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Fluid pressure controls contact between heat pipe and heat exchanger. Heat exchanger system in cross section provides contact interface between fluid system and heat pipe with easy assembly/disassembly of heat-pipe/ pumped-liquid system. Originally developed for use in space, new device applicable on Earth where fluid system is linked with heat pipe, where rapid assembly/disassembly required, or where high pressures or corrosive fluids used.
While motors are ubiquitous throughout the globe, there is insufficient data to properly assess their level of energy efficiency across regional boundaries. Furthermore, many of the existing data sets focus on motor efficiency and neglect the connected drive and system. Without a comprehensive survey of the installed motor system base, a baseline energy efficiency of a country or region’s motor systems cannot be developed. The lack of data impedes government agencies, utilities, manufacturers, distributers, and energy managers when identifying where to invest resources to capture potential energy savings, creating programs aimed at reducing electrical energy consumption, or quantifying the impacts of such programs. This paper will outline a data collection framework for use when conducting a survey under a variety of execution models to characterize motor system energy efficiency within a country or region. The framework is intended to standardize the data collected ensuring consistency across independently conducted surveys. Consistency allows for the surveys to be leveraged against each other enabling comparisons to motor system energy efficiencies from other regions. In creating the framework, an analysis of various motor driven systems, including compressed air, pumping, and fan systems, was conducted and relevant parameters characterizing the efficiency of these systems were identified. A database using the framework will enable policymakers and industry to better assess the improvement potential of their installed motor system base particularly with respect to other regions, assisting in efforts to promote improvements to the energy efficiency of motor driven systems.
We demonstrate spin pumping driven by a strongly coupled magnon-photon system using a ferromagnet-coplanar superconducting resonator hybrid system at 1.4 K. Electrical readout via the inverse spin-Hall effect reveals characteristic coupling features, including mode splitting and linewidth broadening, demonstrating the electrical detection of strongly coupled microwave photons and magnons. The microwave magnon-photon coupling strength obtained by combined spin pumping and inverse spin-Hall effect measurements is compared to microwave transmission experiments. Here, microwave power-dependent measurements reveal a decrease in the coupling strength with increasing microwave power alongside the onset of nonlinearities of the superconducting resonator above a critical microwave power threshold.
Two radiator systems to reject heat from future space nuclear power systems were conceptually designed. One design would dissipate 1.7 MWt of heat at 600 K, and the other would reject 2.4 MWt at 875 K. The low-temperature radiator utilized a pumped loop system constructed of titanium, and achieved a specific mass of 5.8 kg/sq m, including pumps and structure. The high-temperature radiator system utilized potassium heat pipes constructed of SiC-reinforced titanium, and achieved a specific mass of 5.5 kg/sq m. Both radiators took advantage of light, high-thermal-conductivity carbon/graphite composite fins to distribute and radiate the rejected heat.
We demonstrate that the third-order dispersion drastically changes the phase-sensitive parametric gain in cw-pumped fiber systems. We analytically calculate the phase-sensitive gain as a function of the frequency for amplification of two weak monochromatic fields with spectral components symmetric with respect to the pump field. In the absence of the third-order dispersion, the phase-sensitive gain is symmetric with respect to the frequency. When the third-order dispersion is present, the gain has an asymmetric shape. This asymmetry has its origin in the phase-sensitive nature of the parametric gain.
