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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 271 records · Page 15

3D CFD Model Validation Using Benchmark Data of 1/16th Scaled VHTR Upper Plenum and Development of Wall Heat-Transfer Correlation For Laminar Flow

With support from the U.S. Department of Energy-Office of Nuclear Energy’s (DOE-NE’s) Nuclear Energy Advanced Modeling and Simulation (NEAMS) program, an effort has been pursued to support high-temperature gas-cooled reactor (HTGR) technology development and its modeling and simulation needs. There is a particular need for advanced modeling and simulation tools to predict thermal-fluid behavior in the nuclear reactor primary system, especially in the core and the lower and upper plena, during safety-related transients. In this report, two main such activities are presented relevant to the HTGRs: (1) three-dimensional (3D) computational fluid dynamics (CFD) validation using benchmark data from the upper plenum of Texas A&M University’s 1/16th scaled very-high-temperature gas-cooled reactor (VHTR), and (2) development of wall heat-transfer correlation for laminar flow in a wall-heated pipe. The CFD tool validation exercises can be helpful to choose the models and CFD tools to simulate and design specific components of the HTRGs such as upper plenum where jet mixing is a complex phenomenon. In a loss of forced circulation event, the laminar flow can be observed during the development of natural circulation flow. This work includes the development and validation of heat transfer correlations for laminar flow using the Nek5000 CFD code due to limited available experimental data for laminar flow conditions to guide low-order models (1D). In this report, the flow characteristics of a single isothermal jet discharging into the upper plenum was investigated using the Nek5000 Large-Eddy Simulation (LES) CFD tool. Several numerical simulations were performed for various jet-discharged Reynolds numbers ranging from 3,413 to 12,819. A grid-independent study was performed. The numerical results of mean velocity, root-mean-square fluctuating velocity, and Reynolds stress were compared against the benchmark data. Good agreement was obtained between simulated and measured data for axial mean velocities, except near the upper plenum hemisphere. The maximum predicted errors for axial mean velocities at various normalized coolant channel diameter heights of 1, 5, and 10 are 1.56%, 1.88%, and 3.82%, respectively. In addition, the predicted root-mean-square fluctuating velocity and Reynolds stress are qualitatively in agreement with the experimental data. The Nek5000 code was used to develop wall-heat transfer correlation for laminar flow in a cylindrical tube. Several simulations were performed for various Reynolds flow and wall-heat fluxes. A new heat transfer correlation was developed using data from Nek5000 simulation results and regression functions in Matlab. The developed heat transfer correlation is valid for various Reynolds flows from 200 to 2000. The predicted R² value for model fit was 0.875, which ensures that 87.5% of the model data lies on the Nek5000 data. Moreover, a machine learning (ML) tool was used to train and test the Nek5000 data. A good fit of the ML-based model was observed with the test data.

21 SPECIFIC NUCLEAR REACTORS AND ASSOCIATED PLANTS↗

Benchmarking the exponential ansatz for the Holstein model

Polarons are quasiparticles formed as a result of lattice distortions induced by charge carriers. The single-electron Holstein model captures the fundamentals of single polaron physics. We examine the power of the exponential ansatz for the polaron ground-state wavefunction in its coupled cluster, canonical transformation, and (canonically transformed) perturbative variants across the parameter space of the Holstein model. Our benchmark serves to guide future developments of polaron wavefunctions beyond the single-electron Holstein model.

Chemistry↗

A Segmentation Algorithm for Characterizing Rise and Fall Segments in Seasonal Cycles: An Application to XCO2 to Estimate Benchmarks and Assess Model Bias

There is more useful information in the time series of satellite-derived column-averaged carbon dioxide (XCO2) than is typically characterized. Often, the entire time series is treated at once without considering detailed features at shorter timescales, such as nonstationary changes in signal characteristics – amplitude, period and phase. In many instances, signals are visually and analytically differentiable from other portions in a time series. Each rise (increasing) and fall (decreasing) segment in the seasonal cycle is visually discernable in a graph of the time series. The rise and fall segments largely result from seasonal differences in terrestrial ecosystem production, which means that the segment's signal characteristics can be used to establish observational benchmarks because the signal characteristics are driven by similar underlying processes. We developed an analytical segmentation algorithm to characterize the rise and fall segments in XCO2 seasonal cycles. We present the algorithm for general application of the segmentation analysis and emphasize here that the segmentation analysis is more generally applicable to cyclic time series. We demonstrate the utility of the algorithm with specific results related to the comparison between satellite- and model-derived XCO2 seasonal cycles (2009–2012) for large bioregions across the globe. We found a seasonal amplitude gradient of 0.74–0.77 ppm for every 10∘ of latitude in the satellite data, with similar gradients for rise and fall segments. This translates to a south–north seasonal amplitude gradient of 8 ppm for XCO2, about half the gradient in seasonal amplitude based on surface site in situ CO2 data (∼19 ppm). The latitudinal gradients in the period of the satellite-derived seasonal cycles were of opposing sign and magnitude (−9 d per 10∘ latitude for fall segments and 10 d per 10∘ latitude for rise segments) and suggest that a specific latitude (∼2∘ N) exists that defines an inversion point for the period asymmetry. Before (after) the point of asymmetry inversion, the periods of rise segments are lesser (greater) than the periods of fall segments; only a single model could reproduce this emergent pattern. The asymmetry in amplitude and the period between rise and fall segments introduces a novel pattern in seasonal cycle analyses, but, while we show these emergent patterns exist in the data, we are still breaking ground in applying the information for science applications. Maybe the most useful application is that the segmentation analysis allowed us to decompose the model biases into their correlated parts of biases in amplitude, period and phase independently for rise and fall segments. We offer an extended discussion on how such information about model biases and the emergent patterns in satellite-derived seasonal cycles can be used to guide future inquiry and model development.

