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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 73 records · Page 4
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2018

Transition From Operation to Decommissioning with a Sudden Decision to Permanent Shutdown and with Parallel Operation On-site - 18559

In a short time the Swedish nuclear operator OKG have to shift from a operator of three nuclear power plants at one site to a company where both decommissioning and operation will take place in parallel for numerous of years as a result of a decision to permanently shut down two of the three reactors. The paper will be focusing on the challenges to change organization and mind-set from operations to decommissioning within parts of a company while still maintaining and developing the highest standard for the plant still in operation, and this in the combination with a decision of permanent shutdown earlier than expected. The paper will also address how OKG managed to create and maintain momentum in essential processes like permits, defueling and project planning before, during and short after the organization was changed and some of the employees had to leave the company. (authors)

12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE W↗
DOE OSTI2017

Analysis of operating reserve demand curves in power system operations in the presence of variable generation

The electric power industry landscape is continually evolving. As emerging technologies such as wind and solar generating systems become more cost effective, traditional power system operating strategies will need to be re-evaluated. The presence of wind and solar generation (commonly referred to as variable generation or VG) can increase variability and uncertainty in the net-load profile. One mechanism to mitigate this issue is to schedule and dispatch additional operating reserves. These operating reserves aim to ensure that there is enough capacity online in the system to account for the increased variability and uncertainty occurring at finer temporal resolutions. A new operating reserve strategy, referred to as flexibility reserve, has been introduced in some regions. A similar implementation is explored in this study, and its implications on power system operations are analyzed. Results show that flexibility reserve products can improve economic metrics, particularly in significantly reducing the number of scarcity pricing events, with minimal impacts on reliability metrics and production costs. Furthermore, the production costs increased due to increased VG curtailment - i.e. including the flexible ramping product in the commitment of excess thermal capacity that needed to remain online at the expense of VG output.

24 POWER TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION↗
DOE OSTI2014

The Bender-Dunne basis operators as Hilbert space operators

The Bender-Dunne basis operators, T{sub −m,n}=2{sup −n}∑{sub k=0}{sup n}(n/k )q{sup k}p{sup −m}q{sup n−k} where q and p are the position and momentum operators, respectively, are formal integral operators in position representation in the entire real line R for positive integers n and m. We show, by explicit construction of a dense domain, that the operators T{sub −m,n}'s are densely defined operators in the Hilbert space L{sup 2}(R)

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗
DOE OSTI2017

The method of similar operators in the spectral analysis of the Hill operator with nonsmooth potential

The paper is concerned with the spectral properties of second- order differential operators defined by periodic and quasi-periodic boundary conditions. We obtain asymptotic formulae for the eigenvalues, derive estimates of projections, give estimates for the equiconvergence of spectral decompositions, find sufficient conditions for operators to be spectral, and write down an asymptotic expansion for the semigroup of operators generated by the negative of the differential operator under consideration. Our estimates involve coefficients of the Fourier potential. The main results of the paper are obtained by using the method of similar operators. Bibliography: 34 titles. (paper)

97 MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTING↗
DOE OSTI2024

Reducing Operator Complexity of Galerkin Coarse-grid Operators with Machine Learning

Here, we propose a data-driven and machine-learning-based approach to compute non-Galerkin coarse-grid operators in multigrid (MG) methods, addressing the well-known issue of increasing operator complexity. Guided by the MG theory on spectrally equivalent coarse-grid operators, we have developed novel machine learning algorithms that utilize neural networks combined with smooth test vectors from multigrid eigenvalue problems. The proposed method demonstrates promise in reducing the complexity of coarse-grid operators while maintaining overall MG convergence for solving parametric partial differential equation problems. Numerical experiments on anisotropic rotated Laplacian and linear elasticity problems are provided to showcase the performance and comparison with existing methods for computing non-Galerkin coarse-grid operators.

97 MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTING↗
DOE OSTI2015

Operational Impacts of Operating Reserve Demand Curves on Production Cost and Reliability: Preprint

The electric power industry landscape is continually evolving. As emerging technologies such as wind, solar, electric vehicles, and energy storage systems become more cost-effective and present in the system, traditional power system operating strategies will need to be reevaluated. The presence of wind and solar generation (commonly referred to as variable generation) may result in an increase in the variability and uncertainty of the net load profile. One mechanism to mitigate this is to schedule and dispatch additional operating reserves. These operating reserves aim to ensure that there is enough capacity online in the system to account for the increased variability and uncertainty occurring at finer temporal resolutions. A new operating reserve strategy, referred to as flexibility reserve, has been introduced in some regions. A similar implementation is explored in this paper, and its implications on power system operations are analyzed.

24 POWER TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION↗
DOE OSTI2015

Operational Impacts of Operating Reserve Demand Curves on Production Cost and Reliability

The electric power industry landscape is continually evolving. As emerging technologies such as wind, solar, electric vehicles, and energy storage systems become more cost-effective and present in the system, traditional power system operating strategies will need to be reevaluated. The presence of wind and solar generation (commonly referred to as variable generation) may result in an increase in the variability and uncertainty of the net load profile. One mechanism to mitigate this is to schedule and dispatch additional operating reserves. These operating reserves aim to ensure that there is enough capacity online in the system to account for the increased variability and uncertainty occurring at finer temporal resolutions. A new operating reserve strategy, referred to as flexibility reserve, has been introduced in some regions. A similar implementation is explored in this paper, and its implications on power system operations are analyzed.

