Nonintrusive performance measurement of a gas turbine engine in real time

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

DeSilva, Upul P.; Claussen, Heiko

Performance of a gas turbine engine is monitored by computing a mass flow rate through the engine. Acoustic time-of-flight measurements are taken between acoustic transmitters and receivers in the flow path of the engine. The measurements are processed to determine average speeds of sound and gas flow velocities along those lines-of-sound. A volumetric flow rate in the flow path is computed using the gas flow velocities together with a representation of the flow path geometry. A gas density in the flow path is computed using the speeds of sound and a measured static pressure. The mass flow rate is calculatedmore » from the gas density and the volumetric flow rate.« less

Long-range open-path greenhouse gas monitoring using mid-infrared laser dispersion spectroscopy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Daghestani, Nart; Brownsword, Richard; Weidmann, Damien

2015-04-01

Accurate and sensitive methods of monitoring greenhouse gas (GHG) emission over large areas has become a pressing need to deliver improved estimates of both human-made and natural GHG budgets. These needs relate to a variety of sectors including environmental monitoring, energy, oil and gas industry, waste management, biogenic emission characterization, and leak detection. To address the needs, long-distance open-path laser spectroscopy methods offer significant advantages in terms of temporal resolution, sensitivity, compactness and cost effectiveness. Path-integrated mixing ratio measurements stemming from long open-path laser spectrometers can provide emission mapping when combined with meteorological data and/or through tomographic approaches. Laser absorption spectroscopy is the predominant method of detecting gasses over long integrated path lengths. The development of dispersion spectrometers measuring tiny refractive index changes, rather than optical power transmission, may offer a set of specific advantages1. These include greater immunity to laser power fluctuations, greater dynamic range due to the linearity of dispersion, and ideally a zero baseline signal easing quantitative retrievals of path integrated mixing ratios. Chirped laser dispersion spectrometers (CLaDS) developed for the monitoring of atmospheric methane and carbon dioxide will be presented. Using quantum cascade laser as the source, a minimalistic and compact system operating at 7.8 μm has been developed and demonstrated for the monitoring of atmospheric methane over a 90 meter open path2. Through full instrument modelling and error propagation analysis, precision of 3 ppm.m.Hz-0.5 has been established (one sigma precision for atmospheric methane normalized over a 1 m path and 1 s measurement duration). The system was fully functional in the rain, sleet, and moderate fog. The physical model and system concept of CLaDS can be adapted to any greenhouse gas species. Currently we are developing an in-lab instrument that can measure carbon dioxide using a quantum cascade laser operating in the 4 μm range. In this case, the dynamic range benefit of CLaDS is used to provide high precision even when peak absorbance in the CO2 spectrum gets greater than 2. Development for this deployable CO2 measurement system is still at an early stage. So far laboratory gas cell experiments have demonstrated a 9.3 ppm.m.Hz-0.5 for CO2 monitoring. This corresponds to about 0.02% relative precision in measuring CO2 atmospheric background over a 100 m open-path in one second. 1 G. Wysocki and D. Weidmann, "Molecular dispersion spectroscopy for chemical sensing using chirped mid-infrared quantum cascade laser," Opt. Express 18(25), 26123-26140 (2010). 2 N.S. Daghestani, R. Brownsword, D. Weidmann, 'Analysis and demonstration of atmospheric methane monitoring by mid-infrared open-path chirped dispersion spectroscopy' Opt. Express 22(25), A1731-A1743 (2014).

Development of an open-path gas analyser for plume detection in security applications

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hay, Kenneth G.; Norberg, Ola; Normand, Erwan; Önnerud, Hans; Black, Paul

2017-04-01

We present here an open-path analyser, initially intended for security applications, specifically for the detection of gas plumes from illicit improvised explosive device (IED) manufacturing. Subsequently, the analysers were adapted for methane measurement and used to investigate its applicability for leak detection in different scenarios (e.g. unconventional gas extraction sites). Preliminary results showed consistent measurements of gas plumes in the open path.

Non-catalytic recuperative reformer

DOEpatents

Khinkis, Mark J.; Kozlov, Aleksandr P.; Kurek, Harry

2015-12-22

A non-catalytic recuperative reformer has a flue gas flow path for conducting hot flue gas from a thermal process and a reforming mixture flow path for conducting a reforming mixture. At least a portion of the reforming mixture flow path is embedded in the flue gas flow path to permit heat transfer from the hot flue gas to the reforming mixture. The reforming mixture flow path contains substantially no material commonly used as a catalyst for reforming hydrocarbon fuel (e.g., nickel oxide, platinum group elements or rhenium), but instead the reforming mixture is reformed into a higher calorific fuel via reactions due to the heat transfer and residence time. In a preferred embodiment, extended surfaces of metal material such as stainless steel or metal alloy that are high in nickel content are included within at least a portion of the reforming mixture flow path.

Theoretical test of Jarzynski's equality for reversible volume-switching processes of an ideal gas system.

PubMed

Sung, Jaeyoung

2007-07-01

We present an exact theoretical test of Jarzynski's equality (JE) for reversible volume-switching processes of an ideal gas system. The exact analysis shows that the prediction of JE for the free energy difference is the same as the work done on the gas system during the reversible process that is dependent on the shape of path of the reversible volume-switching process.

Ultraviolet spectroscopic breath analysis using hollow-optical fiber as gas cell

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Iwata, T.; Katagiri, T.; Matsuura, Y.

2017-02-01

For breath analysis on ultraviolet absorption spectroscopy, an analysis system using a hollow optical fiber as gas cell is developed. The hollow optical fiber functions as a long path and extremely small volume gas cell. Firstly, the measurement sensitivity of the system is evaluated by using NO gas as a gas sample. The result shows that NO gas with 50 ppb concentration is measured by using a system with a laser-driven, high intensity light source and a 3-meter long, aluminum-coated hollow optical fiber. Then an absorption spectrum of breath sample is measured in the wavelength region of around 200-300 nm and from the spectrum, it is found that the main absorbing components in breath were H2O, isoprene, and O3 converted from O2 by radiation of ultraviolet light. Then the concentration of isoprene in breath is estimated by using multiple linear regression analysis.

A Hybrid Stochastic-Neuro-Fuzzy Model-Based System for In-Flight Gas Turbine Engine Diagnostics

DTIC Science & Technology

2001-04-05

Margin (ADM) and (ii) Fault Detection Margin (FDM). Key Words: ANFIS, Engine Health Monitoring , Gas Path Analysis, and Stochastic Analysis Adaptive Network...The paper illustrates the application of a hybrid Stochastic- Fuzzy -Inference Model-Based System (StoFIS) to fault diagnostics and prognostics for both...operational history monitored on-line by the engine health management (EHM) system. To capture the complex functional relationships between different

Portable open-path chemical sensor using a quantum cascade laser

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Corrigan, Paul; Lwin, Maung; Huntley, Reuven; Chhabra, Amandeep; Moshary, Fred; Gross, Barry; Ahmed, Samir

2009-05-01

Remote sensing of enemy installations or their movements by trace gas detection is a critical but challenging military objective. Open path measurements over ranges of a few meters to many kilometers with sensitivity in the parts per million or billion regime are crucial in anticipating the presence of a threat. Previous approaches to detect ground level chemical plumes, explosive constituents, or combustion have relied on low-resolution, short range Fourier transform infrared spectrometer (FTIR), or low-sensitivity near-infrared differential optical absorption spectroscopy (DOAS). As mid-infrared quantum cascade laser (QCL) sources have improved in cost and performance, systems based on QCL's that can be tailored to monitor multiple chemical species in real time are becoming a viable alternative. We present the design of a portable, high-resolution, multi-kilometer open path trace gas sensor based on QCL technology. Using a tunable (1045-1047cm-1) QCL, a modeled atmosphere and link-budget analysis with commercial component specifications, we show that with this approach, accuracy in parts per billion ozone or ammonia can be obtained in seconds at path lengths up to 10 km. We have assembled an open-path QCL sensor based on this theoretical approach at City College of New York, and we present preliminary results demonstrating the potential of QCLs in open-path sensing applications.

Eddy covariance measurements with a new fast-response, enclosed-path analyzer: Spectral characteristics and cross-system comparisons

Treesearch

K. Novick; J. Walker; W.S. Chan; A. Schmidt; C. Sobek; J.M. Vose

2013-01-01

A new class of enclosed path gas analyzers suitable for eddy covariance applications combines the advantages of traditional closed-path systems (small density corrections, good performance in poor weather) and open-path systems (good spectral response, low power requirements), and permits estimates of instantaneous gas mixing ratio. Here, the extent to which these...

Theoretical analysis for scaling law of thermal blooming based on optical phase deference

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sun, Yunqiang; Huang, Zhilong; Ren, Zebin; Chen, Zhiqiang; Guo, Longde; Xi, Fengjie

2016-10-01

In order to explore the laser propagation influence of thermal blooming effect of pipe flow and to analysis the influencing factors, scaling law theoretical analysis of the thermal blooming effects in pipe flow are carry out in detail based on the optical path difference caused by thermal blooming effects in pipe flow. Firstly, by solving the energy coupling equation of laser beam propagation, the temperature of the flow is obtained, and then the optical path difference caused by the thermal blooming is deduced. Through the analysis of the influence of pipe size, flow field and laser parameters on the optical path difference, energy scaling parameters Ne=nTαLPR2/(ρɛCpπR02) and geometric scaling parameters Nc=νR2/(ɛL) of thermal blooming for the pipe flow are derived. Secondly, for the direct solution method, the energy coupled equations have analytic solutions only for the straight tube with Gauss beam. Considering the limitation of directly solving the coupled equations, the dimensionless analysis method is adopted, the analysis is also based on the change of optical path difference, same scaling parameters for the pipe flow thermal blooming are derived, which makes energy scaling parameters Ne and geometric scaling parameters Nc have good universality. The research results indicate that when the laser power and the laser beam diameter are changed, thermal blooming effects of the pipeline axial flow caused by optical path difference will not change, as long as you keep energy scaling parameters constant. When diameter or length of the pipe changes, just keep the geometric scaling parameters constant, the pipeline axial flow gas thermal blooming effects caused by optical path difference distribution will not change. That is to say, when the pipe size and laser parameters change, if keeping two scaling parameters with constant, the pipeline axial flow thermal blooming effects caused by the optical path difference will not change. Therefore, the energy scaling parameters and the geometric scaling parameters can really describe the gas thermal blooming effect in the axial pipe flow. These conclusions can give a good reference for the construction of the thermal blooming test system of laser system. Contrasted with the thermal blooming scaling parameters of the Bradley-Hermann distortion number ND and Fresnel number NF, which were derived based on the change of far field beam intensity distortion, the scaling parameters of pipe flow thermal blooming deduced from the optical path deference variation are very suitable for the optical system with short laser propagation distance, large Fresnel number and obviously changed optical path deference.

Method and apparatus for filtering gas with a moving granular filter bed

DOEpatents

Brown, Robert C.; Wistrom, Corey; Smeenk, Jerod L.

2007-12-18

A method and apparatus for filtering gas (58) with a moving granular filter bed (48) involves moving a mass of particulate filter material (48) downwardly through a filter compartment (35); tangentially introducing gas into the compartment (54) to move in a cyclonic path downwardly around the moving filter material (48); diverting the cyclonic path (58) to a vertical path (62) to cause the gas to directly interface with the particulate filter material (48); thence causing the gas to move upwardly through the filter material (48) through a screened partition (24, 32) into a static upper compartment (22) of a filter compartment for exodus (56) of the gas which has passed through the particulate filter material (48).

Intelligent Control and Health Monitoring. Chapter 3

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Garg, Sanjay; Kumar, Aditya; Mathews, H. Kirk; Rosenfeld, Taylor; Rybarik, Pavol; Viassolo, Daniel E.

2009-01-01

Advanced model-based control architecture overcomes the limitations state-of-the-art engine control and provides the potential of virtual sensors, for example for thrust and stall margin. "Tracking filters" are used to adapt the control parameters to actual conditions and to individual engines. For health monitoring standalone monitoring units will be used for on-board analysis to determine the general engine health and detect and isolate sudden faults. Adaptive models open up the possibility of adapting the control logic to maintain desired performance in the presence of engine degradation or to accommodate any faults. Improved and new sensors are required to allow sensing at stations within the engine gas path that are currently not instrumented due in part to the harsh conditions including high operating temperatures and to allow additional monitoring of vibration, mass flows and energy properties, exhaust gas composition, and gas path debris. The environmental and performance requirements for these sensors are summarized.

New Remote Gas Sensor Using Rapid Electro-Optical Path Switching

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Sachse, G. W.; Lebel, P. J.; Wallio, H. A.; Vay, S. A.; Wang, L. G.

1994-01-01

Innovative gas filter correlation radiometer (GFCR) features nonmechanical switching of internal optical paths. Incoming radiation switched electro-optically, by means of polarization, between two optical paths, one of which contains correlation gas cell while other does not. Advantages include switching speed, 2 to 3 orders of magnitude faster than mechanical techniques, and high reliability. Applications include regional studies of atmospheric chemistry from either manned or unmanned aircraft as well as satellite studies of global distributions, sources and sink mechanisms for key species involved in chemistry of troposphere. Commercial applications: ability to survey many miles of natural gas pipelines rapidly from aircraft, pinpointing gas leaks by measuring methane at 2.3 micrometers.

HAI, a new airborne, absolute, twin dual-channel, multi-phase TDLAS-hygrometer: background, design, setup, and first flight data

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Buchholz, Bernhard; Afchine, Armin; Klein, Alexander; Schiller, Cornelius; Krämer, Martina; Ebert, Volker

2017-01-01

The novel Hygrometer for Atmospheric Investigation (HAI) realizes a unique concept for simultaneous gas-phase and total (gas-phase + evaporated cloud particles) water measurements. It has been developed and successfully deployed for the first time on the German HALO research aircraft. This new instrument combines direct tunable diode laser absorption spectroscopy (dTDLAS) with a first-principle evaluation method to allow absolute water vapor measurements without any initial or repetitive sensor calibration using a reference gas or a reference humidity generator. HAI contains two completely independent dual-channel (closed-path, open-path) spectrometers, one at 1.4 and one at 2.6 µm, which together allow us to cover the entire atmospheric H2O range from 1 to 40 000 ppmv with a single instrument. Both spectrometers each comprise a separate, wavelength-individual extractive, closed-path cell for total water (ice and gas-phase) measurements. Additionally, both spectrometers couple light into a common open-path cell outside of the aircraft fuselage for a direct, sampling-free, and contactless determination of the gas-phase water content. This novel twin dual-channel setup allows for the first time multiple self-validation functions, in particular a reliable, direct, in-flight validation of the open-path channels. During the first field campaigns, the in-flight deviations between the independent and calibration-free channels (i.e., closed-path to closed-path and open-path to closed-path) were on average in the 2 % range. Further, the fully autonomous HAI hygrometer allows measurements up to 240 Hz with a minimal integration time of 1.4 ms. The best precision is achieved by the 1.4 µm closed-path cell at 3.8 Hz (0.18 ppmv) and by the 2.6 µm closed-path cell at 13 Hz (0.055 ppmv). The requirements, design, operation principle, and first in-flight performance of the hygrometer are described and discussed in this work.

Effects of reaction-kinetic parameters on modeling reaction pathways in GaN MOVPE growth

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhang, Hong; Zuo, Ran; Zhang, Guoyi

2017-11-01

In the modeling of the reaction-transport process in GaN MOVPE growth, the selections of kinetic parameters (activation energy Ea and pre-exponential factor A) for gas reactions are quite uncertain, which cause uncertainties in both gas reaction path and growth rate. In this study, numerical modeling of the reaction-transport process for GaN MOVPE growth in a vertical rotating disk reactor is conducted with varying kinetic parameters for main reaction paths. By comparisons of the molar concentrations of major Ga-containing species and the growth rates, the effects of kinetic parameters on gas reaction paths are determined. The results show that, depending on the values of the kinetic parameters, the gas reaction path may be dominated either by adduct/amide formation path, or by TMG pyrolysis path, or by both. Although the reaction path varies with different kinetic parameters, the predicted growth rates change only slightly because the total transport rate of Ga-containing species to the substrate changes slightly with reaction paths. This explains why previous authors using different chemical models predicted growth rates close to the experiment values. By varying the pre-exponential factor for the amide trimerization, it is found that the more trimers are formed, the lower the growth rates are than the experimental value, which indicates that trimers are poor growth precursors, because of thermal diffusion effect caused by high temperature gradient. The effective order for the contribution of major species to growth rate is found as: pyrolysis species > amides > trimers. The study also shows that radical reactions have little effect on gas reaction path because of the generation and depletion of H radicals in the chain reactions when NH2 is considered as the end species.

Consequences of incomplete surface energy balance closure for CO2 fluxes from open-path CO2/H2O infrared gas analyzers

Treesearch

Heping Liu; James T. Randerson; Jamie Lindfors; William J. Massman; Thomas Foken

2006-01-01

We present an approach for assessing the impact of systematic biases in measured energy fluxes on CO2 flux estimates obtained from open-path eddy-covariance systems. In our analysis, we present equations to analyse the propagation of errors through the Webb, Pearman, and Leuning (WPL) algorithm [Quart. J. Roy. Meteorol. Soc. 106, 85­100, 1980] that is widely used to...

An axisymmetric single-path model for gas transport in the conducting airways.

PubMed

Madasu, Srinath; Borhan, All; Ultman, James S

2006-02-01

In conventional one-dimensional single-path models, radially averaged concentration is calculated as a function of time and longitudinal position in the lungs, and coupled convection and diffusion are accounted for with a dispersion coefficient. The axisymmetric single-path model developed in this paper is a two-dimensional model that incorporates convective-diffusion processes in a more fundamental manner by simultaneously solving the Navier-Stokes and continuity equations with the convection-diffusion equation. A single airway path was represented by a series of straight tube segments interconnected by leaky transition regions that provide for flow loss at the airway bifurcations. As a sample application, the model equations were solved by a finite element method to predict the unsteady state dispersion of an inhaled pulse of inert gas along an airway path having dimensions consistent with Weibel's symmetric airway geometry. Assuming steady, incompressible, and laminar flow, a finite element analysis was used to solve for the axisymmetric pressure, velocity and concentration fields. The dispersion calculated from these numerical solutions exhibited good qualitative agreement with the experimental values, but quantitatively was in error by 20%-30% due to the assumption of axial symmetry and the inability of the model to capture the complex recirculatory flows near bifurcations.

3D seismic analysis of the gas hydrate system and the fluid migration paths in part of the Niger Delta Basin, Nigeria

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Akinsanpe, Olumuyiwa T.; Adepelumi, Adekunle A.; Benjamin, Uzochukwu K.; Falebita, Dele E.

2017-12-01

Comprehensive qualitative and semi-quantitative seismic analysis was carried out on 3-dimensional seismic data acquired in the deepwater compressional and shale diapiric zone of the Niger Delta Basin using an advanced seismic imaging tool. The main aim of this work is to obtain an understanding of the forming mechanism of the gas hydrate system, and the fluid migration paths associated with this part of the basin. The results showed the presence of pockmarks on the seafloor and bottom simulating reflectors (BSRs) in the field, indicating the active fluid flux and existence of gas hydrate system in the area. In the area of approximately 195 km2 occupying nearly 24% of the entire study field, three major zones with continuous or discontinuous BSRs of 3 to 7 km in length which are in the northeastern, southern and eastern part of the field respectively were delineated. The BSR is interpreted to be the transition between the free gas zone and the gas hydrate zone. The geologic structures including faults (strike-slip and normal faults), chimneys and diapirs were deduced to be the main conduits for gas migration. It is concluded that the biogenic gases generated in the basin were possibly transported via faults and chimneys by advection processes and subsequently accumulated under low temperature and high pressure conditions in the free gas zone below the BSR forming gas hydrate. A plausible explanation for the presence of the ubiquitous pockmarks of different diameters and sizes in the area is the transportation of the excessive gas to the seafloor through these mapped geologic structures.

Chirped Laser Dispersion Spectroscopy for Remote Open-Path Trace-Gas Sensing

PubMed Central

Nikodem, Michal; Wysocki, Gerard

2012-01-01

In this paper we present a prototype instrument for remote open-path detection of nitrous oxide. The sensor is based on a 4.53 μm quantum cascade laser and uses the chirped laser dispersion spectroscopy (CLaDS) technique for molecular concentration measurements. To the best of our knowledge this is the first demonstration of open-path laser-based trace-gas detection using a molecular dispersion measurement. The prototype sensor achieves a detection limit down to the single-ppbv level and exhibits excellent stability and robustness. The instrument characterization, field deployment performance, and the advantages of applying dispersion sensing to sensitive trace-gas detection in a remote open-path configuration are presented. PMID:23443389

Chirped laser dispersion spectroscopy for remote open-path trace-gas sensing.

PubMed

Nikodem, Michal; Wysocki, Gerard

2012-11-28

In this paper we present a prototype instrument for remote open-path detection of nitrous oxide. The sensor is based on a 4.53 μm quantum cascade laser and uses the chirped laser dispersion spectroscopy (CLaDS) technique for molecular concentration measurements. To the best of our knowledge this is the first demonstration of open-path laser-based trace-gas detection using a molecular dispersion measurement. The prototype sensor achieves a detection limit down to the single-ppbv level and exhibits excellent stability and robustness. The instrument characterization, field deployment performance, and the advantages of applying dispersion sensing to sensitive trace-gas detection in a remote open-path configuration are presented.

Analysis of Atmospheric Composition and Tropospheric Variability With Integrated Open- Path and Ground-Based Solar Infrared Absorption Spectroscopy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Steill, J. D.; Compton, R. N.; Hager, J. S.

2006-12-01

Ground-based solar infrared absorption spectroscopy coupled with open-path spectroscopy provides a means for analysis of the highly variable contribution of the boundary layer to problems of radiative transfer and atmospheric chemistry. This is of particular importance in geographic regions of significant local anthropogenic influence and large tropospheric fluctuations in general. A Bomem DA8 FT-IR integrated with a sun-tracking and open-path system (~0.5 km) is located at The University of Tennessee, in downtown Knoxville and near The Great Smoky Mountains National Park, an area known for problematic air quality. From atmospheric absorption spectra, boundary layer concentrations as well as total column abundances and vertical concentration profiles are derived. A record of more than 1000 solar-sourced atmospheric spectra covering a period greater than three years in duration is under analysis to characterize the limit of precision in total column abundance determinations for many gases such as O3, CO, CH4, N2O, HF and CO2. Initial efforts using atmospheric O2 as a calibration indicate the solar-sourced spectra may not meet the precision required for the highly accurate atmospheric CO2 quantification by such global efforts as the OCO and NDSC. However, the determined variability of CO2 and other gas concentrations is statistically significant and is indicative of local concentration fluxes pertinent to the regional atmospheric chemistry. This is therefore an important data record in the southeastern United States, a somewhat under- sampled geographic region. In addition to providing a means to improve the analysis of solar spectra, the open-path data is useful for elucidation of seasonal and diurnal trends in the trace gas concentrations. This provides an urban air quality monitor in addition to improving the description of the total atmospheric composition, as the open-path system is stable and permanent.

True eddy accumulation and eddy covariance methods and instruments intercomparison for fluxes of CO2, CH4 and H2O above the Hainich Forest

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Siebicke, Lukas

2017-04-01

The eddy covariance (EC) method is state-of-the-art in directly measuring vegetation-atmosphere exchange of CO2 and H2O at ecosystem scale. However, the EC method is currently limited to a small number of atmospheric tracers by the lack of suitable fast-response analyzers or poor signal-to-noise ratios. High resource and power demands may further restrict the number of spatial sampling points. True eddy accumulation (TEA) is an alternative method for direct and continuous flux observations. Key advantages are the applicability to a wider range of air constituents such as greenhouse gases, isotopes, volatile organic compounds and aerosols using slow-response analyzers. In contrast to relaxed eddy accumulation (REA), true eddy accumulation (Desjardins, 1977) has the advantage of being a direct method which does not require proxies. True Eddy Accumulation has the potential to overcome above mentioned limitations of eddy covariance but has hardly ever been successfully demonstrated in practice in the past. This study presents flux measurements using an innovative approach to true eddy accumulation by directly, continuously and automatically measuring trace gas fluxes using a flow-through system. We merge high-frequency flux contributions from TEA with low-frequency covariances from the same sensors. We show flux measurements of CO2, CH4 and H2O by TEA and EC above an old-growth forest at the ICOS flux tower site "Hainich" (DE-Hai). We compare and evaluate the performance of the two direct turbulent flux measurement methods eddy covariance and true eddy accumulation using side-by-side trace gas flux observations. We further compare performance of seven instrument complexes, i.e. combinations of sonic anemometers and trace gas analyzers. We compare gas analyzers types of open-path, enclosed-path and closed-path design. We further differentiate data from two gas analysis technologies: infrared gas analysis (IRGA) and laser spectrometry (open path and CRDS closed-path laser spectrometers). We present results of CO2 and H2O fluxes from the following six instruments, i.e. combinations of sonic anemometers/gas analyzers (and methods): METEK-uSonic3/Picarro-G2301 (TEA), METEK-uSonic3/LI-7500 (EC), Gill-R3/LI-6262 (EC), Gill-R3/LI-7200 (EC), Gill-HS/LI-7200 (EC), Gill-R3/LGR-FGGA (EC). Further, we present results of much more difficult to measure CH4 fluxes from the following three instruments, i.e. combinations of sonic anemometers/gas analyzers (and methods): METEK-uSonic3/Picarro-G2301 (TEA), Gill-R3/LI-7700 (EC), Gill-R3/LGR-FGGA (EC). We observed that CO2, CH4 and H2O fluxes from the side-by-side measurements by true eddy accumulation and eddy covariance methods correlated well. Secondly, the difference between the TEA and EC methods using the same sonic anemometer but different gas analyzer was often smaller than the mismatch of the various side-by-side eddy covariance measurements using different sonic anemometers and gas analyzers. Signal-to-noise ratios of CH4 fluxes from the true eddy accumulation system system were superior to both eddy covariance sensors (open-path LI-7700 and closed-path CRDS LGR-FGGA sensors). We conclude that our novel implementation of the true eddy accumulation method demonstrated high signal-to-noise ratios, applicability to slow-response gas analyzers, small power consumption and direct proxy-free ecosystem-scale trace gas flux measurements of CO2, CH4 and H2O. The current results suggest that true eddy accumulation would be suitable and should be applied as the method-of-choice for direct flux measurements of a large number of atmospheric constituents beyond CO2 and H2O, including isotopes, aerosols, volatile organic compounds and other trace gases for which eddy covariance might not be a viable alternative. We will further develop true eddy accumulation as a novel approach using multiplexed systems for spatially distributed flux measurements.

[Remote system of natural gas leakage based on multi-wavelength characteristics spectrum analysis].

PubMed

Li, Jing; Lu, Xu-Tao; Yang, Ze-Hui

2014-05-01

In order to be able to quickly, to a wide range of natural gas pipeline leakage monitoring, the remote detection system for concentration of methane gas was designed based on static Fourier transform interferometer. The system used infrared light, which the center wavelength was calibrated to absorption peaks of methane molecules, to irradiated tested area, and then got the interference fringes by converging collimation system and interference module. Finally, the system calculated the concentration-path-length product in tested area by multi-wavelength characteristics spectrum analysis algorithm, furthermore the inversion of the corresponding concentration of methane. By HITRAN spectrum database, Selected wavelength position of 1. 65 microm as the main characteristic absorption peaks, thereby using 1. 65 pm DFB laser as the light source. In order to improve the detection accuracy and stability without increasing the hardware configuration of the system, solved absorbance ratio by the auxiliary wave-length, and then get concentration-path-length product of measured gas by the method of the calculation proportion of multi-wavelength characteristics. The measurement error from external disturbance is caused by this innovative approach, and it is more similar to a differential measurement. It will eliminate errors in the process of solving the ratio of multi-wavelength characteristics, and can improve accuracy and stability of the system. The infrared absorption spectrum of methane is constant, the ratio of absorbance of any two wavelengths by methane is also constant. The error coefficients produced by the system is the same when it received the same external interference, so the measured noise of the system can be effectively reduced by the ratio method. Experimental tested standards methane gas tank with leaking rate constant. Using the tested data of PN1000 type portable methane detector as the standard data, and were compared to the tested data of the system, while tested distance of the system were 100, 200 and 500 m. Experimental results show that the methane concentration detected value was stable after a certain time leakage, the concentration-path-length product value of the system was stable. For detection distance of 100 m, the detection error of the concentration-path-length product was less than 1. 0%. With increasing distance from tested area, the detection error is increased correspondingly. When the distance was 500 m, the detection error was less than 4. 5%. In short, the detected error of the system is less than 5. 0% after the gas leakage stable, to meet the requirements of the field of natural gas leakage remote sensing.

Discharge source with gas curtain for protecting optics from particles

DOEpatents

Fornaciari, Neal R.; Kanouff, Michael P.

2004-03-30

A gas curtain device is employed to deflect debris that is generated by an extreme ultraviolet and soft x-ray radiation discharge source such as an electric discharge plasma source. The gas curtain device projects a stream of gas over the path of the radiation to deflect debris particles into a direction that is different from that of the path of the radiation. The gas curtain can be employed to prevent debris accumulation on the optics used in photolithography.

Gas-path leakage seal for a turbine

DOEpatents

Bagepalli, B.S.; Aksit, M.F.; Farrell, T.R.

1999-08-10

A gas-path leakage seal for generally sealing a gas-path leakage-gap between spaced-apart first and second members of a turbine (such as combustor casing segments of a gas turbine). The seal includes a flexible and generally imperforate metal sheet assemblage having opposing first and second surfaces and two opposing raised edges extending a generally identical distance above and below the surfaces. A first cloth layer assemblage has a thickness generally equal to the previously-defined identical distance and is superimposed on the first surface between the raised edges. A second cloth layer assemblage is generally identical to the first cloth layer assemblage and is superimposed on the second surface between the raised edges. 5 figs.

Gas-path leakage seal for a turbine

DOEpatents

Bagepalli, Bharat Sampathkumaran; Aksit, Mahmut Faruk; Farrell, Thomas Raymond

1999-01-01

A gas-path leakage seal for generally sealing a gas-path leakage-gap between spaced-apart first and second members of a turbine (such as combustor casing segments of a gas turbine). The seal includes a flexible and generally imperforate metal sheet assemblage having opposing first and second surfaces and two opposing raised edges extending a generally identical distance above and below the surfaces. A first cloth layer assemblage has a thickness generally equal to the previously-defined identical distance and is superimposed on the first surface between the raised edges. A second cloth layer assemblage is generally identical to the first cloth layer assemblage and is superimposed on the second surface between the raised edges.

An Integrated Architecture for On-Board Aircraft Engine Performance Trend Monitoring and Gas Path Fault Diagnostics

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Simon, Donald L.

2010-01-01

Aircraft engine performance trend monitoring and gas path fault diagnostics are closely related technologies that assist operators in managing the health of their gas turbine engine assets. Trend monitoring is the process of monitoring the gradual performance change that an aircraft engine will naturally incur over time due to turbomachinery deterioration, while gas path diagnostics is the process of detecting and isolating the occurrence of any faults impacting engine flow-path performance. Today, performance trend monitoring and gas path fault diagnostic functions are performed by a combination of on-board and off-board strategies. On-board engine control computers contain logic that monitors for anomalous engine operation in real-time. Off-board ground stations are used to conduct fleet-wide engine trend monitoring and fault diagnostics based on data collected from each engine each flight. Continuing advances in avionics are enabling the migration of portions of the ground-based functionality on-board, giving rise to more sophisticated on-board engine health management capabilities. This paper reviews the conventional engine performance trend monitoring and gas path fault diagnostic architecture commonly applied today, and presents a proposed enhanced on-board architecture for future applications. The enhanced architecture gains real-time access to an expanded quantity of engine parameters, and provides advanced on-board model-based estimation capabilities. The benefits of the enhanced architecture include the real-time continuous monitoring of engine health, the early diagnosis of fault conditions, and the estimation of unmeasured engine performance parameters. A future vision to advance the enhanced architecture is also presented and discussed

Calibration of neural networks using genetic algorithms, with application to optimal path planning

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Smith, Terence R.; Pitney, Gilbert A.; Greenwood, Daniel

1987-01-01

Genetic algorithms (GA) are used to search the synaptic weight space of artificial neural systems (ANS) for weight vectors that optimize some network performance function. GAs do not suffer from some of the architectural constraints involved with other techniques and it is straightforward to incorporate terms into the performance function concerning the metastructure of the ANS. Hence GAs offer a remarkably general approach to calibrating ANS. GAs are applied to the problem of calibrating an ANS that finds optimal paths over a given surface. This problem involves training an ANS on a relatively small set of paths and then examining whether the calibrated ANS is able to find good paths between arbitrary start and end points on the surface.

Paths of Improving the Technological Process of Manufacture of GTE Turbine Blades

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Vdovin, R. A.; Smelov, V. G.; Bolotov, M. A.; Pronichev, N. D.

2016-08-01

The article provides an analysis of the problems at manufacture of blades of the turbine of gas-turbine engines and power stations is provided in article, and also paths of perfecting of technological process of manufacture of blades are offered. The analysis of the main systems of basing of blades in the course of machining and the control methods of the processed blades existing at the enterprises with the indication of merits and demerits is carried out. In work criteria in the form of the mathematical models of a spatial distribution of an allowance considering the uniform distribution of an allowance on a feather profile are developed. The considered methods allow to reduce percent of release of marriage and to reduce labor input when polishing path part of a feather of blades of the turbine.

Gas-path leakage seal for a gas turbine

DOEpatents

Wolfe, C.E.; Dinc, O.S.; Bagepalli, B.S.; Correia, V.H.; Aksit, M.F.

1996-04-23

A gas-path leakage seal is described for generally sealing a gas-path leakage-gap between spaced-apart first and second members of a gas turbine (such as combustor casing segments). The seal includes a generally imperforate foil-layer assemblage which is generally impervious to gas and is located in the leakage-gap. The seal also includes a cloth-layer assemblage generally enclosingly contacting the foil-layer assemblage. In one seal, the first edge of the foil-layer assemblage is left exposed, and the foil-layer assemblage resiliently contacts the first member near the first edge to reduce leakage in the ``plane`` of the cloth-layer assemblage under conditions which include differential thermal growth of the two members. In another seal, such leakage is reduced by having a first weld-bead which permeates the cloth-layer assemblage, is attached to the metal-foil-layer assemblage near the first edge, and unattachedly contacts the first member. 4 figs.

Gas-path leakage seal for a gas turbine

DOEpatents

Wolfe, Christopher E.; Dinc, Osman S.; Bagepalli, Bharat S.; Correia, Victor H.; Aksit, Mahmut F.

1996-01-01

A gas-path leakage seal for generally sealing a gas-path leakage-gap between spaced-apart first and second members of a gas turbine (such as combustor casing segments). The seal includes a generally imperforate foil-layer assemblage which is generally impervious to gas and is located in the leakage-gap. The seal also includes a cloth-layer assemblage generally enclosingly contacting the foil-layer assemblage. In one seal, the first edge of the foil-layer assemblage is left exposed, and the foil-layer assemblage resiliently contacts the first member near the first edge to reduce leakage in the "plane" of the cloth-layer assemblage under conditions which include differential thermal growth of the two members. In another seal, such leakage is reduced by having a first weld-bead which permeates the cloth-layer assemblage, is attached to the metal-foil-layer assemblage near the first edge, and unattachedly contacts the first member.

Toward the Active Control of Heat Transfer in the Hot Gas Path of Gas Turbines

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Oertling, Jeremiah E.

2003-01-01

The work at NASA this summer has focused on assisting the Professor's project, namely "Toward the Active Control of Heat Transfer in the Hot Gas Path of Gas Turbines." The mode of controlling the Heat Transfer that the project focuses on is film cooling. Film cooling is used in high temperature regions of a gas turbine and extends the life of the components exposed to these extreme temperatures. A "cool" jet of air is injected along the surface of the blade and this layer of cool air shields the blade from the high temperatures. Cool is a relative term. The hot gas path temperatures reach on the order of 1500 to 2000 K. The "coo" air is on the order of 700 to 1000 K. This cooler air is bled off of an appropriate compressor stage. The next parameter of interest is the jet s position and orientation in the flow-field.

Problems in creation of modern air inlet filters of power gas turbine plants in Russia and methods of their solving

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mikhaylov, V. E.; Khomenok, L. A.; Sherapov, V. V.

2016-08-01

The main problems in creation and operation of modern air inlet paths of gas turbine plants installed as part of combined-cycle plants in Russia are presented. It is noted that design features of air inlet filters shall be formed at the stage of the technical assignment not only considering the requirements of gas turbine plant manufacturer but also climatic conditions, local atmospheric air dustiness, and a number of other factors. The recommendations on completing of filtration system for air inlet filter of power gas turbine plants depending on the facility location are given, specific defects in design and experience in operation of imported air inlet paths are analyzed, and influence of cycle air preparation quality for gas turbine plant on value of operating expenses and cost of repair works is noted. Air treatment equipment of various manufacturers, influence of aerodynamic characteristics on operation of air inlet filters, features of filtration system operation, anti-icing system, weather canopies, and other elements of air inlet paths are considered. It is shown that nonuniformity of air flow velocity fields in clean air chamber has a negative effect on capacity and aerodynamic resistance of air inlet filter. Besides, the necessity in installation of a sufficient number of differential pressure transmitters allowing controlling state of each treatment stage not being limited to one measurement of total differential pressure in the filtration system is noted in the article. According to the results of the analysis trends and methods for modernization of available equipment for air inlet path, the importance of creation and implementation of new technologies for manufacturing of filtering elements on sites of Russia within the limits of import substitution are given, and measures on reliability improvement and energy efficiency for air inlet filter are considered.

Flight 20 (STS-45) polysulfide gas path investigation

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Bjorkman, Rey C.; Bown, Charles W.; Smith, Scott D.; Walters, Jerry L.; Kulkarni, Suresh B.; Cook, Roger V.; Sebahar, David A.; Walker, Craig S.; Haddock, M. Reed; Lindstrom, Robert E.

1992-01-01

This report documents the results of the investigation into causes of gas paths on the 20A and 20B case-to-nozzle joints on STS-42. The investigation was conducted by the Investigation Board appointed by the senior vice president and general manager of Space Operations, Mr. R. E. Lindstrom, on 7 Feb. 1992. The probability of gas path occurrence in the nozzle-to-case-joint polysulfide had been identified during joint redesign. However, actual flight gas path incidence has been limited to RSRM-11 and the 20A and 20B segments. The blow-by condition on the 20A segment was a first time occurrence which was a special concern. The investigation covered all technical aspects associated with the gas path and blow-by conditions: materials and processing history, design requirements and as-built compliance to the design, thermal and structural analyses, computer modeling, and laboratory experimentation with the materials involved. The investigation was coordinated with Mr. Ken Jones at NASA Marshall in bi-weekly teleconferences. The Board also supported Dr. James C. Blair's independent NASA investigation team by providing copies of collected data, conducting requested analyses, and supporting several all-day teleconferences to provide understanding and resolve issues. The Dr. Blair support requirement was successfully concluded on 4 Mar. 1992.

Long open-path measurements of greenhouse gases in air using near-infrared Fourier transform spectroscopy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Griffith, David W. T.; Pöhler, Denis; Schmitt, Stefan; Hammer, Samuel; Vardag, Sanam N.; Platt, Ulrich

2018-03-01

In complex and urban environments, atmospheric trace gas composition is highly variable in time and space. Point measurement techniques for trace gases with in situ instruments are well established and accurate, but do not provide spatial averaging to compare against developing high-resolution atmospheric models of composition and meteorology with resolutions of the order of a kilometre. Open-path measurement techniques provide path average concentrations and spatial averaging which, if sufficiently accurate, may be better suited to assessment and interpretation with such models. Open-path Fourier transform spectroscopy (FTS) in the mid-infrared region, and differential optical absorption spectroscopy (DOAS) in the UV and visible, have been used for many years for open-path spectroscopic measurements of selected species in both clean air and in polluted environments. Near infrared instrumentation allows measurements over longer paths than mid-infrared FTS for species such as greenhouse gases which are not easily accessible to DOAS.In this pilot study we present the first open-path near-infrared (4000-10 000 cm-1, 1.0-2.5 µm) FTS measurements of CO2, CH4, O2, H2O and HDO over a 1.5 km path in urban Heidelberg, Germany. We describe the construction of the open-path FTS system, the analysis of the collected spectra, several measures of precision and accuracy of the measurements, and the results a four-month trial measurement period in July-November 2014. The open-path measurements are compared to calibrated in situ measurements made at one end of the open path. We observe significant differences of the order of a few ppm for CO2 and a few tens of ppb for CH4 between the open-path and point measurements which are 2 to 4 times the measurement repeatability, but we cannot unequivocally assign the differences to specific local sources or sinks. We conclude that open-path FTS may provide a valuable new tool for investigations of atmospheric trace gas composition in complex, small-scale environments such as cities.

Analysis and design of a capsule landing system and surface vehicle control system for Mars exploration

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Frederick, D. K.; Lashmet, P. K.; Sandor, G. N.; Shen, C. N.; Smith, E. V.; Yerazunis, S. W.

1973-01-01

Problems related to the design and control of a mobile planetary vehicle to implement a systematic plan for the exploration of Mars are reported. Problem areas include: vehicle configuration, control, dynamics, systems and propulsion; systems analysis, terrain modeling and path selection; and chemical analysis of specimens. These tasks are summarized: vehicle model design, mathematical model of vehicle dynamics, experimental vehicle dynamics, obstacle negotiation, electrochemical controls, remote control, collapsibility and deployment, construction of a wheel tester, wheel analysis, payload design, system design optimization, effect of design assumptions, accessory optimal design, on-board computer subsystem, laser range measurement, discrete obstacle detection, obstacle detection systems, terrain modeling, path selection system simulation and evaluation, gas chromatograph/mass spectrometer system concepts, and chromatograph model evaluation and improvement.

Gas flow path for a gas turbine engine

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

Montgomery, Matthew D.; Charron, Richard C.; Snyder, Gary D.

A duct arrangement in a can annular gas turbine engine. The gas turbine engine has a gas delivery structure for delivering gases from a plurality of combustors to an annular chamber that extends circumferentially and is oriented concentric to a gas turbine engine longitudinal axis for delivering the gas flow to a first row of blades A gas flow path is formed by the duct arrangement between a respective combustor and the annular chamber for conveying gases from each combustor to the first row of turbine blades The duct arrangement includes at least one straight section having a centerline thatmore » is misaligned with a centerline of the combustor.« less

Open-Path Hydrocarbon Laser Sensor for Oil and Gas Facility Monitoring

EPA Science Inventory

This poster reports on an experimental prototype open-path laser absorption sensor for measurement of unspeciated hydrocarbons for oil and gas production facility fence-line monitoring. Such measurements may be useful to meet certain state regulations, and enable advanced leak d...

Measuring Breath Alcohol Concentrations with an FTIR Spectrometer

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kneisel, Adam; Bellamy, Michael K.

2003-12-01

An FTIR spectrometer equipped with a long-path gas cell can be used to measure breath alcohol concentrations in an instrumental analysis laboratory course. Students use aqueous ethanol solutions to make a calibration curve that relates absorbance signals of breath samples with blood alcohol concentrations. Students use their calibration curve to determine the time needed for their calculated blood alcohol levels to drop below the legal limit following use of a commercial mouthwash. They also calculate their blood alcohol levels immediately after chewing bread. The main goal of the experiment is to provide the students with an interesting laboratory exercise that teaches them about infrared spectrometers. While the results are meant to be only semiquantitative, they have compared well with results from other published studies. A reference is included that describes how to fabricate a long-path gas cell.

Effective optical path length for tandem diffuse cubic cavities as gas absorption cell

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yu, J.; Gao, Q.; Zhang, Y. G.; Zhang, Z. G.; Wu, S. H.

2014-12-01

Tandem diffuse cubic cavities designed by connecting two single diffuse cubic-shaped cavities, A and B, with an aperture (port fraction fap) in the middle of the connecting baffle was developed as a gas absorption cell. The effective optical path length (EOPL) was evaluated by comparing the oxygen absorption signal in the cavity and in air based on tunable diode laser absorption spectroscopy (TDLAS). Experimental results manifested an enhancement of EOPL for the tandem diffuse cubic cavities as the decrease of fap and can be expressed as the sum of EOPL of two single cubic cavities at fap < 0.01, which coincided well with theoretical analysis. The simulating EOPL was smaller than experimental results at fap > 0.01, which indicated that back scattering light from cavity B to cavity A cannot be ignored at this condition.

Real-Time Analysis of Isoprene in Breath by Using Ultraviolet-Absorption Spectroscopy with a Hollow Optical Fiber Gas Cell

PubMed Central

Iwata, Takuro; Katagiri, Takashi; Matsuura, Yuji

2016-01-01

A breath analysis system based on ultraviolet-absorption spectroscopy was developed by using a hollow optical fiber as a gas cell for real-time monitoring of isoprene in breath. The hollow optical fiber functions as an ultra-small-volume gas cell with a long path. The measurement sensitivity of the system was evaluated by using nitric-oxide gas as a gas sample. The evaluation result showed that the developed system, using a laser-driven, high-intensity light source and a 3-m-long, aluminum-coated hollow optical fiber, could successfully measure nitric-oxide gas with a 50 ppb concentration. An absorption spectrum of a breath sample in the wavelength region of around 200–300 nm was measured, and the measured spectrum revealed the main absorbing components in breath as water vapor, isoprene, and ozone converted from oxygen by radiation of ultraviolet light. The concentration of isoprene in breath was estimated by multiple linear regression. The regression analysis results showed that the proposed analysis system enables real-time monitoring of isoprene during the exhaling of breath. Accordingly, it is suitable for measuring the circadian variation of isoprene. PMID:27929387

Real-Time Analysis of Isoprene in Breath by Using Ultraviolet-Absorption Spectroscopy with a Hollow Optical Fiber Gas Cell.

PubMed

Iwata, Takuro; Katagiri, Takashi; Matsuura, Yuji

2016-12-05

A breath analysis system based on ultraviolet-absorption spectroscopy was developed by using a hollow optical fiber as a gas cell for real-time monitoring of isoprene in breath. The hollow optical fiber functions as an ultra-small-volume gas cell with a long path. The measurement sensitivity of the system was evaluated by using nitric-oxide gas as a gas sample. The evaluation result showed that the developed system, using a laser-driven, high-intensity light source and a 3-m-long, aluminum-coated hollow optical fiber, could successfully measure nitric-oxide gas with a 50 ppb concentration. An absorption spectrum of a breath sample in the wavelength region of around 200-300 nm was measured, and the measured spectrum revealed the main absorbing components in breath as water vapor, isoprene, and ozone converted from oxygen by radiation of ultraviolet light. The concentration of isoprene in breath was estimated by multiple linear regression. The regression analysis results showed that the proposed analysis system enables real-time monitoring of isoprene during the exhaling of breath. Accordingly, it is suitable for measuring the circadian variation of isoprene.

Integration of Ground-Based Solar FT-IR Absorption Spectroscopy and Open-Path Systems for Atmospheric Analysis

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Steill, J. D.; Hager, J. S.; Compton, R. N.

2005-12-01

Air quality issues in the Knoxville and East Tennessee region are of great concern, particularly as regards the nearby Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Integration of a Bomem DA8 FT-IR spectrometer with rooftop sun-tracking optics and an open-path system provides a unique opportunity to analyze the local atmospheric chemical composition. Many trace atmospheric constituents are open to this analysis, such as O3, CO, CH4, and N2O. Boundary layer concentrations as well as total column abundances and vertical concentration profiles are derived. Vertical concentration profiles are determined by fitting solar absorbance lines with the SFIT2 algorithm. Improved fitting of solar spectra has been demonstrated by incorporating the tropospheric concentrations as determined by open-path measurements. In addition to providing a means to improve the analysis of solar spectra, the open-path data is useful for elucidation of diurnal trends in the trace gas concentrations. Anthropogenic influences are of special interest, and seasonal and daily trends in amounts of tropospheric pollutants such as ozone correlate with other sources such as the EPA. Although obviously limited by weather considerations, the technique is suited to the regional climate and a body of data of more than two years extent is available for analysis.

Analysis and design of a capsule landing system and surface vehicle control system for Mars exporation

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Frederick, D. K.; Lashmet, P. K.; Sandor, G. N.; Shen, C. N.; Smith, E. J.; Yerazunis, S. W.

1972-01-01

The problems related to the design and control of a mobile planetary vehicle to implement a systematic plan for the exploration of Mars were investigated. Problem areas receiving attention include: vehicle configuration, control, dynamics, systems and propulsion; systems analysis; navigation, terrain modeling and path selection; and chemical analysis of specimens. The following specific tasks were studied: vehicle model design, mathematical modeling of dynamic vehicle, experimental vehicle dynamics, obstacle negotiation, electromechanical controls, collapsibility and deployment, construction of a wheel tester, wheel analysis, payload design, system design optimization, effect of design assumptions, accessory optimal design, on-board computer subsystem, laser range measurement, discrete obstacle detection, obstacle detection systems, terrain modeling, path selection system simulation and evaluation, gas chromatograph/mass spectrometer system concepts, chromatograph model evaluation and improvement and transport parameter evaluation.

Analysis and design of a capsule landing system and surface vehicle control system for Mars exploration

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Frederick, D. K.; Lashmet, P. K.; Sandor, G. N.; Shen, C. N.; Smith, E. J.; Yerazunis, S. W.

1972-01-01

Investigation of problems related to the design and control of a mobile planetary vehicle to implement a systematic plan for the exploration of Mars has been undertaken. Problem areas receiving attention include: vehicle configuration, control, dynamics, systems and propulsion; systems analysis; terrain modeling and path selection; and chemical analysis of specimens. The following specific tasks have been under study: vehicle model design, mathematical modeling of a dynamic vehicle, experimental vehicle dynamics, obstacle negotiation, electromechanical controls, collapsibility and deployment, construction of a wheel tester, wheel analysis, payload design, system design optimization, effect of design assumptions, accessory optimal design, on-board computer sybsystem, laser range measurement, discrete obstacle detection, obstacle detection systems, terrain modeling, path selection system simulation and evaluation, gas chromatograph/mass spectrometer system concepts, chromatograph model evaluation and improvement.

Controlled pilot oxidizer for a gas turbine combustor

DOEpatents

Laster, Walter R.; Bandaru, Ramarao V.

2010-07-13

A combustor (22) for a gas turbine (10) includes a main burner oxidizer flow path (34) delivering a first portion (32) of an oxidizer flow (e.g., 16) to a main burner (28) of the combustor and a pilot oxidizer flow path (38) delivering a second portion (36) of the oxidizer flow to a pilot (30) of the combustor. The combustor also includes a flow controller (42) disposed in the pilot oxidizer flow path for controlling an amount of the second portion delivered to the pilot.

Technical Development Path for Gas Foil Bearings

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Dellacorte, Christopher

2016-01-01

Foil gas bearings are in widespread commercial use in air cycle machines, turbocompressors and microturbine generators and are emerging in more challenging applications such as turbochargers, auxiliary power units and propulsion gas turbines. Though not well known, foil bearing technology is well over fifty years old. Recent technological developments indicate that their full potential has yet to be realized. This paper investigates the key technological developments that have characterized foil bearing advances. It is expected that a better understanding of foil gas bearing development path will aid in future development and progress towards more advanced applications.

Staged membrane oxidation reactor system

DOEpatents

Repasky, John Michael; Carolan, Michael Francis; Stein, VanEric Edward; Chen, Christopher Ming-Poh

2014-05-20

Ion transport membrane oxidation system comprising (a) two or more membrane oxidation stages, each stage comprising a reactant zone, an oxidant zone, one or more ion transport membranes separating the reactant zone from the oxidant zone, a reactant gas inlet region, a reactant gas outlet region, an oxidant gas inlet region, and an oxidant gas outlet region; (b) an interstage reactant gas flow path disposed between each pair of membrane oxidation stages and adapted to place the reactant gas outlet region of a first stage of the pair in flow communication with the reactant gas inlet region of a second stage of the pair; and (c) one or more reactant interstage feed gas lines, each line being in flow communication with any interstage reactant gas flow path or with the reactant zone of any membrane oxidation stage receiving interstage reactant gas.

Staged membrane oxidation reactor system

DOEpatents

Repasky, John Michael; Carolan, Michael Francis; Stein, VanEric Edward; Chen, Christopher Ming-Poh

2013-04-16

Ion transport membrane oxidation system comprising (a) two or more membrane oxidation stages, each stage comprising a reactant zone, an oxidant zone, one or more ion transport membranes separating the reactant zone from the oxidant zone, a reactant gas inlet region, a reactant gas outlet region, an oxidant gas inlet region, and an oxidant gas outlet region; (b) an interstage reactant gas flow path disposed between each pair of membrane oxidation stages and adapted to place the reactant gas outlet region of a first stage of the pair in flow communication with the reactant gas inlet region of a second stage of the pair; and (c) one or more reactant interstage feed gas lines, each line being in flow communication with any interstage reactant gas flow path or with the reactant zone of any membrane oxidation stage receiving interstage reactant gas.

Staged membrane oxidation reactor system

DOEpatents

Repasky, John Michael; Carolan, Michael Francis; Stein, VanEric Edward; Chen, Christopher Ming-Poh

2012-09-11

Ion transport membrane oxidation system comprising (a) two or more membrane oxidation stages, each stage comprising a reactant zone, an oxidant zone, one or more ion transport membranes separating the reactant zone from the oxidant zone, a reactant gas inlet region, a reactant gas outlet region, an oxidant gas inlet region, and an oxidant gas outlet region; (b) an interstage reactant gas flow path disposed between each pair of membrane oxidation stages and adapted to place the reactant gas outlet region of a first stage of the pair in flow communication with the reactant gas inlet region of a second stage of the pair; and (c) one or more reactant interstage feed gas lines, each line being in flow communication with any interstage reactant gas flow path or with the reactant zone of any membrane oxidation stage receiving interstage reactant gas.

High reflected cubic cavity as long path absorption cell for infrared gas sensing

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yu, Jia; Gao, Qiang; Zhang, Zhiguo

2014-10-01

One direct and efficient method to improve the sensitivity of infrared gas sensors is to increase the optical path length of gas cells according to Beer-Lambert Law. In this paper, cubic shaped cavities with high reflected inner coating as novel long path absorption cells for infrared gas sensing were developed. The effective optical path length (EOPL) for a single cubic cavity and tandem cubic cavities were investigated based on Tunable Diode Laser Absorption Spectroscopy (TDLAS) measuring oxygen P11 line at 763 nm. The law of EOPL of a diffuse cubic cavity in relation with the reflectivity of the coating, the port fraction and side length of the cavity was obtained. Experimental results manifested an increase of EOPL for tandem diffuse cubic cavities as the decrease of port fraction of the connecting aperture f', and the EOPL equaled to the sum of that of two single cubic cavities at f'<0.01. The EOPL spectra at infrared wavelength range for different inner coatings including high diffuse coatings and high reflected metallic thin film coatings were deduced.

[Research on lateral shearing interferometer for field monitoring of natural gas pipeline leak].

PubMed

Zhang, Xue-Feng; Gao, Yu-Bin

2012-09-01

Aimed at the mechanical scanning spectroscopy equipment with poor anti-interference and anti-jamming ability, which affects the accuracy of its natural gas pipeline leak detection in the wild, a new type of lateral shearing interferometer system was designed. The system uses a beam splitter to get optical path difference by a mechanical scanning part, and it cancel the introduction of external vibration interference through the linkage between the two beam splitterw. The interference intensity of interference fringes produced was calculated, and analysis of a rotating beam splitter corresponds to the angle of the optical path difference function, solving for the maximum angle of the forward rotation and reverse rotation, which is the maximum optical path range. Experiments using the gas tank deflated simulated natural gas pipeline leak process, in the interference conditions, and the test data of the type WQF530 spectrometer and the new type of lateral shearing interferometer system were comparedt. The experimental results show that the relative error of both systems is about 1% in indoor conditions without interference. However, in interference environment, the error of WQF530 type spectrometer becomes larger, more than 10%, but the error of the new type of lateral shearing interferometer system is still below 5%. The detection accuracy of the type WQF530 spectrometer decreased significantly due to the environment. Therefore, the seismic design of the system can effectively offset power deviation and half-width increases of center wavelength caused by external interference, and compared to conventional mechanical scanning interferometer devices the new system is more suitable for field detection.

Path integral Monte Carlo and the electron gas

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Brown, Ethan W.

Path integral Monte Carlo is a proven method for accurately simulating quantum mechanical systems at finite-temperature. By stochastically sampling Feynman's path integral representation of the quantum many-body density matrix, path integral Monte Carlo includes non-perturbative effects like thermal fluctuations and particle correlations in a natural way. Over the past 30 years, path integral Monte Carlo has been successfully employed to study the low density electron gas, high-pressure hydrogen, and superfluid helium. For systems where the role of Fermi statistics is important, however, traditional path integral Monte Carlo simulations have an exponentially decreasing efficiency with decreased temperature and increased system size. In this thesis, we work towards improving this efficiency, both through approximate and exact methods, as specifically applied to the homogeneous electron gas. We begin with a brief overview of the current state of atomic simulations at finite-temperature before we delve into a pedagogical review of the path integral Monte Carlo method. We then spend some time discussing the one major issue preventing exact simulation of Fermi systems, the sign problem. Afterwards, we introduce a way to circumvent the sign problem in PIMC simulations through a fixed-node constraint. We then apply this method to the homogeneous electron gas at a large swatch of densities and temperatures in order to map out the warm-dense matter regime. The electron gas can be a representative model for a host of real systems, from simple medals to stellar interiors. However, its most common use is as input into density functional theory. To this end, we aim to build an accurate representation of the electron gas from the ground state to the classical limit and examine its use in finite-temperature density functional formulations. The latter half of this thesis focuses on possible routes beyond the fixed-node approximation. As a first step, we utilize the variational principle inherent in the path integral Monte Carlo method to optimize the nodal surface. By using a ansatz resembling a free particle density matrix, we make a unique connection between a nodal effective mass and the traditional effective mass of many-body quantum theory. We then propose and test several alternate nodal ansatzes and apply them to single atomic systems. Finally, we propose a method to tackle the sign problem head on, by leveraging the relatively simple structure of permutation space. Using this method, we find we can perform exact simulations this of the electron gas and 3He that were previously impossible.

Cascading Tesla Oscillating Flow Diode for Stirling Engine Gas Bearings

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Dyson, Rodger

2012-01-01

Replacing the mechanical check-valve in a Stirling engine with a micromachined, non-moving-part flow diode eliminates moving parts and reduces the risk of microparticle clogging. At very small scales, helium gas has sufficient mass momentum that it can act as a flow controller in a similar way as a transistor can redirect electrical signals with a smaller bias signal. The innovation here forces helium gas to flow in predominantly one direction by offering a clear, straight-path microchannel in one direction of flow, but then through a sophisticated geometry, the reversed flow is forced through a tortuous path. This redirection is achieved by using microfluid channel flow to force the much larger main flow into this tortuous path. While microdiodes have been developed in the past, this innovation cascades Tesla diodes to create a much higher pressure in the gas bearing supply plenum. In addition, the special shape of the leaves captures loose particles that would otherwise clog the microchannel of the gas bearing pads.

Theoretical analysis of stack gas emission velocity measurement by optical scintillation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yang, Yang; Dong, Feng-Zhong; Ni, Zhi-Bo; Pang, Tao; Zeng, Zong-Yong; Wu, Bian; Zhang, Zhi-Rong

2014-04-01

Theoretical analysis for an online measurement of the stack gas flow velocity based on the optical scintillation method with a structure of two parallel optical paths is performed. The causes of optical scintillation in a stack are first introduced. Then, the principle of flow velocity measurement and its mathematical expression based on cross correlation of the optical scintillation are presented. The field test results show that the flow velocity measured by the proposed technique in this article is consistent with the value tested by the Pitot tube. It verifies the effectiveness of this method. Finally, by use of the structure function of logarithmic light intensity fluctuations, the theoretical explanation of optical scintillation spectral characteristic in low frequency is given. The analysis of the optical scintillation spectrum provides the basis for the measurement of the stack gas flow velocity and particle concentration simultaneously.

Aircraft Engine Systems

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Veres, Joseph

2001-01-01

This report outlines the detailed simulation of Aircraft Turbofan Engine. The objectives were to develop a detailed flow model of a full turbofan engine that runs on parallel workstation clusters overnight and to develop an integrated system of codes for combustor design and analysis to enable significant reduction in design time and cost. The model will initially simulate the 3-D flow in the primary flow path including the flow and chemistry in the combustor, and ultimately result in a multidisciplinary model of the engine. The overnight 3-D simulation capability of the primary flow path in a complete engine will enable significant reduction in the design and development time of gas turbine engines. In addition, the NPSS (Numerical Propulsion System Simulation) multidisciplinary integration and analysis are discussed.

RI 1170 advanced strapdown gyro

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1973-01-01

The major components of the RI 1170 gyroscope are described. A detailed functional description of the electronics including block diagrams and photographs of output waveshapes within the loop electronics are presented. An electronic data flow diagram is included. Those gyro subassemblies that were originally planned and subsequently changed or modified for one reason or another are discussed in detail. Variations to the original design included the capacitive pickoffs, torquer flexleads, magnetic suspension, gas bearings, electronic design, and packaging. The selection of components and changes from the original design and components selected are discussed. Device failures experienced throughout the program are reported and design corrections to eliminate the failure modes are noted. Major design deficiencies such as those of the MSE electronics are described in detail. Modifications made to the gas bearing parts and design improvements to the wheel are noted. Changes to the gas bearing prints are included as well as a mathematical analysis of the 1170 gas bearing wheel by computer analysis. The mean free-path effects on gas bearing performance is summarized.

