Search NASA⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search NASA

Results for “Transient simulations”

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.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 145 records · Page 8
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2023

An integrated statistical-thermodynamic model for fission gas release and swelling in nuclear fuels

Here, we propose a new model for burst fission gas release induced by microcracking in ceramic nuclear fuels such as uranium dioxide. The model stipulates that the densities of defects in the fuel material, such as microcracks and fission gas bubbles on grain boundaries, evolve in accordance with the second law of thermodynamics. Central to the model is the notion of an effective temperature, conjugate to the configurational entropy of the fuel material, and directly linked to the burnup. The model predicts that microcracking, driven by the internal stress state of the fuel material, reduces the bubble storage capacity of grain boundaries, and accounts for burst fission gas release during rapid temperature transients that simulate power transients, reactor startup, and loss-of-coolant accident conditions.

11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS↗
DOE OSTI2021

Modeling and experimental validation of a W f /W-fabrication by chemical vapor deposition and infiltration

Tungsten (W) has a unique combination of excellent thermal properties, low sputter yield, low hydrogen retention, and acceptable activation. Therefore, W is presently the main candidate for the first wall material in future fusion devices. However, its intrinsic brittleness and its further embrittlement during operation bears the risk of a sudden and catastrophic component failure. As a countermeasure, tungsten fiber-reinforced tungsten (W f /W) with extrinsic toughening is being developed. A possible synthesis route is chemical vapor deposition (CVD) using heated W fabrics as substrate. The challenge is that the growing CVD-W can isolate domains from precursor access leading to strength-reducing pores. To deepen the process understanding and to optimize the CVD parameters, models were developed with COMSOL Multiphysics and validated experimentally. W deposition rate equations as function of the temperature and the partial pressures of the precursors H 2 and WF 6 were experimentally validated in previous work. In the present article, these equations are applied to obtain partial pressures within the CVD reactor. The results are taken as input for transient simulations in the microscale, in which W coatings, growing onto multiple adjacent W fibers, were simulated via mesh deformation and remeshing. The surface-to-surface contact of the W coatings and the corresponding potential pore formation were simulated by implementing sophisticated deposition rate stop conditions. Within the measuring uncertainties of ≃ ±1%, the models are validated successfully by experimental comparison regarding the deposition rate, pore structure, and relative densities ranging from 0.6 to 0.9.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2024

Adaptive Narrowband Damping for Improving Harmonic Stability of Modular Multilevel Converter

Harmonic instability events between modular multilevel converter (MMC) and ac systems have been widely reported in recent years. To damp harmonic resonance, this paper proposes an adaptive narrowband damping control that automatically programs, adds, and adjusts the damping around the oscillation frequency when an oscillation is detected. First, the paper presents a low-pass filter design for MMC control loops that pushes all negative damping of the MMC impedance down to the medium-frequency range (< ~ 1000 Hz). Then, an adaptive damping control that uses online oscillation detection is proposed, which can automatically configure the narrowband damper to provide positive damping to the MMC around the detected oscillation frequency. In contrast to existing narrowband damping methods, the proposed adaptive narrowband damper dynamically adjusts the damping gain and the width of the damping range based on continuous monitoring of system resonance conditions (e.g., adjust damping gain to zero when the system resonance disappears). Electromagnetic transient simulation results validate the efficacy of the proposed method in two typical MMC-based power systems.

active damping↗
DOE OSTI2023

Slater transition methods for core-level electron binding energies

Methods for computing core-level ionization energies using self-consistent field (SCF) calculations are evaluated and benchmarked. These include a “full core hole” (or “ΔSCF”) approach that fully accounts for orbital relaxation upon ionization, but also methods based on Slater’s transition concept in which the binding energy is estimated from an orbital energy level that is obtained from a fractional-occupancy SCF calculation. A generalization that uses two different fractional-occupancy SCF calculations is also considered. The best of the Slater-type methods afford mean errors of 0.3–0.4 eV with respect to experiment for a dataset of K-shell ionization energies, a level of accuracy that is competitive with more expensive many-body techniques. An empirical shifting procedure with one adjustable parameter reduces the average error below 0.2 eV. Here, this shifted Slater transition method is a simple and practical way to compute core-level binding energies using only initial-state Kohn–Sham eigenvalues. It requires no more computational effort than ΔSCF and may be especially useful for simulating transient x-ray experiments where core-level spectroscopy is used to probe an excited electronic state, for which the ΔSCF approach requires a tedious state-by-state calculation of the spectrum. As an example, we use Slater-type methods to model x-ray emission spectroscopy.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2026

Feasibility Study on Implementing a Staggered-Grid Finite Volume Method for System Analysis Code Development Under the MOOSE Framework

