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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 937 records · Page 52

Ensuring Solution Uniqueness in Three-Phase Power System State Estimation

This paper is concerned with the issue of potential non-unique solutions in three-phase state estimation. Theory of observability analysis for positive sequence power system state estimation is based on certain assumptions that avoid possibility of multiple solutions. Also, it is shown that observability of a positive sequence network remains independent of the network parameters or the operating state. When extending single-phase observability analysis directly to the three-phase case, this paper considers the possibility of converging to multiple solutions, i.e. solution non-uniqueness, even for cases where state estimator successfully converges. The study illustrates via numerical examples the likelihood of converging to entirely different solutions for certain network parameters. It also examines how the operating state, particularly under unbalanced loading, leads to solution non-uniqueness. The paper then describes an alternative approach to ensure a unique solution in three-phase state estimation. This method aims to accurately and uniquely estimate the state of any unbalanced three-phase system, irrespective of load imbalance, network configuration, existence of synchronous generators or transformers.

Power System State Estimation, Three-Phase, Distri↗

TP099-CT-800DR Comparison Between SIRZ-2 and Surface Fit Method ($ρ_{e},Ζ_{e}$) Estimation

The primary objective of this test plan is to acquire dual-energy computed tomography (CT) data of 33 well-known specimens using the Leidos Reveal CT-80DR+ baggage scanner housed at LLNL (hereafter referred to as CT-80DR). These data sets will allow us to compare, for each specimen, the accuracy and precision of electron density ($ρ_{e}$) and effective atomic number ($Z_{e}$) estimates obtained from two different algorithmic methods— from TSL’s surface fits and from LLNL’s SIRZ-2 decomposition. A secondary objective is to determine how often it is necessary to acquire CT-80DR spectral response information.

42 ENGINEERING↗

A Bayesian analysis of two probability models describing thunderstorm activity at Cape Kennedy, Florida

A Bayesian analysis of the two discrete probability models, the negative binomial and the modified negative binomial distributions, which have been used to describe thunderstorm activity at Cape Kennedy, Florida, is presented. The Bayesian approach with beta prior distributions is compared to the classical approach which uses a moment method of estimation or a maximum-likelihood method. The accuracy and simplicity of the Bayesian method is demonstrated.

Williford, W. O.↗

Predicting Loss-of-Control Boundaries Toward a Piloting Aid

This work presents an approach to predicting loss-of-control with the goal of providing the pilot a decision aid focused on maintaining the pilot's control action within predicted loss-of-control boundaries. The predictive architecture combines quantitative loss-of-control boundaries, a data-based predictive control boundary estimation algorithm and an adaptive prediction method to estimate Markov model parameters in real-time. The data-based loss-of-control boundary estimation algorithm estimates the boundary of a safe set of control inputs that will keep the aircraft within the loss-of-control boundaries for a specified time horizon. The adaptive prediction model generates estimates of the system Markov Parameters, which are used by the data-based loss-of-control boundary estimation algorithm. The combined algorithm is applied to a nonlinear generic transport aircraft to illustrate the features of the architecture.

Barlow, Jonathan↗

Cost Estimates for NPP Decommissioning Projects and Insights from Cost Analysis - 18118

