Search NASA⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search NASA

Results for “Direct current”

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 541 records · Page 30
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1989

Exercise of the SSM/PMAD Breadboard

The Space Station Module Power Management and Distribution (SSM/PMAD) Breadboard is a test facility designed for advanced development of space power automation. Originally designed for 20-kHz power, the system is being converted to work with direct current (dc). Power levels are on a par with those expected for a Space Station module. Some of the strengths and weaknesses of the SSM/PMAD system in design and function are examined, and the future directions foreseen for the system are outlined.

Walls, Bryan↗
DOE OSTI2017

Fundamental-Frequency Reactive Circulating Current Injection for Capacitor Voltage Balancing in Hybrid-MMC HVDC Systems During Riding Through PTG Faults

Here, this article presents a comprehensive analysis and a novel solution for the discharge problem on the half-bridge submodules' (HBSMs') capacitors in the hybrid modular multilevel converter (MMC)-based high-voltage direct current transmission systems under a long-term (e.g., several minutes or longer) pole-to-ground fault condition. The mechanism of this issue is analyzed, and then a solution based on fundamental-frequency reactive circulating current (FFRCC) injection is proposed. The influence of FFRCC injection is analyzed in terms of the fluctuated arm capacitor energy and the current stress of semiconductors. Moreover, an enhanced arm voltage modulation method based on HBSMs and full-bridge submodules coordinate control is proposed to accelerate the capacitor voltage balance of HBSMs. Finally, the performance of the proposed control strategy is verified by the simulation results.

24 POWER TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION↗
NASA NTRS1982

Failure Detector for Power-Factor Controller

New protective circuits have been developed for power-factor ac motor controllers. Circuits prevent direct current and consequent motor heating that would normally result from failure of solid-state switch in controller. Single-phase power-factor controller with short detector compensates for short-circuit failure in either direction by applying full power to motor. Controller with open detector compensates for open-circuit failure in either direction by turning off power to motor.

Nola, F. J.↗
DOE OSTI2022

Port of New York and New Jersey Drayage Electrification Analysis

The National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) evaluated the potential for drayage electrification in the Port of New York and New Jersey (PoNYNJ), with a focus on operators: Harbor Freight Transport (HF), Safeway Trucking (SWT), and International Motor Freight Inc (IMF). This report summarizes the data collection and electrification evaluation of all three drayage operators, includes detailed operational data, and identifies the performance requirements for battery electric tractors (BETs) and corresponding infrastructure operated within the context of PoNYNJ drayage operation. This report also details a methodology to evaluate opportunities, strategies, and challenges associated with future expansions of BETs in meeting PANYNJ emissions goals. The Port Authority has established a goal of achieving Net Zero carbon emissions by 2050 across all facilities, including from tenant and stakeholder sources such as drayage trucks. NREL used real-world performance data collected on the three PoNYNJ drayage operations, along with modeling and analysis tools to compare BET to diesel trucks. From March to July 2021, NREL collected 1Hz vehicle and engine data from 46 drayage trucks at the three operators totaling nearly 121,000 miles of operation, providing enough information to assess vehicle operations for electrification potential. A Future Automotive Systems Technology Simulator (FASTSim) electric truck powertrain model was validated using PoNYNJ data and scenarios were run to evaluate drayage truck electrification requirements over the real-world cycles. The first scenario examined BET viability with minimal changes to existing operations. This assumes the trucks charge when stopped for two hours or longer, have a functional battery size of 375 kWh, and can charge at 270 kilowatts (kW) average which are the specification of the commercially available Freightliner eCascadia. The second scenario looked at what operational, charging infrastructure, and BET technology changes would be needed to fully electrify. Finally, detailed analysis was run on charging rate structure to understand operational costs to the fleets. The studied drayage trucks averaged 5.1 MPG, spent roughly 9% of their energy at idle, and drove an average of 140 miles per day with a maximum daily distance of 573 miles. The FASTSim model results indicate a comparable BET would use 417 kWh of energy per day on average accounting for cargo weight, which is close to the full usable capacity of the eCascadia currently available on the market. Based on the daily average operating data, partial fleet electrification is possible with current technology. However, some specific days of operation would require over 1,600 kWh of energy due to longer distances traveled by the trucks and more intense operation. Trucks used for long distance and intense operation cannot be readily electrified with current technology without operational changes. Full adoption of BETs could reduce CO 2 emissions from these fleets by roughly 75% today, eliminating 76 metric tons of CO 2 (MTCO 2 ) per vehicle each year, which equates to 24,100 MTCO 2 per year for all three operators. Commercially available direct current fast chargers (DCFC) have charge rates up to 350 kW. Based on the average daily modeled energy use for each operator, current industrial rate structures, and the assumption of 350 kW peak charging, full drayage electrification would increase electricity consumption. In addition, peak demand usage would increase with unmanaged charging along with cost of electricity having a direct impact on cost per mile for electric vehicles. The resulting cost per mile for BETs along with comparable cost per mile for conventional diesel trucks are also examined at $\$$4.00 per gallon of diesel. It will be important for PANYNJ and the drayage operators within the PoNYNJ to consider these load impacts to their existing electrical infrastructure and devise operational strategies that avoid coincident charging of vehicles to mitigate demand charges. Despite these electricity cost increases, savings from reductions in diesel consumption will help offset the costs of this increased electricity consumption. However, prices of both electricity and diesel are subject to change based on various factors meaning the realized savings will vary over time. This shows BETs could be cost-competitive on an energy cost per mile basis for all scenarios while diesel is above $\$$3.00/gal. Further, if diesel prices dropped to the 15-year low of $2.33/gal, it would still be cost competitive to operate the EVs with electricity costs of 16.3 ¢/kWh or less.

