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Results for “parameter studies”

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 505 records · Page 28
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2017

Current transmission and nonlinear effects in un-gated thermionic cathode RF guns

Un-gated thermionic cathode RF guns are well known as a robust source of electrons for many accelerator applications. These sources are in principle scalable to high currents without degradation of the transverse emittance due to control grids but they are also known for being limited by back-bombardment. While back-bombardment presents a significant limitation, there is still a lack of general understanding on how emission over the whole RF period will affect the nature of the beams produced from these guns. In order to improve our understanding of how these guns can be used in general we develop analytical models that predict the transmission efficiency as a function of the design parameters, study how bunch compression and emission enhancement caused by Schottky barrier lowering affect the output current profile in the gun, and study the onset of space-charge limited effects and the resultant virtual cathode formation leading to a modulation in the output current distribution.

43 PARTICLE ACCELERATORS↗
DOE OSTI2013

Computational characterization and experimental validation of the thermal neutron source for neutron capture therapy research at the University of Missouri

Parameter studies, design calculations and neutronic performance measurements have been completed for a new thermal neutron beamline constructed for neutron capture therapy cell and small-animal radiobiology studies at the University of Missouri Research Reactor. The beamline features the use of single-crystal silicon and bismuth sections for neutron filtering and for reduction of incident gamma radiation. The computational models used for the final beam design and performance evaluation are based on coupled discrete-ordinates and Monte Carlo techniques that permit detailed modeling of the neutron transmission properties of the filtering crystals with very few approximations. Validation protocols based on neutron activation spectrometry measurements and rigorous least-square adjustment techniques show that the beam produces a neutron spectrum that has the anticipated level of thermal neutron flux and a somewhat higher than expected, but radio-biologically insignificant, epithermal neutron flux component. (authors)

07 ISOTOPE AND RADIATION SOURCES↗
DOE OSTI2017

Sensitivity and uncertainty analysis for a combined depletion and criticality calculation chain of a BWR FA

This paper examines the prerequisites and boundary conditions for extending burnup credit from pressurized water reactors to boiling water reactors with validated depletion codes by performing uncertainty and sensitivity analyses on a modern boiling water reactor fuel assembly design. We developed a computational chain consisting of an axial boiling water reactor axial irradiation model, followed by a series of depletion calculations and a three-dimensional criticality calculation. The irradiation model puts into relation the profiles of power, burnup and moderator density of the fuel assembly at 24 axial locations. In a simplified fashion it also includes the insertion of control blades. The depletion calculations of the fuel assembly were performed in axial slices with the 2D-depletion code HELIOS 1.12. The criticality calculations were done in 3D-geometry with KENO-Va from the SCALE 6.2.1 package, in which several fuel assemblies are placed into a generic transport cask. For the uncertainty and sensitivity analyses a Monte Carlo sampling based approach is used applying the GRS tool SUnCISTT. We performed several generic investigations testing the capabilities and the limitations of the whole computational chain. The impact of variations of the irradiation model on the resulting reactivity of the fuel assemblies inside a transport cask or storage pool was investigated using an uncertainty and sensitivity analysis on the whole computational chain. Geometrical uncertainties were also included in the evaluation and a parameter study on the use of control blades during irradiation was performed. The goal was to develop the procedures and tools to be able to obtain quantitative uncertainty data which can be used in the future to derive conservative irradiation profiles without unnecessary excess reactivity margins. (authors)

21 SPECIFIC NUCLEAR REACTORS AND ASSOCIATED PLANTS↗
DOE OSTI2015

Optimization of Hafnium dimensions for thermal epithermal experiments (TEX) with highly enriched uranium Jemima plates and polyethylene - 14517

The goal of the US Nuclear Criticality Safety Program's Thermal Epithermal experiments (TEX) is to design and conduct new critical experiments to address high priority nuclear data needs from the nuclear criticality safety and nuclear data communities, with special emphasis on intermediate energy (0.625 eV - 100 keV) assemblies. The second set of TEX experiments will use stacks of highly enriched uranium Jemima plates, hafnium (Hf) diluent plates, and polyethylene moderator plates to create assemblies that span a wide range of fission energy spectra, from thermal, through intermediate, to fast energies. As the hafnium plates need to be fabricated and represent a significant cost for this experiment, a parameter study examining experimental configurations with various Hf thicknesses was completed using KENO V.a to determine optimal dimensions. The Hf plate thicknesses were optimized based on three major design criteria: 1) ensuring thermal, intermediate, and fast critical configurations could be built, 2) creating assemblies with a height to diameter ratio of approximately one, and 3) maximizing sensitivity to hafnium isotope cross sections, as predicted by the SCALE/TSUNAMI package. Based on the calculations presented in this report, a hafnium thickness of 0.10 cm will result in compact critical assemblies using the existing Jemima plate inventory, while reducing Hf cost and ensuring adequate sensitivity of the system to hafnium cross sections. (authors)

