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At least 379 records · Page 21

Maintaining a critical spectra within Monteburns for a gas-cooled reactor array by way of control rod manipulation

Our burnup study examined the effect of a predicted critical control rod position on the nuclide predictability of several axial and radial locations within a 4×4 graphite moderated gas cooled reactor fuel cluster geometry. To achieve this, a control rod position estimator (CRPE) tool was developed within the framework of the linkage code Monteburns between the transport code MCNP and depletion code CINDER90, and four methodologies were proposed within the tool for maintaining criticality. Two of the proposed methods used an inverse multiplication approach - where the amount of fissile material in a set configuration is slowly altered until criticality is attained - in estimating the critical control rod position. Another method carried out several MCNP criticality calculations at different control rod positions, then used a linear fit to estimate the critical rod position. The final method used a second-order polynomial fit of several MCNP criticality calculations at different control rod positions to guess the critical rod position. The results showed that consistency in prediction of power densities as well as uranium and plutonium isotopics was mutual among methods within the CRPE tool that predicted critical position consistently well. Finally, while the CRPE tool is currently limited to manipulating a single control rod, future work could be geared toward implementing additional criticality search methodologies along with additional features.

21 SPECIFIC NUCLEAR REACTORS AND ASSOCIATED PLANTS↗

CatCost™ Data Tools [SWR-20-59]

CatCost™ enables catalyst researchers to develop comprehensive estimates of the cost to produce pre-commercial catalysts early in the catalyst development process. It includes both web browser and Excel-based tools, each with distinct strengths. The web tool includes powerful visualization capabilities, while the Excel tool allows for high degrees of control and customization by power users. The CatCost™ Python Data Tools are designed to facilitate the transfer of data from the Excel tool to the web tool, so that users can take advantage of both the powerful visualization in the web tool and the higher degree of customization available in the excel tool. Rather than painstakingly copying entries from estimates, the materials, equipment, and spent catalyst libraries from Excel to a JSON format for the web tool, the CatCost™ Data Tools provide an intuitive applet which allows them to simply choose which library or estimate they wish to transfer, and then returns files that integrate smoothly with the web version of the tool.

Baddour, Frederick↗

Optimising response to an introduction of African swine fever in wild pigs

African swine fever virus (ASFv) is a virulent pathogen that threatens domestic swine industries globally and persists in wild boar populations in some countries. Persistence in wild boar can challenge elimination and prevent disease-free status, making it necessary to address wild swine in proactive response plans. In the United States, invasive wild pigs are abundant and found across a wide range of ecological conditions that could drive different epidemiological dynamics among populations. Information on the size of the control areas required to rapidly eliminate the ASFv in wild pigs and how this area should change with management constraints and local ecology is needed to optimize response planning. We developed a spatially explicit disease transmission model contrasting wild pig movement and contact ecology in two ecosystems in Southeastern United States. We simulated ASFv spread and determined the optimal response area (reported as the radius of a circle) for eliminating ASFv rapidly over a range of detection times (when ASFv was detected relative to the true date of introduction), culling capacities (proportion of wild pigs in the culling zone removed weekly) and wild pig densities. Large radii for response areas (14 km) were needed under most conditions but could be shortened with early detection (≤ 8 weeks) and high culling capacities (≥ 15% weekly). Under most conditions, the ASFv was eliminated in less than 22 weeks using optimal control radii, although ecological conditions with high rates of wild pig movement required higher culling capacities (≥ 10% weekly) for elimination within 1 year. The results highlight the importance of adjusting response plans based on local ecology and show that wild pig movement is a better predictor of the optimal response area than the number of ASFv cases early in the outbreak trajectory. Furthermore, our framework provides a tool for determining optimal control plans in different areas, guiding expectations of response impacts, and planning resources needed for rapid elimination.

