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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 109 records · Page 6
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2022

Argonne Pixel Tracking Telescope at the Fermilab Test Beam Facility

The Argonne Pixel Tracking Telescope is installed at the Fermilab Test Beam Facility. The telescope consists of six planar n + -in-n silicon sensors with a pixel size of 250 × 50 μm 2 . The instrumentation of the telescope is described including the electrical and mechanical setups. A 120 GeV proton beam is used to evaluate the telescope performance using criteria such as cluster size, pixel tracking efficiency, and spatial resolution. The spatial resolution of the telescope is measured to be 72 μm × 13 μm and is consistent with the resolution determined from the simulation. In conclusion, this telescope will be used to test the performance of the various silicon pixel technology as well as to study the effects and the performance of the detectors after being irradiated.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗
DOE OSTI2021

PNNL ARENA Cable Motor Test Bed Update

A major focus of the Light Water Reactor Sustainability (LWRS) Cable Nondestructive Examination (NDE) 2021 research is to acquire new equipment and integrate it with existing NDE instruments for a cable motor test bed which has been dubbed the Accelerated and Real Time Experimental Nodal Analysis or “ARENA”. All the primary components have been received and are being staged in the 2410 Stevens building on PNNL’s Richland campus. Building modifications to support a plug-in 480VAC receptacle have been completed and details of the system operating procedure (SOP) are in review. The approved SOP is required before the system is energized but is expected before July 2021. The ARENA system will support planned cable tests for 2021 and beyond that cannot conveniently be performed with on-site installations of cable test equipment including: (1) NDE Tests including Frequency Domain Reflectometry (FDR), Time Domain Reflectometry (TDR), Tan Delta (TD) Impedance measurements, Low Frequency Dielectric Spectroscopy (DS) measurements, standard multi-meter resistance checks, withstand tests and other bulk and distributed tests from the instrument panel with and without motors connected. (2) Online energized live wire tests using partial discharge instruments and LIVE-WIRE spread-spectrum TDR instruments. (3) Cable tests with partially submerged cable segments (including ability to submerge live cable segments). (4) Cable tests with partially or completely thermally aged segments (including ability to expose energized cable segments to thermal aging and use online monitoring instruments to monitor cable performance. (5) Ability to introduce low resistance simulations of connector or splice faults to off-line and on-line instrument setups.

42 ENGINEERING↗
DOE OSTI2025

Thermal Hydraulic Experimental Test Article: Second Year of Testing with Secondary Sodium System (Fiscal Year 2025 Final Report)

The Thermal Hydraulic Experimental Test Article (THETA) is currently installed in the Mechanisms Engineering Test Loop (METL) 28” test vessel #4. Both the primary and secondary sodium systems remain online to facilitate continued testing. This fiscal year, work was performed using a COMSOL Multiphysics magnetohydrodynamic model to characterize flow more accurately in the secondary electromagnetic flowmeters. Experimental campaigns were then performed to study the thermal hydraulic differences between sodium and water as a surrogate fluid in the THETA geometry as well as a study to better characterize and understand temperature oscillations that exist at the outlet of the core to the hot pool. A peer-reviewed article was published in the ASME Journal of Nuclear Engineering and Radiation Science detailing the THETA facility and providing an overview of a test that was performed with the primary and secondary system online [1]. Work continues to develop a database to house experimental THETA data to better facilitate collaboration with industry and laboratory partners for their use of the data for code benchmarking/validation. THETA remains fully operational and is positioned for continued testing in fiscal year 2026.

21 SPECIFIC NUCLEAR REACTORS AND ASSOCIATED PLANTS↗
DOE OSTI2023

Evaluation of Envelope Energy in a High-Performance Manufactured Home in California

There are important applications for a robust energy model for new construction manufactured homes that can characterize the individual performance of the opaque wall and ceiling components of the building envelope. The efficacy of different insulation materials can be assessed with the confidence that modeled performance will closely predict installed performance. This study uses careful calibration of a standard energy model with a short-term co-heating test in an installed manufactured home to de-aggregate the contributions of planar wall sections from overall building envelope thermal resistance. The methodology takes into account thermal mass effects, solar gains, and physical adjustments to the structure to achieve successful calibration and to inform adjustments to the test procedure for future study.