Rim seal arrangement having pumping feature

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

Lee, Ching-Pang; Myers, Caleb

A rim seal arrangement for a gas turbine engine includes a first seal face on a rotor component, and a second seal face on a stationary annular rim centered about a rotation axis of the rotor component. The second seal face is spaced from the first seal face along an axial direction to define a seal gap. The seal gap is located between a radially outer hot gas path and a radially inner rotor cavity. The first seal face has a plurality of circumferentially spaced depressions, each having a depth in an axial direction and extending along a radial extentmore » of the first seal face. The depressions influence flow in the seal gap such that during rotation of the rotor component, fluid in the seal gap is pumped in a radially outward direction to prevent ingestion of a gas path fluid from the hot gas path into the rotor cavity.« less

Turbine system

DOEpatents

McMahan, Kevin Weston; Dillard, Daniel Jackson

2016-05-03

A turbine system is disclosed. The turbine system includes a transition duct having an inlet, an outlet, and a passage extending between the inlet and the outlet and defining a longitudinal axis, a radial axis, and a tangential axis. The outlet of the transition duct is offset from the inlet along the longitudinal axis and the tangential axis. The turbine system further includes a turbine section connected to the transition duct. The turbine section includes a plurality of shroud blocks at least partially defining a hot gas path, a plurality of buckets at least partially disposed in the hot gas path, and a plurality of nozzles at least partially disposed in the hot gas path. At least one of a shroud block, a bucket, or a nozzle includes means for withstanding high temperatures.

Eddy covariance measurements in complex terrain with a new fast response, closed-path analyzer: spectral characteristics and cross-system comparisons

EPA Science Inventory

In recent years, a new class of enclosed, closed-path gas analyzers suitable for eddy covariance applications has come to market, designed to combine the advantages of traditional closed-path systems (small density corrections, good performance in poor weather) and open-path syst...

E-beam ionized channel guiding of an intense relativistic electron beam

DOEpatents

Frost, Charles A.; Godfrey, Brendon B.; Kiekel, Paul D.; Shope, Steven L.

1988-01-01

An IREB is guided through a curved path by ionizing a channel in a gas with electrons from a filament, and confining the electrons to the center of the path with a magnetic field extending along the path. The magnetic field is preferably generated by a solenoid extending along the path.

Slow light enhanced gas sensing in photonic crystals

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kraeh, Christian; Martinez-Hurtado, J. L.; Popescu, Alexandru; Hedler, Harry; Finley, Jonathan J.

2018-02-01

Infrared spectroscopy allows for highly selective and highly sensitive detection of gas species and concentrations. Conventional gas spectrometers are generally large and unsuitable for on-chip applications. Long absorption path lengths are usually required and impose a challenge for miniaturization. In this work, a gas spectrometer is developed consisting of a microtube photonic crystal structure. This structure of millimetric form factors minimizes the required absorption path length due to slow light effects. The microtube photonic crystal allows for strong transmission in the mid-infrared and, due to its large void space fraction, a strong interaction between light and gas molecules. As a result, enhanced absorption of light increases the gas sensitivity of the device. Slow light enhanced gas absorption by a factor of 5.8 in is experimentally demonstrated at 5400 nm. We anticipate small form factor gas sensors on silicon to be a starting point for on-chip gas sensing architectures.

Ingestion resistant seal assembly

DOEpatents

Little, David A [Chuluota, FL

2011-12-13

A seal assembly limits gas leakage from a hot gas path to one or more disc cavities in a gas turbine engine. The seal assembly includes a seal apparatus associated with a blade structure including a row of airfoils. The seal apparatus includes an annular inner shroud associated with adjacent stationary components, a wing member, and a first wing flange. The wing member extends axially from the blade structure toward the annular inner shroud. The first wing flange extends radially outwardly from the wing member toward the annular inner shroud. A plurality of regions including one or more recirculation zones are defined between the blade structure and the annular inner shroud that recirculate working gas therein back toward the hot gas path.

Econometrics of exhaustible resource supply: a theory and an application. Final report

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

Epple, D.; Hansen, L.P.

1981-12-01

An econometric model of US oil and natural gas discoveries is developed in this study. The econometric model is explicitly derived as the solution to the problem of maximizing the expected discounted after tax present value of revenues net of exploration, development, and production costs. The model contains equations representing producers' formation of price expectations and separate equations giving producers' optimal exploration decisions contingent on expected prices. A procedure is developed for imposing resource base constraints (e.g., ultimate recovery estimates based on geological analysis) when estimating the econometric model. The model is estimated using aggregate post-war data for the Unitedmore » States. Production from a given addition to proved reserves is assumed to follow a negative exponential path, and additions of proved reserves from a given discovery are assumed to follow a negative exponential path. Annual discoveries of oil and natural gas are estimated as latent variables. These latent variables are the endogenous variables in the econometric model of oil and natural gas discoveries. The model is estimated without resource base constraints. The model is also estimated imposing the mean oil and natural gas ultimate recovery estimates of the US Geological Survey. Simulations through the year 2020 are reported for various future price regimes.« less

Parametric diagnosis of the adaptive gas path in the automatic control system of the aircraft engine

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kuznetsova, T. A.

2017-01-01

The paper dwells on the adaptive multimode mathematical model of the gas-turbine aircraft engine (GTE) embedded in the automatic control system (ACS). The mathematical model is based on the throttle performances, and is characterized by high accuracy of engine parameters identification in stationary and dynamic modes. The proposed on-board engine model is the state space linearized low-level simulation. The engine health is identified by the influence of the coefficient matrix. The influence coefficient is determined by the GTE high-level mathematical model based on measurements of gas-dynamic parameters. In the automatic control algorithm, the sum of squares of the deviation between the parameters of the mathematical model and real GTE is minimized. The proposed mathematical model is effectively used for gas path defects detecting in on-line GTE health monitoring. The accuracy of the on-board mathematical model embedded in ACS determines the quality of adaptive control and reliability of the engine. To improve the accuracy of identification solutions and sustainability provision, the numerical method of Monte Carlo was used. The parametric diagnostic algorithm based on the LPτ - sequence was developed and tested. Analysis of the results suggests that the application of the developed algorithms allows achieving higher identification accuracy and reliability than similar models used in practice.

Active standoff detection of CH4 and N2O leaks using hard-target backscattered light using an open-path quantum cascade laser sensor

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Diaz, Adrian; Thomas, Benjamin; Castillo, Paulo; Gross, Barry; Moshary, Fred

2016-05-01

Fugitive gas emissions from agricultural or industrial plants and gas pipelines are an important environmental concern as they contribute to the global increase of greenhouse gas concentrations. Moreover, they are also a security and safety concern because of possible risk of fire/explosion or toxicity. This study presents standoff detection of CH4 and N2O leaks using a quantum cascade laser open-path system that retrieves path-averaged concentrations by collecting the backscattered light from a remote hard target. It is a true standoff system and differs from other open-path systems that are deployed as point samplers or long-path transmission systems that use retroreflectors. The measured absorption spectra are obtained using a thermal intra-pulse frequency chirped DFB quantum cascade laser at ~7.7 µm wavelength range with ~200 ns pulse width. Making fast time resolved observations, the system simultaneously realizes high spectral resolution and range to the target, resulting in path-averaged concentration retrieval. The system performs measurements at high speed ~15 Hz and sufficient range (up to 45 m, ~148 feet) achieving an uncertainty of 3.1 % and normalized sensitivity of 3.3 ppm m Hz-1/2 for N2O and 9.3 % and normalized sensitivity of 30 ppm m Hz-1/2 for CH4 with a 0.31 mW average power QCL. Given these characteristics, this system is promising for mobile or multidirectional search and remote detection of gas leaks.

Gadolinia doped hafnia (Gd2O3- HfO 2) thermal barrier coatings for gas turbine applications

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gullapalli, Satya Kiran

Thermal efficiency of the gas turbines is influenced by the operating temperature of the hot gas path components. The material used for the hot gas path components can only withstand temperature up to a certain limit. Thermal barrier coatings (TBC) provide the additional thermal protection for these components and help the gas turbine achieve higher firing temperatures. Traditionally available yttria stabilized zirconia (YSZ) TBCs have a limitation up to 1200 C due to their phase transformation. The present work focuses on gadolinia based hafnia (GSH) TBCs to study their potential to replace the YSZ coatings. Different compositions of gadolinia doped hafnia coatings have been deposited using electron beam physical vapor deposition (EB-PVD) technique and characterized using x-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscope (SEM). The crystal structure analysis performed using XRD confirmed the stabilization of the high temperature cubic phase of hafnia. Cross sectional analysis confirmed the presence of columnar structure in the coatings which is a signature of the EB-PVD coatings. Mechanical properties of the coatings were investigated using nanoindentation and nano impact testing at both room temperature and high temperature. Indentation tests indicate a reduction in hardness with an increase in temperature and gadolinia content in hafnia. Impact testing reveals the fracture resistance of the coatings as a function of stabilizer content and heat treatment. Thermal measurements and impedance testing was performed on the bulk material to study the effect of gadolinia content. Thermal cycling was performed to study the spallation behavior of the as deposited and aged samples. Finite element models were developed to study the interfacial stress development in the coatings subjected to thermal cycling.

Multipass optical device and process for gas and analyte determination

DOEpatents

Bernacki, Bruce E [Kennewick, WA

2011-01-25

A torus multipass optical device and method are described that provide for trace level determination of gases and gas-phase analytes. The torus device includes an optical cavity defined by at least one ring mirror. The mirror delivers optical power in at least a radial and axial direction and propagates light in a multipass optical path of a predefined path length.

A Comparison of Hybrid Approaches for Turbofan Engine Gas Path Fault Diagnosis

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lu, Feng; Wang, Yafan; Huang, Jinquan; Wang, Qihang

2016-09-01

A hybrid diagnostic method utilizing Extended Kalman Filter (EKF) and Adaptive Genetic Algorithm (AGA) is presented for performance degradation estimation and sensor anomaly detection of turbofan engine. The EKF is used to estimate engine component performance degradation for gas path fault diagnosis. The AGA is introduced in the integrated architecture and applied for sensor bias detection. The contributions of this work are the comparisons of Kalman Filters (KF)-AGA algorithms and Neural Networks (NN)-AGA algorithms with a unified framework for gas path fault diagnosis. The NN needs to be trained off-line with a large number of prior fault mode data. When new fault mode occurs, estimation accuracy by the NN evidently decreases. However, the application of the Linearized Kalman Filter (LKF) and EKF will not be restricted in such case. The crossover factor and the mutation factor are adapted to the fitness function at each generation in the AGA, and it consumes less time to search for the optimal sensor bias value compared to the Genetic Algorithm (GA). In a word, we conclude that the hybrid EKF-AGA algorithm is the best choice for gas path fault diagnosis of turbofan engine among the algorithms discussed.

E-beam ionized channel guiding of an intense relativistic electron beam

DOEpatents

Frost, C.A.; Godfrey, B.B.; Kiekel, P.D.; Shope, S.L.

1988-05-10

An IREB is guided through a curved path by ionizing a channel in a gas with electrons from a filament, and confining the electrons to the center of the path with a magnetic field extending along the path. The magnetic field is preferably generated by a solenoid extending along the path. 2 figs.

Active Stand-off Detection of Gas Leaks Using a Short Range Hard-target Backscatter Differential Optical Absorption System Based on a Quantum Cascade Laser Transmitter

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Diaz, Adrian; Thomas, Benjamin; Castillo, Paulo; Gross, Barry; Moshary, Fred

2016-06-01

Fugitive gas emissions from agricultural or industrial plants and gas pipelines are an important environmental concern as they can contribute to the global increase of greenhouse gas concentration. Moreover, they are also a security and safety concern because of possible risk of fire/explosion or toxicity. This study presents gas concentration measurements using a quantum cascade laser open path system (QCLOPS). The system retrieves the pathaveraged concentration of N2O and CH4 by collecting the backscattered light from a scattering target. The gas concentration measurements have a high temporal resolution (68 ms) and are achieved at sufficient range (up to 40 m, ~ 130 feet) with a detection limit of 2.6 ppm CH4 and 0.4 ppm for N2O. Given these characteristics, this system is promising for mobile/multidirectional remote detection and evaluation of gas leaks. The instrument is monostatic with a tunable QCL emitting at ~ 7.7 μm wavelength range. The backscattered radiation is collected by a Newtonian telescope and focused on an infrared light detector. Puffs of N2O and CH4 are released along the optical path to simulate a gas leak. The measured absorption spectrum is obtained using the thermal intra-pulse frequency chirped DFB QCL and is analyzed to obtain path averaged gas concentrations.

[Research on diagnosis of gas-liquid detonation exhaust based on double optical path absortion spectroscopy technique].

PubMed

Lü, Xiao-Jing; Li, Ning; Weng, Chun-Sheng

2014-03-01

The effect detection of detonation exhaust can provide measurement data for exploring the formation mechanism of detonation, the promotion of detonation efficiency and the reduction of fuel waste. Based on tunable diode laser absorption spectroscopy technique combined with double optical path cross-correlation algorithm, the article raises the diagnosis method to realize the on-line testing of detonation exhaust velocity, temperature and H2O gas concentration. The double optical path testing system is designed and set up for the valveless pulse detonation engine with the diameter of 80 mm. By scanning H2O absorption lines of 1343nm with a high frequency of 50 kHz, the on-line detection of gas-liquid pulse detonation exhaust is realized. The results show that the optical testing system based on tunable diode laser absorption spectroscopy technique can capture the detailed characteristics of pulse detonation exhaust in the transient process of detonation. The duration of single detonation is 85 ms under laboratory conditions, among which supersonic injection time is 5.7 ms and subsonic injection time is 19.3 ms. The valveless pulse detonation engine used can work under frequency of 11 Hz. The velocity of detonation overflowing the detonation tube is 1,172 m x s(-1), the maximum temperature of detonation exhaust near the nozzle is 2 412 K. There is a transitory platform in the velocity curve as well as the temperature curve. H2O gas concentration changes between 0-7% during detonation under experimental conditions. The research can provide measurement data for the detonation process diagnosis and analysis, which is of significance to advance the detonation mechanism research and promote the research of pulse detonation engine control technology.

Evolutionary paths of streptococcal and staphylococcal superantigens

PubMed Central

2012-01-01

Background Streptococcus pyogenes (GAS) harbors several superantigens (SAgs) in the prophage region of its genome, although speG and smez are not located in this region. The diversity of SAgs is thought to arise during horizontal transfer, but their evolutionary pathways have not yet been determined. We recently completed sequencing the entire genome of S. dysgalactiae subsp. equisimilis (SDSE), the closest relative of GAS. Although speG is the only SAg gene of SDSE, speG was present in only 50% of clinical SDSE strains and smez in none. In this study, we analyzed the evolutionary paths of streptococcal and staphylococcal SAgs. Results We compared the sequences of the 12–60 kb speG regions of nine SDSE strains, five speG+ and four speG–. We found that the synteny of this region was highly conserved, whether or not the speG gene was present. Synteny analyses based on genome-wide comparisons of GAS and SDSE indicated that speG is the direct descendant of a common ancestor of streptococcal SAgs, whereas smez was deleted from SDSE after SDSE and GAS split from a common ancestor. Cumulative nucleotide skew analysis of SDSE genomes suggested that speG was located outside segments of steeper slopes than the stable region in the genome, whereas the region flanking smez was unstable, as expected from the results of GAS. We also detected a previously undescribed staphylococcal SAg gene, selW, and a staphylococcal SAg -like gene, ssl, in the core genomes of all Staphylococcus aureus strains sequenced. Amino acid substitution analyses, based on dN/dS window analysis of the products encoded by speG, selW and ssl suggested that all three genes have been subjected to strong positive selection. Evolutionary analysis based on the Bayesian Markov chain Monte Carlo method showed that each clade included at least one direct descendant. Conclusions Our findings reveal a plausible model for the comprehensive evolutionary pathway of streptococcal and staphylococcal SAgs. PMID:22900646

Boiler using combustible fluid

DOEpatents

Baumgartner, H.; Meier, J.G.

1974-07-03

A fluid fuel boiler is described comprising a combustion chamber, a cover on the combustion chamber having an opening for introducing a combustion-supporting gaseous fluid through said openings, means to impart rotation to the gaseous fluid about an axis of the combustion chamber, a burner for introducing a fluid fuel into the chamber mixed with the gaseous fluid for combustion thereof, the cover having a generally frustro-conical configuration diverging from the opening toward the interior of the chamber at an angle of between 15/sup 0/ and 55/sup 0/; means defining said combustion chamber having means defining a plurality of axial hot gas flow paths from a downstream portion of the combustion chamber to flow hot gases into an upstream portion of the combustion chamber, and means for diverting some of the hot gas flow along paths in a direction circumferentially of the combustion chamber, with the latter paths being immersed in the water flow path thereby to improve heat transfer and terminating in a gas outlet, the combustion chamber comprising at least one modular element, joined axially to the frustro-conical cover and coaxial therewith. The modular element comprises an inner ring and means of defining the circumferential, radial, and spiral flow paths of the hot gases.

Differential optical absorption spectrometer for measurement of tropospheric pollutants

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Evangelisti, F.; Baroncelli, A.; Bonasoni, P.; Giovanelli, G.; Ravegnani, F.

1995-05-01

Our institute has recently developed a differential optical absorption spectrometry system called the gas analyzer spectrometer correlating optical absorption differences (GASCOAD), which features as a detector a linear image sensor that uses an artificial light source for long-path tropospheric-pollution monitoring. The GASCOAD, its method of eliminating interference from background sky light, and subsequent spectral analysis are reported and discussed. The spectrometer was used from 7 to 22 February 1993 in Milan, a heavily polluted metropolitan area, to measure the concentrations of SO2, NO2, O3, and HNO2 averaged over a 1.7-km horizontal light path. The findings are reported and briefly discussed.

Non-CO2 Greenhouse Gas Emissions in China 2012: Inventory and Supply Chain Analysis

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhang, Bo; Zhang, Yaowen; Zhao, Xueli; Meng, Jing

2018-01-01

Reliable inventory information is critical in informing emission mitigation efforts. Using the latest officially released emission data, which is production based, we take a consumption perspective to estimate the non-CO2 greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions for China in 2012. The non-CO2 GHG emissions, which cover CH4, N2O, HFCs, PFCs, and SF6, amounted to 2003.0 Mt. CO2-eq (including 1871.9 Mt. CO2-eq from economic activities), much larger than the total CO2 emissions in some developed countries. Urban consumption (30.1%), capital formation (28.2%), and exports (20.6%) derived approximately four fifths of the total embodied emissions in final demand. Furthermore, the results from structural path analysis help identify critical embodied emission paths and key economic sectors in supply chains for mitigating non-CO2 GHG emissions in Chinese economic systems. The top 20 paths were responsible for half of the national total embodied emissions. Several industrial sectors such as Construction, Production and Supply of Electricity and Steam, Manufacture of Food and Tobacco and Manufacture of Chemicals, and Chemical Products played as the important transmission channels. Examining both production- and consumption-based non-CO2 GHG emissions will enrich our understanding of the influences of industrial positions, final consumption demands, and trades on national non-CO2 GHG emissions by considering the comprehensive abatement potentials in the supply chains.

Towards the interaction between calcium carbide and water during gas-chromatographic determination of trace moisture in ultra-high purity ammonia.

PubMed

Trubyanov, Maxim M; Mochalov, Georgy M; Suvorov, Sergey S; Puzanov, Egor S; Petukhov, Anton N; Vorotyntsev, Ilya V; Vorotyntsev, Vladimir M

2018-07-27

The current study focuses on the processes involved during the flow conversion of water into acetylene in a calcium carbide reaction cell for the trace moisture analysis of ammonia by reaction gas chromatography. The factors negatively affecting the reproducibility and the accuracy of the measurements are suggested and discussed. The intramolecular reaction of the HOCaCCH intermediate was found to be a side reaction producing background acetylene during the contact of wet ammonia gas with calcium carbide. The presence of the HOCaCCH intermediate among the reaction products is confirmed by an FTIR spectral study of calcium carbide powder exposed to wet gas. The side reaction kinetics is evaluated experimentally and its influence on the results of the gas chromatographic measurements is discussed in relation to the determination of the optimal operating parameters for ammonia analysis. The reaction gas chromatography method for the trace moisture measurements in an ammonia matrix was experimentally compared to an FTIR long-path length gas cell technique to evaluate the accuracy limitations and the resource intensity. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

High-sensitivity gas-mapping 3D imager and method of operation

DOEpatents

Kreitinger, Aaron; Thorpe, Michael

2018-05-15

Measurement apparatuses and methods are disclosed for generating high-precision and -accuracy gas concentration maps that can be overlaid with 3D topographic images by rapidly scanning one or several modulated laser beams with a spatially-encoded transmitter over a scene to build-up imagery. Independent measurements of the topographic target distance and path-integrated gas concentration are combined to yield a map of the path-averaged concentration between the sensor and each point in the image. This type of image is particularly useful for finding localized regions of elevated (or anomalous) gas concentration making it ideal for large-area leak detection and quantification applications including: oil and gas pipeline monitoring, chemical processing facility monitoring, and environmental monitoring.

Study on Fault Diagnostics of a Turboprop Engine Using Inverse Performance Model and Artificial Intelligent Methods

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kong, Changduk; Lim, Semyeong

2011-12-01

Recently, the health monitoring system of major gas path components of gas turbine uses mostly the model based method like the Gas Path Analysis (GPA). This method is to find quantity changes of component performance characteristic parameters such as isentropic efficiency and mass flow parameter by comparing between measured engine performance parameters such as temperatures, pressures, rotational speeds, fuel consumption, etc. and clean engine performance parameters without any engine faults which are calculated by the base engine performance model. Currently, the expert engine diagnostic systems using the artificial intelligent methods such as Neural Networks (NNs), Fuzzy Logic and Genetic Algorithms (GAs) have been studied to improve the model based method. Among them the NNs are mostly used to the engine fault diagnostic system due to its good learning performance, but it has a drawback due to low accuracy and long learning time to build learning data base if there are large amount of learning data. In addition, it has a very complex structure for finding effectively single type faults or multiple type faults of gas path components. This work builds inversely a base performance model of a turboprop engine to be used for a high altitude operation UAV using measured performance data, and proposes a fault diagnostic system using the base engine performance model and the artificial intelligent methods such as Fuzzy logic and Neural Network. The proposed diagnostic system isolates firstly the faulted components using Fuzzy Logic, then quantifies faults of the identified components using the NN leaned by fault learning data base, which are obtained from the developed base performance model. In leaning the NN, the Feed Forward Back Propagation (FFBP) method is used. Finally, it is verified through several test examples that the component faults implanted arbitrarily in the engine are well isolated and quantified by the proposed diagnostic system.

Concept and set-up of an IR-gas sensor construction kit

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sieber, Ingo; Perner, Gernot; Gengenbach, Ulrich

2015-10-01

The paper presents an approach to a cost-efficient modularly built non-dispersive optical IR-gas sensor (NDIR) based on a construction kit. The modularity of the approach offers several advantages: First of all it allows for an adaptation of the performance of the gas sensor to individual specifications by choosing the suitable modular components. The sensitivity of the sensor e.g. can be altered by selecting a source which emits a favorable wavelength spectrum with respect to the absorption spectrum of the gas to be measured or by tuning the measuring distance (ray path inside the medium to be measured). Furthermore the developed approach is very well suited to be used in teaching. Together with students a construction kit on basis of an optical free space system was developed and partly implemented to be further used as a teaching and training aid for bachelor and master students at our institute. The components of the construction kit are interchangeable and freely fixable on a base plate. The components are classified into five groups: sources, reflectors, detectors, gas feed, and analysis cell. Source, detector, and the positions of the components are fundamental to experiment and test different configurations and beam paths. The reflectors are implemented by an aluminum coated adhesive foil, mounted onto a support structure fabricated by additive manufacturing. This approach allows derivation of the reflecting surface geometry from the optical design tool and generating the 3D-printing files by applying related design rules. The rapid fabrication process and the adjustment of the modules on the base plate allow rapid, almost LEGO®-like, experimental assessment of design ideas. Subject of this paper is modeling, design, and optimization of the reflective optical components, as well as of the optical subsystem. The realization of a sample set-up used as a teaching aid and the optical measurement of the beam path in comparison to the simulation results are shown as well.

Axial compressor gas path design for desensitization of aerodynamic performance and stability to tip clearance

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cevik, Mert

Tip clearance is the necessary small gap left between the moving rotor tip and stationary shroud of a turbomachine. In a compressor, the pressure driven flow through this gap, called tip clearance flow, has a major and generally detrimental impact on compressor performance (pressure ratio and efficiency) and aerodynamic stability (stall margin). The increase in tip clearance, either temporary during transient engine operations or permanent from wear, leads to a drop in compressor performance and aerodynamic stability which results in a fuel consumption increase and a reduced operating envelope for a gas turbine engine. While much research has looked into increasing compressor performance and stall margin at the design (minimum or nominal) tip clearance, very little attention has been paid for reducing the sensitivity of these parameters to tip clearance size increase. The development of technologies that address this issue will lead to aircraft engines whose performance and operating envelope are more robust to operational demands and wear. The current research is the second phase of a research programme to develop design strategies to reduce the sensitivity of axial compressor performance and aerodynamic stability to tip clearance. The first phase had focused on blade design strategies and had led to the discovery and explanation of two flow features that reduces tip sensitivity, namely increased incoming meridional momentum in the rotor tip region and reduction/elimination of double leakage. Double leakage is the flow that exits one tip clearance and enters the tip clearance of the adjacent blade instead of convecting downstream out of the rotor passage. This flow was shown to be very detrimental to compressor performance and stall margin. Two rotor design strategies involving sweep and tip stagger reduction were proposed and shown by CFD simulations to exploit these features to reduce sensitivity. As the second phase, the objectives of the current research project are to develop gas path design strategies for axial compressors to achieve the same goal, to assess their ability to be combined with desensitizing axial compressor blade design strategies and to be applied to non-axial compressors. The search for gas path design strategies was based on the exploitation of the two flow desensitizing features listed above. Two gas path design strategies were proposed and analyzed. The first was gas path contouring in the form of a concave gas path to increase incoming tip meridional momentum.

Gas turbine power plant with supersonic shock compression ramps

DOEpatents

Lawlor, Shawn P [Bellevue, WA; Novaresi, Mark A [San Diego, CA; Cornelius, Charles C [Kirkland, WA

2008-10-14

A gas turbine engine. The engine is based on the use of a gas turbine driven rotor having a compression ramp traveling at a local supersonic inlet velocity (based on the combination of inlet gas velocity and tangential speed of the ramp) which compresses inlet gas against a stationary sidewall. The supersonic compressor efficiently achieves high compression ratios while utilizing a compact, stabilized gasdynamic flow path. Operated at supersonic speeds, the inlet stabilizes an oblique/normal shock system in the gasdynamic flow path formed between the rim of the rotor, the strakes, and a stationary external housing. Part load efficiency is enhanced by use of a lean pre-mix system, a pre-swirl compressor, and a bypass stream to bleed a portion of the gas after passing through the pre-swirl compressor to the combustion gas outlet. Use of a stationary low NOx combustor provides excellent emissions results.

Acoustic transducer in system for gas temperature measurement in gas turbine engine

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

DeSilva, Upul P.; Claussen, Heiko

An apparatus for controlling operation of a gas turbine engine including at least one acoustic transmitter/receiver device located on a flow path boundary structure. The acoustic transmitter/receiver device includes an elongated sound passage defined by a surface of revolution having opposing first and second ends and a central axis extending between the first and second ends, an acoustic sound source located at the first end, and an acoustic receiver located within the sound passage between the first and second ends. The boundary structure includes an opening extending from outside the boundary structure to the flow path, and the second endmore » of the surface of revolution is affixed to the boundary structure at the opening for passage of acoustic signals between the sound passage and the flow path.« less

Open-path FTIR data reduction algorithm with atmospheric absorption corrections: the NONLIN code

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Phillips, William; Russwurm, George M.

1999-02-01

This paper describes the progress made to date in developing, testing, and refining a data reduction computer code, NONLIN, that alleviates many of the difficulties experienced in the analysis of open path FTIR data. Among the problems that currently effect FTIR open path data quality are: the inability to obtain a true I degree or background, spectral interferences of atmospheric gases such as water vapor and carbon dioxide, and matching the spectral resolution and shift of the reference spectra to a particular field instrument. This algorithm is based on a non-linear fitting scheme and is therefore not constrained by many of the assumptions required for the application of linear methods such as classical least squares (CLS). As a result, a more realistic mathematical model of the spectral absorption measurement process can be employed in the curve fitting process. Applications of the algorithm have proven successful in circumventing open path data reduction problems. However, recent studies, by one of the authors, of the temperature and pressure effects on atmospheric absorption indicate there exist temperature and water partial pressure effects that should be incorporated into the NONLIN algorithm for accurate quantification of gas concentrations. This paper investigates the sources of these phenomena. As a result of this study a partial pressure correction has been employed in NONLIN computer code. Two typical field spectra are examined to determine what effect the partial pressure correction has on gas quantification.

Computational study on the aminolysis of beta-hydroxy-alpha,beta-unsaturated ester via the favorable path including the formation of alpha-oxo ketene intermediate.

PubMed

Jin, Lu; Xue, Ying; Zhang, Hui; Kim, Chan Kyung; Xie, Dai Qian; Yan, Guo Sen

2008-05-15

The possible mechanisms of the aminolysis of N-methyl-3-(methoxycarbonyl)-4-hydroxy-2-pyridone (beta-hydroxy-alpha,beta-unsaturated ester) with dimethylamine are investigated at the hybrid density functional theory B3LYP/6-31G(d,p) level in the gas phase. Single-point computations at the B3LYP/6-311++G(d,p) and the Becke88-Becke95 1-parameter model BB1K/6-311++G(d,p) levels are performed for more precise energy predictions. Solvent effects are also assessed by single-point calculations at the integral equation formalism polarized continuum model IEFPCM-B3LYP/6-311++G(d,p) and IEFPCM-BB1K/6-311++G(d,p) levels on the gas-phase optimized geometries. Three possible pathways, the concerted pathway (path A), the stepwise pathway involving tetrahedral intermediates (path B), and the stepwise pathway via alpha-oxo ketene intermediate due to the participation of beta-hydroxy (path C), are taken into account for the title reaction. Moreover, path C includes two sequential processes. The first process is to generate alpha-oxo ketene intermediate via the decomposition of N-methyl-3-(methoxycarbonyl)-4-hydroxy-2-pyridone; the second process is the addition of dimethylamine to alpha-oxo ketene intermediate. Our results indicate that path C is more favorable than paths A and B both in the gas phase and in solvent (heptane). In path C, the first process is the rate-determining step, and the second process is revealed to be a [4+2] pseudopericyclic reaction without the energy barrier. Being independent of the concentration of amine, the first process obeys the first-order rate law.

Benchmarking Gas Path Diagnostic Methods: A Public Approach

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Simon, Donald L.; Bird, Jeff; Davison, Craig; Volponi, Al; Iverson, R. Eugene

2008-01-01

Recent technology reviews have identified the need for objective assessments of engine health management (EHM) technology. The need is two-fold: technology developers require relevant data and problems to design and validate new algorithms and techniques while engine system integrators and operators need practical tools to direct development and then evaluate the effectiveness of proposed solutions. This paper presents a publicly available gas path diagnostic benchmark problem that has been developed by the Propulsion and Power Systems Panel of The Technical Cooperation Program (TTCP) to help address these needs. The problem is coded in MATLAB (The MathWorks, Inc.) and coupled with a non-linear turbofan engine simulation to produce "snap-shot" measurements, with relevant noise levels, as if collected from a fleet of engines over their lifetime of use. Each engine within the fleet will experience unique operating and deterioration profiles, and may encounter randomly occurring relevant gas path faults including sensor, actuator and component faults. The challenge to the EHM community is to develop gas path diagnostic algorithms to reliably perform fault detection and isolation. An example solution to the benchmark problem is provided along with associated evaluation metrics. A plan is presented to disseminate this benchmark problem to the engine health management technical community and invite technology solutions.

Supersonic compressor

DOEpatents

Lawlor, Shawn P [Bellevue, WA; Novaresi, Mark A [San Diego, CA; Cornelius, Charles C [Kirkland, WA

2008-02-26

A gas compressor based on the use of a driven rotor having an axially oriented compression ramp traveling at a local supersonic inlet velocity (based on the combination of inlet gas velocity and tangential speed of the ramp) which forms a supersonic shockwave axially, between adjacent strakes. In using this method to compress inlet gas, the supersonic compressor efficiently achieves high compression ratios while utilizing a compact, stabilized gasdynamic flow path. Operated at supersonic speeds, the inlet stabilizes an oblique/normal shock system in the gasdyanamic flow path formed between the gas compression ramp on a strake, the shock capture lip on the adjacent strake, and captures the resultant pressure within the stationary external housing while providing a diffuser downstream of the compression ramp.

GAS DISCHARGE DEVICES

DOEpatents

Jefferson, S.

1958-11-11

An apparatus utilized in introducing tritium gas into envelope of a gas discharge device for the purpose f maintaining the discharge path in ionized condition is described. ln addition to the cathode and anode, the ischarge device contains a zirconium or tantalum ilament arranged for external excitation and a metallic seed containing tritium, and also arranged to have a current passed through it. Initially, the zirconium or tantalum filament is vaporized to deposit its material adjacent the main discharge region. Then the tritium gas is released and, due to its affinity for the first released material, it deposits in the region of the main discharge where it is most effective in maintaining the discharge path in an ionized condition.

On the importance of high-frequency air-temperature fluctuations for spectroscopic corrections of open-path carbon dioxide flux measurements

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bogoev, Ivan; Helbig, Manuel; Sonnentag, Oliver

2015-04-01

A growing number of studies report systematic differences in CO2 flux estimates obtained with the two main types of gas analyzers: compared to eddy-covariance systems based on closed-path (CP) gas analyzers, systems with open-path (OP) gas analyzers systematically overestimate CO2 uptake during daytime periods with high positive sensible heat fluxes, while patterns for differences in nighttime CO2 exchange are less obvious. These biases have been shown to correlate with the sign and the magnitude of the sensible heat flux and to introduce large uncertainties when calculating annual CO2 budgets. In general, CP and OP gas analyzers commonly used to measure the CO2 density in the atmosphere operate on the principle of infrared light absorption approximated by Beer-Lambert's law. Non-dispersive interference-based optical filter elements are used to select spectral bands with strong attenuation of light transmission, characteristic to the gas of interest. The intensity of the light passing through the optical sensing path depends primarily on the amount of absorber gas in the measurement volume. Besides the density of the gas, barometric pressure and air temperature are additional factors affecting the strength and the half-width of the absorption lines. These so-called spectroscopic effects are accounted for by measuring barometric pressure and air temperature in the sensing path and scaling the light-intensity measurements before applying the calibration equation. This approach works well for CP gas analyzers with an intake tube that acts as a low-pass filter on fast air-temperature fluctuations. Low-frequency response temperature sensors in the measurement cell are therefore sufficient to account for spectroscopic temperature effects. In contrast, OP gas analyzers are exposed to high-frequency air-temperature fluctuations associated with the atmospheric surface-layer turbulent heat exchange. If not corrected adequately, these fast air-temperature variations can cause systematic errors in the CO2 density measurements. Under conditions of high positive or negative sensible heat flux, air-temperature fluctuations are correlated with fluctuations of the vertical wind component and can lead to significant biases in the CO2 flux estimates. This study demonstrates that sonically derived fast-response air temperature in the optical sensing path of an OP gas analyzer can replace the slow-response measurements from the temperature sensor as a scaling parameter in the calibration model to correct for these air temperature-induced spectroscopic effects. Our approach is evaluated by comparison between different OP and CP gas analyzer-based eddy-covariance systems in ecosystems with low CO2 uptake under a range of sensible heat flux regimes and varying meteorological parameters. We show that ignoring high-frequency spectroscopic effects can lead to false interpretations of net ecosystem CO2 exchange for specific site and environmental conditions.

Hall current effects in the Lewis magnetohydrodynamic generator

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Nichols, L. D.; Sovie, R. J.

1972-01-01

Data obtained in a magnetohydrodynamic generator are compared with theoretical values calculated by using the Dzung theory. The generator was operated with cesium-seeded argon as the working fluid. The gas temperature varied from 1800 to 2100 K, the gas pressure from 19 to 22 N/sq cm, the Mach number from 0.3 to 0.5, and the magnetic field strength from 0.2 to 1.6 T. The analysis indicates that there is incomplete seed vaporization and that Hall current shorting paths (through the working fluid to ground at both the entrance and exit of the channel) limit generator performance.

Direct simulation of high-vorticity gas flows

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Bird, G. A.

1987-01-01

The computational limitations associated with the molecular dynamics (MD) method and the direct simulation Monte Carlo (DSMC) method are reviewed in the context of the computation of dilute gas flows with high vorticity. It is concluded that the MD method is generally limited to the dense gas case in which the molecular diameter is one-tenth or more of the mean free path. It is shown that the cell size in DSMC calculations should be small in comparison with the mean free path, and that this may be facilitated by a new subcell procedure for the selection of collision partners.

Gas dispersion concentration of trace inorganic contaminants from fuel gas and analysis using head-column field-amplified sample stacking capillary electrophoresis.

PubMed

Yang, Jianmin; Li, Hai-Fang; Li, Meilan; Lin, Jin-Ming

2012-08-21

The presence of inorganic elements in fuel gas generally accelerates the corrosion and depletion of materials used in the fuel gas industry, and even leads to serious accidents. For identification of existing trace inorganic contaminants in fuel gas in a portable way, a highly efficient gas-liquid sampling collection system based on gas dispersion concentration is introduced in this work. Using the constructed dual path gas-liquid collection setup, inorganic cations and anions were simultaneously collected from real liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) and analyzed by capillary electrophoresis (CE) with indirect UV absorbance detection. The head-column field-amplified sample stacking technique was applied to improve the detection limits to 2-25 ng mL(-1). The developed collection and analytical methods have successfully determined existing inorganic contaminants in a real LPG sample in the range of 4.59-138.69 μg m(-3). The recoveries of cations and anions with spiked LPG samples were between 83.98 and 105.63%, and the relative standard deviations (RSDs) were less than 7.19%.

Flow-switching device for comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography.

PubMed

Bueno, Pedro A; Seeley, John V

2004-02-20

A simple flow-switching device has been developed as a differential flow modulator for comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography (GC x GC). The device is assembled from tubing, four tee unions, and a solenoid valve. The solenoid valve is located outside the oven of the gas chromatograph and is not in the sample path. The modulation technique has no inherent temperature restrictions and passes 100% of the primary column effluent to the secondary column(s). Secondary peaks are produced with widths at half maximum less than 100 ms when operating in GC x 2GC mode with a 2.0 s modulation period. The efficacy of this approach is demonstrated through the analysis of a standard mixture of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and diesel fuel.

Gas spectroscopy with integrated frequency monitoring through self-mixing in a terahertz quantum-cascade laser.

PubMed

Chhantyal-Pun, Rabi; Valavanis, Alexander; Keeley, James T; Rubino, Pierluigi; Kundu, Iman; Han, Yingjun; Dean, Paul; Li, Lianhe; Davies, A Giles; Linfield, Edmund H

2018-05-15

We demonstrate a gas spectroscopy technique, using self-mixing in a 3.4 terahertz quantum-cascade laser (QCL). All previous QCL spectroscopy techniques have required additional terahertz instrumentation (detectors, mixers, or spectrometers) for system pre-calibration or spectral analysis. By contrast, our system self-calibrates the laser frequency (i.e., with no external instrumentation) to a precision of 630 MHz (0.02%) by analyzing QCL voltage perturbations in response to optical feedback within a 0-800 mm round-trip delay line. We demonstrate methanol spectroscopy by introducing a gas cell into the feedback path and show that a limiting absorption coefficient of ∼1×10 -4   cm -1 is resolvable.

Comparing laser-based open- and closed-path gas analyzers to measure methane fluxes using the eddy covariance method

USGS Publications Warehouse

Detto, Matteo; Verfaillie, Joseph; Anderson, Frank; Xu, Liukang; Baldocchi, Dennis

2011-01-01

Closed- and open-path methane gas analyzers are used in eddy covariance systems to compare three potential methane emitting ecosystems in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta (CA, USA): a rice field, a peatland pasture and a restored wetland. The study points out similarities and differences of the systems in field experiments and data processing. The closed-path system, despite a less intrusive placement with the sonic anemometer, required more care and power. In contrast, the open-path system appears more versatile for a remote and unattended experimental site. Overall, the two systems have comparable minimum detectable limits, but synchronization between wind speed and methane data, air density corrections and spectral losses have different impacts on the computed flux covariances. For the closed-path analyzer, air density effects are less important, but the synchronization and spectral losses may represent a problem when fluxes are small or when an undersized pump is used. For the open-path analyzer air density corrections are greater, due to spectroscopy effects and the classic Webb–Pearman–Leuning correction. Comparison between the 30-min fluxes reveals good agreement in terms of magnitudes between open-path and closed-path flux systems. However, the scatter is large, as consequence of the intensive data processing which both systems require.

Aircraft Engine Gas Path Diagnostic Methods: Public Benchmarking Results

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Simon, Donald L.; Borguet, Sebastien; Leonard, Olivier; Zhang, Xiaodong (Frank)

2013-01-01

Recent technology reviews have identified the need for objective assessments of aircraft engine health management (EHM) technologies. To help address this issue, a gas path diagnostic benchmark problem has been created and made publicly available. This software tool, referred to as the Propulsion Diagnostic Method Evaluation Strategy (ProDiMES), has been constructed based on feedback provided by the aircraft EHM community. It provides a standard benchmark problem enabling users to develop, evaluate and compare diagnostic methods. This paper will present an overview of ProDiMES along with a description of four gas path diagnostic methods developed and applied to the problem. These methods, which include analytical and empirical diagnostic techniques, will be described and associated blind-test-case metric results will be presented and compared. Lessons learned along with recommendations for improving the public benchmarking processes will also be presented and discussed.

Multi-Gas Sensor

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Sachse, Glenn W. (Inventor); Wang, Liang-Guo (Inventor); LeBel, Peter J. (Inventor); Steele, Tommy C. (Inventor); Rana, Mauro (Inventor)

1999-01-01

A multi-gas sensor is provided which modulates a polarized light beam over a broadband of wavelengths between two alternating orthogonal polarization components. The two orthogonal polarization components of the polarization modulated beam are directed along two distinct optical paths. At least one optical path contains one or more spectral discrimination element, with each spectral discrimination element having spectral absorption features of one or more gases of interest being measured. The two optical paths then intersect, and one orthogonal component of the intersected components is transmitted and the other orthogonal component is reflected. The combined polarization modulated beam is partitioned into one or more smaller spectral regions of interest where one or more gases of interest has an absorption band. The difference in intensity between the two orthogonal polarization components is then determined in each partitioned spectral region of interest as an indication of the spectral emission/absorption of the light beam by the gases of interest in the measurement path. The spectral emission/absorption is indicative of the concentration of the one or more gases of interest in the measurement path. More specifically, one embodiment of the present invention is a gas filter correlation radiometer which comprises a polarizer, a polarization modulator, a polarization beam splitter, a beam combiner, wavelength partitioning element, and detection element. The gases of interest are measured simultaneously and, further, can be measured independently or non-independently. Furthermore, optical or electronic element are provided to balance optical intensities between the two optical paths.

High-quality eddy-covariance CO2 budgets under cold climate conditions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kittler, Fanny; Eugster, Werner; Foken, Thomas; Heimann, Martin; Kolle, Olaf; Göckede, Mathias

2017-08-01

This study aimed at quantifying potential negative effects of instrument heating to improve eddy-covariance flux data quality in cold environments. Our overarching objective was to minimize heating-related bias in annual CO2 budgets from an Arctic permafrost system. We used continuous eddy-covariance measurements covering three full years within an Arctic permafrost ecosystem with parallel sonic anemometers operation with activated heating and without heating as well as parallel operation of open- and closed-path gas analyzers, the latter serving as a reference. Our results demonstrate that the sonic anemometer heating has a direct effect on temperature measurements while the turbulent wind field is not affected. As a consequence, fluxes of sensible heat are increased by an average 5 W m-2 with activated heating, while no direct effect on other scalar fluxes was observed. However, the biased measurements in sensible heat fluxes can have an indirect effect on the CO2 fluxes in case they are used as input for a density-flux WPL correction of an open-path gas analyzer. Evaluating the self-heating effect of the open-path gas analyzer by comparing CO2 flux measurements between open- and closed-path gas analyzers, we found systematically higher CO2 uptake recorded with the open-path sensor, leading to a cumulative annual offset of 96 gC m-2, which was not only the result of the cold winter season but also due to substantial self-heating effects during summer. With an inclined sensor mounting, only a fraction of the self-heating correction for vertically mounted instruments is required.

Effects of real fluid properties on axial turbine meanline design and off-design analysis

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

MacLean, Cameron

The effects of real fluid properties on axial turbine meanline analysis have been investigated employing two meanline analysis codes, namely Turbine Meanline Design (TMLD) and Turbine Meanline Off-Design (TMLO). The previously developed TMLD code assumed the working fluid was an ideal gas. Therefore it was modified to use real fluid properties. TMLO was then developed from TMLD Both codes can be run using either the ideal gas assumption or real fluid properties. TMLD was employed for the meanline design of several axial turbines for a range of inlet conditions, using both the ideal gas assumption and real fluid properties. The resulting designs were compared to see the effects of real fluid properties. Meanline designs, generated using the ideal gas assumption, were then analysed with TMLO using real fluid properties. This was done over a range of inlet conditions that correspond to varying degrees of departure from ideal gas conditions. The goal was to show how machines designed with the ideal gas assumption would perform with the real working fluid. The working fluid used in both investigations was supercritical carbon dioxide. Results from the investigation show that real fluid properties had a strong effect on the gas path areas of the turbine designs as well as the performance of turbines designed using the ideal gas assumption. Specifically, power output and the velocities of the working fluid were affected. It was found that accounting for losses tended to lessen the effects of the real fluid properties.

Method and system to facilitate sealing in gas turbines

DOEpatents

Morgan, Victor John; Foster, Gregory Thomas; Sarawate, Neelesh Nandkumar

2017-09-12

A method and system for sealing between components within a gas turbine is provided. A first recess defined in a first component receives a seal member. A second recess defined in a second component adjacent the first component also receives the seal member. The first and second recesses are located proximate a hot gas path defined through the gas turbine, and define circumferential paths about the turbine axis. The seal member includes a sealing face that extends in a direction substantially parallel to the turbine axis. The seal member also includes a plurality of seal layers, wherein at least one of the seal layers includes at least one stress relief region for facilitating flexing of the first seal member.

A coal mine multi-point fiber ethylene gas concentration sensor

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wei, Yubin; Chang, Jun; Lian, Jie; Liu, Tongyu

2015-03-01

Spontaneous combustion of the coal mine goaf is one of the main disasters in the coal mine. The detection technology based on symbolic gas is the main means to realize the spontaneous combustion prediction of the coal mine goaf, and ethylene gas is an important symbol gas of spontaneous combustion in the coal accelerated oxidation stage. In order to overcome the problem of current coal ethylene detection, the paper presents a mine optical fiber multi-point ethylene concentration sensor based on the tunable diode laser absorption spectroscopy. Based on the experiments and analysis of the near-infrared spectrum of ethylene, the system employed the 1.62 μm (DFB) wavelength fiber coupled distributed feedback laser as the light source. By using the wavelength scanning technique and developing a stable fiber coupled Herriot type long path gas absorption cell, a ppm-level high sensitivity detecting system for the concentration of ethylene gas was realized, which could meet the needs of coal mine fire prevention goaf prediction.

Optimization of Turbine Rim Seals

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Wagner, J. H.; Tew, D. E.; Stetson, G. M.; Sabnis, J. S.

2006-01-01

Experiments are being conducted to gain an understanding of the physics of rim scale cavity ingestion in a turbine stage with the high-work, single-stage characteristics envisioned for Advanced Subsonic Transport (AST) aircraft gas turbine engines fo the early 21st century. Initial experimental measurements to be presented include time-averaged turbine rim cavity and main gas path static pressure measurements for rim seal coolant to main gas path mass flow ratios between 0 and 0.02. The ultimate objective of this work is develop improved rim seal design concepts for use in modern high-work, single sage turbines n order to minimize the use of secondary coolant flow. Toward this objective the time averaged and unsteady data to be obtained in these experiments will be used to 1) Quantify the impact of the rim cavity cooling air on the ingestion process. 2) Quantify the film cooling benefits of the rim cavity purge flow in the main gas path. 3) Quantify the impact of the cooling air on turbine efficiency. 4) Develop/evaluate both 3D CFD and analytical models of the ingestion/cooling process.

Evolution of gas saturation and relative permeability during gas production from hydrate-bearing sediments: Gas invasion vs. gas nucleation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jang, Jaewon; Santamarina, J. Carlos

2014-01-01

Capillarity and both gas and water permeabilities change as a function of gas saturation. Typical trends established in the discipline of unsaturated soil behavior are used when simulating gas production from hydrate-bearing sediments. However, the evolution of gas saturation and water drainage in gas invasion (i.e., classical soil behavior) and gas nucleation (i.e., gas production) is inherently different: micromodel experimental results show that gas invasion forms a continuous flow path while gas nucleation forms isolated gas clusters. Complementary simulations conducted using tube networks explore the implications of the two different desaturation processes. In spite of their distinct morphological differences in fluid displacement, numerical results show that the computed capillarity-saturation curves are very similar in gas invasion and nucleation (the gas-water interface confronts similar pore throat size distribution in both cases); the relative water permeability trends are similar (the mean free path for water flow is not affected by the topology of the gas phase); and the relative gas permeability is slightly lower in nucleation (delayed percolation of initially isolated gas-filled pores that do not contribute to gas conductivity). Models developed for unsaturated sediments can be used for reservoir simulation in the context of gas production from hydrate-bearing sediments, with minor adjustments to accommodate a lower gas invasion pressure Po and a higher gas percolation threshold.

Optical system and method for gas detection and monitoring

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Polzin, Kurt A. (Inventor); Sinko, John Elihu (Inventor); Korman, Valentin (Inventor); Witherow, William K. (Inventor); Hendrickson, Adam Gail (Inventor)

2011-01-01

A free-space optical path of an optical interferometer is disposed in an environment of interest. A light beam is guided to the optical interferometer using a single-mode optical fiber. The light beam traverses the interferometer's optical path. The light beam guided to the optical path is combined with the light beam at the end of the optical path to define an output light. A temporal history of the output light is recorded.

Validation Studies of the Accuracy of Various SO2 Gas Retrievals in the Thermal InfraRed (8-14 μm)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gabrieli, A.; Wright, R.; Lucey, P. G.; Porter, J. N.; Honniball, C.; Garbeil, H.; Wood, M.

2016-12-01

Quantifying hazardous SO2 in the atmosphere and in volcanic plumes is important for public health and volcanic eruption prediction. Remote sensing measurements of spectral radiance of plumes contain information on the abundance of SO2. However, in order to convert such measurements into SO2 path-concentrations, reliable inversion algorithms are needed. Various techniques can be employed to derive SO2 path-concentrations. The first approach employs a Partial Least Square Regression model trained using MODTRAN5 simulations for a variety of plume and atmospheric conditions. Radiances at many spectral wavelengths (8-14 μm) were used in the algorithm. The second algorithm uses measurements inside and outside the SO2 plume. Measurements in the plume-free region (background sky) make it possible to remove background atmospheric conditions and any instrumental effects. After atmospheric and instrumental effects are removed, MODTRAN5 is used to fit the SO2 spectral feature and obtain SO2 path-concentrations. The two inversion algorithms described above can be compared with the inversion algorithm for SO2 retrievals developed by Prata and Bernardo (2014). Their approach employs three wavelengths to characterize the plume temperature, the atmospheric background, and the SO2 path-concentration. The accuracy of these various techniques requires further investigation in terms of the effects of different atmospheric background conditions. Validating these inversion algorithms is challenging because ground truth measurements are very difficult. However, if the three separate inversion algorithms provide similar SO2 path-concentrations for actual measurements with various background conditions, then this increases confidence in the results. Measurements of sky radiance when looking through SO2 filled gas cells were collected with a Thermal Hyperspectral Imager (THI) under various atmospheric background conditions. These data were processed using the three inversion approaches, which were tested for convergence on the known SO2 gas cell path-concentrations. For this study, the inversion algorithms were modified to account for the gas cell configuration. Results from these studies will be presented, as well as results from SO2 gas plume measurements at Kīlauea volcano, Hawai'i.

Technical Path Evaluation for High Efficiency, Low Emission Natural Gas Engine

DTIC Science & Technology

2002-05-01

Modeling and Mitigation for Large Bore Natural Gas Engines C. Evaluation of Technologies for Achieving High BMEP Levels in Natural Gas Engines D. Microfine ...Natural Gas Engines C. Evaluation of Technologies for Achieving High BMEP Levels in Natural Gas Engines D. Microfine Water Spray Injection for Knock...91 vi D. MICROFINE WATER SPRAY INJECTION FOR

Convective heater

DOEpatents

Thorogood, Robert M.

1986-01-01

A convective heater for heating fluids such as a coal slurry is constructed of a tube circuit arrangement which obtains an optimum temperature distribution to give a relatively constant slurry film temperature. The heater is constructed to divide the heating gas flow into two equal paths and the tube circuit for the slurry is arranged to provide a mixed flow configuration whereby the slurry passes through the two heating gas paths in successive co-current, counter-current and co-current flow relative to the heating gas flow. This arrangement permits the utilization of minimum surface area for a given maximum film temperature of the slurry consistent with the prevention of coke formation.

Convective heater

DOEpatents

Thorogood, Robert M.

1983-01-01

A convective heater for heating fluids such as a coal slurry is constructed of a tube circuit arrangement which obtains an optimum temperature distribution to give a relatively constant slurry film temperature. The heater is constructed to divide the heating gas flow into two equal paths and the tube circuit for the slurry is arranged to provide a mixed flow configuration whereby the slurry passes through the two heating gas paths in successive co-current, counter-current and co-current flow relative to the heating gas flow. This arrangement permits the utilization of minimum surface area for a given maximum film temperature of the slurry consistent with the prevention of coke formation.

Convective heater

DOEpatents

Thorogood, R.M.

1983-12-27

A convective heater for heating fluids such as a coal slurry is constructed of a tube circuit arrangement which obtains an optimum temperature distribution to give a relatively constant slurry film temperature. The heater is constructed to divide the heating gas flow into two equal paths and the tube circuit for the slurry is arranged to provide a mixed flow configuration whereby the slurry passes through the two heating gas paths in successive co-current, counter-current and co-current flow relative to the heating gas flow. This arrangement permits the utilization of minimum surface area for a given maximum film temperature of the slurry consistent with the prevention of coke formation. 14 figs.

Realization of a multipath ultrasonic gas flowmeter based on transit-time technique.

PubMed

Chen, Qiang; Li, Weihua; Wu, Jiangtao

2014-01-01

A microcomputer-based ultrasonic gas flowmeter with transit-time method is presented. Modules of the flowmeter are designed systematically, including the acoustic path arrangement, ultrasound emission and reception module, transit-time measurement module, the software and so on. Four 200 kHz transducers forming two acoustic paths are used to send and receive ultrasound simultaneously. The synchronization of the transducers can eliminate the influence caused by the inherent switch time in simple chord flowmeter. The distribution of the acoustic paths on the mechanical apparatus follows the Tailored integration, which could reduce the inherent error by 2-3% compared with the Gaussian integration commonly used in the ultrasonic flowmeter now. This work also develops timing modules to determine the flight time of the acoustic signal. The timing mechanism is different from the traditional method. The timing circuit here adopts high capability chip TDC-GP2, with the typical resolution of 50 ps. The software of Labview is used to receive data from the circuit and calculate the gas flow value. Finally, the two paths flowmeter has been calibrated and validated on the test facilities for air flow in Shaanxi Institute of Measurement & Testing. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Integration of Ground-Based Solar FT-IR Absorption Spectroscopy and Open-Path Systems for Atmospheric Analysis

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Steill, J. D.; Hager, J. S.; Compton, R. N.

2006-05-01

Air quality issues in the Knoxville and East Tennessee region are of great concern, particularly as regards the nearby Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Infrared absorption spectroscopy of the atmosphere provides a unique opportunity to analyze the local chemical composition, since many trace atmospheric constituents are open to this analysis, such as O3, CO, CH4, and N2O. Integration of a Bomem DA8 FT-IR spectrometer with rooftop sun-tracking optics and an open-path system provide solar-sourced and boundary- layer atmospheric infrared spectra of these and other relevant atmospheric components. Boundary layer concentrations as well as total column abundances and vertical concentration profiles are derived. Vertical concentration profiles are determined by fitting solar-sourced absorbance lines with the SFIT2 algorithm. Improved fitting of solar spectra has been demonstrated by incorporating the tropospheric concentrations as determined by open-path measurements. A record of solar-sourced atmospheric spectra of greater than two years duration is under analysis to characterize experimental error and thus the limit of precision in the concentration determinations. Initial efforts using atmospheric O2 as a calibration indicate the solar- sourced spectra may not yet meet the precision required for accurate atmospheric CO2 quantification by such efforts as the OCO and NDSC. However, this variability is also indicative of local concentration fluxes pertinent to the regional atmospheric chemistry. In addition to providing a means to improve the analysis of solar spectra, the open-path data is useful for elucidation of seasonal and diurnal trends in the local trace gas concentrations.

Influences Energy Consumption has on Green GDP Growth in China

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hongxian, Xie

2018-02-01

This paper examines the relationship between China’s total energy consumption growth and GGDP growth based on the data of 1997-2016. With path analysis employed, the direct and indirect influence on GGDP growth rate exerted by several energy consumption ratios as well as the relationship among them is explored. Furtherly, the author determines how much each of these ratios contributes to GGDP. This research suggests that proportion of natural gas consumption and that of other energy consumption are the two major drivers of GGDP growth, while coal and oil consumption proportion inhibits GGDP Growth. Specifically, increasing the proportion of natural gas consumption contributes the most to GGDP growth.

Space Launch System Base Heating Test: Tunable Diode Laser Absorption Spectroscopy

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Parker, Ron; Carr, Zak; MacLean, Matthew; Dufrene, Aaron; Mehta, Manish

2016-01-01

This paper describes the Tunable Diode Laser Absorption Spectroscopy (TDLAS) measurement of several water transitions that were interrogated during a hot-fire testing of the Space Launch Systems (SLS) sub-scale vehicle installed in LENS II. The temperature of the recirculating gas flow over the base plate was found to increase with altitude and is consistent with CFD results. It was also observed that the gas above the base plate has significant velocity along the optical path of the sensor at the higher altitudes. The line-by-line analysis of the H2O absorption features must include the effects of the Doppler shift phenomena particularly at high altitude. The TDLAS experimental measurements and the analysis procedure which incorporates the velocity dependent flow will be described.

The effect of water chemistry on a change in the composition of gas phase in the steam-water path of a supercritical-pressure boiler

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Belyakov, I. I.; Belokonova, A. F.

2010-07-01

We present the results from an experimental research work on studying the behavior of the gas phase in the path of a supercritical-pressure boiler during its operation with different water chemistries, including all-volatile (hydrazine-ammonia), complexone, neutral oxygenated, and combined oxygenated-ammonia chemistries. It is shown that the minimal content of hydrogen in steam is achieved if feedwater is treated with oxygen.

The Aging of Engines: An Operator’s Perspective

DTIC Science & Technology

2000-10-01

internal HCF failures of blades . Erosion of compressor gas path 2-3 components can be minimized through the use of inlet aluminide intermetallic...fatigue problems in the dovetails durability in accelerated burner rig tests [2,35]. areas of titanium alloy fan and compressor blades . Shot peening in...Criticality Analysis replacement of durability-critical components, such as FOD Foreign object damage blades and vanes. The need to balance risk and escalating

An Integrated Approach for Aircraft Engine Performance Estimation and Fault Diagnostics

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

imon, Donald L.; Armstrong, Jeffrey B.

2012-01-01

A Kalman filter-based approach for integrated on-line aircraft engine performance estimation and gas path fault diagnostics is presented. This technique is specifically designed for underdetermined estimation problems where there are more unknown system parameters representing deterioration and faults than available sensor measurements. A previously developed methodology is applied to optimally design a Kalman filter to estimate a vector of tuning parameters, appropriately sized to enable estimation. The estimated tuning parameters can then be transformed into a larger vector of health parameters representing system performance deterioration and fault effects. The results of this study show that basing fault isolation decisions solely on the estimated health parameter vector does not provide ideal results. Furthermore, expanding the number of the health parameters to address additional gas path faults causes a decrease in the estimation accuracy of those health parameters representative of turbomachinery performance deterioration. However, improved fault isolation performance is demonstrated through direct analysis of the estimated tuning parameters produced by the Kalman filter. This was found to provide equivalent or superior accuracy compared to the conventional fault isolation approach based on the analysis of sensed engine outputs, while simplifying online implementation requirements. Results from the application of these techniques to an aircraft engine simulation are presented and discussed.

Turbine seal assembly

DOEpatents

Little, David A.

2013-04-16

A seal assembly that limits gas leakage from a hot gas path to one or more disc cavities in a turbine engine. The seal assembly includes a seal apparatus that limits gas leakage from the hot gas path to a respective one of the disc cavities. The seal apparatus comprises a plurality of blade members rotatable with a blade structure. The blade members are associated with the blade structure and extend toward adjacent stationary components. Each blade member includes a leading edge and a trailing edge, the leading edge of each blade member being located circumferentially in front of the blade member's corresponding trailing edge in a direction of rotation of the turbine rotor. The blade members are arranged such that a space having a component in a circumferential direction is defined between adjacent circumferentially spaced blade members.

