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At least 55 records · Page 3

An implicit particle code with exact energy and charge conservation for studies of dense plasmas in axisymmetric geometries

A collisional particle code based on implicit energy- and charge-conserving methods in axisymmetric geometries is presented. A new particle pusher for axisymmetric systems is introduced that is compatible with exact energy and charge conservation and yields improved accuracy compared to other methods. How to appropriately treat all aspects of the algorithm near the r = 0 axis of symmetry is described in detail. Here, the axisymmetric model is verified by simulating the free expansion of a plasma sphere in 2D cylindrical and 1D spherical geometries. The algorithm's ability to study the dynamic compression of a dense plasma is illustrated by simulating the dynamic Z-pinch in 1D cylindrical geometry.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY

Verification and Validation: High Charge and Energy (HZE) Transport Codes and Future Development

In the present paper, we give the formalism for further developing a fully three-dimensional HZETRN code using marching procedures but also development of a new Green's function code is discussed. The final Green's function code is capable of not only validation in the space environment but also in ground based laboratories with directed beams of ions of specific energy and characterized with detailed diagnostic particle spectrometer devices. Special emphasis is given to verification of the computational procedures and validation of the resultant computational model using laboratory and spaceflight measurements. Due to historical requirements, two parallel development paths for computational model implementation using marching procedures and Green s function techniques are followed. A new version of the HZETRN code capable of simulating HZE ions with either laboratory or space boundary conditions is under development. Validation of computational models at this time is particularly important for President Bush s Initiative to develop infrastructure for human exploration with first target demonstration of the Crew Exploration Vehicle (CEV) in low Earth orbit in 2008.

Wilson, John W.

Preliminary estimates of nucleon fluxes in a water target exposed to solar-flare protons: BRYNTRN versus Monte Carlo code

A baryon transport code (BRYNTRN) has previously been verified using available Monte Carlo results for a solar-flare spectrum as the reference. Excellent results were obtained, but the comparisons were limited to the available data on dose and dose equivalent for moderate penetration studies that involve minor contributions from secondary neutrons. To further verify the code, the secondary energy spectra of protons and neutrons are calculated using BRYNTRN and LAHET (Los Alamos High-Energy Transport code, which is a Monte Carlo code). These calculations are compared for three locations within a water slab exposed to the February 1956 solar-proton spectrum. Reasonable agreement was obtained when various considerations related to the calculational techniques and their limitations were taken into account. Although the Monte Carlo results are preliminary, it appears that the neutron albedo, which is not currently treated in BRYNTRN, might be a cause for the large discrepancy seen at small penetration depths. It also appears that the nonelastic neutron production cross sections in BRYNTRN may underestimate the number of neutrons produced in proton collisions with energies below 200 MeV. The notion that the poor energy resolution in BRYNTRN may cause a large truncation error in neutron elastic scattering requires further study.

Shinn, Judy L.

National Cost-Effectiveness of the Residential Provisions of the 2024 IECC

This analysis focuses on single-family and low-rise multifamily residential buildings based on the International Energy Conservation Code (IECC). The IECC is developed by the International Code Council (ICC) on a 3-year cycle through a public development and consensus process. While proponents of code changes often include the energy and cost-effectiveness criteria for their respective code change, the IECC process does not include an energy or cost-effectiveness analysis of the entire edition of the code. PNNL evaluated the cost effectiveness of the changes in the prescriptive and mandatory residential provisions of the 2024 edition of the IECC, hereafter referred as the 2024 IECC, compared to those in the prior edition, the 2021 IECC. The simulated performance path and the Energy Rating Index (ERI) path (introduced in the 2015 IECC) are not considered in this analysis due to the wide variation in building construction characteristics that are allowed.

2024 IECC

Fully energy-dependent HZETRN (a galactic cosmic-ray transport code)

For extended manned space missions, the radiation shielding design requires efficient and accurate cosmic-ray transport codes that can handle the physics processes in detail. The Langley Research Center galactic cosmic-ray transport code (HZETRN) is currently under development for such design use. The cross sections for the production of secondary nucleons in the existing HZETRN code are energy dependent only for nucleon collisions. The approximation of energy-independent, heavy-ion fragmentation cross section is now removed by implementing a mathematically simplified energy-dependent stepping formalism for heavy ions. The cross section at each computational grid is obtained by linear interpolation from a few tabulated data to minimize computing time. Test runs were made for galactic cosmic-ray transport through a liquid hydrogen shield and a water shield at solar minimum. The results show no appreciable change in total fluxes or computing time compared with energy-independent calculations. Differences in high LET (linear energy transfer) spectra are noted, however, because of the large variation in cross sections at the low-energy region. The high LET components are significantly higher in the new code and have important implications on biological risk estimates for heavy-ion exposure.

Shinn, Judy L.

