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At least 595 records · Page 33

Relaxations of the steady optimal gas flow problem for a non-Ideal gas

Natural gas ranks second in U.S. primary energy consumption. Because most production sites are remote, gas must be transported through pipeline networks equipped with compressors, valves, and other components. For both economic efficiency and system reliability, it is desirable to operate these networks optimally. The governing physics across pipeline components entails nonlinear, non-convex equality and inequality constraints, and the most general steady-flow operations problem is a Mixed-Integer Nonlinear Program (MINLP).This work focuses on one such steady-flow problem-the Optimal Gas Flow (OGF) for a natural gas pipeline network-which minimizes production cost subject to the steady-flow physics. For day-to-day operations, the ability to quickly compute a globally optimal solution and a strong lower bound for varying demand profiles is crucial. A promising strategy is to build tight relaxations of the OGF’s nonlinear constraints. However, many nonlinearities arising from non-ideal equations of state either lack relaxations or have relaxations that do not scale to realistic network sizes. We address this gap by combining recent advances in polyhedral relaxations for univariate functions to construct tight, computationally efficient relaxations of the OGF with a non-ideal equation of state. These relaxations solve within seconds on a standard laptop. In conclusion, we demonstrate their quality through extensive numerical experiments on very large-scale test networks from the literature and find that the proposed approach proves optimality in 92% of tested instances.

03 NATURAL GAS↗

Nonlinear control of safety factor gradient in tokamaks using spatially variable electron cyclotron current drives

Active control of plasma properties may be necessary to achieve stable operation of next-generation tokamaks over large time scales. Such control algorithms can regulate the plasma properties to avoid the onset of magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) instabilities. For instance, the global and local properties of the safety factor profile are linked to the onset of neoclassical tearing modes (NTMs). This work proposes a model-based control approach for deterring/delaying NTMs through active modulation of one of the safety factor properties - the gradient of the safety factor profile at a particular rational safety factor surface. In particular, a novel control-oriented model for the local safety factor gradient is developed. The nonlinear control model is governed by a nonautonomous ordinary differential equation that accounts for a given rational safety factor surface’s spatial variation over time. Further, to improve the controllability of the spatially evolving parameter, the control model treats ECH&CD positions, along with noninductive powers, as controllable variables. A nonlinear control algorithm based on feedback linearization with optimization is synthesized to achieve the objective of regulating the safety factor gradient around a given target. The proposed algorithm allocates optimal ECH&CD positions, in addition to auxiliary powers, at each time instant as the rational safety factor surface drifts to locations with a low control authority. Stability guarantees of the proposed control law are also discussed in this work. The proposed algorithm is tested for a DIII-D tokamak scenario in nonlinear simulations carried out using the Control Oriented Transport SIMulator (COTSIM). Both fixed and moving ECH&CD cases are studied, and their outcomes are compared. Simulation results demonstrate that enthusiastic regulation of the safety factor gradient can be achieved during the ramp-up and flat-top phases of tokamak operation in both fixed and moving ECH&CD cases. However, real-time updates of ECH&CD positions can prevent the saturation of auxiliary powers.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗

An efficient explicit implementation of a near-optimal quantum algorithm for simulating linear dissipative differential equations

We propose an efficient block-encoding technique for the implementation of the Linear Combination of Hamiltonian Simulations (LCHS) for simulating dissipative initial-value problems. This algorithm approximates a target nonunitary operator as a weighted sum of Hamiltonian evolutions, thereby emulating a dissipative problem by mixing various time scales. We introduce an efficient encoding of the LCHS into a quantum circuit based on a simple coordinate transformation that turns the dependence on the summation index into a trigonometric function. Classically, this method is equivalent to the use of a highly accurate Fejér-Clenshaw-Curtis quadrature formula. Quantumly, this significantly simplifies block-encoding of a dissipative problem and allows one to perform an exponential number of Hamiltonian simulations by a single Quantum Signal Processing (QSP) circuit. The resulting LCHS circuit has high success probability and the selector scales logarithmically with the number of terms in the LCHS sum and linearly with time. Careful analysis of error convergence proves that this method is more efficient than other LCHS circuits that have recently appeared in the literature. We verify the quantum circuit and its scaling by simulating it on a digital emulator of fault-tolerant quantum computers and, as a test problem, solve the advection-diffusion equation. The proposed algorithm can be used for simulating a wide class of nonunitary initial-value problems including the Liouville equation with added dissipation and linear embeddings of nonlinear systems, such as the Koopman-von Neumann and Carleman embeddings.

