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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 19 records
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2024

A Reduced-Order Model of a Nuclear Power Plant with Thermal Power Dispatch

This paper presents reduced-order modeling of thermal power dispatch (TPD) from a pressurized water reactor (PWR) for providing heat to nearby heat consuming industrial processes that seek to take advantage of nuclear heat to reduce carbon emissions. The reactor model includes the neutronics of the reactor core, thermal–hydraulics of the primary coolant cycle, and a three-lump model of the steam generator (SG). The secondary coolant cycle is represented with quasi-steady state mass and energy balance equations. The secondary cycle consists of a steam extraction system, high-pressure and low-pressure turbines, moisture separator and reheater, high-pressure and low-pressure feedwater heaters, deaerator, feedwater and condensate pumps, and a condenser. The steam produced by the SG is distributed between the turbines and the extraction steam line (XSL) that delivers steam to nearby industrial processes, such as production of clean hydrogen. The reduced-order simulator is verified by comparing predictions with results from separate validated steady-state and transient full-scope PWR simulators for TPD levels between 0% and 70% of the rated reactor power. All simulators indicate that the flow rate of steam in the main steam line and turbine systems decrease with increasing TPD, which causes a reduction in PWR electric power generation. The results are analyzed to assess the impact of TPD on system efficiency and feedwater flow control. Due to the simplicity of the proposed reduced-order model, it can be scaled to represent a PWR of any size with a few parametric changes. In the future, the proposed reduced-order model will be integrated into a power system model in a digital real-time simulator (DRTS) and physical hardware-in-the-loop simulations.

08 HYDROGEN↗
NASA NTRS2012

Advanced Stirling Radioisotope Generator Thermal Power Model in Thermal Desktop SINDA/FLUINT Analyzer

This paper presents a three-dimensional Advanced Stirling Radioisotope Generator (ASRG) thermal power model that was built using the Thermal Desktop SINDA/FLUINT thermal analyzer. The model was correlated with ASRG engineering unit (EU) test data and ASRG flight unit predictions from Lockheed Martin's Ideas TMG thermal model. ASRG performance under (1) ASC hot-end temperatures, (2) ambient temperatures, and (3) years of mission for the general purpose heat source fuel decay was predicted using this model for the flight unit. The results were compared with those reported by Lockheed Martin and showed good agreement. In addition, the model was used to study the performance of the ASRG flight unit for operations on the ground and on the surface of Titan, and the concept of using gold film to reduce thermal loss through insulation was investigated.

Wang, Xiao-Yen↗
NASA NTRS1979

Thermal power systems small power systems application project: Siting issues for solar thermal power plants with small community applications

The siting issues associated with small, dispersed solar thermal power plants for utility/small community applications of less than 10 MWe are reported. Some specific requirements are refered to the first engineering experiment for the Small Power Systems Applications (SPSA) Project. The background for the subsequent issue discussions is provided. The SPSA Project and the requirements for the first engineering experiment are described, and the objectives and scope for the report as a whole. A overview of solar thermal technologies and some technology options are discussed.

Holbeck, H. J.↗
DOE OSTI2022

Cast Components for High Temperature Concentrated Solar Power Thermal Systems

Concentrating Solar-Thermal Power (CSP) components such as piping, valves fittings are required for use at temperatures up to 800°C. These are anticipated to be made using Nickel-based alloys such as Haynes ® 230 ® , Haynes ® 282 ® , or IN ® 740H ® and can contribute significantly to the cost of a CSP Gen 3 plant. Thus, there is a significant motivation to lower the cost of materials and components so that the capital costs can be minimized. In all these cases, the cost of the component has two contributions: 1. Materials cost, and 2. Manufacturing cost. Both materials cost and manufacturing costs must be kept low to attain the lowest possible cost. Materials cost can be lowered by using materials that have the ideal combination of properties at the lowest cost. Another avenue to lower cost is chose a manufacturing process that has the potential to lower the cost. Traditionally tubes are made from billets through a wrought process and can be expensive. An alternative process to consider is the centrifugal casting process where the tube is directly fabricated from molten metal. In this case, the molten metal is poured inside a cylindrical metallic mold with an insulating layer and is spun rapidly. A wide range of sizes (diameter, wall thickness, and length) can be cast using this process. The objective of this project was to develop the process for fabricating pipes and related components using a centrifugal casting process and to measure the properties of alloys fabricated using this process.

