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At least 559 records · Page 31

Circuit Modelling of the Mechanical-Motion-Rectifier for Electrical Simulation of Ocean Wave Power Take-off

As is the case with several other mechanical power takeoffs (PTOs), the mechanical-motion-rectifier (MMR) based PTO consists of components such as one-way clutches, gears, a ball screw, mechanical couplings, and a generator. Equivalent circuit models have been created in this paper to describe the dry frictions, viscous damping, and mechanical compliances in these components, so the non-ideal efficiency and nonlinear force of the PTO can be predicted in electrical simulations by integrating these sub-circuit models. The circuit model is simplified, and its parameters are categorized as dc and ac unknowns. The dc and ac tests on the PTO are performed sequentially to extract two sets of parameters through linear regression or nonlinear curve fitting. Then, the model is validated through its prediction capability over 25 test conditions on input forces, output voltages, and efficiencies, with correlation coefficients of 0.9, 0.98, and 0.981, respectively.

42 ENGINEERING↗

A low dose simulation tool for CT systems with energy integrating detectors

Purpose: This paper introduces a new strategy for simulating low-dose computed tomography (CT) scans using real scans of a higher dose as an input. The tool is verified against simulations and real scans and compared to other approaches found in the literature. Methods: The conditional variance identity is used to properly account for the variance of the input high-dose data, and a formula is derived for generating a new Poisson noise realization which has the same mean and variance as the true low-dose data. The authors also derive a formula for the inclusion of real samples of detector noise, properly scaled according to the level of the simulated x-ray signals. Results: The proposed method is shown to match real scans in number of experiments. Noise standard deviation measurements in simulated low-dose reconstructions of a 35 cm water phantom match real scans in a range from 500 to 10 mA with less than 5% error. Mean and variance of individual detector channels are shown to match closely across the detector array. Finally, the visual appearance of noise and streak artifacts is shown to match in real scans even under conditions of photon-starvation (with tube currents as low as 10 and 80 mA). Additionally, the proposed method is shown to be more accurate than previous approaches (1) in achieving the correct mean and variance in reconstructed images from pure-Poisson noise simulations (with no detector noise) under photon-starvation conditions, and (2) in simulating the correct noise level and detector noise artifacts in real low-dose scans. Conclusions: The proposed method can accurately simulate low-dose CT data starting from high-dose data, including effects from photon starvation and detector noise. This is potentially a very useful tool in helping to determine minimum dose requirements for a wide range of clinical protocols and advanced reconstruction algorithms.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗

A geo-visual analysis for exploring the socioeconomic benefits of the heating electrification using geothermal energy

In parallel to population growth and climate change, the rapid pace of urbanization worldwide has led to an enormous increase in energy demand and costs in urban areas. The subsequent energy burden has become an increasing concern for many households in the U.S. Previous studies have revealed that geothermal resources can effectively lower the electricity demand and carbon emissions in large cities. In this paper, we focus on the socioeconomic impacts of geothermal energy on urban systems by presenting an interactive visual analytics dashboard. The dashboard allows urban planners to spatially examine geothermal energy's practical benefits on energy affordability, urban livability, and resilience across the U.S. We compiled a list of socioeconomic metrics by integrating the simulation results from multiple geothermal and building models with multi-domain urban datasets (socioeconomic, demographic, and electricity utility). These metrics are created to characterize the benefits of the heating electrification of buildings using Geothermal Heat Pumps (GHP) for lowering the energy burden of middle-and low-income households nationwide. The visual dashboard employs a combination of multivariate, glyph-based, and geospatial visualization to reveal the variability and patterns in our metrics. We present a pilot study to demonstrate the GHPs' potential as a renewable and affordable solution for increasing the economic and energy grid resilience in U.S cities.

Xu, Haowen↗

Arion

Arion is a library and tool set that enables researchers to holistically define test system models. To define a complex system for testing an algorithm or control requires expertise across multiple domains. Simulating a complex system requires the integration of multiple simulators and test hardware, each with their own specification languages and concepts. This requires extensive set of knowledge and capabilities. Arion was developed to alleviate this challenge. Arion is a library of Java libraries that abstracts the concepts from supported simulators into a cohesive model language that allows someone to build models to their needed level of fidelity and expertise. Arion is also a software tool that translates the users model back into the specification languages of the simulators and test hardware needed for execution.