32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATI↗
DOE OSTI2024

Challenges and Opportunities for Basic Efficiency Measures in Low-Income Homes: A Southeast Alaska Case Study

Juneau, Alaska, is the state's capital city and aims to reach 80% renewable energy for the space heating and transportation sectors by 2045. This goal highlights a need to electrify both sectors to take advantage of the inexpensive hydropower available from the local electric utility, Alaska Electric Light and Power. To that end, researchers examined the feasibility of deploying storm windows via a case study of installing storm windows in two local low-income homes. Newer models of storm windows provide an extra layer of insulation over existing windows while preserving operability and views. They can also improve comfort and reduce noise. In addition to conducting pre- and post-installation air leakage tests, energy monitoring, and occupant interviews, researchers worked with the regional housing authority and a local builder to install the storm windows and replace inoperable windows in the two houses in 2021. The team encountered several challenges, including a lack of egress windows, energy data from a wide variety of heating systems, extremely leaky homes, and installation issues, such as windows that were not square. These results point to several barriers to the widespread deployment of window upgrades in the area and open the door to opportunities to design deployment programs that improve safety and efficiency.

cold climate↗
DOE OSTI2020

Modular, Mobile Systems for the Treatment of Contaminated Water at Three Magnox Sites in the United Kingdom - 20421

Veolia Nuclear Solutions (VNS), and its mitigated entity, Veolia Nuclear Solutions Federal Services (VNSFS), are designing, overseeing the fabrication and installation, and supporting the commissioning of highly mobile and modular skid-based water treatment systems to assist in the decommissioning of three Magnox reactor sites based in the U.K. These Modular Active Effluent Treatment Plants (MAETP) will be deployed at the Chapelcross, Hinkley Point A, and Dungeness A sites to process contaminated water through the use of ion exchange systems and/or filtration units. At the time of writing, two systems have been installed and inactively commissioned, and the third system is expected to be delivered in 2020. Veolia has utilized a multi-national team of engineers, based in the UK and the US, to effectively leverage the best of Veolia expertise in the design and delivery of mobile, modular systems. The VNS team continues to refine the modular, mobile, and scalable approach to water processing system delivery, and has successfully patented the evolving technology for proprietary protection. The intent of this technology investment is to improve the functionality, mobility, and modularity, resulting in a system which can be adapted to a broad range of throughput and isotope removal requirements to achieve the most cost effective, flexible system possible for customers. Designing, fabricating, and factory-testing the modules off site followed by onsite installation, testing, start-up, and commissioning ensures expedited delivery and setup, as well as cost savings for nuclear applications. For the MAETP systems, VNS's previous nuclear site experience and ongoing Research and Development (R and D), combined with the resulting mobile/modular water processing systems developed and successfully deployed by VNS, have proven to be important inputs for the successful end-design of the systems, materials selection, system testing and commissioning. The lessons learned in the development and continued enhancement of the patented systems described in this paper will prove useful in advancing and deploying future systems for other nuclear sites, where rapid customizing and cost-effective implementation are critical factors. (authors)

12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE W↗
DOE OSTI2023

High Power Radiofrequency Operation of the Radiofrequency Quadrupoles in the Spallation Neutron Source

