Search NASA⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search NASA

Results for “Transient simulations”

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.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 451 records · Page 25

Understanding Transients: Needs from the Laboratory Astrophysics Community

A growing number of astrophysical transients are pushing astronomers to develop increasingly complex computational tools to model both radiation hydrodynamics and electron transport. Here we review the physics needs and simulation uncertainties associated with modeling these transients. Although this review will focus on theory and simulation aspects of this problem, we also review some experiments designed to study this physics.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

Initial Demonstration of New Griffin Capability for Simulating the Running-In Phase of Pebble-Bed Reactors with Multiphysics

Griffin, a MOOSE (Multiphysics Object-Oriented Simulation Environment) based application targeting transient modelling of advanced reactors, has been used recently to model pebble-bed reactors (PBRs). The modelling effort has focused thus far on modelling the equilibrium core. A new capability to simulate the running-in phase of PBR operation has been added to Griffin. This work demonstrates the newcapability with a sample multiphysics running-in simulation. The basic features of the new running-in capability were documented previously; however, the sample simulation results presented there did not include multiphysics; the fuel temperatures were assumed to be constant. In this work, Griffin computes power densities in the core at each timestep of the running-in simulation and passes these to Pronghorn which models fluid flow and heat transfer to calculate temperatures that are passed back to Griffin and accounted for with temperature dependent cross-sections.

22 GENERAL STUDIES OF NUCLEAR REACTORS↗

Evaluating uncertainty in aerosol forcing of tropical precipitation shifts

Abstract. An observed southward shift in tropical rainfall over land between 1950 and 1985, followed by a weaker recovery post-1985, has been attributed to anthropogenic aerosol radiative forcing and cooling of the Northern Hemisphere relative to the Southern Hemisphere. We might therefore expect models that have a strong historic hemispheric contrast in aerosol forcing to simulate a further northward tropical rainfall shift in the near-term future when anthropogenic aerosol emission reductions will predominantly warm the Northern Hemisphere. We investigate this paradigm using a perturbed parameter ensemble (PPE) of transient coupled ocean–atmosphere climate simulations that span a range of aerosol radiative forcing comparable to multi-model studies. In the 20th century, in our single-model ensemble, we find no relationship between the magnitude of pre-industrial to 1975 inter-hemispheric anthropogenic aerosol radiative forcing and tropical precipitation shifts. Instead, tropical precipitation shifts are associated with major volcanic eruptions and are strongly affected by internal variability. However, we do find a relationship between the magnitude of pre-industrial to 2005 inter-hemispheric anthropogenic aerosol radiative forcing and future tropical precipitation shifts over 2006 to 2060 under scenario RCP8.5. Our results suggest that projections of tropical precipitation shifts will be improved by reducing aerosol radiative forcing uncertainty, but predictive gains may be offset by temporary shifts in tropical precipitation caused by future major volcanic eruptions.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗

Heat Integration Optimization and Dynamic Modeling Investigation for Advancing the Coal-Direct Chemical Looping Process

The purpose of the project is to address the optimization and startup operation of a modular coal direct chemical looping (CDCL) combustion system integrated with a steam cycle for power generation to reduce the risks involved in further scale-up of the technology. The modular reactor design of the CDCL process provides flexibility in the fabrication of the reactor and in its operating capacity (i.e. turndown ratio) at the cost of a more complex heat exchange network (HEN) design and integration. To address the technology gaps and advance the efficiency and economic feasibility of the CDCL technology, the project will perform a detailed and comprehensive analysis of the integration of a modular CDCL reactor system and a steam cycle system under both static and transient conditions via HEN process performance simulations and system dynamic modeling, respectively. The scope of work consists of 1) Experimental and computational studies of the CDCL combustor reactor 2) Comprehensive static (i.e. steady-state) system HEN design analysis in CDCL 550 MWe commercial unit for power generation and 3) Dynamic modeling of site specific design of 10MWe CDCL large pilot plant. The project team has successfully developed and validated a kinetic model for the oxidation of oxygen carriers in the combustor using the unreacted shrinking core model (UCSM). The model is capable of capturing the oxidation kinetics of fully or partially reduced oxygen carrier particles. A computational fluid dynamics (CFD) model is developed to simulate the hydrodynamics, heat transfer, and chemical reaction occurring in the CDCL combustor. The model is developed in MFIX and ANSYS Fluent. Key aspects of CDCL combustor operation, including heat transfer, oxygen carrier oxidation, and the transport of oxygen carrier particles, are simulated using this CFD model. The HEN for a commercial scale 550 MWe CDCL power plant is simulated and optimized using ASPEN Plus. Practical design considerations are incorporated based on industrial experiences. The performance and cost for the commercial CDCL plant is updated based on these analyses. A dynamic model for the 10 MWe CDCL pilot plant is developed in ProTRAX simulation software. The model is based on the pilot plant design developed in project DE-FE0027654 “10 MWe CDCL Large Pilot Plang – Pre-FEED Study” and the steam cycle data obtained from Dover Light & Power plant. The transient behaviors during pilot plant load variation are simulated using the dynamic model.

