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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.

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At least 811 records · Page 45
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2016

A Lyapunov Function Based Remedial Action Screening Tool Using Real-Time Data

This report summarizes the outcome of a research project that comprised the development of a Lyapunov function based remedial action screening tool using real-time data (L-RAS). The L-RAS is an advanced computational tool that is intended to assist system operators in making real-time redispatch decisions to preserve power grid stability. The tool relies on screening contingencies using a homotopy method based on Lyapunov functions to avoid, to the extent possible, the use of time domain simulations. This enables transient stability evaluation at real-time speed without the use of massively parallel computational resources. The project combined the following components. 1. Development of a methodology for contingency screening using a homotopy method based on Lyapunov functions and real-time data. 2. Development of a methodology for recommending remedial actions based on the screening results. 3. Development of a visualization and operator interaction interface. 4. Testing of screening tool, validation of control actions, and demonstration of project outcomes on a representative real system simulated on a Real-Time Digital Simulator (RTDS) cluster. The project was led by Michigan State University (MSU), where the theoretical models including homotopy-based screening, trajectory correction using real-time data, and remedial action were developed and implemented in the form of research-grade software. Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) contributed to the development of energy margin sensitivity dynamics, which constituted a part of the remedial action portfolio. Florida State University (FSU) and Southern California Edison (SCE) developed a model of the SCE system that was implemented on FSU's RTDS cluster to simulate real-time data that was streamed over the internet to MSU where the L-RAS tool was executed and remedial actions were communicated back to FSU to execute stabilizing controls on the simulated system. LCG Consulting developed the visualization and operator interaction interface, based on specifications provided by MSU. The project was performed from October 2012 to December 2016, at the end of which the L-RAS tool, as described above, was completed and demonstrated. The project resulted in the following innovations and contributions: (a) the L-RAS software prototype, tested on a simulated system, vetted by utility personnel, and potentially ready for wider testing and commercialization; (b) an RTDS-based test bed that can be used for future research in the field; (c) a suite of breakthrough theoretical contributions to the field of power system stability and control; and (d) a new tool for visualization of power system stability margins. While detailed descriptions of the development and implementation of the various project components have been provided in the quarterly reports, this final report provides an overview of the complete project, and is demonstrated using public domain test systems commonly used in the literature. The SCE system, and demonstrations thereon, are not included in this report due to Critical Energy Infrastructure Information (CEII) restrictions.

24 POWER TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION↗
DOE OSTI2024

Development of Whole System Digital Twins for Advanced Reactors: Leveraging Graph Neural Networks and SAM Simulations

Here, in this work, we introduce a novel method to develop whole system digital twins (DTs) for advanced nuclear reactors. This method treats a complex reactor system as a heterogeneous graph: with the system components as different types of graph nodes and their physical interconnections as edges. Based on the heterogeneous graph, a graph neural network combining graph convolution and temporal node attention is developed as the DT, facilitating a comprehensive understanding of the system's dynamic behavior. By utilizing the System Analysis Module (SAM) code for simulating various operational transients, we develop a graph-based database that trains the DT. This DT is characterized by two primary functions: It can infer the entire system's status using sparse node information, and it can predict the progress of transients based on current and historical system information. Our approach is validated through case studies on the Experimental Breeder Reactor II (EBR-II) system and a generic Fluoride-salt-cooled High-temperature Reactor (gFHR), demonstrating the DT's accuracy in forecasting operational transients. The DT's rapid computation capabilities enhance its potential for supporting advanced reactor operations, offering benefits in intelligent simulation, autonomous control, and anomaly detection, paving the way for improved safety analysis and intelligent component health management for advanced reactor systems and reducing their operations and maintenance cost.

EBR-II↗
DOE OSTI2016

Large-eddy simulation, fuel rod vibration and grid-to-rod fretting in pressurized water reactors