Electrode assembly for use in a solid polymer electrolyte fuel cell

DOEpatents

Raistrick, Ian D.

1989-01-01

A gas reaction fuel cell may be provided with a solid polymer electrolyte membrane. Porous gas diffusion electrodes are formed of carbon particles supporting a catalyst which is effective to enhance the gas reactions. The carbon particles define interstitial spaces exposing the catalyst on a large surface area of the carbon particles. A proton conducting material, such as a perfluorocarbon copolymer or ruthenium dioxide contacts the surface areas of the carbon particles adjacent the interstitial spaces. The proton conducting material enables protons produced by the gas reactions adjacent the supported catalyst to have a conductive path with the electrolyte membrane. The carbon particles provide a conductive path for electrons. A suitable electrode may be formed by dispersing a solution containing a proton conducting material over the surface of the electrode in a manner effective to coat carbon surfaces adjacent the interstitial spaces without impeding gas flow into the interstitial spaces.

Identifying Methane Sources in Groundwater; Quantifying Changes in Compositional and Stable Isotope Values during Multiphase Transport

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Larson, T.; Sathaye, K.

2014-12-01

A dramatic expansion of hydraulic fracturing and horizontal drilling for natural gas in unconventional reserves is underway. This expansion is fueling considerable public concern, however, that extracted natural gas, reservoir brines and associated fracking fluids may infiltrate to and contaminate shallower (< 500m depth) groundwater reservoirs, thereby posing a health threat. Attributing methane found in shallow groundwater to either deep thermogenic 'fracking' operations or locally-derived shallow microbial sources utilizes geochemical methods including alkane wetness and stable carbon and hydrogen isotope ratios of short chain (C1-C5) hydrocarbons. Compared to shallow microbial gas, thermogenic gas is wetter and falls within a different range of δ13C and δD values. What is not clear, however, is how the transport of natural gas through water saturated geological media may affect its compositional and stable isotope values. What is needed is a means to differentiate potential flow paths of natural gas including 'fast paths' along preexisting fractures and drill casings vs. 'slow paths' through low permeability rocks. In this study we attempt quantify transport-related effects using experimental 1-dimensional two-phase column experiments and analytical solutions to multi-phase gas injection equations. Two-phase experimental results for an injection of natural gas into a water saturated column packed with crushed illite show that the natural gas becomes enriched in methane compared to ethane and propane during transport. Carbon isotope measurements are ongoing. Results from the multi-phase gas injection equations that include methane isotopologue solubility and diffusion effects predict the development of a 'bank' of methane depleted in 13C relative to 12C at the front of a plume of fugitive natural gas. These results, therefore, suggest that transport of natural gas through water saturated geological media may complicate attribution methods needed to distinguish thermogenic and microbial methane.

Wide angle reflection effects on the uncertainty in layered models travel times tomography

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Majdanski, Mariusz; Bialas, Sebastian; Trzeciak, Maciej; Gaczyński, Edward; Maksym, Andrzej

2015-04-01

Multi-phase layered model traveltimes tomography inversions can be realised in several ways depending on the inversion path. Inverting the shape of the boundaries based on reflection data and the velocity field based on refractions could be done jointly or sequentially. We analyse an optimal inversion path based on the uncertainty analysis of the final models. Additionally, we propose to use post critical wide-angle reflections in tomographic inversions for more reliable results especially in the deeper parts of each layer. We focus on the effects of using hard to pick post critical reflections on the final model uncertainty. Our study is performed using data collected during standard vibroseis and explosive sources seismic reflection experiment focused on shale gas reservoir characterisation realised by Polish Oil and Gas Company. Our data were gathered by a standalone single component stations deployed along the whole length of the 20 km long profile, resulting in significantly longer offsets. Our piggy back recordings resulted in good quality wide angle refraction and reflection recordings clearly observable up to the offsets of 12 km.

Progress towards understanding and predicting convection heat transfer in the turbine gas path

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Simoneau, Robert J.; Simon, Frederick F.

1992-01-01

A new era is drawing in the ability to predict convection heat transfer in the turbine gas path. We feel that the technical community now has the capability to mount a major assault on this problem, which has eluded significant progress for a long time. We hope to make a case for this bold statement by reviewing the state of the art in three major heat transfer, configuration-specific experiments, whose data have provided the big picture and guided both the fundamental modeling research and the code development. Following that, we review progress and directions in the development of computer codes to predict turbine gas path heat transfer. Finally, we cite examples and make observations on the more recent efforts to do all this work in a simultaneous, interactive, and more synergistic manner. We conclude with an assessment of progress, suggestions for how to use the current state of the art, and recommendations for the future.

Project Scheduling Based on Risk of Gas Transmission Pipe

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Silvianita; Nurbaity, A.; Mulyadi, Y.; Suntoyo; Chamelia, D. M.

2018-03-01

The planning of a project has a time limit on which must be completed before or right at a predetermined time. Thus, in a project planning, it is necessary to have scheduling management that is useful for completing a project to achieve maximum results by considering the constraints that will exists. Scheduling management is undertaken to deal with uncertainties and negative impacts of time and cost in project completion. This paper explains about scheduling management in gas transmission pipeline project Gresik-Semarang to find out which scheduling plan is most effectively used in accordance with its risk value. Scheduling management in this paper is assissted by Microsoft Project software to find the critical path of existing project scheduling planning data. Critical path is the longest scheduling path with the fastest completion time. The result is found a critical path on project scheduling with completion time is 152 days. Furthermore, the calculation of risk is done by using House of Risk (HOR) method and it is found that the critical path has a share of 40.98 percent of all causes of the occurence of risk events that will be experienced.

Gas Phase Dissociation Behavior of Acyl-Arginine Peptides.

PubMed

McGee, William M; McLuckey, Scott A

2013-11-15

The gas phase dissociation behavior of peptides containing acyl-arginine residues is investigated. These acylations are generated via a combination of ion/ion reactions between arginine-containing peptides and N -hydroxysuccinimide (NHS) esters and subsequent tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS). Three main dissociation pathways of acylated arginine, labeled Paths 1-3, have been identified and are dependent on the acyl groups. Path 1 involves the acyl-arginine undergoing deguanidination, resulting in the loss of the acyl group and dissociation of the guanidine to generate an ornithine residue. This pathway generates selective cleavage sites based on the recently discussed "ornithine effect". Path 2 involves the coordinated losses of H 2 O and NH 3 from the acyl-arginine side chain while maintaining the acylation. We propose that Path 2 is initiated via cyclization of the δ-nitrogen of arginine and the C-terminal carbonyl carbon, resulting in rapid rearrangement from the acyl-arginine side chain and the neutral losses. Path 3 occurs when the acyl group contains α-hydrogens and is observed as a rearrangement to regenerate unmodified arginine while the acylation is lost as a ketene.

[Quantitative spectrum analysis of characteristic gases of spontaneous combustion coal].

PubMed

Liang, Yun-Tao; Tang, Xiao-Jun; Luo, Hai-Zhu; Sun, Yong

2011-09-01

Aimed at the characteristics of spontaneous combustion gas such as a variety of gases, lou limit of detection, and critical requirement of safety, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectral analysis is presented to analyze characteristic gases of spontaneous combustion In this paper, analysis method is introduced at first by combing characteristics of absorption spectra of analyte and analysis requirement. Parameter setting method, sample preparation, feature variable abstract and analysis model building are taken into consideration. The methods of sample preparation, feature abstraction and analysis model are introduced in detail. And then, eleven kinds of gases were tested with Tensor 27 spectrometer. CH4, C2H6, C3H8, iC4H10, nC4H10, C2 H4, C3 H6, C3 H2, SF6, CO and CO2 were included. The optical path length was 10 cm while the spectra resolution was set as 1 cm(-1). The testing results show that the detection limit of all analytes is less than 2 x 10(-6). All the detection limits fit the measurement requirement of spontaneous combustion gas, which means that FTIR may be an ideal instrument and the analysis method used in this paper is competent for spontaneous combustion gas measurement on line.

Large volume multiple-path nuclear pumped laser

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hohl, F.; Deyoung, R. J. (Inventor)

1981-01-01

Large volumes of gas are excited by using internal high reflectance mirrors that are arranged so that the optical path crosses back and forth through the excited gaseous medium. By adjusting the external dielectric mirrors of the laser, the number of paths through the laser cavity can be varied. Output powers were obtained that are substantially higher than the output powers of previous nuclear laser systems.

Valve for gas centrifuges

DOEpatents

Hahs, Charles A.; Burbage, Charles H.

1984-01-01

The invention is a pneumatically operated valve assembly for simultaneously (1) closing gas-transfer lines connected to a gas centrifuge or the like and (2) establishing a recycle path between two of the lines so closed. The valve assembly is especially designed to be compact, fast-acting, reliable, and comparatively inexpensive. It provides large reductions in capital costs for gas-centrifuge cascades.

Valve for gas centrifuges

DOEpatents

Hahs, C.A.; Rurbage, C.H.

1982-03-17

The invention is pneumatically operated valve assembly for simulatenously (1) closing gas-transfer lines connected to a gas centrifuge or the like and (2) establishing a recycle path between two on the lines so closed. The value assembly is especially designed to be compact, fast-acting, reliable, and comparatively inexpensive. It provides large reductions in capital costs for gas-centrifuge cascades.

Optimal sensor locations for the backward Lagrangian stochastic technique in measuring lagoon gas emission

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

This study evaluated the impact of gas concentration and wind sensor locations on the accuracy of the backward Lagrangian stochastic inverse-dispersion technique (bLS) for measuring gas emission rates from a typical lagoon environment. Path-integrated concentrations (PICs) and 3-dimensional (3D) wi...

Combination probes for stagnation pressure and temperature measurements in gas turbine engines

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bonham, C.; Thorpe, S. J.; Erlund, M. N.; Stevenson, R. J.

2018-01-01

During gas turbine engine testing, steady-state gas-path stagnation pressures and temperatures are measured in order to calculate the efficiencies of the main components of turbomachinery. These measurements are acquired using fixed intrusive probes, which are installed at the inlet and outlet of each component at discrete point locations across the gas-path. The overall uncertainty in calculated component efficiency is sensitive to the accuracy of discrete point pressures and temperatures, as well as the spatial sampling across the gas-path. Both of these aspects of the measurement system must be considered if more accurate component efficiencies are to be determined. High accuracy has become increasingly important as engine manufacturers have begun to pursue small gains in component performance, which require efficiencies to be resolved to within less than  ± 1% . This article reports on three new probe designs that have been developed in a response to this demand. The probes adopt a compact combination arrangement that facilitates up to twice the spatial coverage compared to individual stagnation pressure and temperature probes. The probes also utilise novel temperature sensors and high recovery factor shield designs that facilitate improvements in point measurement accuracy compared to standard Kiel probes used in engine testing. These changes allow efficiencies to be resolved within  ± 1% over a wider range of conditions than is currently achievable with Kiel probes.

Removal of Legacy Low-Level Waste Reactor Moderator De-ionizer Resins Highly Contaminated with Carbon-14 from the 'Waste with no Path to Disposal List' Through Innovative Technical Analysis and Performance Assessment Techniques

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

Goldston, W.T.; Hiergesell, R.A.; Kaplan, D.I.

2006-07-01

At the Savannah River Site (SRS), nuclear production reactors used de-ionizers to control the chemistry of the reactor moderator during their operation to produce nuclear materials primarily for the weapons program. These de-ionizers were removed from the reactors and stored as a legacy waste and due to the relatively high carbon-14 (C-14) contamination (i.e., on the order of 740 giga becquerel (GBq) (20 curies) per de-ionizer) were considered a legacy 'waste with no path to disposal'. Considerable progress has been made in consideration of a disposal path for the legacy reactor de-ionizers. Presently, 48 - 50 de-ionizers being stored atmore » SRS have 'no path to disposal' because the disposal limit for C-14 in the SRS's low-level waste disposal facility's Intermediate Level Vault (ILV) is only 160 GBq (4.2 curies) per vault. The current C-14 ILV disposal limit is based on a very conservative analysis of the air pathway. The paper will describe the alternatives that were investigated that resulted in the selection of a route to pursue. This paper will then describe SRS's efforts to reduce the conservatism in the analysis, which resulted in a significantly larger C-14 disposal limit. The work consisted of refining the gas-phase analysis to simulate the migration of C-14 from the waste to the ground surface and evaluated the efficacy of carbonate chemistry in cementitious environment of the ILV for suppressing the volatilization of C-14. During the past year, a Special Analysis was prepared for Department of Energy approval to incorporate the results of these activities that increased the C-14 disposal limits for the ILV, thus allowing for disposal of the Reactor Moderator De-ionizers. Once the Special Analysis is approved by DOE, the actual disposal would be dependent on priority and funding, but the de-ionizers will be removed from the 'waste with no path to disposal list'. (authors)« less

Spark gap switch with spiral gas flow

DOEpatents

Brucker, John P.

1989-01-01

A spark gap switch having a contaminate removal system using an injected gas. An annular plate concentric with an electrode of the switch defines flow paths for the injected gas which form a strong spiral flow of the gas in the housing which is effective to remove contaminates from the switch surfaces. The gas along with the contaminates is exhausted from the housing through one of the ends of the switch.

Impact of different eddy covariance sensors and set-up on the annual balance of CO2 and fluxes of CH4 and latent heat in the Arctic

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Goodrich, J. P.; Zona, D.; Gioli, B.; Murphy, P.; Burba, G. G.; Oechel, W. C.

2015-12-01

Expanding eddy covariance measurements of CO2 and CH4 fluxes in the Arctic is critical for refining the global C budget. Continuous measurements are particularly challenging because of the remote locations, low power availability, and extreme weather conditions. The necessity for tailoring instrumentation at different sites further complicates the interpretation of results and may add uncertainty to estimates of annual CO2 budgets. We investigated the influence of different sensor combinations on FCO2, latent heat (LE), and FCH4, and assessed the differences in annual FCO2 estimated with different instrumentation at the same sites. Using data from four sites across the North Slope of Alaska, we resolved FCO2 and FCH4 to within 5% using different combinations of open- and closed-path gas analyzers and within 10% using heated and non-heated anemometers. A continuously heated anemometer increased data coverage relative to non-heated anemometers while resulting in comparable annual FCO2, despite over-estimating sensible heat fluxes by 15%. We also implemented an intermittent heating strategy whereby activation only when ice or snow blockage of the transducers was detected. This resulted in comparable data coverage (~ 60%) to the continuously heated anemometer, while avoiding potential over-estimation of sensible heat and gas fluxes. We found good agreement in FCO2 and FCH4 from two closed-path and one open-path gas analyzer, despite the need for large spectral corrections of closed-path fluxes and density and temperature corrections to open-path sensors. However, data coverage was generally greater when using closed-path, especially during cold seasons (36-40% vs 10-14% for the open path), when fluxes from Arctic regions are particularly uncertain and potentially critical to annual C budgets. Measurement of Arctic LE remains a challenge due to strong attenuation along sample tubes, even when heated, that could not be accounted for with spectral corrections.

Field evaluation of open and closed-path CO2 flux systems over asphalt surface

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bogoev, I.; Santos, E.

2016-12-01

Eddy covariance (EC) is a widely used method for quantifying surface fluxes of heat, water vapor and carbon dioxide between ecosystems and the atmosphere. A typical EC system consists of an ultrasonic anemometer measuring the 3D wind vector and a fast-response infrared gas analyzer for sensing the water vapor and CO2 density in the air. When using an open-path analyzer that detects the constituent's density in situ a correction for concurrent air temperature and humidity fluctuations must be applied, Webb et al. (1980). In environments with small magnitudes of CO2 flux (<5µmol m-2 s-1) and in the presence of high sensible heat flux, like wintertime over boreal forest, open-path flux measurements have been challenging since the magnitude of the density corrections are as large as the uncorrected CO2 flux itself. A new technology merging the sensing paths of the gas analyzer and the sonic anemometer has been recently developed. This new integrated instrument allows a direct measurement of CO2 mixing ratio in the open air and has the potential to improve the quality of the temperature related density corrections by synchronously measuring the sensible heat flux in the optical path of the gas analyzer. We evaluate the performance and the accuracy of this new sensor over a large parking lot with an asphalt surface where the CO2 fluxes are considered low and the interfering sensible heat fluxes are above 200 Wm-2. A co-located closed-path EC system is used as a reference measurement to examine any systematic biases and apparent CO2 uptake observed with open-path sensors under high sensible heat flux regimes. Half-hour mean and variance of CO2 and water vapor concentrations are evaluated. The relative spectral responses, covariances and corrected turbulent fluxes using a common sonic anemometer are analyzed. The influence of sensor separation and frequency response attenuation on the density corrections is discussed.

Sensitive detection of methane at 3.3 μm using an integrating sphere and interband cascade laser

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Davis, N. M.; Hodgkinson, J.; Francis, D.; Tatam, R. P.

2016-04-01

Detection of methane at 3.3μm using a DFB Interband Cascade Laser and gold coated integrating sphere is performed. A 10cm diameter sphere with effective path length of 54.5cm was adapted for use as a gas cell. A comparison between this system and one using a 25cm path length single-pass gas cell is made using direct TDLS and methane concentrations between 0 and 1000 ppm. Initial investigations suggest a limit of detection of 1.0ppm for the integrating sphere and 2.2ppm for the single pass gas cell. The system has potential applications in challenging or industrial environments subject to high levels of vibration.

Quantum cascade laser based sensor for open path measurement of atmospheric trace gases

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Deng, Hao; Sun, Juan; Liu, Ningwu; Ding, Junya; Chao, Zhou; Zhang, Lei; Li, Jingsong

2017-02-01

A sensitive open-path gas sensor employing a continuous-wave (CW) distributed feedback (DFB) quantum cascade laser (QCL) and direct absorption spectroscopy (DAS) was demonstrated for simultaneously measurements of atmospheric CO and N2O. Two interference free absorption lines located at 2190.0175 cm-1 and 2190.3498 cm-1 were selected for CO and N2O concentration measurements, respectively. The Allan variance analysis technique was performed to investigate the long-term performance of the QCL sensor system. The results indicate that a detection limit of 9.92 ppb for CO and 7.7 ppb for N2O with 1-s integration time were achieved, which can be further improved to 1.5 ppb and 1.1 ppb by increasing the average time up to 80 s.

Optical monitoring system for a turbine engine

DOEpatents

Lemieux, Dennis H; Smed, Jan P; Williams, James P; Jonnalagadda, Vinay

2013-05-14

The monitoring system for a gas turbine engine including a viewing tube assembly having an inner end and an outer end. The inner end is located adjacent to a hot gas flow path within the gas turbine engine and the outer end is located adjacent to an outer casing of the gas turbine engine. An aperture wall is located at the inner end of the viewing tube assembly and an optical element is located within the viewing tube assembly adjacent to the inner end and is spaced from the aperture wall to define a cooling and purge chamber therebetween. An aperture is defined in the aperture wall for passage of light from the hot gas flow path to the optical element. Swirl passages are defined in the viewing tube assembly between the aperture wall and the optical element for passage of cooling air from a location outside the viewing tube assembly into the chamber, wherein swirl passages effect a swirling movement of air in a circumferential direction within the chamber.

Functionalizing a Tapered Microcavity as a Gas Cell for On-Chip Mid-Infrared Absorption Spectroscopy

PubMed Central

Mandon, Julien; Harren, Frans J. M.; Wolffenbuttel, Reinoud F.

2017-01-01

Increasing demand for field instruments designed to measure gas composition has strongly promoted the development of robust, miniaturized and low-cost handheld absorption spectrometers in the mid-infrared. Efforts thus far have focused on miniaturizing individual components. However, the optical absorption path that the light beam travels through the sample defines the length of the gas cell and has so far limited miniaturization. Here, we present a functionally integrated linear variable optical filter and gas cell, where the sample to be measured is fed through the resonator cavity of the filter. By using multiple reflections from the mirrors on each side of the cavity, the optical absorption path is elongated from the physical μm-level to the effective mm-level. The device is batch-fabricated at the wafer level in a CMOS-compatible approach. The optical performance is analyzed using the Fizeau interferometer model and demonstrated with actual gas measurements. PMID:28878167

Longitudinal distribution of ozone and chlorine in the human respiratory tract: simulation of nasal and oral breathing with the single-path diffusion model.

PubMed

Bush, M L; Zhang, W; Ben-Jebria, A; Ultman, J S

2001-06-15

In the single-path model of the respiratory system, gas transport occurs within a conduit of progressively increasing cross-sectional and surface areas by a combination of flow, longitudinal dispersion, and lateral absorption. The purpose of this study was to use bolus inhalation data previously obtained for chlorine (Cl(2)) and for ozone (O(3)) to test the predictive capability of the single-path model and to adjust input parameters for applying the model to other exposure conditions. The data, consisting of uptake fraction as a function of bolus penetration volume, were recorded on 10 healthy nonsmokers breathing orally as well as nasally at alternative air flows of 150, 250, and 1000 ml/s. By employing published data for airway anatomy, gas-phase dispersion coefficients, and gas-phase mass transfer coefficients while neglecting diffusion limitations in the mucus phase, the single-path model was capable of predicting the uptake distribution for O(3) but not the steeper distribution that was observed for Cl(2). To simultaneously explain the data for these two gases, it was necessary to increase gas-phase mass transfer coefficients and to include a finite diffusion resistance of O(3) within the mucous layer. The O(3) reaction rate constants that accounted for this diffusion resistance, 2 x 10(6) s(-1) in the mouth and 8 x 10(6) s(-1) in the nose and lower airways, were much greater than previously reported reactivities of individual substrates found in mucus. Copyright 2001 Academic Press.

China's synthetic natural gas revolution

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yang, Chi-Jen; Jackson, Robert B.

2013-10-01

China has recently pushed for investments in large-scale coal-fuelled synthetic natural gas plants. The associated carbon emissions, water needs and wider environmental impacts are, however, mostly neglected and could lock the country into an unsustainable development path.

Gas injected vacuum switch

DOEpatents

Hardin, K. Dan

1977-01-01

The disclosure relates to a gas injected vacuum switch comprising a housing having an interior chamber, a conduit for evacuating the interior chamber, within the chamber an anode and a cathode spaced from the anode, and a detonator for injecting electrically conductive gas into the chamber between the anode and the cathode to provide a current path therebetween.

A Lagrangian View of Stratospheric Trace Gas Distributions

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Schoeberl, M. R.; Sparling, L.; Dessler, A.; Jackman, C. H.; Fleming, E. L.

1998-01-01

As a result of photochemistry, some relationship between the stratospheric age-of-air and the amount of tracer contained within an air sample is expected. The existence of such a relationship allows inferences about transport history to be made from observations of chemical tracers. This paper lays down the conceptual foundations for the relationship between age and tracer amount, developed within a Lagrangian framework. In general, the photochemical loss depends not only on the age of the parcel but also on its path. We show that under the "average path approximation" that the path variations are less important than parcel age. The average path approximation then allows us to develop a formal relationship between the age spectrum and the tracer spectrum. Using the relation between the tracer and age spectra, tracer-tracer correlations can be interpreted as resulting from mixing which connects parts of the single path photochemistry curve, which is formed purely from the action of photochemistry on an irreducible parcel. This geometric interpretation of mixing gives rise to constraints on trace gas correlations, and explains why some observations are do not fall on rapid mixing curves. This effect is seen in the ATMOS observations.

Prospective gas turbine and combined-cycle units for power engineering (a Review)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ol'khovskii, G. G.

2013-02-01

The modern state of technology for making gas turbines around the world and heat-recovery combined-cycle units constructed on their basis are considered. The progress achieved in this field by Siemens, Mitsubishi, General Electric, and Alstom is analyzed, and the objectives these companies set forth for themselves for the near and more distant future are discussed. The 375-MW gas turbine unit with an efficiency of 40% produced by Siemens, which is presently the largest one, is subjected to a detailed analysis. The main specific features of this turbine are that the gas turbine unit's hot-path components have purely air cooling, due to which the installation has enhanced maneuverability. The single-shaft combined-cycle plant constructed on the basis of this turbine has a capacity of 570 MW and efficiency higher than 60%. Programs adopted by different companies for development of new-generation gas turbine units firing synthesis gas and fitted with low-emission combustion chambers and new cooling systems are considered. Concepts of rotor blades for new gas turbine units with improved thermal barrier coatings and composite blades different parts of which are made of materials selected in accordance with the conditions of their operation are discussed.

Barriers Keep Drops Of Water Out Of Infrared Gas Sensors

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Murray, Sean K.

1996-01-01

Infrared-sensor cells used for measuring partial pressures of CO(2) and other breathable gases modified to prevent entry of liquid water into sensory optical paths of cells. Hydrophobic membrane prevents drops of water entrained in flow from entering optical path from lamp to infrared detectors.

Gas-filled capillaries for plasma-based accelerators

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Filippi, F.; Anania, M. P.; Brentegani, E.; Biagioni, A.; Cianchi, A.; Chiadroni, E.; Ferrario, M.; Pompili, R.; Romeo, S.; Zigler, A.

2017-07-01

Plasma Wakefield Accelerators are based on the excitation of large amplitude plasma waves excited by either a laser or a particle driver beam. The amplitude of the waves, as well as their spatial dimensions and the consequent accelerating gradient depend strongly on the background electron density along the path of the accelerated particles. The process needs stable and reliable plasma sources, whose density profile must be controlled and properly engineered to ensure the appropriate accelerating mechanism. Plasma confinement inside gas filled capillaries have been studied in the past since this technique allows to control the evolution of the plasma, ensuring a stable and repeatable plasma density distribution during the interaction with the drivers. Moreover, in a gas filled capillary plasma can be pre-ionized by a current discharge to avoid ionization losses. Different capillary geometries have been studied to allow the proper temporal and spatial evolution of the plasma along the acceleration length. Results of this analysis obtained by varying the length and the number of gas inlets will be presented.

Device for improved air and fuel distribution to a combustor

DOEpatents

Laster, Walter R.; Schilp, Reinhard

2016-05-31

A flow conditioning device (30, 50, 70, 100, 150) for a can annular gas turbine engine, including a plurality of flow elements (32, 34, 52, 54, 72, 74, 102) disposed in a compressed air flow path (42, 60, 80, 114, 122) leading to a combustor (12), configured such that relative adjustment of at least one flow directing element (32, 52, 72, 110) with respect to an adjacent flow directing element (34, 54, 74, 112, 120) during operation of the gas turbine engine is effective to adjust a level of choking of the compressed air flow path (42, 60, 80, 114, 122).

Hot gas path component having cast-in features for near wall cooling

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

Miranda, Carlos Miguel; Kottilingam, Srikanth Chandrudu; Lacy, Benjamin Paul

A hot gas path component includes a substrate having an outer surface and an inner surface. The inner surface of the substrate defines at least one interior space. At least a portion of the outer surface of the substrate includes a recess formed therein. The recess includes a bottom surface and a groove extending at least partially along the bottom surface of the recess. A cover is disposed within the recess and covers at least a portion of the groove. The groove is configured to channel a cooling fluid therethrough to cool the cover.

[System design of open-path natural gas leakage detection based on Fresnel lens].

PubMed

Xia, Hui; Liu, Wen-Qing; Zhang, Yu-Jun; Kan, Rui-Feng; Cui, Yi-Ben; Wang, Min; He, Ying; Cui, Xiao-Juan; Ruan, Jun; Geng, Hui

2009-03-01

Based on the technology of tunable diode laser absorption spectroscopy (TDLAS) in conjunction with second harmonic wave detection, a long open-path TDLAS system using a 1.65 microm InGaAsP distributed feedback laser was developed, which is used for detecting pipeline leakage. In this system, a high cost performance Fresnel lens is used as the receiving optical system, which receives the laser-beam reflected by a solid corner cube reflector, and focuses the receiving laser-beam to the InGaAs detector. At the same time, the influences of the concentration to the fluctuation of light intensity were taken into account in the process of measurement, and were eliminated by the method of normalized light intensity. As a result, the measurement error caused by the fluctuation of light intensity was made less than 1%. The experiment of natural gas leakage detection was simulated, and the detection sensitivity is 0.1 x 10(-6) (ratio by volume) with a total path of 320 m. According to the receiving light efficiency of the optical system and the detectable minimum light intensity of the detector, the detectable maximal optical path of the system was counted to be 2 000 m. The results of experiment show that it is a feasible design to use the Fresnel lens as the receiving optical system and can satisfy the demand of the leakage detection of natural gas.

Fiber-reinforced ceramic composites for Earth-to-orbit rocket engine turbines

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Brockmeyer, Jerry W.; Schnittgrund, Gary D.

1990-01-01

Fiber reinforced ceramic matrix composites (FRCMC) are emerging materials systems that offer potential for use in liquid rocket engines. Advantages of these materials in rocket engine turbomachinery include performance gain due to higher turbine inlet temperature, reduced launch costs, reduced maintenance with associated cost benefits, and reduced weight. This program was initiated to assess the state of FRCMC development and to propose a plan for their implementation into liquid rocket engine turbomachinery. A complete range of FRCMC materials was investigated relative to their development status and feasibility for use in the hot gas path of earth-to-orbit rocket engine turbomachinery. Of the candidate systems, carbon fiber-reinforced silicon carbide (C/SiC) offers the greatest near-term potential. Critical hot gas path components were identified, and the first stage inlet nozzle and turbine rotor of the fuel turbopump for the liquid oxygen/hydrogen Space Transportation Main Engine (STME) were selected for conceptual design and analysis. The critical issues associated with the use of FRCMC were identified. Turbine blades were designed, analyzed and fabricated. The Technology Development Plan, completed as Task 5 of this program, provides a course of action for resolution of these issues.

Method and source for producing a high concentration of positively charged molecular hydrogen or deuterium ions

DOEpatents

Ehlers, Kenneth W.; Leung, Ka-Ngo

1988-01-01

A high concentration of positive molecular ions of hydrogen or deuterium gas is extracted from a positive ion source having a short path length of extracted ions, relative to the mean free path of the gas molecules, to minimize the production of other ion species by collision between the positive ions and gas molecules. The ion source has arrays of permanent magnets to produce a multi-cusp magnetic field in regions remote from the plasma grid and the electron emitters, for largely confining the plasma to the space therebetween. The ion source has a chamber which is short in length, relative to its transverse dimensions, and the electron emitters are at an even shorter distance from the plasma grid, which contains one or more extraction apertures.

Ducting arrangement for cooling a gas turbine structure

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

Lee, Ching-Pang; Morrison, Jay A.

2015-07-21

A ducting arrangement (10) for a can annular gas turbine engine, including: a duct (12, 14) disposed between a combustor (16) and a first row of turbine blades and defining a hot gas path (30) therein, the duct (12, 14) having raised geometric features (54) incorporated into an outer surface (80); and a flow sleeve (72) defining a cooling flow path (84) between an inner surface (78) of the flow sleeve (72) and the duct outer surface (80). After a cooling fluid (86) traverses a relatively upstream raised geometric feature (90), the inner surface (78) of the flow sleeve (72)more » is effective to direct the cooling fluid (86) toward a landing (94) separating the relatively upstream raised geometric feature (90) from a relatively downstream raised geometric feature (94).« less

Determining H2O Vapor Temperature and Concentration in Particle-Free and Particle-Laden Combustion Flows Using Spectral Line Emission Measurements

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tobiasson, John Robert

2017-07-01

There is a growing need for the clean generation of electricity in the world, and increased efficiency is one way to achieve cleaner generation. Increased efficiency may be achieved through an improved understanding of the heat flux of participating media in combustion environments. Real-time in-situ optical measurements of gas temperature and concentrations in combustion environments is needed. Optical methods do not disturb the flow characteristics and are not subject to the temperature limitation of current methods. Simpler, less-costly optical measurements than current methods would increase the ability to apply them in more circumstances. This work explores the ability to simultaneously measure gas temperature and H2O concentration via integrated spectral intensity ratios in regions where H2O is the dominant participating gas. This work considered combustion flows with and without fuel and soot particles, and is an extension of work previously performed by Ellis et al. [1]. Five different combustion regimes were used to investigate the robustness of the infrared intensity integral method first presented by Ellis et al. [1]. These included Post-Flame Natural Gas (PFNG), Post-Flame Medium Wood (PFMW), Post-Flame Fine Wood (PFFW), In-Flame Natural Gas (IFNG), and In-Flame Fine Wood (IFFW). Optical spectra were collected as a function of path length for each regime. Methods for processing the spectra to obtain gas temperature, gas concentration, broadband temperature, and broadband emissivity were developed. A one-dimensional spectral intensity model that allowed for specular reflection, and investigated differences between measured and modeled spectral intensities was created. It was concluded that excellent agreement (within 2.5%) was achieved between optical and suction pyrometer gas temperatures as long as 1) the optical probe and cold target used were well-aligned 2) the path length was greater than 0.3 m and 3) the intensity from broadband emitters within the path was smaller than the gas intensity. Shorter path lengths between 0.15 - 0.3 m produced reasonable temperatures with 7% error while path lengths of 0.05 m or less were as much as 15% in error or the signal would not effectively process. Water vapor concentration was less accurate being at best within 20% (relative) of expected values. The accurate determination of concentration requires first an accurate temperature concentration as well low broadband participation. Some optical concentrations were in error as much as 85%. The 1-D model was compared to the measurement and it was found that the model peaks were sharper and shifted 0.167 cm-1 compared to the measured data. The reason for the shift can be attributed to the uncertainty of the reference laser frequency used in the FTIR. No conclusion was found for the cause of the sharper peaks in the model. The integrated area of bands used to find temperature and concentration matched well between the model and measured spectrum being typically within 3%.

Design and analysis on fume exhaust system of blackbody cavity sensor for continuously measuring molten steel temperature

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mei, Guohui; Zhang, Jiu; Zhao, Shumao; Xie, Zhi

2017-03-01

Fume exhaust system is the main component of the novel blackbody cavity sensor with a single layer tube, which removes the fume by gas flow along the exhaust pipe to keep the light path clean. However, the gas flow may break the conditions of blackbody cavity and results in the poor measurement accuracy. In this paper, we analyzed the influence of the gas flow on the temperature distribution of the measuring cavity, and then calculated the integrated effective emissivity of the non-isothermal cavity based on Monte-Carlo method, accordingly evaluated the sensor measurement accuracy, finally obtained the maximum allowable flow rate for various length of the exhaust pipe to meet the measurement accuracy. These results will help optimize the novel blackbody cavity sensor design and use it better for measuring the temperature of molten steel.

Portable tester for determining gas content within a core sample

DOEpatents

Garcia, Jr., Fred; Schatzel, Steven J.

1998-01-01

A portable tester is provided for reading and displaying the pressure of a gas released from a rock core sample stored within a sealed container and for taking a sample of the released pressurized gas for chemical analysis thereof for subsequent use in a modified direct method test which determines the volume of gas and specific type of gas contained within the core sample. The portable tester includes a pair of low and high range electrical pressure transducers for detecting a gas pressure; a pair of low and high range display units for displaying the pressure of the detected gas- a selector valve connected to the low and high range pressure transducers, a selector knob for selecting gas flow to one of the flow paths; control valve having an inlet connection to the sealed container, and outlets connected to: a sample gas canister, a second outlet port connected to the selector valve means for reading the pressure of the gas from the sealed container to either the low range or high range pressure transducers, and a connection for venting gas contained within the sealed container to the atmosphere. A battery is electrically connected to and supplies the power for operating the unit. The pressure transducers, display units, selector and control valve means and the battery is mounted to and housed within a protective casing for portable transport and use.

Portable tester for determining gas content within a core sample

DOEpatents

Garcia, F. Jr.; Schatzel, S.J.

1998-04-21

A portable tester is provided for reading and displaying the pressure of a gas released from a rock core sample stored within a sealed container and for taking a sample of the released pressurized gas for chemical analysis thereof for subsequent use in a modified direct method test which determines the volume of gas and specific type of gas contained within the core sample. The portable tester includes a pair of low and high range electrical pressure transducers for detecting a gas pressure; a pair of low and high range display units for displaying the pressure of the detected gas; a selector valve connected to the low and high range pressure transducers and a selector knob for selecting gas flow to one of the flow paths; control valve having an inlet connection to the sealed container; and outlets connected to: a sample gas canister, a second outlet port connected to the selector valve means for reading the pressure of the gas from the sealed container to either the low range or high range pressure transducers, and a connection for venting gas contained within the sealed container to the atmosphere. A battery is electrically connected to and supplies the power for operating the unit. The pressure transducers, display units, selector and control valve means and the battery is mounted to and housed within a protective casing for portable transport and use. 5 figs.

30 CFR 7.97 - Application requirements.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-07-01

... internal parts, exhaust inlet and outlet, sensors, and the exhaust gas path through the exhaust conditioner... temperature sensor setting and exhaust gas temperature sensor setting used to meet the performance... sensors, flame arresters, exhaust conditioner, emergency intake air shutoff device, automatic fuel shutoff...

30 CFR 7.97 - Application requirements.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... internal parts, exhaust inlet and outlet, sensors, and the exhaust gas path through the exhaust conditioner... temperature sensor setting and exhaust gas temperature sensor setting used to meet the performance... sensors, flame arresters, exhaust conditioner, emergency intake air shutoff device, automatic fuel shutoff...

Solution for Minimizing Surface Heating Effect for Fast Open-Path CO2 Flux Measurements in Cold Environments

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hupp, J. R.; Burba, G. G.; McDermitt, D. K.; Anderson, D. J.; Eckles, R. D.

2010-12-01

Open-path design of the high speed gas analyzers is a well-established configuration widely used for measurements of CO2 fluxes and concentrations. This configuration has advantages and deficiencies. Advantages include excellent frequency response, long-term stability, low sensitivity to window contamination, low-power pump-free operation, and infrequent calibration requirements. Deficiencies include susceptibility to precipitation and icing, and a potential need for instrument surface heating correction in extremely cold environments. In spite of the deficiencies, open-path measurements often provide data coverage that would not have been possible using traditional closed-path approach. Data loss from precipitation and icing may not always be prevented for the open-path instruments, while heating effect does not pose a problem for CO2 flux in warm environments. Even in cold environments, the impact of heating on CO2 flux is much smaller than other well-known effects, such as Webb-Pearman-Leuning terms, or frequency response corrections for closed-path analyzers. Nonetheless, instrument surface heating effect in cold environments could be addressed scientifically, via developing the theoretical corrections, and instrumentally, via measuring fast integrated air temperature in the optical path, or via enclosing the open-path instrument into a low-power short-intake design. Here we provide an alternative way to minimize or eliminate open-path heating effect, achieved by minimizing or eliminating the temperature gradient between the instrument surface and ambient air. Open-path low temperature controlled design is discussed in comparison with two other approaches (e.g., traditional open-path design and closed-path design) in terms of their field performance for Eddy Covariance flux measurements in the cold. This study presents field data from a new open-path CO2/H2O gas analyzer, LI-7500A, based on the LI-7500 model modified to produce substantially less heat during extremely cold conditions. Two regiments of the temperature control for internal electronics were examined across a wide range of temperatures: (i) the traditional control temperature of about 30oC, and (ii) new regiment controlling parts of internal electronics at 5oC. When new 5oC regiment was activated, the following changes were observed: heat dissipation from the surface reduced several folds, surface-to-air temperature gradients reduced 2-50 times; and the number of false uptake hours were reduced by 3.5 times, to the same level as a closed-path standard. Significant advantage of the new regiment was also observed in the magnitude of CO2 fluxes, especially in cold weather below -10oC. At such cold temperatures, CO2 fluxes from a 30oC controlled LI-7500 were 19% below those of the closed-path standard, while fluxes from a 5oC controlled LI-7500A were, on average, within 1% of the standard. These are strong experimental evidence that open-path instrument heating can be substantially reduced or eliminated via such simple hardware based solution. This allows continued and expanded use of this ultimately lowest-power remote solution for fast gas measurements.

Gas Measurement Using Static Fourier Transform Infrared Spectrometers.

PubMed

Köhler, Michael H; Schardt, Michael; Rauscher, Markus S; Koch, Alexander W

2017-11-13

Online monitoring of gases in industrial processes is an ambitious task due to adverse conditions such as mechanical vibrations and temperature fluctuations. Whereas conventional Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectrometers use rather complex optical and mechanical designs to ensure stable operation, static FTIR spectrometers do not require moving parts and thus offer inherent stability at comparatively low costs. Therefore, we present a novel, compact gas measurement system using a static single-mirror Fourier transform spectrometer (sSMFTS). The system works in the mid-infrared range from 650 cm - 1 to 1250 cm - 1 and can be operated with a customized White cell, yielding optical path lengths of up to 120 cm for highly sensitive quantification of gas concentrations. To validate the system, we measure different concentrations of 1,1,1,2-Tetrafluoroethane (R134a) and perform a PLS regression analysis of the acquired infrared spectra. Thereby, the measured absorption spectra show good agreement with reference data. Since the system additionally permits measurement rates of up to 200 Hz and high signal-to-noise ratios, an application in process analysis appears promising.

Gas Measurement Using Static Fourier Transform Infrared Spectrometers

PubMed Central

Schardt, Michael; Rauscher, Markus S.; Koch, Alexander W.

2017-01-01

Online monitoring of gases in industrial processes is an ambitious task due to adverse conditions such as mechanical vibrations and temperature fluctuations. Whereas conventional Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectrometers use rather complex optical and mechanical designs to ensure stable operation, static FTIR spectrometers do not require moving parts and thus offer inherent stability at comparatively low costs. Therefore, we present a novel, compact gas measurement system using a static single-mirror Fourier transform spectrometer (sSMFTS). The system works in the mid-infrared range from 650 cm−1 to 1250 cm−1 and can be operated with a customized White cell, yielding optical path lengths of up to 120 cm for highly sensitive quantification of gas concentrations. To validate the system, we measure different concentrations of 1,1,1,2-Tetrafluoroethane (R134a) and perform a PLS regression analysis of the acquired infrared spectra. Thereby, the measured absorption spectra show good agreement with reference data. Since the system additionally permits measurement rates of up to 200 Hz and high signal-to-noise ratios, an application in process analysis appears promising. PMID:29137193

Experimental investigation of turbine disk cavity aerodynamics and heat transfer

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Daniels, W. A.; Johnson, B. V.

1993-01-01

An experimental investigation of turbine disk cavity aerodynamics and heat transfer was conducted to provide an experimental data base that can guide the aerodynamic and thermal design of turbine disks and blade attachments for flow conditions and geometries simulating those of the space shuttle main engine (SSME) turbopump drive turbines. Experiments were conducted to define the nature of the aerodynamics and heat transfer of the flow within the disk cavities and blade attachments of a large scale model simulating the SSME turbopump drive turbines. These experiments include flow between the main gas path and the disk cavities, flow within the disk cavities, and leakage flows through the blade attachments and labyrinth seals. Air was used to simulate the combustion products in the gas path. Air and carbon dioxide were used to simulate the coolants injected at three locations in the disk cavities. Trace amounts of carbon dioxide were used to determine the source of the gas at selected locations on the rotors, the cavity walls, and the interstage seal. The measurements on the rotor and stationary walls in the forward and aft cavities showed that the coolant effectiveness was 90 percent or greater when the coolant flow rate was greater than the local free disk entrainment flow rate and when room temperature air was used as both coolant and gas path fluid. When a coolant-to-gas-path density ratio of 1.51 was used in the aft cavity, the coolant effectiveness on the rotor was also 90 percent or greater at the aforementioned condition. However, the coolant concentration on the stationary wall was 60 to 80 percent at the aforementioned condition indicating a more rapid mixing of the coolant and flow through the rotor shank passages. This increased mixing rate was attributed to the destabilizing effects of the adverse density gradients.

Comparative analysis of the production costs and life-cycle GHG emissions of FT liquid fuels from coal and natural gas.

PubMed

Jaramillo, Paulina; Griffin, W Michael; Matthews, H Scott

2008-10-15

Liquid transportation fuels derived from coal and natural gas could helpthe United States reduce its dependence on petroleum. The fuels could be produced domestically or imported from fossil fuel-rich countries. The goal of this paper is to determine the life-cycle GHG emissions of coal- and natural gas-based Fischer-Tropsch (FT) liquids, as well as to compare production costs. The results show that the use of coal- or natural gas-based FT liquids will likely lead to significant increases in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions compared to petroleum-based fuels. In a best-case scenario, coal- or natural gas-based FT-liquids have emissions only comparable to petroleum-based fuels. In addition, the economic advantages of gas-to-liquid (GTL) fuels are not obvious: there is a narrow range of petroleum and natural gas prices at which GTL fuels would be competitive with petroleum-based fuels. CTLfuels are generally cheaper than petroleum-based fuels. However, recent reports suggest there is uncertainty about the availability of economically viable coal resources in the United States. If the U.S. has a goal of increasing its energy security, and at the same time significantly reducing its GHG emissions, neither CTL nor GTL consumption seem a reasonable path to follow.

Harmonic Fourier beads method for studying rare events on rugged energy surfaces.

PubMed

Khavrutskii, Ilja V; Arora, Karunesh; Brooks, Charles L

2006-11-07

We present a robust, distributable method for computing minimum free energy paths of large molecular systems with rugged energy landscapes. The method, which we call harmonic Fourier beads (HFB), exploits the Fourier representation of a path in an appropriate coordinate space and proceeds iteratively by evolving a discrete set of harmonically restrained path points-beads-to generate positions for the next path. The HFB method does not require explicit knowledge of the free energy to locate the path. To compute the free energy profile along the final path we employ an umbrella sampling method in two generalized dimensions. The proposed HFB method is anticipated to aid the study of rare events in biomolecular systems. Its utility is demonstrated with an application to conformational isomerization of the alanine dipeptide in gas phase.

Analysis of the transient behavior of rubbing components

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Quezdou, M. B.; Mullen, R. L.

1986-01-01

Finite element equations are developed for studying deformations and temperatures resulting from frictional heating in sliding system. The formulation is done for linear steady state motion in two dimensions. The equations include the effect of the velocity on the moving components. This gives spurious oscillations in their solutions by Galerkin finite element methods. A method called streamline upwind scheme is used to try to deal with this deficiency. The finite element program is then used to investigate the friction of heating in gas path seal.

Understanding and Mitigating Vortex-Dominated, Tip-Leakage and End-Wall Losses in a Transonic Splittered Rotor Stage

DTIC Science & Technology

2015-04-23

blade geometry parameters the TPL design 9   tool was initiated by running the MATLAB script (*.m) Main_SpeedLine_Auto. Main_SpeedLine_Auto...SolidWorks for solid model generation of the blade shapes. Computational Analysis With solid models generated of the gas -path air wedge, automated...287 mm (11.3 in) Constrained by existing TCR geometry Number of Passages 12 None A blade tip-down design approach was used. The outputs of the

Measurements of the global distribution of carbon monoxide in the troposphere

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hinton, R. R.

1982-01-01

Carbon monoxide and methane grab samples were obtained simultaneously with ozone, aerosol, nitric oxide and DACOM CO measurements. Eighty grab samples were collected at various altitudes up to 19,000 ft. along a north-south flight path from Wallops Flight Center, VA to 11 N. CO and CH were analyzed by flame ionization gas chromatography with cryogenic preconcentration. The relationship between CO and O3 concentrated is examined. A comparative analysis between trends in aerosol and CO concentration is performed.

Turbine disc sealing assembly

DOEpatents

Diakunchak, Ihor S.

2013-03-05

A disc seal assembly for use in a turbine engine. The disc seal assembly includes a plurality of outwardly extending sealing flange members that define a plurality of fluid pockets. The sealing flange members define a labyrinth flow path therebetween to limit leakage between a hot gas path and a disc cavity in the turbine engine.

Visibility graph network analysis of natural gas price: The case of North American market

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sun, Mei; Wang, Yaqi; Gao, Cuixia

2016-11-01

Fluctuations in prices of natural gas significantly affect global economy. Therefore, the research on the characteristics of natural gas price fluctuations, turning points and its influencing cycle on the subsequent price series is of great significance. Global natural gas trade concentrates on three regional markets: the North American market, the European market and the Asia-Pacific market, with North America having the most developed natural gas financial market. In addition, perfect legal supervision and coordinated regulations make the North American market more open and more competitive. This paper focuses on the North American natural gas market specifically. The Henry Hub natural gas spot price time series is converted to a visibility graph network which provides a new direction for macro analysis of time series, and several indicators are investigated: degree and degree distribution, the average shortest path length and community structure. The internal mechanisms underlying price fluctuations are explored through the indicators. The results show that the natural gas prices visibility graph network (NGP-VGN) is of small-world and scale-free properties simultaneously. After random rearrangement of original price time series, the degree distribution of network becomes exponential distribution, different from the original ones. This means that, the original price time series is of long-range negative correlation fractal characteristic. In addition, nodes with large degree correspond to significant geopolitical or economic events. Communities correspond to time cycles in visibility graph network. The cycles of time series and the impact scope of hubs can be found by community structure partition.

Spectroscopic detection of biological NO with a quantum cascade laser

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Menzel, L.; Kosterev, A. A.; Curl, R. F.; Tittel, F. K.; Gmachl, C.; Capasso, F.; Sivco, D. L.; Baillargeon, J. N.; Hutchinson, A. L.; Cho, A. Y.;

Understanding and managing the impacts of electric vehicles on electric power distribution systems.

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2014-06-01

In the United States, transportation accounts for 31% of all U.S. greenhouse gas emissions : and 180% of all domestic crude oil production1. Electrification of the transportation sector is one : potential path to simultaneously reduce greenhouse gas ...

Fuel cell generator with fuel electrodes that control on-cell fuel reformation

DOEpatents

Ruka, Roswell J [Pittsburgh, PA; Basel, Richard A [Pittsburgh, PA; Zhang, Gong [Murrysville, PA

2011-10-25

A fuel cell for a fuel cell generator including a housing including a gas flow path for receiving a fuel from a fuel source and directing the fuel across the fuel cell. The fuel cell includes an elongate member including opposing first and second ends and defining an interior cathode portion and an exterior anode portion. The interior cathode portion includes an electrode in contact with an oxidant flow path. The exterior anode portion includes an electrode in contact with the fuel in the gas flow path. The anode portion includes a catalyst material for effecting fuel reformation along the fuel cell between the opposing ends. A fuel reformation control layer is applied over the catalyst material for reducing a rate of fuel reformation on the fuel cell. The control layer effects a variable reformation rate along the length of the fuel cell.

A Novel Low-Power, High-Performance, Zero-Maintenance Closed-Path Trace Gas Eddy Covariance System with No Water Vapor Dilution or Spectroscopic Corrections

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sargent, S.; Somers, J. M.

2015-12-01

Trace-gas eddy covariance flux measurement can be made with open-path or closed-path analyzers. Traditional closed-path trace-gas analyzers use multipass absorption cells that behave as mixing volumes, requiring high sample flow rates to achieve useful frequency response. The high sample flow rate and the need to keep the multipass cell extremely clean dictates the use of a fine-pore filter that may clog quickly. A large-capacity filter cannot be used because it would degrade the EC system frequency response. The high flow rate also requires a powerful vacuum pump, which will typically consume on the order of 1000 W. The analyzer must measure water vapor for spectroscopic and dilution corrections. Open-path analyzers are available for methane, but not for nitrous oxide. The currently available methane analyzers have low power consumption, but are very large. Their large size degrades frequency response and disturbs the air flow near the sonic anemometer. They require significant maintenance to keep the exposed multipass optical surfaces clean. Water vapor measurements for dilution and spectroscopic corrections require a separate water vapor analyzer. A new closed-path eddy covariance system for measuring nitrous oxide or methane fluxes provides an elegant solution. The analyzer (TGA200A, Campbell Scientific, Inc.) uses a thermoelectrically-cooled interband cascade laser. Its small sample-cell volume and unique sample-cell configuration (200 ml, 1.5 m single pass) provide excellent frequency response with a low-power scroll pump (240 W). A new single-tube Nafion® dryer removes most of the water vapor, and attenuates fluctuations in the residual water vapor. Finally, a vortex intake assembly eliminates the need for an intake filter without adding volume that would degrade system frequency response. Laboratory testing shows the system attenuates the water vapor dilution term by more than 99% and achieves a half-power band width of 3.5 Hz.

Stream measurements locate thermogenic methane fluxes in groundwater discharge in an area of shale-gas development.

PubMed

Heilweil, Victor M; Grieve, Paul L; Hynek, Scott A; Brantley, Susan L; Solomon, D Kip; Risser, Dennis W

2015-04-07

The environmental impacts of shale-gas development on water resources, including methane migration to shallow groundwater, have been difficult to assess. Monitoring around gas wells is generally limited to domestic water-supply wells, which often are not situated along predominant groundwater flow paths. A new concept is tested here: combining stream hydrocarbon and noble-gas measurements with reach mass-balance modeling to estimate thermogenic methane concentrations and fluxes in groundwater discharging to streams and to constrain methane sources. In the Marcellus Formation shale-gas play of northern Pennsylvania (U.S.A.), we sampled methane in 15 streams as a reconnaissance tool to locate methane-laden groundwater discharge: concentrations up to 69 μg L(-1) were observed, with four streams ≥ 5 μg L(-1). Geochemical analyses of water from one stream with high methane (Sugar Run, Lycoming County) were consistent with Middle Devonian gases. After sampling was completed, we learned of a state regulator investigation of stray-gas migration from a nearby Marcellus Formation gas well. Modeling indicates a groundwater thermogenic methane flux of about 0.5 kg d(-1) discharging into Sugar Run, possibly from this fugitive gas source. Since flow paths often coalesce into gaining streams, stream methane monitoring provides the first watershed-scale method to assess groundwater contamination from shale-gas development.

Portable Dual-comb Spectrometer for Stable Detection of Methane Leaks over Kilometer Scale Paths at Oil and Natural Gas Production Site

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Coburn, S.; Wright, R.; Cossel, K.; Truong, G. W.; Baumann, E.; Coddington, I.; Newbury, N.; Alden, C. B.; Ghosh, S.; Prasad, K.; Rieker, G. B.

2016-12-01

Newly proposed EPA regulations on volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions from oil and gas production facilities have been expanded to include methane, making the detection of this important trace gas a topic of growing interest to the oil and gas industry, regulators, and the scientific community in general. Reliable techniques that enable long-term monitoring of entire production facilities are needed in order to fully characterize the temporal and spatial trends of emissions from these sites. Recent advances in the development of compact and robust fiber frequency combs are enabling the use of this powerful spectroscopic tool outside of the laboratory, presenting opportunities for kilometer-scale open-path sensing of emissions at remote locations. Here we present the characterization and field deployment of a dual comb spectrometer (DCS) system with the potential to locate and size methane leaks from oil and gas production sites from long range. The DCS is a laser-based system that enables broad spectral absorption measurements (>50 nm) with high spectral resolution (<0.002 nm). Together these properties enable measurement of methane and other trace gas concentrations (e.g., H2O for deriving dry mole fractions) with high sensitivity and long-term stability from distances of 1 km or more. Field testing of this instrument has taken place at locations near Boulder, CO, demonstrating sensitivities of better than 2 ppb-km for methane. In addition, path integrated methane measurements from the DCS are coupled with an atmospheric inversion utilizing local meteorology and a high resolution fluid dynamics simulation to determine leak location and also derive a leak rate from simulated methane leaks

Field intercomparison of four methane gas analyzers suitable for eddy covariance flux measurements

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Peltola, O.; Mammarella, I.; Haapanala, S.; Burba, G.; Vesala, T.

2013-06-01

Performances of four methane gas analyzers suitable for eddy covariance measurements are assessed. The assessment and comparison was performed by analyzing eddy covariance data obtained during summer 2010 (1 April to 26 October) at a pristine fen, Siikaneva, Southern Finland. High methane fluxes with pronounced seasonality have been measured at this fen. The four participating methane gas analyzers are commercially available closed-path units TGA-100A (Campbell Scientific Inc., USA), RMT-200 (Los Gatos Research, USA), G1301-f (Picarro Inc., USA) and an early prototype open-path unit Prototype-7700 (LI-COR Biosciences, USA). The RMT-200 functioned most reliably throughout the measurement campaign, during low and high flux periods. Methane fluxes from RMT-200 and G1301-f had the smallest random errors and the fluxes agree remarkably well throughout the measurement campaign. Cospectra and power spectra calculated from RMT-200 and G1301-f data agree well with corresponding temperature spectra during a high flux period. None of the gas analyzers showed statistically significant diurnal variation for methane flux. Prototype-7700 functioned only for a short period of time, over one month, in the beginning of the measurement campaign during low flux period, and thus, its overall accuracy and season-long performance were not assessed. The open-path gas analyzer is a practical choice for measurement sites in remote locations due to its low power demand, whereas for G1301-f methane measurements interference from water vapor is straightforward to correct since the instrument measures both gases simultaneously. In any case, if only the performance in this intercomparison is considered, RMT-200 performed the best and is the recommended choice if a new fast response methane gas analyzer is needed.

Bubble Proliferation or Dissolution of Cavitation Nuclei in the Beam Path of a Shock-Wave Lithotripter

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Frank, Spencer; Lautz, Jaclyn; Sankin, Georgy N.; Szeri, Andrew J.; Zhong, Pei

2015-03-01

It is hypothesized that the decreased treatment efficiency in contemporary shock-wave lithotripters is related to tensile wave attenuation due to cavitation in the prefocal beam path. Utilizing high-speed imaging of the beam path and focal pressure waveform measurements, tensile attenuation is associated with bubble proliferation. By systematically testing different combinations of pulse-repetition frequency and gas concentration, we modulate the bubble-dissolution time to identify which conditions lead to bubble proliferation and show that reducing bubble proliferation in the beam path significantly improves acoustic transmission and stone comminution efficiency in vitro. In addition to experiments, a bubble-proliferation model is developed that takes gas diffusion across the bubble wall and bubble fragmentation into account. By aligning the model with experimental observations, the number of daughter bubbles produced after a single lithotripter bubble collapse is estimated to be in the range of 253 ˜510 . This finding is on the same order of magnitude with previous measurements of an isolated bubble collapse in a lithotripter field by Pishchalnikov, McAteer, and Williams [BJU Int. 102, 1681 (2008), 10.1111/j.1464-410X.2008.07896.x], and this estimate improves the general understanding of lithotripsy bubble dynamics in the beam path.

Assessment of Various Flow Solvers Used to Predict the Thermal Environment inside Space Shuttle Solid Rocket Motor Joints

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Wang, Qun-Zhen; Cash, Steve (Technical Monitor)

2002-01-01

It is very important to accurately predict the gas pressure, gas and solid temperature, as well as the amount of O-ring erosion inside the space shuttle Reusable Solid Rocket Motor (RSRM) joints in the event of a leak path. The scenarios considered are typically hot combustion gas rapid pressurization events of small volumes through narrow and restricted flow paths. The ideal method for this prediction is a transient three-dimensional computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulation with a computational domain including both combustion gas and surrounding solid regions. However, this has not yet been demonstrated to be economical for this application due to the enormous amount of CPU time and memory resulting from the relatively long fill time as well as the large pressure and temperature rising rate. Consequently, all CFD applications in RSRM joints so far are steady-state simulations with solid regions being excluded from the computational domain by assuming either a constant wall temperature or no heat transfer between the hot combustion gas and cool solid walls.

Fugitive methane leak detection using mid-infrared hollow-core photonic crystal fiber containing ultrafast laser drilled side-holes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Karp, Jason; Challener, William; Kasten, Matthias; Choudhury, Niloy; Palit, Sabarni; Pickrell, Gary; Homa, Daniel; Floyd, Adam; Cheng, Yujie; Yu, Fei; Knight, Jonathan

2016-05-01

The increase in domestic natural gas production has brought attention to the environmental impacts of persistent gas leakages. The desire to identify fugitive gas emission, specifically for methane, presents new sensing challenges within the production and distribution supply chain. A spectroscopic gas sensing solution would ideally combine a long optical path length for high sensitivity and distributed detection over large areas. Specialty micro-structured fiber with a hollow core can exhibit a relatively low attenuation at mid-infrared wavelengths where methane has strong absorption lines. Methane diffusion into the hollow core is enabled by machining side-holes along the fiber length through ultrafast laser drilling methods. The complete system provides hundreds of meters of optical path for routing along well pads and pipelines while being interrogated by a single laser and detector. This work will present transmission and methane detection capabilities of mid-infrared photonic crystal fibers. Side-hole drilling techniques for methane diffusion will be highlighted as a means to convert hollow-core fibers into applicable gas sensors.

Multicapillary Gas Chromatography-Temperature Modulated Metal Oxide Semiconductor Sensors Array Detector for Monitoring of Volatile Organic Compounds in Closed Atmosphere Using Gaussian Apodization Factor Analysis.

PubMed

Alinoori, Amir Hossein; Masoum, Saeed

2018-05-22

A unique metal oxide semiconductor sensor (MOS) array detector with eight sensors was designed and fabricated in a PTFE chamber as an interface for coupling with multicapillary gas chromatography. This design consists of eight transfer lines with equal length between the multicapillary columns (MCC) and sensors. The deactivated capillary columns were passed through each transfer line and homemade flow splitter to distribute the same gas flow on each sensor. Using the eight ports flow splitter design helps us to equal the length of carrier gas path and flow for each sensor, minimizing the dead volume of the sensor's chamber and increasing chromatographic resolution. In addition to coupling of MCC to MOS array detector and other considerations in hardware design, modulation of MOS temperature was used to increase sensitivity and selectivity, and data analysis was enhanced with adapted Gaussian apodization factor analysis (GAFA) as a multivariate curve resolution algorithm. Continues air sampling and injecting system (CASI) design provides a fast and easily applied method for continues injection of air sample with no additional sample preparation. The analysis cycle time required for each run is less than 300 s. The high sample load and sharp injection with the fast separation by MCC decrease the peak widths and improve detection limits. This homemade customized instrument is an alternative to other time-consuming and expensive technologies for continuous monitoring of outgassing in air samples.

