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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 37 records · Page 2

Wave Energy Power Take-Off Validation with a Hydraulicly Actuated Rotary Dynamometer and a Bidirectional High-Power DC Supply: Preprint

There are many organizations working towards the commercialization of wave energy converter technologies and are advancing their designs through the technology readiness levels (TRLs). A critical step before the field deployment of prototype wave energy converters is the validation of the subsystems and components that are contained in the wave energy converter through laboratory testing and performance characterization. In 2021, the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) developed and demonstrated a system for testing power takeoffs (PTO) with a low-speed, high-torque dynamometer and a grid-tied high-power DC power source and sink before field deployment. The hydraulic dynamometer allows for the simulation of PTO actuation from wave motion and is capable of a wide range of wave periods and heights which are represented as various speeds and torques from the dynamometer. The high-power bidirectional power supply allows for hardware in the loop and controller in the loop testing to be conducted on WEC power electronics. This presentation was made to describe the methods used by NREL research staff to test all components and sub-systems in the PTO of a novel wave energy converter before field deployment.

dynamometer↗

Results of acoustic testing of the JT8D-109 refan engines

A JT8D engine was modified to reduce jet noise levels by 6-8 PNdB at takeoff power without increasing fan generated noise levels. Designated the JT8D-109, the modified engines featured a larger single stage fan, and acoustic treatment in the fan discharge ducts. Noise levels were measured on an outdoor test facility for eight engine/acoustic treatment configurations. Compared to the baseline JT8D, the fully treated JT8D-109 showed reductions of 6 PNdB at takeoff, and 11 PNdB at a typical approach power setting.

Burdsall, E. A.↗

Experiments on H2-O2MHD power generation

Magnetohydrodynamic power generation experiments utilizing a cesium-seeded H2-O2 working fluid were carried out using a diverging area Hall duct having an entrance Mach number of 2. The experiments were conducted in a high-field strength cryomagnet facility at field strengths up to 5 tesla. The effects of power takeoff location, axial duct location within the magnetic field, generator loading, B-field strength, and electrode breakdown voltage were investigated. For the operating conditions of these experiments, it is found that the power output increases with the square of the B-field and can be limited by choking of the channel or interelectrode voltage breakdown which occurs at Hall fields greater than 50 volts/insulator. Peak power densities of greater than 100 MW/cu M were achieved.

Smith, J. M.↗

Experiments on H2-O2 MHD power generation

MHD power generation experiments utilizing a cesium-seeded H2-O2 working fluid have been carried out using a diverging area Hall duct having an entrance Mach number of 2. The experiments are conducted in a high-field strength cryomagnet facility at field strengths up to 5 tesla. The effects of power takeoff location, axial duct location within the magnetic field, generator loading, B-field strength, and electrode breakdown voltage were investigated. For the operating conditions of these experiments it is found that the power output increases with the square of the B-field and can be limited by choking of the channel or interelectrode voltage breakdown which occurs at Hall fields greater than 50 volts/insulator.

Smith, J. M.↗

A Novel Zero-Discharge Supercritical Water-Based Wave Energy Desalination System

This paper presents a sustainable and innovative wave-energy-based water desalination system combined with an emerging supercritical water process for a zero-liquid-discharge technology. There is growing demand for producing clean water. Within desalination technologies, reverse osmosis, one of the most popular methods, uses a semipermeable membrane that separates fresh water from pressurized seawater. However, this technology produces brine, which is harmful to the environment. Supercritical water desalination is employed here as a means of using the brine to extract more fresh water and eliminate this environmentally toxic output. Wave energy is integrated with reverse osmosis to provide direct seawater pressurization for the first stage in the process. This wave energy converter converts the motion of waves into pressurized water through a power takeoff unit.

reverse osmosis↗

Acoustic testing of a 1.5 pressure ratio low tip speed fan with a serrated rotor (QEP fan B scale model)