Calle, Leonardo↗

A proposal for the intercomparison of the dynamical cores of atmospheric general circulation models

A benchmark calculation is proposed for evaluating the dynamical cores of atmospheric general circulation models (GCMs) independently of the physical parameterizations. The test focuses on the long-term statistical properties of a fully developed general circulation; thus, it is particularly appropriate for intercomparing the dynamics used in climate models. To illustrate the use of this benchmark, two very different atmospheric dynamical cores--one spectral, one finite difference--are compared. It is found that the long-term statistics produced by the two models are very similar. Selected results from these calculations are presented to initiate the intercomparison.

Held, Isaac M.↗

The Community Land Model Version 5: Description of New Features, Benchmarking, and Impact of Forcing Uncertainty

The Community Land Model (CLM) is the land component of the Community Earth System Model (CESM) and is used in several global and regional modeling systems. In this paper, we introduce model developments included in CLM version 5 (CLM5), which is the default land component for CESM2. We assess an ensemble of simulations, including prescribed and prognostic vegetation state, multiple forcing data sets, and CLM4, CLM4.5, and CLM5, against a range of metrics including from the International Land Model Benchmarking (ILAMBv2) package. CLM5 includes new and updated processes and parameterizations: (1) dynamic land units, (2) updated parameterizations and structure for hydrology and snow (spatially explicit soil depth, dry surface layer, revised groundwater scheme, revised canopy interception and canopy snow processes, updated fresh snow density, simple firn model, and Model for Scale Adaptive River Transport), (3) plant hydraulics and hydraulic redistribution, (4) revised nitrogen cycling (flexible leaf stoichiometry, leaf N optimization for photosynthesis, and carbon costs for plant nitrogen uptake), (5) global crop model with six crop types and time-evolving irrigated areas and fertilization rates, (6) updated urban building energy, (7) carbon isotopes, and (8) updated stomatal physiology. New optional features include demographically structured dynamic vegetation model (Functionally Assembled Terrestrial Ecosystem Simulator), ozone damage to plants, and fire trace gas emissions coupling to the atmosphere. Conclusive establishment of improvement or degradation of individual variables or metrics is challenged by forcing uncertainty, parametric uncertainty, and model structural complexity, but the multivariate metrics presented here suggest a general broad improvement from CLM4 to CLM5.

58 GEOSCIENCES↗

The spectroscopic quadrupole moment of the 2 1 + state of 12 C: A benchmark of theoretical models

The spectroscopic quadrupole moment of the first 2 + state of 12 C has been measured employing the Coulomb-excitation re-orientation technique. Our result of $Q_{s} (2^{+}_{1}) = +9.3^{+3.5}_{-3.8}$ efm 2 suggests a larger oblate deformation than previously reported. Combining this with the consistently re-analyzed adopted value, we present the most precise value to date of $Q_{s} (2^{+}_{1})$ = +9.5(18) efm 2 , which is consistent with a geometrical rotor description. This simple outcome is compared to state-of-the-art shell-model, mean-field, ab initio calculations, cluster-based and geometrical-like theories, which show varying degrees of emergent quadrupole collectivity.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗

Foams in Hohlraums

Foam materials are starting to find application in laser-heated hohlraums used to drive inertial confinement fusion (ICF) implosions. The disparate scales of the solid foam elements (nm) compared to the typical problem scale (mm) make it expensive to resolve the individual foam elements in hydrodynamic calculations. In this project we developed two new models for treating foam materials – a 3D hydrodynamic model that treats the foam as bits of pre-expanded solid material separated by voids, and a subgrid model that captures the essential physics of laser-heated foams without requiring resolution of the individual solid elements. We also explored the microphysics of the transition from interpenetrating kinetic behavior to fully-collisional fluid-like behavior during the early time heating and expansion of foam elements through a combination of single-fluid and multi-fluid hydrodynamics calculations and particle-in-cell calculations. The model was benchmarked against these calculations and against experimental data on laser-heated chemical and additive-manufactured (AM) foams. Since there was no existing data on laser-heated AM foams, we performed the first experiments on such foams at the Jupiter Laser Facility. Samples of three different types of printed AM foams were heated using a single 0.5 micron laser. The foam densities ranged from 10 to 100 mg/cc (supercritical for 0.5 micron light). We measured the backscattered light (power and spectrum), the transmitted light, and the time-integrated temperature of the foam samples. This benchmarked subgrid foam model is a new capability that should allow routine calculation of ICF designs using foam elements, potentially opening up a new design space.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