01 COAL, LIGNITE, AND PEAT↗

INITIAL EXPLORATION OF A NOVEL TRANSIENT ARREST SYSTEM INVOLVING FUEL HEATING

A preliminary analysis on a novel accident response system to diminish the severity of supercritical transients was conducted. The novel accident response system, called the instant shock arrest system, involves using electricity to heat the nuclear fuel at the onset of a large accidental reactivity insertion. This system is specifically designed for reactors with metallic fuel, such that the fuel is capable of conducting electricity, and being resistively heated. A reactor dynamics model of the advanced test reactor was created using the point kinetics equations and a linear reactivity feedback model to simulate how the system would effect the maximum fuel temperatures experienced during the transient. Transients with the instant shock arrest system were compare to those without it. It was found that the instant shock arrest system initially heated the fuel more than the unaffected transient but the negative reactivity inserted from such heating was enough to lower the maximum fuel temperature experienced during the transient. After simulating six different accident scenarios with reactivity insertions ranging from 0.5 \$ to 1.3 \$, it was found that the an optimal system response could reduce peak fuel temperatures during the transient by 3.5\% to 5\%. Furthermore, discussion was given on how the optimal system response could be obtained using relatively simple numerical optimization algorithms due to the smoothness of the optimization problem.

22 GENERAL STUDIES OF NUCLEAR REACTORS↗

Initial exploration of a novel transient arrest system involving fuel heating

A preliminary analysis on a novel accident response system to diminish the severity of super- critical transients was conducted. The novel accident response system, called the instant shock arrest system, involves using electricity to heat the nuclear fuel at the onset of a large accidental reactivity insertion. This system is specifically designed for reactors with metallic fuel, such that the fuel is capable of conducting electricity, and being resistively heated. A reactor dynamics model of the advanced test reactor was created using the point kinetics equations and a linear reactivity feedback model to simulate how the system would effect the maximum fuel temperatures experienced during the transient. Transients with the instant shock arrest system were compared to those without it. It was found that the instant shock arrest system initially heated the fuel more than the unaffected transient but the negative reactivity inserted from such heating was enough to lower the maximum fuel temperature experienced during the transient. After simulating six different accident scenarios with reactivity insertions ranging from 0.5 to 1.3 dollar, it was found that an optimal system response could reduce peak fuel temperatures during the transient by 3.5% to 5%. Furthermore, discussion was given on how the optimal system response could be obtained using relatively simple numerical optimization algorithms due to the smoothness of the optimization problem. (authors)

22 GENERAL STUDIES OF NUCLEAR REACTORS↗

INITIAL EXPLORATION OF A NOVEL TRANSIENT ARREST SYSTEM INVOLVING FUEL HEATING (Presentation)

