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A Fast Time-Stepping Strategy for Dynamical Systems Equipped with a Surrogate Model
Simulation of complex dynamical systems arising in many applications is computationally challenging due to their size and complexity. Model order reduction, machine learning, and other types of surrogate modeling techniques offer cheaper and simpler ways to describe the dynamics of these systems but are inexact and introduce additional approximation errors. In order to overcome the computational difficulties of the full complex models, on one hand, and the limitations of surrogate models, on the other, this work proposes a new accelerated time-stepping strategy that combines information from both. This approach is based on the multirate infinitesimal general-structure additive Runge--Kutta framework. The inexpensive surrogate model is integrated with a small time step to guide the solution trajectory, and the full model is treated with a large time step to occasionally correct for the surrogate model error and ensure convergence. Here, we provide a theoretical error analysis, and several numerical experiments, to show that this approach can be significantly more efficient than using only the full or only the surrogate model for the integration.
Review of Landscaping Equipment Vibration Risk Exposure, LLNL Site 200 (Various Locations), Whole Body Vibration Seated and Standing Mowers
WBV (Whole-Body Vibration) for operators of seated and standing lawn mowers was conducted during landscape activities from April 2019 through August 2019 at various locations around LLNL Site 200. Mowing is generally performed by each landscaper for 2-3 days every other week with a maximum duration of 3-5 hours each day. On mowing days, other tasks are performed for the remainder of the day that do not expose the worker to WBV such as irrigation, blowing, or sweeping. The mowing terrain at LLNL is variable with typical reported conditions such as gopher holes, exposed tree roots, quick turns, normal and high growth, weeds, and mushy/wet ground that can result in jolts to the mower operator. The Larson Davis HVM200 seat pad with tri-axial accelerometer was used for monitoring workers. For the seated mowers, the HVM200 seat pad with tri-axial accelerometer was placed on the seat between the user and seat pan of the mower. For standing mowers, the seat pad with tri-axial accelerometer was wrapped with Dycem (for seat pad protection) and placed directly on top of the mower deck and underneath the end-user’s right foot. Monitoring for WBV was conducted while operators used different types, makes, and models of mowers. A total of sixteen samples were collected from the operators of seated mower and 6 samples were collected from operators of standing mower. This initial data sampling was part of a discovery phase to identify if WBV exposure met the 2016 ACGIH TLVs (Threshold Limit Values). This initial data identified that workers operating the mowers do not exceed either the TLV or Action Level (AL) for Weighted Acceleration Levels (A(8)) but typically exceed the Vibration Dose Value (VDV) lower boundary for the standing mowers.
Maximizing the Use of Ductless Mini-Splits in Homes with Existing Central or Zonal Heating and Cooling Equipment
In the residential retrofit application, ductless mini-split heat pumps (DHP) are often reported to hold high-energy savings potential, depending on the system they are supplementing or replacing. However, of late, there have been a number of studies and analyses indicating these energy savings are not being achieved. The primary goal of this project was to determine the most cost effective (lowest cost for the most energy saved) and persistent (e.g. automated, hard to change, etc.) solution for controlling a ductless heat pump in an existing home with central forced air furnace. Various control strategies were tested at the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory Lab Homes to compare the energy savings between the different energy efficient control strategies. A maximum of 40% energy savings was realized by using the ductless mini-split as the primary heat source with the central air conditioning unit as the secondary source.