Method and apparatus for enhancing reactor air-cooling system performance

DOEpatents

Hunsbedt, Anstein

1996-01-01

An enhanced decay heat removal system for removing heat from the inert gas-filled gap space between the reactor vessel and the containment vessel of a liquid metal-cooled nuclear reactor. Multiple cooling ducts in flow communication with the inert gas-filled gap space are incorporated to provide multiple flow paths for the inert gas to circulate to heat exchangers which remove heat from the inert gas, thereby introducing natural convection flows in the inert gas. The inert gas in turn absorbs heat directly from the reactor vessel by natural convection heat transfer.

Sensor Selection for Aircraft Engine Performance Estimation and Gas Path Fault Diagnostics

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Simon, Donald L.; Rinehart, Aidan W.

2015-01-01

This paper presents analytical techniques for aiding system designers in making aircraft engine health management sensor selection decisions. The presented techniques, which are based on linear estimation and probability theory, are tailored for gas turbine engine performance estimation and gas path fault diagnostics applications. They enable quantification of the performance estimation and diagnostic accuracy offered by different candidate sensor suites. For performance estimation, sensor selection metrics are presented for two types of estimators including a Kalman filter and a maximum a posteriori estimator. For each type of performance estimator, sensor selection is based on minimizing the theoretical sum of squared estimation errors in health parameters representing performance deterioration in the major rotating modules of the engine. For gas path fault diagnostics, the sensor selection metric is set up to maximize correct classification rate for a diagnostic strategy that performs fault classification by identifying the fault type that most closely matches the observed measurement signature in a weighted least squares sense. Results from the application of the sensor selection metrics to a linear engine model are presented and discussed. Given a baseline sensor suite and a candidate list of optional sensors, an exhaustive search is performed to determine the optimal sensor suites for performance estimation and fault diagnostics. For any given sensor suite, Monte Carlo simulation results are found to exhibit good agreement with theoretical predictions of estimation and diagnostic accuracies.

Sensor Selection for Aircraft Engine Performance Estimation and Gas Path Fault Diagnostics

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Simon, Donald L.; Rinehart, Aidan W.

2016-01-01

This paper presents analytical techniques for aiding system designers in making aircraft engine health management sensor selection decisions. The presented techniques, which are based on linear estimation and probability theory, are tailored for gas turbine engine performance estimation and gas path fault diagnostics applications. They enable quantification of the performance estimation and diagnostic accuracy offered by different candidate sensor suites. For performance estimation, sensor selection metrics are presented for two types of estimators including a Kalman filter and a maximum a posteriori estimator. For each type of performance estimator, sensor selection is based on minimizing the theoretical sum of squared estimation errors in health parameters representing performance deterioration in the major rotating modules of the engine. For gas path fault diagnostics, the sensor selection metric is set up to maximize correct classification rate for a diagnostic strategy that performs fault classification by identifying the fault type that most closely matches the observed measurement signature in a weighted least squares sense. Results from the application of the sensor selection metrics to a linear engine model are presented and discussed. Given a baseline sensor suite and a candidate list of optional sensors, an exhaustive search is performed to determine the optimal sensor suites for performance estimation and fault diagnostics. For any given sensor suite, Monte Carlo simulation results are found to exhibit good agreement with theoretical predictions of estimation and diagnostic accuracies.

Structural response of SSME turbine blade airfoils

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Arya, V. K.; Abdul-Aziz, A.; Thompson, R. L.

1988-01-01

Reusable space propulsion hot gas-path components are required to operate under severe thermal and mechanical loading conditions. These operating conditions produce elevated temperature and thermal transients which results in significant thermally induced inelastic strains, particularly, in the turbopump turbine blades. An inelastic analysis for this component may therefore be necessary. Anisotropic alloys such as MAR M-247 or PWA-1480 are being considered to meet the safety and durability requirements of this component. An anisotropic inelastic structural analysis for an SSME fuel turbopump turbine blade was performed. The thermal loads used resulted from a transient heat transfer analysis of a turbine blade. A comparison of preliminary results from the elastic and inelastic analyses is presented.

NEUTRON SOURCE

DOEpatents

Foster, J.S. Jr.

1960-04-19

A compact electronic device capable of providing short time high density outputs of neutrons is described. The device of the invention includes an evacuated vacuum housing adapted to be supplied with a deuterium, tritium, or other atmosphere and means for establishing an electrical discharge along a path through the gas. An energized solenoid is arranged to constrain the ionized gas (plasma) along the path. An anode bearing adsorbed or adherent target material is arranged to enclose the constrained plasma. To produce neutrons a high voltage is applied from appropriate supply means between the plasma and anode to accelerate ions from the plasma to impinge upcn the target material, e.g., comprising deuterium.

Plasma-sprayed zirconia gas path seal technology: A state-of-the-art review

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Bill, R. C.

1979-01-01

The benefits derived from application of ceramic materials to high pressure turbine gas path seal components are described and the developmental backgrounds of various approaches are reviewed. The most fully developed approaches are those employing plasma sprayed zirconium oxide as the ceramic material. Prevention of cracking and spalling of the zirconium oxide under cyclic thermal shock conditions imposed by the engine operating cycle is the most immediate problem to be solved before implementation is undertaken. Three promising approaches to improving cyclic thermal shock resistance are described and comparative rig performance of each are reviewed. Advanced concepts showing potential for performance improvements are described.

High Efficiency Water Heating Technology Development Final Report, Part II: CO 2 and Absorption-Based Residential Heat Pump Water Heater Development

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

Gluesenkamp, Kyle R.; Abdelaziz, Omar; Patel, Viral K.

2017-05-01

The two objectives of this project were to 1.demonstrate an affordable path to an ENERGY STAR qualified electric heat pump water heater (HPWH) based on low-global warming potential (GWP) CO 2 refrigerant, and 2.demonstrate an affordable path to a gas-fired absorption-based heat pump water heater with a gas energy factor (EF) greater than 1.0. The first objective has been met, and the project has identified a promising low-cost option capable of meeting the second objective. This report documents the process followed and results obtained in addressing these objectives.

Foreign Object Damage Identification in Turbine Engines

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Strack, William; Zhang, Desheng; Turso, James; Pavlik, William; Lopez, Isaac

2005-01-01

This report summarizes the collective work of a five-person team from different organizations examining the problem of detecting foreign object damage (FOD) events in turbofan engines from gas path thermodynamic and bearing accelerometer sensors, and determining the severity of damage to each component (diagnosis). Several detection and diagnostic approaches were investigated and a software tool (FODID) was developed to assist researchers detect/diagnose FOD events. These approaches include (1) fan efficiency deviation computed from upstream and downstream temperature/ pressure measurements, (2) gas path weighted least squares estimation of component health parameter deficiencies, (3) Kalman filter estimation of component health parameters, and (4) use of structural vibration signal processing to detect both large and small FOD events. The last three of these approaches require a significant amount of computation in conjunction with a physics-based analytic model of the underlying phenomenon the NPSS thermodynamic cycle code for approaches 1 to 3 and the DyRoBeS reduced-order rotor dynamics code for approach 4. A potential application of the FODID software tool, in addition to its detection/diagnosis role, is using its sensitivity results to help identify the best types of sensors and their optimum locations within the gas path, and similarly for bearing accelerometers.

Investigation of ion kinetic effects in direct-drive exploding-pusher implosions at the NIF

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

Rosenberg, M. J., E-mail: mrosenbe@mit.edu; Zylstra, A. B.; Séguin, F. H.

Measurements of yield, ion temperature, areal density (ρR), shell convergence, and bang time have been obtained in shock-driven, D{sub 2} and D{sup 3}He gas-filled “exploding-pusher” inertial confinement fusion (ICF) implosions at the National Ignition Facility to assess the impact of ion kinetic effects. These measurements probed the shock convergence phase of ICF implosions, a critical stage in hot-spot ignition experiments. The data complement previous studies of kinetic effects in shock-driven implosions. Ion temperature and fuel ρR inferred from fusion-product spectroscopy are used to estimate the ion-ion mean free path in the gas. A trend of decreasing yields relative to themore » predictions of 2D DRACO hydrodynamics simulations with increasing Knudsen number (the ratio of ion-ion mean free path to minimum shell radius) suggests that ion kinetic effects are increasingly impacting the hot fuel region, in general agreement with previous results. The long mean free path conditions giving rise to ion kinetic effects in the gas are often prevalent during the shock phase of both exploding pushers and ablatively driven implosions, including ignition-relevant implosions.« less

Improved aethalometer

DOEpatents

Hansen, A.D.

1988-01-25

An improved aethalometer having a single light source and a single light detector and two light paths from the light source to the light detector. A quartz fiber filter is inserted in the device, the filter having a collection area in one light path and a reference area in the other light path. A gas flow path through the aethalometer housing allows ambient air to flow through the collection area of the filter so that aerosol particles can be collected on the filter. A rotating disk with an opening therethrough allows light for the light source to pass alternately through the two light paths. The voltage output of the detector is applied to a VCO and the VCO pulses for light transmission separately through the two light paths, are counted and compared to determine the absorption coefficient of the collected aerosol particles. 5 figs.

Investigation of heat exchangers for energy conversion systems of megawatt-class space power plants

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ilmov, D. N.; Mamontov, Yu. N.; Skorohodov, A. S.; Smolyarov, V. A.; Filatov, N. I.

2016-01-01

The specifics of operation (high temperatures in excess of 1000 K and large pressure drops of several megapascals between "hot" and "cold" coolant paths) of heat exchangers in the closed circuit of a gasturbine power converter operating in accordance with the Brayton cycle with internal heat recovery are analyzed in the context of construction of space propulsion systems. The design of a heat-exchange matrix made from doubly convex stamped plates with a specific surface relief is proposed. This design offers the opportunity to construct heat exchangers with the required parameters (strength, rigidity, weight, and dimensions) for the given operating conditions. The diagram of the working area of a test bench is presented, and the experimental techniques are outlined. The results of experimental studies of heat exchange and flow regimes in the models of heat exchangers with matrices containing 50 and 300 plates for two pairs of coolants (gas-gas and gas-liquid) are detailed. A criterion equation for the Nusselt number in the range of Reynolds numbers from 200 to 20 000 is proposed. The coefficients of hydraulic resistance for each coolant path are determined as functions of the Reynolds number. It is noted that the pressure in the water path in the "gas-liquid" series of experiments remained almost constant. This suggests that no well-developed processes of vaporization occurred within this heat-exchange matrix design even when the temperature drop between gas and water was as large as tens or hundreds of degrees. The obtained results allow one to design flight heat exchangers for various space power plants.

Method for Balancing Detector Output to a Desired Level of Balance at a Frequency

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Sachse, Glenn W. (Inventor)

2003-01-01

A multi-gas sensor is provided which modulates a polarized light beam over a broadband of wavelengths between two alternating orthogonal polarization components. The two orthogonal polarization components of the polarization modulated beam are directed along two distinct optical paths. At least one optical path contains one or more spectral discrimination elements, with each spectral discrimination element having spectral absorption features of one or more gases of interest being measured. The two optical paths then intersect, and one orthogonal component of the intersected components is transmitted and the other orthogonal component is reflected. The combined polarization modulated beam is partitioned into one or more smaller spectral regions of interest where one or more gases of interest has an absorption band. The difference in intensity between the two orthogonal polarization components is then determined in each partitioned spectral region of interest as an indication of the spectral emission/absorption of the light beam by the gases of interest in the measurement path. The spectral emission/absorption is indicative of the concentration of the one or more gases of interest in the measurement path. More specifically, one embodiment of the present invention is a gas filter correlation radiometer which comprises a polarizer, a polarization modulator, a polarization beam splitter, a beam combiner, wavelength partitioning element, and detection element. The gases of interest are measured simultaneously and, further, can be measured independently or non-independently. Furthermore, optical or electronic element are provided to balance optical intensities between the two optical paths.

VCSEL-based oxygen spectroscopy for structural analysis of pharmaceutical solids

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Svensson, T.; Andersson, M.; Rippe, L.; Svanberg, S.; Andersson-Engels, S.; Johansson, J.; Folestad, S.

2008-02-01

We present a minimalistic and flexible single-beam instrumentation based on sensitive tunable diode laser absorption spectroscopy (TDLAS) and its use in structural analysis of highly scattering pharmaceutical solids. By utilising a vertical cavity surface emitting laser (VCSEL) for sensing of molecular oxygen dispersed in tablets, we address structural properties such as porosity. Experiments involve working with unknown path lengths, severe backscattering and diffuse light. These unusual experimental conditions has led to the use of the term gas in scattering media absorption spectroscopy (GASMAS). By employing fully digital wavelength modulation spectroscopy and coherent sampling, system sensitivity in ambient air experiments reaches the 10-7 range. Oxygen absorption exhibited by our tablets, being influenced by both sample porosity and scattering, was in the range 8×10-5 to 2×10-3, and corresponds to 2-50 mm of path length through ambient air (Leq). The day-to-day reproducibility was on average 1.8% (0.3 mm Leq), being limited by mechanical positioning. This is the first time sub-millimetre sensitivity is reached in GASMAS. We also demonstrate measurements on gas transport on a 1-s time scale. By employing pulsed illumination and time-correlated single-photon counting, we reveal that GASMAS exhibits excellent correlation with time-domain photon migration. In addition, we introduce an optical measure of porosity by relating oxygen absorption to average photon time-of-flight. Finally, the simplicity, robustness and low cost of this novel TDLAS instrumentation provide industrial potential.

Cyclic degassing of Erebus volcano, Antarctica

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ilanko, Tehnuka; Oppenheimer, Clive; Burgisser, Alain; Kyle, Philip

2015-06-01

Field observations have previously identified rapid cyclic changes in the behaviour of the lava lake of Erebus volcano. In order to understand more fully the nature and origins of these cycles, we present here a wavelet-based frequency analysis of time series measurements of gas emissions from the lava lake, obtained by open-path Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. This reveals (i) a cyclic change in total gas column amount, a likely proxy for gas flux, with a period of about 10 min, and (ii) a similarly phased cyclic change in proportions of volcanic gases, which can be explained in terms of chemical equilibria and pressure-dependent solubilities. Notably, the wavelet analysis shows a persistent periodicity in the CO2/CO ratio and strong periodicity in H2O and SO2 degassing. The `peaks' of the cycles, defined by maxima in H2O and SO2 column amounts, coincide with high CO2/CO ratios and proportionally smaller increases in column amounts of CO2, CO, and OCS. We interpret the cycles to arise from recharge of the lake by intermittent pulses of magma from shallow depths, which degas H2O at low pressure, combined with a background gas flux that is decoupled from this very shallow magma degassing.

Fetal exposure to propoxur and abnormal child neurodevelopment at 2 years of age

PubMed Central

Ostrea, Enrique M.; Reyes, Alexis; Villanueva-Uy, Esterlita; Pacifico, Rochelle; Benitez, Bernadette; Ramos, Essie; Bernardo, Rommel C.; Bielawski, Dawn M.; Delaney-Black, Virginia; Chiodo, Lisa; Janisse, James J.; Ager, Joel W.

2012-01-01

Objective Our aim was to determine the effects of fetal exposure to propoxur and pyrethroids, on child neurodevelopment at 2 years of age. Patients and Methods Mothers were prospectively recruited during mid-pregnancy in Bulacan, Philippines where multiple pesticides including propoxur, cyfluthrin, chlorpyrifos, cypermethrin, pretilachlor, bioallethrin, malathion, diazinon and transfluthrin are used. To detect prenatal exposure to these pesticides, maternal hair and blood, infant’s hair, cord blood, and meconium were analyzed for the pesticides by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. Infants were examined at 2 years of age with 95.1% follow up rate and their neurodevelopment outcome was assessed by the Griffiths Mental Developmental Scale (N=754). Results Meconium analysis was the most sensitive method to detect fetal exposure to pesticides and exposure was highest for propoxur (21.3%) and the grouped pyrethroids (2.5% - bioallethrin, transfluthrin, cyfluthrin and cypermethrin). Path analysis modeling was performed to determine the effects of fetal exposure to propoxur and pyrethroids on the child’s neurodevelopment at 24 months of age while controlling for confounders. Only singletons and those with complete data for the path analysis were included (N=696). Using a path analysis model, there was a significant negative (β= −0.14, p<0.001) relationship between prenatal pesticide exposure to propoxur and motor development at 2 years of age after controlling for confounders, e.g., infant gender, socioeconomic status, maternal intelligence, home stimulation (HOME), postnatal exposure to propoxur and blood lead level at 2 years of age. Conclusion At 2 years of age, prenatal exposure to propoxur was associated with poorer motor development in children. PMID:22155319

Worcester 1 Inch Solenoid Actuated Gas Operated SCHe System Valves

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

MISKA, C.R.

1 inch gas-operated full-port ball valves incorporate a solenoid and limit switches as integral parts of the actuator. These valves are normally open and fail safe to the open position (GOV-1*02 and 1*06 fail closed) to provide a flow path of helium gas to the MCO under helium purge and off-normal conditions when the MCO is isolated.

Worcester 1 Inch Solenoid Actuated Gas Operated SCHe System Valves

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

VAN KATWIJK, C.

1 inch Gas-operated full-port ball valves incorporate a solenoid and limit switches as integral parts of the actuator. These valves are normally open and fail safe to the open position (GOV-1*02 and 1*06 fall closed) to provide a flow path of helium gas to the MCO under helium purge and off-normal conditions when the MCO is isolated.

Worcester 1 Inch Solenoid Actuated Gas Operated SCHe System Valves

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

VAN KATWIJK, C.

1 inch Gas-operated full-port ball valves incorporate a solenoid and limit switches as integral parts of the actuator. These valves are normally open and fail safe to the open position (GOV-1*02 and 1*06 fail closed) to provide a flow path of helium gas to the MCO under helium purge and off-normal conditions when the MCO is isolated.

Impact of Casing Expansion on the Mechanical and Petro-Physical Properties of Wellbore Cements

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Oyibo, A. E.

2014-12-01

The main objective of this research is to investigate the applicability of expandable casing technology as a remediation technique for leaky wells resulting in gas migration problems. Micro annulus is usually created at the cement-formation/cement-casing interface or within the cement matrix either due to poor primary cementing or as a result of activities such as temperature and pressure variation or fracturing operations. Recent reports on gas migration in hydraulically fractured wellbores, has raised concerns on the contamination of fresh water aquifers resulting from fluid migration though this flow path. A unique bench-scale physical model which utilizes expandable tubulars in the remediation of micro annular gas flow has been used to simulate expansion of a previously-cemented casing under field-like conditions. Three different designs of cement slurry: regular 16.4 lb. /gal, 16.4 lb. /gal base slurry foamed to 13 lb. /gal and 16.4 lb. /gal cement slurry with 10% salt concentration. Gas flow path (microannulus) was artificially created at the pipe-cement interface by rotating the inner pipe in a pipe inside pipe assembly with cement in the annulus within the first few hours of hydration to create debonding at the cement-casing interface. Nitrogen gas flow-through experiments were performed before and after the expansion to confirm the sealing of the microannulus. The results obtained confirmed the effectiveness of this technique in the complete closure of gas leakage path, providing seal-tight cement-formation interface free of microannulus. The manipulation of the cement sheath during the casing expansion resulted in improved porosity, permeability and the strength of the cement sheath. SEM micrographs revealed decrease in pore size and fracturing of unhydrated cement grains within the cement matrix. This technology has great potential to become one of the leading cement remediation techniques for leaks behind the casing if implemented. Keywords: Wellbore Integrity, Casing Expansion, Well Gas Leaks, CSH, Pore Collapse, Cement Pore Water.

Kuiper Belt Objects Along the Pluto Express Path

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Jewitt, David C.

1998-01-01

The science objective of this work was to identify objects in the Kuiper Belt which will, in the 5 years following Pluto encounter, be close to the flight path of NASA's Pluto-Kuiper Express. Currently, launch is scheduled for 2004 with a flight time of about 1 decade. Early identification of post-Pluto targets is important for mission design and orbit refinement. An object or objects close enough to the flight path can be visited and studied at high resolution, using only residual gas in the thrusters to affect a close encounter.

Method and apparatus for enhancing reactor air-cooling system performance

DOEpatents

Hunsbedt, A.

1996-03-12

An enhanced decay heat removal system is disclosed for removing heat from the inert gas-filled gap space between the reactor vessel and the containment vessel of a liquid metal-cooled nuclear reactor. Multiple cooling ducts in flow communication with the inert gas-filled gap space are incorporated to provide multiple flow paths for the inert gas to circulate to heat exchangers which remove heat from the inert gas, thereby introducing natural convection flows in the inert gas. The inert gas in turn absorbs heat directly from the reactor vessel by natural convection heat transfer. 6 figs.

Development of natural gas rotary engines

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mack, J. R.

1991-08-01

Development of natural gas-fueled rotary engines was pursued on the parallel paths of converted Mazda automotive engines and of establishing technology and demonstration of a test model of a larger John Deer Technologies Incorporated (JDTI) rotary engine with power capability of 250 HP per power section for future production of multi-rotor engines with power ratings 250, 500, and 1000 HP and upward. Mazda engines were converted to natural gas and were characterized by a laboratory which was followed by nearly 12,000 hours of testing in three different field installations. To develop technology for the larger JDTI engine, laboratory and engine materials testing was accomplished. Extensive combustion analysis computer codes were modified, verified, and utilized to predict engine performance, to guide parameters for actual engine design, and to identify further improvements. A single rotor test engine of 5.8 liter displacement was designed for natural gas operation based on the JDTI 580 engine series. This engine was built and tested. It ran well and essentially achieved predicted performance. Lean combustion and low NOW emission were demonstrated.

Tunable diode laser IR spectrometer for in situ measurements of the gas phase composition and particle size distribution of Titan's atmosphere

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Webster, Christopher R.; Sander, Stanley P.; Beer, Reinhard; May, Randy D.; Knollenberg, Robert G.

1990-01-01

A new instrument, the Probe Infrared Laser Spectrometer (PIRLS), is described for in situ sensing of the gas composition and particle size distribution of Titan's atmosphere on the NASA/ESA Cassini mission. For gas composition measurements, several narrow-band (0.0001/cm) tunable lead-salt diode lasers operating near 80 K at selected mid-IR wavelengths are directed over a path length defined by a small reflector extending over the edge of the probe spacecraft platform; volume mixing ratios of 10 to the -9th should be measurable for several species of interest. A cloud-particle-size spectrometer using a diode laser source at 780 nm shares the optical path and deployed reflector; a combination of imaging and light scattering techniques is used to determine sizes of haze and cloud particles and their number density as a function of altitude.

Path-Integral Monte Carlo Determination of the Fourth-Order Virial Coefficient for a Unitary Two-Component Fermi Gas with Zero-Range Interactions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yan, Yangqian; Blume, D.

2016-06-01

The unitary equal-mass Fermi gas with zero-range interactions constitutes a paradigmatic model system that is relevant to atomic, condensed matter, nuclear, particle, and astrophysics. This work determines the fourth-order virial coefficient b4 of such a strongly interacting Fermi gas using a customized ab initio path-integral Monte Carlo (PIMC) algorithm. In contrast to earlier theoretical results, which disagreed on the sign and magnitude of b4 , our b4 agrees within error bars with the experimentally determined value, thereby resolving an ongoing literature debate. Utilizing a trap regulator, our PIMC approach determines the fourth-order virial coefficient by directly sampling the partition function. An on-the-fly antisymmetrization avoids the Thomas collapse and, combined with the use of the exact two-body zero-range propagator, establishes an efficient general means to treat small Fermi systems with zero-range interactions.

Adjustment of the flue gas path in small combustion appliances with regard to particulate matter reduction

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sulovcová, Katarína; Jandačka, Jozef; Nosek, Radovan

2014-08-01

Concentration of solid particles in ambient atmosphere is increasing in many countries nowadays. Particulate matter pollution in higher concentration has harmful impact on human and animal health. Source of particulate matter are not only industry and traffic. Small heat sources with biomass combustion, especially during winter heating season, are also significant producer of particulate matter emission. There is a huge importance to decrease quantities of solid particles which are getting into the atmosphere in every region of their production in order to decrease environmental pollution and improve air quality. The ability of flue gas emission elimination can influence future using of biomass combustion. Therefore effective and affordable solutions are searching for. The paper deals with the reduction of particulate matter in small heat source with biomass combustion by modification of geometric parameters in flue gas path.

Kinetic simulations of gas breakdown in the dense plasma focus

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bennett, N.; Blasco, M.; Breeding, K.; DiPuccio, V.; Gall, B.; Garcia, M.; Gardner, S.; Gatling, J.; Hagen, E. C.; Luttman, A.; Meehan, B. T.; Molnar, S.; O'Brien, R.; Ormond, E.; Robbins, L.; Savage, M.; Sipe, N.; Welch, D. R.

2017-06-01

The first fully kinetic, collisional, and electromagnetic simulations of the breakdown phase of a MA-scale dense plasma focus are described and shown to agree with measured electrical characteristics, including breakdown time. In the model, avalanche ionization is driven by cathode electron emission, and this results in incomplete gas breakdown along the insulator. This reinforces the importance of the conditioning process that creates a metallic layer on the insulator surface. The simulations, nonetheless, help explain the relationship between the gas pressure, the insulator length, and the coaxial gap width. Previously, researchers noted three breakdown patterns related to pressure. Simulation and analytical results show that at low pressures, long ionization path lengths lead to volumetric breakdown, while high pressures lead to breakdown across the relatively small coaxial electrode gap. In an intermediate pressure regime, ionization path lengths are comparable to the insulator length which promotes ideal breakdown along the insulator surface.

Optical multi-species gas monitoring sensor and system

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Korman, Valentin (Inventor); Polzin, Kurt A. (Inventor)

2012-01-01

The system includes at least one light source generating light energy having a corresponding wavelength. The system's sensor is based on an optical interferometer that receives light energy from each light source. The interferometer includes a free-space optical path disposed in an environment of interest. The system's sensor includes an optical device disposed in the optical path that causes light energy of a first selected wavelength to continue traversing the optical path whereas light energy of at least one second selected wavelength is directed away from the optical path. The interferometer generates an interference between the light energy of the first selected wavelength so-traversing the optical path with the light energy at the corresponding wavelength incident on the optical interferometer. A first optical detector detects the interference. At least one second detector detects the light energy at the at least one second selected wavelength directed away from the optical path.

Development of repair mechanism of FSX-414 based 1st stage nozzle of gas turbine

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rahman, Md. Tawfiqur

2017-06-01

This paper describes the failure mechanism and repair technology of 1st stage nozzle or vane of industrial gas turbine which is made of cobalt based super alloy FSX-414. 1st stage nozzles or vanes are important stationery components of gas turbine based power plant. Those are the parts of hot gas path components of gas turbine and their manufacturing process is casting. At present, it is widely accepted that gas turbine based combined cycle power plant is the most efficient and cost effective solution to generate electricity. One of the factors of high efficiency of this type of gas turbine is the increase of its turbine inlet temperature. As an effect of this factor and in conjunction with some other factors, the 1st stage nozzle of gas turbine operates under extremely high temperature and thermal stresses. As a result, the design lifetime of these components becomes limited. Furthermore, attention on nozzles or vanes is required in order to achieve their design lifetime. However, due to unfriendly operational condition and environmental effect, anytime failure can occur on these heat resistant alloy based components which may lead to severe damage of gas turbine. To mitigate these adverse effects, schedule maintenance is performed on a predetermined time interval of hot gas path components of gas turbine based power plant. This paper addresses common failures in gas turbine's 1st stage nozzles or vanes. Usually these are repaired by using ADH process but for several reasons ADH process is not used here. Hence the challenging task is performed using gas tungsten arc welding which is presented in this article systematically.

Nonchamber, Root-Side, Inert-Gas Purging During Welding

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Mcgee, William F.; Rybicki, Daniel J.

1995-01-01

Improved apparatus distributes inert gas to protect against oxidation on root side of weld during welding and after welding while joint remains hot. Simple and lightweight; readily moved along weld path in synchronism with torch. Because it concentrates inert gas where needed, consumes gas at relatively low rate, and not necessary to monitor oxygen content of protective atmosphere. Apparatus does not obscure view of root side of weld. Used for full-penetration plasma-arc welding of such reactive metals as aluminum/lithium alloys and titanium.

Hot gas path component cooling system having a particle collection chamber

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

Miranda, Carlos Miguel; Lacy, Benjamin Paul

A cooling system for a hot gas path component includes a substrate having an outer surface and an inner surface. The inner surface defines at least one interior space. A passage is formed in the substrate between the outer surface and the inner surface. An access passage is formed in the substrate and extends from the outer surface to the inner space. The access passage is formed at a first acute angle to the passage and includes a particle collection chamber. The access passage is configured to channel a cooling fluid to the passage. Furthermore, the passage is configured tomore » channel the cooling fluid therethrough to cool the substrate.« less

Solenoid and monocusp ion source

DOEpatents

Brainard, John Paul; Burns, Erskine John Thomas; Draper, Charles Hadley

1997-01-01

An ion source which generates hydrogen ions having high atomic purity incorporates a solenoidal permanent magnets to increase the electron path length. In a sealed envelope, electrons emitted from a cathode traverse the magnetic field lines of a solenoid and a monocusp magnet between the cathode and a reflector at the monocusp. As electrons collide with gas, the molecular gas forms a plasma. An anode grazes the outer boundary of the plasma. Molecular ions and high energy electrons remain substantially on the cathode side of the cusp, but as the ions and electrons are scattered to the aperture side of the cusp, additional collisions create atomic ions. The increased electron path length allows for smaller diameters and lower operating pressures.

Solenoid and monocusp ion source

DOEpatents

Brainard, J.P.; Burns, E.J.T.; Draper, C.H.

1997-10-07

An ion source which generates hydrogen ions having high atomic purity incorporates a solenoidal permanent magnets to increase the electron path length. In a sealed envelope, electrons emitted from a cathode traverse the magnetic field lines of a solenoid and a monocusp magnet between the cathode and a reflector at the monocusp. As electrons collide with gas, the molecular gas forms a plasma. An anode grazes the outer boundary of the plasma. Molecular ions and high energy electrons remain substantially on the cathode side of the cusp, but as the ions and electrons are scattered to the aperture side of the cusp, additional collisions create atomic ions. The increased electron path length allows for smaller diameters and lower operating pressures. 6 figs.

Method and apparatus for processing exhaust gas with corona discharge

DOEpatents

Barlow, Stephan E.; Orlando, Thomas M.; Tonkyn, Russell G.

1999-01-01

The present invention is placing a catalyst coating upon surfaces surrounding a volume containing corona discharge. In addition, the electrodes are coated with a robust dielectric material. Further, the electrodes are arranged so that at least a surface portion of each electrode extends into a flow path of the exhaust gas to be treated and there is only exhaust gas in the volume between each pair of electrodes.

Shale Gas Development Requires Bipartisan Path Forward, U.S. Senator Wyden Urges

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Showstack, Randy

2013-08-01

"How do we work in a bipartisan way to lock in the lead that the country has with respect to natural gas and win all the gold that we want in the economic Olympic games?" That is a question U.S. Sen. Ron Wyden (D-Oreg.) posed during his keynote address at a 25 July forum in Washington, D. C., on the future of shale gas development.

Relevant Studies for NERC’s Analysis of EPA's Clean Power Plan 111 (d) Compliance

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

Ahlstrom, Mark; Smith, Charlie; Piwko, Dick

2015-06-12

The purpose of this paper is to describe multiple studies of wind and solar integration that have found CO 2 reductions of approximately 30%. These studies can be viewed in several ways, including as viable paths to compliance with the EPA rule, alternative ''bookend cases'' to compare to compliance based largely on natural gas, or something in between. The studies in this paper represent a body of work that can help inform the public discussion surrounding the cost and reliability impacts of complying with the proposed EPA CPP.

Fluctuations and symmetry energy in nuclear fragmentation dynamics.

PubMed

Colonna, M

2013-01-25

Within a dynamical description of nuclear fragmentation, based on the liquid-gas phase transition scenario, we explore the relation between neutron-proton density fluctuations and nuclear symmetry energy. We show that, along the fragmentation path, isovector fluctuations follow the evolution of the local density and approach an equilibrium value connected to the local symmetry energy. Higher-density regions are characterized by smaller average asymmetry and narrower isotopic distributions. This dynamical analysis points out that fragment final state isospin fluctuations can probe the symmetry energy of the density domains from which fragments originate.

HAI: A novel airborne multi-channel hygrometer for fast multi-phase H2O quantification: Performance of the HAI instrument during the first flights on the German HALO aircraft

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Buchholz, B.; Ebert, V.; Kraemer, M.; Afchine, A.

2014-12-01

Common gas phase H2O measurements on fast airborne platforms e.g. using backward facing or "Rosemount"-inlets can lead to a high risk of ice and droplets contamination. In addition, currently no single hygrometer exists that allows a simultaneous, high-speed measurement of all phases (gas, liquid, ice) with the same detection principle. In the rare occasions multi-phase measurements are realized, gas-and condensed-phase observations rely on different methods, instruments and calibration strategies so that precision and accuracy levels are quite difficult to quantify. This is effectively avoided by the novel TDLAS instrument, HAI, Hygrometer for Atmospheric Investigation, which allows a simultaneous, high speed, multi-phase detection without any sensor calibration in a unique "2+2" channel concept. Hai combines two independent wavelength channels, at 1.4 µm and at 2.6 µm, for a wide dynamic range from 1 to 30 000 ppmv, with a simultaneous closed path (extractive) and open path detection. Thus, "Total", i.e. gas-phase plus condensed-phase water is measured by sampling via a forward facing inlet into "closed-path" extractive cells. A selective, sampling-free, high speed gas phase detection is realized via a dual-wavelength "open-path" cell placed outside of the aircraft fuselage. All channels can be sampled with 120 Hz (measurement cycle time Dt=1.6 ms) allowing an unprecedented spatial resolution of 30 cm at 900 km/h. The evaluation of the individual multi-channel raw-data is done post flight, without any channel interdependencies, in calibration-free mode, thus allowing fast, accurate and precise multi-phase water detection in flight. The performance could be shown in more than 200 net flights hours in three scientific flight campaigns (TACTS, ESMVal, ML-CIRRUS) on the new German HALO aircraft. In addition the level of the accuracy of the calibration free evaluation was evaluated at the German national primary water vapor standard.

An anomalous CO2 uptake measured over asphalt surface by open-path eddy-covariance system

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bogoev, Ivan; Santos, Eduardo

2017-04-01

Measurements of net ecosystem exchange of CO2 in desert environments made by Wohlfahrt et al. (2008) and Ma (2014) indicate strong CO2 sink. The results of these studies have been challenged by Schlesinger (2016) because the rates of the CO2 uptake are incongruent with the increase of biomass in the vegetation and accumulation of organic and inorganic carbon in the soil. Consequently, the accuracy of the open-path eddy-covariance systems in arid and semi-arid ecosystems has been questioned. A new technology merging the sensing paths of the gas analyzer and the sonic anemometer has recently been developed. This integrated open-path system allows a direct measurement of CO2 mixing ratio in the open air and has the potential to improve the quality of the temperature related density and spectroscopic corrections by synchronously measuring the sensible heat flux in the optical path of the gas analyzer. We evaluate the performance and the accuracy of this new sensor over a large parking lot with an asphalt surface where the water vapor and CO2 fluxes are expected to be low and the interfering sensible heat fluxes are above 200 Wm-2. For independent CO2 flux reference measurements, we use a co-located closed-path analyzer with a short intake tube and a standalone sonic anemometer. We compare energy and carbon dioxide fluxes between the open- and the closed-path systems. During periods with sensible heat flux above 100 W m-2, the open-path system reports an apparent CO2 uptake of 0.02 mg m-2 s-1, while the closed-path system consistently measures a more acceptable upward flux of 0.015 mg m-2 s-1. We attribute this systematic bias to inadequate fast-response temperature compensation of absorption-line broadening effects. We demonstrate that this bias can be eliminated by using the humidity-corrected fast-response sonic temperature to compensate for the abovementioned spectroscopic effects in the open-path analyzer.

Sensitivity of natural gas deployment in the US power sector to future carbon policy expectations

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

Mignone, Bryan K.; Showalter, Sharon; Wood, Frances

One option for reducing carbon emissions in the power sector is replacement of coal-fired generation with less carbon-intensive natural gas combined cycle (NGCC) generation. In the United States, where there is abundant, low-cost natural gas supply, increased NGCC deployment could be a cost-effective emissions abatement opportunity at relatively modest carbon prices. However, under scenarios in which carbon prices rise and deeper emissions reductions are achieved, other technologies may be more cost-effective than NGCC in the future. In this analysis, using a US energy system model with foresight (a version of the National Energy Modeling System or 'NEMS' model), we findmore » that varying expectations about carbon prices after 2030 does not materially affect NGCC deployment prior to 2030, all else equal. An important implication of this result is that, under the set of natural gas and carbon price trajectories explored here, myopic behavior or other imperfect expectations about potential future carbon policy do not change the natural gas deployment path or lead to stranded natural gas generation infrastructure. We explain these results in terms of the underlying economic competition between available generation technologies and discuss the broader relevance to US climate change mitigation policy.« less

Sensitivity of natural gas deployment in the US power sector to future carbon policy expectations

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

Mignone, Bryan K.; Showalter, Sharon; Wood, Frances

One option for reducing carbon emissions in the power sector is replacement of coal-fired generation with less carbon-intensive natural gas combined cycle (NGCC) generation. In the United States, where there is abundant, low-cost natural gas supply, increased NGCC deployment could be a cost-effective emissions abatement opportunity at relatively modest carbon prices. However, under scenarios in which carbon prices rise and deeper emissions reductions are achieved, other technologies may be more cost-effective than NGCC in the future. In this analysis, using a US energy system model with foresight (a version of the National Energy Modeling System or “NEMS” model), we findmore » that varying expectations about carbon prices after 2030 does not materially affect NGCC deployment prior to 2030, all else equal. An important implication of this result is that, under the set of natural gas and carbon price trajectories explored here, myopic behavior or other imperfect expectations about potential future carbon policy do not change the natural gas deployment path or lead to stranded natural gas generation infrastructure. Lastly, we explain these results in terms of the underlying economic competition between available generation technologies and discuss the broader relevance to US climate change mitigation policy.« less

Sensitivity of natural gas deployment in the US power sector to future carbon policy expectations

DOE PAGES

Mignone, Bryan K.; Showalter, Sharon; Wood, Frances; ...

2017-11-01

One option for reducing carbon emissions in the power sector is replacement of coal-fired generation with less carbon-intensive natural gas combined cycle (NGCC) generation. In the United States, where there is abundant, low-cost natural gas supply, increased NGCC deployment could be a cost-effective emissions abatement opportunity at relatively modest carbon prices. However, under scenarios in which carbon prices rise and deeper emissions reductions are achieved, other technologies may be more cost-effective than NGCC in the future. In this analysis, using a US energy system model with foresight (a version of the National Energy Modeling System or 'NEMS' model), we findmore » that varying expectations about carbon prices after 2030 does not materially affect NGCC deployment prior to 2030, all else equal. An important implication of this result is that, under the set of natural gas and carbon price trajectories explored here, myopic behavior or other imperfect expectations about potential future carbon policy do not change the natural gas deployment path or lead to stranded natural gas generation infrastructure. We explain these results in terms of the underlying economic competition between available generation technologies and discuss the broader relevance to US climate change mitigation policy.« less

Sensitivity of natural gas deployment in the US power sector to future carbon policy expectations

DOE PAGES

Mignone, Bryan K.; Showalter, Sharon; Wood, Frances; ...

2017-09-07

One option for reducing carbon emissions in the power sector is replacement of coal-fired generation with less carbon-intensive natural gas combined cycle (NGCC) generation. In the United States, where there is abundant, low-cost natural gas supply, increased NGCC deployment could be a cost-effective emissions abatement opportunity at relatively modest carbon prices. However, under scenarios in which carbon prices rise and deeper emissions reductions are achieved, other technologies may be more cost-effective than NGCC in the future. In this analysis, using a US energy system model with foresight (a version of the National Energy Modeling System or “NEMS” model), we findmore » that varying expectations about carbon prices after 2030 does not materially affect NGCC deployment prior to 2030, all else equal. An important implication of this result is that, under the set of natural gas and carbon price trajectories explored here, myopic behavior or other imperfect expectations about potential future carbon policy do not change the natural gas deployment path or lead to stranded natural gas generation infrastructure. Lastly, we explain these results in terms of the underlying economic competition between available generation technologies and discuss the broader relevance to US climate change mitigation policy.« less

Accurate Exchange-Correlation Energies for the Warm Dense Electron Gas.

PubMed

Malone, Fionn D; Blunt, N S; Brown, Ethan W; Lee, D K K; Spencer, J S; Foulkes, W M C; Shepherd, James J

2016-09-09

The density matrix quantum Monte Carlo (DMQMC) method is used to sample exact-on-average N-body density matrices for uniform electron gas systems of up to 10^{124} matrix elements via a stochastic solution of the Bloch equation. The results of these calculations resolve a current debate over the accuracy of the data used to parametrize finite-temperature density functionals. Exchange-correlation energies calculated using the real-space restricted path-integral formalism and the k-space configuration path-integral formalism disagree by up to ∼10% at certain reduced temperatures T/T_{F}≤0.5 and densities r_{s}≤1. Our calculations confirm the accuracy of the configuration path-integral Monte Carlo results available at high density and bridge the gap to lower densities, providing trustworthy data in the regime typical of planetary interiors and solids subject to laser irradiation. We demonstrate that the DMQMC method can calculate free energies directly and present exact free energies for T/T_{F}≥1 and r_{s}≤2.

Isothermal absorption of soluble gases by atmospheric nanoaerosols

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Elperin, T.; Fominykh, A.; Krasovitov, B.; Lushnikov, A.

2013-01-01

We investigate mass transfer during the isothermal absorption of atmospheric trace soluble gases by a single droplet whose size is comparable to the molecular mean free path in air at normal conditions. It is assumed that the trace reactant diffuses to the droplet surface and then reacts with the substances inside the droplet according to the first-order rate law. Our analysis applies a flux-matching theory of transport processes in gases and assumes constant thermophysical properties of the gases and liquids. We derive an integral equation of Volterra type for the transient molecular flux density to a liquid droplet and solve it numerically. Numerical calculations are performed for absorption of sulfur dioxide (SO2), dinitrogen trioxide (N2O3), and chlorine (Cl2) by liquid nanoaerosols accompanied by chemical dissociation reaction. It is shown that during gas absorption by nanoaerosols, the kinetic effects play a significant role, and neglecting kinetic effects leads to a significant overestimation of the soluble gas flux into a droplet during the entire period of gas absorption.

Isothermal absorption of soluble gases by atmospheric nanoaerosols.

PubMed

Elperin, T; Fominykh, A; Krasovitov, B; Lushnikov, A

2013-01-01

We investigate mass transfer during the isothermal absorption of atmospheric trace soluble gases by a single droplet whose size is comparable to the molecular mean free path in air at normal conditions. It is assumed that the trace reactant diffuses to the droplet surface and then reacts with the substances inside the droplet according to the first-order rate law. Our analysis applies a flux-matching theory of transport processes in gases and assumes constant thermophysical properties of the gases and liquids. We derive an integral equation of Volterra type for the transient molecular flux density to a liquid droplet and solve it numerically. Numerical calculations are performed for absorption of sulfur dioxide (SO(2)), dinitrogen trioxide (N(2)O(3)), and chlorine (Cl(2)) by liquid nanoaerosols accompanied by chemical dissociation reaction. It is shown that during gas absorption by nanoaerosols, the kinetic effects play a significant role, and neglecting kinetic effects leads to a significant overestimation of the soluble gas flux into a droplet during the entire period of gas absorption.

A process economic assessment of hydrocarbon biofuels production using chemoautotrophic organisms

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

Khan, NE; Myers, JA; Tuerk, AL

Economic analysis of an ARPA-e Electrofuels (http://arpa-e.energy.gov/?q=arpa-e-programs/electrofuels) process is presented, utilizing metabolically engineered Rhodobacter capsulatus or Ralstonia eutropha to produce the C30+ hydrocarbon fuel, botryococcene, from hydrogen, carbon dioxide, and oxygen. The analysis is based on an Aspen plus (R) bioreactor model taking into account experimentally determined Rba. capsulatus and Rls. eutropha growth and maintenance requirements, reactor residence time, correlations for gas-liquid mass-transfer coefficient, gas composition, and specific cellular fuel productivity. Based on reactor simulation results encompassing technically relevant parameter ranges, the capital and operating costs of the process were estimated for 5000 bbl-fuel/day plant and used to predict fuelmore » cost. Under the assumptions used in this analysis and crude oil prices, the Levelized Cost of Electricity (LCOE) required for economic feasibility must be less than 2(sic)/kWh. While not feasible under current market prices and costs, this work identifies key variables impacting process cost and discusses potential alternative paths toward economic feasibility. (C) 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.« less

Gas Near a Wall: Shortened Mean Free Path, Reduced Viscosity, and the Manifestation of the Knudsen Layer in the Navier-Stokes Solution of a Shear Flow

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Abramov, Rafail V.

2018-06-01

For the gas near a solid planar wall, we propose a scaling formula for the mean free path of a molecule as a function of the distance from the wall, under the assumption of a uniform distribution of the incident directions of the molecular free flight. We subsequently impose the same scaling onto the viscosity of the gas near the wall and compute the Navier-Stokes solution of the velocity of a shear flow parallel to the wall. Under the simplifying assumption of constant temperature of the gas, the velocity profile becomes an explicit nonlinear function of the distance from the wall and exhibits a Knudsen boundary layer near the wall. To verify the validity of the obtained formula, we perform the Direct Simulation Monte Carlo computations for the shear flow of argon and nitrogen at normal density and temperature. We find excellent agreement between our velocity approximation and the computed DSMC velocity profiles both within the Knudsen boundary layer and away from it.

On the Distribution of Free Path Lengthsfor the Periodic Lorentz Gas

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bourgain, Jean; Golse, François; Wennberg, Bernt

Consider the domain and let the free path length be defined as The distribution of values of is studied in the limit as for all . It is shown that the value is critical for this problem: in other words, the limiting behavior of depends only on whether γ is larger or smaller than .

Fuel quality-processing study. Volume 1: Overview and results

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Jones, G. E., Jr.

1982-01-01

The methods whereby the intermediate results were obtained are outlined, and the evaluation of the feasible paths from liquid fossil fuel sources to generated electricity is presented. The segments from which these paths were built are the results from the fuel upgrading schemes, on-site treatments, and exhaust gas treatments detailed in the subsequent volumes. The salient cost and quality parameters are included.

Robust Flight Path Determination for Mars Precision Landing Using Genetic Algorithms

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Bayard, David S.; Kohen, Hamid

1997-01-01

This paper documents the application of genetic algorithms (GAs) to the problem of robust flight path determination for Mars precision landing. The robust flight path problem is defined here as the determination of the flight path which delivers a low-lift open-loop controlled vehicle to its desired final landing location while minimizing the effect of perturbations due to uncertainty in the atmospheric model and entry conditions. The genetic algorithm was capable of finding solutions which reduced the landing error from 111 km RMS radial (open-loop optimal) to 43 km RMS radial (optimized with respect to perturbations) using 200 hours of computation on an Ultra-SPARC workstation. Further reduction in the landing error is possible by going to closed-loop control which can utilize the GA optimized paths as nominal trajectories for linearization.

Validating the accuracy of SO2 gas retrievals in the thermal infrared (8-14 μm)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gabrieli, Andrea; Porter, John N.; Wright, Robert; Lucey, Paul G.

2017-11-01

Quantifying sulfur dioxide (SO2) in volcanic plumes is important for eruption predictions and public health. Ground-based remote sensing of spectral radiance of plumes contains information on the path-concentration of SO2. However, reliable inversion algorithms are needed to convert plume spectral radiance measurements into SO2 path-concentrations. Various techniques have been used for this purpose. Recent approaches have employed thermal infrared (TIR) imaging between 8 μm and 14 μm to provide two-dimensional mapping of plume SO2 path-concentration, using what might be described as "dual-view" techniques. In this case, the radiance (or its surrogate brightness temperature) is computed for portions of the image that correspond to the plume and compared with spectral radiance obtained for adjacent regions of the image that do not (i.e., "clear sky"). In this way, the contribution that the plume makes to the measured radiance can be isolated from the background atmospheric contribution, this residual signal being converted to an estimate of gas path-concentration via radiative transfer modeling. These dual-view approaches suffer from several issues, mainly the assumption of clear sky background conditions. At this time, the various inversion algorithms remain poorly validated. This paper makes two contributions. Firstly, it validates the aforementioned dual-view approaches, using hyperspectral TIR imaging data. Secondly, it introduces a new method to derive SO2 path-concentrations, which allows for single point SO2 path-concentration retrievals, suitable for hyperspectral imaging with clear or cloudy background conditions. The SO2 amenable lookup table algorithm (SO2-ALTA) uses the MODTRAN5 radiative transfer model to compute radiance for a variety (millions) of plume and atmospheric conditions. Rather than searching this lookup table to find the best fit for each measured spectrum, the lookup table was used to train a partial least square regression (PLSR) model. The coefficients of this model are used to invert measured radiance spectra to path-concentration on a pixel-by-pixel basis. In order to validate the algorithms, TIR hyperspectral measurements were carried out by measuring sky radiance when looking through gas cells filled with known amounts of SO2. SO2-ALTA was also tested on retrieving SO2 path-concentrations from the Kīlauea volcano, Hawai'i. For cloud-free conditions, all three techniques worked well. In cases where background clouds were present, then only SO2-ALTA was found to provide good results, but only under low atmospheric water vapor column amounts.

Fuel cell with ionization membrane

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hartley, Frank T. (Inventor)

2007-01-01

A fuel cell is disclosed comprising an ionization membrane having at least one area through which gas is passed, and which ionizes the gas passing therethrough, and a cathode for receiving the ions generated by the ionization membrane. The ionization membrane may include one or more openings in the membrane with electrodes that are located closer than a mean free path of molecules within the gas to be ionized. Methods of manufacture are also provided.

Method and apparatus for processing exhaust gas with corona discharge

DOEpatents

Barlow, S.E.; Orlando, T.M.; Tonkyn, R.G.

1999-06-22

The present invention is placing a catalyst coating upon surfaces surrounding a volume containing corona discharge. In addition, the electrodes are coated with a robust dielectric material. Further, the electrodes are arranged so that at least a surface portion of each electrode extends into a flow path of the exhaust gas to be treated and there is only exhaust gas in the volume between each pair of electrodes. 12 figs.

Inductive gas line for pulsed lasers

DOEpatents

Benett, William J.; Alger, Terry W.

1985-01-01

A gas laser having a metal inlet gas feed line assembly shaped as a coil, to function as an electrical inductance and therefore high impedance to pulses of electric current applied to electrodes at opposite ends of a discharge tube of a laser, for example. This eliminates a discharge path for the laser through the inlet gas feed line. A ferrite core extends through the coil to increase the inductance of the coil and provide better electric isolation. By elimination of any discharge breakdown through the gas supply, efficiency is increased and a significantly longer operating lifetime of the laser is provided.

Inductive gas line for pulsed lasers

DOEpatents

Benett, W.J.; Alger, T.W.

1982-09-29

A gas laser having a metal inlet gas feed line assembly shaped as a coil, to function as an electrical inductance and therefore high impedance to pulses of electric current applied to electrodes at opposite ends of a discharge tube of a laser, for example. This eliminates a discharge path for the laser through the inlet gas feed line. A ferrite core extends through the coil to increase the inductance of the coil and provide better electric isolation. By elimination of any discharge breakdown through the gas supply, efficiency is increased and a significantly longer operating lifetime of the laser is provided.

Energy transfer model and its applications of ultrasonic gas flow-meter under static and dynamic flow rates

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fang, Min; Xu, Ke-Jun; Zhu, Wen-Jiao; Shen, Zi-Wen

2016-01-01

Most of the ultrasonic gas flow-meters measure the gas flow rate by calculating the ultrasonic transmission time difference between the downstream and upstream. Ultrasonic energy attenuation occurs in the processes of the ultrasonic generation, conversion, transmission, and reception. Additionally, at the same time, the gas flow will also affect the ultrasonic propagation during the measurement, which results in the ultrasonic energy attenuation and the offset of ultrasonic propagation path. Thus, the ultrasonic energy received by the transducer is weaker. When the gas flow rate increases, this effect becomes more apparent. It leads to the measurement accuracy reduced, and the measurement range narrowed. An energy transfer model, where the ultrasonic gas flow-meter under without/with the gas flow, is established by adopting the statistical analysis and curve fitting based on a large amount of experimental data. The static sub model without the gas flow expresses the energy conversion efficiency of ultrasonic gas transducers, and the dynamic sub model with the gas flow reflects the energy attenuation pattern following the flow rate variations. The mathematical model can be used to determine the minimum energy of the excitation signal for meeting the requirement of specific measurement range, and predict the maximum measurable flow rate in the case of fixed energy of excitation signal. Based on the above studies, a method to enhance the excitation signal energy is proposed under the output power of the transmitting circuit being a finite value so as to extend the measurement rage of ultrasonic gas flow-meter.

Optical remote measurement of toxic gases

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Grant, W. B.; Kagann, R. H.; McClenny, W. A.

1992-01-01

Enactment of the Clean Air Act Amendments (CAAA) of 1990 has resulted in increased ambient air monitoring needs for industry, some of which may be met efficiently using open-path optical remote sensing techniques. These techniques include Fourier transform spectroscopy, differential optical absorption spectroscopy, laser long-path absorption, differential absorption lidar, and gas cell correlation spectroscopy. With this regulatory impetus, it is an opportune time to consider applying these technologies to the remote and/or path-averaged measurement and monitoring of toxic gases covered by the CAAA. This article reviews the optical remote sensing technology and literature for that application.

Simultaneous retrieval of atmospheric CO2 and light path modification from space-based spectroscopic observations of greenhouse gases: methodology and application to GOSAT measurements over TCCON sites.

PubMed

Oshchepkov, Sergey; Bril, Andrey; Yokota, Tatsuya; Yoshida, Yukio; Blumenstock, Thomas; Deutscher, Nicholas M; Dohe, Susanne; Macatangay, Ronald; Morino, Isamu; Notholt, Justus; Rettinger, Markus; Petri, Christof; Schneider, Matthias; Sussman, Ralf; Uchino, Osamu; Velazco, Voltaire; Wunch, Debra; Belikov, Dmitry

2013-02-20

This paper presents an improved photon path length probability density function method that permits simultaneous retrievals of column-average greenhouse gas mole fractions and light path modifications through the atmosphere when processing high-resolution radiance spectra acquired from space. We primarily describe the methodology and retrieval setup and then apply them to the processing of spectra measured by the Greenhouse gases Observing SATellite (GOSAT). We have demonstrated substantial improvements of the data processing with simultaneous carbon dioxide and light path retrievals and reasonable agreement of the satellite-based retrievals against ground-based Fourier transform spectrometer measurements provided by the Total Carbon Column Observing Network (TCCON).

Formation, analysis and characterization of wood pyrolyzed oil

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mahadwad, O. K.; Wagh, D. D.; Kokil, P. L.

2017-06-01

Pyrolysis of wood is the possible path for converting biomass to higher valuable products such as bio-oil, bio-char and bio-gas. Bio-oil or liquid biofuels have higher heating values so it can store and transport more conveniently. The by-products bio-char and bio-gas, which can be used to provide heat required in the process. This work focused on the formation, analysis and characterization of bio-oil which was obtained from the mixed wood pyrolysis. A GC-MS technique was used for the determination of families of lighter chemicals form pyrolyzed oil. Karl fisher titration and other analytical methods were used for the characterization of pyrolyzed oil. In all there were sixty-six compounds found in the GC-MS analysis of bio-oil and the major compound was acetic acid (19.06 wt ), formic acid (4.90 wt ) 1,2-benzenediol (4.43 wt ) and furfural (3.46 wt ). Along with this analysis, pyrolyzed oil was characterized by calculating its viscosity, density, calorific value, acid value, fire point, flash point, carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen, ash and water content in it. Most of the above mention properties of bio-oil matches with the properties of crude oil except it show more water content in it.

Automatically visualise and analyse data on pathways using PathVisioRPC from any programming environment.

PubMed

Bohler, Anwesha; Eijssen, Lars M T; van Iersel, Martijn P; Leemans, Christ; Willighagen, Egon L; Kutmon, Martina; Jaillard, Magali; Evelo, Chris T

2015-08-23

Biological pathways are descriptive diagrams of biological processes widely used for functional analysis of differentially expressed genes or proteins. Primary data analysis, such as quality control, normalisation, and statistical analysis, is often performed in scripting languages like R, Perl, and Python. Subsequent pathway analysis is usually performed using dedicated external applications. Workflows involving manual use of multiple environments are time consuming and error prone. Therefore, tools are needed that enable pathway analysis directly within the same scripting languages used for primary data analyses. Existing tools have limited capability in terms of available pathway content, pathway editing and visualisation options, and export file formats. Consequently, making the full-fledged pathway analysis tool PathVisio available from various scripting languages will benefit researchers. We developed PathVisioRPC, an XMLRPC interface for the pathway analysis software PathVisio. PathVisioRPC enables creating and editing biological pathways, visualising data on pathways, performing pathway statistics, and exporting results in several image formats in multiple programming environments. We demonstrate PathVisioRPC functionalities using examples in Python. Subsequently, we analyse a publicly available NCBI GEO gene expression dataset studying tumour bearing mice treated with cyclophosphamide in R. The R scripts demonstrate how calls to existing R packages for data processing and calls to PathVisioRPC can directly work together. To further support R users, we have created RPathVisio simplifying the use of PathVisioRPC in this environment. We have also created a pathway module for the microarray data analysis portal ArrayAnalysis.org that calls the PathVisioRPC interface to perform pathway analysis. This module allows users to use PathVisio functionality online without having to download and install the software and exemplifies how the PathVisioRPC interface can be used by data analysis pipelines for functional analysis of processed genomics data. PathVisioRPC enables data visualisation and pathway analysis directly from within various analytical environments used for preliminary analyses. It supports the use of existing pathways from WikiPathways or pathways created using the RPC itself. It also enables automation of tasks performed using PathVisio, making it useful to PathVisio users performing repeated visualisation and analysis tasks. PathVisioRPC is freely available for academic and commercial use at http://projects.bigcat.unimaas.nl/pathvisiorpc.

An Integrated Architecture for Aircraft Engine Performance Monitoring and Fault Diagnostics: Engine Test Results

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Rinehart, Aidan W.; Simon, Donald L.

2015-01-01

This paper presents a model-based architecture for performance trend monitoring and gas path fault diagnostics designed for analyzing streaming transient aircraft engine measurement data. The technique analyzes residuals between sensed engine outputs and model predicted outputs for fault detection and isolation purposes. Diagnostic results from the application of the approach to test data acquired from an aircraft turbofan engine are presented. The approach is found to avoid false alarms when presented nominal fault-free data. Additionally, the approach is found to successfully detect and isolate gas path seeded-faults under steady-state operating scenarios although some fault misclassifications are noted during engine transients. Recommendations for follow-on maturation and evaluation of the technique are also presented.

An Integrated Architecture for Aircraft Engine Performance Monitoring and Fault Diagnostics: Engine Test Results

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Rinehart, Aidan W.; Simon, Donald L.

2014-01-01

This paper presents a model-based architecture for performance trend monitoring and gas path fault diagnostics designed for analyzing streaming transient aircraft engine measurement data. The technique analyzes residuals between sensed engine outputs and model predicted outputs for fault detection and isolation purposes. Diagnostic results from the application of the approach to test data acquired from an aircraft turbofan engine are presented. The approach is found to avoid false alarms when presented nominal fault-free data. Additionally, the approach is found to successfully detect and isolate gas path seeded-faults under steady-state operating scenarios although some fault misclassifications are noted during engine transients. Recommendations for follow-on maturation and evaluation of the technique are also presented.

Gas turbine engine with radial diffuser and shortened mid section

DOEpatents

Charron, Richard C.; Montgomery, Matthew D.

2015-09-08

An industrial gas turbine engine (10), including: a can annular combustion assembly (80), having a plurality of discrete flow ducts configured to receive combustion gas from respective combustors (82) and deliver the combustion gas along a straight flow path at a speed and orientation appropriate for delivery directly onto the first row (56) of turbine blades (62); and a compressor diffuser (32) having a redirecting surface (130, 140) configured to receive an axial flow of compressed air and redirect the axial flow of compressed air radially outward.

Improved gaseous leak detector

DOEpatents

Juravic, F.E. Jr.

1983-10-06

In a short path length mass-spectrometer type of helium leak detector wherein the helium trace gas is ionized, accelerated and deflected onto a particle counter, an arrangement is provided for converting the detector to neon leak detection. The magnetic field of the deflection system is lowered so as to bring the nonlinear fringe area of the magnetic field across the ion path, thereby increasing the amount of deflection of the heavier neon ions.

Gaseous leak detector

DOEpatents

Juravic, Jr., Frank E.

1988-01-01

In a short path length mass-spectrometer type of helium leak detector wherein the helium trace gas is ionized, accelerated and deflected onto a particle counter, an arrangement is provided for converting the detector to neon leak detection. The magnetic field of the deflection system is lowered so as to bring the non linear fringe area of the magnetic field across the ion path, thereby increasing the amount of deflection of the heavier neon ions.