The technical ability to decommission NPPs shut down after normal operation has been well demonstrated. However, concerns remain about the ability to accurately calculate and demonstrate the validity of decommissioning cost estimates, and to control costs during decommissioning. This paper describes recent international guidance on quality cost estimates for nuclear decommissioning projects and explores the potential added value that could be attained through more systematic analysis and reporting of decommissioning project costs. The OECD Nuclear Energy Agency (NEA) and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) have long been concerned about the need to promote greater transparency in decommissioning costing and have collaborated in a number of initiatives in pursuit of this objective. Together with the European Commission, they published 'The International Structure for Decommissioning Costing (ISDC)' in 2012. The ISDC provides a useful common reporting format for decommissioning costing. The NEA has also published guidance on the international peer reviews of decommissioning cost studies (2014) and on the practice of decommissioning cost estimation (2015). In September 2017, the NEA and IAEA published detailed guidance on addressing uncertainties in decommissioning cost estimates (the 'Addressing Uncertainties' report). This joint report sets out an approach to treating uncertainties reflecting current good practices in cost estimating. Specifically, it describes how uncertainties in decommissioning cost estimation can be addressed using standardized methods of estimating uncertainty and risk analysis. Its recommendations aim at enabling a consistent and comprehensive treatment of risk and uncertainty in the preparation of decommissioning cost estimates. Together these publications establish a good basis for producing comprehensive and high-quality cost estimates for nuclear decommissioning projects and for enhancing confidence in the estimates through improving transparency concerning the underpinning data and calculations, and more explicit representation of the uncertainties that may impact on project costs. There is increasing attention on understanding variations between cost estimates and apparent escalation of decommissioning costs. This arises both from the need to assure the adequacy of financing arrangements for future decommissioning projects and the ambition to improve the performance and ensure value-for-money in the delivery of decommissioning projects and services. A systematic analysis of actual decommissioning project costs in relation to the cost estimates would be expected to yield valuable insights about key cost drivers in actual decommissioning projects, and the extent to which current cost estimates accurately capture and reflect these. Aligning the reporting of decommissioning project costs with the underpinning cost estimates for the projects would also facilitate the identification of causes of major deviations between projected and actual costs. (authors)

12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE W↗

Tool for Developing Integrated Strategies for Decontamination and Waste Management - 20291

Management of waste from chemical, biological, and radiological incidents is complicated by the fact that decontamination decisions have a profound impact on the characteristics of resulting waste streams. Wide-area biological and radiological incidents could produce massive quantities of waste that may need to be treated on-site and sent for subsequent disposal as non-contaminated materials, or else be directly disposed of as contaminated materials. The EPA has developed the Waste Estimation Support Tool (WEST) for characterizing and quantifying biological and radiological waste that may be generated from decontamination efforts. This paper focuses on the WEST's uses for radiological incidents. WEST combines Geographic Information System (GIS)-based analysis of externally-supplied plume data, infrastructure databases derived from the Federal Emergency Management Agency's (FEMA's) Hazus tool [1], and satellite imagery surface recognition algorithms to combine the composition and square footage of the buildings in the plume with estimates of the materials between the buildings in the plume. The resulting GIS data files are then imported into a Microsoft Access database application, where they are combined with information about the nature and concentration of contaminants, and then subjected to decontamination strategies for different contaminated surfaces. The tool provides estimates of the type and quantities of potential wastes resulting from simulated decontamination and/or demolition activities and includes estimates of the remaining contamination levels including residual contamination contained within each waste stream. Estimates are presented at several levels of detail, allowing users to obtain needed data at the desired resolution. These include estimates for the total affected area, estimates by contamination zone, estimates by decontamination method(s), and estimates by building type (occupancy classification). EPA is currently developing the next version of WEST which will include several substantial enhancements. The most significant improvement for the next version of WEST will include the ability for users to develop contamination scenarios and waste estimates based on previously developed, readily available, and geographically specific infrastructure data. Instead of using WEST's default infrastructure data based on FEMA's Hazus tool, users will be able to import their own building data specific to the geographically affected area. This capability may substantially decrease uncertainties in the resulting waste estimates because the results will be based on actual building data (numbers of each type, square footage, building height, etc.). Two other significant enhancements will be the ability to generate waste estimates for vehicles and biomass. In addition to building debris and building decontamination waste, vehicles and biomass will likely constitute a significant percentage of the total waste which may result from wide area contamination events. This presentation will present the most recent version of WEST, which includes such considerations as affected biomass (e.g., trees), vehicles, and the ability to replace the default Hazus infrastructure databases with custom infrastructure databases. (authors)

12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE W↗

Parameter estimation in X-ray astronomy using maximum likelihood

Methods of estimation of parameter values and confidence regions by maximum likelihood and Fisher efficient scores starting from Poisson probabilities are developed for the nonlinear spectral functions commonly encountered in X-ray astronomy. It is argued that these methods offer significant advantages over the commonly used alternatives called minimum chi-squared because they rely on less pervasive statistical approximations and so may be expected to remain valid for data of poorer quality. Extensive numerical simulations of the maximum likelihood method are reported which verify that the best-fit parameter value and confidence region calculations are correct over a wide range of input spectra.