Here, this work summarizes a feasibility study on testing numerical algorithms that are suitable and efficient for advanced system analysis code development under the mutli-physics framework, MOOSE. The key to the test bed is the implementation of high-order one-dimensional staggered-grid finite volume method (SG-FVM), and its direct interaction with the linear/nonlinear solver, PETSc. The test bed utilized a more flexible code structure to enable the finite volume method implementation and direct interacting with the solver package, instead of using the natively supported finite element method by the framework. Using a suite of selected test problems with different problem sizes and levels of complexity, the implemented SG-FVM demonstrated superior performance improvement against a direct finite element method implementation through MOOSE. On two computer systems, the speedup was observed to be significant, with at least one order of magnitude of solving time reduction. For a complex reactor model, transient simulation was performed using the newly developed finite volume method code, the results of which agree very well with the reference results from the finite element method code. Overall, this study demonstrates a successful feasibility study on the proposed numerical algorithms and software structure to support advanced system analysis tool development.

MOOSE↗
DOE OSTI2026

Balance of Plant Modeling and Real-Time Hardware-in-the-Loop Integration with the Microreactor Automated Control System

The advent of novel microreactor technology has driven a focused effort to explore safety and efficiency improvements that can be achieved through the use of automated system control. Development of control strategies, especially for initial demonstration, requires an adequate surrogate environment to safely research failure modes and control integration with realistic hardware delay. However, efficiency gains from control strategies are improved when the scope of controller action is expanded to include system-level dynamics such as downstream heat extraction and mass flow. For this reason, a balance-of-plant (BOP) model of a representative microreactor system has been developed using the TRANsient Simulation Framework of Reconfigurable Models library in Modelica. This model captures a reactor and primary NaK coolant loop that represent corresponding system components of the Microreactor Applications Research Validation and EvaLuation (MARVEL) design as well as a secondary coolant loop and heat extraction representative of the Microreactor Agile Non-Nuclear Experimental Test Bed (MAGNET). This model configuration allows for hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) integration with microreactor automated control system (MACS) hardware in real time through a Python-based gRPC client. Real-time simulation of model performance with emulated hardware and communication delay suggests that under independent proportional-integral-derivative control of BOP model drum dynamics and downstream heat extraction, stable power load following is achievable. A slight delay in load following, filtering of high-frequency dynamics, and localized temperature fluctation suggest room for improvement through the development of higher-level control strategies. The simulated coupling of the MAGNET facility lays the groundwork for future digital twin analysis with a coupled MACS-MAGNET HIL demonstration.

McConnell, Jono [ORNL] (ORCID:0000000238984741)↗
DOE OSTI2023

Flux-based three-dimensional electrodynamic modeling approach to superconducting circuits and materials

Modeling the behavior of superconducting electronic circuits containing Josephson junctions is crucial for the design of superconducting information processors and devices. In this paper, we introduce DEC-QED, a computational approach for modeling the electrodynamics of superconducting electronic circuits containing Josephson junctions in arbitrary three-dimensional electromagnetic environments. DEC-QED captures the nonlinear response and induced currents in BCS superconductors and accurately captures phenomena such as the Meissner effect, flux quantization, and Josephson effects. Using a spatial coarse-graining formulation based on discrete exterior calculus (DEC), DEC-QED can accurately simulate transient and long-time dynamics in superconductors. Finally, the expression of the entire electrodynamic problem in terms of the gauge-invariant flux field and charges makes the resulting classical field theory suitable for second quantization.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗
DOE OSTI2021

Dynamic P-Q Capability and Abnormal Operation Analysis of a Wind Turbine with Doubly-Fed Induction Generator

After several accidents occurred in wind farms in the United States and around the world, the subsynchronous oscillation (SSO) issues in grid-connected wind farms have gained serious attention. Particularly, these issues have caused significant challenges to wind turbines with a doubly fed induction generator (DFIG) because it is connected to the grid via both its stator and rotor paths. Traditionally, a P-Q capability chart is utilized to assure the safe operation boundary for a synchronous generator. But the energy conversion characteristics of a DFIG wind turbine are completely different. A critical factor to affect the reliable operation of a DFIG wind turbine is the rated current and pulse-width modulation (PWM) saturation constraints of its power converters. These constraint conditions can be affected by the wind turbine rotating speed and grid conditions. However, a detailed study of DFIG P-Q capability from these perspectives has not been conducted, which has hindered adequate understanding of many abnormal wind turbine operations reported in the literature and the development of advanced control technologies to overcome the challenges. The proposed study in this paper considers vector control implementation to DFIG power electronic converters in the dq reference frame, and the models and algorithms developed for the P-Q capability study have addressed specific DFIG power converter constraints that are different from those of a traditional synchronous generator. The paper especially focuses on exploring the dynamic natures of DFIG P-Q capability under uncertain and variable conditions to explore the root causes of many abnormal operations of DFIG wind turbines reported in the literature. The proposed study is validated through an electromagnetic transient simulation model of a grid-connected DFIG wind turbine. The proposed study has the potential to lead to the development of new DFIG control technologies that can help overcome the challenges for many abnormal operations of DFIG wind turbines.

