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Search indexed NASA NTRS and DOE OSTI research on propulsion, heat transfer, battery materials and energy systems. Follow report and document links to the original sources.

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At least 217 records · Page 12

Shear Strength and Release of Large Cryogenic Pellets from the Barrel of a Shattered Pellet Injector for Disruption Mitigation

Shattered pellet injection (SPI) has been chosen as the baseline disruption mitigation system on ITER due to its ability to rapidly inject material deep into the plasma to greatly increase the plasma density and radiate the thermal energy. SPI utilizes a mechanical punch or high-pressure gas to release and accelerate a pellet that has been cryogenically desublimated in the barrel of a pipe gun. Various material injection combinations could possibly be implemented during different phases of a disruption event to radiate plasma energy, reduce electromagnetic loads on machine components, avoid the formation of runaway electrons, or to dissipate runaway electrons that form. Each injection phase could possibly utilize combinations of deuterium, neon, or argon. In this paper we outline experimental measurements of pellet material shear strength at SPI operating temperatures to understand the force needed to release SPI pellets. Deuterium, neon, argon, and deuterium-neon mixture pellets with diameters of 8.5, 12.5, and 15.7 mm are formed at a range of relevant gas pressures and temperatures and dislodged from the cold zone with a slow-moving piston driven by a motor. The slow-moving piston is kept above the triple point temperature of the material while the pellet is forming, then cooled to below the triple point temperature before contacting the pellet to minimize any thermal conduction to the pellet. The piston incorporates a load cell to measure the force applied when the pellet breaks away from the cold zone in the barrel.The ability of the gas and punch methods to exceed the shear strength of the studied pellet materials for release has been analyzed. High pressure gas delivered by fast opening valves produce pressure shock to the pellet due to supersonic expansion of the propellant gas. Pressure (and therefore, force) oscillations are present due to transverse density propagation throughout the breech volume. Mechanical punches deliver an impact force through a high-kinetic energy impact. The effect of the mechanical shock on the pellet has been explored and will be presented in this paper. Scaling to larger ITER size SPI pellets will be described.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗

OPF-Learn: An Open-Source Framework for Creating Representative AC Optimal Power Flow Datasets: Preprint

Increasing levels of renewable generation motivate a growing interest in data-driven approaches for AC optimal power flow (AC OPF) to manage uncertainty. However, a lack of disciplined dataset creation and benchmarking prohibits useful comparison between approaches in the literature. To instigate confidence, models must be able to reliably predict solutions across a wide range of operating conditions. This paper develops the OPF-Learn package for Julia and Python which uses a computationally efficient approach to create representative datasets that span a wide spectrum of the AC OPF feasible region. Load profiles are uniformly sampled from a convex set that contains the AC OPF feasible set. For each infeasible point found, the convex set is reduced using infeasibility certificates, found by utilizing properties of a relaxed formulation. The framework is shown to generate datasets which are more representative of the entire feasible space versus traditional techniques seen in the literature, improving machine learning model performance.

dataset↗

LA-R43S6-L1 Postshot Report [Slides]