A scale model of the bypass flow region of a 1.5 pressure ratio, single stage, low tip speed fan was tested with a serrated rotor leading edge to determine its effects on noise generation. The serrated rotor was produced by cutting teeth into the leading edge of the nominal rotor blades. The effects of speed and exhaust nozzle area on the scale models noise characteristics were investigated with both the nominal rotor and serrated rotor. Acoustic results indicate the serrations reduced front quadrant PNL's at takeoff power. In particular, the 200 foot (61.0 m) sideline noise was reduced from 3 to 4 PNdb at 40 deg for nominal and large nozzle operation. However, the rear quadrant maximum sideline PNL's were increased 1.5 to 3 PNdb at approach thust and up to 2 PNdb at takeoff thust with these serrated rotor blades. The configuration with the serrated rotor produced the lowest maximum 200 foot (61.0 m) sideline PNL for any given thust when the large nozzle (116% of design area) was employed.

Kazin, S. B.↗

MODELING, IMPLEMENTATION AND CONTROL OF A CVT BASED PTO FOR A SMALL SCALE MHK-TURBINE IN LOW FLOW SPEED OPERATION

Modeling, implementation, field testing and control of a power takeoff (PTO) device equipped with a ball-type continuously variable transmission (B-CVT) for a small marine hydrokinetic (MHK) turbine deployed from a floating unmanned autonomous mobile catamaran platform is described. The turbine is a partially submerged multi-blade undershot waterwheel (USWW). A validated numerical torque model for the MHK turbine has been derived and a speed controller has been developed, implemented and tested in the field. The dependance of the power generated as a function of number and submergence level of turbine blades has been investigated and the number of blades that maximizes power production is determined. Bench and field testing in support of characterizing the power conversion capabilities of MHK turbine and PTO are described. Detailed results of the final torque and power coefficient models, the controls architecture, and the MHK turbine performance with varying numbers of blades are provided.

Pimentel, Hugo↗

Approaches to attributing underwater noise to a wave energy converter

Radiated noise from marine energy harvesting is of environmental and engineering interest. Here, drifting hydrophones measure underwater noise in the vicinity of a relatively small wave energy converter. A statistical approach is demonstrated for attributing range-dependent, commonly occurring sounds in the frequency band from 90 to 600 Hz. Time-delay-of-arrival localization is then demonstrated for attribution of individual acoustic events likely associated with the power takeoff and wave-hull interactions. Because the radiated noise from the wave energy converter falls below ambient levels at a range of approximately 150 m, it is unlikely to substantially affect marine life at greater distance.

16 TIDAL AND WAVE POWER↗

Design of a Two-Body Wave Energy Converter Featuring Controllable Geometry

While the field of wave energy has been the subject of numerical simulation, scale model testing, and precommercial project testing for decades, wave energy technologies remain in the early stages of development and must continue to prove themselves as a promising modern renewable energy field. A wave energy converter (WEC) concept currently being explored is the variable-geometry WEC (VGWEC), which aims to add an extra control option to WEC design. VGWECs attempt to incorporate controllable geometric features to adjust the floating body hydrodynamics to favor either power absorption, load shedding, or other operational goals. These variable geometry components have been proposed to be controlled on a sea-state-to-sea-state or wave-to-wave time scale depending on the force (or torque) and bandwidth limitations of the actuators required to manipulate just the controllable geometric hull features. Having control over both the WEC geometry components and the power takeoff (PTO) offers the potential to improve overall system performance and reliability if a cost-effective solution can be found for a given WEC architecture. This paper will present the recent developments and results of a VGWEC concept that incorporates variable-geometry modules into a two-body WEC. In the proposed VGWEC concept, the variable-geometry modules consist of air-inflatable bags in the surface float and a water inflatable ring in the subsurface body. The surface float is tethered directly to the subsurface body through tether lines, each connected to a separate PTO. Adjusting the geometry of both the surface and subsurface bodies along with the PTO coefficients can maximize power in design sea states while reducing motion response and PTO forces when transitioning to sea states where rated power is reached and load shedding is prioritized. The ability to transition between operating condition is expected to increase the sea state operational map and power capacity.