Fisher, Andy↗

Estimating carbon sequestration in the piedmont ecoregion of the United States from 1971 to 2010

Human activities have diverse and profound impacts on ecosystem carbon cycles. The Piedmont ecoregion in the eastern United States has undergone significant land use and land cover change in the past few decades. The purpose of this study was to use newly available land use and land cover change data to quantify carbon changes within the ecoregion. Land use and land cover change data (60-m spatial resolution) derived from sequential remotely sensed Landsat imagery were used to generate 960-m resolution land cover change maps for the Piedmont ecoregion. These maps were used in the Integrated Biosphere Simulator (IBIS) to simulate ecosystem carbon stock and flux changes from 1971 to 2010. Results: Results show that land use change, especially urbanization and forest harvest had significant impacts on carbon sources and sinks. From 1971 to 2010, forest ecosystems sequestered 0.25 Mg C ha -1 yr -1 , while agricultural ecosystems sequestered 0.03 Mg C ha -1 yr -1 . The total ecosystem C stock increased from 2271 Tg C in 1971 to 2402 Tg C in 2010, with an annual average increase of 3.3 Tg C yr -1 . Conclusions: Terrestrial lands in the Piedmont ecoregion were estimated to be weak net carbon sink during the study period. The major factors contributing to the carbon sink were forest growth and afforestation; the major factors contributing to terrestrial emissions were human induced land cover change, especially urbanization and forest harvest. An additional amount of carbon continues to be stored in harvested wood products. If this pool were included the carbon sink would be stronger.

30 DIRECT ENERGY CONVERSION↗

Dayflow: CONUS Daily Streamflow Reanalysis, Version 2 (DayflowV2)

The DayflowV2 dataset provides multiple meteorologic forcings driven hourly streamflow information for approximately 2.7 million NHDPlusV2 stream reaches in the conterminous US (CONUS). DaymetV4, Stage-IV, and Analysis of Period of Record for Calibration (AORC) forcings and their corresponding hybrids drive a nationally scalable modeling framework integrating the simulated runoff from the Variable Infiltration Capacity (VIC) model with the Routing Application for Parallel computatIon of Discharge (RAPID) routing model. Streamflow with (Assimilated) and without (Naturalized) streamflow assimilation at US Geological Survey (USGS) streamflow monitoring sites are included in DayflowV2. A comprehensive evaluation of streamflow at 7,526 USGS gauges is performed for both streamflow types. The resulting key evaluation metrics are also included in the Dayflow dataset. The reanalysis data are available for variable periods; 36 years (1980-2015) for DaymetV4 (DayflowV1), 18 years (2002-2019) for Stage-IV and its hybrids, and 40 years (1980-2019) for AORC and its hybrids.

13 HYDRO ENERGY↗

Global Validation of a Process-Based Model on Vegetation Gross Primary Production Using Eddy Covariance Observations

Gross Primary Production (GPP) is the largest flux in the global carbon cycle. However, large uncertainties in current global estimations persist. In this study, we examined the performance of a process-based model (Integrated BIosphere Simulator, IBIS) at 62 eddy covariance sites around the world. Our results indicated that the IBIS model explained 60% of the observed variation in daily GPP at all validation sites. Comparison with a satellite-based vegetation model (Eddy Covariance-Light Use Efficiency, EC-LUE) revealed that the IBIS simulations yielded comparable GPP results as the EC-LUE model. Global mean GPP estimated by the IBIS model was 107.50±1.37 Pg C year-1 (mean value ± standard deviation) across the vegetated area for the period 2000–2006, consistent with the results of the EC-LUE model (109.39±1.48 Pg C year-1). To evaluate the uncertainty introduced by the parameter Vcmax, which represents the maximum photosynthetic capacity, we inversed Vcmax using Markov Chain-Monte Carlo (MCMC) procedures. Using the inversed Vcmax values, the simulated global GPP increased by 16.5 Pg C year-1, indicating that IBIS model is sensitive to Vcmax, and large uncertainty exists in model parameterization.