Novikau, I [Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory↗

Robust hierarchical dispatch for residential distribution network management considering home thermal flexibility and model predictive control

In the transactive energy (TE) paradigm, the devices of participative consumers, or prosumers, may be aggregated and employed to drive operational objectives at the network level. Home heating, ventilation and air-conditioning (HVAC) systems in particular are well-suited to modulate their behaviours based on both home thermal flexibility and requests from the utility grid. This paper develops a robust, hierarchical power dispatch scheme in the context of a residential distribution network. The formulation couples a unique, multiphase linear distribution optimal power flow (OPF) at the upper level with model predictive control (MPC)-based HVAC fleet controllers at the lower level. The proposed approach is tested on nearly 2000 homes with a three-phase distribution network in an intraday market setting, where two major applications are explored and analysed.

24 POWER TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION↗

Optimized pulsed write schemes improve linearity and write speed for low-power organic neuromorphic devices

Neuromorphic devices are becoming increasingly appealing as efficient emulators of neural networks used to model real world problems. However, no hardware to date has demonstrated the necessary high accuracy and energy efficiency gain over CMOS in both training via backpropagation and in read via vector matrix multiplication. Such shortcomings are due to device non-idealities, particularly asymmetric conductance tuning in response to uniform voltage pulse inputs. Here, by formulating a general circuit model for capacitive ion-exchange neuromorphic devices, we show that asymmetric nonlinearity in organic electrochemical neuromorphic devices (ENODes) can be suppressed by an appropriately chosen write scheme. Simulations based upon our model suggest that a nonlinear write-selector could reduce the switching voltage and energy, enabling analog tuning via a continuous set of resistance states (100 states) with extremely low switching energy (~170 fJ • µm –2 ). Furthermore, this work clarifies the pathway to neural algorithm accelerators capable of parallelism during both read and write operations.

97 MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTING↗

An optimally weighted estimator of the linear power spectrum disentangling the growth of density perturbations across galaxy surveys

Measuring the clustering of galaxies from surveys allows us to estimate the power spectrum of matter density fluctuations, thus constraining cosmological models. This requires careful modelling of observational effects to avoid misinterpretation of data. In particular, signals coming from different distances encode information from different epochs. This is known as ''light-cone effect'' and is going to have a higher impact as upcoming galaxy surveys probe larger redshift ranges. Generalising the method by Feldman, Kaiser and Peacock (1994) [1], I define a minimum-variance estimator of the linear power spectrum at a fixed time, properly taking into account the light-cone effect. An analytic expression for the estimator is provided, and that is consistent with the findings of previous works in the literature. I test the method within the context of the Halofit model, assuming Planck 2014 cosmological parameters [2]. I show that the estimator presented recovers the fiducial linear power spectrum at present time within 5% accuracy up to k ∼ 0.80 h Mpc{sup −1} and within 10% up to k ∼ 0.94 h Mpc{sup −1}, well into the non-linear regime of the growth of density perturbations. As such, the method could be useful in the analysis of the data from future large-scale surveys, like Euclid.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

Theoretical analysis of the saturation phase of the 1/1 energetic-ion-driven resistive interchange mode

