Predicting Flight Environments with a Small-Scale, Direct-Field Acoustic Test Facility.
Abstract not provided.
Stasiunas, Eric Carl↗
SEARCH · Engineering Papers
Results for “field test”
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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Microhole drilling technology utilizing a golden section search algorithm
A fundamental issue in microhole drilling is that delivering high weight-on-bit (WOB), high torque rotational horsepower to a conventional drill bit does not scale down to the hole sizes necessary to realize the envisioned cost savings An optimization algorithm called a golden section search (GSS) was used to systematically identify the preferred WOB for a given set of conditions. This research focused on implementing and evaluating two low WOB drilling technologies for microhole drilling: - Laser-assisted mechanical drill, which was tested in the laboratory - Lightly modified commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) percussive hammer, which was tested in a limited field test. Data were collected for microhole GSS using WOB optimization via simulation as well as at the Blue Canyon Dome Site in Socorro, NM. Information on the attached files and folders are as follows: - the .tdms files are LabView data files, which can be opened within Excel using a .tdms add-in or using a Matlab .tdms converter - the .tdms_index files are part of the .tdms file structure - sampling rate, column headers, and length data within the .tdms files follow SOP when utilizing Excel and/or Matlab as described above
15 GEOTHERMAL ENERGY↗
FY20 Update on Brine Availability Test in Salt. Revision 4
This report summarizes the 2020 fiscal year (FY20) status of the borehole heater test in salt funded by the US Department of Energy Office of Nuclear Energy (DOE-NE) Spent Fuel and Waste Science & Technology (SFWST) campaign. This report satisfies SFWST level-two milestone number M2SF-20SNO10303032. This report is an update of an August 2019 level-three milestone report to present the final as-built description of the test and the first phase of operational data (BATS la, January to March 2020) from the Brine Availability Test in Salt (BATS) field test.
11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS↗
2020 LANL Contributions to the BATS Test in WIPP
The DOE Office of Nuclear Energy (DOE-NE) repository research and development program seeks to provide a sound technical basis for multiple viable disposal options, increase confidence in the robustness of generic disposal concepts, and develop science and engineering tools needed to support disposal concept implementation. Sandia, Los Alamos, and Lawrence Berkeley National labs are conducting research into salt, which includes the Brine Availability Test in Salt (BATS) field test at the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant (WIPP), a DOE Office of Environmental Management facility. BATS is leveraging the existing infrastructure associated with the WIPP to advance science informing generic disposal concepts. BATS is an ongoing heated borehole experiment being conducted in the WIPP underground. The goal of this experiment is to reduce the uncertainty associated with spent nuclear fuel disposition in geologic salt formations. The BATS experiments is designed to accomplish this by increasing our understanding of brine migration in salt, assessing damaged zones from mining and drilling, simulating a post-closure environment, confirming salt properties, and providing data for model validation. Phased testing for generic salt repository R&D was proposed in 2015. Subsequently, borehole thermal testing was developed as a first step in this process. This document summarizes the work conducted on the BATS experiment during fiscal year 2020 with an emphasis on the contributions by Los Alamos National Lab.
12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE W↗
Hydrogen Field Scale Test Plan
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
Hasiuk, Franciszek Jozef↗
Grid Resiliency with a 100% Renewable Microgrid
San Diego Gas & Electric Company (SDG&E) installed America’s first and largest utility-scale microgrid in Borrego Springs in 2013. The first generation Borrego Springs Microgrid utilized diesel generators to form and stabilize the microgrid island, with support from grid-scale batteries and local solar photovoltaic (PV) generation. In this project, SDG&E in partnership with National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) demonstrated through modeling, simulation and utility field testing that blackstart and islanding of the microgrid can be led with 100% renewable, inverter based resources (IBRs), to help reduce community reliance on conventional generation resources. Through equipment upgrades, grid-forming island leader capability was transitioned to a battery IBR instead of the Borrego Springs Microgrid diesel generators. A new microgrid controller was integrated to the microgrid and programmed to control and manage multiple energy storage systems. Synchrophasor and other power quality data verified autonomous, high-speed response of the IBRs through blackstart, islanding, and load step testing. Results of project field evaluations provide distribution systems operators (DSO) with increased confidence that renewable, IBR can replace traditional generators to blackstart and island microgrids and rapidly establish stable island frequency with rapid changes in peak power demand. Importantly, the project validated the integration feasibility of a distributed energy resource management system (DERMS) controller that manages multiple grid-forming and grid-following IBRs, establishing a standard design interface to reduce the complexity of integrating new DERs in the future and supporting replication by the industry. As a result of learnings in this project, SDG&E has implemented the microgrid controller strategy at multiple other microgrid sites, thereby validating the replicability of the solution. Hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) simulations including power and controller HIL hardware — along with electromagnetic transient (EMT) simulations of Borrego Springs Microgrid —informed adjustments to inverter parameters and were important to characterize the performance of the IBRs in relevant operating conditions before deployment. The EMT and HIL simulations of islanding the entire community are important contributions in providing confidence in IBR performance prior to future islanding of the community in the field. High-fidelity EMT and/or HIL simulation of IBRs can de-risk field operations, and its relevance and importance as a tool is increasing as distribution grids and microgrids become more complex and dynamic with an increasing proportion of renewable generation, distributed energy storage, and two-way power and energy flows.
