Engineering Papers⌕ Search

SEARCH · Engineering Papers

Results for “SNL”

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.

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

At least 649 records · Page 36

Demand Response Pilot Event Conducted August 25, 2011 (Summary Report)

Energy management in a commercial facility can be segregated into two areas: energy efficiency and demand response (DR). Energy efficiency focuses on steady-state load minimization. Demand response reduces load for event driven periods during the peak load. Demand-response-driven changes in electricity use are designed to be short-term in nature, centered on critical hours during the day when demand is high or when the electricity supplier's reserve margins are low. Due to the recent Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) Order 745, Demand Response Compensation in Organized Wholesale Energy Markets the potential annual compensation to Sandia National Laboratories (SNL) from performing DR ranges from $\$$300K to $\$$2,400K. While the current energy supply contract does not offer any compensation for participating in DR, there is benefit in understanding the issues and potential value in performing a DR event. This Report will be helpful in upcoming energy supply contract negotiations to quantify the energy savings and power reduction potential from DR at SNL. On August 25, 2011 the Facilities Management and Operations Center (FMOC) performed the first DR pilot event at SNL/NM. This report describes the details and results of this DR event.

29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY↗

Sandia National Laboratories environmental fluid dynamics code: pH effects user manual

This document describes the implementation level changes in the source code and input files of Sandia National Laboratories Environmental Fluid Dynamics Code (SNL-EFDC) that are necessary for including pH effects into algae-growth dynamics. The document also gives a brief introduction to how pH effects are modeled into the algae-growth model. The document assumes that the reader is aware of the existing algae-growth model in SNL-EFDC. The existing model is described by James, Jarardhanam and more theoretical considerations behind modeling pH effects are presented therein. This document should be used in conjunction with the original EFDC manual and the original water-quality manual.

22 GENERAL STUDIES OF NUCLEAR REACTORS↗

Development of the ANL Plant Dynamics Code and Control Strategies for the Supercritical Carbon Dioxide Brayton Cycle and Code Validation with Data from the Sandia Small-Scale Supercritical Carbon Dioxide Brayton Cycle Test Loop

Significant progress has been made in the ongoing development of the Argonne National Laboratory (ANL) Plant Dynamics Code (PDC), the ongoing investigation and development of control strategies, and the analysis of system transient behavior for supercritical carbon dioxide (S-CO 2 ) Brayton cycles. Several code modifications have been introduced during FY2011 to extend the range of applicability of the PDC and to improve its calculational stability and speed. A new and innovative approach was developed to couple the Plant Dynamics Code for S-CO 2 cycle calculations with SAS4A/SASSYS-1 Liquid Metal Reactor Code System calculations for the transient system level behavior on the reactor side of a Sodium-Cooled Fast Reactor (SFR) or Lead-Cooled Fast Reactor (LFR). The new code system allows use of the full capabilities of both codes such that whole-plant transients can now be simulated without additional user interaction. Several other code modifications, including the introduction of compressor surge control, a new approach for determining the solution time step for efficient computational speed, an updated treatment of S-CO 2 cycle flow mergers and splits, a modified enthalpy equation to improve the treatment of negative flow, and a revised solution of the reactor heat exchanger (RHX) equations coupling the S-CO 2 cycle to the reactor, were introduced to the PDC in FY2011. All of these modifications have improved the code computational stability and computational speed, while not significantly affecting the results of transient calculations. The improved PDC was used to continue the investigation of S-CO 2 cycle control and transient behavior. The coupled PDC-SAS4A/SASSYS-1 code capability was used to study the dynamic characteristics of a S-CO 2 cycle coupled to a SFR plant. Cycle control was investigated in terms of the ability of the cycle to respond to a linear reduction in the electrical grid demand from 100% to 0% at a rate of 5%/minute. It was determined that utilization of turbine throttling control below 50% load improves the cycle efficiency significantly. Consequently, the cycle control strategy has been updated to include turbine throttle valve control. The new control strategy still relies on inventory control in the 50%-90% load range and turbine bypass for fine and fast generator output adjustments, but it now also includes turbine throttling control in the 0%-50% load range. In an attempt to investigate the feasibility of using the S-CO 2 cycle for normal decay heat removal from the reactor, the cycle control study was extended beyond the investigation of normal load following. It was shown that such operation is possible with the extension of the inventory and the turbine throttling controls. However, the cycle operation in this range is calculated to be so inefficient that energy would need to be supplied from the electrical grid assuming that the generator could be capable of being operated in a motoring mode with an input electrical energy from the grid having a magnitude of about 20% of the nominal plant output electrical power level in order to maintain circulation of the CO 2 in the cycle. The work on investigation of cycle operation at low power level will be continued in the future. In addition to the cycle control study, the coupled PDC-SAS4A/SASSYS-1 code system was also used to simulate thermal transients in the sodium-to-CO 2 heat exchanger. Several possible conditions with the potential to introduce significant changes to the heat exchanger temperatures were identified and simulated. The conditions range from reactor scram and primary sodium pump failure or intermediate sodium pump failure on the reactor side to pipe breaks and valve malfunctions on the S-CO 2 side. It was found that the maximum possible rate of the heat exchanger wall temperature change for the particular heat exchanger design assumed is limited to ±7 C/s for less than 10 seconds. Modeling in the Plant Dynamics Code has been compared with available data from the Sandia National Laboratories (SNL) small-scale S-CO 2 Brayton cycle demonstration that is being assembled in a phased approach currently at Barber-Nichols Inc. and at SNL in the future. The available data was obtained with an earlier configuration of the S-CO 2 loop involving only a single-turbo-alternator-compressor (TAC) instead of two TACs, a single low temperature recuperator (LTR) instead of both a LTR and a high temperature recuperator (HTR), and fewer than the later to be installed full set of electric heaters. Due to the absence of the full heating capability as well as the lack of a high temperature recuperator providing additional recuperation, the temperature conditions obtained with the loop are too low for the loop conditions to be prototypical of the S-CO 2 cycle.

