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At least 811 records · Page 45

Lattice phase shifts and mixing angles for an arbitrary number of coupled channels

We present a lattice method for determining scattering phase shifts and mixing angles for the case of an arbitrary number of coupled channels. The proposed method combines a spherical wall boundary condition and a channel-mixing auxiliary potential to extract the full-rank S-matrix from the radial wave functions. We consider the scattering problem of two spin-1 bosons interacting with a test potential involving up to four coupled channels. For this benchmark system, the phase shifts and mixing angles are shown to agree on the lattice and in the continuum. Our method should allow to extend previous two-channel nuclear lattice EFT simulations to mixing of more than two partial waves.

Bovermann, Lukas↗

Godiva 4 CAAS Shielding Benchmark: Pre CED-3A Overview [Slides]

Thiis presentation shows the character of an integral experiment. It covers the question why Godiva 4? Additionally, this presentation touches on the IER 498 benchmark quantity, activities facilitated by IER 498, proposed CED-2 test matrix, and what happened during the IER 498’s gap year.

21 SPECIFIC NUCLEAR REACTORS AND ASSOCIATED PLANTS↗

Metal Scrap Upcycling with Shear Assisted Processing and Extrusion (ShAPE)

The overarching objective of this project is to convert metal scraps, such as aluminum, titanium, and other alloys provided by the industry, into extruded tubing, wires, and rods. Upcycling of scrap will be accomplished using Shear Assisted Processing and Extrusion (ShAPE). This approach is a new solution for recycling. The specific aims of this project are as follows: 1. Receive metal scrap under a Material Transfer Agreement (MTA), in the form of billets, from select industry partners that meet the following requirements: outer diameter of 1.245 inches (+/-0.003 inches), inner diameter drilled with a 0.404-inch drill bit, and a length of 4.0 inches (+/-0.01 inches). The billet must be cast or compacted to greater than 98% density. If the industry partner does not have the capabilities to prepare the billets, PNNL can make introductions to third-party entities as needed. Industry partners will also provide a composition analysis as weight percent. 2. Extrude metal scrap via the ShAPE process at PNNL. 3. Evaluate and benchmark the extrudate material properties per the ASTM B557-15 – Testing Tubulars Standard or similar wire and rod standards. 4. Characterize the extrudate microstructure for any of the following: grain size, second phase composition, and texture. Additional testing may include corrosion per the ASTM B117 standard and electro-potential. 5. Deliver specimens to industry partners under an MTA for additional third-party evaluations. Industry partners will, in return, provide a non-proprietary report on any testing, including testing per the ASTM B557-15, ASTM B117, and other industry standards. 6. PNNL will develop data and insights to support intellectual property capture, a published non-proprietary technical report, research collaborations, and commercialization opportunities.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Stability Analysis of Power Systems with High Penetration of State-of-the-Art Inverter Technologies

With the increasing level of inverter-based resources (IBRs) in modern power systems, this paper presents a small-signal stability analysis for power systems comprising synchronous generators (SGs) and IBRs. Four types of inverter controls are considered: two grid-following (GFL) controls, with or without grid support functions; droop-based grid-forming (GFM) controls; and virtual oscillator control-based GFM. We also analyze the impact of STATCOM and synchronous condensers on system stability to assess their role in the energy mix transition. With the small-signal dynamic behavior of the major technologies modeled, this paper provides stringent stability assessments using the IEEE 39-bus benchmark system modified to simulate future power systems. The exhaustive test cases allow for (a) assessing the impacts of different types and controls of generation and supplementary grid assets, as well as system inertia and line impedance on grid stability, and (b) elucidating pathways for the stabilization of IBR-dominated power systems. The analysis also indicates that future power systems can be stabilized with only a fraction of the total generation as voltage sources without SGs or significant system inertia if they are well distributed. This study provides insights into future power system operations with a high level of IBRs that can also be used for planning and operation studies.