A preliminary analysis on a novel accident response system to diminish the severity of supercritical transients was conducted. The novel accident response system, called the instant shock arrest system, involves using electricity to heat the nuclear fuel at the onset of a large accidental reactivity insertion. This system is specifically designed for reactors with metallic fuel, such that the fuel is capable of conducting electricity, and being resistively heated. A reactor dynamics model of the advanced test reactor was created using the point kinetics equations and a linear reactivity feedback model to simulate how the system would effect the maximum fuel temperatures experienced during the transient. Transients with the instant shock arrest system were compare to those without it. It was found that the instant shock arrest system initially heated the fuel more than the unaffected transient but the negative reactivity inserted from such heating was enough to lower the maximum fuel temperature experienced during the transient. After simulating six different accident scenarios with reactivity insertions ranging from 0.5 \$ to 1.3 \$, it was found that the an optimal system response could reduce peak fuel temperatures during the transient by 3.5% to 5%. Furthermore, discussion was given on how the optimal system response could be obtained using relatively simple numerical optimization algorithms due to the smoothness of the optimization problem.

22 GENERAL STUDIES OF NUCLEAR REACTORS↗

SYSTEMATIC MULTI-INDEX VALIDATIONS OF SIDI ENGINE FLOW FIELD LES COMPUTATIONS USING CRANK ANGLE-RESOLVED PIV MEASUREMENTS

In-cylinder flow fields make significant impacts on the fuel atomization, fuel mixture formation, and combustion process in spark ignition direct injection (SIDI) engines. In recent years, model-based simulation approaches are preferred in regard to investigating the transient in-cylinder flow field characteristics. Most commonly, the simulation models are validated using single representative flow field at a typical crank angle measured by particle image velocimetry (PIV). However, it provides only limited knowledge about the flow field which is highly three-dimensional and of transient nature. In this study, crank angle-resolved Ply measurements are conducted on three distinct planes inside the cylinder to capture the transient process of flow field characteristics which vary with the crank angle. These three planes consist of one tumble plane through the spark plug tip, one tumble plane along two intake ports, and one swirl plane at 30 mm below the cylinder head. Large eddy simulation (LES) is employed for the numerical computations using the CONVERGE codes. On the basis of large datasets for both temporal and spatial domains, a multi-index systematic validation approach is conducted. Crank angle-resolved calculations of global indices and local indices are implemented using the flow fields velocity data obtained from both PIV and LES on select planes. Global indices reveal the trends in similarities of different crank angle degrees and locations, while local indices give the detail comparison results. In summary, with the systematic multi-index validation approach, the crucial crank angle degrees and locations for model verification will be detected. Furthermore, the corresponding critical flow features are analyzed. Practical guideline of flow field validation is proposed.

Crank angle-resolved PIV↗

SAS4A/SASSYS-1 Modeling Improvements for the Transition to Natural Circulation

SAS4A/SASSYS-1 (SAS) is a simulation tool used to perform deterministic analyses of anticipated events as well as design basis and beyond design basis accidents for advanced liquid-metal-cooled nuclear reactors. With its origin as SAS1A in the late 1960s, the SAS series of codes has been under continuous use and development for over fifty years and represents a critical investment in safety analysis capabilities for the U.S. Department of Energy. In recent years, SAS has undergone a number of improvements to enable improved safety analyses that meet end users’ modernized needs while complying with the current regulatory environment. Improvements made in versions 5.6 and 5.7 released within the last year include the development of anisotropic Reynolds number dependent loss coefficients throughout the core and heat transport systems, the ability to distinguish the transition friction factor from the fully developed laminar and turbulent friction factors, and timedependent direct coolant and wall heating for pipe-like elements in the heat transport systems. While it was possible to capture loss coefficients, friction factors, and heat transfer from an element to a heat sink within SAS in previous versions of the code, users were required to end the simulation and restart it to adjust the input to account for any significant changes to the values during the transient. With these improvements, users can better capture flow reversal, pump heating, and the transition from forced to natural circulation without being limited to constant orifice coefficients, constant heat sinks, or the need to restart the simulation and modify input. In order to demonstrate the application of these improvements, a loss of flow transient is simulated for the Advanced Burner Test Reactor (ABTR).