The Spallation Neutron Source (SNS) recently took delivery of a third Radiofrequency Quadrupole (RFQ03) that will ultimately be installed on the front-end (FE) of the SNS Linac. The first RFQ (RFQ01) operated in the SNS FE for more than a decade before being replaced with the second RFQ (RFQ02). RFQ01 was relocated to the Beam Test Facility (BTF) where it operated for five more years. The RFQ02 was initially installed in the BTF for high power testing and used with H- beam for BTF operation. It replaced RFQ01 in the SNS FE in 2017 and has been operating for beam production since then. There are some differences between the three RFQs. RFQ01 has a square cross-section with pi-mode stabilizing loops (PISLs) with the structure being fabricated using two layers of materials, GlidCop outside and OFHC inside. RFQ02 and RFQ03 has an octagonal cross-section with end-wall stabilizer rods and was fabricated using OFHC only. RFQ01 suffered some field flatness distortion incidents that resulted in degradation in beam transmission efficiency and required RF tuning. RFQ02 has performed well but had a melted RF seal in the high energy end wall, that was ultimately mitigated by a redesign of the end flange seals. The SNS decided to order RFQ03 that has a design that followed that of RFQ02 closely, but end-wall contacts were modified to prevent RF seal failure. This report presents the testing, installation, high power RF operation, and design improvements of the RFQ03.

Ren, Haitao↗
DOE OSTI2024

Boiling-Water Reactor Testing Capability in the Advanced Test Reactor

I-Loop is an irradiation facility that is currently being installed at the Advanced Test Reactor. It is a two-loop test facility capable of performing Light Water Reactor (LWR) irradiations in prototypic coolant conditions. The two loops are being installed to be capable of both Boiling Water Reactor (BWR) and Pressurized Water Reactor (PWR) pressure, temperature, and chemistry environments. Each loop is nominally dedicated as a BWR or PWR for simplicity of operations. In-reactor water loop testing that an I-Loop provides is key to the deployment of new accident tolerant fuel technologies and other advanced LWR fuel concepts. Currently, pressurized water loops are the only testing facilities available to test BWR fuel concepts. Their test environments are non-prototypic at higher pressure/temperature and at single-phase fluid flow conditions. This void in the LWR test bed capabilities is one that the I-Loop is uniquely situated to provide. This report discusses the mechanical design, thermal hydraulic calculations, and neutronic calculations of a proposed standard experiment of accident tolerant BWR fuel concepts. Mechanical design examines the geometry and features of the main components. Thermal hydraulic calculations examine the modeling and results of the two-phase flow options available. Lastly, neutronic calculations examine the Monte Carlo analysis of enrichment, heat rates, and flux spectrum.

11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS↗
DOE OSTI2022

Field study of group effects on the pullout capacity of “deep” helical piles in sand

This paper presents the results of a field load test program used to investigate group effects on the pullout capacity of single-helix “deep” helical piles/anchors in sand. The high tensile capacity and silent installation of helical piles has given them serious consideration as an alternative to conventional deep foundations and anchors for offshore renewable energy structures. New offshore applications may consider the use of groups of helical piles to resist structural loads. Group interaction effects are known to occur in helical piles, but there is a scarcity of field data on groups in sands under tensile loading. This study involved the installation and load testing of single-helix 152mm diameter round shaft piles and pile groups embedded in sand to depths of 12 and 18 helix diameters below the ground surface. The study was designed to explore the effects of close pile spacing, group configuration (i.e., number of piles), and soil strength (i.e., friction angle) as interpreted from cone penetration test (CPT) resistance. The results showed group efficiencies ranging from about 0.6 to 1.0 at a horizontal spacing of 2 to 3 times the helix diameter in sands with friction angles of about 39° to 44°. The data from this study may also be useful for validation of numerical models for analysis of helical pile group interactions.

Engineering↗
DOE OSTI2023

Estimating the Performance Loss Rate of Photovoltaic Systems Using Time Series Change Point Analysis

The accurate quantification of the performance loss rate of photovoltaic systems is critical for project economics. Following the current research activities in the photovoltaic performance and reliability field, this work presents a comparative assessment between common change point methods for performance loss rate estimation of fielded photovoltaic installations. An extensive testing campaign was thus performed to evaluate time series analysis approaches for performance loss rate evaluation of photovoltaic systems. Historical electrical data from eleven photovoltaic systems installed in Nicosia, Cyprus, and the locations’ meteorological measurements over a period of 8 years were used for this investigation. The application of change point detection algorithms on the constructed monthly photovoltaic performance ratio series revealed that the obtained trend might not always be linear. Specifically, thin film photovoltaic systems showed nonlinear behavior, while nonlinearities were also detected for some crystalline silicon photovoltaic systems. When applying several change point techniques, different numbers and locations of changes were detected, resulting in different performance loss rate values (varying by up to 0.85%/year even for the same number of change points). The results highlighted the importance of the application of nonlinear techniques and the need to extract a robust nonlinear model for detecting significant changes in time series data and estimating accurately the performance loss rate of photovoltaic installations.

