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At least 163 records · Page 9

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DOE OSTI2025

A Stable and Ultrafast Control for Multiparallel Grid-Tied SiC Inverters With LVRT Capability Considering Cable Impedance

The stability of multiparalleled grid-tied inverters remains a challenging issue especially during low-voltage ride-through (LVRT) in the presence of grid impedance. SiC device-based grid-tied inverters can achieve advantages such as higher efficiency, reduced size of interface filters, and fast dynamics; however, they can exacerbate this stability issue particularly when LVRT occurs along with high inrush current due to their low inertia characteristics. In this article, a direct deadbeat control method without any PI control loop is proposed for multiparallel grid-tied SiC inverters. The proposed control achieves instantaneous current regulations within switching cycles. In addition, it mitigates high inrush currents and maintains stability during LVRT transients without requiring mode transitions between normal and LVRT operation modes, thereby achieving an ultrafast response and seamless operation through this unified control method. The Lyapunov method is applied to analyze the multiparallel inverter stability in the presence of grid impedance with proposed deadbeat control method. The inverter V-I trajectories during LVRT transients are derived to illustrate the ultrafast and stable feature of proposed control. Finally, the experimental results of two grid-tied SiC inverters operating at LVRT transients are provided to verify the advantages of the proposed control method.

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗

DOE OSTI2020

Testing Rod Seal Leakage of a 700 HP Reciprocating Compressor

Methane emissions from reciprocating compressors in the U.S. natural gas industry account for over 72.4 Bcf per year according to a 2006 statement by the United States Environmental Protection Agency. Methane also has a global warming potential 50 times greater than carbon monoxide. Reciprocating compressors are the machinery type with the highest contribution to methane emissions at natural gas transmissions stations. The largest contributing factor comes from the sealing components in the packing components around the piston rod. SwRI, therefore, designed and setup a test loop to perform baseline packing leakage measurements on a four stage 700 HP JGT/4 compressor. The goal was to improve upon current packing leakage models and to compare new seals vs. used seals. The test loop design is described including the limits of operation. The Data Acquisition System (DAQ), including data measurements, is also fully described. The project shows the results of the commissioning process that verified the operation of all the components. Once the loop was commissioned, SwRI performed baseline packing leakage for multiple pressure ratios on each of the four stages of the compressor. The data was collected to develop an analytical model of the packing leakage. Finally, similar testing was performed after replacing the typical rod seal packing with used packing. The used packing leakage was compared to the baseline packing leakage.

03 NATURAL GAS↗

DOE OSTI2023

Report of METL Mutual Inductance Level Sensor Development for Use in Liquid Metals – FY2023

A robust mutual inductance level sensor (MILS) for use in high temperature liquid metals has been developed at Argonne National Laboratory (ANL). The current design utilizes mineral insulated cables with a 300-series stainless steel sheath, magnesium oxide insulation, and a single copper conductor. Two coils are wrapped on a common core made of a 300-series stainless steel tube. One coil is energized with an alternating current (AC) source, and this electromagnetically couples with the second coil to generate an induced voltage. The voltage is measured to determine the mutual induction between the coils, and the mutual inductance measurement can be used to determine the level of a nearby liquid metal volume. The MILS can be located in an isolating thimble that is fully sealed to a vessel containing liquid metal for ease of maintenance and replacement. When the primary coil is energized with the AC source, the coil not only electromagnetic (EM) couples with the second coil, but also the surrounding liquid metal. The EM coupling with the surrounding liquid metal reduces the EM coupling with the second coil, producing an inverse-linear relationship between liquid metal level and secondary coil voltage. This has all been demonstrated at the Mechanisms Engineering Test Loop (METL) liquid sodium facility at ANL. The most current iteration of the MILS system is the MILS-MK-II. This sensor system has been commissioned in a non-sodium test stand where calibrations were performed using a sodium analog. The calibrations proved to be highly linear and repeatable. The MILS-MK-II has been installed in the METL expansion tank where high temperature sodium tests have been performed. The MILS-MK-II has been calibrated against a known standard at temperature of 300°C, and the calibrations have proved to be highly linear and repeatable. The calibrated MILS-MK-II has been in operation in the METL facility for several thousands of hours at temperatures around 300°C. The experimental data has been used to develop and validate electromagnetic finite element models in COMSOL Multiphysics, and now these models can be used to advance the development of the sensor system. Next steps will include temperature compensation to allow for operation at various temperatures. Additionally, efforts to incorporate a self-calibration methodology are underway.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗

DOE OSTI2025

Temperature and dose effects on dislocation loops in self-ion irradiated high-purity iron

Body-centered cubic (BCC) Fe-based alloys are promising candidate materials for advanced nuclear reactors. However, a detailed understanding of irradiation induced dislocation loop microstructure development remains unresolved. It is a widespread belief that 〈001〉 loops become increasingly favorable over ½〈111〉 loops as irradiation temperature rises above ∼300 C. Unfortunately, the temperature effects on 〈001〉 loop have been primarily examined in in-situ irradiation on TEM thin foils but poorly explored on bulk Fe due to exceedingly limited experimental studies on bulk specimens, raising concerns about the potential influence of TEM thin foil artifacts on observed results. Here, in this study, we conducted experiments on ultra-high purity BCC Fe specimens irradiated with 6.7–8 MeV Fe ions over a wide temperature range on bulk samples. We investigated the effects of temperature (T irr = 250–500 °C), dose rate (10⁻⁵ to 10⁻³ dpa/s), and dose (0.35 to 3.5 dpa) on the formation and evolution of 〈001〉 and ½〈111〉 loops as well as cavity (void) formation. Post-irradiation Burgers vector analysis via g•b method on dislocation segments and loops revealed that 〈001〉 loop fraction does not show a monotonic positive correlation with irradiation temperature. Combined with previous and current theoretical as well as experimental findings, we explore the temperature effects on all existing models of 〈001〉 loop formation. We conclude that the prevailing reports regarding the dominance of 〈001〉 loops in Fe at elevated temperatures are mainly attributable to the loss of glissile ½〈111〉 clusters in TEM thin foil experiments.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

DOE OSTI2021

Axion strings are superconducting

We explore the cosmological consequences of the superconductivity of QCD axion strings. Axion strings can support a sizeable chiral electric current and charge density, which alters their early universe dynamics. We examine the possibility that shrinking axion string loops can become effectively stable remnants called vortons, supported by the repulsive electromagnetic force of the string current. We find that vortons in our scenario are generically unstable, and so do not pose a cosmological difficulty. Furthermore, if a primordial magnetic field (PMF) exists in the early universe, a large current is induced on axion strings, creating a significant drag force from interactions with the surrounding plasma. As a result, the strings are slowed down, which leads to an orders of magnitude enhancement in the number of strings per Hubble volume. Finally, we study potential implications for the QCD axion relic abundance. The QCD axion window is shifted by orders of magnitude in some parts of our parameter space.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

DOE OSTI2022

An Electrochemical Hydrogen-Looping System for Low-Cost CO 2 Capture from Seawater

Carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) capture from seawater is a viable, long-term solution for addressing legacy carbon pollution on the planet. However, significant challenges to widespread applicability exist in terms of efficiency, cost, and scalability. In this work, we have developed an electrochemical hydrogen-looping (EHL) system that capitalizes on the generation of proton and OH – from seawater. A CO 2 capture efficiency as high as 91% is achieved for our EHL flow cell. We have demonstrated that the electrochemical hydrogen-looping flow cell can remove CO 2 from simulated seawater at a record low electric energy consumption of 660 kWh ton –1 CO 2 , which is a significant reduction of 56% compared with the currently used bipolar membrane electrodialysis technology. In conclusion, the electrochemical hydrogen-looping flow cell with its much lower energy consumption provides an economical approach for direct removal of CO 2 from seawater at practical scale.

Electrical energy↗

DOE OSTI2023

Feedback lock-in: A versatile multi-terminal measurement system for electrical transport devices

Here, we present the design and implementation of a measurement system that enables parallel drive and detection of small currents and voltages at numerous electrical contacts to a multi-terminal electrical device. This system, which we term a feedback lock-in, combines digital control-loop feedback with software-defined lock-in measurements to dynamically source currents and measure small, pre-amplified potentials. The effective input impedance of each current/voltage probe can be set via software, permitting any given contact to behave as an open-circuit voltage lead or as a virtually grounded current source/sink. This enables programmatic switching of measurement configurations and permits measurement of currents at multiple drain contacts without the use of current preamplifiers. Our 32-channel implementation relies on commercially available digital input/output boards, home-built voltage preamplifiers, and custom open-source software. With our feedback lock-in, we demonstrate differential measurement sensitivity comparable to a widely used commercially available lock-in amplifier and perform efficient multi-terminal electrical transport measurements on twisted bilayer graphene and SrTiO 3 quantum point contacts. The feedback lock-in also enables a new style of measurement using multiple current probes, which we demonstrate on a ballistic graphene device.