The Ranchero LA-R43S6-L1 test (formerly referred to as LA-43S-L1. The R specifically designates it is a Ranchero device and the 6 indicates a 6” high explosive charge diameter in anticipation of using larger diameters in the future.) was conducted on 3/8/17 with good success. The experiment was the first test of a “Swooped” Ranchero flux compression generator (FCG), and the load for the test was an aluminum imploding liner. In addition to the swoop, the stator was anodized to provide an insulating layer instead of one or more layers of polyethylene as had been the case for all earlier Ranchero tests. Using the Firing point TA-39-88 capacitor bank, 3.5 MA was delivered to the FCG for the initial magnetic field, and 36.4 MA were delivered to the load having an initial inductance of 2.5 nH. Implosion speeds over 1.1 cm/us were recorded, which exceeds previous LANL solid liner experimental results. The test was diagnosed with 18 PDV channels, 12 of which recorded liner implosion data, and the other 6 of which tracked the FCG armature during flux compression. These armature expansion data recorded during flux compression are the first of their kind, and it was previously unknown, due to unknown effects of the SF 6 in the flux compression volume, whether or not the expansion could be recorded using the PDV technique. Post shot 2D MHD calculations employed a complete external circuit model, and an improved flux diffusion model not available prior to the test. Results from these simulations show very good agreement with the experimental result. Four PDV channels recorded the liner implosion viewed radially outward from the center of the liner. All four of these probes recorded implosion velocities greater that 1 cm/µs, with the cylindrical center displaced by ~2 mm from actual center. Four PDV channels looked at +10° angles from the CMU wall, and four looked at -10° angles. A glide plane interaction is shown moving toward the center of the liner in MHD calculations, and PDV probes provide confirmation. The high explosive (HE) in the LA-R43S6-L1 test was PBX 9501 which had to be glued together in many pieces, and the test was preceded by a camera test to verify that the PBX 9501 could be assembled with acceptable tolerance in glue joints to prevent severing the armature during expansion. The camera test verified an acceptable armature performance, and results are given in complete detail in a post shot report LA-UR-19-20124, and summarized here. This report provides complete detail of the considerable body of data obtained on the test and in the post shot calculations. It is prepared in Power Point for ease of preparation and future review. Shot documentation available in the LANL on-line library are included as references, and non-referenceable documents will be cited and stored in an LA- R43S6-L1 post shot folder stored on an M-6 shared drive. Fabrication drawings are also maintained in an M-6 shared drive and paper files are available from M-6 personnel. This report will be maintained as a PowerPoint document on the shared drive, as well, since included movies will play and graphs from Excel files retain information in the PowerPoint versions. PDF versions are required for clearance and are not to large to send by e-mail.

42 ENGINEERING↗

Verification Testing of Body Forces due to a Prescribed Angular Velocity in DYNA3D/Paradyn

This report documents the verification testing and regression testing done on a new feature in DYNA3D/Paradyn, which allows users to prescribe body force loads based upon an angular velocity. This feature is unique in that the direction of the angular velocity vector follows the unit vector formed by two coordinate points associated with two nodes or the average coordinates of two separate small collection of nodes. The angular velocity direction will follow the directional vector defined by these nodes while the angular velocity magnitude is defined by a load curve. A simple single element verification test was performed to determine the correct implementation of this feature, and two separate regression tests were added to the DYNA3D Software Quality Assur ance test suite. The nodal positions, velocities, and accelerations from the solution of the single element verification test compare well to analytically derived values of those nodal quantities. The regression tests serve as good examples of this new feature’s use case and were consequently added to the SQA test suite to ensure that further modifications of the DYNA3D source code do not unintentionally change the generated baseline answers.

42 ENGINEERING↗

New proposed ITER divertor design using carbon insert on tungsten to mitigate ELMs and secondary radiation effects on nearby components

Abstract Building a successful device for the magnetic fusion energy production is a great challenge. ITER is an international project of the tokamak based magnetic fusion design being developed for the demonstration of the feasibility of thermonuclear technologies for future realization of successful commercial fusion energy. A key obstacle to a successful magnetic fusion energy production is however, the performance during abnormal events including plasma disruptions and edge-localized modes (ELMs). A credible reactor design must tolerate at least a few of these transient events without serious consequences such as melting of the structure. This paper investigates and compares the performance of the current ITER tokamak design during two types of transient events, i.e., ELMs occurring at normal operation and disruptions during abnormal operation. We simulated the divertor components response using our integrated 3D HEIGHTS package. The simulations include self-consistent modeling of the interaction of the released core plasma particles with the initial solid divertor material, energy deposition processes, vaporization of divertor material, secondary plasma formation and MHD evolution, incident core particles collisions and scattering from this dense secondary plasma, photon radiation of secondary plasma, and the resulting heat loads on nearby components. Our simulations showed that using a small carbon insert around the strike point can significantly reduce the overall expected damage on the tungsten dome structure, reflector plates, and prevent tungsten vaporization and its potential core plasma contamination.