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗

A large scale system approach for stability analysis of multi-unit SMR plants - 248

In this paper we present a framework based on large scale system theory for analyzing the stability of coupled advanced high temperature molten salt small modular reactors. It has been suggested that small modular reactors be coupled through a common molten salt energy repository, called a salt vault. Using vector Lyapunov functions the connective stability of multiple reactors coupled through a salt vault can be guaranteed. In this theory, scalar Lyapunov functions are assigned to portions of the composite system state space. Functions are constructed for each small modular reactor (SMR), each Brayton cycle, and the salt vault. These functions are then aggregated, becoming components of a vector Lyapunov function. If this vector function possesses special properties, the composite system is stable. Bounds on the connective stability of a multi-reactor plant can be found in terms of a free parameter, in this case the mass of molten salt in the salt vault. Examining bounds on the connective stability allows one to use control theory as a tool for making performance and economic design decisions related to the size of the salt vault. This technique can produce a constraint that is used in a design optimization problem for finding the smallest-possible salt vault that ensures stability. It can also be used as an indicator of interconnection and its effect on system behavior. This, in turn, could be used to guide multi-unit control system design to ensure that highly coupled systems behave favorably. The theory for multi-unit control and operation is discussed. (authors)

21 SPECIFIC NUCLEAR REACTORS AND ASSOCIATED PLANTS↗

Comparing the economic performance of ice storage and batteries for buildings with on-site PV through model predictive control and optimal sizing

Integrating renewable energy and energy storage systems provides a way of operating the electrical grid system more energy efficiently and stably. Thermal storage and batteries are the most common devices for integration. However, it is not clear which integrated storage system performs better in terms of overall economics. Ice storage has low initial and maintenance costs, but there is an efficiency penalty for charging of storage and it can only shift electrical loads associated with building cooling requirements. A battery's round-trip efficiency, on the contrary, is quite consistent and batteries can be used to shift both HVAC and non-HVAC loads. However, batteries have greater initial costs and a shorter life. Finally, this research presents a tool, using model predictive control and optimal sizing, and provides a case study for comparing life-cycle economics of battery and ice storage systems for commercial buildings that have chillers for cooling and an on-site photovoltaic system.

32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATI↗

Guided Self-Assembly and Control of Vortices in Ensembles of Active Magnetic Rollers

Active magnetic colloids are capable of rich collective behavior and complex self-organization. The interplay between short- and long-range interactions taking place away from equilibrium often results in a spontaneous formation of localized dynamic microstructures. Here we report a method for guided self-assembly and control of self-organized colloidal vortices emerging in a ferromagnetic particle ensemble energized by a uniaxial alternating (ac) magnetic field. The structure of a vortex composed of rolling magnetic particles can be stabilized and manipulated by means of an additional strongly localized alternating magnetic field provided by a minicoil. By tuning the parameters of the localized field, we effectively control the dimensions and particle number density in the vortex. We find that the roller vortex self-organization is assisted by field-induced magnetic "steering" rather than magnetic field gradients and is only possible while the system is in the active (magnetic rollers) state. In this work, we demonstrate that parameters of the emergent vortex are efficiently tuned by a phase shift between alternating magnetic fields. Overall, the method for assisted self-organization of rolling magnetic colloids into a vortex with on-demand characteristics suggests a new tool for active matter control and manipulation that may lead to a development of new approaches toward the guided microscopic transport in active particle systems.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Depth of manual dismantling analysis: A cost–benefit approach

Highlights: ► A mathematical modeling tool for OEMs. ► The tool can be used by OEMs, recyclers of electr(on)ic equipment or WEEE management systems’ regulators. ► The tool makes use of cost–benefit analysis in order to determine the optimal depth of product disassembly. ► The reusable materials and the quantity of metals and plastics recycled can be quantified in an easy-to-comprehend manner. - Abstract: This paper presents a decision support tool for manufacturers and recyclers towards end-of-life strategies for waste electrical and electronic equipment. A mathematical formulation based on the cost benefit analysis concept is herein analytically described in order to determine the parts and/or components of an obsolete product that should be either non-destructively recovered for reuse or be recycled. The framework optimally determines the depth of disassembly for a given product, taking into account economic considerations. On this basis, it embeds all relevant cost elements to be included in the decision-making process, such as recovered materials and (depreciated) parts/components, labor costs, energy consumption, equipment depreciation, quality control and warehousing. This tool can be part of the strategic decision-making process in order to maximize profitability or minimize end-of-life management costs. A case study to demonstrate the models’ applicability is presented for a typical electronic product in terms of structure and material composition. Taking into account the market values of the pilot product’s components, the manual disassembly is proven profitable with the marginal revenues from recovered reusable materials to be estimated at 2.93–23.06 €, depending on the level of disassembly.