Grid-to-rod fretting (GTRF) in pressurized water reactors is a flow-induced vibration phenomenon that results in wear and fretting of the cladding material on fuel rods. GTRF is responsible for over 70% of the fuel failures in pressurized water reactors in the United States. Predicting the GTRF wear and concomitant interval between failures is important because of the large costs associated with reactor shutdown and replacement of fuel rod assemblies. The GTRF-induced wear process involves turbulent flow, mechanical vibration, tribology, and time-varying irradiated material properties in complex fuel assembly geometries. This paper presents a new approach for predicting GTRF induced fuel rod wear that uses high-resolution implicit large-eddy simulation to drive nonlinear transient dynamics computations. The GTRF fluid–structure problem is separated into the simulation of the turbulent flow field in the complex-geometry fuel-rod bundles using implicit large-eddy simulation, the calculation of statistics of the resulting fluctuating structural forces, and the nonlinear transient dynamics analysis of the fuel rod. Ultimately, the methods developed here, can be used, in conjunction with operational management, to improve reactor core designs in which fuel rod failures are minimized or potentially eliminated. Furthermore, robustness of the behavior of both the structural forces computed from the turbulent flow simulations and the results from the transient dynamics analyses highlight the progress made towards achieving a predictive simulation capability for the GTRF problem.

21 SPECIFIC NUCLEAR REACTORS AND ASSOCIATED PLANTS↗
NASA NTRS1987

Finite element analysis of steady and transiently moving/rolling nonlinear viscoelastic structure. III - Impact/contact simulations

In a three-part series of papers, a generalized finite element methodology is formulated to handle traveling load problems involving large deformation fields in structure composed of viscoelastic media. The main thrust of this paper is to develop an overall finite element methodology and associated solution algorithms to handle the transient aspects of moving problems involving contact impact type loading fields. Based on the methodology and algorithms formulated, several numerical experiments are considered. These include the rolling/sliding impact of tires with road obstructions.

Nakajima, Yukio↗
NASA NTRS2022

Modeling Demographic-Driven Vegetation Dynamics and Ecosystem Biogeochemical Cycling in NASA GISS’s Earth System Model (ModelE-BiomeE v.1.0)

We developed a demographic vegetation model, BiomeE, to improve the modeling of vegetation dynamics and ecosystem biogeochemical cycles in the NASA Goddard Institute of Space Studies' ModelE Earth system model. This model includes the processes of plant growth, mortality, reproduction, vegetation structural dynamics, and soil carbon and nitrogen storage and transformations. The model combines the plant physiological processes of ModelE's original vegetation model, Ent, with the plant demographic and ecosystem nitrogen processes that have been represented in the Geophysical Fluid Dynamics Laboratory's LM3-PPA. We used nine plant functional types to represent global natural vegetation functional diversity, including trees, shrubs, and grasses, and a new phenology model to simulate vegetation seasonal changes with temperature and precipitation fluctuations. Competition for light and soil resources is individual based, which makes the modeling of transient compositional dynamics and vegetation succession possible. Overall, the BiomeE model simulates, with fidelity comparable to other models, the dynamics of vegetation and soil biogeochemistry, including leaf area index, vegetation structure (e.g., height, tree density, size distribution, and crown organization), and ecosystem carbon and nitrogen storage and fluxes. This model allows ModelE to simulate transient and long-term biogeophysical and biogeochemical feedbacks between the climate system and land ecosystems. Furthermore, BiomeE also allows for the eco-evolutionary modeling of community assemblage in response to past and future climate changes with its individual-based competition and demographic processes.

Biogeochemical cycles↗
NASA NTRS2007

Effects of Gravity on Start-up of a Miniature Loop Heat Pipe with Multiple Evaporators and Multiple Condensers

This paper describes an experimental study on the effect of gravity on the start-up of a miniature loop heat pipe (MLHP) with two evaporators and two condensers. Each evaporator has an outer diameter of 9 mm and has its own integral compensation chamber (CC). The MLHP was placed under five configurations where the relative elevation and tilt among the loop components were varied. The four well-known initial conditions between the evaporator and CC prior to the LHP start-up were created in this experimental study through combinations of: 1) the test configuration; 2) the method of preconditioning the loop prior to start-up, and 3) the heat load distribution among the evaporators. A total of 165 start-ups were conducted under the five test configurations. All of these start-ups were successful. However, the effect of gravity on start-up transients was clearly seen under otherwise the same heat load distribution and sink temperatures. An analytical model was used to simulate the MLHP transient behaviors, and the model predictions agreed very well with the experimental results.