The Capillary Pumped Loop 3 (CAPL 3) Experiment is a follow on to the CAPL 1 and CAPL 2 experiments which flew on STS-60 (2/94) and STS-69 (9/95), respectively. CAPL 3 is tentatively scheduled to fly on the Space Shuttle in late 2000 as part of the Hitchhiker Experiments Advancing Technology (HEAT) payload. The experiment is a joint Naval Research Laboratory (NRL)/Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC) payload which will meet technology objectives for both the Department of Defense and NASA. The primary objective of CAPL 3 is to demonstrate in space a multiple evaporator capillary pumped loop system, capable of reliable start-up, reliable continuous operation, and at least 50% heat load sharing with hardware for a deployable radiator. CAPL 3 is a full scale CPL system with four parallel capillary evaporators. The loop also contains a capillary starter pump, 8 parallel direct condensation condensers with associated flow regulators, a back pressure regulator, a two-phase reservoir, and various headers and transport tubing. A variable conductance heat pipe is located between one of the evaporators and the experiment radiator to provide a cooling source for the demonstration of heat load sharing. The experiment has an operating power range of 100 W to approximately 1400 W. The experiment ammonia charge will cause it to transition to a fixed conductance mode of operation if the radiator usage reaches 85%. Ambient functional tests have been performed on the experiment. Tests performed included start-up, low power, power cycles, high power, heat load sharing, variable/fixed conductance transition, saturation temperature changes, and pressure primes while the system was operating. The majority of the testing was performed at an ammonia saturation temperature of 30C, but a few tests were done at temperatures above and below this. The testing was highly successful. Details of the tests performed and a discussion of the results will be given in the presentation.
This report describes the design of a laboratory scale demonstration prototype of an air conditioning system operating on a magnetic heat pump cycle. Design parameters were selected through studies performed by a Kennedy Space Center (KSC) System Simulation Computer Model. The heat pump consists of a rotor turning through four magnetic fields that are created by permanent magnets. Gadolinium was selected as the working material for this demonstration prototype. The rotor was designed to be constructed of flat parallel disks of gadolinium with very little space in between. The rotor rotates in an aluminum housing. The laboratory scale demonstration prototype is designed to provide a theoretical Carnot Cycle efficiency of 62 percent and a Coefficient of Performance of 16.55.
A recent technology disclosure presents a concept for a monopropellant thermal spacecraft thruster that would feature both the simplicity of a typical prior pressure-fed propellant supply system and the smaller mass and relative compactness of a typical prior pump-fed system. The source of heat for this thruster would likely be a nuclear- fission reactor. The propellant would be a cryogenic fluid (a liquefied low-molecular-weight gas) stored in a tank at a low pressure. The propellant would flow from the tank, through a feedline, into three thick-walled spherical tanks, denoted pressure balls, that would be thermally connected to the reactor. Valves upstream and downstream of the pressure balls would be operated in a three-phase cycle in which propellant would flow into one pressure ball while the fluid underwent pressurization through heating in another ball and pressurized propellant was discharged from the remaining ball into the reactor. After flowing through the reactor, wherein it would be further heated, the propellant would be discharged through an exhaust nozzle to generate thrust. A fraction of the pressurized gas from the pressure balls would be diverted to maintain the desired pressure in the tank.
Bearings are required for long-shafted pumps historically used in concentrating solar thermal power applications. For molten chloride salts, bearings for such service conditions are not commercially available, nor has a design been demonstrated to work. Therefore, a project was sponsored by the Department of Energy’s Solar Energy Technologies Office for the development and demonstration of a submerged bearing for use in chloride salt pumps. This project’s tasks covered the tribological testing of candidate materials and the design, fabrication, testing, and post-test analysis of full-scale salt-compatible bearings. This work expands upon previous work. The effects of potential particulate in the salt were investigated through tribological bench testing. Through 11 tests, the MgO particulate size and concentration in a molten chloride salt were varied, and the effects on friction, wear rate, and wear characteristics were recorded. Novel journal bearings for chloride salt service were designed and fabricated based on these results. The bearings were of a relevant scale (i.e., for a 1.5 in. pump shaft) to demonstrate the technology with respect to further scale-up. The bearings were made of Haynes 244 and Yttria Partially Stabilized Zirconia. A custom bearing test rig, salt tanks, and associated infrastructure (e.g., heaters, tanks, transfer lines, gas flow control) were designed, procured, and installed. A few issues were encountered in the system fabrication process, resulting in delay of the project schedule. The system was successfully fabricated and assembled. Heating, cover gas, and pump motor systems were integrated into the control logic. This progress of the bearing test system represents a significant step forward towards demonstrating this promising technology. Nevertheless, the project ended before testing of the full-scale bearings could be performed.