CFD Simulations to Support Pronghorn Modeling of a Molten Salt Fast Reactor

To assist with the deployment of next generation molten salt reactors (MSRs), the DOE NEAMS program is developing advanced simulation capabilities. As part of this work, the high-fidelity CFD tool, Nek5000 was used to inform model development for the engineering scale tool, Pronghorn. The particular case chosen was the EVOL molten salt fast reactor concept. This concept uses an open core design, which is well known to be sensitive to the particular geometry and can have complex flow behavior that varies across a range of conditions. This makes it an idea candidate for demonstration of the Hi2Lo concept of using higher fidelity models to benchmark lower fidelity models. Simulations of the EVOL design were performed using both LES (high-fidelity) and RANS (moderate-fidelity) in Nek5000. The LES results indicated discrepancies in 2-D axisymmetric RANS, indicating that the core is better modeled in RANS with a 3-D wedge representation of a portion of the core, which can accurately account for the effect of the inlet channels. Finally, results from the 3-D RANS were used to modify an existing turbulence model in Pronghorn. Improvement in the calibrated Pronghorn model was demonstrated. Future work is suggested to focus on expanding the LES calculation to provide a more direct point of comparison for both the RANS and Pronghorn models as well as incorporating more of the relevant MSR physics (such as delayed neutron precursor tracking) into the model.

21 SPECIFIC NUCLEAR REACTORS AND ASSOCIATED PLANTS↗

Benchmarking of Computational Models for NDE and SHM of Composites

Ultrasonic wave phenomena constitute the leading physical mechanism for nondestructive evaluation (NDE) and structural health monitoring (SHM) of solid composite materials such as carbon-fiber-reinforced polymer (CFRP) laminates. Computational models of ultrasonic guided-wave excitation, propagation, scattering, and detection in quasi-isotropic laminates can be extremely valuable in designing practically realizable NDE and SHM hardware and software with desired accuracy, reliability, efficiency, and coverage. This paper presents comparisons of guided-wave simulations for CFRP composites implemented using three different simulation codes: two commercial finite-element analysis packages, COMSOL and ABAQUS, and a custom code implementing the Elastodynamic Finite Integration Technique (EFIT). Comparisons are also made to experimental laser Doppler vibrometry data and theoretical dispersion curves.

composite materials↗

A Robust Hybrid Deep Learning Model for Spatiotemporal Image Fusion

Dense time-series remote sensing data with detailed spatial information are highly desired for the monitoring of dynamic earth systems. Due to the sensor tradeoff, most remote sensing systems cannot provide images with both high spatial and temporal resolutions. Spatiotemporal image fusion models provide a feasible solution to generate such a type of satellite imagery, yet existing fusion methods are limited in predicting rapid and/or transient phenological changes. Additionally, a systematic approach to assessing and understanding how varying levels of temporal phenological changes affect fusion results is lacking in spatiotemporal fusion research. The objective of this study is to develop an innovative hybrid deep learning model that can effectively and robustly fuse the satellite imagery of various spatial and temporal resolutions. The proposed model integrates two types of network models: super-resolution convolutional neural network (SRCNN) and long short-term memory (LSTM). SRCNN can enhance the coarse images by restoring degraded spatial details, while LSTM can learn and extract the temporal changing patterns from the time-series images. To systematically assess the effects of varying levels of phenological changes, we identify image phenological transition dates and design three temporal phenological change scenarios representing rapid, moderate, and minimal phenological changes. The hybrid deep learning model, alongside three benchmark fusion models, is assessed in different scenarios of phenological changes. Results indicate the hybrid deep learning model yields significantly better results when rapid or moderate phenological changes are present. It holds great potential in generating high-quality time-series datasets of both high spatial and temporal resolutions, which can further benefit terrestrial system dynamic studies. The innovative approach to understanding phenological changes’ effect will help us better comprehend the strengths and weaknesses of current and future fusion models.

spatiotemporal fusion↗

Benchmarking a Pronghorn Model of the Natural Convection Shutdown Heat Removal Test Facility Against STAR-CCM+ (Poster)

Summary Verification of Pronghorn’s Net Radiation Transfer via Code-to-Code comparison with STAR-CCM+. Comparison based on Natural Convection Shutdown Heat-Removal Test Facility (NSTF). Near-perfect agreement if conjugate heat transfer inside the riser channels is replaced by fixed temperature. Difference of up to 5K if conjugate heat transfer is modeled (correlation vs. full CFD).

97 MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTING↗