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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 OSTI2020

Hardware-in-the-Loop Test Bed and Test Methodology for Microgrid Controller Evaluation

Increasing penetration levels of distributed energy resources are making the deployment of microgrids more feasible. Controllers that operate such microgrids are key to realizing the objectives of the microgrid owner or operator and there is a need to evaluate microgrid controller performance prior to field deployment. This paper describes a controller hardware-in-the-loop and power hardware-in-the-loop microgrid controller test bed that was designed and constructed to evaluate the capabilities of a microgrid controller for a proposed campus microgrid. This paper also presents a test methodology to evaluate microgrid controller functionality, and it describes how the controller was assessed through the application of different test scenarios. Results from the testing are presented to provide insight into the capabilities of the test bed.

24 POWER TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION↗
DOE OSTI2025

IBPSA Project 2 BOPTEST: An update on the test cases available in the framework for testing advanced control strategies in buildings

Project 2 develops software infrastructure, test cases, and extensions for the Building Optimization Testing Framework (BOPTEST) to address the expanding needs of building and urban energy system controls through open international collaboration. This paper provides an overview of the new test cases available as of BOPTEST version 0.7.1. Each test case is developed using open-source Modelica libraries and Spawn of EnergyPlus, enabling the creation of high-fidelity building models that incorporate envelope dynamics, Heating Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) systems, and explicit control representations. Currently, eight test cases are available, with five additional cases under development. These test cases cover a wide range of climates, building types, and HVAC systems. This paper compiles and summarizes test case descriptions, cites original manuscripts that developed them for a more detailed description, and reports baseline control performance metrics. Furthermore, two example applications are presented: one illustrating different levels of control, from supervisory to low-level, and another demonstrating how Model Predictive Control (MPC) solutions must be adapted from continuous to integer to control some building actuators.

Zanetti, Ettore↗
DOE OSTI2017

Initial results from safety testing of US AGR-2 irradiation test fuel

Two cylindrical compacts containing tristructural isotropic (TRISO)-coated particles with kernels that contained a mixture of uranium carbide and uranium oxide (UCO) and two compacts with UO 2 -kernel TRISO particles have undergone 1600°C safety testing. These compacts were irradiated in the US Advanced Gas Reactor Fuel Development and Qualification Program's second irradiation test (AGR-2). The time-dependent releases of several radioisotopes ( 110m Ag, 134 Cs, 137 Cs, 154 Eu, 155 Eu, 90 Sr, and 85 Kr) were monitored while heating the fuel specimens to 1600°C in flowing helium for 300 h. The UCO compacts behaved similarly to previously reported 1600°C-safety-tested UCO compacts from the AGR-1 irradiation. No failed TRISO or failed SiC were detected (based on krypton and cesium release), and cesium release through intact SiC was very low. Release behavior of silver, europium, and strontium appeared to be dominated by inventory originally released through intact coating layers during irradiation but retained in the compact matrix until it was released during safety testing. Both UO 2 compacts exhibited cesium release from multiple particles whose SiC failed during the safety test. Europium and strontium release from these two UO 2 compacts appeared to be dominated by release from the particles with failed SiC. Silver release was characteristically like the release from the UCO compacts in that an initial release of the majority of silver trapped in the matrix occurred during ramping to 1600°C. However, additional silver release was observed later in the safety testing due to the UO 2 TRISO with failed SiC. Failure of the SiC layer in the UO 2 fuel appears to have been dominated by CO corrosion, as opposed to the palladium degradation observed in AGR-1 UCO fuel.

11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS↗
DOE OSTI2017

Commissioning and Testing of a new 4.5K Cold Box for JLab Cryogenic Test Facility

A new 4.5K cold box at Jefferson Lab (JLab) Cryogenic Test Facility (CTF) was recently installed and commissioned to upgrade the existing 4.5 K refrigeration system and work in parallel with the existing 4.5 K cold box. This new 4.5 K cold box is equipped with two turbo-expanders and, at its maximum capacity condition, it is expected to support at least 6.6 g/s of helium liquefaction or 650 W of refrigeration at 4.5 K. It can also handle up to 10 g/s 30 K return flow for 2 K refrigeration recovery that supports cryo-module and superconducting cavity testing. Performances of the cold box at its maximum capacity conditions as well as several other operating modes were tested for acceptance. Finally, we will briefly review the new 4.5 K cold box design features and discuss the commissioning and performance testing results.