33 ADVANCED PROPULSION SYSTEMS↗
DOE OSTI2022

Three-dimensional modelling of a self-sustained atmospheric pressure glow discharge

The atmospheric pressure glow discharge (APGD) is a relatively simple and versatile plasma source used in diverse applications. Stable APGD operation at high currents, generally a challenge due to instabilities leading to glow-to-arc transition, has been demonstrated using actively-controlled cathodic cooling. This article presents the computational modelling and simulation of a self-sustained direct-current APGD in helium within a 10 mm pin-to-plate inter-electrode gap for currents ranging from 4 to 40 mA. The APGD model is comprised of the conservation equations for total mass, chemical species, momentum, thermal energy of heavy-species and of free electrons, and electric charge. The model equations are discretized using a nonlinear variational multi-scale finite element method that has demonstrated superior accuracy in other plasma flow problems, on a temporal and three-dimensional computational domain suitable to unveil the potential occurrence of instabilities. Modelling results show good agreement with experimental measurements of voltage drop and the same trend but higher values of temperature. The higher temperatures obtained by the simulations appear to be due to the absence of a near-cathode heat dissipation model. Here, the results also reveal that the distribution of electron density and of the ratio of atomic helium ions to total ions transitions from monotonically increasing away from the cathode to presenting a minimum near the centre of the gap with increasing current.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
NASA NTRS2021

ElectroChemical Hydrogen Refrigeration (ECHR)

NASA and Meta Vista have been actively working the development of a new type of cryogenic refrigeration cycle, one that uses hydrogen as the working fluid and compresses this hydrogen using an electrochemical hydrogen compressor. This new cycle has many advantages compared to current state of the art. The electrochemical compressor is more efficient than a mechanical compressor. It is a solid-state device with no moving parts, no vibration, and no lubrication requirements. The compressor is powered by direct current, so there is no Electromagnetic Interference (EMI). The power systems integration will be simpler and more efficient than typical space cryocooler power systems.

Adam M Swanger↗
DOE OSTI2021

Fault Location Using the Natural Frequency of Oscillation of Current Discharge in MTdc Networks

This paper discusses a novel offline-fault location approach using single ended measurements. The natural dissipation of the circuit parameters are considered for fault location. A relationship between the damped natural frequency of oscillation of the transmission line current and fault location is established. The hybrid dc circuit breaker (dcCB) interrupts the fault current, whereby the transmission line current attenuates under the absence of any driving voltage source. The line capacitance discharges into the fault at a specific frequency of oscillation and rate of attenuation. Utilizing this information, the fault location in a multi-terminal direct current (MTdc) network can be obtained. A three terminal radial model of a MTdc is used for performance evaluation of the proposed method using Power System Computer Aided Design (PSCAD)/Electromagnetic Transients including dc (EMTdc).

