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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 595 records · Page 33
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS2003

Effect of Voltage Level on Power System Design for Solar Electric Propulsion Missions

This paper presents study results quantifying the benefits of higher voltage, electric power system designs for a typical solar electric propulsion spacecraft Earth orbiting mission. A conceptual power system architecture was defined and design points were generated for system voltages of 28-V, 50-V, 120-V, and 300-V using state-of-the-art or advanced technologies. A 300-V 'direct-drive' architecture was also analyzed to assess the benefits of directly powering the electric thruster from the photovoltaic array without up-conversion. Fortran and spreadsheet computational models were exercised to predict the performance and size power system components to meet spacecraft mission requirements. Pertinent space environments, such as electron and proton radiation, were calculated along the spiral trajectory. In addition, a simplified electron current collection model was developed to estimate photovoltaic array losses for the orbital plasma environment and that created by the thruster plume. The secondary benefits of power system mass savings for spacecraft propulsion and attitude control systems were also quantified. Results indicate that considerable spacecraft wet mass savings were achieved by the 300-V and 300-V direct-drive architectures.

Kerslake, Thomas W.↗
DOE OSTI2020

Making Better Use of On-Site PV Generation: Direct Distribution of DC Power in Buildings

With the increasing availability of Direct Current (DC) power from on-site solar systems, building designers now have the option of direct distribution of DC power to energy storage systems and end-use loads such as lighting, electronics, and motors. Research shows that direct-DC can reduce building distribution losses by 5-15%, while improving power reliability. A readily available way to implement direct-DC distribution is Power over Ethernet (PoE), which typically has provided low-voltage DC to power office equipment such as WiFi access points. With recent updates to the PoE standard, equipment such as network-controlled LED lighting, thin client and computer workstations, HVAC controllers, fans, motors, and actuators can now be powered by PoE and are commercially available. This paper presents results from a DOE-funded project that is demonstrating PoE technologies and describes a DC modeling and design tool that is intended to help building designers properly evaluate and design DC distribution systems in buildings. The tool provides designers of DC power systems with estimates of both power system losses and indirect effects on building heating and cooling. The results of this research demonstrate that the design methods and products are available to implement DC power in buildings today.

32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATI↗
DOE OSTI2022

Studying of multi-shell gas-puff Z-pinches using x-ray spectroscopy with spatial resolution

Dynamics and parameters of gas-puff Z-pinch plasmas at stagnation were studied using x-ray spectroscopic diagnostics. In experiments on a 1 MA pulsed power generator, multilayer coaxial loads were made using a triple-nozzle gas-puff valve. High-luminosity spectrographs with spherically bent crystals made it possible to record spectra with high spatial resolution along the pinch axis and to record two-dimensional plasma images in separate spectral lines. Using various combinations of gases in the nozzles and adding small amounts of a gas tracer, the final structure and composition of the compressed plasma were determined. Furthermore, plasma parameters were estimated by modeling the spectra using the PrismSPECT program, but with the limitation that the spectra were time-integrated, so that spectra from different gases and at different positions may have been emitted at different times.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
NASA NTRS2003

Flux-Based Deadbeat Control of Induction-Motor Torque

An improved method and prior methods of deadbeat direct torque control involve the use of pulse-width modulation (PWM) of applied voltages. The prior methods are based on the use of stator flux and stator current as state variables, leading to mathematical solutions of control equations in forms that do not lend themselves to clear visualization of solution spaces. In contrast, the use of rotor and stator fluxes as the state variables in the present improved method lends itself to graphical representations that aid in understanding possible solutions under various operating conditions. In addition, the present improved method incorporates the superposition of high-frequency carrier signals for use in a motor-self-sensing technique for estimating the rotor shaft angle at any speed (including low or even zero speed) without need for additional shaft-angle-measuring sensors.

