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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 811 records · Page 45
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2023

Release of a High Temperature Engineering Test Reactor (HTTR) Steady-State Multiphysics Model to the Virtual Test Bed

The National Reactor Innovation Center (NRIC) accelerates the demonstration and deployment of advanced nuclear energy through inspiring stakeholders and the public, empowering innovators, and delivering successful outcomes. The Virtual Test Bed (VTB) supports this mission by providing an open-source repository of advanced test reactor models for industry, academia, and the public to utilize. During my time at Idaho National Laboratory (INL), I: • Verified the input files of the High Temperature Engineering Test Reactor • Generated computational results • Created user documentation for the HTTR • Uploaded a steady-state HTTR model to the Virtual Test Bed • Authored a conference publication on the model

22 GENERAL STUDIES OF NUCLEAR REACTORS↗
DOE OSTI2024

Qualifying the Instrument Thimble 11 Test Position in the Advanced Test Reactor Critical

The Advanced Test Reactor (ATR) is a versatile nuclear research reactor located at the Idaho National Laboratory (INL) in Eastern Idaho, United States of America. It is one of the most powerful and flexible research reactors in the world and is primarily used for materials testing, isotope production and basic nuclear science research. The ATR is a light-water-cooled, beryllium-moderated reactor with a nominal thermal power capacity of 250 MW utilizing specially designed fuel, arranged in a serpentine pattern to create 9 flux traps. The special design of ATR allows for the neutron flux within each of the flux traps providing flexibility for experiments, programs and allowing experiments with different dose requirements to be irradiated simultaneously. The Advance Test Reactor Critical (ATRC) is a full-scale replica of the ATR core but is housed in a pool instead of a pressure vessel. ATRC is usually operated at less than 600 watts [1]. There are 12 dry instrument thimbles located around the outside of the core tank where a variety of measurement equipment is housed to facilitate reactor operations. Currently Instrument Thimble 11 (IT-11) is not utilized in ATR or ATRC. A range of measurements is ongoing to qualify IT-11 as a test platform for nuclear instrumentation research, development and further experimentation.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗
DOE OSTI2024

Cold Test Results of Pre-Production PIP-II SSR2 Cavities with High-Power Couplers in the Fermilab Spoke Test Cryostat

As part of the PIP-II project at Fermilab, a pre-production cryomodule featuring 325 MHz Single Spoke Resonator type 2 (SSR2) superconducting RF cavities is under construction. These SSR2 cavities are fabricated by industry partners and undergo initial cold testing at our collaborating institution, IJCLab in France, utilizing low-power coupler. Subsequently, the cavities are subjected to final qualification at Fermilab, complete with tuner and high-power coupler assemblies. This paper provides an overview of the ongoing efforts dedicated to high-power testing of jacketed SSR2 cavities in the Spoke Test Cryostat (STC) at Fermilab. Performance parameters obtained from these tests are presented, offering valuable insights into the cavities operational characteristics and readiness for integration into the PIP-II cryomodule.

43 PARTICLE ACCELERATORS↗
DOE OSTI2015

Performance comparison of charcoal cookstoves for Haiti: Laboratory testing with Water Boiling and Controlled Cooking Tests

Charcoal cooking accounts for a large portion of Haiti's energy usage and leads to severe economic, health, and environmental hardships. Organizations are hoping that fuel-efficient cookstoves can help solve the problem. In this study, four charcoal cookstoves intended for dissemination in Haiti were rigorously assessed and compared using Water Boiling and Controlled Cooking Tests. Due to the poor thermal efficiency of the traditional stove, all improved stoves saved fuel on average over the traditional with the majority also reducing the total emissions released. However, the traditional stove could be difficult to replace because it had the fastest time-to-boil, an important consideration for end users. Here, through the testing, the number of trials conducted was found to be an important consideration for error analysis. Also, noticeable differences in stove performance were seen between the two protocols, supporting arguments by prior researchers of the necessity to use multiple test protocols for practically useful comparisons.

32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATI↗
DOE OSTI2012

Stability of CIGS Solar Cells and Component Materials Evaluated by a Step-Stress Accelerated Degradation Test Method: Preprint