42 ENGINEERING↗
DOE OSTI2024

Errant Beam Prognostics with Machine Leaning at SNS Accelerator

Particle Accelerators are complex machine with many pieces of equipment running in synchronization to deliver required beam. However, faults in particle accelerators reduce the availability of the beam for experiments affecting the overall science output. To avoid these faults, we apply anomaly detection techniques to predict any unusual behavior and perform preemptive actions to improve the total availability. Many researchers have adopted semi-supervised Machine Learning (ML) methods such as auto-encoders and variational auto-encoders for such tasks. However, supervised ML techniques designed for similarity learning such as Siamese Neural Network (SNN) can outperform semi-supervised or unsupervised methods for anomaly prediction. One of the challenges associated with application of ML models to particle accelerators is the variability in observed data over time due to system configuration changes. We employ conditional models such as Conditional Siamese Neural Networks (CSNN), and Conditional-VAE (CVAE) to learn the variability in the data by using beam configuration parameters as conditional input. We apply these models for errant beam prediction at Spallation Neutron Source accelerator under different system configurations and compare their performance. We demonstrate that CSNN outperforms CVAE in our application. This talk will present the data source, collection, analysis, data-preparation, model development, hyper-parameter studies and the results.

Rajput, Kishansingh↗
DOE OSTI2011

Tritium plasma experiment: Parameters and potentials for fusion plasma-wall interaction studies

The tritium plasma experiment (TPE) is a unique facility devoted to experiments on the behavior of deuterium/tritium in toxic (e.g., beryllium) and radioactive materials for fusion plasma-wall interaction studies. A Langmuir probe was added to the system to characterize the plasma conditions in TPE. With this new diagnostic, we found the achievable electron temperature ranged from 5.0 to 10.0 eV, the electron density varied from 5.0 x 10{sup 16} to 2.5 x 10{sup 18} m{sup -3}, and the ion flux density varied between 5.0 x 10{sup 20} to 2.5 x 10{sup 22} m{sup -2} s{sup -1} along the centerline of the plasma. A comparison of these plasma parameters with the conditions expected for the plasma facing components (PFCs) in ITER shows that TPE is capable of achieving most ({approx}800 m{sup 2} of 850 m{sup 2} total PFCs area) of the expected ion flux density and electron density conditions.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
NASA NTRS1981

A study of model parameters associated with the urban climate using HCMM data

Progress in the study of the intensity of the urban heat island is reported. The intensity of the heat island is commonly defined as the temperature difference between the center of the city and the surrounding suburban and rural regions. The intensity is considered as a function of changes in the season and changes in meteorological conditions in order to derive various parameters which may be used in numerical models for urban climate. Twelve case studies were selected and CCT's were ordered. In situ data was obtained from sixteen stations scattered about the city of St. Louis. Upper-air meteorological data were obtained and the water vapor and the temperature data were processed. Atmospheric transmissivities were computed for each of the case studies.

Source record↗
DOE OSTI2014

Parameter sensitivity of plasma wakefields driven by self-modulating proton beams

The dependence of wakefield amplitude and phase on beam and plasma parameters is studied in the parameter area of interest for self-modulating proton beam-driven plasma wakefield acceleration. The wakefield phase is shown to be extremely sensitive to small variations of the plasma density, while sensitivity to small variations of other parameters is reasonably low. The study of large parameter variations clarifies the effects that limit the achievable accelerating field in different parts of the parameter space: nonlinear elongation of the wakefield period, insufficient charge of the drive beam, emittance-driven beam divergence, and motion of plasma ions.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
NASA NTRS1982

A preliminary study of environmental parameters associated with the feasibility of a polygeneration plant at Kennedy Space Center

The feasibility of a polygeneration plant at Kennedy Space Center was studied. Liquid hydrogen and gaseous nitrogen are the two principal products in consideration. Environmental parameters (air quality, water quality, biological diversity and hazardous waste disposal) necessary for the feasibility study were investigated. A National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) project flow sheet was to be formulated for the environmental impact statement. Water quality criteria for Florida waters were to be established.