47 OTHER INSTRUMENTATION↗

DOE OSTI2023

Single-soft emissions for amplitudes with two colored particles at three loops

We compute the three-loop correction to the universal single-soft emission current for the case of scattering amplitudes with two additional color-charged partons. We present results valid for QCD and $\mathcal{N}$ = 4 super-symmetric Yang-Mills theory. To achieve our results we develop a new integrand expansion technique for scattering amplitudes in the presence of soft emissions. Furthermore, we obtain contributions from single final-state parton matrix elements to the Higgs boson and Drell-Yan production cross section at next-to-next-to-next-to-next-to leading order (N 4 LO) in perturbative QCD in the threshold limit.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗

DOE OSTI2023

Upgrade of the mechanically pumped CO 2 two-phase cooling system for the alpha magnetic spectrometer on the international space station

This study describes the successful upgrade of a mechanically pumped CO 2 two-phase cooling system in space by designing a new pump module for the Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer-02 on the International Space Station. Key factors for mission success are emphasized, including achieving high coolant filling accuracy within 10% of the target and maintaining system stability within ±1 °C. The impact of adding radiators to improve cooling efficiency is examined, and it is found that operating multi-radiators out-of-phase does not significantly affect system reliability. The centrifugal pump design is shown to allow for better lubricant circulation, while the in-house designed controller incorporates protective measures to prevent cavitation, overheating, and over-current. Further, this research advances the understanding of circulation loop systems and their upgrades in space and demonstrates the potential for extending the lifetime of space-borne mechanically pumped two-phase cooling systems.

42 ENGINEERING↗

DOE OSTI2020

Achieving Flat-on Primary Crystals by Nanoconfined Crystallization in High-Temperature Polycarbonate/Poly(vinylidene fluoride) Multilayer Films and Its Effect on Dielectric Insulation

To meet the stringent requirements of next-generation film capacitors for power electronics, multilayer films (MLFs) are fabricated with the advantage of achieving high temperature rating, high energy density, and reasonably low loss simultaneously. In this study, a high permittivity polar polymer, poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF), is multilayered with a linear, low loss dielectric polymer such as high-temperature polycarbonate (HTPC). However, the dielectric loss of these MLFs was still high as compared with current state-of-the-art biaxially oriented polypropylene (BOPP) films. The goal of this work is to decrease the dielectric loss and enhance dielectric insulation by achieving flat-on primary PVDF crystals in MLFs via nanoconfined melt-recrystallization. Based on simultaneous small- and wide-angle X-ray scattering experiments, edge-on lamellar crystals were observed for all as-extruded MLFs, regardless of different PVDF layer thicknesses. However, after melting at 180 °C followed by recrystallization, flat-on primary crystals were successfully achieved when the PVDF layer thickness was below 39 nm. Above 78 nm for the PVDF layer, major edge-on primary crystals with minor flat-on secondary crystals were observed. Furthermore, from leakage current, breakdown, lifetime, and electric displacement-electric field loop studies, MLFs with the flat-on primary crystals exhibited reduced loss and enhanced dielectric insulation as compared to as-extruded MLFs and those with edge-on primary/flat-on secondary crystals. This was attributed to the effective blockage of charge carriers by the flat-on PVDF primary crystals and their reduced ferroelectric switching.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