SAS4A/SASSYS-1↗

Putting multipoint kinetics to the test: preliminary analysis of the MUSE-4 experiment with APOLLO3

Modeling neutron kinetics is a challenging task and over the years, several approaches have been developed offering different tradeoffs between precision and cost. Probably the most popular one is point kinetics (PK), which, despite being very cheap, provides good results for many applications. One of the limitations of PK is that it is not able to model effects that happen before the prompt jump time scale. In practice, applications, where those time scales are interesting, are rare and those for which experimental data are available are even rarer. One of those cases is the MUSE-4 experiment for which the focus is on the very fast behavior and where we have no thermal feedback. As we have shown in a recent paper, a simple extension of PK, known as multipoint kinetics (MPK), can overcome this limitation. In this paper, which is intended as a preliminary study, we show how a simple MPK model can qualitatively reproduce the fast behavior that we cannot model with PK. Moreover, we will show how to exploit its low cost and compact form to model also slow effects as the precursors built up, behaviours that are not affordable to model with more expensive techniques, such as kinetic Monte Carlo simulations. For the periodic pulse transients with no feedbacks we will also provide an analytical solution in closed form. (authors)

21 SPECIFIC NUCLEAR REACTORS AND ASSOCIATED PLANTS↗

Understanding Type Ia Supernova Distance Biases by Simulating Spectral Variations

In the next decade, transient searches from the Vera C. Rubin Observatory and the Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope will increase the sample of known Type Ia supernovae (SNe Ia) from ~10 3 to 10 5 . With this reduction of statistical uncertainties on cosmological measurements, new methods are needed to reduce systematic uncertainties. Here, characterizing the underlying spectroscopic evolution of SN Ia remains a major systematic uncertainty in current cosmological analyses, motivating a new simulation tool for the next era of SN Ia cosmology: Build Your Own Spectral Energy Distribution (byosed). byosed is used within the SNANA framework to simulate light curves by applying spectral variations to model SEDs, enabling flexible testing of possible systematic shifts in SN Ia distance measurements. We test the framework by comparing a nominal Roman SN Ia survey simulation using a baseline SED model to simulations using SEDs perturbed with byosed, and investigating the impact of ignoring specific SED features in the analysis. These features include semiempirical models of two possible, predicted relationships: between SN ejecta velocity and light-curve observables, and a redshift-dependent relationship between SN Hubble residuals and host-galaxy mass. We analyze each byosed simulation using the SALT2 and BEAMS with Bias Corrections framework, and estimate changes in the measured value of the dark-energy equation-of-state parameter, w. We find a difference of Δw = –0.023 for SN velocity and Δw = 0.021 for redshift-evolving host mass when compared to simulations without these features. By using byosed for SN Ia cosmology simulations, future analyses (e.g., the Rubin and Roman SN Ia samples) will have greater flexibility to constrain or reduce such SN Ia modeling uncertainties.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

Ultrafast Relaxations in Ruthenium Polypyridyl Chromophores Determined by Stochastic Kinetics Simulations

Maximizing the efficiency of solar energy conversion using dye assemblies rests on understanding where the energy goes following absorption. Transient spectroscopies in solution are useful for this purpose, and the time-resolved data are usually analyzed with a sum of exponentials. This treatment assumes that dynamic events are well separated in time, and that the resulting exponential prefactors and phenomenological lifetimes are related directly to primary physical values. Such assumptions break down for coincident absorption, emission, and excited state relaxation that occur in transient absorption and photoluminescence of tris(2,2'-bipyridine)ruthenium(2+) derivatives, confounding the physical meaning of the reported lifetimes. Here, we use inductive modeling and stochastic chemical kinetics to develop a detailed description of the primary ultrafast photophysics in transient spectroscopies of a series of Ru dyes, as an alternative to sums of exponential analysis. Commonly invoked three-level schemes involving absorption, intersystem crossing (ISC), and slow nonradiative relaxation and incoherent emission to the ground state cannot reproduce the experimentally measured spectra. The kinetics simulations reveal that ultrafast decay from the singlet excited state manifold to the ground state competes with ISC to the triplet excited state, whose efficiency was determined to be less than unity. The populations predicted by the simulations are used to estimate the magnitudes of transition dipoles for excited state excitations and evaluate the influence of specific ligands. The mechanistic framework and methodology presented here are entirely general, applicable to other dye classes, and can be extended to include charge injection by molecules bound to semiconductor surfaces.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Design, Analysis, Comparison, and Experimental Validation of Insulated Metal Substrates for High-Power Wide-Bandgap Power Modules