Barnes, G. D.↗
NASA NTRS1991

Theoretical study of the hyperfine parameters of OH

In the present study of the hyperfine parameters of O-17H as a function of the one- and n-particle spaces, all of the parameters except oxygen's spin density, b sub F(O), are sufficiently easily tractable to allow concentration on the computational requirements for accurate determination of b sub F(O). Full configuration-interaction (FCI) calculations in six Gaussian basis sets yield unambiguous results for (1) the effect of uncontracting the O s and p basis sets; (2) that of adding diffuse s and p functions; and (3) that of adding polarization functions to O. The size-extensive modified coupled-pair functional method yields b sub F values which are in fair agreement with FCI results.

Chong, Delano P.↗
DOE OSTI2016

Market-Based Coordination of Thermostatically Controlled Loads—Part II: Unknown Parameters and Case Studies

This two-part paper considers the coordination of a population of Thermostatically Controlled Loads (TCLs) with unknown parameters to achieve group objectives. The problem involves designing the bidding and market clearing strategy to motivate self-interested users to realize efficient energy allocation subject to a peak power constraint. The companion paper (Part I) formulates the problem and proposes a load coordination framework using the mechanism design approach. To address the unknown parameters, Part II of this paper presents a joint state and parameter estimation framework based on the expectation maximization algorithm. The overall framework is then validated using real-world weather data and price data, and is compared with other approaches in terms of aggregated power response. Simulation results indicate that our coordination framework can effectively improve the efficiency of the power grid operations and reduce power congestion at key times.

29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY↗
DOE OSTI2011

Study of optical parameters of the Se-As chalcogenide semiconductor system containing EuF{sub 3} impurities

Optical properties of chalcogenide vitreous semiconductors of composition Se{sub 95}As{sub 5} containing different amounts of rare-earth metal fluorides (EuF{sub 3}) are studied, and, on this basis, the fundamental parameters, such as the refractive index and extinction coefficient, are determined. The dependences of these parameters on the content of EuF{sub 3} molecules are nonmonotonic: the low content (below 0.25 at %) aids in decreasing the parameters, whereas the high content tends to increase them. From the analysis of the results with consideration for the structural features of chalcogenide vitreous semiconductors of the Se{sub 95}As{sub 5} system (the presence of ordered high-coordinated microregions separated from each other by regions with a lower atomic density), it is concluded that the optical properties of the chalcogenide vitreous semiconductor system under study can be described in the context of Penn's model.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2011

APPLYING CASCADED PARAMETER SCAN TO STUDY TOP-OFF SAFETY IN NSLS-II STORAGE RING

In this paper we introduce a new algorithm, the cascaded parameter scan method, to efficiently carry out the scan over magnet parameters in the safety analysis for storage ring top-off injection. In top-off safety analysis, one must track particles populating phase space through a beamline containing magnets and apertures and clearly demonstrate that for all possible magnet settings and errors, all particles are lost on scrapers within the properly shielded region. In the usual approach, the number of tracking runs increases exponentially with the number of magnet settings. In the cascaded parameter scan method, the number of tracking runs only increases linearly. This reduction of exponential to linear dependence on the number of set-points, greatly reduces the required computation time and allows one to more densely populate phase space and to increase the number of set-points scanned for each magnet. An example of applying this approach to analyze an NSLS-II beamline, the damping wiggler beamline, is also given.

43 PARTICLE ACCELERATORS↗
NASA NTRS1981

A study of model parameters associated with the urban climate using HCMM data

Infrared and visible data from the Heat Capacity Mapping Mission (HCMM) satellite were used to study the intensity of the urban heat island, commonly defined as the temperature difference between the center of the city and the surrounding suburban and rural regions, as a function of changes in the season and changes in meteorological conditions in order to derive various parameters which may be used in numerical models for urban climate. The analysis was focused on the city of St. Louis; and in situ data from St. Louis was combined with HCMM data in order to derive the various parameters. The HCMM data were mapped onto a Mercator projection map of the city and ground temperatures were established using data corrected for the effects of atmospheric absorption. The corrected and uncorrected HCMM data were compared to determine the magnitude of the error induced by atmospheric effects.

Source record↗
DOE OSTI2017

Study of the parameters of nanoscale layers in nanoheterostructures based on II–VI semiconductor compounds

Wide-gap ZnSe-based nanoheterostructures grown by molecular-beam epitaxy are studied by local cathodoluminescence and X-ray microanalysis. It is shown that the used methods allow nondestructive determination of the depth, elemental composition, and geometrical parameters of the nanoscale ZnCdSe layer. The accuracy of the results is verified by transmission electron microscopy. The research techniques are based on the possibility of varying the primary electron-beam energy, which results in changes in the regions of characteristic X-ray and cathodoluminescence generation.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