42 ENGINEERING↗
DOE OSTI2018

Testing Results from the Low Activity Waste Pretreatment System (LAWPS) Full-Scale Ion Exchange Column Test and Engineering Scale Integrated System Test - 18634

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), Office of River Protection's (ORP) primary mission is to retrieve and treat Hanford's tank waste and close the Tank Farms to protect the Columbia River. Mixed radioactive waste is stored in 177 underground tanks at the Hanford Site as reported in DOE/ORP 2003- 02, Environmental Impact Statement for Retrieval, Treatment, and Disposal of Tank Waste and Closure of the Single Shell Tanks at the Hanford Site, Richland WA, Inventory and Source Term Data Package. The 177 underground tanks are estimated to contain about 56 million gallons of waste. The Low Activity Waste Pretreatment System (LAWPS) Project provides for the early production of immobilized low activity waste (ILAW) by feeding LAW directly from Tank Farms to the Hanford Waste Treatment Plant's (WTP's) LAW Facility, bypassing the Pretreatment Facility. Prior to the transfer of feed to the WTP LAW Vitrification Facility, tank supernatant waste will be pretreated in the LAWPS to meet the WTP LAW waste acceptance criteria. The LAWPS will also facilitate the return of secondary liquid wastes from the WTP LAW Vitrification Facility to the Tank Farms. In November of 2015 DOE's Tank Operations Contractor, Washington River Protection Solutions (WRPS), awarded a contract to the AECOM team to design, fabricate and operate two test platforms to generate performance data at two different scales and demonstrate technology maturation. The first platform models the ion exchange (IX) columns at full scale, and the second platform models the integrated flowsheet (cross flow filter (CFF) and IX) at 1/9. scale. Overarching technical objectives of performing the full-scale ion exchange test and the engineering-scale integrated test are to: 1. Test interactions between unit process operations; 2. Test removal of non-radioactive cesium from process stream; 3. Test removal of undissolved solids from process stream; 4. Confirm operational flow rate range and stability; 5. Confirm volumetric throughput of waste stream over flow operating range; 6. Confirm range of process temperatures over planned operating range; 7. Establish system hydraulics and process criteria; 8. Coordinate key control and monitoring components; 9. Establish treated product chemistry meets requirements (cesium, solids, and pH); and 10. Test the hazard control strategy for a no flow condition through the IX column. Data collected during testing will be used by WRPS to validate the preliminary design, inform the final design of the permanent plant equipment, and demonstrate that the critical technology elements have advanced to a technology readiness level of 6 (prototypical system validation in a relevant environment). Testing on both platforms started in fall of 2016 generating NQA-1 data. This paper covers test results from the first five phases of testing on the 1/9. scale integrated test platform. A further three phases of testing are currently being executed, these including a 5.6 M sodium simulant containing foulant, a high viscosity simulant and finally a run performed with a lower Cs concentration (all earlier tests were spiked to 4 x Cs to reduce volume and cost). Results from these tests were not available at the time of writing available. Results are also presented from the full scale IX testing. Eight test were performed covering column loading, elution and regeneration; column loading, elution and regeneration with upflow displacement; IX column loading and gas migration; resin removal; solids accumulation; and IX column emergency recirculation and vent. (authors)

12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE W↗
DOE OSTI2017

1:52 Scale Testing of the First US Commercial Scale Floating Wind Turbine, VolturnUS: Testing Overview and the Evolution of Scale Model Testing Methods

Over the past 6 years, the University of Maine (UMaine) has been an active contributor in research and scale-model testing of floating offshore wind turbines (FOWTs). This paper serves to share the evolution of UMaine’s scale-model testing pedigree by exploring the various test campaigns at a high level, culminating with the design validation of the VolturnUS floating platform. These model test campaigns have each provided key insights into the behavior of FOWT platforms as well as improving the ability to perform model tests of FOWTs. In 2011, the UMaine-led DeepCwind Consortium carried out 1/50-scale model tests of a generic tension leg platform (TLP), a semi-submersible (semi), and a spar-buoy (spar) floating platform at the Maritime Research Institute Netherlands (MARIN) test facility. The designs were Froude-scaled and supported a scaled version of the 5-MW National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) offshore research turbine. Data from these tests has been used extensively for numerical simulation validation efforts using NREL’s computer-aided engineering software FAST and laid the foundation for UMaine’s design efforts on VolturnUS. In 2013, UMaine conducted another test campaign at MARIN using the original semi-submersible from 2011 with an improved turbine as well as a 1:50-scale model of the VolturnUS concrete semi-submersible design. The improved DeepCwind semi-submersible data is currently being utilized in the validation of a large number of other analysis codes as part of the International Energy Agency’s OC5 project. In 2015, UMaine opened its own Wind/Wave test facility, the Alfond Wind/Wave Ocean Engineering Laboratory (W2). Utilizing this new facility, UMaine tested the 1:50-scale model DeepCwind semi-submersible, repeating the tests from MARIN, to validate the experimental equipment and procedures as well as demonstrate the capability of the W2. In 2016 UMaine carried out testing of a 1:52-scale model of the 100% design of the VolturnUS with a 6-MW topside as a final design validation to support the US Department of Energy-supported, full-scale Aqua Ventus demonstration project scheduled to be connected to the grid in 2019. A newly designed 6-MW scale model turbine was used in this test and the performance-matched turbine design methodology is described. Selected results from the test campaign and preliminary numerical comparisons are discussed as well as key lessons learned from the model test campaigns are presented.

