Engineering Papers⌕ Search

SEARCH · Engineering Papers

Results for “loading frequency”

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.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 433 records · Page 24

The Role of Stratigraphy and Loading History in Generating Complex Compaction Bands in Idealized Field-Scale Settings

The Buckskin Gulch locality in Utah is a landmark example of compaction localization. The outcrop of this locality involves distinct stratigraphic heterogeneity and was exposed to complex loading history. It features multiple sets of deformation bands with different kinematics and orientation. Similar formations were seen in the Valley of Fire, Nevada, and the Orange quarry, France, among other localities. The formation of such complex structures, their propagation mechanisms, and frequency is affected by numerous local and ambient factors whose impacts are not yet fully understood. The simulation of the above-mentioned localities is not feasible because of the limited amount of available information. This work, instead, investigates from a geomechanics standpoint how the interplay among material nonlinearity, outcrop stratigraphy, and loading history interconnects with specific spatiotemporal patterns of compaction band propagation. Our study shows that the system stratigraphy can be responsible for the emergence of coexisting compaction bands with different inclination and kinematics. Specifically, we show that stiffness contrasts induce nonlocal stress changes which may favor the initiation of secondary structures with different compaction localization characteristics. Furthermore, systems of inclined compaction bands induced by burial increase display secondary, noncontemporaneous sets of vertical compaction bands under the effects of postburial shortening. Our results indicate that stages of intermediate burial decrease prior to tectonic shortening can promote the formation of such complex systems. Despite the simplifications involved in our analyses, these findings show how geomechanics computations complement field observations and could provide a mechanics-based validation of site-specific reconstruction hypothesis.

58 GEOSCIENCES↗

Persistent Acoustic Sensing for Monitoring A Reactor Facility

Measurements over the past few years, taking place within the Multi-Informatics for Nuclear Operations Scenarios project, show that infrasound and low-frequency acoustic monitoring can detect, and often quantify, activities that occur on-site at the High Flux Isotope Reactor. Observable activities include: crane translation, lifting, and lowering; differentiation between loaded and unloaded crane operations; access door opening and closing; vehicle operations; and cooling tower fan operations. Advanced data analytic and spectral feature extraction methods can be used to interpret selected signatures to reach a deeper understanding of different reactor activities. These measurements are being conducted using a network of smartphones that continuously operate in conjunction with cloud-based architectures. A recent addition to the system is the development and deployment of a real-time, cloud-based analytic framework that supports near-real-time alarming which can facilitate tip-and-cue protocols. This paper presents recent research in this area including the use of low-frequency acoustics to tip-off transfer operations and cue a more comprehensive analysis by other sensor networks.

42 ENGINEERING↗

A Penalty Scheme for Mitigating Uninstructed Deviation of Generation Outputs From Variable Renewables in a Distribution Market

With rapid growth of distributed renewable generation, the establishment of electricity distribution markets has attracted widespread concerns. Different from existing transmission grid-scale electricity markets, an electricity distribution market is featured by numerous small-scale prosumers, and zero marginal cost and intermittency of renewable generation units. Against this background, this paper first extends an average pricing market (APM) mechanism for pricing renewable generation outputs with zero marginal cost in the distribution network concerned. Then, to mitigate the uninstructed volatility of renewable generation outputs and power demand, a penalty scheme is proposed for deviations between the real-time demand/output and market cleared bid/offer, with frequency regulation service (FRS) from energy storage systems (ESSs) considered. It is proved that the market volatility can be well controlled within an expected limit through properly setting the penalty prices for load demand and generation output fluctuations. Also, with this mechanism a non-negative market surplus could always be attained. Case studies are carried out to demonstrate the feasibility and efficiency of the proposed distribution market mechanism and penalty scheme.