geometry control↗

The Hydraulic and Electric Reverse Osmosis Wave Energy Converter (HERO WEC)

The Hydraulic and Electric Reverse Osmosis Wave Energy Converter (HERO WEC) is a 6-ft wave energy device that turns seawater into drinking water. It is designed for rapid deployment in disaster response scenarios where fresh water is limited. Featuring both hydraulic and electric power takeoff systems, HERO WEC has undergone two ocean deployments at Jennette's Pier on the Outer Banks of North Carolina in addition to extensive in-lab testing. The research provides practical insights into the real-world challenges of wave energy conversion beyond modeling and dry-lab environments. Attendees will develop an understanding of the practical considerations for deploying wave energy devices and the lessons learned from real-world HERO WEC deployments.

16 TIDAL AND WAVE POWER↗

Discrete-Time Causal Control of a Wave Energy Converter With Finite Stroke in Stochastic Waves

We consider feedback control design for a wave energy converter (WEC) for which the power takeoff (PTO) system has a finite stroke limit. Stationary stochastic wave loading is assumed, with a known spectrum, and the plant dynamics are assumed to be linear. We develop a technique for the design of a discrete-time controller, which has three design stages. In the first stage, a linear controller is optimized while imposing a relaxation of the maximum stroke constraint on the design. In the second stage, a tandem nonlinear feedback loop is designed for the purpose of stroke protection. In the third stage, the two designs (linear and nonlinear) are fused in a manner that preserves the stability of the overall system. The technique is demonstrated in a simulation of a simple cylindrical buoy. We show that the controller may be tuned through the adjustment of scalar design parameters, which adjust the tradeoff between the mean generated power and the force levels required to protect the stroke.

16 TIDAL AND WAVE POWER↗

Hardware-in-the-loop testing of a hydraulic wave energy power take-off system

This report describes testing conducted related to the development of a “hydrostatic power takeoff” (HPTO) system for a wave energy converter. Tests were conducted with an experimental electric motor rig to provide preliminary results and de-risk future testing. Efficiency mapping tests were conducted as well as hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) testing. The results of the efficiency mapping tests provide good insight into how to systematically perform efficiency mapping tests. The HIL testing indicates good overall performance of the system and provides a stepping stone towards more complete system tests in the future.

16 TIDAL AND WAVE POWER↗

Circuit Modelling of the Mechanical-Motion-Rectifier for Electrical Simulation of Ocean Wave Power Take-off

As is the case with several other mechanical power takeoffs (PTOs), the mechanical-motion-rectifier (MMR) based PTO consists of components such as one-way clutches, gears, a ball screw, mechanical couplings, and a generator. Equivalent circuit models have been created in this paper to describe the dry frictions, viscous damping, and mechanical compliances in these components, so the non-ideal efficiency and nonlinear force of the PTO can be predicted in electrical simulations by integrating these sub-circuit models. The circuit model is simplified, and its parameters are categorized as dc and ac unknowns. The dc and ac tests on the PTO are performed sequentially to extract two sets of parameters through linear regression or nonlinear curve fitting. Then, the model is validated through its prediction capability over 25 test conditions on input forces, output voltages, and efficiencies, with correlation coefficients of 0.9, 0.98, and 0.981, respectively.

