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At least 433 records · Page 24

A priori analysis on deep learning of subgrid-scale parameterizations for Kraichnan turbulence

In the present study, we investigate different data-driven parameterizations for large eddy simulation of two-dimensional turbulence in the a priori settings. These models utilize resolved flow field variables on the coarser grid to estimate the subgrid-scale stresses. We use data-driven closure models based on localized learning that employs a multilayer feedforward artificial neural network with point-to-point mapping and neighboring stencil data mapping, and convolutional neural network fed by data snapshots of the whole domain. The performance of these data-driven closure models is measured through a probability density function and is compared with the dynamic Smagorinksy model (DSM). The quantitative performance is evaluated using the cross-correlation coefficient between the true and predicted stresses. We analyze different frameworks in terms of the amount of training data, selection of input and output features, their characteristics in modeling with accuracy, and training and deployment computational time. We also demonstrate computational gain that can be achieved using the intelligent eddy viscosity model that learns eddy viscosity computed by the DSM instead of subgrid-scale stresses. Here, we detail the hyperparameters optimization of these models using the grid search algorithm.

42 ENGINEERING↗

Operation and performance of VRF systems: Mining a large-scale dataset

The energy consumption of air-conditioning systems has gained increasing attention as it contributes significantly to the global building energy use. The variable refrigerant flow (VRF) system is a common air-conditioning system applied widely in residential and office buildings in China. Understanding the actual operation and performance of VRF systems is fundamental for the energy-efficient design and operation of VRF systems. Previous research on VRF system operation used either limited field data covering certain building types and climate zones or used a questionnaire to obtain a larger dataset. However, they did not capture the wide applications of VRF systems quantitatively across all building types, climate zones, and operating conditions. To fill this gap, statistical and clustering analysis was conducted on the newly proposed key performance indicators of approximately 287,000 VRF systems for residential and commercial buildings in all five climate zones in China. In this work, the main findings are: (1) VRF systems are mainly used for cooling in all climate zones in China; (2) among all building types, the duration of use is lowest in residential buildings and highest in hotels and medical buildings; (3) the distribution of the ideal VRF cooling coefficient of performance (COP) is similar across all climate zones and building types; whereas the COPs of ideal VRF heating in the Severe Cold region and Cold regions are lower than those in other climate zones; and (4) partial load operations for VRF systems are common in residential buildings and office buildings due to the part-time-part-space operation mode. These findings can inform the actual application of VRF systems in China, supporting the design, operation, industry standard development, and performance optimization of VRF systems.

32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATI↗

Uncertainty estimation of bifurcated solutions in the Rayleigh–Bénard problem for advanced nuclear reactors applications

Multiphysics models of nuclear reactors frequently comprise nonlinear systems of equations. The nonlinear nature of these models could lead to solution bifurcations, where a small change in a certain parameter, e.g., the thermophysical properties of the coolant, can lead to a sudden change in the system’s behavior. At the point in parameter space where this happens, called a critical point, the Jacobian matrix of the model’s nonlinear operator becomes singular potentially permitting multiple solutions to coexist. In this paper, we perform uncertainty estimation (UE) in a parameter range that includes bifurcated solutions within the context of Rayleigh–Bénard problem. We perform this analysis assuming uncertain temperature difference, and tilt angle for the iterative solution algorithm with a unit Prandtl number (Pr = 1). Also, we perform this analysis under uncertain thermophysical properties for both FLiBe molten salt and liquid sodium as working fluid. We deploy two approaches to compute statistical moments for the resulting distributions of selected flow-field variables. The first approach is the blind computation of the mean and the standard deviation without any consideration of solution bifurcation, while the second approach utilizes k-means clustering to cluster each branch’s solutions together and compute separate statistical moments for each branch. The statistical distributions are obtained by perturbing the selected parameters about nominal values that correspond to a solution on one of the valid branches, and that solution is used as initial guess for the iterative solution algorithm. We found that perturbation of any parameter when its nominal value is close to its critical point always leads to branch jumping, i.e., the iterations converge to a solution on a branch different from the branch of the initial guess. This produces a statistical ensemble comprised of fundamentally different solutions leading to wrong mean values and uncertainty estimates, whereas clustering provides an efficient way to deal with this type of computation. This work is important for developing Gen IV nuclear systems because many of these systems rely on natural convection for cooling especially in accident conditions.