42 ENGINEERING↗
DOE OSTI2018

Safeguards Challenges and Safeguards Technology Needs Assessment for Leading Thorium Fuel Cycles

Several thorium fuel cycle variants are currently being actively pursued by the global nuclear energy community. These variants have short-, medium-, and long-term deployment pathways in a variety of reactor types, including thorium-fueled molten salt reactors. Those pathways in turn give rise to a variety of fuel designs, fuel cycle facilities, and nuclear material processing requirements. These emerging fuel cycles will impact the technical implementation of safeguards, and they already raise questions about the applicability of current verification technologies. To address this issue, research is being performed to produce a detailed safeguards technology road map. It will include a needs assessment of the detection research and development (R&D;) necessary to transition the current safeguards technology toolkit to meet the verification needs of thorium fuel cycles, and to formulate the scientific basis for building new instrumentation to fill any potential capability gaps. The purpose of this technology road map is to define and inform on the safeguards technology needs for thorium fuel cycles, reflecting only the leading candidate thorium fuel cycles prioritized based on implementation timescales and the current direction of international programs. This work provides a guide to the priorities for future directed R&D; needed to bring the technology readiness levels (TRLs) of safeguards detection solutions in line with the higher TRLs of the most promising thorium fuel cycles. Herein, a summary is presented of thorium fuel cycle options and activities currently under way worldwide, which provides the technical basis for the needs evaluation. The key synergies and differences between these fuel cycles and current conventional uranium- and plutonium-based fuel cycles will be discussed from a nuclear material accountancy and detection standpoint. Reactor inventory calculations, fuel cycle simulations, and conclusions from the safeguards technology needs assessment will be presented, together with plans for experimental validation.

Worrall, Louise G.↗
DOE OSTI2023

Multi-Port Autonomous Reconfigurable Solar Power Plant

As the penetration level of power electronics increases and remote photovoltaic (PV) generation is integrated into the alternating current (ac) grid, the short-circuit ratio (SCR) at the point of interconnection of a hybrid PV–energy storage system (ESS) plant may be low. Additionally, the inertia of the alternating current (ac) grid may be low. The low SCRs and inertias can lead to reliability challenges in the power grid. These operating conditions require additional reinforcements, such as synchronous condensers, static var compensators, static synchronous compensators, and high-voltage direct current (HVdc) links/grids. HVdc links or grids may also provide the additional capability of connecting the plant to asynchronous grids and/or connecting asynchronous grids, among others. This scenario leads to discrete development of solar inverters, energy storage inverters, HVdc converters, and several transformers. Some of the problems associated with this discrete development and inverter-based generation include increased cost, lower reliability, and reduced efficiency associated with duplication of power electronics (PEs); competing controls of several individual discrete inverter-based generators due to the presence of multiple PEs, which leads to derating of the system; and transient stability problems arising from inverter-based generation, such as voltage/frequency events leading inverter shutdowns, voltage instability and control interactions in the formed weak grid, and harmonics caused by resonances of multiple inverters.

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗
DOE OSTI2019

Direct/Alternating Current Electrochemical Method for Removing and Recovering Heavy Metal from Water Using Graphene Oxide Electrode