12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE W↗

Maximization of the annual energy production of wind power plants by optimization of layout and yaw-based wake control: Maximization of wind plant AEP by optimization of layout and wake control

This paper presents a wind plant modeling and optimization tool that enables the maximization of wind plant annual energy production (AEP) using yaw-based wake steering control and layout changes. The tool is an extension of a wake engineering model describing the steady-state effects of yaw on wake velocity profiles and power productions of wind turbines in a wind plant. To make predictions of a wind plant's AEP, necessary extensions of the original wake model include coupling it with a detailed rotor model and a control policy for turbine blade pitch and rotor speed. This enables the prediction of power production with wake effects throughout a range of wind speeds. We use the tool to perform an example optimization study on a wind plant based on the Princess Amalia Wind Park. In this case study, combined optimization of layout and wake steering control increases AEP by 5%. The power gains from wake steering control are highest for region 1.5 inflow wind speeds, and they continue to be present to some extent for the above-rated inflow wind speeds. The results show that layout optimization and wake steering are complementary because significant AEP improvements can be achieved with wake steering in a wind plant layout that is already optimized to reduce wake losses.

17 WIND ENERGY↗

Application of cross-beam energy transfer to control drive symmetry in ICF implosions in low gas fill Hohlraums at the National Ignition Facility

Cross beam energy transfer (CBET), invoked by setting a wavelength difference, Δλ, between inner and outer beam cones, can be used to increase the drive on the waist in indirectly driven inertial confinement fusion experiments at the National Ignition Facility (NIF). Historically, hot spot symmetry control in capsule implosions in high (≥0.9 mg/cm 3 4 He) gas fill Hohlraums was enabled by substantial CBET. However, these implosion designs suffered from inflight symmetry swings, high SRS backscatter on the inner cones, and significant hot electron generation posing a threat to DT fuel preheat. Subsequent experiments in larger, low (≤0.6 mg/cm 3 4 He) gas fill Hohlraums demonstrated round implosions by varying the inner cone fraction throughout the laser drive at Δλ = 0 Å while keeping backscatter and hot electron generation very low. To enable driving larger capsules at a given Hohlraum size, additional tools for implosion symmetry control are required. With this goal in mind, here we present a detailed experimental study of using CBET in low gas fill Hohlraums near NIF's current peak power capability. We find a ~2.5× higher sensitivity of the P 2 Legendre mode with respect to Δλ changes compared to that of high gas fill designs. We attribute this observation to the fact that backscatter remains very low and that CBET remains in a linear regime, as suggested by simulations. As a result, a much smaller Δλ of order 1 Å is sufficient for sustaining implosion symmetry while keeping laser-to- Hohlraum coupling high and hot electron generation very low. While this study used plastic ablator capsules, our findings can be generalized to other ablator materials and, hence, show great promise for using wavelength detuning as a strong lever for implosion symmetry control in future low gas fill designs that require smaller case to capsule ratios in order to increase the energy coupled to the capsule.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗

Dramatic Demand Reduction In The Desert Southwest

This report summarizes a project that was funded to the University of Nevada Las Vegas (UNLV), with subcontractors Pulte Homes and NV Energy. The project was motivated by the fact that locations in the Desert Southwest portion of the US demonstrate very high peak electrical demands, typically in the late afternoons in the summer. These high demands often require high priced power to supply the needs, and the large loads can cause grid supply problems. An approach was proposed through this contact that would reduce the peak electrical demands to an anticipated 65% of what code-built houses of the similar size would have. It was proposed to achieve energy reduction through four approaches applied to a development of 185 homes in northwest part of Las Vegas named Villa Trieste. First, the homes would all be highly energy efficient. Secondly, each house would have a PV array installed on it. Third, an advanced demand response technique would be developed to allow the resident to have some control over the energy used. Finally, some type of battery storage would be used in the project. Pulte Homes designed the houses. The company considered initial cost vs. long-term savings and chose options that had relatively short paybacks. HERS (Home Energy Rating Service) ratings for the homes are approximately 43 on this scale. On this scale, code-built homes rate at 100, zero energy homes rate a 0, and Energy Star homes are 85. In addition a 1.764 Wp (peak Watt) rated PV array was used on each house. This was made up of solar shakes that were in visual harmony with the roofing material used. A demand response tool was developed to control the amount of electricity used during times of peak demand. While demand response techniques have been used in the utility industry for some time, this particular approach is designed to allow the customer to decide the degree of participation in the response activity. The temperature change in the residence can be decided by the residents by adjusting settings. In a sense the customer can choose between greater comfort and greater money savings during demand response circumstances. Finally a battery application was to be considered. Initially it was thought that a large battery (probably a sodium-sulfur type) would be installed. However, after the contract was awarded, it was determined that a single, centrally-located battery system would not be appropriate for many reasons, including that with the build out plan there would not be any location to put it. The price had risen substantially since the budget for the project was put together. Also, that type of battery has to be kept hot all the time, but its use was only sought for summer operation. Hence, individual house batteries would be used, and these are discussed at the end of this report. Many aspects of the energy use for climate control in selected houses were monitored before residents moved in. This was done both to understand the magnitude of the energy flows but also to have data that could be compared to the computer simulations. The latter would be used to evaluate various aspects of our plan. It was found that good agreement existed between actual energy use and computed energy use. Hence, various studies were performed via simulations. Performance simulations showed the impact on peak energy usage between a code built house of same size and shape compared to the Villa Trieste homes with and without the PV arrays on the latter. Computations were also used to understand the effect of varying orientations of the houses in this typical housing development, including the effect of PV electrical generation. Energy conservation features of the Villa Trieste homes decreased the energy use during peak times (as well as all others), but the resulting decreased peak occurred at about the same time as the code-built houses. Consideration of the PV generation decreases the grid energy use further during daylight hours, but did not extend long enough many days to decrease the peak. Hence, a demand response approach, as planned, was needed. With participation of the residents in the demand response program developed does enable the houses to reduce the peak demand between 66% and 72%, depending on the built years. This was addressed fully in the latter part the study and is described in the latter part of this report.

24 POWER TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION↗

Optimization of Integrated Energy Systems

Integrated energy systems that couple nuclear power plants with additional products including hydrogen, storage, or synthetic fuels provide a more flexible energy source that can be more economical than generating electricity alone. Determining the size and shape of these systems and optimizing their operation is challenging. INL, through the IES program, has developed optimization software to help solve these challenges. Holistic Energy Resource Optimization Network (HERON) is a software tool to optimize the size and capacity of integrated energy systems using stochastic optimization. Optimization of Real-time Capacity Allocation (ORCA) is a software tool under development to perform real-time economic optimization of these systems using economic model predictive control. An overview of these tools and a discussion of their optimization methods will be presented in this talk.

97 MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTING↗

An Exhaust Catalyst Simulator (ExhCatSim): Reducing Catalyst Development Costs and Improving the Performance of Exhaust Aftertreatment Systems

The proposed ExhCatSim software tool can be used to account for CO/HC/NOx/PM emissions controls required by EPA regulation standards via the integration of variable catalysts listed in the tool, e.g. exploring various aftertreatment configurations and technologies (like DOC/DPF/SCR/ASC) for extra low emissions control. Moreover, the software tool can be used to investigate the tradeoff between cost and catalytic performance.