Measurement of greenhouse gas emissions from agricultural sites using open-path optical remote sensing method.

PubMed

Ro, Kyoung S; Johnson, Melvin H; Varma, Ravi M; Hashmonay, Ram A; Hunt, Patrick

2009-08-01

Improved characterization of distributed emission sources of greenhouse gases such as methane from concentrated animal feeding operations require more accurate methods. One promising method is recently used by the USEPA. It employs a vertical radial plume mapping (VRPM) algorithm using optical remote sensing techniques. We evaluated this method to estimate emission rates from simulated distributed methane sources. A scanning open-path tunable diode laser was used to collect path-integrated concentrations (PICs) along different optical paths on a vertical plane downwind of controlled methane releases. Each cycle consists of 3 ground-level PICs and 2 above ground PICs. Three- to 10-cycle moving averages were used to reconstruct mass equivalent concentration plum maps on the vertical plane. The VRPM algorithm estimated emission rates of methane along with meteorological and PIC data collected concomitantly under different atmospheric stability conditions. The derived emission rates compared well with actual released rates irrespective of atmospheric stability conditions. The maximum error was 22 percent when 3-cycle moving average PICs were used; however, it decreased to 11% when 10-cycle moving average PICs were used. Our validation results suggest that this new VRPM method may be used for improved estimations of greenhouse gas emission from a variety of agricultural sources.

Exploring chemical reaction mechanisms through harmonic Fourier beads path optimization.

PubMed

Khavrutskii, Ilja V; Smith, Jason B; Wallqvist, Anders

2013-10-28

Here, we apply the harmonic Fourier beads (HFB) path optimization method to study chemical reactions involving covalent bond breaking and forming on quantum mechanical (QM) and hybrid QM∕molecular mechanical (QM∕MM) potential energy surfaces. To improve efficiency of the path optimization on such computationally demanding potentials, we combined HFB with conjugate gradient (CG) optimization. The combined CG-HFB method was used to study two biologically relevant reactions, namely, L- to D-alanine amino acid inversion and alcohol acylation by amides. The optimized paths revealed several unexpected reaction steps in the gas phase. For example, on the B3LYP∕6-31G(d,p) potential, we found that alanine inversion proceeded via previously unknown intermediates, 2-iminopropane-1,1-diol and 3-amino-3-methyloxiran-2-ol. The CG-HFB method accurately located transition states, aiding in the interpretation of complex reaction mechanisms. Thus, on the B3LYP∕6-31G(d,p) potential, the gas phase activation barriers for the inversion and acylation reactions were 50.5 and 39.9 kcal∕mol, respectively. These barriers determine the spontaneous loss of amino acid chirality and cleavage of peptide bonds in proteins. We conclude that the combined CG-HFB method further advances QM and QM∕MM studies of reaction mechanisms.

75 FR 38805 - Central New York Oil and Gas Company, LLC; Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-07-06

... station locations in Bradford County, Pennsylvania and Tioga County, New York. All interested parties... locations: FERC Environmental Site Reviews North-South Project Compressor Station NS2--Bradford County, Pennsylvania July 14, 2010, at 2 p.m. Tennessee Gas Pipeline's Station 319 (driveway) Turkey Path Road (State...

Measuring trace gas emission from multi-distributed sources using vertical radial plume mapping (VRPM) and backward Lagrangian stochastic (bLS) techniques

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

Two micrometeorological techniques for measuring trace gas emission rates from distributed area sources were evaluated using a variety of synthetic area sources. The accuracy of the vertical radial plume mapping (VRPM) and the backward Lagrangian (bLS) techniques with an open-path optical spectrosco...

Free Volume of the Hard Spheres Gas

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Shutler, P. M. E.; Martinez, J. C.; Springham, S. V.

2007-01-01

The Enskog factor [chi] plays a central role in the theory of dense gases, quantifying how the finite size of molecules causes many physical quantities, such as the equation of state, the mean free path, and the diffusion coefficient, to deviate from those of an ideal gas. We suggest an intuitive but rigorous derivation of this fact by showing how…

Exploration of Near-Field Plume Properties for Aerated-Liquid Jets Using X-Ray Radiography (Postprint)

DTIC Science & Technology

2014-02-01

nozzle exit to discharge more liquid and aerating gas , plume momentum flux increases with liquid flow rate (at the same GLR) in the region...for testing. Water and nitrogen were used as the injectant and aerating gas , respectively. It was demonstrated that the liquid -weighted plume...diameter D2 = throat diameter EPL = equivalent path length GLR = aerating gas -to- liquid mass ratio I = intensity of the transmitted light I0

Generalized hydrodynamic transport in lattice-gas automata

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Luo, Li-Shi; Chen, Hudong; Chen, Shiyi; Doolen, Gary D.; Lee, Yee-Chun

1991-01-01

The generalized hydrodynamics of two-dimensional lattice-gas automata is solved analytically in the linearized Boltzmann approximation. The dependence of the transport coefficients (kinematic viscosity, bulk viscosity, and sound speed) upon wave number k is obtained analytically. Anisotropy of these coefficients due to the lattice symmetry is studied for the entire range of wave number, k. Boundary effects due to a finite mean free path (Knudsen layer) are analyzed, and accurate comparisons are made with lattice-gas simulations.

An Overview of Atmospheric Fluidized Bed Combustion Systems as Applied to Army Scale Central Heat Plants

DTIC Science & Technology

1992-11-01

heat transfer surfaces located in the path of the exiting combustion gases generate additional steam. Flue gas particulates entrained in the combustion...anid the overall heat transfer surface anid boiler volume can be reduced. After the hot flue gas exits thie bed, it enters the external COnv.ctfion...rates, underfeed stoker fired combustors emit little smoke, and only a low concentration of particulates entrained in the flue gas . Under these

Gas/Surface Interaction Study Applied to Si-based Materials Used in Driven Micro- and Nano-scale Devices

DTIC Science & Technology

2010-01-01

science and engineering. For example, by measuring the frequency shift of sensor oscillations, one can measure gas adsorption on the sensor surface...free-molecular regime with varied gas pressure. The measurement path of the experimental setup is schematically shown in Fig. 3.1. The sensor is...excited by the electric field between the sensor and fixed electrode by means of a specially designed system of self-induced oscillations. The

Aethalometer

DOEpatents

Hansen, Anthony D.

1990-01-01

An improved aethalometer (10) having a single light source (18) and a single light detector (20) and two light paths (21, 22) from the light source (18) to the light detector (20). A quartz fiber filter (13) is inserted in the device, the filter (13) having a collection area (23) in one light path (21) and a reference area (24) in the other light path (22). A gas flow path (46) through the aethalometer housing (11) allows ambient air to flow through the collection area (23) of the filter (13) so that aerosol particles can be collected on the filter. A rotating disk (31) with an opening (33) therethrough allows light for the light source (18) to pass alternately through the two light paths (21, 22). The voltage output of the detector (20) is applied to a VCO (52) and the VCO pulses for light transmission separately through the two light paths (21, 22 ) are counted and compared to determine the absorption coefficient of the collected aerosol particles.

GASP. VII. Signs of Gas Inflow onto a Lopsided Galaxy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Vulcani, Benedetta; Poggianti, Bianca M.; Moretti, Alessia; Mapelli, Michela; Fasano, Giovanni; Fritz, Jacopo; Jaffé, Yara; Bettoni, Daniela; Gullieuszik, Marco; Bellhouse, Callum

2018-01-01

Theoretically, inflowing filaments of gas are one of the main causes of growth for a galaxy. Nonetheless, observationally, probing ongoing gas accretion is challenging. As part of the Gas Stripping Phenomena in galaxies with MUSE (GASP) program, we present the analysis of a spiral galaxy at z = 0.04648 whose characteristics indeed are consistent with a scenario in which gas accretion plays a major role. The most salient indirect parts of evidence that support this picture are as follows: (1) The galaxy is isolated, and its position rules out the mechanisms expected in dense environments. (2) It shows a pronounced lopsidedness extending toward the west. According to the spatially resolved star formation history, this component was formed < 6× {10}8 {years} ago. (3) It has many large and elongated H II regions that are an indication of a fragmentation due to disk instability. (4) The stellar and gas kinematics are quite symmetric around the same axis, but in the gas the locus of negative velocities shows a convexity toward the east, as if new gas has been infalling with different orientation and velocity. (5) The metallicity distribution is inhomogeneous and shows exceptionally steep gradients from the center toward the outskirts, especially in the southwest side. (6) The luminosity-weighted age is generally low (∼8 Gyr) and particularly low (<7 Gyr) along a trail crossing the galaxy from southwest toward the north. It might trace the path of the accreted gas. These findings point to an inflow of gas probably proceeding from the southwest side of the galaxy.

Inference of strata separation and gas emission paths in longwall overburden using continuous wavelet transform of well logs and geostatistical simulation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Karacan, C. Özgen; Olea, Ricardo A.

2014-06-01

Prediction of potential methane emission pathways from various sources into active mine workings or sealed gobs from longwall overburden is important for controlling methane and for improving mining safety. The aim of this paper is to infer strata separation intervals and thus gas emission pathways from standard well log data. The proposed technique was applied to well logs acquired through the Mary Lee/Blue Creek coal seam of the Upper Pottsville Formation in the Black Warrior Basin, Alabama, using well logs from a series of boreholes aligned along a nearly linear profile. For this purpose, continuous wavelet transform (CWT) of digitized gamma well logs was performed by using Mexican hat and Morlet, as the mother wavelets, to identify potential discontinuities in the signal. Pointwise Hölder exponents (PHE) of gamma logs were also computed using the generalized quadratic variations (GQV) method to identify the location and strength of singularities of well log signals as a complementary analysis. PHEs and wavelet coefficients were analyzed to find the locations of singularities along the logs. Using the well logs in this study, locations of predicted singularities were used as indicators in single normal equation simulation (SNESIM) to generate equi-probable realizations of potential strata separation intervals. Horizontal and vertical variograms of realizations were then analyzed and compared with those of indicator data and training image (TI) data using the Kruskal-Wallis test. A sum of squared differences was employed to select the most probable realization representing the locations of potential strata separations and methane flow paths. Results indicated that singularities located in well log signals reliably correlated with strata transitions or discontinuities within the strata. Geostatistical simulation of these discontinuities provided information about the location and extents of the continuous channels that may form during mining. If there is a gas source within their zone of influence, paths may develop and allow methane movement towards sealed or active gobs under pressure differentials. Knowledge gained from this research will better prepare mine operations for potential methane inflows, thus improving mine safety.

Velocity Inversion In Cylindrical Couette Gas Flows

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dongari, Nishanth; Barber, Robert W.; Emerson, David R.; Zhang, Yonghao; Reese, Jason M.

2012-05-01

We investigate a power-law probability distribution function to describe the mean free path of rarefied gas molecules in non-planar geometries. A new curvature-dependent model is derived by taking into account the boundary-limiting effects on the molecular mean free path for surfaces with both convex and concave curvatures. In comparison to a planar wall, we find that the mean free path for a convex surface is higher at the wall and exhibits a sharper gradient within the Knudsen layer. In contrast, a concave wall exhibits a lower mean free path near the surface and the gradients in the Knudsen layer are shallower. The Navier-Stokes constitutive relations and velocity-slip boundary conditions are modified based on a power-law scaling to describe the mean free path, in accordance with the kinetic theory of gases, i.e. transport properties can be described in terms of the mean free path. Velocity profiles for isothermal cylindrical Couette flow are obtained using the power-law model. We demonstrate that our model is more accurate than the classical slip solution, especially in the transition regime, and we are able to capture important non-linear trends associated with the non-equilibrium physics of the Knudsen layer. In addition, we establish a new criterion for the critical accommodation coefficient that leads to the non-intuitive phenomena of velocity-inversion. Our results are compared with conventional hydrodynamic models and direct simulation Monte Carlo data. The power-law model predicts that the critical accommodation coefficient is significantly lower than that calculated using the classical slip solution and is in good agreement with available DSMC data. Our proposed constitutive scaling for non-planar surfaces is based on simple physical arguments and can be readily implemented in conventional fluid dynamics codes for arbitrary geometric configurations.

Path integral Monte Carlo determination of the fourth-order virial coefficient for unitary two-component Fermi gas with zero-range interactions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yan, Yangqian; Blume, D.

2016-05-01

The unitary equal-mass Fermi gas with zero-range interactions constitutes a paradigmatic model system that is relevant to atomic, condensed matter, nuclear, particle, and astro physics. This work determines the fourth-order virial coefficient b4 of such a strongly-interacting Fermi gas using a customized ab inito path integral Monte Carlo (PIMC) algorithm. In contrast to earlier theoretical results, which disagreed on the sign and magnitude of b4, our b4 agrees with the experimentally determined value, thereby resolving an ongoing literature debate. Utilizing a trap regulator, our PIMC approach determines the fourth-order virial coefficient by directly sampling the partition function. An on-the-fly anti-symmetrization avoids the Thomas collapse and, combined with the use of the exact two-body zero-range propagator, establishes an efficient general means to treat small Fermi systems with zero-range interactions. We gratefully acknowledge support by the NSF.

Path-Integral Monte Carlo Determination of the Fourth-Order Virial Coefficient for a Unitary Two-Component Fermi Gas with Zero-Range Interactions.

PubMed

Yan, Yangqian; Blume, D

2016-06-10

The unitary equal-mass Fermi gas with zero-range interactions constitutes a paradigmatic model system that is relevant to atomic, condensed matter, nuclear, particle, and astrophysics. This work determines the fourth-order virial coefficient b_{4} of such a strongly interacting Fermi gas using a customized ab initio path-integral Monte Carlo (PIMC) algorithm. In contrast to earlier theoretical results, which disagreed on the sign and magnitude of b_{4}, our b_{4} agrees within error bars with the experimentally determined value, thereby resolving an ongoing literature debate. Utilizing a trap regulator, our PIMC approach determines the fourth-order virial coefficient by directly sampling the partition function. An on-the-fly antisymmetrization avoids the Thomas collapse and, combined with the use of the exact two-body zero-range propagator, establishes an efficient general means to treat small Fermi systems with zero-range interactions.

Kinetic simulations of gas breakdown in the dense plasma focus

DOE PAGES

Bennett, N.; Blasco, M.; Breeding, K.; ...

2017-06-09

We describe the first fully-kinetic, collisional, and electromagnetic simulations of the breakdown phase of a MA-scale dense plasma focus and are shown to agree with measured electrical characteristics, including breakdown time. In the model, avalanche ionization is driven by cathode electron emission and this results in incomplete gas breakdown along the insulator. This reinforces the importance of the conditioning process that creates a metallic layer on the insulator surface. The simulations, nonetheless, help explain the relationship between the gas pressure, the insulator length, and the coaxial gap width. In the past, researchers noted three breakdown patterns related to pressure. Simulationmore » and analytic results show that at low pressures, long ionization path lengths lead to volumetric breakdown, while high pressures lead to breakdown across the relatively small coaxial electrode gap. In an intermediate pressure regime, ionization path lengths are comparable to the insulator length which promotes ideal breakdown along the insulator surface.« less

Development of an Optical Gas Leak Sensor for Detecting Ethylene, Dimethyl Ether and Methane

PubMed Central

Tan, Qiulin; Pei, Xiangdong; Zhu, Simin; Sun, Dong; Liu, Jun; Xue, Chenyang; Liang, Ting; Zhang, Wendong; Xiong, Jijun

2013-01-01

In this paper, we present an approach to develop an optical gas leak sensor that can be used to measure ethylene, dimethyl ether, and methane. The sensor is designed based on the principles of IR absorption spectrum detection, and comprises two crossed elliptical surfaces with a folded reflection-type optical path. We first analyze the optical path and the use of this structure to design a miniature gas sensor. The proposed sensor includes two detectors (one to acquire the reference signal and the other for the response signal), the light source, and the filter, all of which are integrated in a miniature gold-plated chamber. We also designed a signal detection device to extract the sensor signal and a microprocessor to calculate and control the entire process. The produced sensor prototype had an accuracy of ±0.05%. Experiments which simulate the transportation of hazardous chemicals demonstrated that the developed sensor exhibited a good dynamic response and adequately met technical requirements. PMID:23539025

Numerical Analysis of Intra-Cavity and Power-Stream Flow Interaction in Multiple Gas-Turbine Disk-Cavities

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Athavale, M. M.; Przekwas, A. J.; Hendricks, R. C.; Steinetz, B. M.

1995-01-01

A numerical analysis methodology and solutions of the interaction between the power stream and multiply-connected multi-cavity sealed secondary flow fields are presented. Flow solutions for a multi-cavity experimental rig were computed and compared with experimental data of Daniels and Johnson. The flow solutions illustrate the complex coupling between the main-path and the cavity flows as well as outline the flow thread that exists throughout the subplatform multiple cavities and seals. The analysis also shows that the de-coupled solutions on single cavities is inadequate. The present results show trends similar to the T-700 engine data that suggests the changes in the CDP seal altered the flow fields throughout the engine and affected the engine performance.

Palladium Gate All Around - Hetero Dielectric -Tunnel FET based highly sensitive Hydrogen Gas Sensor

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Madan, Jaya; Chaujar, Rishu

2016-12-01

The paper presents a novel highly sensitive Hetero-Dielectric-Gate All Around Tunneling FET (HD-GAA-TFET) based Hydrogen Gas Sensor, incorporating the advantages of band to band tunneling (BTBT) mechanism. Here, the Palladium supported silicon dioxide is used as a sensing media and sensing relies on the interaction of hydrogen with Palladium-SiO2-Si. The high surface to volume ratio in the case of cylindrical GAA structure enhances the fortuities for surface reactions between H2 gas and Pd, and thus improves the sensitivity and stability of the sensor. Behaviour of the sensor in presence of hydrogen and at elevated temperatures is discussed. The conduction path of the sensor which is dependent on sensors radius has also been varied for the optimized sensitivity and static performance analysis of the sensor where the proposed design exhibits a superior performance in terms of threshold voltage, subthreshold swing, and band to band tunneling rate. Stability of the sensor with respect to temperature affectability has also been studied, and it is found that the device is reasonably stable and highly sensitive over the bearable temperature range. The successful utilization of HD-GAA-TFET in gas sensors may open a new door for the development of novel nanostructure gas sensing devices.

Maximally-localized position, Euclidean path-integral, and thermodynamics in GUP quantum mechanics

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bernardo, Reginald Christian S.; Esguerra, Jose Perico H.

2018-04-01

In dealing with quantum mechanics at very high energies, it is essential to adapt to a quasiposition representation using the maximally-localized states because of the generalized uncertainty principle. In this paper, we look at maximally-localized states as eigenstates of the operator ξ = X + iβP that we refer to as the maximally-localized position. We calculate the overlap between maximally-localized states and show that the identity operator can be expressed in terms of the maximally-localized states. Furthermore, we show that the maximally-localized position is diagonal in momentum-space and that the maximally-localized position and its adjoint satisfy commutation and anti-commutation relations reminiscent of the harmonic oscillator commutation and anti-commutation relations. As application, we use the maximally-localized position in developing the Euclidean path-integral and introduce the compact form of the propagator for maximal localization. The free particle momentum-space propagator and the propagator for maximal localization are analytically evaluated up to quadratic-order in β. Finally, we obtain a path-integral expression for the partition function of a thermodynamic system using the maximally-localized states. The partition function of a gas of noninteracting particles is evaluated. At temperatures exceeding the Planck energy, we obtain the gas' maximum internal energy N / 2 β and recover the zero heat capacity of an ideal gas.

Analysis of stimulated Raman backscatter and stimulated Brillouin backscatter in experiments performed on SG-III prototype facility with a spectral analysis code

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

Hao, Liang; Zhao, Yiqing; Hu, Xiaoyan

2014-07-15

Experiments about the observations of stimulated Raman backscatter (SRS) and stimulated Brillouin backscatter (SBS) in Hohlraum were performed on Shenguang-III (SG-III) prototype facility for the first time in 2011. In this paper, relevant experimental results are analyzed for the first time with a one-dimension spectral analysis code, which is developed to study the coexistent process of SRS and SBS in Hohlraum plasma condition. Spectral features of the backscattered light are discussed with different plasma parameters. In the case of empty Hohlraum experiments, simulation results indicate that SBS, which grows fast at the energy deposition region near the Hohlraum wall, ismore » the dominant instability process. The time resolved spectra of SRS and SBS are numerically obtained, which agree with the experimental observations. For the gas-filled Hohlraum experiments, simulation results show that SBS grows fastest in Au plasma and amplifies convectively in C{sub 5}H{sub 12} gas, whereas SRS mainly grows in the high density region of the C{sub 5}H{sub 12} gas. Gain spectra and the spectra of backscattered light are simulated along the ray path, which clearly show the location where the intensity of scattered light with a certain wavelength increases. This work is helpful to comprehend the observed spectral features of SRS and SBS. The experiments and relevant analysis provide references for the ignition target design in future.« less

Versatile, ultra-low sample volume gas analyzer using a rapid, broad-tuning ECQCL and a hollow fiber gas cell

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

Kriesel, Jason M.; Makarem, Camille N.; Phillips, Mark C.

We describe a versatile mid-infrared (Mid-IR) spectroscopy system developed to measure the concentration of a wide range of gases with an ultra-low sample size. The system combines a rapidly-swept external cavity quantum cascade laser (ECQCL) with a hollow fiber gas cell. The ECQCL has sufficient spectral resolution and reproducibility to measure gases with narrow features (e.g., water, methane, ammonia, etc.), and also the spectral tuning range needed to measure volatile organic compounds (VOCs), (e.g., aldehydes, ketones, hydrocarbons), sulfur compounds, chlorine compounds, etc. The hollow fiber is a capillary tube having an internal reflective coating optimized for transmitting the Mid-IR lasermore » beam to a detector. Sample gas introduced into the fiber (e.g., internal volume = 0.6 ml) interacts strongly with the laser beam, and despite relatively modest path lengths (e.g., L ~ 3 m), the requisite quantity of sample needed for sensitive measurements can be significantly less than what is required using conventional IR laser spectroscopy systems. Example measurements are presented including quantification of VOCs relevant for human breath analysis with a sensitivity of ~2 picomoles at a 1 Hz data rate.« less

Versatile, ultra-low sample volume gas analyzer using a rapid, broad-tuning ECQCL and a hollow fiber gas cell

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kriesel, Jason M.; Makarem, Camille N.; Phillips, Mark C.; Moran, James J.; Coleman, Max L.; Christensen, Lance E.; Kelly, James F.

2017-05-01

We describe a versatile mid-infrared (Mid-IR) spectroscopy system developed to measure the concentration of a wide range of gases with an ultra-low sample size. The system combines a rapidly-swept external cavity quantum cascade laser (ECQCL) with a hollow fiber gas cell. The ECQCL has sufficient spectral resolution and reproducibility to measure gases with narrow features (e.g., water, methane, ammonia, etc.), and also the spectral tuning range needed to measure volatile organic compounds (VOCs), (e.g., aldehydes, ketones, hydrocarbons), sulfur compounds, chlorine compounds, etc. The hollow fiber is a capillary tube having an internal reflective coating optimized for transmitting the Mid-IR laser beam to a detector. Sample gas introduced into the fiber (e.g., internal volume = 0.6 ml) interacts strongly with the laser beam, and despite relatively modest path lengths (e.g., L 3 m), the requisite quantity of sample needed for sensitive measurements can be significantly less than what is required using conventional IR laser spectroscopy systems. Example measurements are presented including quantification of VOCs relevant for human breath analysis with a sensitivity of 2 picomoles at a 1 Hz data rate.

Multilaser Herriott Cell for Planetary Tunable Laser Spectrometers

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Tarsitano, Christopher G.; Webster, Christopher R.

2007-01-01

Geometric optics and matrix methods are used to mathematically model multilaser Herriott cells for tunable laser absorption spectrometers for planetary missions. The Herriott cells presented accommodate several laser sources that follow independent optical paths but probe a single gas cell. Strategically placed output holes located in the far mirrors of the Herriott cells reduce the size of the spectrometers. A four-channel Herriott cell configuration is presented for the specific application as the sample cell of the tunable laser spectrometer instrument selected for the sample analysis at Mars analytical suite on the 2009 Mars Science Laboratory mission.

Gas-Recovery System

DOEpatents

Heckman, R. A.

1971-12-14

Nuclear explosions have been proposed as a means for recovering gas from underground gas-bearing rock formations. In present practice, the nuclear device is positioned at the end of a long pipe which is subsequently filled with grout or concrete. After the device is exploded, the grout is drilled through to provide a flow path for the released gas to the ground surface. As settled grout is brittle, often the compressive shock of the explosion fractures the grout and deforms the pipe so that it may not be removed nor reused. In addition, the pipe is sometimes pinched off completely and the gas flow is totally obstructed. (2 claims)

Gas-recovery system

DOEpatents

Heckman, R.A.

1971-12-14

Nuclear explosions have been proposed as a means for recovering gas from underground gas-bearing rock formations. In present practice, the nuclear device is positioned at the end of a long pipe which is subsequently filled with grout or concrete. After the device is exploded, the grout is drilled through to provide a flow path for the released gas to the ground surface. As settled grout is brittle, often the compressive shock of the explosion fractures the grout and deforms the pipe so that it may not be removed nor reused. In addition, the pipe is sometimes pinched off completely and the gas flow is totally obstructed. (2 claims)

Emissions of trace gases from Australian temperate forest fires: emission factors and dependence on modified combustion efficiency

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Guérette, Elise-Andrée; Paton-Walsh, Clare; Desservettaz, Maximilien; Smith, Thomas E. L.; Volkova, Liubov; Weston, Christopher J.; Meyer, Carl P.

2018-03-01

We characterised trace gas emissions from Australian temperate forest fires through a mixture of open-path Fourier transform infrared (OP-FTIR) measurements and selective ion flow tube mass spectrometry (SIFT-MS) and White cell FTIR analysis of grab samples. We report emission factors for a total of 25 trace gas species measured in smoke from nine prescribed fires. We find significant dependence on modified combustion efficiency (MCE) for some species, although regional differences indicate that the use of MCE as a proxy may be limited. We also find that the fire-integrated MCE values derived from our in situ on-the-ground open-path measurements are not significantly different from those reported for airborne measurements of smoke from fires in the same ecosystem. We then compare our average emission factors to those measured for temperate forest fires elsewhere (North America) and for fires in another dominant Australian ecosystem (savanna) and find significant differences in both cases. Indeed, we find that although the emission factors of some species agree within 20 %, including those of hydrogen cyanide, ethene, methanol, formaldehyde and 1,3-butadiene, others, such as acetic acid, ethanol, monoterpenes, ammonia, acetonitrile and pyrrole, differ by a factor of 2 or more. This indicates that the use of ecosystem-specific emission factors is warranted for applications involving emissions from Australian forest fires.

Upscaling gas permeability in tight-gas sandstones

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ghanbarian, B.; Torres-Verdin, C.; Lake, L. W.; Marder, M. P.

2017-12-01

Klinkenberg-corrected gas permeability (k) estimation in tight-gas sandstones is essential for gas exploration and production in low-permeability porous rocks. Most models for estimating k are a function of porosity (ϕ), tortuosity (τ), pore shape factor (s) and a characteristic length scale (lc). Estimation of the latter, however, has been the subject of debate in the literature. Here we invoke two different upscaling approaches from statistical physics: (1) the EMA and (2) critical path analysis (CPA) to estimate lc from pore throat-size distribution derived from mercury intrusion capillary pressure (MICP) curve. τ is approximated from: (1) concepts of percolation theory and (2) formation resistivity factor measurements (F = τ/ϕ). We then estimate k of eighteen tight-gas sandstones from lc, τ, and ϕ by assuming two different pore shapes: cylindrical and slit-shaped. Comparison with Klinkenberg-corrected k measurements showed that τ was estimated more accurately from F measurements than from percolation theory. Generally speaking, our results implied that the EMA estimated k within a factor of two of the measurements and more precisely than CPA. We further found that the assumption of cylindrical pores yielded more accurate k estimates when τ was estimated from concepts of percolation theory than the assumption of slit-shaped pores. However, the EMA with slit-shaped pores estimated k more precisely than that with cylindrical pores when τ was estimated from F measurements.

Evanescent-wave photoacoustic spectroscopy with optical micro/nano fibers.

PubMed

Cao, Yingchun; Jin, Wei; Ho, Lut Hoi; Liu, Zhibo

2012-01-15

We demonstrate gas detection based on evanescent-wave photoacoustic (PA) spectroscopy with tapered optical fibers. Evanescent-field instead of open-path absorption is exploited for PA generation, and a quartz tuning fork is used for PA detection. A tapered optical fiber with a diameter down to the wavelength scale demonstrates detection sensitivity similar to an open-path system but with the advantages of easier optical alignment, smaller insertion loss, and multiplexing capability.

Kuiper Belt Objects Along the Pluto-Express Path

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Jewitt, David (Principal Investigator)

1997-01-01

The science objective of this work is to identify objects in the Kuiper Belt which will, in the 5 years following Pluto encounter, be close to the flight path of NASA's Pluto Express. Our hope is that we will find a Kuiper Belt object or objects close enough that a spacecraft flyby will be possible. If we find a suitable object, the science yield of Pluto Express will be substantially enhanced. The density of objects in the Kuiper Belt is such that we are reasonably likely to find an object close enough to the flight path that on-board gas thrusters can effect a close encounter.

Multi-pass cooling for turbine airfoils

DOEpatents

Liang, George [Palm City, FL

2011-06-28

An airfoil for a turbine vane of a gas turbine engine. The airfoil includes an outer wall having pressure and suction sides, and a radially extending cooling cavity located between the pressure and suction sides. A plurality of partitions extend radially through the cooling cavity to define a plurality of interconnected cooling channels located at successive chordal locations through the cooling cavity. The cooling channels define a serpentine flow path extending in the chordal direction. Further, the cooling channels include a plurality of interconnected chambers and the chambers define a serpentine path extending in the radial direction within the serpentine path extending in the chordal direction.

Restrike Particle Beam Experiments on a Dense Plasma Focus.

DTIC Science & Technology

1980-11-30

differentially pumped drift tube as shown in Figure 1. However, even the lOI of gas pressure in the drift space is sufficient to establish an equilibrium...pumped drift tube concept are five-fold: 1) Lower energy attenuation of the beam by neutral gas 2) Lower lateral spread of the beam caused by multiple...relatively low gas pressure through the use of a differentially pumped drift tube . The path makes it possible to observe ion energies to considerably lower

FTIR Determination of Pollutants in Automobile Exhaust: An Environmental Chemistry Experiment Comparing Cold-Start and Warm-Engine Conditions

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Medhurst, Laura L.

2005-01-01

An experiment developed from the Advanced Integrated Environmental Laboratory illustrates the differences in automobile exhaust before and after the engine is warmed, using gas-phase Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The apparatus consists of an Avatar 360 FTIR spectrometer from Nicolet fitted with a variable path length gas cell,…

Experimental design to understand the interaction of stellar radiation with molecular clouds

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

VanDervort, Robert; Davis, Josh; Trantham, Matt; Klein, Sallee; Frank, Yechiel; Raicher, Erez; Fraenkel, Moshe; Shvarts, Dov; Keiter, Paul; Drake, R. Paul

2017-06-01

Enhanced star formation triggered by local O and B type stars is an astrophysical problem of interest. O and B type stars are massive, hot stars that emit an enormous amount of radiation. This radiation acts to either compress or blow apart clumps of gas in the interstellar media. For example, in the optically thick limit, when the x-ray radiation in the gas clump has a short mean free path length the x-ray radiation is absorbed near the clump edge and compresses the clump. In the optically thin limit, when the mean free path is long, the radiation is absorbed throughout acting to heat the clump. This heating explodes the gas clump. Careful selection of parameters, such as foam density or source temperature, allow the experimental platform to access different hydrodynamic regimes. The stellar radiation source is mimicked by a laser irradiated thin gold foil. This will provide a source of thermal x-rays (around ~100 eV). The gas clump is mimicked by a low-density foam around 0.150 g/cc. Simulations were done using radiation hydrodynamics codes to tune the experimental parameters. The experiment will be carried out at the Omega laser facility on OMEGA 60.

Method of fabricating an abradable gas path seal

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Bill, R. C.; Wisander, D. W. (Inventor)

1984-01-01

The thermal shock resistance of a ceramic layer is improved. The invention is particularly directed to an improved abradable lining that is deposited on shroud forming a gas path in turbomachinery. Improved thermal shock resistance of a shroud is effected through the deliberate introduction of benign cracks. These are microcracks which will not propagate appreciably upon exposure to the thermal shock environment in which a turbine seal must function. Laser surface fusion treatment is used to introduce these microcracks. The ceramic surface is laser scanned to form a continuous dense layer. As this layer cools and solidifies, shrinkage results in the formation of a very fine crack network. The presence of this deliberately introduced fine crack network precludes the formation of a catastrophic crack during thermal shock exposure.

Multifrequency dial sensing of the atmospheric gaseous constituents using the first and second harmonics of a tunable CO2 laser radiation

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Zuev, V. E.; Andreev, Y. M.; Voevodin, V. G.; Gribenyukov, A. I.; Kapitanov, V. A.; Sosnin, A. V.; Stuchebrov, G. A.; Khmelnitskii, G. S.

1986-01-01

The results of field measurements of concentration of some gaseous components of the atmosphere along the paths, in Sofia, Bulgaria, using a gas analyzer based on the use of a CO2 laser radiation frequency-doubled with ZnGeP2 monocrystals are presented. The gas analyzer is a traditional long path absorption meter. Radiation from the tunable CO2 laser of low pressure and from an additional He-Ne laser is directed to a colliminating hundredfold Gregori telescope with a 300 mm diameter of the principal mirror. The dimensions of the mirrors of a retroreflector 500 x 500 mm and a receiving telescope allow one to totally intercept the beam passed through the atmospheric layer under study and back.

Application of open-path Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy for atmospheric monitoring of a CO2 back-production experiment at the Ketzin pilot site (Germany).

PubMed

Sauer, Uta; Borsdorf, H; Dietrich, P; Liebscher, A; Möller, I; Martens, S; Möller, F; Schlömer, S; Schütze, C

2018-02-03

During a controlled "back-production experiment" in October 2014 at the Ketzin pilot site, formerly injected CO 2 was retrieved from the storage formation and directly released to the atmosphere via a vent-off stack. Open-path Fourier transform infrared (OP FTIR) spectrometers, on-site meteorological parameter acquisition systems, and distributed CO 2 point sensors monitored gas dispersion processes in the near-surface part of the atmospheric boundary layer. The test site provides a complex and challenging mosaic-like surface setting for atmospheric monitoring which can also be found at other storage sites. The main aims of the atmospheric monitoring of this experiment were (1) to quantify temporal and spatial variations in atmospheric CO 2 concentrations around the emitting vent-off stack and (2) to test if and how atmospheric monitoring can cope with typical environmental and operational challenges. A low environmental risk was encountered during the whole CO 2 back-production experiment. The study confirms that turbulent wind conditions favor atmospheric mixing processes and are responsible for rapid dilution of the released CO 2 leading to decreased detectability at all sensors. In contrast, calm and extremely stable wind conditions (especially occurring during the night) caused an accumulation of gases in the near-ground atmospheric layer with the highest amplitudes in measured gas concentration. As an important benefit of OP FTIR spectroscopic measurements and their ability to detect multiple gas species simultaneously, emission sources could be identified to a much higher certainty. Moreover, even simulation models using simplified assumptions help to find suitable monitoring network designs and support data analysis for certain wind conditions in such a complex environment.

Combined raman and IR fiber-based sensor for gas detection

DOEpatents

Carter, Jerry C; Chan, James W; Trebes, James E; Angel, Stanley M; Mizaikoff, Boris

2014-06-24

A double-pass fiber-optic based spectroscopic gas sensor delivers Raman excitation light and infrared light to a hollow structure, such as a hollow fiber waveguide, that contains a gas sample of interest. A retro-reflector is placed at the end of this hollow structure to send the light back through the waveguide where the light is detected at the same end as the light source. This double pass retro reflector design increases the interaction path length of the light and the gas sample, and also reduces the form factor of the hollow structure.

Microelectromechanical pump utilizing porous silicon

DOEpatents

Lantz, Jeffrey W [Albuquerque, NM; Stalford, Harold L [Norman, OK

2011-07-19

A microelectromechanical (MEM) pump is disclosed which includes a porous silicon region sandwiched between an inlet chamber and an outlet chamber. The porous silicon region is formed in a silicon substrate and contains a number of pores extending between the inlet and outlet chambers, with each pore having a cross-section dimension about equal to or smaller than a mean free path of a gas being pumped. A thermal gradient is provided along the length of each pore by a heat source which can be an electrical resistance heater or an integrated circuit (IC). A channel can be formed through the silicon substrate so that inlet and outlet ports can be formed on the same side of the substrate, or so that multiple MEM pumps can be connected in series to form a multi-stage MEM pump. The MEM pump has applications for use in gas-phase MEM chemical analysis systems, and can also be used for passive cooling of ICs.

Advanced ammonia (NH3) monitoring system for industrial applications

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Spector, Oded; Jacobson, Esther

1999-12-01

The present paper describes an Electro-Optical Monitoring System developed for the real time in-situ monitoring of Ammonia (NH3) emissions, at very low concentrations in air, well below the hazardous levels. Ammonia is the starting chemical for almost all industrially produced nitrogen compounds and is therefore one of the most important inorganic raw materials. Due to its unique chemical and physical characteristics, the Ammonia (NH3) anhydrous gas is used in various industrial applications such as: Air Conditioning, Refrigeration (including space shuttles), Agriculture and Chemical Processing. NH3 gas, being a highly irritant toxic and flammable gas with a pungent odor detectable by human perception at 53 ppm, has a TLV-TWA of 25 ppm (TLV-STEL of 35 ppm) and a lower explosive limit (LEL) of 15% in air. Being extremely corrosive and irritating to the skin, eyes, nose and respiratory tract, (irritation begins at 130 - 200 ppm), exposures to high concentrations (above 2500 ppm) are life threatening, thus early detection of Ammonia at concentrations up to 50 ppm is essential to prevent its toxic influence. Existing detection methods for NH3 rely mainly on chemical sensors and analytical methods that require the gas to be sampled and introduced into the detection system via a probe, compared to various standards (for determining the concentration) and the result is not always reflecting the actual gas concentration. The emerging optical open path remote sensing technology that analyzes the specific 'finger print' absorption characteristics of NH3 in various narrow spectral bands, specifically in the UV solar blind band, is discussed including the rationale of the detection algorithm and system design. The system offers warning and alarm signals set at the above low concentration detection sensitivity, (10 - 50 ppm(DOT)m) thus providing reliable Ammonia detection over an air path from 3 (including air-duct applications) to 400 ft (1 - 120 m). Typical installations of Ammonia Monitoring Systems, field and laboratory test data are discussed, including spectral cross sensitivity analysis with interfering chemicals and changing environmental conditions (heat, humidity).

Part per trillion nitric oxide measurement by optical feedback cavity-enhanced absorption spectroscopy in the mid-infrared

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ventrillard, Irène; Gorrotxategi-Carbajo, Paula; Romanini, Daniele

2017-06-01

While nitric oxide (NO) is being monitored in various fields of application, there is still a lack of available instruments at a sub-ppb level of sensitivity. We report on the first application of Optical Feedback Cavity-Enhanced Absorption Spectroscopy (OF-CEAS) to NO trace gas analysis, with a room-temperature quantum-cascade laser at 5.26 µm (1900.5 cm^{-1}). A detection limit of 60 ppt is reached in a single measurement performed in 140 ms. The stability of the instrument allows to average for 10 s down to 8.3 ppt, limited by drift of etalon fringes in the spectra. This work opens the path towards new applications notably in breath analysis and environment sciences.

Numerical analyses of a rocket engine turbine and comparison with air test data

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Tran, Ken; Chan, Daniel C.; Hudson, Susan T.; Gaddis, Stephen W.

1992-01-01

The study presents cold air test data on the Space Shuttle Main Engine High Pressure Fuel Turbopump turbine recently collected at the NASA Marshall Space Flight Center. Overall performance data, static pressures on the first- and second-stage nozzles, and static pressures along with the gas path at the hub and tip are gathered and compared with various (1D, quasi-3D, and 3D viscous) analysis procedures. The results of each level of analysis are compared to test data to demonstrate the range of applicability for each step in the design process of a turbine. One-dimensional performance prediction, quasi-3D loading prediction, 3D wall pressure distribution prediction, and 3D viscous wall pressure distribution prediction are illustrated.

Open Path Trace Gas Laser Sensors for UAV Deployment

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shadman, S.; Mchale, L.; Rose, C.; Yalin, A.

2015-12-01

Novel trace gas sensors based on open-path Cavity Ring-down Spectroscopy (CRDS) are being developed to enable remote and mobile deployments including on small unmanned aerial systems (UAS). Relative to established closed-path CRDS instruments, the use of open-path configurations allows removal of the bulky and power hungry vacuum and flow system, potentially enabling lightweight and low power instruments with high sensitivity. However, open path operation introduces new challenges including the need to maintain mirror cleanliness, mitigation of particle optical effects, and the need to measure spectral features that are relatively broad. The present submission details open-path CRDS instruments for ammonia and methane and their planned use in UAS studies. The ammonia sensor uses a quantum cascade laser at 10.3 mm in a configuration in which the laser frequency is continuously swept and a trigger circuit and acousto-optic modulator (AOM) extinguish the light when the laser is resonant with the cavity. Ring-down signals are measured with a two-stage thermoelectrically cooled MCT photodetector. The cavity mirrors have reflectivity of 0.9995 and a noise equivalent absorption of 1.5 ppb Hz-1/2 was demonstrated. A first version of the methane sensor operated at 1.7um with a telecom diode laser while the current version operates at 3.6 um with an interband cascade laser (stronger absorption). We have performed validation measurements against known standards for both sensors. Compact optical assemblies are being developed for UAS deployment. For example, the methane sensor head will have target mass of <4 kg and power draw <40 W. A compact single board computer and DAQ system is being designed for sensor control and signal processing with target mass <1 kg and power draw <10 W. The sensor size and power parameters are suitable for UAS deployment on both fixed wing and rotor style UAS. We plan to deploy the methane sensor to measure leakage and emission of methane from natural gas infrastructure, and to deploy both sensors together to study emissions from dairies and feedlots. The latter measurement campaign will also examine ammonia deposition to the ground, and bi-directional ammonia fluxes, using methane as a conservative tracer and examining the change in the ratio of ammonia to methane as a function of downwind position.

Designing the ideal model for assessment of wound contamination after gunshot injuries: a comparative experimental study

PubMed Central

2012-01-01

Background Modern high-velocity projectiles produce temporary cavities and can thus cause extensive tissue destruction along the bullet path. It is still unclear whether gelatin blocks, which are used as a well-accepted tissue simulant, allow the effects of projectiles to be adequately investigated and how these effects are influenced by caliber size. Method Barium titanate particles were distributed throughout a test chamber for an assessment of wound contamination. We fired .22-caliber Magnum bullets first into gelatin blocks and then into porcine hind limbs placed behind the chamber. Two other types of bullets (.222-caliber bullets and 6.5 × 57 mm cartridges) were then shot into porcine hind limbs. Permanent and temporary wound cavities as well as the spatial distribution of barium titanate particles in relation to the bullet path were evaluated radiologically. Results A comparison of the gelatin blocks and hind limbs showed significant differences (p < 0.05) in the mean results for all parameters. There were significant differences between the bullets of different calibers in the depth to which barium titanate particles penetrated the porcine hind limbs. Almost no particles, however, were found at a penetration depth of 10 cm or more. By contrast, gas cavities were detected along the entire bullet path. Conclusion Gelatin is only of limited value for evaluating the path of high-velocity projectiles and the contamination of wounds by exogenous particles. There is a direct relationship between the presence of gas cavities in the tissue along the bullet path and caliber size. These cavities, however, are only mildly contaminated by exogenous particles. PMID:22490236

Spectroscopic Identification of p-CHLORO-α-METHYLBENZYL Radical in the Gas Phase

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lee, Seung Woon; Lee, Gi Woo; Lee, Sang Kuk

2009-06-01

We report the first spectroscopic identification of the p-fluoro-α-methylbenzyl radical in the gas phase. Precursor p-fluoro-ethylbenzene seeded in a large amount of inert carrier gas helium was electrically discharged to produce the benzyl-type radicals in a corona excited supersonic expansion using a pinhole-type glass nozzle, from which the vibronic emission spectrum was recorded in the visible region using a long path monochromator. From an analysis of the spectrum observed, we found the formation of p-fluoro-α-methylbenzyl radical as well as p-fluorobenzyl radical in the jet from the precursor. After eliminating the bands belonging to p-fluorobenzyl radical using the known data, we identified spectroscopically the formation of the p-fluoro-α-methylbenzyl radical, in which the energy of the D_1 → D_0 electronic transition and a few vibrational mode frequencies in the ground electronic state were determined by comparison with those from an ab initio calculation and with those from the known data of the precursor. S. K. Lee and D. Y. Baek Chem. Phys. Lett. 301(3-4), 407-412 (1999).

Simultaneous atmospheric nitrous oxide, methane and water vapor detection with a single continuous wave quantum cascade laser.

PubMed

Cao, Yingchun; Sanchez, Nancy P; Jiang, Wenzhe; Griffin, Robert J; Xie, Feng; Hughes, Lawrence C; Zah, Chung-en; Tittel, Frank K

2015-02-09

A continuous wave (CW) quantum cascade laser (QCL) based absorption sensor system was demonstrated and developed for simultaneous detection of atmospheric nitrous oxide (N(2)O), methane (CH(4)), and water vapor (H(2)O). A 7.73-µm CW QCL with its wavelength scanned over a spectral range of 1296.9-1297.6 cm(-1) was used to simultaneously target three neighboring strong absorption lines, N(2)O at 1297.05 cm(-1), CH(4) at 1297.486 cm(-1), and H(2)O at 1297.184 cm(-1). An astigmatic multipass Herriott cell with a 76-m path length was utilized for laser based gas absorption spectroscopy at an optimum pressure of 100 Torr. Wavelength modulation and second harmonic detection was employed for data processing. Minimum detection limits (MDLs) of 1.7 ppb for N(2)O, 8.5 ppb for CH(4), and 11 ppm for H(2)O were achieved with a 2-s integration time for individual gas detection. This single QCL based multi-gas detection system possesses applications in environmental monitoring and breath analysis.

Adaption of a parallel-path poly(tetrafluoroethylene) nebulizer to an evaporative light scattering detector: Optimization and application to studies of poly(dimethylsiloxane) oligomers as a model polymer.

PubMed

Durner, Bernhard; Ehmann, Thomas; Matysik, Frank-Michael

2018-06-05

The adaption of an parallel-path poly(tetrafluoroethylene)(PTFE) ICP-nebulizer to an evaporative light scattering detector (ELSD) was realized. This was done by substituting the originally installed concentric glass nebulizer of the ELSD. The performance of both nebulizers was compared regarding nebulizer temperature, evaporator temperature, flow rate of nebulizing gas and flow rate of mobile phase of different solvents using caffeine and poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS) as analytes. Both nebulizers showed similar performances but for the parallel-path PTFE nebulizer the performance was considerably better at low LC flow rates and the nebulizer lifetime was substantially increased. In general, for both nebulizers the highest sensitivity was obtained by applying the lowest possible evaporator temperature in combination with the highest possible nebulizer temperature at preferably low gas flow rates. Besides the optimization of detector parameters, response factors for various PDMS oligomers were determined and the dependency of the detector signal on molar mass of the analytes was studied. The significant improvement regarding long-term stability made the modified ELSD much more robust and saved time and money by reducing the maintenance efforts. Thus, especially in polymer HPLC, associated with a complex matrix situation, the PTFE-based parallel-path nebulizer exhibits attractive characteristics for analytical studies of polymers. Copyright © 2018. Published by Elsevier B.V.

Airborne Sun Photometer Measurements of Aerosol Optical Depth during SOLVE II: Comparison with SAGE III and POAM III Measurements

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Russell, P.; Livingston, J.; Schmid, B.; Eilers, J.; Kolyer, R.; Redemann, J.; Yee, J.-H.; Trepte, C.; Thomason, L.; Zawodny, J.

2003-01-01

The 14-channel NASA Ames Airborne Tracking Sunphotometer (AATS-14) was operated aboard the NASA DC-8 during the Second SAGE III Ozone Loss and Validation Experiment (SOLVE II) and obtained successful measurements during the sunlit segments of eight science flights. These included six flights out of Kiruna, Sweden, one flight out of NASA Dryden Flight Research Center (DFRC), and the Kiruna-DFRC return transit flight. Values of spectral aerosol optical depth (AOD), columnar ozone and columnar water vapor have been derived from the AATS-14 measurements. In this paper, we focus on AATS-14 AOD data. In particular, we compare AATS-14 AOD spectra with temporally and spatially near-coincident measurements by the Stratospheric Aerosol and Gas Experiment III (SAGE III) and the Polar Ozone and Aerosol Measurement III (POAM III) satellite sensors. We examine the effect on retrieved AOD of uncertainties in relative optical airmass (the ratio of AOD along the instrument-to-sun slant path to that along the vertical path) at large solar zenith angles. Airmass uncertainties result fiom uncertainties in requisite assumed vertical profiles of aerosol extinction due to inhomogeneity along the viewing path or simply to lack of available data. We also compare AATS-14 slant path solar transmission measurements with coincident measurements acquired from the DC-8 by the NASA Langley Research Center Gas and Aerosol Measurement Sensor (GAMS).

Thermal stress analysis of ceramic gas-path seal components for aircraft turbines

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Kennedy, F. E.; Bill, R. C.

1979-01-01

Stress and temperature distributions were evaluated numerically for a blade-tip seal system proposed for gas turbine applications. The seal consists of an abradable ceramic layer on metallic backing with intermediate layers between the ceramic layer and metal substrate. The most severe stresses in the seal, as far as failure is concerned, are tensile stresses at the top of the ceramic layer and shear and normal stresses at the layer interfaces. All these stresses reach their maximum values during the deceleration phase of a test engine cycle. A parametric study was carried out to evaluate the influence of various design parameters on these critical stress values. The influences of material properties and geometric parameters of the ceramic, intermediate, and backing layers were investigated. After the parametric study was completed, a seal system was designed which incorporated materials with beneficial elastic and thermal properties in each layer of the seal. An analysis of the proposed seal design shows an appreciable decrease in the magnitude of the maximum critical stresses over those obtained with earlier configurations.

Glenn-HT: The NASA Glenn Research Center General Multi-Block Navier-Stokes Heat Transfer Code

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Gaugler, Raymond E.; Lee, Chi-Miag (Technical Monitor)

2001-01-01

For the last several years, Glenn-HT, a three-dimensional (3D) Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) computer code for the analysis of gas turbine flow and convective heat transfer has been evolving at the NASA Glenn Research Center. The code is unique in the ability to give a highly detailed representation of the flow field very close to solid surfaces in order to get accurate representation of fluid heat transfer and viscous shear stresses. The code has been validated and used extensively for both internal cooling passage flow and for hot gas path flows, including detailed film cooling calculations and complex tip clearance gap flow and heat transfer. In its current form, this code has a multiblock grid capability and has been validated for a number of turbine configurations. The code has been developed and used primarily as a research tool, but it can be useful for detailed design analysis. In this paper, the code is described and examples of its validation and use for complex flow calculations are presented, emphasizing the applicability to turbomachinery for space launch vehicle propulsion systems.

Glenn-HT: The NASA Glenn Research Center General Multi-Block Navier-Stokes Heat Transfer Code

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Gaugfer, Raymond E.

2002-01-01

For the last several years, Glenn-HT, a three-dimensional (3D) Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) computer code for the analysis of gas turbine flow and convective heat transfer has been evolving at the NASA Glenn Research Center. The code is unique in the ability to give a highly detailed representation of the flow field very close to solid surfaces in order to get accurate representation of fluid heat transfer and viscous shear stresses. The code has been validated and used extensively for both internal cooling passage flow and for hot gas path flows, including detailed film cooling calculations and complex tip clearance gap flow and heat transfer. In its current form, this code has a multiblock grid capability and has been validated for a number of turbine configurations. The code has been developed and used primarily as a research tool, but it can be useful for detailed design analysis. In this presentation, the code is described and examples of its validation and use for complex flow calculations are presented, emphasizing the applicability to turbomachinery.

Glenn-HT: The NASA Glenn Research Center General Multi-Block Navier Stokes Heat Transfer Code

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Gaugler, Raymond E.

2002-01-01

For the last several years, Glenn-HT, a three-dimensional (3D) Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) computer code for the analysis of gas turbine flow and convective heat transfer has been evolving at the NASA Glenn Research Center. The code is unique in the ability to give a highly detailed representation of the flow field very close to solid surfaces in order to get accurate representation of fluid beat transfer and viscous shear stresses. The code has been validated and used extensively for both internal cooling passage flow and for hot gas path flows, including detailed film cooling calculations and complex tip clearance gap flow and heat transfer. In its current form, this code has a multiblock grid capability and has been validated for a number of turbine configurations. The code has been developed and used primarily as a research tool, but it can be useful for detailed design analysis. In this presentation, the code is described and examples of its validation and use for complex flow calculations are presented, emphasizing the applicability to turbomachinery.

Determination of lysine content based on an in situ pretreatment and headspace gas chromatographic measurement technique.

PubMed

Wan, Xiao-Fang; Liu, Bao-Lian; Yu, Teng; Yan, Ning; Chai, Xin-Sheng; Li, You-Ming; Chen, Guang-Xue

2018-05-01

This work reports on a simple method for the determination of lysine content by an in situ sample pretreatment and headspace gas chromatographic measurement (HS-GC) technique, based on carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) formation from the pretreatment reaction (between lysine and ninhydrin solution) in a closed vial. It was observed that complete lysine conversion to CO 2 could be achieved within 60 min at 60 °C in a phosphate buffer medium (pH = 4.0), with a minimum molar ratio of ninhydrin/lysine of 16. The results showed that the method had a good precision (RSD < 5.23%) and accuracy (within 6.80%), compared to the results measured by a reference method (ninhydrin spectroscopic method). Due to the feature of in situ sample pretreatment and headspace measurement, the present method becomes very simple and particularly suitable to be used for batch sample analysis in lysine-related research and applications. Graphical abstract The flow path of the reaction and HS-GC measurement for the lysine analysis.

Calculating CO2 and H2O eddy covariance fluxes from an enclosed gas analyzer using an instantaneous mixing ratio 2159

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

Eddy covariance flux research has relied on open- or closed-path gas analyzers for producing estimates of net ecosystem exchange of carbon dioxide (CO2) and water vapor (H2O). The two instruments have had different challenges that have led to development of an enclosed design that is intended to max...

Hybrid modelling of a high-power X-ray attenuator plasma.

PubMed

Martín Ortega, Álvaro; Lacoste, Ana; Minea, Tiberiu

2018-05-01

X-ray gas attenuators act as stress-free high-pass filters for synchrotron and free-electron laser beamlines to reduce the heat load in downstream optical elements without affecting other properties of the X-ray beam. The absorption of the X-ray beam triggers a cascade of processes that ionize and heat up the gas locally, changing its density and therefore the X-ray absorption. Aiming to understand and predict the behaviour of the gas attenuator in terms of efficiency versus gas pressure, a hybrid model has been developed, combining three approaches: an analytical description of the X-ray absorption; Monte Carlo for the electron thermalization; and a fluid treatment for the electron diffusion, recombination and excited-states relaxation. The model was applied to an argon-filled attenuator prototype built and tested at the European Synchrotron Radiation Facility, at a pressure of 200 mbar and assuming stationary conditions. The results of the model showed that the electron population thermalizes within a few nanoseconds after the X-ray pulse arrival and it occurs just around the X-ray beam path, recombining in the bulk of the gas rather than diffusing to the attenuator walls. The gas temperature along the beam path reached 850 K for 770 W of incident power and 182 W m -1 of absorbed power. Around 70% of the absorbed power is released as visible and UV radiation rather than as heat to the gas. Comparison of the power absorption with the experiment showed an overall agreement both with the plasma radial profile and power absorption trend, the latter within an error smaller than 20%. This model can be used for the design and operation of synchrotron gas attenuators and as a base for a time-dependent model for free-electron laser attenuators.

The Seepage Simulation of Single Hole and Composite Gas Drainage Based on LB Method

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chen, Yanhao; Zhong, Qiu; Gong, Zhenzhao

2018-01-01

Gas drainage is the most effective method to prevent and solve coal mine gas power disasters. It is very important to study the seepage flow law of gas in fissure coal gas. The LB method is a simplified computational model based on micro-scale, especially for the study of seepage problem. Based on fracture seepage mathematical model on the basis of single coal gas drainage, using the LB method during coal gas drainage of gas flow numerical simulation, this paper maps the single-hole drainage gas, symmetric slot and asymmetric slot, the different width of the slot combined drainage area gas flow under working condition of gas cloud of gas pressure, flow path diagram and flow velocity vector diagram, and analyses the influence on gas seepage field under various working conditions, and also discusses effective drainage method of the center hole slot on both sides, and preliminary exploration that is related to the combination of gas drainage has been carried on as well.

A new, double-inversion mechanism of the F- + CH3Cl SN2 reaction in aqueous solution.

PubMed

Liu, Peng; Wang, Dunyou; Xu, Yulong

2016-11-23

Atomic-level, bimolecular nucleophilic substitution reaction mechanisms have been studied mostly in the gas phase, but the gas-phase results cannot be expected to reliably describe condensed-phase chemistry. As a novel, double-inversion mechanism has just been found for the F - + CH 3 Cl S N 2 reaction in the gas phase [Nat. Commun., 2015, 6, 5972], here, using multi-level quantum mechanics methods combined with the molecular mechanics method, we discovered a new, double-inversion mechanism for this reaction in aqueous solution. However, the structures of the stationary points along the reaction path show significant differences from those in the gas phase due to the strong influence of solvent and solute interactions, especially due to the hydrogen bonds formed between the solute and the solvent. More importantly, the relationship between the two double-inversion transition states is not clear in the gas phase, but, here we revealed a novel intermediate complex serving as a "connecting link" between the two transition states of the abstraction-induced inversion and the Walden-inversion mechanisms. A detailed reaction path was constructed to show the atomic-level evolution of this novel double reaction mechanism in aqueous solution. The potentials of mean force were calculated and the obtained Walden-inversion barrier height agrees well with the available experimental value.

Open-path spectroscopic methane detection using a broadband monolithic distributed feedback-quantum cascade laser array.

PubMed

Michel, Anna P M; Kapit, Jason; Witinski, Mark F; Blanchard, Romain

2017-04-10

Methane is a powerful greenhouse gas that has both natural and anthropogenic sources. The ability to measure methane using an integrated path length approach such as an open/long-path length sensor would be beneficial in several environments for examining anthropogenic and natural sources, including tundra landscapes, rivers, lakes, landfills, estuaries, fracking sites, pipelines, and agricultural sites. Here a broadband monolithic distributed feedback-quantum cascade laser array was utilized as the source for an open-path methane sensor. Two telescopes were utilized for the launch (laser source) and receiver (detector) in a bistatic configuration for methane sensing across a 50 m path length. Direct-absorption spectroscopy was utilized with intrapulse tuning. Ambient methane levels were detectable, and an instrument precision of 70 ppb with 100 s averaging and 90 ppb with 10 s averaging was achieved. The sensor system was designed to work "off the grid" and utilizes batteries that are rechargeable with solar panels and wind turbines.

Hot gas path component cooling system

DOEpatents

Lacy, Benjamin Paul; Bunker, Ronald Scott; Itzel, Gary Michael

2014-02-18

A cooling system for a hot gas path component is disclosed. The cooling system may include a component layer and a cover layer. The component layer may include a first inner surface and a second outer surface. The second outer surface may define a plurality of channels. The component layer may further define a plurality of passages extending generally between the first inner surface and the second outer surface. Each of the plurality of channels may be fluidly connected to at least one of the plurality of passages. The cover layer may be situated adjacent the second outer surface of the component layer. The plurality of passages may be configured to flow a cooling medium to the plurality of channels and provide impingement cooling to the cover layer. The plurality of channels may be configured to flow cooling medium therethrough, cooling the cover layer.

The application of UV LEDs for differential optical absorption spectroscopy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Geiko, Pavel P.; Smirnov, Sergey S.; Samokhvalov, Ignatii V.

2018-04-01

Modern UV LEDs represent a potentially very advantageous alternative to thermal light sources, in particular xenon arc lamps, which are the most common light sources in trace gas-analyzers. So, the light-emitting diodes are very attractive for use of as light sources for Long Path Differential Optical Absorption Spectroscopy (DOAS) measurements of trace gases in the open atmosphere. Recent developments in fibre-coupling telescope technology and the availability of ultraviolet light emitting diodes have now allowed us to construct a portable, long path DOAS instrument for use at remote locations and specifically for measuring degassing from active volcanic systems. First of all, we are talking about the measurement of sulphur dioxide, carbon disulphide and, oxides of chlorine and bromine. The parallel measurements of sulfur dioxide using a certified gas analyzer, were conducted and showed good correlation.

Comparison of apical extrusion of intracanal bacteria by various glide-path establishing systems: an in vitro study.