electricity distribution market↗

Robust multi‐loop control of a floating wind turbine

Abstract A principal challenge facing the control of floating offshore wind turbines (FOWTs) is the problem of instability, or “negative damping,” when using blade pitch feedback to control generator speed. This closed‐loop instability can be attributed to non‐minimum phase zeros in the transfer function from blade pitch to generator speed. Standard approaches to improving stability and performance include robust tuning of control gains and introducing multiple feedback loops to respond to platform motion. Combining these approaches is nontrivial because multiple control loops complicate the impact of coupling in the system dynamics. The single‐loop approach to analyzing stability robustness neglects inter‐loop coupling, while a simplistic multi‐loop approach is highly sensitive to dimensional scaling and overestimates the robustness of the single‐loop controller. This work proposes a sensitivity representation that separates some of the natural FOWT dynamic coupling into a parallel feedback loop in the sensitivity function loop to address both of these concerns. The modified robustness measure is used with a simplified linear FOWT model to optimize scheduled multi‐loop control parameters in an automated tuning procedure. This controller is implemented for the 10‐MW Ultraflexible Smart FLoating Offshore Wind Turbine (USFLOWT) and compared against conventional single‐ and multi‐loop controllers tuned using frequency‐domain analysis and high‐fidelity OpenFAST simulations. The multi‐loop robust controller shows the highest overall performance in generator speed regulation and tower load reduction, though consideration of power quality, actuator usage, and other structural loading leads to additional trade‐offs.

Stockhouse, David↗

Fast-ion physics in SPARC

Potential loss of energetic ions including alphas and radio-frequency tail ions due to classical orbit effects and magnetohydrodynamic instabilities (MHD) are central physics issues in the design and experimental physics programme of the SPARC tokamak. The expected loss of fusion alpha power due to ripple-induced transport is computed for the SPARC tokamak design by the ASCOT and SPIRAL orbit-simulation codes, to assess the expected surface heating of plasma-facing components. We find good agreement between the ASCOT and SPIRAL simulation results not only in integrated quantities (fraction of alpha power loss) but also in the spatial, temporal and pitch-angle dependence of the losses. If the toroidal field (TF) coils are well-aligned, the SPARC edge ripple is small (0.15–0.30 %), the computed ripple-induced alpha power loss is small ( ~0.25% ) and the corresponding peak surface power density is acceptable ( 244 kW m -2 ). However, the ripple and ripple-induced losses increase strongly if the TF coils are assumed to suffer increasing magnitudes of misalignment. Surface heat loads may become problematic if the TF coil misalignment approaches the centimetre level. Ripple-induced losses of the energetic ion tail driven by ion cyclotron range of frequency (ICRF) heating are not expected to generate significant wall or limiter heating in the nominal SPARC plasma scenario. Because the expected classical fast-ion losses are small, SPARC will be able to observe and study fast-ion redistribution due to MHD including sawteeth and Alfvén eigenmodes (AEs). SPARC's parameter space for AE physics even at moderate Q is shown to reasonably overlap that of the demonstration power plant ARC (Sorbom et al., Fusion Engng Des., vol. 100, 2015, p. 378), and thus measurements of AE mode amplitude, spectrum and associated fast-ion transport in SPARC would provide relevant guidance about AE behaviour expected in ARC.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗

Structural and Spectroscopic Properties of Butanediol-Modified Boehmite Materials

Glycoboehmite (GB) materials are synthesized by a solvothermal reaction to form layered aluminum oxyhydroxide (boehmite) modified by intercalated butanediol molecules. These hybrid materials offer a platform to design materials with potentially novel sorption, wetting, and catalytic properties. Several synthetic methods have been used, resulting in different structural and spectroscopic properties, but atomistic detail is needed to determine the interlayer structure to explore the synthetic control of GB materials. Here, in this study, we use classical molecular dynamics (MD) simulations to compare the structural properties of GB interlayers containing chemisorbed butanediol molecules as a function of diol loading. Accompanying quantum (density functional theory, DFT) static calculations and MD simulations are used to validate the classical model and compute the infrared spectra of various models. Classical MD results reveal the existence of two unique interlayer environments at higher butanediol loading, corresponding to smaller (cross-linked) and expanded interlayers. DFT-computed infrared spectra reveal the sensitivity of the aluminol O–H stretch frequencies to the interlayer environment, consistent with the spectrum of the synthesized material. Insight from these simulations will aid in the characterization of the newly synthesized GB materials.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Modulation of seismic noise near the San Jacinto fault in southern California: origin and observations of the cyclical time dependence and associated crustal properties

