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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 379 records · Page 21
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2023

Reinforcement-Learning-Based Smart Water Heater Control: An Actual Deployment

Utilizing smart control algorithms for electric water heaters (EWHs) is essential for fully harnessing the demand response (DR) potential of EWHs. For this reason, the use of reinforcement learning (RL) algorithms for EWHs has received increasing attention in recent years. However, existing RL approaches are either simulation-based or use pretrained RL agents. To this end, this paper presents the real-world deployment of a set of model-free RL approaches that aim to minimize the electricity cost of a EWH under a time-of-use electricity pricing policy using standard DR commands (e.g., shed, load up). The experiment results showed that the RL agents can help save electricity cost in the range of 11% to 14% compared to the baseline operation. This study demonstrated that RL-based EWH controllers can be deployed in real world without any prior training and can still save electricity cost.

deep learning↗
DOE OSTI2015

Requirements for Control Room Computer-Based Procedures for use in Hybrid Control Rooms

Many plants in the U.S. are currently undergoing control room modernization. The main drivers for modernization are the aging and obsolescence of existing equipment, which typically results in a like-for-like replacement of analogue equipment with digital systems. However, the modernization efforts present an opportunity to employ advanced technology that would not only extend the life, but enhance the efficiency and cost competitiveness of nuclear power. Computer-based procedures (CBPs) are one example of near-term advanced technology that may provide enhanced efficiencies above and beyond like for like replacements of analog systems. Researchers in the LWRS program are investigating the benefits of advanced technologies such as CBPs, with the goal of assisting utilities in decision making during modernization projects. This report will describe the existing research on CBPs, discuss the unique issues related to using CBPs in hybrid control rooms (i.e., partially modernized analog control rooms), and define the requirements of CBPs for hybrid control rooms.

97 MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTING↗
DOE OSTI2016

Evaluation of fuel-borne sodium effects on a DOC-DPF-SCR heavy-duty engine emission control system: Simulation of full-useful life

Here we report that for renewable fuels to displace petroleum, they must be compatible with emissions control devices. Pure biodiesel contains up to 5 ppm Na + K and 5 ppm Ca + Mg metals, which have the potential to degrade diesel emissions control systems. This study aims to address these concerns, identify deactivation mechanisms, and determine if a lower limit is needed. Accelerated aging of a production exhaust system was conducted on an engine test stand over 1001 h using 20% biodiesel blended into ultra-low sulfur diesel (B20) doped with 14 ppm Na. This Na level is equivalent to exposure to Na at the uppermost expected B100 value in a B20 blend for the system full-useful life. During the study, NOx emissions exceeded the engine certification limit of 0.33 g/bhp-hr before the 435,000-mile requirement. Replacing aged diesel oxidation catalyst (DOC), diesel particulate filter (DPF), and selective catalytic reduction (SCR) devices with new degreened parts showed that each device contributed equally to the NOx increase. Following this systems-based evaluation, a detailed investigation of the individual components was completed. Na was determined to have minimal impact on DOC activity. For this system, it is estimated that B20-Na resulted in 50% more ash into the DPF. However, the Na did not diffuse into the cordierite DPF nor degrade its mechanical properties. The SCR degradation was found to be caused by a small amount of precious group metals (PGM) contamination that increased NH3 oxidation, and lowered NOx reduction. Therefore, we determined that the primary effect of Na in this study is through increased ash in the DPF rather than deactivation of the catalytic activity.

42 ENGINEERING↗
DOE OSTI2011

Design And Verification of Controllers for Coupled Bunch Instabilities Using Optimal Control Theory And Numerical Simulation: Predictions for PEP II

We present a technique for the design and verification of efficient bunch-by-bunch controllers for damping longitudinal multibunch instabilities. The controllers attempt to optimize the use of available feedback amplifier power - one of the most expensive components of a feedback system - and define the limits of the closed loop system performance. Our design technique alternates between analytic computation of single bunch optimal controllers and verification on a multibunch numerical simulator. The simulator uses PEP-II parameters and identifies unstable coupled bunch modes, their growth rates and their damping rates with feedback. The results from the simulator are shown to be in reasonable agreement with analytical calculations based on the single bunch model. The technique is then used to evaluate the performance of a variety of controllers proposed for PEP-II.