Direct bonded copper (DBC) substrates used in power modules have limited heat spreading and manufacturing capability due to ceramic properties and manufacturing technology. The ceramic and copper bonding is also subject to high mechanical stress due to coefficient of thermal expansion mismatch between the copper and the ceramic. For wide-bandgap (WBG) devices, it is of interest exploring new substrate technologies that can overcome some of the challenges of direct bonded copper substrates. In this technical paper, the design, analysis, and comparison of insulated metal substrates (IMSs) for high-power wide-bandgap semiconductor-based power modules are discussed. This paper starts with technical description and discussion of state-of-the-art DBC substrates with different ceramic insulators such as aluminum nitride (AlN), Al 2 O 3 , and Si 3 N 4 . Next, an introduction of IMSs and their material properties, and a design approach for SiC (silicon carbide) metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistor (MOSFET)-based power modules for high-power applications is provided. The influence of dielectric thickness on the power handling capability of the substrate are also discussed. The designed IMS and DBC substrates were characterized in terms of steady-state and transient thermal performance using finite element simulation. Finally, the performance of the IMS and DBC are validated in an experimental setup under different loading and cooling temperature conditions. We report the simulation and experimental results showed that the IMS can provide high steady-state thermal performance for high-power modules based on SiC MOSFETs. Furthermore, the IMS provided enhanced transient thermal performance, which provided a reduced junction temperature when the module is operated at low fundamental output frequencies in traction drive systems.

42 ENGINEERING↗

Initial Demonstration of New Griffin Technologies for Simulating the Running-In Phase of Pebble Bed Reactors

Griffin is a reactor multiphysics modeling application based on MOOSE (Multiphysics Object-Oriented Simulation Environment) and specifically targeting transient modeling of advanced reactors. Griffin has been used recently to model pebble-bed reactors for the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) Office of Nuclear Regulatory Research and the Advanced Reactor Technology program. This modeling work has focused thus far on the direct calculation of equilibrium cores. This report documents an initial demonstration of a new running-in simulation capability. The new running-in capability is verified using the existing direct equilibrium core calculation capability. A simplified pebble-bed reactor model is then used to demonstrate the running-in simulation capability. This demonstration shows that Griffin is able to simulate years of operation during the running-in phase efficiently with each depletion step taking only several seconds. Two new technologies are also presented in this report which have been developed in Griffin that will be essential for improved accuracy both of the direct equilibrium core computation and the new running-in simulation capability. The first technology is an online cross section generation capability specifically targeted for pebble-bed reactors. This will improve the accuracy of the depletion calculation as the cross sections are generated at the exact core status. This also avoids the difficult step of pre-generating a separate standalone multigroup cross section set. Secondly, a newly implemented discretization for discontinuous finite element method (DFEM) SN transport in cylindrical (RZ) coordinates, which can be solved efficiently using the existing SN sweep solver, is discussed and some results are shown demonstrating the usefulness of the additional accuracy transport provides over a diffusion approximation.

22 GENERAL STUDIES OF NUCLEAR REACTORS↗

Thermal-Hydraulics Modeling and Simulations of Hot Pool Using the SAS-CFD Coupled Code