Kenny, Barbara H.↗
DOE OSTI2020

Fault-tolerant grid frequency measurement algorithm during transients

Many critical electric grid operations rely on accurate grid frequency measurements. Unfortunately, the measurement accuracy can be easily undermined by power system transient faults. During a power system transient fault, the power grid voltages and currents are usually highly distorted by high-frequency components. What is worse, the power grid signals could have discontinuity during some system transient faults such as phase angle jump, and the discontinuity could result in large measurement errors to state-of-the-art grid measurement algorithms. In this study, a fault-tolerant grid frequency measurement algorithm during transients is proposed. The new algorithm consists of two stages. The first stage is a transient detector, and it can detect the occurrence of system transient faults instantaneously. The second stage is the intelligent frequency estimator, and it will adapt its measurements according to the transient detector. The performance of the algorithm is evaluated under different steady-state and transient conditions. Both dependability and security of the fault-tolerant algorithm are assessed by using PSCAD simulation data and IEEE Standard test data.

24 POWER TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION↗
DOE OSTI2022

3D Frequency Domain Reflectometry Digital Twin of an Electrical Cable: A First Glance

Electrical cables within nuclear power plants (NPPs) are critical components required for power, control, and instrumentation systems which may be exposed to stressors, such as elevated temperatures and gamma radiation. Such stressors can lead to a reduction in the remaining useful life of electrical cables, jeopardizing the safety of NPP systems. To evaluate the effect of stressors on the degradation of electrical cables, electrical reflectometry methods are commonly employed. Frequency domain reflectometry (FDR) is a non-destructive electrical reflectometry method that uses transmission line theory to detect degradation or impedance changes within electrical cables. However, in most cases FDR is only applied to de-energized cables, limiting the application in NPPs as the cable system must be taken offline. In this work, we explore the development of an FDR digital twin to predict the degradation of an electrical cable exposed to elevated temperature, which is expected to reduce the need for offline FDR. A 3-conductor low-voltage electrical cable was selected for evaluation of the digital twin. The fully three-dimensional digital twin was developed in COMSOL using the RF module. A cable length of 30-m and frequency bandwidth of 400 MHz was selected to mimic real-world application of FDR. Over a 1-m region, the permittivity of the insulation was varied by up to 20% to model thermal degradation. The results demonstrate accurate detection of the insulation damage region, supporting further investigation of the FDR digital twin using real-world data and machine learning for predictive damage estimation or remaining lifetime.

Spencer, Mychal P.↗
NASA NTRS1985

Practical aspects of photovoltaic technology, applications and cost (revised)

The purpose of this text is to provide the reader with the background, understanding, and computational tools needed to master the practical aspects of photovoltaic (PV) technology, application, and cost. The focus is on stand-alone, silicon solar cell, flat-plate systems in the range of 1 to 25 kWh/day output. Technology topics covered include operation and performance of each of the major system components (e.g., modules, array, battery, regulators, controls, and instrumentation), safety, installation, operation and maintenance, and electrical loads. Application experience and trends are presented. Indices of electrical service performance - reliability, availability, and voltage control - are discussed, and the known service performance of central station electric grid, diesel-generator, and PV stand-alone systems are compared. PV system sizing methods are reviewed and compared, and a procedure for rapid sizing is described and illustrated by the use of several sample cases. The rapid sizing procedure yields an array and battery size that corresponds to a minimum cost system for a given load requirement, insulation condition, and desired level of service performance. PV system capital cost and levelized energy cost are derived as functions of service performance and insulation. Estimates of future trends in PV system costs are made.

Rosenblum, L.↗
NASA NTRS1983

A review and summary of cell and module mismatch losses from theoretical and experimental studies

Studies on power loss due to photovoltaic (PV) cell and module parameter mismatch were reviewed. The losses result from the current voltage (I-V) characteristics of cells which vary over a manufactured lot. The peak power and the peak power I-V point vary from cell to cell. The largest parameter variation occurs in the cell photocurrent generation and the most significant loss occurs in series connections since all cells are essentially limited by the lowest photocurrent. Most theoretical studies address only photocurrent variation effects, which consider shunt and series resistance, ideality factor and saturation current to be comparatively insignificant. One study is identified which specifically configured the study of mismatch loss effects. Experimental results consist of estimates based on limited data not taken from specially configured tests.

