows (i) a preliminary contribution of the karst conduit storage capacity followed by (ii) linear flows into the fractured matrix. A pumping test on a well intersecting a small karst conduit of the Corbières karst system shows the existence of (i) bi-linear flow within both the karst conduit and the fractured matrix at early times, followed by (ii) radial flows within the fractured matrix and (iii) finally the contribution of a major karst cavity. A two-months duration pumping test on a deep confined karst aquifer under low permeability rocks into the Gardanne basin shows the existence of no-flow boundary conditions due to the basin extension. The use of diagnostic plots allows identifying the various flow regimes during pumping tests, corresponding to the response of the individual karst aquifer subsystems. This is helpful for improving the understanding of the structure of the karst aquifer and flow exchanges between subsystems.

Using MODFLOW drains to simulate groundwater flow in a karst environment

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

Quinn, J.; Tomasko, D.; Glennon, M.A.

1998-07-01

Modeling groundwater flow in a karst environment is both numerically challenging and highly uncertain because of potentially complex flowpaths and a lack of site-specific information. This study presents the results of MODFLOW numerical modeling in which drain cells in a finite-difference model are used as analogs for preferential flowpaths or conduits in karst environments. In this study, conduits in mixed-flow systems are simulated by assigning connected pathways of drain cells from the locations of tracer releases, sinkholes, or other karst features to outlet springs along inferred flowpaths. These paths are determined by the locations of losing stream segments, ephemeral streammore » beds, geophysical surveys, fracture lineaments, or other surficial characteristics, combined with the results of dye traces. The elevations of the drains at the discharge ends of the inferred flowpaths are estimated from field data and are adjusted when necessary during model calibration. To simulate flow in a free-flowing conduit, a high conductance is assigned to each drain to eliminate the need for drain-specific information that would be very difficult to obtain. Calculations were performed for a site near Hohenfels, Germany. The potentiometric surface produced by the simulations agreed well with field data. The head contours in the vicinity of the karst features behaved in a manner consistent with a flow system having both diffuse and conduit components, and the sum of the volumetric flow out of the drain cells agreed closely with spring discharges and stream flows. Because of the success of this approach, it is recommended for regional studies in which little site-specific information (e.g., location, number, size, and conductivity of fractures and conduits) is available, and general flow characteristics are desired.« less

Using Digital Computer Field Mapping of Outcrops to Examine the Preservation of High-P Rocks During Pervasive, Retrograde Greenschist Fluid Infiltration, Tinos, Cyclades Archipelago, Greece

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Breeding, C. M.; Ague, J. J.; Broecker, M.

2001-12-01

Digital field mapping of outcrops on the island of Tinos, Greece, was undertaken to investigate the nature of retrograde fluid infiltration during exhumation of high-P metamorphic rocks of the Attic-Cycladic blueschist belt. High-resolution digital photographs of outcrops were taken and loaded into graphics editing software on a portable, belt-mounted computer in the field. Geologic features from outcrops were drawn and labeled on the digital images using the software in real-time. The ability to simultaneously identify geologic features in outcrops and digitize those features onto digital photographs in the field allows the creation of detailed, field-verified, outcrop-scale maps that aid in geologic interpretation. During Cretaceous-Eocene subduction in the Cyclades, downgoing crustal material was metamorphosed to eclogite and blueschist facies. Subsequent Oligocene-Miocene exhumation of the high-P rocks was accompanied by pervasive, retrograde fluid infiltration resulting in nearly complete greenschist facies overprinting. On Tinos, most high-P rocks have undergone intense retrogression; however, adjacent to thick marble horizons with completely retrograded contact zones, small (sub km-scale) enclaves of high-P rocks (blueschist and minor eclogite facies) were preserved. Field observations suggest that the remnant high-P zones consist mostly of massive metabasic rocks and minor adjacent metasediments. Within the enclaves, detailed digital outcrop maps reveal that greenschist retrogression increases in intensity outward from the center, implying interaction with a fluid flowing along enclave perimeters. Permeability contrasts could not have been solely responsible for preservation of the high-P rocks, as similar rock suites distal to marble contacts were completely overprinted. We conclude that the retrograded contacts of the marble units served as high-permeability conduits for regional retrograde fluid flow. Pervasive, layer-parallel flow through metasediments would have been drawn into these more permeable flow channels. Deflections in fluid flow paths toward the high flux contacts likely caused retrograde fluids to flow around the enclaves, preserving the zones of "dry," unretrograded high-P rocks near marble horizons. Digital mapping of outcrops is a unique method for direct examination of the relationships between geologic structure, lithology, and mineral assemblage variation in the field. Outcrop mapping in the Attic-Cycladic blueschist belt has revealed that regional fluid flow along contacts can have important implications for the large-scale distribution of mineral assemblages in metamorphic terranes.

Micro-fluid exchange coupling apparatus

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Johnson, J. E., Jr.; Swartz, P. F. (Inventor)

1980-01-01

In a macro-fluid exchange, a hollow needle, such as a syringe needle, is provided for penetrating the fluid conduit of the animal. The syringe needle is coupled to a plenum chamber having an inlet and outlet port. The plenum chamber is coupled to the syringe needle via the intermediary of a standard quick disconnect coupling fitting. The plenum chamber is carried at the end of a drive rod which is coupled to a micrometer drive head. The micrometer drive head is slidably and pivotably coupled to a pedestal for adjusting the height and angle of inclination of the needle relative to a reference base support. The needle is positioned adjacent to the incised trachea or a blood vessel of a small animal and the micrometer drive head is operated for penetrating the fluid conduit of the animal.

The controlling effect of viscous dissipation on magma flow in silicic conduits

USGS Publications Warehouse

Mastin, L.G.

2005-01-01

Nearly all volcanic conduit models assume that flow is Newtonian and isothermal. Such models predict that, during high-flux silicic eruptions, gradients in pressure with depth increase upward as magma accelerates and becomes more viscous, leading to extremely low pressure and fragmentation at a depth of kilometers below the surface. In this paper I show that shear heating, also known as viscous dissipation, dramatically reduces the pressure gradient required for flow and concentrates shear in narrow zones along the conduit margin. The reduction in friction may eliminate the zone of low pressure predicted by isothermal models and move the fragmentation level up to the surface.

Apparatus and method for phosphate-accelerated bioremediation

DOEpatents

Looney, B.B.; Phelps, T.J.; Hazen, T.C.; Pfiffner, S.M.; Lombard, K.H.; Borthen, J.W.

1994-01-01

An apparatus and method for supplying a vapor-phase nutrient to contaminated soil for in situ bioremediation. The apparatus includes a housing adapted for containing a quantity of the liquid nutrient, a conduit in fluid communication with the interior of the housing, means for causing a gas to flow through the conduit, and means for contacting the gas with the liquid so that a portion thereof evaporates and mixes with the gas. The mixture of gas and nutrient vapor is delivered to the contaminated site via a system of injection and extraction wells configured to the site. The mixture has a partial pressure of vaporized nutrient that is no greater than the vapor pressure of the liquid. If desired, the nutrient and/or the gas may be heated to increase the vapor pressure and the nutrient concentration of the mixture. Preferably, the nutrient is a volatile, substantially nontoxic and nonflammable organic phosphate that is a liquid at environmental temperatures, such as triethyl phosphate or tributyl phosphate.

Method for phosphate-accelerated bioremediation

DOEpatents

Looney, Brian B.; Lombard, Kenneth H.; Hazen, Terry C.; Pfiffner, Susan M.; Phelps, Tommy J.; Borthen, James W.

1996-01-01

An apparatus and method for supplying a vapor-phase nutrient to contaminated soil for in situ bioremediation. The apparatus includes a housing adapted for containing a quantity of the liquid nutrient, a conduit in fluid communication with the interior of the housing, means for causing a gas to flow through the conduit, and means for contacting the gas with the liquid so that a portion thereof evaporates and mixes with the gas. The mixture of gas and nutrient vapor is delivered to the contaminated site via a system of injection and extraction wells configured to the site. The mixture has a partial pressure of vaporized nutrient that is no greater than the vapor pressure of the liquid. If desired, the nutrient and/or the gas may be heated to increase the vapor pressure and the nutrient concentration of the mixture. Preferably, the nutrient is a volatile, substantially nontoxic and nonflammable organic phosphate that is a liquid at environmental temperatures, such as triethyl phosphate or tributyl phosphate.

Piloted rich-catalytic lean-burn hybrid combustor

DOEpatents

Newburry, Donald Maurice

2002-01-01

A catalytic combustor assembly which includes, an air source, a fuel delivery means, a catalytic reactor assembly, a mixing chamber, and a means for igniting a fuel/air mixture. The catalytic reactor assembly is in fluid communication with the air source and fuel delivery means and has a fuel/air plenum which is coated with a catalytic material. The fuel/air plenum has cooling air conduits passing therethrough which have an upstream end. The upstream end of the cooling conduits is in fluid communication with the air source but not the fuel delivery means.

Identifying Flow Networks in a Karstified Aquifer by Application of the Cellular Automata-Based Deterministic Inversion Method (Lez Aquifer, France)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fischer, P.; Jardani, A.; Wang, X.; Jourde, H.; Lecoq, N.

2017-12-01

The distributed modeling of flow paths within karstic and fractured fields remains a complex task because of the high dependence of the hydraulic responses to the relative locations between observational boreholes and interconnected fractures and karstic conduits that control the main flow of the hydrosystem. The inverse problem in a distributed model is one alternative approach to interpret the hydraulic test data by mapping the karstic networks and fractured areas. In this work, we developed a Bayesian inversion approach, the Cellular Automata-based Deterministic Inversion (CADI) algorithm to infer the spatial distribution of hydraulic properties in a structurally constrained model. This method distributes hydraulic properties along linear structures (i.e., flow conduits) and iteratively modifies the structural geometry of this conduit network to progressively match the observed hydraulic data to the modeled ones. As a result, this method produces a conductivity model that is composed of a discrete conduit network embedded in the background matrix, capable of producing the same flow behavior as the investigated hydrologic system. The method is applied to invert a set of multiborehole hydraulic tests collected from a hydraulic tomography experiment conducted at the Terrieu field site in the Lez aquifer, Southern France. The emergent model shows a high consistency to field observation of hydraulic connections between boreholes. Furthermore, it provides a geologically realistic pattern of flow conduits. This method is therefore of considerable value toward an enhanced distributed modeling of the fractured and karstified aquifers.

Hydrogeological characterization of flow system in a karstic aquifer, Seymareh dam, Iran

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Behrouj Peely, Ahmad; Mohammadi, Zargham; Raeisi, Ezzatollah; Solgi, Khashayar; Mosavi, Mohammad J.; Kamali, Majid

2018-07-01

In order to determine the characteristics of the flow system in a karstic aquifer, an extensive hydrogeological study includes dye tracing test was conducted. The aquifer suited left abutment of Seymareh Dam, in Ravandi Anticline and discharges by more than 50 springs in the southern flank. Flow system in the aquifer is mainly controlled by the reservoir of Seymareh Dam. Time variations of the spring discharge and water table in the observation wells were highly correlated with the reservoir water level. The average groundwater velocity ranges from 0.2 to more than 14 m/h based on the dye tracing test. The probable flow paths were differentiated in two groups including the flow paths in the northern and southern flanks of Ravandi Anticline. Types of groundwater flow in the proposed flow paths are determined as diffuse or conduit flow type considering groundwater velocity and shape of the breakthrough curves. An index is proposed for differentiation of diffuse and conduit flow system based on relationship of groundwater velocity and hydraulic gradient. Dominant geometry of the flow routs (e.g., conduit diameter and fracture aperture) is estimated for the groundwater flow paths toward the springs. Based on velocity variations and variance coefficient of the water table and discharge of springs on map view a major karst conduit was probably developed in the aquifer. This research emphasizes applying of an extensive hydrogeological study for characterization of flow system in the karst aquifer.

Zinc isotopes in sphalerite from base metal deposits in the Red Dog district, northern Alaska

USGS Publications Warehouse

Kelley, K.D.; Wilkinson, J.J.; Chapman, J.B.; Crowther, H.L.; Weiss, D.J.

2009-01-01

Analyses of sphalerite samples from shale-hosted massive sulfide and stratigraphically underlying vein breccia deposits in the Red Dog district in northern Alaska show a range ??66Zn values from zero to 0.60 per mil. The lowest values are observed in the vein breccia deposits, and the stratigraphically overlying (but structurally displaced) shale-hosted massive sulfide deposits show a systematic trend of increasing ??66Zn values from south to north (Main-Aqqaluk-Paalaaq-Anarraaq). The ??66Zn values are inversely correlated with sphalerite Fe/Mn ratio and also tend to be higher in low Cu sphalerite, consistent with precipitation of lower ??66Zn sphalerite closer to the principal hydrothermal fluid conduits. The most likely control on isotopic variation is Rayleigh fractionation during sulfide precipitation, with lighter zinc isotopes preferentially incorporated in the earliest sphalerite to precipitate from ore fluids at deeper levels (vein breccias) and close to the principal fluid conduits in the orebodies, followed by precipitation of sulfides with higher ??66Zn values in shallower and/or more distal parts of the flow path. There is no systematic variation among the paragenetic stages of sphalerite from a single deposit, suggesting an isotopically homogeneous zinc source and consistent transport-deposition conditions and/or dissolution-reprecipitation of earlier sphalerite without significant fractionation. Decoupled Zn and S isotope compositions are best explained by mixing of separate metal- and sulfur-bearing fluids at the depositional site. The results confirm that Zn isotopes may be a useful tracer for distinguishing between the central and distal parts of large hydrothermal systems as previously suggested and could therefore be of use in exploration. ?? 2009 by Economic Geology.

Development and evaluation of a pliable biological valved conduit. Part II: Functional and hemodynamic evaluation.

PubMed

Sung, H W; Witzel, T H; Hata, C; Tu, R; Shen, S H; Lin, D; Noishiki, Y; Tomizawa, Y; Quijano, R C

1993-04-01

Many congenital cardiac malformations may require a valved conduit for the reconstruction of the right ventricular outflow tract. In spite of many endeavors made in the last 25 years, the clinical results of right ventricular outflow tract reconstruction with currently available valved conduits are still not satisfactory. Specific problems encountered clinically include suboptimal hemodynamic performance, conduit kinking or compression, and fibrous peeling from the luminal surface. To address these deficiencies, we undertook the development of a biological valved conduit: a bovine external jugular vein graft with a retained native valve cross-linked with a diglycidyl ether (DE). This study, using a canine model, was to evaluate the functional and hemodynamic performance of this newly developed valved conduit. Three 14 mm conduits, implanted as bypass grafts, right ventricle to pulmonary artery, were evaluated. The evaluation was conducted with a noninvasive color Doppler flow mapping system at pre-implantation, immediately post implantation, one- and three-months post implantation, and prior to retrieval (five-months post implantation). The two-dimensional tomographic inspection of the leaflet motion at various periods post implantation showed that the valvular leaflets in the DE treated conduit was quite pliable. No cardiac failure or valvular dysfunction was observed in any of the studied cases. The color Doppler flow mapping study demonstrated that the valve in the DE treated conduit was competent, with no conduit kinking or compression observed in any of the three cases. The spectral Doppler velocity study evidenced that the transvalvular pressure gradients of the DE treated conduit were minimal as compared to those of the currently available conduits. In conclusion, from the functional and hemodynamic performance points of view, this newly developed valved conduit is superior to those currently available.

Drilling into an active mofette: pilot-hole study of the impact of CO2-rich mantle-derived fluids on the geo-bio interaction in the western Eger Rift (Czech Republic)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bussert, Robert; Kämpf, Horst; Flechsig, Christina; Hesse, Katja; Nickschick, Tobias; Liu, Qi; Umlauft, Josefine; Vylita, Tomáš; Wagner, Dirk; Wonik, Thomas; Estrella Flores, Hortencia; Alawi, Mashal

2017-11-01

Microbial life in the continental deep biosphere is closely linked to geodynamic processes, yet this interaction is poorly studied. The Cheb Basin in the western Eger Rift (Czech Republic) is an ideal place for such a study because it displays almost permanent seismic activity along active faults with earthquake swarms up to ML 4.5 and intense degassing of mantle-derived CO2 in conduits that show up at the surface in form of mofettes. We hypothesize that microbial life is significantly accelerated in active fault zones and in CO2 conduits, due to increased fluid and substrate flow. To test this hypothesis, pilot hole HJB-1 was drilled in spring 2016 at the major mofette of the Hartoušov mofette field, after extensive pre-drill surveys to optimize the well location. After drilling through a thin caprock-like structure at 78.5 m, a CO2 blowout occurred indicating a CO2 reservoir in the underlying sandy clay. A pumping test revealed the presence of mineral water dominated by Na+, Ca2+, HCO3-, SO42- (Na-Ca-HCO3-SO4 type) having a temperature of 18.6 °C and a conductivity of 6760 µS cm-1. The high content of sulfate (1470 mg L-1) is typical of Carlsbad Spa mineral waters. The hole penetrated about 90 m of Cenozoic sediments and reached a final depth of 108.50 m in Palaeozoic schists. Core recovery was about 85 %. The cored sediments are mudstones with minor carbonates, sandstones and lignite coals that were deposited in a lacustrine environment. Deformation structures and alteration features are abundant in the core. Ongoing studies will show if they result from the flow of CO2-rich fluids or not.

Slip stream apparatus and method for treating water in a circulating water system

DOEpatents

Cleveland, Joe R.

1997-01-01

An apparatus (10) for treating water in a circulating water system (12) t has a cooling water basin (14) includes a slip stream conduit (16) in flow communication with the circulating water system (12), a source (36) of acid solution in flow communication with the slip stream conduit (16), and a decarbonator (58) in flow communication with the slip stream conduit (16) and the cooling water basin (14). In use, a slip stream of circulating water is drawn from the circulating water system (12) into the slip stream conduit (16) of the apparatus (10). The slip stream pH is lowered by contact with an acid solution provided from the source (36) thereof. The slip stream is then passed through a decarbonator (58) to form a treated slip stream, and the treated slip stream is returned to the cooling water basin (14).

Aortic valve bypass surgery in severe aortic valve stenosis: Insights from cardiac and brain magnetic resonance imaging.

PubMed

Mantini, Cesare; Caulo, Massimo; Marinelli, Daniele; Chiacchiaretta, Piero; Tartaro, Armando; Cotroneo, Antonio Raffaele; Di Giammarco, Gabriele

2018-04-13

To investigate and describe the distribution of aortic and cerebral blood flow (CBF) in patients with severe valvular aortic stenosis (AS) before and after aortic valve bypass (AVB) surgery. We enrolled 10 consecutive patients who underwent AVB surgery for severe AS. Cardiovascular magnetic resonance imaging (CMR) and brain magnetic resonance imaging were performed as baseline before surgery and twice after surgery. Quantitative flow measurements were obtained using 1.5-T magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanner phase-contrast images of the ascending aorta, descending thoracic aorta (3 cm proximally and distally from the conduit-to-aorta anastomosis), and ventricular outflow portion of the conduit. The evaluation of CBF was performed using 3.0-T MRI scanner arterial spin labeling (ASL) through sequences acquired at the gray matter, dorsal default-mode network, and sensorimotor levels. Conduit flow, expressed as the percentage of total antegrade flow through the conduit, was 63.5 ± 8% and 67.8 ± 7% on early and mid-term postoperative CMR, respectively (P < .05). Retrograde perfusion from the level of the conduit insertion in the descending thoracic aorta toward the aortic arch accounted for 6.9% of total cardiac output and 11% of total conduit flow. We did not observe any significant reduction in left ventricular stroke volume at postoperative evaluation compared with preoperative evaluation (P = .435). No differences were observed between preoperative and postoperative CBF at the gray matter, dorsal default-mode network, and sensorimotor levels (P = .394). After AVB surgery in patients with severe AS, cardiac output is split between the native left ventricular outflow tract and the apico-aortic bypass, with two-thirds of the total antegrade flow passing through the latter and one-third passing through the former. In our experience, CBF assessment confirms that the flow redistribution does not jeopardize cerebral blood supply. Copyright © 2018 The American Association for Thoracic Surgery. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Mechanically-reattachable liquid-cooled cooling apparatus

DOEpatents

Arney, Susanne; Cheng, Jen-Hau; Kolodner, Paul R; Kota-Venkata, Krishna-Murty; Scofield, William; Salamon, Todd R; Simon, Maria E

2013-09-24

An apparatus comprising a rack having a row of shelves, each shelf supporting an electronics circuit board, each one of the circuit boards being manually removable from the shelve supporting the one of the circuit boards and having a local heat source thereon. The apparatus also comprises a cooler attached to the rack and being able to circulate a cooling fluid around a channel forming a closed loop. The apparatus further comprises a plurality of heat conduits, each heat conduit being located over a corresponding one of the circuit boards and forming a path to transport heat from the local heat source of the corresponding one of the circuit boards to the cooler. Each heat conduit is configured to be manually detachable from the cooler or the circuit board, without breaking a circulation pathway of the fluid through the cooler.

Fast evolving conduits in clay-bonded sandstone: Characterization, erosion processes and significance for the origin of sandstone landforms

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bruthans, Jiri; Svetlik, Daniel; Soukup, Jan; Schweigstillova, Jana; Valek, Jan; Sedlackova, Marketa; Mayo, Alan L.

2012-12-01

In Strelec Quarry, the Czech Republic, an underground conduit network > 300 m long with a volume of ~ 104 m3 and a catchment of 7 km2 developed over 5 years by groundwater flow in Cretaceous marine quartz sandstone. Similar landforms at natural exposures (conduits, slot canyons, undercuts) are stabilized by case hardening and have stopped evolving. The quarry offers a unique opportunity to study conduit evolution in sandstone at local to regional scales, from the initial stage to maturity, and to characterize the erosion processes which may form natural landforms prior to stabilization. A new technique was developed to distinguish erodible and non-erodible sandstone surfaces. Based on measurements of relative erodibility, drilling resistance, ambient and water-saturated tensile strength (TS) at natural and quarry exposures three distinct kinds of surfaces were found. 1) Erodible sandstone exposed at ~ 60% of surfaces in quarry. This sandstone loses as much as 99% of TS when saturated. 2) Sub-vertical fracture surfaces that are non-erodible already prior to exposure at ground surface and which keep considerable TS if saturated. 3) Case hardened surfaces that start to form after exposure. In favorable conditions they became non-erodible and reach the full TS in just 6 years. An increase in the hydraulic gradient from ~ 0.005 to > 0.02 triggered conduit evolution, based on long-term monitoring of water table in 18 wells and inflows to the quarry. Rapidly evolving major conduits are characterized by a channel gradient of ~ 0.01, a flow velocity ~ 40 cm/s and sediment concentration ~ 10 g/l. Flow in openings with a discharge 1 ml/s and hydraulic gradient > 0.05 exceeds the erosion threshold and initiates piping. In the first phase of conduit evolution, fast concentrated flow mobilizes erodible sandstone between sets of parallel fractures in the shallow phreatic zone. In the second phase the conduit opening mainly expands vertically upward into the vadose zone by mass wasting of undercut sandstone slabs. Mass wasting is responsible for > 90% of mobilized sandstone. Sides of the mature conduits are protected by non-erodible fracture surfaces. Natural landforms were probably formed very rapidly by overland flow, piping and possibly fluidization during or at the end of the glacial periods when sandstone was not yet protected by case hardening.

A model for internal oscillations in geysers, with application to Old Faithful (Yellowstone, USA)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rudolph, Maxwell L.; Sohn, Robert A.

2017-09-01

We present a mechanical model for internal oscillations in geysers with "bubble trap" configurations, where ascending gas or vapor becomes trapped beneath the roof of a cavity that is laterally offset from the eruption conduit. We consider two cases, one in which the trapped gas behaves as an isothermal ideal gas, and one where it is treated as isenthalpic steam. In both cases the system behaves as a damped, harmonic oscillator with a resonant frequency that is sensitive to the conduit geometries and fluid volumes. We use the model to predict internal oscillation frequencies for Old Faithful geyser, in Yellowstone, USA, using conduit geometry constraints from the literature, and find that the frequencies predicted by the model are consistent with observations ( 1 Hz). We show that systematic frequency increases during the recharge cycle, when the fluid volume of the system is increasing due to recharge, are consistent with either a decrease in the amount (both volume and mass) of trapped gas or vapor, a decrease in the eruption conduit area, or a combination of both.

Spatially varying dispersion to model breakthrough curves.

PubMed

Li, Guangquan

2011-01-01

Often the water flowing in a karst conduit is a combination of contaminated water entering at a sinkhole and cleaner water released from the limestone matrix. Transport processes in the conduit are controlled by advection, mixing (dilution and dispersion), and retention-release. In this article, a karst transport model considering advection, spatially varying dispersion, and dilution (from matrix seepage) is developed. Two approximate Green's functions are obtained using transformation of variables, respectively, for the initial-value problem and for the boundary-value problem. A numerical example illustrates that mixing associated with strong spatially varying conduit dispersion can cause strong skewness and long tailing in spring breakthrough curves. Comparison of the predicted breakthrough curve against that measured from a dye-tracing experiment between Ames Sink and Indian Spring, Northwest Florida, shows that the conduit dispersivity can be as large as 400 m. Such a large number is believed to imply strong solute interaction between the conduit and the matrix and/or multiple flow paths in a conduit network. It is concluded that Taylor dispersion is not dominant in transport in a karst conduit, and the complicated retention-release process between mobile- and immobile waters may be described by strong spatially varying conduit dispersion. Copyright © 2010 The Author(s). Journal compilation © 2010 National Ground Water Association.

Magma flow instability and cyclic activity at soufriere hills volcano, montserrat, british west indies

PubMed

Voight; Sparks; Miller; Stewart; Hoblitt; Clarke; Ewart; Aspinall; Baptie; Calder; Cole; Druitt; Hartford; Herd; Jackson; Lejeune; Lockhart; Loughlin; Luckett; Lynch; Norton; Robertson; Watson; Watts; Young

1999-02-19

Dome growth at the Soufriere Hills volcano (1996 to 1998) was frequently accompanied by repetitive cycles of earthquakes, ground deformation, degassing, and explosive eruptions. The cycles reflected unsteady conduit flow of volatile-charged magma resulting from gas exsolution, rheological stiffening, and pressurization. The cycles, over hours to days, initiated when degassed stiff magma retarded flow in the upper conduit. Conduit pressure built with gas exsolution, causing shallow seismicity and edifice inflation. Magma and gas were then expelled and the edifice deflated. The repeat time-scale is controlled by magma ascent rates, degassing, and microlite crystallization kinetics. Cyclic behavior allows short-term forecasting of timing, and of eruption style related to explosivity potential.

Simulating transitional hydrodynamics of the cerebrospinal fluid at extreme scale

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jain, Kartik; Roller, Sabine; Mardal, Kent-Andre

Chiari malformation type I is a disorder characterized by the herniation of cerebellar tonsils into the spinal canal through the foramen magnum resulting in obstruction to cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) outflow. The flow of pulsating bidirectional CSF is of acutely complex nature due to the anatomy of the conduit containing it - the subarachnoid space. We report lattice Boltzmann method based direct numerical simulations on patient specific cases with spatial resolution of 24 μm amounting meshes of up to 2 billion cells conducted on 50000 cores of the Hazelhen supercomputer in Stuttgart. The goal is to characterize intricate dynamics of the CSF at resolutions that are of the order of Kolmogorov microscales. Results unfold velocity fluctuations up to ~ 10 KHz , turbulent kinetic energy ~ 2 times of the mean flow energy in Chiari patients whereas the flow remains laminar in a control subject. The fluctuations confine near the cranio-vertebral junction and are commensurate with the extremeness of pathology and the extent of herniation. The results advocate that the manifestation of pathological conditions like Chiari malformation may lead to transitional hydrodynamics of the CSF, and a prudent calibration of numerical approach is necessary to avoid overlook of such phenomena.

In-vivo assessment of the morphology and hemodynamic functions of the BioValsalva™ composite valve-conduit graft using cardiac magnetic resonance imaging and computational modelling technology.