Ku, Jentung↗
DOE OSTI2021

A Scoping Study to Develop a Computational Fluid Dynamics Based Model to Predict Radiological Materials Packaging Temperatures within a Generic Staging Building

The objective of this work is to perform computational fluid dynamics simulations of a ventilated radiological-material-package staging building to determine the effect of including or excluding a variety of physical effects and computational methods on both the predicted package temperatures and required computational resources. The generic building contains 640 drum-packages containing heat-generating, radiological material supported on four racks that are eight levels tall. Additionally, there is a forced ventilation system, lighting, and insulated walls. Computational models were constructed that included or excluded (a) shelving, (b) effects of unsteadiness, and (c) radiation heat transfer. Simulations with each drum modeled separately were compared to simpler simulations with sets of four drums represented by an equivalent box-package. These models employed between 106 to 107 elements. Steady state simulations predicted package temperatures that were within 0.1°C of simulations that included transient effects and required only one-eighth the computational resources. Calculations that excluded shelving predicted temperatures within 0.6°C of simulations that included shelving and required one-fourth the computational resources. Excluding radiation heat transfer systematically increased temperatures by around 1.5°C but reduced computational resources by a factor of four. The box-package model reduced the computational resources by a factor of 3, but systematically predicted higher temperatures by around 1.1°C. These results will be used to develop an efficient computational fluid dynamics model to assess the ability of different staging building designs to prevent the temperature of package components from exceeding specified limits.

42 ENGINEERING↗
NASA NTRS2000

Transient Analysis of Pressurization and Pneumatic Subsystems of the X-34 Main Propulsion System

Transient models for the pressurization, vent/relief, and pneumatic subsystems of the X-34 Main Propulsion System are presented and simulation of their operation within prescribed requirements are provided. First, using ROCket Engine Transient Simulation (ROCETS) program, pressurization subsystem operation was simulated and helium requirements and the ullage thermodynamic condition within each propellant tank were calculated. Then, Overpressurization scenarios of propellant tanks and the response of vent/relief valves were evaluated using ROCETS simulation of simultaneous operation of the pressurization and vent/relief subsystems by incorporating the valves data into the model. Finally, the ROCETS simulation of in-flight operation of pneumatic subsystem predicted the overall helium consumption, Inter-Propellant Seal (IPS) purge flowrate and thermodynamic conditions, and Spin Start power.

Hedayat, A.↗
DOE OSTI2022

Deterministic modelling of the SPERT IV reactor transients using the multi-physics capability of WIMS

The ANSWERS WIMS reactor physics code is being developed for whole core multi-physics modelling. The established neutronics capability for lattice calculations has recently been extended to be suitable for whole core modelling of Small Modular Reactors (SMRs). A whole core transport, SP3 or diffusion flux solution is combined with fuel assembly resonance shielding. An integrated thermal hydraulic solver permits temperature and density variations to feedback to the neutronics calculation. This capability can be applied to both steady state and time dependent transient problems. Nuclear reactor design and safety case development requires assessment of a range of reactor transients, to inform both normal operation limitations and accident scenario analysis. This paper presents new methodology developed in WIMS to couple the core neutronics to the integrated core thermal hydraulics solver for the simulation of reactor transients in whole core models. To support the validation of the multi-physics capability of WIMS, this capability has been applied to the reactivity insertion transient experiments performed in the plate fuelled SPERT-IV reactor. This study employs WIMS using the whole core solver MERLIN, which calculates the time-dependent flux distribution and magnitude, coupled to ARTHUR, which solves for the time-dependent thermal hydraulics solution, and provides thermal feedback via the cross sections generated by GEOM, which performs resonance shielding calculations and generates cross section data for the plate geometry. This spatial kinetics model, with dynamic cross section generation, allows for variations in the temperature and neutron flux profile with time.

21 SPECIFIC NUCLEAR REACTORS AND ASSOCIATED PLANTS↗
DOE OSTI2017

On-line monitoring for turbine bypass system based on real-time simulation - 108

Faults may occur in nuclear power plants, but it is difficult for operators to recognize the situation and take effective measures quickly. However, on-line monitoring may help operators to detect the abnormalities so that the safety of nuclear power plants will be improved. As Turbine Bypass System runs during transient processes, quantitative simulation model is utilized for on-line monitoring. In addition, analyzing for residual errors of simulated and corresponding measured values are done by principle component analysis. Under normal operation, the methodology allows real-time tracking to set dynamic thresholds. While a failure occurs, faults can be detected. Simulation analysis show the effectiveness and accuracy of this methodology. (authors)