The main goal of this activity is to test the dynamic coupling of the SAS4A/SASSYS-1 (SAS) and CFD models, using a recently patched version of the SAS code intended to address an undocumented limitation that hindered the Versatile Test Reactor (VTR) simulation efforts in FY21. As described in previous VTR calculation reports, the undocumented limitation in SAS v5.4 does not allow the user to activate the CFD coupling option during restart calculations. Since the analysts were unaware of this limitation, prior SAS-CFD simulation results for the protected station blackout (PSBO) transient were erroneous. Root-cause analysis was performed to determine the cause of this undocumented limitation in SAS v5.4, the SAS software was updated in a new patch, and the SAS-CFD simulations were repeated with this patched software. The results of the SAS-CFD simulations documented in this report show that the software patch does address the cited issue, and that the patched software indeed supports the activation of the CFD coupling model in restart calculations. The SAS development team will determine the schedule for implementing the patch in an official software release. This report documents updated SAS-CFD simulations of the PSBO transient response in the VTR. The hot pool is modeled with the CFD code STAR-CCM+, which is coupled at the flow boundaries to the SAS model of the primary heat transport system. SAS computes the mass flow rate and temperature at each core subassembly outlet, the thermal insulation cavity bypass, and the IHX inlet windows. CFD in turn computes the absolute pressure and temperature at each of these boundaries. The SAS code will ignore the temperature data at flow boundaries where flow is directed into the hot pool, i.e., at the core subassembly outlets unless flow reversal occurs. Similarly, CFD will ignore temperature data at boundaries where the flow is directed out of the hot pool, i.e., at the IHX inlets except under flow reversal. The focus of this work is to ensure that the SAS software patch addresses the undocumented limitation described in prior VTR calculation reports, rather than the accurate assessment of thermal stratification in the VTR during protected transients. This motivates the development of a new, simplified CFD model with a coarser mesh to accelerate the testing process. The updated model, and simplifying assumptions, are documented in this report. In future work, the thermal stratification assessment should be performed in more detail. The simplified CFD model can be improved by performing grid convergence studies sensitivity studies of turbulence parameters (e.g., Prandtl number, turbulence production and dissipation parameters) on temperature distributions and thermal stratification.

22 GENERAL STUDIES OF NUCLEAR REACTORS↗

Medium-Voltage Testbed for Comparing Advanced Power Line Sensors vs. Measurement Transformers with Electrical Grid Events

Electrical utilities have relied upon potential transformers (PTs) and current transformers (CTs) for very accurate metering and to provide reliable signals for protective relays. Less expensive alternative sensing technologies offer the possibility of wider deployment, particularly in grids that employ distributed energy resources. In this work, the performance of an advanced medi-um-voltage sensor is compared with a reference PT and CT and experimentally evaluated for different power grid scenarios on an advanced outdoor power line sensor testbed at the US De-partment of Energy’s Oak Ridge National Laboratory. The sensor is based on a capacitive divider for voltage monitoring and a Rogowski coil with integrator for current monitoring. The advanced outdoor power line sensor testbed has a real-time simulator that was used to generate transient scenarios (e.g., electrical faults, capacitor bank operation, service restoration), while the analog signals were recorded by the same high resolution power meter. The behavior of analog signals, harmonic components, total harmonic distortion, and crest factors were assessed for this power line sensor compared with the reference PT/CT, because of the absence for testing standards for advanced outdoor power line sensors.

Piesciorovsky, Emilio↗

The Dark Energy Survey supernova programme: modelling selection efficiency and observed core-collapse supernova contamination

ABSTRACT The analysis of current and future cosmological surveys of Type Ia supernovae (SNe Ia) at high redshift depends on the accurate photometric classification of the SN events detected. Generating realistic simulations of photometric SN surveys constitutes an essential step for training and testing photometric classification algorithms, and for correcting biases introduced by selection effects and contamination arising from core-collapse SNe in the photometric SN Ia samples. We use published SN time-series spectrophotometric templates, rates, luminosity functions, and empirical relationships between SNe and their host galaxies to construct a framework for simulating photometric SN surveys. We present this framework in the context of the Dark Energy Survey (DES) 5-yr photometric SN sample, comparing our simulations of DES with the observed DES transient populations. We demonstrate excellent agreement in many distributions, including Hubble residuals, between our simulations and data. We estimate the core collapse fraction expected in the DES SN sample after selection requirements are applied and before photometric classification. After testing different modelling choices and astrophysical assumptions underlying our simulation, we find that the predicted contamination varies from 7.2 to 11.7 per cent, with an average of 8.8 per cent and an r.m.s. of 1.1 per cent. Our simulations are the first to reproduce the observed photometric SN and host galaxy properties in high-redshift surveys without fine-tuning the input parameters. The simulation methods presented here will be a critical component of the cosmology analysis of the DES photometric SN Ia sample: correcting for biases arising from contamination, and evaluating the associated systematic uncertainty.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