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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 865 records · Page 48

Methods for providing ceramic matrix composite components with increased thermal capacity

A method for enhancing the cooling capability of a turbine component made from a ceramic matrix composite. The method improves the thermal performance of the component by producing a surface having increased cooling capacity, thereby allowing the component to operate at a higher temperature. The method tailors the available surface area on the cooling surface of the composite component by depositing a particulate layer of coarse grained ceramic powders of preselected size onto the surface of the ceramic matrix composite component. The size of the particulate is selectively tailored to match the desired surface finish or surface roughness of the article. The article may be designed to have different surface finishes for different locations, so that the application of different sized powders can provide different cooling capabilities at different locations, if desired. The compositions of the particulates are chemically compatible with the ceramic material comprising the outer surface or portion of the ceramic matrix composite. The particulates are applied using a slurry and incorporated into the article by heating to an elevated temperature without melting the matrix, the particulates or the fiber reinforcement.

Steibel, James Dale↗

Development of the European Service Module Propulsion Subsystem for the Multi-Purpose Crew Vehicle

Hardware Heritage Schedule limitations and budget constraints drove the need for extensive use of heritage hardware designs. In some cases (OMS and TVC) flight hardware reuse (from Shuttle) was required,and will be delta-qualified for use on Orion Primary sources of heritage: ATV Shuttle Orion CM PSS Ariane 5 EPS Targeted Development Testing Component development testing was performed to address the highest risk areas of heritage design compliance with Orion requirements Assembly level development testing was performed to understand complex assemblies and component interactions Heritage Direct re-use of assets from Shuttle Orbiters, all assets have varying flight history. Orion Use Used by Orion to gimbal the main engine during major translational maneuvers Development Testing Random vibration on controller box (lead to card retention design mod) Design Changes (only as required) Circuit board retention in controller box (single instance from Shuttle flight history) New, longer harnesses Basic Specs(8) fixed position engines Thrust: 105 lbf Nozzle area ratio: 164:1 Orion Use Nominally used for separation maneuvers and mid-course correction maneuvers In contingency scenario (failed main engine), used for major translational maneuvers Drives the need for long continuous duration firing Drives the need for off-pulsing (to steer) Control authority requires 50 duty cycle Development Testing Random Vibration (added vibration isolation bracket) Hot fire, duty cycle (changed MR)

pressure fed↗

Boosting Thermal Management & Reliability of Vehicle Power Electronics

Electric vehicles rely heavily on power electronics—including inverters, converters, and chargers—to control the flow of electricity between the battery, the motor, and other powertrain components. NREL is helping boost the performance of power electronics components and systems, while driving down size, weight, and cost. In electric vehicles, these components need to operate at higher temperatures, voltages, switching frequencies, and power conversion efficiencies. That’s where NREL’s thermal management and reliability research comes in.

33 ADVANCED PROPULSION SYSTEMS↗

Lunar volcanic glasses and their constraints on mare petrogenesis

The compositional properties of volcanic glasses from the Apollo 11, 14, 15 and 16 landing sites are examined and implications of the results for mare basalt petrogenesis and deep lunar structures are discussed. Major-element and nickel analyses were performed on the glasses using electron probe techniques, and R-mode principal component analysis was performed on the 19 different compositions of glass distinguished. The glasses are found to form two distinct chemical arrays based on the major elements and Ni. The presence of two chemically isolated cumulate systems in the mantle at different depths is thus inferred, and a model is developed for mare petrogenesis in which each system was itself composed of two lithologic components that underwent hybridization, assimilation or mixing to generate the large compositional range of magmas represented by the lunar volcanic glasses. The surface-correlated elements associated with the volcanic glasses are attributed to another reservoir in the deep interior which may be responsible for gas emissions causing lunar transient phenomena. The model developed allows predictions to be made concerning the liquidus phase relations, trace and radiogenic element distributions, nonradiogenic isotope compositions and sample ages.