17 WIND ENERGY↗
DOE OSTI2024

Exploring Dynamic P-Q Capability and Abnormal Operations of Inverter-Based Resources

Nowadays, inverter-based resources are rapidly growing in electric power systems. On the other side, abnormal inverter operations are also occurring more often. Traditionally, inverter PQ capability charts are employed by electric utility companies to ensure safe and reliable operations of inverter-based resources. However, it is found in this paper that existing inverter PQ capability charts do not address the operating characteristics of an inverter correctly, which can result in irregular and unstable inverter operations. Here in this paper, a novel study is conducted to investigate inverter PQ capability charts, where constraints that are specific to an inverter are considered. It is found in this paper that the inverter PQ capability charts exhibit a unique dynamic nature under uncertain grid conditions. This dynamic nature has not been considered by the industry in managing, designing, and controlling an inverter as well as in developing international standards for inverter-based resources. Via both electromagnetic transient simulation and hardware experimental investigations, it is found that the dynamic PQ capability nature, together with the limitations of the existing control methods, are the underlying causes of many unusual inverter operations that have been reported in the literature.

24 POWER TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION↗
DOE OSTI2024

Grid Forming Control of PMSG-based Wind Turbines under Fault Conditions

Grid-forming control is widely envisioned as core technology ensuring stable operation of future power systems with increasing deployment of converter-interfaced renewable generation. However, research on grid forming control of wind turbines, especially under faults, is still in its early stages. In this context, this paper augments dual-port grid-forming control for type IV wind turbines with auxiliary controls to enable reliable fault ride through capabilities. In particular, the proposed control does not require a dc chopper or mode switching to grid-following control. Instead, energy-balancing dual-port GFM control is augmented with active rotor speed damping control and threshold virtual impedance for current limiting during faults. Different operating conditions of wind turbines are considered in a detailed electromagnetic transient simulation study to validate the effectiveness of the proposed control.

Lyu, Xue↗
DOE OSTI2024

FIDVR Capability of Hybrid Grid-Forming PV Power Plants During Feeder Restoration

Grid-forming inverters must optimally transfer power from dc-coupled photovoltaic arrays and batteries into an ac grid. Further, they must be able to restore single-phase induction motors (SPIMs) and withstand fault-induced delayed voltage-recovery (FIDVR) events. These resilience and reliability challenges are addressed here by: (i) engineering a controller to optimally operate dc-coupled hybrid resources; (ii) modeling residential air-conditioning compressors for restoration/FIDVR studies; and (iii) analyzing SPIM thermal-relay performance under limited inverter currents and designing an electronic protection for stalled SPIMs. Furthermore, these contributions are demonstrated via electromagnetic-transient simulations and can be helpful to understand recommendations by the North American Electric Reliability Corporation.

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗
DOE OSTI2026

Small-Signal Stability of Grid-Forming Converters Under Fault Conditions

Threshold virtual impedance (TVI)-based current limiting for grid-forming converters (GFMs) has gained great interest due to its ability to maintain voltage source behaviour during faults. However, sequence component extraction (SCE) and negative-sequence control (NSC) are often overlooked in small-signal stability assessments during faults. This paper develops small-signal sequence impedance models for GFMs under four well-known SCE methods based on TVI current limiting control during symmetrical fault conditions. Using the developed impedance models, the impacts of SCE and NSC, and the voltage and current control loop bandwidths, on system stability during faults are investigated. Additionally, since negative-sequence TVI (TVI-) is typically added along with its positive-sequence counterpart, which is often inductive, inductive and resistive TVI- are examined. The findings suggest that a higher voltage or current control loop bandwidth has a negative impact on system stability, while SCE and NSC largely reduce the stable range for voltage and current control loop bandwidth during faults, and that the severity of such impacts is determined by the particular SCE method. Furthermore, it is observed that inductive TVI- significantly degrades system stability, while resistive TVI- can enhance stability when suitable SCE methods are appropriately selected and designed. Matlab/Simulink electromagnetic transient simulations validate these analytical results.

24 POWER TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION↗
DOE OSTI2022

A Laplace-Domain Circuit Model for Fault and Stability Analysis Considering Unbalanced Topology

For systems subject to unbalanced faults, analytical model building for stability assessment is a challenging task. This letter presents a straightforward modeling approach. A generalized dynamic circuit representation is achieved by use of the Laplacian transform variable s . Here, we translate the voltage and current relationship at the fault location into the relationship of three subsystems. The final circuit model is an interconnected sequence network with impedances in the Laplace domain. This circuit can be directly converted from a steady-state sequence network. This modeling procedure is illustrated by an example case of an induction motor served by a grid through a series compensated line. Electromagnetic transient simulation results demonstrate that sub-synchronous oscillations can be mitigated when a single-line to ground fault is applied at the motor terminal. Stability analysis results based on the dynamic circuit corroborate the simulation results. What's more, the derived circuit effortlessly reveals why unbalance can enhance stability.