DOE OSTI2022

FORCE-DISPATCHES Integration - Initial Demonstration

Integrated energy systems (IES) combine, in mutually beneficial ways, power from variable renewable energy sources and nuclear power plants (NPP) to improve economic viability under uncertain market and weather conditions. The open-source Framework for Optimization of Resources and Economics (FORCE) tool suite, developed at Idaho National Laboratory (INL), has enabled comprehensive modeling and simulation of IES. The capabilities within FORCE include grid portfolio optimization through the Holistic Energy Resource Optimization Network (HERON) and the transient process model analysis library HYBRID, among others. Continuous efforts and investments from the IES programs have been made to expand and improve the versatility of the FORCE toolset in fiscal year 2022. Code-coupling and cross-tool communication have been important methods for improving this versatility. This report focuses on an additional workflow in the HERON tool for capacity and dispatch stochastic optimization through integration with the external tool Design Integration and Synthesis Platform to Advance Tightly Coupled Hybrid Energy Systems (DISPATCHES). DISPATCHES was primarily developed by the National Energy Technology Laboratory, in collaboration with other national laboratories, which included INL, universities, and industry partners. It is coupled to a library of algebraic models for specific plant components, and to a framework for stochastic optimization different from that provided in the current Risk Analysis Virtual Environment (RAVEN)-running-RAVEN algorithm in HERON. HERON currently conducts stochastic optimization via an outer-inner loop: it optimizes over variable capacity on the outer loop, and at each step within the capacity parameter space, conducts an inner optimization over scenarios (of market signals, demand, and/or weather patterns) and hourly dispatch throughout a user-specified number of years. On the other hand, DISPATCHES conducts stochastic optimization via an “all-at-once” strategy in which capacity variables are optimized at the same level as dispatch variables, as all scenarios are considered at once. The latter method works especially well for projects of limited size and project length, as the necessary computational power and memory increases with the number of variables and scenarios. The new capability to use the DISPATCHES workflow in HERON enhances standalone simulations by leveraging FORCE tools—namely, the economic metrics from the Tool for Economic Analysis (TEAL) and reduced-order model (ROM) sampling from RAVEN. The initial demonstration of the DISPATCHES workflow simulates an existing nuclear-case flowsheet within the DISPATCHES repository—this models a NPP with a secondary revenue stream for hydrogen production. Electrical output from the plant is converted to hydrogen via a proton-exchange membrane (PEM) electrolyzer, hydrogen tanks are used for storage, and an additional turbine is added for hydrogen combustion. Continued work regarding this FORCE-DISPATCHES integration will include automatic generation of DISPATCHES models from HERON inputs, offering analysts the option of using either the RAVEN-runsRAVEN or DISPATCHES workflow to solve technoeconomic optimization problems.

24 POWER TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION↗

DOE OSTI2023

Beam Envelope Variation due to Space-Charge Neutralization

Our non-invasive, time-resolved diamagnetic loop measurements of beam size during the electron current-pulse flattop at the exit of our 20-MeV linear induction accelerator revealed that the beam size varied by about 13% during the current flattop. This was an unexpected result, since both current and energy were constant during the interval of radius variation. One possible cause, poor vacuum, was investigated using a time resolved envelope equation. It was found that sufficiently high residual-gas pressure in the downstream transport region could result in the observed variation.

43 PARTICLE ACCELERATORS↗

DOE OSTI2026

Effect of magnetic hysteresis on the dipole field in the EIC Rapid Cycling Synchrotron

The soft iron material, of which the yoke of a normal conducting magnet is made of, is subject to magnetic hysteresis under a time varying excitation. The hysteresis loop is influenced by the flow of induced eddy currents, which further affects the magnet field. The Rapid Cycling Synchrotron (RCS) at the planned Electron Ion Collider (EIC) facility will accelerate polarized electrons up to 18 GeV at 1 Hz. The impact of hysteresis in the magnet yoke on the magnet field during the ramp, including potential effects on cycle-to-cycle reproducibility, need to be evaluated. This will be the subject of discussion of this tech note in the context of the RCS dipoles.

43 PARTICLE ACCELERATORS↗

DOE OSTI2021

High signal-to-noise ratio differential conductance spectroscopy

The scanning tunneling microscope (STM) has enabled manipulation and interrogation of surfaces with atomic-scale resolution. Electronic information about a surface is obtained by combining the imaging capability of the STM with scanning tunneling spectroscopy, i.e., measurement of current-voltage (I/V) characteristics of the surface. We propose a change in the STM feedback loop that enables capturing a higher quality dI/dV image. A high frequency dither voltage is added to the bias voltage of the sample, and the fundamental frequency component of the resulting current is demodulated. The in-phase component of this signal is then plotted along with the X and Y position data, constructing the dI/dV image. Here, we show that by incorporating notch filters in the STM feedback loop, we may utilize a high-amplitude dither voltage to significantly improve the quality of the obtained dI/dV image.