47 OTHER INSTRUMENTATION↗

State of Common Grid Services Definitions

This document is prepared as part of the Department of Energy’s Grid Modernization Laboratory Consortium (GMLC) 2.5.2 project, whose goal is to develop and socialize a common set of grid service definitions relevant to grid-related interactions with distributed energy resources (DER: responsive generation, storage, and loads), and to advance the concept and requirements of the Energy Services Interface (ESI) to the point of launching related interface standards and guides that can be implemented in communication protocols and business process definitions. The notion of “grid services” is integral to the definition of an ESI because a key principle of the ESI is that it permits coordination between grid operators and DER facilities in a way that is service-oriented, with an understanding of performance expectations. This document reviews the current state of grid service definitions, including those actively used in the market today as well as new services that have been proposed for future implementation. The document describes grid services used in transmission as well as distribution systems. In defining grid services, this document also distinguishes between two fundamental concepts: an “operational objective” and a “grid service,” which describes a generator’s or customer’s expected physical performance in delivering power to or consuming power from the grid.

24 POWER TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION↗

Common Grid Services: Terms and Definitions Report

This document is prepared as part of the Department of Energy’s Grid Modernization Laboratory Consortium (GMLC) 2.5.2 project, whose goal is to develop and socialize a common set of grid service definitions relevant to grid-related interactions with distributed energy resources (DER: responsive generation, storage, and loads) and to advance the concept and requirements of the Energy Services Interface (ESI) to the point of launching related interface standards and guides that can be implemented in communication protocols and business process definitions. The notion of grid services is associated with the definition of an ESI because a key principle of the ESI is that it permits coordination between grid operators and DER facilities in a way that is service-oriented with an understanding of performance expectations. The project investigated the current state of North American grid service definitions from various market operators and utilities, as well as the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission and the North American Electric Reliability Corporation, actively used today (Liu et al. 2022). This document builds on that work to propose terms and definitions for a set of grid service types that address operational objectives commonly found in power system operations. These grid service types derive from existing grid services used in bulk electric market operations, recognizing that each operational authority uses somewhat different names with variations on service performance parameters. Finding commonality at the wholesale or bulk system operation level will hopefully engender progress in seeking agreement on grid services for DER engagement at the distribution level in the emerging retail marketplace.

24 POWER TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION↗

Moisture Performance of Unvented Attics With Vapor Diffusion Ports and Buried Ducts in Hot, Humid Climates

Energy efficiency measures, such as cool roofs, radiant barriers, interior radiative control coatings, and buried ducts are increasing in popularity and are promoted by energy codes because of their energy-saving potential. However, these strategies can also pose moisture risks in attics by lowering surface temperatures and increasing condensation potential and moisture accumulation. Of particular concern in hot-humid climates is dripping condensation on cold air-conditioning ductwork in the summer - commonly referred to as duct "sweating" - which threatens the attic floor with conditions conducive to mold growth and rot. One strategy to mitigate these moisture issues is to wrap ductwork in thicker duct-wrap insulation with an integrated exterior vapor barrier, but thick duct wrap can be difficult to come by, expensive, and unwieldy to work with. This study explores an alternative strategy of reducing moisture issues while embracing energy efficiency by using unvented attics with vapor diffusion ports and buried ductwork in hot-humid climates. Vapor diffusion ports have been studied so far in a wide range of U.S. climates, mostly in the context of conditioned attics. In this study, the strategy is implemented in the novel context of hot-humid climates with ductwork sitting atop blown-in attic floor insulation in unconditioned attics. Using a combination of field experiments and hygrothermal modeling, the findings of this project indicate that an unvented attic with vapor diffusion ports and buried ducts may be a key part of a successful low-cost method for reducing the attic moisture load by venting excess moisture out of the attic, keeping duct-jacket surfaces above dew point temperature, and keeping the roof deck safe from winter moisture accumulation.