PubMed

Kidher, Emaddin; Cheng, Zhuo; Jarral, Omar A; O'Regan, Declan P; Xu, Xiao Yun; Athanasiou, Thanos

2014-12-09

The evaluation of any new cardiac valvular prosthesis should go beyond the classical morbidity and mortality rates and involve hemodynamic assessment. As a proof of concept, the objective of this study was to characterise for the first time the hemodynamics and the blood flow profiles at the aortic root in patients implanted with BioValsalva™ composite valve-conduit using comprehensive MRI and computer technologies. Four male patients implanted with BioValsalva™ and 2 age-matched normal controls (NC) underwent cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Phase-contrast imaging with velocity-mapping in 3 orthogonal directions was performed at the level of the aortic root and descending thoracic aorta. Computational fluid dynamic (CFD) simulations were performed for all the subjects with patient-specific flow information derived from phase-contrast MR data. The maximum and mean flow rates throughout the cardiac cycle at the aortic root level were very comparable between NC and BioValsalva™ patients (541 ± 199 vs. 567 ± 75 ml/s) and (95 ± 46 vs. 96 ± 10 ml/s), respectively. The maximum velocity (cm/s) was higher in patients (314 ± 49 vs. 223 ± 20; P = 0.06) due to relatively smaller effective orifice area (EOA), 2.99 ± 0.47 vs. 4.40 ± 0.24 cm2 (P = 0.06), however, the BioValsalva™ EOA was comparable to other reported prosthesis. The cross-sectional area and maximum diameter at the root were comparable between the two groups. BioValsalva™ conduit was stiffer than the native aortic wall, compliance (mm2 • mmHg(-1) • 10(-3)) values were (12.6 ± 4.2 vs 25.3 ± 0.4.; P = 0.06). The maximum time-averaged wall shear stress (Pa), at the ascending aorta was equivalent between the two groups, 17.17 ± 2.7 (NC) vs. 17.33 ± 4.7 (BioValsalva™ ). Flow streamlines at the root and ascending aorta were also similar between the two groups apart from a degree of helical flow that occurs at the outer curvature at the angle developed near the suture line. BioValsalva™ composite valve-conduit prosthesis is potentially comparable to native aortic root in structural design and in many hemodynamic parameters, although it is stiffer. Surgeons should pay more attention to the surgical technique to maximise the reestablishment of normal smooth aortic curvature geometry to prevent unfavourable flow characteristics.

Numerical simulation of two-phase slug flow with liquid carryover in different diameter ratio T-junction

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pao, W.; Hon, L.; Saieed, A.; Ban, S.

2017-10-01

A smaller diameter conduit pointing at 12 o’clock position is typically hot-tapped to a horizontal laying production header in offshore platform to tap produced gas for downstream process train. This geometric feature is commonly known as T-junction. The nature of multiphase fluid splitting at the T-junction is a major operational challenge due to unpredictable production environment. Often, excessive liquid carryover occurs in the T-junction, leading to complete platform trip and halt production. This is because the downstream process train is not designed to handle excessive liquid. The objective of this research is to quantify the effect of different diameter ratio on phase separation efficiency in T-junction. The liquid carryover is modelled as two-phase air-water flow using Eulerian Mixture Model coupled with Volume of Fluid Method to mimic the slug flow in the main pipe. The focus in this paper is 0.0254 m (1 inch) diameter horizontal main arm and vertical branch arm with diameter ratio of 1.0, 0.5 and 0.3. The present research narrowed the investigation to only slug flow regime using Baker’s map as reference. The investigation found that, contrary to common believe, smaller diameter ratio T-junction perform worse than larger diameter ratio T-junction.

Bubble suspension rheology and implications for conduit flow

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Llewellin, E. W.; Manga, M.

2005-05-01

Bubbles are ubiquitous in magma during eruption and influence the rheology of the suspension. Despite this, bubble-suspension rheology is routinely ignored in conduit-flow and eruption models, potentially impairing accuracy and resulting in the loss of important phenomenological richness. The omission is due, in part, to a historical confusion in the literature concerning the effect of bubbles on the rheology of a liquid. This confusion has now been largely resolved and recently published studies have identified two viscous regimes: in regime 1, the viscosity of the two-phase (magma-gas) suspension increases as gas volume fraction ϕ increases; in regime 2, the viscosity of the suspension decreases as ϕ increases. The viscous regime for a deforming bubble suspension can be determined by calculating two dimensionless numbers, the capillary number Ca and the dynamic capillary number Cd. We provide a didactic explanation of how to include the effect of bubble-suspension rheology in continuum, conduit-flow models. Bubble-suspension rheology is reviewed and a practical rheological model is presented, followed by an algorithmic, step-by-step guide to including the rheological model in conduit-flow models. Preliminary results from conduit-flow models which have implemented the model presented are discussed and it is concluded that the effect of bubbles on magma rheology may be important in nature and results in a decrease of at least 800 m in calculated fragmentation-depth and an increase of between 40% and 250% in calculated eruption-rate compared with the assumption of Newtonian rheology.

OGS#PETSc approach for robust and efficient simulations of strongly coupled hydrothermal processes in EGS reservoirs

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Watanabe, Norihiro; Blucher, Guido; Cacace, Mauro; Kolditz, Olaf

2016-04-01

A robust and computationally efficient solution is important for 3D modelling of EGS reservoirs. This is particularly the case when the reservoir model includes hydraulic conduits such as induced or natural fractures, fault zones, and wellbore open-hole sections. The existence of such hydraulic conduits results in heterogeneous flow fields and in a strengthened coupling between fluid flow and heat transport processes via temperature dependent fluid properties (e.g. density and viscosity). A commonly employed partitioned solution (or operator-splitting solution) may not robustly work for such strongly coupled problems its applicability being limited by small time step sizes (e.g. 5-10 days) whereas the processes have to be simulated for 10-100 years. To overcome this limitation, an alternative approach is desired which can guarantee a robust solution of the coupled problem with minor constraints on time step sizes. In this work, we present a Newton-Raphson based monolithic coupling approach implemented in the OpenGeoSys simulator (OGS) combined with the Portable, Extensible Toolkit for Scientific Computation (PETSc) library. The PETSc library is used for both linear and nonlinear solvers as well as MPI-based parallel computations. The suggested method has been tested by application to the 3D reservoir site of Groß Schönebeck, in northern Germany. Results show that the exact Newton-Raphson approach can also be limited to small time step sizes (e.g. one day) due to slight oscillations in the temperature field. The usage of a line search technique and modification of the Jacobian matrix were necessary to achieve robust convergence of the nonlinear solution. For the studied example, the proposed monolithic approach worked even with a very large time step size of 3.5 years.

Universal Viscous-Brittle Transition in Magmatic Liquids

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Witcher, T.; Wadsworth, F. B.; Hess, K. U.; Vossen, C.; Unwin, H.; Dingwell, D. B.

2017-12-01

Physical processes occurring in a volcanic conduit are thought to dictate the eruptivebehavior of volcanoes. One of these processes is the rheological response of the liquidmagma to the enormous stresses applied to it during ascent. In this study we investigatedthe behavior of both synthetic and natural silicate glass at high temperature. We chosetemperatures at which the glass viscosity was high in the range of 109 - 1012 Pa s. Afterthermal equilibration, we deformed the samples by uniaxial compression. We measured theforce and displacement applied to 20 x 40 mm glass cylinders at controlled strain rates. Toparameterize the deformation behavior we defined a dimensionless quantity, the Deborahnumber (De), which is a ratio between viscoelastic relaxation time of the liquid (λr) and thedeformation time (λ) both in units of seconds. Each deformed sample had a De assignedto it and was plotted on a 'Deformation Map.' After performing over 60 experiments,three deformational regimes were defined: viscous, transitional, and brittle. We found thatall samples with De < 0.01 behaved purely viscously with no stress drops. Between De =0.01 and De = 0.04 the behavior was unrelaxed, in which small stress drops were observedbetween otherwise viscous flow, indicating the onset of elastic behavior. Furthermore,samples with De > 0.04 were categorized as brittle and behaved purely elastically withlittle to no fracturing before one large stress drop. The implications of this study showthat when a silicate melt is not given enough time to dissipate the stress applied to itthrough viscous flow, it will behave like an elastic solid and support fracture propagation.It is through this capability of brittle failure that magma can rapidly ascend through theshallow crust-the fractures would provide pathways for fluid along the conduit margin.These fluids would lubricate the magma body as it ascends.

Flowmeter for determining average rate of flow of liquid in a conduit

DOEpatents

Kennerly, J.M.; Lindner, G.M.; Rowe, J.C.

1981-04-30

This invention is a compact, precise, and relatively simple device for use in determining the average rate of flow of a liquid through a conduit. The liquid may be turbulent and contain bubbles of gas. In a preferred embodiment, the flowmeter includes an electrical circuit and a flow vessel which is connected as a segment of the conduit conveying the liquid. The vessel is provided with a valved outlet and is partitioned by a vertical baffle into coaxial chambers whose upper regions are vented to permit the escape of gas. The inner chamber receives turbulent downflowing liquid from the conduit and is sized to operate at a lower pressure than the conduit, thus promoting evolution of gas from the liquid. Lower zones of the two chambers are interconnected so that the downflowing liquid establishes liquid levels in both chambers. The liquid level in the outer chamber is comparatively calm, being to a large extent isolated from the turbulence in the inner chamber once the liquid in the outer chamber has risen above the liquid-introduction zone for that chamber. Lower and upper probes are provided in the outer chamber for sensing the liquid level therein at points above its liquid-introduction zone. An electrical circuit is connected to the probes to display the time required for the liquid level in the outer chamber to successively contact the lower and upper probes. The average rate of flow through the conduit can be determined from the above-mentioned time and the vessel volume filled by the liquid during that time.

Flowmeter for determining average rate of flow of liquid in a conduit

DOEpatents

Kennerly, John M.; Lindner, Gordon M.; Rowe, John C.

1982-01-01

This invention is a compact, precise, and relatively simple device for use in determining the average rate of flow of a liquid through a conduit. The liquid may be turbulent and contain bubbles of gas. In a preferred embodiment, the flowmeter includes an electrical circuit and a flow vessel which is connected as a segment of the conduit conveying the liquid. The vessel is provided with a valved outlet and is partitioned by a vertical baffle into coaxial chambers whose upper regions are vented to permit the escape of gas. The inner chamber receives turbulent downflowing liquid from the conduit and is sized to operate at a lower pressure than the conduit, thus promoting evolution of gas from the liquid. Lower zones of the two chambers are interconnected so that the downflowing liquid establishes liquid levels in both chambers. The liquid level in the outer chamber is comparatively calm, being to a large extent isolated from the turbulence in the inner chamber once the liquid in the outer chamber has risen above the liquid-introduction zone for that chamber. Lower and upper probes are provided in the outer chamber for sensing the liquid level therein at points above its liquid-introduction zone. An electrical circuit is connected to the probes to display the time required for the liquid level in the outer chamber to successively contact the lower and upper probes. The average rate of flow through the conduit can be determined from the above-mentioned time and the vessel volume filled by the liquid during that time.

Combination downflow-upflow vapor-liquid separator

DOEpatents

Kidwell, John H.; Prueter, William P.; Eaton, Andrew M.

1987-03-10

An improved vapor-liquid separator having a vertically disposed conduit for flow of a mixture. A first, second and third plurality of curved arms penetrate and extend within the conduit. A cylindrical member is radially spaced from the conduit forming an annulus therewith and having perforations and a retaining lip at its upper end.

In Vivo Evaluation of Short-Term Performance of New Three-Layer Collagen-Based Vascular Graft Designed for Low-Flow Peripheral Vascular Reconstructions

PubMed Central

Grus, Tomas; Mlcek, Mikulas; Chlup, Hynek; Honsova, Eva; Spacek, Miroslav; Burgetova, Andrea; Lindner, Jaroslav

2018-01-01

Aim The aim of this study was to evaluate short-term patency of the new prosthetic graft and its structural changes after explantation. Methods The study team developed a three-layer conduit composed of a scaffold made from polyester coated with collagen from the inner and outer side with an internal diameter of 6 mm. The conduit was implanted as a bilateral bypass to the carotid artery in 7 sheep and stenosis was created in selected animals. After a period of 161 days, the explants were evaluated as gross and microscopic specimens. Results The initial flow rate (median ± IQR) in grafts with and without artificial stenosis was 120 ± 79 ml/min and 255 ± 255 ml/min, respectively. Graft occlusion occurred after 99 days in one of 13 conduits (patency rate: 92%). Wall-adherent thrombi occurred only in sharp curvatures in two grafts. Microscopic evaluation showed good engraftment and preserved structure in seven conduits; inflammatory changes with foci of bleeding, necrosis, and disintegration in four conduits; and narrowing of the graft due to thickening of the wall with multifocal separation of the outer layer in two conduits. Conclusions This study demonstrates good short-term patency rates of a newly designed three-layer vascular graft even in low-flow conditions in a sheep model. PMID:29682536

In Vivo Evaluation of Short-Term Performance of New Three-Layer Collagen-Based Vascular Graft Designed for Low-Flow Peripheral Vascular Reconstructions.

PubMed

Grus, Tomas; Lambert, Lukas; Mlcek, Mikulas; Chlup, Hynek; Honsova, Eva; Spacek, Miroslav; Burgetova, Andrea; Lindner, Jaroslav

2018-01-01

The aim of this study was to evaluate short-term patency of the new prosthetic graft and its structural changes after explantation. The study team developed a three-layer conduit composed of a scaffold made from polyester coated with collagen from the inner and outer side with an internal diameter of 6 mm. The conduit was implanted as a bilateral bypass to the carotid artery in 7 sheep and stenosis was created in selected animals. After a period of 161 days, the explants were evaluated as gross and microscopic specimens. The initial flow rate (median ± IQR) in grafts with and without artificial stenosis was 120 ± 79 ml/min and 255 ± 255 ml/min, respectively. Graft occlusion occurred after 99 days in one of 13 conduits (patency rate: 92%). Wall-adherent thrombi occurred only in sharp curvatures in two grafts. Microscopic evaluation showed good engraftment and preserved structure in seven conduits; inflammatory changes with foci of bleeding, necrosis, and disintegration in four conduits; and narrowing of the graft due to thickening of the wall with multifocal separation of the outer layer in two conduits. This study demonstrates good short-term patency rates of a newly designed three-layer vascular graft even in low-flow conditions in a sheep model.

Pulsatile flow in the aorta of the LVAD supported heart studied using particle image velocimetry

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Moyedi, Zahra

Currently many patients die because of the end-stage heart failure, mainly due to the reduced number of donor heart transplant organs. Studies show that a permanent left ventricular assist device (LVAD), a battery driven pump which is surgically implanted, increased the survival rate of patients with end-stage heart failure and improved considerably their quality of life. The inlet conduit of the LVAD is attached to the left ventricle and the outflow conduit anastomosed to the ascending aorta. The purpose of LVAD support is to help a weakened heart to pump blood to the rest of the body. However LVAD can cause some alterations of the natural blood flow. When your blood comes in contact with something that isn't a natural part of your body blood clots can occur and disrupt blood flow. Aortic valve integrity is vital for optimal support of left ventricular assist LVAD. Due to the existence of high continuous transvalvular pressure on the aortic valve, the opening frequency of the valve is reduced. To prevent the development of aortic insufficiency, aortic valve closure during LVAD implantation has been performed. However, the closed aortic valve reduces wash out of the aortic root, which causes blood stagnation and potential thrombus formation. So for this reason, there is a need to minimize the risks of occurring blood clot, by having more knowledge about the flow structure in the aorta during LVAD use. The current study focuses on measuring the flow field in the aorta of the LVAD assisted heart with two different types of aortic valve (Flat and Finned) using the SDSU cardiac simulator. The pulsatile pump that mimics the natural pulsing action of the heart also added to the system. The flow field is visualized using Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV). Furthermore, The fluid mechanics of aorta has been studied when LVAD conduit attached to two different locations (proximal and distal to the aortic valve) with pump speeds of 8,000 to 10,000 revolutions per minute (RPM). As LVAD speed increases, the velocity of the defined area (close to the proximal anastomosis) increases linearly but inversely the stagnation index decreases. We observed that with Finned valve attachment, the stagnation value is lower than the flat valve so the results suggest that D1 valve has lower risk of thrombosis close to the aortic valve.

Acoustic Oscillations in Volcanoes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Garces, M.; Marchetti, E.; Ripepe, M.

2004-12-01

The intensity of infrasonic waves produced by volcanic activity ranges from very low amplitude pressure signals (mPa) to violent shock waves produced during explosive eruptions (MPa). Recorded waveforms vary from simple single pulses to complicated, long lasting signals where echoes and/or multiple pulses may be present. Whether echoes occur, are sustained, and are recorded depends on the elasticity of the surrounding walls, the attenuation of the fluid, the depth of the source, and the relative position of the sensor. A shallow explosion would release most of its energy to the atmosphere. In this case, echoes would be primarily associated with reflections from crater walls or nearby mountains. A deep explosion in a vesiculated magma column may not be multiply reflected (and thus maintain resonance) in a conduit if it has to propagate through a heavily attenuating magma-gas mixture. Yet highly vesiculated foams, with their low sound speeds and their sensitive dependence of gas exsolution and viscosity on ambient pressure, are extremely unstable under any fluid flow conditions. Due to the decrease in density and sound speed with increased vesiculation, an acoustic pulse arriving from some depth in a moving magma column would encounter an increase in Mach number as it approaches a highly vesiculated region. When this pulse reaches the foam, the pressure perturbation and its associated streaming may induce rapid exsolution and trigger a fragmentation-enhanced explosive eruption that could lower the fragmentation void fraction threshold and enhance jet flow. Lowering of the fragmentation threshold may permit conduit reverberation. Cavitation may occur when a fluid is excessively tensed. Flow acceleration through a constriction (choked flow), or the passage of an intense sound pulse can induce cavitation and produce a bubble oscillation. The precondition of existing bubbles for cavitation lend vesiculated foams particularly vulnerable to collapse. Sound from periodic turbulent vortices induced by surface discontinuities or shear (Aeolian tones, edge tones, vortex sheets) may occur at depth in the melt or at the ground-air interface. Avalanches, landslides, and pyroclastic flows would also generate acoustically active turbulent structures, as well as a sound from impact and explosive gas release. Jet noise can be produced by fumaroles, lava tubes, and eruptions. Jet flow resonance, known as screech, may occur within a supersonic jet and be observable during vigorous eruptions. Vigorous lava fountaining events radiate discrete infrasonic pulses which may be indicative of oscillations in the pressure driving the fluid flow. Infrasound from the oscillation of a lava tube or lava lake may be produced by the movement of the magma. Sound from lava falls, as seen through skylights in Pu'u O'o, may be enhanced by ringing of the air in a lava tube. As in the ocean, standing waves in a molten lava lake may generate sound efficiently if they slam into walls or if they entrain periodic flow into confined regions. As in a furnace, pressure and thermal oscillations may be induced in a lava tube when the gas in the tube is overburned, leading to a low pressure with gas overdrawing, followed by a fiery pressure increase during subsequent overburning.

Systems for delivering liquified natural gas to an engine

DOEpatents

Bingham, Dennis N.; Wilding, Bruce M.; O'Brien, James E.; Siahpush, Ali S.; Brown, Kevin B.

2000-01-01

A fuel delivery system includes a fuel tank configured to receive liquid natural gas. A first conduit extends from a vapor holding portion of the fuel tank to an economizer valve. A second conduit extends from a liquid holding portion of the fuel tank to the economizer valve. Fluid coupled to the economizer valve is a vaporizer which is heated by coolant from the engine and is positioned below the fuel tank. The economizer valve selectively withdraws either liquid natural gas or vaporized natural gas from the fuel tank depending on the pressure within the vapor holding portion of the fuel tank. A delivery conduit extends from the vaporizer to the engine. A return conduit having a check valve formed therein extends from the delivery conduit to the vapor holding portion of the fuel tank for pressurizing the fuel tank.

Monitoring of stage and velocity, for computation of discharge in the Summit Conduit near Summit, Illinois, 2010-2012

USGS Publications Warehouse

Johnson, Kevin K.; Goodwin, Greg E.

2013-01-01

Lake Michigan diversion accounting is the process used by the U. S. Army Corps of Engineers to quantify the amount of water that is diverted from the Lake Michigan watershed into the Illinois and Mississippi River Basins. A network of streamgages within the Chicago area waterway system monitor tributary river flows and the major river flow on the Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal near Lemont as one of the instrumental tools used for Lake Michigan diversion accounting. The mean annual discharges recorded by these streamgages are used as additions or deductions to the mean annual discharge recorded by the main stream gaging station currently used in the Lake Michigan diversion accounting process, which is the Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal near Lemont, Illinois (station number 05536890). A new stream gaging station, Summit Conduit near Summit, Illinois (station number 414757087490401), was installed on September 23, 2010, for the purpose of monitoring stage, velocity, and discharge through the Summit Conduit for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in accordance with Lake Michigan diversion accounting. Summit Conduit conveys flow from a small part of the lower Des Plaines River watershed underneath the Des Plaines River directly into the Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal. Because the Summit Conduit discharges into the Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal upstream from the stream gaging station at Lemont, Illinois, but does not contain flow diverted from the Lake Michigan watershed, it is considered a flow deduction to the discharge measured by the Lemont stream gaging station in the Lake Michigan diversion accounting process. This report offers a technical summary of the techniques and methods used for the collection and computation of the stage, velocity, and discharge data at the Summit Conduit near Summit, Illinois stream gaging station for the 2011 and 2012 Water Years. The stream gaging station Summit Conduit near Summit, Illinois (station number 414757087490401) is an example of a nonstandard stream gage. Traditional methods of equating stage to discharge historically were not effective. Examples of the nonstandard conditions include the converging tributary flows directly upstream of the gage; the trash rack and walkway near the opening of the conduit introducing turbulence and occasionally entraining air bubbles into the flow; debris within the conduit creating conditions of variable backwater and the constant influx of smaller debris that escapes the trash rack and catches or settles in the conduit and on the equipment. An acoustic Doppler velocity meter was installed to measure stage and velocity to compute discharge. The stage is used to calculate area based the stage-area rating. The index-velocity from the acoustic Doppler velocity meter is applied to the velocity-velocity rating and the product of the two rated values is a rated discharge by the index-velocity method. Nonstandard site conditions prevalent at the Summit Conduit stream gaging station generally are overcome through the index-velocity method. Despite the difficulties in gaging and measurements, improvements continue to be made in data collection, transmission, and measurements. Efforts to improve the site and to improve the ratings continue to improve the quality and quantity of the data available for Lake Michigan diversion accounting.

Gas Migration Processes through the Gas Hydrate Stability Zone at Four-Way Closure Ridge Offshore SW Taiwan

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kunath, P.; Chi, W. C.; Berndt, C.; Liu, C. S.

2016-12-01

We have used 3D P-Cable seismic data from Four-Way-Closure Ridge, a NW-SE trending anticlinal ridge within the lower slope domain of accretionary wedge, to investigate the geological constraints influencing the fluid migration pattern in the shallow marine sediments. In the seismic data, fluid migration feature manifests itself as high reflection layers of dipping strata, which originate underneath a bottom simulating reflector (BSR) and extend towards the seafloor. Shoaling of the BSR near fluid migration pathways indicates a focused fluid flux, perturbing the temperature field. Furthermore, seafloor video footage confirmed the presence of recent methane seepage above seismically imaged fluid migration pathways. We plan to test two hypotheses for the occurrence of these fluid migration pathways: 1) the extensional regime under the anticlinal ridge crest caused the initiation of localized fault zones, acting as fluid conduits in the gas hydrate stability zone (GHSZ). 2) sediment deformation induced by focused fluid flow and massive growth and dissolution of gas hydrate, similar to processes controlling the evolution of pockmarks on the Nigerian continental margin. We suggest that these processes may be responsible for the formation of a massive hydrate core in the crest of the anticline, as inferred from other geophysical datasets. Triggering process for fluid migration cannot be clearly defined. However, the existence of blind thrust faults may help to advect deep-seated fluids. This may be augmented by biogenic production of shallow gas underneath the ridge, where the excess of gas enables the coexistence of gas, water, and gas hydrate within the GHSZ. Fluid migration structures may exists because of the buoyancy of gas-bearing fluids. This study shows a potential model on how gas-bearing fluids migrate upward towards structural highs, which might occur in other anticlinal structures around the world. Keywords: P-Cable, gas-hydrate, fluid flow, fault-related fold, methane seepage

An experimental device for characterizing degassing processes and related elastic fingerprints: Analog volcano seismo-acoustic observations.

PubMed

Spina, Laura; Morgavi, Daniele; Cannata, Andrea; Campeggi, Carlo; Perugini, Diego

2018-05-01

A challenging objective of modern volcanology is to quantitatively characterize eruptive/degassing regimes from geophysical signals (in particular seismic and infrasonic), for both research and monitoring purposes. However, the outcomes of the attempts made so far are still considered very uncertain because volcanoes remain inaccessible when deriving quantitative information on crucial parameters such as plumbing system geometry and magma viscosity. In order to improve our knowledge of volcanic systems, a novel experimental device, which is capable of mimicking volcanic degassing processes with different regimes and gas flow rates, and allowing for the investigation of the related seismo-acoustic emissions, was designed and developed. The benefits of integrating observations on real volcanoes with seismo-acoustic signals generated in laboratory are many and include (i) the possibility to fix the controlling parameters such as the geometry of the structure where the gas flows, the gas flow rate, and the fluid viscosity; (ii) the possibility of performing acoustic measurements at different azimuthal and zenithal angles around the opening of the analog conduit, hence constraining the radiation pattern of different acoustic sources; (iii) the possibility to measure micro-seismic signals in distinct points of the analog conduit; (iv) finally, thanks to the transparent structure, it is possible to directly observe the degassing pattern through the optically clear analog magma and define the degassing regime producing the seismo-acoustic radiations. The above-described device represents a step forward in the analog volcano seismo-acoustic measurements.

An experimental device for characterizing degassing processes and related elastic fingerprints: Analog volcano seismo-acoustic observations

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Spina, Laura; Morgavi, Daniele; Cannata, Andrea; Campeggi, Carlo; Perugini, Diego

2018-05-01

A challenging objective of modern volcanology is to quantitatively characterize eruptive/degassing regimes from geophysical signals (in particular seismic and infrasonic), for both research and monitoring purposes. However, the outcomes of the attempts made so far are still considered very uncertain because volcanoes remain inaccessible when deriving quantitative information on crucial parameters such as plumbing system geometry and magma viscosity. In order to improve our knowledge of volcanic systems, a novel experimental device, which is capable of mimicking volcanic degassing processes with different regimes and gas flow rates, and allowing for the investigation of the related seismo-acoustic emissions, was designed and developed. The benefits of integrating observations on real volcanoes with seismo-acoustic signals generated in laboratory are many and include (i) the possibility to fix the controlling parameters such as the geometry of the structure where the gas flows, the gas flow rate, and the fluid viscosity; (ii) the possibility of performing acoustic measurements at different azimuthal and zenithal angles around the opening of the analog conduit, hence constraining the radiation pattern of different acoustic sources; (iii) the possibility to measure micro-seismic signals in distinct points of the analog conduit; (iv) finally, thanks to the transparent structure, it is possible to directly observe the degassing pattern through the optically clear analog magma and define the degassing regime producing the seismo-acoustic radiations. The above-described device represents a step forward in the analog volcano seismo-acoustic measurements.

Lorentz force effect on mixed convection micropolar flow in a vertical conduit

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Abdel-wahed, Mohamed S.

2017-05-01

The present work provides a simulation of control and filtration process of hydromagnetic blood flow with Hall current under the effect of heat source or sink through a vertical conduit (pipe). This work meets other engineering applications, such as nuclear reactors cooled during emergency shutdown, geophysical transport in electrically conducting and heat exchangers at low velocity conditions. The problem is modeled by a system of partial differential equations taking the effect of viscous dissipation, and these equations are simplified and solved analytically as a series solution using the Differential Transformation Method (DTM). The velocities and temperature profiles of the flow are plotted and discussed. Moreover, the conduit wall shear stress and heat flux are deduced and explained.

Waste heat recovery system

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

Ernst, Timothy C.; Zigan, James A.

A waste heat recovery system includes a Rankine cycle (RC) circuit having a pump, a boiler, an energy converter, and a condenser fluidly coupled via conduits in that order, to provide additional work. The additional work is fed to an input of a gearbox assembly including a capacity for oil by mechanically coupling to the energy converter to a gear assembly. An interface is positioned between the RC circuit and the gearbox assembly to partially restrict movement of oil present in the gear assembly into the RC circuit and partially restrict movement of working fluid present in the RC circuitmore » into the gear assembly. An oil return line is fluidly connected to at least one of the conduits fluidly coupling the RC components to one another and is operable to return to the gear assembly oil that has moved across the interface from the gear assembly to the RC circuit.« less

Starling forces drive intracranial water exchange during normal and pathological states.