The aim of the present study is to analyze the saturation regime of the energetic-ion-driven resistive interchange mode (EIC) in the LHD plasma. In this work, a set of nonlinear simulations are performed by the FAR3d code that uses a reduced MHD model for the thermal plasma coupled with a gyrofluid model for the energetic particle (EP) species. The hellically trapped EP component is introduced through a modification of the averaged drift velocity operator to include their precessional drift. The nonlinear simulation results show similar 1/1 EIC saturation phases with respect to the experimental observations, reproducing the enhancement of the n/m = 1/1 resistive interchange modes (RIC) amplitude and width as the EP β increases, the EP β threshold for the 1/1 EIC excitation, the further destabilization of the 1/1 EIC as the population of the helically trapped EP increases and the triggering of burst events. The frequency of the 1/1 EIC calculated during the burst event is 9.4 kHz and the 2/2 and 3/3 overtones are destabilized, consistent with the frequency range and the complex mode structure measured in the experiment. In addition, the simulation shows the inward propagation of the 1/1 EIC due to the nonlinear destabilization of the 3/4 and 2/3 energetic particle modes, leading to the partial overlapping between resonances during the burst event. Finally, the analysis of the 1/1 EIC stabilization phase shows the excitation of the 1/1 RIC as soon as the flattening induced by the 1/1 EIC in the pressure profile vanishes, leading to the retrieval of the pressure gradient at the plasma periphery and the overcoming of the RIC stability limit.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗

CoBAMP: a Python framework for metabolic pathway analysis in constraint-based models

Abstract Summary CoBAMP is a modular framework for the enumeration of pathway analysis concepts, such as elementary flux modes (EFM) and minimal cut sets in genome-scale constraint-based models (CBMs) of metabolism. It currently includes the K-shortest EFM algorithm and facilitates integration with other frameworks involving reading, manipulation and analysis of CBMs. Availability and implementation The software is implemented in Python 3, supported on most operating systems and requires a mixed-integer linear programming optimizer supported by the optlang framework. Source-code is available at https://github.com/BioSystemsUM/cobamp.

Vieira, Vítor (ORCID:0000000196049586)↗

Resistive-Aware Linear Approximations for Solving the Optimal Power Flow Problem for Distribution Networks

Although notable progress has been made to solve the Alternate Current (AC) Optimal Power Flow (OPF), the Direct Current (DC) and Decoupled OPF approximations are still preferable in broad scenarios of practical interest. These approximations typically assume that the resistive nature of the lines in the power system is negligible. This work discusses modifications of these assumptions and presents new approximations of the DC and Decoupled OPF in light of distribution systems, in which line resistances may not be negligible. The Enhanced DC (EDC) OPF and Coupled OPF (COPF) approximations are introduced and assessed, presenting favorable results compared to their classic counterparts.

Moutis, Panayiotis↗

Evaluating Optimization Strategies for Engine Simulations Using Machine Learning Emulators

This work evaluates different optimization algorithms for computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations of engine combustion. Due to the computational expense of CFD simulations, emulators built with machine learning algorithms were used as surrogates for the optimizers. Two types of emulators were used: a Gaussian process (GP) and a weighted variety of machine learning methods called SuperLearner (SL). The emulators were trained using a dataset of 2048 CFD simulations that were run concurrently on a supercomputer. The design of experiments (DOE) for the CFD runs was obtained by perturbing nine input parameters using a Monte-Carlo method. The CFD simulations were of a heavy duty engine running with a low octane gasoline-like fuel at a partially premixed compression ignition mode. Ten optimization algorithms were tested, including types typically used in research applications. Each optimizer was allowed 800 function evaluations and was randomly tested 100 times. The optimizers were evaluated for the median, minimum, and maximum merits obtained in the 100 attempts. Some optimizers required more sequential evaluations, thereby resulting in longer wall clock times to reach an optimum. The best performing optimization methods were particle swarm optimization (PSO), differential evolution (DE), GENOUD (an evolutionary algorithm), and micro-genetic algorithm (GA). These methods found a high median optimum as well as a reasonable minimum optimum of the 100 trials. Moreover, all of these methods were able to operate with less than 100 successive iterations, which reduced the wall clock time required in practice. Two methods were found to be effective but required a much larger number of successive iterations: the DIRECT and MALSCHAINS algorithms. A random search method that completed in a single iteration performed poorly in finding optimum designs but was included to illustrate the limitation of highly concurrent search methods. The last three methods, Nelder–Mead, bound optimization by quadratic approximation (BOBYQA), and constrained optimization by linear approximation (COBYLA), did not perform as well.

