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At least 595 records · Page 33

Aeroacoustic Study of a Subscale Large Civil Transport (STAR) Model – Part 1: Simulations

Results from a computational aeroacoustic study of the Subsonic Transport Aeroacoustic Research (STAR) model are presented. The model, a 26%-scale semispan Boeing 777-200 aircraft, was an inceptive configuration in a comprehensive simulation campaign to accurately predict the airframe noise of a full-scale, large civil transport during landing. The lengthy process of obtaining a high-fidelity, CFD-ready, vetted, digital representation of the model is described in detail. The simulations were performed with the STAR model installed in the NASA Ames 40- by 80-foot full-scale wind tunnel to enable direct comparisons with aerodynamic and acoustic measurements of the model, presented separately in Part 2 of the study. Two versions of the wind tunnel test section were considered. The entire test section was used to simulate the aerodynamic behavior of the model; an open-wall representation of the section was adopted during the acoustic simulations to eliminate wall reflections. To preserve the aerodynamic equivalency of the model for the two simulated tunnel configurations, the open-wall computations were executed at an angle-of-attack one degree higher than that of the corresponding closed-wall tunnel. The effect on aerodynamic behavior of several minor geometry alterations necessary to con-form the simulated to the tested model was assessed – the modifications considerably altered the strength and extent of a flow separation zone on the inboard segment of the flap. Also evaluated was the impact of spatial resolution on aerodynamic and acoustic characteristics of the model – in general, medium resolution was sufficient to establish convergence trends for averaged surface pressure behavior and proper localization of noise sources. After the aeroacoustic characteristics of the baseline configuration were predicted, a toboggan-shaped fairing designed to reduce main landing gear noise was evaluated computationally. Far-field noise spectra for the baseline and toboggan-equipped STAR model were calculated via a Ffowcs-Williams and Hawkings integral approach, with flow quantities on a permeable data surface enclosing the source regions used as input. Results from the simulations indicated that, while the fairing reduced gear noise in the near-field, it had a negligible effect on the far-field noise signature of the model. This trend agreed with previously published experimental results obtained during sub-scale, isolated gear tests and full-scale flight tests

airframe noise↗

Utah FORGE 2-2446: Closing the Loop Between In-situ Stress Complexity and EGS Fracture Complexity - Workshop Presentation

This is a presentation on the Closing the Loop Between In-situ Stress Complexity and EGS Fracture Complexity project by Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, presented by Dr. Matteo Cusini. The project's objective was to employ a combination of high-fidelity simulations and true-triaxial block fracturing tests at high temperature to explore the intricate relationship between in-situ stress and hydraulic fracture patterns and better characterize the in-situ stress at Utah FORGE. This presentation was featured in the Utah FORGE R&D Annual Workshop on September 7, 2023. The workshop provided a valuable opportunity to explore the progress made in each of the 17 Research and Development projects funded under Solicitation 2020-1 which aim to enhance our understanding of the crucial factors influencing the development of Enhanced Geothermal Systems (EGS) reservoirs and resources.

15 GEOTHERMAL ENERGY↗

X-33 Integrated Test Facility Extended Range Simulation

In support of the X-33 single-stage-to-orbit program, NASA Dryden Flight Research Center was selected to provide continuous range communications of the X-33 vehicle from launch at Edwards Air Force Base, California, through landing at Malmstrom Air Force Base Montana, or at Michael Army Air Field, Utah. An extensive real-time range simulation capability is being developed to ensure successful communications with the autonomous X-33 vehicle. This paper provides an overview of various levels of simulation, integration, and test being developed to support the X-33 extended range subsystems. These subsystems include the flight termination system, L-band command uplink subsystem, and S-band telemetry downlink subsystem.