21 SPECIFIC NUCLEAR REACTORS AND ASSOCIATED PLANTS↗

Deep Bed Iodine Sorbent Testing FY 2011 Report

Nuclear fission results in the production of fission products (FPs) and activation products that increasingly interfere with the fission process as their concentrations increase. Some of these fission and activation products tend to evolve in gaseous species during used nuclear fuel reprocessing. Analyses have shown that I129, due to its radioactivity, high potential mobility in the environment, and high longevity (half life of 15.7 million years), can require control efficiencies of up to 1,000x or higher to meet regulatory emission limits. Deep-bed iodine sorption testing has been done to evaluate the performance of solid sorbents for capturing iodine in off-gas streams from nuclear fuel reprocessing plants. The objectives of the FY 2011 deep bed iodine sorbent testing are: (1) Evaluate sorbents for iodine capture under various conditions of gas compositions and operating temperature (determine sorption efficiencies, capacities, and mass transfer zone depths); and (2) Generate data for dynamic iodine sorption modeling. Three tests performed this fiscal year on silver zeolite light phase (AgZ-LP) sorbent are reported here. Additional tests are still in progress and can be reported in a revision of this report or a future report. Testing was somewhat delayed and limited this year due to initial activities to address some questions of prior testing, and due to a period of maintenance for the on-line GC. Each test consisted of (a) flowing a synthetic blend of gases designed to be similar to an aqueous dissolver off-gas stream over the sorbent contained in three separate bed segments in series, (b) measuring each bed inlet and outlet gas concentrations of iodine and methyl iodide (the two surrogates of iodine gas species considered most representative of iodine species expected in dissolver off-gas), (c) operating for a long enough time to achieve breakthrough of the iodine species from at least one (preferably the first two) bed segments, and (d) post-test purging with pure N 2 to drive loosely or physisorbed iodine species off of the sorbent. Post-test calculations determine the control efficiencies for each bed, iodine loadings on the sorbent, and mass transfer zone depths. Portions of the iodine-laden sorbent from the first bed of two of the tests have been shipped to SNL for waste form studies. Over the past three years, we have explored a full range of inlet iodine and methyl iodide concentrations ranging from ~100 ppb to ~100 ppm levels, and shown adequate control efficiencies within a bed depth as shallow as 2 inches for lower concentrations and 4 inches for higher concentrations, for the AgZ-type sorbents. We are now performing a limited number of tests in the NC-77 sorbent from SNL. Then we plan to continue to (a) fill in data gaps needed for isotherms and dynamic sorbent modeling, and (b) test the performance of additional sorbents under development.