42 ENGINEERING↗

A 727 airplane center duct inlet low speed performance confirmation model test for refanned JT8D engines, phase 2

The results from testing of a 0.3 scale model center duct inlet (S duct) for the Pratt and Whitney Aircraft JT8D-100 engines are presented. The objective of this test was to demonstrate that the required airflow of the JT8D-100 engine (480 lb/sec as compared to 334 lb/sec for JT8D-15) can be achieved with minimum modifications to the existing 727 airplane structure at acceptable levels of total pressure recovery and distortion. Steady-state pressure recovery, steady-state pressure distortion, and dynamic pressure measurements were taken at the engine face station. Surface static pressure measurements were taken along the duct. Test results indicated that the required airflow was achieved with acceptable pressure recovery (comparable to the current 727-200 S duct). Inlet inflow angle variation within the 727 airplane operating regime (minus 5 to 5 degrees) had no effect on the inlet performance. Pressure distortion at static and forward speed at takeoff airflow conditions are within P and WA limits for the Phase II duct when equipped with vortex generators. Static crosswind operation between 10 knots and 25 knots appears feasible at full takeoff power.

Kaldschmidt, G.↗

Status of Technological Advancements for Reducing Aircraft Gas Turbine Engine Pollutant Emissions

Combustor test rig results indicate that substantial reductions from current emission levels of carbon monoxide (CO), total unburned hydrocarbons (THC), oxides of nitrogen (NOx), and smoke are achievable by employing varying degrees of technological advancements in combustion systems. Minor to moderate modifications to existing conventional combustors produced significant reductions in CO and THC emissions at engine low power (idle/taxi) operating conditions but did not effectively reduce NOx at engine full power (takeoff) operating conditions. Staged combusiton techniques were needed to simultaneously reduce the levels of all the emissions over the entire engine operating range (from idle to takeoff). Emission levels that approached or were below the requirements of the 1979 EPA standards were achieved with the staged combustion systems and in some cases with the minor to moderate modifications to existing conventional combustion systems. Results from research programs indicate that an entire new generation of combustor technology with extremely low emission levels may be possible in the future.

Rudey, R. A.↗

Effect of ambient temperature and humidity on emissions of an idling gas turbine

The effects of inlet pressure, temperature, and humidity on the oxides of nitrogen produced by an engine operating at takeoff power setting were investigated and numerous correction factors were formulated. The effect of ambient relative humidity on gas turbine idle emissions was ascertained. Experimentally, a nonvitiating combustor rig was employed to simulate changing combustor inlet conditions as generated by changing ambient conditions. Emissions measurements were made at the combustor exit. For carbon monoxide, a reaction kinetic scheme was applied within each zone of the combustor where initial species concentrations reflected not only local combustor characteristics but also changing ambient conditions.

Kauffman, C. W.↗

Preliminary results in the NASA Lewis H2-O2 combustion MHD experiment

MHD (magnetohydrodynamic) power generation experiments were carried out in the NASA Lewis Research Center cesium-seeded H2-O2 combustion facility. This facility uses a neon-cooled cryomagnet capable of producing magnetic fields in excess of 5 tesla. The effects of power takeoff location, generator loading, B-field strength, and electrode breakdown on generator performance are discussed. The experimental data is compared to a theory based on one-dimensional flow with heat transfer, friction, and voltage drops.

Smith, J. M.↗

Characteristics of the advanced supersonic technology AST-105-1 configured for transpacific range with Pratt and Whitney aircraft variable stream control engines

Credence to systems weights and assurance that the noise study AST concept can be balanced were studied. Current titanium structural technology is assumed. A duct-burning turbofan variable stream control engine (VSCE), with noise reduction potential through use of a coannular nozzle was used. With 273 passengers, range of the AST-105-1 for a cruise Mach number of 2.62 is essentially transpacific. Lift-to-drag ratio is slightly higher than for previous AST configurations. It is trimmable over a center-of-gravity range of 4.7m (15.5 ft). Inherent high positive effective dihedral, typical of arrow-wing configurations in high-lift approach, would limit AST-105-1 to operating in crosswinds of 11.6 m/sec (22.4 kt), or less, with 75 percent of available lateral control. Normal power takeoff with cutback results in noise in excess of Federal Aviation Regulation Part 36 but less than for conventional procedure takeoff. Results of advanced (noncertificated) programmed throttle takeoff and approach procedures, not yet optimized, indicate that such can be an important additional method noise reduction.

Baber, H. T., Jr.↗