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At least 19 records

Viscoelastic Modeling of Polymers in ALEGRA with the GAP Model

The Glassy Amorphous Polymer (GAP) model is a viscoelastic/plastic model developed at Los Alamos National Laboratory to accurately model a variety of polymers across a wide range of conditions and loading rates, including shock loading. In the present report we introduce and assess this model, newly implemented in the ALEGRA shock and multiphysics code, using a series of verification and application-related validation problems. We describe the mathematical and theoretical formulation of the model, as well as its implementation in ALEGRA, in detail. We provide verification results that assess the model implementation against published computational results, as well as validation results which we compare to existing experimental results when possible. These comparisons instill confidence in the implementation and indicate that the addition of the GAP model to the ALEGRA code provides users with a high-fidelity polymer modeling capability that is capable of recreating complex polymer phenomena.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Model Gap Quantification and Evaluation

In the real world, model gaps always exist because models cannot perfectly match the objective physical plants. Model gaps reflect the integrity of models, which is vital for model validation and calibration. This letter proposes a novel approach for model gap quantification and evaluation. First, a comprehensive metric is developed to quantify dynamic model gaps. Next, the model gaps are evaluated from a panoramic view of the probability distribution of the comprehensive metric for multiple scenarios. Finally, we demonstrate the proposed quantification and evaluation approach through synchronous machine models.

Wang, Shaobu↗

Hy-DAT: A Tool to Address Hydropower Modeling Gaps Using Interdependency, Efficiency Curves, and Unit Dispatch Models

As the power system continues to be flooded with intermittent resources, it becomes more important to accurately assess the role of hydro and its impact on the power grid. While hydropower generation has been studied for decades, dependency of power generation on water availability and constraints in hydro operation are not well represented in power system models used in the planning and operation of large-scale interconnection studies. There are still multiple modeling gaps that need to be addressed; if not, they can lead to inaccurate operation and planning reliability studies, and consequently to unintentional load shedding or even blackouts. As a result, it is very important thathydropower is represented correctly in both steady-state and dynamic power system studies. In this paper, we discuss the development and use of the Hydrological Dispatch and Analysis Tool (Hy-DAT) as an interactive graphical user interface (GUI), that uses a novel methodology to address the hydropower modeling gaps like water availability and inter-dependency using a database, and algorithms, to generate accurate representative models for power system simulation.

Wang, Dewei↗

Constraining Gamma-Ray Pulsar Gap Models with a Simulated Pulsar Population

With the large sample of young gamma-ray pulsars discovered by the Fermi Large Area Telescope (LAT), population synthesis has become a powerful tool for comparing their collective properties with model predictions. We synthesised a pulsar population based on a radio emission model and four gamma-ray gap models (Polar Cap, Slot Gap, Outer Gap, and One Pole Caustic). Applying gamma-ray and radio visibility criteria, we normalise the simulation to the number of detected radio pulsars by a select group of ten radio surveys. The luminosity and the wide beams from the outer gaps can easily account for the number of Fermi detections in 2 years of observations. The wide slot-gap beam requires an increase by a factor of 10 of the predicted luminosity to produce a reasonable number of gamma-ray pulsars. Such large increases in the luminosity may be accommodated by implementing offset polar caps. The narrow polar-cap beams contribute at most only a handful of LAT pulsars. Using standard distributions in birth location and pulsar spin-down power (E), we skew the initial magnetic field and period distributions in a an attempt to account for the high E Fermi pulsars. While we compromise the agreement between simulated and detected distributions of radio pulsars, the simulations fail to reproduce the LAT findings: all models under-predict the number of LAT pulsars with high E , and they cannot explain the high probability of detecting both the radio and gamma-ray beams at high E. The beaming factor remains close to 1.0 over 4 decades in E evolution for the slot gap whereas it significantly decreases with increasing age for the outer gaps. The evolution of the enhanced slot-gap luminosity with E is compatible with the large dispersion of gamma-ray luminosity seen in the LAT data. The stronger evolution predicted for the outer gap, which is linked to the polar cap heating by the return current, is apparently not supported by the LAT data. The LAT sample of gamma-ray pulsars therefore provides a fresh perspective on the early evolution of the luminosity and beam width of the gamma-ray emission from young pulsars, calling for thin and more luminous gaps.

Pierbattista, Marco↗

The Slot Gap Model for Pulsar High-Energy Emission

A new picture of pulsar high-energy emission is proposed that is different from both the traditional polar cap and outer gap models, but combines elements of each. The slot gap model is based on electron acceleration along the edge of the open field region from the neutron star surface to near the light cylinder. Along the last open field line, the pair formation front rises to very high altitude forming a slot gap, where the accelerating electric field is unscreened by pairs. Electrons continue to accelerate to high altitudes in the slot gap, reaching a radiation reaction-limited energy of several TeV. The resulting radiation pattern features sharp caustics on the trailing edge of the open field region, allowing for the possibility of double-peaked pulse profiles very similar to those observed in gamma-ray pulsars. Since emission from a large range of altitudes arrives in phase, this model very naturally explains the phase alignment of radiation at all wavelengths from the Crab pulsar.

