SEARCH · Engineering Papers

Results for “performance 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.

SourceResearch connectionFrom yearThrough year

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

At least 541 records · Page 30

All sources NASA NTRS DOE OSTI

DOE OSTI2025

NFE-24-10417: Durability and Life-time Energy Performance Enhancement of Vapor Compression Systems

This project investigated the use of a Centrifugal Particle Separation (CPS) system to improve the durability and operational reliability of outdoor heat exchangers in vapor-compression based heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration (HVACR) systems. The developed method introduced a novel dust and fouling mitigation approach by integrating an ambient air pre-cleaner that employs centrifugal forces to remove particulate matter from incoming air before it reaches the heat exchanger. By reducing the accumulation of dust and debris on coil surfaces, the CPS system aims to lower maintenance requirements and extend equipment lifespan. The project specifically involves coupling a centrifugal air pre-cleaner with a single-zone ductless mini-split system and evaluating its effectiveness in maintaining cleaner coil surfaces. Additionally, the study examined the impact of CPS integration on system energy performance. Through controlled experimental testing and performance monitoring, this work seeks to validate CPS-based air pre-cleaning as a practical, efficient solution for mitigating outdoor coil dust accumulation and fouling in both residential and commercial HVACR applications.

32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATI↗

DOE OSTI2023

Community Geothermal: Final Thermal Conductivity Test Report and Data Logs - Carbondale, CO

Provided here are a final thermal conductivity test report, a drilling log, and a heat rejection log from Carbondale, CO. Also attached is a report made before drilling, which contains predictions on the hydrogeologic conditions of the drill site. The forty-eight (48.9) hour in-situ thermal conductivity test was performed on the 28th through the 30th, of November 2023. The test was performed at the borehole drilled on November 16th through the 20th, at the 3rd Street Center at 520 S. 3rd, Street in Carbondale, Colorado. Testing was done with a certified Ewbank portable test unit.

15 GEOTHERMAL ENERGY↗

DOE OSTI2024

Copper and bismuth-based sorbent characterization in simulated iodine off-gas streams

The effective capture of volatile radioiodine, a fission product present in used nuclear fuel (UNF), is of paramount importance for development of used fuel reprocessing schemes to prevent release of radioiodine during unit operations and to meet regulatory standards for air emissions. A well-studied method for iodine capture in off-gas streams is the use of silver-functionalized zeolite phases (AgZ), which exploit chemisorption of I to Ag. Advances into other Ag-functionalized materials, including aerogels and metal organic frameworks (MOFs), are underway [1]. Additional metals with the capability to chemisorb iodine, including Cu, Bi, and Sn, [1] are being evaluated as alternatives to Ag for potential applicability to iodine management in off-gas systems. The design of novel functionalized sorbents with Cu and Bi, including composites with metal particles embedded in PAN substrates [2] and composites with metal sulfides embedded in PAN [3], is an ongoing area of study for improved iodine capture. Previously reported work on novel PAN-based metal sorbents has provided the synthesis, characterization, and iodine capture efficiency of this new class of sorbent. Specifically, the metal sulfide PAN composites are found to be easy to produce and reproduce, as well as having a high iodine loading potential under static conditions [3]. Due to the favorable testing previously performed with metal sulfide PAN composites, further testing into the performance of these composites under gas streams containing I2(g) in combination with NO2(g) and H2O(g) is needed. Humid streams of NO2(g) may arise from dissolver off-gas streams, when used fuel is dissolved in HNO3(aq) [4]. NO2(g) has been found to reduce AgZ sorption capacity for I because of oxidation of Ag, the chemisorbing agent, to Ag2O [5]. It follows that performance evaluation of novel sorbents under highly oxidizing conditions such as NO2(g) streams is critical. Therefore, the objective of this study is to determine the effect of flowing NO2(g) and H2O(g) streams on iodine sorption capacity and sorbent performance. This work utilizes custom-built gas handling capabilities for sorbent exposure along with solid-state characterization techniques to assess the physical and chemical properties of sorbents before and after exposure.

