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At least 739 records · Page 41

Quantified Fast Frequency Response of Inverter-Based Resources for Bulk-Power System Study

Quantifying fast frequency response (FFR) of inverter-based resources (IBRs) is crucial for robust frequency regulation, managing resources, and improving system reliability in the power grids with high penetration levels of IBRs. This paper proposes a concept of frequency response scheme that its response is quantifiable and applicable to the generic IBR models. To achieve this, a stepwise-energy function is derived as a control module by considering operational constraints of IBRs. Then the module is implemented along with generic IBR models in electromagnetic transient (EMT) and electromechanical-based software. To quantify the FFR, the implemented module calculates available incremental active power for a specific time duration. This energy profile is being updated depending on IBR’s operating conditions and is provided into a power grid upon detecting a frequency event. Thus, due to this characteristic, this scheme can quantify the FFR and enable applicable IBRs to provide their available headroom within frequency arrest period. Thereby, this scheme can help estimate IBRs’ frequency response and is more effective in improving the initial frequency response than frequency-dependent control schemes: rate-of-change-of-frequency based and droop-based control schemes. The performance of the proposed scheme was tested under different IBR penetration levels using PSLF and PSCAD simulators.

Kim, Jinho↗

Virtual Dynamic Grid Impedance and Its Impacts on Harmonics and Stability of Inverter Based Resources Plant

Nowadays, a large number of inverter-based resources (IBRs) are integrated into the grid at a single connection point as an IBR plant. In this article, a virtual dynamic grid impedance concept is introduced to evaluate the harmonics and stability for grid integration of an IBR plant containing multiple IBRs. First, a detailed theoretical study is conducted to build a foundation of the virtual grid impedance concept, which is a dynamic impedance that changes with the number of IBRs added into an IBR plant. Then, based on the new virtual dynamic grid impedance concept, frequency spectrum analysis is performed to explore harmonic impact at the interconnection point for an IBR plant with IBRs having L, LC, and LCL filters, respectively. An electromagnetic transient (EMT) simulation model of a grid-connected IBR plant is developed to explore the harmonics and stability of the IBR plant connected to the grid as well as the reliable operation of IBRs within the plant from the novel virtual equivalent dynamic grid impedance point of view. Hardware experiments are conducted to validate the EMT simulation evaluation. The results show that the number of IBRs added into an IBR plant influences the grid impedance, i.e., grid strength, and the grid impedance variation has multiple impacts on the IBR plant and IBRs within the plant depending on the grid-connected filters of the IBRs.

grid impedance↗

High Dose and Dose Rate 60 Co γ-Irradiation of High-Density Polyethylene

We have irradiated high-density polyethylene ribbons and cylinders to ~200 kGy at a dose rate of ~5 kGy day -1 , using a 60 Co source. The radiolytically-generated gas consists almost entirely of H 2 . Based on the time- and dose-dependence of the outgassing, we have determined the radiation- chemical yield for the evolved H 2 , as well as the diffusion coefficient of H 2 in HDPE. We find that the evolved gas yield G evolved depends on the interplay of sample geometry, experimental timescale, and the diffusion coefficient of H 2 in HDPE. When these factors facilitate completion of diffusion prior to gas quantification, such as for sub-mm-thickness ribbons, we measure a time- and dose-invariant value of G evolved = 0.0076 cm 3 std. H 2 J -1 that is in agreement with literature reports. When sample geometry and experiment timescale do not permit completion of diffusion, we measure a time- and dose-dependent value of G evolved . We have developed a model for the transient outgassing behavior of the cylinders, and fitted it to the experimental data. Based on these fits, we estimate a room-temperature diffusivity of D H 2 /HDPE ≈ 1.67 ± 0.12 x 10 -6 cm 2 s -1 for H 2 in HDPE, in good agreement with literature values. At present, the effects of dose rate and γ-photon energy on HDPE gas yield are not known and require further investigation.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Numerical Modeling and Parametric Study of a Dual Purpose Underground Thermal Battery