97 - MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTING↗

Dynamics of multilayer Rayleigh–Taylor instability at moderately high Atwood numbers

This paper investigates the multilayer Rayleigh–Taylor instability (RTI) using statistically stationary experiments conducted in a gas tunnel. Employing diagnostics such as particle image velocimetry (PIV) and planar laser induced fluorescence (PLIF), we make simultaneous velocity–density measurements to study how dynamics and mixing are linked in this variable density flow. Experiments are conducted in a newly built, blow-down three-layer gas tunnel facility. Mixing between three gas streams is studied, where the top and bottom streams are comprised of air, and the middle stream is an air–helium mixture. Shear is minimized between these streams by matching their inlet velocities. The four experimental conditions investigated here consist of two different density ratios (Atwood numbers 0.3 and 0.6), each investigated at two instability development times (or equivalently, two streamwise locations), and all experiments are with the same middle stream thickness of 3 cm. The growth of the middle layer is measured using laser-based planar Mie scattering visualization. The mixing width is found to grow linearly with time at late times. Various quantitative measures of molecular mixing indicate a very high degree of molecular mixing at late times in the multilayer RTI flow. The vertical turbulent mass flux $a_y$ is calculated. In addition to mostly negative values of $a_y$ , typical of buoyancy-dominated flows due to negative correlation between velocity and density fluctuations, positive regions are also observed in profiles of $a_y$ due to entrainment and erosion at the lower edge of the mixing region. Global energy budgets are calculated for the multilayer RTI flow at late times and it is found that the majority of potential energy released has been dissipated due to viscous effects, and a large value of mixing efficiency ( $\sim$ 60 %) is observed.

Mechanics↗

Improving power grid transient stability and transfer capability using HVDC emergency power controls

In the future, with high levels of renewable energy sources penetration, the transmission corridors will have to be flexible to operate under faster transients and variable power flows. Fast power ramping and overloading capabilities of HVDC system can be utilized to ensure transient stability of the interconnected power grid. In this paper, HVDC auxiliary controllers have been studied that can provide the power grid with additional synchronizing torques through fast DC power changes in response to arising system conditions. The effectiveness of the auxiliary controllers in improving transient stability is demonstrated by performing dynamic simulations on the detailed model of the Western Interconnection system (WECC).

Sundaresh, Lakshmi↗

Digital Twin User Guide for Chelan County Public Utility District

This user manual offers a comprehensive guide for developing a Digital twin (DT) of a Kaplan turbine at Chelan County Public Utility District (Chelan PUD) using neural networks. As variable renewable generation expands, hydropower units must operate with optimal efficiency and stability. For Kaplan machines, this flexibility is achieved through coordinated control of guide vane (wicket gates) opening and runner blade pitch, which amplifies the plant’s inherent nonlinear behavior and challenges traditional physics-only modeling. The efficiency of the Kaplan turbine varies with different combinations of the guide vans (wicket gate) opening and the blade angle. Each guide van opening and blade angle has a corresponding highest efficiency point, forming a cam relationship that represents the optimal combination.The discharge of a hydraulic turbine is controlled by the opening angle of the guide vans. Therefore, for each value of head, there is a certain guide van opening and blade angle that corresponds to the highest efficiency. For a given head, different combinations of the guide van opening and blade angle have different efficiencies. Therefore, coordinate cam curves are used to describe the relationship between the wicket gate opening and blade angle with different water head. To address these challenges, the manual details a data-driven modeling and learning workflow centered on structured neural networks. The approach is designed to forecast critical operational variables—discharge flow, net head, penstock (or scroll-case) pressure, and generator electrical outputs—by leveraging real-time inputs such as the generator power control setpoint, exciter field current and field voltage, together with hydromechanical commands (e.g., gate position and, when available, runner blade-pitch angle). The neural models are trained and validated on operational data from a Kaplan unit operated by Chelan PUD, demonstrating that the structured NN architecture can learn the coupled gate–blade–electrical dynamics. The result is a robust DT that improves situational awareness and supports data-informed decision-making for Chelan PUD’s Kaplan turbine operations.