PubMed

Linninger, Andreas A; Xu, Colin; Tangen, Kevin; Hartung, Grant

2017-12-31

To quantify the exchange of water between cerebral compartments, specifically blood, tissue, perivascular pathways, and cerebrospinal fluid-filled spaces, on the basis of experimental data and to propose a dynamic global model of water flux through the entire brain to elucidate functionally relevant fluid exchange phenomena. The mechanistic computer model to predict brain water shifts is discretized by cerebral compartments into nodes. Water and species flux is calculated between these nodes across a network of arcs driven by Hagen-Poiseuille flow (blood), Darcy flow (interstitial fluid transport), and Starling's Law (transmembrane fluid exchange). Compartment compliance is accounted for using a pressure-volume relationship to enforce the Monro-Kellie doctrine. This nonlinear system of differential equations is solved implicitly using MATLAB software. The model predictions of intraventricular osmotic injection caused a pressure rise from 10 to 22 mmHg, followed by a taper to 14 mmHg over 100 minutes. The computational results are compared to experimental data with R2=0.929. Moreover, simulated osmotic therapy of systemic (blood) injection reduced intracranial pressure from 25 to 10 mmHg. The modeled volume and intracranial pressure changes following cerebral edema agree with experimental trends observed in animal models with R2=0.997. The model successfully predicted time course and the efficacy of osmotic therapy for clearing cerebral edema. Furthermore, the mathematical model implicated the perivascular pathways as a possible conduit for water and solute exchange. This was a first step to quantify fluid exchange throughout the brain.

Hypogenic origin, geologic controls and functional organization of a giant cave system in Precambrian carbonates, Brazil

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Klimchouk, Alexander; Auler, Augusto S.; Bezerra, Francisco H. R.; Cazarin, Caroline L.; Balsamo, Fabrizio; Dublyansky, Yuri

2016-01-01

This study is focused on speleogenesis of the Toca da Boa Vista (TBV) and Toca da Barriguda (TBR), the longest caves in South America occurring in the Neoproterozoic Salitre Formation in the São Francisco Craton, NE Brazil. We employ a multidisciplinary approach integrating detailed speleomorphogenetic, lithostratigraphic and geological structure studies in order to reveal the origin of the caves, their functional organization and geologic controls on their development. The caves developed in deep-seated confined conditions by rising flow. The overall fields of passages of TBV and TBR caves represent a speleogenetically exploited large NE-SW-trending fracture corridor associated with a major thrust. This corridor vertically extends across the Salitre Formation allowing the rise of deep fluids. In the overall ascending flow system, the formation of the cave pattern was controlled by a system of sub-parallel anticlines and troughs with NNE-SSW dominant orientation, and by vertical and lateral heterogeneities in fracture distribution. Three cave-stratigraphic stories reflect the actual hydrostratigraphy during the main phase of speleogenesis. Cavities at different stories are distinct in morphology and functioning. The gross tree-dimensional pattern of the system is effectively organized to conduct rising flow in deep-seated confined conditions. Cavities in the lower story developed as recharge components to the system. A laterally extensive conduit network in the middle story formed because the vertical flow from numerous recharge points has been redirected laterally along the highly conductive unit, occurring below the major seal - a scarcely fractured unit. Rift-like and shaft-like conduits in the upper story developed along fracture-controlled outflow paths, breaching the integrity of the major seal, and served as outlets for the cave system. The cave system represents a series of vertically organized, functionally largely independent clusters of cavities developed within individual ascending flow cells. Lateral integration of clusters occurred due to hydrodynamic interaction between the flow cells in course of speleogenetic evolution and change of boundary conditions. The main speleogenetic phase, during which the gross cave pattern has been established and the caves acquired most of their volume, was likely related to rise of deep fluids at about 520 Ma or associated with rifting and the Pangea break-up in Triassic-Cretaceous. This study highlights the importance of speleogenetic studies for interpreting porosity and permeability features in carbonate reservoirs.

Low NO.sub.x combustor

DOEpatents

Taylor, Jack R.

1987-01-01

A combustor having an annular first stage, a generally cylindrically-shaped second stage, and an annular conduit communicably connecting the first and second stages. The conduit has a relatively small annular height and a large number of quench holes in the walls thereof such that quench air injected into the conduit through the quench holes will mix rapidly with, or quench, the combustion gases flowing through the conduit. The rapid quenching reduces the amount of NO.sub.x produced in the combustor.

Cold start characteristics of ethanol as an automobile fuel

DOEpatents

Greiner, Leonard

1982-01-01

An alcohol fuel burner and decomposer in which one stream of fuel is preheated by passing it through an electrically heated conduit to vaporize the fuel, the fuel vapor is mixed with air, the air-fuel mixture is ignited and combusted, and the combustion gases are passed in heat exchange relationship with a conduit carrying a stream of fuel to decompose the fuel forming a fuel stream containing hydrogen gas for starting internal combustion engines, the mass flow of the combustion gas being increased as it flows in heat exchange relationship with the fuel carrying conduit, is disclosed.

Documentation of a Conduit Flow Process (CFP) for MODFLOW-2005

USGS Publications Warehouse

Shoemaker, W. Barclay; Kuniansky, Eve L.; Birk, Steffen; Bauer, Sebastian; Swain, Eric D.

2007-01-01

This report documents the Conduit Flow Process (CFP) for the modular finite-difference ground-water flow model, MODFLOW-2005. The CFP has the ability to simulate turbulent ground-water flow conditions by: (1) coupling the traditional ground-water flow equation with formulations for a discrete network of cylindrical pipes (Mode 1), (2) inserting a high-conductivity flow layer that can switch between laminar and turbulent flow (Mode 2), or (3) simultaneously coupling a discrete pipe network while inserting a high-conductivity flow layer that can switch between laminar and turbulent flow (Mode 3). Conduit flow pipes (Mode 1) may represent dissolution or biological burrowing features in carbonate aquifers, voids in fractured rock, and (or) lava tubes in basaltic aquifers and can be fully or partially saturated under laminar or turbulent flow conditions. Preferential flow layers (Mode 2) may represent: (1) a porous media where turbulent flow is suspected to occur under the observed hydraulic gradients; (2) a single secondary porosity subsurface feature, such as a well-defined laterally extensive underground cave; or (3) a horizontal preferential flow layer consisting of many interconnected voids. In this second case, the input data are effective parameters, such as a very high hydraulic conductivity, representing multiple features. Data preparation is more complex for CFP Mode 1 (CFPM1) than for CFP Mode 2 (CFPM2). Specifically for CFPM1, conduit pipe locations, lengths, diameters, tortuosity, internal roughness, critical Reynolds numbers (NRe), and exchange conductances are required. CFPM1, however, solves the pipe network equations in a matrix that is independent of the porous media equation matrix, which may mitigate numerical instability associated with solution of dual flow components within the same matrix. CFPM2 requires less hydraulic information and knowledge about the specific location and hydraulic properties of conduits, and turbulent flow is approximated by modifying horizontal conductances assembled by the Block-Centered Flow (BCF), Layer-Property Flow (LPF), or Hydrogeologic-Unit Flow Packages (HUF) of MODFLOW-2005. For both conduit flow pipes (CFPM1) and preferential flow layers (CFPM2), critical Reynolds numbers are used to determine if flow is laminar or turbulent. Due to conservation of momentum, flow in a laminar state tends to remain laminar and flow in a turbulent state tends to remain turbulent. This delayed transition between laminar and turbulent flow is introduced in the CFP, which provides an additional benefit of facilitating convergence of the computer algorithm during iterations of transient simulations. Specifically, the user can specify a higher critical Reynolds number to determine when laminar flow within a pipe converts to turbulent flow, and a lower critical Reynolds number for determining when a pipe with turbulent flow switches to laminar flow. With CFPM1, the Hagen-Poiseuille equation is used for laminar flow conditions and the Darcy-Weisbach equation is applied to turbulent flow conditions. With CFPM2, turbulent flow is approximated by reducing the laminar hydraulic conductivity by a nonlinear function of the Reynolds number, once the critical head difference is exceeded. This adjustment approximates the reductions in mean velocity under turbulent ground-water flow conditions.

Modelling of hydrothermal fluid flow and structural architecture in an extensional basin, Ngakuru Graben, Taupo Rift, New Zealand

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kissling, W. M.; Villamor, P.; Ellis, S. M.; Rae, A.

2018-05-01

Present-day geothermal activity on the margins of the Ngakuru graben and evidence of fossil hydrothermal activity in the central graben suggest that a graben-wide system of permeable intersecting faults acts as the principal conduit for fluid flow to the surface. We have developed numerical models of fluid and heat flow in a regional-scale 2-D cross-section of the Ngakuru Graben. The models incorporate simplified representations of two 'end-member' fault architectures (one symmetric at depth, the other highly asymmetric) which are consistent with the surface locations and dips of the Ngakuru graben faults. The models are used to explore controls on buoyancy-driven convective fluid flow which could explain the differences between the past and present hydrothermal systems associated with these faults. The models show that the surface flows from the faults are strongly controlled by the fault permeability, the fault system architecture and the location of the heat source with respect to the faults in the graben. In particular, fault intersections at depth allow exchange of fluid between faults, and the location of the heat source on the footwall of normal faults can facilitate upflow along those faults. These controls give rise to two distinct fluid flow regimes in the fault network. The first, a regular flow regime, is characterised by a nearly unchanging pattern of fluid flow vectors within the fault network as the fault permeability evolves. In the second, complex flow regime, the surface flows depend strongly on fault permeability, and can fluctuate in an erratic manner. The direction of flow within faults can reverse in both regimes as fault permeability changes. Both flow regimes provide insights into the differences between the present-day and fossil geothermal systems in the Ngakuru graben. Hydrothermal upflow along the Paeroa fault seems to have occurred, possibly continuously, for tens of thousands of years, while upflow in other faults in the graben has switched on and off during the same period. An asymmetric graben architecture with the Paeroa being the major boundary fault will facilitate the predominant upflow along this fault. Upflow on the axial faults is more difficult to explain with this modelling. It occurs most easily with an asymmetric graben architecture and heat sources close to the graben axis (which could be associated with remnant heat from recent eruptions from Okataina Volcanic Centre). Temporal changes in upflow can also be associated with acceleration and deceleration of fault activity if this is considered a proxy for fault permeability. Other explanations for temporal variations in hydrothermal activity not explored here are different permeability on different faults, and different permeability along fault strike.

Description and Evaluation of Numerical Groundwater Flow Models for the Edwards Aquifer, South-Central Texas

USGS Publications Warehouse

Lindgren, Richard J.; Taylor, Charles J.; Houston, Natalie A.

2009-01-01

A substantial number of public water system wells in south-central Texas withdraw groundwater from the karstic, highly productive Edwards aquifer. However, the use of numerical groundwater flow models to aid in the delineation of contributing areas for public water system wells in the Edwards aquifer is problematic because of the complex hydrogeologic framework and the presence of conduit-dominated flow paths in the aquifer. The U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, evaluated six published numerical groundwater flow models (all deterministic) that have been developed for the Edwards aquifer San Antonio segment or Barton Springs segment, or both. This report describes the models developed and evaluates each with respect to accessibility and ease of use, range of conditions simulated, accuracy of simulations, agreement with dye-tracer tests, and limitations of the models. These models are (1) GWSIM model of the San Antonio segment, a FORTRAN computer-model code that pre-dates the development of MODFLOW; (2) MODFLOW conduit-flow model of San Antonio and Barton Springs segments; (3) MODFLOW diffuse-flow model of San Antonio and Barton Springs segments; (4) MODFLOW Groundwater Availability Modeling [GAM] model of the Barton Springs segment; (5) MODFLOW recalibrated GAM model of the Barton Springs segment; and (6) MODFLOW-DCM (dual conductivity model) conduit model of the Barton Springs segment. The GWSIM model code is not commercially available, is limited in its application to the San Antonio segment of the Edwards aquifer, and lacks the ability of MODFLOW to easily incorporate newly developed processes and packages to better simulate hydrologic processes. MODFLOW is a widely used and tested code for numerical modeling of groundwater flow, is well documented, and is in the public domain. These attributes make MODFLOW a preferred code with regard to accessibility and ease of use. The MODFLOW conduit-flow model incorporates improvements over previous models by using (1) a user-friendly interface, (2) updated computer codes (MODFLOW-96 and MODFLOW-2000), (3) a finer grid resolution, (4) less-restrictive boundary conditions, (5) an improved discretization of hydraulic conductivity, (6) more accurate estimates of pumping stresses, (7) a long transient simulation period (54 years, 1947-2000), and (8) a refined representation of high-permeability zones or conduits. All of the models except the MODFLOW-DCM conduit model have limitations resulting from the use of Darcy's law to simulate groundwater flow in a karst aquifer system where non-Darcian, turbulent flow might actually dominate. The MODFLOW-DCM conduit model is an improvement in the ability to simulate karst-like flow conditions in conjunction with porous-media-type matrix flow. However, the MODFLOW-DCM conduit model has had limited application and testing and currently (2008) lacks commercially available pre- and post-processors. The MODFLOW conduit-flow and diffuse-flow Edwards aquifer models are limited by the lack of calibration for the northern part of the Barton Springs segment (Travis County) and their reliance on the use of the calibrated hydraulic conductivity and storativity values from the calibrated Barton Springs segment GAM model. The major limitation of the Barton Springs segment GAM and recalibrated GAM models is that they were calibrated to match measured water levels and springflows for a restrictive range of hydrologic conditions, with each model having different hydraulic conductivity and storativity values appropriate to the hydrologic conditions that were simulated. The need for two different sets of hydraulic conductivity and storativity values increases the uncertainty associated with the accuracy of either set of values, illustrates the non-uniqueness of the model solution, and probably most importantly demonstrates the limitations of using a one-layer model to represent the heterogeneous hydrostratigraph

Physical and Hydrological Meaning of the Spectral Information from Hydrodynamic Signals at Karst Springs

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dufoyer, A.; Lecoq, N.; Massei, N.; Marechal, J. C.

2017-12-01

Physics-based modeling of karst systems remains almost impossible without enough accurate information about the inner physical characteristics. Usually, the only available hydrodynamic information is the flow rate at the karst outlet. Numerous works in the past decades have used and proven the usefulness of time-series analysis and spectral techniques applied to spring flow, precipitations or even physico-chemical parameters, for interpreting karst hydrological functioning. However, identifying or interpreting the karst systems physical features that control statistical or spectral characteristics of spring flow variations is still challenging, not to say sometimes controversial. The main objective of this work is to determine how the statistical and spectral characteristics of the hydrodynamic signal at karst springs can be related to inner physical and hydraulic properties. In order to address this issue, we undertake an empirical approach based on the use of both distributed and physics-based models, and on synthetic systems responses. The first step of the research is to conduct a sensitivity analysis of time-series/spectral methods to karst hydraulic and physical properties. For this purpose, forward modeling of flow through several simple, constrained and synthetic cases in response to precipitations is undertaken. It allows us to quantify how the statistical and spectral characteristics of flow at the outlet are sensitive to changes (i) in conduit geometries, and (ii) in hydraulic parameters of the system (matrix/conduit exchange rate, matrix hydraulic conductivity and storativity). The flow differential equations resolved by MARTHE, a computer code developed by the BRGM, allows karst conduits modeling. From signal processing on simulated spring responses, we hope to determine if specific frequencies are always modified, thanks to Fourier series and multi-resolution analysis. We also hope to quantify which parameters are the most variable with auto-correlation analysis: first results seem to show higher variations due to conduit conductivity than the ones due to matrix/conduit exchange rate. Future steps will be using another computer code, based on double-continuum approach and allowing turbulent conduit flow, and modeling a natural system.

Structures and lithofacies of inferred silicic conduits in the Paraná-Etendeka LIP, southernmost Brazil

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Simões, M. S.; Lima, E. F.; Sommer, C. A.; Rossetti, L. M. M.

2018-04-01

Extensive silicic units in the Paraná-Etendeka LIP have been long interpreted as pyroclastic density currents (rheomorphic ignimbrites) derived from the Messum Complex in Namibia. In recent literature, however, they have been characterized as effusive lava flows and domes. In this paper we describe structures and lithofacies related to postulated silicic lava feeder conduits at Mato Perso, São Marcos and Jaquirana-Cambará do Sul areas in southern Brazil. Inferred conduits are at least 15-25 m in width and the lithofacies include variably vesicular monomictic welded and non-welded breccias in the margins to poorly vesicular, banded, spherulitic and microfractured vitrophyres in the central parts. Flat-lying coherent vitrophyres and massive obsidian are considered to be the subaerial equivalents of the conduits. Large-scale, regional tectonic structures in southern Brazil include the NE-SW aligned Porto Alegre Suture, Leão and Açotea faults besides the Antas Lineament, a curved tectonic feature accompanying the bed of Antas river. South of the Antas Lineament smaller-scale, NW-SE lineaments limit the exposure areas of the inferred conduits. NE-SW and subordinate NW-SE structures within this smaller-scale lineaments are represented by the main postulated conduit outcrops and are parallel to the dominant sub-vertical banding in the widespread banded vitrophyre lithofacies. Upper lava flows display flat-lying foliation, pipe-like and spherical vesicles and have better developed microlites. Petrographic characteristics of the silicic vitrophyres indicate that crystal-poor magmas underwent distinct cooling paths for each inferred conduit area. The vitrophyre chemical composition is defined by the evolution of trachydacitic/dacitic vitrophyres with 62-65 wt% SiO2 to rhyodacite and rhyolite with 66-68 wt% SiO2. The more evolved rocks are assigned to the latest intrusive grey vitrophyre outcropping in the center of the conduits. Degassing pathways formed during fragmentation and fracturing episodes within the conduits may have helped to inhibit the explosivity of the eruptions. Based on the documented lithofacies architecture, we attribute the source of the silicic lava flows in the studied localities to tectonic-controlled, local conduits, rather than pyroclastic density currents from distant vent areas.

In-membrane micro fuel cell

DOEpatents

Omosebi, Ayokunle; Besser, Ronald

2016-09-06

An in-membrane micro fuel cell comprises an electrically-insulating membrane that is permissive to the flow of cations, such as protons, and a pair of electrodes deposited on channels formed in the membrane. The channels are arranged as conduits for fluids, and define a membrane ridge between the channels. The electrodes are porous and include catalysts for promoting the liberation of a proton and an electron from a chemical species and/or or the recombination of a proton and an electron with a chemical specie. The fuel cell may be provided a biosensor, an electrochemical sensor, a microfluidic device, or other microscale devices fabricated in the fuel cell membrane.

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.

Karst aquifer characterization using geophysical remote sensing of dynamic recharge events

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Grapenthin, R.; Bilek, S. L.; Luhmann, A. J.

2017-12-01

Geophysical monitoring techniques, long used to make significant advances in a wide range of deeper Earth science disciplines, are now being employed to track surficial processes such as landslide, glacier, and river flow. Karst aquifers are another important hydrologic resource that can benefit from geophysical remote sensing, as this monitoring allows for safe, noninvasive karst conduit measurements. Conduit networks are typically poorly constrained, let alone the processes that occur within them. Geophysical monitoring can also provide a regionally integrated analysis to characterize subsurface architecture and to understand the dynamics of flow and recharge processes in karst aquifers. Geophysical signals are likely produced by several processes during recharge events in karst aquifers. For example, pressure pulses occur when water enters conduits that are full of water, and experiments suggest seismic signals result from this process. Furthermore, increasing water pressure in conduits during recharge events increases the load applied to conduit walls, which deforms the surrounding rock to yield measureable surface displacements. Measureable deformation should also occur with mass loading, with subsidence and rebound signals associated with increases and decreases of water mass stored in the aquifer, respectively. Additionally, geophysical signals will likely arise with turbulent flow and pore pressure change in the rock surrounding conduits. Here we present seismic data collected during a pilot study of controlled and natural recharge events in a karst aquifer system near Bear Spring, near Eyota, MN, USA as well as preliminary model results regarding the processes described above. In addition, we will discuss an upcoming field campaign where we will use seismometers, tiltmeters, and GPS instruments to monitor for recharge-induced responses in a FL, USA karst system with existing cave maps, coupling these geophysical observations with hydrologic and meteorologic data to map and characterize conduits and other features of the larger karst system and to monitor subsurface flow dynamics during recharge events.

Petroleum hydrogeology of the Great Hungarian Plain, Eastern Pannonian Basin, Hungary

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Almasi, Istvan

The results of a regional scale hydrogeological investigation conducted in the Great Hungarian Plain, Eastern Pannonian Basin, for the purposes of petroleum exploration are presented. Two regional aquitards and three regional aquifers were determined in the poorly-to-well consolidated clastic basin fill of the Neogene-Quaternary age and the indurated basement of the Pre-Neogene age. The fluid-potential field was mapped using measured values of stabilised water level and pore-pressure. Two regional fluid flow regimes were recognised: an upper gravity-driven flow regime, and a lower overpressured regime, where super-hydrostatic pore pressures of 1--35 MPa are encountered. The transition between the two flow regimes does not correlate with any particular hydrostratigraphic boundary or elevation range. Apparently, its position and nature are controlled by the morphology of the rigid basement, and locally by the permeability contrasts within the overlying hydrostratigraphic units. Local hydrostratigraphic breaches and conduit faults facilitate hydraulic communication across the regional aquitards. The basin is hydraulically continuous. The mapped groundwater flow directions do not match the predictions of compactional flow models. At two gas-fields, up to 10 MPa overpressures are probably caused by buoyancy forces. Transient overpressures can not be maintained over geologic time in the basin, due to the rock's low hydraulic resistance. Regional tectonic compressive stress, probably with a Recent increase in intensity, offers a new and plausible explanation for the distribution pattern of overpressures in the Great Hungarian Plain. Gravity-driven groundwater flow plays a determinant role in petroleum migration and entrapment. Compactional flow models can explain the present-day position of several known petroleum accumulations within the overpressured regime. However, most accumulations are also associated with particular fluid-potential anomaly-patterns of the actual flow field, which also suggest the possibility of petroleum remigration toward the graben centres and upward. The geothermal characteristics show that pure conduction is the dominant regional heat transfer mechanism within the entire basin. The encountered advective thermal anomalies correlate well with fluid potential anomalies observed in both fluid flow regimes, as well as with certain petroleum accumulations. Toth's (1980) hydraulic theory of petroleum migration was found applicable in a deforming Neogene sedimentary basin, the Great Hungarian Plain.* *This dissertation includes a CD that is compound (contains both a paper copy and a CD as part of the dissertation). The CD requires the following applications: Adobe Acrobat, Microsoft Office.

Tracking Hydrothermal Fluid Pathways from Surface Alteration Mineralogy: The Case of Licancura Geothermal Field, Northern Chile

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Camus, E.; Elizalde, J. D.; Morata, D.; Wechsler, C.

2017-12-01

In geothermal systems alteration minerals are evidence of hot fluid flow, being present even in absence of other surface manifestations. Because these minerals result from the interaction between geothermal fluids and surrounding host rocks, they will provide information about features of thermal fluids as temperature, composition and pH, allowing tracking their changes and evolution. In this work, we study the Licancura Geothermal field located in the Andean Cordillera in Northern Chile. The combination of Principal Components Analysis on ASTER-L1T imagery and X Ray Diffraction (XRD) allow us to interpret fluid conditions and the areas where fluid flow took place. Results from red, green, blue color composite imagery show the presence of three types of secondary paragenesis. The first one corresponds to hematite and goethite, mainly at the east of the area, in the zone of eroded Pliocene volcanic edifices. The second one, mainly at the center of the area, highlighting propylitic alteration, includes minerals such as chlorite, illite, calcite, zeolites, and epidote. The third paragenesis, spatially related to the intersection between faults, represents advanced argillic alteration, includes minerals as alunite, kaolinite, and jarosite. XRD analysis support results from remote sensing techniques. These results suggest an acid pH hydrothermal fluid reaching temperatures at surface up to 80-100°C, which used faults as a conduit, originating advanced argillic minerals. The same fluid was, probably, responsible for propylitic paragenesis. However, iron oxides paragenesis identified in the area of eroded volcanoes probably corresponds to other processes associated with weathering rather than geothermal activity. In this work, we propose the applicability of remote sensing techniques as a first level exploration tool useful for high-altitude geothermal fields. Detailed clay mineral studies (XRD and SEM) would allow us to a better characterization of the geothermal fluid flow and the defining fluid pathways in the Licancura geothermal field. This work is a contribution to the FONDAP-CONICYT 15090013 Project. E.C. thanks CONICYT for her Ph.D. grant.

Flow Behavior in the Left Heart Ventricle Following Apico-Aortic Bypass Surgery

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shahriari, Shahrokh; Jeyhani, Morteza; Labrosse, Michel; Kadem, Lyes

2013-11-01

Apico-aortic bypass (AAB) surgery is an alternative for transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) to reduce left ventricle (LV) overload in patients with severe aortic stenosis (AS). It consists in connecting the apex of the LV to the descending thoracic aorta with a valved conduit. Postoperative flow assessments show that two thirds of the outflow is conducted from the LV apex to the conduit, while only one third crosses the native aortic valve. In this study, we performed high speed particle image velocimetry (PIV) measurements of flow pattern within an in vitro elastic model of LV in the presence of a very severe AS, before and after AAB. Results indicate that AAB effectively relieves the LV outflow obstruction; however, it also leads to abnormal ventricular flow patterns. Normal LV flow dynamics is characterized by an emerging mitral jet flow followed by the development of a vortical flow with velocities directed towards the aortic valve, while measurements in the presence of AAB show systolic flow bifurcating to the apical conduit and to the aortic valve outflow tract. This study provides the first insight into the LV flow structure after AAB including outflow jets and disturbed stagnation regions.

Liners for ion transport membrane systems

DOEpatents

Carolan, Michael Francis; Miller, Christopher Francis

2010-08-10

Ion transport membrane system comprising (a) a pressure vessel comprising an interior, an exterior, an inlet, an inlet conduit, an outlet, and an outlet conduit; (b) a plurality of planar ion transport membrane modules disposed in the interior of the pressure vessel and arranged in series, each membrane module comprising mixed metal oxide ceramic material and having an interior region and an exterior region, wherein the inlet and the outlet of the pressure vessel are in flow communication with exterior regions of the membrane modules; (c) a gas manifold having an interior surface wherein the gas manifold is in flow communication with the interior region of each of the planar ion transport membrane modules and with the exterior of the pressure vessel; and (d) a liner disposed within any of the inlet conduit, the outlet conduit, and the interior surface of the gas manifold.

Laboratory simulations of tensile (hydro) fracture via cyclical fluid pressurisation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Benson, P. M.; Heap, M. J.; Lavallee, Y.; Flaws, A.; Hess, K.; Selvadurai, A. P.; Dingwell, D. B.

2011-12-01

During magma ascent, cracking and faulting of the host rock provide conduits for the movement of magmatic fluids. The spatial and temporal formation of such conduits, driven largely by pressurized magmas in the form of dykes, is of key importance in the volcano-tectonic system. In particular, it is known that both a fracture mechanical (brittle) mechanism (due to the propagating dyke tip) as well as a petrological mechanism (due to the elevated pressure-temperature environment), play roles in dyke propagation. As the use of elevated temperatures in the laboratory is technically challenging, early work has tended to concentrate either on analogue setups using gelatine and other materials that are fractured by injection of coloured water or - for simulation of representative pressures - a simplified experimental setup at modest (room) temperatures. Here, we overcome these difficulties by simulating magma intrusion in the laboratory through an experimental protocol that compresses a 'conduit' of magma encapsulated inside a hollow cylindrical shell. A well-controlled stress is then imposed onto the conduit which has the effect of transmitting this force onto the inner wall of the surrounding shell. Although we present our work with a view to investigating fluid driven tensile fracture applicable to high temperature processes, this general protocol may be used to analyse a wide range of processes whereby direct fluid pressure is used to fracture a host medium. To analyse the system, we make use of a number of well-known fracture mechanics methods allied to independently measured rheological parameters for the inner conduit to develop a model to explain (a) the stress relaxations, and (b) the peak stress measured at failure, as well as the observed interactions between the ductile inner conduit and brittle outer shell, interpreted as analogous to dykes driving though a volcanic edifice. We show that (a), the coupling of stress, strain and seismic data through time can be used to infer the stability of volcanic conduits and/or the state of the magma during periods of unrest by calculating the viscoelastic relaxation parameters and hence the modulus or viscosity of the melt, (b), that dyke propagation is initiated when the tensile strength of the country rock is overcome of between 7-11 MPa, in the case of basalt from Etna Volcano, and that the initial tensile failure is energetic enough to melt, and to produce shock waves in it, (c), that the fracture of silicate melt is strain rate dependent and the presence of cracks in the core rhyolite melt provides evidence that the fracture of the outer shell is sufficient to trigger the fracture of a magma conduit and potentially, episodes of explosive activity, and (d), that the material fracture parameters are largely temperature independent. We anticipate that these data will provide a starting point for more detailed models incorporating the full thermal-hydraulic-mechanical process, with applications ranging from deep ore-forming processes to geothermal energy extraction and improved hazard mitigation strategies.