Harding, Alice K.↗

Modeling gap probability in discontinuous vegetation canopies

In the present model for the gap probability of a discontinuous vegetation canopy, the assumption of a negative exponential attenuation within individual plant canopies will yield a problem involving the distribution distances within canopies through which a ray will pass. If, however, the canopies intersect and/or overlap, so that foliage density remains constant within the overlap area, the problem can be approached with two types of approximations. Attention is presently given to the case of a comparison of modeled gap probabilities with those observed for a stand of Maryland pine, which shows good agreement for zenith angles of illumination up to about 45 deg.

Li, Xiaowen↗

An outer gap model of high-energy emission from rotation-powered pulsars

We describe a refined calculation of high-energy emission from rotation-powered pulsars based on the outer gap model of Cheng, Ho, & Ruderman (1986 a, b). In this calculation, vacuum gaps form in regions near the speed-of-light cylinder of the pulsar magnetosphere along the boundary between the closed and open field line zones. We have improved upon previous efforts to model the spectra from these pulsars (e.g., Cheng et al. 1986b; Ho 1989) by following the variation in particle production and radiation properties with position in the outer gap. Curvature, synchotron, and inverse-Compton scattering fluxes vary significantly over the gap, and their interactions via photon-photon pair production build up the radiating charge populations at varying rates. We have also incorporated an approximate treatment of the transport particle and photon fluxes between gap emission zones. These effects, along with improved computations of the particle and photon distribution, provide very important modifications of the model gamma-ray flux. In paticular, we attempt to make specific predictions of pulse profile shapes and spectral variations as a function of pulse phase and suggest further extensions to the model which may provide accurate computations of the observed high-energy emissions.

Chiang, James↗

NEAMS Burnup Extension Accomplishments and Remaining Modeling Gaps

The economic viability of light-water reactors (LWRs) in the United States is declining in heavily subsidized markets, and as a result, the nuclear industry is looking for opportunities to enhance the economic competitiveness of nuclear power. This is not a foreign concept to the nuclear industry: in the mid-2000s, the nuclear industry set out to achieve zero fuel failures by 2010. The goal in this effort was to drive down the cost of reactor shut down by replacing a pin or bundle in response to fuel rod failure. 2010 brought about the initiative to deliver the nuclear promise to reduce operating cost by 30% to improve nuclear energy’s economic competitiveness before 2020. The emergence of accident-tolerant fuel also offers the nuclear industry an opportunity to build on these past successes and deliver affordable, clean energy. Accident-tolerant fuel has been shown to provide superior performance compared to traditional Zircaloy/UO2 fuel concepts, offering the unique ability to remove operational limitations that inhibit the economic viability of nuclear power. This has led the industry to begin building a technical case to extend the peak rod average burnup beyond 62 GWd/tU to extend pressurized water reactor cycle lengths to 24 months and to develop more efficient boiling water reactor core designs. The Nuclear Energy Advanced Modeling and Simulation (NEAMS) program mission is to develop advanced modeling and simulation tools and capabilities to accelerate the deployment of advanced nuclear energy technologies. The primary safety concern inhibiting the nuclear industry from extending burnup is related to high-burnup fuel fragmentation, relocation, and dispersal. Therefore, the NEAMS program developed a targeted 5-year plan to support the industry’s efforts to extend burnup. This milestone report summarizes the 5-year plan that was enacted in FY20, followed by a discussion of the ongoing activates required to fulfill the 5-year plan, as well as the approach to address the current modeling gaps. Additionally, an LWR stakeholder meeting was held to communicate work performed in the NEAMS program over the past three years, to assess the LWR community’s perspective on the impact of the program, and to identify remaining significant gaps in the NEAMS suite of capabilities. This engagement will be documented by the Electric Power Research Institute and used by NEAMS to redirect current LWR scope as needed and to develop the next phase for LWR research and development.

22 GENERAL STUDIES OF NUCLEAR REACTORS↗

Thermodynamic Band Gap Model for Photoinduced Phase Segregation in Mixed-Halide Perovskites

Provided is a comprehensive description of a band gap thermodynamic model, which predicts and explains key features of photosegregation in lead-based, mixed-halide perovskites. The model gives a prescription for illustrating halide migration driven by photocarrier energies. Where possible, model predictions are compared with experimental results. Free energy derivations are provided for three assumptions: (1) halide mixing in the dark, (2) a fixed number of photogenerated carriers funneling to and localizing in low band gap inclusions of the alloy, and (3) the statistical occupancy of said inclusions from a bath of thermalized photocarriers in the parent material. Model predictions include excitation intensity (I exc )-dependent terminal halide stoichiometries (x terminal ), temperature-independent x terminal , excitation intensity thresholds (I exc,threshold ) below which photosegregation is suppressed, and reduced segregation in nanocrystals as compared to thin films. Here, the model also offers insight into kinetically manipulating photosegregation rates via control of underlying mediators and rationalizes asymmetries in forward and reverse photosegregation rate constants/activation energies. What emerges is a cohesive framework for understanding ubiquitous photosegregation in mixed-halide perovskites and a rational basis by which to manage the phenomenon.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Bounds of linear time‐varying systems with applications to quantify model gap of synchronous generators

Abstract Linear time‐varying (LTV) systems play a key role in many engineering problems, for example, trajectory sensitivity analysis of power systems. Because LTV systems do not generally have closed‐form solutions, estimates of their bounds are crucial to their analysis. In this paper, bounds for LTV systems with known inputs and unknown but bounded inputs are obtained via Grönwall's inequality. The estimated bounds are then used to quantify the gap between synchronous generators and their models in different scenarios through simulation.