24 POWER TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION↗
Towards Commercialization of Low-Cost, Crack-Tolerant, Screen-Printable Metallization by Full-Size Module Testing and Field Characterization
This project is motivated by the need to develop a materials engineering solution to reduce solar module degradation caused by cell cracks. The cell-crack-induced power loss is a long-term degradation mechanism and one of the main causes of solar panel field failures. Cell cracks can occur during module fabrication, transportation, installation, and long-term operation due to thermomechanical stressors. Our team’s internal estimation – based on the national weather pattern, frequency of severe weather, and 39- GW asset survey by Heliolytics – reveals that the cell-crack-induced module degradation translates to lost revenues >$17B over an average 5-year period for solar farm owners and to reduced reliability (<25 years panel lifetime) for solar energy consumers. In response to this challenge, the prime recipient offers a metal matrix composite (MMC) silver paste that is tailor-engineered for screen-printing gridlines and busbars, which serve as the electrical contacts on solar cells. We formulate our MMC paste by adding low-cost (∼0.02¢/WDC for research grade), surface-engineered carbon nanotubes to commercially available silver paste. The MMC paste offers a drop-in, cost-effective solution to cell cracks for solar cell and module manufacturers. The main goal of this project was to conduct field-relevant, module-level analysis and qualification of MMC metallization.
14 SOLAR ENERGY↗
Automated water monitor system field demonstration test report. Volume 1: Executive summary
A system that performs water quality monitoring on-line and in real time much as it would be done in a spacecraft, was developed and demonstrated. The system has the capability to determine conformance to high effluent quality standards and to increase the potential for reclamation and reuse of water.
Brooks, R. L.↗
Trends in liability affecting technical writers
Liability of technical writers for defective products is explored. Documents generated during a product's life cycle (including design memos, design tests, clinical trials, trial use reports, letters, and proposals) become relevant because they are likely to become the only available means of showing that the product was not defectively designed. These documents become the evidence that the product underwent balanced and well considered planning, development, testing, quality control, and field testing. The predicted increased involvement of technical writers in the prevention and defense of product liability claims is cited in view of a greater number of cases turning on "failure to warn".
Driskill, L. P.↗
Spatial Heterodyne Spectroscopy - Laboratory tests of field widened, multiple order, and vacuum ultraviolet systems
We describe a new instrumental technique for interference spectroscopy, Spatial Heterodyne Spectroscopy (SHS), which promises to extend into the FUV (1200 A - 2000 A) spectral region the large throughput advantage at high spectral resolution usually associated with Fabry-Perot and Michelson interferometers. In addition, SHS systems are compact in size, can be field-widened to increase their throughput advantage even further, and have no moving parts. SHS appears to be well suited for high resolution, space-based spectroscopy of faint interstellar emission lines in the FUV. In this paper we review the first proof-of-concept laboratory demonstrations of a field widened SHS configuration and a multiple order SHS system, which extends the spectral range of the basic device and present new results of SHS performance in the VUV. The design of an SHS system capable of obtaining velocity resolved spectra of the CIV 1550 doublet from the interstellar medium is also discussed.
Harlander, J.↗
Field Scale Testing of RESOLVE at 2010 ISRU Analog Test
When mankind returns to the moon, there will be one aspect of the architecture that will totally change how we explore the solar system. For the first time in space exploration, we will take the initial steps towards breaking our reliance on Earth-supplied consumables by extracting resources from planetary bodies. Our first efforts in this area, known as In Situ Resource Utilization (ISRU), will be directed at extracting some of the abundant oxygen found in the lunar regolith. But the "holy grail" of lunar ISRU will be finding an exploitable source of lunar hydrogen. If we can find a source of hydrogen that can be reasonably extracted from the regolith, it would provide a foundation for true independence from Earth consumables. With in-situ hydrogen and oxygen (and/or water) we can produce many of the major consumables needed to travel to and operate on a sustainable lunar outpost. We would have water to drink, oxygen to breath, and rocket propellants and fuel cell reagents to enable extended access and operations across the moon. NASA initiated development of an experiment package named RESOLVE (Regolith & Environment Science and Oxygen & Lunar Volatile Extraction) that could be flown to the rim or into a permanently shadowed crater to answer the questions surrounding elevated hydrogen at the lunar poles.