Coupled fluid and solid evolution in analogue volcanic vents

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Solovitz, Stephen A.; Ogden, Darcy E.; Kim, Dave (Dae-Wook); Kim, Sang Young

2014-07-01

Volcanic eruptions emit rock particulates and gases at high speed and pressure, which change the shape of the surrounding rock. Simplified analytical solutions, field studies, and numerical models suggest that this process plays an important role in the behavior and hazards associated with explosive volcanic eruptions. Here we present results from a newly developed laboratory-scale apparatus designed to study this coupled process. The experiments used compressed air jets expanding into the laboratory through fabricated rock analogue material, which evolves through time during the experiment. The compressed air was injected at approximately 2.5 times atmospheric pressure. We fabricated rock analogues from sand and steel powder samples with a three-dimensional printing process. We studied the fluid development using phase-locked particle image velocimetry, while simultaneously observing the solid development via a video camera. We found that the fluid response was much more rapid than that of the solid, permitting a quasi-steady approximation. In most cases, the solid vent flared out rapidly, increasing its diameter by 20 to 100%. After the initial expansion, the vent and flow field achieved a near-steady condition for a long duration. The new expanded vent shapes permitted lower vent exit pressures and larger jet radii. In one experiment, after an initial vent shape development and establishment of steady flow behavior, rock failure occurred a second time, resulting in a new exit diameter and new steady state. This second failure was not precipitated by changes in the nozzle flow condition, and it radically changed the downstream flow dynamics. This experiment suggests that the brittle nature of volcanic host rock enables sudden vent expansion in the middle of an eruption without requiring a change in the conduit flow.

Effect of non-Newtonian viscosity on the fluid-dynamic characteristics in stenotic vessels

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Huh, Hyung Kyu; Ha, Hojin; Lee, Sang Joon

2015-08-01

Although blood is known to have shear-thinning and viscoelastic properties, the effects of such properties on the hemodynamic characteristics in various vascular environments are not fully understood yet. For a quantitative hemodynamic analysis, the refractive index of a transparent blood analogue needs to be matched with that of the flowing conduit in order to minimize the errors according to the distortion of the light. In this study, three refractive index-matched blood analogue fluids with different viscosities are prepared—one Newtonian and two non-Newtonian analogues—which correspond to healthy blood with 45 % hematocrit (i.e., normal non-Newtonian) and obese blood with higher viscosity (i.e., abnormal non-Newtonian). The effects of the non-Newtonian rheological properties of the blood analogues on the hemodynamic characteristics in the post-stenosis region of an axisymmetric stenosis model are experimentally investigated using particle image velocimetry velocity field measurement technique and pathline flow visualization. As a result, the centerline jet flow from the stenosis apex is suppressed by the shear-thinning feature of the blood analogues when the Reynolds number is smaller than 500. The lengths of the recirculation zone for abnormal and normal non-Newtonian blood analogues are 3.67 and 1.72 times shorter than that for the Newtonian analogue at Reynolds numbers smaller than 200. The Reynolds number of the transition from laminar to turbulent flow for all blood analogues increases as the shear-thinning feature increases, and the maximum wall shear stresses in non-Newtonian fluids are five times greater than those in Newtonian fluids. However, the shear-thinning effect on the hemodynamic characteristics is not significant at Reynolds numbers higher than 1000. The findings of this study on refractive index-matched non-Newtonian blood analogues can be utilized in other in vitro experiments, where non-Newtonian features dominantly affect the flow characteristics.

Experimental Observations of Multiscale Dynamics of Viscous Fluid Behavior: Implications in Volcanic Systems

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Arciniega-Ceballos, A.; Spina, L.; Scheu, B.; Dingwell, D. B.

2015-12-01

We have investigated the dynamics of Newtonian fluids with viscosities (10-1000 Pa s; corresponding to mafic to intermediate silicate melts) during slow decompression, in a Plexiglas shock tube. As an analogue fluid we used silicon oil saturated with Argon gas for 72 hours. Slow decompression, dropping from 10 MPa to ambient pressure, acts as the excitation mechanism, initiating several processes with their own distinct timescales. The evolution of this multi-timescale phenomenon generates complex non-stationary microseismic signals, which have been recorded with 7 high-dynamic piezoelectric sensors located along the conduit. Correlation analysis of these time series with the associated high-speed imaging enables characterization of distinct phases of the dynamics of these viscous fluids and the extraction of the time and the frequency characteristics of the individual processes. We have identified fluid-solid elastic interaction, degassing, fluid mass expansion and flow, bubble nucleation, growth, coalescence and collapse, foam building and vertical wagging. All these processes (in fine and coarse scales) are sequentially coupled in time, occur within specific pressure intervals, and exhibit a localized distribution in space. Their coexistence and interactions constitute the stress field and driving forces that determine the dynamics of the system. Our observations point to the great potential of this experimental approach in the understanding of volcanic processes and volcanic seismicity.

Fluid Characteristics and Evolution of Chelungpu fault of Taiwan

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Song, S. R.

2017-12-01

We analyzed geochemical characteristics, such as hydrogen and oxygen isotopes, and ionic concentrations, of fluid samples retrieved from various depth along boreholes of the Hole A and Hole B of Taiwan Chelungpu fault Drilling Project(TCDP) to trace the fluid sources. The results show that the source of fluid in the Hole B is mainly the tap water, while there are two probable sources in the Hole A owing to the abrupt shift of ionic concentrations at the depth of 200-300 m. The shallower fluid might be from the leakage above the depth of 300 m and is characteristic of lower ionic concentrations and the isotopic ratios are close to those of adjacent river water. However, the deeper fluid should be the thermal water from Kueichulin formation because of high ionic concentrations, especially HCO3-, and higher oxygen isotope, which suggests higher temperature and more isotope exchange. Two sources of fluid of the Hole A are representative of the fluid systems in the hanging wall and foot wall respectively. The characteristics of fluids in the Hole A imply that the fault zone serves as a barrier in the inter-seismic period, resulting in distinctly different fluid between the Hanging wall and the foot wall. The frequent occurrence and the distribution of calcite veins provide the evidence of the upwelling of HCO3-rich fluid of Kueichulin formation and indicate that the fault served as fluid conduit during faulting and allowed the fluid flow across the fault zone to precipitate calcite veins in fractures of the hanging wall. Thus, we can deduce the mechanism of local groundwater flow during different stages of fault development by evidences such as calcite veins distribution, regional groundwater geology, and fluids characteristics in boreholes of the Hole-A and Hole B. During inter-seismic period, groundwater flows below and above the fault zone are separated by the impermeable fault gouge layer. In co-seismic time, faulting breaks the gouge layer, providing openings that let the over-pressured thermal water which contained high concentration of bicarbonate ion to surge up. After co-seismic period, the gouge layer is sealed again, residual thermal water which contained high concentration of bicarbonate ion in the hanging wall gradually precipitated calcite in fractures and the closer precipitation took place, the more calcite veins.

Development of a 30-kA cable-in-conduit conductor for pulsed poloidal coils

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

Takashi, Y.; Dresner, L.; Kato, T.

1983-05-01

This paper describes design parameters of a 30-kA cable-in-conduit conductor (JF-30), and the test results of stability margin measured by using a triplex in a conduit. Cross sectional size of JF-30 is 35mm X 35 mm and 567 NbTi-Cu-CuNi strands are in a stainless steel conduit whose thickness is 2 mm. Void fraction is 33 % and the designed stability margin is 270 mJ/cc at 5 atm and 7 T. Stability test by a triplex showed a favorable margin, a few hundreds of mJ at 7 T even without helium flow. In addition, the stability was strongly increased when heliummore » flow up to 0.2 g/s was applied. At around 3 atm, the authors found that the stability margin was more than 2 J/cc which exceeded the present heater capacity. This resulted in an extension of current range, in which the sample is stable, up to 150 to 200 % when compared to the case without helium flow.« less

System for supporting a bundled tube fuel injector within a combustor

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

LeBegue, Jeffrey Scott; Melton, Patrick Benedict; Westmoreland, III, James Harold

A combustor includes an end cover having an outer side and an inner side, an outer barrel having a forward end that is adjacent to the inner side of the end cover and an aft end that is axially spaced from the forward end. An inner barrel is at least partially disposed concentrically within the outer barrel and is fixedly connected to the outer barrel. A fluid conduit extends downstream from the end cover. A first bundled tube fuel injector segment is disposed concentrically within the inner barrel. The bundled tube fuel injector segment includes a fuel plenum that ismore » in fluid communication with the fluid conduit and a plurality of parallel tubes that extend axially through the fuel plenum. The bundled tube fuel injector segment is fixedly connected to the inner barrel.« less

[Experimental studies of original valved conduit using glutaraldehyde-preserved equine pericardium (Xenomedica)].

PubMed

Murakami, T

1989-05-01

Extracardiac conduits, such as Dacron or homo-graft, have been utilized for the operative management of many patients with congenital right ventricular outflow obstruction. However, they have been recognized to become obstructed or calcified with time. As a new material for extracardiac conduit, an original valved conduit using glutaraldehyde-preserved equine pericardium (Xenomedica) was investigated. Various types of valved conduit were evaluated for the hydrodynamics by a circulation system. A flow-pressure gradient Lissajous was used for the evaluation. The conduit of 10 mm in diameter had a high resistance to flow. The monocusp-valved conduit had a diastolic regurgitation (DR) at any given pressures and heart rates. The bicusp-valved conduit had a DR at higher heart rates (greater than 153/min). In this experiment, the tricusp-valved conduit with a valvular vertical versus horizontal length ratio of 2:3 had utmost favorable results under any given conditions. The valved conduits were also evaluated using sixteen mongrel dogs in which the conduit were used for the reconstruction of continuity between right ventricle and pulmonary artery. Five dogs died of bacterial infection or thrombotic obstruction. Following hemodynamic studies, which were performed in eleven dogs 1, 6, and 12 months after the operation, the dogs were sacrificed to evaluate the histological changes in the conduits. The valvular function had been satisfactory until one month, however, it was lost in 6 months because the valvular leaflets were covered with neointimae grown over them. Thin neointimae were observed both at the sites of anastomosis and at the base of the valves in dogs sacrificed at one month. They spread from the proximal anastomotic site to distal one. They were organized and it was hard to remove them manually. Thrombi were found in six dogs at the proximal anastomotic site with intimal hyperplasia. There was no calcification in Xenomedica and its degenerative change was minimal. In conclusion, the equine pericardium valved conduit is thought to be an useful material for the reconstruction of right ventricular outflow obstruction to improve early hemodynamic changes after operation.

Origins and Driving Mechanisms for Shallow Methane Accumulations on the Svyatogor Ridge, Fram Strait

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Waghorn, K. A.; Bunz, S.; Plaza-Faverola, A. A.; Westvig, I. M.; Johnson, J. E.

2015-12-01

The Svyatogor Ridge, located west of the Knipovich Spreading Ridge (KR) and south of the Molloy Transform Fault (MTF), is hypothesized to have once been the south tip of Vestnesa Ridge; a large sediment drift that was offset during the last 2 Ma along the MTF. The sedimentary cover across Svyatogor Ridge is limited, compared to Vestnesa Ridge, and basement outcrops are identified ~850 mbsf on the apex of the ridge. Despite the limited sedimentation, and its unique location at the intersection between the KR and MTF, Svyatogor Ridge has evidence of shallow gas accumulations; a strong BSR indicating a gas hydrate and underlying free gas system, and fluid flow pathways to the seafloor culminating in pockmarks. Using a high-resolution P-Cable 3D seismic survey, 2D seismic, and multibeam bathymetry data, we investigate how tectonic and sedimentary regimes have influenced the formation of a well-developed gas hydrate system. Sedimentation related with the Vestnesa drift on Svyatogor Ridge is interpreted to have begun ~2-3 Ma. The young age of the underlying oceanic crust, and subsequent synrift sediments below drift strata, suggests gas production from early Miocene aged hydrocarbon source identified in ODP Site 909 to the west, is unlikely in this region. Additionally, given the ultra-slow, magma limited spreading regime of the KR, we do not expect significant thermogenic methane generation from shallow magmatic sources. Therefore, in addition to some microbial gas production, Johnson et al. (2015) hypothesize a contribution from an abiotic source may explain the well-developed gas hydrate system. Large-scale basement faults identified in the seismic data are interpreted as detachment faults, which have exhumed relatively young ultramafic rocks. These detachment faults act as conduits for fluid flow, allowing circulation of seawater to drive serpentinization and subsequently act as pathways for fluids and abiotic methane to reach the shallow subsurface. This work aims to constrain the sedimentary and tectonic history of Svyatogor Ridge to determine 1) the relative interactions between basement detachment faults and overlying faults in the sedimentary cover, 2) the potential role of these faults as gas/fluid conduits and 3) how the underlying structural evolution has influenced the evolution of the gas hydrate system.

A natural example of fluid-mediated brittle-ductile cyclicity in quartz veins from Olkiluoto Island, SW Finland

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Marchesini, Barbara; Garofalo, Paolo S.; Viola, Giulio; Mattila, Jussi; Menegon, Luca

2017-04-01

Brittle faults are well known as preferential conduits for localised fluid flow in crystalline rocks. Their study can thus reveal fundamental details of the physical-chemical properties of the flowing fluid phase and of the mutual feedbacks between mechanical properties of faults and fluids. Crustal deformation at the brittle-ductile transition may occur by a combination of competing brittle fracturing and viscous flow processes, with short-lived variations in fluid pressure as a viable mechanism to produce this cyclicity switch. Therefore, a detailed study of the fluid phases potentially present in faults can help to better constrain the dynamic evolution of crustal strength within the seismogenic zone, as a function of varying fluid phase characteristics. With the aim to 1) better understand the complexity of brittle-ductile cyclicity under upper to mid-crustal conditions and 2) define the physical and chemical features of the involved fluid phase, we present the preliminary results of a recently launched (micro)structural and geochemical project. We study deformed quartz veins associated with brittle-ductile deformation zones on Olkiluoto Island, chosen as the site for the Finnish deep repository for spent nuclear fuel excavated in the Paleoproterozoic crust of southwestern Finland. The presented results stem from the study of brittle fault zone BFZ300, which is a mixed brittle and ductile deformation zone characterized by complex kinematics and associated with multiple generations of quartz veins, and which serves as a pertinent example of the mechanisms of fluid flow-deformation feedbacks during brittle-ductile cyclicity in nature. A kinematic and dynamic mesostructural study is being integrated with the detailed analysis of petrographic thin sections from the fault core and its immediate surroundings with the aim to reconstruct the mechanical deformation history along the entire deformation zone. Based on the observed microstructures, it was possible to recognize three distinct episodes of ductile deformation alternating with at least three brittle episodes. Preliminary fluid inclusion data show that, during crystallization and brittle-viscous deformation, quartz crystals hosted homogeneous and heterogeneous (boiling) aqueous fluids with a large salinity (11.7-0 wt% NaCleq) and Thtot (410-200 °C) range. Boiling occurred at 200-260 °C. Variations of fluid temperature and density (hence, viscosity) may thus have induced localized cyclic switches between brittle and ductile deformation in quartz, with implications on the bulk regional crustal strength. Preliminary EBSD analysis also supports the hypothesis of cyclic switches between brittle and viscous deformation.

Assessing potential errors of MRI-based measurements of pulmonary blood flow using a detailed network flow model

PubMed Central

Buxton, R. B.; Prisk, G. K.

2012-01-01

MRI images of pulmonary blood flow using arterial spin labeling (ASL) measure the delivery of magnetically tagged blood to an image plane during one systolic ejection period. However, the method potentially suffers from two problems, each of which may depend on the imaging plane location: 1) the inversion plane is thicker than the imaging plane, resulting in a gap that blood must cross to be detected in the image; and 2) ASL includes signal contributions from tagged blood in conduit vessels (arterial and venous). By using an in silico model of the pulmonary circulation we found the gap reduced the ASL signal to 64–74% of that in the absence of a gap in the sagittal plane and 53–84% in the coronal. The contribution of the conduit vessels varied markedly as a function of image plane ranging from ∼90% of the overall signal in image planes that encompass the central hilar vessels to <20% in peripheral image planes. A threshold cutoff removing voxels with intensities >35% of maximum reduced the conduit vessel contribution to the total ASL signal to ∼20% on average; however, planes with large contributions from conduit vessels underestimate acinar flow due to a high proportion of in-plane flow, making ASL measurements of perfusion impractical. In other image planes, perfusion dominated the resulting ASL images with good agreement between ASL and acinar flow. Similarly, heterogeneity of the ASL signal as measured by relative dispersion is a reliable measure of heterogeneity of the acinar flow distribution in the same image planes. PMID:22539167

Assessing potential errors of MRI-based measurements of pulmonary blood flow using a detailed network flow model.

PubMed

Burrowes, K S; Buxton, R B; Prisk, G K

2012-07-01

MRI images of pulmonary blood flow using arterial spin labeling (ASL) measure the delivery of magnetically tagged blood to an image plane during one systolic ejection period. However, the method potentially suffers from two problems, each of which may depend on the imaging plane location: 1) the inversion plane is thicker than the imaging plane, resulting in a gap that blood must cross to be detected in the image; and 2) ASL includes signal contributions from tagged blood in conduit vessels (arterial and venous). By using an in silico model of the pulmonary circulation we found the gap reduced the ASL signal to 64-74% of that in the absence of a gap in the sagittal plane and 53-84% in the coronal. The contribution of the conduit vessels varied markedly as a function of image plane ranging from ∼90% of the overall signal in image planes that encompass the central hilar vessels to <20% in peripheral image planes. A threshold cutoff removing voxels with intensities >35% of maximum reduced the conduit vessel contribution to the total ASL signal to ∼20% on average; however, planes with large contributions from conduit vessels underestimate acinar flow due to a high proportion of in-plane flow, making ASL measurements of perfusion impractical. In other image planes, perfusion dominated the resulting ASL images with good agreement between ASL and acinar flow. Similarly, heterogeneity of the ASL signal as measured by relative dispersion is a reliable measure of heterogeneity of the acinar flow distribution in the same image planes.

Assessing lateral flows and solute transport during floods in a conduit-flow-dominated karst system using the inverse problem for the advection-diffusion equation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cholet, Cybèle; Charlier, Jean-Baptiste; Moussa, Roger; Steinmann, Marc; Denimal, Sophie

2017-07-01

The aim of this study is to present a framework that provides new ways to characterize the spatio-temporal variability of lateral exchanges for water flow and solute transport in a karst conduit network during flood events, treating both the diffusive wave equation and the advection-diffusion equation with the same mathematical approach, assuming uniform lateral flow and solute transport. A solution to the inverse problem for the advection-diffusion equations is then applied to data from two successive gauging stations to simulate flows and solute exchange dynamics after recharge. The study site is the karst conduit network of the Fourbanne aquifer in the French Jura Mountains, which includes two reaches characterizing the network from sinkhole to cave stream to the spring. The model is applied, after separation of the base from the flood components, on discharge and total dissolved solids (TDSs) in order to assess lateral flows and solute concentrations and compare them to help identify water origin. The results showed various lateral contributions in space - between the two reaches located in the unsaturated zone (R1), and in the zone that is both unsaturated and saturated (R2) - as well as in time, according to hydrological conditions. Globally, the two reaches show a distinct response to flood routing, with important lateral inflows on R1 and large outflows on R2. By combining these results with solute exchanges and the analysis of flood routing parameters distribution, we showed that lateral inflows on R1 are the addition of diffuse infiltration (observed whatever the hydrological conditions) and localized infiltration in the secondary conduit network (tributaries) in the unsaturated zone, except in extreme dry periods. On R2, despite inflows on the base component, lateral outflows are observed during floods. This pattern was attributed to the concept of reversal flows of conduit-matrix exchanges, inducing a complex water mixing effect in the saturated zone. From our results we build the functional scheme of the karst system. It demonstrates the impact of the saturated zone on matrix-conduit exchanges in this shallow phreatic aquifer and highlights the important role of the unsaturated zone on storage and transfer functions of the system.

Starling forces drive intracranial water exchange during normal and pathological states

PubMed Central

Linninger, Andreas A.; Xu, Colin; Tangen, Kevin; Hartung, Grant

2017-01-01

Aim To quantify the exchange of water between cerebral compartments, specifically blood, tissue, perivascular pathways, and cerebrospinal fluid-filled spaces, on the basis of experimental data and to propose a dynamic global model of water flux through the entire brain to elucidate functionally relevant fluid exchange phenomena. Methods The mechanistic computer model to predict brain water shifts is discretized by cerebral compartments into nodes. Water and species flux is calculated between these nodes across a network of arcs driven by Hagen-Poiseuille flow (blood), Darcy flow (interstitial fluid transport), and Starling’s Law (transmembrane fluid exchange). Compartment compliance is accounted for using a pressure-volume relationship to enforce the Monro-Kellie doctrine. This nonlinear system of differential equations is solved implicitly using MATLAB software. Results The model predictions of intraventricular osmotic injection caused a pressure rise from 10 to 22 mmHg, followed by a taper to 14 mmHg over 100 minutes. The computational results are compared to experimental data with R2 = 0.929. Moreover, simulated osmotic therapy of systemic (blood) injection reduced intracranial pressure from 25 to 10 mmHg. The modeled volume and intracranial pressure changes following cerebral edema agree with experimental trends observed in animal models with R2 = 0.997. Conclusion The model successfully predicted time course and the efficacy of osmotic therapy for clearing cerebral edema. Furthermore, the mathematical model implicated the perivascular pathways as a possible conduit for water and solute exchange. This was a first step to quantify fluid exchange throughout the brain. PMID:29308830

A Preprocessor for Modeling Nonpoint Sources in Fractured Media using MODFLOW and MT3D

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mun, Y.; Uchrin, C. G.

2002-05-01

There are a multitude of fractures in the geological structure of fractured media which act as conduits for subsurface fluid flow. The hydraulic properties of this flow are very heterogeneous even within a single unit and this heterogeneity is very localized. As a result, modeling flow in fractured media is difficult due to this heterogeneity. There are two major approaches to simulate the flow and transport of fluid flow in fractured media: the discrete fracture approach and the continuum approach. Precise characteristics such as geometry are required to use the discrete fracture approach. It, however, is difficult to determine the fluid flow through the fractures because of inaccessibility. In the continuum approach, although head distributions can match to well data, chemical concentration distributions are hard to match well sample concentration observations, because some aquifers are dominated by advective transport and others are likely to serve as reservoirs for immobile solutes. The MODFLOW preprocessor described in this paper has been developed and applied to the Cranberry Lake system in Northwestern New Jersey. Cranberry Lake has exhibited eutrophic characteristics for some time by nonpoint sources including surface water runoff, leaching from local septic systems and direct deposition. It has been estimated that 70% of the nutrient loading to the lake flows through fractured media from septic systems. The preprocessor presented in this paper utilizes percolation theory, which is concerned with the existence of ­ropen paths­_. The percolation threshold of a body-centered cubic lattice (3D), a square lattice (2D) and several other percolation numbers are applied to make the model system represent the fractured media. The distribution of hydraulic head within groundwater is simulated by MODFLOW and the advection-dispersion equation of nitrate transport is solved by MT3D. This study also simulates boron transport as an indicator.

Solid-cryogen-stabilized, cable-in-conduit (CIC) superconducting cables

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Voccio, J. P.; Michael, P. C.; Bromberg, L.; Hahn, S.

2015-12-01

This paper considers the use of a solid cryogen as a means to stabilize, both mechanically and thermally, magnesium diboride (MgB2) superconducting strands within a dual-channel cable-in-conduit (CIC) cable for use in AC applications, such as a generator stator winding. The cable consists of two separate channels; the outer channel contains the superconducting strands and is filled with a fluid (liquid or gas) that becomes solid at the device operating temperature. Several options for fluid will be presented, such as liquid nitrogen, hydrocarbons and other chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) that have a range of melting temperatures and volumetric expansions (from solid at operating temperature to fixed volume at room temperature). Implications for quench protection and conductor stability, enhanced through direct contact with the solid cryogen, which has high heat capacity and thermal conductivity (compared with helium gas), will be presented. Depending on the cryogen, the conductor will be filled initially either with liquid at atmospheric conditions or a gas at high pressure (∼100 atm). After cooldown, the cryogen in the stranded-channel will be solid, essentially locking the strands in place, preventing strand motion and degradation due to mechanical deformation while providing enhanced thermal capacity for stability and protection. The effect of cryogen porosity is also considered. The relatively high heat capacity of solid cryogens at these lower temperatures (compared to gaseous helium) enhances the thermal stability of the winding. During operation, coolant flow through the open inner channel will minimize pressure drop.

In situ reactor

DOEpatents

Radtke, Corey William; Blackwelder, David Bradley

2004-01-27

An in situ reactor for use in a geological strata, is described and which includes a liner defining a centrally disposed passageway and which is placed in a borehole formed in the geological strata; and a sampling conduit is received within the passageway defined by the liner and which receives a geological specimen which is derived from the geological strata, and wherein the sampling conduit is in fluid communication with the passageway defined by the liner.

A numerical program for steady-state flow of magma-gas mixtures through vertical eruptive conduits

USGS Publications Warehouse

Mastin, Larry G.; Ghiorso, Mark S.

2000-01-01

This report presents a model that calculates flow properties (pressure, vesicularity, and some 35 other parameters) as a function of vertical position within a volcanic conduit during a steady-state eruption. The model idealizes the magma-gas mixture as a single homogeneousfluid and calculates gas exsolution under the assumption of equilibrium conditions. These are the same assumptions on which classic conduit models (e.g. Wilson and Head, 1981) have been based. They are most appropriate when applied to eruptions of rapidly ascending magma (basaltic lava-fountain eruptions, and Plinian or sub-Plinian eruptions of intermediate or silicic magmas) that contains abundant nucleation sites (microlites, for example) for bubble growth.

Norwood with right ventricle-to-pulmonary artery conduit is more effective than Norwood with Blalock-Taussig shunt for hypoplastic left heart syndrome: mathematic modeling of hemodynamics.

PubMed

Mroczek, Tomasz; Małota, Zbigniew; Wójcik, Elżbieta; Nawrat, Zbigniew; Skalski, Janusz

2011-12-01

The introduction of right ventricle to pulmonary artery (RV-PA) conduit in the Norwood procedure for hypoplastic left heart syndrome resulted in a higher survival rate in many centers. A higher diastolic aortic pressure and a higher mean coronary perfusion pressure were suggested as the hemodynamic advantage of this source of pulmonary blood flow. The main objective of this study was the comparison of two models of Norwood physiology with different types of pulmonary blood flow sources and their hemodynamics. Based on anatomic details obtained from echocardiographic assessment and angiographic studies, two three-dimensional computer models of post-Norwood physiology were developed. The finite-element method was applied for computational hemodynamic simulations. Norwood physiology with RV-PA 5-mm conduit and Blalock-Taussig shunt (BTS) 3.5-mm shunt were compared. Right ventricle work, wall stress, flow velocity, shear rate stress, energy loss and turbulence eddy dissipation were analyzed in both models. The total work of the right ventricle after Norwood procedure with the 5-mm RV-PA conduit was lower in comparison to the 3.5-mm BTS while establishing an identical systemic blood flow. The Qp/Qs ratio was higher in the BTS group. Hemodynamic performance after Norwood with the RV-PA conduit is more effective than after Norwood with BTS. Computer simulations of complicated hemodynamics after the Norwood procedure could be helpful in establishing optimal post-Norwood physiology. Copyright © 2011 European Association for Cardio-Thoracic Surgery. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Gadolinium-based Contrast Media, Cerebrospinal Fluid and the Glymphatic System: Possible Mechanisms for the Deposition of Gadolinium in the Brain.