Delano, J. W.↗

Economic Analysis of an Electric Thermal Energy Storage System Using Solid Particles for Grid Electricity Storage

As renewable power generation becomes the mainstream new-built energy source, energy storage will become an indispensable need to complement the uncertainty of renewable resources to firm the power supply. When phasing out fossil-fuel power plants to meet the carbon neutral utility target in the midcentury around the world, large capacity of energy storage will be needed to provide reliable grid power. The renewable power integration with storage can support future carbon-free utility and has several significant impacts including increasing the value of renewable generation to the grid, improving the peak-load response, and balancing the electricity supply and demand. Long-duration energy storage (10–100 hours duration) can potentially complement the reduction of fossil-fuel baseload generation that otherwise would risk grid security when a large portion of grid power comes from variable renewable sources. Current energy storage methods based on pumped storage hydropower or batteries have many limitations. Thermal energy storage (TES) has unique advantages in scale and siting flexibility to provide grid-scale storage capacity. A particle-based TES system has promising cost and performance for the future growing energy storage needs. This paper introduces the system and components required for the particle TES to be technically and economically competitive. A technoeconomic analysis based on preliminary component designs and performance shows that the particle TES integrated with an efficient air-Brayton combined cycle power system can provide power for several days by low-cost, high-performance storage cycles. It addresses grid storage needs by enabling large-scale grid integration of intermittent renewables like wind and solar, thereby increasing their grid value. The design specifications and cost estimations of major components in a commercial scale system are presented in this paper. The cost model provides insights for further development and cost comparison with competing technologies.

27 ARPA - Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy↗

Economic Analysis of a Novel Thermal Energy Storage System Using Solid Particles for Grid Electricity Storage: Preprint

As renewable power generation becomes the mainstream new-built energy source, energy storage will become an indispensable need to complement the uncertainty of renewable resources to firm the power supply. When phasing out fossil-fuel power plants to meet the carbon neutral utility target in the midcentury around the world, large capacity of energy storage will be needed to provide reliable grid power. The integration of renewable power and storage to support future carbon-free utility has several significant and positive impacts including expanding the renewable generation into the grid, improving the peak-load response, and balancing the electricity supply and demand. Long-duration energy storage (10–100 hours duration) can potentially complement the reduction of fossil-fuel baseload generation that otherwise would risk grid security when a large portion of grid power comes from variable renewable sources. Current energy storage methods based on pumped storage hydropower or batteries have many limitations. Thermal energy storage (TES) has unique advantages in scale and siting flexibility to provide grid-scale storage capacity. A particle-based TES system has promising cost and performance for the future growing energy storage needs. This paper introduces the system and components required for the particle TES to be technically and economically competitive. A technoeconomic analysis based on preliminary component designs and performance shows that the particle TES integrated with an efficient air-Brayton combined cycle power system can provide power for several days by low-cost, high-performance storage cycles. It addresses grid storage needs by enabling large-scale grid integration of intermittent renewables like wind and solar, thereby increasing their grid value. The design specifications and cost estimations of major components in a commercial scale system are presented in this paper. The cost model provides insights for further development and cost comparison with competing technologies.

27 ARPA - Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy↗

H-Canyon Ventilation System Exhaust Tunnel Inspection at the Savannah River Site - 18052