Wachter, K.↗

Monte Carlo Estimates of Eigenvalue Sensitivity to System Dimensions using Kernel Density Estimators

In the last decade there has been an increasing interest in calculating sensitivity coefficients in order to quantify the impact of uncertainty in material properties and system parameters on quantities of interest. Extensive work has been done developing Monte Carlo methods to estimate eigenvalue sensitivity to material properties. While deterministic methods exist for determining the eigenvalue sensitivity to system dimensions, the use of Monte Carlo methods to efficiently calculate eigenvalue sensitivity coefficients to system dimensions is still an open topic. Current Monte Carlo methods for calculating eigenvalue sensitivity coefficients to system dimensions are inefficient. Direct Monte Carlo perturbations require two additional simulations of high statistical precision in order to determine the eigenvalue sensitivity to the location of a single boundary. If the sensitivity to the location of multiple surfaces are desired, two additional simulations must be run for each surface. Kiedrowski and Favorite extended continuous energy Monte Carlo methods for sensitivities of nuclear cross sections to calculate sensitivities to interface boundaries or system dimensions to create the only current alternative to direct Monte Carlo calculations. However this method relies on the simulation of additional random walks launched at each surface crossing event. The present method extends upon Kiedrowski's work and eliminates the inefficient portions of the calculation through the use of Kernel Density Estimators (KDEs). The new method efficiently estimates eigenvalue sensitivities to the uniform expansion or contraction of material interface boundaries or system dimensions, negligibly impacting the runtime performance of the Monte Carlo code. The new estimator is tested on bare and reflected critical configurations in spherical geometry and is compared to estimates obtained from direct Monte Carlo perturbations.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗

Satellite-derived surface latent heat fluxes in a rapidly intensifying marine cyclone

The aim of this article is to estimate surface latent heat fluxes in the vicinity of a rapidly deepening cyclone before and during its period of most rapid intensification. This is done with a bulk parameterization scheme and remotely sensed input data. A method for estimating the difference in specific humidity between the surface and a 10-m height is investigated using the Special Sensor Microwave/Imager-observed integrated water vapor field and a sea surface temperature analysis. The surface latent heat flux fields generally have estimated errors below 40 percent south of 40 deg N and outside the region of high integrated water vapor values associated with frontal bands. The method of estimating surface latent heat fluxes for the case study was found to be usable in most regions of the northwest Atlantic Ocean except for those locations directly adjacent to coastlines in instances of offshore flow and in the vicinity of surface fronts.

Miller, Douglas K.↗

Estimating Pump Blockage

Blockage predicted for all components including inducers, impellers and diffusers. Pump performance predicted by semiempirical method shows excellent agreement with test results in Space Shuttle main-engine highpressure fuel turbopump. Comparisons of pump efficiency show equally good agreement of calculated values with experimental ones. Method improves current estimation methods based solely on subjective engineering judgment.

Chung, W.↗

Remotely Estimating Total Suspended Solids Concentration in Clear to Extremely Turbid Waters Using a Novel Semi-Analytical Method