Gao, Zhiming↗

Manipulating Ferroelectric Topological Polar Structures with Twisted Light

Abstract The dynamic control of non‐equilibrium states represents a central challenge in condensed matter physics. While intense terahertz fields drive metal‐insulator transitions and ferroelectricity via soft phonon modes, recent theory suggests that twisted light with orbital angular momentum (OAM) offers a distinct route to manipulate ferroelectric order and stabilize topological excitations including skyrmions, vortices, and Hopfions. Control of ferroelectric polarization in quasi‐2D CsBiNb 2 O 7 (CBNO) is demonstrated using non‐resonant twisted ultra‐violet (UV) light (375 nm, 800 THz). Combining in situ X‐ray Bragg coherent diffractive imaging (BCDI), twisted optical Raman spectroscopy, and density functional theory (DFT), three‐dimensional (3D) ionic displacements, strain fields, and polarization changes are resolved in single crystals. Operando measurements reveal light‐induced strain hysteresis under twisted light–a hallmark of nonlinear, history‐dependent ferroelastic switching driven by OAM. Discrete, irreversible domain transitions emerge as the topological charge ℓ is cycled, stabilizing non‐trivial domain textures including vortex‐antivortex pairs, Bloch/anti‐Bloch points, and merons. These persist after OAM removal, indicating a memory effect. Competing mechanisms are discussed, including multiphoton absorption, strain‐mediated polarization switching, and defect‐wall interactions. The findings establish structured light as a tool for deterministic, reversible control of ferroic states, enabling optically reconfigurable non‐volatile devices.

Chemistry↗

Controlling and patterning the effective magnetization in Y 3 Fe 5 O 12 thin films using ion irradiation

We report an approach to controlling the effective magnetization ( M eff ), a combination of the saturation magnetization and uniaxial anisotropy, of the ferrimagnet Y 3 Fe 5 O 12 (YIG) using different species of ions: He + and Ga + . The effective magnetization can be tuned as a function of the fluence, with He + providing the largest effect. We quantified the change in effective magnetization through an angular dependence of the ferromagnetic resonance before and after irradiation. Increases in 4π M eff were observed to be as much as 400 G with only a 15% increase in Gilbert damping, α (from 8.2e-4 to 9.4e-4). This result was combined with a method for accurate ion pattering, a focused ion beam, providing a mechanism for shaping the magnetic environment with submicron precision. We observe resonance modes localized by ion patterning of micron-sized dots, whose resonances match well with micromagnetic simulations. Lastly, this technique offers a flexible tool for precision nanoscale control and characterization of the magnetic properties of YIG.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Parsed synthesis of pyocyanin via co-culture enables context-dependent intercellular redox communication

Abstract Background Microbial co-cultures and consortia are of interest in cell-based molecular production and even as “smart” therapeutics in that one can take advantage of division of labor and specialization to expand both the range of available functions and mechanisms for control. The development of tools that enable coordination and modulation of consortia will be crucial for future application of multi-population cultures. In particular, these systems would benefit from an expanded toolset that enables orthogonal inter-strain communication. Results We created a co-culture for the synthesis of a redox-active phenazine signaling molecule, pyocyanin (PYO), by dividing its synthesis into the generation of its intermediate, phenazine carboxylic acid (PCA) from the first strain, followed by consumption of PCA and generation of PYO in a second strain. Interestingly, both PCA and PYO can be used to actuate gene expression in cells engineered with the soxRS oxidative stress regulon, although importantly this signaling activity was found to depend on growth media. That is, like other signaling motifs in bacterial systems, the signaling activity is context dependent. We then used this co-culture’s phenazine signals in a tri-culture to modulate gene expression and production of three model products: quorum sensing molecule autoinducer-1 and two fluorescent marker proteins, eGFP and DsRed. We also showed how these redox-based signals could be intermingled with other quorum-sensing (QS) signals which are more commonly used in synthetic biology, to control complex behaviors. To provide control over product synthesis in the tri-cultures, we also showed how a QS-induced growth control module could guide metabolic flux in one population and at the same time guide overall tri-culture function. Specifically, we showed that phenazine signal recognition, enabled through the oxidative stress response regulon soxRS, was dependent on media composition such that signal propagation within our parsed synthetic system could guide different desired outcomes based on the prevailing environment. In doing so, we expanded the range of signaling molecules available for coordination and the modes by which they can be utilized to influence overall function of a multi-population culture. Conclusions Our results show that redox-based signaling can be intermingled with other quorum sensing signaling in ways that enable user-defined control of microbial consortia yielding various outcomes defined by culture medium. Further, we demonstrated the utility of our previously designed growth control module in influencing signal propagation and metabolic activity is unimpeded by orthogonal redox-based signaling. By exploring novel multi-modal strategies for guiding communication and consortia outcome, the concepts introduced here may prove to be useful for coordination of multiple populations within complex microbial systems.