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗
NASA NTRS1978

Thermal power systems small power systems applications project. Decision analysis for evaluating and ranking small solar thermal power system technologies. Volume 1: A brief introduction to multiattribute decision analysis

The principal concepts of the Keeney and Raiffa approach to multiattribute decision analysis are described. Topics discussed include the concepts of decision alternatives, outcomes, objectives, attributes and their states, attribute utility functions, and the necessary independence properties for the attribute states to be aggregated into a numerical representation of the preferences of the decision maker for the outcomes and decision alternatives.

Feinberg, A.↗
DOE OSTI2024

Photovoltaic device for enhancing power output of concentrating solar thermal power plants

A photovoltaic retrofit device for a concentrating solar thermal power plant having a parabolic trough reflector, and a fluid receiver with working fluid therein spaced from the reflector and positioned at a focal point of the reflector. The photovoltaic device includes a plurality of adjustable angle dichroic mirrors positioned between the parabolic trough reflector and the fluid receiver. A photovoltaic receiver assembly has multiple photovoltaic panels in angular relationship to each other. A photovoltaic temperature regulating system includes a fluid medium to regulate temperature of the photovoltaic panels.

Otanicar, Todd↗
DOE OSTI2024

A Tale of Two Simulators—A Comparative Human-in-the-Loop Nuclear Power Plant Operations Study on Thermal Power Dispatch for Hydrogen Production

A study was designed for a reconfigurable, full-scale, full-scope nuclear power plant control room simulator to compare two different thermal power dispatch systems, on separate simulator platforms, demonstrating a TPD concept of operation. A TPD system can provide a desirable alternative revenue source for utilities but requires addressing new and unique operational issues. The selection of representative scenarios and the scenario-based experimental design are presented as key elements to capture evidence for validating the developed TPD concept of operations overcome these operational issues.

Ulrich, Thomas A.↗
NASA NTRS1980

Solar thermal power systems point-focusing thermal and electric applications projects. Volume 1: Executive summary

The activities of the Point-Focusing Thermal and Electric Applications (PETEA) project for the fiscal year 1979 are summarized. The main thrust of the PFTEA Project, the small community solar thermal power experiment, was completed. Concept definition studies included a small central receiver approach, a point-focusing distributed receiver system with central power generation, and a point-focusing distributed receiver concept with distributed power generation. The first experiment in the Isolated Application Series was initiated. Planning for the third engineering experiment series, which addresses the industrial market sector, was also initiated. In addition to the experiment-related activities, several contracts to industry were let and studies were conducted to explore the market potential for point-focusing distributed receiver (PFDR) systems. System analysis studies were completed that looked at PFDR technology relative to other small power system technology candidates for the utility market sector.

Marriott, A.↗
NASA NTRS1981

The application of simulation modeling to the cost and performance ranking of solar thermal power plants

Small solar thermal power systems (up to 10 MWe in size) were tested. The solar thermal power plant ranking study was performed to aid in experiment activity and support decisions for the selection of the most appropriate technological approach. The cost and performance were determined for insolation conditions by utilizing the Solar Energy Simulation computer code (SESII). This model optimizes the size of the collector field and energy storage subsystem for given engine generator and energy transport characteristics. The development of the simulation tool, its operation, and the results achieved from the analysis are discussed.

Rosenberg, L. S.↗
NASA NTRS1991

Thermal power loops

The concept of a thermal power loop (TPL) to transport thermal power over relatively large distances is presented as an alternative to heat pipes and their derivatives. The TPL is compared to heat pipes, and capillary pumped loops with respect to size, weight, conservation of thermal potential, start-up, and 1-g testing capability. Test results from a proof of feasibility demonstrator at the NASA JPL are discussed. This analysis demonstrates that the development of specific thermal power loops will result in substantial weight and cost savings for many spacecraft.

Gottschlich, Joseph M.↗
NASA NTRS1989

Solar energy thermally powered electrical generating system

A thermally powered electrical generating system for use in a space vehicle is disclosed. The rate of storage in a thermal energy storage medium is controlled by varying the rate of generation and dissipation of electrical energy in a thermally powered electrical generating system which is powered from heat stored in the thermal energy storage medium without exceeding a maximum quantity of heat. A control system (10) varies the rate at which electrical energy is generated by the electrical generating system and the rate at which electrical energy is consumed by a variable parasitic electrical load to cause storage of an amount of thermal energy in the thermal energy storage system at the end of a period of insolation which is sufficient to satisfy the scheduled demand for electrical power to be generated during the next period of eclipse. The control system is based upon Kalman filter theory.