PubMed

Taoka, Toshiaki; Naganawa, Shinji

2018-04-10

After Kanda's first report in 2014 on gadolinium (Gd) deposition in brain tissue, a considerable number of studies have investigated the explanation for the observation. Gd deposition in brain tissue after repeated administration of gadolinium-based contrast medium (GBCM) has been histologically proven, and chelate stability has been shown to affect the deposition. However, the mechanism for this deposition has not been fully elucidated. Recently, a hypothesis was introduced that involves the 'glymphatic system', which is a coined word that combines 'gl' for glia cell and 'lymphatic' system. According to this hypothesis, the perivascular space functions as a conduit for cerebrospinal fluid to flow into the brain parenchyma. The perivascular space around the arteries allows cerebrospinal fluid to enter the interstitial space of the brain tissue through water channels controlled by aquaporin 4. The cerebrospinal fluid entering the interstitial space clears waste proteins from the tissue. It then flows into the perivascular space around the vein and is discharged outside the brain. In addition to the hypothesis regarding the glymphatic system, some reports have described that after GBCM administration, some of the GBCM distributes through systemic blood circulation and remains in other compartments including the cerebrospinal fluid. It is thought that the GBCM distributed into the cerebrospinal fluid cavity via the glymphatic system may remain in brain tissue for a longer duration compared to the GBCM in systemic circulation. Glymphatic system may of course act as a clearance system for GBCM from brain tissue. Based on these findings, the mechanism for Gd deposition in the brain will be discussed in this review. The authors speculate that the glymphatic system may be the major contributory factor to the deposition and clearance of gadolinium in brain tissue.

Gadolinium-based Contrast Media, Cerebrospinal Fluid and the Glymphatic System: Possible Mechanisms for the Deposition of Gadolinium in the Brain

PubMed Central

Taoka, Toshiaki; Naganawa, Shinji

2018-01-01

After Kanda’s first report in 2014 on gadolinium (Gd) deposition in brain tissue, a considerable number of studies have investigated the explanation for the observation. Gd deposition in brain tissue after repeated administration of gadolinium-based contrast medium (GBCM) has been histologically proven, and chelate stability has been shown to affect the deposition. However, the mechanism for this deposition has not been fully elucidated. Recently, a hypothesis was introduced that involves the ‘glymphatic system’, which is a coined word that combines ‘gl’ for glia cell and ‘lymphatic’ system. According to this hypothesis, the perivascular space functions as a conduit for cerebrospinal fluid to flow into the brain parenchyma. The perivascular space around the arteries allows cerebrospinal fluid to enter the interstitial space of the brain tissue through water channels controlled by aquaporin 4. The cerebrospinal fluid entering the interstitial space clears waste proteins from the tissue. It then flows into the perivascular space around the vein and is discharged outside the brain. In addition to the hypothesis regarding the glymphatic system, some reports have described that after GBCM administration, some of the GBCM distributes through systemic blood circulation and remains in other compartments including the cerebrospinal fluid. It is thought that the GBCM distributed into the cerebrospinal fluid cavity via the glymphatic system may remain in brain tissue for a longer duration compared to the GBCM in systemic circulation. Glymphatic system may of course act as a clearance system for GBCM from brain tissue. Based on these findings, the mechanism for Gd deposition in the brain will be discussed in this review. The authors speculate that the glymphatic system may be the major contributory factor to the deposition and clearance of gadolinium in brain tissue. PMID:29367513

Capillary condenser/evaporator

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Valenzuela, Javier A. (Inventor)

2010-01-01

A heat transfer device is disclosed for transferring heat to or from a fluid that is undergoing a phase change. The heat transfer device includes a liquid-vapor manifold in fluid communication with a capillary structure thermally connected to a heat transfer interface, all of which are disposed in a housing to contain the vapor. The liquid-vapor manifold transports liquid in a first direction and conducts vapor in a second, opposite direction. The manifold provides a distributed supply of fluid (vapor or liquid) over the surface of the capillary structure. In one embodiment, the manifold has a fractal structure including one or more layers, each layer having one or more conduits for transporting liquid and one or more openings for conducting vapor. Adjacent layers have an increasing number of openings with decreasing area, and an increasing number of conduits with decreasing cross-sectional area, moving in a direction toward the capillary structure.

Experimental tests of truncated diffusion in fault damage zones

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Suzuki, Anna; Hashida, Toshiyuki; Li, Kewen; Horne, Roland N.

2016-11-01

Fault zones affect the flow paths of fluids in groundwater aquifers and geological reservoirs. Fault-related fracture damage decreases to background levels with increasing distance from the fault core according to a power law. This study investigated mass transport in such a fault-related structure using nonlocal models. A column flow experiment is conducted to create a permeability distribution that varies with distance from a main conduit. The experimental tracer response curve is preasymptotic and implies subdiffusive transport, which is slower than the normal Fickian diffusion. If the surrounding area is a finite domain, an upper truncated behavior in tracer response (i.e., exponential decline at late times) is observed. The tempered anomalous diffusion (TAD) model captures the transition from subdiffusive to Fickian transport, which is characterized by a smooth transition from power-law to an exponential decline in the late-time breakthrough curves.

Sloshing of a bubbly magma reservoir as a mechanism of triggered eruptions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Namiki, Atsuko; Rivalta, Eleonora; Woith, Heiko; Walter, Thomas R.

2016-06-01

Large earthquakes sometimes activate volcanoes both in the near field as well as in the far field. One possible explanation is that shaking may increase the mobility of the volcanic gases stored in magma reservoirs and conduits. Here experimentally and theoretically we investigate how sloshing, the oscillatory motion of fluids contained in a shaking tank, may affect the presence and stability of bubbles and foams, with important implications for magma conduits and reservoirs. We adopt this concept from engineering: severe earthquakes are known to induce sloshing and damage petroleum tanks. Sloshing occurs in a partially filled tank or a fully filled tank with density-stratified fluids. These conditions are met at open summit conduits or at sealed magma reservoirs where a bubbly magma layer overlays a newly injected denser magma layer. We conducted sloshing experiments by shaking a rectangular tank partially filled with liquids, bubbly fluids (foams) and fully filled with density-stratified fluids; i.e., a foam layer overlying a liquid layer. In experiments with foams, we find that foam collapse occurs for oscillations near the resonance frequency of the fluid layer. Low viscosity and large bubble size favor foam collapse during sloshing. In the layered case, the collapsed foam mixes with the underlying liquid layer. Based on scaling considerations, we constrain the conditions for the occurrence of foam collapse in natural magma reservoirs. We find that seismic waves with lower frequencies < 1 Hz, usually excited by large earthquakes, can resonate with magma reservoirs whose width is > 0.5 m. Strong ground motion > 0.1 m s- 1 can excite sloshing with sufficient amplitude to collapse a magma foam in an open conduit or a foam overlying basaltic magma in a closed magma reservoir. The gas released from the collapsed foam may infiltrate the rock or diffuse through pores, enhancing heat transfer, or may generate a gas slug to cause a magmatic eruption. The overturn in the magma reservoir provides new nucleation sites which may help to prepare a following/delayed eruption. Mt. Fuji erupted 49 days after the large Hoei earthquake (1707) both dacitic and basaltic magmas. The eruption might have been triggered by magma mixing through sloshing.

Observation of Dispersive Shock Waves, Solitons, and Their Interactions in Viscous Fluid Conduits.

PubMed

Maiden, Michelle D; Lowman, Nicholas K; Anderson, Dalton V; Schubert, Marika E; Hoefer, Mark A

2016-04-29

Dispersive shock waves and solitons are fundamental nonlinear excitations in dispersive media, but dispersive shock wave studies to date have been severely constrained. Here, we report on a novel dispersive hydrodynamic test bed: the effectively frictionless dynamics of interfacial waves between two high viscosity contrast, miscible, low Reynolds number Stokes fluids. This scenario is realized by injecting from below a lighter, viscous fluid into a column filled with high viscosity fluid. The injected fluid forms a deformable pipe whose diameter is proportional to the injection rate, enabling precise control over the generation of symmetric interfacial waves. Buoyancy drives nonlinear interfacial self-steepening, while normal stresses give rise to the dispersion of interfacial waves. Extremely slow mass diffusion and mass conservation imply that the interfacial waves are effectively dissipationless. This enables high fidelity observations of large amplitude dispersive shock waves in this spatially extended system, found to agree quantitatively with a nonlinear wave averaging theory. Furthermore, several highly coherent phenomena are investigated including dispersive shock wave backflow, the refraction or absorption of solitons by dispersive shock waves, and the multiphase merging of two dispersive shock waves. The complex, coherent, nonlinear mixing of dispersive shock waves and solitons observed here are universal features of dissipationless, dispersive hydrodynamic flows.

Characterizing flow pathways in a sandstone aquifer at multiple depths

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Medici, Giacomo; West, Jared; Mountney, Nigel

2017-04-01

Sandstone aquifers are commonly assumed to represent porous media characterized by a permeable matrix. However, such aquifers may be heavily fractured where rock properties and timing of deformation favour brittle failure and crack opening. In many aquifer types, fractures associated with faults, bedding planes and stratabound joints represent preferential pathways for fluids and contaminants. This presentation reports well-test results and outcrop-scale studies that reveal how strongly lithified siliciclastic rocks may be entirely dominated by fracture flow at shallow depths (≤ 150 m), similar to limestone and crystalline aquifers. The Triassic St Bees Sandstone Formation of the UK East Irish Sea Basin represents an optimum succession for study of the influence of both sedimentary and tectonic aquifer heterogeneities in a strongly lithified sandstone aquifer-type. This sedimentary succession of fluvial origin accumulated in rapidly subsiding basins, which typically favour preservation of complete depositional cycles, including fine-grained mudstone and silty sandstone layers of floodplain origin interbedded with sandstone-dominated fluvial channel deposits. Vertical joints in the St Bees Sandstone Formation form a pervasive stratabound system whereby joints terminate at bedding-parallel discontinuities. Additionally, normal faults are present through the succession and record development of open-fractures in their damage zones. Here, the shallow aquifer (depth ≤150 m BGL) was characterized in outcrop and well tests. Fluid temperature, conductivity and flow-velocity logs record inflows and outflows from normal faults, as well as from pervasive bed-parallel fractures. Quantitative flow logging analyses in boreholes that cut fault planes indicate that zones of fault-related open fractures typically represent ˜ 50% of well transmissivity. The remaining flow component is dominated by bed-parallel fractures. However, such sub-horizontal fractures become the principal flow conduits in wells that penetrate the exterior parts of fault damage zones, as well as in non-faulted areas. Optical televiewer logs show development of karst-like conduits in correspondence of bedding fractures and faults up to 150 m below the ground surface, where recharge water containing dissolved carbonic acid enlarges fractures; these features may be responsible for the relatively high field-scale permeability (K˜0.1-1 m/day) of the phreatic zone at these depths. Below this 'karstifed' zone, field-scale permeability progressively decreases from K˜10-2 to 10-4 m/day from 150 m to 1100 m depth. Notably, differences between plug and field-scale permeability, and frequency of well in-flows seen in temperature and conductivity logs, also decrease between intermediate (150 to 450 m) and elevated (450 to 1100 m) depths. This confirms how fracture closure leads to a progressively more important matrix contribution to flow with increasing lithostatic stress, leading to intergranular flow dominance at ˜ 1 km depth.

Apparatus and method for acoustic monitoring of steam quality and flow

DOEpatents

Sinha, Dipen N.; Pantea, Cristian

2016-09-13

An apparatus and method for noninvasively monitoring steam quality and flow and in pipes or conduits bearing flowing steam, are described. By measuring the acoustic vibrations generated in steam-carrying conduits by the flowing steam either by direct contact with the pipe or remotely thereto, converting the measured acoustic vibrations into a frequency spectrum characteristic of the natural resonance vibrations of the pipe, and monitoring the amplitude and/or the frequency of one or more chosen resonance frequencies, changes in the steam quality in the pipe are determined. The steam flow rate and the steam quality are inversely related, and changes in the steam flow rate are calculated from changes in the steam quality once suitable calibration curves are obtained.

Counter-current convection in a volcanic conduit

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fowler, A. C.; Robinson, Marguerite

2018-05-01

Volcanoes of Strombolian type are able to maintain their semi-permanent eruptive states through the constant convective recycling of magma within the conduit leading from the magma chamber. In this paper we study the form of this convection using an analytic model of degassing two-phase flow in a vertical channel. We provide solutions for the flow at small Grashof and large Prandtl numbers, and we suggest that permanent steady-state counter-current convection is only possible if an initial bubbly counter-current flow undergoes a régime transition to a churn-turbulent flow. We also suggest that the magma in the chamber must be under-pressured in order for the flow to be maintained, and that this compromises the assumed form of the flow.

Cooling assembly for fuel cells

DOEpatents

Kaufman, Arthur; Werth, John

1990-01-01

A cooling assembly for fuel cells having a simplified construction whereby coolant is efficiently circulated through a conduit arranged in serpentine fashion in a channel within a member of such assembly. The channel is adapted to cradle a flexible, chemically inert, conformable conduit capable of manipulation into a variety of cooling patterns without crimping or otherwise restricting of coolant flow. The conduit, when assembled with the member, conforms into intimate contact with the member for good thermal conductivity. The conduit is non-corrodible and can be constructed as a single, manifold-free, continuous coolant passage means having only one inlet and one outlet.

Permeability Measurements of Rock Samples from Conduit Drilling at Unzen Volcano, Japan

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Watanabe, T.; Shimizu, Y.; Noguchi, S.; Nakada, S.

2006-12-01

The last eruption of Unzen Volcano (1990-1995) was effusive to form lava domes, though magmas at depths are estimated to have contained volatile materials enough to cause explosive eruptions [e.g., Sato et al., 1995]. Most of volatile materials should have escaped from ascending magmas. The escape of gas is controlled by permeability of magmas and country rocks. Unzen Scientific Drilling Project sampled both the latest conduit and its country rock (USDP-4). In order to understand degassing processes, we have measured the permeability of these rock samples. Four cube samples with edges of 25 mm were cut from USDP-4 cores C1, C12 (country rock), C13 and C14 (conduit). Sample C1 is considered as Old Unzen Lava, and Sample C12 volcanic breccia. The transient pulse method was employed to measure the permeability. It applies a step of the fluid pressure difference across a specimen, and measures the decay rate of the fluid pressure difference. This method can be applied to samples with very low permeability, since it determines the permeability without measuring the fluid flux. Nitrogen gas was used as a pore fluid. Our permeametry system is built in a pressure vessel, and the confining pressure and the pore fluid pressure can be controlled independently. The temperature of the measurement system is kept constant within 0.1 degree. The temperature control and the background leak rate limit the measurable permeability to be higher than 10^{-20} m2. Measurements were first conducted under the atmospheric pressure. The permeability in a rock sample varies with the direction by a factor less than 5. Sample C1 has the lowest permeability (10^{-19} m2), and Sample C12 the highest value (10^{-17 m2). The permeability of C13 and C14 is of the order of 10^{- 18} m2. Though only a trace of vesicles can be seen in conduit samples, the interconnection is still maintained. The pressure dependence of the permeability is now investigated up to 50 MPa. The permeability of C13 and C14 (conduit samples) decreases by around one order of magnitude as the confining pressure increases from the atmospheric pressure to 50 MPa. The pressure dependence sensitively reflects the geometry of pores that control the interconnection of pores. Implications for degassing processes will be discussed on the basis of measured permeability and SEM images.

Noble gas and hydrocarbon tracers in multiphase unconventional hydrocarbon systems: Toward integrated advanced reservoir simulators

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Darrah, T.; Moortgat, J.; Poreda, R. J.; Muehlenbachs, K.; Whyte, C. J.

2015-12-01

Although hydrocarbon production from unconventional energy resources has increased dramatically in the last decade, total unconventional oil and gas recovery from black shales is still less than 25% and 9% of the totals in place, respectively. Further, the majority of increased hydrocarbon production results from increasing the lengths of laterals, the number of hydraulic fracturing stages, and the volume of consumptive water usage. These strategies all reduce the economic efficiency of hydrocarbon extraction. The poor recovery statistics result from an insufficient understanding of some of the key physical processes in complex, organic-rich, low porosity formations (e.g., phase behavior, fluid-rock interactions, and flow mechanisms at nano-scale confinement and the role of natural fractures and faults as conduits for flow). Noble gases and other hydrocarbon tracers are capably of recording subsurface fluid-rock interactions on a variety of geological scales (micro-, meso-, to macro-scale) and provide analogs for the movement of hydrocarbons in the subsurface. As such geochemical data enrich the input for the numerical modeling of multi-phase (e.g., oil, gas, and brine) fluid flow in highly heterogeneous, low permeability formations Herein we will present a combination of noble gas (He, Ne, Ar, Kr, and Xe abundances and isotope ratios) and molecular and isotopic hydrocarbon data from a geographically and geologically diverse set of unconventional hydrocarbon reservoirs in North America. Specifically, we will include data from the Marcellus, Utica, Barnett, Eagle Ford, formations and the Illinois basin. Our presentation will include geochemical and geological interpretation and our perspective on the first steps toward building an advanced reservoir simulator for tracer transport in multicomponent multiphase compositional flow (presented separately, in Moortgat et al., 2015).

The evolution of a valved hepatoduodenal intestinal conduit.

PubMed

Kaufman, B H; Luck, S R; Raffensperger, J G

1981-06-01

Ascending cholangitis remains among the most serious complications following operations for biliary disorders. The bacterial count of refluxing intestinal contents can be reduced by using an enteric conduit from the biliary tract to the relatively sterile duodenum. A valvular conduit prohibits reflux of intestinal contents and permits unobstructed antegrade flow of bile. This can be created by intussuscepting approximately 1 cm of intestine in the midportion of the conduit. During the last 3 yr, valvular conduits were created in 11 patients. Seven of these children were treated for biliary atresia, and 4 had operations for choledochal duct cysts. There have been no deaths or morbidity resulting from the use of the valvular conduits. The postoperative courses in these patients indicate that the use of an intussusception valve may be beneficial in the prevention of ascending cholangitis.

Capillary Channel Flow (CCF) EU2-02 on the International Space Station (ISS): An Experimental Investigation of Passive Bubble Separations in an Open Capillary Channel

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Weislogel, Mark M.; Wollman, Andrew P.; Jenson, Ryan M.; Geile, John T.; Tucker, John F.; Wiles, Brentley M.; Trattner, Andy L.; DeVoe, Claire; Sharp, Lauren M.; Canfield, Peter J.;

Superconducting cable-in-conduit low resistance splice

DOEpatents

Artman, Thomas A.

2003-06-24

A low resistance splice connects two cable-in-conduit superconductors to each other. Dividing collars for arranging sub-cable units from each conduit are provided, along with clamping collars for mating each sub-cable wire assembly to form mated assemblies. The mated assemblies ideally can be accomplished by way of splicing collar. The mated assemblies are cooled by way of a flow of coolant, preferably helium. A method for implementing such a splicing is also described.

Methods of measuring pumpage through closed-conduit irrigation systems

USGS Publications Warehouse

Kjelstrom, L.C.

1991-01-01

Methods of measuring volumes of water withdrawn from the Snake River and its tributaries and pumped through closed-conduit irrigation systems were needed for equitable management of and resolution of conflicts over water use. On the basis of evaluations and field tests by researchers from the University of Idaho, Water Resources Research Institute, Moscow, Idaho, an impeller meter was selected to monitor pumpage through closed-conduit systems. In 1988, impeller meters were installed at 20 pumping stations along the Snake River between the Upper Salmon Falls and C.J. Strike Dams. Impeller-derived pumpage data were adjusted if they differed substantially from ultrasonic flow-meter- or current-meter-derived values. Comparisons of pumpage data obtained by ultrasonic flow-meter and current-meter measurements indicated that the ultrasonic flow meter was a reliable means to check operation of impeller meters. The equipment generally performed satisfactorily, and reliable pumpage data could be obtained using impeller meters in closed-conduit irrigation systems. Many pumping stations that divert water from the Snake River for irrigation remain unmeasured; however, regression analyses indicate that total pumpage can be reasonably estimated on the basis of electrical power consumption data, an approximation of total head at a pumping station, and a derived coefficient.

Fuel cell crimp-resistant cooling device with internal coil

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Wittel, deceased, Charles F. (Inventor)

1986-01-01

A cooling assembly for fuel cells having a simplified construction whereby coolant is efficiently circulated through a conduit arranged in serpentine fashion in a channel within a member of such assembly. The channel is adapted to cradle a flexible, chemically inert, conformable conduit capable of manipulation into a variety of cooling patterns without crimping or otherwise restricting of coolant flow. The conduit, when assembled with the member, conforms into intimate contact with the member for good thermal conductivity. The conduit is non-corrodible and can be constructed as a single, manifold-free, continuous coolant passage means having only one inlet and one outlet. The conduit has an internal coil means which enables it to be bent in small radii without crimping.

Refrigerant pressurization system with a two-phase condensing ejector

DOEpatents

Bergander, Mark [Madison, CT

2009-07-14

A refrigerant pressurization system including an ejector having a first conduit for flowing a liquid refrigerant therethrough and a nozzle for accelerating a vapor refrigerant therethrough. The first conduit is positioned such that the liquid refrigerant is discharged from the first conduit into the nozzle. The ejector includes a mixing chamber for condensing the vapor refrigerant. The mixing chamber comprises at least a portion of the nozzle and transitions into a second conduit having a substantially constant cross sectional area. The condensation of the vapor refrigerant in the mixing chamber causes the refrigerant mixture in at least a portion of the mixing chamber to be at a pressure greater than that of the refrigerant entering the nozzle and greater than that entering the first conduit.

Fault-controlled permeability and fluid flow in low-porosity crystalline rocks: an example from naturally fractured geothermal systems in the Southern Andes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Arancibia, G.; Roquer, T.; Sepúlveda, J.; Veloso, E. A.; Morata, D.; Rowland, J. V.

2017-12-01

Fault zones can control the location, emplacement, and evolution of economic mineral deposits and geothermal systems by acting as barriers and/or conduits to crustal fluid flow (e.g. magma, gas, oil, hydro-geothermal and groundwater). The nature of the fault control permeability is critical in the case of fluid flow into low porosity/permeability crystalline rocks, since structural permeability provides the main hydraulic conductivity to generate a natural fractured system. However, several processes accompanying the failure of rocks (i.e. episodic permeability given by cycling ruptures, mineral precipitation from fluids in veins, dissolution of minerals in the vicinity of a fracture) promote a complex time-dependent and enhancing/reducing fault-controlled permeability. We propose the Southern Volcanic Zone (Southern Andes, Chile) as a case study to evaluate the role of the structural permeability in low porosity crystalline rocks belonging to the Miocene North Patagonian Batholith. Recently published studies propose a relatively well-constrained first-order role of two active fault systems, the arc-parallel (NS to NNE trending) Liquiñe Ofqui Fault System and the arc-oblique (NW trending) Andean Transverse Fault Zones, in fluid flow at crustal scales. We now propose to examine the Liquiñe ( 39°S) and Maihue ( 40°S) areas as sites of interaction between these fault systems, in order to evaluate a naturally fractured geothermal system. Preliminary results indicate upwelling of thermal water directly from fractured granite or from fluvial deposits overlying granitoids. Measured temperatures of thermal springs suggest a low- to medium-enthalpy system, which could potentially be harnessed for use in geothermal energy applications (e.g. heating, wood dryer and green house), which are much needed in Southern Chile. Future work will aim to examine the nature of structural permeability from the regional to the microscopic scale connecting the paleo- and current- fluid flow through the fractured media. Results will contribute to a better understanding of geothermal systems in the Andean tectonic setting and of naturally fractured reservoirs in low-porosity crystalline rocks around the world. Acknowledgments: This work is funded by CEGA-FONDAP/CONICYT #15090013 and VRI-PUENTE #P1703/2017.

Geostatistics applied to cross-well reflection seismic for imaging carbonate aquifers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Parra, Jorge; Emery, Xavier

2013-05-01

Cross-well seismic reflection data, acquired from a carbonate aquifer at Port Mayaca test site near the eastern boundary of Lake Okeechobee in Martin County, Florida, are used to delineate flow units in the region intercepted by two wells. The interwell impedance determined by inversion from the seismic reflection data allows us to visualize the major boundaries between the hydraulic units. The hydraulic (flow) unit properties are based on the integration of well logs and the carbonate structure, which consists of isolated vuggy carbonate units and interconnected vug systems within the carbonate matrix. The vuggy and matrix porosity logs based on Formation Micro-Imager (FMI) data provide information about highly permeable conduits at well locations. The integration of the inverted impedance and well logs using geostatistics helps us to assess the resolution of the cross-well seismic method for detecting conduits and to determine whether these conduits are continuous or discontinuous between wells. A productive water zone of the aquifer outlined by the well logs was selected for analysis and interpretation. The ELAN (Elemental Log Analysis) porosity from two wells was selected as primary data and the reflection seismic-based impedance as secondary data. The direct and cross variograms along the vertical wells capture nested structures associated with periodic carbonate units, which correspond to connected flow units between the wells. Alternatively, the horizontal variogram of impedance (secondary data) provides scale lengths that correspond to irregular boundary shapes of flow units. The ELAN porosity image obtained by cokriging exhibits three similar flow units at different depths. These units are thin conduits developed in the first well and, at about the middle of the interwell separation region, these conduits connect to thicker flow units that are intercepted by the second well. In addition, a high impedance zone (low porosity) at a depth of about 275 m, after being converted to ELAN porosity, is characterized as a more confined low porosity structure. This continuous zone corresponds to a permeability barrier in the carbonate aquifer that separates the three connected conduits observed in the cokriging image. In the zones above and below this permeability barrier, the water production is very high, which agrees with water well observations at the Port Mayaca aquifer.

Nature of local magma storage zones and geometry of conduit systems below balsatic eruption sites - Pu'u 'O'o, Kilauea East Rift, Hawaii, example

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Wilson, Lionel; Head, James W., III

1988-01-01

The fluid dynamics of the well-documented eruptive episodes at Pu'u 'O'o, Kilauea are used to investigate quantitatively the size and shape of the shallow conduit system beneath the vent. The possible geometry of this region is considered. The dynamics of the eruptive episodes is used to place restrictions on the size and shape of the region and thermal calculations are used to show that the geometry is consistent with the region being the fluid residue of the partially cooled, major preepisode 1 dike. The Pu'u 'O'o example is used to illustrate some general properties of shallow magma storage zones.

Calcite veining and feeding conduits in a hydrothermal system: Insights from a natural section across the Pleistocene Gölemezli travertine depositional system (western Anatolia, Turkey)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Capezzuoli, Enrico; Ruggieri, Giovanni; Rimondi, Valentina; Brogi, Andrea; Liotta, Domenico; Alçiçek, Mehmet Cihat; Alçiçek, Hülya; Bülbül, Ali; Gandin, Anna; Meccheri, Marco; Shen, Chuan-Chou; Baykara, Mehmet Oruç

2018-02-01

Linking the architecture of structural conduits with the hydrothermal fluids migrating from the reservoir up to the surface is a key-factor in geothermal research. A contribution to this achievement derives from the study of spring-related travertine deposits, but although travertine depositional systems occur widely, their feeding conduits are only rarely exposed. The integrated study carried out in the geothermal Gölemezli area, nearby the well-known Pamukkale area (Denizli Basin, western Anatolia, Turkey), focused on onyx-like calcite veins (banded travertine) and bedded travertine well exposed in a natural cross-section allowing the reconstruction of the shallower part of a geothermal system. The onyx-like veins represent the thickest vein network (> 150 m) so far known. New field mapping and structural/kinematic analyses allowed to document a partially dismantled travertine complex (bedded travertine) formed by proximal fissure ridges and distal terraced/pools depositional systems. The banded calcite veins, WNW-trending and up to 12 m thick, developed within a > 200 m thick damaged rock volume produced by parallel fault zones. Th/U dating indicates a long lasting (middle-late Pleistocene) fluids circulation in a palaeo-geothermal system that, due to its location and chemical characteristics, can be considered the analogue of the nearby, still active, Pamukkale system. The isotopic characteristics of the calcite veins together with data from fluid inclusions analyses, allow the reconstruction of some properties (i.e. temperature, salinity and isotopic composition) and processes (i.e. temperature variation and intensity of degassing) that characterized the parent fluids and the relation between degassing intensity and specific microfabric of calcite crystals (elongated/microsparite-micrite bands), controlled by changes/fluctuations of the physico-chemical fluid characteristics.