Captain, Janine E.↗
Field Evaluations Test Plan for Validation of Alternatives to Aliphatic Isocyanate Polyurethanes
The objective of this project is to qualify candidate alternatives to Aliphatic Isocyanate Polyurethane coatings under the specifications for the standard system. This project will compare coating performance of the proposed alternatives to existing coating systems or standards.
Lewis, Pattie↗
The Soil Moisture Active Passive Mission (SMAP) Science Data Products: Results of Testing with Field Experiment and Algorithm Testbed Simulation Environment Data
Talk outline 1. Derivation of SMAP basic and applied science requirements from the NRC Earth Science Decadal Survey applications 2. Data products and latencies 3. Algorithm highlights 4. SMAP Algorithm Testbed 5. SMAP Working Groups and community engagement
Entekhabi, Dara↗
Development of a Flow Field for Testing a Boundary-Layer-Ingesting Propulsor
The test section of the 8- by 6-Foot Supersonic Wind Tunnel at NASA Glenn Research Center was modified to produce the test conditions for a boundary-layer-ingesting propulsor. A test was conducted to measure the flow properties in the modified test section before the propulsor was installed. Measured boundary layer and freestream conditions were compared to results from computational fluid dynamics simulations of the external surface for the reference vehicle. Testing showed that the desired freestream conditions and boundary layer thickness could be achieved; however, some non-uniformity of the freestream conditions, particularly the total temperature, were observed.
embedded propulsion↗
Development of a Flow Field for Testing a Boundary-Layer-Ingesting Propulsor
In order to test embedded-propulsor technology, modifications were required of the 8x6 Supersonic Wind tunnel at NASA Glenn Research Center. The extent of the modifications required that a new tunnel calibration be completed to generate a new calibration dataset and operational procedures for the tunnel, as well as to map the boundary layer on the raised floor. This report describes the propulsor inflow that was to be simulated, documents the tunnel modifications that were required, and conveys the results of the calibration test that was completed to measure the resulting flow properties.
boundary layer↗
Design of a Controllable and Repeatable Material for Field Penetration Tests
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
Meng, Meng [Los Alamos National Laboratory] (ORCID↗
TRIDENT Drill Validation at Mars and Lunar Analog Field Sites
Drilling on Earth is typically a human-intensive activity. Drilling on other planets is further complicated by the lack of prior local field surveys of their target area, hence blindly drilling into uncertain target rocks. Field conditions on the Moon or Mars are also different than for shallow drilling on Earth: lower temperatures and pressures, less power available, low masses (hence less weight-on-bit). Given the cost of transport from Earth, no drilling muds or working fluids are likely to be available to carry away cuttings. And impact-gardened regolith and dust vary mechanically and texturally from most terrestrial soils. The Regolith and Ice Drill for Exploration of New Terrains (TRIDENT) is a rotary-percussive 1m-class drill from Honeybee Robotics. It is low-power (rotary and percussive actuators are 200 W each) and lightweight (<20 kg) with the maximum weight on bit limited to 200 N. TRIDENT has been manifested for the Volatiles Investigating Polar Exploration Rover (VIPER) and PRIME-1 lunar south pole missions in 2024, has previously been field tested at a hot, dry analog site in the Atacama Desert, and in lunar conditions in thermal vacuum chamber tests. TRIDENT was also part of the 2019 Icebreaker Mars Discovery proposal, as well as in the Mars Life Explorer concept. During ARADS tests, drill control and fault recovery automation software enabled hands-off operations of a rover-mounted TRIDENT drill. TRIDENT Drill Analog Site Validation: Past TRIDENT tests in thermal vacuum (TVAC) chambers targeted containers of manufactured lunar simulants with added volatiles. 2022 TRIDENT ambient testing at NASA Ames drilled into cemented lunar simulant materials. Low cuttings-permeability led to cuttings buildup, and drill choking and binding was observed. The Atacama analog site in ARADS had desiccated unconsolidated sediments that did not challenge the TRIDENT design. However, lunar polar regolith is expected to be diverse and heterogeneous with varying clast sizes, with abundant impactites and perhaps subsurface ice deposits. Neither the simulants nor Atacama testing had completely covered the TRIDENT-targeted field characteristics, motivating further analog tests prior to the planned lunar missions. To gain more insight into the behavior of the TRIDENT hardware in diverse impactites and subsurface ice, and to verify the software automation in that environment, in August 2023 TRIDENT was brought to Haughton Crater, a field analog site in the Canadian Arctic. In September 2023 the same drill was brought to the Bishop Tuff in southern California to verify whether drilling binding behaviors previously