Schwankungen der Sonnenstrahlung seit 18000 Jahren

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A note on the generation of periodic granular microstructures based on grain size distributions

This short communication discusses an algorithm suited for the generation of periodic microstructures of granular media. Its particular features are a user‐defined grain size distribution, a representative volume element which is intrinsically periodic ab initio and a user‐defined termination criterion, controlled by an increase of volume fraction. For low densities our particle packings resemble fluids or gases, while we aim to reach for rather dense particle packings, similar to granular solids. The generated microstructures can thus be readily incorporated into large multiscale simulations, e.g. on the integration point level of a finite element analysis of a particular sand or concrete. The individual grain size distribution of the granular medium is incorporated through the introduction of different growth rates governing the final particle size distribution. We briefly sketch the generation of the representative volume element within a serial event‐driven scheme and demonstrate how periodic boundary conditions are ensured throughout the representative volume element generation process. The potential of the suggested algorithm will be illustrated through the generation of two different periodic multi‐disperse microstructures. They are based on different given grain size distributions, one for a quartz sand with a low non‐uniformity index and one for concrete aggregates classified as A32 by the German standard norm DIN 1045 to have a rather large variation in grain size. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

A single asteroidal source for extraterrestrial Ordovician chromite grains from Sweden and China: High-precision oxygen three-isotope SIMS analysis

We examined oxygen three-isotope ratios of 48 extraterrestrial chromite (EC) grains extracted from mid-Ordovician sediments from two different locations in Sweden, and one location in south-central China. The ages of the sediments (∼470 Ma) coincide with the breakup event of the L chondrite parent asteroid. Elemental compositions of the chromite grains are generally consistent with their origin from L or LL chondrite parent bodies. The average Δ¹⁷O (‰-deviation from the terrestrial mass-fractionation line, measured in situ from 15 μm spots by secondary ion mass spectrometry; SIMS) of EC grains extracted from fossil meteorites from Thorsberg and Brunflo are 1.17 ± 0.09‰ (2σ) and 1.25 ± 0.16‰, respectively, and those of fossil micrometeorites from Thorsberg and Puxi River are 1.10 ± 0.09‰, and 1.11 ± 0.12‰, respectively. Within uncertainty these values are all the same and consistent with the L chondrite group average Δ¹⁷O = 1.07 ± 0.18‰, but also with the LL chondrite group average Δ¹⁷O = 1.26 ± 0.24‰ (Clayton et al., 1991). We conclude that the studied EC grains from correlated sediments from Sweden and China are related, and most likely originated in the same event, the L chondrite parent body breakup. We also analyzed chromites of modern H, L and LL chondrites and show that their Δ¹⁷O values coincide with averages of Δ¹⁷O of bulk analyses of H, L and LL chondrites. This study demonstrates that in situ oxygen isotope data measured by SIMS are accurate and precise if carefully standardized, and can be used to classify individual extraterrestrial chromite grains found in sediments.     

Helium-rich hot subdwarfs and single low-mass white dwarfs: formation mechanisms and further implications

Variations in the mass loss from single stars have been used to explain the existence of hot subdwarf stars and the existence of single low-mass white dwarfs (LMWDs). Hence remaining uncertainty in mass loss from single red-giant stars is important to the understanding of these problems. However, natural formation channels for hot subdwarfs and single LMWDs have also been proposed which do not rely on unexplained mass loss from single red-giant stars. We outline these, and discuss how the different mechanisms could be distinguished. For example, a formation channel for single LMWDs which involves the break-up of a binary system by a type Ia supernova should produce a population of single LMWDs with a distinct kinematic signature. If that population is found to exist, it could be used to study one of the popular single-degenerate formation channels for type Ia supernovae in a previously impossible way. In addition, we examine the formation of helium-rich sdO stars—which are shown to emerge from one of the previously existing binary formation channels for hot subdwarfs. Both the SN Ia formation mechanism for single LMWDs and the formation channel for He-sdOs are a natural consequence of existing models. Hence if these formation channels do not work at all, then the result is a significant one.     

Integral modeling and financial impact of the geothermal situation and power plant at Soultz-sous-Forêts

The science about deep Enhanced Geothermal Systems (EGS) is still an emerging process and for further spreading economics is the key of the technology. To understand the financial situation, a program for economic evaluation was developed. This software (Euronaut) is completely modularized and considers all cash flows. Projects like an EGS are wrapped into tree-like structures. Based on the results which were gained at Soultz-sous-Forêts, two configurations were designed. The first EGS configuration consists of a simplified two well (doublet) system where the dependencies of all components (mainly the reservoir, wells, pumps and the heat-to-power conversion unit) are physically and economically linked together. The realization of these dependencies and their complex interactions enable a sensitivity analysis of the borehole depth and reservoir depth, respectively. As a result, depth dependent effective costs and revenues of an EGS plant with the geohydrological characteristics of Soultz-sous-Forêts are determined. As a future development, the second configuration will adapt the actual situation at Soultz-sous-Forêts with the individual features of all four wells (GPK1 – GPK4). Then, this model can be used for all kinds of sensitivity analyses to clarify the impact of certain components or to optimize the operation scheme; e.g. the flow rates.     

Geologie und Paläontologie an den deutschen Hochschulen

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