Interactions of diffuse and focused allogenic recharge in an eogenetic karst aquifer (Florida, USA)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Langston, Abigail L.; Screaton, Elizabeth J.; Martin, Jonathan B.; Bailly-Comte, Vincent

2012-06-01

The karstic upper Floridan aquifer in north-central Florida (USA) is recharged by both diffuse and allogenic recharge. To understand how recharged water moves within the aquifer, water levels and specific conductivities were monitored and slug tests were conducted in wells installed in the aquifer surrounding the Santa Fe River Sink and Rise. Results indicate that diffuse recharge does not mix rapidly within the aquifer but instead flows horizontally. Stratification may be aided by the high matrix porosity of the eogenetic karst aquifer. Purging wells for sample collection perturbed conductivity for several days, reflecting mixing of the stratified water and rendering collection of representative samples difficult. Interpretive numerical simulations suggest that diffuse recharge impacts the intrusion of allogenic water from the conduit by increasing hydraulic head in the surrounding aquifer and thereby reducing influx to the aquifer from the conduit. In turn, the increase of head within the conduits affects flow paths of diffuse recharge by moving newly recharged water vertically as the water table rises and falls. This movement may result in a broad vertical zone of dissolution at the water table above the conduit system, with thinner and more focused water-table dissolution at greater distance from the conduit.

Source model of volcanic tremor: two-phase flow instability in a pipe-valve system

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fujita, E.

2003-12-01

Volcanic tremor at a shallow depth beneath the volcano is inferred to link to hydrothermal activities powered by heat supply from magma. In this study, we developed numerical simulations of the instabilities of the water-steam two-phase flow in a pipe-valve system and considered the source mechanism of volcanic tremor. The experiments of two-phase flow by Veziroglu and Lee [1968] revealed the two kinds of oscillating modes, density wave oscillation with the period of a few seconds and pressure drop oscillation with the period of dozens of seconds. These modes were mainly controlled by the pressure difference between inlet and outlet, flux rate of fluid and heat supply rate. Especially, the former mode appears when the flux rate is small and the latter does when the pressure difference and heat supply rate are larger. We performed some preliminary numerical simulation of these oscillations in water-steam flow in a cylindrical conduit. As an example, we assume the flow in conduit of 4 m length with the valves at inlet and outlet with the conditions of non-slip at the wall. As initial conditions, the inlet and outlet pressures are fixed to be 1.2E5 Pa and 1.0E5 Pa, respectively, water temperature of 370 K, heat supply of 1.0E6 - 2.0E7W/m3. The friction except the valve area is assumed to be 1000kg/m3. After the heating condition becomes stable, we shut the valve at the outlet and detect the significant oscillation. In case of the heat supply of 1.1E7W/m3, density drop oscillation with the period of 0.16s has appeared. In this model, the oscillation originates from the density change due to vaporization, and its information arrives at the outlet with the velocity of two-phase flow. The cycle of heating and boiling controls the interval of the tremor occurrence and the period is determined by the length of the pipe and the flow velocity. The shut of valve physically corresponds to geometrical narrowing, choking, and non-linear effect of flow and/or surrounding medium.

Optimum working fluids for solar powered Rankine cycle cooling of buildings

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wali, E.

1980-01-01

A number of fluids were screened for their operational reliability and thermal stability as working fluids for domestic solar Rankine cycle cooling. The results indicate that the halogenated compound R-113, followed by the fluorinated compound FC-88, is best suited for safe Rankine cycle operation. Further dynamic investigations are, however, needed to study the thermal stability of these fluids in the presence and absence of lubricants in copper, steel, and alloy conduits

The effects of sampling location and turbulence on discharge estimates in short converging turbine intakes

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

Romero-Gomez, P.; Harding, S. F.; Richmond, M. C.

2017-01-01

Standards provide recommendations for best practices when installing current meters to measure fluid flow in closed conduits. A central guideline requires the velocity distribution to be regular and the flow steady. Because of the nature of the short converging intakes typical of low-head hydroturbines, these assumptions may be invalid if current meters are intended to be used to estimate discharge. Usual concerns are (1) the effects of the number of devices, (2) the sampling location and (3) the high turbulence caused by blockage from submersible traveling screens usually deployed for safe downstream fish passage. These three effects were examined inmore » the present study by using 3D simulated flow fields in both steady-state and transient modes. In the process of describing an application at an existing hydroturbine intake at Ice Harbor Dam, the present work outlined the methods involved, which combined computational fluid dynamics, laboratory measurements in physical models of the hydroturbine, and current meter performance evaluations in experimental settings. The main conclusions in this specific application were that a steady-state flow field sufficed to determine the adequate number of meters and their location, and that both the transverse velocity and turbulence intensity had a small impact on estimate errors. However, while it may not be possible to extrapolate these findings to other field conditions and measuring devices, the study laid out a path to conduct similar assessments in other applications.« less

Relation of specific conductance in ground water to intersection of flow paths by wells, and associated major ion and nitrate geochemistry, Barton Springs Segment of the Edwards Aquifer, Austin, Texas, 1978-2003

USGS Publications Warehouse

Garner, Bradley D.; Mahler, Barbara J.

2007-01-01

Understanding of karst flow systems can be complicated by the presence of solution-enlarged conduits, which can transmit large volumes of water through the aquifer rapidly. If the geochemistry at a well can be related to streamflow or spring discharge (springflow), or both, the relations can indicate the presence of recent recharge in water at the well, which in turn might indicate that the well intersects a conduit (and thus a major flow path). Increasing knowledge of the occurrence and distribution of conduits in the aquifer can contribute to better understanding of aquifer framework and function. To that end, 26 wells in the Barton Springs segment of the Edwards aquifer, Austin, Texas, were investigated for potential intersection with conduits; 26 years of arbitrarily timed specific conductance measurements in the wells were compared to streamflow in five creeks that provide recharge to the aquifer and were compared to aquifer flow conditions as indicated by Barton Springs discharge. A nonparametric statistical test (Spearman's rho) was used to divide the 26 wells into four groups on the basis of correlation of specific conductance of well water to streamflow or spring discharge, or both. Potential relations between conduit intersection by wells and ground-water geochemistry were investigated through analysis of historical major ion and nitrate geochemistry for wells in each of the four groups. Specific conductance at nine wells was negatively correlated with both streamflow and spring discharge, or streamflow only. These correlations were interpreted as evidence of an influx of surface-water recharge during periods of high streamflow and the influence at the wells of water from a large, upgradient part of the aquifer; and further interpreted as indicating that four wells intersect major aquifer flow paths and five wells intersect minor aquifer flow paths (short, tributary conduits). Specific conductance at six wells was positively correlated with spring discharge, which was interpreted as not intersecting a flow path (conduit). Of the 11 wells for which specific conductance did not correlate with either streamflow or spring discharge, no interpretations regarding flow-path intersection by wells were made. In some cases, specific conductance data might not have indicated intersection with a flow path because of small sample sets. Water in the Barton Springs segment generally is a calcium-magnesium-bicarbonate type, although some water compositions deviate from this. Multiple geochemical processes were identified that might affect geochemistry at the wells, but in general the geochemical composition of ground water, except for dilution by surface-water recharge, was not related to intersection of a well with a flow path. Some samples from wells indicate inflow of water from the saline zone to the east; this inflow is associated with low streamflow and spring discharge. Other samples indicate that the aquifer at some wells might be receiving water that has been in contact with rocks of the Trinity aquifer; this mixing is most evident when spring discharge is high. Occurrence of nitrate in ground water was unrelated to intersection of flow paths by wells and appeared to be the result of localized contamination. However, most of the wells with one or more samples contaminated by nitrate are in the more densely populated parts of the study area.

Hydraulic balancing of a control component within a nuclear reactor

DOEpatents

Marinos, D.; Ripfel, H.C.F.

1975-10-14

A reactor control component includes an inner conduit, for instance containing neutron absorber elements, adapted for longitudinal movement within an outer guide duct. A transverse partition partially encloses one end of the conduit and meets a transverse wall within the guide duct when the conduit is fully inserted into the reactor core. A tube piece extends from the transverse partition and is coaxially aligned to be received within a tubular receptacle which extends from the transverse wall. The tube piece and receptacle cooperate in engagement to restrict the flow and pressure of coolant beneath the transverse partition and thereby minimize upward forces tending to expel the inner conduit.

Statistical independence of the initial conditions in chaotic mixing.

PubMed

García de la Cruz, J M; Vassilicos, J C; Rossi, L

2017-11-01

Experimental evidence of the scalar convergence towards a global strange eigenmode independent of the scalar initial condition in chaotic mixing is provided. This convergence, underpinning the independent nature of chaotic mixing in any passive scalar, is presented by scalar fields with different initial conditions casting statistically similar shapes when advected by periodic unsteady flows. As the scalar patterns converge towards a global strange eigenmode, the scalar filaments, locally aligned with the direction of maximum stretching, as described by the Lagrangian stretching theory, stack together in an inhomogeneous pattern at distances smaller than their asymptotic minimum widths. The scalar variance decay becomes then exponential and independent of the scalar diffusivity or initial condition. In this work, mixing is achieved by advecting the scalar using a set of laminar flows with unsteady periodic topology. These flows, that resemble the tendril-whorl map, are obtained by morphing the forcing geometry in an electromagnetic free surface 2D mixing experiment. This forcing generates a velocity field which periodically switches between two concentric hyperbolic and elliptic stagnation points. In agreement with previous literature, the velocity fields obtained produce a chaotic mixer with two regions: a central mixing and an external extensional area. These two regions are interconnected through two pairs of fluid conduits which transfer clean and dyed fluid from the extensional area towards the mixing region and a homogenized mixture from the mixing area towards the extensional region.

Correlated displacement-T2 MRI by means of a Pulsed Field Gradient-Multi Spin Echo Method.

PubMed

Windt, Carel W; Vergeldt, Frank J; Van As, Henk

2007-04-01

A method for correlated displacement-T2 imaging is presented. A Pulsed Field Gradient-Multi Spin Echo (PFG-MSE) sequence is used to record T2 resolved propagators on a voxel-by-voxel basis, making it possible to perform single voxel correlated displacement-T2 analyses. In spatially heterogeneous media the method thus gives access to sub-voxel information about displacement and T2 relaxation. The sequence is demonstrated using a number of flow conducting model systems: a tube with flowing water of variable intrinsic T2's, mixing fluids of different T2's in an "X"-shaped connector, and an intact living plant. PFG-MSE can be applied to yield information about the relation between flow, pore size and exchange behavior, and can aid volume flow quantification by making it possible to correct for T2 relaxation during the displacement labeling period Delta in PFG displacement imaging methods. Correlated displacement-T2 imaging can be of special interest for a number of research subjects, such as the flow of liquids and mixtures of liquids or liquids and solids moving through microscopic conduits of different sizes (e.g., plants, porous media, bioreactors, biomats).

Modelling the Effects of Magma Properties, Pressure and Conduit Dimensions on the Seismic Signature

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sturton, S.; Neuberg, J.

2002-12-01

A finite-difference scheme is used to model the seismic radiation pattern for a fluid filled conduit surrounded by a solid medium. Seismic waves travel slower than the acoustic velocity inside the conduit and the propagation velocity is frequency dependent. At the ends of the conduit the waves are partly reflected back along the conduit and also leak into the solid medium. The seismometer signal obtained is therefore composed of a series of events released from the ends of the conduit. Each signal can be characterised by the repeat time of the events and the dispersion seen within each event. These characteristics are dependent on the seismic parameters and the conduit dimensions. For a gas-charged magma, increasing the pressure with depth reduces the volume of gas exsolved, thereby increasing the seismic velocity lower in the conduit. From the volume of gas exsolved, profiles of seismic parameters within the conduit and their evolution with time can be obtained. The differences between a varying velocity with depth and a constant velocity with depth are seen in the synthetic seismograms and spectrograms. At Soufriere Hills Volcano, Montserrat, single hybrid events merge into tremor and occasionally gliding lines are observed in the spectra indicating changes in the seismic parameters with time or varying triggering rates of single events. The synthetic seismograms are compared to the observational data and used to constrain the magnitude of pressure changes necessary to produce the gliding lines. Further constraints are obtained from the dispersion patterns in both the synthetic seismograms and the observed data.

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.

Gas transport and vesicularity in low-viscosity liquids

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pioli, Laura; Bonadonna, Costanza; Abdulkareem, Lokman; Azzopardi, Barry; Phillips, Jeremy

2010-05-01

Vesicle textures of basaltic scoria preserve information on magma bubble content at fragmentation and are commonly used to constrain degassing, vesiculation and magma permeability. These studies are based on the assumption that microscale textures are representative of the conduit-scale structures and processes. However, the conditions for which this assumption is valid have not been investigated in detail. We have investigated conduit-scale structures by performing a series of experiments of separate two-phase flows in a 6.5-m high cylindrical bubble column using a combination of air with pure glucose syrup, water-syrup mixtures and pure water to reproduce open-system degassing and strombolian activity conditions in the upper volcanic conduit (i.e. at very low or zero liquid fluxes). We have varied gas fluxes, initial liquid height, gas inlet configuration and liquid viscosity and analyzed flow regimes and properties. Temperature and pressure were measured at several heights along the pipe and vesicularity was calculated using pressure data, liquid level measurements and an Electrical Capacitance tomography (ECT) system, which measures instantaneous vesicularity and phase distribution from capacitance measurements between pairs of electrodes placed uniformly around the pipe circumference. The aim of the experiments was to identify the effect of gas-flow rates on the flow regimes (i.e. bubbly, slug, churn and annular), the main degassing structures and the total gas content of the column. The effect of increasing and decreasing gas flow rates was also studied to check hysteresis effects. Results indicate that the vesicularity of the liquid column depends primarily on gas flux, whereas flow regimes exert a minor control. In fact, vesicularity increases with gas flux following a power-law trend whose exponent depends on the viscosity of the liquid. In addition, distributions of instantaneous gas fraction in the column cross section during syrup experiments have shown that gas is mainly transported by large, conduit-size bubbles rising in a microvesicular liquid. Coalescence processes occur throughout the whole column, and are strongly affected by bubble size, shearing and flow dynamics. Increasing gas fluxes increases frequency and length of the large bubbles but does not affect the concentration of small bubbles in the liquid matrix. Scaling of these experiments suggest that these conditions could be met in low viscosity, crystal-poor magmas and we therefore suggest that this dynamics could also characterize two-phase flow in open conduit mafic systems.

Experimental constraints on the outgassing dynamics of basaltic magmas

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pioli, L.; Bonadonna, C.; Azzopardi, B. J.; Phillips, J. C.; Ripepe, M.

2012-03-01

The dynamics of separated two-phase flow of basaltic magmas in cylindrical conduits has been explored combining large-scale experiments and theoretical studies. Experiments consisted of the continuous injection of air into water or glucose syrup in a 0.24 m diameter, 6.5 m long bubble column. The model calculates vesicularity and pressure gradient for a range of gas superficial velocities (volume flow rates/pipe area, 10-2-102 m/s), conduit diameters (100-2 m), and magma viscosities (3-300 Pa s). The model is calibrated with the experimental results to extrapolate key flow parameters such as Co (distribution parameter) and Froude number, which control the maximum vesicularity of the magma in the column, and the gas rise speed of gas slugs. It predicts that magma vesicularity increases with increasing gas volume flow rate and decreases with increasing conduit diameter, until a threshold value (45 vol.%), which characterizes churn and annular flow regimes. Transition to annular flow regimes is expected to occur at minimum gas volume flow rates of 103-104 m3/s. The vertical pressure gradient decreases with increasing gas flow rates and is controlled by magma vesicularity (in bubbly flows) or the length and spacing of gas slugs. This study also shows that until conditions for separated flow are met, increases in magma viscosity favor stability of slug flow over bubbly flow but suggests coexistence between gas slugs and small bubbles, which contribute to a small fraction of the total gas outflux. Gas flow promotes effective convection of the liquid, favoring magma homogeneity and stable conditions.

Homogeneous-heterogeneous reactions in curved channel with porous medium

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hayat, T.; Ayub, Sadia; Alsaedi, A.

2018-06-01

Purpose of the present investigation is to examine the peristaltic flow through porous medium in a curved conduit. Problem is modeled for incompressible electrically conducting Ellis fluid. Influence of porous medium is tackled via modified Darcy's law. The considered model utilizes homogeneous-heterogeneous reactions with equal diffusivities for reactant and autocatalysis. Constitutive equations are formulated in the presence of viscous dissipation. Channel walls are compliant in nature. Governing equations are modeled and simplified under the assumptions of small Reynolds number and large wavelength. Graphical results for velocity, temperature, heat transfer coefficient and homogeneous-heterogeneous reaction parameters are examined for the emerging parameters entering into the problem. Results reveal an activation in both homogenous-heterogenous reaction effect and heat transfer rate with increasing curvature of the channel.

A mechanistic model of heat transfer for gas-liquid flow in vertical wellbore annuli.

PubMed

Yin, Bang-Tang; Li, Xiang-Fang; Liu, Gang

2018-01-01

The most prominent aspect of multiphase flow is the variation in the physical distribution of the phases in the flow conduit known as the flow pattern. Several different flow patterns can exist under different flow conditions which have significant effects on liquid holdup, pressure gradient and heat transfer. Gas-liquid two-phase flow in an annulus can be found in a variety of practical situations. In high rate oil and gas production, it may be beneficial to flow fluids vertically through the annulus configuration between well tubing and casing. The flow patterns in annuli are different from pipe flow. There are both casing and tubing liquid films in slug flow and annular flow in the annulus. Multiphase heat transfer depends on the hydrodynamic behavior of the flow. There are very limited research results that can be found in the open literature for multiphase heat transfer in wellbore annuli. A mechanistic model of multiphase heat transfer is developed for different flow patterns of upward gas-liquid flow in vertical annuli. The required local flow parameters are predicted by use of the hydraulic model of steady-state multiphase flow in wellbore annuli recently developed by Yin et al. The modified heat-transfer model for single gas or liquid flow is verified by comparison with Manabe's experimental results. For different flow patterns, it is compared with modified unified Zhang et al. model based on representative diameters.

Modeling Explosive Eruptions at Kīlauea, Hawai'i

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gonnermann, H. M.; Ferguson, D. J.; Blaser, A. P.; Houghton, B. F.; Plank, T. A.; Hauri, E. H.; Swanson, D. A.

2014-12-01

We have modeled eruptive magma ascent during two explosive eruptions of Kīlauea volcano, Hawai'i. They are the Hawaiian style Kīlauea Iki eruption, 1959, and the subplinian Keanakāko'i eruption, 1650 CE. We have modeled combined magma ascent in the volcanic conduit and exsolution of H2O and CO2 from the erupting magma. To better assess the relative roles of conduit processes and magma chamber, we also coupled conduit flow and magma chamber through mass balance and pressure. We predict magma discharge rates, superficial gas velocities, H2O and CO2 concentrations of the melt, magma chamber pressure, surface deformation, and height of the volcanic jet. Models are in part constrained by H2O and CO2 measured in olivine-hosted melt inclusions and by decompression rates recorded in melt embayment diffusion profiles. We present a parametric analysis, indicating that the pressure within the chamber that fed the subplinian Keanakāko'i eruption was significantly higher than lithostatic pressure. In contrast, chamber pressure for the Hawaiian Kīlauea Iki eruption was close to lithostatic. In both cases the superficial gas velocity, which affects the geometrical distribution of gas-liquid mixtures during upward flow in conduits, may have exceeded values at which bubble coalescence did not affect the flow.

Hydrological connectivity in the karst critical zone: an integrated approach

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chen, X.; Zhang, Z.; Soulsby, C.; Cheng, Q.; Binley, A. M.; Tao, M.

2017-12-01

Spatial heterogeneity in the subsurface is high, evidenced by specific landform features (sinkholes, caves etc.) and resulting in high variability of hydrological processes in space and time. This includes complex exchange of various flow sources (e.g. hillslope springs and depression aquifers) and fast conduit flow and slow fracture flow. In this paper we integrate various "state-of-the-art" methods to understand the structure and function of this understudied critical zone environment. Geophysical, hydrometric and hydrogeochemical tools are used to characterize the hydrological connectivity of the cockpit karst critical zone in a small catchment of Chenqi, Guizhou province, China. Geophysical surveys, using electrical resistivity tomography (ERT), identified the complex conduit networks that link flows between hillslopes and depressions. Statistical time series analysis of water tables and discharge responses at hillslope springs and in depression wells and underground channels showed different threshold responses of hillslope and depression flows. This reflected the differing relative contribution of fast and slow flow paths during rainfall events of varying magnitude in the hillslope epikarst and depression aquifer in dry and wet periods. This showed that the hillslope epikarst receives a high proportion of rainfall recharge and is thus a main water resource in the catchment during the drought period. In contrast, the depression aquifer receives fast, concentrated hillslope flows during large rainfall events during the wet period, resulting in the filling of depression conduits and frequent flooding. Hydrological tracer studies using water temperatures and stable water isotopes (δD and δ18O) corroborated this and provided quantitative information of the mixing proportions of various flow sources and insights into water travel times. This revealed how higher contributions of event "new" water (from hillslope springs and depression conduits displaces "old" pre-event water primarily from low permeability fissures and fractures), particularly during heavy rainfall. As the various water sources have contrasting water quality characteristics, these mixing and exchange processes have important implications for understanding and managing water quality in karst waters.

Advances in Dynamic Transport of Organic Contaminants in Karst Groundwater Systems

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Padilla, I. Y.; Vesper, D.; Alshawabkeh, A.; Hellweger, F.

2011-12-01

Karst groundwater systems develop in soluble rocks such as limestone, and are characterized by high permeability and well-developed conduit porosity. These systems provide important freshwater resources for human consumption and ecological integrity of streams, wetlands, and coastal zones. The same characteristics that make karst aquifers highly productive make them highly vulnerable to contamination. As a result, karst aquifers serve as an important route for contaminants exposure to humans and wildlife. Transport of organic contaminants in karst ground-water occurs in complex pathways influenced by the flow mechanism predominating in the aquifer: conduit-flow dominated systems tend to convey solutes rapidly through the system to a discharge point without much attenuation; diffuse-flow systems, on the other hand, can cause significant solute retardation and slow movement. These two mechanisms represent end members of a wide spectrum of conditions found in karst areas, and often a combination of conduit- and diffuse-flow mechanisms is encountered, where both flow mechanisms can control the fate and transport of contaminants. This is the case in the carbonate aquifers of northern Puerto Rico. This work addresses advances made on the characterization of fate and transport processes in karst ground-water systems characterized by variable conduit and/or diffusion dominated flow under high- and low-flow conditions. It involves laboratory-scale physical modeling and field-scale sampling and historical analysis of contaminant distribution. Statistical analysis of solute transport in Geo-Hydrobed physical models shows the heterogeneous character of transport dynamics in karstic units, and its variability under different flow regimes. Field-work analysis of chlorinated volatile organic compounds and phthalates indicates a large capacity of the karst systems to store and transmit contaminants. This work is part of the program "Puerto Rico Testsite for Exploring Contamination Threats (PRoTECT)" supported by the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS, Grant Award No. P42ES017198).

Fault-related fluid flow, Beech Mountain thrust sheet, Blue Ridge Province, Tennessee-North Carolina

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

Waggoner, W.K.; Mora, C.I.

1992-01-01

The latest proterozoic Beech Granite is contained within the Beech Mountain thrust sheet (BMTS), part of a middle-late Paleozoic thrust complex located between Mountain City and Grandfather Mountain windows in the western Blue Ridge of TN-NC. At the base of the BMTS, Beech Granite is juxtaposed against lower Paleozoic carbonate and elastics of the Rome Fm. along the Stone Mountain thrust on the southeaster margin of the Mountain City window. At the top of the BMTS, Beech Granite occurs adjacent to Precambrian mafic rocks of the Pumpkin Patch thrust sheet (PPTS). The Beech Granite is foliated throughout the BMTS withmore » mylonitization and localized cataclasis occurring within thrust zones along the upper and lower margins of the BMTS. Although the degree of mylonitization and cataclasis increases towards the thrusts, blocks of relatively undeformed granite also occur within these fault zones. Mylonites and thrusts are recognized as conduits for fluid movement, but the origin of the fluids and magnitude and effects of fluid migration are not well constrained. This study was undertaken to characterize fluid-rock interaction within the Beech Granite and BMTS. Extensive mobility of some elements/compounds within the thrust zones, and the isotopic and mineralogical differences between the thrust zones and interior of the BMTS indicate that fluid flow was focused within the thrust zones. The wide range of elevated temperatures (400--710 C) indicated by qz-fsp fractionations suggest isotopic disequilibrium. Using a more likely temperature range of 300--400 C for Alleghanian deformation, calculated fluid compositions indicate interactions with a mixture of meteoric-hydrothermal and metamorphic water with delta O-18 = 2.6--7.5[per thousand] for the upper thrust zone and 1.3 to 6.2[per thousand] for the lower thrust zone. These ranges are similar to isotopic data reported for other Blue Ridge thrusts and may represent later periods of meteoric water influx.« less

Effect of Niagara power project on ground-water flow in the upper part of the Lockport Dolomite, Niagara Falls area, New York

USGS Publications Warehouse

Miller, Todd S.; Kappel, W.M.

1987-01-01

The Niagara River Power Project near Niagara Falls, N.Y., has created recharge and discharge areas that have modified the direction of groundwater flow east and northeast of the falls. Before construction of the power project in 1962, the configuration of the potentiometric surface in the upper part of the Silurian Lockport Dolomite generally paralleled the buried upper surface of the bedrock. Ground water in the central and east parts of the city of Niagara Falls flowed south and southwestward toward the upper Niagara River (above the falls), and ground water in the western part flowed westward into Niagara River gorge. The power project consists of two hydroelectric powerplants separated by a forebay canal that receives water from the upper Niagara River through two 4-mi-long, parallel, buried conduits. During periods of nonpeak power demand, some water in the forebay canal is pumped to a storage reservoir for later release to generate electricity during peak-demand periods. Since the power project began operation in 1962, groundwater within 0.5 mi of the buried conduits has seeped into the drain system that surrounds the conduits, then flows both south from the forebay canal and north from the Niagara River toward the Falls Street tunnel--a former sewer that crosses the conduits 0.65 mi north of the upper Niagara River. Approximately 6 million gallons of ground water a day leaks into the Falls Street tunnel, which carries it 2.3 mi westward to the Niagara River gorge below the falls. Daily water-level fluctuations in the forebay canal affect water levels in the drain system that surrounds the conduits, and this , in turn, affects the potentiometric surface in the Lockport Dolomite within 0.5 mi of the conduits. The drains transmit changes in pressure head near the forebay canal southward at least as far as the Falls Street tunnel area and possibly to the upper Niagara River. Some water in the pumped-storage reservoir recharges ground water in the Lockport Dolomite by seepage through bedding joints, which are exposed in the unlined reservoir bottom, and through the grout curtain beneath the reservoir 's dike. Water-level fluctuations in the reservoir cause slight ground-water fluctuations near the reservoir. (Author 's abstract)

Effect of valsalva in the pulmonary prosthetic conduit valve on hemodynamic function in a mock circulatory system.

PubMed

Tsuboko, Yusuke; Shiraishi, Yasuyuki; Yamada, Akihiro; Yambe, Tomoyuki; Matsuo, Satoshi; Saiki, Yoshikatsu; Yamagishi, Masaaki

2015-01-01

Pulmonary conduit valves are used as one of the surgical treatment methods of congenital heart diseases. We have been designing a sophisticated pulmonary conduit valve for the right ventricular outflow tract reconstruction in pediatric patients. In this study, two types of polyester grafts with or without bulging structures for the conduit valves were used and evaluated from the hemodynamic point of view focusing on the application of these conduit valves in the grown-up congenital heart failure patients. We examined valvular function in the originally developed pulmonary mock circulatory system, which consisted of a pneumatic driven right ventricular model, a pulmonary valve chamber, and an elastic pulmonary compliance model with peripheral vascular resistance units. Prior to the measurement, a bileaflet valve was sutured in each conduit. Each conduit valve was installed in the mock right ventricular outflow portion, and its leaflet motion was obtained by using a high-speed camera synchronously with pressure and flow waveforms. As a result, we could obtain hemodynamic changes in two different types of conduits for pulmonary valves, and it was indicated that the presence of the Valsalva shape might be effective for promoting valvular response in the low cardiac output condition.

Parametric Analysis of Cyclic Phase Change and Energy Storage in Solar Heat Receivers

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hall, Carsie A., III; Glakpe, Emmanuel K.; Cannon, Joseph N.; Kerslake, Thomas W.