11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS↗

Progress report on dynamic simulation of the Sandia small-scale supercritical carbon dioxide brayton cycle test loop with the ANL plant dynamics code

Validation of the Plant Dynamics Code (PDC) with available experiment data from the Sandia National Laboratories (SNL) small-scale S-CO 2 Brayton cycle demonstration has been continued. Previously, one of the earlier loop configurations from December 2010 was modeled with the steady-state portion of the PDC. In order to be able to simulate transient behavior of the loop with the PDC, several modifications specific to the SNL Loop needed to be implemented in the code.

Moisseytsev, A.↗

Effects of defects in composite wind turbine blades: Round 2

The Wind Turbine Blade Reliability Collaborative (BRC) was formed with the goal of improving wind turbine blade reliability. Led by Sandia National Laboratories (SNL), the BRC is made up of wind farm maintenance companies, turbine manufacturers and third party investigators. Specific tasks have been assigned by SNL to the various parties. The portion of the BRC that will focus on establishing the criticality of manufacturing defects (aka, Effect of Defects) is being researched by the Montana State University Composites Group (MSUCG). The research described herein compiles the second round of a multi-year year plan consisting of three rounds of work performed by Montana State University (MSU) within two areas—Flaw Characterization and Effects of Defects. The first round was published in SAND2012-8110.1 The purpose of this document is to capture and convey the progress which has been made by the MSUCG team since submission of the Round 1 Report.

Nelson, Jared W.↗

Effects of defects in composite wind turbine blades: Round 1

The Wind Turbine Blade Reliability Collaborative (BRC) was formed with the goal of improving wind turbine blade reliability. Led by Sandia National Laboratories (SNL), the BRC is made up of wind farm maintenance companies, turbine manufacturers and third party investigators. Specific tasks have been assigned by SNL to the various parties. The portion of the BRC that will focus on establishing the criticality of manufacturing defects (aka, Effect of Defects) is being researched by the Montana State University Composites Group (MSUCG). The research described herein compiles the second round of a multi-year year plan consisting of three rounds of work performed by Montana State University (MSU) within two areas—Flaw Characterization and Effects of Defects. The purpose of this document is to capture and convey the progress which has been made by the MSU team under the first round of the effort.

Nelson, Jared W.↗

Demand Response Pilot Events Conducted August 25, 2011 and August 9, 2012: Summary Report (Rev.1)

Energy management in a commercial facility can be segregated into two areas: energy efficiency and demand response (DR). Energy efficiency focuses on steady-state load minimization. Demand response reduces load for event driven periods during the peak load. Demand response driven changes in electricity use are designed to be short-term in nature, centered on critical hours during the day when demand is high or, utilized when the electricity supplier's reserve margins are low. Due to the recent Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) Order 745, Demand Response Compensation in Organized Wholesale Energy Markets, the potential annual compensation to Sandia National Laboratories (SNL) from performing DR ranges from $\$$200K to $\$$1,800K. While the current energy supply contract does not offer any compensation for participating in DR, there is benefit in understanding the issues and potential value in performing a DR event. This Report will be helpful in upcoming energy supply contract negotiations to quantify the energy savings and power reduction potential from DR at SNL. On August 25, 2011 and August 9, 2012 the Facilities Management and Operations Center (FMOC) performed the first and second DR pilot events at SNL/NM. This report describes the details and results of these DR events.

32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATI↗

Safe Handling of Potential Peroxide Forming Compounds and Their Corresponding Peroxide Yielded Derivatives

This report addresses recent developments concerning the identification and handling of potential peroxide forming (PPF) and peroxide yielded derivative (PYD) chemicals. PPF chemicals are described in terms of labeling, shelf lives, and safe handling requirements as required at SNL. The general peroxide chemistry concerning formation, prevention, and identification is cursorily presented to give some perspective to the generation of peroxides. The procedure for determining peroxide concentrations and the proper disposal methods established by the Hazardous Waste Handling Facility are also provided. Techniques such as neutralization and dilution are provided for the safe handling of any PYD chemicals to allow for safe handling. The appendices are a collection of all available SNL documentation pertaining to PPF/PYD chemicals to serve as a single reference.

Sears, Jeremiah Matthew↗

Series and parallel arc-fault circuit interrupter tests.