Lambarski, T. J.↗
NASA NTRS2011

EOS MLS Level 1B Data Processing Software

This software is an improvement on Version 2, which was described in EOS MLS Level 1B Data Processing, Version 2.2, NASA Tech Briefs, Vol. 33, No. 5 (May 2009), p. 34. It accepts the EOS MLS Level 0 science/engineering data, and the EOS Aura spacecraft ephemeris/attitude data, and produces calibrated instrument radiances and associated engineering and diagnostic data. This version makes the code more robust, improves calibration, provides more diagnostics outputs, defines the Galactic core more finely, and fixes the equator crossing. The Level 1 processing software manages several different tasks. It qualifies each data quantity using instrument configuration and checksum data, as well as data transmission quality flags. Statistical tests are applied for data quality and reasonableness. The instrument engineering data (e.g., voltages, currents, temperatures, and encoder angles) is calibrated by the software, and the filter channel space reference measurements are interpolated onto the times of each limb measurement with the interpolates being differenced from the measurements. Filter channel calibration target measurements are interpolated onto the times of each limb measurement, and are used to compute radiometric gain. The total signal power is determined and analyzed by each digital autocorrelator spectrometer (DACS) during each data integration. The software converts each DACS data integration from an autocorrelation measurement in the time domain into a spectral measurement in the frequency domain, and estimates separately the spectrally, smoothly varying and spectrally averaged components of the limb port signal arising from antenna emission and scattering effects. Limb radiances are also calibrated.

Perun, Vincent S.↗
NASA NTRS1984

Radiating dipole model of interference induced in spacecraft circuitry by surface discharges

Spacecraft in geosynchronous orbit can be charged electrically to high voltages by interaction with the space plasma. Differential charging of spacecraft surfaces leads to arc and blowoff discharging. The discharges are thought to upset interior, computer-level circuitry. In addition to capacitive or electrostatic effects, significant inductive and less significant radiative effects of these discharges exist and can be modeled in a dipole approximation. Flight measurements suggest source frequencies of 5 to 50 MHz. Laboratory tests indicate source current strengths of several amperes. Electrical and magnetic fields at distances of many centimeters from such sources can be as large as tens of volts per meter and meter squared, respectively. Estimates of field attenuation by spacecraft walls and structures suggest that interior fields may be appreciable if electromagnetic shielding is much thinner than about 0.025 mm (1 mil). Pickup of such fields by wires and cables interconnecting circuit components could be a source of interference signals of several volts amplitude.

Metz, R. N.↗
NASA NTRS2009

NEXT Long-Duration Test Plume and Wear Characteristics after 16,550 h of Operation and 337 kg of Xenon Processed

The NASA s Evolutionary Xenon Thruster (NEXT) program is developing the next-generation ion propulsion system with significant enhancements beyond the state-of-the-art. The NEXT ion propulsion system provides improved mission capabilities for future NASA science missions to enhance and enable Discovery, New Frontiers, and Flagship-type NASA missions. As part of a comprehensive thruster service life assessment utilizing both testing and analyses, a Long-Duration Test (LDT) was initiated to validate and qualify the NEXT propellant throughput capability to a qualification-level of 450 kg, 1.5 times the mission-derived throughput requirement of 300 kg. This wear test is being conducted with a modified, flight-representative NEXT engineering model ion thruster, designated EM3. As of June 25, 2008, the thruster has accumulated 16,550 h of operation: the first 13,042 h at the thruster full-input-power of 6.9 kW with 3.52 A beam current and 1800 V beam power supply voltage. Operation since 13,042 h, i.e., the most recent 3,508 h, has been at an input power of 4.7 kW with 3.52 A beam current and 1180 V beam power supply voltage. The thruster has processed 337 kg of xenon (Xe) surpassing the NSTAR propellant throughput demonstrated during the extended life testing of the Deep Space 1 flight spare. The NEXT LDT has demonstrated a total impulse of 13.3 106 N s; the highest total impulse ever demonstrated by an ion thruster. Thruster plume diagnostics and erosion measurements are obtained periodically over the entire NEXT throttle table with input power ranging 0.5 to 6.9 kW. Observed thruster component erosion rates are consistent with predictions and the thruster service life assessment. There have not been any observed anomalous erosion and all erosion estimates indicate a thruster throughput capability that exceeds ~750 kg of Xe, an equivalent of 36,500 h of continuous operation at the full-power operating condition. This paper presents the erosion measurements and plume diagnostic results for the NEXT LDT to date with emphasis on the change in thruster operating condition and resulting impact on wear characteristics. Ion optics grid-gap data, both cold and operating, are presented. Performance and wear predictions for the LDT throttle profile are presented.