SUMMARY We examine the cyclic amplitude variation of seismic noise recorded by continuous three-component broad-band seismic data with durations spanning 91–713 d (2008–2011) from three different networks: Anza seismic network, IDA network and the transportable seismic array. These stations surround the San Jacinto Fault Zone (SJFZ) in southern California. We find the seismic noise amplitudes exhibit a cyclical variation between 0.3 and 7.2 Hz. The high-frequency (≥0.9 Hz) noise variations can be linked to human activity and are not a concern. Our primary interest is signals in the low frequencies (0.3–0.9 Hz), where the seismic noise is modulated by semi-diurnal tidal mode M2. These long-period (low-frequency) variations of seismic noise can be attributed to a temporal change of the ocean waves breaking at the shoreline, driven by ocean tidal loading. We focus on the M2 variation of seismic noise at f = 0.6 Hz, travelling distances of ∼92 km through the crust from offshore California to the inland Anza, California, region. Relative to the shoreline station, data from the inland stations show a phase lag of ∼ –12°, which we attribute to the cyclic change in M2 that can alter crustal seismic attenuation. We also find that for mode M2 at 0.6 Hz, the amplitude variations of the seismic quality factor (Q) depend on azimuth and varies from 0.22 per cent (southeast to northwest) to 1.28 per cent (northeast to southwest) with Q = 25 for Rayleigh waves. We propose the direction dependence of the Q variation at 0.6 Hz reflects the preferred orientation of subfaults parallel to the main faulting defined by the primarily N45°W strike of the SJFZ.

Geochemistry & Geophysics↗

Investigating Oscillations in Bulb Turbine Plant During Islanded black start Operation

This paper investigates the frequency oscillatory behavior displayed by the bulb turbine-based run-of-river (ROR) hydropower system under islanded operation. These oscillations prevent higher loading of these generators (under islanded conditions) and hence reduce the black start capability of these generators. To investigate the problem, first, a transfer function model of the bulb-turbine system, sensitive to the effects of head variation, blade angle, and other non-linearities pertaining to turbine characteristics is derived. Next, by analyzing this transfer function model and through simulations, it is determined that system inertia along with other parameters could be responsible for these oscillations. Also, through simulations it is shown that the same ROR system’s behavior is different under islanded mode compared to grid-connected mode.

13 HYDRO ENERGY↗

Modal Analysis of Ultrasonic Spot Welding for Lightweight Metals Joining

Ultrasonic spot welding (USW) represents one of the unique solid-state joining methods for lightweight materials such as magnesium alloy and aluminum alloy. However, the sonotrode vibration may have a detrimental impact on the sheet material and the existing welds, depending on the component geometry and vibration frequency. In this study, a modal analysis tool based on steady-state dynamics was developed for ultrasonic spot welding which features a cyclic load applied to the sheets during the joining process. Through predicting relative motion and shear stress at the faying surfaces, coupon geometry and weld spacing are identified as two major factors that affect the welding reliability and joint quality in USW. The model was validated via welding experiments on aluminum alloy and magnesium alloy and relevant characterization of temperature distribution, joint strength as well as fracture location.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Low modulation index 3-phase solid state transformer

A solid-state transformer (SST) comprises a transformer core, a primary winding, a secondary winding, a primary-side switch bank, and a secondary-side switch bank. Each of the switch banks includes six 4-quadrant switches. The twelve 4-quadrant switches are toggled on and off over six clock cycles in a repetitive sequence with a period that is a function of a desired operating frequency of the transformer. The sequence is configured such that at any given time, 2 of 3 input and output phases are connected to the primary and secondary windings. The SST further includes L-C filter circuits that are configured to filter high-frequency components of current and voltage waveforms such that these components are not back-fed to the electrical mains or delivered to a load. The SST includes a primary-side filter circuit and a secondary-side filter circuit that can each include respective L-C filters for three input or output phases.