24 POWER TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION↗

Data From: Simulating bioclogging effects on dynamic riverbed permeability and infiltration, Water Resources Research

We collected a time series of Russian River infiltration rates to parameterize stochastic model development of infiltration conditions as a function of bioclogging. The time series of infiltration were collected from the Russian River Riverbank Filtration site located in Sonoma County California. Infiltration datasets are shown in units of m/day and were obtained using a seepage meter in 2012. To address the combined effects of bioclogging and disconnection on infiltration, we developed numerical representations of bioclogging processes based on these datasets using a within a one-dimensional, variably saturated flow model representing losing-connected and losing-disconnected rivers. All models and bioclogging formulations were used to create synthetic test cases for bioclogging.This research was supported by the Jane Lewis Fellowship from the University of California, Berkeley, the Sonoma County Water Agency (SCWA), the Roy G. Post Foundation Scholarship, the U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Science Graduate Student Research (SCGSR) Program, U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Science, Office of Biological and Environmental Research under award DE-AC02-05CH11231, and the UFZ-Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research, Leipzig, Germany.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗

Numerical Investigation of Butterfly Valve Performance in Variable Valve Sizes, Positions and Flow Regimes

Reliability and efficiency of valves are necessary for precise control and sufficient heat-flow to heat application plants for the integrated energy systems of nuclear power plants (NPPs). Strategic Management Analysis Requirement and Technology (SMART) valves’ ability to control flow and assess environmental parameters stands out for these requirements. Their ability to sustain the downstream flow rate, prevent reverse flow, and maintain pressure in the heat transport loop is much more efficient with the integration of sensors and intelligent algorithms. For assessing valve performance and monitoring, mechanical design and operating conditions are two important parameters. In this study, the butterfly valves of three different sizes are simulated with water and steam using STAR-CCM+ in various flow regimes and positions to analyze performance parameters to strategize an automated control system for efficiently balancing the heat–transport network. Also, flow behavior is studied using velocity and pressure fields for valve–body geometry optimization. It can be observed, through performance parameters, that the valves are suitable for operation between 30° and 90° positions with significantly low loss coefficients and high flow coefficients, and the performance parameters follow a certain pattern in both water and steam flow in each scenario.

21 SPECIFIC NUCLEAR REACTORS AND ASSOCIATED PLANTS↗

Validation of Streaklines as Recorders of Synoptic Flow Direction in a Deltaic Setting

Knowledge of the flow patterns within distributary systems is key for understanding deltaic hydro- and morpho-dynamics, yet synoptic measurements of flow fields remain virtually nonexistent. As a means of overcoming this problem, a small number of studies have used biogenic surface films as synoptic flow tracers, under the assumption that biofilm streaklines are tangent to the local flow direction. Here we rigorously test this assumption and show that, despite flow patterns that change severely in space and time (over a range >270°), streaklines are relatively accurate synoptic flow tracers for the Wax Lake Delta, in Louisiana. When the incoming discharge was greater than 2400 m3/s with stable or falling tides, the streakline-derived flow direction departed from near bed flow direction measurements of 22.8° (root mean square). When the discharge was greater than 2400 m3/s and the tides were rising greater than 0.03 m/hr, they were accurate within 28.0°. Under conditions of discharge less than 2400 m3/s and tidal change less than a positive 0.03 m/hr, they were accurate within 33.3°, while during low discharge and rising tides they were accurate within 58.9°. Accuracy varied with distance from the delta, with proximal sites having greater precision. Our results demonstrate that a streakline-derived flow direction can characterize the spatiotemporal variability in the flow directions, but that the accuracy is significantly influenced by the hydrodynamic conditions and location within the network.

58 GEOSCIENCES↗

Rendezvous targeting

Revisions to be included in 'Space Shuttle Guidance, Navigation and Control Design Equations' are reported. Technical changes include: (1) a plane change maneuver was incorporated in the program's logic; (2) in the search for an apsidal crossing, program checks were included to update through intervals of pi in the case of near circular orbits or close proximity to an apsidal point; (3) following an astronaut overwrite of a Lambert maneuver, the state vector was updated to establish a new target vector for use in the powered flight routine; and (4) following the computation of each maneuver, the position vector of the primary vehicle was offset - to help compensate for the effects of the finite maneuver - prior to the update of the state vector to the next maneuver point. Input and output variables, detailed flow diagrams a functional flow diagram, and a description of equations are presented.