photovoltaics↗
DOE OSTI2024

Challenges and Opportunities for Basic Efficiency Measures in Low-Income Homes: A Southeast Alaska Case Study

Juneau, Alaska is the state's capital city and has a renewable energy goal to reach 80% renewable energy for the space heating and transportation sectors by 2045. In practical terms, this indicates a need to electrify both sectors, to take advantage of the inexpensive hydropower available from the local electric utility, Alaska Energy Light & Power. In an effort to complement and enable electrification, researchers examined the feasibility to deploy storm windows via a case study of installing storm windows in two local low-income homes. Newer models of storm windows provide an extra layer of insulation over existing windows, while preserving operability and views. They can also improve comfort and reduce noise. Researchers worked with the regional housing authority and a local builder to install the storm windows and replace inoperable windows in the two houses in 2021, in addition to conducting pre- and post-installation air leakage tests, energy monitoring, and occupant interviews. The team encountered several challenges, including a lack of egress windows, energy data from a wide variety of heating systems, extremely leaky homes, and installation issues such as windows that were not square. These results point to several barriers to widespread deployment of storm windows in the area, but also open the door to opportunities to design deployment programs that improve safety as well as efficiency.

cold climate↗
DOE OSTI2023

Sensitivity analysis of an automated fault detection algorithm for residential air-conditioning systems

The state of the art of fault detection and diagnosis (FDD) for residential air-conditioning systems is expensive and not yet amenable to widespread implementation. FDD for homes can significantly reduce utility costs, and increase the lifespan of the equipment. The cost barriers currently, however, make FDD for homes economically unviable for large scale implementation. In prior work, we offered a solution to reduce FDD costs by proposing an automated fault detection algorithm to serve as a screening step before more expensive FDD tests can be conducted. The algorithm uses only the home thermostat and local weather information to identify thermodynamic parameters and detect high-impact air-conditioning faults, including those that occur during equipment installation. We had tested the algorithm on a single EnergyPlus™ model of a home in Orlando, Florida. The thermodynamic parameter identification process is highly nonconvex involving several local optimal solutions. In this paper we propose a novel method to select the best model for fault detection from among the list of local optimal solutions to make the algorithm more robust to homes of different construction, without which the fault detection process would be infeasible. Another unique contribution of the paper is implementing the solution on real-world data. We also bring the algorithm closer to market by testing it on real-world data. We implement the algorithm on data obtained from experiments conducted by the Florida Solar Energy Center (FSEC) on a laboratory home equipped with a heat pump where faults were intentionally added for a period of seven months. The algorithm successfully detected an undercharge fault with 70.6% accuracy, concurrent duct leakage and undercharge faults with 85.2% accuracy, and duct leakage faults with 69.1% accuracy. A sensitivity analysis is also performed on EnergyPlus models of nine types of homes that vary in construction to demonstrate the robustness of the algorithm. Finally, the algorithm achieves an average accuracy of 71% for no-fault condition, 77% for 40% undercharge fault, and 76% for duct-leak fault.