Science & Technology - Other Topics↗

Recovery Act: Multi-Objective Optimization Approaches for the Design of Carbon Geological Sequestration Systems

The main objective of this project is to provide training opportunities for two graduate students in order to improve the human capital and skills required for implementing and deploying carbon capture and sequestration (CCS) technologies. The graduate student effort will be geared towards the formulation and implementation of an integrated simulation-optimization framework to provide a rigorous scientific support to the design CCS systems that, for any given site: (a) maximize the amount of carbon storage; (b) minimize the total cost associated with the CCS project; (c) minimize the risk of CO2 upward leakage from injected formations.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗

Advances in Hydrogeochemical Indicators for the Discovery of New Geothermal Resources in the Great Basin, USA

This report summarizes the results of Phase I work for a go/no go decision on Phase II funding. In the first objective, we assessed the extent to which fluid-mineral equilibria controlled deep water compositions in geothermal systems across the Great Basin. Six systems were evaluated: Beowawe; Desert Peak; Dixie Valley; Mammoth; Raft River; Roosevelt. These represent a geographic spread of geothermal resources, in different geological settings and with a wide range of fluid compositions. The results were used for calibration/reformulation of chemical geothermometers that reflect the reservoir temperatures in producing reservoirs. In the second objective, we developed a reactive -transport model of the Desert Peak hydrothermal system to evaluate the processes that affect reservoir fluid geochemistry and its effect on solute geothermometry. This included testing geothermometry on “reacted” thermal water originating from different lithologies and from near-surface locations where the temperature is known from the simulation. The integrated multi-component geothermometer (GeoT, relying on computed mineral saturation indices) was tested against the model results and also on the systems studied in the first objective.

15 GEOTHERMAL ENERGY↗

Uncertainty Quantification Analysis of Both Experimental and CFD Simulation Data of a Bench-scale Fluidized Bed Gasifier

Adequate assessment of the uncertainties in modeling and simulation is becoming an integral part of the simulation based engineering design. The goal of this study is to demonstrate the application of non-intrusive Bayesian uncertainty quantification (UQ) methodology in multiphase (gas-solid) flows with experimental and simulation data, as part of our research efforts to determine the most suited approach for UQ of a bench scale fluidized bed gasifier. UQ analysis was first performed on the available experimental data. Global sensitivity analysis performed as part of the UQ analysis shows that among the three operating factors, steam to oxygen ratio has the most influence on syngas composition in the bench-scale gasifier experiments. An analysis for forward propagation of uncertainties was performed and results show that an increase in steam to oxygen ratio leads to an increase in H2 mole fraction and a decrease in CO mole fraction. These findings are in agreement with the ANOVA analysis performed in the reference experimental study. Another contribution in addition to the UQ analysis is the optimization-based approach to guide to identify next best set of additional experimental samples, should the possibility arise for additional experiments. Hence, the surrogate models constructed as part of the UQ analysis is employed to improve the information gain and make incremental recommendation, should the possibility to add more experiments arise. In the second step, series of simulations were carried out with the open-source computational fluid dynamics software MFiX to reproduce the experimental conditions, where three operating factors, i.e., coal flow rate, coal particle diameter, and steam-to-oxygen ratio, were systematically varied to understand their effect on the syngas composition. Bayesian UQ analysis was performed on the numerical results. As part of Bayesian UQ analysis, a global sensitivity analysis was performed based on the simulation results, which shows that the predicted syngas composition is strongly affected not only by the steam-to-oxygen ratio (which was observed in experiments as well) but also by variation in the coal flow rate and particle diameter (which was not observed in experiments). The carbon monoxide mole fraction is underpredicted at lower steam-to-oxygen ratios and overpredicted at higher steam-to-oxygen ratios. The opposite trend is observed for the carbon dioxide mole fraction. These discrepancies are attributed to either excessive segregation of the phases that leads to the fuel-rich or -lean regions or alternatively the selection of reaction models, where different reaction models and kinetics can lead to different syngas compositions throughout the gasifier. To improve quality of numerical models used, the effect that uncertainties in reaction models for gasification, char oxidation, carbon monoxide oxidation, and water gas shift will have on the syngas composition at different grid resolution, along with bed temperature were investigated. The global sensitivity analysis showed that among various reaction models employed for water gas shift, gasification, char oxidation, the choice of reaction model for water gas shift has the greatest influence on syngas composition, with gasification reaction model being second. Syngas composition also shows a small sensitivity to temperature of the bed. The hydrodynamic behavior of the bed did not change beyond grid spacing of 18 times the particle diameter. However, the syngas concentration continued to be affected by the grid resolution as low as 9 times the particle diameter. This is due to a better resolution of the phasic interface between the gases and solid that leads to stronger heterogeneous reactions. This report is a compilation of three manuscripts published in peer-reviewed journals for the series of studies mentioned above.

