A New GIS-based Solar Radiation Model and Its Application to Photovoltaic Assessments

The solar radiation model r.sun is a flexible and efficient tool for the estimation of solar radiation for clear‐sky and overcast atmospheric conditions. In contrast to other models, r.sun considers all relevant input parameters as spatially distributed entities to enable computations for large areas with complex terrain. Conceptually the model is based on equations published in the European Solar Radiation Atlas (ESRA). The r.sun model was applied to estimate the solar potential for photovoltaic systems in Central and Eastern Europe. The overcast radiation was computed from clear‐sky values and a clear‐sky index. The raster map of the clear‐sky index was computed using a multivariate interpolation method to account for terrain effects, with interpolation parameters optimized using a cross‐validation technique. The incorporation of terrain data improved the radiation estimates in terms of the model's predictive error and the spatial pattern of the model outputs. Comparing the results of r.sun with the ESRA database demonstrates that integration of the solar radiation model and the spatial interpolation tools in a GIS can be especially helpful for data at higher resolutions and in regions with a lack of ground measurements.     

Experimental determination of ventilation coefficient for 1-hexanol drops in air

Two experimental techniques have been used for study of mass transfer from a drop of 1-hexanol evaporating into air. In the first technique, liquid is added to the drop by a supporting capillary. When the rate of liquid adding counterbalances the evaporation rate, the drop size remains constant and the evaporation takes place at steady state. In the second case with drop suspended from a thermocouple, the rate of evaporation is determined from variation of drop diameter with time. Since the combination of both methods should allow to measure at the broader range of experimental conditions, the differences and their impact on experimental determination of mass transfer are discussed. The results are compared with results of previous experimental and theoretical works reported in the literature.     

Spectral analysis of geomagneticPc3 pulsations recorded at Budkov and Niemegk

Summary The dependence of the individual parameters of geomagnetic Pc3 pulsations, of their frequencies, amplitudes, phases, flattening of their polarization ellipses, the orientation of their major axis and the sense of rotation of the disturbance vector, are determined from the records made at the Budkov and Niemegk Observatories. Also their diurnal variations at both stations and the correlation of the numerical values between both stations are given.     

Additional estimates of continental surface Precambrian shield composition in Canada

New trace element analyses have been made on the composite Canadian Precambrian shield samples reported in 1967.The overall mean abundance of Cr has been revised to 35 ppm (from 99). New abundances similar to 1967 values are (in ppm): Ni, 19; Co, 12; Cu, 14; Zr, 300; Sr, 315; Ba, 1070; Rb, 110: individual 1967 Rb values were erroneous.Elements not previously determined have the following overall mean values (in ppm): Zn, 52; Sc, 7.0; Nb, 26; Hf, 6.9; La, 32; Ce, 65; Nd, 26; Sm, 4.5; Eu, 0.94; Gd, 2.8; Tb, 0.48; Ho, 0.62; Yb, 1.5; Lu, 0.23; Y, 21; Pb, 17; values in ppb are: Ir, 0.02; Au, 1.8; Tl, 520.Clear positive correlations among Mg-Cr-Ni-Ir-Au appear for all rock-types, marble and quartzite as well as mafic igneous. Regional differences are apparent for several elements: e.g. higher Au, Ir, Cr, Ni in Baffin Island and Northern Quebec composites, compared with Saskatchewan and Southwestern Quebec; high Ti, Zn, Nb, Zr, Hf, REE, Y, Sr, K/T1 abundances and negative Eu anomalies in Southwestern Quebec.The overall REE abundances (omitting Southwestern Quebec) differ from other surface continental crustal rock estimates.     

The stability constant of the UO22+ -humic acid complex

Between pH 3.5 and 7, humic acids form a water-soluble uranyl-humic acid complex with the uranyl ion, UO₂²⁺ (log β₁ = 7.8 ± 0.4 at μ = 0.1). The stability constant of the complex is practically independent of the ionic strength (μ). Experimental results can be explained by the formation of a complex in which every uranyl ion is simultaneously bonded to one phenolic oxygen and one dissociated carboxyl group. The bonding through the phenolic group is considerably stronger than that through carboxylic groups.     

Three-component spectral analysis of geomagnetic pulsations

nua m¶rt; nma aaua a, umua m nma, m n¶rt;um umau nuau un nmam. m¶rt; annua aaum nauu Pi2 u Pc3 u amu u u ¶rt;. ¶rt;a ma m ¶rt; nmam nuau aamumu u u auum m aum amumu.     

Observations of acoustic-gravity waves in the ionosphere generated by severe tropospheric weather

Atmospheric waves influence the dynamics and energetic budget of the upper atmosphere. Using the continuous HF Doppler sounder, we study the wave activity in the ionosphere during tropospheric convective storms in western and central part of the Czech Republic. The study is focused on acoustic-gravity waves in the period range 2–30 minutes. We discuss possible methods of distinguishing the waves emitted by meteorological sources from waves of different origin, particularly waves of geomagnetic origin. In two cases out of twenty-five analysed, we found waves in the infrasonic period range which might be generated by exceptionally intense meteorological activity in the troposphere. The results differ considerably from those previously obtained in North America. In the central part of the United States, infrasonic waves were frequently observed during convective storms. As a possible reason, we discuss different intensity and dynamics of weather systems in both regions.