Sharma, Ashley↗

Advances in the computation of transonic separated flows over finite wings

The transonic flow around a low-aspect-ratio infinite wing in a wind tunnel is investigated by means of numerical simulations, with a focus on shock-induced separated flows. A coarse global grid with far-field boundaries matching those of the test section is subdivided into zones: the flow in the clustered zones near the wing is analyzed by solving the Reynolds-averaged Navier-Stokes equations, while that farther from the wing is modeled with the Euler equations. The results are presented graphically, and it is shown that a mushroomlike separated flow with two counterrotating vortices can be simulated when the correct shock strength is imposed (by careful selection of the artificial dissipation, the boundary conditions, the grid refinement, the algebraic turbulence model, and the geometry representation).

Kaynak, Unver↗

The Wide-Field Imaging Interferometry Testbed (WIIT): Recent Progress in the Simulation and Synthesis of WIIT Data

The Wide-field Imaging Interferometry Testbed (WIIT) is a double Fourier (DF) interferometer operating at optical wavelengths, and provides data that are highly representative of those from a space-based far-infrared interferometer like SPIRIT. This testbed has been used to measure both a geometrically simple test scene and an astronomically representative test scene. Here we present the simulation of recent WIIT measurements using FIInS (the Far-infrared Interferometer Instrument Simulator), the main goal of which is to simulate both the input and the output of a DFM system. FIInS has been modified to perform calculations at optical wavelengths and to include an extended field of view due to the presence of a detector array.

Juanola Parramon, Roser↗

Magnetic Field Effects on Convection and Solidification in Normal and Microgravity

It has been well understood that convective flows induced by g-jitter forces associated with spacecraft are responsible for defects formation and irregularity in product quality during melt growth of single crystals in microgravity. This research is concerned about numerical simulations and experimental measurements for the purpose of developing a fundamental understanding of the g-jitter induced fluid flows and their effects on solidification in microgravity with and without the presence of additional damping forces that are derived from the applied DC magnetic fields. The numerical models include both 2-D and 3-D transient fluid flow, heat transfer, mass transfer and solidification under the combined action of g-jitter and magnetic fields. Numerical simulations using both the 2-D and 3-D models are conducted for both idealized, synthesized and real g-jitter forces, and 2-D simulations are tested against the experimental measurements taken on the thermal oscillator. 2-D solidification models have also been developed and simulations are conducted. Results show that the numerical model predictions compare well with the measurements. Analysis of these results illustrates that an applied magnetic field can have a drastic influence on the convective flows induced by g-jitter and can be particularly useful to suppress the effects resulting from the spiking of g-jitter signatures, which are considered the most detrimental effects on quality of crystals grown in space. Work in progress includes developing 3-D numerical models for solidification phenomena with the presence of both g-jitter and magnetic fields and measurements of flow fluid and its effect on solidification in both transparent fluid and low melting point melts to verify numerical predictions.

Li, Ben Q.↗

Test data from solid propellant plume aerodynamics test program in Ames 6 x 6 foot supersonic wind tunnel (shuttle test FA7) (Ames test 033-66)

The aerodynamic effects of plumes from hot combustion gases in the presence of a transonic external flow field were measured to advance plumes simulation technology, extend a previously acquired data base, and provide data to compare with the effects observed using cold gas plumes. A variety of underexpanded plumes issuing from the base of a strut-mounted ogive-cylinder body were produced by combusting solid propellant gas generators. The gas generator fired in a short-duration mode (200 to 300 msec). Propellants containing 16 percent and 2 percent A1 were used, with chamber pressures from 400 to 1800 psia. Conical nozzles of 15 deg half-angle were tested with area ratios of 4 and 8. Pressures were measured in the gas generator combustion chamber, along the nozzle wall, on the base, and along the body rear exterior. Schlieren photographs were taken for all tests. Test data are presented along with a description of the test setup and procedures.