Koplow, Jeffrey P.↗

Synchronous Machine Governor Upgrade

Conventional generation sources play a critical role in the stability and reliability of the electrical grid, particularly as we transition towards more renewable energy sources. To understand and accurately emulate their behavior for optimizing grid operations and ensuring seamless integration with renewable technologies, it is essential to better emulate the grid- and plant-level impacts of conventional generation sources, such as natural gas (NG) driven heat recovery steam generators (HRSGs) and combustion turbines (CTs). Therefore, a governor model is developed in a programmable logic controller (PLC) to investigate the performance of the conventional generator under various dynamic operating conditions and to identify the impact on grid stability in a controlled environment. The governor model aims to enable the hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) based emulation of these conventional generation sources using the existing 2 MVA synchronous machine/generator that is driven by a flexible 2.5 MW variable speed drive. This setup will allow us to replicate the dynamic characteristics and response behaviors of NG-driven HRSGs and CTs. The controls for the emulated conventional plants follow the industry standard and are adjustable, ensuring they accurately reflect the operational capabilities and limitations of real-world systems. These controls include load-following capabilities, ramp rates, startup and shutdown sequences, and emissions characteristics. By incorporating these adjustable controls, we aim to capture the nuanced impacts of conventional generation, such as their ability to provide ancillary services like frequency regulation, voltage support, and spinning reserve. In this report, we simulate two types of dynamic operations: grid-connected and islanding. For each dynamic operation, representative starting sequences are tested, including turbine purge, ignition, speed ramping up, generator excitation and synchronizing, and breaker close. The HIL based tests provides insights for field deployment, specifically the high-fidelity governor model provides results to predict the potential stability and reliability risk and suggest possible integration measures (e.g., generation and load balancing, tuning of governor control parameters). Ultimately, this enhanced emulation capability will be integrated into our Advanced Research on Integrated Energy Systems (ARIES), enabling us to conduct comprehensive studies on the interactions between conventional and renewable energy sources. By better understanding these interactions, we can develop strategies to optimize the overall performance and reliability of the grid. This will support the deployment of advanced grid management techniques, such as demand response, grid-forming inverters, and energy storage systems. The main contributions are summarized as follows: (1) This report introduces a PLC-based governor model for gas turbines. This model accurately simulates the dynamic behavior of conventional generation sources under various operational scenarios; (2) The model is integrated with an HIL testbed that includes a 2.5 MW variable speed drive and a 2 MVA synchronous machine. This setup enables realistic, real-time emulation of conventional power plants, particularly NG driven HRSGs and CTs; (3) The developed model is adaptable to various gas turbine configurations and allows for precise control over parameters such as MW ramp rates. This flexibility makes it a valuable tool for future research and industry collaboration; and (4) By incorporating the model into the National Renewable Energy Laboratory's Advanced Research on Integrated Energy Systems, the report lays the groundwork for future studies on interactions between conventional and renewable energy sources, enhancing the ability to develop advanced grid management strategies.

24 POWER TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION↗

Efficient perturbation-tracking method for directly probing the spectral phonon properties from molecular dynamics simulations

Existing methods for directly extracting the spectral phonon properties from molecular dynamics (MD) simulations, like the normal mode analysis (NMA) and spectral energy density analysis, all require a very long simulation time to produce reliable results with good convergence. So far, these methods are mainly applied in studies using small systems and with empirical potentials, as the heavy computational load has greatly hindered their further applications. Here we propose a perturbation-tracking (PT) method for directly probing the mode-wise phonon anharmonic frequencies and lifetimes. We show that results obtained from our method are in excellent agreement with those from the conventional NMA approach, using Si as the model material system. Comparing with the NMA approach, the PT method offers a greater accuracy and significant improvement of efficiency. It takes an average of two orders of magnitude and up to three orders of magnitude less simulation time to obtain the same lifetime result of a phonon mode with intermediate to high accuracy. Meanwhile, our method preserves all the dynamics of probed phonon mode from a particular state, which means it is capable of studying the transient thermal transport processes in a nonequilibrium system. Besides the exceptional efficiency, our method also comes with freedom to choose to probe only those modes of interest. This makes it ideal for use with large systems and in computationally demanding applications, such as ab initio MD simulations. Moreover, the PT method we propose here is very straightforward and easy to implement.

