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At least 613 records · Page 34

Correlated Synthetic Time Series Generation using Fourier and ARMA

As the contribution of renewable energy grows in electricity markets, the complexity nuclear’s place within the energy mix increases, and likewise the need for robust simulation techniques. While decades of wind, solar, and demand pro- files can sometimes be obtained, this is too few samples to provide a statistically meaningful analysis of a system with baseload, peaker, and renewable generation. Synthetic time series generation presents itself as a suitable methodology to meet this need. One approach for synthetic series generation is training a model using Fourier series decomposition for seasonal patterns and Auto-Regressive Moving Average models (ARMA) to describe time-correlated statistical noise about the seasonal patterns. When combined, the Fourier plus ARMA (FARMA) model has been shown to provide an infinite set of independent, identically-distributed sample time series with the same statistical properties as the original data [1]. When considering an energy mix with renewable electricity production, several time series of energy, grid, and weather measurements are needed for each synthetic year modeled to statistically comprehend the efficiency of any given energy mix. These cannot be considered independent series in a given synthetic year. To capture and reproduce the correlations that might exist in the measured histories, the ARMA can further be extended as a Vector ARMA (VARMA). In the VARMA algorithm, covariance in statistical noise is captured both within a history as part of the autoregressive moving average, and with respect to the other variables in the time series. In this work the implementation of the Fourier VARMA in the RAVEN uncertainty quantification and risk analysis software framework [2] is presented, along with examples of correlated synthetic history generation.

97 MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTING↗

A view on the current and future impact of research reactors

Full text of publication follows. The current fleet of nuclear research reactors worldwide is nearly 70 years old. These reactors have proven to be extremely valuable tools of nuclear science and engineering with a broad and interdisciplinary impact. To date, research reactors are utilized as tools for understanding the physics, operations, and safety of nuclear fission systems. In addition, they are used as intense sources of radiation in support of irradiation testing and nondestructive examination of materials. As this fleet of reactors ages, an urgent need exists to establish new facilities that can propel the benefit of these reactors into the 21. century. In fact, an opportunity exists to build research reactors based on technology concepts that are being considered for nuclear energy reactors. This may include high temperature gas cooled and/or molten salt based advanced and micro reactor concepts. Such future reactors should be designed to maintain the broad utility of current reactors in research and education. However, modern research reactors can be purposefully designed and instrumented to access neutronic and thermal hydraulic information that would support the development and validation of reactor multi-physics modeling and simulation techniques. In this case, the entire phenomenological paradigm of the reactor may be captured to understand the neutronic multiscale and its impact on operations and safety. Moreover, the generated data can be channeled to drive anticipatory examination of the state of the reactor. In general, a symbiotic relation may be envisioned between the modern research reactor and power reactor fleets, which could facilitate the safe and efficient implementation of clean nuclear energy. (author)

21 SPECIFIC NUCLEAR REACTORS AND ASSOCIATED PLANTS↗

Improving The Simulation Of Muons In The Rock Around The NOvA Near Detector

This thesis investigates the viability of the PROPOSAL lepton propagation tool as an alternative to the commonly used GEANT4 simulation for muon propagation within the NOvA experiment. The main objectives of this research were twofold: first, to validate the accuracy of PROPOSAL data in simulating rock muons when compared to GEANT4 data; second, to explore the practical application of transporting cosmic muons through the NOvA rock region using PROPOSAL. Additionally, an 1D analysis was conducted to determine the optimal altitude at which to hand over the simulation task from PROPOSAL to GEANT4, should we choose to use PROPOSAL for rock simulations and GEANT4 for detector simulations in the NOvA experiment. By thoroughly examining these aspects, this study aims to contribute to the advancement of muon simulation techniques and their implementation in high-energy experiments such as NOvA.

Parvez, Radwan↗

Thermal Performance of Spandrel Assemblies in Glazed Wall Systems: Laboratory Test Design – Challenges and Test Results

Accurate thermal performance calculation procedures for opaque spandrel areas in curtain wall and window wall systems are essential for rating systems when comparing spandrel systems. However, there is a lack of consensus in thermal modeling needed for accurately characterizing heat transfer through spandrel assemblies due to the complex arrangement of materials and structural components. Several studies indicate that conventional 2D thermal simulations may overestimate R-values by 30% compared to physical testing and 3D simulations. Detailed simulations and well-curated laboratory test data are necessary to build confidence in simulation models, which will later be used to develop correlations to improve widely used conventional 2D thermal simulations. This study aims to experimentally test heat transfer through various spandrel assemblies to validate 3D simulation models. Also, the challenges of conducting a thorough testing design along with the solutions would be documented. The team developed a design for testing spandrel assemblies, making appropriate modifications to the existing heat, air, and moisture (HAM) chamber to accommodate the testing needs. Two moveable baffles were designed and fabricated to guide airflow direction parallel to the test article surface. The data acquisition capabilities in the chamber were upgraded to add more than two hundred sensors to the climate and indoor side of the chamber. The goal is to provide a quality dataset for validating complex 3D modeling simulations, which will be used to develop improved thermal simulation techniques that more accurately represent the thermal behavior of spandrel assemblies and their integration within the building envelope. This paper will summarize the results for the boundary conditions of the testing and the temperature variation across different locations of the spandrel assemblies.