The Department of Energy (DOE) H-Canyon Facility at the Savannah River Site (SRS) is operated by Savannah River Nuclear Solutions (SRNS). The Facility Structural Integrity Program (SIP) performs periodic visual inspections to confirm the component is capable of performing its safety function. This Program provides the process to document the conditions of safety related structural systems and components, their damage mechanisms, and recommend repairs if required before there is impact on the safety envelope. The H-Canyon Exhaust Tunnel is part of the H-Canyon Exhaust Ventilation System and is periodically inspected under the Structural Integrity Program. The Tunnel performs a Safety Class passive design feature function that is available 100% of the time. The Tunnel directs Canyon process air from the Canyon to the Sand Filter System. The radiological and chemical airborne activity coupled with the physical configuration of the tunnel precludes a manned entry into the tunnel. Tunnel inspections have been performed using cameras on a stick, referred to as pole cameras prior to CY2003. Since CY2003, five camera equipped crawlers have been used with varying levels of inspection success. With each successive crawler inspection, expectations have increased to perform tasks beyond visual examinations. The 2017 crawler performed the visual inspection but also included improvements on crawler performance, such as testing the use of wireless capability and remediation of crawler travel route, to the addition of stationary cameras and lighting at key locations. The latest 2017 crawler successfully traveled the entire length of the tunnel between the Canyon and Sand Filter System for the second time since development, thus providing key visual data for the integrity program [2]. In addition, several access ports were installed in 2017 following the removal of concrete core samples that allow for new visual inspection of the Canyon Crossover tunnel, thus providing information for an area that was generally inaccessible for monitoring. Planning for the 2019 crawler inspection is underway with the expectations to improve upon inspection cameras and also introduce mapping technologies such as LIDAR. The challenge to obtain meaningful data from the remote inspections of a 60+ year operating Canyon Exhaust tunnel continues to be a complex endeavor requiring close coordination of multiple organizations, adherence to Conduct of Operations, Radiological Safety, Worker Safety, etc. principles as well as alignment with Facility Safety Basis requirements. This paper discusses the continuing improvements in inspection techniques and the challenges associated these inspections. (authors)

12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE W↗

Effect of bimetallic modification on blast furnace slag and its application in low‐temperature selective catalytic reduction

Abstract Objective In order to control NO x in low‐temperature flue gases emitted from non‐power industries and to reduce the preparation cost of denitration catalysts, this study uses inexpensive blast furnace slag as raw material to prepare denitration catalysts. Methods After cooling, drying and grinding, the blast furnace slag becomes a powder with considerable fineness and meets the requirements of activity index, which is called GGBS (ground granulated blast furnace slag). Using GGBS as denitration catalyst carrier, the active components M (M = Fe, Co, Ni, Cu and Ce) are loaded on Mn‐based GGBS catalyst using an impregnation method. Conclusions The effect of different active components on the denitration performance and sulfur resistance of Mn‐based GGBS catalysts is investigated. The results show that the Mn‐Ce/GGBS catalyst has better denitration performance and sulfur resistance. The Mn‐Ce/GGBS catalyst has a significant denitration performance when load ratio is 2:1. The active component Ce improves the denitration performance of the catalyst, reduces sulfur poisoning and extends the life of the catalyst. The SO 2 in the flue gas increases the acid sites on the catalyst surface and improves catalyst activity. The larger the ratios of Mn 4+ /Mn 3+ , Ce 4+ /Ce 3+ and O α /O β , the stronger the catalyst activity and the better the denitration performance. © 2022 Society of Chemical Industry (SCI).

Zhang, Lei↗

PTT System Performance Evaluation in 3-D Imaging of AM Components

Additive manufacturing (AM, or 3D printing) for commercial nuclear energy applications is an emerging method for cost-efficient manufacturing aimed at replacing aging nuclear reactor parts and reducing costs for new construction. Because of the geometry of metallic structures of interest for nuclear applications, which consist of planar primitives with no symmetry of revolution, limited options are available for non-destructive evaluation (NDE) either during or post manufacturing. Known material flaws in AM include low density regions consisting of nonsintered powder, which have to be detected to ensure the safety of long-term performance nuclear reactor components. As a solution to NDE of AM, we are developing pulsed thermal tomography (PTT) models and depth inversion algorithms for 3D imaging. PTT has many advantages because the method is non-contact and allows for in-service, NDE of AM nuclear reactor parts. By analyzing transients of surface temperature response due to internal thermal resistances, one can obtain 3D reconstructions of material effusivity using a unique inversion algorithm developed at Argonne. This study investigates the capability of PTT in imaging several AM structures fabricated from Inconel 718 (IN718) feedstock. The AM structures have complex geometry, but do not have calibrated internal defects. The objective is to determine PTT settings, such as the total integration time, for imaging of representative AM structures. A new FLIR X8500sc IR camera with higher spatial resolution (1280x1024 at 181Hz frame rate) was integrated into the PTT laboratory setup. Software tools were developed to ensure compatibility of new camera files with legacy effusivity reconstruction codes. The new camera was used to obtain 3-D reconstructions of IN718 nozzle plate and a particle filter plate. The results demonstrate the capability of PTT in 3- D imaging of complex geometry AM structures. Further, increased resolution imaging is achieved compared to prior results using older FLIR SC4000 IR camera. In addition, preliminary studies were conducted on developing image processing algorithms for automated detection of flaws. Initial demonstrations are shown for segmentation of PTT images of flat bottom hole (FBH) specimens. Imaging of FBH specimens was described in a prior report. Intermediate results demonstrated in this report will be developed further in detection of flaws in AM specimens.