PubMed

Dagna, Alberto; El Abed, Rashid; Hussain, Sameeha; Abu-Tahun, Ibrahim H; Visai, Livia; Bertoglio, Federico; Bosco, Floriana; Beltrami, Riccardo; Poggio, Claudio; Kim, Hyeon-Cheol

2017-11-01

This study compared the amount of apically extruded bacteria during the glide-path preparation by using multi-file and single-file glide-path establishing nickel-titanium (NiTi) rotary systems. Sixty mandibular first molar teeth were used to prepare the test apparatus. They were decoronated, blocked into glass vials, sterilized in ethylene oxide gas, infected with a pure culture of Enterococcus faecalis, randomly assigned to 5 experimental groups, and then prepared using manual stainless-steel files (group KF) and glide-path establishing NiTi rotary files (group PF with PathFiles, group GF with G-Files, group PG with ProGlider, and group OG with One G). At the end of canal preparation, 0.01 mL NaCl solution was taken from the experimental vials. The suspension was plated on brain heart infusion agar and colonies of bacteria were counted, and the results were given as number of colony-forming units (CFU). The manual instrumentation technique tested in group KF extruded the highest number of bacteria compared to the other 4 groups ( p < 0.05). The 4 groups using rotary glide-path establishing instruments extruded similar amounts of bacteria. All glide-path establishment instrument systems tested caused a measurable apical extrusion of bacteria. The manual glide-path preparation showed the highest number of bacteria extruded compared to the other NiTi glide-path establishing instruments.

Theoretical Proposal for the Whole Phosphate Diester Hydrolysis Mechanism Promoted by a Catalytic Promiscuous Dinuclear Copper(II) Complex.

PubMed

Esteves, Lucas F; Rey, Nicolás A; Dos Santos, Hélio F; Costa, Luiz Antônio S

2016-03-21

The catalytic mechanism that involves the cleavage of the phosphate diester model BDNPP (bis(2,4-dinitrophenyl) phosphate) catalyzed through a dinuclear copper complex is investigated in the current study. The metal complex was originally designed to catalyze catechol oxidation, and it showed an interesting catalytic promiscuity case in biomimetic systems. The current study investigates two different reaction mechanisms through quantum mechanics calculations in the gas phase, and it also includes the solvent effect through PCM (polarizable continuum model) single-point calculations using water as solvent. Two mechanisms are presented in order to fully describe the phosphate diester hydrolysis. Mechanism 1 is of the S(N)2 type, which involves the direct attack of the μ-OH bridge between the two copper(II) ions toward the phosphorus center, whereas mechanism 2 is the process in which hydrolysis takes place through proton transfer between the oxygen atom in the bridging hydroxo ligand and the other oxygen atom in the phosphate model. Actually, the present theoretical study shows two possible reaction paths in mechanism 1. Its first reaction path (p1) involves a proton transfer that occurs immediately after the hydrolytic cleavage, so that the proton transfer is the rate-determining step, which is followed by the entry of two water molecules. Its second reaction path (p2) consists of the entry of two water molecules right after the hydrolytic cleavage, but with no proton transfer; thus, hydrolytic cleavage is the rate-limiting step. The most likely catalytic path occurs in mechanism 1, following the second reaction path (p2), since it involves the lowest free energy activation barrier (ΔG(⧧) = 23.7 kcal mol(-1), in aqueous solution). A kinetic analysis showed that the experimental k(obs) value of 1.7 × 10(-5) s(-1) agrees with the calculated value k1 = 2.6 × 10(-5) s(-1); the concerted mechanism is kinetically favorable. The KIE (kinetic isotope effect) analysis applied to the second reaction path (p2) in mechanism 1 was also taken into account to assess the changes that take place in TS1-i (transition state of mechanism 1) and to perfectly characterize the mechanism described herein.

Ion thrusting system

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hartley, Frank T. (Inventor)

2007-01-01

An ion thrusting system is disclosed comprising an ionization membrane having at least one area through which a gas is passed, and which ionizes the gas molecules passing therethrough to form ions and electrons, and an accelerator element which accelerates the ions to form thrust. In some variations, a potential is applied to the ionization membrane may be reversed to thrust ions in an opposite direction. The ionization membrane may also include an opening with electrodes that are located closer than a mean free path of the gas being ionized. Methods of manufacture and use are also provided.

Design review report for rotary mode core sample truck (RMCST) modifications for flammable gas tanks, preliminary design

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

Corbett, J.E.

1996-02-01

This report documents the completion of a preliminary design review for the Rotary Mode Core Sample Truck (RMCST) modifications for flammable gas tanks. The RMCST modifications are intended to support core sampling operations in waste tanks requiring flammable gas controls. The objective of this review was to validate basic design assumptions and concepts to support a path forward leading to a final design. The conclusion reached by the review committee was that the design was acceptable and efforts should continue toward a final design review.

Spatially-Scanned Dual Comb Spectroscopy for Atmospheric Measurements

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cossel, K.; Waxman, E.; Giorgetta, F.; Cermak, M.; Coddington, I.; Hesselius, D.; Ruben, S.; Swann, W.; Rieker, G. B.; Newbury, N.

2017-12-01

Measuring trace gas emissions from sources that are spatially complex and temporally variable, such as leaking natural gas infrastructure, is challenging with current measurement systems. Here, we present a new technique that provides the path-integrated concentrations of multiple gas species between a ground station and a retroreflector mounted on a small quadcopter. Such a system could provide the ability to quantify small area emissions sources as well measure vertical mixing within the boundary layer. The system is based on a near-infrared dual frequency-comb spectroscopy system (DCS) covering 1.58-1.7 microns, which enables rapid, accurate measurements of CO2, CH4, H2O, and HDO. The eye-safe laser light is launched from a telescope on a fast azimuth, elevation gimbal to a small quadcopter carrying a lightweight retroreflector as well as a high-precision real-time kinematic GPS receiver (for real-time cm-level path length measurements) and pressure, temperature and humidity sensors. Here, we show the results of test measurements from controlled releases of CH4 as well as from test vertical profiles.

Phase conjugate digital inline holography (PCDIH)

DOE PAGES

Guildenbecher, Daniel Robert; Hoffmeister, Kathryn N. Gabet; Kunzler, William Marley; ...

2018-01-12

We report digital inline holography (DIH) provides instantaneous three-dimensional (3D) measurements of diffracting objects; however, phase disturbances in the beam path can distort the imaging. In this Letter, a phase conjugate digital inline holography (PCDIH) configuration is proposed for removal of phase disturbances. Brillouin-enhanced four-wave mixing produces a phase conjugate signal that back propagates along the DIH beam path. Finally, the results demonstrate the removal of distortions caused by gas-phase shocks to recover 3D images of diffracting objects.

Phase conjugate digital inline holography (PCDIH)

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

Guildenbecher, Daniel Robert; Hoffmeister, Kathryn N. Gabet; Kunzler, William Marley

We report digital inline holography (DIH) provides instantaneous three-dimensional (3D) measurements of diffracting objects; however, phase disturbances in the beam path can distort the imaging. In this Letter, a phase conjugate digital inline holography (PCDIH) configuration is proposed for removal of phase disturbances. Brillouin-enhanced four-wave mixing produces a phase conjugate signal that back propagates along the DIH beam path. Finally, the results demonstrate the removal of distortions caused by gas-phase shocks to recover 3D images of diffracting objects.

Oil-And-Gas-Fire Snubber

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Weinstein, Leonard M.

1994-01-01

Flame diverted and extinguished without explosives. Oil-and-gas-fire snubber consists of pipe with two exit branches and large selector valve, positioned over well, on path of escaping fuel. Flame moved to one side; then flow of fuel moved to other side, away from flame. Two versions of snubber have different uses. First used only to extinguish fire. Exit branch only long enough to keep fuel away to prevent reignition. Second needed if well not capped after fire at well extinguished and oil and gas remained present in problem quantities. Exit branch long enough to extend to oil-storage tank, and gas separated from oil and vented or burned at convenient location.

A Statistical Study of the Distribution and Dynamics of Icy Grains in the Enceladus Gas Plume by Cassini's Ion Neutral Mass Spectrometer

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

HSU, J.; Lai, I.; Ip, W.; Teolis, B. D.; Perryman, R.; Waite, J. H.

2013-12-01

A very interesting finding by the Ion Neutral Mass Spectrometer on Cassini is about the detection of tiny icy grains embedded in the Enceladus gas plume during close encounters of the Cassini spacecraft with this active icy satellite of Saturn. Entering of an icy grain into the antechamber of INMS would lead to the generation of a sharp spike superimposed on the countrate profile of the gas molecules in the mass channel under measurement. Employing Monte Carlo simulations and data analysis of the INMS instrument performance, Teolis et al. (2010) investigated the time histories of the 'dust spikes' and the associated icy grain density distributions along the paths of the E3 and E5 encounters, respectively. Following similar method, we have studied the corresponding dust measurements from the E7, E14, E17 and E18 flybys. The different encounter geometries allow us to have a better understanding of the relation between the source regions of the 'dust spikes' from INMS and the jet locations and directions identified by Spitale and Porco (2007). In addition, fitting of the gas plume density profiles provide constraints on the initial conditions of the gas outflow from which the trajectories of dust particles of different sizes could be computed and compared with the INMS measurements.

Using a Mach-Zehnder interferometer to deduce nitrogen density mapping

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Boudaoud, F.; Lemerini, M.

2015-07-01

This work presents an optical method using the Mach-Zehnder interferometer. We especially diagnose a pure nitrogen gas subjected to a point to plane corona discharge, and visualize the density spatial map. The interelectrode distance equals 6 mm and the variation of the optical path has been measured at different pressures: 220 Torr, 400 Torr, and 760 Torr. The interferograms are recorded with a CCD camera, and the numerical analysis of these interferograms is assured by the inverse Abel transformation. The nitrogen density is extracted through the Gladstone-Dale relation. The obtained results are in close agreement with values available in the literature.

Concerning the measurement of atmospheric trace gas fluxes with open- and closed-path eddy covariance systems: The density terms and spectral attenuation [Chapter 7

Treesearch

W. J. Massman

2004-01-01

Atmospheric trace gas fluxes measured with an eddy covariance sensor that detects a constituent's density fluctuations within the in situ air need to include terms resulting from concurrent heat and moisture fluxes, the so called 'density' or 'WPL corrections' (Webb et al. 1980). The theory behind these additional terms is well established. But...

Flume experiments elucidate relationships between stream morphology, hyporheic residence time, and nitrous oxide production

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Quick, Annika; Farrell, Tiffany B.; Reeder, William Jeffrey; Feris, Kevin P.; Tonina, Daniele; Benner, Shawn G.

2015-04-01

The hyporheic zone is a potentially important producer of nitrous oxide, a powerful greenhouse gas. The location and magnitude of nitrous oxide generation within the hyporheic zone involves complex interactions between multiple nitrogen species, redox conditions, microbial communities, and hydraulics. To better understand nitrous oxide generation and emissions from streams, we conducted large-scale flume experiments in which we monitored pore waters along hyporheic flow paths within stream dune structures. Measurements of dissolved oxygen, ammonia, nitrate, nitrite, and dissolved nitrous oxide showed distinct spatial relationships reflecting redox changes along flow paths. Using residence times along a flow path, clear trends in oxygen conditions and nitrogen species were observed. Three dune sizes were modeled, resulting in a range of residence times, carbon reactivity levels and respiration rates. We found that the magnitude and location of nitrous oxide production in the hyporheic zone is related to nitrate loading, dune morphology, and residence time. Specifically, increasing exogenous nitrate levels in surface water to approximately 3 mg/L resulted in an increase in dissolved N2O concentrations greater than 500% (up to 10 µg/L N-N2O) in distinct zones of specific residence times. We also found, however, that dissolved N2O concentrations decreased to background levels further along the flow path due to either reduction of nitrous oxide to dinitrogen gas or degassing. The decrease in measurable N2O along a flow path strongly suggests an important relationship between dune morphology, residence time, and nitrous oxide emissions from within stream sediments. Relating streambed morphology and loading of nitrogen species allows for prediction of nitrous oxide production in the hyporheic zone of natural systems.

System for drying and heating particulate coal

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

Offergeld, E.; Wischniewski, M.

1978-04-04

Wet particulate coal and a current of hot dry gas at superatmospheric pressure are introduced into a substantially closed drying chamber to contact the material with the gas while maintaining the drying chamber under superatmospheric pressure so that the material is dried by the gas. The dried material is withdrawn from the drying chamber and the gas is withdrawn from the drying chamber and itself mixed with a stream of hot dry gas produced by burning a combustible and a combustion-supporting gas. This mixture is then reintroduced into the drying chamber as the current of hot gas used to drymore » the coal. The burner is operated at superatmospheric pressure and is formed of a jet-pump type injector, and a diffusor is provided downstream of this injector in the circulation path.« less

High-Precision Measurement of 13C/12C Isotopic Ratio Using Gas Chromatography-Combustion-Cavity Ring-Down Spectroscopy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Saad, N.; Kuramoto, D. S.; Haase, C.; Crosson, E.; Tan, S.; Zare, R. N.

2009-12-01

Light stable isotope analysis, and in particular, compound specific isotopic analysis (CSIA), is a valuable tool to elucidate pathways and provide a better insight into biological, ecological, and geological systems. We present here the results of compound-specific isotopic carbon analysis of short chain hydrocarbons using the world’s first combination of gas chromatography, combustion interface, and cavity ring-down spectroscopy (GC-C-CRDS). Cavity ring-down spectroscopy (CRDS) is a highly sensitive optical spectroscopy, one application of which is to measure the stable isotopic ratios in small molecules. Because it uses a highly reflective optical cavity with many kilometers effective path length, CRDS provides some of the most sensitive and precise optical absorption measurements. Most optical spectroscopy isotopic analysis measures the quantities of each isotopologue independently using their distinct ro-vibrational spectra. The most common isotopes measured with optical spectroscopy are 13C and 12C in carbon dioxide. However, the isotopes of hydrogen, oxygen, and sulfur have also been measured. Unlike isotope ratio mass spectrometry (IRMS), optical spectroscopy can distinguish among isobars, which have essentially identical m/z ratios. The combination of chemical separation, chemical conversion, and CRDS makes a nearly universal tool for isotopic analysis of mixtures. In addition, CRDS can tolerate a variety of compounds mixed with the target. For example, CRDS can measure carbon dioxide and its isotopic 13C/12C ratio in the presence of oxygen. Using the novel GC-C-CRDS system, we injected a 75-microliter mixture of approximately equal quantities of methane, ethane, and propane into a gas chromatograph using helium as carrier gas. The methane, ethane, and propane were separated in time by 100 to 200 seconds after the chromatograph. Oxygen gas was added, and the hydrocarbons were combusted in a catalytic combustor with platinum and nickel, held at 1150oC. The combusted products were combined with dry nitrogen gas to provide sufficient gas flow for the CRDS analyzer, which measured the 13C/12C isotopic ratio of the separated methane, ethane, and propane, obtaining a precision of 0.95 permil or better. The calibration accuracy was within 3 permil of the values determined using IRMS. The current CRDS-based system is less expensive, does not require highly trained personnel to operate, and is portable, compared with IRMS. We anticipate that advances in spectroscopic analysis will improve the precision and accuracy of the CRDS isotopic measurement, making it comparable with IRMS.

Multi-species trace gas analysis with dual-wavelength quantum cascade laser

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jágerská, Jana; Tuzson, Béla; Looser, Herbert; Jouy, Pierre; Hugi, Andreas; Mangold, Markus; Soltic, Patrik; Faist, Jérôme; Emmenegger, Lukas

2015-04-01

Simultaneous detection of multiple gas species using mid-IR laser spectroscopy is highly appealing for a large variety of applications ranging from air quality monitoring, medical breath analysis to industrial process control. However, state-of-the-art distributed-feedback (DFB) mid-IR lasers are usually tunable only within a narrow spectral range, which generally leads to one-laser-one-compound measurement strategy. Thus, multi-species detection involves several lasers and elaborate beam combining solutions [1]. This makes them bulky, costly, and highly sensitive to optical alignment, which limits their field deployment. In this paper, we explore an alternative measurement concept based on a dual-wavelength quantum cascade laser (DW-QCL) [2]. Such a laser can emit at two spectrally distinct wavelengths using a succession of two DFB gratings with different periodicities and a common waveguide to produce one output beam. The laser design was optimized for NOx measurements and correspondingly emits single-mode at 5.26 and 6.25 μm. Electrical separation of the respective laser sections makes it possible to address each wavelength independently. Thereby, it is possible to detect NO and NO2 species with one laser using the same optical path, without any beam combining optics, i.e. in a compact and cost-efficient single-path optical setup. Operated in a time-division multiplexed mode, the spectrometer reaches detection limits at 100 s averaging of 0.5 and 1.5 ppb for NO2 and NO, respectively. The performance of the system was validated against the well-established chemiluminescence detection while measuring the NOx emissions on an automotive test-bench, as well as monitoring the pollution at a suburban site. [1] B. Tuzson, K. Zeyer, M. Steinbacher, J. B. McManus, D. D. Nelson, M. S. Zahniser, and L. Emmenegger, 'Selective measurements of NO, NO2 and NOy in the free troposphere using quantum cascade laser spectroscopy,' Atmospheric Measurement Techniques 6, 927-936 (2013). [2] J. Jágerská, P. Jouy, A. Hugi, B. Tuzson, H. Looser, M. Mangold, M. Beck, L. Emmenegger, and J. Faist, 'Dual-wavelength quantum cascade laser for trace gas spectroscopy,' Applied Physics Letters 105, 161109-161109-4 (2014).

Optical Multi-Gas Monitor Technology Demonstration on the International Space Station

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Pilgrim, Jeffrey S.; Wood, William R.; Casias, Miguel E.; Vakhtin, Andrei B.; Johnson, Michael D.; Mudgett, Paul D.

2014-01-01

The International Space Station (ISS) employs a suite of portable and permanently located gas monitors to insure crew health and safety. These sensors are tasked with functions ranging from fixed mass spectrometer based major constituents analysis to portable electrochemical sensor based combustion product monitoring. An all optical multigas sensor is being developed that can provide the specificity of a mass spectrometer with the portability of an electrochemical cell. The technology, developed under the Small Business Innovation Research program, allows for an architecture that is rugged, compact and low power. A four gas version called the Multi-Gas Monitor was launched to ISS in November 2013 aboard Soyuz and activated in February 2014. The portable instrument is comprised of a major constituents analyzer (water vapor, carbon dioxide, oxygen) and high dynamic range real-time ammonia sensor. All species are sensed inside the same enhanced path length optical cell with a separate vertical cavity surface emitting laser (VCSEL) targeted at each species. The prototype is controlled digitally with a field-programmable gate array/microcontroller architecture. The optical and electronic approaches are designed for scalability and future versions could add three important acid gases and carbon monoxide combustion product gases to the four species already sensed. Results obtained to date from the technology demonstration on ISS are presented and discussed.

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kadyrov, E.; Evdokimenko, Y.; Kisel, V.; Kadyrov, V.; Worzala, F.

1994-12-01

Several designs of high-velocity oxygen fuel (HVOF) thermal spray systems have been created during the last decade. The most advanced systems are now producing coatings comparable in quality to detonation (D-gun) coatings. This paper presents numerical analysis of the interaction of dispersive particles with the carrying gas flow for three different HVOF systems, along with a method to calculate the parameters of sprayed particles that highlights the advantages and limitations of each design. The method includes gas dynamical calculations of the gas flow in an accelerating channel and calculations of the injected par-motion and thermal state (temperature and melted mass fraction). The calculations were performed for particles of tungsten carbide, aluminum oxide, and zirconium oxide with size distributions of 10 to 80 μm. Two conventional types of HVOF systems were considered: those with a supersonic accelerating channel and those with a subsonic accelerating channel (without a de Laval nozzle). A novel design is pro-posed that contains a combined gas dynamical path with functionally separated regions of heating and acceleration. The regularities and distinctions in the behavior of the metallic and ceramic oxide particles are discussed for different jet configurations. The results obtained indicate that it is possible to signifi-cantly affect particle parameters by using the new configuration solutions without creating construction complications.

Polarization engineered enhancement mode GaN HEMT: Design and investigation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Verma, Sumit; Loan, Sajad A.; Alharbi, Abdullah G.

2018-07-01

In this paper, we propose and perform the experimentally calibrated simulation of a novel structure of a GaN/AlGaN high electron mobility transistor (HEMT). The novelty of the structure is the realization of enhancement mode operation by employing polarization engineering approach. In the proposed polarization engineered HEMT (PE-HEMT) a buried Aluminum Nitride (AlN) box is employed in the GaN layer just below the gate. The AlN box creates a two-dimensional hole gas (2DHG) at the GaN/AlN interface, which creates a conduction band barrier in the path of the already existing two-dimensional electron gas (2DEG) at GaN/AlGaN. Therefore, there is no direct path between the source and drain regions at zero gate voltage due to the barrier created by AIN and the device is initially OFF, an enhancement mode operation. A two dimensional (2D) calibrated simulation study of proposed PE-HEMT shows that the device has a threshold voltage (Vth) of 2.3 V. The PE-HEMT also reduces the electron spillover and thus improves the breakdown voltage by 108% as compared to conventional HEMT. The thermal analysis of the GaN PE-HEMT shows that a hot zone occurs on the drain side gate edge. It has been observed that the drain current in the PE-HEMT structure can be improved by 157% by using AlN heat sink.

On the physics of electron transfer (drift) in the substance: about the reason of “abnormal” fast transfer of electrons in the plasma of tokamak and at known Bohm’s diffusion

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Boriev, I. A.

2018-03-01

An analysis of the problem of so-called “abnormal” fast transfer of electrons in tokamak plasma, which turned out much faster than the result of accepted calculation, is given. Such transfer of hot electrons leads to unexpectedly fast destruction of the inner tokamak wall with ejection of its matter in plasma volume, what violates a condition of plasma confinement for controlled thermonuclear fusion. It is shown, taking into account real physics of electron drift in the gas (plasma) and using the conservation law for momentum of electron transfer (drift), that the drift velocity of elastically scattered electrons should be significantly greater than that of accepted calculation. The reason is that the relaxation time of the momentum of electron transfer, to which the electron drift velocity is proportional, is significantly greater (from 16 up to 4 times) than the electron free path time. Therefore, generally accepted replacement of the relaxation time, which is unknown a priori, by the electron free path time, leads to significant (16 times for thermal electrons) underestimation of electron drift velocity (mobility). This result means, that transfer of elastically (and isotropically) scattered electrons in the gas phase should be so fast, and corresponds to multiplying coefficient (16), introduced by D. Bohm to explain the observed by him “abnormal” fast diffusion of electrons.

Optimization of carbon mitigation paths in the power sector of Shenzhen, China

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Li, Xin; Hu, Guangxiao; Duan, Ying; Ji, Junping

2017-08-01

This paper studied the carbon mitigation paths of the power sector in Shenzhen, China from a supply-side perspective. We investigated the carbon mitigation potentials and investments of seventeen mitigation technologies in the power sector, and employed a linear programming method to optimize the mitigation paths. The results show that: 1) The total carbon mitigation potential is 5.95 MtCO2 in 2020 in which the adjustment of power supply structure, technical improvements of existing coal- and gas-fired power plant account for 87.5%,6.5% and 6.0%, respectively. 2) In the optimal path, the avoided carbon dioxide to meet the local government’s mitigation goal in power sector is 1.26 MtCO2.The adjustment of power supply structure and technical improvement of the coal-fired power plants are the driving factors of carbon mitigation, with contributions to total carbon mitigation are 72.6% and 27.4%, respectively.

All-optical, thermo-optical path length modulation based on the vanadium-doped fibers.

PubMed

Matjasec, Ziga; Campelj, Stanislav; Donlagic, Denis

2013-05-20

This paper presents an all-fiber, fully-optically controlled, optical-path length modulator based on highly absorbing optical fiber. The modulator utilizes a high-power 980 nm pump diode and a short section of vanadium-co-doped single mode fiber that is heated through absorption and a non-radiative relaxation process. The achievable path length modulation range primarily depends on the pump's power and the convective heat-transfer coefficient of the surrounding gas, while the time response primarily depends on the heated fiber's diameter. An absolute optical length change in excess of 500 µm and a time-constant as short as 11 ms, were demonstrated experimentally. The all-fiber design allows for an electrically-passive and remote operation of the modulator. The presented modulator could find use within various fiber-optics systems that require optical (remote) path length control or modulation.

Quantification and parametrization of non-linearity effects by higher-order sensitivity terms in scattered light differential optical absorption spectroscopy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Puķīte, Jānis; Wagner, Thomas

2016-05-01

We address the application of differential optical absorption spectroscopy (DOAS) of scattered light observations in the presence of strong absorbers (in particular ozone), for which the absorption optical depth is a non-linear function of the trace gas concentration. This is the case because Beer-Lambert law generally does not hold for scattered light measurements due to many light paths contributing to the measurement. While in many cases linear approximation can be made, for scenarios with strong absorptions non-linear effects cannot always be neglected. This is especially the case for observation geometries, for which the light contributing to the measurement is crossing the atmosphere under spatially well-separated paths differing strongly in length and location, like in limb geometry. In these cases, often full retrieval algorithms are applied to address the non-linearities, requiring iterative forward modelling of absorption spectra involving time-consuming wavelength-by-wavelength radiative transfer modelling. In this study, we propose to describe the non-linear effects by additional sensitivity parameters that can be used e.g. to build up a lookup table. Together with widely used box air mass factors (effective light paths) describing the linear response to the increase in the trace gas amount, the higher-order sensitivity parameters eliminate the need for repeating the radiative transfer modelling when modifying the absorption scenario even in the presence of a strong absorption background. While the higher-order absorption structures can be described as separate fit parameters in the spectral analysis (so-called DOAS fit), in practice their quantitative evaluation requires good measurement quality (typically better than that available from current measurements). Therefore, we introduce an iterative retrieval algorithm correcting for the higher-order absorption structures not yet considered in the DOAS fit as well as the absorption dependence on temperature and scattering processes.

Dynamical Bifurcation in Gas-Phase XH- + CH3 Y SN 2 Reactions: The Role of Energy Flow and Redistribution in Avoiding the Minimum Energy Path.

PubMed

Proenza, Yaicel G; de Souza, Miguel A F; Longo, Ricardo L

2016-11-02

The gas-phase reactions of XH - (X=O, S) + CH 3 Y (Y=F, Cl, Br) span nearly the whole range of S N 2 pathways, and show an intrinsic reaction coordinate (IRC) (minimum energy path) with a deep well owing to the CH 3 XH⋅⋅⋅Y - (or CH 3 S - ⋅⋅⋅HF) hydrogen-bonded postreaction complex. MP2 quasiclassical-type direct dynamics starting at the [HX⋅⋅⋅CH 3 ⋅⋅⋅Y] - transition-state (TS) structure reveal distinct mechanistic behaviors. Trajectories that yield the separated CH 3 XH+Y - (or CH 3 S - +HF) products directly are non-IRC, whereas those that sample the CH 3 XH⋅⋅⋅Y - (or CH 3 S - ⋅⋅⋅HF) complex are IRC. The IRCIRC/non-IRC ratios of 90:10, 40:60, 25:75, 2:98, 0:100, and 0:100 are obtained for (X, Y)=(S, F), (O, F), (S, Cl), (S, Br), (O, Cl), and (O, Br), respectively. The properties of the energy profiles after the TS cannot provide a rationalization of these results. Analysis of the energy flow in dynamics shows that the trajectories cross a dynamical bifurcation, and that the inability to follow the minimum energy path arises from long vibration periods of the X-C⋅⋅⋅Y bending mode. The partition of the available energy to the products into vibrational, rotational, and translational energies reveals that if the vibrational contribution is more than 80 %, non-IRC behavior dominates, unless the relative fraction of the rotational and translational components is similar, in which case a richer dynamical mechanism is shown, with an IRC/non-IRC ratio that correlates to this relative fraction. © 2016 Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

Thermal-Flow Code for Modeling Gas Dynamics and Heat Transfer in Space Shuttle Solid Rocket Motor Joints

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Wang, Qunzhen; Mathias, Edward C.; Heman, Joe R.; Smith, Cory W.

2000-01-01

A new, thermal-flow simulation code, called SFLOW. has been developed to model the gas dynamics, heat transfer, as well as O-ring and flow path erosion inside the space shuttle solid rocket motor joints by combining SINDA/Glo, a commercial thermal analyzer. and SHARPO, a general-purpose CFD code developed at Thiokol Propulsion. SHARP was modified so that friction, heat transfer, mass addition, as well as minor losses in one-dimensional flow can be taken into account. The pressure, temperature and velocity of the combustion gas in the leak paths are calculated in SHARP by solving the time-dependent Navier-Stokes equations while the heat conduction in the solid is modeled by SINDA/G. The two codes are coupled by the heat flux at the solid-gas interface. A few test cases are presented and the results from SFLOW agree very well with the exact solutions or experimental data. These cases include Fanno flow where friction is important, Rayleigh flow where heat transfer between gas and solid is important, flow with mass addition due to the erosion of the solid wall, a transient volume venting process, as well as some transient one-dimensional flows with analytical solutions. In addition, SFLOW is applied to model the RSRM nozzle joint 4 subscale hot-flow tests and the predicted pressures, temperatures (both gas and solid), and O-ring erosions agree well with the experimental data. It was also found that the heat transfer between gas and solid has a major effect on the pressures and temperatures of the fill bottles in the RSRM nozzle joint 4 configuration No. 8 test.

MinePath: Mining for Phenotype Differential Sub-paths in Molecular Pathways

PubMed Central

Koumakis, Lefteris; Kartsaki, Evgenia; Chatzimina, Maria; Zervakis, Michalis; Vassou, Despoina; Marias, Kostas; Moustakis, Vassilis; Potamias, George

2016-01-01

Pathway analysis methodologies couple traditional gene expression analysis with knowledge encoded in established molecular pathway networks, offering a promising approach towards the biological interpretation of phenotype differentiating genes. Early pathway analysis methodologies, named as gene set analysis (GSA), view pathways just as plain lists of genes without taking into account either the underlying pathway network topology or the involved gene regulatory relations. These approaches, even if they achieve computational efficiency and simplicity, consider pathways that involve the same genes as equivalent in terms of their gene enrichment characteristics. Most recent pathway analysis approaches take into account the underlying gene regulatory relations by examining their consistency with gene expression profiles and computing a score for each profile. Even with this approach, assessing and scoring single-relations limits the ability to reveal key gene regulation mechanisms hidden in longer pathway sub-paths. We introduce MinePath, a pathway analysis methodology that addresses and overcomes the aforementioned problems. MinePath facilitates the decomposition of pathways into their constituent sub-paths. Decomposition leads to the transformation of single-relations to complex regulation sub-paths. Regulation sub-paths are then matched with gene expression sample profiles in order to evaluate their functional status and to assess phenotype differential power. Assessment of differential power supports the identification of the most discriminant profiles. In addition, MinePath assess the significance of the pathways as a whole, ranking them by their p-values. Comparison results with state-of-the-art pathway analysis systems are indicative for the soundness and reliability of the MinePath approach. In contrast with many pathway analysis tools, MinePath is a web-based system (www.minepath.org) offering dynamic and rich pathway visualization functionality, with the unique characteristic to color regulatory relations between genes and reveal their phenotype inclination. This unique characteristic makes MinePath a valuable tool for in silico molecular biology experimentation as it serves the biomedical researchers’ exploratory needs to reveal and interpret the regulatory mechanisms that underlie and putatively govern the expression of target phenotypes. PMID:27832067

MinePath: Mining for Phenotype Differential Sub-paths in Molecular Pathways.

PubMed

Koumakis, Lefteris; Kanterakis, Alexandros; Kartsaki, Evgenia; Chatzimina, Maria; Zervakis, Michalis; Tsiknakis, Manolis; Vassou, Despoina; Kafetzopoulos, Dimitris; Marias, Kostas; Moustakis, Vassilis; Potamias, George

2016-11-01

Pathway analysis methodologies couple traditional gene expression analysis with knowledge encoded in established molecular pathway networks, offering a promising approach towards the biological interpretation of phenotype differentiating genes. Early pathway analysis methodologies, named as gene set analysis (GSA), view pathways just as plain lists of genes without taking into account either the underlying pathway network topology or the involved gene regulatory relations. These approaches, even if they achieve computational efficiency and simplicity, consider pathways that involve the same genes as equivalent in terms of their gene enrichment characteristics. Most recent pathway analysis approaches take into account the underlying gene regulatory relations by examining their consistency with gene expression profiles and computing a score for each profile. Even with this approach, assessing and scoring single-relations limits the ability to reveal key gene regulation mechanisms hidden in longer pathway sub-paths. We introduce MinePath, a pathway analysis methodology that addresses and overcomes the aforementioned problems. MinePath facilitates the decomposition of pathways into their constituent sub-paths. Decomposition leads to the transformation of single-relations to complex regulation sub-paths. Regulation sub-paths are then matched with gene expression sample profiles in order to evaluate their functional status and to assess phenotype differential power. Assessment of differential power supports the identification of the most discriminant profiles. In addition, MinePath assess the significance of the pathways as a whole, ranking them by their p-values. Comparison results with state-of-the-art pathway analysis systems are indicative for the soundness and reliability of the MinePath approach. In contrast with many pathway analysis tools, MinePath is a web-based system (www.minepath.org) offering dynamic and rich pathway visualization functionality, with the unique characteristic to color regulatory relations between genes and reveal their phenotype inclination. This unique characteristic makes MinePath a valuable tool for in silico molecular biology experimentation as it serves the biomedical researchers' exploratory needs to reveal and interpret the regulatory mechanisms that underlie and putatively govern the expression of target phenotypes.

Nitrous Oxide Emission Flux Measurements for Ecological Systems with an Open-Path Quantum Cascade Laser-Based Sensor

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tao, L.; Sun, K.; Cavigelli, M. A.; Gelfand, I.; Zenone, T.; Cui, M.; Miller, D. J.; Khan, M. A.; Zondlo, M. A.

2012-12-01

The ambient concentration of nitrous oxide (N2O), the fourth most abundant greenhouse gas, is rapidly increasing with emissions from both natural and anthropogenic sources [1]. Soil and aquatic areas are important sources and sinks for N2O due to complicated biogenic processes. However, N2O emissions are poorly constrained in space and time, despite its importance to global climate change and ozone depletion. We report our recent N2O emission measurements with an open-path quantum cascade laser (QCL)-based sensor for ecological systems. The newly emergent QCLs have been used to build compact, sensitive trace gas sensors in the mid-IR spectral region. A compact open-path QCL based sensor was developed to detect atmospheric N2O and CO at ~ 4.5 μm using wavelength modulation spectroscopy (WMS) to achieve a sensitivity of 0.26 ppbv of N2O and 0.24 ppbv of CO in 1 s with a power consumption of ~50 W [2]. This portable sensor system has been used to perform N2O emission flux measurement both with a static flux chamber and on an eddy covariance (EC) flux tower. In the flux chamber measurements, custom chambers were used to host the laser sensor, while gas samples for gas chromatograph (GC) were collected at the same time in the same chamber for validation and comparison. Different soil treatments have been applied in different chambers to study the relationship between N2O emission and the amount of fertilizer (and water) addition. Measurements from two methods agreed with each other (95% or higher confidence interval) for emission flux results, while laser sensor gave measurements with a much high temporal resolution. We have also performed the first open-path eddy covariance N2O flux measurement at Kellogg research station, Michigan State University for a month in June, 2012. Our sensor was placed on a 4-meter tower in a corn field and powered by batteries (connected with solar panels). We have observed the diurnal cycle of N2O flux. During this deployment, an inter-comparison between our sensor and a commercial gas sensor was done to check the sensor's performance. Overall, our sensor showed a good performance with both static chamber measurement and EC flux measurement of N2O. Its open-path, compact and portable design with low power consumption provides lots of advantages for N2O emission flux measurement in the ecological systems. [1] S. A. Montzka, E. J. Dlugokencky, and J. H. Butler, "Non-CO2 greenhouse gases and climate change," Nature 476, 43-50 (2011). [2] L. Tao, K, Sun, D. J. Miller, M. A. Khan and M.A. Zondlo, "Optimizations for simultaneous detection of atmospheric N2O and CO with a quantum cascade laser," CLEO, 2012

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

Odette, G. Robert

The objective of this work was to characterize the alloy 14YWT-PM2, which is an extruded and cross-rolled precursor alloy to a large heat of 14YWT being produced using an alternative processing path that incorporates Y during gas atomization process.

Hot gas path component trailing edge having near wall cooling features

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

Lacy, Benjamin Paul; Kottilingam, Srikanth Chandrudu; Miranda, Carlos Miguel

A hot gas path component includes a substrate having an outer surface and an inner surface. The inner surface defines an interior space. The outer surface defines a pressure side surface and a suction side surface. The pressure and suction side surfaces are joined together at a leading edge and at a trailing edge. A first cooling passage is formed in the suction side surface of the substrate. It is coupled in flow communication to the interior space. A second cooling passage, separate from the first cooling passage, is formed in the pressure side surface. The second cooling passage ismore » coupled in flow communication to the interior space. A cover is disposed over at least a portion of the first and second cooling passages. The interior space channels a cooling fluid to the first and second cooling passages, which channel the cooling fluid therethrough to remove heat from the component.« less

Ceramic high pressure gas path seal

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Liotta, G. C.

1987-01-01

Stage 1 ceramic shrouds (high pressure turbine gas path seal) were developed for the GE T700 turbine helicopter engine under the Army/NASA Contract NAS3-23174. This contract successfully proved the viability and benefits of a Stage 1 ceramic shroud for production application. Stage 1 ceramic shrouds were proven by extensive component and engine testing. This Stage 1 ceramic shroud, plasma sprayed ceramic (ZrOs-BY2O3) and bond coating (NiCrAlY) onto a cast metal backing, offers significant engine performance improvement. Due to the ceramic coating, the amount of cooling air required is reduced 20% resulting in a 0.5% increase in horsepower and a 0.3% decrease in specific fuel consumption. This is accomplished with a component which is lower in cost than the current production shroud. Stage 1 ceramic shrouds will be introduced into field service in late 1987.

Perspective on Diabatic Models of Chemical Reactivity as Illustrated by the Gas-Phase SN2 Reaction of Acetate Ion with 1,2-Dichloroethane

PubMed Central

Valero, Rosendo; Song, Lingchun; Gao, Jiali; Truhlar, Donald G.

2009-01-01

Diabatic models are widely employed for studying chemical reactivity in condensed phases and enzymes, but there has been little discussion of the pros and cons of various diabatic representations for this purpose. Here we discuss and contrast six different schemes for computing diabatic potentials for a charge rearrangement reaction. They include (i) the variational diabatic configurations (VDC) constructed by variationally optimizing individual valence bond structures and (ii) the consistent diabatic configurations (CDC) obtained by variationally optimizing the ground-state adiabatic energy, both in the nonorthogonal molecular orbital valence bond (MOVB) method, along with the orthogonalized (iii) VDC-MOVB and (iv) CDC-MOVB models. In addition, we consider (v) the fourfold way (based on diabatic molecular orbitals and configuration uniformity), and (vi) empirical valence bond (EVB) theory. To make the considerations concrete, we calculate diabatic electronic states and diabatic potential energies along the reaction path that connects the reactant and the product ion-molecule complexes of the gas-phase bimolecular nucleophilic substitution (SN2) reaction of 1,2-dichloethane (DCE) with acetate ion, which is a model reaction corresponding to the reaction catalyzed by haloalkane dehalogenase. We utilize ab initio block-localized molecular orbital theory to construct the MOVB diabatic states and ab initio multi-configuration quasidegenerate perturbation theory to construct the fourfold-way diabatic states; the latter are calculated at reaction path geometries obtained with the M06-2X density functional. The EVB diabatic states are computed with parameters taken from the literature. The MOVB and fourfold-way adiabatic and diabatic potential energy profiles along the reaction path are in qualitative but not quantitative agreement with each other. In order to validate that these wave-function-based diabatic states are qualitatively correct, we show that the reaction energy and barrier for the adiabatic ground state, obtained with these methods, agree reasonably well with the results of high-level calculations using the composite G3SX and G3SX(MP3) methods and the BMC-CCSD multi-coefficient correlation method. However, a comparison of the EVB gas-phase adiabatic ground-state reaction path with those obtained from MOVB and with the fourfold way reveals that the EVB reaction path geometries show a systematic shift towards the products region, and that the EVB lowest-energy path has a much lower barrier. The free energies of solvation and activation energy in water reported from dynamical calculations based on EVB also imply a low activation barrier in the gas phase. In addition, calculations of the free energy of solvation using the recently proposed SM8 continuum solvation model with CM4M partial atomic charges lead to an activation barrier in reasonable agreement with experiment only when the geometries and the gas-phase barrier are those obtained from electronic structure calculations, i.e., methods i–v. These comparisons show the danger of basing the diabatic states on molecular mechanics without the explicit calculation of electronic wave functions. Furthermore, comparison of schemes i–v with one another shows that significantly different quantitative results can be obtained by using different methods for extracting diabatic states from wave function calculations, and it is important for each user to justify the choice of diabatization method in the context of its intended use. PMID:20047005

Magnetic roller gas gate employing transonic sweep gas flow to isolate regions of differing gaseous composition or pressure

DOEpatents

Doehler, Joachim

1994-12-20

Disclosed herein is an improved gas gate for interconnecting regions of differing gaseous composition and/or pressure. The gas gate includes a narrow, elongated passageway through which substrate material is adapted to move between said regions and inlet means for introducing a flow of non-contaminating sweep gas into a central portion of said passageway. The gas gate is characterized in that the height of the passageway and the flow rate of the sweep gas therethrough provides for transonic flow of the sweep gas between the inlet means and at least one of the two interconnected regions, thereby effectively isolating one region, characterized by one composition and pressure, from another region, having a differing composition and/or pressure, by decreasing the mean-free-path length between collisions of diffusing species within the transonic flow region. The gas gate preferably includes a manifold at the juncture point where the gas inlet means and the passageway interconnect.

Design and study on optic fiber sensor detection system

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jiang, Xuemei; Liu, Quan; Liang, Xiaoyu; Lin, Haiyan

2005-11-01

With the development of industry and agriculture, the environmental pollution becomes more and more serious. Various kinds of poisonous gas are the important pollution sources. Various kinds of poisonous gas, such as the carbon monoxide, sulfureted hydrogen, sulfur dioxide, methane, acetylene are threatening human normal life and production seriously especially today when industry and various kinds of manufacturing industries develop at full speed. The acetylene is a kind of gas with very lively chemical property, extremely apt to burn, resolve and explode, and it is great to destroy things among these poisonous gases. Comparing with other inflammable and explosive gas, the explosion range of the acetylene is heavier. Therefore carrying on monitoring acetylene pollution sources scene in real time, grasping the state of pollution taking place and development in time, have very important meanings. Aim at the above problems, a set of optical fiber detection system of acetylene gas based on the characteristic of spectrum absorption of acetylene is presented in this paper, which has reference channel and is for on-line and real-time detection. In order to eliminate the effect of other factors on measurement precision, the double light sources, double light paths and double cells are used in this system. Because of the use of double wavelength compensating method, this system can eliminate the disturbance in the optical paths, the problem of instability is solved and the measurement precision is greatly enhanced. Some experimental results are presented at the end of this paper.

A Mobile Sensing Approach for Regional Surveillance of ...

EPA Pesticide Factsheets

This paper discusses plan-path and automated concepts for inspection to localize individual leaks and to quantify their source rates over regions with active oil and gas well pads and pipelines. This is a peer reviewed journal article submission that advances GMAP OTM 33 mobile measurement and fixed place fence line NGAM topics. This paper is focused on methods development and does not contain new or unpublished source emissions results regarding oil and gas.

Time Series Analysis of Soil Radon Data Using Multiple Linear Regression and Artificial Neural Network in Seismic Precursory Studies

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Singh, S.; Jaishi, H. P.; Tiwari, R. P.; Tiwari, R. C.

2017-07-01

This paper reports the analysis of soil radon data recorded in the seismic zone-V, located in the northeastern part of India (latitude 23.73N, longitude 92.73E). Continuous measurements of soil-gas emission along Chite fault in Mizoram (India) were carried out with the replacement of solid-state nuclear track detectors at weekly interval. The present study was done for the period from March 2013 to May 2015 using LR-115 Type II detectors, manufactured by Kodak Pathe, France. In order to reduce the influence of meteorological parameters, statistical analysis tools such as multiple linear regression and artificial neural network have been used. Decrease in radon concentration was recorded prior to some earthquakes that occurred during the observation period. Some false anomalies were also recorded which may be attributed to the ongoing crustal deformation which was not major enough to produce an earthquake.

Investigation of progressive failure robustness and alternate load paths for damage tolerant structures

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Marhadi, Kun Saptohartyadi

Structural optimization for damage tolerance under various unforeseen damage scenarios is computationally challenging. It couples non-linear progressive failure analysis with sampling-based stochastic analysis of random damage. The goal of this research was to understand the relationship between alternate load paths available in a structure and its damage tolerance, and to use this information to develop computationally efficient methods for designing damage tolerant structures. Progressive failure of a redundant truss structure subjected to small random variability was investigated to identify features that correlate with robustness and predictability of the structure's progressive failure. The identified features were used to develop numerical surrogate measures that permit computationally efficient deterministic optimization to achieve robustness and predictability of progressive failure. Analysis of damage tolerance on designs with robust progressive failure indicated that robustness and predictability of progressive failure do not guarantee damage tolerance. Damage tolerance requires a structure to redistribute its load to alternate load paths. In order to investigate the load distribution characteristics that lead to damage tolerance in structures, designs with varying degrees of damage tolerance were generated using brute force stochastic optimization. A method based on principal component analysis was used to describe load distributions (alternate load paths) in the structures. Results indicate that a structure that can develop alternate paths is not necessarily damage tolerant. The alternate load paths must have a required minimum load capability. Robustness analysis of damage tolerant optimum designs indicates that designs are tailored to specified damage. A design Optimized under one damage specification can be sensitive to other damages not considered. Effectiveness of existing load path definitions and characterizations were investigated for continuum structures. A load path definition using a relative compliance change measure (U* field) was demonstrated to be the most useful measure of load path. This measure provides quantitative information on load path trajectories and qualitative information on the effectiveness of the load path. The use of the U* description of load paths in optimizing structures for effective load paths was investigated.

Scenario Analysis With Economic-Energy Systems Models Coupled to Simple Climate Models

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hanson, D. A.; Kotamarthi, V. R.; Foster, I. T.; Franklin, M.; Zhu, E.; Patel, D. M.

2008-12-01

Here, we compare two scenarios based on Stanford University's Energy Modeling Forum Study 22 on global cooperative and non-cooperative climate policies. In the former, efficient transition paths are implemented including technology Research and Development effort, energy conservation programs, and price signals for greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. In the non-cooperative case, some countries try to relax their regulations and be free riders. Total emissions and costs are higher in the non-cooperative scenario. The simulations, including climate impacts, run to the year 2100. We use the Argonne AMIGA-MARS economic-energy systems model, the Texas AM University's Forest and Agricultural Sector Optimization Model (FASOM), and the University of Illinois's Integrated Science Assessment Model (ISAM), with offline coupling between the FASOM and AMIGA-MARS and an online coupling between AMIGA-MARS and ISAM. This set of models captures the interaction of terrestrial systems, land use, crops and forests, climate change, human activity, and energy systems. Our scenario simulations represent dynamic paths over which all the climate, terrestrial, economic, and energy technology equations are solved simultaneously Special attention is paid to biofuels and how they interact with conventional gasoline/diesel fuel markets. Possible low-carbon penetration paths are based on estimated costs for new technologies, including cellulosic biomass, coal-to-liquids, plug-in electric vehicles, solar and nuclear energy. We explicitly explore key uncertainties that affect mitigation and adaptation scenarios.

Shale Gas: Development Opportunities and Challenges

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

Zoback, Mark D.; Arent, Douglas J.

2014-03-01

The use of horizontal drilling and multistage hydraulic fracturing technologies has enabled the production of immense quantities of natural gas, to date principally in North America but increasingly in other countries around the world. The global availability of this resource creates both opportunities and challenges that need to be addressed in a timely and effective manner. There seems little question that rapid shale gas development, coupled with fuel switching from coal to natural gas for power generation, can have beneficial effects on air pollution, greenhouse gas emissions, and energy security in many countries. In this context, shale gas resources representmore » a critically important transition fuel on the path to a decarbonized energy future. For these benefits to be realized, however, it is imperative that shale gas resources be developed with effective environmental safeguards to reduce their impact on land use, water resources, air quality, and nearby communities.« less

Conversion of Nuclear Waste to Molten Glass: Cold-Cap Reactions in Crucible Tests

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

Xu, Kai; Hrma, Pavel; Rice, Jarrett A.

2016-05-23

The feed-to-glass conversion, which comprises complex chemical reactions and phase transitions, occurs in the cold-cap zone during nuclear waste vitrification. Knowledge of the chemistry and physics of feed-to-glass conversion will help us control the conversion path by changing the melter feed makeup to maximize the glass production rate. To investigate the conversion process, we analyzed heat-treated samples of a simulated high-level waste feed using X-ray diffraction, electron probe microanalysis – wavelength dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, leaching tests, and residual anion analysis. Feed dehydration, gas evolution, and borate phase formation occurred at temperatures below 700 °C before the emerging glass-forming melt wasmore » completely connected. Above 800 °C, intermediate aluminosilicate phases and quartz particles were gradually dissolving in the continuous borosilicate melt, which expanded into transient foam. Knowledge of the chemistry and physics of feed-to-glass conversion will help us control the conversion path by changing the melter feed makeup to maximize the glass production rate.« less

Analysis of the Gulf of Mexico's Veracruz-Havana Route of La Flota de la Nueva España

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lugo-Fernández, A.; Ball, D. A.; Gravois, M.; Horrell, C.; Irion, J. B.

2007-06-01

During colonial times, an active maritime trade existed between Spain and the New World, with convoys sailing annually to and from Mexico and returning via Havana, Cuba, after wintering in America. A database constructed from secondary and open sources revealed that Spanish vessels were sailing over open waters along a northern path near Louisiana and a southern path across the central Gulf of Mexico. These routes were traversed in about one month and scheduling for the convoy was based on an understanding of the Americas’ meteorological and oceanographic climate. However, other factors may also have been involved in the directional layout of the routes. Today these ancient routes crisscross planning areas for oil and gas lease sales in the US Exclusive Economic Zone and the information presented in this article may aid in identifying areas where historic shipwrecks may lie. Maps and documents found during this study helped piece together the evolution of our understanding of the Gulf of Mexico surface circulation and how this knowledge influenced sailing during colonial times.

Gas ion laser construction for electrically isolating the pressure gauge thereof

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Wood, C. E.; Witte, R. S. (Inventor)

1975-01-01

The valve and the pressure gauge of a gas ion laser were electrically insulated from the laser discharge path by connecting them in series with the cathode of the laser. The laser cathode can be grounded and preferably is a cold cathode although a hot cathode may be used instead. The cold cathode was provided with a central aperture to which was connected both the pressure gauge and the gas pressure reservoir through the valve. This will effectively prevent electric discharges from passing either to the pressure gauge or the valve which would otherwise destroy the pressure gauge.

Canada seeks US financing waiver to clear Alaska Gas Pipeline's path

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

Corrigan, R.

1981-09-26

A Canadian official outlines in an interview his government's hope that the US will proceed with the financing and construction of the Alaska Highway natural gas pipeline. The Canadian portion of the pipeline was begun under good faith because Canada sees her best interests served when US supply needs are met and when both countries have the energy to develop and prosper. Canada asks the Reagan administration to present Congress with a waiver package that will facilitate financing by eliminating a prohibition against pipeline share ownership by the owners of gas in Alaska. (DCK)

30 CFR 7.97 - Application requirements.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-07-01

... sensors, flame arresters, exhaust conditioner, emergency intake air shutoff device, automatic fuel shutoff...-cooled components, coolant lines, radiator, surge tank, temperature sensors, and orifices; arrows... internal parts, exhaust inlet and outlet, sensors, and the exhaust gas path through the exhaust conditioner...

30 CFR 7.97 - Application requirements.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-07-01

... sensors, flame arresters, exhaust conditioner, emergency intake air shutoff device, automatic fuel shutoff...-cooled components, coolant lines, radiator, surge tank, temperature sensors, and orifices; arrows... internal parts, exhaust inlet and outlet, sensors, and the exhaust gas path through the exhaust conditioner...

30 CFR 7.97 - Application requirements.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-07-01

... sensors, flame arresters, exhaust conditioner, emergency intake air shutoff device, automatic fuel shutoff...-cooled components, coolant lines, radiator, surge tank, temperature sensors, and orifices; arrows... internal parts, exhaust inlet and outlet, sensors, and the exhaust gas path through the exhaust conditioner...

40 CFR 92.114 - Exhaust gas and particulate sampling and analytical system.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-07-01

.... (A) For diesel fueled and biodiesel fueled locomotives and engines, the wall temperature of the HC... fuels other than diesel or biodiesel, the heated components in the HC sample path shall be maintained at...

40 CFR 92.114 - Exhaust gas and particulate sampling and analytical system.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-07-01

.... (A) For diesel fueled and biodiesel fueled locomotives and engines, the wall temperature of the HC... fuels other than diesel or biodiesel, the heated components in the HC sample path shall be maintained at...

40 CFR 92.114 - Exhaust gas and particulate sampling and analytical system.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-07-01

.... (A) For diesel fueled and biodiesel fueled locomotives and engines, the wall temperature of the HC... fuels other than diesel or biodiesel, the heated components in the HC sample path shall be maintained at...

Research on atmospheric CO2 remote sensing with open-path tunable diode laser absorption spectroscopy and comparison methods

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Xin, Fengxin; Guo, Jinjia; Sun, Jiayun; Li, Jie; Zhao, Chaofang; Liu, Zhishen

2017-06-01

An open-path atmospheric CO2 measurement system was built based on tunable diode laser absorption spectroscopy (TDLAS). The CO2 absorption line near 2 μm was selected, measuring the atmospheric CO2 with direct absorption spectroscopy and carrying on the comparative experiment with multipoint measuring instruments of the open-path. The detection limit of the TDLAS system is 1.94×10-6. The calibration experiment of three AZ-7752 handheld CO2 measuring instruments was carried out with the Los Gatos Research gas analyzer. The consistency of the results was good, and the handheld instrument could be used in the TDLAS system after numerical calibration. With the contrast of three AZ-7752 and their averages, the correlation coefficients are 0.8828, 0.9004, 0.9079, and 0.9393 respectively, which shows that the open-path TDLAS has the best correlation with the average of three AZ-7752 and measures the concentration of atmospheric CO2 accurately. Multipoint measurement provides a convenient comparative method for open-path TDLAS.

Automatic Control Of Length Of Welding Arc

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Iceland, William F.

1991-01-01

Nonlinear relationships among current, voltage, and length stored in electronic memory. Conceptual microprocessor-based control subsystem maintains constant length of welding arc in gas/tungsten arc-welding system, even when welding current varied. Uses feedback of current and voltage from welding arc. Directs motor to set position of torch according to previously measured relationships among current, voltage, and length of arc. Signal paths marked "calibration" or "welding" used during those processes only. Other signal paths used during both processes. Control subsystem added to existing manual or automatic welding system equipped with automatic voltage control.

Tokamak with in situ magnetohydrodynamic generation of toroidal magnetic field

DOEpatents

Schaffer, Michael J.

1986-01-01

A tokamak apparatus includes an electrically conductive metal pressure vessel for defining a chamber and confining liquid therein. A liner disposed within said chamber defines a toroidal space within the liner and confines gas therein. The metal vessel provides an electrically conductive path linking the toroidal space. Liquid metal is forced outwardly through the chamber outside of the toroidal space to generate electric current in the conductive path and thereby generate a toroidal magnetic field within the toroidal space. Toroidal plasma is developed within the toroidal space about the major axis thereof.

ARC Cell Science Validation (CS-V) Payload Overview

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Gilkerson, Nikita

2017-01-01

Automated cell biology system for laboratory and International Space Station (ISS) National Laboratory research. Enhanced cell culture platform that provides undisturbed culture maintenance, including feedback temperature control, medical grade gas supply, perfusion nutrient delivery and removal of waste, and automated experiment manipulations. Programmable manipulations include: media feeds change out, injections, fraction collections, fixation, flow rate, and temperature modification within a one-piece sterile barrier flow path. Cassette provides 3 levels of containment and allows Crew access to the bioculture chamber and flow path assembly for experiment initiation, refurbishment, or sample retrieval and preservation.

Experimental studies and model analysis of noble gas fractionation in low-permeability porous media

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ding, Xin; Mack Kennedy, B.; Molins, Sergi; Kneafsey, Timothy; Evans, William C.

2017-05-01

Gas flow through the vadose zone from sources at depth involves fractionation effects that can obscure the nature of transport and even the identity of the source. Transport processes are particularly complex in low permeability media but as shown in this study, can be elucidated by measuring the atmospheric noble gases. A series of laboratory column experiments was conducted to evaluate the movement of noble gas from the atmosphere into soil in the presence of a net efflux of CO2, a process that leads to fractionation of the noble gases from their atmospheric abundance ratios. The column packings were designed to simulate natural sedimentary deposition by interlayering low permeability ceramic plates and high permeability beach sand. Gas samples were collected at different depths at CO2 fluxes high enough to cause extreme fractionation of the noble gases (4He/36Ar > 20 times the air ratio). The experimental noble gas fractionation-depth profiles were in good agreement with those predicted by the dusty gas (DG) model, demonstrating the applicability of the DG model across a broad spectrum of environmental conditions. A governing equation based on the dusty gas model was developed to specifically describe noble gas fractionation at each depth that is controlled by the binary diffusion coefficient, Knudsen diffusion coefficient and the ratio of total advection flux to total flux. Finally, the governing equation was used to derive the noble gas fractionation pattern and illustrate how it is influenced by soil CO2 flux, sedimentary sequence, thickness of each sedimentary layer and each layer's physical parameters. Three potential applications of noble gas fractionation are provided: evaluating soil attributes in the path of gas flow from a source at depth to the atmosphere, testing leakage through low permeability barriers used to isolate buried waste, and tracking biological methanogenesis and methane oxidation associated with hydrocarbon degradation.

Explaining Spatial Variability in Wellbore Impairment Risk for Pennsylvania Oil and Gas Wells, 2000-2014

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Santoro, R.; Ingraffea, A. R.

2015-12-01

Previous modeling (ingraffea et al. PNAS, 2014) indicated roughly two-times higher cumulative risk for wellbore impairment in unconventional wells, relative to conventional wells, and large spatial variation in risk for oil and gas wells drilled in the state of Pennsylvania. Impairment risk for wells in the northeast portion of the state were found to be 8.5-times greater than that of wells drilled in the rest of the state. Here, we set out to explain this apparent regional variability through Boosted Regression Tree (BRT) analysis of geographic, developmental, and general well attributes. We find that regional variability is largely driven by the nature of the development, i.e. whether conventional or unconventional development is dominant. Oil and natural gas market prices and total well depths present as major influences in wellbore impairment, with moderate influences from well densities and geologic factors. The figure depicts influence paths for predictors of impairments for the state (top left), SW region (top right), unconventional/NE region (bottom left) and conventional/NW region (bottom right) models. Influences are scaled to reflect percent contributions in explaining variability in the model.

Laser power meters as an X-ray power diagnostic for LCLS-II

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

Heimann, Philip; Moeller, Stefan; Carbajo, Sergio

For the LCLS-II X-ray instruments, laser power meters are being developed as compact X-ray power diagnostics to operate at soft and tender X-ray photon energies. These diagnostics can be installed at various locations along an X-ray free-electron laser (FEL) beamline in order to monitor the transmission of X-ray optics along the beam path. In addition, the power meters will be used to determine the absolute X-ray power at the endstations. Here, thermopile power meters, which measure average power, and have been chosen primarily for their compatibility with the high repetition rates at LCLS-II, are evaluated. Here, a number of characteristicsmore » in the soft X-ray range are presented including linearity, calibrations conducted with a photodiode and a gas monitor detector as well as ultra-high-vacuum compatibility tests using residual gas analysis. The application of these power meters for LCLS-II and other X-ray FEL sources is discussed.« less

Ppb-level formaldehyde detection using a CW room-temperature interband cascade laser and a miniature dense pattern multipass gas cell

DOE PAGES

Dong, Lei; Yu, Yajun; Li, Chunguang; ...

2015-07-27

A ppb-level formaldehyde (H 2CO) sensor was developed using a thermoelectrically cooled (TEC), continuous-wave (CW) room temperature interband cascade laser (ICL) emitting at 3.59 μm and a miniature dense pattern multipass gas cell with >50 m optical path length. Performance of the sensor was investigated with two measurement schemes: direct absorption (DAS) and wavelength modulation spectroscopy (WMS). With an integration time of less than 1.5 second, a detection limit of ~3 ppbv for H 2CO measurement with precision of 1.25 ppbv for DAS and 0.58 ppbv for WMS, respectively, was achieved without zero air based background subtraction. An Allan-Werle variancemore » analysis indicated that the precisions can be further improved to 0.26 ppbv @ 300s for DAS and 69 pptv @ 90 s for WMS, respectively. Finally, a side-by-side comparison between two measurement schemes is also discussed in detail.« less

Laser power meters as an X-ray power diagnostic for LCLS-II.

PubMed

Heimann, Philip; Moeller, Stefan; Carbajo, Sergio; Song, Sanghoon; Dakovski, Georgi; Nordlund, Dennis; Fritz, David

2018-01-01

For the LCLS-II X-ray instruments, laser power meters are being developed as compact X-ray power diagnostics to operate at soft and tender X-ray photon energies. These diagnostics can be installed at various locations along an X-ray free-electron laser (FEL) beamline in order to monitor the transmission of X-ray optics along the beam path. In addition, the power meters will be used to determine the absolute X-ray power at the endstations. Here, thermopile power meters, which measure average power, and have been chosen primarily for their compatibility with the high repetition rates at LCLS-II, are evaluated. A number of characteristics in the soft X-ray range are presented including linearity, calibrations conducted with a photodiode and a gas monitor detector as well as ultra-high-vacuum compatibility tests using residual gas analysis. The application of these power meters for LCLS-II and other X-ray FEL sources is discussed.