1997-01-01

A parametric study on cyclic melting and freezing of an encapsulated phase change material (PCM), integrated into a solar heat receiver, has been performed. The cyclic nature of the present melt/freeze problem is relevant to latent heat thermal energy storage (LHTES) systems used to power solar Brayton engines in microgravity environments. Specifically, a physical and numerical model of the solar heat receiver component of NASA Lewis Research Center's Ground Test Demonstration (GTD) project was developed. Multi-conjugate effects such as the convective fluid flow of a low-Prandtl-number fluid, coupled with thermal conduction in the phase change material, containment tube and working fluid conduit were accounted for in the model. A single-band thermal radiation model was also included to quantify reradiative energy exchange inside the receiver and losses through the aperture. The eutectic LiF-CaF2 was used as the phase change material (PCM) and a mixture of He/Xe was used as the working fluid coolant. A modified version of the computer code HOTTube was used to generate results in the two-phase regime. Results indicate that parametric changes in receiver gas inlet temperature and receiver heat input effects higher sensitivity to changes in receiver gas exit temperatures.

Modeling Cyclic Phase Change and Energy Storage in Solar Heat Receivers

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hall, Carsie A., III; Glakpe, Emmanuel K.; Cannon, Joseph N.; Kerslake, Thomas W.

1997-01-01

Numerical results pertaining to cyclic melting and freezing of an encapsulated phase change material (PCM), integrated into a solar heat receiver, have been reported. The cyclic nature of the present melt/freeze problem is relevant to latent heat thermal energy storage (LHTES) systems used to power solar Brayton engines in microgravity environments. Specifically, a physical and numerical model of the solar heat receiver component of NASA Lewis Research Center's Ground Test Demonstration (GTD) project was developed and results compared with available experimental data. Multi-conjugate effects such as the convective fluid flow of a low-Prandtl-number fluid, coupled with thermal conduction in the phase change material, containment tube and working fluid conduit were accounted for in the model. A single-band thermal radiation model was also included to quantify reradiative energy exchange inside the receiver and losses through the aperture. The eutectic LiF-CaF2 was used as the phase change material (PCM) and a mixture of He/Xe was used as the working fluid coolant. A modified version of the computer code HOTTube was used to generate results for comparisons with GTD data for both the subcooled and two-phase regimes. While qualitative trends were in close agreement for the balanced orbit modes, excellent quantitative agreement was observed for steady-state modes.

Geodetic imaging: Reservoir monitoring using satellite interferometry

USGS Publications Warehouse

Vasco, D.W.; Wicks, C.; Karasaki, K.; Marques, O.

2002-01-01

Fluid fluxes within subsurface reservoirs give rise to surface displacements, particularly over periods of a year or more. Observations of such deformation provide a powerful tool for mapping fluid migration within the Earth, providing new insights into reservoir dynamics. In this paper we use Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar (InSAR) range changes to infer subsurface fluid volume strain at the Coso geothermal field. Furthermore, we conduct a complete model assessment, using an iterative approach to compute model parameter resolution and covariance matrices. The method is a generalization of a Lanczos-based technique which allows us to include fairly general regularization, such as roughness penalties. We find that we can resolve quite detailed lateral variations in volume strain both within the reservoir depth range (0.4-2.5 km) and below the geothermal production zone (2.5-5.0 km). The fractional volume change in all three layers of the model exceeds the estimated model parameter uncertainly by a factor of two or more. In the reservoir depth interval (0.4-2.5 km), the predominant volume change is associated with northerly and westerly oriented faults and their intersections. However, below the geothermal production zone proper [the depth range 2.5-5.0 km], there is the suggestion that both north- and northeast-trending faults may act as conduits for fluid flow.

Volcanic conduit failure as a trigger to magma fragmentation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lavallée, Y.; Benson, P. M.; Heap, M. J.; Flaws, A.; Hess, K.-U.; Dingwell, D. B.

2012-01-01

In the assessment of volcanic risk, it is often assumed that magma ascending at a slow rate will erupt effusively, whereas magma ascending at fast rate will lead to an explosive eruption. Mechanistically viewed, this assessment is supported by the notion that the viscoelastic nature of magma (i.e., the ability of magma to relax at an applied strain rate), linked via the gradient of flow pressure (related to discharge rate), controls the eruption style. In such an analysis, the physical interactions between the magma and the conduit wall are commonly, to a first order, neglected. Yet, during ascent, magma must force its way through the volcanic edifice/structure, whose presence and form may greatly affect the stress field through which the magma is trying to ascend. Here, we demonstrate that fracturing of the conduit wall via flow pressure releases an elastic shock resulting in fracturing of the viscous magma itself. We find that magma fragmentation occurred at strain rates seven orders of magnitude slower than theoretically anticipated from the applied axial strain rate. Our conclusion, that the discharge rate cannot provide a reliable indication of ascending magma rheology without knowledge of conduit wall stability, has important ramifications for volcanic hazard assessment. New numerical simulations are now needed in order to integrate magma/conduit interaction into eruption models.

Linking observations at active volcanoes to physical processes through conduit flow modelling

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Thomas, Mark; Neuberg, Jurgen

2010-05-01

Low frequency seismic events observed on volcanoes such as Soufriere hills, Montserrat may offer key indications about the state of a volcanic system. To obtain a better understanding of the source of these events and of the physical processes that take place within a volcano it is necessary to understand the conditions of magma a depth. This can be achieved through conduit flow modelling (Collier & Neuberg, 2006). 2-D compressible Navier-Stokes equations are solved through a Finite Element approach, for differing initial water and crystal contents, magma temperatures, chamber overpressures and geometric shapes of conduit. In the fully interdependent modelled system each of these variables has an effect on the magma density, viscosity, gas content, and also the pressure within the flow. These variables in turn affect the magma ascent velocity and the overall eruption dynamics of an active system. Of particular interest are the changes engendered in the flow by relativity small variations in the conduit geometry. These changes can have a profound local effect of the ascent velocity of the magma. By restricting the width of 15m wide, 5000m long vertical conduit over a 100m distance a significant acceleration of the magma is seen in this area. This has implications for the generation of Low-Frequency (LF) events at volcanic systems. The strain-induced fracture of viscoelastic magma or brittle failure of melt has been previously discussed as a possible source of LF events by several authors (e.g. Tuffen et al., 2003; Neuberg et al., 2006). The location of such brittle failure however has been seen to occur at relativity shallow depths (<1000m), which does not agree with the location of recorded LF events. By varying the geometry of the conduit and causing accelerations in the magma flow, localised increases in the shear strain rate of up to 30% are observed. This provides a mechanism of increasing the depth over witch brittle failure of melt may occur. A key observable of the Low frequency events observed on Montserrat is their tightly confined source region. The high degree of similarity of the waveforms from such events indicates a stationary common source within a finite volume of 150m x 150m x 150m (Neuberg et al., 2006). By modelling the physical processes that occur at depth within the volcano it has been possible to identify a potential source region of these events caused by the shape of the conduit, that has a fixed position and will have the potential cause repeatable events whenever magma is moving within the system. Making links of this type is essential to form a better understanding of what the observations made by monitoring systems actually relate to in terms of the volcanoes activity. Tuffen, H., Dingwell, D.B., and Pinkerton, H. 2003. Repeated fracture and healing of silicic magma generate flow banding and earthquakes? Geology, 31(12), 1089-1092. Collier, L. and Neuberg, J. 2006. Incorporating seismic observations into 2D conduit flow modelling. Journal of volcanology and geothermal research, 152, 331-346. Neuberg, J., Tuffen, H., Collier, L., Green, D., Powell, T., and Dingwell, P. 2006. The trigger mechanisms of low-frequency swarms on Montserrat. Journal of volcanology and geothermal research, 153, 37-50.

Noninvasive diagnosis of right-sided extracardiac conduit obstruction by combined magnetic resonance imaging and continuous-wave Doppler echocardiography.

PubMed

Canter, C E; Gutierrez, F R; Molina, P; Hartmann, A F; Spray, T L

1991-04-01

Right-sided extracardiac conduits are frequently complicated by obstruction over time. We compared the utility of two-dimensional and Doppler echocardiography and magnetic resonance imaging in the diagnosis of postoperative right-sided obstruction with cardiac catheterization and angiography in 10 patients with xenograft or homograft conduits. Correlation (r = 0.95) between continuous-wave Doppler estimates and catheter pullback pressure gradients across the conduits was excellent. Echocardiography could only visualize five of 10 conduits in their entirety. Magnetic resonance imaging visualized all conduits and showed statistically significant (kappa = 0.58) agreement with angiography in the localization and estimation of severity of a variety of right-sided obstructions in these patients. However, flow voids created by the metallic ring around xenograft valves led to a false negative diagnosis of valvular stenosis in four patients when magnetic resonance imaging was used alone. Doppler studies correctly indicated obstruction in these patients. The combination of magnetic resonance imaging studies and continuous-wave Doppler echocardiography can be useful to noninvasively evaluate right-sided obstruction in postoperative patients with right-sided extracardiac conduits.

Heat transfer mechanism with thin filaments including ceramic high temperature heat exchanger

DOEpatents

Im, K.H.; Ahluwalia, R.K.

1994-10-18

A radiative heat transfer mechanism in a furnace is described having burners through which pulverized coal and air are burned producing combustion gases and contaminants. A plurality of elongated conduits are positioned inside the furnace proximate to the burners generally parallel to the flow of combustion gases in the furnace. A plurality of thin filaments are inside each of the elongated hollow conduits, the filaments having diameters in the range of from about 1 micrometer to about 1,000 micrometers and having an infrared radiation cross-section sufficient to cause the filaments to heat upon exposure to infrared radiation. Blower mechanism is associated with the elongated conduits for limiting the amount of soot and ash which deposit on the conduits to preserve the radiative and convective transfer of heat energy from the combustion gases to the conduits. 7 figs.

Heat transfer mechanism with thin filaments including ceramic high temperature heat exchanger

DOEpatents

Im, Kwan H.; Ahluwalia, Rajesh K.

1994-01-01

A radiative heat transfer mechanism in a furnace having burners through which pulverized coal and air are burned producing combustion gases and contaminants. A plurality of elongated conduits are positioned inside the furnace proximate to the burners generally parallel to the flow of combustion gases in the furnace. A plurality of thin filaments are inside each of the elongated hollow conduits, the filaments having diameters in the range of from about 1 micrometer to about 1,000 micrometers and having an infrared radiation cross-section sufficient to cause the filaments to heat upon exposure to infrared radiation. Blower mechanism is associated with the elongated conduits for limiting the amount of soot and ash which deposit on the conduits to preserve the radiative and convective transfer of heat energy from the combustion gases to the conduits.

Pulverized fuel-oxygen burner

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

Taylor, Curtis; Patterson, Brad; Perdue, Jayson

A burner assembly combines oxygen and fuel to produce a flame. The burner assembly includes an oxygen supply tube adapted to receive a stream of oxygen and a solid fuel conduit arranged to extend through the oxygen tube to convey a stream of fluidized, pulverized, solid fuel into a flame chamber. Oxygen flowing through the oxygen supply tube passes generally tangentially through a first set of oxygen-injection holes formed in the solid fuel conduit and off-tangentially from a second set of oxygen-injection holes formed in the solid fuel conduit and then mixes with fluidized, pulverized, solid fuel passing through themore » solid fuel conduit to create an oxygen-fuel mixture in a downstream portion of the solid fuel conduit. This mixture is discharged into a flame chamber and ignited in the flame chamber to produce a flame.« less

Seismic and infrasonic source processes in volcanic fluid systems

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Matoza, Robin S.

Volcanoes exhibit a spectacular diversity in fluid oscillation processes, which lead to distinct seismic and acoustic signals in the solid earth and atmosphere. Volcano seismic waveforms contain rich information on the geometry of fluid migration, resonance effects, and transient and sustained pressure oscillations resulting from unsteady flow through subsurface cracks, fissures and conduits. Volcanic sounds contain information on shallow fluid flow, resonance in near-surface cavities, and degassing dynamics into the atmosphere. Since volcanoes have large spatial scales, the vast majority of their radiated atmospheric acoustic energy is infrasonic (<20 Hz). This dissertation presents observations from joint broadband seismic and infrasound array deployments at Mount St. Helens (MSH, Washington State, USA), Tungurahua (Ecuador), and Kilauea Volcano (Hawaii, USA), each providing data for several years. These volcanoes represent a broad spectrum of eruption styles ranging from hawaiian to plinian in nature. The catalogue of recorded infrasonic signals includes continuous broadband and harmonic tremor from persistent degassing at basaltic lava vents and tubes at Pu'u O'o (Kilauea), thousands of repetitive impulsive signals associated with seismic longperiod (0.5-5 Hz) events and the dynamics of the shallow hydrothermal system at MSH, rockfall signals from the unstable dacite dome at MSH, energetic explosion blast waves and gliding infrasonic harmonic tremor at Tungurahua volcano, and large-amplitude and long-duration broadband signals associated with jetting during vulcanian, subplinian and plinian eruptions at MSH and Tungurahua. We develop models for a selection of these infrasonic signals. For infrasonic long-period (LP) events at MSH, we investigate seismic-acoustic coupling from various buried source configurations as a means to excite infrasound waves in the atmosphere. We find that linear elastic seismic-acoustic transmission from the ground to atmosphere is inadequate to explain the observations, and propose that the signals may result from sudden containment failure of a pressurized hydrothermal crack. For the broadband eruption tremor signals, we propose that the infrasonic signals represent a low-frequency form of jet noise, analogous to the noise from man-made jet engines, but operating with larger spatial scales and consequently longer time-scales. For the persistent hawaiian tremor signals, we propose that bubble cloud oscillation in the upper section of a roiling magma conduit and vortex dynamics in the shallow degassing region act as broadband and harmonic tremor sources. We also consider infrasound propagation effects in a dynamic atmosphere and discuss their effects on recorded signals. This dissertation demonstrates that combined seismic and infrasonic data provide complementary perspectives on eruptive activity.

Linking Volcano Infrasound Observations to Conduit Processes for Vulcanian Eruptions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Watson, L. M.; Dunham, E. M.; Almquist, M.; Mattsson, K.; Ampong, K.

2016-12-01

Volcano infrasound observations have been used to infer a range of eruption parameters, such as volume flux and exit velocity, with the majority of work focused on subaerial processes. Here, we propose using infrasound observations to investigate the subsurface processes of the volcanic system. We develop a one-dimensional model of the volcanic system, coupling an unsteady conduit model to a description of a volcanic jet with sound waves generated by the expansion of the jet. The conduit model describes isothermal two-phase flow with no relative motion between the phases. We are currently working on including crystals and adding conservation of energy to the governing equations. The model captures the descent of the fragmentation front into the conduit and approaches a steady state solution with choked flow at the vent. The descending fragmentation front influences the time history of mass discharge from the vent, which is linked to the infrasound signal through the volcanic jet model. The jet model is coupled to the conduit by conservation of mass, momentum, and energy. We compare simulation results for a range of models of the volcanic jet, ranging in complexity from assuming conservation of volume, as has been done in some previous infrasound studies, to solving the Euler equations for the surrounding compressible atmosphere and accounting for entrainment. Our model is designed for short-lived, impulsive Vulcanian eruptions, such as those seen at Sakurajima Volcano, with activity triggered by a sudden drop in pressure at the top of the conduit. The intention is to compare the simulated signals to observations and to devise an inverse procedure to enable inversion for conduit properties.

The trigger mechanism of low-frequency earthquakes on Montserrat

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Neuberg, J. W.; Tuffen, H.; Collier, L.; Green, D.; Powell, T.; Dingwell, D.

2006-05-01

A careful analysis of low-frequency seismic events on Soufrièere Hills volcano, Montserrat, points to a source mechanism that is non-destructive, repetitive, and has a stationary source location. By combining these seismological clues with new field evidence and numerical magma flow modelling, we propose a seismic trigger model which is based on brittle failure of magma in the glass transition. Loss of heat and gas from the magma results in a strong viscosity gradient across a dyke or conduit. This leads to a build-up of shear stress near the conduit wall where magma can rupture in a brittle manner, as field evidence from a rhyolitic dyke demonstrates. This brittle failure provides seismic energy, the majority of which is trapped in the conduit or dyke forming the low-frequency coda of the observed seismic signal. The trigger source location marks the transition from ductile conduit flow to friction-controlled magma ascent. As the trigger mechanism is governed by the depth-dependent magma parameters, the source location remains fixed at a depth where the conditions allow brittle failure. This is reflected in the fixed seismic source locations.

Geyser preplay and eruption in a laboratory model with a bubble trap

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Adelstein, Esther; Tran, Aaron; Saez, Carolina Muñoz; Shteinberg, Alexander; Manga, Michael

2014-09-01

We present visual observations and temperature measurements from a laboratory model of a geyser. Our model incorporates a bubble trap, a zone in which vapor can accumulate in the geyser's subsurface plumbing, in a vertical conduit connected to a basal chamber. Analogous features have been identified at several natural geysers. We observe three types of eruptions: 1) rising bubbles eject a small volume of liquid in a weak spout (small eruption); 2) boiling occurs in the conduit above the bubble trap (medium eruption); and 3) boiling occurs in the conduit and chamber (large eruption). In the last two cases, boiling in the conduit causes a rapid hydrostatic pressure drop that allows for the rise and eruption of liquid water in a vigorous spout. Boiling initiates at depth rather than propagating downward from the surface. In a single eruption cycle, multiple small eruptions precede every medium and large eruption. At least one eruption cycle that culminates in a medium eruption (i.e., a quiescent period followed by a series of small eruptions leading up to a medium eruption) precedes every eruption cycle that culminates in a large eruption. We find that the transfer of fluid with high enthalpy to the upper conduit during small and medium eruptions is necessary to heat the upper conduit and prepare the system for the full boiling required for a large eruption. The placement of the bubble trap midway up the conduit allows for more efficient heating of the upper conduit. Our model provides insight into the influence of conduit geometry on eruption style and the importance of heat transfer by smaller events in preparing the geyser system for eruption.

Topographic and Air-Photo Lineaments in Various Locations Related to Geothermal Exploration in Colorado

DOE Data Explorer

Richard Zehner

2012-02-01

These line shapefiles trace apparent topographic and air-photo lineaments in various counties in Colorado. It was made in order to identify possible fault and fracture systems that might be conduits for geothermal fluids, as part of a DOE reconnaissance geothermal exploration program. Geothermal fluids commonly utilize fault and fractures in competent rocks as conduits for fluid flow. Geothermal exploration involves finding areas of high near-surface temperature gradients, along with a suitable "plumbing system" that can provide the necessary permeability. Geothermal power plants can sometimes be built where temperature and flow rates are high. This line shapefile is an attempt to use desktop GIS to delineate possible faults and fracture orientations and locations in highly prospective areas prior to an initial site visit. Geochemical sampling and geologic mapping could then be centered around these possible faults and fractures. To do this, georeferenced topographic maps and aerial photographs were utilized in an existing GIS, using ESRI ArcMap 10.0 software. The USA_Topo_Maps and World_Imagery map layers were chosen from the GIS Server at server.arcgisonline.com, using a UTM Zone 13 NAD27 projection. This line shapefile was then constructed over that which appeared to be through-going structural lineaments in both the aerial photographs and topographic layers, taking care to avoid manmade features such as roads, fence lines, and utility right-of-ways. Still, it is unknown what actual features these lineaments, if they exist, represent. Although the shapefiles are arranged by county, not all areas within any county have been examined for lineaments. Work was focused on either satellite thermal infrared anomalies, known hot springs or wells, or other evidence of geothermal systems. Finally, lineaments may be displaced somewhat from their actual location, due to such factors as shadow effects with low sun angles in the aerial photographs. Credits: These lineament shapefile was created by Geothermal Development Associates, as part of a geothermal geologic reconnaissance performed by Flint Geothermal, LLC, of Denver Colorado. Use Limitation: These shapefiles were constructed as an aid to geothermal exploration in preparation for a site visit for field checking. We make no claims as to the existence of the lineaments, their location, orientation, and/or nature.

Fossil and active fumaroles in the 1912 eruptive deposits, Valley of ten thousand smokes, Alaska

USGS Publications Warehouse

Keith, T.E.C.

1991-01-01

Fumaroles in the ash-flow sheet emplaced during the 1912 eruption of Novarupta were intensely active throughout the Valley of Ten Thousand Smokes (VTTS) when first studied in 1917. Fumarole temperatures recorded in 1919 were as hot as 645??C. Influx of surface waters into the hot ash-flow sheet provided the fluid flow to sustain the fumaroles but also enhanced cooling so that by the mid-1930's vigorous activity survived only in the vent region. Configuration and distribution of high-temperature fissure fumaroles tens of meters long, that are prevalent in the middle and upper VTTS, were controlled largely by sintering and degree of welding, which in turn controlled fracturing and permeability of the ash-flow tuff. One fracture type developed parallel to the enclosing valley walls during compaction of the ash-flow sheet. Another type extends across the VTTS nearly perpendicular to the flow direction. A third type of randomly oriented fractures developed as cooling contraction cracks during vapor-phase devitrification. In distal parts of the ash-flow sheet where the tuff is nonwelded, prominent fumaroles have irregular funnel-shaped morphologies. Fumarole distribution in the nonwelded part of the ash-flow sheet is concentrated above pre-emplacement river channels. The hottest, longest-lived fumaroles occurred in the upper VTTS near the 1912 vent where the ash-flow sheet is thicker, more indurated, and on average more mafic (richer in dacite and andesite) in contrast to the thinner, nonwelded rhyolitic tuff in the distal part of the sheet. Fumarolic activity was less intense in the distal part of the tuff because of lower emplacement temperatures, more diffuse fumarole conduits in the nonwelded tuff, and the thinness of the ash-flow sheet. Chemical leaching of ash-flow tuff by hot rising fluids took place adjacent to fumarolic conduits in deep parts of the fumaroles. Deposition of incrustation minerals, the components of which were carried upward by fumarolic gases, took place in the upper part of the ejecta, mostly in the fallout layers. The permeability difference between the ash-flow tuff and the overlying coarse dacite fallout was a critical factor in promoting the abrupt gradients in temperature, pressure, and fO2 that resulted in deposition of minerals from the fumarolic gases. The permeability difference between nonwelded ash-flow tuff and overlying fine-grained fall layers in the lower VTTS is less pronounced. The total mass of fumarolically deposited minerals appears large at first glance owing to the conspicuous coloration by Fe minerals; the mass is appreciably less than is apparent, however, because most incrustations are composed largely of ejecta coated or cemented by fine-grained fumarolic minerals. A large mass of unstable incrustation minerals, mainly chlorides and sulfates, reported during the 1917-1919 studies have since been removed by dissolution and weathering. In the vent region, argillic alteration that followed high-temperature degassing is localized along arcuate subsidence fractures in fallback ejecta. At widely scattered residual orifices, fumarolic gases presently are near-neutral steam, and temperatures are as hot as 90??C. ?? 1991.

The Malnutrition-Related Increase in Early Visceralization of Leishmania donovani Is Associated with a Reduced Number of Lymph Node Phagocytes and Altered Conduit System Flow

PubMed Central

Ibrahim, Marwa K.; Barnes, Jeffrey L.; Anstead, Gregory M.; Jimenez, Fabio; Travi, Bruno L.; Peniche, Alex G.; Osorio, E. Yaneth; Ahuja, Seema S.; Melby, Peter C.

2013-01-01

In a murine model of moderate childhood malnutrition we found that polynutrient deficiency led to a 4–5-fold increase in early visceralization of L. donovani (3 days post-infection) following cutaneous infection and a 16-fold decrease in lymph node barrier function (p<0.04 for all). To begin to understand the mechanistic basis for this malnutrition-related parasite dissemination we analyzed the cellularity, architecture, and function of the skin-draining lymph node. There was no difference in the localization of multiple cell populations in the lymph node of polynutrient deficient (PND) mice, but there was reduced cellularity with fewer CD11c+dendritic cells (DCs), fibroblastic reticular cells (FRCs), MOMA-2+ macrophages, and CD169+ subcapsular sinus macrophage (p<0.05 for all) compared to the well-nourished (WN) mice. The parasites were equally co-localized with DCs associated with the lymph node conduit network in the WN and PND mice, and were found in the high endothelial venule into which the conduits drain. When a fluorescent low molecular weight (10 kD) dextran was delivered in the skin, there was greater efflux of the marker from the lymph node conduit system to the spleens of PND mice (p<0.04), indicating that flow through the conduit system was altered. There was no evidence of disruption of the conduit or subcapsular sinus architecture, indicating that the movement of parasites into the subcortical conduit region was due to an active process and not from passive movement through a leaking barrier. These results indicate that the impaired capacity of the lymph node to act as a barrier to dissemination of L. donovani infection is associated with a reduced number of lymph node phagocytes, which most likely leads to reduced capture of parasites as they transit through the sinuses and conduit system. PMID:23967356

Heat exchanger-accumulator

DOEpatents

Ecker, Amir L.

1980-01-01

What is disclosed is a heat exchanger-accumulator for vaporizing a refrigerant or the like, characterized by an upright pressure vessel having a top, bottom and side walls; an inlet conduit eccentrically and sealingly penetrating through the top; a tubular overflow chamber disposed within the vessel and sealingly connected with the bottom so as to define an annular outer volumetric chamber for receiving refrigerant; a heat transfer coil disposed in the outer volumetric chamber for vaporizing the liquid refrigerant that accumulates there; the heat transfer coil defining a passageway for circulating an externally supplied heat exchange fluid; transferring heat efficiently from the fluid; and freely allowing vaporized refrigerant to escape upwardly from the liquid refrigerant; and a refrigerant discharge conduit penetrating sealingly through the top and traversing substantially the length of the pressurized vessel downwardly and upwardly such that its inlet is near the top of the pressurized vessel so as to provide a means for transporting refrigerant vapor from the vessel. The refrigerant discharge conduit has metering orifices, or passageways, penetrating laterally through its walls near the bottom, communicating respectively interiorly and exteriorly of the overflow chamber for controllably carrying small amounts of liquid refrigerant and oil to the effluent stream of refrigerant gas.

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

Gomes, Alberto Regio; Kuehl, Steven J.; Litch, Andrew D.

A refrigerator appliance including a multi-capacity compressor and a refrigerant circuit with two conduits and pressure reducing devices arranged in parallel between an evaporator and a condenser. Refrigerant can flow through one, both or none of the conduits and pressure reducing devices. The appliance also has a heat exchanger in contact with either one pressure reducing device, or one conduit between the pressure reducing device and the valve system. The appliance also includes a controller for priming the compressor above a nominal capacity for a predetermined or calculated duration at the beginning of an ON-cycle.

Quantifying the condition of eruption column collapse during explosive volcanic eruptions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Koyaguchi, Takehiro; Suzuki, Yujiro

2016-04-01

During an explosive eruption, a mixture of pyroclasts and volcanic gas forms a buoyant eruption column or a pyroclastic flow. Generation of a pyroclastic flow caused by eruption column collapse is one of the most hazardous phenomena during explosive volcanic eruptions. The quantification of column collapse condition (CCC) is, therefore, highly desired for volcanic hazard assessment. Previously the CCC was roughly predicted by a simple relationship between magma discharge rate and water content (e.g., Carazzo et al., 2008). When a crater is present above the conduit, because of decompression/compression process inside/above the crater, the CCC based on this relationship can be strongly modified (Woods and Bower, 1995; Koyaguchi et al., 2010); however, the effects of the crater on CCC has not been fully understood in a quantitative fashion. Here, we have derived a semi-analytical expression of CCC, in which the effects of the crater is taken into account. The CCC depends on magma properties, crater shape (radius, depth and opening angle) as well as the flow rate at the base of crater. Our semi-analytical CCC expresses all these dependencies by a single surface in a parameter space of the dimensionless magma discharge rate, the dimensionless magma flow rate (per unit area) and the ratio of the cross-sectional areas at the top and the base of crater. We have performed a systematic parameter study of three-dimensional (3D) numerical simulations of eruption column dynamics to confirm the semi-analytical CCC. The results of the 3D simulations are consistent with the semi-analytical CCC, while they show some additional fluid dynamical features in the transitional state (e.g., partial column collapse). Because the CCC depends on such many parameters, the scenario towards the generation of pyroclastic flow during explosive eruptions is considered to be diverse. Nevertheless, our semi-analytical CCC together with the existing semi-analytical solution for the 1D conduit flow model (Koyaguchi, 2005) allows us to intuitively and quantitatively understand how the eruption column dynamics approaches to the CCC as the crater radius increases during the waxing stage of an eruption, or as the magma chamber pressure decreases during the waning stage.

The propagation direction of mafic radial dikes inferred from flow-direction analysis of an exposed radial dike sequence, Summer Coon Volcano, Colorado, USA

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Harp, A.; Valentine, G.