While the 2011 National Electrical Codeª (NEC) only requires series arc-fault protection, some arc-fault circuit interrupter (AFCI) manufacturers are designing products to detect and mitigate both series and parallel arc-faults. Sandia National Laboratories (SNL) has extensively investigated the electrical differences of series and parallel arc-faults and has offered possible classification and mitigation solutions. As part of this effort, Sandia National Laboratories has collaborated with MidNite Solar to create and test a 24-string combiner box with an AFCI which detects, differentiates, and de-energizes series and parallel arc-faults. In the case of the MidNite AFCI prototype, series arc-faults are mitigated by opening the PV strings, whereas parallel arc-faults are mitigated by shorting the array. A range of different experimental series and parallel arc-fault tests with the MidNite combiner box were performed at the Distributed Energy Technologies Laboratory (DETL) at SNL in Albuquerque, NM. In all the tests, the prototype de-energized the arc-faults in the time period required by the arc-fault circuit interrupt testing standard, UL 1699B. The experimental tests confirm series and parallel arc-faults can be successfully mitigated with a combiner box-integrated solution.

Johnson, Jay Dean↗

The value of recycling on water conservation.

Sandia National Laboratories (SNL) is working to conserve water through recycling. This report will focus on the water conservation that has been accumulated through the recycling of paper, ceiling tiles, compost, and plastic. It will be discussed the use of water in the process of manufacturing these materials and the amount of water that is used. The way that water is conserved will be reviewed. From the stand point of SNL it will be discussed the amount of material that has been accumulated from 2010 to the first two quarters of 2013 and how much water this material has saved.

Ludi-Herrera, Katlyn D.↗

Disposal Systems Evaluation Framework DSEF User Manual (V.3.0)

The Disposal Systems Evaluation Framework (DSEF) has been developed at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) to formalize and facilitate the development and documentation of repository conceptual design options for a range of waste forms, geologic environments, repository design concepts, and repository operating modes. DSEF is one component of the Engineered Barrier System (EBS) family of work packages at several national laboratories led by Sandia National Laboratories (SNL), in support of the DOE Office of Nuclear Energy, specifically of the Used Fuel Disposition (UFD) Campaign within the Office of Used Nuclear Fuel Disposition Research and Development (NE-53). DSEF is a knowledge management system that allows the user to intelligently access and draw data from a case library of hundreds of completed thermal analyses (currently 721 cases in the library), and draw input from databases of material properties and repository development cost data (currently the data in these databases are drawn from more than 100 references). The core functionality of DSEF is provided by a Microsoft Office Excel 2010 workbook with macros and form controls that create a structured environment and walk the user through the steps of creating the input data required to perform disposal system evaluations internally and by interfacing with external programs. The user can choose to work with built-in data from the case library of previous analysis cases, from the material property databases, or can define their own input descriptions and data. DSEF uses the Excel worksheet protection (implemented on a sheet by sheet basis) to prevent inadvertent over-writing of formulas with data. When worksheet protection is enabled, the user can see all underlying formulas, and enter data in unprotected cells (the unprotected cells generally correspond to the yellow highlighted cells). Worksheet protection also prevents restructuring the files (adding or deleting rows or columns) and changing the formatting, as well as preventing access to the Visual Basic Editor to prevent modification of the macros. If the user needs to modify the worksheet structure, formulas, or macros, they can contact LLNL to get the password to unprotect the worksheets. However, care should be taken in making any modifications, since the macros and formulas are dependent in some cases on the current structure, range names, and macro subroutines DSEF is set up to retrieve the results of external thermal analysis program runs, summarize them graphically, and provide a template for adding the new results to the Case Library. The Case Library worksheet in DSEF is set up to create a Case Library data record for each new analysis case, at the top of the list of prior cases. Therefore, a separate DSEF file (with unique name) should be saved for each run that is to be archived. Users should submit a copy of their DSEF files to LLNL so that their results can be added to the overall Case Library and made available to other laboratories and stakeholders. LLNL will maintain the DSEF Case Library and make the most current files available on the SNL SharePoint site. The Revision History sheet documents the file evolution. One of the key objectives of DSEF is to allow the user to compare the results of thermal analyses to the thermal constraints of the design components. These comparisons can then be used to consider design, layout, and operating mode modifications to find combinations that can meet the thermal constraints for a given combination of waste form, geologic medium, surface storage time, and system concept of operation.

12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE W↗

1E30 Cup Cleaning: PETN Compatibility and Freon Substitution by Brulin 815GD

1E30 cup cleaning was done at EG&G Mound using a variety of cleaning agents, including Freon TF (i.e., FC-113). Freon TF is no longer allowed as due to environmental issues and a substitute was sought complex-wide in the mid 1990s. Three cleaning agents were evaluated by Sandia National Laboratories (SNL) and found to be acceptable substitutes for cleaning 1100 aluminum alloy cups. One (Brulin 815D) was determined to be compatible with PETN by Sandia National Laboratories (SNL) based on tests with RR5K PETN. Brulin 815D has been approved for use in cleaning 1E30 cups (9Y121234) dedicated to PETN-based detonators. Compatibility work was planned but not completed for HMX.