District heating and cooling (DHC) is considered one of the most sustainable technologies to meet the heating and cooling demands of buildings in urban areas. The fifth-generation district heating and cooling (5GDHC) concept, often referred to as ambient loops, is a novel solution emerging in Europe and has become a widely discussed topic in current energy system research. 5GDHC systems operate at a temperature close to the ground and include electrically driven heat pumps and associated thermal energy storage in a building-sited energy transfer station (ETS) to satisfy user comfort. This work presents new strategies for improving the operation of these energy transfer stations by means of a model predictive control (MPC) method based on recurrent artificial neural networks. The results show that, under simple time-of-use utility rates, the advanced controller outperforms a rule-based controller for smart charging of the domestic hot water (DHW) thermal energy storage under specific boundary conditions. By exploiting the available thermal energy storage capacity, the MPC controller is capable of shifting up to 14% of the electricity consumption of the ETS from on-peak to off-peak hours. Therefore, the advanced control implemented in 5GDHC networks promotes coupling between the thermal and the electric sector, producing flexibility on the electric grid.
The design, development, fabrication, and testing of seven coolant circulating pump-motor assemblies are discussed. The pump-motor assembly is driven by the nominal 44.4-volt, 400-Hz, 3-phase output of a nominal 56-volt dc input inverter. The pump-motor assembly will be used to circulate Dow Corning 200 liquid coolant for use in a Brayton cycle space power system. The pump-motor assembly develops a nominal head of 70 psi at 3.7 gpm with an over-all efficiency of 26 percent. The design description, drawings, photographs, reliability results, and developmental and acceptance test results are included.
Proposed system offers safety and large return on investment. System, operating by year 2000, employs machines and processes based on proven principles. According to concept, line of parallel machines, connected in groups of four to service modules, attacks face of coal seam. High-pressure water jets and central auger on each machine break face. Jaws scoop up coal chunks, and auger grinds them and forces fragments into slurry-transport system. Slurry pumped through pipeline to point of use. Concept for highly automated coal-mining system increases productivity, makes mining safer, and protects health of mine workers.
Feedwater systems are a leading contributor to unit SCRAMs as indicated by the 2015 INPO data, where 9 of the 51 SCRAMs recorded were a result of feedwater issues. Digital feedwater control systems and enhanced feed pump control modifications can greatly improve performance and control of the plant feedwater systems and help drive down the potential for reactivity management events and unit SCRAMs. Westinghouse has a strong background in the implementation of digital feedwater control systems, and in planning for a recently completed feedwater control system upgrade at Calvert Cliffs, the Westinghouse team worked with Calvert Cliffs to design a solution to a number of common operational issues. Primarily, improving feedwater control over the entire operating range, eliminating single points of vulnerability (SPV) in the feedwater/feed pump systems and eliminating operational issues with the feed pump steam admission valve hydraulic control oil system. A robust first-of-a-kind design and implementation program was undertaken to split the existing hydraulic valve gear actuator with separate electric actuators. Westinghouse worked with Calvert Cliffs and Emerson Process Management (EPM) to install and commission General Electric (GE) feed pump turbines with separate electric actuators for the high-pressure (HP) and low-pressure (LP) steam admission valves. This successful mechanical and control modification was a first for both the nuclear and non-nuclear power generation industries. Westinghouse is working with a number of other utilities to implement similar modifications for PWR and BWR feed pump applications. (authors)
According to recent studies and reports, in single-family houses (SFHs), air-sealing can significantly lower the thermal loads for space heating and cooling. Thus, air-sealing in SFHs could reduce the required size and cost of ground source heat pump (GSHP) systems for electrifying SFHs. Here, this study investigated the costs and benefits of integrating air-sealing with GSHPs for retrofitting existing SFHs when compared with air-source heat pumps. A whole building energy simulation tool integrated with an advanced design tool for modeling ground heat exchangers was used to calculate changes in required GSHP capacity, total borehole length, and building energy consumption with and without air-sealing in SFHs in 16 US climatic regions. The results from this study showed that reducing outdoor air infiltration from 0.8 air changes per hour (ACH) to the minimum ventilation requirement (0.35 ACH) can significantly reduce borehole length (up to 55 %), GSHP capacity (up to 48 %), and total heating electricity reduction, especially in cold climates (up to 44 %). The results also showed that for airtight homes (0.03 ACH infiltration) with a direct outdoor air system, the minimum required borehole length, GSHP capacity, and total heating electricity consumption can be reduced up to 70 %, 68 %, and 67 %, respectively, when compared with SFHs with 0.8 ACH infiltration. Moreover, the life cycle cost analysis showed that air-sealing in conjunction with a GSHP is more profitable than replacing the existing system with an air-source heat pump, even without any incentives for most climatic regions in the US (except for some hot regions).