01 COAL, LIGNITE, AND PEAT↗

Integrating CryoEM and Molecular dynamic simulations [Slide]

López et al. analyze the structure and dynamics of lipid nanodiscs, both empty and in complex with pro-apoptotic BAX protein. Information from the computational derived structures prompted changes in image processing strategy, which led to quality improvements in Cryo-EM reconstructions. Together, these findings provide novel insights on the activity of BAXv.

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗

Evaluating and Improving the USGS 3D Seismic Velocity Model in the San Francisco East Bay by Integrating Earthquake Ground-Motion Simulations and Noise-Derived Empirical Green's Functions

Simulations of scenario earthquake ground motions play an increasingly important role in improving seismic hazard assessment. In the San Francisco Bay Area (SFBA) the USGS has developed a 3D geologic/seismic model. Simulations of large magnitude (M) 7 Hayward Fault scenario earthquakes show dramatic differences in peak ground motions across the fault, arising from wavespeed differences, which highlights the need to evaluate the model. Our comparison of observed and simulated waveforms from M 4 SFBA earthquakes reveals bias in the travel times of direct S-waves for paths crossing the East Bay Hills, east of Hayward Fault, suggests that the shear wavespeeds in the upper crust of the USGS 3D model are too low, resulting in large delay times of S-wave arrivals at the East Bay Hills. We also retrieved noise-derived Green's functions (NGFs) and examined the path-specific bias in the USGS 3D model. We systematically compared synthetic waveforms with the 3D velocity model and observed NGFs. Our result shows that the time lags between the synthetic and observed data ranging from 2-5 seconds for the ray paths propagating the East Bay Hills. This result also suggests that the SFBA 3D model generates arrivals that are too slow. Additionally, we evaluate the Rayleigh-wave ellipticity to evaluate the subsurface velocity beneath seismic stations. A lateral variation in Rayleigh-wave ellipticity across the Hayward fault is observed, which will contribute to refine the SFBA 3D velocity model.

58 GEOSCIENCES↗

High-Accuracy Module Emulators from Physically-Constrained AI Algorithms

Focal Area(s): How do we use AI tools to integrate observations, simulated data and physical and chemical fundamentals (Focal Area 3) into model components (Focal Area 2) that have high accuracy and stability and low computational burden to improve Earth System Predictability? Science Challenge: Earth system modeling of the hydrological cycle involves compute-intensive modules representing complex chemical and physical process. Recently, AI tools that are far less compute intensive have been developed that emulate these modules, but many of these efforts are not yet sufficiently accurate or even stable. We know a lot about the physics and chemistry of earth system processes. The Science Challenge is developing AI tools that not only incorporate observations and simulated data, but also incorporate the physics and chemistry of the process, while still maintaining the compute efficiency.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗

The Virtual Blast Furnace - An Integrated High Performance Computing Modeling, Simulation, and Visualization Capability for Steel Manufacturing (Final Report)

Many manufacturing industries require substantial capital and utilize energy intensive processes that involve complex phenomena. One example of such an industry is the steel industry, which is the fourth largest energy consuming industry in the U.S. By harnessing the power of High-Performance Computing (HPC) to enhance current simulation and visualization methods in the steel industry, it should be possible to increase resolution and/or decrease time of these methods by a factor of 1000. In this way, information can be obtained in a time frame that is useful for making business and engineering decisions, optimizing manufacturing processes and, ultimately, improving the completeness of U.S. industries. For example, if coke usage in blast furnaces were optimized such that the average coke rate was reduced from 797 lb/net tonne of hot metal (NTHM) to 604 lb/NTHM, costs could be reduced by $894 million/year. Additionally, members of the steel industry need the flexibility to efficiently operate blast furnaces at a range of production rates in order to meet fluctuating market demands. Large scale parameter studies can be utilized to discover workable operating parameters at a range of production rates.

32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATI↗

Hardware Evaluation Analytical Modeling and Node Simulation: Benefits of Tighter GPU Integration

In this report, we examine several emerging technologies of interest to the Department of Energy and its computational centers. These include: 1) quantifying the benefit of tighter CPU-GPU integration, 2) quantifying the appropriate CPU core:GPU ratio, 3) quantifying the penalty for CPU-GPU disaggregation, 4) quantifying the benefits of tighter GPU-GPU integration, 5) quantifying the benefits of unified memory, and 6) quantifying the benefits of tighter FPGA-GPU integration.

97 MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTING↗