Toward Energy-Efficient HPC: Insights from Power Profiling a Cloud-Resolving Earth System Model

Power is a fundamental constraint as supercomputing advances to exascale. Efficient operation within strict power budgets requires application-aware power management based on a detailed understanding of application-level power behavior. This work analyzes the Energy Exascale Earth System Model (E3SM) atmosphere component, SCREAM, on Perlmutter (NERSC) and Frontier (OLCF). We characterize power variation across inputs, concurrency levels, and power caps, evaluate the energy impact of code optimizations, and attribute energy within the code using a newly developed GPU energy model. Results show that SCREAM’s peak power remains stable during its core execution phase and decreases gradually as concurrency increases. Power capping experiments reveal a performance–energy "sweet spot". On Perlmutter, limiting GPU power to 50% of thermal design power (TDP) achieves up to 15% energy savings with a 7% performance penalty. On Frontier, a 40% TDP cap yields up to 10% energy savings with less than 10% performance loss. Code optimizations reduce SCREAM energy by shortening run time without increasing power. Modeling reveals a critical insight: data movement accounts for approximately 70% of SCREAM’s GPU energy. This fundamentally shifts the optimization focus from FLOPS to data transfer reduction for this class of applications, offering the most impactful strategy for improving energy efficiency. This work establishes a foundation for practical, application-aware power management at exascale.

Zhao, Zhengji [Lawrence Berkeley National Laborato

Identification of Trends into Dose Calculations for Astronauts through Performing Sensitivity Analysis on Calculational Models Used by the Radiation Health Office

The Radiation Health Office (RHO) determines each astronaut s cancer risk by using models to associate the amount of radiation dose that astronauts receive from spaceflight missions. The baryon transport codes (BRYNTRN), high charge (Z) and energy transport codes (HZETRN), and computer risk models are used to determine the effective dose received by astronauts in Low Earth orbit (LEO). This code uses an approximation of the Boltzman transport formula. The purpose of the project is to run this code for various International Space Station (ISS) flight parameters in order to gain a better understanding of how this code responds to different scenarios. The project will determine how variations in one set of parameters such as, the point of the solar cycle and altitude can affect the radiation exposure of astronauts during ISS missions. This project will benefit NASA by improving mission dosimetry.

Adams, Thomas

Scaling analysis applied to the NORVEX code development and thermal energy flight experiment

A scaling analysis is used to study the dominant flow processes that occur in molten phase change material (PCM) under 1 g and microgravity conditions. Results of the scaling analysis are applied to the development of the NORVEX (NASA Oak Ridge Void Experiment) computer program and the preparation of the Thermal Energy Storage (TES) flight experiment. The NORVEX computer program which is being developed to predict melting and freezing with void formation in a 1 g or microgravity environment of the PCM is described. NORVEX predictions are compared with the scaling and similarity results. The approach to be used to validate NORVEX with TES flight data is also discussed. Similarity and scaling show that the inertial terms must be included as part of the momentum equation in either the 1 g or microgravity environment (a creeping flow assumption is invalid). A 10(exp -4) environment was found to be a suitable microgravity environment for the proposed PCM.

Skarda, J. Raymond Lee

Scaling analysis applied to the NORVEX code development and thermal energy flight experiment

A scaling analysis is used to study the dominant flow processes that occur in molten phase change material (PCM) under 1 g and microgravity conditions. Results of the scaling analysis are applied to the development of the NORVEX (NASA Oak Ridge Void Experiment) computer program and the preparation of the Thermal Energy Storage (TES) flight experiment. The NORVEX computer program which is being developed to predict melting and freezing with void formation in a 1 g or microgravity environment of the PCM is described. NORVEX predictions are compared with the scaling and similarity results. The approach to be used to validate NORVEX with TES flight data is also discussed. Similarity and scaling show that the inertial terms must be included as part of the momentum equation in either the 1 g or microgravity environment (a creeping flow assumption is invalid). A 10(exp -4) environment was found to be a suitable microgravity environment for the proposed PCM.

Skarda, J. R. L.

TIGGERC: Turbomachinery interactive grid generator energy distributor and restart code

A two dimensional multi-block grid generator was developed for a new design and analysis system for studying multi-blade row turbomachinery problems with an axisymmetric viscous/inviscid 'average passage' through flow code. TIGGERC is a mouse driven, fully interactive grid generation program which can be used to modify boundary coordinates and grid packing. TIGGERC generates grids using a hyperbolic tangent or algebraic distribution of grid points on the block boundaries and the interior points of each block grid are distributed using a transfinite interpolation approach. TIGGERC generates a blocked axisymmetric H grid, C grid, I grid, or O grid for studying turbomachinery flow problems. TIGGERC was developed for operation on small high speed graphic workstations.

Miller, David P.