22 GENERAL STUDIES OF NUCLEAR REACTORS↗
DOE OSTI2017

Transient current induced in thin film diamonds by swift heavy ions

Single crystal diamond is a suitable material for the next generation particle detectors because of the superior electrical properties and the high radiation tolerance. In order to investigate charge transport properties of diamond particle detectors, transient currents generated in diamonds by single swift heavy ions (26 MeV O 5 + and 45 MeV Si 7 + ) are investigated. We also measured two dimensional maps of transient currents by single ion hits. In the case of 50 μm-thick diamond, both the signal height and the collected charge are reduced by the subsequent ion hits and the charge collection time is extended. Our results are thought to be attributable to the polarization effect in diamond and it appears only when the transient current is dominated by hole current. In the case of 6 μm-thick diamond membrane, an “island” structure is found in the 2D map of transient currents. Signals in the islands shows different applied bias dependence from signals in other regions, indicating different crystal and/or metal contact quality. Simulation study of transient currents based on the Shockley-Ramo theorem clarifies that accumulation of space charges changes distribution of electric field in diamond and causes the polarization effect.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2023

Modeling of a Networked Community Microgrid with High Solar Penetration Considering Control Dynamics of Inverter-Based Resources

Microgrids help facilitate the integration of renewable energy in distribution-level grids and increase the resilience of the electric grid to extreme weather, especially in rural areas. Compared to traditional microgrids, a networked microgrid leverages multiple grid-forming sources to form a potential meshed grid and is more flexible in operation. This paper demonstrates the simulation modeling of an actual networked microgrid located in Adjuntas, Puerto Rico. The model contains representations of power inverters that connect the battery energy storage systems and photovoltaic generation systems to the networked microgrid and is capable of simulating fast grid transients as well as long-term operation of the networked microgrid. The modeling technique for power inverters allows the time-efficient simulation of the microgrid with a minimal penalty on model accuracy.

Li, Dingrui↗
DOE OSTI2015

Advanced Supercritical Carbon Dioxide Brayton Cycle Development

Fluids operating in the supercritical state have promising characteristics for future high efficiency power cycles. In order to develop power cycles using supercritical fluids, it is necessary to understand the flow characteristics of fluids under both supercritical and two-phase conditions. In this study, a Computational Fluid Dynamic (CFD) methodology was developed for supercritical fluids flowing through complex geometries. A real fluid property module was implemented to provide properties for different supercritical fluids. However, in each simulation case, there is only one species of fluid. As a result, the fluid property module provides properties for either supercritical CO 2 (S-CO 2 ) or supercritical water (SCW). The Homogeneous Equilibrium Model (HEM) was employed to model the two-phase flow. HEM assumes two phases have same velocity, pressure, and temperature, making it only applicable for the dilute dispersed two-phase flow situation. Three example geometries, including orifices, labyrinth seals, and valves, were used to validate this methodology with experimental data. For the first geometry, S-CO 2 and SCW flowing through orifices were simulated and compared with experimental data. The maximum difference between the mass flow rate predictions and experimental measurements is less than 5%. This is a significant improvement as previous works can only guarantee 10% error. In this research, several efforts were made to help this improvement. First, an accurate real fluid module was used to provide properties. Second, the upstream condition was determined by pressure and density, which determines supercritical states more precise than using pressure and temperature. For the second geometry, the flow through labyrinth seals was studied. After a successful validation, parametric studies were performed to study geometric effects on the leakage rate. Based on these parametric studies, an optimum design strategy for the see-through labyrinth seals was proposed. A stepped labyrinth seal, which mimics the behavior of the labyrinth seal used in the Sandia National Laboratory (SNL) S-CO 2 Brayton cycle, was also tested in the experiment along with simulations performed. The rest of this study demonstrates the difference of valves' behavior under supercritical fluid and normal fluid conditions. A small-scale valve was tested in the experiment facility using S-CO 2 . Different percentages of opening valves were tested, and the measured mass flow rate agreed with simulation predictions. Two transients from a real S-CO 2 Brayton cycle design provided the data for valve selection. The selected valve was studied using numerical simulation, as experimental data is not available.