seen in lunar simulant testing would be observed in naturally occurring fine-grained massive layers. The ~22 Ma Haughton Crater impact structure is located at 75 ̊22’ N, 89 ̊41’ W, on northwestern Devon Island, Nunavut, Canada. Numerous deposits of pale-grey crater-fill polymictic impact-melt breccia are found within the crater with a typical thickness reaching ~125 m or greater and covering ~60 km -2 . An approximately 600m-thick permafrost layer is also present with ice typically found within 0.5-0.6m of the surface. The volcanic tableland north of Bishop, CA exposes densely welded tuff laid down during the eruption that created the Long Valley Caldera at approximately 0.76 Ma. Extensional faults and the Owens River gorge expose cross-sections across the plateau. The area is viewed as an analog site for Mars features believed to be of pyroclastic origin. Results: Haughton Crater.Drilling tests were conducted 8-13 August 2023 at a previously undisturbed area separated 5-10 m from past years’ Drill Hill test sites (75.4208, -089.7613). In six days, TRIDENT drilled 8 holes to nearly 1 m depth each, totaling 7.80 m. The active layer/ice boundary was at ~67 cm depth, with a total of approximately 2.4 m drilled into ice or ice-cemented impact breccia. During drilling, five drill fault states were observed and successfully recovered. Holes 23-1, 4 and 7 were drilled under manual control, using Honeybee’s Thorax user interface. Holes 23-5, 6, and 8 were drilled with the Ames IBexec automated drilling control software. TRIDENT was observed to have little difficulty in the thawed uncemented impact breccia above the active layer boundary, but required percussion to make slower headway in the ice-cemented breccia. In Hole 23-7 (Fig.1), drilling slowed down in a massive unit just above the active-layer boundary (perhaps a large rock extending into the ice-cementation?), with only 7cm progress made in 27 minutes of high auger torque and constant percussion, leading to a choking fault and then a binding fault. A similar pattern had been observed in TRIDENT Rio Tinto test data from 2017 [6] as well as in the 2022laboratory tests.Bishop Tuff.A team from NASA Ames and the US Geological Survey deployed the same TRIDENT drill to Bishop Sites 1B and 1C (37.4203, -118.4289; 37.4265, -118.4215) on 13-16 September 2023, on the Bishop Tuff plateau. A third drill site was used 17-18 September 2023(37.4598, -118.3667) in an abandoned pumice mine. Four holes (totaling 2.5m depth) were drilled into the fine-grained, meters-thick tuff units at Sites 1B and 1C, and a further two boreholes (totaling 1.98m depth) were made at the pumice site. Drill behavior in the tuff below 10 cm depth was similar to that seen at 65-74 cm depth in Haughton Hole 23-7 (Fig. 1) and that seen in the 2022 lab simulant drilling. Drill safety torque limits were exceeded multiple times resulting in drill stops downhole. These freezes then required external added torques (with a pipe wrench) to resume rotation, to unstick the drill for withdrawal. To prevent this choking and binding behavior we found that more-frequent cuttings removal was necessary, e.g., reducing the “drill bite” size from the nominal 10 cm to 2 cm per bite --bringing the auger up to the surface more frequently, as seen in Bishop Site 1C Hole 2 (Fig.2). This permitted slow progress without drill binding and without external interventions. Conversely, TRIDENT drilling in the more porous pumice target material showed no cuttings buildup issue, and single bites as large as 40 cm were demonstrated. Discussion: We observed that TRIDENT easily penetrated unconsolidated heterogeneous soils (both above the active layer boundary at Haughton and previously in the Atacama). Cemented or consolidated targets that were cuttings-permeable (icy impact breccia, pumice) required more energy applied and percussion. However, in non-cuttings-permeable targets (welded microporous tuff, cemented simulants, boulder) TRIDENT was observed to be prone to excessive cuttings accumulation leading to choking/binding faults and stalling. The wedge cutting bit, used by TRIDENT in field tests and in its flight versions, pulverizes the target rock and creates fine cuttings that ideally are transported up the auger spirals for removal. In porous, fractured or vesicular target materials (such as at the Bishop pumice site) a significant portion of the cuttings are pushed aside, but for non-fractured, microporous targets the cuttings remain in the borehole and accumulate. Rock powder is relatively incompressible as a working fluid at only 100-200N downward force (TRIDENT limits) and hence eventual drilling progress slows or stops. Our recommended strategy for improving TRIDENT cuttings removal in massive target units with low cuttings-permeability is to reduce TRIDENT bite sizes when encountering these units, from 10cm to as little as 1-2cm, to effectively bail the accumulating cuttings. This approach was demonstrated to reduce choking and allowed slow progress to continue in cuttings-impermeable microporous target units (viz. the Bishop tuff in our September 2023 tests or cemented simulants in 2022 ambient tests).
robotic drilling↗