24 POWER TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION↗

Transport analysis of measured neutron leakage spectra from spheres as tests of evaluated high energy cross sections

Integral tests of evaluated ENDF/B high-energy cross sections have been made by comparing measured and calculated neutron leakage flux spectra from spheres of various materials. An Am-Be (alpha,n) source was used to provide fast neutrons at the center of the test spheres of Be, CH2, Pb, Nb, Mo, Ta, and W. The absolute leakage flux spectra were measured in the energy range 0.5 to 12 MeV using a calibrated NE213 liquid scintillator neutron spectrometer. Absolute calculations of the spectra were made using version 3 ENDF/B cross sections and an S sub n discrete ordinates multigroup transport code. Generally excellent agreement was obtained for Be, CH2, Pb, and Mo, and good agreement was observed for Nb although discrepancies were observed for some energy ranges. Poor comparative results, obtained for Ta and W, are attributed to unsatisfactory nonelastic cross sections. The experimental sphere leakage flux spectra are tabulated and serve as possible benchmarks for these elements against which reevaluated cross sections may be tested.

Bogart, D. D.↗

Power electronics for a 1-kilowatt arc jet thruster

After more than two decades, new space mission requirements have revived interest in arcjet systems. The preliminary development and demonstration of new, high efficiency, power electronic concepts for start up and steady state control of dc arcjets is reported. The design comprises a pulse width modulated power converter which is closed loop configured to give fast current control. An inductor, in series with the arcjet, serves the dual role of providing instantaneous current control, as well as a high voltage arc ignition pulse. Benchmark efficiency, transient response, regulation, and ripple data are presented. Tests with arcjets demonstrate that the power electronics breadboard can start thrusters consistently with no apparent damage and transfer reliably to the nondestructive high voltage arc mode in less than a second.

Gruber, R. P.↗

Power electronics for a 1-kilowatt arcjet thruster

After more than two decades, new space mission requirements have revived interest in arcjet systems. The preliminary development and demonstration of new, high efficiency, power electronic concepts for start up and steady state control of dc arcjets is reported. The design comprises a pulse width modulated power converter which is closed loop configured to give fast current control. An inductor, in series with the arcjet, serves the dual role of providing instantaneous current control, as well as a high voltage arc ignition pulse. Benchmark efficiency, transient response, regulation, and ripple data are presented. Tests with arcjets demonstrate that the power electronics breadboard can start thrusters consistently with no apparent damage and transfer reliably to the nondestructive high voltage arc mode in less than a second.

Gruber, R. P.↗

Benchmark calculations of thermal reaction rates. I - Quantal scattering theory

The thermal rate coefficient for the prototype reaction H + H2 yields H2 + H with zero total angular momentum is calculated by summing, averaging, and numerically integrating state-to-state reaction probabilities calculated by time-independent quantum-mechanical scattering theory. The results are very carefully converged with respect to all numerical parameters in order to provide high-precision benchmark results for confirming the accuracy of new methods and testing their efficiency.

Chatfield, David C.↗

High-Performance Parallel Analysis of Coupled Problems for Aircraft Propulsion

This research program dealt with the application of high-performance computing methods to the numerical simulation of complete jet engines. The program was initiated in January 1993 by applying two-dimensional parallel aeroelastic codes to the interior gas flow problem of a bypass jet engine. The fluid mesh generation, domain decomposition and solution capabilities were successfully tested. Attention was then focused on methodology for the partitioned analysis of the interaction of the gas flow with a flexible structure and with the fluid mesh motion driven by these structural displacements. The latter is treated by a ALE technique that models the fluid mesh motion as that of a fictitious mechanical network laid along the edges of near-field fluid elements. New partitioned analysis procedures to treat this coupled three-component problem were developed during 1994 and 1995. These procedures involved delayed corrections and subcycling, and have been successfully tested on several massively parallel computers, including the iPSC-860, Paragon XP/S and the IBM SP2. For the global steady-state axisymmetric analysis of a complete engine we have decided to use the NASA-sponsored ENG10 program, which uses a regular FV-multiblock-grid discretization in conjunction with circumferential averaging to include effects of blade forces, loss, combustor heat addition, blockage, bleeds and convective mixing. A load-balancing preprocessor tor parallel versions of ENG10 was developed. During 1995 and 1996 we developed the capability tor the first full 3D aeroelastic simulation of a multirow engine stage. This capability was tested on the IBM SP2 parallel supercomputer at NASA Ames. Benchmark results were presented at the 1196 Computational Aeroscience meeting.