43 PARTICLE ACCELERATORS↗
DOE OSTI2021

Microgrids, Infrastructure Resilience, and Advanced Controls Launchpad (MIRACL) Research: Controls

Advanced Turbine Control for Distributed Wind Deployments: The Microgrids, Infrastructure Resilience, and Advanced Controls Launchpad (MIRACL) research initiative is funded by the U.S. Department of Energy’s Wind Energy Technologies Office and led by researchers at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) and Sandia National Laboratories (Sandia). The initiative’s controls research seeks to expand the benefits from distributed wind energy assets beyond solely providing low-cost power directly to consumers. To make these turbines operate more effectively, there is a need for more advanced ways to control them—allowing power companies, businesses, and energy consumers to take advantage of some of the unique technical characteristics of wind energy.

wind, Microgrids, Infrastructure, Resilience, Adva↗
DOE OSTI2012

Impact of the control rod consumption on the reactivity control of a SFR break-even core

Current design studies on Sodium Fast Reactor (SFR) differ from those performed in the past by the fact that design criteria are now those of the Generation IV reactors. In order to improve their safety, reactors with break-even cores are preferred because they minimize the needs in terms of reactivity control and limit the consequences of control rod withdrawal. Furthermore, as the reactivity control needs are low, break-even core enables the use of absorbing materials with reduced efficiency (natural boron, hafnium...). Nevertheless, the use of control rods with few absorbing materials may present the disadvantage of a non-negligible ({approx}10%) loss of efficiency due to their consumption under irradiation. This paper presents a methodology to calculate accurately and analyze this consumption. (authors)

21 SPECIFIC NUCLEAR REACTORS AND ASSOCIATED PLANTS↗
DOE OSTI2016

Centipod WEC, Advanced Controls, MPC Controller MATLAB Code

This archive contains the MATLAB code for the model predictive control (MPC) controller developed in this project. The archive containing the WaveDyn models used for analysis of the Centipod with the MPC controller is linked in this submission.

16 TIDAL AND WAVE POWER↗
DOE OSTI2016

In Situ Probing and Synthetic Control of Cationic Ordering in Ni-Rich Layered Oxide Cathodes

Ni-rich layered oxides (LiNi1-xMxO2; M = Co, Mn, ...) are appealing alternatives to conventional LiCoO2 as cathodes in Li-ion batteries for automobile and other large-scale applications due to their high theoretical capacity and low cost. However, preparing stoichiometric LiNi1-xMxO2 with ordered layer structure and high reversible capacity, has proven difficult due to cation mixing in octahedral sites. Herein, in situ studies of synthesis reactions and the associated structural ordering in preparing LiNiO2 and the Co-substituted variant, LiNi0.8Co0.2O2, are made, to gain insights into synthetic control of the structure and electrochemical properties of Ni-rich layered oxides. Results from this study indicate a direct transformation of the intermediate from the rock salt structure into hexagonal phase, and during the process, Co substitution facilities the nucleation of a Co-rich layered phase at low temperatures and subsequent growth and stabilization of solid solution Li(Ni, Co)O-2 upon further heat treatment. Optimal conditions are identified from the in situ studies and utilized to obtain stoichiometric LiNi0.8Co0.2O2 that exhibits high capacity (up to 200 mA h g(-1) ) with excellent retention. The findings shed light on designing high performance Ni-rich layered oxide cathodes through synthetic control of the structural ordering in the materials.

Zhao, Jianqing↗
DOE OSTI2019

Enhanced Stability of Li Metal Anodes by Synergetic Control of Nucleation and the Solid Electrolyte Interphase

Use of a protective coating on a lithium (Li) metal anode (LMA) is an effective approach to enhance its coulombic efficiency and cycling stability. Here we report a facile approach to produce uniform silver (Ag) nanoparticle-decorated LMAs for high-performance Li metal batteries (LMBs). This effective treatment can lead to well controlled nucleation and the formation of a stable solid electrolyte interphase (SEI). Ag nanoparticles embedded in the surface of Li anodes induced uniform Li plating/stripping morphologies with reduced overpotential. More importantly, cross-linked lithium fluoride (LiF) networks formed during Ag+ reduction enabled a highly stable SEI layer. Based on the Ag-LiF decorated anodes, LMBs with LiNi1/3Mn1/3Co1/3O2 cathode (~1.8 mAh cm-2) can retain >80% capacity over 500 cycles. The similar results were also obtained when the same approach was applied to the design of stable sodium (Na) anodes. These results indicate that synergetic control of the nucleation and SEI is an efficient approach to stabilize rechargeable metal batteries.

anode↗
DOE OSTI2015

Controlled surface segregation leads to efficient coke-resistant nickel/platinum bimetallic catalysts for the dry reforming of methane

Surface composition and structure are of vital importance for heterogeneous catalysts, especially for bimetallic catalysts, which often vary as a function of reaction conditions (known as surface segregation). The preparation of bimetallic catalysts with controlled metal surface composition and structure is very challenging. In this study, we synthesize a series of Ni/Pt bimetallic catalysts with controlled metal surface composition and structure using a method derived from surface organometallic chemistry. The evolution of the surface composition and structure of the obtained bimetallic catalysts under simulated reaction conditions is investigated by various techniques, which include CO-probe IR spectroscopy, high-angle annular dark-field scanning transmission electron microscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, extended X-ray absorption fine structure analysis, X-ray absorption near-edge structure analysis, XRD, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. It is demonstrated that the structure of the bimetallic catalyst is evolved from Pt monolayer island-modified Ni nanoparticles to core–shell bimetallic nanoparticles composed of a Ni-rich core and a Ni/Pt alloy shell upon thermal treatment. As a result, these catalysts are active for the dry reforming of methane, and their catalytic activities, stabilities, and carbon formation vary with their surface composition and structure.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2017

