NOAA Smart Balloons NOAA Smart Balloons for Storm Researchfor Storm ResearchSteven Businger, University of HawaiiSteven Businger, University of HawaiiRandy Johnson, NOAA ARLFRDRandy Johnson, NOAA ARLFRD

ASTEX-MAGE 1992ASTEX-MAGE 1992

ACE II 1997ACE II 1997

ACE I 1995ACE I 1995

Randy Johnson at NOAA’s ARLFRD in Idaho Falls, ID has Randy Johnson at NOAA’s ARLFRD in Idaho Falls, ID has been the lead engineer for both design and construction been the lead engineer for both design and construction of the smart balloon since the early ‘90’s. of the smart balloon since the early ‘90’s.

Smart Balloon Development Started in Smart Balloon Development Started in 19911991

Smart Balloon in ICARTT*, Smart Balloon in ICARTT*, 20042004

*International Consortium for Atmospheric Research on *International Consortium for Atmospheric Research on Transport and TransformationsTransport and Transformations

Real Time of Balloon Position and Real Time of Balloon Position and DataData

Balloon position, instrument data, and maps will be available in real Balloon position, instrument data, and maps will be available in real time, similar to that displayed above taken during the AIRMAP time, similar to that displayed above taken during the AIRMAP experiment August 2004.experiment August 2004.

Storm Balloon Capability/DesignStorm Balloon Capability/Design• Adjustable altitude (surface to ~600 Adjustable altitude (surface to ~600

mb)mb)• Two way satellite communications Two way satellite communications

anywhere in the worldanywhere in the world• Custom instrumentationCustom instrumentation• Autonomous operationAutonomous operation• Max Flight Time – 14 to 21 days (or longer)Max Flight Time – 14 to 21 days (or longer)• Mission/flight terminationMission/flight termination• Meets FAA weight limits for Meets FAA weight limits for

autonomous balloonautonomous balloon• Real-time web map/data onlineReal-time web map/data online

Storm Balloon Capability/DesignStorm Balloon Capability/Design• Diameter – 3.39 meters (10.8 feet)Diameter – 3.39 meters (10.8 feet)• Volume – 18.7 cubic metersVolume – 18.7 cubic meters• Outer Balloon Fabric – Spectra 1000Outer Balloon Fabric – Spectra 1000• Inner Bladders – Urethane Film .001" thicknessInner Bladders – Urethane Film .001" thickness• Max Gross Lift – 19.6 kg (at sea level)Max Gross Lift – 19.6 kg (at sea level)• Max. Payload – 5.4 kg (12 pounds)Max. Payload – 5.4 kg (12 pounds)• Max. Air Ballast – 4 kgMax. Air Ballast – 4 kg• Communications – Iridium Satellite ModemCommunications – Iridium Satellite Modem• GPS Location, Altitude, and WindsGPS Location, Altitude, and Winds• Energy Source – Solar PanelsEnergy Source – Solar Panels• Energy Storage – Li-Ion Batteries (output 3.5 to 4.2 volts)Energy Storage – Li-Ion Batteries (output 3.5 to 4.2 volts)

Storm Balloon Capability/DesignStorm Balloon Capability/DesignCURRENT INSTRUMENTATION CURRENT INSTRUMENTATION • OzoneOzone• TemperatureTemperature• Relative humidityRelative humidity• RainfallRainfall• Barometric pressureBarometric pressure• Infrared TemperatureInfrared Temperature• Solar RadiationSolar Radiation• WindsWinds

Storm Balloon DesignStorm Balloon Design

• Balloon: 10.8 foot diameter constant volume, variable density balloon Balloon: 10.8 foot diameter constant volume, variable density balloon • Payload: Instrumentation, satellite communications and balloon Payload: Instrumentation, satellite communications and balloon

altitude controlaltitude control

10.8 foot diameter constant 10.8 foot diameter constant volume variable density balloonvolume variable density balloon

• High strength SpectraHigh strength Spectra® fabric outer shell® fabric outer shell• 2 internal urethane bladders2 internal urethane bladders

