Search Results (423)

Ammonia (NH₃) emissions affect the environment, climate and human health and originate mainly from agricultural sources like synthetic nitrogen fertilizers. Accurate and replicable measurements of NH₃ emissions are crucial for research, inventories and evaluation of mitigation measures. There exist specific application limitations of NH₃ emission measurement techniques and a high variability in method performance between studies, in particular from small plots. Therefore, the aim of this study was the assessment of measurement methods for ammonia emissions from replicated small plots. Methods were evaluated in 18 trials on six sites in Germany (2021–2022). Urea was applied to winter wheat as an emission source. Two small-plot methods were employed: inverse dispersion modelling (IDM) with atmospheric concentrations obtained from Alpha samplers and the dynamic chamber Dräger tube method (DTM). Cumulative NH₃ losses assessed by each method were compared to the results of the integrated horizontal flux (IHF) method using Alpha samplers (Alpha IHF) as a micrometeorological reference method applied in parallel large-plot trials. For validation, Alpha IHF was also compared to IHF/ZINST with Leuning passive samplers. Cumulative NH₃ emissions assessed using Alpha IHF and DTM showed good agreement, with a relative root mean square error (rRMSE) of 11%. Cumulative emissions assessed by Leuning IHF/ZINST deviated from Alpha IHF, with an rRMSE of 21%. For low-wind-speed and high-temperature conditions, NH₃ losses detected with Alpha IDM had to be corrected to give acceptable agreement (rRMSE 20%, MBE +2 kg N ha⁻¹). The study shows that quantification of NH₃ emissions from small plots is feasible. Since DTM is constrained to specific conditions, we recommend Alpha IDM, but the approach needs further development. Full article

Arctic shelf waters exhibit high optical variability due to terrestrial inputs and elevated colored dissolved organic matter (CDOM) concentrations, posing significant challenges for the accurate retrieval of chlorophyll-a (Chl-a) and downwelling diffuse attenuation coefficients (${{\rm K}}_{\mathrm{d}}\left(\lambda \right)$). These retrieval biases contribute to substantial uncertainties in estimates of primary productivity and upper-ocean heat flux in the Arctic Ocean. However, the performance and constraints of existing ocean color algorithms in Arctic shelf environments remain insufficiently characterized, particularly under seasonally variable and optically complex conditions. In this study, we present a systematic multi-year evaluation of commonly used empirical and semi-analytical ocean color algorithms across the western Arctic shelf, based on seven expeditions and 240 in situ observation stations. Building on these evaluations, regionally optimized retrieval schemes were developed to enhance algorithm performance under Arctic-specific bio-optical conditions. The proposed OCx-AS series for Chl-a and ${{\rm K}}_{\mathrm{d}}$-DAS models for ${{\rm K}}_{\mathrm{d}}\left(\lambda \right)$ significantly reduce retrieval errors, achieving RMSE improvements of over 50% relative to global standard algorithms. Additionally, we introduce QAA-LS, a modified semi-analytical model specifically adapted for the Laptev Sea, which addresses the strong absorption effects of CDOM and corrects the significant overestimation observed in previous QAA versions. Full article

This study investigates the thermal response and surface modification of low-carbon manganese-alloyed 20GL steel during electrolytic plasma hardening. The objective was to evaluate the feasibility of surface hardening 20GL steel—traditionally considered difficult to quench—by combining high-rate surface heating with rapid cooling in an electrolyte medium. To achieve this, a transient two-dimensional heat conduction model was developed to simulate temperature evolution in the steel sample under three voltage regimes. The model accounted for dynamic thermal properties and non-linear boundary conditions, focusing on temperature gradients across the thickness. Experimental temperature measurements were obtained using a K-type thermocouple embedded at a depth of 2 mm, with corrections for sensor inertia based on exponential response behavior. A comparison between simulation and experiment was conducted, focusing on peak temperatures, heating and cooling rates, and the effective thermal penetration depth. Microhardness profiling and metallographic examination confirmed surface strengthening and structural refinement, which intensified with increasing voltage. Importantly, the study identified a critical cooling rate threshold of approximately 50 °C/s required to initiate martensitic transformation in 20GL steel. These findings provide a foundation for future optimization of quenching strategies for low-carbon steels by offering insight into the interplay between thermal fluxes, surface kinetics, and process parameters. Full article