Total suspended solids (TSS) concentration is an important biogeochemical parameter for water quality management and sediment-transport studies. In this study, we propose a novel semi-analytical method for estimating TSS in clear to extremely turbid waters from remote-sensing reflectance (Rrs). The proposed method includes three sub-algorithms used sequentially. First, the remotely sensed waters are classified into clear (Type I), moderately turbid (Type II), highly turbid (Type III), and extremely turbid (Type IV) water types by comparing the values of Rrs at 490, 560, 620, and 754 nm. Second, semi-analytical models specific to each water type are used to determine the particulate backscattering coefficients (bbp) at a corresponding single wavelength (i.e., 560 nm for Type I, 665 nm for Type II, 754 nm for Type III, and 865 nm for Type IV). Third, a specific relationship between TSS and bbp at the corresponding wavelength is used in each water type. Unlike other existing approaches, this method is strictly semi-analytical and its sub-algorithms were developed using synthetic datasets only. The performance of the proposed method was compared to that of three other state-of-the-art methods using simulated (N = 1000, TSS ranging from 0.01 to 1100 g/m3) and in situ measured (N = 3421, TSS ranging from 0.09 to 2627 g/m3) pairs of Rrs and TSS. Results showed a significant improvement with a Median Absolute Percentage Error (MAPE) of 16.0% versus 30.2–90.3% for simulated data and 39.7% versus 45.9–58.1% for in situ data, respectively. The new method was subsequently applied to 175 MEdium Resolution Imaging Spectrometer (MERIS) and 498 Ocean and Land Colour Instrument (OLCI) images acquired in the 2003–2020 timeframe to produce long-term TSS time-series for Lake Suwa and Lake Kasumigaura, Japan. Performance assessments using MERIS and OLCI matchups showed good agreements with in situ TSS measurements.

Mulit-Wavelength↗

D 3 -creatine dilution for skeletal muscle mass measurement: historical development and current status

The French chemist Michel Eugène Chevreul discovered creatine in meat two centuries ago. Extensive biochemical and physiological studies of this organic molecule followed with confirmation that creatine is found within the cytoplasm and mitochondria of human skeletal muscles. Two groups of investigators exploited these relationships five decades ago by first estimating the creatine pool size in vivo with 14 C and 15 N labelled isotopes. Skeletal muscle mass (kg) was then calculated by dividing the creatine pool size (g) by muscle creatine concentration (g/kg) measured on a single muscle biopsy or estimated from the literature. This approach for quantifying skeletal muscle mass is generating renewed interest with the recent introduction of a practical stable isotope (creatine-(methyl-d 3 )) dilution method for estimating the creatine pool size across the full human lifespan. The need for a muscle biopsy has been eliminated by assuming a constant value for whole-body skeletal muscle creatine concentration of 4.3 g/kg wet weight. The current single compartment model of estimating creatine pool size and skeletal muscle mass rests on four main assumptions: tracer absorption is complete; tracer is all retained; tracer is distributed solely in skeletal muscle; and skeletal muscle creatine concentration is known and constant. Three of these assumptions are false to varying degrees. Not all tracer is retained with urinary isotope losses ranging from 0% to 9%; an empirical equation requiring further validation is used to correct for spillage. Not all tracer is distributed in skeletal muscle with non-muscle creatine sources ranging from 2% to 10% with a definitive value lacking. Lastly, skeletal muscle creatine concentration is not constant and varies between muscles (e.g. 3.89–4.62 g/kg), with diets (e.g. vegetarian and omnivore), across age groups (e.g. middle-age, ~4.5 g/kg; old-age, 4.0 g/kg), activity levels (e.g. athletes, ~5 g/kg) and in disease states (e.g. muscular dystrophies, <3 g/kg). Some of the variability in skeletal muscle creatine concentrations can be attributed to heterogeneity in the proportions of wet skeletal muscle as myofibres, connective tissues, and fat. These observations raise serious concerns regarding the accuracy of the deuterated-creatine dilution method for estimating total body skeletal muscle mass as now defined by cadaver analyses of whole wet tissues and in vivo approaches such as magnetic resonance imaging. A new framework is needed in thinking about how this potentially valuable method for measuring the creatine pool size in vivo can be used in the future to study skeletal muscle biology in health and disease.

body composition↗

Development of Advanced Methods of Structural and Trajectory Analysis for Transport Aircraft

In this report the author describes: (1) development of advanced methods of structural weight estimation, and (2) development of advanced methods of flight path optimization. A method of estimating the load-bearing fuselage weight and wing weight of transport aircraft based on fundamental structural principles has been developed. This method of weight estimation represents a compromise between the rapid assessment of component weight using empirical methods based on actual weights of existing aircraft and detailed, but time-consuming, analysis using the finite element method. The method was applied to eight existing subsonic transports for validation and correlation. Integration of the resulting computer program, PDCYL, has been made into the weights-calculating module of the AirCraft SYNThesis (ACSYNT) computer program. ACSYNT bas traditionally used only empirical weight estimation methods; PDCYL adds to ACSYNT a rapid, accurate means of assessing the fuselage and wing weights of unconventional aircraft. PDCYL also allows flexibility in the choice of structural concept, as well as a direct means of determining the impact of advanced materials on structural weight.