Treatment of heavy-metal pollution in both point-of-use water and industrial wastewater is critical in protecting human health and the environment. Current methods for heavy-metal treatment in both sources have limitations. For point-of-use water, current methods usually suffer from limited capacity and difficulties in spontaneously removing multiple heavy metals. For industrial wastewater, current methods greatly reduce the value of heavy metal by precipitating them as sludge which requires further treatment. Here we developed an electrochemical method that can treat both low-concentration and high-concentration heavy-metal pollution using either direct current (DC) or alternating current (AC) electrodeposition with graphene-oxide-modified carbon felt electrode (CF-GO). The graphene oxide provides a high density of surface functional groups to assist the electrodeposition. The electrodeposition method showed 2 orders of magnitude higher capacity (>29 g heavy metal for 1 g of graphene oxide) compared with traditional adsorption methods. For low levels of heavy-metal pollution in point-of-use water, DC electrodeposition with a CF-GO electrode can reduce single heavy-metal ion pollution (Cu, Cd, and Pb) as well as multiple ion mixtures to below safe water drinking levels. This method can tolerate a much wider range of heavy-metal pollution in point-of-use water than traditional adsorption methods. For high-level pollution in industrial wastewater, AC electrodeposition can recover >99.9% heavy-metal ions. Finally, by tuning the AC frequency and voltage, the electrodeposition method can further selectively recover Cu, Cd, and Pb separately, which adds values to the heavy-metal removal process.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2016

Microscopic vertical orientation of nano-interspaced graphene architectures in deposit films as electrodes for enhanced supercapacitor performance

This paper reported a novel two-step process to fabricate high-performance supercapacitor films that contain microscale domains of nano-interspaced, re-stacked graphene sheets oriented perpendicular to the surface of current collector substrate, i.e., carbon fiber paper. In the two-step process, we first used ligand molecules to modify the surface of graphene oxide (GO) sheets and manipulate the interspacing between the re-stacked GO sheets. The ligand-modified GOs, i.e., m-GOs, were then reduced to obtain more conductive graphene (m-rGO), where X-ray diffraction measurement results indicated well-controlled interlayer spacing between the restacked m-rGO sheets up to 1 nm. The typical lateral dimension of the restacked m-rGO sheets were ~40 µm. Then, electrical field was introduced during m-rGO slurry deposition process to induce the vertical orientation of the m-rGO sheets/stacks in the film deposit. The direct current electrical field induced the orientation of the domains of m-rGO stacks along the direction perpendicular to the surface of deposit film, i.e., direction of electric field. Also, the applied electric field increased the interlayer spacing further, which should enhance the diffusion and accessibility of electrolyte ions. As compared with the traditionally deposited “control” films, the field-processed film deposits that contain oriented structure of graphene sheets/stacks have shown up to ~1.6 times higher values in capacitance (430 F/g at 0.5 A/g) and ~67% reduction in equivalent series resistance. Finally, the approach of using electric field to tailor the microscopic architecture of graphene-based deposit films is effective to fabricate film electrodes for high performance supercapacitors.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2025