Hair, L. M.↗

Calibration tests on magnetic tape lightning current detectors

The low cost, passive, peak lightning current detector (LCD) invented at the NASA/Kennedy Space Center, uses magnetic audio recording tape to sense the magnitude of the peak magnetic field around a conductor carrying lightning currents. Test results show that the length of audio tape erased was linearly related to the peak simulated lightning currents in a round conductor. Accuracies of + or - 10% were shown for measurements made using a stopwatch readout technique to determine the amount of tape erased by the lightning current. The stopwatch technique is a simple, low cost means of obtaining LCD readouts and can be used in the field to obtain immediate results. Where more accurate data are desired, the tape is played and the output recorded on a strip chart, oscilloscope, or some other means so that measurements can be made on that recording. Conductor dimensions, tape holder dimensions, and tape formulation must also be considered to obtain a more accurate result. If the shape of the conductor is other than circular (i.e., angle, channel, H-beam), an analysis of the magnetic field is required to use an LCD, especially at low current levels.

Crouch, K. E.↗

A deep learning-based workflow for fast prediction of 3D state variables in geological carbon storage: A dimension reduction approach

Deep learning (DL) models are extensively used as surrogate models for high-fidelity simulations of multiphase fluid flow in porous media at large scales, enabling fast forecasts of the spatial–temporal evolution of three-dimensional (3D) state variables in geological carbon storage (GCS). However, training these models in high-dimensional space remains computationally demanding and prone to overfitting because of limited training data. This paper presents a novel workflow to address these challenges by integrating dimension reduction (DR) methods. Here, the proposed workflow employed pre-trained DR models to extract the latent variables of geological models and state variables and utilized the multi-layer perceptron (MLP) for constructing mapping functions between the input and output variables in latent spaces. Subsequently, the pre-trained reconstruction models converted the MLP-predicted latent state variables to their original high-dimensional form. Furthermore, we proposed a novel strategy for the DR and reconstruction of 3D saturation fields to account for the unique data characteristics of sparsity, nonuniformity, and discontinuity. The proposed strategy applied PCA and inverse PCA for 2D average saturation fields and developed a DL-based 3D reconstruction model, leveraging three 2D average saturation fields as input to produce a 3D saturation field as output. The pre-training of DR and reconstruction models and training of MLP models were conducted on 84 Gulf of Mexico (GoM) simulations and evaluated on 12 testing simulations. Each simulation contained 720 monthly time steps, with the first 360 months as the injection period and the rest as the post-injection period. The proposed workflow, incorporating DR and DL models, accurately predicts the normalized 3D pressure fields, achieving mean square error (MSE) of 2.92 × 10 -7 compared to the ground truth obtained from a full-physics simulator. Furthermore, the proposed strategy outperformed PCA and convolutional autoencoder (CAE) models on 3D saturation fields, resulting in minor workflow prediction errors with an MSE of 2.93 × 10 -5 . The results suggest the proposed workflow provides sufficient predictive fidelity across temporal and spatial scales, and enables a speedup of 160 times compared to the full-physics simulator, facilitating improved decision-making and risk assessment for large-scale GCS management in real-time scenarios.

3D reconstruction model↗

On Distribution Grid Optimal Power Flow Development and Integration

Due to changes in electric distribution grid operation, new operation regimes have been recommended. Distribution grid optimal power flow (DOPF) has received tremendous attention in the research community, yet it has not been fully adopted across the utility industry. Our paper recognizes this problem and suggests a development and integration procedure for DOPF. We propose development of DOPF as a three step procedure of 1) processing the grid, 2) obtaining a tractable solution, and 3) implementing multiple solution algorithms and benchmarking them to improve application reliability. For the integration of DOPF, we demonstrate how a DOPF federate may be developed that can be integrated in a co-simulation environment to mimic the real-world conditions and hence improve its practicality to be deployed in the field. To demonstrate the efficacy of the proposed methods, tests on IEEE 123 bus system are performed where the usage of tractable formulation in DOPF algorithm development and its comparison to the benchmark solution are demonstrated.