42 ENGINEERING↗
DOE OSTI2024

Criteria for Grid-Forming Inverters Transitioning Between Current Limiting Mode and Normal Operation

Here, this letter focuses on the fault recovery analysis of inverters using multi-loop droop based grid-forming control, taking into account different current limiting strategies. A criterion is proposed to determine when the inverter can exit the current limiting mode after fault clearance. The theoretical findings are verified through electromagnetic transient simulations using the direct (d)-axis priority-based current limiting method, circular current limiting method, and virtual impedance method.

24 POWER TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION↗
DOE OSTI2022

GIST (Grid Impedance Scan Tool) [SWR-22-73]

NREL has developed GIST (Grid Impedance Scan Tool) to scan the impedance response of inverter-based resources such as land-based and offshore wind power plants, solar power plants, etc., from their electromagnetic transient simulation models to evaluate their impact on grid stability. GIST can scan impedance response of inverter-based resources from vendor-supplied black-box simulation models without requiring internal proprietary details, enabling detailed stability analysis of power systems with high levels of inverter-based generation.

Shah, Shahil↗
DOE OSTI2022

PDC Modifications for Analysis of Gas-Cooled Reactors with Direct Helium Brayton Cycle

Capabilities of the Plant Dynamics Code (PDC) have been extended to allow steady-state and transient simulation of graphite-cooled reactors with direct helium Brayton cycle. On the cycle side, the most significant code modification is the addition of helium properties, in the format required by the code’s equations. Since the code was already formulated to handle more complex real gas properties, adding helium as working fluid that behaves like ideal gas was fairly straightforward. A reactor module was added to PDC to simulate a reactor cooled by the working fluid of the Brayton cycle. Two options are supported: channel type, typical for graphite gas-cooled reactors, and pin type, typical for light-water and liquid metal-cooled reactors. The reactor module is an extension of the electrical heater model and simulates heat deposition in the fuel and transfer of this heat from the fuel to the coolant through the matrix and tube materials. The new reactor module becomes the third option in PDC for modeling heat addition to the cycle, besides previously modeled heat addition heat exchanger and electrical heater. In addition to those changes, other minor code modifications and improvements were introduced during the work of expanding PDC to modeling of gas-cooled reactors. These modifications are summarized in the last chapter of this report.

21 SPECIFIC NUCLEAR REACTORS AND ASSOCIATED PLANTS↗
DOE OSTI2022

Benchmark Specifications for Select Experiments Conducted at the Kansas State University Gallium Thermal-hydraulic Experiment Facility

The Department of Energy (DOE) – Nuclear Energy University Programs (NEUP) supported the creation and operation of the Gallium Thermal-hydraulic Experiment (GaTE) facility at Kansas State University (KSU) as part of a larger effort to understand thermal stratification behavior in liquid-metal-cooled reactors. GaTE was designed to simulate transients in a reactor plenum that are known to cause thermal stratification. High-reliability and high-resolution measurements describing stratification behavior in the coolant were collected for use as experimental benchmarks in validation efforts for computational models. The results of these tests contribute to a greater understanding of thermal stratification behavior of liquid metal under various configurations and operating conditions. This report provides a complete description of the benchmark problem, including all necessary details and description of a set of four forced flow and four natural circulation tests and measured data for comparison with model results.

22 GENERAL STUDIES OF NUCLEAR REACTORS↗
DOE OSTI2022

Benchmark Specification for Select Experiments Conducted at the University of Wisconsin-Madison Thermal Stratification Test Facility

The Department of Energy (DOE)-Nuclear Energy University Programs (NEUP) supported the creation and operation of the Thermal Stratification Test Facility (TSTF) at the University of Wisconsin Madison (UWM) as part of a larger effort to understand thermal stratification behavior in liquid-metal-cooled reactors. The TSTF was designed to simulate transients in a reactor plenum that are known to cause thermal stratification. High-reliability and high-resolution measurements of the flow and temperature were collected for use as experimental benchmarks to support validation efforts for computational models. The results of these tests contribute to the greater understanding of thermal stratification behavior of liquid sodium under various configurations and operating conditions. The six TSTF tests selected for benchmarking are a set of forced circulation tests at a fixed flow rate with different Upper Internal Structure (UIS) configurations in the test section (no UIS, solid UIS, and a UIS with flow area of 4, 8, 12, and 100%). This report provides a complete description of the benchmark problems, including all key test facility details, descriptions of each test condition, and measured data for comparison with modeled results.

42 ENGINEERING↗