32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATI↗

Evaluation of Applied Stress on Atmospheric Corrosion and Pitting Characteristics in 304L Stainless Steel

For this study, the effects of applied stress, ranging from tensile to compressive, on the atmospheric pitting corrosion behavior of 304L stainless steel (SS304L) were analyzed through accelerated atmospheric laboratory exposures and microelectrochemical cell analysis. After exposing the lateral surface of a SS304L four-point bend specimen to artificial seawater at 50°C and 35% relative humidity for 50 d, pitting characteristics were determined using optical profilometry and scanning electron microscopy. The SS304L microstructure was analyzed using electron backscatter diffraction. Additionally, localized electrochemical measurements were performed on a similar, unexposed, SS304L four-point bend bar to determine the effects of applied stress on corrosion susceptibility. Under the applied loads and the environment tested, the observed pitting characteristics showed no correlation with the applied stress (from 250 MPa to -250 MPa). Pitting depth, surface area, roundness, and distribution were found to be independent of location on the sample or applied stress. The lack of correlation between pitting statistics and applied stress was more likely due to the aggressive exposure environment, with a sea salt loading of 4 g/m 2 chloride. The pitting characteristics observed were instead governed by the available cathode current and salt distribution, which are a function of sea salt loading, as well as pre-existing underlying microstructure. In microelectrochemical cell experiments performed in Cl - environments comparable to the atmospheric exposure and in environments containing orders of magnitude lower Cl - concentrations, effects of the applied stress on corrosion susceptibility were only apparent in open-circuit potential in low Cl - concentration solutions. Cl - concentration governed the current density and transpassive dissolution potential.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Residential Home Decarbonization Using Advanced Micro-CHP

An efficient micro-combined heat and power (CHP) prototype was developed to provide heat and electricity for single-family homes and light commercial buildings. The unit can be installed independently at the point of energy consumption. Consequently, it enables cost-effectively and flexibly matching heat and electrical loads, simplifying distribution and installation processes, and recovering and storing waste heat as hot water. The analyzed results show that the micro-CHP using natural gas as fuel achieves 10.68%–32.80% CO2 reduction in the selected five home applications. The potential effect of H2 on decarbonization of these home was also evaluated, finding that the micro-CHP using a blended fuel with H2 and natural gas can further reduce CO2 emissions. However, the 50% CO2 reduction in the micro-CHP requires at least 70%–90% of H2 in the blend with natural gas. Overall, the micro-CHP technology demonstrates a solid potential to accelerate micro-CHP adoption in residential and light commercial markets, thereby promoting broader micro-CHP acceptance and use in the future for building decarbonization.

Gao, Zhiming [ORNL] (ORCID:0000000271397995)↗

Enhancing Autonomous Control of Microreactors Using Multi-Agent Reinforcement Learning

In order for microreactors to be economically competitive, operation costs will need to be minimized through some degree of autonomous control. Previous work has demonstrated the effectiveness of reinforcement learning (RL) for load-following control in a drum-controlled microreactor. This study extends that work by exploring the potential of RL to independently control each of the reactor’s drums. We compare a single-agent RL approach with a multi-agent RL (MARL) framework, testing them for generalization across different load-following power profiles and control timescales, and for robustness in cases of randomly disabled control drums. Since the point kinetics simulation environment used in this study cannot resolve spatial effects, we assume that in the absence of spatially localized disturbances, optimal drum movements should be symmetrical. We demonstrate that single-agent RL is able to achieve accurate performance only when symmetric actions are ignored; otherwise, it fails to train a useful controller. Meanwhile, the MARL framework performs symmetric actions by design and trains a robust, accurate agent, as evidenced by mean absolute errors in power matching of 0.41% for the training power profile, 0.68% for a profile with half the drums disabled, and 0.21% for a profile on a realistic load-following time horizon.

22 - GENERAL STUDIES OF NUCLEAR REACTORS↗

Robust Deep Gaussian Process-Based Probabilistic Electrical Load Forecasting Against Anomalous Events

The abnormal events, such as the unprecedented COVID-19 pandemic, can significantly change the load behaviors, leading to huge challenges for traditional short-term forecasting methods. This article proposes a robust deep Gaussian processes (DGP)-based probabilistic load forecasting method using a limited number of data. Since the proposed method only requires a limited number of training samples for load forecasting, it allows us to deal with extreme scenarios that cause short-term load behavior changes. In particular, the load forecasting at the beginning of abnormal event is cast as a regression problem with limited training samples and solved by double stochastic variational inference DGP. The mobility data are also utilized to deal with the uncertainties and pattern changes and enhance the flexibility of the forecasting model. The proposed method can quantify the uncertainties of load forecasting outcomes, which would be essential under uncertain inputs. Extensive comparison results with other state-of-the-art point and probabilistic forecasting methods show that our proposed approach can achieve high forecasting accuracies with only a limited number of data while maintaining the excellent performance of capturing the forecasting uncertainties.