17 WIND ENERGY↗
DOE OSTI2023

Radiation Hardened Foam Cold Test Plan - Phase II: Foam Characterization Testing and Environmental Chamber Testing of FoamBag Fixative Foam

This document outlines the Phase II test objectives and implementation plan for a down-select foam fixative technology intended to facilitate activities in support of the Savannah River Site (SRS) F/H labs deactivation and decommissioning (D&D) efforts. It is a collaborative effort between Savannah River National Laboratory (SRNL), Florida International University (FIU), and the SRS F/H labs team intended to test and evaluate the potential of a polyurethane resin foam in mitigating the release of contamination during dismantling operations on radioactively contaminated piping in legacy facilities. The cold test plan addresses specific requirements highlighted by site and safety personnel and will be executed at FIU and SRNL test and lab facilities. Results from the cold tests will inform the hot test at F/H labs, which will use the foam fixative to confine and/or isolate residual contamination within a 3-dimensional void space of Hastelloy C-22 piping designated for removal from the area and transported to a designated disposal facility. Phase I testing was previously conducted using Hilti CP620 fixative foam. Results from Phase I testing indicate Hilti CP-620 fixative foam is incompatible with SRS site hot taps as an effective foam delivery method into Hastelloy C-22 piping. Phase II testing will be conducted using FoamBag TM fixative foam as an alternative fixative foam option. Phase II testing will address eight test objectives: (1) evaluation of the adhesion and bonding properties of FoamBag TM in Hastelloy C-22 piping, (2) evaluation of the adhesion of FoamBag TM in piping under various moisture conditions, (3) determination of the heat profile of FoamBag TM during curing, (4) determination of the internal pipe pressure after FoamBag TM deployment and curing, (5) conduct a leak test to determine if FoamBag TM is effective at creating a full seal within piping, (6) headspace testing of FoamBag TM to determine if there are any associated off-gas hazards during FoamBag TM curing, (7) conduct environmental chamber testing of FoamBag TM to understand how environmental parameters impacts FoamBag TM curing, and (8) conduct fire testing to evaluate FoamBag TM fire retardant characteristics.

12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE W↗
DOE OSTI2024

Experimental Characterization Test of a Grid-Forming Inverter for Microgrid Applications

Standardized experimental testing protocols for grid forming (GFM) inverters to ensure expected operation under both normal and contingency conditions do not exist. Such protocols increase the confidence of system owner/operators that an inverter deployed in a proposed system will engage in typical behaviors to ensure interoperability with other units and ancillary equipment (e.g. protection equipment). This paper presents systematic and comprehensive test protocols to evaluate the performance of GFM inverters under the following operational configurations: islanded operation, heterogeneous islanded operation (parallel with a synchronous generator), grid-connected operation, and transition operation. A commercial GFM inverter is used to verify the test protocols and to understand the inverter's performance and functionalities. In particular, required configuration and tuning of the inverter will be explained in the full paper to enrich the testing protocol.

black start↗
DOE OSTI2020

Shape-constrained Input Estimation for Efficient Multi-shaker Vibration Testing

Multi-shaker vibration testing is gaining interest from structural dynamics test engineers as it can provide a much more accurate match to complicated field vibration responses than traditional single-axis shaker tests. However, the force capabilities of the small modal shakers typically used in multi-shaker vibration tests has limited the achievable response levels. To date, most multi-shaker vibration tests have been performed using a variety of standard, commercially-available control systems. While these control systems are adequate for a wide range of multiple-input/multiple-output tests, their control algorithms have not been tailored for the specific problem of multi-shaker vibration tests: efficiently coordinating the various shakers to work together to achieve a desired response. Here, a new input estimation algorithm is developed and demonstrated using simulations and actual test data. This algorithm, dubbed shape-constrained input estimation, is shown to effectively coordinate multiple shakers using a set of constraint vectors based on the deflection shapes of the test structure. This is accomplished by using the singular vector shapes of the system frequency response matrix, which allows the constraint vectors to automatically change as a function of frequency. Simulation and test results indicate a significant reduction in the input forces required to achieve a desired response. Finally, the results indicate that shape-constrained input estimation is an effective method to achieve higher response levels from limited shaker forces which will enable higher level multi-shaker vibration tests to be performed.