24 POWER TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION↗
DOE OSTI2018

Synthesis of Operable Process Intensification Systems—Steady-State Design with Safety and Operability Considerations

In this work, we present an integrated approach to synthesize process intensification systems with guaranteed flexibility and safety performances. The synthesis of intensified equipment/flowsheets is addressed through the Generalized Modular Representation Framework (GMF), which utilizes an aggregation of multifunctional mass/heat exchange modules to represent chemical processes. Thus, the optimal design options are investigated as mass- and heat-transfer opportunities using superstructure-based optimization techniques without a prepostulation of plausible configurations. To ensure that the designs can be operated under a specified range of uncertain parameters, a multiperiod GMF representation is developed based on the critical operating conditions identified by flexibility test. Risk assessment, accounting for equipment failure frequency and consequence severity, is incorporated as a constraint into this synthesis model to derive inherently safer designs. The resulting safely operable intensified systems, which are represented via phenomenological modules, are then identified as corresponding equipment-based flowsheets and validated with steady-state simulation. We demonstrate the proposed approach through a case study for the production of methyl tert-butyl ether. Here, the results indicate that safety and operability considerations can result in significant changes in the structural and operating parameters of the optimal intensified design configuration.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2026

Operational Evolution of FTS3: A DevOps Driven Approach to Elastic Operations

The File Transfer Service (FTS3) is a distributed data movement service developed at CERN and widely used to transfer data across the Worldwide LHC Computing Grid (WLCG). At Fermilab, FTS3 supports data transfers for multiple experiments, including Intensity Frontier experiments such as DUNE, enabling reliable data movement between WebDAV endpoints in Europe and the Americas.​ At CHEP 2021, we reported on the initial containerized deployment of FTS3 on OKD, the community Kubernetes distribution of Red Hat OpenShift. In this work, we present the subsequent evolution of this deployment, focusing on new operational capabilities introduced to improve scalability, robustness, and long-term maintainability.​ We describe the adoption of more secure and reproducible container build workflows, the integration of DevOps-driven operational practices, and enhancements in monitoring and automation. A key new result is the introduction of horizontal scaling and elastic resource management, allowing FTS3 components to dynamically adapt to workload variations while maintaining service reliability. We also discuss improvements in fault tolerance and operational procedures derived from production experience.​ Finally, we summarize lessons learned from operating FTS3 as a Kubernetes-native service and outline how these developments have improved the resilience and efficiency of data movement operations at Fermilab.

Munoz Flores, Victor Leopoldo [Fermilab]↗
DOE OSTI2016

Comparison of RCCI Operation with and without EGR over the Full Operating Map ofa Heavy-Duty Diesel Engine

Dual-fuel combustion using port-injection of low reactivity fuel combined with direct injection of a higher reactivity fuel, otherwise known as Reactivity Controlled Compression Ignition (RCCI), has been shown as a method to achieve high efficiency combustion with moderate peak pressure rise rates, low engine-out soot and NOx emissions. A key requirement for extending to high-load operation is reduce the reactivity of the premixed charge prior to the diesel injection. One way to accomplish this is to use a very low reactivity fuel such as natural gas. In this work, experimental testing was conducted on a 13L multi-cylinder heavy-duty diesel engine modified to operate using RCCI combustion with port injection of natural gas and direct injection of diesel fuel. Natural gas/diesel RCCI engine operation is compared over the EPA Heavy-Duty 13 mode supplemental emissions test with and without EGR. Emissions and efficiency metrics were examined over the entire engine map for both operating modes. It was found that the use of EGR lowered combustion noise to less than 97 dBa and lowered the cycle averaged NOx emissions by 48%, with only a slight increase in soot and 0.5 point decrease in brake thermal efficiency. Thus, operation with EGR offered the lowest total fluid consumption when considering the use of a selective catalytic reduction system for NOx aftertreatment.

Hanson, Reed↗
DOE OSTI2022

Contentious narratives and disinformation about nuclear weapons in strategic deterrence and competition: A SOCOM perspective. Part of Section: United States Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) in Emerging Strategic & Geopolitical Challenges: Operational Implications for US Combatant Commands