74 ATOMIC AND MOLECULAR PHYSICS↗

2 Kelvin helium distribution system for the Electron Ion Collider’s 10 o’clock satellite refrigerator

The Electron-Ion Collider (EIC) at Brookhaven National Laboratory (BNL) will involve superfluid helium cooling of superconducting magnets and Superconducting Radio Frequency (SRF) cavities at several sites around the existing Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider (RHIC) accelerator tunnel. While the majority of the cooling power for these loads is provided by BNL’s central cryogenic plant, Jefferson Lab is designing satellite equipment which augments the central plant and enables 2 Kelvin operation. The 2 K cryogenic distribution system for the collider’s 10 o’clock location (Interaction Region 10 or IR10) includes all necessary interfaces to the IR10 Satellite Refrigerator, to the overall EIC cryogenic distribution system, and to 12 SRF cryomodules for the electron and hadron storage rings. In addition to providing the required cooling capacities in all operating modes, the IR10 2 K cryogenic distribution system also stabilizes the supply temperature and enables safe connection and disconnection of individual IR10 cryomodules. Moreover, the layout of the IR10 2 K cryogenic distribution system copes with challenging spatial constraints and adapts to the process configuration and routing of existing RHIC cryogenic distribution components which will be re-used for EIC. This paper gives a full overview of the IR10 satellite cryogenic distribution system design, and highlights some of the challenges encountered.

Laverdure, Nathaniel [Thomas Jefferson National Ac↗

Liquid Core Detection and Strand Condition Monitoring in a Continuous Caster Using Optical Fiber

Real-time monitoring of the liquid core position during the continuous casting of steel has been demonstrated using low-cost distributed optical-fiber-based strain sensors. These sensors were installed on the containment roll support structures in the segments of a production continuous caster to detect the position of the solid–liquid interface and monitor the strand condition during the continuous casting. Distributed Fiber Bragg Grating sensors (FBGs) were used in this work to monitor strain at six roll positions in the caster. The sensor performance was first validated by comparing optical strain measurements with conventional strain gauge measurements in the lab. Next, optical strain measurements were performed on an isolated caster segment in a segment maintenance facility using hydraulic jacks to simulate the presence of a liquid core under the roll. Finally, the sensors were evaluated during caster operation. The sensors successfully detected the load increase associated with the presence of a liquid core under each instrumented roll location. Incidents of bulging and roll eccentricity were also detected using frequency analysis of the optical strain signal. The liquid core position measurements were compared using predictions from computer models (digital twins) in use at the production site. The measurements were in good agreement with the model predictions, with a few exceptions. Under certain transient caster operating conditions, such as spraying practice changes and SEN exchanges, the model predictions deviated slightly from the liquid core position determined from strain measurements.

47 OTHER INSTRUMENTATION↗

UNH TDP - Concurrent Measurements of Inflow, Power Performance, and Loads for a Grid-Synchronized Vertical Axis Cross-Flow Turbine Operating in a Tidal Estuary