42 ENGINEERING↗

Test report :

The Department of Energy Office of Electricity (DOE/OE), Sandia National Laboratory (SNL) and the Base Camp Integration Lab (BCIL) partnered together to incorporate an energy storage system into a microgrid configured Forward Operating Base to reduce the fossil fuel consumption and to ultimately save lives. Energy storage vendors will be sending their systems to SNL Energy Storage Test Pad (ESTP) for functional testing and then to the BCIL for performance evaluation. The technologies that will be tested are electro-chemical energy storage systems comprised of lead acid, lithium-ion or zinc-bromide. Princeton Power Systems has developed an energy storage system that utilizes lithium ion phosphate batteries to save fuel on a military microgrid. This report contains the testing results and some limited analysis of performance of the Princeton Power Systems Prototype Energy Storage System.

Rose, David Martin↗

Test report :

The Department of Energy Office of Electricity (DOE/OE), Sandia National Laboratory (SNL) and the Base Camp Integration Lab (BCIL) partnered together to incorporate an energy storage system into a microgrid configured Forward Operating Base to reduce the fossil fuel consumption and to ultimately save lives. Energy storage vendors have supplied their systems to SNL Energy Storage Test Pad (ESTP) for functional testing and a subset of these systems were selected for performance evaluation at the BCIL. The technologies tested were electro-chemical energy storage systems comprised of lead acid, lithium-ion or zinc-bromide. MILSPRAY Military Technologies has developed an energy storage system that utilizes lead acid batteries to save fuel on a military microgrid. This report contains the testing results and some limited assessment of the Milspray Scorpion Energy Storage Device.

Rose, David Martin↗

Development of a fourth generation predictive capability maturity model.

The Predictive Capability Maturity Model (PCMM) is an expert elicitation tool designed to characterize and communicate completeness of the approaches used for computational model definition, verification, validation, and uncertainty quantification associated for an intended application. The primary application of this tool at Sandia National Laboratories (SNL) has been for physics-based computational simulations in support of nuclear weapons applications. The two main goals of a PCMM evaluation are 1) the communication of computational simulation capability, accurately and transparently, and 2) the development of input for effective planning. As a result of the increasing importance of computational simulation to SNL s mission, the PCMM has evolved through multiple generations with the goal to provide more clarity, rigor, and completeness in its application. This report describes the approach used to develop the fourth generation of the PCMM.

Hills, Richard Guy↗

Test Report : GS Battery, EPC power HES RESCU

The Department of Energy Office of Electricity (DOE/OE), Sandia National Laboratories (SNL) and the Base Camp Integration Lab (BCIL) partnered together to incorporate an energy storage system into a microgrid configured Forward Operating Base to reduce the fossil fuel consumption and to ultimately save lives. Energy storage vendors will be sending their systems to SNL Energy Storage Test Pad (ESTP) for functional testing and then to the BCIL for performance evaluation. The technologies that will be tested are electro-chemical energy storage systems comprising of lead acid, lithium-ion or zinc-bromide. GS Battery and EPC Power have developed an energy storage system that utilizes zinc-bromide flow batteries to save fuel on a military microgrid. This report contains the testing results and some limited analysis of performance of the GS Battery, EPC Power HES RESCU.

25 ENERGY STORAGE↗

Test report : Raytheon / KTech RK30 Energy Storage System

The Department of Energy Office of Electricity (DOE/OE), Sandia National Laboratories (SNL) and the Base Camp Integration Lab (BCIL) partnered together to incorporate an energy storage system into a microgrid configured Forward Operating Base to reduce the fossil fuel consumption and to ultimately save lives. Energy storage vendors will be sending their systems to SNL Energy Storage Test Pad (ESTP) for functional testing and then to the BCIL for performance evaluation. The technologies that will be tested are electro-chemical energy storage systems comprising of lead acid, lithium-ion or zinc-bromide. Raytheon/KTech has developed an energy storage system that utilizes zinc-bromide flow batteries to save fuel on a military microgrid. This report contains the testing results and some limited analysis of performance of the Raytheon/KTech Zinc-Bromide Energy Storage System.

25 ENERGY STORAGE↗