Hanif, Sarmad↗

Proxy-Based Bayesian Inversion Of Poroelastic Simulations To Interpret Strain Tensor Data Measured During Well Testing

The long runtimes of 3D poroelastic numerical simulators makes it impractical to interpret deformation datasets using many inversion schemes. Recent advances in instrumentation have made it possible to measure the strain tensor during well testing, but the lack of robust inversion methods is limiting the ability to interpret these data. We have developed an inversion workflow that reduces the number of computations required to complete a Bayesian inversion using DREAMzs. The workflow trains a KNN model using output from the poroelastic simulator, and then uses the KNN model as a proxy for the simulator during inversion. The workflow also includes a strategy for ensuring the results from the proxy model converge to the results from the simulator, ensuring the accuracy of the final results. An idealized example configured to represent a well test in a deep aquifer is used to verify that the workflow correctly identifies parameters and characterizes noise. Field data measured using strainmeters during an injection test at an oil reservoir in Oklahoma are used to evaluate performance with a real dataset. The workflow identified 265 history matching solutions out of 1240 total simulation runs (21% acceptance ratio), and the results are used to characterize posterior parameter distribution and evaluate the prediction uncertainty. This approach makes it feasible to invert strain data measured during well testing and this has the potential to improve the characterization of aquifers and reservoirs.

Roudini, Soheil↗

J-85 jet engine noise measured in the ONERA S1 wind tunnel and extrapolated to far field

Noise from a J-85 turbojet with a conical, convergent nozzle was measured in simulated flight in the ONERA S1 Wind Tunnel. Data are presented for several flight speeds up to 130 m/sec and for radiation angles of 40 to 160 degrees relative to the upstream direction. The jet was operated with subsonic and sonic exhaust speeds. A moving microphone on a 2 m sideline was used to survey the radiated sound field in the acoustically treated, closed test section. The data were extrapolated to a 122 m sideline by means of a multiple-sideline source-location method, which was used to identify the acoustic source regions, directivity patterns, and near field effects. The source-location method is described along with its advantages and disadvantages. Results indicate that the effects of simulated flight on J-85 noise are significant. At the maximum forward speed of 130 m/sec, the peak overall sound levels in the aft quadrant were attentuated approximately 10 dB relative to sound levels of the engine operated statically. As expected, the simulated flight and static data tended to merge in the forward quadrant as the radiation angle approached 40 degrees. There is evidence that internal engine or shock noise was important in the forward quadrant. The data are compared with published predictions for flight effects on pure jet noise and internal engine noise. A new empirical prediction is presented that relates the variation of internally generated engine noise or broadband shock noise to forward speed. Measured near field noise extrapolated to far field agrees reasonably well with data from similar engines tested statically outdoors, in flyover, in a wind tunnel, and on the Bertin Aerotrain. Anomalies in the results for the forward quadrant and for angles above 140 degrees are discussed. The multiple-sideline method proved to be cumbersome in this application, and it did not resolve all of the uncertainties associated with measurements of jet noise close to the jet. The simulation was complicated by wind-tunnel background noise and the propagation of low frequency sound around the circuit.

Soderman, Paul T.↗

Evaluation of Nuclear Spent Fuel Disposal in Clay-Bearing Rock - Process Model Development and Experimental Studies