Felippa, C. A.↗

An Unsteady Long Bearing Squeeze Film Damper Model: Circular Centered Orbits - Part 1

This paper, the first of a two-part series, presents results of an unsteady rotordynamic analysis of a long-bearing squeeze film damper executing circular centered orbits using a fluid circuit approach. A series of nodes and branches represent the geometry of the flow circuit. The mass and momentum conservation equations are solved to predict the pressure distribution in the squeeze film. The motion of the bearing is simulated by the variation of geometry within the flow path. The modeling methodology is benchmarked against published experimental long-bearing squeeze film damper test results. The model provides good agreement with the experimental damping coefficient.

Schallhorn, P. A.↗

Effects of Melt Convection and Solid Transport on Macrosegregation and Grain Structure in Equiaxed Al-Cu Alloys

Macrosegregation in metal casting can be caused by thermal and solutal melt convection, and the transport of unattached solid crystals resulting from nucleation in the bulk liquid or dendrite fragmentation. To develop a comprehensive numerical model for the casting of alloys, an experimental study has been conducted to generate benchmark data with which such a solidification model could be tested. The objectives were: (1) experimentally study the effects of solid transport and thermosolutal convection on macrosegregation and grain size; and (2) provide a complete set of boundary conditions temperature data, segregation data, and grain size data - to validate numerical models. Through the control of end cooling and side wall heating, radial temperature gradients in the sample and furnace were minimized. Thus the vertical crucible wall was adiabatic. Samples at room temperature were 24 cc and 95 mm long. The alloys used were Al-1 wt. pct. Cu, and Al- 10 wt. pct. Cu; the starting point for solidification was isothermal at 710 and 685 C respectively. To induce an equiaxed structure various amounts of the grain refiner TiB2 were added. Samples were either cooled from the top, or the bottom. Several trends in the data stand out. In attempting to model these experiments, concentrating on these trends or differences may be beneficial.

Rerko, Rodney S.↗

Effect of Melt Convection and Solid Transport on Macrosegregation and Grain Structure in Equiaxed Al-Cu Alloys

Macrosegregation in metal casting can be caused by thermal and solutal melt convection, and the transport of unattached solid crystals. These free grains can be a result of, for example, nucleation in the bulk liquid or dendrite fragmentation. In an effort to develop a comprehensive numerical model for the casting of alloys, an experimental study has been conducted to generate benchmark data with which such a solidification model could be tested. The specific goal of the experiments was to examine equiaxed solidification in situations where sinking of grains is (and is not) expected. The objectives were: 1) experimentally study the effects of solid transport and thermosolutal convection on macrosegregation and grain size distribution patterns; and 2) provide a complete set of controlled thermal boundary conditions, temperature data, segregation data, and grain size data, to validate numerical codes. The alloys used were Al-1 wt. pct. Cu, and Al-10 wt. pct. Cu with various amounts of the grain refiner TiB2 added. Cylindrical samples were either cooled from the top, or the bottom. Several trends in the data stand out. In attempting to model these experiments, concentrating on experiments that show clear trends or differences is recommended.

Rerko, Rodney S.↗

Acquisition of Long-Duration, Low-Gravity Slosh Data Utilizing Existing ISS Equipment (SPHERES) for Calibration of CFD Models of Coupled Fluid-Vehicle Behavior