Probst, Daniel M.↗

Analysis of Crystal Lattice Deformation by Ion Channeling

A model of dislocations has been developed for the use in Monte Carlo simulations of ion channeling spectra obtained for defected crystals. High resolution transmission electron microscopy micrographs show that the dominant type of defects in the majority of ion irradiated crystals are dislocations. The RBS/channeling spectrum is then composed of two components: one is due to direct scattering on randomly displaced atoms and the second one is related to beam defocussing on dislocations, which produce predominantly crystal lattice distortions, i.e. bent channels. In order to provide a correct analysis of backscattering spectra for the crystals containing dislocations we have modified the existing Monte Carlo simulation code "McChasy". A new version of the code has been developed by implementing dislocations on the basis of the Peierls-Nabarro model. Parameters of the model have been determined from the high resolution transmission electron microscopy data. The newly developed method has been used to study the Ar-ion bombarded SrTiO3 samples. The best fit to the Rutherford backscattering/channeling spectra has been obtained by optimizing the linear combination of two kinds of defects: displaced atoms and bent channels. The great virtue of the Monte Carlo simulation is that unlike a traditional dechanneling analysis it allows quantitative analysis of crystals containing a mixture of different types of defects.

Environmental Molecular Sciences Laboratory↗

Next-generation Algorithms for Assessing Infrastructure Vulnerability and Optimizing System Resilience

This report summarizes the work performed under the project project Next-Generation Algorithms for Assessing Infrastructure Vulnerability and Optimizing System Resilience. The goal of the project was to improve mathematical programming-based optimization technology for infrastructure protection. In general, the owner of a network wishes to design a network a network that can perform well when certain transportation channels are inhibited (e.g. destroyed) by an adversary. These are typically bi-level problems where the owner designs a system, an adversary optimally attacks it, and then the owner can recover by optimally using the remaining network. This project funded three years of Deon Burchett's graduate research. Deon's graduate advisor, Professor Jean-Philippe Richard, and his Sandia advisors, Richard Chen and Cynthia Phillips, supported Deon on other funds or volunteer time. This report is, therefore. essentially a replication of the Ph.D. dissertation it funded in a format required for project documentation. The thesis had some general polyhedral research. This is the study of the structure of the feasible region of mathematical programs, such as integer programs. For example, an integer program optimizes a linear objective function subject to linear constraints, and (nonlinear) integrality constraints on the variables. The feasible region without the integrality constraints is a convex polygon. Careful study of additional valid constraints can significantly improve computational performance. Here is the abstract from the dissertation: We perform a polyhedral study of a multi-commodity generalization of variable upper bound flow models. In particular, we establish some relations between facets of single- and multi- commodity models. We then introduce a new family of inequalities, which generalizes traditional flow cover inequalities to the multi-commodity context. We present encouraging numerical results. We also consider the directed edge-failure resilient network design problem (DRNDP). This problem entails the design of a directed multi-commodity flow network that is capable of fulfilling a specified percentage of demands in the event that any G arcs are destroyed, where G is a constant parameter. We present a formulation of DRNDP and solve it in a branch-column-cut framework. We present computational results.

97 MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTING↗

Improved Axisymmetric and High Temperature Material Structural Modeling in MOOSE and NEML

This report describes improvements made to the solid mechanics formulation in the MOOSE open source finite element simulation environment and the open source Nuclear Engineering Material model Library (NEML) for mechanical constitutive models. The focus of these improvements is to improve the usability and performance of simulations involving one or both pieces of software. Specifically, this work completes a new system for solid mechanics simulations in the MOOSE ecosystem providing exact linearizations and optimal (quadratic) convergence, for a variety of coordinate systems and material types, including large deformation simulations. This work then provides users a framework to build highly efficient mechanical simulations of structures or materials or to couple in additional MOOSE physics modules to build complex, scalable multiphysics simulations.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