22 GENERAL STUDIES OF NUCLEAR REACTORS↗

Manufacturing Dissolvable Alloy Components using ShAPE: A Study on Solid Phase Processing of Mg-W Composites and WJ11 Alloys

Dissolvable alloys and composites are an emerging class of materials that demonstrate tailored sorptivity in corrosive environments. This work explored the viability of solid phase processing (SPP) techniques, namely the shear assisted processing and extrusion (ShAPETM) method, to manufacture dissolvable magnesium composites and alloys components such as rods and tubes. The study also determined the effects of material composition and manufacturing process conditions on material microstructures developed during SPP and the resulting performance of the components. Explicit properties of interest included ultimate tensile strength, ultimate compressive strength, and yield strength. The application fields of interest for dissolvable alloys were identified as oil-and-gas operations and biomedical implants. Accordingly, PNNL collaborated with industrial and academia partners, Fortek Industries, Houston and University of Pittsburgh, during the course of this project for material and ShAPE process development. PNNL determined the viability of the using ShAPE to process the custom-designed materials provided by the project partners. This was done by identifying process parameters such as tool rotation rate, tool plunge rate, and process cooling optimal for manufacturing components with consolidated microstructures. Subsequently, PNNL also performed microstructural characterization on unprocessed and processed samples and mechanical property testing. One of the major findings from this work is that ShAPE was able to manufacture dissolvable magnesium composite and alloy rods and tubes with consolidated homogeneous microstructures and minimal macroscale defects on component surfaces. It was observed that samples processed via ShAPE demonstrated an average grain size < 2 - 5 µm, which was markedly lower than that of the precursors with 8 – 13 µm grains. Results showed that the ShAPE synthesized dissolvable magnesium composite and alloy strength was on par with or better than those components that were manufactured using traditional manufacturing processes such as forging and extrusion. It is noteworthy that the ShAPE samples were made with considerably lower number of process steps.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Beam-Material Interaction

Th is paper is motivated by the growing importance of better understanding of the phenomena and consequences of high-intensity energetic particle beam interactions with accelerator, generic target, and detector components. It reviews the principal physical processes of fast-particle interactions with matter, effects in materials under irradiation, materials response, related to component lifetime and performance, simulation techniques, and methods of mitigating the impact of radiation on the components and environment in challenging current and future applications.

43 PARTICLE ACCELERATORS↗

Study of LANDSAT-D thematic mapper performance as applied to hydrocarbon exploration

Analysis of the tapes of the Detroit, Michigan scene, which were received in fully processed format with geometric and radiometric correction, shows evidence of an along line data slip every sixteenth line in TM channel 2. Very large scale products were therefore generated in false color using channels 1, 3, and 4. Subjective evaluation of these enhanced scenes indicates that they are acceptable for interpretation at scales up to 1:50,000 and should be useful for change mapping probably up to 1:24,000 scale. The significant striping visible in water bodies for both the natural color and false color products indicates that the detector calibration is probably performing below the preflight specification. Variance-covariance matrices were computed and principal component analysis were performed for a set of 512 x 512 windows within the Arkansas scene. Initial analysis shows the shortwave infrared channels (TM 5 and 6) are a highly significant data source. The thermal channel (TM 7) shows negative correlation with TM 1 through 4.