Buildings’ thermal energy systems for providing space heating/cooling consume a considerable amount of electricity nationwide. Integrating thermal energy storage with buildings’ thermal systems has the potential to shave the peak electric demand and to overcome the mismatch between the intermittent renewable power and the fluctuating daily demand for electricity. A novel dual-purpose underground thermal battery (DPUTB) has been developed to provide diurnal thermal energy storage in conjunction with a dual-source heat pump (DSHP)system. A two-dimensional numerical model is developed to simulate the transient performance of the DPUTB. This model has similar accuracy as a detailed three-dimensional model developed with commercial heat transfer and fluid dynamics simulation program but with 1000 times faster computational speed. A parametric study is performed to identify a design of the DPUTB that can provide 14 kWh thermal storage capacity for each charging and discharging cycle. A system simulation has been developed to assess the performance of the designed DPUTB when it is integrated with a DSHP for conditioning a typical residential building in summer and winter. Simulation results indicate that the DPUTB can meet all the design requirements in both summer and winter with the simple rule-based control strategy and the overall integrated DPUTB and DSHP system can shift the electric load for meeting the thermal demand from the peak hours to off-peak hours during a day, which would result in considerable energy cost savings if a Time of Use electricity tariff is applicable.

25 ENERGY STORAGE↗

Numerical investigation of the AP1000 response following loss-of-coolant accident using PCTRAN and CFD to support R&D of SMRs

Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) present a promising solution for the future of sustainable energy, offering advantages such as reduced waste generation, advanced passive safety features, and potential cost efficiencies. Ongoing research focuses on the design and development of SMRs, addressing challenges through numerical simulations and experimental test data. Given that many next-generation reactors are first-of-a-kind (FOK), current operational reactors serve as valuable benchmarks for understanding various thermal-hydraulic phenomena during postulated design basis accidents (DBAs), including loss-of-coolant accidents (LOCA), main steam line breaks (MSLB), and steam generator tube ruptures (SGTR). This study employs the AP1000 model Personal Computer Transient Analyzer (PCTRAN) to simulate reactor responses to small-break LOCA scenarios, specifically analyzing break sizes of 2 and 10 inches. Additionally, ANSYS FLUENT software is utilized to assess containment responses to large-break LOCAs, focusing on the quantification of decay heat removal via natural convection. Verification of the PCTRAN results is achieved using Westinghouse data, with CFD results corroborating the findings. The outcomes demonstrate strong agreement with Westinghouse data, confirming the accuracy of the simulations.

22 GENERAL STUDIES OF NUCLEAR REACTORS↗

Operating Characteristics of Metal Hydride-Based Solar Energy Storage Systems

Thermochemical energy storage systems, based on a high-temperature metal hydride coupled with a low-temperature metal hydride, represent a valid option to store thermal energy for concentrating solar power plant applications. The operating characteristics are investigated for a tandem hydride bed energy storage system, using a transient lumped parameter model developed to identify the technical performance of the proposed system. The results show that, without operational control, the system undergoes a thermal ratcheting process, causing the metal hydride concentrations to accumulate hydrogen in the high-temperature bed over time, and deplete hydrogen in the low temperature. This unbalanced system is compared with a ’thermally balanced’ system, where the thermal ratcheting is mitigated by thermally balancing the overall system. The analysis indicates that thermally balanced systems stabilize after the first few cycles and remain so for long-term operation, demonstrating their potential for practical thermal energy storage system applications.