The point-kernel (PK) technique has a long history in applied radiation shielding, originating from the early days of digital computers. The PK technique applied to gamma-ray attenuation is one of many successful applications, based on the linear superposition principle applied to distributed radiation sources. Mathematically speaking, the distributed source will produce a detector response equivalent to the numerical integration of the radiation received from an equivalent number of point sources. In this treatment, there is no interference between individual point sources, while inherent limitations of the PK method are its inability to simulate gamma scattering in shields and the usage of simple boundary conditions. The PK method generally works for gamma-ray shielding with corrective B-factor for scattering and only specifically for fast neutron attenuation in a hydrogenous medium with the definition of cross section removal. This paper presents theoretical and programming aspects of the PK program developed for a distributed source of photons (line, disc, plane, sphere, slab volume, etc.) and slab shields. The derived flux solutions go beyond classical textbooks as they include the analytical integration of Taylor B-factor, obtaining a closed form readily suitable for programming. The specific computational modules are unified with a graphical user interface (GUI), assisting users with input/output data and visualization, developed for the fast radiological characterization of simple shielding problems. Numerical results of the selected PK test cases are presented and verified with the CADIS hybrid shielding methodology of the MAVRIC/SCALE6.1.3 code package from the ORNL. Full article

Satellite-based monitoring of atmospheric column-averaged dry-air mole fraction (XCH₄) is essential for quantifying methane (CH₄) emissions, yet uncharacterized spatially varying biases in XCH₄ observations can cause misattribution in flux estimates. This study assesses the potential of the upcoming TanSat-2 satellite mission to estimate China’s CH₄ emission using a series of Observing System Simulation Experiments (OSSEs) based on an Ensemble Kalman Filter (EnKF) inversion framework coupled with GEOS-Chem on a 0.5° × 0.625° grid, alongside an evaluation of current TROPOMI-based products against Total Carbon Column Observing Network (TCCON) observations. Assuming a target precision of 8 ppb, TanSat-2 could achieve an annual national emission estimate accuracy of 2.9% ± 4.2%, reducing prior uncertainty by 84%, with regional deviations below 5.0% across Northeast, Central, East, and Southwest China. In contrast, limited coverage in South China due to persistent cloud cover leads to a 26.1% discrepancy—also evident in pseudo TROPOMI OSSEs—highlighting the need for complementary ground-based monitoring strategies. Sensitivity analyses show that satellite retrieval biases strongly affect inversion robustness, reducing the accuracy in China’s total emission estimates by 5.8% for every 1 ppb increase in bias level across scenarios, particularly in Northeast, Central and East China. We recommend expanding ground-based XCH₄ observations in these regions to support the correction of satellite-derived biases and improve the reliability of satellite-constrained inversion results. Full article

Thermal infrared (TIR) ground observations are a well-established method for investigating surface temperature variations in thermally anomalous areas. However, commercially available technical solutions are currently limited, often offering proprietary products with minimal customization options for establishing a permanent TIR monitoring network. This work presents the comprehensive development of a thermal infrared monitoring network, detailing everything from the hardware schematics of the remote monitoring station (RMS) to the code for the final data processing software. The procedures implemented in the RMS for managing TIR sensor operations, acquiring environmental data, and transmitting data remotely are thoroughly discussed, along with the technical solutions adopted. The processing of TIR imagery is carried out using ASIRA (Automated System of InfraRed Analysis), a free software package, now developed for GNU Octave. ASIRA performs quality filtering and co-registration, and applies various seasonal correction methodologies to extract time series of deseasoned surface temperatures, estimate heat fluxes, and track variations in thermally anomalous areas. Processed outputs include binary, Excel, and CSV formats, with interactive HTML plots for visualization. The system’s effectiveness has been validated in active volcanic areas of southern Italy, demonstrating high reliability in detecting anomalous thermal behavior and distinguishing endogenous geophysical processes. The aim of this work is to enable readers to easily replicate and deploy this open-source, low-cost system for the continuous, automated thermal monitoring of active volcanic and geothermal areas and environmental pollution, thereby supporting hazard assessment and scientific research. Full article