– Inner helium lift bladderInner helium lift bladder– Outer air ballast bladderOuter air ballast bladder

• Upper containmentUpper containment– Helium and air containmentHelium and air containment– Destruct diaphragmDestruct diaphragm– Helium valve portHelium valve port

• Lower containmentLower containment– Helium and air containment Helium and air containment – Port for ballast airPort for ballast air– Helium and air inflation tubesHelium and air inflation tubes

Instrumentation, Satellite Instrumentation, Satellite Communications and Balloon Communications and Balloon

Control PackagesControl Packages• Upper instrumentation packageUpper instrumentation package

– Helium release valveHelium release valve– Hot wire destruct diaphragmHot wire destruct diaphragm– PyranometerPyranometer– Rain GageRain Gage– Wetness sensorWetness sensor– Connection cable to lower instrumentation packageConnection cable to lower instrumentation package– Solar CellsSolar Cells

• Lower instrumentation packageLower instrumentation package– Data gathering system and altitude controlData gathering system and altitude control– Satellite communications systemSatellite communications system– Global Positioning System (GPS) receiverGlobal Positioning System (GPS) receiver– Temperature and Relative Humidity sensorTemperature and Relative Humidity sensor– Barometric pressure and internal balloon pressureBarometric pressure and internal balloon pressure– Downward looking infrared temperatureDownward looking infrared temperature– Air ballast pump Air ballast pump – Release valveRelease valve

Balloon Altitude Control – Pump and Balloon Altitude Control – Pump and ValveValve

Altitude control allows the balloon to follow paths ofAltitude control allows the balloon to follow paths of• Constant densityConstant density• Constant pressure or altitudeConstant pressure or altitude• Constant Constant e e

• Perform soundingsPerform soundings• Etc.Etc.

The main circuit board with pump and pinch valve at left.The main circuit board with pump and pinch valve at left.

Lagrangian Balloon StrategyLagrangian Balloon Strategy

Schematic illustration of the terms in the mean concentration budget for Schematic illustration of the terms in the mean concentration budget for a scalar variable in the marine boundary layer with a net internal source a scalar variable in the marine boundary layer with a net internal source or sink Qs. or sink Qs.

Deployment in NESDIS Ocean Deployment in NESDIS Ocean WindsWinds

Release into kona low or moist plume as part of Release into kona low or moist plume as part of NESDIS Ocean Winds, NWS NESDIS Ocean Winds, NWS Winter Storm Reconnaissance (WSR) programs and/or Winter Storm Reconnaissance (WSR) programs and/or THORPEX to measure THORPEX to measure targeted winds and thermodynamics. Red stars indicate balloon soundings.targeted winds and thermodynamics. Red stars indicate balloon soundings.

1830 UTC 20 January 20051830 UTC 20 January 2005

Release into a tropical cyclone Release into a tropical cyclone

to measure Lagrangian to measure Lagrangian changes in the energy of the changes in the energy of the inflow air due modification by inflow air due modification by surface fluxes. surface fluxes.

GPS vertical motion to track GPS vertical motion to track large eddies for direct large eddies for direct estimation of fluxes.estimation of fluxes.

Future Research Future Research Applications of the Smart Applications of the Smart

BalloonBalloon

Balloons being developed at this time provide:Balloons being developed at this time provide:• A field proven Lagrangian platformA field proven Lagrangian platform• Flight times of 24 hours up to weeksFlight times of 24 hours up to weeks• Enhanced instrument dataEnhanced instrument data• Greater reliabilityGreater reliability• Wide accessibility to balloon dataWide accessibility to balloon data

CONCLUSIONSCONCLUSIONS

Questions?Questions?

Thanks!Thanks!