42 ENGINEERING↗
DOE OSTI2021

Preliminary Cryogenic Cold Test Results of the First 9-Cell LSF Shape Cavity

Following successful prototyping and testing of single- & 5-cell LSF shape cavities *, **, the first 9-cell LSF shape cavity LSF9-1 was successfully constructed using an innovative process at JLab with the in-house facilities. The cavity was then shipped to KEK for post-fabrication mechanical adjustment and ILC TDR style treatment and surface processing. Cold testing was carried out at the JLab VTA facility, instrumented with a suite of Kyoto instruments. Favorable values for the bath pressure detuning sensitivity and Lorentz force detuning coefficient were experimentally measured, validating the design improvement in cell stiffeners. Pass-band measurements indicate 4 out of 9 cells reaching gradient capability of > 45 MV/m, including 2 cells reaching 51 MV/m. Cornell OST detectors identified the cell and location responsible for the current hard quench limit. Multipacting-like barriers observed in end cells are investigated both analytically and numerically. The cavity was shipped to FNAL and received a light EP at the joint ANL/FNAL facility for further cold testing at Jlab. Two new 9-cell LSF cavities are being constructed including one made of large-grain niobium material.

43 PARTICLE ACCELERATORS↗
DOE OSTI2019

Test Results of the CERN HL-LHC low- Quadrupole Short Models MQXFS3c and MQXFS4

For the High Luminosity Upgrade of the CERN Large Hadron Collider, lower * quadrupole magnets based on advanced Nb3Sn conductors will be installed on each side of the ATLAS and CMS experiment insertion zones. As part of the technological developments needed to achieve the required field gradient of 132.6 T/m within a 150-mm aperture, short length model magnets, named MQXFS, are tested both at the CERN SM18 and FERMI Lab test facilities. The model magnets rely on two types of Nb3Sn conductors (RRP and PIT) and on an innovative bladders and keys design to provide mechanical support against the Lorentz forces. In 2016 and 2017, the powering tests of the first two models MQXFS3 (RRP) and MQXFS5 (PIT) proved that nominal performance (16.5 kA) could be reached with excellent memory of the quench current after thermal cycle. However both magnets showed a slow training behavior with clear observations of voltage disturbances before the quench. Besides MQXFS5 only could reach ultimate current (17.9 kA) whereas erratic behavior was observed on MQXFS3 due to conductor local degradation at the head of one of the coil. In 2018, this limiting coil was changed and the applied azimuthal pre-stress increased. If ultimate current could then be reached, no stable current could be maintained due to identified defect on the outer layer of the new coil. Finally the outcome of the test of the new model MQXFS4, featuring the final RRP conductors that will be used for the series production and variation on the inner layer quench heater designs are here reported in details.

43 PARTICLE ACCELERATORS↗
DOE OSTI2016

WEC-SIM Phase 1 Validation Testing -- Numerical Modeling of Experiments: Preprint

The Wave Energy Converter Simulator (WEC-Sim) is an open-source code jointly developed by Sandia National Laboratories and the National Renewable Energy Laboratory. It is used to model wave energy converters subjected to operational and extreme waves. In order for the WEC-Sim code to be beneficial to the wave energy community, code verification and physical model validation is necessary. This paper describes numerical modeling of the wave tank testing for the 1:33-scale experimental testing of the floating oscillating surge wave energy converter. The comparison between WEC-Sim and the Phase 1 experimental data set serves as code validation. This paper is a follow-up to the WEC-Sim paper on experimental testing, and describes the WEC-Sim numerical simulations for the floating oscillating surge wave energy converter.

16 TIDAL AND WAVE POWER↗
DOE OSTI2017

Design, Fabrication and Start-up of Test Facilities for the LAWPS Full-Scale IX Column Test and Engineering Scale Test - 17418