In the automotive industry, the increasing stringent standards to reduce fuel consumption and pollutant emissions has driven significant advancements in turbocharging systems. The centrifugal compressor, as the most widely used power-absorbing machinery, plays a crucial role but remains one of the most complex components to study and design. While most numerical studies rely on adiabatic models, this work analyses several Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) models with conjugate heat transfer (CHT) of varying complexity, incorporating real solid components. This approach allowed a sensitivity analysis of the performance obtained from the different models compared to the adiabatic case, highlighting the effects of internal heat exchange losses. Moreover, an analysis of the temperature distribution of the wheel was conducted, along with a thermal assessment of the various heat flux contributions across the different components, to gain a deeper understanding of the performance differences. The impact of including the seal plate has been evaluated and different boundary conditions on the seal plate have been tested to assess the uncertainty in the results. Finally, the influence of heat exchange between the shroud and the external environment is also examined to further refine the model’s accuracy. One of the objectives of this work is to obtain a correct temperature profile of the rotor for a subsequent thermo-mechanical analysis. Full article

In this study, we introduce a novel 2-step compact scheme-based high-order correction method for computational fluid dynamics (CFD). Unlike traditional single-formula-based schemes, our proposed approach refines flux function values by leveraging results from high-order compact schemes on the same stencils, provided a certain smoothness condition is met. By applying this method, we achieve a more stable and efficient compact corrected Weighted Essentially Non-Oscillatory (WENO) scheme. The results demonstrate significant improvements across all enhanced schemes, particularly in capturing shock waves sharply and maintaining stability in complex scenarios, such as two interacting blast waves, as validated through 1D benchmark tests. In addition, error analysis is also provided for the two different correction configurations based on WENO. Full article

This study presents a detailed investigation of the torque-speed characteristics of a WEG single-phase squirrel-cage induction motor (SPSCIM) of (1/2 hp), 110/220 V at 60 Hz. The primary objective was to derive the motor’s equivalent circuit and validate its performance curves through finite element analysis (FEA), simulation using MATLAB^®/Simulink^®, and experimental testing. Finite element simulations were conducted using the software FEMM (Finite Element Method Magnetics) to model the magnetic flux distribution within the motor’s stator and rotor. These simulations, based on the motor’s dimensions and nameplate data, provided essential insights into the electromagnetic behavior, including flux density and saturation effects, which are crucial for accurate torque-speed curve predictions. For experimental validation, tests were performed under open-circuit and locked-rotor conditions through a universal machine as a load emulator. The torque-speed characteristics were determined using the Suhr method and the classical approach, with the resulting curves compared to experimental measurements. Voltage and current were measured using AC PZEM-004T and DC PZEM-017 meters, while rotor speed was monitored with a Hall effect sensor (A3144). The results revealed strong agreement between the FEM simulations, Surh method, and experimental data, demonstrating the reliability and accuracy of the combined simulation and analytical methods for modeling the motor’s performance. The estimations using classical and Suhr methods, Simulink simulations, and FEMM yielded low error percentages, mostly below 2%. However, in the FEMM simulation, rotor resistance showed a higher error of around 20% due to unavailable data on the exact number of windings turns, a modifiable parameter that can be corrected through further adjustments in the simulation. The torque-speed curves obtained at different voltage levels showed an excellent correlation, confirming the effectiveness of the proposed approach in characterizing the motor’s operational behavior. Full article

Torque modeling is an important research aspect of multi-degree of freedom (multi-DOF) spherical motors, and it is the key to realizing the accurate control of multi-DOF spherical motors. In this paper, a torque modeling method of the reluctance spherical motor (RSPM) based on the magnetic equivalent circuit (MEC) method is proposed. Firstly, the structure of the RSPM is introduced, and the MEC topology of the RSPM is obtained. The calculation formulas of the reluctances in this topology are given. Then the magnetic flux of the RSPM is solved by the mesh analysis method, and the torque is calculated based on the magnetic field energy storage. Finally, the calculated torque is verified by the finite element method (FEM). The verification results show that the torque modeling of the RSPM based on the MEC method is correct, which consumes less memory and time than the three-dimensional finite element method. Full article

The thick-walled thickness effect in layered-symmetrical structure is very important for considering the external thermal heating on the surface of functionally graded material (FGM) plates. Dynamic thermal vibration with advanced shear correction on the FGM plates are presented. The third-order shear deformation theory (TSDT) is included to calculate the values of advanced shear correction for the thick plates based on the displacement assumed in the middle symmetry plane. The values of advanced shear correction coefficient are in nonlinear variation with respect to the power-law index value for FGM. The dynamic stresses are calculated when the displacements and shear rotations are obtained for the given natural frequency of displacements, frequency of applied heat flux and time. The natural frequencies of sinusoidal displacements and shear rotations are obtained by using the determinant of the coefficient matrix in the fully homogeneous equation. Only the numerical dynamic results of displacements and stresses subjected to sinusoidal applied heat loads are investigated. The heating study in symmetry structure of FGMs to induce thermal vibration is interesting in the field of engineering and materials. The center displacements can withstand a higher temperature of 1000 K and a power-law index of 5, for which the length-to-thickness ratio 5 is better than that for 10. Full article