Laser power meters as an X-ray power diagnostic for LCLS-II

DOE PAGES

Heimann, Philip; Moeller, Stefan; Carbajo, Sergio; ...

2018-01-01

For the LCLS-II X-ray instruments, laser power meters are being developed as compact X-ray power diagnostics to operate at soft and tender X-ray photon energies. These diagnostics can be installed at various locations along an X-ray free-electron laser (FEL) beamline in order to monitor the transmission of X-ray optics along the beam path. In addition, the power meters will be used to determine the absolute X-ray power at the endstations. Here, thermopile power meters, which measure average power, and have been chosen primarily for their compatibility with the high repetition rates at LCLS-II, are evaluated. Here, a number of characteristicsmore » in the soft X-ray range are presented including linearity, calibrations conducted with a photodiode and a gas monitor detector as well as ultra-high-vacuum compatibility tests using residual gas analysis. The application of these power meters for LCLS-II and other X-ray FEL sources is discussed.« less

Real Time Mud Gas Logging During Drilling of DFDP-2B

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mathewson, L. A.; Toy, V.; Menzies, C. D.; Zimmer, M.; Erzinger, J.; Niedermann, S.; Cox, S.

2015-12-01

The Deep Fault Drilling Project (DFDP) aims to improve our understanding of the Alpine Fault Zone, a tectonically active mature fault system in New Zealand known to rupture in large events, by deep scientific drilling. The borehole DFDP-2B approached the Alpine Fault at depth, reaching a final depth of 892 m (820 m true vertical depth). Online gas analysis (OLGA) while drilling tracked changes in the composition of gases extracted from the circulating drill mud. The composition of fluids from fault zones can provide information about their origins, flow rates and -paths, fluid-rock interactions along these paths, and the permeability structure of the faulted rock mass. Apart from an atmospheric input, the gases in drilling mud derive from the pore space of rock, crushed at the drill bit, and from permeable layers intersected by the borehole. The rapid formation of mud wall cake seals the borehole from further fluid inflow, hence formation-derived gases enter mostly at the depth of the drill bit. OLGA analyses N2, O2, Ar, CO2, CH4, He, and H2 on a mass spectrometer, hydrocarbons CH4, C2H6, C3H8, i-C4H10, and n-C4H10 on a gas chromatograph, and Rn using a lucas-cell detector. Gas was sampled for offline analyses on noble gas and stable isotopes to complement the OLGA dataset. The principle formation-derived gases found in drilling mud during drilling of DFDP-2 were CO2 and CH4, with smaller component of H2 and He2. High radon activity is interpreted to reflect intervals of active fluid flow through highly fractured and faulted rock. 3He/4He values in many samples were extremely air-contaminated, i.e. there was almost no excess of non-atmospheric He. The 3He/4He values measured at 236 m and 610 m, which are the only analyses with uncertainties <100%, are very similar to those measured in hot springs along the Alpine Fault, e.g. Fox River (0.64 Ra), Copland (0.42 Ra), Lower Wanganui (0.81 Ra). We will compare these data to those gathered using OLGA and discuss the implications.

Curvature singularity and film-skating during drop impact

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Duchemin, Laurent; Josserand, Christophe

2011-09-01

We study the influence of the surrounding gas in the dynamics of drop impact on a smooth surface. We use an axisymmetric model for which both the gas and the liquid are incompressible; lubrication regime applies for the gas film dynamics and the liquid viscosity is neglected. In the absence of surface tension a finite time singularity whose properties are analysed is formed and the liquid touches the solid on a circle. When surface tension is taken into account, a thin jet emerges from the zone of impact, skating above a thin gas layer. The thickness of the air film underneath this jet is always smaller than the mean free path in the gas suggesting that the liquid film eventually wets the surface. We finally suggest an aerodynamical instability mechanism for the splash.

Sound wave resonances in micro-electro-mechanical systems devices vibrating at high frequencies according to the kinetic theory of gases

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Desvillettes, Laurent; Lorenzani, Silvia

2012-09-01

The mechanism leading to gas damping in micro-electro-mechanical systems (MEMS) devices vibrating at high frequencies is investigated by using the linearized Boltzmann equation based on simplified kinetic models and diffuse reflection boundary conditions. Above a certain frequency of oscillation, the sound waves propagating through the gas are trapped in the gaps between the moving elements and the fixed boundaries of the microdevice. In particular, we found a scaling law, valid for all Knudsen numbers Kn (defined as the ratio between the gas mean free path and a characteristic length of the gas flow), that predicts a resonant response of the system. This response enables a minimization of the damping force exerted by the gas on the oscillating wall of the microdevice.

Measuring Methane from Cars, Ships, Airplanes, Helicopters and Drones Using High-Speed Open-Path Technology

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Burba, George; Anderson, Tyler; Biraud, Sebastien; Caulton, Dana; von Fischer, Joe; Gioli, Beniamino; Hanson, Chad; Ham, Jay; Kohnert, Katrin; Larmanou, Eric; Levy, Peter; Polidori, Andrea; Pikelnaya, Olga; Sachs, Torsten; Serafimovich, Andrei; Zaldei, Alessandro; Zondlo, Mark; Zulueta, Rommel

2017-04-01

Methane plays a critical role in the radiation balance, chemistry of the atmosphere, and air quality. The major anthropogenic sources of methane include oil and gas development sites, natural gas distribution networks, landfill emissions, and agricultural production. The majority of oil and gas and urban methane emission occurs via variable-rate point sources or diffused spots in topographically challenging terrains (e.g., street tunnels, elevated locations at water treatment plants, vents, etc.). Locating and measuring such methane emissions is challenging when using traditional micrometeorological techniques, and requires development of novel approaches. Landfill methane emissions traditionally assessed at monthly or longer time intervals are subject to large uncertainties because of the snapshot nature of the measurements and the barometric pumping phenomenon. The majority of agricultural and natural methane production occurs in areas with little infrastructure or easily available grid power (e.g., rice fields, arctic and boreal wetlands, tropical mangroves, etc.). A lightweight, high-speed, high-resolution, open-path technology was recently developed for eddy covariance measurements of methane flux, with power consumption 30-150 times below other available technologies. It was designed to run on solar panels or a small generator and be placed in the middle of the methane-producing ecosystem without a need for grid power. Lately, this instrumentation has been utilized increasingly more frequently outside of the traditional use on stationary flux towers. These novel approaches include measurements from various moving platforms, such as cars, aircraft, and ships. Projects included mapping of concentrations and vertical profiles, leak detection and quantification, mobile emission detection from natural gas-powered cars, soil methane flux surveys, etc. This presentation will describe the latest state of the key projects utilizing the novel lightweight low-power high-resolution open-path technology, and will highlight several novel approaches where such instrumentation was used in mobile deployments in urban, agricultural and natural environments by academic institutions, regulatory agencies and industry.

Mobile Measurements of Methane Using High-Speed Open-Path Technology

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Burba, G. G.; Anderson, T.; Ediger, K.; von Fischer, J.; Gioli, B.; Ham, J. M.; Hupp, J. R.; Kohnert, K.; Levy, P. E.; Polidori, A.; Pikelnaya, O.; Price, E.; Sachs, T.; Serafimovich, A.; Zondlo, M. A.; Zulueta, R. C.

2016-12-01

Methane plays a critical role in the radiation balance, chemistry of the atmosphere, and air quality. The major anthropogenic sources of CH4 include oil and gas development sites, natural gas distribution networks, landfill emissions, and agricultural production. The majority of oil and gas and urban CH4 emission occurs via variable-rate point sources or diffused spots in topographically challenging terrains (e.g., street tunnels, elevated locations at water treatment plants, vents, etc.). Locating and measuring such CH4 emissions is challenging when using traditional micrometeorological techniques, and requires development of novel approaches. Landfill CH4 emissions traditionally assessed at monthly or longer time intervals are subject to large uncertainties because of the snapshot nature of the measurements and the barometric pumping phenomenon. The majority of agricultural and natural CH4 production occurs in areas with little infrastructure or easily available grid power (e.g., rice fields, arctic and boreal wetlands, tropical mangroves, etc.). A lightweight, high-speed, high-resolution, open-path technology was recently developed for eddy covariance measurements of CH4 flux, with power consumption 30-150 times below other available technologies. It was designed to run on solar panels or a small generator and be placed in the middle of the methane-producing ecosystem without a need for grid power. Lately, this instrumentation has been utilized increasingly more frequently outside of the traditional use on stationary flux towers. These novel approaches include measurements from various moving platforms, such as cars, aircraft, and ships. Projects included mapping of concentrations and vertical profiles, leak detection and quantification, mobile emission detection from natural gas-powered cars, soil CH4 flux surveys, etc. This presentation will describe key projects utilizing the novel lightweight low-power high-resolution open-path technology, and will highlight several novel approaches where such instrumentation was used in mobile deployments in urban, agricultural and natural environments by academic institutions, regulatory agencies and industry.

Improved High-Voltage Gas Isolator for Ion Thruster

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Banks, Bruce

2007-01-01

A report describes an improved high-voltage isolator for preventing electrical discharge along the flow path of a propellant gas being fed from a supply at a spacecraft chassis electrical potential to an ion thruster at a potential as high as multiple kilovolts. The isolator must survive launch vibration and must remain electrically nonconductive for thousands of hours under conditions that, in the absence of proper design, would cause formation of electrically conductive sputtered metal, carbon, and/or decomposed hydrocarbons on its surfaces. The isolator includes an alumina cylinder containing a spiral channel filled with a porous medium made from alumina microbeads fired together with an alumina slurry. Connections to gas-transport tubes are made at both ends of the alumina cylinder by means of metal caps containing fine-mesh screens to prevent passage of loose alumina particles. The outer surface of the alumina cylinder is convoluted to lengthen the electrical path between the metal caps and to afford shadow shielding to minimize the probability of formation of a continuous deposit that would electrically connect the ends. A flanged cylindrical metal cap that surrounds the alumina cylinder without touching one of the ends provides additional shadow shielding.

Gas-Phase Chemistry of Arylimido-Functionalized Hexamolybdates [Mo6O19]2-

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cao, Jie; Wang, QianQian; Liu, Chang; An, ShuQi

2018-04-01

The gas-phase fragmentations of a series of arylimido derivatives of hexamolybdate [Mo6O18(NC6H5-n R n )]2- (2-10, where R = CH3, i-C3H7, OCH3, NO2; n = 1 or 2) versus the parent species [Mo6O19]2- (1) were systematically studied using electrospray tandem mass spectrometry (ESI). Fragmentation of 1 generates two molybdate fragments only, [Mo3O10]2- and [Mo4O13]2-, whereas decomposition of 2-10 went through two dissociation pathways in which path A generates a variety of molybdate fragments via breaking the Mo-N bond followed by the cleavages of the multiple Mo-O bonds, whereas path B produces a range of molybdate fragments with arylimido group via breaking the multiple Mo-O bonds on POM framework. Moreover, the presences of mixed-oxidation-state molybdate fragments are characteristic for the fragmentation. The gas-phase stability order obtained by energy-variable collision-induced dissociation (CID) experiment reveals that 2-10 are generally less stable than 1 and substitution on the benzene ring exerts a considerable effect on the stabilization of the hybrid clusters. [Figure not available: see fulltext.

Chirped quantum cascade laser induced rapid passage signatures in an optically thick gas

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Northern, J. H.; Ritchie, G. A. D.; Smakman, E. P.; van Helden, J. H.; Walker, R. J.; Duxbury, G.

2011-01-01

We report observations of rapid passage signals induced in samples of N2O and CH4 present in a multipass cell with an optical path length of 5 m. The effect of laser power and chirp rate upon the signals has been studied by utilising two different chirped quantum cascade lasers operating around 8 μm. The rapid passage signals exhibit an increasing delay in the switch from absorption to emission as a function of increased gas pressure (up to 8 Torr of gas). By comparing a selection of transitions in N2O and CH4, we show that, unlike ammonia, this `pressure shift' is independent of the transition dipole moment, spectroscopic branch probed and laser chirp rate. As the transition dipole moment is much larger in nitrous oxide than methane, we believe that this indicates that N2O-N2O collisions are more efficient at removing coherence from the polarised sample than CH4-CH4 collisions. We have also observed this pressure shift in a short path length of 40 cm, although with a much reduced value, indicating that propagation effects are important in this optically thick minimally damped system.

Quantum Gibbs ensemble Monte Carlo

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

Fantoni, Riccardo, E-mail: rfantoni@ts.infn.it; Moroni, Saverio, E-mail: moroni@democritos.it

We present a path integral Monte Carlo method which is the full quantum analogue of the Gibbs ensemble Monte Carlo method of Panagiotopoulos to study the gas-liquid coexistence line of a classical fluid. Unlike previous extensions of Gibbs ensemble Monte Carlo to include quantum effects, our scheme is viable even for systems with strong quantum delocalization in the degenerate regime of temperature. This is demonstrated by an illustrative application to the gas-superfluid transition of {sup 4}He in two dimensions.

Understanding the scaling of electron kinetics in the transition from collisional to collisionless conditions in microscale gas discharges

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tan, Xi; Go, David B.

2018-02-01

When gas discharge and plasma devices shrink to the microscale, the electrode distance in the device approaches the mean free path of electrons and they experience few collisions. As microscale gas discharge and plasma devices become more prevalent, the behavior of discharges at these collisionless and near-collisionless conditions need to be understood. In conditions where the characteristic length d is much greater than the mean free path λ (i.e., macroscopic conditions), electron energy distributions (EEDs) and rate coefficients scale with the reduced electric field E/p. However, when d is comparable with or much lower than λ, this E/p scaling breaks. In this work, particle-in-cell/Monte Carlo collision simulations are used to explore the behavior of the EED and subsequent reaction rate coefficients in microscale field emission-driven Townsend discharges for both an atomic (argon) and a molecular (hydrogen) gas. To understand the behavior, a pseudo-analytical model is developed for the spatially integrated EED and rate coefficients in the collisional to collisionless transition regime based on the weighted sum of a fully collisional, two-temperature Maxwellian EED and the ballistic EED. The theory helps clarify the relative contribution of ballistic electrons in these extreme conditions and can be used to more accurately predict when macroscopic E/p scaling fails at the microscale.

Impact of neutral density fluctuations on gas puff imaging diagnostics

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wersal, C.; Ricci, P.

2017-11-01

A three-dimensional turbulence simulation of the SOL and edge regions of a toroidally limited tokamak is carried out. The simulation couples self-consistently the drift-reduced two-fluid Braginskii equations to a kinetic equation for neutral atoms. A diagnostic neutral gas puff on the low-field side midplane is included and the impact of neutral density fluctuations on D_α light emission investigated. We find that neutral density fluctuations affect the D_α emission. In particular, at a radial distance from the gas puff smaller than the neutral mean free path, neutral density fluctuations are anti-correlated with plasma density, electron temperature, and D_α fluctuations. It follows that the neutral fluctuations reduce the D_α emission in most of the observed region and, therefore, have to be taken into account when interpreting the amplitude of the D_α emission. On the other hand, higher order statistical moments (skewness, kurtosis) and turbulence characteristics (such as correlation length, or the autocorrelation time) are not significantly affected by the neutral fluctuations. At distances from the gas puff larger than the neutral mean free path, a non-local shadowing effect influences the neutral density fluctuations. There, the D_α fluctuations are correlated with the neutral density fluctuations, and the high-order statistical moments and measurements of other turbulence properties are strongly affected by the neutral density fluctuations.

Kinetic analysis of rare gas metastable production and optically pumped Xe lasers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Demyanov, A. V.; Kochetov, I. V.; Mikheyev, P. A.; Azyazov, V. N.; Heaven, M. C.

2018-01-01

Optically pumped all-rare-gas lasers use metastable rare gas atoms as the lasing species in mixtures with He or Ar buffer gas. The metastables are generated in a glow discharge, and we report model calculations for the optimal production of Ne*, Ar*, Kr* and Xe*. Discharge efficiency was estimated by solving the Boltzmann equation. Laser efficiency, gain and output power of the CW optically pumped Xe laser were assessed as functions of heavier rare gas content, pressure, optical pump intensity and the optical path length. It was found that, for efficient operation the heavier rare gas content has to be of the order of one percent or less, and the total pressure—in the range 0.3-1.5 atm. Output power and specific discharge power increase approximately linearly with pump intensity over the output range from 300-500 W cm-2. Ternary mixtures Xe:Ar:He were found to be the most promising. Total laser efficiency was found to be nearly the same for pumping the 2p8 or 2p9 state, reaching 61%-70% for a pump intensity of ~720 W cm-2 when the Xe fraction was in the range 0.001 ÷ 0.01 and Ar fraction—0.1 ÷ 0.5. However, when the 2p8 state was pumped, the maximum total efficiency occurred at larger pressures than for pumping of the 2p9 state. The discharge power density required to sustain a sufficient Xe* number density was in the range of tens of watts per cubic centimeter for 50% Ar in the mixture.

Pressure-Letdown Plates for Coal Gasifiers

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Collins, E. R., Jr.

1985-01-01

Variation of pseudoporous plates used with coal gasifiers in pressure letdown stage of processing minimize clogging. Rotating plates containing variable gap annuli continually change flow path to enable erosionless reduction of gas pressure. Particles that otherwise clog porous plugs pass through gaps.

Design criteria monograph on axial flow turbines

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1975-01-01

Monograph provides guidelines for predicting turbine performance, sizing gas-path elements, and avoiding problems associated with mechanical design and development. Material in monograph is organized along lines of design and development effort necessary to produce turbine that satisfies requirements imposed on it.

Compact and portable open-path sensor for simultaneous measurements of atmospheric N2O and CO using a quantum cascade laser.

PubMed

Tao, Lei; Sun, Kang; Khan, M Amir; Miller, David J; Zondlo, Mark A

2012-12-17

A compact and portable open-path sensor for simultaneous detection of atmospheric N(2)O and CO has been developed with a 4.5 μm quantum cascade laser (QCL). An in-line acetylene (C(2)H(2)) gas reference cell allows for continuous monitoring of the sensor drift and calibration in rapidly changing field environments and thereby allows for open-path detection at high precision and stability. Wavelength modulation spectroscopy (WMS) is used to detect simultaneously both the second and fourth harmonic absorption spectra with an optimized dual modulation amplitude scheme. Multi-harmonic spectra containing atmospheric N(2)O, CO, and the reference C(2)H(2) signals are fit in real-time (10 Hz) by combining a software-based lock-in amplifier with a computationally fast numerical model for WMS. The sensor consumes ~50 W of power and has a mass of ~15 kg. Precision of 0.15 ppbv N(2)O and 0.36 ppbv CO at 10 Hz under laboratory conditions was demonstrated. The sensor has been deployed for extended periods in the field. Simultaneous N(2)O and CO measurements distinguished between natural and fossil fuel combustion sources of N(2)O, an important greenhouse gas with poorly quantified emissions in space and time.

Generalized Path Analysis and Generalized Simultaneous Equations Model for Recursive Systems with Responses of Mixed Types

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Tsai, Tien-Lung; Shau, Wen-Yi; Hu, Fu-Chang

2006-01-01

This article generalizes linear path analysis (PA) and simultaneous equations models (SiEM) to deal with mixed responses of different types in a recursive or triangular system. An efficient instrumental variable (IV) method for estimating the structural coefficients of a 2-equation partially recursive generalized path analysis (GPA) model and…

Spectroscopic evidence of α,α-dichlorobenzyl radical produced by corona discharge of benzotrichloride

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yoon, Young Wook; Chae, Sang Youl; Lim, Manho; Lee, Sang Kuk

2015-08-01

We report spectroscopic observations of the α,α-dichlorobenzyl radical obtained by corona excited supersonic jet expansion using a pinhole-type glass nozzle. Vibronically excited but jet-cooled radicals were generated by corona discharge of the precursor benzotrichloride with a large amount of helium carrier gas, from which the visible vibronic emission spectrum was recorded using a long path monochromator. From an analysis of the spectrum observed, the electronic energy of the D1 → D0 transition and a few vibrational mode frequencies in the ground electronic state were obtained for the α,α-dichlorobenzyl radical by comparing observed frequencies with those obtained by ab initio calculation.

NASA C-17 Usage Overview

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Miller, Christopher R.

2008-01-01

The usage and integrated vehicle health management of the NASA C-17. Propulsion health management flight objectives for the aircraft include mapping of the High Pressure Compressor in order to calibrate a Pratt and Whitney engine model and the fusion of data collected from existing sensors and signals to develop models, analysis methods and information fusion algorithms. An additional health manage flight objective is to demonstrate that the Commercial Modular Aero-Propulsion Systems Simulation engine model can successfully execute in real time onboard the C-17 T-1 aircraft using engine and aircraft flight data as inputs. Future work will address aircraft durability and aging, airframe health management, and propulsion health management research in the areas of gas path and engine vibration.

Critical Velocities in Open Capillary Flow

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Dreyer, Michael; Langbein, Dieter; Rath, Hans J.

1996-01-01

This paper describes the proposed research program on open capillary flow and the preliminary work performed theoretically and in drop tower experiments. The work focuses on the fundamental physical understanding of the flow through capillary bound geometries, where the circumference of the cross section of the flow path contains free surfaces. Examples for such a flow configuration are capillary vanes in surface tension tanks, flow along edges and corners and flow through liquid bridges. The geometries may be classified by their cross section areas, wetted circumferences and the radii of curvature of the free surfaces. In the streaming float zone the flow path is bound by a free surface only. The ribbon vane is a model for vane types used in surface tension tanks, where a structure in proximity to the tank wall forms a capillary gap. A groove is used in heat pipes for the transportation of the condensed working fluid to the heat source and a wedge may occur in a spaceborne experiment where fluid has to be transported by the means of surface tension. The research objectives are the determination of the maximum volume flux, the observation of the free surfaces and the liquid flow inside the flow path as well as the evaluation of the limiting capillary wave speed. The restriction of the maximum volume flux is due to convective forces (flow velocity exceeding the capillary wave speed) and/or viscous forces, i.e. the viscous head loss along the flow path must be compensated by the capillary pressure due to the curved free surface. Exceeding the maximum volume flux leads to the choking of the flow path, thus the free surface collapses and.gas ingestion occurs at the outlet. The means are ground-based experimental work with plateau tanks and in a drop tower, a sounding rocket flight, and theoretical analysis with integral balances as well as full three dimensional CFD solutions for flow with free surfaces.

Transition duct system with straight ceramic liner for delivering hot-temperature gases in a combustion turbine engine

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

Wiebe, David J.

A transition duct system (10) for delivering hot-temperature gases from a plurality of combustors in a combustion turbine engine is provided. The system includes an exit piece (16) for each combustor. The exit piece may include a straight path segment (26) for receiving a gas flow from a respective combustor. A straight ceramic liner (40) may be inwardly disposed onto a metal outer shell (38) along the straight path segment of the exit piece. Structural arrangements are provided to securely attach the ceramic liner in the presence of substantial flow path pressurization. Cost-effective serviceability of the transition duct systems ismore » realizable since the liner can be readily removed and replaced as needed.« less

Effects of C5-substituent group on the hydrogen peroxide-mediated tautomerisation of protonated cytosine: a theoretical perspective

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jin, Lingxia; Shi, Shengnan; Zhao, Yang; Luo, Liyang; Zhao, Caibin; Lu, Jiufu; Jiang, Min

2018-02-01

The direct tautomerism (path A) and H2O2 as a catalyst (path B) have been studied in conversion of Cyt2t+ into CytN3+ isomer. The protonated 5-carboxycytosine (5-caCyt) is represented and has been further explored in the presence of H2O2 (path C). In going from a four-membered-ring transition state in the case of the direct tautomerism to the six-membered ring for H2O2, the H2O2 significantly contributes to decreasing the free energy barrier of tautomerisation. Although the carboxylic substituent of 5-carboxycytosine has certain affected on the electron distribution of the pyrimidine ring, the six-membered-ring transition state has not changed. This result illustrates that the C5-carboxylation has no significant effect on the H2O2-mediated isomerisation of Cyt2t+ to CytN3+ isomer. Meanwhile, these paths A-C have been further explored in the presence of two water molecules. Use of implicit solvent models (PCM) does not significantly alter the energetics of water-mediated paths A-C compared to those in gas phase. Furthermore, the rate constant with Wigner tunnelling correction of path A is obviously smaller than those of paths B and C. Finally, the lifetime τ99.9% of paths B and C is 10-5 s, which is implemented by the mechanism of the concerted synchronous double proton transfer.

Wormhole Formation in RSRM Nozzle Joint Backfill

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Stevens, J.

2000-01-01

The RSRM nozzle uses a barrier of RTV rubber upstream of the nozzle O-ring seals. Post flight inspection of the RSRM nozzle continues to reveal occurrence of "wormholes" into the RTV backfill. The term "wormholes", sometimes called "gas paths", indicates a gas flow path not caused by pre-existing voids, but by a little-understood internal failure mode of the material during motor operation. Fundamental understanding of the mechanics of the RSRM nozzle joints during motor operation, nonlinear viscoelastic characterization of the RTV backfill material, identification of the conditions that predispose the RTV to form wormholes, and screening of candidate replacement materials is being pursued by a joint effort between Thiokol Propulsion, NASA, and the Army Propulsion & Structures Directorate at Redstone Arsenal. The performance of the RTV backfill in the joint is controlled by the joint environment. Joint movement, which applies a tension and shear load on the material, coupled with the introduction of high pressure gas in combination create an environment that exceeds the capability of the material to withstand the wormhole effect. Little data exists to evaluate why the material fails under the modeled joint conditions, so an effort to characterize and evaluate the material under these conditions was undertaken. Viscoelastic property data from characterization testing will anchor structural analysis models. Data over a range of temperatures, environmental pressures, and strain rates was used to develop a nonlinear viscoelastic model to predict material performance, develop criteria for replacement materials, and quantify material properties influencing wormhole growth. Three joint simulation analogs were developed to analyze and validate joint thermal barrier (backfill) material performance. Two exploratory tests focus on detection of wormhole failure under specific motor operating conditions. A "validation" test system provides data to "validate" computer models and predictions. Finally, two candidate replacement materials are being screened and "validated" using the developed test systems.

[Study on high accuracy detection of multi-component gas in oil-immerse power transformer].

PubMed

Fan, Jie; Chen, Xiao; Huang, Qi-Feng; Zhou, Yu; Chen, Gang

2013-12-01

In order to solve the problem of low accuracy and mutual interference in multi-component gas detection, a kind of multi-component gas detection network with high accuracy was designed. A semiconductor laser with narrow bandwidth was utilized as light source and a novel long-path gas cell was also used in this system. By taking the single sine signal to modulate the spectrum of laser and using space division multiplexing (SDM) and time division multiplexing (TDM) technique, the detection of multi-component gas was achieved. The experiments indicate that the linearity relevance coefficient is 0. 99 and the measurement relative error is less than 4%. The system dynamic response time is less than 15 s, by filling a volume of multi-component gas into the gas cell gradually. The system has advantages of high accuracy and quick response, which can be used in the fault gas on-line monitoring for power transformers in real time.

Analytical transmissibility based transfer path analysis for multi-energy-domain systems using four-pole parameter theory

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mashayekhi, Mohammad Jalali; Behdinan, Kamran

2017-10-01

The increasing demand to minimize undesired vibration and noise levels in several high-tech industries has generated a renewed interest in vibration transfer path analysis. Analyzing vibration transfer paths within a system is of crucial importance in designing an effective vibration isolation strategy. Most of the existing vibration transfer path analysis techniques are empirical which are suitable for diagnosis and troubleshooting purpose. The lack of an analytical transfer path analysis to be used in the design stage is the main motivation behind this research. In this paper an analytical transfer path analysis based on the four-pole theory is proposed for multi-energy-domain systems. Bond graph modeling technique which is an effective approach to model multi-energy-domain systems is used to develop the system model. In this paper an electro-mechanical system is used as a benchmark example to elucidate the effectiveness of the proposed technique. An algorithm to obtain the equivalent four-pole representation of a dynamical systems based on the corresponding bond graph model is also presented in this paper.

Investigation of air stream from combustor-liner air entry holes, 3

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Aiba, T.; Nakano, T.

1979-01-01

Jets flowing from air entry holes of the combustor liner of a gas turbine were investigated. Cold air was supplied through the air entry holes into the primary hot gas flows. The mass flow of the primary hot gas and issuing jets was measured, and the behavior of the air jets was studied by the measurement of the temperature distribution of the gas mixture. The air jets flowing from three circular air entry holes, single streamwise long holes, and two opposing circular holes, parallel to the primary flow were studied along with the effects of jet and gas stream velocities, and of gas temperature. The discharge coefficient, the maximum penetration of the jets, the jet flow path, the mixing of the jets, and temperature distribution across the jets were investigated. Empirical expressions which describe the characteristics of the jets under the conditions of the experiments were formulated.

Fuel cell plates with improved arrangement of process channels for enhanced pressure drop across the plates

DOEpatents

Spurrier, Francis R.; Pierce, Bill L.; Wright, Maynard K.

1986-01-01

A plate for a fuel cell has an arrangement of ribs defining an improved configuration of process gas channels and slots on a surface of the plate which provide a modified serpentine gas flow pattern across the plate surface. The channels are generally linear and arranged parallel to one another while the spaced slots allow cross channel flow of process gas in a staggered fashion which creates a plurality of generally mini-serpentine flow paths extending transverse to the longitudinal gas flow along the channels. Adjacent pairs of the channels are interconnected to one another in flow communication. Also, a bipolar plate has the aforementioned process gas channel configuration on one surface and another configuration on the opposite surface. In the other configuration, there are not slots and the gas flow channels have a generally serpentine configuration.

Co-flow anode/cathode supply heat exchanger for a solid-oxide fuel cell assembly

DOEpatents

Haltiner, Jr., Karl J.; Kelly, Sean M.

2005-11-22

In a solid-oxide fuel cell assembly, a co-flow heat exchanger is provided in the flow paths of the reformate gas and the cathode air ahead of the fuel cell stack, the reformate gas being on one side of the exchanger and the cathode air being on the other. The reformate gas is at a substantially higher temperature than is desired in the stack, and the cathode gas is substantially cooler than desired. In the co-flow heat exchanger, the temperatures of the reformate and cathode streams converge to nearly the same temperature at the outlet of the exchanger. Preferably, the heat exchanger is formed within an integrated component manifold (ICM) for a solid-oxide fuel cell assembly.

Development of a short path thermal desorption-gas chromatography/mass spectrometry method for the determination of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in indoor air.

PubMed

Li, Yingjie; Xian, Qiming; Li, Li

2017-05-12

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are present in petroleum based products and are combustion by-products of organic matters. Determination of levels of PAHs in the indoor environment is important for assessing human exposure to these chemicals. A new short path thermal desorption (SPTD) gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) method for determining levels of PAHs in indoor air was developed. Thermal desorption (TD) tubes packed with glass beads, Carbopack C, and Carbopack B in sequence, were used for sample collection. Indoor air was sampled using a small portable pump over 7 days at 100ml/min. Target PAHs were thermally released and introduced into the GC/MS for analysis through the SPTD unit. During tube desorption, PAHs were cold trapped (-20°C) at the front end of the GC column. Thermal desorption efficiencies were 100% for PAHs with 2 and 3 rings, and 99-97% for PAHs with 4-6 rings. Relative standard deviation (RSD) values among replicate samples spiked at three different levels were around 10-20%. The detection limit of this method was at or below 0.1μg/m 3 except for naphthalene (0.61μg/m 3 ), fluorene (0.28μg/m 3 ) and phenanthrene (0.35μg/m 3 ). This method was applied to measure PAHs in indoor air in nine residential homes. The levels of PAHs in indoor air found in these nine homes are similar to indoor air values reported by others. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Interactive cutting path analysis programs

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Weiner, J. M.; Williams, D. S.; Colley, S. R.

1975-01-01

The operation of numerically controlled machine tools is interactively simulated. Four programs were developed to graphically display the cutting paths for a Monarch lathe, Cintimatic mill, Strippit sheet metal punch, and the wiring path for a Standard wire wrap machine. These programs are run on a IMLAC PDS-ID graphic display system under the DOS-3 disk operating system. The cutting path analysis programs accept input via both paper tape and disk file.

Improved ultraviolet resonance lamp

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Bass, A. M.

1970-01-01

Removal of the seal area from the path of the lamp discharge eliminates the gradual deterioration of lithium fluoride window surfaces from condensation of products formed by interaction of a resonant rare-gas discharge with window sealing materials. The discharge is confined to the inner tube.

Gas mixtures for gas-filled radiation detectors

DOEpatents

Christophorou, Loucas G.; McCorkle, Dennis L.; Maxey, David V.; Carter, James G.

1982-01-05

Improved binary and ternary gas mixtures for gas-filled radiation detectors are provided. The components are chosen on the basis of the principle that the first component is one molecular gas or mixture of two molecular gases having a large electron scattering cross section at energies of about 0.5 eV and higher, and the second component is a noble gas having a very small cross section at and below about 1.0 eV, whereby fast electrons in the gaseous mixture are slowed into the energy range of about 0.5 eV where the cross section for the mixture is small and hence the electron mean free path is large. The reduction in both the cross section and the electron energy results in an increase in the drift velocity of the electrons in the gas mixtures over that for the separate components for a range of E/P (pressure-reduced electric field) values. Several gas mixtures are provided that provide faster response in gas-filled detectors for convenient E/P ranges as compared with conventional gas mixtures.

Gas mixtures for gas-filled particle detectors

DOEpatents

Christophorou, Loucas G.; McCorkle, Dennis L.; Maxey, David V.; Carter, James G.

1980-01-01

Improved binary and tertiary gas mixtures for gas-filled particle detectors are provided. The components are chosen on the basis of the principle that the first component is one gas or mixture of two gases having a large electron scattering cross section at energies of about 0.5 eV and higher, and the second component is a gas (Ar) having a very small cross section at and below aout 0.5 eV, whereby fast electrons in the gaseous mixture are slowed into the energy range of about 0.5 eV where the cross section for the mixture is small and hence the electron mean free path is large. The reduction in both the cross section and the electron energy results in an increase in the drift velocity of the electrons in the gas mixtures over that for the separate components for a range of E/P (pressure-reduced electron field) values. Several gas mixtures are provided that provide faster response in gas-filled detectors for convenient E/P ranges as compared with conventional gas mixtures.

Improved gas mixtures for gas-filled radiation detectors

DOEpatents

Christophorou, L.G.; McCorkle, D.L.; Maxey, D.V.; Carter, J.G.

1980-03-28

Improved binary and ternary gas mixtures for gas-filled radiation detectors are provided. The components are chosen on the basis of the principle that the first component is one molecular gas or mixture of two molecular gases having a large electron scattering cross section at energies of about 0.5 eV and higher, and the second component is a noble gas having a very small cross section at and below about 1.0 eV, whereby fast electrons in the gaseous mixture are slowed into the energy range of about 0.5 eV where the cross section for the mixture is small and hence the electron mean free path is large. The reduction in both the cross section and the electron energy results in an increase in the drift velocity of the electrons in the gas mixtures over that for the separate components for a range of E/P (pressure-reduced electric field) values. Several gas mixtures are provided that provide faster response in gas-filled detectors for convenient E/P ranges as compared with conventional gas mixtures.

Improved gas mixtures for gas-filled particle detectors

DOEpatents

Christophorou, L.G.; McCorkle, D.L.; Maxey, D.V.; Carter, J.G.

Improved binary and tertiary gas mixture for gas-filled particle detectors are provided. The components are chosen on the basis of the principle that the first component is one gas or mixture of two gases having a large electron scattering cross section at energies of about 0.5 eV and higher, and the second component is a gas (Ar) having a very small cross section at and below about 0.5 eV; whereby fast electrons in the gaseous mixture are slowed into the energy range of about 0.5 eV where the cross section for the mixture is small and hence the electron mean free path is large. The reduction in both the cross section and the electron energy results in an increase in the drift velocity of the electrons in the gas mixtures over that for the separate components for a range of E/P (pressure-reduced electron field) values. Several gas mixtures are provided that provide faster response in gas-filled detectors for convenient E/P ranges as compared with conventional gas mixtures.

Advanced optical blade tip clearance measurement system

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Ford, M. J.; Honeycutt, R. E.; Nordlund, R. E.; Robinson, W. W.

1978-01-01

An advanced electro-optical system was developed to measure single blade tip clearances and average blade tip clearances between a rotor and its gas path seal in an operating gas turbine engine. This system is applicable to fan, compressor, and turbine blade tip clearance measurement requirements, and the system probe is particularly suitable for operation in the extreme turbine environment. A study of optical properties of blade tips was conducted to establish measurement system application limitations. A series of laboratory tests was conducted to determine the measurement system's operational performance characteristics and to demonstrate system capability under simulated operating gas turbine environmental conditions. Operational and environmental performance test data are presented.

Rapid flash lamp

DOEpatents

Gavenonis, Thomas L.; Hewitt, William H.

1989-01-01

A method and apparatus for providing low peak time and pulse width actinic energy from a lamp by varying the input energy of a capacitive ignition circuit having relatively high voltage to the lamp. The lamp comprises a pair of electrodes disposed within a light transparent envelope in which a combustible and an oxidizing gas reaction combination is located. The combustible is preferably shredded zirconium which is in contact with and provides an electrical discharge path between the electrodes. The gas is preferably pressurized oxygen.

Summary of experimental heat-transfer results from the turbine hot section facility

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Gladden, Herbert J.; Yeh, Fredrick C.

1993-01-01

Experimental data from the turbine Hot Section Facility are presented and discussed. These data include full-coverage film-cooled airfoil results as well as special instrumentation results obtained at simulated real engine conditions. Local measurements of airfoil wall temperature, airfoil gas-path static-pressure distribution, and local heat-transfer coefficient distributions are presented and discussed. In addition, measured gas and coolant temperatures and pressures are presented. These data are also compared with analyses from Euler and boundary-layer codes.

Investigation of JP-8 Autoignition Under Vitiated Combustion Conditions

DTIC Science & Technology

2011-01-01

no less than 1.5 times the dew point temperature of the mixture for all test cases that involved H2O. The flow path and apparatus for the steam...Variable m Interaction Effect of Design Variables m and n R Universal Gas Constant [cal/mol-K] E Activation Energy of Ignition Process [cal/mol] T...combustion including CO2, CO, H2O, and NOX. Vitiated conditions are often the result of flue or exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) into a fresh air stream

At-Sea Test and Evaluation Of Oxygen (O2) Analyzers.

DTIC Science & Technology

1981-04-01

Paramagnetic Oxygen Analyzer 2-6 2.4 Thermomagnetic Oxygen Analyzer Sensor 2-8 2.5 Cell Voltage versus Oxygen Concentration at 2-11 Various Cell ...of flue gas out of the stack across the cell and back into the stack. In-situ units place the cell directly in the flue gas path in the uptake. ) The...repetitive failurc of a cell heater temperature control circuit and a control cabinet electron- ic malfunction. Of the five (5) units that remained in

Ultracold Mixtures of Rubidium and Ytterbium for Open Quantum System Engineering

DTIC Science & Technology

2014-06-01

was replaced with a standard nipple since the actual thermal conduction is comparable. Second, the collimation tube (5 mm ID x 15 cm length) was...Presumably, there is some sort of thin layer coating the Yb which must first be driven off. The helium buffer gas serves to shorten the mean free...path below the line-of-sight distance to the windows, and we can leave them at room temperature without coating them with Yb. The buffer gas causes

Rapid flash lamp

DOEpatents

Gavenonis, Thomas L.; Hewitt, William H.

1989-06-06

A method and apparatus for providing low peak time and pulse width actinic energy from a lamp by varying the input energy of a capacitive ignition circuit having relatively high voltage to the lamp. The lamp comprises a pair of electrodes disposed within a light transparent envelope in which a combustible and an oxidizing gas reaction combination is located. The combustible is preferably shredded zirconium which is in contact with and provides an electrical discharge path between the electrodes. The gas is preferably pressurized oxygen.

Total solar eclipse effects on VLF signals: Observations and modeling

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Clilverd, Mark A.; Rodger, Craig J.; Thomson, Neil R.; Lichtenberger, János; Steinbach, Péter; Cannon, Paul; Angling, Matthew J.

During the total solar eclipse observed in Europe on August 11, 1999, measurements were made of the amplitude and phase of four VLF transmitters in the frequency range 16-24 kHz. Five receiver sites were set up, and significant variations in phase and amplitude are reported for 17 paths, more than any previously during an eclipse. Distances from transmitter to receiver ranged from 90 to 14,510 km, although the majority were <2000 km. Typically, positive amplitude changes were observed throughout the whole eclipse period on path lengths <2000 km, while negative amplitude changes were observed on paths >10,000 km. Negative phase changes were observed on most paths, independent of path length. Although there was significant variation from path to path, the typical changes observed were ~3 dB and ~50°. The changes observed were modeled using the Long Wave Propagation Capability waveguide code. Maximum eclipse effects occurred when the Wait inverse scale height parameter β was 0.5 km-1 and the effective ionospheric height parameter H' was 79 km, compared with β=0.43km-1 and H'=71km for normal daytime conditions. The resulting changes in modeled amplitude and phase show good agreement with the majority of the observations. The modeling undertaken provides an interpretation of why previous estimates of height change during eclipses have shown such a range of values. A D region gas-chemistry model was compared with electron concentration estimates inferred from the observations made during the solar eclipse. Quiet-day H' and β parameters were used to define the initial ionospheric profile. The gas-chemistry model was then driven only by eclipse-related solar radiation levels. The calculated electron concentration values at 77 km altitude throughout the period of the solar eclipse show good agreement with the values determined from observations at all times, which suggests that a linear variation in electron production rate with solar ionizing radiation is reasonable. At times of minimum electron concentration the chemical model predicts that the D region profile would be parameterized by the same β and H' as the LWPC model values, and rocket profiles, during totality and can be considered a validation of the chemical processes defined within the model.

An asymptotic preserving unified gas kinetic scheme for gray radiative transfer equations

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

Sun, Wenjun, E-mail: sun_wenjun@iapcm.ac.cn; Jiang, Song, E-mail: jiang@iapcm.ac.cn; Xu, Kun, E-mail: makxu@ust.hk

The solutions of radiative transport equations can cover both optical thin and optical thick regimes due to the large variation of photon's mean-free path and its interaction with the material. In the small mean free path limit, the nonlinear time-dependent radiative transfer equations can converge to an equilibrium diffusion equation due to the intensive interaction between radiation and material. In the optical thin limit, the photon free transport mechanism will emerge. In this paper, we are going to develop an accurate and robust asymptotic preserving unified gas kinetic scheme (AP-UGKS) for the gray radiative transfer equations, where the radiation transportmore » equation is coupled with the material thermal energy equation. The current work is based on the UGKS framework for the rarefied gas dynamics [14], and is an extension of a recent work [12] from a one-dimensional linear radiation transport equation to a nonlinear two-dimensional gray radiative system. The newly developed scheme has the asymptotic preserving (AP) property in the optically thick regime in the capturing of diffusive solution without using a cell size being smaller than the photon's mean free path and time step being less than the photon collision time. Besides the diffusion limit, the scheme can capture the exact solution in the optical thin regime as well. The current scheme is a finite volume method. Due to the direct modeling for the time evolution solution of the interface radiative intensity, a smooth transition of the transport physics from optical thin to optical thick can be accurately recovered. Many numerical examples are included to validate the current approach.« less

Numerical simulations of the spread of floating passive tracer released at the Old Harry prospect

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bourgault, Daniel; Cyr, Frédéric; Dumont, Dany; Carter, Angela

2014-05-01

The Gulf of St Lawrence is under immediate pressure for oil and gas exploration, particularly at the Old Harry prospect. A synthesis of the regulatory process that has taken place over the last few years indicates that important societal decisions soon to be made by various ministries and environmental groups are going to be based on numerous disagreements between the private sector and government agencies. The review also shows that the regulatory process has taken place with a complete lack of independent oceanographic research. Yet, the Gulf of St Lawrence is a complex environment that has never been specifically studied for oil and gas exploitation. Motivated by this knowledge gap, preliminary numerical experiments are carried out where the spreading of a passive floating tracer released at Old Harry is examined. Results indicate that the tracer released at Old Harry may follow preferentially two main paths. The first path is northward along the French Shore of Newfoundland, and the second path is along the main axis of the Laurentian Channel. The most probable coastlines to be touched by water flowing through Old Harry are Cape Breton and the southern portion of the French Shore, especially Cape Anguille and the Port au Port Peninsula. The Magdalen Islands are less susceptible to being affected than those regions but the probability is not negligible. These preliminary results provide guidance for future more in-depth and complete multidisciplinary studies from which informed decision-making scenarios could eventually be made regarding the exploration and development of oil and gas at the Old Harry prospect in particular and, more generally, in the Gulf of St Lawrence.

Non-intrusive measurement of hot gas temperature in a gas turbine engine

DOEpatents

DeSilva, Upul P.; Claussen, Heiko; Yan, Michelle Xiaohong; Rosca, Justinian; Ulerich, Nancy H.

2016-09-27

A method and apparatus for operating a gas turbine engine including determining a temperature of a working gas at a predetermined axial location within the engine. An acoustic signal is encoded with a distinct signature defined by a set of predetermined frequencies transmitted as a non-broadband signal. Acoustic signals are transmitted from an acoustic transmitter located at a predetermined axial location along the flow path of the gas turbine engine. A received signal is compared to one or more transmitted signals to identify a similarity of the received signal to a transmitted signal to identify a transmission time for the received signal. A time-of-flight is determined for the signal and the time-of-flight for the signal is processed to determine a temperature in a region of the predetermined axial location.

Influence of the Strain History on TWIP Steel Deformation Mechanisms in the Deep-Drawing Process

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lapovok, R.; Timokhina, I.; Mester, A.-K.; Weiss, M.; Shekhter, A.

2018-03-01

A study of preferable deformation modes on strain path and strain level in a TWIP steel sheet was performed. Different strain paths were obtained by stretch forming of specimens with various shapes and tensile tests. TEM analysis was performed on samples cut from various locations in the deformed specimens, which had different strain paths and strain levels and the preferable deformation modes were identified. Stresses caused by various strain paths were considered and an analytical analysis performed to identify the preferable deformation modes for the case of single crystal. For a single crystal, in assumption of the absence of lattice rotation, the strain path and the level of accumulated equivalent strain define the preferable deformation mode. For a polycrystalline material, such analytical analysis is not possible due to the large number of grains and, therefore, numerical simulation was employed. For the polycrystalline material, the role of strain path diminishes due to the presence of a large number of grains with random orientations and the effect of accumulated strain becomes dominant. However, at small strains the strain path still defines the level of twinning activity. TEM analysis experimentally confirmed that various deformation modes lead to different deformation strengthening mechanisms.

Influence of the Strain History on TWIP Steel Deformation Mechanisms in the Deep-Drawing Process

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lapovok, R.; Timokhina, I.; Mester, A.-K.; Weiss, M.; Shekhter, A.

2018-06-01

A study of preferable deformation modes on strain path and strain level in a TWIP steel sheet was performed. Different strain paths were obtained by stretch forming of specimens with various shapes and tensile tests. TEM analysis was performed on samples cut from various locations in the deformed specimens, which had different strain paths and strain levels and the preferable deformation modes were identified. Stresses caused by various strain paths were considered and an analytical analysis performed to identify the preferable deformation modes for the case of single crystal. For a single crystal, in assumption of the absence of lattice rotation, the strain path and the level of accumulated equivalent strain define the preferable deformation mode. For a polycrystalline material, such analytical analysis is not possible due to the large number of grains and, therefore, numerical simulation was employed. For the polycrystalline material, the role of strain path diminishes due to the presence of a large number of grains with random orientations and the effect of accumulated strain becomes dominant. However, at small strains the strain path still defines the level of twinning activity. TEM analysis experimentally confirmed that various deformation modes lead to different deformation strengthening mechanisms.

Compact liquid crystal waveguide based fourier transform spectrometer for in-situ and remote gas and chemical sensing

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chao, Tien-Hsin; Davis, Scott R.; Rommel, Scott D.; Farca, George; Luey, Ben; Martin, Alan; Anderson, Michael H.

2009-11-01

Jet Propulsion Lab and Vescent Photonics Inc. are jointly developing an innovative ultra-compact (volume < 10 cm3), ultra-low power (<10-3 Watt-hours per measurement and zero power consumption when not measuring), completely nonmechanical electro-optic Fourier transform spectrometers (EO-FTS) that will be suitable for a variety of remoteplatform, in-situ measurements. This EO-FTS consists of: i) a novel electro-evanescent waveguide architecture as the solid-state time delay device whose optical path difference (OPD) can be precisely varied utilizing voltage control, ii) a photodetector diode, and iii) an external light/sample collecting devices tailored for either in-situ gas and/or rock sample analysis or for remote atmospheric gas analysis. These devices are made possible by a novel electro-evanescent waveguide architecture, enabling "chip-scale" EO-FTS sensors. The potential performance of these EO-FTS sensors include: i) a spectral range throughout 0.4-5 μm (25000 - 2000 cm-1), ii) high-resolution ▵λ <= 0.1 nm), iii) high-speed (< 1 ms) measurements, and iv) rugged integrated optical construction. This performance potential enables the detection and quantification of a large number of different atmospheric gases simultaneously in the same air mass and the rugged construction will enable deployment on previously inaccessible platforms. In this paper, the up-to-date EO-FTS sensor development status will be presented; initial experimental results will also be demonstrated.

Social network analysis using k-Path centrality method

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Taniarza, Natya; Adiwijaya; Maharani, Warih

2018-03-01

k-Path centrality is deemed as one of the effective methods to be applied in centrality measurement in which the influential node is estimated as the node that is being passed by information path frequently. Regarding this, k-Path centrality has been employed in the analysis of this paper specifically by adapting random-algorithm approach in order to: (1) determine the influential user’s ranking in a social media Twitter; and (2) ascertain the influence of parameter α in the numeration of k-Path centrality. According to the analysis, the findings showed that the method of k-Path centrality with random-algorithm approach can be used to determine user’s ranking which influences in the dissemination of information in Twitter. Furthermore, the findings also showed that parameter α influenced the duration and the ranking results: the less the α value, the longer the duration, yet the ranking results were more stable.

Using chemical, hydrologic, and age dating analysis to delineate redox processes and flow paths in the riparian zone of a glacial outwash aquifer‐stream system

USGS Publications Warehouse

Puckett, Larry J.; Cowdery, Timothy K.; McMahon, Peter B.; Tornes, Lan H.; Stoner, Jeffrey D.

2002-01-01

A combination of chemical and dissolved gas analyses, chlorofluorocarbon age dating, and hydrologic measurements were used to determine the degree to which biogeochemical processes in a riparian wetland were responsible for removing NO3−from groundwaters discharging to the Otter Tail River in west central Minnesota. An analysis of river chemistry and flow data revealed that NO3− concentrations in the river increased in the lower half of the 8.3 km study reach as the result of groundwater discharge to the river. Groundwater head measurements along a study transect through the riparian wetland revealed a zone of groundwater discharge extending out under the river. On the basis of combined chemical, dissolved gas, age date, and hydrologic results, it was determined that water chemistry under the riparian wetland was controlled largely by upgradient groundwaters that followed flow paths up to 16 m deep and discharged under the wetland, creating a pattern of progressively older, more chemically reduced, low NO3− water the farther one progressed from the edge of the wetland toward the river. These findings pose challenges for researchers investigating biogeochemical processes in riparian buffer zones because the progressively older groundwaters entered the aquifer in earlier years when less NO3− fertilizer was being used. NO3− concentrations originally present in the groundwater had also decreased in the upgradient aquifer as a result of denitrification and progressively stronger reducing conditions there. The resulting pattern of decreasing NO3− concentrations across the riparian zone may be incorrectly interpreted as evidence of denitrification losses there instead of in the upgradient aquifer. Consequently, it is important to understand the hydrogeologic setting and age structure of the groundwaters being sampled in order to avoid misinterpreting biogeochemical processes in riparian zones.

40 CFR 58.1 - Definitions.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... measurement data pairs. Administrator means the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) or... storing and reporting of information relating to ambient air quality data. Approved regional method (ARM... of an open path analyzer in which a high-concentration test or audit standard gas contained in a...

Membrane module assembly

DOEpatents

Kaschemekat, Jurgen

1994-01-01

A membrane module assembly adapted to provide a flow path for the incoming feed stream that forces it into prolonged heat-exchanging contact with a heating or cooling mechanism. Membrane separation processes employing the module assembly are also disclosed. The assembly is particularly useful for gas separation or pervaporation.

MEASUREMENT OF AMMONIA EMISSIONS FROM MECHANICALLY VENTILATED POULTRY HOUSES USING MULTIPATH TUNABLE DIODE LASER SPECTROSCOPY

EPA Science Inventory

Ammonia emissions from mechanically ventilated poultry operations are an important environmental concern. Open Path Tunable Diode Laser Absorption Spectroscopy has emerged as a robust real-time method for gas phase measurement of ammonia concentrations in agricultural settings. ...

The effect of surfactants on path instability of a rising bubble

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tagawa, Yoshiyuki; Takagi, Shu; Matsumoto, Yoichiro

2013-11-01

We experimentally investigate the surfactant effect on path instability of an air bubble rising in quiescent water. An addition of surfactant varies the gas-water boundary condition from zero shear stress to non-zero shear stress. We report three main findings: firstly, while the drag force acting on the bubble increases with the surfactant concentration as expected, the lift force shows a non-monotonic behavior; secondly, the transient trajectory starting from helical to zigzag is observed, which has never been reported in the case of purified water; lastly, a bubble with the intermediate slip conditions between free-slip and no-slip show a helical motion for a broad range of the Reynolds number. Aforementioned results are rationalized by considering the adsorption-desorption kinetics of the surfactants on gas-water interface and the wake dynamics. Y.T. thanks for financial support from Grant-in-Aid for JSPS Fellows (20-10701). We also thank for Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (B) (21360079).

Nitrogen dioxide sensing using a novel gas correlation detector

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kebabian, Paul L.; Annen, Kurt D.; Berkoff, Timothy A.; Freedman, Andrew

2000-05-01

A nitrogen dioxide point sensor, based on a novel nondispersive gas filter spectroscopic scheme, is described. The detection scheme relies on the fact that the absorption spectrum of nitrogen dioxide in the 400-550 nm region consists of a complicated line structure superimposed on an average broadband absorption. A compensating filter is used to remove the effect of the broadband absorption, making the sensor insensitive both to small particles in the optical path and to potentially interfering gases with broadband absorption features in the relevant wavelength region. Measurements are obtained using a remote optical absorption cell that is linked via multimode fibre optics to the source and detection optics. The incorporation of blue light emitting diodes which spectrally match the nitrogen dioxide absorption allows the employment of electronic (instead of mechanical) switching between optical paths. A sensitivity of better than 1.0 ppm m column density (1 s integration time) has been observed; improvements in electronics and thermal stabilization should increase this sensitivity.

High performance internal reforming unit for high temperature fuel cells

DOEpatents

Ma, Zhiwen [Sandy Hook, CT; Venkataraman, Ramakrishnan [New Milford, CT; Novacco, Lawrence J [Brookfield, CT

2008-10-07

A fuel reformer having an enclosure with first and second opposing surfaces, a sidewall connecting the first and second opposing surfaces and an inlet port and an outlet port in the sidewall. A plate assembly supporting a catalyst and baffles are also disposed in the enclosure. A main baffle extends into the enclosure from a point of the sidewall between the inlet and outlet ports. The main baffle cooperates with the enclosure and the plate assembly to establish a path for the flow of fuel gas through the reformer from the inlet port to the outlet port. At least a first directing baffle extends in the enclosure from one of the sidewall and the main baffle and cooperates with the plate assembly and the enclosure to alter the gas flow path. Desired graded catalyst loading pattern has been defined for optimized thermal management for the internal reforming high temperature fuel cells so as to achieve high cell performance.

Heat Switches Providing Low-Activation Power and Quick-Switching Time for Use in Adiabatic Demagnetization Refrigerators

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Kimball, Mark O.; Shirron, Peter J.

2011-01-01

An adiabatic demagnetization refrigerator (ADR) is a solid-state cooler capable of achieving sub-Kelvin temperatures. It neither requires moving parts nor a density gradient in a working fluid making it ideal for use in space-based instruments. The flow of energy through the cooler is controlled by heat switches that allow heat transfer when on and isolate portions of the cooler when off. One type of switch uses helium gas as the switching medium. In the off state the gas is adsorbed in a getter thus breaking the thermal path through the switch. To activate the switch, the getter is heated to release helium into the switch body allowing it to complete the thermal path. A getter that has a small heat capacity and low thermal conductance to the body of the switch requires low-activation power. The cooler benefits from this in two ways: shorter recycle times and higher efficiency. We describe such a design here.

Heat Switches Providing Low-Activation Power and Quick-Switching Time for Use in Cryogenic Multi-Stage Refrigerators

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Kimball, Mark O.; Shirron, Peter J.

2011-01-01

An adiabatic demagnetization refrigerator (ADR) is a solid-state cooler capable of achieving sub-Kelvin temperatures. It neither requires moving parts nor a density gradient in a working fluid making it ideal for use in space-based instruments. The flow of energy through the cooler is controlled by heat switches that allow heat transfer when on and isolate portions of the cooler when off. One type of switch uses helium gas as the switching medium. In the off state the gas is adsorbed in a getter thus breaking the thermal path through the switch. To activate the switch, the getter is heated to release helium into the switch body allowing it to complete the thermal path. A getter that has a small heat capacity and low thermal conductance to the body of the switch requires low-activation power. The cooler benefits from this in two ways: shorter recycle times and higher efficiency. We describe such a design here.

Anode shroud for off-gas capture and removal from electrolytic oxide reduction system

DOEpatents

Bailey, James L.; Barnes, Laurel A.; Wiedmeyer, Stanley G.; Williamson, Mark A.; Willit, James L.

2014-07-08

An electrolytic oxide reduction system according to a non-limiting embodiment of the present invention may include a plurality of anode assemblies and an anode shroud for each of the anode assemblies. The anode shroud may be used to dilute, cool, and/or remove off-gas from the electrolytic oxide reduction system. The anode shroud may include a body portion having a tapered upper section that includes an apex. The body portion may have an inner wall that defines an off-gas collection cavity. A chimney structure may extend from the apex of the upper section and be connected to the off-gas collection cavity of the body portion. The chimney structure may include an inner tube within an outer tube. Accordingly, a sweep gas/cooling gas may be supplied down the annular space between the inner and outer tubes, while the off-gas may be removed through an exit path defined by the inner tube.

Hyperpolarized xenon NMR and MRI signal amplification by gas extraction

PubMed Central

Zhou, Xin; Graziani, Dominic; Pines, Alexander

2009-01-01

A method is reported for enhancing the sensitivity of NMR of dissolved xenon by detecting the signal after extraction to the gas phase. We demonstrate hyperpolarized xenon signal amplification by gas extraction (Hyper-SAGE) in both NMR spectra and magnetic resonance images with time-of-flight information. Hyper-SAGE takes advantage of a change in physical phase to increase the density of polarized gas in the detection coil. At equilibrium, the concentration of gas-phase xenon is ≈10 times higher than that of the dissolved-phase gas. After extraction the xenon density can be further increased by several orders of magnitude by compression and/or liquefaction. Additionally, being a remote detection technique, the Hyper-SAGE effect is further enhanced in situations where the sample of interest would occupy only a small proportion of the traditional NMR receiver. Coupled with targeted xenon biosensors, Hyper-SAGE offers another path to highly sensitive molecular imaging of specific cell markers by detection of exhaled xenon gas. PMID:19805177

Methane fluxes above the Hainich forest by True Eddy Accumulation and Eddy Covariance

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Siebicke, Lukas; Gentsch, Lydia; Knohl, Alexander

2016-04-01

Understanding the role of forests for the global methane cycle requires quantifying vegetation-atmosphere exchange of methane, however observations of turbulent methane fluxes remain scarce. Here we measured turbulent fluxes of methane (CH4) above a beech-dominated old-growth forest in the Hainich National Park, Germany, and validated three different measurement approaches: True Eddy Accumulation (TEA, closed-path laser spectroscopy), and eddy covariance (EC, open-path and closed-path laser spectroscopy, respectively). The Hainich flux tower is a long-term Fluxnet and ICOS site with turbulent fluxes and ecosystem observations spanning more than 15 years. The current study is likely the first application of True Eddy Accumulation (TEA) for the measurement of turbulent exchange of methane and one of the very few studies comparing open-path and closed-path eddy covariance (EC) setups side-by-side. We observed uptake of methane by the forest during the day (a methane sink with a maximum rate of 0.03 μmol m-2 s-1 at noon) and no or small fluxes of methane from the forest to the atmosphere at night (a methane source of typically less than 0.01 μmol m-2 s-1) based on continuous True Eddy Accumulation measurements in September 2015. First results comparing TEA to EC CO2 fluxes suggest that True Eddy Accumulation is a valid option for turbulent flux quantifications using slow response gas analysers (here CRDS laser spectroscopy, other potential techniques include mass spectroscopy). The TEA system was one order of magnitude more energy efficient compared to closed-path eddy covariance. The open-path eddy covariance setup required the least amount of user interaction but is often constrained by low signal-to-noise ratios obtained when measuring methane fluxes over forests. Closed-path eddy covariance showed good signal-to-noise ratios in the lab, however in the field it required significant amounts of user intervention in addition to a high power consumption. We conclude, based on preliminary evidence, that the Hainich forest acted as a moderate net sink for methane during the investigation. This supports earlier findings from chamber measurements at the Hainich forest site and is similar to findings from other forest sites. Our observations will be continued through 2016 and beyond to provide longer-term methane flux time series spanning entire seasons. However, the current data set already provides a basis for further consolidating methods of measurements and analysis of turbulent methane fluxes using eddy covariance and true eddy accumulation.