copper, bismuth, iodine capture, iodine sorbent, p↗

DOE OSTI2022

The EGS Collab Project – Stimulations at Two Depths

The EGS Collab project, supported by the US Department of Energy, is performing intensively monitored rock stimulation and flow tests at the 10-m scale in an underground research laboratory to address challenges in implementing enhanced geothermal systems (EGS). Data and observations from the field tests are compared to simulations to understand processes and build confidence in numerical modeling of the processes. We have completed Experiment 1 (of 3), which examined hydraulic fracturing in a well-characterized underground fractured phyllite test bed at a depth of approximately 1.5 km at the Sanford Underground Research Facility (SURF) in Lead, South Dakota. Testbed characterization included fracture mapping, borehole acoustic and optical televiewers, full waveform sonic, conductivity, resistivity, temperature, campaign p- and s-wave investigations and electrical resistance tomography. Borehole geophysical techniques including passive seismic, continuous active source seismic monitoring, electrical resistance tomography, fiber-based distributed strain, distributed temperature, and distributed acoustic monitoring, were used to carefully monitor stimulation events and flow tests. More than a dozen stimulations and nearly one year of flow tests were performed. Quality data and detailed observations were collected and analyzed during stimulation and water flow tests using ambient temperature and chilled water. We achieved adaptive control of the tests using real-time monitoring and rapid dissemination of data and near-real-time simulation. More detailed numerical simulation was performed to answer key experimental design questions, forecast fracture propagation trajectories and extents, and analyze and evaluate results. Data are freely available from the Geothermal Data Repository. Experiment 2 examines the potential for hydraulic shearing in amphibolite at a depth of about 1.25 km at SURF. This site has a different set of stress and fracture conditions than Experiment 1. The Experiment 2 testbed consists of nine subhorizontal boreholes configured in two fans of two boreholes which surround the testbed and contain grouted-in electrical resistance tomography, seismic sensors, active seismic sources and distributed fiber sensors. A “five-spot” set of test wells that extends from a custom mined alcove includes an injection well and four production/monitoring wells. The testbed was characterized geophysically and hydrologically, and three stimulations have been performed using the Step-Rate Injection Method for Fracture In-Situ Properties (SIMFIP) tool to measure strains, and a new strain quantifying tool (downhole robotic strain analysis tool -DORSA) was deployed in a monitoring hole during stimulation. Real-time data were broadcast during stimulations to allow real-time response to arising issues.

EGS Collab, Enhanced Geothermal Systems, EGS, fiel↗

DOE OSTI2020

Blood flow imaging by optimal matching of computational fluid dynamics to 4D-flow data

Three-dimensional, time-resolved blood flow measurement (4D-flow) is a powerful research and clinical tool, but improved resolution and scan times are needed. Therefore, this study aims to (1) present a postprocessing framework for optimization-driven simulation-based flow imaging, called 4D-flow High-resolution Imaging with a priori Knowledge Incorporating the Navier-Stokes equations and the discontinuous Galerkin method (4D-flow HIKING), (2) investigate the framework in synthetic tests, (3) perform phantom validation using laser particle imaging velocimetry, and (4) demonstrate the use of the framework in vivo. An optimizing computational fluid dynamics solver including adjoint-based optimization was developed to fit computational fluid dynamics solutions to 4D-flow data. Synthetic tests were performed in 2D, and phantom validation was performed with pulsatile flow. Reference velocity data were acquired using particle imaging velocimetry, and 4D-flow data were acquired at 1.5 T. In vivo testing was performed on intracranial arteries in a healthy volunteer at 7 T, with 2D flow as the reference. Results Synthetic tests showed low error (0.4%-0.7%). Phantom validation showed improved agreement with laser particle imaging velocimetry compared with input 4D-flow in the horizontal (mean -0.05 vs -1.11 cm/s, P < .001; SD 1.86 vs 4.26 cm/s, P < .001) and vertical directions (mean 0.05 vs -0.04 cm/s, P = .29; SD 1.36 vs 3.95 cm/s, P < .001). In vivo data show a reduction in flow rate error from 14% to 3.5%. Phantom and in vivo results from 4D-flow HIKING show promise for future applications with higher resolution, shorter scan times, and accurate quantification of physiological parameters.

4D-flow MRI↗

DOE OSTI2023

In situ embedment of type K sheathed thermocouples with directed energy deposition

Advanced nuclear reactor systems require new technologies for heat transfer and system monitoring. Additive manufacturing (AM) offers the design flexibility to allow in-situ sensor embedment through smart manufacturing for real-time monitoring, and performance of these systems. Here, this study focuses on experiments investigating the feasibility of in-situ sensor embedment using directed energy deposition (DED). Type K thermocouples are embedded into 316L stainless steel (SS) samples using two different configurations (e.g., exposed and embedded tips) and two designs (e.g., flush to substrate) within an AM base. Embedded sensor samples are analyzed via in-situ measurements and high-temperature performance validation tests at 350ºC and 900ºC. Temperature performance results at both temperature tests show good agreement with manufacturer specifications proving that these sensors could still capture accurate temperature readings after in-situ embedment during DED processing. An additional optimization experiment was conducted on the exposed tip configuration using a surrogate thermocouple to improve tolerances and the embedment process. Results improved tolerances, lower porosity, smaller gaps between the sensor and base, and better junction contact for the sensor. Although further optimization of this embedment strategy is necessary to improve the structural stability and tolerances within the component, this research strategy provides a proof-of-feasibility for DED embedment with commercial sheathed thermocouples. This research provides early impact on embedment of sensor for multiple materials and complex geometric components..