32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATI↗
DOE OSTI2025

Design, Prototyping, Fabrication and Test of the Mu2e AC-Dipole Magnet

Fermilab Magnet Systems is building three High-frequency AC-Dipole Magnets for the Mu2e experiment at Fermilab. These magnets are composed of three single-loop one-meter-long ferrite loaded segments. The excitation consists of a copper tube, which is also used as a means for its cooling with the inherited challenges of Voltage and Frequency uncoupling. These magnets are designed to operate either at 300 kHz or 4.4 MHz via resonance tuning. Following the completion of the design, prototyping, and analysis phases, all ferrites and other components were procured, and the magnets were fabricated to meet vacuum compatibility requirements using strict procedures. Each magnet undergoes thorough baking and testing before being installed in the experiment. This paper discusses the magnets' role in proton background suppression as it represents a unique and essential device for the Mu2e experiment at Fermilab. We present the magnet design choices, modeling approach, and the challenges encountered during fabrication. Additionally, we outline the power supply driving mechanism, the testing that was performed, and our results.

Elementi, Luciano [Fermilab] (ORCID:00000002766372↗
DOE OSTI2025

SPC-71260 Rev 0 MARVEL Heat Extraction Subsystem Secondary Coolant Equipment (SCE) Design/Build

A. The Microreactor Applications Research Validation and Evaluation (MARVEL) reactor will offer experimental capabilities that are not currently available at DOE’s national laboratories. Idaho National Laboratory (INL), operated for the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) by Battelle Energy Alliance, LLC (BEA) (Contractor hereafter) is procuring services for the design, analysis, fabrication, testing and delivery of a Secondary Coolant Equipment system (SCE). This specification contains the requirements for design, analysis, fabrication, testing and delivery of the SCE as described herein. The MARVEL reactor is a microreactor which uses eutectic sodium-potassium alloy (NaK) as a primary coolant. The primary coolant is circulated through four primary loops by natural convection of the coolant. In each loop is a closed well which will accommodate an intermediate heat exchanger (IHX) for extracting heat from the loop. These wells will be referred to in this specification as the “IHX wells.” It is intended for the IHX containment to also be filled with NaK. The MARVEL design team has determined that a Heat Extraction System (HES) using pumped NaK will be used to extract heat from the IHXs and deliver it to a downstream system for power generation or alternate process heat users. This Heat Extraction System will enable MARVEL operations including the ability to test, demonstrate, and address issues related to installation, startup, and operations. In addition, it will allow down-stream utilization of process heat for various uses. The objective of this specification is to develop the final design for the HES Secondary Coolant Equipment system (SCE) that will be used as the core of the HES. This system provides control of the NaK circulation between the MARVEL reactor and the subsequent process heat utilization systems. It does not include design of the Intermediate Heat Exchangers and piping inside the T-REXc pit in which the reactor is located. B. The MARVEL microreactor will be installed in the Transient Reactor Test Facility (TREAT) building in the Transient Reactor Test (TREAT) Micro-Reactor Experiment Cell (T-REXc) C. An INL Subcontractor has developed a conceptual design for this system per SPC-71145, referred to in that specification as the Process Heat Extraction System. SPC-71260 is based on the pumped NaK loop concept developed under SPC-71145. D. The SCE system design and (as option scope) fabrication shall be provided by the awardee of the subcontract (Subcontractor hereafter) pertaining to this Specification. Prior to shipment, the SCE will be fabricated, assembled, and tested at the Subcontractor’s facility. After successful completion of acceptance testing, the SCE and associated equipment will be shipped to the Materials and Fuels Complex (MFC) at the INL (Contractor’s Facility hereafter) to be installed by others in TREAT/T-REXc.

21 - SPECIFIC NUCLEAR REACTORS AND ASSOCIATED PLAN↗
DOE OSTI2024

DOE Cold Climate Heat Pump Challenge Field Validation: Data Collection and Analysis Plan

This document details the data collection, storage, and analysis plan and methodologies for conducting the field validation portion of DOE’s Cold Climate Heat Pump (CCHP) Challenge. The study is focused on validating the in-field heating performance of prototypical CCHPs that have successfully demonstrated that they meet or exceed the Challenge specification in a laboratory setting. The units that have passed laboratory testing will be installed in real homes along with sensors and loggers for monitoring performance over an entire heating season. Data collected through monitoring will be cleaned and stored in a secure database. The data will be analyzed for calculating the key metrics defined by the Challenge including heating capacities at low outdoor air temperatures (below 32 °F), efficiency in terms of the Coefficient of Performance (COP), switchover temperatures and auxiliary heat staging. Demand Response (DR) capabilities will also be tested using specially designed DR events. In most cases, shoulder season and cooling season performance will also be determined and reported.