anomalous events↗

Image-Driven Hybrid Structural Analysis Based on Continuum Point Cloud Method with Boundary Capturing Technique

Conventional approaches for the structural health monitoring of infrastructures often rely on physical sensors or targets attached to structural members, which require considerable preparation, maintenance, and operational effort, including continuous on-site adjustments. This paper presents an image-driven hybrid structural analysis technique that combines digital image processing (DIP) and regression analysis with a continuum point cloud method (CPCM) built on a particle-based strong formulation. Polynomial regressions capture the boundary shape change due to the structural loading and precisely identify the edge and corner coordinates of the deformed structure. The captured edge profiles are transformed into essential boundary conditions. This allows the construction of a strongly formulated boundary value problem (BVP), classified as the Dirichlet problem. Capturing boundary conditions from the digital image is novel, although a similar approach was applied to the point cloud data. It was shown that the CPCM is more efficient in this hybrid simulation framework than the weak-form-based numerical schemes. Unlike the finite element method (FEM), it can avoid aligning boundary nodes with regression points. A three-point bending test of a rubber beam was simulated to validate the developed technique. The simulation results were benchmarked against numerical results by ANSYS and various relevant numerical schemes. The technique can effectively solve the Dirichlet-type BVP, yielding accurate deformation, stress, and strain values across the entire problem domain when employing a linear strain model and increasing the number of CPCM nodes. In addition, comparative analysis with conventional displacement tracking techniques verifies the developed technique’s robustness. The proposed technique effectively circumvents the inherent limitations of traditional monitoring methods resulting from the reliance on physical gauges or target markers so that a robust and non-contact solution for remote structural health monitoring in real-scale infrastructures can be provided, even in unfavorable experimental environments.

Chemistry↗

Design and Analysis of an Advanced Three-Point Bend Test Approach for Miniature Irradiated Disk Specimens

Candidate tungsten armor materials in a magnetic confinement fusion device must be able to withstand thermal variation that leads to internal stresses caused by the impinging heat load. In addition, the thermomechanical properties of these materials are degraded by irradiation-induced defect accumulation. Fission reactor–based irradiation data are used to predict the fusion neutron damage and property change. This study examines the motivation and design of a custom-designed three-point bend test for neutron-irradiated disk specimens that are 3 mm in diameter to be able to define the flexural strength of advanced tungsten materials, alloys, and composites—and to the extent that embrittlement occurs after neutron irradiation. The theory provided shows a calculation for the flexural deflection and shear deflection due to the small-geometry constraints. A finite element deformation analysis is performed to evaluate the mechanical stress field of disk bend specimens. The stress values above 80% of the maximum stress are concentrated in 2.4 mm of the 3.0-mm length of the centerline across the tungsten disk diameter. A bend test fixture has been designed and fabricated to enable testing of these specimens with precisely engineered tolerance and minimal machine compliance. This fixture will be able to be placed inside a universal testing frame at elevated temperatures for the mechanical property evaluation of future neutron-irradiated disk specimens.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Unraveling the implications of finite specimen size on the interpretation of dynamic experiments for polycrystalline aluminum through direct numerical simulations