25 ENERGY STORAGE↗

Cyclic Thermal and Structural Testing of a Hot Particle Storage Bin

Thermal energy storage is a key element in concentrating solar energy systems. In 2017 a Roadmap toward a third-generation system that could meet the SunSHOT goals of 0.06 $/kWe recommended increasing temperatures to > 700° C for heat transfer media to in-crease thermal efficiencies and lower levelized costs of heat. In 2021, the U.S. Department of Energy selected the particle pathway, G3P3, to build a 1 MWt prototype solar tower with 6 MWh thermal energy storage at the NSTTF in Albuquerque, NM. Of the primary components, the falling particle receiver, and particle-to-sCO2 heat exchanger have been demonstrated at the 250 kWt capacity. The storage component is now being demonstrated as part of the G3P3-USA and G3P3-KSA pilot plants. Storage bin liner materials have been demonstrated by KSU in 2016 and 2019. A flowing particle storage container was demonstrated in 2020 by KSU. The testing presented in this work will be the first to test the particle to wall interactions with mono-lithic refractory insulation, and to validate a transient thermal transport model with the unique kinetics of bulk solids in funnel-flow where cooler particles near the walls flow inward toward a hot central flow channel. This work will also de-risk and characterize the specific design of the G3P3-USA storage bin.

Sment, Jeremy↗

The prediction of nonlinear three dimensional combustion instability in liquid rockets with conventional nozzles

An analytical technique is developed to solve nonlinear three-dimensional, transverse and axial combustion instability problems associated with liquid-propellant rocket motors. The Method of Weighted Residuals is used to determine the nonlinear stability characteristics of a cylindrical combustor with uniform injection of propellants at one end and a conventional DeLaval nozzle at the other end. Crocco's pressure sensitive time-lag model is used to describe the unsteady combustion process. The developed model predicts the transient behavior and nonlinear wave shapes as well as limit-cycle amplitudes and frequencies typical of unstable motor operation. The limit-cycle amplitude increases with increasing sensitivity of the combustion process to pressure oscillations. For transverse instabilities, calculated pressure waveforms exhibit sharp peaks and shallow minima, and the frequency of oscillation is within a few percent of the pure acoustic mode frequency. For axial instabilities, the theory predicts a steep-fronted wave moving back and forth along the combustor.

Powell, E. A.↗

Design of experiments for measuring heat-transfer coefficients with a lumped-parameter calorimeter

A theoretical investigation was conducted to determine optimum experimental conditions for using a lumped-parameter calorimeter to measure heat-transfer coefficients and heating rates. A mathematical model of the transient temperature response of the calorimeter was used with the measured temperature response to predict the heat-transfer coefficient and the rate of heating. A sensitivity analysis was used to determine the optimum transient experiment for simultaneously measuring the heat addition during heating and the convective heat-transfer coefficient during heating and cooling of a lumped-parameter calorimeter. Optimum experiments were also designed for measuring the convective heat-transfer coefficient during both heating and cooling and cooling only.

Vanfossen, G. J., Jr.↗

Identification of state variables and dynamic inflow from rotor model dynamic tests

The paper describes methods for extracting unknown state variables and parameters from dynamic rotor model tests given transient cyclic pitch stirring inputs, blade root flap-bending measurements, and the form of the dynamic rotor equations, including a rotor dynamic inflow description, when none of the physical parameters are known. A simplified version of the maximum likelihood method seems best suited for this purpose. The measurement equation error covariance matrix is assumed constant during each iteration, but updated for the subsequent iteration. A detailed analysis of the suitability of the derived techniques for studying various rotor dynamic inflow effects is provided.

Banerjee, D.↗

Orbital Transfer Vehicle (OTV) advanced expander cycle engine point design study

Progress in the development of a performance optimized engine system design for an advanced LOX/hydrogen expander cycle engine is reported. Analysis of the components and engine and the resulting drawings is discussed. The status of the orbit transfer vehicle liquid engine transient simulation computer model is given.

Mellish, J. A.↗

X-ray spectra of solar flares obtained with a high-resolution bent crystal spectrometer

Preliminary results obtained for three solar flares with the bent crystal spectrometer on the SMM are presented. Resonance and satellite lines of Ca XIX and XVIII and Fe XXV and XXIV are observed together with the Fe XXVI Lyman-alpha line. Plasma properties are deduced from line ratios and evidence is presented for changes of line widths coincident with the occurrence of a hard X-ray impulsive burst. Fe K-alpha spectra from a disk center and a limb flare agree with the predictions of a fluorescence excitation model. However, a transient Fe K-alpha burst observed in a third flare may be explained by the collisional ionization of cool iron by energetic electrons.