EVSE Characterization: V2G EVSE Comparison

As part of the U.S. Department of Energy EVs@Scale consortium Next-Generation Profiles project, results and analysis from the characterization of high-power conductive and wireless charging infrastructure are presented. This characterization is conducted over a wide range of direct current (DC) current and DC voltage operation for nominal test conditions and off-nominal test conditions. Test plans and procedures were developed to define the test configurations and requirements, measurement parameters, and test procedures used throughout testing. Results from a 2024 study conducted on electric vehicle supply equipment (EVSE) characterization by the Idaho National Laboratory (INL) include two bi-directional vehicle-to-grid (V2G) capable EVSEs. These EVSE are referred to as V2G-EVSE9 and V2G-EVSE10. Laboratory testing is conducted at nominal test conditions to characterize the power transfer capabilities, efficiency, power factor, and other power quality metrics of the two DC EVSEs capable of V2G bi-directional power transfer. Results from testing show the performance is consistent for V2G-EVSE9 and V2G-EVSE10 when comparing charging to discharging performance, except for V2G-EVSE10 for power transfer when operating above 70% of the rated DC current. V2G-EVSE10 efficiency is >98% while charging and <91% while discharging at the same operating conditions, near maximum-rated current, at 300VDC. In contrast, V2G-EVSE9 results are consistent for charging and discharging. This EVSE is nearly 96% efficient while charging or discharging when operating over 50% of rated AC power. V2G EVSE performance is also characterized during off-nominal AC grid conditions involving AC voltage deviation (426 VAC to 518 VAC), AC frequency deviation of +2% (58.8 Hz to 61.2 Hz), and AC voltage harmonics injection. Many test conditions have little-to-no impact on performance characteristics of the two EVSEs; however, there are a few notable findings with significant power transfer capability impacts. AC voltage harmonics injection resulted in negative impacts on power quality attributes for both EVSEs, but with no impact on power transfer capability. Off-nominal AC voltage and frequency conditions resulted in unstable or lack of power transfer capability for both EVSEs. V2G-EVSE9 is unable to transfer power when AC voltage is >300V L-N. V2G-EVSE10 is unable to transfer power when AC frequency deviation exceeds +0.8%. V2G energy management system transient response and latency are quantified during laboratory testing. V2G-EVSE9 and V2G-EVSE10 utilize cloud-based V2G energy management systems that command the power transfer level between the EVSE and EV. The latency and response characteristics of the entire systems (web-based user interface, V2G energy management system, cellular communications, and EVSE response) are quantified through laboratory testing for V2G-EVSE9 and V2G-EVSE10. V2G-EVSE9 latency ranges from 0.8 to 1.8 seconds, whereas V2G-EVSE10 latency ranges from 3.4 to 8.8 seconds. The ramp rate to a change in power transfer request also differs between the two EVSEs. V2G-EVSE10 ramp rate ranges from 50% to -250% of rated AC power per second, whereas V2G-EVSE9 rate ranges from 95% to -95% of rated AC power per second. At the highest rate of change in power transfer, V2G-EVSE10 can change from full charge power to full discharge power in less than one second. The V2G EVSE characterization presented in this report provides valuable insights and results for use by numerous entities. This includes modeling and simulation organizations, decision makers, fleet planning, industry stakeholders, and many others involved with the development and deployment of electrified transportation technologies. Additional high-power DC chargers, bidirectional chargers, and inductive power transfer EVSE characterization results are anticipated from additional EVSE brands and models, which will be detailed in future publications in support of the U.S. Department of Energy EVs@Scale consortium Next-Gen Profiles project.

25 ENERGY STORAGE↗
NASA NTRS2016

Ion Demagnetization in the Magnetopause Current Layer Observed by MMS

We report ion velocity distribution functions (VDfs) observed by Magnetospheric Multiscale Mission (MMS) and present evidence for demagnetized ion Speiser motion during magnetopause reconnection. The demagnetization is observed in the vicinity of the X llne, as well as near the current sheet midlplane about tens of ion skin depths (d(sub 1)) away from the X line. Close to the X line before the outflow is built up, the VDFs are elongated, and the elongated part of VDFs rotates from the out-of-plane current direction toward the outflow directions downstream from the X line. Farther downstream, demagnetized ions exhibit a characteristic half-ring structure in the VDFs, as a result of the mixture of ions that have experienced different amounts of cyclotron turning around the magnetic field normal to the current sheet. Signatures of acceleration by electric fields are more pronounced in the VDFs near the X line than downstream.

Wang, Shan↗
DOE OSTI2021

Transition metal dichalcogenide monolayers in an ultrashort optical pulse: Femtosecond currents and anisotropic electron dynamics

We theoretically study the interaction of an ultrafast intense linearly polarized optical pulse with monolayers of transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDCs). Such a strong pulse redistributes electrons between the bands and generates femtosecond currents during the pulse. Due to the large bandwidth of the incident pulse, this process is completely an off-resonant. While in TMDCs, the time-reversal symmetry is conserved, the inversion symmetry is broken, and these monolayers have axial symmetry along the armchair direction but not along with the zigzag one. The pulse, polarized along with asymmetric directions of TMDC monolayer, generates both longitudinal, i.e., along the direction of polarization, and transverse, i.e., in the perpendicular direction, currents. Such currents result in charge transfer through the system. Finally, we study different TMDC materials and show how the femtosecond transport in TMDC monolayers depend on their parameters, such as lattice constant and bandgap.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗
DOE OSTI2025

Enhanced domain dynamics in alternating current poled rhombohedral Pb(Mg 1/3 Nb 2/3 )O 3 –PbTiO 3 single crystals