Herman, Daniel A.↗
DOE OSTI2021

Machine Learning for Improved Availability of the SNS Klystron High Voltage Converter Modulators

Beam availability has increased at the SNS, however, the targeted availability is greater than 95 %, while the SNS has failed to meet lower targets in the past. The HVCM used to power the linac klystrons have been one source of lost beam time and was chosen to explore using AI/ML techniques to improve reliability. Among the possibilities being explored are automating the tuning of HVCMs and predicting component failures such as capacitor aging, rectifier assemblies containing hundreds of diodes, and insulating oil degradation. The methodology pursued includes data cleaning, de-noising, post-analysis data labeling, and machine learning model development. We explore using Long Short-Term Memory and autoencoders for anomaly detection and prognostication used to schedule maintenance. We evaluate the use of model regularizers and constraints to improve the performance of the model and investigate methods to estimate the uncertainty of the models to provide a robust prediction with statistical interoperability. This paper describes the operational experience and known failures of the HVCMs and the proposed ML methodology and the preliminary results of training the AI/ML algorithms.

Pappas, G. C.↗
DOE OSTI2021

Machine Learning for Improved Availability of the SNS Klystron High Voltage Converter Modulators

Beam availability has increased at the SNS, however, the targeted availability is greater than 95 %, while the SNS has failed to meet lower targets in the past. The HVCM used to power the linac klystrons have been one source of lost beam time and was chosen to explore using AI/ML techniques to improve reliability. Among the possibilities being explored are automating the tuning of HVCMs and predicting component failures such as capacitor aging, rectifier assemblies containing hundreds of diodes, and insulating oil degradation. The methodology pursued includes data cleaning, de-noising, post-analysis data labeling, and machine learning model development. We explore using Long Short-Term Memory and autoencoders for anomaly detection and prognostication used to schedule maintenance. We evaluate the use of model regularizers and constraints to improve the performance of the model and investigate methods to estimate the uncertainty of the models to provide a robust prediction with statistical interoperability. This paper describes the operational experience and known failures of the HVCMs and the proposed ML methodology and the preliminary results of training the AI/ML algorithms.

Pappas, Chris↗
DOE OSTI2021

Machine Learning for Improved Availability of the SNS Klystron High Voltage Converter Modulators

Beam availability has increased at the SNS, however, the targeted availability is greater than 95 %, while the SNS has failed to meet lower targets in the past. The HVCM used to power the linac klystrons have been one source of lost beam time and was chosen to explore using AI/ML techniques to improve reliability. Among the possibilities being explored are automating the tuning of HVCMs and predicting component failures such as capacitor aging, rectifier assemblies containing hundreds of diodes, and insulating oil degradation. The methodology pursued includes data cleaning, de-noising, post-analysis data labeling, and machine learning model development. We explore using Long Short-Term Memory and autoencoders for anomaly detection and prognostication used to schedule maintenance. We evaluate the use of model regularizers and constraints to improve the performance of the model and investigate methods to estimate the uncertainty of the models to provide a robust prediction with statistical interoperability. This paper describes the operational experience and known failures of the HVCMs and the proposed ML methodology and the preliminary results of training the AI/ML algorithms.