Ardema, Mark D.↗

Inverse problems and optimal experiment design in unsteady heat transfer processes identification

Experimental-computational methods for estimating characteristics of unsteady heat transfer processes are analyzed. The methods are based on the principles of distributed parameter system identification. The theoretical basis of such methods is the numerical solution of nonlinear ill-posed inverse heat transfer problems and optimal experiment design problems. Numerical techniques for solving problems are briefly reviewed. The results of the practical application of identification methods are demonstrated when estimating effective thermophysical characteristics of composite materials and thermal contact resistance in two-layer systems.

Artyukhin, Eugene A.↗

Linear Distribution System State Estimation Using Synchrophasor Data and Pseudo-Measurement

State estimation is often a challenging task in distribution systems due to deploying a limited number of measurement devices. Moreover, the integration of precise distributionlevel phasor measurement unites, a.k.a micro-PMUs, along with inaccurate pseudo-measurements in state estimation introduces another challenge. These issues might decrease the efficiency of traditional standard weighted least squares (WLS) for distribution system state estimation. This paper proposes a novel linear distribution system state estimation with taken different types of measurements, including micro-PMU measurements and line current measurements, into account. To involve pseudomeasurements into the linear state estimation, a linearization method based on the Taylor’s approximation is adopted to reformulate pseudo-measurement functions in a linear form. The results obtained via numerical simulations show that the proposed linear state estimation method performs similarly to the standard nonlinear WLS estimator. In addition, the sensitivity analyses results show that our method has a better performance compared to WLS once a limited number of highly precise micro-PMUs are accompanied with inaccurate pseudo-measurements in state estimation.

State estimation Distribution system Micro-PMU Lin↗

Estimating costs and performance of systems for machine processing of remotely sensed data

This paper outlines a method for estimating computer processing times and costs incurred in producing information products from digital remotely sensed data. The method accounts for both computation and overhead, and may be applied to any serial computer. The method is applied to estimate the cost and computer time involved in producing Level II Land Use and Vegetative Cover Maps for a five-state midwestern region. The results show that the amount of data to be processed overloads some example computer systems, but that the processing is feasible on others.

Ballard, R. J.↗

Estimating Slopes In Images Of Terrain By Use Of BRDF

Proposed method of estimating slopes of terrain features based on use of bidirectional reflectivity distribution function (BRDF) in analyzing aerial photographs, satellite video images, or other images produced by remote sensors. Estimated slopes integrated along horizontal coordinates to obtain estimated heights; generating three-dimensional terrain maps. Method does not require coregistration of terrain features in pairs of images acquired from slightly different perspectives nor requires Sun or other source of illumination to be low in sky over terrain of interest. On contrary, best when Sun is high. Works at almost all combinations of illumination and viewing angles.

Scholl, Marija S.↗

Center of Gravity Quasi-Static Load Estimate Using Random Vibration Responses

The quasi-static load (QSL) is often levied on flight hardware structural designers as a requirement. This requirement is verified either by test or analysis with engineers using different approaches to meet this requirement. A commonly used approach is to consider the rms acceleration Center of Gravity (CG) responses of test articles undergoing random vibration tests. The differences between structural engineers and/or test conductors within the space industry exist on how the data obtained from flight hardware random vibration tests are used to estimate QSLs. In this paper, a method to accurately estimate the CG grms from the acceleration power spectral densities with an appropriate sigma value to estimate peak CG accelerations is discussed. Recommendations are made to ensure that the community follows consistent QSL estimation from random vibration test data. The method of estimating the CG acceleration responses may also be used to response limit if the flight hardware responses exceed flight limit loads with margins.

Kolaini, Ali↗