A step-stress accelerated degradation testing (SSADT) method was employed for the first time to evaluate the stability of CuInGaSe2 (CIGS) solar cells and device component materials in four Al-framed test structures encapsulated with an edge sealant and three kinds of backsheet or moisture barrier film for moisture ingress control. The SSADT exposure used a 15 degrees C and then a 15% relativehumidity (RH) increment step, beginning from 40 degrees C/40%RH (T/RH = 40/40) to 85 degrees C/70%RH (85/70) as of the moment. The voluminous data acquired and processed as of total DH = 3956 h with 85/70 = 704 h produced the following results. The best CIGS solar cells in sample Set-1 with a moisture-permeable TPT backsheet showed essentially identical I-V degradation trend regardless of theAl-doped ZnO (AZO) layer thickness ranging from standard 0.12 um to 0.50 um on the cells. No clear 'stepwise' feature in the I-V parameter degradation curves corresponding to the SSADT T/RH/time profile was observed. Irregularity in I-V performance degradation pattern was observed with some cells showing early degradation at low T/RH < 55/55 and some showing large Voc, FF, and efficiency degradation due to increased series Rs (ohm-cm2) at T/RH = 70/70. Results of (electrochemical) impedance spectroscopy (ECIS) analysis indicate degradation of the CIGS solar cells corresponded to increased series resistance Rs (ohm) and degraded parallel (minority carrier diffusion/recombination) resistance Rp, capacitance C, overall time constant Rp*C, and 'capacitor quality' factor (CPE-P), whic were related to the cells' p-n junction properties. Heating at 85/70 appeared to benefit the CIGS solar cells as indicated by the largely recovered CPE-P factor. Device component materials, Mo on soda lime glass (Mo/SLG), bilayer ZnO (BZO), AlNi grid contact, and CdS/CIGS/Mo/SLG in test structures with TPT showed notable to significant degradation at T/RH = 70/70. At T/RH = 85/70, substantial blistering of BZO layers on CIGS cell pieces was observed that was not seen on BZO/glass, and a CdS/CIGS sample displayed a small darkening and then flaking feature. Additionally, standard AlNi grid contact was less stable than thin Ni grid contact at T/RH = 70/70. The edge sealant and moisture-blocking films were effective to block moisture ingress, as evidenced by the good stability of most CIGS solar cells and device components at T/RH = 85/70 for 704 h, and by preservation of the initial blue color on the RH indicator strips. The SSADT experiment is ongoing to be completed at T/RH = 85/85.

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗
DOE OSTI2012

Winchester/Camberley Homes New Construction Test House Design, Construction, and Short-Term Testing in a Mixed-Humid Climate

The NAHB Research Center partnered with production builder Winchester/Camberley Homes to build a DOE Building America New Construction Test House (NCTH). This single family, detached house, located in the mixed-humid climate zone of Silver Spring, MD, was completed in June 2011. The primary goal for this house was to improve energy efficiency by 30% over the Building America B10 benchmark bydeveloping and implementing an optimized energy solutions package design that could be cost effectively and reliably constructed on a production basis using quality management practices. The intent of this report is to outline the features of this house, discuss the implementation of the energy efficient design, and report on short-term testing results. During the interactive design process ofthis project, numerous iterations of the framing, air sealing, insulation, and space conditioning systems were evaluated for energy performance, cost, and practical implementation. The final design featured numerous advanced framing techniques, high levels of insulation, and the HVAC system entirely within conditioned space. Short-term testing confirmed a very tight thermal envelope andefficient and effective heating and cooling. In addition, relevant heating, cooling, humidity, energy, and wall cavity moisture data will be collected and presented in a future long-term report.

32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATI↗
DOE OSTI2014

Test Report #33: Compressor Calorimeter Test of R-410A Alternative: R-32/R-134a Mixture Using a Scroll Compressor

This report investigates the tested performance of lower - GWP candidate refrigerant, 94.07 wt% R - 32 + 5.93 wt % R - 134 a mixture (hereafter referred to as R - 32/134a), as an alternative to baseline refrigerant R - 410 A using a 36,000 Btu/hr compressor calorimeter located at the Heat Exchanger Advanced Testing Facility at Oak Ridge National Laboratory . These tests were conducted during May and August 2013. R - 410A is a near - azeotropic blend of R - 32 and R - 125 with 0.5/0.5 mass fraction and has a GWP 100 of 2100. R - 32 and R - 134a are pure refrigerants and have GWP 100 of 716 and 1370 1, respectively. Based on the GWP 100 values of pure refrigerants and their mass fraction in the blend, GWP 100 of R - 32/134a, which is under development by National Refrigerant, is 755. This report compares various performance parameters, such as cooling capacity, compressor power, refrigerant mass flow rate, EER, isentropic efficiency and discharge temperature of the alternative refrigerant to that of R - 410 A.

42 ENGINEERING↗
NASA NTRS2019

Ground Vibration Testing at NASA Armstrong, Emphasizing on Passive Aeroelastic Tailored Wing Ground Vibration Test Using Fixed Base Correction Method

How does experimental mechanics contribute to aircraft aeroelastic airworthiness? The aviation community is always improving analysis and testing techniques to realize quicker, cheaper, reliable solutions. A ground vibration test (GVT) is conducted to identify structural mode shapes, frequencies, and damping values to validate analytical models used for flutter analysis, which shows whether a structure has acceptable aeroelastic flutter margins for airworthiness. The FLL recently conducted a GVT of the Passive Aeroelastic Tailored (PAT) Wing using an experimental modal technique called Fixed Base Correction (FBC). The GVT objective was to obtain the PAT wing modal characteristics to compare test results with finite element model (FEM) results for the tow-steered wingbox.