Kunwar, Niraj [ORNL] (ORCID:0000000263457652)↗

Apparatus and method for dynamic acousto-elasticity technique measurements at simulated subsurface pressures

An apparatus (10) and method for performing nonlinear elasticity measurements using the dynamic acousto-elasticity technique (DAET) at simulated subsurface conditions in the laboratory, are described. The current state-of-the-art for measuring nonlinear elasticity parameters using DAET is limited to ambient pressure conditions on the bench-top. The present invention permits nonlinear parameter measurements at controlled sample internal fluid pore pressures (52) and external confining stress (44), (50) conditions.

Roberts, Peter M.↗

Water immersion reduced-gravity simulation.

Water immersion technique to simulate zero and partial gravity conditions for investigation of astronaut capability to execute extravehicular work procedures

Bruchey, W. J., Jr.↗

Techniques for Binary Black Hole Simulations

Recent advances in techniques for numerical simulation of black hole systems have enabled dramatic progress in astrophysical applications. Our approach to these simulations, which includes new gauge conditions for moving punctures, AMR, and specific tools for analyzing black hole simulations, has been applied to a variety of black hole configurations, typically resulting in simulations lasting several orbits. I will discuss these techniques, what we've learned in applications, and outline some areas for further development.

Baker, John G.↗

A new technique for ground simulation of hypervelocity debris

A series of hypervelocity damage experiments were preformed on spacecraft materials. These experiments employed a technique which accelerates micro flyer plates simulating space debris traveling at 3 to 8 km/sec. The apparatus used to propel the micro flyer plates was compact and fit well into a space environmental chamber equipped with instrumentation capable of analyzing the vapor ejected from the sample. Mechanical damage to the sample was also characterized using optical and scanning electron microscpopy. Data for this work was obtained from hypervelocity impacts on a polysulfone resin and a graphite polysulfone composite. Polysulfone was selected because it was flown on the Long Duration Exposure Facility (LDEF) which spent several years in low earth orbit (LEO). Chemistry of the vapor produced by the impact was analyzed with a time of flight mass spectrometer, (TOFMS). This represents the first time that ejected vapors from hypervelocity collisions were trapped and analyzed with a mass spectrometer. With this approach we are able to study changes in the vapor chemistry as a function of time after impact, obtain a velocity measurement of the vapor, and estimate a temperature of the surface at time of impact using dynamic gas equations. Samples of the vapor plume may be captured and examined by transmission electron microscopy. Studies were also conducted to determine mechanical damage to a graphite polysulfone composite and a polysulfone resin. Impact craters were examined under optical and scanning electron microscopes. The collision craters in the matrix were typical of those shown in conventional shock experiments. However, the hypervelocity collisions with the graphite polysulfone composite were remarkably different than those with the resin.

Roybal, R.↗

Quantitative Technique for Comparing Simulant Materials through Figures of Merit

The 1989 workshop report entitled Workshop on Production and Uses of Simulated Lunar Materials and the Lunar Regolith Simulant Materials: Recommendations for Standardization, Production, and Usage, NASA Technical Publication both identified and reinforced a need for a set of standards and requirements for the production and usage of the Lunar simulant materials. As NASA prepares to return to the Moon, and set out to Mars, a set of early requirements have been developed for simulant materials and the initial methods to produce and measure those simulants have been defined. Addressed in the requirements document are: 1) a method for evaluating the quality of any simulant of a regolith, 2) the minimum characteristics for simulants of Lunar regolith, and 3) a method to produce simulants needed for NASA's Exploration mission. As an extension of the requirements document a method to evaluate new and current simulants has been rigorously defined through the mathematics of Figures of Merit (FoM). Requirements and techniques have been developed that allow the simulant provider to compare their product to a standard reference material through Figures of Merit. Standard reference material may be physical material such as the Apollo core samples or material properties predicted for any landing site. The simulant provider is not restricted to providing a single "high fidelity" simulant, which may be costly to produce. The provider can now develop "lower fidelity" simulants for engineering applications such as drilling and mobility applications.

Rickman, Doug↗

Understanding Microstructural Evolution During Rapid Heat Treatment of Microalloyed Steels Through Computational Modeling, Advanced Physical Simulation, and Multiscale Characterization Techniques

An AISI 1045 steel modified with vanadium (V) and niobium (Nb) was studied to evaluate microstructural conditioning prior to and throughout a rapid heat treat process. In order to accomplish this, both computational and physical simulation techniques have been employed with the goal of assessing the microstructural evolution in a medium-carbon bar steel during the rapid austenitization and quenching procedures involved in an induction hardening process. The appropriate thermal profiles for induction hardening were obtained through finite element modeling using Flux 2D software. Physical simulations of the induction hardening process were carried out using a Gleeble{sup ®} 3500. Analysis of prior austenite grain size is complemented by observation of nanoscale carbonitride precipitation via transmission electron microscopy, scanning transmission electron microscopy, and high-energy synchrotron small-angle x-ray scattering. Through a combination of characterization techniques, this study presents a deeper understanding of nano- and microstructural changes occurring in a microalloyed steel during an induction hardening process.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