Accurate prediction of coupled fluid slosh and launch vehicle or spacecraft dynamics (e.g., nutation/precessional movement about various axes, attitude changes, ect.) requires Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) models calibrated with low-gravity, long duration slosh data. Recently completed investigations of reduced gravity slosh behavior have demonstrated the limitations of utilizing parabolic flights on specialized aircraft with respect to the specific objectives of the experiments. Although valuable data was collected, the benefits of longer duration low-gravity environments were clearly established. The proposed research provides the first data set from long duration tests in zero gravity that can be directly used to benchmark CFD models, including the interaction between the sloshing fluid and the tank/vehicle dynamics. To explore the coupling of liquid slosh with the motion of an unconstrained tank in microgravity, NASA's Kennedy Space Center, Launch Services Program has teamed up with the Florida Institute of Technology (FIT), Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and the Office of the Chief Technologist (OCT) to perform a series of slosh dynamics experiments on the International Space Station using the SPHERES platform. The Synchronized Position Hold Engage Reorient Experimental Satellites (SPHERES) testbed provides a unique, free-floating instrumented platform on ISS that can be utilized in a manner that would solve many of the limitations of the current knowledge related to propellant slosh dynamics on launch vehicle and spacecraft fuel tanks. The six degree of freedom (6-DOF) motion of the SPHERES free-flyer is controlled by an array of cold-flow C02 thrusters, supplied from a built-in liquid C02 tank. These SPHERES can independently navigate and re-orient themselves within the ISS. The intent of this project is to design an externally mounted tank to be driven inside the ISS by a set of two SPHERES devices (Figure 1 ). The tank geometry simulates a launch vehicle upper stage propellant tank and the maneuvers replicate those of real vehicles. The design includes inertial sensors, data acquisition, image capture and data storage interfaces to the SPHERES VERTIGO computer system on board the flight article assembly. The design also includes mechanical and electronic interfaces to the existing SPHERES hardware, which include self-contained packages that can operate in conjunction with the existing SPHERES electronics.

Schallhorn, Paul↗

Acquisition of Long-Duration, Low-Gravity Slosh Data Utilizing Existing ISS Equipment (SPHERES) for Calibration of CFD Models of Coupled Fluid-Vehicle Behavior

Accurate prediction of coupled fluid slosh and launch vehicle or spacecraft dynamics (e.g., nutation/precessional movement about various axes, attitude changes, ect.) requires Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) models calibrated with low-gravity, long duration slosh data. Recently completed investigations of reduced gravity slosh behavior have demonstrated the limitations of utilizing parabolic flights on specialized aircraft with respect to the specific objectives of the experiments. Although valuable data was collected, the benefits of longer duration low-gravity environments were clearly established. The proposed research provides the first data set from long duration tests in zero gravity that can be directly used to benchmark CFD models, including the interaction between the sloshing fluid and the tank/vehicle dynamics. To explore the coupling of liquid slosh with the motion of an unconstrained tank in microgravity, NASA's Kennedy Space Center, Launch Services Program has teamed up with the Florida Institute of Technology (FIT), Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and the NASA Game Changing Development Program (GCD) to perform a series of slosh dynamics experiments on the International Space Station using the SPHERES platform. The Synchronized Position Hold Engage Reorient Experimental Satellites (SPHERES) testbed provides a unique, free-floating instrumented platform on ISS that can be utilized in a manner that would solve many of the limitations of the current knowledge related to propellant slosh dynamics on launch vehicle and spacecraft fuel tanks. The six degree of freedom (6-DOF) motion of the SPHERES free-flyer is controlled by an array of cold-flow C02 thrusters, supplied from a built-in liquid C02 tank. These SPHERES can independently navigate and re-orient themselves within the ISS. The intent of this project is to design an externally mounted tank to be driven inside the ISS by a set of two SPHERES devices (Figure 1). The tank geometry simulates a launch vehicle upper stage propellant tank and the maneuvers replicate those of real vehicles. The design includes inertial sensors, data acquisition, image capture and data storage interfaces to the SPHERES VERTIGO computer system on board the flight article assembly. The design also includes mechanical and electronic interfaces to the existing SPHERES hardware, which include self-contained packages that can operate in conjunction with the existing SPHERES electronics

Schallhorn, Paul↗

Polarized Bidirectional Reflectance of Optically Thick Sparse Particulate Layers: an Efficient Numerically Exact Radiative-Transfer Solution