42 ENGINEERING↗

A Framework for Addressing Hydropower Modeling Gaps in Electric Grid Planning and Operational Studies [Slides]

Realistic representation of hydropower in power system planning and operation studies is extremely important as it helps in avoiding under/over-estimation of the services the hydro power units can provide. A framework and tools have been developed to account for hydrological conditions and modify power system models accordingly. For example, HyDat – data and AI driven platform, that provides that data required for editing the power system model files Collaborative effort with V&R Energy. Also, development of POM based tools have been performed, a) Tool1: editing .raw files with realistic current and maximum hydrogeneration and redispatch of other units, and b) Tool2: Editing .dyr files to represent water head, current and maximum generation. Finally the framework, HASP framework combines HyDat and V&R energy tools to produce modified power system model files. Key Take-away points from contingency analysis studies include a) the number of critical contingencies increases as the water levels are reduced (70%>75%>80%), and b) both the extent and the quality of dynamic response of the Hydropower unit is different with varying water head levels.

13 HYDRO ENERGY↗

Pulsar Polar Cap and Slot Gap Models: Confronting Fermi Data

Rotation-powered pulsars are excellent laboratories for studying particle acceleration as well as fundamental physics of strong gravity, strong magnetic fields and relativity. I will review acceleration and gamma-ray emission from the pulsar polar cap and slot gap. Predictions of these models can be tested with the data set on pulsars collected by the Large Area Telescope on the Fermi Gamma-Ray Telescope over the last four years, using both detailed light curve fitting and population synthesis.

Harding, Alice K.↗

Hydropower Modeling Gaps in Planning and Operational Studies

In the evolving power system, where new renewable resources displace continually conventional generation and hydro becomes a single traditional resource that is fully controllable, it is timely to examine hydrogeneration’s role in the power system of the future and its representation in power system operation and planning reliability studies. This paper identifies some of the gaps in hydro-based generation representation in steady-state and dynamic models and provides recommendations for their mitigation.

13 HYDRO ENERGY↗

Assessing Inverter-Based Resources Modeling Gaps in Commonly Used Short-Circuit Programs

Future bulk power systems are expected to operate with a high penetration of inverter-based resources (IBR). This is anticipated to fundamentally change the system’s short-circuit behaviors and demand a change in existing transmission line protection settings or schemes. Phasor-domain short circuit programs (e.g., ASPEN, CAPE, and CYME) remain the mainstream tools for developing protection settings. However, the system protection community has shared concerns about the accuracy of IBR models in short-circuit programs. This report compares the performance of existing generic IBR models in short-circuit programs with detailed electro-magnetic transient (EMT) models provided by several different IBR manufacturers in PSCAD, to quantify the short-circuit program’s IBR model accuracy, assess their ability to replicate individual IBR controls such as negative sequence current injections, and identify specific gaps in the existing generic phasor-domain IBR models that are currently available.

42 ENGINEERING↗

Addressing CFM Modeling Gaps for Application into NASA’S Future Cutting Edge Missions

NASA, the US industry, and international partners are crafting frameworks to enable sustaining lunar missions. The ongoing programs, led by the agency, and prominent industry players, encompass plans for the sustained use of cryogenic propellants in lunar landers and in-space propellant refueling depots. NASA’s proactive funding initiatives have fueled the advancement of predictive computational models tailored to enhance the storage and transfer of cryogenic propellant. This paper aims to spotlight the latest advancements in this arena and delve into the collaborative efforts surrounding predictive model development within internal NASA programs as well as current and previous collaborations with industry and international partners. The paper presents an overview of recent advancements in cryogenic fluid management model development, along with their correlation with recent microgravity and large-scale cryogenic ground tests. The tests include key experiments such as the ISS Zero-Boil-Off Tank (ZBOT) series of experiments and the (Robotic Refueling Mission 3) RRM3 test during which liquid methane was stored on-orbit for an extended period of five months. The paper also highlights the anchoring of propellant tank pressurized drain tests involving sloshing that were conducted with liquid methane propellant during the Apollo/Saturn Era. Additionally, the paper discusses model anchoring against more recent sloshing tests carried out with liquid hydrogen propellant. Notable large-scale tests, such as a liquid oxygen propellant transfer test conducted by SpaceX were also used to help correlate a two-phase propellant transfer model using the valuable data measured during the test. The paper further showcases model correlations against a substantial oxygen liquefaction test undertaken by NASA to validate In-Situ-Resource-Utilization (ISRU) technologies that will prove pivotal for a sustained lunar presence.

Low-gravity fluid modeling↗