CPAP Ventilators Needed for Rapid Response to COVID-19 by Modification of CPAP Equipment
Early on in the COVID-19 pandemic, potential ventilator shortages were a critical issue identified by national health care providers. Capacity modeling at the time suggested patient demand may exceed ventilator supply. Thus, the challenge became finding an urgent interim solution to meet health care needs. Our initial hypothesis was that CPAP technology could be modified to provide similar functionality to a ventilator, relieving demand and allowing physicians to decide which patients need high end machines, ultimately saving lives. In conjunction with medical experts and pulmonologists, we were able to identify three key thrusts associated with this research problem: (1) modification of CPAP technology to allow for 02 input that would be capable of providing ventilation; (2) development of an alarming function that would provide real-time audible alarms to alert medical personnel to critical conditions, which would be used inline with CPAP technology; and (3) a method of sterilizing expiratory air from such a system in order to protect medical personnel from biohazard, since CPAPs vent to the atmosphere. We were unable to realize results for thrust 1 (CPAP modification for 02); we identified potential safety issues associated with utilizing medical grade oxygen with a common CPAP device. In order to characterize and mitigate these issues, we would need to partner closely with a device manufacturer; such a partnership could not be achieved in the timeframe needed for this rapid response work. However, we determined that some medical grade BiPAP devices do not need this modification and that the significant progress on thrusts 2 and 3 would be sufficient to buy down risk of a massive ventilator shortage. Our team built a prototype alarm system that can be utilized with any assistive respiratory device to alert on all key conditions identified by medical personnel (high pressure, low pressure, apnea, loss of power, low battery). Finally, our team made significant progress in the rapid prototyping and demonstration of an inline UV air purifier device. The device is cost efficient and can be manufactured at scale with both commercially available and additively manufactured parts. Initial tests with SARS-CoV-2 analog bacteriophage MS2 show 99% efficacy at reducing bioburden. Following a successful demonstration of the prototype device with medical personnel, we were able to obtain follow-on (non-LDRD) funding to provide additional device characterization, validation, and production in order to respond to an immediate regional need.
Modeling and Equipment Analysis for the VTR Fuel Fabrication Facility [Slides]
Abstract not provided.
Sensors with Intelligent Measurement Platform and Low-cost Equipment (SIMPLE) for Monitoring and Control of Medium Voltage Distribution Systems with High Penetration of Intermittent Distributed Energy Resources
The primary focus of the SIMPLE project was to develop, commission, test and introduce intelligent voltage and current sensor platform with enhanced characteristics (accuracy, bandwidth and harmonic range) and high measurement granularity for medium voltage distribution system monitoring, protection and control. The enhancements incorporated existing (commercially available) sensors and made them suitable for applications such as voltage regulation, frequency support, fault detection and location, distribution system state estimation, power quality measurements and electrical distribution network topology processing. The development of the intelligent sensor platform was driven by the need for high-fidelity monitoring and control of medium voltage distribution feeder to enable higher penetration of renewable resources and microgrid operation.
Completion of Milestone for Receiving Reinstrumentation Equipment from IFE
This set of powerpoint slides demonstrates how milestone "M2CT-21IN0702026: Receive prototype drilling and defueling modules for the re-instrumentation facility procured from the Institute For Energy (Halden, Norway) at the Idaho National Laboratory" was met. It supports an entry in PICS claiming achievement of the milestone. These slides provide a good summary of the purpose and impact of the milestone for our DOE Headquarters colleagues.
Development and Field Testing Novel Natural Gas Surface Process Equipment for Replacement of Water as Primary Hydraulic Fracturing Fluid (Final Report)
Southwest Research Institute® (SwRI ® ), Schlumberger Technology Corporation (SLB), and Chevron Corporation ® (Chevron) developed a novel, optimized, and lightweight process for natural gas (NG) to replace water as a low-cost fracturing medium with a low environmental impact. Hydraulic fracturing is used to increase oil and NG production by injecting high-pressure fluid, primarily water, into a rock formation, which fractures the rock and releases trapped oil and NG. This method was developed to increase yield and make feasible production areas that would not otherwise be viable for large-scale oil and NG extraction using traditional drilling technologies. Since the fracturing fluid is composed of approximately 90% water, one of the principal drawbacks to hydraulic fracturing is its excessive water use and associated large environmental footprint. According to recent data collected at fracture sites within the United States, fracturing applications in North America can consume as much as 9 million gallons of water per well. During the fracturing process, some of the fracturing fluid is permanently lost and the portion that is recovered is contaminated by both fracturing chemicals and dissolved solids from the formation. The recovered water or flow-back represents a significant environmental challenge, as it must be treated before it can be reintroduced into the natural water system. Although there is some recycling for future fracturing, the majority of the flow-back water is hauled from the well site to a treatment facility or to an injection well for permanent underground disposal. To mitigate these issues, an optimized, lightweight and modular surface process using NG to replace a majority of the water was developed as a cost-effective and environmentally clean fracturing fluid. Using NG will result in significantly less consumption since the gas that is injected as a fracturing fluid will be mixed with the formation gas and extracted as if it were from the formation itself. This process will minimize the collection, waste, and treatment of large amounts of water and will reduce the environmental impact of transporting and storing the fracturing fluid. There are two major steps involved in utilizing NG as the primary fracturing medium: (1) increasing the supply pressure of NG to wellhead pressures suitable for fracturing and (2) mixing the required chemicals and proppant needed for the fracturing process at these elevated pressures. The second step (NG-proppant mixing at elevated pressures) still requires demonstration; but very similar processes have been demonstrated in the field with other gases such as nitrogen (N 2 ) and carbon dioxide (CO 2 ). However, the first step (a compact, on-site unit for generating high-pressure NG at costs feasible for fracturing) has not been developed and is currently not commercially available. Due to the inherent compressibility of NG, more energy is required to compress the gas than what is required to pump water (or other incompressible liquids) to the very high pressure required for downhole injection. This project aimed to develop a novel, hybrid method to overcome this challenge. The project accomplishments and findings are discussed in this report. Ultimately, the research and development efforts described herein demonstrate that fracturing with NG foam is a feasible alternative to using water.