29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY↗

DOE OSTI2024

Design Optimization and Measurement Uncertainty of an Electromagnetic Level Sensor for Liquid Metal Reactors

Here, this article describes the design and operation of a prototype mutual inductance level sensor (MILS) and the development and validation of a finite-element analysis (FEA) model describing its behavior. The MILS was designed for use in liquid sodium up to temperatures of 650 °C in the Mechanisms Engineering Test Loop (METL) at Argonne National Laboratory (ANL). Preliminary testing was performed in a room temperature test stand with aluminum acting as an analog for the sodium to better understand sensor performance and provide accurate code validation data. This experimental data, along with material properties found in literature, were used to validate an FEA model in ANSYS Maxwell. The validated ANSYS Maxwell model was used to examine the performance of the MILS in various environments and under various operating conditions. Simulations suggest the following: The MILS will perform adequately in liquid sodium and liquid lead at temperatures up to 650 °C . The temperature dependence of electrical conductivity imposes a temperature dependence on the sensor that requires proper compensation. The MILS signal sensitivity is maximized when mutual inductance between sensor coils is maximized, and sensor geometry should be selected to account for this factor. The operating frequency of the MILS can be optimized and is dependent on process fluid material, operating temperature, and materials/geometry of sensor system. Finally, the use of a stainless-steel isolating thimble does not adversely affect the sensor signal. The primary sources of error for this MILS system are the accuracy of the calibration standard against which the sensor is calibrated, and the temperature dependence of the sensor. This work contains all the necessary details to recreate the FEA model and results. This model can be used to optimize the performance of a MILS in any operating environment to read any electrically conductive working fluid.

21 SPECIFIC NUCLEAR REACTORS AND ASSOCIATED PLANTS↗

DOE OSTI2020

High-Temperature Heat Transfer Fluid Circulator for Concentrating Solar Power Systems

A high temperature Heat Transfer Fluid circulator compressor with wide turn down ratio aerodynamic performance was designed, fabricated and tested for application with high pressure super Critical CO2 fluid capable of temperatures and pressures to >750°C and 25 MPa respectively. The modular system decoupled the drive motor system from an independent compressor shaft to provide thermal isolation between the high temperature compressor shaft and the lower temperature capable motor elements. While the thermal management approach appears to be viable there are potential losses in the secondary cooling flows that need to be taken into account and fine-tuned during operation in order to achieve desired overall system efficiencies. The system was also shown to be viable and dynamically stable throughout the entire operating speed range, thereby validating the overall system configuration and structural design approach used. Finally, while it was not possible to achieve specific PTC-10 test points, the compressor performance tests provide sufficient data to indicate that the compressor has the ability to achieve the required performance in practice. The two key factors affecting compressor design and cost are the maximum expected temperature and pressure. The maximum allowable temperatures for current state-of-the-art (SOA) motor driven compressor technology is limited to of approximately 150-200°C, but inlet temperatures >750 °C may be encountered. While the optimal efficiency of compression is in the transcritical region, some concepts require inlet pressures to 225 bar.

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗

DOE OSTI2021

High-Temperature Heat Transfer Fluid Circulator for Concentrating Solar Power Systems How Mohawk and Velo3Dare Printing the Future of Energy

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗

DOE OSTI2023

Massively parallel modeling and inversion of electrical resistivity tomography data using PFLOTRAN