Earth and Planetary Science Letters

Systematic measurements of the concentrations of cosmogen Ca-41 (half-life = 1.04 x 10(exp 5) yr) in the Apollo 15 long core 15001-15006 were performed by accelerator mass spectroscopy. Earlier measurements of cosmogenic Be-10, C-14, Al-26, Cl-36, and Mn-53 in the same core have provided confirmation and improvement of theoretical models for predicting production profiles of nuclides by cosmic ray induced spallation in the Moon and large meteorites. Unlike these nuclides, Ca-40 in the lunar surface is produced mainly by thermal neutron capture reactions on Ca-40. The maximum production of Ca-41, about 1 dpm/g Ca, was observed at a depth in the Moon of about 150 g/sq cm. For depths below about 300 g/sq cm, Ca-41 production falls off exponentially with an e-folding length of 175 g/sq cm. Neutron production in the Moon was modeled with the Los Alamos High Energy Transport Code System, and yields of nuclei produced by low-energy thermal and epithermal neutrons were calculated with the Monte Carlo N-Particle code. The new theoretical calculations using these codes are in good agreement with our measured Ca-41 concentrations as well as with Co-60 and direct neutron fluence measurements in the Moon.

K. Nishiizumi

Coded-aperture imaging of the Galactic center region at gamma-ray energies

The first coded-aperture images of the Galactic center region at energies above 30 keV have revealed two strong gamma-ray sources. One source has been identified with the X-ray source IE 1740.7 - 2942, located 0.8 deg away from the nucleus. If this source is at the distance of the Galactic center, it is one of the most luminous objects in the galaxy at energies from 35 to 200 keV. The second source is consistent in location with the X-ray source GX 354 + 0 (MXB 1728-34). In addition, gamma-ray flux from the location of GX 1 + 4 was marginally detected at a level consistent with other post-1980 measurements. No significant hard X-ray or gamma-ray flux was detected from the direction of the Galactic nucleus or from the direction of the recently discovered gamma-ray source GRS 1758-258.

Cook, Walter R.

Space Weather Nowcasting of Atmospheric Ionizing Radiation for Aviation Safety

There is a growing concern for the health and safety of commercial aircrew and passengers due to their exposure to ionizing radiation with high linear energy transfer (LET), particularly at high latitudes. The International Commission of Radiobiological Protection (ICRP), the EPA, and the FAA consider the crews of commercial aircraft as radiation workers. During solar energetic particle (SEP) events, radiation exposure can exceed annual limits, and the number of serious health effects is expected to be quite high if precautions are not taken. There is a need for a capability to monitor the real-time, global background radiations levels, from galactic cosmic rays (GCR), at commercial airline altitudes and to provide analytical input for airline operations decisions for altering flight paths and altitudes for the mitigation and reduction of radiation exposure levels during a SEP event. The Nowcast of Atmospheric Ionizing Radiation for Aviation Safety (NAIRAS) model is new initiative to provide a global, real-time radiation dosimetry package for archiving and assessing the biologically harmful radiation exposure levels at commercial airline altitudes. The NAIRAS model brings to bear the best available suite of Sun-Earth observations and models for simulating the atmospheric ionizing radiation environment. Observations are utilized from ground (neutron monitors), from the atmosphere (the METO analysis), and from space (NASA/ACE and NOAA/GOES). Atmospheric observations provide the overhead shielding information and the ground- and space-based observations provide boundary conditions on the GCR and SEP energy flux distributions for transport and dosimetry simulations. Dose rates are calculated using the parametric AIR (Atmospheric Ionizing Radiation) model and the physics-based HZETRN (High Charge and Energy Transport) code. Empirical models of the near-Earth radiation environment (GCR/SEP energy flux distributions and geomagnetic cut-off rigidity) are benchmarked against the physics-based CMIT (Coupled Magnetosphere- Ionosphere-Thermosphere) and SEP-trajectory models.

Mertens, Christopher J.

An implicit finite-difference code for a two-equation turbulence model for three-dimensional flows

An implicit finite difference code was developed which solves the transport equations for the turbulence kinetic energy and its dissipation rate in generalized coordinates in three dimensions. The finite difference equations are solved using the Beam-Warming algorithm. The kinetic energy-dissipation code, KEM, provides the closure; i.e., the turbulent viscosity for calculation of either compressible or incompressible flows. Turbulent internal flow over a backward-facing step has been calculated using the present code in conjunction with the Incompressible Navier-Stokes Code, INS3D. The results are in good agreement with experiments and two dimensional computations of other researchers.

Kaul, U. K.

TPSAS-NF1676L-27534-DND

This presentation describes the preparation, validation and provision of MERRA-2 data products to the building industry for use in energy efficient designs, building codes and monitoring energy efficiency. It highlights efforts to use MERRA-2 surface meteorological data products for the derivation of quantities relevant to the energy and building industry such as heating and cooling degree days and building climate zones on a global basis for the past 30 years. A difference of the zones from the first 15 years and last 30 years shows that warming zones are creeping northward. The talk also presents work provide similar parameters for building energy performance assessment requiring data products closer to real time.

Paul W Stackhouse, Jr