32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATI↗
DOE OSTI2023

Fermilab’s horizontal test stand upgrade overview and commissioning

Cryo-assemblies with the low-beta Nb3Sn quadrupoles for the High Luminosity LHC (HL-LHC) upgrade will be tested at Fermilab’s magnet test facility. Total of 10 cryo-assemblies will be delivered to CERN within the US HL-LHC Accelerator Upgrade Project (AUP). The horizontal test stand at Fermilab already has been used for testing the existing LHC inner-triplet quadrupoles, but the stand and corresponding electrical and cryogenic sub-systems were not operational more than a decade. In order to restore the test stand functions and meet the design and test requirements for the high luminosity LHC magnets, the existing horizontal test facility at Fermilab underwent a significant refurbishment of the cryogenic and mechanical components. Most of the upgrades were completed and verified during so called zero-magnet test by late 2020, and then final commissioning of the upgraded test stand was completed during the first cryo-assembly test in 2023. These tests verified all the cryo-mechanical installations, as well as the test stand operations, including controlled cooldown and operation at 1.9 K, the helium recovery capabilities, magnet protection and process controls.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗
DOE OSTI2020

The EGS Collab Project: Learnings from Experiment 1

The primary objective of the EGS Collab Project sponsored by DOE is to increase the understanding needed to efficiently implement enhanced geothermal systems (EGS). One goal of the EGS Collab project is to create a collaborative research environment in which to study stimulation of crystalline rock at the 10 meter scale. Key to this effort is the collection of high quality data to allow comparison to numerical coupled process models in an effort to build confidence in the codes and modeling techniques used. In response to this, the EGS Collab team has created an underground test bed at the Sanford Underground Research Facility (SURF) in Lead SD at a depth of approximately 1.5 km to examine hydraulic fracturing (Experiment 1). We are currently designing a second test bed aimed at investigating shear stimulation (Experiment 2). At the Experiment 1 location, we have characterized our host rock using laboratory testing and numerous field-based geophysical and geological techniques, and created a well-instrumented test bed to allow us to carefully monitor stimulation events and flow tests. In addition to the installed geophysical sensors, we have used tracer tests, differences in the ambient microbial communities at flow collection locations, and cold water injection to inform us about dynamic flow pathways. In Experiment 1, we have hydraulically stimulated the host rock in a number times at several locations in one well, creating new fractures that connect to existing fractures between the injection and production boreholes. We have performed long-term ambient and chilled water injection tests as an analog to EGS, and have monitored system changes resulting from these water injections through geophysical monitoring, flow and pressure measurements, tracer tests, and microbiology. Here, we summarize the tests performed, issues identified including poroelastic and thermoelastic effects, Joule-Thomson effects, restarting effects, indications of flow channeling, and the primary learnings from Experiment 1.

Enhanced Geothermal Systems, EGS Collab, stimulati↗
DOE OSTI2022

UAE6 - Wind Tunnel Tests Data - UAE6 - Sequence F - Raw Data

Sequence F: Downwind High Cone (F) This test sequence used a downwind, rigid turbine with an 18° cone angle. The wind speed ranged from 10 m/s to 20 m/s. Excessive inertial loading due to the high cone angle prevented operation at lower wind speeds. Yaw angles of ±20° were achieved. The blade tip pitch was 3°. The rotor rotated at 72 RPM. Blade and probe pressure measurements were collected. The teeter dampers were replaced with rigid links, and these two channels were flagged as not applicable by setting the measured values in the data file to –99999.99 Nm. The teeter link was replaced with a shorter bar so the load cell was not installed during this test. However, the teeter link load cell channel was flagged as not applicable by setting the measured values in the data file to -99999.99 N.

17 WIND ENERGY↗