This data was collected between October 12 and December 15 of 2021 at the University of New Hampshire (UNH) and Atlantic Marine Energy Center (AMEC) turbine deployment platform (TDP). This data set includes over 29 days of grid connected turbine operation during this 65 day time frame. The priority for this measurement campaign was to collect data while the turbine was electrically connected to the grid by means of a rectifier and inverter. The Fall_2021_UNH_Measurement_Timeline.png highlights when each instrument was functioning and the Fall_2021_UNH_Test_Log.jpg indicates the four main regions for analysis available from this measurement campaign. The TDP is a floating structure moored on the Portsmouth facing side of Memorial Bridge pier #2, which spans the Piscataqua River between Portsmouth, NH and Kittery, ME. The Piscataqua River connects the Great Bay Estuary to the Gulf of Maine and the river currents are dominated by tidal forcing with water velocities exceeding 2.5 m/s during spring ebb tides at this site which were previously characterized by Kaelin Chancey (Assessment Of The Localized Flow And Tidal Energy Conversion System At An Estuarine Bridge - UNH MS Thesis 2019). The turbine under test was a modified New Energy Corporation (Calgary, CA) model EVG-025 4-blade H-Darrius type vertical axis cross flow turbine that rotates in the clockwise direction with a rotor diameter of 3.2m and blade length of 1.7m. The hydro-foil profile was a NACA 0021 with a 10 inch chord length and a blade preset pitch angle of +4deg with a positive angle corresponding with the toe in direction. The standard EVG-025 has a rotor diameter of 3.4m and its rated power output is 25kW at 3 m/s. The rotor diameter was reduced to accommodate the size of the existing TDP moon-pool. This project was pursued to quantify device performance for cross flow turbines operating in a marine environment. Accurate physical models, to characterize cross flow turbine performance, require real operational data sets due to the complexity of blade fluid interactions. This data can help support model development which will help predict turbine performance when analyzing perspective project locations in the future. Instrumentation was deployed to measure; water speed/direction, electrical power output, turbine shaft speed, turbine thrust force, and platform motion. Concurrent measurements of these parameters allow for correlations (cause and affect) to be inferred, allowing for characterization of device performance over a range of operating conditions. Water currents were measured using Acoustic Doppler Current Profilers (ADCP's) and Acoustic Doppler Velocimeters (ADV's) directly upstream and downstream of the turbine for inflow, wake and turbulence measurements. Electrical power output was measured using the Voltsys rectifier and the Shark power meter. Shaft speed was calculated based on the Voltsys measurements of the permanent magnet three phase generator AC generation frequency, coupled directly to the cross flow turbine under test (i.e., no gear box). Platform motions were captured using a Yost IMU (inertial measurement unit). Turbine thrust loading was measured using a reaction arm about the turbine deployment platform spanning beam, where two bi-directional load cells were connected to the system via a pinned connection. This submission includes zipped folders for each instrument containing quality controlled (QC'd) data in daily .csv files for the relevant duration specific to each instrument, along with separate .csv file that contains the units for each variable. Some instrument daily files are quite large and can pose a challenge for a visual spreadsheet editor to open. A processing software like MATLAB or Python is recommended. Note the degree of QC varied between each instrument due to time constraints. Particular time and attention was given to perform quality control tests on the acoustic based instruments that are particularly suscep...

16 TIDAL AND WAVE POWER↗

Dispatching Grid-Forming Inverters in Grid-Connected and Islanded Mode

This paper explores the dispatchability of grid-forming (GFM) inverters in grid-connected and islanded mode. GFM inverters usually use droop control to automatically share power with other GFM sources (inverters and synchronous generators) and follow the change in the load demand; however, they can be dispatched like their grid-following (GFL) counterparts to output the target active and reactive power. This will help grid operators better manage their inverter-based resources (IBRs) to improve operation efficiency and reliability; therefore, this paper proposes an innovative concept of dispatching GFM sources (inverters and synchronous generators) to output the target power in both grid-connected and islanded mode by adjusting their droop intercepts. The fundamental principle is that the GFM inverter's active and reactive power is dictated by its frequency and voltage, and thus dispatching the active and reactve power of a GFM inverter can be achieved through dispatching its frequency and voltage. Moreover, the concept distinguishes the dispatch rules for grid-connected and islanded mode. Finally, the concept is validated with an example microgrid system with two GFM inverters, one diesel generator, one GFL inverter, and the load in both grid-connected and islanded mode. This pioneering work results in practical guidance for the development of energy management systems for future electric grids with GFM and GFL inverters.

dispatching↗

A Medium Voltage Testbed for the Performance and Function Tests of a 13.8 kV Power Conditioning System Converter

Medium voltage SiC devices facilitate the development of medium voltage grid-connected power electronics converters. However, it is difficult to test these converters directly on the real medium voltage grid, especially considering abnormal grid conditions, such as grid voltage and frequency variation, and different converter operation modes, such as grid-connected mode and islanded mode. This paper introduces the design and implementation of a medium voltage testbed, which supports tests of medium voltage converters in both grid-connected and islanded mode tests. In the grid-connected mode, the testbed can provide up to 13.8 kV grid voltage, can support the four-quadrant operation, and can emulate different grid conditions, such as voltage and frequency variation. In the islanded mode, the converter under test works as a voltage source and the testbed emulates a three-phase balanced or unbalanced load. Experiment test results are provided to validate the design and capability of the testbed.

Li, Haiguo↗