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), Office of River Protection's (ORP) primary mission is to retrieve and treat Hanford's tank waste and close the Tank Farms to protect the Columbia River. Mixed radioactive waste is stored in 177 underground tanks at the Hanford Site as reported in DOE/ORP 2003-02, Environmental Impact Statement for Retrieval, Treatment, and Disposal of Tank Waste and Closure of the Single Shell Tanks at the Hanford Site, Richland WA, Inventory and Source Term Data Package. The 177 underground tanks are estimated to contain about 56 million gallons of waste. The Low Activity Waste Pretreatment System (LAWPS) Project provides for the early production of immobilized low activity waste (ILAW) by feeding LAW directly from Tank Farms to the Hanford Waste Treatment Plant's (WTP's) LAW Facility, bypassing the Pretreatment Facility. Prior to the transfer of feed to the WTP LAW Vitrification Facility, tank supernatant waste will be pretreated in the LAWPS to meet the WTP LAW waste acceptance criteria. The LAWPS will also facilitate the return of secondary liquid wastes from the WTP LAW Vitrification Facility to the Tank Farms. In November of 2015 DOE's Tank Operations Contractor, Washington River Protection Solutions (WRPS), awarded a contract to the AECOM Team to design, fabricate and operate two test platforms to generate performance data at two different scales and demonstrate technology maturation. The first platform models the ion exchange (IX) columns at full scale, and the second platform models the integrated flowsheet (cross flow filter (CFF) and IX) at 1/9. scale. Both test platforms underwent shakedown and start-up testing in August 2016 and moved into actual testing and NQA-1 data generation shortly thereafter. This paper covers the engineering design, procurement, construction, installation, and acceptance testing of the test platforms (which are now operational) under an aggressive fast track schedule, and initial test data as available. (authors)

12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE W↗
DOE OSTI2020

Full-Scale Assembly 30 cm Drop Test

Can Spent Nuclear Fuel withstand the shocks and vibrations experienced during normal conditions of transport? This question was the motivation for the multi-modal transportation test (MMTT) (Summer 2017), 1/3-scale cask 30 cm drop test (December 2018), and full-scale assembly 30 cm drop tests (June 2019). The full-scale ENSA ENUN 32P cask with 3 surrogate 17x17 PWR assemblies was used in the MMTT. The 1/3-scale cask was a mockup of this cask. The 30 cm drop tests provided the accelerations on the 1/3-scale dummy assemblies. These data were used to design full-scale assembly drop tests with the goal to quantify the strain fuel rods experience inside a cask when dropped from a height of 30 cm. The drop tests were first done with the dummy and then with the surrogate assembly. This paper presents the preliminary results of the tests.

Transportation↗
DOE OSTI2017

Testing ΛCDM at the lowest redshifts with SN Ia and galaxy velocities

Peculiar velocities of objects in the nearby universe are correlated due to the gravitational pull of large-scale structure. By measuring these velocities, we have a unique opportunity to test the cosmological model at the lowest redshifts. We perform this test, using current data to constrain the amplitude of the "signal" covariance matrix describing the velocities and their correlations. We consider a new, well-calibrated "Supercal" set of low-redshift SNe Ia as well as a set of distances derived from the fundamental plane relation of 6dFGS galaxies. Here, analyzing the SN and galaxy data separately, both results are consistent with the peculiar velocity signal of our fiducial ΛCDM model, ruling out the noise-only model with zero peculiar velocities at greater than 7σ (SNe) and 8σ (galaxies). When the two data sets are combined appropriately, the precision of the test increases slightly, resulting in a constraint on the signal amplitude of A = 1.05 -0.21 +0.25 where A = 1 corresponds to our fiducial model. Equivalently, we report an 11% measurement of the product of the growth rate and amplitude of mass fluctuations evaluated at z eff = 0.02, f σ 8 = 0.428 -0.045 +0.048 , valid for our fiducial ΛCDM model. Here, we explore the robustness of the results to a number of conceivable variations in the analysis and find that individual variations shift the preferred signal amplitude by less than ~0.5σ. We briefly discuss our Supercal SN Ia results in comparison with our previous results using the JLA compilation.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2018

Report on the FY18 Uniaxial Material Model Testing and Key Feature Test Articles Testing of Grade 91

This report summarizes the results from experiments performed in FY18 on Gr. 91 steel (heat 30176). The testing of Gr. 91 has technical significance because, currently, it is the only approved material for Class A construction in ASME Section III Division 5 that is strongly cyclic softening. The focus of this investigation is the effect of pre-cyclic loading history on the responses of Gr. 91 under key feature testing with Simplified Model Test (SMT) creep fatigue and two-bar thermal ratchet loading. For the pre-softened SMT, the SMT life reduction ratio was found to be approximately the same as the pre-softening fatigue damage ratio. The pre-softening also affected the ratchet behavior for the SMT specimens. Under the same two-bar thermal ratchet test conditions, the pre-softened specimens showed faster ratchet ting rates or larger accumulated strains than those without pre-softening history. In addition, results from previous uniaxial mechanical tests in support of the viscoplastic material model development for Gr. 91 are summarized, and the new results from thermomechanical testing at high temperature range are reported.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