2016-12-01

Mafic eruptions along the flanks of stratovolcanoes pose significant hazards to life and property due to the uncertainty linked to new vent locations and their potentially close proximity to inhabited areas. Flank eruptions are often fed by radial dikes with magma supplied either laterally from the central conduit or vertically from a deeper storage location. The highly eroded Oligocene age Summer Coon stratovolcano, Colorado reveals over 700 mafic dikes surrounding a series of intrusive stocks (inferred conduit). The exposure provides an opportunity to study radial dike propagation directions and their relationship with the conduit in the lower portions of a volcanic edifice. Detailed geologic mapping and a geophysical survey revealed that little or no direct connection exists between the mafic radial dikes and the inferred conduit at the current level of exposure. Oriented samples collected from the chilled margins of 29 mafic dikes were analyzed for flow fabrics and emplacement directions. Among them, 20 dikes show flow angles greater than 30 degrees from horizontal, and a single dike had flow fabrics oriented at approximately 20 degrees. Of the dikes with steeper fabrics nine dikes were emplaced up and toward the volcano's center between 30-75 degrees from horizontal, and 11 dikes emplaced up and away from the volcano's center between 35-60 degrees. The two groups of dikes likely responded to the stress field within the edifice, where steepest-emplaced had relatively high magma overpressure and were focused toward the volcano's summit, while dikes with lower overpressures propagated out toward the flanks. At Summer Coon, the lack of connection between mafic dikes and the inferred conduit and presence of only one sub-horizontally emplaced dike implies the stresses within lower edifice impeded lateral dike nucleation and propagation while promoting and influencing the emplacement direction of upward propagating dikes.

El Cobreloa: A geyser with two distinct eruption styles

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Namiki, Atsuko; Muñoz-Saez, Carolina; Manga, Michael

2014-08-01

We performed field measurements at a geyser nicknamed "El Cobreloa," located in the El Tatio Geyser Field, Northern Andes, Chile. The El Cobreloa geyser has two distinct eruption styles: minor eruptions and more energetic and long-lived major eruptions. Minor eruptions splash hot water intermittently over an approximately 4 min time period. Major eruptions begin with an eruption style similar to minor eruptions, but then transition to a voluminous liquid water-dominated eruption, and finally end with energetic steam discharge that continues for approximately 1 h. We calculated eruption intervals by visual observations, acoustic measurements, and ground temperature measurements and found that each eruption style has a regular interval: 4 h and 40 min for major eruptions and ˜14 min for minor eruptions. Eruptions of El Cobreloa and geochemical measurements suggest interaction of three water sources. The geyser reservoir, connected to the surface by a conduit, is recharged by a deep, hot aquifer. More deeply derived magmatic fluids heat the reservoir. Boiling in the reservoir releases steam and hot liquid water to the overlying conduit, causing minor eruptions, and heating the water in the conduit. Eventually the water in the conduit becomes warm enough to boil, leading to a steam-dominated eruption that empties the conduit. The conduit is then recharged by a shallow, colder aquifer, and the eruption cycle begins anew. We develop a model for minor eruptions which heat the water in the conduit. El Cobreloa provides insight into how small eruptions prepare the geyser system for large eruptions.

Laboratory and numerical decompression experiments: an insight into the nucleation and growth of bubbles

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Spina, L.; Colucci, S.; De'Michieli Vitturi, M.; Scheu, B.; Dingwell, D. B.

2014-12-01

Numerical modeling, joined with experimental investigations, is fundamental for studying the dynamics of magmatic fluid into the conduit, where direct observations are unattainable. Furthermore, laboratory experiments can provide invaluable data to vunalidate complex multiphase codes. With the aim on unveil the essence of nucleation process, as well as the behavior of the multiphase magmatic fluid, we performed slow decompression experiments in a shock tube system. We choose silicon oil as analogue for the magmatic melt, and saturated it with Argon at 10 MPa for 72h. The slow decompression to atmospheric conditions was monitored through a high speed camera and pressure sensors, located into the experimental conduit. The experimental conditions of the decompression process have then been reproduced numerically with a compressible multiphase solver based on OpenFOAM. Numerical simulations have been performed by the OpenFOAM compressibleInterFoam solver for 2 compressible, non-isothermal immiscible fluids, using a VOF (volume of fluid) phase-fraction based interface capturing approach. The data extracted from 2D images obtained from laboratory analyses were compared to the outcome of numerical investigation, showing the capability of the model to capture the main processes studied.

­­Clastic Pipes on Mars: Evidence for a Near Surface Groundwater System

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wheatley, D. F.; Chan, M. A.; Okubo, C. H.

2017-12-01

Clastic pipes, a type of vertical, columnar injectite, occur throughout the terrestrial stratigraphic record and are identified across many Martian terrains. Terrestrial pipe analogs can aid in identifying clastic pipes on Mars to understand their formation processes and their implications for a past near-surface groundwater system. On Earth, clastic pipes form through fluidization of overpressurized sediment. Fluidization occurs when the upward frictional (i.e., drag) forces of escaping fluids overpower the downward acting gravitational force. To create the forces necessary for pipe formation requires overpressurization of a body of water-saturated porous media overlain by a low permeability confining layer. As the pressure builds, the confining layer eventually fractures and the escaping fluids fluidize the porous sediment causing the sediment to behave like a fluid. These specific formation conditions record evidence of a violent release of fluid-suspended sediment including brecciation of the host and sealing material, internal outward grading/sorting that results in a coarser-grained commonly better cemented outer rind, traction structures, and a cylindrical geometry. Pipes form self-organized, dispersed spatial relationships due to the efficient diffusion of overpressured zones in the subsurface and the expulsion of sediment under pressure. Martian pipes occur across the northern lowlands, dichotomy boundary, and southern highlands in various forms of erosional relief ranging from newer eruption structures to eroded cylindrical/conical mounds with raised rims to highly eroded mounds/hills. Similar to terrestrial examples, Martian pipes form in evenly-spaced, self-organized arrangements. The pipes are typically internally massive with a raised outer rim (interpreted as a sorted, coarser-grained, better-cemented rim). This evidence indicates that Martian pipes formed through fluidization, which requires a near-surface groundwater system. Pipes create a window into the subsurface by excavating subsurface sediment and waters. After emplacement, pipes can also act as fluid conduits, channeling post-depositional fluid flow. The preferential porosity and flow paths may make the pipes an ideal exploration target for microbial life.

Geometry and Hydraulics of Englacial Conduits, Storglaciaren, Sweden

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fountain, A. G.; Schlichting, R.; Frodin, S.; Jacobel, R. W.

2001-12-01

Englacial conduits are the primary structure responsible for transporting surface water to the base of a glacier, where it supplies the subglacial hydraulic system and, in turn, affects glacier movement. Despite the well-known theoretical descriptions of englacial conduits, little direct evidence exists about their geometry and hydraulics. In July 2001, we initiated a field effort on Storglaciären, Sweden, to intersect englacial conduits by drilling into the glacier using a hot water drill. A companion project (Jacobel et al., this session) attempted to detect the englacial conduits using ground-penetrating radar. In a typical borehole, the water level remained at the surface while drilling through the impermeable ice. Once a connection was made, the water level dropped roughly 10 m and remained low despite continued water pumping. A small video camera was lowered, with attachments, to measure the geometry of the opening, and water flow speed. The water level in the hole provided a piezometric measure of the pressure. We drilled 22 holes at 3 separate locations and 17 (77%) connected englacially, the remaining 5 reached the bed without englacial connection, of which 2 drained at the bed. The geometry of the connections was highly irregular in cross-section with 1-2 cm openings, reminiscent of crevasse-like features rather than circular cross-sections as anticipated from the theoretical literature. Flow behavior was observed by tracking particle motion. The flow was complicated, in part by the inferred tangential intersection between the borehole and structure, and by the observed surging behavior. Flow speeds were low, on the order of 1 cm sec-1. Water level records from 3 different holes over several days exhibited highly correlated variations and large diurnal excursions. In contrast, records from holes drilled to the bed showed little variation. Based on these measurements, our conceptual picture of the englacial system is that of a sluggish flow system composed of many passages with hydraulically inefficient cross-sections. In general, correlation between the radar images and directly measured connections was inconclusive. However, in one case we believe we drilled to a very clear linear subsurface structure imaged by the radar.

Circulation of carbon dioxide in the mantle: multiscale modeling

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Morra, G.; Yuen, D. A.; Lee, S.

2012-12-01

Much speculation has been put forward on the quantity and nature of carbon reservoirs in the deep Earth, because of its involvement in the evolution of life at the surface and inside planetary interiors. Carbon penetrates into the Earth's mantle mostly during subduction of oceanic crust, which contains carbonate deposits [1], however the form that it assumes at lower mantle depths is scarcely understood [2], hampering our ability to estimate the amount of carbon in the entire mantle by orders of magnitude. We present simulations of spontaneous degassing of supercritical CO2 using in-house developed novel implementations of the Fast-Multipole Boundary Element Method suitable for modeling two-phase flow (here mantle mineral and free CO2 fluid) through disordered materials such as porous rocks. Because the mutual interaction of droplets immersed either in a fluid or a solid matrix and their weakening effect to the host rock alters the strength of the mantle rocks, at the large scale the fluid phases in the mantle may control the creeping of mantle rocks [3]. In particular our study focuses on the percolation of supercritical CO2, estimated through the solution of the Laplace equation in a porous system, stochastically generated through a series of random Karhunen-Loeve decomposition. The model outcome is employed to extract the transmissivity of supercritical fluids in the mantle from the lowest scale up to the mantle scale and in combination with the creeping flow of the convecting mantle. The emerging scenarios on the global carbon cycle are finally discussed. [1] Boulard, E., et al., New host for carbon in the deep Earth. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 2011. 108(13): p. 5184-5187. [2] Walter, M.J., et al., Deep Mantle Cycling of Oceanic Crust: Evidence from Diamonds and Their Mineral Inclusions. Science, 2011. 334(6052): p. 54-57. [3] Morra, G., et al., Ascent of Bubbles in Magma Conduits Using Boundary Elements and Particles. Procedia Computer Science, 2011.; Boundary Element solution of a flow through a porous. Left boxes represent the the matrix associated with the integrals. The flow enters below and emerges at the top, the amount of flow is identical. The flow is spread in the porous and is viscousless (Laplace equation).

Silicic magma differentiation in ascent conduits. Experimental constraints

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rodríguez, Carmen; Castro, Antonio

2017-02-01

Crystallization of water-bearing silicic magmas in a dynamic thermal boundary layer is reproduced experimentally by using the intrinsic thermal gradient of piston-cylinder assemblies. The standard AGV2 andesite under water-undersaturated conditions is set to crystallize in a dynamic thermal gradient of about 35 °C/mm in 10 mm length capsules. In the hotter area of the capsule, the temperature is initially set at 1200 °C and decreases by programmed cooling at two distinct rates of 0.6 and 9.6 °C/h. Experiments are conducted in horizontally arranged assemblies in a piston cylinder apparatus to avoid any effect of gravity settling and compaction of crystals in long duration runs. The results are conclusive about the effect of water-rich fluids that are expelled out the crystal-rich zone (mush), where water saturation is reached by second boiling in the interstitial liquid. Expelled fluids migrate to the magma ahead of the solidification front contributing to a progressive enrichment in the fluxed components SiO2, K2O and H2O. The composition of water-rich fluids is modelled by mass balance using the chemical composition of glasses (quenched melt). The results are the basis for a model of granite magma differentiation in thermally-zoned conduits with application of in-situ crystallization equations. The intriguing textural and compositional features of the typical autoliths, accompanying granodiorite-tonalite batholiths, can be explained following the results of this study, by critical phenomena leading to splitting of an initially homogeneous magma into two magma systems with sharp boundaries. Magma splitting in thermal boundary layers, formed at the margins of ascent conduits, may operate for several km distances during magma transport from deep sources at the lower crust or upper mantle. Accordingly, conduits may work as chromatographic columns contributing to increase the silica content of ascending magmas and, at the same time, leave behind residual mushes that eventually are dragged as enclaves or autoliths.

Electro-kinetically driven peristaltic transport of viscoelastic physiological fluids through a finite length capillary: Mathematical modeling.

PubMed

Tripathi, Dharmendra; Yadav, Ashu; Bég, O Anwar

2017-01-01

Analytical solutions are developed for the electro-kinetic flow of a viscoelastic biological liquid in a finite length cylindrical capillary geometry under peristaltic waves. The Jefferys' non-Newtonian constitutive model is employed to characterize rheological properties of the fluid. The unsteady conservation equations for mass and momentum with electro-kinetic and Darcian porous medium drag force terms are reduced to a system of steady linearized conservation equations in an axisymmetric coordinate system. The long wavelength, creeping (low Reynolds number) and Debye-Hückel linearization approximations are utilized. The resulting boundary value problem is shown to be controlled by a number of parameters including the electro-osmotic parameter, Helmholtz-Smoluchowski velocity (maximum electro-osmotic velocity), and Jefferys' first parameter (ratio of relaxation and retardation time), wave amplitude. The influence of these parameters and also time on axial velocity, pressure difference, maximum volumetric flow rate and streamline distributions (for elucidating trapping phenomena) is visualized graphically and interpreted in detail. Pressure difference magnitudes are enhanced consistently with both increasing electro-osmotic parameter and Helmholtz-Smoluchowski velocity, whereas they are only elevated with increasing Jefferys' first parameter for positive volumetric flow rates. Maximum time averaged flow rate is enhanced with increasing electro-osmotic parameter, Helmholtz-Smoluchowski velocity and Jefferys' first parameter. Axial flow is accelerated in the core (plug) region of the conduit with greater values of electro-osmotic parameter and Helmholtz-Smoluchowski velocity whereas it is significantly decelerated with increasing Jefferys' first parameter. The simulations find applications in electro-osmotic (EO) transport processes in capillary physiology and also bio-inspired EO pump devices in chemical and aerospace engineering. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Hydraulic analysis of harmonic pumping tests in frequency and time domains for identifying the conduits networks in a karstic aquifer

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fischer, P.; Jardani, A.; Cardiff, M.; Lecoq, N.; Jourde, H.

2018-04-01

In a karstic field, the flow paths are very complex as they globally follow the conduit network. The responses generated from an investigation in this type of aquifer can be spatially highly variable. Therefore, the aim of the investigation in this case is to define a degree of connectivity between points of the field, in order to understand these flow paths. Harmonic pumping tests represent a possible investigation method for characterizing the subsurface flow of groundwater. They have several advantages compared to a constant-rate pumping (more signal possibilities, ease of extracting the signal in the responses and possibility of closed loop investigation). We show in this work that interpreting the responses from a harmonic pumping test is very useful for delineating a degree of connectivity between measurement points. We have firstly studied the amplitude and phase offset of responses from a harmonic pumping test in a theoretical synthetic modeling case in order to define a qualitative interpretation method in the time and frequency domains. Three different type of responses have been separated: a conduit connectivity response, a matrix connectivity, and a dual connectivity (response of a point in the matrix, but close to a conduit). We have then applied this method to measured responses at a field research site. Our interpretation method permits a quick and easy reconstruction of the main flow paths, and the whole set of field responses appear to give a similar range of responses to those seen in the theoretical synthetic case.

Recirculating rotary gas compressor

DOEpatents

Weinbrecht, John F.

1992-01-01

A positive displacement, recirculating Roots-type rotary gas compressor which operates on the basis of flow work compression. The compressor includes a pair of large diameter recirculation conduits (24 and 26) which return compressed discharge gas to the compressor housing (14), where it is mixed with low pressure inlet gas, thereby minimizing adiabatic heating of the gas. The compressor includes a pair of involutely lobed impellers (10 and 12) and an associated port configuration which together result in uninterrupted flow of recirculation gas. The large diameter recirculation conduits equalize gas flow velocities within the compressor and minimize gas flow losses. The compressor is particularly suited to applications requiring sustained operation at higher gas compression ratios than have previously been feasible with rotary pumps, and is particularly applicable to refrigeration or other applications requiring condensation of a vapor.

Recirculating rotary gas compressor

DOEpatents

Weinbrecht, J.F.

1992-02-25

A positive displacement, recirculating Roots-type rotary gas compressor is described which operates on the basis of flow work compression. The compressor includes a pair of large diameter recirculation conduits which return compressed discharge gas to the compressor housing, where it is mixed with low pressure inlet gas, thereby minimizing adiabatic heating of the gas. The compressor includes a pair of involutely lobed impellers and an associated port configuration which together result in uninterrupted flow of recirculation gas. The large diameter recirculation conduits equalize gas flow velocities within the compressor and minimize gas flow losses. The compressor is particularly suited to applications requiring sustained operation at higher gas compression ratios than have previously been feasible with rotary pumps, and is particularly applicable to refrigeration or other applications requiring condensation of a vapor. 12 figs.

Experimental study of solute transport in pool-pipe system and its significance on karst hydrogeology

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhao, X.; Chang, Y.; Peng, F.; Wu, J.

2016-12-01

Study of solute transport in karst conduit is of great significance for prediction and prevention of groundwater pollution in southwest karst region. Solute transport in karst conduit is strongly influenced by pools which often develop along karst conduit. In order to investigate the effect of transient storage within pools on solute transport in the conduit, a pool-pipe system was built in the laboratory and some tracer tests were performed in various flow conditions to characterize the solute transport in different pool-pipe structures. The Qtracer2 program was used to obtain solute transport parameters. We used retardation coefficient R to characterize the difference between the 1-D analytical solution of the classical advection-dispersion equation and experimental results. The experimental results reveal that the concentration peak decreases with the number of pools whereas the dispersion coefficient and dispersivity increase gradually. Adding transient storage increases retardation as tailing of the breakthrough curve(BTC) is growing with the number of pools. This demonstrates that transient storage within pools is transformed to retardation. The symmetrical pool has longer tails compared to the asymmetrical pool. The concentration peak lag behind significantly due to the asymmetrical pool. A decrease in dispersivity and tailing of the BTC is observed in all pipes with the increase of flow velocities. The 1-D analytical solution of the classical advection-dispersion equation is well fitted to BTC of a single pipe in maximum flow velocity but is poorly fitted to other BTCs with appreciable tails. Therefore, it requires an appropriate model to explain tailing of the BTC. The conclusion has important significance for understanding of solute transport process in karst conduit. Future work will focus on using the appropriate model to explain tailing of the BTC.

CO2 outgassing in a combined fracture and conduit karst aquifer near lititz spring, Pennsylvania

USGS Publications Warehouse

Toran, L.; Roman, E.

2006-01-01

Lititz Spring in southeastern Pennsylvania and a nearby domestic well were sampled for 9 months. Although both locations are connected to conduits (as evidenced by a tracer test), most of the year they were saturated with respect to calcite, which is more typical of matrix flow. Geochemical modeling (PHREEQC) was used to explain this apparent paradox and to infer changes in matrix and conduit contribution to flow. The saturation index varied from 0.5 to 0 most of the year, with a few samples in springtime dropping below saturation. The log PCO2 value varied from -2.5 to -1.7. Lower log PCO2 values (closer to the atmospheric value of -3.5) were observed when the solutions were at or above saturation with respect to calcite. In contrast, samples collected in the springtime had high PCO2, low saturation indices, and high water levels. Geochemical modeling showed that when outgassing occurs from a water with initially high PCO2, the saturation index of calcite increases. In the Lititz Spring area, the recharge water travels through the soil zone, where it picks up CO2 from soil gas, and excess CO 2 subsequently is outgassed when this recharge water reaches the conduit. At times of high water level (pipe full), recharge with excess CO 2 enters the system but the outgassing does not occur. Instead the recharge causes dilution, reducing the calcite saturation index. Understanding the temporal and spatial variation in matrix and conduit flow in karst aquifers benefited here by geochemical modeling and calculation of PCO2 values. ?? 2006 Geological Society of America.

Improving patency of coronary conduits "valveless" veins and/or arterial grafts.

PubMed

Lajos, Thomas Z; Robicsek, Francis; Thubrikar, Mano; Urschel, Harold

2007-01-01

Veins used for coronary artery bypass operation have a well-documented limited long-term patency. Internal thoracic artery (ITA) grafts have shown exceptional "durability." Assumptions were made that other arterial conduits have similar characteristics. The purpose of this article is to compare different conduits long-term patency including saphenous veins to other available arterial conduits: inferior epigastric artery (IE), right gastroepiploic artery (RGEA), and radial artery (RA). Recent studies have shown that radial artery bypasses have lower patency rate than saphenous veins. Flow patterns, physiological flow characteristics are reviewed including native vessel disease and area of myocardium supplied. In the case of venous bypasses, the primary culprit of failure seemed to be the quality of the vein itself and the reverse venous valves in the conduit resulting in: (a) trapping-hypertension, (b) thrombosis, (c) turbulence, (d) intimal damage, (e) mismatching in size. Clinical follow-up of our patients up to 8 to 11 years (average 8.9 years) have proved the superior characteristics of the so-called "good veins." In a retrospective study of 436 patients sequential, valveless veins patency was 88.6% versus 72% of reversed valvular segments (p < 0.01). Patients' survival seemed to be significantly improved if these veins were combined with ITA grafts. Patients' survival with one valveless limb HS + ITA was 78% versus HS + SV 52% (p < or = 0.0017) and HS + ITA versus HS + ITA + SV (p < 0.0057). Selective decision-making of the surgeon at the time of the operation is required to choose the best conduit to be able to perform the best operation with the best long-term result.

Method and apparatus for determining diameter and wall thickness of minute hollow spherical shells

DOEpatents

Steinman, D.A.

1980-05-30

Method and apparatus for determining diameter and wall thickness of hollow microspheres or shells wherein terminal velocities of shells traveling in fluid-filled conduits of differing diameters are measured. A wall-effect factor is determined as a ratio of the terminal velocities, and shell outside diameter may then be ascertained as a predetermined empirical function of wall-effect factor. For shells of known outside diameter, wall thickness may then be ascertained as a predetermined empirical function of terminal velocity in either conduit.

Method and apparatus for determining diameter and wall thickness of minute hollow spherical shells

DOEpatents

Steinman, David A.

1982-01-01

Method and apparatus for determining diameter and wall thickness of hollow microspheres or shells wherein terminal velocities of shells traveling in fluid-filled conduits of differing diameters are measured. A wall-effect factor is determined as a ratio of the terminal velocities, and shell outside diameter may then be ascertained as a predetermined empirical function of wall-effect factor. For shells of known outside diameter, wall thickness may then be ascertained as a predetermined empirical function of terminal velocity in either conduit.

Faulting within the Mount St. Helens conduit and implications for volcanic earthquakes

USGS Publications Warehouse

Pallister, John S.; Cashman, Katharine V.; Hagstrum, Jonathan T.; Beeler, Nicholas M.; Moran, Seth C.; Denlinger, Roger P.

2013-01-01

The 2004–2008 eruption of Mount St. Helens produced seven dacite spines mantled by cataclastic fault rocks, comprising an outer fault core and an inner damage zone. These fault rocks provide remarkable insights into the mechanical processes that accompany extrusion of degassed magma, insights that are useful in forecasting dome-forming eruptions. The outermost part of the fault core consists of finely comminuted fault gouge that is host to 1- to 3-mm-thick layers of extremely fine-grained slickenside-bearing ultracataclasite. Interior to the fault core, there is an ∼2-m-thick damage zone composed of cataclastic breccia and sheared dacite, and interior to the damage zone, there is massive to flow-banded dacite lava of the spine interior. Structures and microtextures indicate entirely brittle deformation, including rock breakage, tensional dilation, shearing, grain flow, and microfaulting, as well as gas and fluid migration through intergranular pores and fractures in the damage zone. Slickenside lineations and consistent orientations of Riedel shears indicate upward shear of the extruding spines against adjacent conduit wall rocks.Paleomagnetic directions, demagnetization paths, oxide mineralogy, and petrology indicate that cataclasis took place within dacite in a solidified steeply dipping volcanic conduit at temperatures above 500 °C. Low water content of matrix glass is consistent with brittle behavior at these relatively high temperatures, and the presence of tridymite indicates solidification depths of <1 km. Cataclasis was coincident with the eruption’s seismogenic zone at <1.5 km.More than a million small and low-frequency “drumbeat” earthquakes with coda magnitudes (Md) <2.0 and frequencies <5 Hz occurred during the 2004–2008 eruption. Our field data provide a means with which to estimate slip-patch dimensions for shear planes and to compare these with estimates of slip patches based on seismic moments and shear moduli for dacite rock and granular fault gouge. Based on these comparisons, we find that aseismic creep is achieved by micron-scale displacements on Riedel shears and by granular flow, whereas the drumbeat earthquakes require millimeter to centimeter displacements on relatively large (e.g., ∼1000 m2) slip patches, possibly along observed extensive principal shear zones within the fault core but probably not along the smaller Riedel shears. Although our field and structural data are compatible with stick-slip models, they do not rule out seismic and infrasound models that call on resonance of steam-filled fractures to generate the drumbeat earthquakes. We suggest that stick-slip and gas release processes may be coupled, and that regardless of the source mechanism, the distinctive drumbeat earthquakes are proving to be an effective precursor for dome-forming eruptions.Our data document a continuous cycle of deformation along the conduit margins beginning with episodes of fracture in the damage zone and followed by transfer of motion to the fault core. We illustrate the cycle of deformation using a hypothetical cross section of the Mount St. Helens conduit, extending from the surface to the depth of magmatic solidification.

Geochemistry, mineralization, structure, and permeability of a normal-fault zone, Casino mine, Alligator Ridge district, north central Nevada

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hammond, K. Jill; Evans, James P.

2003-05-01

We examine the geochemical signature and structure of the Keno fault zone to test its impact on the flow of ore-mineralizing fluids, and use the mined exposures to evaluate structures and processes associated with normal fault development. The fault is a moderately dipping normal-fault zone in siltstone and silty limestone with 55-100 m of dip-slip displacement in north-central Nevada. Across-strike exposures up to 180 m long, 65 m of down-dip exposure and 350 m of along-strike exposure allow us to determine how faults, fractures, and fluids interact within mixed-lithology carbonate-dominated sedimentary rocks. The fault changes character along strike from a single clay-rich slip plane 10-20 mm thick at the northern exposure to numerous hydrocarbon-bearing, calcite-filled, nearly vertical slip planes in a zone 15 m wide at the southern exposure. The hanging wall and footwall are intensely fractured but fracture densities do not vary markedly with distance from the fault. Fault slip varies from pure dip-slip to nearly pure strike-slip, which suggests that either slip orientations may vary on faults in single slip events, or stress variations over the history of the fault caused slip vector variations. Whole-rock major, minor, and trace element analyses indicate that Au, Sb, and As are in general associated with the fault zone, suggesting that Au- and silica-bearing fluids migrated along the fault to replace carbonate in the footwall and adjacent hanging wall rocks. Subsequent fault slip was associated with barite and calcite and hydrocarbon-bearing fluids deposited at the southern end of the fault. No correlation exists at the meter or tens of meter scale between mineralization patterns and fracture density. We suggest that the fault was a combined conduit-barrier system in which the fault provides a critical connection between the fluid sources and fractures that formed before and during faulting. During the waning stages of deposit formation, the fault behaved as a localized conduit to hydrocarbon-bearing calcite veins. The results of this study show that fault-zone character may change dramatically over short, deposit- or reservoir-scale distances. The presence of damage zones may not be well correlated at the fine scale with geochemically defined regions of the fault, even though a gross spatial correlation may exist.

Role of deep crustal fluids in the genesis of intraplate earthquakes in the Kachchh region, northwestern India

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pavan Kumar, G.; Mahesh, P.; Nagar, Mehul; Mahender, E.; Kumar, Virendhar; Mohan, Kapil; Ravi Kumar, M.

2017-05-01

Fluids play a prominent role in the genesis of earthquakes, particularly in intraplate settings. In this study, we present evidence for a highly heterogeneous nature of electrical conductivity in the crust and uppermost mantle beneath the Kachchh rift basin of northwestern India, which is host to large, deadly intraplate earthquakes. We interpret our results of high conductive zones inferred from magnetotelluric and 3-D local earthquake tomography investigations in terms of a fluid reservoir in the upper mantle. The South Wagad Fault (SWF) imaged as a near-vertical north dipping low resistivity zone traversing the entire crust and an elongated south dipping conductor demarcating the North Wagad Fault (NWF) serve as conduits for fluid flow from the reservoir to the middle to lower crustal depths. Importantly, the epicentral zone of the 2001 main shock is characterized as a fluid saturated zone at the rooting of NWF onto the SWF.