Russia’s “special military operation” in Ukraine demonstrates the challenge for strategic deterrence and competition of countering contentious narratives and disinformation about weapons of mass destruction (WMD) during conventional regional wars against a nucleararmed adversary. Moscow uses both tailored, contentious narratives and targeted disinformation about WMD in Ukraine to influence and disrupt local and global perceptions in support of its deterrence and competition objectives vis-à-vis the United States and NATO. Since December 2021, Moscow has made a focal point of chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear weapons in its efforts to establish a permissive environment for its military buildup on the border with Ukraine and then its military intervention. These information tactics also demonstrate an opportunity for US Special Operations Forces (SOF). They are a case study for considering how SOF can contribute to strategic deterrence and competition objectives, specifically countering adversary gray-zone information efforts to alter regional security orders.1 Such a role is in line with the 2022 Special Operations Forces Vision and Strategy, which provides a framework for the evolution of SOF into “a force capable of creating strategic, asymmetric advantages for the nation as a key contributor of integrated deterrence” (United States Special Operations Command, 2022). This paper briefly examines this strategic challenge and SOF opportunity, focusing narrowly on the distinction between contentious narratives and disinformation about nuclear weapons and the role of SOF in countering these gray-zone information tactics. The nuclear dimension of Moscow’s contentious narratives and disinformation in the “special military operation” is of particular interest because it demonstrates the distinction between strategic efforts to influence and disrupt local and global perceptions in Moscow’s favor. This distinction between influence and disruption is less clear with Russia’s contentious narratives and disinformation about chemical and biological weapons in Ukraine, as disinformation about these two types of WMD appears to overwhelm contentious narratives. We believe this distinction is useful for policymakers and warfighters responsible for countering gray-zone information tactics because it provides a framework for crafting tailored responses to contentious narratives and disinformation about nuclear weapons and other WMD. The chapter concludes with a discussion of efforts that could be undertaken by SOF in cooperation with other relevant stakeholders to address this aspect of adversary gray-zone information tactics.

29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY↗
DOE OSTI2019

A novel means to flexibly operate a hybrid concentrated solar power plant and improve operation during non-ideal direct normal irradiation conditions

Hybridization of concentrated solar power (CSP) with other energy sources can drastically increase how much solar energy is harnessed and potentially expand the current geographical deployment of CSP installlations. In this study, a novel operation strategy referred to as flexible heat integration (FHI), is proposed and applied to a hybrid CSP-natural gas power plant. The proposed plant, modeled in Simulink, employs a solar central receiver (SCR) and dual-source gas boiler to drive a steam Rankine power cycle. FHI involves collecting and dispatching solar energy at modified temperatures during off-design direct normal irradiance (DNI). During low-grade (<100 W/m 2 ) and medium-grade (100–500 W/m 2 ) levels of DNI, molten salt is used for steam boiling and feedwater preheating, respectively, rather than superheating usually seen in SCR steam plants. Hybrid gas-firing supplies energy to bypassed systems. FHI is applied to a hybrid plant over the course of a day from each season for a plant located in Salt Lake City, Utah, an unconventional location due to off-design DNI variability. A spring day exhibiting variable DNI is used as the main case study to demonstrate the dynamics and robust operation under the FHI framework. The operation of the plant over the winter day shows the largest improvement in solar-to-electric (STE) efficiency whereas the summer day exhibits the smallest improvement. Monthly results follow a similar trend with FHI improving STE from 15.3% and 16.3% to 17.0% and 16.7% in January and July, respectively. Yearly results show FHI improving STE efficiency from 16.1% to 17.1% relative to standard hybrid operation. Altogether, the proposed concept expands the current understanding of energy management in hybrid SCR-natural power plants under non-ideal DNI conditions and locations that have lower DNI by applying FHI.

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗
DOE OSTI2023

Quantifying Uncertainty of Deep Reinforcement Learning Based Decision Making for Operations and Maintenance of Nuclear Power Plant

This paper summarizes research that integrates condition monitoring and prognostics with decision making for nuclear power plant operations and maintenance. As part of this research, we have developed an online asset management tool to help reduce life-cycle maintenance and repair costs. Using the latest advancements in condition monitoring, supply chain analytics, and deep reinforcement learning, we have created a predictive maintenance tool that can optimize the maintenance and spare-part management of a repairable nuclear system. To demonstrate these methods, preliminary studies were conducted on a simple, representative maintenance system undergoing a stochastic degradation process that requires repairs or replacement to continue operation. Through Monte Carlo simulations, we were able to reduce maintenance spending by approximately 50% compared to optimized, time-based maintenance strategies. Not only does the decision maker reduce the average life-cycle costs, it also minimizes the chance of high cost scenarios, lowering the variance of the expected cost distributions, and reducing overall financial risk. Furthermore, this work also studies the ability of the decision maker to handle various levels of noise from observation uncertainty. By introducing uncertainty into the decision-making process, we have quantified the robustness and resiliency of the decision maker, as well as identified necessary levels of observability to demonstrate cost effectiveness.

22 GENERAL STUDIES OF NUCLEAR REACTORS↗
DOE OSTI2016

Ultra low emittance electron beams from multi-alkali antimonide photocathode operated with infrared light

The intrinsic emittance of electron beams generated from a multi-alkali photocathode operated in a high voltage DC gun is reported. The photocathode showed sensitivity extending to the infrared part of the spectrum up to 830 nm. The measured intrinsic emittances of electron beams generated with light having wavelength longer than 800 nm are approaching the limit imposed by the thermal energy of electrons at room temperature with quantum efficiencies comparable to metallic photocathodes used in operation of modern photoinjectors.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