Chun, Kayla↗

Surface strain engineering through Tb doping to study the pressure dependence of exciton-phonon coupling in ZnO nanoparticles

A compressive hydrostatic strain has been found to develop in the ZnO lattice as a result of accumulation of Tb ions on the surface of the nanoparticles for Tb mole-fraction less than 0.04. This hydrostatic strain can be controlled up to ≈14 GPa by varying the Tb mole-fraction. Here, we have utilized this novel technique of surface strain engineering through Tb doping for introducing hydrostatic compressive strain in the lattice to study the pressure dependent electronic and vibrational properties of ZnO nanoparticles. Our study reveals that when subjected to pressure, nanoparticles of ZnO behave quite differently than bulk in many aspects. Unlike bulk ZnO, which is reported to go through a wurtzite to rock-salt structural phase transition at ≈8 GPa, ZnO nanoparticles do not show such transition and remain in wurtzite phase even at 14 GPa of pressure. Furthermore, the Grüneisen parameters for the optical phonon modes are found to be order of magnitude smaller in ZnO nanoparticles as compared to bulk. Our study also suggests an increase of the dielectric constant with pressure, which is opposite to what has been reported for bulk ZnO. Interestingly, it has also been found that the exciton-phonon interaction depends strongly upon pressure in this system. The exciton-phonon coupling has been found to decrease as pressure increases. A variational technique has been adopted to theoretically calculate the exciton-LO phonon coupling coefficient in ZnO nanoparticles as a function of pressure, which shows a good agreement with the experimental results. These findings imply that surface engineering of ZnO nanoparticles with Tb could indeed be an efficient tool to enhance and control the optical performance of this material.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗

Development of Performance Validation Tool for the NPCS for APR1400

Availability of nuclear power plant is highly dependent on the quality of major control systems including NSSS Control Systems. It has been experienced that a small flaw hidden among the control functions resulted in large operational transient or even reactor trip. The proactive quality control of these systems is not easy because of the dynamical characteristics of control algorithms. In a stand-alone or open loop state, it is not possible to perform integral system tests because they need control loads to form an appropriate closed control loop. In the construction plant, Power Ascension Test (PAT) is the first chance to witness the overall performance of the control systems. Because the PAT is the last activity of plant construction schedule, the cost of corrective actions is very high if any functional defect is found in this stage. To minimize risk caused by late detection of control system defects, we developed a validation tool as a proactive test device for the NSSS Process Control System (NPCS) for the SKN Unit 3 which is the first APR1400 plant in Korea. In this paper, the features of the dynamic performance test tool, test methodology, and the test results are described.

21 SPECIFIC NUCLEAR REACTORS AND ASSOCIATED PLANTS↗

Equivalent Test Bed in PSCAD and PSLF for Studying Advanced Power Systems Controller Performance

With increasing popularity of sustainable energy resources, research on power electronic-based renewable generation modeling is gaining impetus to enhance reliability of electric grids with high penetrations of renewable energy. A set of generic and public models for renewable energy are available in commercial positive sequence power system simulation software. However, advanced controller models applicable for renewable resources are typically not included in these tools. To ensure the integrity of the newly developed controller models for renewables in positive sequence simulators for large power systems, it is necessary to validate the dynamic performance of the proposed model with detailed electromagnetic models. This paper creates an equivalent test bed in PSCAD and PSLF for validating the performance of advanced controllers associated with renewable energy sources. To demonstrate the usefulness of the test-bed, a user-defined synthetic inertia (SI) controller model was developed in PSLF and validated through the proposed test bed.

24 POWER TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION↗