Implementing a computationally efficient numerical model for a single streamer discharge is essential to understand the complex processes such as lightning initiation and electrical discharges in high voltage systems. In this paper, we present a streamer discharge simulation in air, by solving one-dimensional (1D) drift diffusion reaction (DDR) equations for charged species with the disc approximation for electric field. A recently developed fourth-order space and time-centered implicit finite difference method (FDM) with a flux-corrected transport (FCT) method is applied to solve the DDR equations, followed by a comparative simulation using the well-established explicit FDM with FCT. The results demonstrate good agreement between implicit and explicit FDMs, verifying their reliability for streamer modeling. The total electrons, total charge, streamer position, and hence the streamer bridging time obtained using the FDMs with FCT agree with the same streamer computed in the literature using different numerical methods and dimensions. The electric field is obtained with good accuracy due to the inclusion of image charges representing the electrodes in the disc method. This accuracy can be further improved by introducing more image charges. Both implicit and explicit FDMs effectively capture the key streamer behavior, including the variations in charged particle densities and electric field. However, the implicit FDM is computationally more efficient. Full article

Precise speed estimation of sensorless induction motor (SIM) drives remains a significant challenge, particularly at zero and very low speeds. This paper proposes a mathematically modeled and enhanced stator current-based Model Reference Adaptive System (MRAS) estimator integrated with correction terms using rotor flux dynamics to continually update the value of the estimated speed to the correct value. The MRAS observer uses the stator current in the adjustable IM model instead of the rotor flux or the back emf to eliminate the effect of pure integration of the rotor flux, the parameters’ deviation, and measurement errors of stator voltages and currents on speed observation. It depends on the observed stator current, the current estimate error, and rotor flux estimation correction terms. A neural network (NN) for the adaptive law of the MRAS observer is proposed to enhance the accuracy of the suggested approach. Simulation results examine the developed method. A laboratory prototype based on DSP-DS1103 was also built, and the experimental results are presented. The SIM drive is examined at zero and very low speeds in motoring and regenerating modes. It exhibits good dynamic performance and low-speed estimation error compared to the conventional MRAS. Full article

Magnetic flux leakage (MFL) detection is widely used in the non-destructive testing of pipelines. Inversion is a key step in MFL detection, and iterative inversion based on an optimization algorithm is an effective method for constructing the 3-D profile of defects in pipelines. However, conventional inversion algorithms suffer from weak convergence ability and are prone to local optima, which can lead to significant errors in the results. To improve the algorithm’s convergence and result accuracy, this paper proposes a “continuity correction” strategy based on geometric features of defects, which examines the relative depth value of each depth point and corrects the values of implausible points. On this basis, this paper combines the secretary bird optimization algorithm (SBOA) with the differential evolution strategy and the perturbation strategy to enhance the search capability. Through an accuracy experiment and a robustness experiment on an experimental platform, it is demonstrated that the method outperforms conventional algorithms in terms of accuracy and robustness against interference when constructing the 3-D profile of defects. Full article

During geomagnetic storms, a geomagnetically induced current (GIC) flows into grounding transformers, potentially causing anomalous vibrations and audible noise in internal components. This study establishes an electromagnetic–mechanical–acoustic coupling (EMAC) model to characterize the multi-physics interactions in transformers under GIC interference. Based on the measured data, the GIC is classified into fluctuating and constant components according to its fluctuation characteristics. A propagation-path-based coupling model is proposed to investigate the correlated interactions among physical fields, extracting critical parameters, including winding current, magnetic flux, electromagnetic force, vibration, and noise. Comparative simulations reveal that the fluctuating component induces more complex multi-physics variations, generating significantly higher vibration amplitudes and noise levels compared to those of the constant component. A dynamic experimental platform is built to obtain multi-physics field information in different modes, and the effectiveness of the model and the correctness of the conclusions are verified through virtual–physical consistency validation. On this basis, multimodal feature information domains are established to delineate the operational state intervals of the transformer under GIC interference. Stability threshold criteria are subsequently developed, providing a critical quantitative basis for the condition monitoring of power transformers. Full article