Abstract. Electrical resistivity tomography (ERT) is a broadly accepted geophysical method for subsurface investigations. Interpretation of field ERT data usually requires the application of computationally intensive forward modeling and inversion algorithms. For large-scale ERT data, the efficiency of these algorithms depends on the robustness, accuracy, and scalability on high-performance computing resources. In this regard, we present a robust and highly scalable implementation of forward modeling and inversion algorithms for ERT data. The implementation is publicly available and developed within the framework of PFLOTRAN, an open-source, state-of-the-art massively parallel subsurface flow and transport simulation code. The forward modeling is based on a finite-volume discretization of the governing differential equations, and the inversion uses a Gauss–Newton optimization scheme. To evaluate the accuracy of the forward modeling, two examples are first presented by considering layered (1D) and 3D earth conductivity models. The computed numerical results show good agreement with the analytical solutions for the layered earth model and results from a well-established code for the 3D model. Inversion of ERT data, simulated for a 3D model, is then performed to demonstrate the inversion capability by recovering the conductivity of the model. To demonstrate the parallel performance of PFLOTRAN's ERT process model and inversion capabilities, large-scale scalability tests are performed by using up to 131 072 processes on a leadership class supercomputer. These tests are performed for the two most computationally intensive steps of the ERT inversion: forward modeling and Jacobian computation. For the forward modeling, we consider models with up to 122 ×106 degrees of freedom (DOFs) in the resulting system of linear equations and demonstrate that the code exhibits almost linear scalability on up to 10 000 DOFs per process. On the other hand, the code shows superlinear scalability for the Jacobian computation, mainly because all computations are fairly evenly distributed over each process with no parallel communication.

58 GEOSCIENCES↗

DOE OSTI2023

High-Burnup Spent Fuel Data Project: Sister Rod Final Phase II Test Plan

The Sibling Pin test campaign is a Department of Energy (DOE) research activity within the Spent Fuel and Waste Science and Technology (SFWST) program that is tasked with characterization of high burnup (HBU) fuel in support of the High Burnup Spent Fuel Data Project. Of the 25 fuel rods in the Sibling Pin inventory, approximately 9 rod lengths have been consumed during the first phase (Phase I) of the test campaign leaving approximately 16 rod lengths for the second phase (Phase II) of testing. This plan outlines the Phase II testing and the motivations for performing these tests. Priorities for Phase II testing are based on previously identified knowledge gaps, lessons-learned from Phase I work, the original objectives of the High Burnup Spent Fuel Data Project and the Sibling Pin test campaign, and input from external stakeholders. The priorities for Phase II testing are to obtain data to characterize the effects of annealing on cladding mechanical properties and fuel rod performance, to quantify the creep behavior of cladding materials and fuel rods and the effects of creep deformations on the performance of cladding and fuel rods, and to gather data to support the final closure of the hydride reorientation and radial hydride induced embrittlement gap for HBU fuel rods.

11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS↗

DOE OSTI2020

Initial Field Testing in the Deep Subsurface for the Thermal Breakout Project for Measuring In Situ Stress

The current state-of-the-art technology for in situ stress measurements involves an integrated approach that combines borehole breakout observations, drilling-induced tensile fractures, and hydraulic fracturing tests (i.e., mini-fracs); however, this methodology has several limitations that often prevent successful in situ stress measurements. One major limitation is that breakouts do not appear in every borehole and are generally a natural occurrence that cannot easily be controlled. Because borehole breakouts are used to measure the maximum horizontal in situ stress magnitude, the absence of borehole breakouts presents a major data gap for in situ stress measurements. As a response to this data gap a new thermal breakout technology is being developed that will provide a method for thermally inducing borehole breakouts and obtaining consistent measurements of the maximum horizontal stress magnitude. This thermal breakout technology involves heating the borehole and increasing the thermoelastic compressive stress in the rock until a breakout develops, which is directly correlated to the maximum horizontal stress magnitude. An initial component of the thermal breakout project involves developing a prototype downhole tool and performing field testing in the deep subsurface. The primary objective of the initial tool development and field testing is to provide a physical proof of concept for the thermal breakout technology. Three thermal breakout field tests were performed at approximately 4850 feet deep in the Sanford Underground Research Facility. Each test was performed in a borehole that had been previously used for overcoring stress measurements. The third and final test successfully created two diametrically opposed breakouts after deploying the thermal breakout tool for approximately 3 hours of continuous heating. Post-analysis of the thermally induced breakouts confirmed that the thermal breakout orientation directly corresponds to the known in situ stress orientation and magnitude.

Voegeli, Sam↗

DOE OSTI2025

Analytical and Performance-Based Evaluation Alternatives to Full-Scope, High-Fidelity Testbeds

One consequence the design and operational differences of advanced reactors is that integrated system validation (ISV) using full-scope, high-fidelity testbed might not be cost-justified or practical. The absence of traditional ISV may pose an issue for the conduct of safety evaluations since it may leave regulators without the information derived from this performance-based testing. The purpose of this research is to identify analytical and performance-based test and evaluation methods that are alternatives to full-scope, high-fidelity testbeds that have traditionally been used for ISV. We developed a method to test validation based on a multi-stage validation (MSV) framework. MSV is an approach to meeting validation objectives through incremental, successive validation activities beginning in the early stages of the design process and continuing through the later stages. MSV doesn't rely solely on late stage validation, rather it accommodates the use of a broad spectrum of analytical and performance-based information and a diversity of testbeds. In addition, MSV embraces the use of information from other types of evaluations and analyses.