Owens, William R.↗
NASA NTRS1980

Thermal Power Systems (TPS); Point-Focusing Thermal and Electric Applications (PFTEA). Volume 2: Detailed report, fiscal year 1979

Progress in the development of systems which employ point focusing distributed receiver technology is reported. Emphasis is placed on the first engineering experiment, the Small Community Solar Thermal Power Experiment. Procurement activities for the Military Module Power Experiment the first of a series of experiments planned as part of the Isolated Load Series are included.

Source record↗
NASA NTRS2015

An Innovative Very Low Thermal Power Waste Heat Recovery System for Thermal Control of Deep Space Missions: A Thermal Flask in Space

Future missions to deep space, such as those to the outer planets (Jupiter, Saturn, etc.), which would rely on solar photovoltaic power, would need extremely large solar arrays to produce sufficient power for their operations because solar intensity is so low at those locations. Hence any additional power that would be needed for thermal control is extremely limited. Previous deep space missions like Juno (to Jupiter) required almost 200 W of electrical power for thermal control. This is prohibitively large for many future mission concepts, and leads to them needing very large solar arrays. For Saturn, where the solar flux is 1/4th the flux at Jupiter, this would entail an extremely large increase in the solar array size to accommodate the need for thermal survival power, which would be prohibitively large in size and mass, and very expensive. Hence there is a need to come up with a thermal architecture and design options that would not need such prohibitively large thermal power levels. One solution relies on harvesting the pre-existing waste heat from all the heat dissipation that would be present from operation of electronics, instruments, etc. for their own functionality. For example, for a generic Saturn mission, the various electronics would already dissipate about 200 Watts of heat that is simply "thrown away" to space from the spacecraft surfaces. The amount of thermal power that would be required for the safe thermal control of components within the spacecraft in deep space would be roughly of this magnitude for this class of spacecraft. So it makes good sense to try to harvest the waste heat and employ it to maintain the temperatures of all the components within their allowable limits. In particular, propulsion systems typically need to be kept above their freezing limits, around room temperature (15 C). Electronics needs to be kept typically above -40 C and batteries above -20 C. The next question becomes how to harvest this waste heat and direct it to the components that would need it for their survival. The proposed system utilizes a mechanically pumped, single phase fluid loop to pick up the waste heat from components attached to this loop's tubing and then directed to a thermal flask that has tubing attached to it. The thermal flask is cylindrically shaped and contains essentially all systems and components in the spacecraft within it, with the exception of the solar array, antennae, thrusters and various apertures of instruments, etc. to allow them an unobstructed view of space. Waste heat from the heat-dissipating components warms up the fluid and is carried to the flask surface and deposited on it via the fluid loop's flow. The entire flask is covered with Multi-Layered Insulation (MLI) to minimize the heat loss from the flask and allow it to remain warm. Hence the flask essentially creates a thermal environment within which the spacecraft components reside. The temperature of the components within the flask is then essentially the same as the temperature of the flask. This approach could be a very enabling feature for deep space missions. This paper describes the approach utilized for this thermal architecture, along with its mechanical and implementation aspects. Additionally it will compare and contrast this approach with the more conventional solutions utilized earlier.