Culhane, J. L.↗

Kinematical analysis of flare spray ejecta observed in the corona

Observations in H-alpha, soft X-ray, white light and radio wavelengths are used to track cool and hot material from limb de-occultation to the extent of six solar radii. The kinematics and thermodynamics of the internal material are determined, along with the overall mass and energy budget of the event. It is found that the majority of the mass and energy is linked with the coronal material, but at least 20% of the ejected mass originated as near-surface prominence material, leading to the conclusions that the upper part of the prominence was being heated to coronal temperatures as it rose through the corona. Evidence was found that a moving type IV burst, indicative of strong magnetic fields, was associated with the upper part of the prominence, and the observations are judged to be most consistent with magnetic propulsion models of coronal transients.

Webb, D. F.↗

Time-dependent models of single- and double-layer mantle convection

Time-dependent numerical models of two-dimensional convection which simulate mantle convection are presented. Starting from a fluid initially at rest with a purely conductive temperature profile, it is found that for a Rayleigh number of ten million, the model experiences a transient period of double-layer convection which lasts on the order of hundreds of millions of years when scaled to the earth's mantle. It is suggested that transient periods of double-layer convection in the earth's mantle may have existed in the past, whether or not such a period exists today.

Boss, A. P.↗

3-D thermal analysis using finite difference technique with finite element model for improved design of components of rocket engine turbomachines for Space Shuttle Main Engine SSME

Three-dimensional finite element models were generated and transferred into three-dimensional finite difference models to perform transient thermal analyses for the SSME high pressure fuel turbopump's first stage nozzles and rotor blades. STANCOOL was chosen to calculate the heat transfer characteristics (HTCs) around the airfoils, and endwall effects were included at the intersections of the airfoils and platforms for the steady-state boundary conditions. Free and forced convection due to rotation effects were also considered in hollow cores. Transient HTCs were calculated by taking ratios of the steady-state values based on the flow rates and fluid properties calculated at each time slice. Results are presented for both transient plots and three-dimensional color contour isotherm plots; they were also converted into universal files to be used for FEM stress analyses.

Sohn, Kiho D.↗

Probabilistic modeling for simulation of aerodynamic uncertainties in propulsion systems

The numerical simulation of the probabilistic aerothermodynamic response of propulsion system components to randomness in their environment was explored. The reusable rocket engine turbopumps were selected as an example because of the severe cryogenic environment in which they operate. The thermal and combustion instabilities, coupled with the engine thrust requirements from start up to shut down, lead to randomness in the flow variables and uncertainties in the aerodynamic loading. The probabilistic modeling of the turbopumps aerodynamic response was accomplished using the panel method coupled with fast probability integration methods. The aerodynamic response in the form of probabilistic rotor blades and splitter loading were predicted and the results presented for specified flow coefficient and rotor preswirl variance. Possible future applications of the aerothermodynamic probabilistic modeling in engine transient simulation, condition monitoring and engine life prediction are briefly discussed.

Hamed, Awatef↗

Solar wind dynamic pressure variations: Quantifying the statistical magnetospheric response

Solar wind dynamic pressure variations are common and have large amplitudes. Existing models for the transient magnetospheric and ionospheric response to the solar wind dynamic pressure variation are quantified. The variations drive large amplitude (approx 1 R sub E) magnetopause motion with velocities of approx. 60 km/s and transient dayside ionospheric flows of 2 km/s which are organized into double convection vortices. Ground magnetometer signatures are more pronounced under the auroral ionosphere, where they reach 60 to 300 nT, and under the equatorial electrojet. A statistical comparison of transient ground magnetometer events seen at a South Pole station and geosynchronous orbit indicates that all but the weakest ground events are associated with clear compressional signatures at the dayside geosynchronous orbit.

Sibeck, D. G.↗