GSFC Space Simulation Laboratory Contamination Philosophy: Efficient Space Simulation Chamber Cleaning Techniques

This paper will provide a general overview of the molecular contamination philosophy of the Space Simulation Test Engineering Section and how the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC) space simulation laboratory controls and maintains the cleanliness of all its facilities, thereby, minimizing down time between tests. It will also briefly cover the proper selection and safety precautions needed when using some chemical solvents for wiping, washing, or spraying thermal shrouds when molecular contaminants increase to unacceptable background levels.

Roman, Juan A.↗

Description of a computer program and numerical techniques for developing linear perturbation models from nonlinear systems simulations

A numerical technique was developed which generates linear perturbation models from nonlinear aircraft vehicle simulations. The technique is very general and can be applied to simulations of any system that is described by nonlinear differential equations. The computer program used to generate these models is discussed, with emphasis placed on generation of the Jacobian matrices, calculation of the coefficients needed for solving the perturbation model, and generation of the solution of the linear differential equations. An example application of the technique to a nonlinear model of the NASA terminal configured vehicle is included.

Dieudonne, J. E.↗

Review of sonic-boom simulation devices and techniques.

Research on aircraft-generated sonic booms has led to the development of special techniques to generate controlled sonic-boom-type disturbances without the complications and expense of supersonic flight operations. This paper contains brief descriptions of several of these techniques along with the significant hardware items involved and indicates the advantages and disadvantages of each in research applications. Included are wind tunnels, ballistic ranges, spark discharges, piston phones, shock tubes, high-speed valve systems, and shaped explosive charges. Specialized applications include sonic-boom generation and propagation studies and the responses of structures, terrain, people, and animals. Situations for which simulators are applicable are shown to include both small-scale and large-scale laboratory tests and full-scale field tests. Although no one approach to simulation is ideal, the various techniques available generally complement each other to provide desired capability for a broad range of sonic-boom studies.

Edge, P. M., Jr.↗

Direct simulation Monte Carlo technique for modeling of the environment in the vicinity of the Space Shuttle Orbiter

A program for analyzing the flowfield parameters in the neighborhood of the Space Shuttle Orbiter has been developed. The program uses the direct simulation Monte Carlo method, which is a completely probabilistic Monte Carlo technique capable of analyzing 3-dimensional steady or unsteady flow with prescribed internal and external boundary conditions. The freestream flux densities incident on the external flowfield boundaries are calculated from the drifting Maxwellian gas properties of the freestream. The flux entering the flowfield from the internal boundary is calculated from the outgassing flux density distribution over the Shuttle external surface and the prescribed discrete source fluxes. This technique produces a numerical flowfield solution which is the probabilistic equivalent of a complete solution of the time-dependent, 3-dimensional Boltzmann equation. Flowfield results are presented for the following configurations: (1) Shuttle angles of attack of 0 and 90 deg, (2) freestream density 10 to the 9th - 10 to the 11th per cu cm, (3) Shuttle outgassing flux density, and (4) operation of the aft downfiring vernier Reaction Control System (RCS) engine. Results are presented for column density distribution of outgassed and engine species and for the flux density of outgassed and engine species incident on the Shuttle bay and the windshield.

Melfi, L. T., Jr.↗

Convective and radiative heat transfer during reentry and advanced techniques for their simulation

The use of shock tubes, ballistic ranges, and combinations thereof in simulation of convective and radiative heat loads has been described. The complementary nature and the highly independent techniques used in these facilities lend great strength to the research results where they agree. The shortcomings of these facilities are such that, if possible, both should be applied to important problems. When all-out performance is required, the combination of the two can clearly provide advantages. That these advantages are becoming more widely recognized is demonstrated by the construction of new faculties at Arnold Engineering Development Center and Boeing Company, Seattle, similar to those in service at Ames Research Center since the late 1950's.

Radiative Heat Transfer↗

Extension of the Viscous Collision Limiting Direct Simulation Monte Carlo Technique to Multiple Species

There are many flows fields that span a wide range of length scales where regions of both rarefied and continuum flow exist and neither direct simulation Monte Carlo (DSMC) nor computational fluid dynamics (CFD) provide the appropriate solution everywhere. Recently, a new viscous collision limited (VCL) DSMC technique was proposed to incorporate effects of physical diffusion into collision limiter calculations to make the low Knudsen number regime normally limited to CFD more tractable for an all-particle technique. This original work had been derived for a single species gas. The current work extends the VCL-DSMC technique to gases with multiple species. Similar derivations were performed to equate numerical and physical transport coefficients. However, a more rigorous treatment of determining the mixture viscosity is applied. In the original work, consideration was given to internal energy non-equilibrium, and this is also extended in the current work to chemical non-equilibrium.

Liechty, Derek S.↗