An Assessment of the Materials of Construction for the Transfer Lines and Unit Operations Equipment Associated with the Recycle Diversion Process
The Defense Waste Processing Facility (DWPF) processes and vitrifies radioactive waste that it receives from the Concentration, Storage, and Transfer Facility (CSTF) and Salt Waste Processing Facility (SWPF). As a result of the evaporation of water during both the melter feed preparation and the melter feed vitrification steps in DWPF, a recycle waste stream is generated, neutralized, and sent back to the CSTF. The recycle waste is a dilute water stream originating from the collection of condensate liquids containing some minor sludge and frit solids and other waste components primarily resulting from entrainment into the condensate during foam-over events. The recycle stream volume is significant and is expected to approach 3 million gallons per year once the SWPF reaches full operation. Diverting the bulk of the recycle waste stream from the CSTF is essential for the eventual closure of the waste tanks, and hence the completion of the SRS liquid waste mission.
Methodologies and Tools for Testing the Performance of Security Equipment [Slides]
The presentation outline includes these items: physical protection systems definitions/terms, developing security systems performance tests, testing methodologies, system testing process, challenges, and discussion.
Technical Assistance for Characterization Studies of Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) (Final CTAP Report)
Sandia National Laboratories (SNL) conducted an independent assessment of three different certified N95 respirators for the State of New Mexico Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management. The testing conducted under this effort mimicked traditional NIOSH certification testing methodologies, where possible (NIOSH 2019). This included the use of a commercially available off-the-shelf (COTS) instrument typically used in industry for N95 respirator certification (ATI 2018). The COTS system, an Air Techniques International 100Xs automated filter tester, was used for all the testing reported in this document. It is important to note that SNL is NOT a certification laboratory, and all quantitative results are for informational purposes only. Additional technical information of N95-related efforts conducted by this team may be found in: Omana et al. (2020a), Omana et al. (2020b), Celina et al. (2020)
Radiation Detection Equipment Demonstration Overview for International Workshop - March 2022 [Slides]
Abstract not provided.
Multi-Agency Radionuclide Survey and Assessment of Material and Equipment Radiological Release Report: New Mexico State Road 4 – East Jemez Road Intersection Construction Soil
This report presents the sampling and analytical results for chemical constituents for soils potentially impacted by the reconstruction of the intersection at New Mexico (NM) State Road 4 (NM 4) and East Jemez Road (NM State Road 502 [NM 502]).
Modeling Grid-Forming Inverter Dynamics Under Ground Fault Scenarios Using Experimental Data From Commercially Available Equipment.
Abstract not provided.
International Detection Equipment for Materials Out of Regulatory Control
Presentation to be submitted to the Institute of Nuclear Materials Management (INMM) for presentation during the INMM 63rd Annual Meeting, July 24–28, 2022, https://inmm.org/mpage/INMM22.
Managing Army Plug Load Equipment Energy Use: Workstation Computing Systems
Improvements in computing system security updates and purchasing policies could save the Army as much as 85 million kWh and $5 million per year when applied to the Army’s more than one million computers. This represents the largest and highest-priority plug load energy-and cost-saving measure identified by a recent study focused on Army buildings.