Bhandari, Pradeep↗
DOE OSTI2023

Advancements in Development and Testing of Thermal Power Dispatch Simulators

Flexible plant operations and generation (FPOG) offer nuclear power plants (NPPs) the chance to leverage alternative, non-electric revenue streams while ensuring their continued role as reliable, clean, and constant sources of baseload electrical power. The excess thermal energy generated from NPPs during periods of low electricity demand can be channeled as raw materials to numerous industrial processes via a thermal power dispatch (TPD) system. Hydrogen production via high-temperature steam electrolysis (HTSE) is an optimal use case based on technical and economic feasibility. Researchers at Idaho National Laboratory (INL) have conducted previous works that developed and implemented TPD system models within the GSE Solutions Generic Pressurized Water Reactor (GPWR) simulator to support human-in-the-loop (HITL) scenario-based evaluations. The first part of this report documents modifications made to the GPWR TPD model and HMI from the previous iteration in line with a new Sargent and Lundy (S&L) TPD design with an automatic control system. The was done in collaboration with Westinghouse using their three-loop pressurizer water reactor (W3LPWR) simulator which contains an industrial grade automatic control system for the TPD. This was installed in the Human Systems Simulation Laboratory (HSSL) at INL. The second part of the report documents findings from an all-hands-on-deck integration and verification workshop that was conducted in the HSSL over several days. The research team comprised INL human factors and TPD experts, a nuclear engineer from GSE Solutions who implemented the revised TPD model for GPWR, the human-machine interface (HMI) prototyping and human factors team from the University of Idaho, and personnel with operations experience with pressurized water reactors. The workshop provided time and expertise to conduct the final activities to bring the operations, HMI, and simulator into a functional state. The goals of the integration and verification workshop were: 1. to install the revised GPWR TPD model into the HSSL 2. verify the TPD HMI prototype was functional 3. integrate the HTSE Simulink model to GPWR. 3. Issues were identified for resolution, but overall the workshop accomplished its goal to integrated and verify the majority of the intended functional. Future work will resolve the identified issues and use the integrated simulation to support an evaluation and demonstration in the next fiscal year.

22 GENERAL STUDIES OF NUCLEAR REACTORS↗
NASA NTRS1979

solar thermal power systems advanced solar thermal technology project, advanced subsystems development

The preliminary design for a prototype small (20 kWe) solar thermal electric generating unit was completed, consisting of several subsystems. The concentrator and the receiver collect solar energy and a thermal buffer storage with a transport system is used to provide a partially smoothed heat input to the Stirling engine. A fossil-fuel combustor is included in the receiver designs to permit operation with partial or no solar insolation (hybrid). The engine converts the heat input into mechanical action that powers a generator. To obtain electric power on a large scale, multiple solar modules will be required to operate in parallel. The small solar electric power plant used as a baseline design will provide electricity at remote sites and small communities.

Source record↗
NASA NTRS1980

Siting solar thermal power experiments

The Small Community Solar Thermal Power Experiment will test a point-focusing, distributed receiver system in a small community, electric utility application. Site planning is becoming increasingly important for solar experiments as well as all kinds of development due to increased competition for desirable sites and increased complexity of regulatory requirements. Siting issues can be categorized as: (1) resources and physical environmental at this site; (2) acquisition, permits and regulations; and (3) development requirements and costs. These issues are addressed with respect to the unique requirements of solar thermal power experiments.

Holbeck, H. J.↗
NASA NTRS1982

Organic Rankine power conversion subsystem development for the small community solar thermal power system

The development and preliminary test results for an air-cooled, hermetically sealed 20 kW sub E organic Rankine cycle engine/alternator unit for use with point focussing distributed receiver solar thermal power system. A 750 F toluene is the working fluid and the system features a high speed, single-stage axial flow turbine direct-coupled to a permanent magnet alternator. Good performance was achieved with the unit in preliminary tests.

Barber, R. E.↗
DOE OSTI2021

Incorporation of Thermal Hydraulic Models for Thermal Power Dispatch into a PWR Power Plant Simulator

This report describes the development, modeling, and results of a generic pressurized water reactor power plant simulator that incorporates coupled electrical and thermal power dispatch to an industrial process located approximately one kilometer from the nuclear power plant. The simulator is a commercial PWR simulator that has been modified to include thermal power dispatch as described in past milestone reports [ , ]. The commercial PWR simulator is a generic simulator available from GSE SYSTEMS® (Sykesville, MD, USA) that is built using RELAP5-HDTM Real-Time Solution and in-house software developed by GSE Systems. This generic PWR (GPWR) simulator performs real-time simulation of the complete power plant from the reactor neutronics to the electricity generation and distribution. All primary, secondary, and auxiliary systems are modeled including all control logic in order to provide the most accurate representation of actual nuclear power plant (NPP) operation, and the simulator results have been rigorously verified by an actual NPP operating at approximately 1 GWe. This report is a continuation of worked performed in previous years, and supplemental information from previous reports is included in the appendix for reference.

22 GENERAL STUDIES OF NUCLEAR REACTORS↗