This report represents the milestone deliverable M2SF-23SN010301072 “Evaluation of Nuclear Spent Fuel Disposal in Clay-Bearing Rock - Process Model Development and Experimental Studies” The report provides a status update of FY23 activities for the work package Argillite Disposal work packages for the DOE-NE Spent Fuel Waste Form Science and Technology (SFWST) Program. Clay-rich geological media (often referred as shale or argillite) are among the most abundant type of sedimentary rock near the Earth’s surface. Argillaceous rock formations have the following advantageous attributes for deep geological nuclear waste disposal: widespread geologic occurrence, found in stable geologic settings, low permeability, self-sealing properties, low effective diffusion coefficient, high sorption capacity, and have the appropriate depth and thickness to host nuclear waste repository concepts. The DOE R&D program under the Spent Fuel Waste Science Technology (SFWST) campaign has made key progress (through experiment, modeling, and testing) in the study of chemical and physical phenomena that could impact the long-term safety assessment of heat-generating nuclear waste disposition in clay/shale/argillaceous rock. International collaboration activities comprising field-scale heater tests, field data monitoring, and laboratory-scale experiments provide key information on changes to the engineered barrier system (EBS) material exposed high thermal loads. Moreover, consideration of direct disposal of large capacity dual-purpose canisters (DPCs) as part of the back-end SNF waste disposition strategy has generated interest in improving our understanding of the effects of elevated temperatures on the engineered barrier system (EBS) design concepts. Chemical and structural analyses of sampled bentonite material from laboratory tests at elevated temperatures are key to the characterization of thermal effects affecting bentonite clay barrier performance. The knowledge provided by these experiments is crucial to constrain the extent of sacrificial zones in the EBS design during the thermal period. Thermal, hydrologic, mechanical, and chemical (THMC) data collected from heater tests and laboratory experiments have been used in the development, validation, and calibration of THMC simulators to model near-field coupled processes. This information leads to the development of simulation approaches to assess issues on coupled processes involving porous media flow, transport, geomechanical phenomena, chemical interactions with barrier/geologic materials, and the development of EBS concepts. These lines of knowledge are central to the design of deep geological backfilled repository concepts where temperature plays a key role in the EBS behavior, potential interactions with host rock, and long-term performance in the safety assessment.

11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS↗

Development of the propulsion simulator - A test tool applicable to V/STOL configurations

A turbine engine multi-mission propulsion simulator, capable of representing inlet/airframe/nozzle flowfield interactions for supersonic V/STOL aircraft wind tunnel models, is described. The propulsion simulator replaces conventional aero flow-through and jet effects models with a single model; flow field interactions modeled by the simulator may include close-coupled inlets and nozzles, non-axisymmetric vectoring exhaust nozzles, and forward canards mounted near the inlets and wings. Wind tunnel tests of the simulation system at Mach numbers up to 1.2 are reported for a model typical of a F-15 aircraft installation. The possibility of applying the simulator to advanced V/STOL design programs is also discussed.

Eigenmann, M. F.↗

Wave Energy Power Take-off Validation with a Hydraulicly Actuated Rotary Dynamometer and a Bi-Directional High-Power DC Supply

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

dynamometer↗

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

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

dynamometer↗

Use of High-Resolution WRF Simulations to Forecast Lightning Threat

Recent observational studies have confirmed the existence of a robust statistical relationship between lightning flash rates and the amount of large precipitating ice hydrometeors aloft in storms. This relationship is exploited, in conjunction with the capabilities of cloud-resolving forecast models such as WRF, to forecast explicitly the threat of lightning from convective storms using selected output fields from the model forecasts. The simulated vertical flux of graupel at -15C and the shape of the simulated reflectivity profile are tested in this study as proxies for charge separation processes and their associated lightning risk. Our lightning forecast method differs from others in that it is entirely based on high-resolution simulation output, without reliance on any climatological data. short [6-8 h) simulations are conducted for a number of case studies for which three-dmmensional lightning validation data from the North Alabama Lightning Mapping Array are available. Experiments indicate that initialization of the WRF model on a 2 km grid using Eta boundary conditions, Doppler radar radial velocity fields, and METAR and ACARS data y&eld satisfactory simulations. __nalyses of the lightning threat fields suggests that both the graupel flux and reflectivity profile approaches, when properly calibrated, can yield reasonable lightning threat forecasts, although an ensemble approach is probably desirable in order to reduce the tendency for misplacement of modeled storms to hurt the accuracy of the forecasts. Our lightning threat forecasts are also compared to other more traditional means of forecasting thunderstorms, such as those based on inspection of the convective available potential energy field.

McCaul, E. W., Jr.↗