Abstract The understanding of domain dynamics in ferroelectric materials is crucial for optimizing their performance in piezoelectric and electro‐optic applications. Although previous studies have focused on static domain structures and macroscopic characteristics, the time‐resolved approach of domains remains largely unexplored. In this study, we compare the dynamic responses of direct current (DC) and alternating current (AC) poled [001]‐oriented rhombohedral Pb(Mg 1/3 Nb 2/3 )O 3 –PbTiO 3 (PMN–PT) single crystals using X‐ray photon correlation spectroscopy (XPCS) during the application of external electric fields. Our results demonstrate that the AC‐poled sample exhibit enhanced reconfiguration of domain variants in response to driving fields compared to the DC‐poled counterpart, as evidenced by accelerated correlation decay and faster relaxation time. This phenomenon is attributed to enhanced reversible domain wall motion achieved through AC poling, which facilitates field‐induced domain realignment. These findings provide insight into the relationship between dynamics and macroscopic properties in relaxor‐PT single crystals for high‐performance applications.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2015

The role of MHD in 3D aspects of massive gas injection

Simulations of massive gas injection for disruption mitigation in DIII-D are carried out to compare the toroidal peaking of radiated power for the cases of one and two gas jets. The radiation toroidal peaking factor (TPF) results from a combination of the distribution of impurities and the distribution of heat flux associated with the n = 1 mode. When we ignored the effects of strong uni-directional neutral beam injection and rotation present in the experiment, the injected impurities were found to spread helically along field lines preferentially toward the high-field-side, which is explained in terms of a nozzle equation. Thus when considering the plasma rest frame, reversing the current direction also reverses the toroidal direction of impurity spreading. During the pre-thermal quench phase of the disruption, the toroidal peaking of radiated power is reduced in a straightforward manner by increasing from one to two gas jets. But, during the thermal quench phase, reduction in the TPF is achieved only for a particular arrangement of the two gas valves with respect to the field line pitch. Particularly, the relationship between the two valve locations and the 1/1 mode phase is critical, where gas valve spacing that is coherent with 1/1 symmetry effectively reduces TPF.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2022

Macro Analysis to Estimate Electric Vehicles Fast-Charging Infrastructure Requirements in Small Urban Areas

Electric vehicles (EVs) are known to reduce emissions and fossil fuel dependency. However, the limited range, long charging time, and inadequate charging infrastructure have hampered the adoption of EVs. The current EV charging infrastructure planning studies and tools require detailed information, extensive resources, and skills that can be a significant barrier to urban areas for finding the required charging infrastructure to support a targeted EV market share. This study generates regression models to estimate the number of direct current fast charging stations and the chargers to support the EV charging demand for urban areas. These models provide macro-level estimates of the required infrastructure investment in urban areas, which can be easily implemented by policy-makers and city planners. This study incorporates data obtained from applying a disaggregate optimization-based charger placement model, developed recently by the same authors, for multiple case studies to generate the required data to calibrate the macro-level models, in the state of Michigan. This simulated data set includes the number of charging stations and chargers for each market share, technology advancement scenario, and the transportation network topology. The results show that the number of charging stations reduces with battery size and charging power and increases with EV market share and the road network lane length. The number of chargers reduces with charging power, whereas it increases with battery size, EV market share, and vehicle miles traveled in the system. The model developed here can be applied to any state having urban characteristics and weather conditions similar to Michigan.

Engineering↗
NASA NTRS1995

Current loop signal conditioning: Practical applications

This paper describes a variety of practical application circuits based on the current loop signal conditioning paradigm. Equations defining the circuit response are also provided. The constant current loop is a fundamental signal conditioning circuit concept that can be implemented in a variety of configurations for resistance-based transducers, such as strain gages and resistance temperature detectors. The circuit features signal conditioning outputs which are unaffected by extremely large variations in lead wire resistance, direct current frequency response, and inherent linearity with respect to resistance change. Sensitivity of this circuit is double that of a Wheatstone bridge circuit. Electrical output is zero for resistance change equals zero. The same excitation and output sense wires can serve multiple transducers. More application arrangements are possible with constant current loop signal conditioning than with the Wheatstone bridge.

Anderson, Karl F.↗