Contact: businger@hawaii.edu

Balloon BasicsBalloon Basics

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MB + ηMa( )∂ 2z

∂t 2= MB + ηMa( )

∂wa

∂t−1/2ρ aCD AB

∂z

∂t− wa

⎛

⎝ ⎜

⎞

⎠ ⎟∂z

∂t− wa − g MB ± Ma( )

MMBB mass of the balloon system (skin + gas + instruments)mass of the balloon system (skin + gas + instruments)

MMaa mass of the displaced air (i.e. equal to mass of the displaced air (i.e. equal to aaVV))

V V volume of the balloonvolume of the balloonzz displacement of the balloon from its float leveldisplacement of the balloon from its float levelAABB cross sectional area of the ballooncross sectional area of the balloon

CCDD form drag coefficientform drag coefficient

added mass coefficientadded mass coefficientwwaa vertical velocity of the airvertical velocity of the air

density of the airdensity of the air

dynamic form drag buoyancy

Archimedes' principle – a body is acted on by a buoyant force equal to the weight of fluid it displaces

Relationships between the balloon’s motion and the density Relationships between the balloon’s motion and the density of the air can be used to estimate the vertical air velocity.of the air can be used to estimate the vertical air velocity.

Benefits of Lagrangian Benefits of Lagrangian StrategyStrategy

• The Lagrangian frame of reference, one that moves The Lagrangian frame of reference, one that moves with the flow of air, is a natural choice for studies of with the flow of air, is a natural choice for studies of pollutant behavior and energy content in the pollutant behavior and energy content in the atmosphere. atmosphere.

• Lateral flow into and out of a Lagrangian volume is Lateral flow into and out of a Lagrangian volume is typically much less than that for a comparable typically much less than that for a comparable Eulerian volume because the mean wind in the Eulerian volume because the mean wind in the Lagrangian frame of reference is approximately zero.Lagrangian frame of reference is approximately zero.

• The size of the study volume is small in comparison The size of the study volume is small in comparison to the length of its trajectory, of particular impact in to the length of its trajectory, of particular impact in long-range studies with finite resources.long-range studies with finite resources.

• Lagrangian models are valuable investigative tools Lagrangian models are valuable investigative tools for developing understanding of the physics and for developing understanding of the physics and chemistry of the atmosphere, can only be tested chemistry of the atmosphere, can only be tested with Lagrangian experiments.with Lagrangian experiments.

Lagrangian Balloon StrategyLagrangian Balloon Strategy

1.1. Vertical turbulent flux at the top of the boundary layer Vertical turbulent flux at the top of the boundary layer (evaluated at the top of the boundary layer h = z(evaluated at the top of the boundary layer h = z ii). It is the ). It is the result of entrainment of air from above into the boundary layer result of entrainment of air from above into the boundary layer and is equal to minus the entrainment velocity wand is equal to minus the entrainment velocity wee (positive (positive upwards) times the gradient in S across the top of the upwards) times the gradient in S across the top of the boundary layer. This flux can be positive or negative boundary layer. This flux can be positive or negative depending on the sign of depending on the sign of S. S.

2.2. Vertical turbulent flux at the surface, is a source or sink of S at Vertical turbulent flux at the surface, is a source or sink of S at the air-earth interface and is generally measured from a the air-earth interface and is generally measured from a trailing ship and/or estimated from satellite data. trailing ship and/or estimated from satellite data.

3.3. Dispersion, the third term, is small. Dispersion, the third term, is small. 4.4. The forth term is the net internal source or sink of S. The forth term is the net internal source or sink of S.

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dS

dt=

weΔS( )h

h+

w 'S '( )0

h+ K i

∂S

∂xi

⎛

⎝ ⎜

⎞

⎠ ⎟

2

+Qs

The mean concentration budget for a scalar variable The mean concentration budget for a scalar variable in a well mixed boundary layer (Lenshow et al. 1981)in a well mixed boundary layer (Lenshow et al. 1981)

1 2 3 4

Optimal Conditions for a Optimal Conditions for a Lagrangian StrategyLagrangian Strategy

A Lagrangian experiment can best remove A Lagrangian experiment can best remove tendencies in fields due to horizontal tendencies in fields due to horizontal advection under one of two conditions. advection under one of two conditions.