Tempelman, W. H.↗

A real-time digital program for estimating aircraft stability and control parameters from flight test data by using the maximum likelihood method

A computer program (Langley program C1123) has been developed for estimating aircraft stability and control parameters from flight test data. These parameters are estimated by the maximum likelihood estimation procedure implemented on a real-time digital simulation system, which uses the Control Data 6600 computer. This system allows the investigator to interact with the program in order to obtain satisfactory results. Part of this system, the control and display capabilities, is described for this program. This report also describes the computer program by presenting the program variables, subroutines, flow charts, listings, and operational features. Program usage is demonstrated with a test case using pseudo or simulated flight data.

Grove, R. D.↗

Computational procedure for evaluation of space shuttle TPS requirements

The rudiments of a computational procedure are presented for predicting heat transfer rates to the windward pitchplane of a shuttle vehicle under conditions of nonequilibrium flow. The procedure involves computations in three regions of the flow field, namely, the stagnation region, inviscid flow region, and boundary layer region. The thermochemical state in the inviscid flow was calculated with the aid of correlations developed from shadowgraphs of shuttle configurations. The flow in the boundary layer and stagnation regions was computed with a nonequilibrium viscous layer code. For boundary layers, the outer edge thermochemical state was determined by matching the mass flow in the boundary layer with the mass flow represented by each inviscid streamline. Typical solutions are presented to show the effects of surface pressure, catalycity, and homogeneous chemical reactions on flow field variables and surface heat transfer rates.

Tong, H.↗

Development of an advanced combined iodine dispenser/detector

Injection of iodine into water is widely used to control microbial growth. An entirely automated device for I2 injection has been developed for spacecraft application. Transfer of I2 into the water from a concentrated form is controlled electrochemically via feedback from an integrated photometric I2 level detector. All components are contained within a package weighing only 1.23 kg (2.7 lb) dry, which occupies only 1213 cu cm (74 cu in) of space, and which has the capacity to iodinate 10,900 kg (24,000 lb) of water of 5 ppm. These features exceed design specifications. The device performed satisfactorily during extended testing at variable water flow rates and temperatures. Designed to meet specifications of the Shuttle Orbiter, the device will find application in the regenerative water systems of advanced spacecraft.

Lantz, J. B.↗

Nonlinear effects on sound in nearly sonic duct flows

A nonlinear theory for sound propagation in nearly sonic flows in variable area ducts is outlined. The theory is based on a quasi-one-dimensional model and the use of matched asymptotic expansions. The problem of an acoustic source located in the throat region of a duct with a converging section is treated. It is shown that the near-sonic region has a marked nonlinear effect on sound propagation in the duct.

Callegari, A. J.↗

Sound production due to large-scale coherent structures

The sound due to the large-scale (wavelike) structure in an infinite free turbulent shear flow is examined. Specifically, a computational study of a plane shear layer is presented, which accounts, by way of triple decomposition of the flow field variables, for three distinct component scales of motion (mean, wave, turbulent), and from which the sound - due to the large-scale wavelike structure - in the acoustic field can be isolated by a simple phase average. The computational approach has allowed for the identification of a specific noise production mechanism, viz the wave-induced stress, and has indicated the effect of coherent structure amplitude and growth and decay characteristics on noise levels produced in the acoustic far field.

Gatski, T. B.↗

Quiet Clean Short-haul Experimental Engine (QCSEE). Aerodynamic and aeromechanical performance of a 50.8 cm (20 inch) diameter 1.34 PR variable pitch fan with core flow

The fan aerodynamic and aeromechanical performance tests of the quiet clean short haul experimental engine under the wing fan and inlet with a simulated core flow are described. Overall forward mode fan performance is presented at each rotor pitch angle setting with conventional flow pressure ratio efficiency fan maps, distinguishing the performance characteristics of the fan bypass and fan core regions. Effects of off design bypass ratio, hybrid inlet geometry, and tip radial inlet distortion on fan performance are determined. The nonaxisymmetric bypass OGV and pylon configuration is assessed relative to both total pressure loss and induced circumferential flow distortion. Reverse mode performance, obtained by resetting the rotor blades through both the stall pitch and flat pitch directions, is discussed in terms of the conventional flow pressure ratio relationship and its implications upon achievable reverse thrust. Core performance in reverse mode operation is presented in terms of overall recovery levels and radial profiles existing at the simulated core inlet plane. Observations of the starting phenomena associated with the initiation of stable rotor flow during acceleration in the reverse mode are briefly discussed. Aeromechanical response characteristics of the fan blades are presented as a separate appendix, along with a description of the vehicle instrumentation and method of data reduction.

Giffin, R. G.↗