Source record↗

The architecture of the High Performance Storage System (HPSS)

The rapid growth in the size of datasets has caused a serious imbalance in I/O and storage system performance and functionality relative to application requirements and the capabilities of other system components. The High Performance Storage System (HPSS) is a scalable, next-generation storage system that will meet the functionality and performance requirements or large-scale scientific and commercial computing environments. Our goal is to improve the performance and capacity of storage by two orders of magnitude or more over what is available in the general or mass marketplace today. We are also providing corresponding improvements in architecture and functionality. This paper describes the architecture and functionality of HPSS.

Teaff, Danny↗

Empirical mode decomposition for analyzing acoustical signals

The present invention discloses a computer implemented signal analysis method through the Hilbert-Huang Transformation (HHT) for analyzing acoustical signals, which are assumed to be nonlinear and nonstationary. The Empirical Decomposition Method (EMD) and the Hilbert Spectral Analysis (HSA) are used to obtain the HHT. Essentially, the acoustical signal will be decomposed into the Intrinsic Mode Function Components (IMFs). Once the invention decomposes the acoustic signal into its constituting components, all operations such as analyzing, identifying, and removing unwanted signals can be performed on these components. Upon transforming the IMFs into Hilbert spectrum, the acoustical signal may be compared with other acoustical signals.

Huang, Norden E.↗

Magnetic Gears for a Marine Hydrokinetic Generator Component Model

The goal of this project is to design, fabricate, and test a hermetically sealed 50 kilowatt (kW) multistage magnetically geared generator (MGG). The Component Content Model provides data submitters with an easy and consistent means of uploading data and associated meta data about a component that is currently under development. The data fields include generic information about the component, technology classifications, current costs and performance, proposed target goals, and the environment that the component is operated in. These data are important to DOE and will be used to develop data products that provide quantitative information to guide and support programmatic decisions. Data will also be used by DOE in general assessments of MHK component readiness, performance, costs, and proposed plans. The ultimate goal is to use these data to perform research and tailor programs to best benefit the industry.

16 TIDAL AND WAVE POWER↗

Hybrid honeycomb panel heat rejection system

The evolution of a hybrid honeycomb panel heat rejection system concept for future high-power spacecraft is described. Performance evaluation of this heat pipe-based hybrid radiator is based on data and prediction models from a developmental component hardware testing program. The concept integrates three high-performance components into an optimized radiator system. These components are the sideflow heat pipe transport leg, honeycomb panel evaporator, and light-weight high-efficiency heat pipe fins. A 3.05 m (10 ft.) long hybrid radiator was designed considering remnant hardware available from other Hughes programs. The key performance objective for the hybrid radiator was to demonstrate high thermal transport capacity, increased radiating fin lengths, improved thermal efficiency across structural boundaries, and reduced weight. Analysis showed that 9000 W can be transported over a 3.05 m radiator and that finlengths of up to 1 m are possible.

Tanzer, H. J.↗

From Data to Knowledge: A Graph-Based Reliability Approach to Assess System Health

With the goal of maximizing plant reliability and availability, complex systems such as nuclear power plants continuously monitor and record the performance and the health status of many components, assets, and systems. Such data may take the form of online monitoring data, condition reports, and maintenance reports and it carries the potential to provide system engineers with insights into anomalous behaviors or degradation trends as well as the possible causes behind them and to predict their direct consequences. The analysis of such data poses however few challenges. While some of these challenges are technical in nature (i.e., data are often distributed over several physical servers or databases), others are conceptual in nature (i.e., data elements come in different formats, numeric or textual), and measured values have different scales (e.g., vibration spectra and oil temperature). This paper directly tackles these challenges, and it focuses on the integration of all these data elements in order to assist plant system engineers in analyzing component, assets, and systems performances and optimize maintenance activities. This is performed by 1) extracting knowledge from textual data via technical language processing methods, and 2) quantifying system, asset, and component health from numeric condition-based data. We rely on model-based system engineering (MBSE) models of systems and assets to identify their architecture and functional (i.e., cause and effect) relations. Numeric and textual data elements are then associated with an MBSE graph element, based on their nature. This bonding of MBSE models and data elements constitutes a first-of-its-kind knowledge graph of a nuclear power plants system, with data elements being organized in a structured manner that enables system engineers to identify cause-effect trends in data elements and carry out appropriate actions in response.

97 MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTING↗