I.I. There is no mean vertical wind shear within the There is no mean vertical wind shear within the boundary layer.boundary layer.

II.II. There is mean vertical shear, but rapid turbulent There is mean vertical shear, but rapid turbulent vertical circulations keep all air parcels eddying vertical circulations keep all air parcels eddying along at the same mean rate. In this latter case, along at the same mean rate. In this latter case, the mass-weighted average horizontal velocity the mass-weighted average horizontal velocity should be used to advect the column of boundary should be used to advect the column of boundary layer air. layer air.

Hurricane EnergeticsHurricane Energetics

• The drop in sea level pressure below ~1000 mb (The drop in sea level pressure below ~1000 mb (pp) at ) at the core of a hurricane is related to the increase in the core of a hurricane is related to the increase in ee of of the inflow layer (the inflow layer (p ~ -3p ~ -3ee)(e.g., Betts and Simpson 1987))(e.g., Betts and Simpson 1987)

• Details of the processes by which Details of the processes by which ee increases in the increases in the inflow boundary layer of hurricanes have been difficult to inflow boundary layer of hurricanes have been difficult to pin down given limited pin down given limited in situin situ data in the inflow layer. data in the inflow layer.

• Recent estimates of the surface fluxes necessary to Recent estimates of the surface fluxes necessary to balance the observed increases in balance the observed increases in ee suggest that other suggest that other energy sources, such as entrainment from above the energy sources, such as entrainment from above the boundary layer, may be important in some cases (Frank boundary layer, may be important in some cases (Frank 1977; Anthes and Chang 1978; Barnes and Powell 1995)1977; Anthes and Chang 1978; Barnes and Powell 1995)

Fluxes from Balloon MotionFluxes from Balloon Motion

Large Eddy Simulation (LES) of momentum flux derived from a Large Eddy Simulation (LES) of momentum flux derived from a numerical Lagrangian Balloon experiment (Chin-Hoh Moeng).numerical Lagrangian Balloon experiment (Chin-Hoh Moeng).

60 Hz GPS vertical motion data can document large eddies, which in turn can provide an estimate of the fluxes at the height of the balloon.

Summary of Recent Summary of Recent Improvements to Smart Storm Improvements to Smart Storm

BalloonsBalloons• Improved flight terminationImproved flight termination• Smaller and lighter temperature and relative humiditySmaller and lighter temperature and relative humidity• Miniature aspirator and radiation shield for the temperature and Miniature aspirator and radiation shield for the temperature and

relative humidityrelative humidity• A larger pinch valve to allow quicker response to precipitationA larger pinch valve to allow quicker response to precipitation• Improved barometric pressureImproved barometric pressure• Increased solar charging capacity for longer flightsIncreased solar charging capacity for longer flights• Improved noise immunity on the balloon data acquisition system and Improved noise immunity on the balloon data acquisition system and

multiple data conversion ranges for different instrumentsmultiple data conversion ranges for different instruments• Software ChangesSoftware Changes

– Multiple data gathering ratesMultiple data gathering rates– Automated distribution of smart balloon dataAutomated distribution of smart balloon data– Web map of smart balloon position and associated dataWeb map of smart balloon position and associated data

New Flight Termination DesignNew Flight Termination Design• Uses a hot nichrome wire to cut a hole in a diaphragm in the Uses a hot nichrome wire to cut a hole in a diaphragm in the

top of the balloon. top of the balloon. • Has independent battery supply.Has independent battery supply.• Strong spring quickly pulls bladder material out of the way Strong spring quickly pulls bladder material out of the way

Activated by operator (for instrument recovery) or in case ofActivated by operator (for instrument recovery) or in case of• Loss of contact with balloonLoss of contact with balloon• Exceeds designated altitude limitExceeds designated altitude limit

To study easterly wave and To study easterly wave and TC genesis and evolution.TC genesis and evolution.

Deployment in AMMA (ASHE)Deployment in AMMA (ASHE)

Smart Balloon