42 ENGINEERING↗

DOE OSTI2021

A Low Cost SIPM Evaluation and Control Prototyping System including accurate bias voltage generation, leakage current measurement, and temperature control using Peltier cooling

We describe an electronics system to operate SIPMs in the laboratory. The system is comprised of a single channel amplifier board (SIPM Amp) and a 4-channel control board to which up to 4 SIPM Amp boards can be connected. The control board supplies a common low voltage power for the amplifiers. All channels feature individually regulated bias and Peltier power voltages, along withPt10K RTD readout. A graphical user interface allows control of the bias voltages, amplifier voltage, Peltier voltages, and also provides for readback of leakage currents and other voltages. The GUI app has a feedback loop to measure the SIPM temperature (with the PT10K) and generate correction voltages to the Peltier to regulate the temperature. The temperatures, which can be achieved by Peltier cooling depend on the thermal design of the setup, the practical limit being about 50C below ambient. The SIPM Amp. board is a small (3x5cm) PCB that has a single SIPM readout channel. The SIPM scan be surface mounted on the pcb or connected to a 2-pin 0.100" socket. The area around the SIPM footprint is thermally isolated by perforations in the PCB. The RTD is located inside the thermal break. Onboard is BV and LV filtering. The 10X amplifier is based on MiniCircuits' GALI-S66+ integrated circuit, tweaked for a 6V power. The amplifier was selected for a combination of high bandwidth, low noise, and low power. An accoupled amplifier output is connected to an SMA connector. For best operation of this inverting amplifier the output signal should be in the range of 0 to -1V.The Amplifier board is connected to the Control board with a 10-conductor 0.025" pitch ribbon cable, carrying all the services. Peltier power for currents more than 1A should use a separate 2-contact connector.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗

DOE OSTI2022

A turnkey gaseous helium-cooled superconducting CORC ® dc power cable with integrated current leads

Abstract High-temperature superconducting (HTS) direct current (dc) power cable systems, capable of delivering power exceeding 10 MW while being cooled with cryogenic helium gas, have been developed for applications on naval electric ships, electric aircraft and in data centers. Current injection from room temperature into the superconducting power cable causes by far the greatest heat load to the cryogenic system. Efficient current leads with integrated helium gas heat exchangers were developed to inject a current exceeding 1 kA from room temperature into a superconducting Conductor on Round Core (CORC ® ) power cable, without the need for liquid nitrogen pre-cooling. A 2 m long single-pole CORC ® power cable system that included current leads was cooled using a Stirling cryocooler with a closed-loop helium gas circulation system. The turnkey power cable system allowed cool down from room temperature to its operating temperature of 60 K–70 K within 5 h, after which continuous operation at 1.2 kA was demonstrated. The successful development and demonstration of a CORC ® power cable with current leads containing integrated helium gas heat exchangers enables widespread implementation of HTS MW-class, high current density superconducting dc power cables in many applications with constrained space that require a power dense solution.

Physics↗

DOE OSTI2020

Model predictive control of KSTAR equilibrium parameters enabled by TRANSP

Due to the complex behavior of tokamak plasmas and the importance of optimizing performance while avoiding instabilities and machine limits, plasma control algorithms are becoming increasingly dependent on sophisticated model-based control approaches. It is anticipated that the use of integrated modeling codes in the model-based control design process will reduce the amount of experimental time needed to implement new control algorithms by facilitating development of control-oriented models and enabling higher-fidelity closed-loop simulations. In this work, a reduced model is developed from a series of TRANSP simulations and is used to develop a model predictive control (MPC) algorithm for controlling important equilibrium parameters in KSTAR [1] discharges. The control algorithm uses the KSTAR neutral beam injection system and the target plasma current and plasma boundary as actuators, and optimizes the plasma stored energy, loop voltage, and internal inductance while avoiding constraints that could lead to disruptions. Higher fidelity testing of the control algorithm is performed using a flexible framework for enabling external processes to actively control plasma parameters in TRANSP simulations. Furthermore, closed-loop simulations demonstrate the ability of the control algorithm to respond to disturbances in density and confinement, handle actuator failures, and move the discharge to high non-inductive fraction conditions.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗

DOE OSTI2023

Three-dimensional feedback processes in current-driven metal

Using three-dimensional (3D) magnetohydrodynamic simulations, we study how a pit on a metal surface evolves when driven by intense electrical current density j. Redistribution of j around the pit initiates a feedback loop: j both reacts to and alters the electrical conductivity σ, through Joule heating and hydrodynamic expansion, so that j and σ are constantly in flux. Thus, the pit transforms into larger striation and filament structures predicted by the electrothermal instability theory. Both structures are important in applications of current-driven metal: Here, the striation constitutes a density perturbation that can seed the magneto-Rayleigh-Taylor instability, while the filament provides a more rapid path to plasma formation, through 3D j redistribution. Simulations predict distinctive self-emission patterns, thus allowing for experimental observation and comparison.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