42 ENGINEERING↗
DOE OSTI2020

Cause identification of electromagnetic transient events using spatiotemporal feature learning

This paper presents a spatiotemporal feature learning method for cause identification of electromagnetic transient events in power grids. The proposed method is formulated based on the availability of time-synchronized high-frequency measurements and using the convolutional neural network as the spatiotemporal feature representation along with softmax function for the classification. Despite the existing threshold-based, or energy-based events analysis methods, such as support vector machine autoencoder, and tapered multi-layer perceptron neural network, the proposed feature learning is carried out with respect to both time and space. The effectiveness of the proposed feature learning and the subsequent cause identification is validated through the Electromagnetic Transients Program (EMTP) simulation of different events such as line energization, capacitor bank energization, lightning, fault, and high-impedance fault in the IEEE 30-bus, and the real-time digital simulation of the Western System Coordinating Council (WSCC) 9-bus system.

42 ENGINEERING↗
DOE OSTI2022

Growing neoclassical tearing modes seeded via transient-induced-multimode interactions

Nonlinear extended magnetohydrodynamics simulations demonstrating seeding of neoclassical tearing modes (NTMs) via magnetohydrodynamics-transient-induced multimode interactions are presented. Simulations of NTMs are enabled by two recent NIMROD code developments: the implementation of heuristic neoclassical stresses and the application of transient magnetic perturbations (MPs) at the boundary. NTMs are driven unstable by the inherently pressure driven kinetic bootstrap current, which arises due to collisional viscosity between passing and trapped electrons. These simulations use heuristic closures that model the neoclassical electron and ion stresses. NTM growth requires a seed island, which is generated by a transiently applied MP in simulations. The capability is demonstrated using kinetic-based reconstructions with flow of a DIII-D ITER Baseline Scenario discharge (La Haye et al., in Proceedings IAEA FEC, 2020). The applied MP seeds a 2/1 NTM that grows in two phases: a slow growth phase followed by a faster robust growth phase. Additionally, an evolving sequence of higher order core modes are excited at first. Power transfer analysis shows that nonlinear interactions between the core modes and the 2/1 helps drive the initial slow growth. Once the induced 2/1 magnetic island reaches a critical width, the NTM transitions to faster robust growth, which is well described by the nonlinear modified Rutherford equation. Furthermore, this work highlights the role of nonlinear mode coupling in seeding NTMs.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
NASA NTRS2024

Development Testing and Analysis of the Integrated Gateway-ESPRIT Bipropellant Refuelling System

The Gateway will be humanity’s first space station orbiting the Moon completed by NASA in partnership with ESA and other US and international partners. The Gateway will provide critical support to sustainable human exploration on the moon through the Artemis program. To enable the Lunar Gateway to complete its mission, on orbit refuelling is essential. The ESPRIT Refuelling Module (ERM) will provide the capability to transfer propellants, MMH and MON-3, through the Habitation and Logistics Outpost (HALO) to the Power and Propulsion Element (PPE). The transfer of these propellants carries known risks and hazards. These hazards include overpressure of the propellant lines during priming sequences between modules and during refuelling pause operations. To support the early system development and to mitigate these risks, a collaborative test program between NASA, ESA and Thales Alenia Space was completed at the Thales Alenia Space test facility in Harwell, UK. This test program integrated fluidic breadboards of the ERM, HALO and PPE modules. The objectives of the test program were to demonstrate and characterise critical performance and transient operations, inform refuelling concept of operations and to calibrate and validate numerical models of the refuelling subsystem in EcosimPro. To support the completion of this final objective a detailed model of the integrated breadboard was developed in EcosimPro and key steady-state and transient test cases were simulated. As an industry first, a National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) database correlation for Hydrofluoroether (HFE-7000) was used as a mixed oxides of nitrogen (MON-3) simulant with EcosimPro and European Space Propulsion System Simulation (ESPSS) libraries to result in a more accurate analysis for transient phenomenon such as priming. The test and simulation data showed good agreement validating the model for further system analysis as the ERM design progresses.

Refuelling↗
NASA NTRS1980

Nonlinear soil-structure interaction calculations simulating the SIMQUAKE experiment using STEALTH 2D

Transient, nonlinear soil-structure interaction simulations of an Electric Power Research Institute, SIMQUAKE experiment were performed using the large strain, time domain STEALTH 2D code and a cyclic, kinematically hardening cap soil model. Results from the STEALTH simulations were compared to identical simulations performed with the TRANAL code and indicate relatively good agreement between all the STEALTH and TRANAL calculations. The differences that are seen can probably be attributed to: (1) large (STEALTH) vs. small (TRANAL) strain formulation and/or (2) grid discretization differences.

Tang, H. T.↗