Normal and Pressure-shear plate impact (NPI and PSPI) experiments are popular experimental techniques for studying the mean-field macroscopic behavior of polycrystalline metals under high-rate dynamic loading. However, since both configurations rely upon geometry for subjecting the specimen to high strain rates, these experiments often involve a limited specimen size. Moreover, because of the inherent heterogeneities present within polycrystalline metals, it is difficult to ascertain if the size of the specimen and/or regions where measurements are made are sufficiently large for making representative inferences about the mean-field macroscopic properties from single-point velocity measurements. In the present study, we quantify the expected measurement variability on observable point measurements in NPI and PSPI experiments by carrying out direct numerical simulations (DNS) of statistically representative polycrystalline microstructures subjected to dynamic compression and compression-shear loading. In particular, we consider the role of specific material heterogeneities (e.g. the grain-to-grain difference in size, crystallographic orientation) on dispersion in the normal and transverse particle velocity records and on local fluctuations in key state variables (e.g. velocity, accumulated plastic strain) by incorporating these effects directly into a representative synthetic microstructure geometry and crystalline description of pure polycrystalline aluminum. The form of the present study is a large parametric investigation, consisting of ten ensembles of one hundred simulations. Each of the thousand simulations reflects a randomly realized synthetic microstructure in one of five cases of decreasing average grain size for the two loading configurations. Our analysis of the DNS results demonstrates that for both of these experimental configurations, the grain size directly correlates with the coefficient of variation (CV) in simulated point measurements, showing a convergent decrease in CV to zero (i.e. particle velocity record approaches the mean-field value) with decreasing grain size. Remarkably, the magnitude of variations in the particle velocity record is shown to be largest where the deviatoric stresses are most significant. In the case of NPI, this occurs at the elastic and plastic wavefront, whereas, in the case of PSPI, the magnitude of fluctuations are approximately constant throughout the experimental window time. The reasoning for the scatter in particle velocity due to the heterogeneous microstructure is demonstrated to be dependent on the mechanisms for accommodating deformation and on the interaction of reflection waves generated at sites of heterogeneities occurring at the scale of grains. Lastly, we develop a power-law description for the magnitude of scattering versus characteristic length, which provides a statistical framework for assessing the required number of grains per characteristic specimen dimension for minimizing scatter within these two experimental configurations (NPI, PSPI).

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

A Novel Rotating Flexure-Test Technique for Brittle Materials with Circular Geometries

The four-point bend test is one of the simplest and often the preferred flexural strength evaluation method for brittle materials. In this loading mode, fracture often initiates from a critical surface (or subsurface) flaw when subjected to a tensile stress state. However, if the critical flaw exists on the compression side of the test specimen, it may not activate to grow a crack and hence the resulting flexural strength will be higher than the true value. The goal of this study is to measure the true flexural strength of a solid or hollow cylindrical brittle specimen by ensuring that failure occurs at its weakest point by rotating along its longitudinal axis, thereby exposing and activating its critical surface flaw during a four-point bend test. A novel test fixture has been designed and fabricated, and the true flexural strengths of cylindrical brittle and quasi-brittle tubular specimens have been measured and compared to existing experimental data obtained through traditional four-point bend tests. In this work, experimental results showcase the orientation dependance on flexural strength for various materials. Additionally, similarities between experimental findings and those available in literature, including observations of fracture surfaces and relationships between surface roughness and material strength, are discussed.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Damage of prismatic lithium‐ion cells subject to bending: Test, model, and detection

Abstract The mechanically induced internal short circuit (ISC) is one of the major safety concerns of lithium‐ion batteries. Mechanical abuse tests are often performed to evaluate the integrity and safety of lithium‐ion batteries under mechanical loadings. Except for the widely explored compression‐dominated indentation tests, bending is another typical real‐world loading condition that is tension‐dominated. To investigate the mechanical damage and ISC behavior of batteries under bending, we carried out controlled three‐point bending tests in four progressive steps on prismatic battery cells with maximum deflections ranging from 38% to 76% of the cell thickness. None of the tested cells experienced an ISC. We then conducted 3D X‐ray computed tomography (CT) scanning on the bent cells after unloading. X‐ray CT images showed three out of the four tested cells have extensive cracking in the electrode layers at the bottom side (opposite to the loading head). This indicates that cracking does not necessarily lead to an ISC under bending. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy was also measured on the bent cells and substantial changes were observed. Both the bulk resistance and charge‐transfer resistance increased significantly after bending, which could influence the battery performance and lifespan. We then developed a detailed finite (FE) element model to further investigate the mechanical deformation and failure mechanisms. The FE model successfully predicts the load–displacement response and reproduces the deformation patterns. The findings and the FE model developed in the present study provide useful insights and tools for the battery structure and crash safety design. image

25 ENERGY STORAGE↗