Bicomponent Block Copolymers Derived from One or More Random Copolymers as an Alternative Route to Controllable Phase Behavior

Block copolymers have been extensively studied due to their ability to spontaneously self-organize into a wide variety of morphologies that are valuable in energy-, medical- and conservation-related (nano)technologies. While the phase behavior of bicomponent diblock and triblock copolymers is conventionally governed by temperature and individual block masses, we demonstrate that their phase behavior can alternatively be controlled through the use of blocks with random monomer sequencing. Block random copolymers (BRCs), i.e., diblock copolymers wherein one or both blocks is a random copolymer comprised of A and B repeat units, have been synthesized, and their phase behavior, expressed in terms of the order-disorder transition (ODT), has been investigated. Our results establish that, depending on the block composition contrast and molecular weight, BRCs can microphase-separate. We also report that the predicted ODT can be generated at relatively constant molecular weight and temperature with these new soft materials. This sequence-controlled synthetic strategy is extended to thermoplastic elastomeric triblock copolymers differing in chemistry and possessing a random-copolymer midblock.

Ashraf, Arman R.↗
DOE OSTI2018

Control of Shell Morphology in p-n Heterostructured Water-Processable Semiconductor Colloids: Toward Extremely Efficient Charge Separation

This article describes p-n heterostructured water-borne semiconductor naonoparticles (NPs) with unique surface structures via control of shell morphology. The shell particles, comprising PC60-PC61BM composite, having n-type semiconductor characteristic, notably influence the charge carrier behavior in the core-shell NPs. A one- or two-phase methodology based on a PC60 surfactant-water phase and PC61BM n-type semiconductor-organic phase provided highly specific control over the shell structure of the NPs, which promoted their superior charge separation ability when combined with poly-3-hexyl-thiophene (P3HT). Moreover, the resulting water-borne NPs exhibit shell morphology-dependent carrier quenching and stability, which was characterized via luminescence studies paired with structural analysis. Corresponding to the results, outstanding performances of photovoltaic cells with over 5 % efficiency were achieved. The results suggest that the surrounding shell environments, such as the shell structure, and its electronic charge density, were crucial in determining the overall activity of the core-shell p-n heterostructured NPs. Thus, this work provides a new protocol in the current fields of water-based organic semiconductor colloids.

charge separation↗
DOE OSTI2018

Local Exact Controllability of Two-Phase Field Solidification Systems with Few Controls

We analyze a control problem for a phase field system modeling the solidification process of materials that allow two different types of crystallization coupled to a Navier–Stokes system and a nonlinear heat equation, with a reduced number of controls. We prove that this system is locally exactly controllable to suitable trajectories, with controls acting only on the motion and heat equations.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗
DOE OSTI2020

Production and Fuel properties of Iso-Olefins with Controlled Molecular Structure and Obtained from Butene Oligomerization

The ability to control the molecular structure (e.g., degree of branching) of iso-olefins produced from oligomerizing light olefins is a valuable tool for tuning the final compositions of hydrocarbon fuels and targeting specific fuel properties. In this study, we demonstrated that the degree of branching of iso-olefins obtained from butene(s) oligomerization can be controlled by tuning process conditions (i.e., temperature, weight hourly space velocity [WHSV], and nature of butene feedstock) and by choosing the proper catalyst (i.e., Amberlyst-36 vs. Y/ZSM-22). In this study, we produced three types of iso-olefin mixtures: 1) a methyl-heptenes rich (74 wt.%) mixture, 2) dimethyl-hexenes rich (80–96 wt.%) mixtures, and 3) highly branched (i.e., more than three methyl substitutions) iso-olefins rich (>50 wt.%) mixtures. While dimethyl-hexenes are preferentially formed at lower temperatures (60–100°C) and WHSV (i.e., 2 hr-1), methyl-heptenes are favorably produced at higher temperatures (>100°C) and WHSVs (i.e., 7 hr-1) over Amberlyst-36. The use of either 1-butene or 2-butene as feedstock resulted in liquid products with similar branching because facile intramolecular isomerization occurs prior to oligomerization. However, the use of isobutylene feedstock forms a significantly more branched olefin product. The formation of highly branched iso-olefins also is favored at higher temperature (140°C) over Amberlyst-36. Using Y/ZSM-22 instead of Amberlyst-36 allowed preferential formation of less-branched methyl-heptenes. For each type of iso-olefins mixture, we determined fuel properties including research octane number (RON), motor octane number (MON), and octane sensitivity (S), which is the difference between RON and MON. We found that not only RON and MON but also S values increased with the degree of branching of these complex mixtures of iso-olefins. The highest RON of 99.7 and S value of 9.3 were obtained for a mixture of highly branched iso-olefins.

Dagle, Vanessa↗