Executive Summary An innovative 50-ton ground-source heat pump (GSHP) system was installed to provide space heating and cooling for a 56,000 square foot (5,200 square meter) building in Butte Montana, in conjunction with its heating and chiller systems. Butte is a location with winter conditions much colder than the national average. The GSHP uses flooded mine waters at 78F (25C) as the heat source and heat sink. The heat transfer performance and efficiency of the system were analyzed using data from January through July 2014. This analysis indicated that for typical winter conditions in Butte, Montana, the GSHP could deliver about 88% of the building’s annual heating needs. Compared with a baseline natural-gas/electric system, the system demonstrated at least 69% site energy savings, 38% source energy savings, 39% carbon dioxide emissions reduction, and a savings of $17,000 per year (40%) in utility costs. Assuming a $10,000 per ton cost for installing a production system, the payback period at natural gas costs of $9.63/MMBtu and electricity costs of $0.08/kWh would be in the range of 40 to 50 years. At higher utility prices, or lower installation costs, the payback period would obviously be reduced.
The feasibility and design of a novel pumped storage system in a wastewater treatment facility is investigated. Analysis covers the added benefit of aeration, costs, and specifications. For the given sub-megawatt system, off-the-shelf runner designs are not available. This research builds on an existing pump-turbine research and design through a combination of introducing aeration into the operating processes, analysis of large format metal additive manufacturing, and testing and validation of a hydrokinetic turbine runner that uses the same response surface optimization methodology as the discussed pump-turbine design. Two concepts are generated and proposed along with a baseline scenario. Two potential site locations are provided with relevant information The Stickney Wastewater Reclamation Plant and The Navy Wastewater Treatment Plant, Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Oahu Hawaii. Results show that aeration is the primary benefit of such a system. The system is capable of meeting the required dissolved oxygen (DO) levels in wastewater treatment. The system produces volume averaged DO levels between 1.2 and 1.4 mg/l. The system is shown to be a scalable open-loop system that can be sized for application. Area requirements of the system are acceptable due to the use of a single pedestal elevated tank The implementation timeline and nuances of this system are largely unknown. In attempt to reduce costs, advanced manufacturing methods are investigated. Investigation into advanced methods showed that mechanical properties of additive manufactured metals using a GMAW system produce equal results to wrought materials and have the potential to produce custom wear properties.
An active regenerator in a magnetocaloric or an electrocaloric heat pump refrigeration system provides more efficient flow of heat. The heat exchange fluid moves synchronously with the motion of a magnetic or electric field. Only a portion of the length of the active regenerator bed is introduced to or removed from the field at one time, giving rise to a hot pulse and a cold pulse. Valves may direct the hot pulse and/or the cold pulse to supplement refrigeration.
Ball State University converted its campus from a coal-fired steam boiler district heating system to a ground source heat pump geothermal district system that produces simultaneously hot water for heating and chilled water for cooling. This system will include the installation of 3,600 four hundred feet deep vertical closed loop boreholes making it the largest ground source geothermal district system in the country. The boreholes will act as heat exchangers and transfer heat by virtue of the earth’s ability to maintain an average temperature of 55 degree Fahrenheit. With growing international concern for global warming and the need to reduce worldwide carbon dioxide loading of the atmosphere geothermal is poised to provide the means to help reduce carbon dioxide emissions. The shift from burning coal to utilizing ground source geothermal will increase electrical consumption but an overall decrease in energy use and reduction in carbon dioxide output will be achieved. This achievement is a result of coupling the ground source geothermal boreholes with large heat pump chiller technology. The system provides the thermodynamic means to move large amounts of energy with limited energy input. Ball State University: http://cms.bsu.edu/About/Geothermal.aspx