Pappas, Chris↗
DOE OSTI2024

Inactive Overhang in Silicon Anodes

Li-ion batteries contain excess anode area to improve manufacturability and prevent Li plating. These overhang areas in graphite electrodes are active but experience decreased Li + flux during cycling. Over time, the overhang and the anode portions directly opposite to the cathode can exchange Li + , driven by differences in local electrical potential across the electrode, which artificially inflates or decreases the measured cell capacity. Here, we show that lithiation of the overhang is less likely to happen in silicon anodes paired with layered oxide cathodes. The large voltage hysteresis of silicon creates a lower driving force for Li + exchange as lithium ions transit into the overhang, rendering this exchange highly inefficient. For crystalline Si particles, Li + storage at the overhang is prohibitive, because the low potential required for the initial lithiation can act as thermodynamic barrier for this exchange. We use micro-Raman spectroscopy to demonstrate that crystalline Si particles at the overhang are never lithiated even after cell storage at 45 °C for four months. Because the anode overhang can affect the forecasting of cell life, cells using silicon anodes may require different methodologies for life estimation compared to those used for traditional graphite-based Li-ion batteries.

25 ENERGY STORAGE↗
NASA NTRS1991

Property and microstructural nonuniformity in the yttrium-barium-copper-oxide superconductor determined from electrical, magnetic, and ultrasonic measurements

The purpose of this dissertation was the following: (1) to characterize the effect of pore fraction on a comprehensive set of electrical and magnetic properties for the yttrium-barium-copper-oxide (YBCO) high temperature ceramic superconductor; and (2) to determine the viability of using a room-temperature, nondestructive characterization method to aid in the prediction of superconducting (cryogenic) properties. The latter involved correlating ultrasonic velocity measurements at room temperature with property-affecting pore fraction and oxygen content variations. The use of ultrasonic velocity for estimating pore fraction in YBCO is presented, and other polycrystalline materials are reviewed, modeled, and statistically analyzed. This provides the basis for using ultrasonic velocity to interrogate microstructure. The effect of pore fraction (0.10-0.25) on superconductor properties of YBCO samples was characterized. Spatial (within-sample) variations in microstructure and superconductor properties were investigated, and the effect of oxygen content on elastic behavior was examined. Experimental methods used included a.c. susceptibility, electrical, and ultrasonic velocity measurements. Superconductor properties measured included transition temperature, magnetic transition width, transport and magnetic critical current density, magnetic shielding, a.c. loss, and sharpness of the voltage-current characteristics. An ultrasonic velocity image constructed from measurements at 1mm increments across a YBCO sample revealed microstructural variations that correlated with variations in magnetic shielding and a.c. loss behavior. Destructive examination using quantitative image analysis revealed pore fraction to be the varying microstructural feature.

Roth, Don J.↗
DOE OSTI2024

Investigation of Sub‐Bandgap Emission and Unexpected n‐Type Behavior in Undoped Polycrystalline CdSe x Te 1‐x

Abstract Se alloying has enabled significantly higher carrier lifetimes and photocurrents in CdTe solar cells, but these benefits can be highly dependent on CdSe x Te 1‐x processing. This work evaluates the optoelectronic, chemical, and electronic properties of thick (3 µm) undoped CdSe x Te 1‐x of uniform composition and varied processing conditions (CdSe x Te 1‐x evaporation rate, CdCl 2 anneal, Se content) chosen to reflect various standard device processing conditions. Sub‐bandgap defect emission is observed, which increased as Se content increased and with “GrV‐optimized CdCl 2 ” (i.e., CdCl 2 anneal conditions used for group‐V‐doped devices). Low carrier lifetime is found for GrV‐optimized CdCl 2 , slow CdSe x Te 1‐x deposition, and low‐Se films. Interestingly, all films (including CdTe control) exhibited n‐type behavior, where electron density increased with Se up to an estimated ≈10 17 cm −3 . This behavior appears to originate during the CdCl 2 anneal, possibly from Se diffusion leading to anion vacancy (e.g., V Se , V Te ) and Cl Te generation.

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