Separation of Hydrogen from Carbon Dioxide through Porous Ceramics

PubMed Central

Shimonosono, Taro; Imada, Hikari; Maeda, Hikaru; Hirata, Yoshihiro

2016-01-01

The gas permeability of α-alumina, yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ), and silicon carbide porous ceramics toward H2, CO2, and H2–CO2 mixtures were investigated at room temperature. The permeation of H2 and CO2 single gases occurred above a critical pressure gradient, which was smaller for H2 gas than for CO2 gas. When the Knudsen number (λ/r ratio, λ: molecular mean free path, r: pore radius) of a single gas was larger than unity, Knudsen flow became the dominant gas transportation process. The H2 fraction for the mixed gas of (20%–80%) H2–(80%–20%) CO2 through porous Al2O3, YSZ, and SiC approached unity with decreasing pressure gradient. The high fraction of H2 gas was closely related to the difference in the critical pressure gradient values of H2 and CO2 single gas, the inlet mixed gas composition, and the gas flow mechanism of the mixed gas. Moisture in the atmosphere adsorbed easily on the porous ceramics and affected the critical pressure gradient, leading to the increased selectivity of H2 gas. PMID:28774051

OASIS - ORBIT ANALYSIS AND SIMULATION SOFTWARE

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Wu, S. C.

1994-01-01

The Orbit Analysis and Simulation Software, OASIS, is a software system developed for covariance and simulation analyses of problems involving earth satellites, especially the Global Positioning System (GPS). It provides a flexible, versatile and efficient accuracy analysis tool for earth satellite navigation and GPS-based geodetic studies. To make future modifications and enhancements easy, the system is modular, with five major modules: PATH/VARY, REGRES, PMOD, FILTER/SMOOTHER, and OUTPUT PROCESSOR. PATH/VARY generates satellite trajectories. Among the factors taken into consideration are: 1) the gravitational effects of the planets, moon and sun; 2) space vehicle orientation and shapes; 3) solar pressure; 4) solar radiation reflected from the surface of the earth; 5) atmospheric drag; and 6) space vehicle gas leaks. The REGRES module reads the user's input, then determines if a measurement should be made based on geometry and time. PMOD modifies a previously generated REGRES file to facilitate various analysis needs. FILTER/SMOOTHER is especially suited to a multi-satellite precise orbit determination and geodetic-type problems. It can be used for any situation where parameters are simultaneously estimated from measurements and a priori information. Examples of nonspacecraft areas of potential application might be Very Long Baseline Interferometry (VLBI) geodesy and radio source catalogue studies. OUTPUT PROCESSOR translates covariance analysis results generated by FILTER/SMOOTHER into user-desired easy-to-read quantities, performs mapping of orbit covariances and simulated solutions, transforms results into different coordinate systems, and computes post-fit residuals. The OASIS program was developed in 1986. It is designed to be implemented on a DEC VAX 11/780 computer using VAX VMS 3.7 or higher. It can also be implemented on a Micro VAX II provided sufficient disk space is available.

Simulation Approach for Microscale Noncontinuum Gas-Phase Heat Transfer

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Torczynski, J. R.; Gallis, M. A.

2008-11-01

In microscale thermal actuators, gas-phase heat transfer from the heated beams to the adjacent unheated substrate is often the main energy-loss mechanism. Since the beam-substrate gap is comparable to the molecular mean free path, noncontinuum gas effects are important. A simulation approach is presented in which gas-phase heat transfer is described by Fourier's law in the bulk gas and by a wall boundary condition that equates the normal heat flux to the product of the gas-solid temperature difference and a heat transfer coefficient. The dimensionless parameters in this heat transfer coefficient are determined by comparison to Direct Simulation Monte Carlo (DSMC) results for heat transfer from beams of rectangular cross section to the substrate at free-molecular to near-continuum gas pressures. This simulation approach produces reasonably accurate gas-phase heat-transfer results for wide ranges of beam geometries and gas pressures. Sandia is a multiprogram laboratory operated by Sandia Corporation, a Lockheed Martin Company, for the United States Department of Energy's National Nuclear Security Administration under contract DE-AC04-94AL85000.

On the transition between two-phase and single-phase interface dynamics in multicomponent fluids at supercritical pressures

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dahms, Rainer N.; Oefelein, Joseph C.

2013-09-01

A theory that explains the operating pressures where liquid injection processes transition from exhibiting classical two-phase spray atomization phenomena to single-phase diffusion-dominated mixing is presented. Imaging from a variety of experiments have long shown that under certain conditions, typically when the pressure of the working fluid exceeds the thermodynamic critical pressure of the liquid phase, the presence of discrete two-phase flow processes become diminished. Instead, the classical gas-liquid interface is replaced by diffusion-dominated mixing. When and how this transition occurs, however, is not well understood. Modern theory still lacks a physically based model to quantify this transition and the precise mechanisms that lead to it. In this paper, we derive a new model that explains how the transition occurs in multicomponent fluids and present a detailed analysis to quantify it. The model applies a detailed property evaluation scheme based on a modified 32-term Benedict-Webb-Rubin equation of state that accounts for the relevant real-fluid thermodynamic and transport properties of the multicomponent system. This framework is combined with Linear Gradient Theory, which describes the detailed molecular structure of the vapor-liquid interface region. Our analysis reveals that the two-phase interface breaks down not necessarily due to vanishing surface tension forces, but due to thickened interfaces at high subcritical temperatures coupled with an inherent reduction of the mean free molecular path. At a certain point, the combination of reduced surface tension, the thicker interface, and reduced mean free molecular path enter the continuum length scale regime. When this occurs, inter-molecular forces approach that of the multicomponent continuum where transport processes dominate across the interfacial region. This leads to a continuous phase transition from compressed liquid to supercritical mixture states. Based on this theory, a regime diagram for liquid injection is developed that quantifies the conditions under which classical sprays transition to dense-fluid jets. It is shown that the chamber pressure required to support diffusion-dominated mixing dynamics depends on the composition and temperature of the injected liquid and ambient gas. To illustrate the method and analysis, we use conditions typical of diesel engine injection. We also present a companion set of high-speed images to provide experimental validation of the presented theory. The basic theory is quite general and applies to a wide range of modern propulsion and power systems such as liquid rockets, gas turbines, and reciprocating engines. Interestingly, the regime diagram associated with diesel engine injection suggests that classical spray phenomena at typical injection conditions do not occur.

Statistical Analysis of the First Passage Path Ensemble of Jump Processes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

von Kleist, Max; Schütte, Christof; Zhang, Wei

2018-02-01

The transition mechanism of jump processes between two different subsets in state space reveals important dynamical information of the processes and therefore has attracted considerable attention in the past years. In this paper, we study the first passage path ensemble of both discrete-time and continuous-time jump processes on a finite state space. The main approach is to divide each first passage path into nonreactive and reactive segments and to study them separately. The analysis can be applied to jump processes which are non-ergodic, as well as continuous-time jump processes where the waiting time distributions are non-exponential. In the particular case that the jump processes are both Markovian and ergodic, our analysis elucidates the relations between the study of the first passage paths and the study of the transition paths in transition path theory. We provide algorithms to numerically compute statistics of the first passage path ensemble. The computational complexity of these algorithms scales with the complexity of solving a linear system, for which efficient methods are available. Several examples demonstrate the wide applicability of the derived results across research areas.

LTCC-based differential photo acoustic cell for ppm gas sensing

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Karioja, P.; Keränen, K.; Kautio, K.; Ollila, J.; Heikkinen, M.; Kauppinen, I.; Kuusela, T.; Matveev, B.; McNie, M. E.; Jenkins, R. M.; Palve, J.

2010-04-01

Silicon MEMS cantilever-based photoacoustic technology allows for the sensing of ultra low gas concentrations with very wide dynamic range. The sensitivity enhancement is achieved with a cantilever microphone system in which the cantilever displacement is probed with an optical interferometer providing a pico-meter resolution. In the gas sensor, the silicon cantilever microphone is placed in a two-chamber differential gas cell. By monitoring differential pressure changes between the two chambers, the differential cell operates as a differential infra-red detector for optical absorption signals through a measurement and reference path. The differential pressure signal is proportional to gas concentration in the optical measurement path. We have designed, implemented and tested a differential photo acoustic gas cell based on Low Temperature Co-fired Ceramic (LTCC) multilayer substrate technology. Standard LTCC technology enables implementation of 2.5D structures including holes, cavities and channels into the electronic substrate. The implemented differential photoacoustic gas cell structure includes two 10 mm long cylindrical cells, diameter of 2.4 mm. Reflectance measurements of the cell showed that reflectivity of the substrate material can be improved by a factor 15 - 90 in the 3 - 8 μm spectral region using gold or silver paste coatings. A transparent window is required in the differential gas cell structure in order to probe the displacement of the silicon cantilever. The transparent sapphire window was sealed to the LTCC substrate using two methods: screen printed Au80/Sn20 solder paste and pre-attached glass solder paste (Diemat DM2700P/H848). Both methods were shown to provide hermetic sealing of sapphire windows to LTCC substrate. The measured He-leak rate for the 10 sealed test samples implemented using glass paste were less than 2.0 ×10-9 atm×cm3/s, which meets the requirement for the leak rate according to MIL-STD 883. The achieved hermetic level suggests that the proof-of-principle packaging demonstrator paves the way for implementing a novel differential photoacoustic gas cell for a future miniature gas sensor module. The future module consisting of a sample gas cell and immersion lens IR-LEDs together with interferometric probing of the cantilever microphone is expected to be capable of measuring ultra low concentrations of a wide range of gases with their fundamental absorption bands at 3 - 7 μm wavelength, such as CO, CO2 and CH4.

AMBIENT CARBON MONOXIDE MONITOR

EPA Science Inventory

A portable instrument has been designed and two units have been built to monitor the concentration of CO in ambient air. The air flows through a sampling section that is approximately 43 cm long with a 28-pass optical system that produces a total path of 12 meters. Gas-filter cor...

Testing of Cerex Open Path Ultraviolet Differential Optical Absorption Spectroscopy Systems for Fenceline Monitoring Applications

EPA Science Inventory

Industrial facilities, energy production, and refining operations can be significant sources of gas-phase air pollutants. Some industrial emissions originate from fugitive sources (leaks) or process malfunctions and can be mitigated if identified. In recent amendments to the Nati...

Plasmonic nanopatch array with integrated metal–organic framework for enhanced infrared absorption gas sensing

DOE PAGES

Chong, Xinyuan; Kim, Ki-joong; Zhang, Yujing; ...

2017-06-06

In this letter, we present a nanophotonic device consisting of plasmonic nanopatch array (NPA) with integrated metal–organic framework (MOF) for enhanced infrared absorption gas sensing. By designing a gold NPA on a sapphire substrate, we are able to achieve enhanced optical field that spatially overlaps with the MOF layer, which can adsorb carbon dioxide (CO 2) with high capacity. Additionally, experimental results show that this hybrid plasmonic–MOF device can effectively increase the infrared absorption path of on-chip gas sensors by more than 1100-fold. Lastly, the demonstration of infrared absorption spectroscopy of CO 2 using the hybrid plasmonic–MOF device proves amore » promising strategy for future on-chip gas sensing with ultra-compact size.« less

Generalized self-similar unsteady gas flows behind the strong shock wave front

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bogatko, V. I.; Potekhina, E. A.

2018-05-01

Two-dimensional (plane and axially symmetric) nonstationary gas flows behind the front of a strong shock wave are considered. All the gas parameters are functions of the ratio of Cartesian coordinates to some degree of time tn, where n is a self-similarity index. The problem is solved in Lagrangian variables. It is shown that the resulting system of partial differential equations is suitable for constructing an iterative process. ¢he "thin shock layer" method is used to construct an approximate analytical solution of the problem. The limit solution of the problem is constructed. A formula for determining the path traversed by a gas particle in the shock layer along the front of a shock wave is obtained. A system of equations for determining the first approximation corrections is constructed.

Plasmonic nanopatch array with integrated metal–organic framework for enhanced infrared absorption gas sensing

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

Chong, Xinyuan; Kim, Ki-joong; Zhang, Yujing

In this letter, we present a nanophotonic device consisting of plasmonic nanopatch array (NPA) with integrated metal–organic framework (MOF) for enhanced infrared absorption gas sensing. By designing a gold NPA on a sapphire substrate, we are able to achieve enhanced optical field that spatially overlaps with the MOF layer, which can adsorb carbon dioxide (CO 2) with high capacity. Additionally, experimental results show that this hybrid plasmonic–MOF device can effectively increase the infrared absorption path of on-chip gas sensors by more than 1100-fold. Lastly, the demonstration of infrared absorption spectroscopy of CO 2 using the hybrid plasmonic–MOF device proves amore » promising strategy for future on-chip gas sensing with ultra-compact size.« less

Evaluating the performance of commonly used gas analysers for methane eddy covariance flux measurements: the InGOS inter-comparison field experiment

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Peltola, O.; Hensen, A.; Helfter, C.; Belelli Marchesini, L.; Bosveld, F. C.; van den Bulk, W. C. M.; Elbers, J. A.; Haapanala, S.; Holst, J.; Laurila, T.; Lindroth, A.; Nemitz, E.; Röckmann, T.; Vermeulen, A. T.; Mammarella, I.

2014-01-01

The performance of eight fast-response methane (CH4) gas analysers suitable for eddy covariance flux measurements were tested at a grassland site near the Cabauw tall tower (Netherlands) during June 2012. The instruments were positioned close to each other in order to minimize the effect of varying turbulent conditions. The moderate CH4 fluxes observed at the location, of the order of 25 nmol m-2 s-1, provided a suitable signal for testing the instruments' performance. Generally, all analysers tested were able to quantify the concentration fluctuations at the frequency range relevant for turbulent exchange and were able to deliver high-quality data. The tested cavity ring-down spectrometer (CRDS) instruments from Picarro, models G2311-f and G1301-f, were superior to other CH4 analysers with respect to instrumental noise. As an open-path instrument susceptible to the effects of rain, the LI-COR LI-7700 achieved lower data coverage and also required larger density corrections; however, the system is especially useful for remote sites that are restricted in power availability. In this study the open-path LI-7700 results were compromised due to a data acquisition problem in our data-logging setup. Some of the older closed-path analysers tested do not measure H2O vapour concentrations alongside CH4 (i.e. FMA1 and DLT-100 by Los Gatos Research) and this complicates data processing since the required corrections for dilution and spectroscopic interactions have to be based on external information. To overcome this issue, we used H2O mole fractions measured by other gas analysers, adjusted them with different methods and then applied them to correct the CH4 fluxes. Following this procedure we estimated a bias on the order of 0.1 g (CH4) m-2 (8% of the measured mean flux) in the processed and corrected CH4 fluxes on a monthly scale due to missing H2O concentration measurements. Finally, cumulative CH4 fluxes over 14 days from three closed-path gas analysers, G2311-f (Picarro Inc.), FGGA (Los Gatos Research) and FMA2 (Los Gatos Research), which were measuring H2O vapour concentrations in addition to CH4, agreed within 3% (355-367 mg (CH4) m-2) and were not clearly different from each other, whereas the other instruments derived total fluxes which showed small but distinct differences (±10%, 330-399 mg (CH4) m-2).

Evaluating the performance of commonly used gas analysers for methane eddy covariance flux measurements: the InGOS inter-comparison field experiment

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Peltola, O.; Hensen, A.; Helfter, C.; Belelli Marchesini, L.; Bosveld, F. C.; van den Bulk, W. C. M.; Elbers, J. A.; Haapanala, S.; Holst, J.; Laurila, T.; Lindroth, A.; Nemitz, E.; Röckmann, T.; Vermeulen, A. T.; Mammarella, I.

2014-06-01

The performance of eight fast-response methane (CH4) gas analysers suitable for eddy covariance flux measurements were tested at a grassland site near the Cabauw tall tower (Netherlands) during June 2012. The instruments were positioned close to each other in order to minimise the effect of varying turbulent conditions. The moderate CH4 fluxes observed at the location, of the order of 25 nmol m-2 s-1, provided a suitable signal for testing the instruments' performance. Generally, all analysers tested were able to quantify the concentration fluctuations at the frequency range relevant for turbulent exchange and were able to deliver high-quality data. The tested cavity ringdown spectrometer (CRDS) instruments from Picarro, models G2311-f and G1301-f, were superior to other CH4 analysers with respect to instrumental noise. As an open-path instrument susceptible to the effects of rain, the LI-COR LI-7700 achieved lower data coverage and also required larger density corrections; however, the system is especially useful for remote sites that are restricted in power availability. In this study the open-path LI-7700 results were compromised due to a data acquisition problem in our data-logging setup. Some of the older closed-path analysers tested do not measure H2O concentrations alongside CH4 (i.e. FMA1 and DLT-100 by Los Gatos Research) and this complicates data processing since the required corrections for dilution and spectroscopic interactions have to be based on external information. To overcome this issue, we used H2O mole fractions measured by other gas analysers, adjusted them with different methods and then applied them to correct the CH4 fluxes. Following this procedure we estimated a bias of the order of 0.1 g (CH4) m-2 (8% of the measured mean flux) in the processed and corrected CH4 fluxes on a monthly scale due to missing H2O concentration measurements. Finally, cumulative CH4 fluxes over 14 days from three closed-path gas analysers, G2311-f (Picarro Inc.), FGGA (Los Gatos Research) and FMA2 (Los Gatos Research), which were measuring H2O concentrations in addition to CH4, agreed within 3% (355-367 mg (CH4) m-2) and were not clearly different from each other, whereas the other instruments derived total fluxes which showed small but distinct differences (±10%, 330-399 mg (CH4) m-2).

Spatial Resolution in Scanning Electron Microscopy and Scanning Transmission Electron Microscopy Without a Specimen Vacuum Chamber.

PubMed

Nguyen, Kayla X; Holtz, Megan E; Richmond-Decker, Justin; Muller, David A

2016-08-01

A long-standing goal of electron microscopy has been the high-resolution characterization of specimens in their native environment. However, electron optics require high vacuum to maintain an unscattered and focused probe, a challenge for specimens requiring atmospheric or liquid environments. Here, we use an electron-transparent window at the base of a scanning electron microscope's objective lens to separate column vacuum from the specimen, enabling imaging under ambient conditions, without a specimen vacuum chamber. We demonstrate in-air imaging of specimens at nanoscale resolution using backscattered scanning electron microscopy (airSEM) and scanning transmission electron microscopy. We explore resolution and contrast using Monte Carlo simulations and analytical models. We find that nanometer-scale resolution can be obtained at gas path lengths up to 400 μm, although contrast drops with increasing gas path length. As the electron-transparent window scatters considerably more than gas at our operating conditions, we observe that the densities and thicknesses of the electron-transparent window are the dominant limiting factors for image contrast at lower operating voltages. By enabling a variety of detector configurations, the airSEM is applicable to a wide range of environmental experiments including the imaging of hydrated biological specimens and in situ chemical and electrochemical processes.

Are non-linearity effects of absorption important for MAX-DOAS observations?

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pukite, Janis; Wang, Yang; Wagner, Thomas

2017-04-01

For scattered light observations the absorption optical depth depends non-linearly on the trace gas concentrations if their absorption is strong. This is the case because the Beer-Lambert law is generally not applicable for scattered light measurements due to many (i.e. more than one) light paths contributing to the measurement. While in many cases a linear approximation can be made, for scenarios with strong absorption non-linear effects cannot always be neglected. This is especially the case for observation geometries with spatially extended and diffuse light paths, especially in satellite limb geometry but also for nadir measurements as well. Fortunately the effects of non-linear effects can be quantified by means of expanding the radiative transfer equation in a Taylor series with respect to the trace gas absorption coefficients. Herewith if necessary (1) the higher order absorption structures can be described as separate fit parameters in the DOAS fit and (2) the algorithm constraints of retrievals of VCDs and profiles can be improved by considering higher order sensitivity parameters. In this study we investigate the contribution of the higher order absorption structures for MAX-DOAS observation geometry for different atmospheric and ground properties (cloud and aerosol effects, trace gas amount, albedo) and geometry (different Sun and viewing angles).

Production of Solar-Grade Silicon by the SiF4 and Mg Reaction

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Xie, Xiaobing; Bao, Jianer; Sanjurjo, Angel

2016-12-01

Over 90 pct of the solar cells currently produced and installed are Si based, and this industrial dominance is expected to persist for the foreseeable future. The crystalline Si substrate accounts for a significant portion of the total cost of solar cells. In order to further reduce the cost of solar panels, there has been significant effort in producing inexpensive solar-grade Si, mainly through three paths: (1) modification of the Siemens process to lower production costs, (2) upgrading metallurgical-grade Si to reach solar-grade purity, and (3) by means of new metallurgical processes such as the reduction of a silicon halide, e.g., SiF4 or SiCl4, by a reactive metal such as Na or Zn. In this paper, we describe an alternative path that uses Mg to react with SiF4 to produce low-cost solar grade Si. Experimental conditions for complete reaction and separation of the products, Si and MgF2, as well as aspects of the reaction mechanism are described. The reaction involves both a heterogeneous liquid-gas phase reaction and a homogeneous gas-gas phase reaction. When pure Mg was used, the Si product obtained had sub-ppm levels of B and P impurities and is expected to be suitable for solar cell applications.

Spatial Resolution in Scanning Electron Microscopy and Scanning Transmission Electron Microscopy Without a Specimen Vacuum Chamber

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

Nguyen, Kayla X.; Holtz, Megan E.; Richmond-Decker, Justin

2016-07-25

Abstract A long-standing goal of electron microscopy has been the high-resolution characterization of specimens in their native environment. However, electron optics require high vacuum to maintain an unscattered and focused probe, a challenge for specimens requiring atmospheric or liquid environments. Here, we use an electron-transparent window at the base of a scanning electron microscope’s objective lens to separate column vacuum from the specimen, enabling imaging under ambient conditions, without a specimen vacuum chamber. We demonstrate in-air imaging of specimens at nanoscale resolution using backscattered scanning electron microscopy (airSEM) and scanning transmission electron microscopy. We explore resolution and contrast using Montemore » Carlo simulations and analytical models. We find that nanometer-scale resolution can be obtained at gas path lengths up to 400μm, although contrast drops with increasing gas path length. As the electron-transparent window scatters considerably more than gas at our operating conditions, we observe that the densities and thicknesses of the electron-transparent window are the dominant limiting factors for image contrast at lower operating voltages. By enabling a variety of detector configurations, the airSEM is applicable to a wide range of environmental experiments including the imaging of hydrated biological specimens andin situchemical and electrochemical processes.« less

An oilspill risk analysis for the North Atlantic outer continental shelf lease area

USGS Publications Warehouse

Smith, Richard Allmon; Slack, James Richard; Davis, Robert K.

1976-01-01

The Federal Government has proposed to lease 1,172,795 acres of Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) lands on Georges Bank off the New England Coast for oil and gas development. Estimated recoverable petroleum resources for the proposed 206 tract sale area range from 180 to 650 million barrels. Contingent upon actual discovery of this quantity of oil, production is expected to span a period of about 20 years. An oilspill risk analysis was conducted to determine relative environmental hazards of developing oil in the North Atlantic Outer Continental Shelf lease area. The study analyzed probability of spill occurrence, likely path of pollutants from spills, and locations in space and time of recreational and biological resources likely to be vulnerable. These results are combined to yield estimates of the overall oilspill risk associated with development of the lease area. (Woodard-USGS)

Sensitive Spectroscopic Analysis of Biomarkers in Exhaled Breath

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bicer, A.; Bounds, J.; Zhu, F.; Kolomenskii, A. A.; Kaya, N.; Aluauee, E.; Amani, M.; Schuessler, H. A.

2018-06-01

We have developed a novel optical setup which is based on a high finesse cavity and absorption laser spectroscopy in the near-IR spectral region. In pilot experiments, spectrally resolved absorption measurements of biomarkers in exhaled breath, such as methane and acetone, were carried out using cavity ring-down spectroscopy (CRDS). With a 172-cm-long cavity, an efficient optical path of 132 km was achieved. The CRDS technique is well suited for such measurements due to its high sensitivity and good spectral resolution. The detection limits for methane of 8 ppbv and acetone of 2.1 ppbv with spectral sampling of 0.005 cm-1 were achieved, which allowed to analyze multicomponent gas mixtures and to observe absorption peaks of 12CH4 and 13CH4. Further improvements of the technique have the potential to realize diagnostics of health conditions based on a multicomponent analysis of breath samples.

Experimental Performance Evaluation of a Supersonic Turbine for Rocket Engine Applications

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Snellgrove, Lauren M.; Griffin, Lisa W.; Sieja, James P.; Huber, Frank W.

2003-01-01

In order to mitigate the risk of rocket propulsion development, efficient, accurate, detailed fluid dynamics analysis and testing of the turbomachinery is necessary. To support this requirement, a task was developed at NASA Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC) to improve turbine aerodynamic performance through the application of advanced design and analysis tools. These tools were applied to optimize a supersonic turbine design suitable for a reusable launch vehicle (RLV). The hot gas path and blading were redesigned-to obtain an increased efficiency. The goal of the demonstration was to increase the total-to- static efficiency of the turbine by eight points over the baseline design. A sub-scale, cold flow test article modeling the final optimized turbine was designed, manufactured, and tested in air at MSFC s Turbine Airflow Facility. Extensive on- and off- design point performance data, steady-state data, and unsteady blade loading data were collected during testing.

Use of a parallel path nebulizer for capillary-based microseparation techniques coupled with an inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer for speciation measurements

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yanes, Enrique G.; Miller-Ihli, Nancy J.

2004-06-01

A low flow, parallel path Mira Mist CE nebulizer designed for capillary electrophoresis (CE) was evaluated as a function of make-up solution flow rate, composition, and concentration, as well as the nebulizer gas flow rate. This research was conducted in support of a project related to the separation and quantification of cobalamin (vitamin B-12) species using microseparation techniques combined with inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) detection. As such, Co signals were monitored during the nebulizer characterization process. Transient effects in the ICP were studied to evaluate the suitability of using gradients for microseparations and the benefit of using methanol for the make-up solution was demonstrated. Co signal response changed significantly as a function of changing methanol concentrations of the make-up solution and maximum signal enhancement was seen at 20% methanol with a 15 μl/min flow rate. Evaluation of the effect of changing the nebulizer gas flow rates showed that argon flows from 0.8 to 1.2 l/min were equally effective. The Mira Mist CE parallel path nebulizer was then evaluated for interfacing capillary microseparation techniques including capillary electrophoresis (CE) and micro high performance liquid chromatography (μHPLC) to inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). A mixture of four cobalamin species standards (cyanocobalamin, hydroxocobalamin, methylcobalamin, and 5' deoxyadenosylcobalamin) and the corrinoid analogue cobinamide dicyanide were successfully separated using both CE-ICP-MS and μHPLC-ICP-MS using the parallel path nebulizer with a make-up solution containing 20% methanol with a flow rate of 15 μl/min.

MapMaker and PathTracer for tracking carbon in genome-scale metabolic models

PubMed Central

Tervo, Christopher J.; Reed, Jennifer L.

2016-01-01

Constraint-based reconstruction and analysis (COBRA) modeling results can be difficult to interpret given the large numbers of reactions in genome-scale models. While paths in metabolic networks can be found, existing methods are not easily combined with constraint-based approaches. To address this limitation, two tools (MapMaker and PathTracer) were developed to find paths (including cycles) between metabolites, where each step transfers carbon from reactant to product. MapMaker predicts carbon transfer maps (CTMs) between metabolites using only information on molecular formulae and reaction stoichiometry, effectively determining which reactants and products share carbon atoms. MapMaker correctly assigned CTMs for over 97% of the 2,251 reactions in an Escherichia coli metabolic model (iJO1366). Using CTMs as inputs, PathTracer finds paths between two metabolites. PathTracer was applied to iJO1366 to investigate the importance of using CTMs and COBRA constraints when enumerating paths, to find active and high flux paths in flux balance analysis (FBA) solutions, to identify paths for putrescine utilization, and to elucidate a potential CO2 fixation pathway in E. coli. These results illustrate how MapMaker and PathTracer can be used in combination with constraint-based models to identify feasible, active, and high flux paths between metabolites. PMID:26771089

A True Eddy Accumulation - Eddy Covariance hybrid for measurements of turbulent trace gas fluxes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Siebicke, Lukas

2016-04-01

Eddy covariance (EC) is state-of-the-art in directly and continuously measuring turbulent fluxes of carbon dioxide and water vapor. However, low signal-to-noise ratios, high flow rates and missing or complex gas analyzers limit it's application to few scalars. True eddy accumulation, based on conditional sampling ideas by Desjardins in 1972, requires no fast response analyzers and is therefore potentially applicable to a wider range of scalars. Recently we showed possibly the first successful implementation of True Eddy Accumulation (TEA) measuring net ecosystem exchange of carbon dioxide of a grassland. However, most accumulation systems share the complexity of having to store discrete air samples in physical containers representing entire flux averaging intervals. The current study investigates merging principles of eddy accumulation and eddy covariance, which we here refer to as "true eddy accumulation in transient mode" (TEA-TM). This direct flux method TEA-TM combines true eddy accumulation with continuous sampling. The TEA-TM setup is simpler than discrete accumulation methods while avoiding the need for fast response gas analyzers and high flow rates required for EC. We implemented the proposed TEA-TM method and measured fluxes of carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4) and water vapor (H2O) above a mixed beech forest at the Hainich Fluxnet and ICOS site, Germany, using a G2301 laser spectrometer (Picarro Inc., USA). We further simulated a TEA-TM sampling system using measured high frequency CO2 time series from an open-path gas analyzer. We operated TEA-TM side-by-side with open-, enclosed- and closed-path EC flux systems for CO2, H2O and CH4 (LI-7500, LI-7200, LI-6262, LI-7700, Licor, USA, and FGGA LGR, USA). First results show that TEA-TM CO2 fluxes were similar to EC fluxes. Remaining differences were similar to those between the three eddy covariance setups (open-, enclosed- and closed-path gas analyzers). Measured TEA-TM CO2 fluxes from our physical sampling system closely reproduced dynamics of simulated TEA-TM fluxes. In conclusion this study introduces a new approach to trace gas flux measurements using transient-mode true eddy accumulation. First TEA-TM CO2 fluxes compared favorably with side-by-side EC fluxes, in agreement with our previous experiments comparing discrete TEA to EC. True eddy accumulation has thus potential for measuring turbulent fluxes of a range of atmospheric tracers using slow response analyzers.

Global Qualitative Flow-Path Modeling for Local State Determination in Simulation and Analysis

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Malin, Jane T. (Inventor); Fleming, Land D. (Inventor)

1998-01-01

For qualitative modeling and analysis, a general qualitative abstraction of power transmission variables (flow and effort) for elements of flow paths includes information on resistance, net flow, permissible directions of flow, and qualitative potential is discussed. Each type of component model has flow-related variables and an associated internal flow map, connected into an overall flow network of the system. For storage devices, the implicit power transfer to the environment is represented by "virtual" circuits that include an environmental junction. A heterogeneous aggregation method simplifies the path structure. A method determines global flow-path changes during dynamic simulation and analysis, and identifies corresponding local flow state changes that are effects of global configuration changes. Flow-path determination is triggered by any change in a flow-related device variable in a simulation or analysis. Components (path elements) that may be affected are identified, and flow-related attributes favoring flow in the two possible directions are collected for each of them. Next, flow-related attributes are determined for each affected path element, based on possibly conflicting indications of flow direction. Spurious qualitative ambiguities are minimized by using relative magnitudes and permissible directions of flow, and by favoring flow sources over effort sources when comparing flow tendencies. The results are output to local flow states of affected components.

Deep Reductions in Greenhouse Gas Emissions from the California Transportation Sector: Dynamics in Vehicle Fleet and Energy Supply Transitions to Achieve 80% Reduction in Emissions from 1990 Levels by 2050

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Leighty, Wayne Waterman

California's "80in50" target for reducing greenhouse gas emissions to 80 percent below 1990 levels by the year 2050 is based on climate science rather than technical feasibility of mitigation. As such, it raises four fundamental questions: is this magnitude of reduction in greenhouse gas emissions possible, what energy system transitions over the next 40 years are necessary, can intermediate policy goals be met on the pathway toward 2050, and does the path of transition matter for the objective of climate change mitigation? Scenarios for meeting the 80in50 goal in the transportation sector are modelled. Specifically, earlier work defining low carbon transport scenarios for the year 2050 is refined by incorporating new information about biofuel supply. Then transition paths for meeting 80in50 scenarios are modelled for the light-duty vehicle sub-sector, with important implications for the timing of action, rate of change, and cumulative greenhouse gas emissions. One aspect of these transitions -- development in the California wind industry to supply low-carbon electricity for plug-in electric vehicles -- is examined in detail. In general, the range of feasible scenarios for meeting the 80in50 target is narrow enough that several common themes are apparent: electrification of light-duty vehicles must occur; continued improvements in vehicle efficiency must be applied to improving fuel economy; and energy carriers must de-carbonize to less than half of the carbon intensity of gasoline and diesel. Reaching the 80in50 goal will require broad success in travel demand reduction, fuel economy improvements and low-carbon fuel supply, since there is little opportunity to increase emission reductions in one area if we experience failure in another. Although six scenarios for meeting the 80in50 target are defined, only one also meets the intermediate target of reducing greenhouse gas emissions to 1990 levels by the year 2020. Furthermore, the transition path taken to reach any one of these scenarios can differ in cumulative emissions by more than 25 percent. Since cumulative emissions are the salient factor for climate change mitigation and the likelihood of success is an important consideration, initiating action immediately to begin the transitions indicated for achieving the 80in50 goal is found to be prudent.

Kinetic analysis of spin current contribution to spectrum of electromagnetic waves in spin-1/2 plasma. I. Dielectric permeability tensor for magnetized plasmas

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Andreev, Pavel A.

2017-02-01

The dielectric permeability tensor for spin polarized plasmas is derived in terms of the spin-1/2 quantum kinetic model in six-dimensional phase space. Expressions for the distribution function and spin distribution function are derived in linear approximations on the path of dielectric permeability tensor derivation. The dielectric permeability tensor is derived for the spin-polarized degenerate electron gas. It is also discussed at the finite temperature regime, where the equilibrium distribution function is presented by the spin-polarized Fermi-Dirac distribution. Consideration of the spin-polarized equilibrium states opens possibilities for the kinetic modeling of the thermal spin current contribution in the plasma dynamics.

Multiple-path model of spectral reflectance of a dyed fabric.

PubMed

Rogers, Geoffrey; Dalloz, Nicolas; Fournel, Thierry; Hebert, Mathieu

2017-05-01

Experimental results are presented of the spectral reflectance of a dyed fabric as analyzed by a multiple-path model of reflection. The multiple-path model provides simple analytic expressions for reflection and transmission of turbid media by applying the Beer-Lambert law to each path through the medium and summing over all paths, each path weighted by its probability. The path-length probability is determined by a random-walk analysis. The experimental results presented here show excellent agreement with predictions made by the model.

Broadband high-resolution multi-species CARS in gas-filled hollow-core photonic crystal fiber.

PubMed

Trabold, Barbara M; Hupfer, Robert J R; Abdolvand, Amir; St J Russell, Philip

2017-09-01

We report the use of coherent anti-Stokes Raman spectroscopy (CARS) in gas-filled hollow-core photonic crystal fiber (HC-PCF) for trace gas detection. The long optical path-lengths yield a 60 dB increase in the signal level compared with free-space arrangements. This enables a relatively weak supercontinuum (SC) to be used as Stokes seed, along with a ns pump pulse, paving the way for broadband (>4000  cm -1 ) single-shot CARS with an unprecedented resolution of ∼100  MHz. A kagomé-style HC-PCF provides broadband guidance, and, by operating close to the pressure-tunable zero dispersion wavelength, we can ensure simultaneous phase-matching of all gas species. We demonstrate simultaneous measurement of the concentrations of multiple trace gases in a gas sample introduced into the core of the HC-PCF.

Assembly for directing combustion gas

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

Charron, Richard C.; Little, David A.; Snyder, Gary D.

2016-04-12

An arrangement is provided for delivering gases from a plurality of combustors of a can-annular gas turbine combustion engine to a first row of turbine blades including a first row of turbine blades. The arrangement includes a gas path cylinder, a cone and an integrated exit piece (IEP) for each combustor. Each IEP comprises an inlet chamber for receiving a gas flow from a respective combustor, and includes a connection segment. The IEPs are connected together to define an annular chamber extending circumferentially and concentric to an engine longitudinal axis, for delivering the gas flow to the first row ofmore » blades. A radiused joint extends radially inward from a radially outer side of the inlet chamber to an outer boundary of the annular chamber, and a flared fillet extends radially inward from a radially inner side of the inlet chamber to an inner boundary of the annular chamber.« less

A summary of computational experience at GE Aircraft Engines for complex turbulent flows in gas turbines

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zerkle, Ronald D.; Prakash, Chander

1995-03-01

This viewgraph presentation summarizes some CFD experience at GE Aircraft Engines for flows in the primary gaspath of a gas turbine engine and in turbine blade cooling passages. It is concluded that application of the standard k-epsilon turbulence model with wall functions is not adequate for accurate CFD simulation of aerodynamic performance and heat transfer in the primary gas path of a gas turbine engine. New models are required in the near-wall region which include more physics than wall functions. The two-layer modeling approach appears attractive because of its computational complexity. In addition, improved CFD simulation of film cooling and turbine blade internal cooling passages will require anisotropic turbulence models. New turbulence models must be practical in order to have a significant impact on the engine design process. A coordinated turbulence modeling effort between NASA centers would be beneficial to the gas turbine industry.

A summary of computational experience at GE Aircraft Engines for complex turbulent flows in gas turbines

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Zerkle, Ronald D.; Prakash, Chander

1995-01-01

This viewgraph presentation summarizes some CFD experience at GE Aircraft Engines for flows in the primary gaspath of a gas turbine engine and in turbine blade cooling passages. It is concluded that application of the standard k-epsilon turbulence model with wall functions is not adequate for accurate CFD simulation of aerodynamic performance and heat transfer in the primary gas path of a gas turbine engine. New models are required in the near-wall region which include more physics than wall functions. The two-layer modeling approach appears attractive because of its computational complexity. In addition, improved CFD simulation of film cooling and turbine blade internal cooling passages will require anisotropic turbulence models. New turbulence models must be practical in order to have a significant impact on the engine design process. A coordinated turbulence modeling effort between NASA centers would be beneficial to the gas turbine industry.

Three-gas detection system with IR optical sensor based on NDIR technology

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tan, Qiulin; Tang, Licheng; Yang, Mingliang; Xue, Chenyang; Zhang, Wendong; Liu, Jun; Xiong, Jijun

2015-11-01

In this paper, a three-gas detection system with a environmental parameter compensation method is proposed based on Non-dispersive infra-red (NDIR) technique, which can be applied to detect multi-gas (methane, carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide). In this system, an IR source and four single-channel pyroelectric sensors are integrated in the miniature optical gas chamber successfully. Inner wall of the chamber coated with Au film is designed as paraboloids. The infrared light is reflected twice before reaching to detectors, thus increasing optical path. Besides, a compensation method is presented to overcome the influence in variation of environment (ambient temperature, humidity and pressure), thus leading to improve the accuracy in gas detection. Experimental results demonstrated that detection ranges are 0-50,000 ppm for CH4, 0-44,500 ppm for CO, 0-48,000 ppm for CO2 and the accuracy is ±0.05%.

Corrosion Issues for Ceramics in Gas Turbines

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Jacobson, Nathan; Opila, Elizabeth; Nickel, Klaus G.

2004-01-01

The requirements for hot-gas-path materials in gas turbine engines are demanding. These materials must maintain high strength and creep resistance in a particularly aggressive environment. A typical gas turbine environment involves high temperatures, rapid gas flow rates, high pressures, and a complex mixture of aggressive gases. Over the past forty years, a wealth of information on the behavior of ceramic materials in heat engine environments has been obtained. In the first part of the talk we summarize the behavior of monolithic SiC and Si3N4. These materials show excellent baseline behavior in clean, oxygen environments. However the aggressive components in a heat engine environment such as water vapor and salt deposits can be quite degrading. In the second part of the talk we discuss SiC-based composites. The critical issue with these materials is oxidation of the fiber coating. We conclude with a brief discussion of future directions in ceramic corrosion research.

Computational fluid dynamics analysis in support of the simplex turbopump design

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Garcia, Roberto; Griffin, Lisa W.; Benjamin, Theodore G.; Cornelison, Joni W.; Ruf, Joseph H.; Williams, Robert W.

1994-01-01

Simplex is a turbopump that is being developed at NASA/Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC) by an in-house team. The turbopump consists of a single-stage centrifugal impeller, vaned-diffuser pump powered by a single-stage, axial, supersonic, partial admission turbine. The turbine is driven by warm gaseous oxygen tapped off of the hybrid motor to which it will be coupled. Rolling element bearings are cooled by the pumping fluid. Details of the configuration and operating conditions are given by Marsh. CFD has been used extensively to verify one-dimensional (1D) predictions, assess aerodynamic and hydrodynamic designs, and to provide flow environments. The complete primary flow path of the pump-end and the hot gas path of the turbine, excluding the inlet torus, have been analyzed. All CFD analyses conducted for the Simplex turbopump employed the pressure based Finite Difference Navier-Stokes (FDNS) code using a standard kappa-epsilon turbulence model with wall functions. More detailed results are presented by Garcia et. al. To support the team, loading and temperature results for the turbine rotor were provided as inputs to structural and thermal analyses, and blade loadings from the inducer were provided for structural analyses.

A taxonomy of integral reaction path analysis

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

Grcar, Joseph F.; Day, Marcus S.; Bell, John B.

2004-12-23

W. C. Gardiner observed that achieving understanding through combustion modeling is limited by the ability to recognize the implications of what has been computed and to draw conclusions about the elementary steps underlying the reaction mechanism. This difficulty can be overcome in part by making better use of reaction path analysis in the context of multidimensional flame simulations. Following a survey of current practice, an integral reaction flux is formulated in terms of conserved scalars that can be calculated in a fully automated way. Conditional analyses are then introduced, and a taxonomy for bidirectional path analysis is explored. Many examplesmore » illustrate the resulting path analysis and uncover some new results about nonpremixed methane-air laminar jets.« less

Data analytics for simplifying thermal efficiency planning in cities

PubMed Central

Abdolhosseini Qomi, Mohammad Javad; Noshadravan, Arash; Sobstyl, Jake M.; Toole, Jameson; Ferreira, Joseph; Pellenq, Roland J.-M.; Ulm, Franz-Josef; Gonzalez, Marta C.

2016-01-01

More than 44% of building energy consumption in the USA is used for space heating and cooling, and this accounts for 20% of national CO2 emissions. This prompts the need to identify among the 130 million households in the USA those with the greatest energy-saving potential and the associated costs of the path to reach that goal. Whereas current solutions address this problem by analysing each building in detail, we herein reduce the dimensionality of the problem by simplifying the calculations of energy losses in buildings. We present a novel inference method that can be used via a ranking algorithm that allows us to estimate the potential energy saving for heating purposes. To that end, we only need consumption from records of gas bills integrated with a building's footprint. The method entails a statistical screening of the intricate interplay between weather, infrastructural and residents' choice variables to determine building gas consumption and potential savings at a city scale. We derive a general statistical pattern of consumption in an urban settlement, reducing it to a set of the most influential buildings' parameters that operate locally. By way of example, the implications are explored using records of a set of (N = 6200) buildings in Cambridge, MA, USA, which indicate that retrofitting only 16% of buildings entails a 40% reduction in gas consumption of the whole building stock. We find that the inferred heat loss rate of buildings exhibits a power-law data distribution akin to Zipf's law, which provides a means to map an optimum path for gas savings per retrofit at a city scale. These findings have implications for improving the thermal efficiency of cities' building stock, as outlined by current policy efforts seeking to reduce home heating and cooling energy consumption and lower associated greenhouse gas emissions. PMID:27097652

Comparative Analysis of English Language Student's School Paths at a Mexico University

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Robelo, Octaviano García; Marquez, Jorge Hernández; Pérez, Ileana Casasola

2017-01-01

Seven factors related to academic paths of students of the Bachelor of English Language of a public university in Mexico are investigated. With a non-experimental descriptive design, a Likert scale was applied to evaluate the college students' perception of these factors. A comparative analysis between three types of school paths was performed. It…

Path Analysis and Residual Plotting as Methods of Environmental Scanning in Higher Education: An Illustration with Applications and Enrollments.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Morcol, Goktug; McLaughlin, Gerald W.

1990-01-01

The study proposes using path analysis and residual plotting as methods supporting environmental scanning in strategic planning for higher education institutions. Path models of three levels of independent variables are developed. Dependent variables measuring applications and enrollments at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University are…

Powerloads on the front end components and the duct of the heating and diagnostic neutral beam lines at ITER

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

Singh, M. J.; Boilson, D.; Hemsworth, R. S.

2015-04-08

The heating and current drive beam lines (HNB) at ITER are expected to deliver ∼16.7 MW power per beam line for H beams at 870 keV and D beams at 1 MeV during the H-He and the DD/DT phases of ITER operation respectively. On the other hand the diagnostic neutral beam (DNB) line shall deliver ∼2 MW power for H beams at 100 keV during both the phases. The path lengths over which the beams from the HNB and DNB beam lines need to be transported are 25.6 m and 20.7 m respectively. The transport of the beams over these path lengths resultsmore » in beam losses, mainly by the direct interception of the beam with the beam line components and reionisation. The lost power is deposited on the surfaces of the various components of the beam line. In order to ensure the survival of these components over the operational life time of ITER, it is important to determine to the best possible extent the operational power loads and power densities on the various surfaces which are impacted by the beam in one way or the other during its transport. The main factors contributing to these are the divergence of the beamlets and the halo fraction in the beam, the beam aiming, the horizontal and vertical misalignment of the beam, and the gas profile along the beam path, which determines the re-ionisation loss, and the re-ionisation cross sections. The estimations have been made using a combination of the modified version of the Monte Carlo Gas Flow code (MCGF) and the BTR code. The MCGF is used to determine the gas profile in the beam line and takes into account the active gas feed into the ion source and neutraliser, the HNB-DNB cross over, the gas entering the beamline from the ITER machine, the additional gas atoms generated in the beam line due to impacting ions and the pumping speed of the cryopumps. The BTR code has been used to obtain the power loads and the power densities on the various surfaces of the front end components and the duct modules for different scenarios of ITER operation. The gas profile and the magnetic field distribution for each scenario has been considered in these evaluations. The worst case power loads and power densities for each surface have been used to study their thermo-mechanical behaviour and manufacturing feasibility. The details of these calculations and results obtained are presented and discussed.« less

Optimization of A 2-Micron Laser Frequency Stabilization System for a Double-Pulse CO2 Differential Absorption Lidar

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Chen, Songsheng; Yu, Jirong; Bai, Yingsin; Koch, Grady; Petros, Mulugeta; Trieu, Bo; Petzar, Paul; Singh, Upendra N.; Kavaya, Michael J.; Beyon, Jeffrey

2010-01-01

A carbon dioxide (CO2) Differential Absorption Lidar (DIAL) for accurate CO2 concentration measurement requires a frequency locking system to achieve high frequency locking precision and stability. We describe the frequency locking system utilizing Frequency Modulation (FM), Phase Sensitive Detection (PSD), and Proportional Integration Derivative (PID) feedback servo loop, and report the optimization of the sensitivity of the system for the feed back loop based on the characteristics of a variable path-length CO2 gas cell. The CO2 gas cell is characterized with HITRAN database (2004). The method can be applied for any other frequency locking systems referring to gas absorption line.

Monitoring the Gas Composition of the NIFFTE Time Projection Chamber

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Towell, Travis; Travis Towell Collaboration

2017-09-01

The Neutron Induced Fission Fragment Tracking Experiment (NIFFTE) at Los Alamos National Laboratory(LANL) is using a Time Projection Chamber (TPC) to measure with high precision the cross section ratio of U238 to P239. When the neutron beam hits a target, it may emit fission fragments. As the fission fragments travels through the chamber, it ionizes the gas it passes through. Based on the time it takes for the ions to drift to the pad planes and the hit location of the ions, the path of fission fragments can be determined. Knowing the composition of the gas mixture is vital to accurately reconstruct the data. A Binary Gas Analyzer (BGA) is used to measure the gas composition. To confirm the accuracy of the BGA, varying amounts of nitrogen and carbon dioxide were flowed through a test gas system. Several tests were performed to validate that the BGA for our gas system is working properly. This poster will describe the test gas system setup, tests of the BGA, and elaborate on the main goals of the NIFFTE experiment.

Miniaturized differential optical absorption spectroscopy (DOAS) system for the analysis of NO2

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Morales, J. Alberto; Walsh, James E.; Treacy, Jack E.; Garland, Wendy E.

2003-03-01

Current trends in optical design engineering are leading to the development of new systems which can analyze atmospheric pollutants in a fast and easy way, allowing remote-sensing and miniaturization at a low cost. A small portable fiber-optic based system is presented for the spectroscopic analysis of a common gas pollutant, NO2. The novel optical set-up described consists of a small telescope that collects ultraviolet-visible light from a xenon lamp located 600 m away. The light is coupled into a portable diode array spectrometer through a fiber-optic cable and the system is controlled by a lap-top computer where the spectra are recorded. Using the spectrum of the lamp as a reference, the absorption spectrum of the open path between the lamp and the telescope is calculated. Known absorption features in the NO2 spectrum are used to calculate the concentration of the pollutant using the principles of Differential Optical Absorption Spectroscopy (DOAS). Calibration is carried by using sample gas bags of known concentration of the pollutant. The results obtained demonstrate that it is possible to detect and determine NO2 concentrations directly from the atmosphere at typical environment levels by using an inexpensive field based fiber-optic spectrometer system.

The effect of mass loading outside cometary bow shock for the plasma and wave measurements in the coming cometary missions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sagdeev, R. Z.; Shapiro, V. D.; Shevchenko, V. I.; Szego, K.

1987-02-01

The neutral gas emitted by comets is partly photoionized along its path. The interaction of the ions with the solar wind leads to observable particle and wave effects in the ambient plasma. These are described in the present paper.

Comparison of micrometeorological techniques in measuring gas emissions from waste lagoons

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

In this study, we evaluated and compared the accuracies of two micrometeorological methods using open-path tunable diode laser absorption spectrometers; vertical radial plume mapping method and the inverse dispersion model method. The accuracy of these two methods was evaluated using a 45m x 45m p...

Comparison of micrometeorological techniques in measuring gas emissions from waste lagoons

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

In this study, we evaluated and compared the accuracies of two micrometeorological methods using open-path tunable diode laser absorption spectrometers; vertical radial plume mapping method (US EPA OTM-10) and the inverse dispersion model method. The accuracy of these two methods was evaluated usin...

Membrane module assembly

DOEpatents

Kaschemekat, J.

1994-03-15

A membrane module assembly is described which is adapted to provide a flow path for the incoming feed stream that forces it into prolonged heat-exchanging contact with a heating or cooling mechanism. Membrane separation processes employing the module assembly are also disclosed. The assembly is particularly useful for gas separation or pervaporation. 2 figures.

Thermal barrier coating

DOEpatents

Bowker, Jeffrey Charles; Sabol, Stephen M.; Goedjen, John G.

2001-01-01

A thermal barrier coating for hot gas path components of a combustion turbine based on a zirconia-scandia system. A layer of zirconium scandate having the hexagonal Zr.sub.3 Sc.sub.4 O.sub.12 structure is formed directly on a superalloy substrate or on a bond coat formed on the substrate.

Degassing, gas retention and release in Fe(0) permeable reactive barriers.

PubMed

Ruhl, Aki S; Jekel, Martin

2014-04-01

Corrosion of Fe(0) has been successfully utilized for the reductive treatment of multiple contaminants. Under anaerobic conditions, concurrent corrosion leads to the generation of hydrogen and its liberation as a gas. Gas bubbles are mobile or trapped within the irregular pore structure leading to a reduction of the water filled pore volume and thus decreased residence time and permeability (gas clogging). With regard to the contaminant transport to the reactive site, the estimation of surface properties of the reactive material indicated that individual gas bubbles only occupied minor contact areas of the reactive surface. Quantification of gas entrapment by both gravimetrical and tracer investigations revealed that development of preferential flow paths was not significant. A novel continuous gravimetrical method was implemented to record variations in gas entrapment and gas bubble releases from the reactive filling. Variation of grain size fractions revealed that the pore geometry had a significant impact on gas release. Large pores led to the release of comparably large gas amounts while smaller volumes were released from finer pores with a higher frequency. Relevant processes are explained with a simplified pictorial sequence that incorporates relevant mechanisms. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Gas Turbine Engine Having Fan Rotor Driven by Turbine Exhaust and with a Bypass

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Suciu, Gabriel L. (Inventor); Chandler, Jesse M. (Inventor)

2016-01-01

A gas turbine engine has a core engine incorporating a core engine turbine. A fan rotor is driven by a fan rotor turbine. The fan rotor turbine is in the path of gases downstream from the core engine turbine. A bypass door is moveable from a closed position at which the gases from the core engine turbine pass over the fan rotor turbine, and moveable to a bypass position at which the gases are directed away from the fan rotor turbine. An aircraft is also disclosed.

High aspect reactor vessel and method of use

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Wolf, David A. (Inventor); Sams, Clarence F. (Inventor); Schwarz, Ray P. (Inventor)

1992-01-01

An improved bio-reactor vessel and system useful for carrying out mammalian cell growth in suspension in a culture media are presented. The main goal of the invention is to grow and maintain cells under a homogeneous distribution under acceptable biochemical environment of gas partial pressures and nutrient levels without introducing direct agitation mechanisms or associated disruptive mechanical forces. The culture chamber rotates to maintain an even distribution of cells in suspension and minimizes the length of a gas diffusion path. The culture chamber design is presented and discussed.

Breaking CFD Bottlenecks in Gas-Turbine Flow-Path Design

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Davis, Roger L.; Dannenhoffer, John F., III; Clark, John P.

2010-01-01

New ideas are forthcoming to break existing bottlenecks in using CFD during design. CAD-based automated grid generation. Multi-disciplinary use of embedded, overset grids to eliminate complex gridding problems. Use of time-averaged detached-eddy simulations as norm instead of "steady" RANS to include effects of self-excited unsteadiness. Combined GPU/Core parallel computing to provide over an order of magnitude increase in performance/price ratio. Gas-turbine applications are shown here but these ideas can be used for other Air Force, Navy, and NASA applications.

A modular radiative transfer program for gas filter correlation radiometry

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Casas, J. C.; Campbell, S. A.

1977-01-01

The fundamentals of a computer program, simulated monochromatic atmospheric radiative transfer (SMART), which calculates atmospheric path transmission, solar radiation, and thermal radiation in the 4.6 micrometer spectral region, are described. A brief outline of atmospheric absorption properties and line by line transmission calculations is explained in conjunction with an outline of the SMART computational procedures. Program flexibility is demonstrated by simulating the response of a gas filter correlation radiometer as one example of an atmospheric infrared sensor. Program limitations, input data requirements, program listing, and comparison of SMART transmission calculations are presented.

The efficiency of parameter estimation of latent path analysis using summated rating scale (SRS) and method of successive interval (MSI) for transformation of score to scale

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Solimun, Fernandes, Adji Achmad Rinaldo; Arisoesilaningsih, Endang

2017-12-01

Research in various fields generally investigates systems and involves latent variables. One method to analyze the model representing the system is path analysis. The data of latent variables measured using questionnaires by applying attitude scale model yields data in the form of score, before analyzed should be transformation so that it becomes data of scale. Path coefficient, is parameter estimator, calculated from scale data using method of successive interval (MSI) and summated rating scale (SRS). In this research will be identifying which data transformation method is better. Path coefficients have smaller varieties are said to be more efficient. The transformation method that produces scaled data and used in path analysis capable of producing path coefficients (parameter estimators) with smaller varieties is said to be better. The result of analysis using real data shows that on the influence of Attitude variable to Intention Entrepreneurship, has relative efficiency (ER) = 1, where it shows that the result of analysis using data transformation of MSI and SRS as efficient. On the other hand, for simulation data, at high correlation between items (0.7-0.9), MSI method is more efficient 1.3 times better than SRS method.

minepath.org: a free interactive pathway analysis web server.

PubMed

Koumakis, Lefteris; Roussos, Panos; Potamias, George

2017-07-03

( www.minepath.org ) is a web-based platform that elaborates on, and radically extends the identification of differentially expressed sub-paths in molecular pathways. Besides the network topology, the underlying MinePath algorithmic processes exploit exact gene-gene molecular relationships (e.g. activation, inhibition) and are able to identify differentially expressed pathway parts. Each pathway is decomposed into all its constituent sub-paths, which in turn are matched with corresponding gene expression profiles. The highly ranked, and phenotype inclined sub-paths are kept. Apart from the pathway analysis algorithm, the fundamental innovation of the MinePath web-server concerns its advanced visualization and interactive capabilities. To our knowledge, this is the first pathway analysis server that introduces and offers visualization of the underlying and active pathway regulatory mechanisms instead of genes. Other features include live interaction, immediate visualization of functional sub-paths per phenotype and dynamic linked annotations for the engaged genes and molecular relations. The user can download not only the results but also the corresponding web viewer framework of the performed analysis. This feature provides the flexibility to immediately publish results without publishing source/expression data, and get all the functionality of a web based pathway analysis viewer. © The Author(s) 2017. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of Nucleic Acids Research.

Limb Sensing, on the Path to Better Weather Forecasting.

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gordley, L. L.; Marshall, B. T.; Lachance, R. L.; Fritts, D. C.; Fisher, J.

2017-12-01

Earth limb observations from orbiting sensors have a rich history. The cold space background, long optical paths, and limb geometry provide formidable advantages for calibration, sensitivity and retrieval of vertically well-resolved geophysical parameters. The measurement of limb ray refraction now provides temperature and pressure profiles unburdened by requirements of spectral calibration or gas concentration knowledge, leading to reliable long-term trends. This talk discusses those advantages and our relevant achievements with data from the SOFIE instrument on the AIM satellite. We then describe a path to advances in calibration, sensitivity, profile fidelity, and synergy between limb sensors and nadir sounders. These advances also include small-sat compatible size, elimination of on-board calibration systems and simple static designs, dramatically reducing risk, complexity and cost. Finally, we show how these advances, made possible by modern ADCS, FPA and GPS capabilities, will lead to improvements in weather forecasting and climate observation.

Broadband Phase Spectroscopy over Turbulent Air Paths

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Giorgetta, Fabrizio R.; Rieker, Gregory B.; Baumann, Esther; Swann, William C.; Sinclair, Laura C.; Kofler, Jon; Coddington, Ian; Newbury, Nathan R.

2015-09-01

Broadband atmospheric phase spectra are acquired with a phase-sensitive dual-frequency-comb spectrometer by implementing adaptive compensation for the strong decoherence from atmospheric turbulence. The compensation is possible due to the pistonlike behavior of turbulence across a single spatial-mode path combined with the intrinsic frequency stability and high sampling speed associated with dual-comb spectroscopy. The atmospheric phase spectrum is measured across 2 km of air at each of the 70 000 comb teeth spanning 233 cm-1 across hundreds of near-infrared rovibrational resonances of CO2 , CH4 , and H2O with submilliradian uncertainty, corresponding to a 10-13 refractive index sensitivity. Trace gas concentrations extracted directly from the phase spectrum reach 0.7 ppm uncertainty, demonstrated here for CO2 . While conventional broadband spectroscopy only measures intensity absorption, this approach enables measurement of the full complex susceptibility even in practical open path sensing.

Advanced ceramic material for high temperature turbine tip seals

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Solomon, N. G.; Vogan, J. W.

1978-01-01

Ceramic material systems are being considered for potential use as turbine blade tip gas path seals at temperatures up to 1370 1/4 C. Silicon carbide and silicon nitride structures were selected for study since an initial analysis of the problem gave these materials the greatest potential for development into a successful materials system. Segments of silicon nitride and silicon carbide materials over a range of densities, processed by various methods, a honeycomb structure of silicon nitride and ceramic blade tip inserts fabricated from both materials by hot pressing were tested singly and in combination. The evaluations included wear under simulated engine blade tip rub conditions, thermal stability, impact resistance, machinability, hot gas erosion and feasibility of fabrication into engine components. The silicon nitride honeycomb and low-density silicon carbide using a selected grain size distribution gave the most promising results as rub-tolerant shroud liners. Ceramic blade tip inserts made from hot-pressed silicon nitride gave excellent test results. Their behavior closely simulated metal tips. Wear was similar to that of metals but reduced by a factor of six.

LeRC-HT: NASA Lewis Research Center General Multiblock Navier-Stokes Heat Transfer Code Developed

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Heidmann, James D.; Gaugler, Raymond E.

1999-01-01

For the last several years, LeRC-HT, a three-dimensional computational fluid dynamics (CFD) computer code for analyzing gas turbine flow and convective heat transfer, has been evolving at the NASA Lewis Research Center. The code is unique in its ability to give a highly detailed representation of the flow field very close to solid surfaces. This is necessary for an accurate representation of fluid heat transfer and viscous shear stresses. The code has been used extensively for both internal cooling passage flows and hot gas path flows--including detailed film cooling calculations, complex tip-clearance gap flows, and heat transfer. In its current form, this code has a multiblock grid capability and has been validated for a number of turbine configurations. The code has been developed and used primarily as a research tool (at least 35 technical papers have been published relative to the code and its application), but it should be useful for detailed design analysis. We now plan to make this code available to selected users for further evaluation.