22 GENERAL STUDIES OF NUCLEAR REACTORS↗

DOE OSTI2024

Corrosion Testing of Bubbler Materials for LAW Vitrification (Rev. 0)

This work involved crucible-scale corrosion tests using coupons of selected materials in the baseline glass formulations for the seven LAW Sub-Envelopes. The tests were performed with Inconel 690 and MA 758; per the Test Plan, selected tests were also performed with a proprietary high temperature alloy supplied by SRTC. Coupons of these materials were tested for their corrosion resistance to LAW baseline glasses in two test series: the first series was with a baseline glass only, the second series was with a baseline glass and an added salt layer.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

DOE OSTI2021

RITE Gen5 KHPS Performance - Period B

Includes Kinetic Hydropower System (KHPS) Turbine performance data from the RITE Gen5 KHPS turbine at the 5 meter size. This data was collected over 16 days in May 2021 during Period B operation. Along with performance data, the data includes setup data, project metadata, and characteristic data for RITE Gen5 KHPS (5m) turbine.

16 TIDAL AND WAVE POWER↗

DOE OSTI2022

Emrgy 2022 Hydrokinetic Turbine Data - TEAMER Post Access Submission

The data herein contains all data collected and used for the Performance Characterization Testing and Model Calibration of a Vertical Axis Hydrokinetic Turbine. The data includes performance data and durability data for the Hydrokinetic Turbine. The device performance data contains shaft RPM, turbine RPM, power output, flow velocity, pressure, and pressure drop across the turbine. The mechanical durability data includes stress and strain at varied depths and velocities. There is also an FEA analysis included. This TEAMER project was awarded to Emrgy, Inc.in collaboration with Alden Research Laboratory LLC.

16 TIDAL AND WAVE POWER↗

DOE OSTI2024

Composite coatings from polycarbosilane derived SiC and Al/SiC cermet active fillers as protective barriers against steel corrosion

Stainless steel is used throughout the world as a structural material. However, it undergoes corrosion damage when exposed to extremely corrosive media, such as the marine environment. An alternative to solve this problem lies in the development of coatings that can withstand extreme conditions but also be easily deposited with inherently corrosion-resistant materials such as silicon carbide (SiC). The present study shows a simple method to produce Al/SiC cermet powders by attrition milling. The resulting cermet powders with a metallic matrix and hemispherical morphology, were employed as fillers in polycarbosilane (PCS) solutions that were sprayed on A304 stainless steel substrates. Al/SiC composite coatings were produced after heating the sprayed suspensions at 700 °C for 1 h in Ar atmosphere. The resulting composite coatings exhibited low surface energies (< 35 mN/m), water contact angles of 53°, and adhesion strength of up to 30 MPa. Finally, corrosion tests were performed in a cyclic corrosion test chamber, showing that these coatings effectively reduced the corrosion rate of stainless steel by 87%, reaching corrosion rate values of 0.007 g/cm 2 year.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

DOE OSTI2023

Film condensation with high heat fluxes and scaled experiments using pure steam for reactor containment cooling

Condensation tests were performed using a newly developed test facility for scaling the passive containment cooling system (PCCS) to a small modular reactor (SMR). The PCCS of the SMR plays a pivotal role in ensuring greater safety, reliability, and compactness than what is afforded by traditional reactors. Therefore, a well-designed PCCS is essential to SMRs. However, previous studies and test data were unsuitable for scaling, due to high variation in the test geometry and operating conditions. This study intends to close this research gap by using a novel designed scaled test facility consisting of vertical condensing test sections featuring 1-, 2-, and 4-inch-diameter condensing tubes with annular water cooling, and by applying superheated and saturated steam with different steam mass flow ranges of 5–25 g/s. Further, the primary test data, including axial temperatures, mass flow rates, and pressures, were used in conjunction with a standard data reduction method to estimate critical parameters such as heat fluxes, heat transfer coefficients, and condensation rates. These scaled test data would support improving empirical correlations and validating condensation models to identify scaling distortion for SMR PCCSs.

21 SPECIFIC NUCLEAR REACTORS AND ASSOCIATED PLANTS↗