We describe a simple yet efficient numerical algorithm for computing polarized bidirectional reflectance of an optically thick (semi-infinite), macroscopically flat layer composed of statistically isotropic and mirror symmetric random particles. The spatial distribution of the particles is assumed to be sparse, random, and statistically uniform. The 44 Stokes reflection matrix is calculated by iterating the Ambartsumian's vector nonlinear integral equation. The result is a numerically exact solution of the vector radiative transfer equation and as such fully satisfies the energy conservation law and the fundamental reciprocity relation. Since this technique bypasses the computation of the internal radiation field, it is very fast and highly accurate. The FORTRAN implementation of the technique is publicly available on the World Wide Web at http://www.giss.nasa.gov/staff/ mmishchenko/brf. It can be combined with several existing computer programs providing the requisite single-scattering properties of spherical or morphologically complex particles and applied to a wide range of optical characterization problems. Benchmark results obtained with this program can be used for testing alternative solvers of the vector radiative transfer equation.

radiative transfer↗

Qualification of Commercial XIPS(R) Ion Thrusters for NASA Deep Space Missions

Electric propulsion systems based on commercial ion and Hall thrusters have the potential for significantly reducing the cost and schedule-risk of Ion Propulsion Systems (IPS) for deep space missions. The large fleet of geosynchronous communication satellites that use solar electric propulsion (SEP), which will approach 40 satellites by year-end, demonstrates the significant level of technical maturity and spaceflight heritage achieved by the commercial IPS systems. A program to delta-qualify XIPS(R) ion thrusters for deep space missions is underway at JPL. This program includes modeling of the thruster grid and cathode life, environmental testing of a 25-centimeter electromagnetic (EM) thruster over DAWN-like vibe and temperature profiles, and wear testing of the thruster cathodes to demonstrate the life and benchmark the model results. This paper will present the delta-qualification status of the XIPS thruster and discuss the life and reliability with respect to known failure mechanisms.

electric propulsion↗

OpenSim Model Improvements to Support High Joint Angle Resistive Exercising

Long duration space travel to Mars or to an asteroid will expose astronauts to extended periods of reduced gravity. Since gravity is not present to aid loading, astronauts will use resistive and aerobic exercise regimes for the duration of the space flight to minimize the loss of bone density, muscle mass and aerobic capacity that occurs during exposure to a reduced gravity environment. Unlike the International Space Station (ISS), the area available for an exercise device in the next generation of spacecraft is limited. Therefore, compact resistance exercise device prototypes are being developed. The Advanced Resistive Exercise Device (ARED) currently on the ISS is being used as a benchmark for the functional performance of these new devices. Rigorous testing of these proposed devices in space flight is difficult so computational modeling provides an estimation of the muscle forces and joint loads during exercise to gain insight on the efficacy to protect the musculoskeletal health of astronauts. The NASA Digital Astronaut Project (DAP) is supporting the Advanced Exercise Concepts (AEC) Project, Exercise Physiology and Countermeasures (ExPC) project and the National Space Biomedical Research Institute (NSBRI) funded researchers by developing computational models of exercising with these new advanced exercise device concepts

Bioengineering↗

RELAP5-3D HTGR Validation Work at Idaho National Laboratory

Prismatic block-type high-temperature gas-cooled reactors (HTGRs) were built in the United States decades ago, and now advanced reactor vendors are seeking to deploy them again for a variety of applications. Deploying these reactors requires modelling and simulation tools that have been validated against conditions representative of the HTGR application. Idaho National Laboratory (INL) is leading the execution an of HTGR thermal hydraulics benchmark to accelerate the validation of thermal hydraulics modelling and simulation tools for these applications. That benchmark is based on a facility called the High Temperature Test Facility (HTTF). This work provides an overview of work conducted at INL over the last 2 years to validate RELAP5-3D against data from HTTF. This presentation shows results from multiple RELAP5-3D models and an HTTF experiment to assess the impact of certain modelling assumptions on results. The contents of this talk sit on the cutting edge of RELAP5-3D validation for HTGR analysis.

22 GENERAL STUDIES OF NUCLEAR REACTORS↗