loads testing↗
DOE OSTI2024

High Temperature Test Facility At Scale Testing, Validation, and Demonstration

Theses slides will be used to brief the Tribal DOE and Council Chairman for the project listed below. The High Temperature Test Facility (HTTF) is a demonstration-scale high temperature electrolysis (HTE) system that provides the ability to produce, process, store, and dispense electrolytically produced hydrogen. The system will be designed to accommodate electrolysis systems from various industry partners. The HTTF will be supplied up to 10 MW of power for electrolysis at 5 separate test article locations, each up to 2MW. The system will include post-processing and compression, storage, and capabilities to provide hydrogen for consumption by future end users. The HTTF will also provide the ability to test and demonstrate an HTE system in a configuration that would simulate the use of a nuclear generated steam supply for the high temperature heat source. The HTTF will be located at the Central Facilities Area (CFA) adjacent to CFA-686 on the INL site, 45 miles west of Idaho Falls.

08 HYDROGEN↗
DOE OSTI2017

Exploring an Ensemble-Based Approach to Atmospheric Climate Modeling and Testing at Scale

A strict throughput requirement has placed a cap on the degree to which we can depend on the execution of single, long, fine spatial grid simulations to explore global atmospheric climate behavior. Alternatively, running an ensemble of short simulations is computationally more efficient. We test the null hypothesis that the climate statistics of a full-complexity atmospheric model derived from an ensemble of independent short simulation is equivalent to that from an equilibrated long simulation. The climate of short simulation ensembles is statistically distinguishable from that of a long simulation in terms of the distribution of global annual means, largely due to the presence of low-frequency atmospheric intrinsic variability in the long simulation. We also find that model climate statistics of the simulation ensemble are sensitive to the choice of compiler optimizations. While some answer-changing optimization choices do not effect the climate state in terms of mean, variability and extremes, aggressive optimizations can result in significantly different climate states.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2015

Nitrogen-doped 9-cell cavity performance in a test cryomodule for LCLS-II

The superconducting RF linac for Linac Coherent Light Source-II calls for 1.3 GHz 9-cell cavities with an average intrinsic quality factor Q{sub 0} of 2.7 × 10{sup 10} at 2.0 K and 16 MV/m accelerating gradient. Two niobium 9 cell cavities, prepared with nitrogen-doping at Fermilab, were assembled into the Cornell Horizontal Test Cryomodule (HTC) to test cavity performance in a cryomodule that is very similar to a full LCLS-II cryomodule. The cavities met LCLS-II specifications with an average quench field of 17 MV/m and an average Q{sub 0} of 3 × 10{sup 10}. The sensitivity of the cavities' residual resistance to ambient magnetic field was determined to be 0.5 nΩ/mG during fast cool down. In two cool downs, a heater attached to one of the cavity beam tubes was used to induce large horizontal temperature gradients. Here, we report on the results of these first tests of nitrogen-doped cavities in a cryomodule, which provide critical information for the LCLS-II project.

43 PARTICLE ACCELERATORS↗
DOE OSTI2015

Summary of thermocouple performance during advanced gas reactor fuel irradiation experiments in the advanced test reactor and out-of-pile thermocouple testing in support of such experiments

High temperature gas reactor experiments create unique challenges for thermocouple-based temperature measurements. As a result of the interaction with neutrons, the thermoelements of the thermocouples undergo transmutation, which produces a time-dependent change in composition and, as a consequence, a time-dependent drift of the thermocouple signal. This drift is particularly severe for high temperature platinum-rhodium thermocouples (Types S, R, and B) and tungsten-rhenium thermocouples (Type C). For lower temperature applications, previous experiences with Type K thermocouples in nuclear reactors have shown that they are affected by neutron irradiation only to a limited extent. Similarly, Type N thermocouples are expected to be only slightly affected by neutron fluence. Currently, the use of these nickel-based thermocouples is limited when the temperature exceeds 1000 deg. C due to drift related to phenomena other than nuclear irradiation. High rates of open-circuit failure are also typical. Over the past 10 years, three long-term Advanced Gas Reactor experiments have been conducted with measured temperatures ranging from 700 deg. C - 1200 deg. C. A variety of standard Type N and specialty thermocouple designs have been used in these experiments with mixed results. A brief summary of thermocouple performance in these experiments is provided. Most recently, out-of-pile testing has been conducted on a variety of Type N thermocouple designs at the following (nominal) temperatures and durations: 1150 deg. C and 1200 deg. C for 2,000 hours at each temperature, followed by 200 hours at 1250 deg. C and 200 hours at 1300 deg. C. The standard Type N design utilizes high purity, crushed MgO insulation and an Inconel 600 sheath. Several variations on the standard Type N design were tested, including a Haynes 214 alloy sheath, spinel (MgAl{sub 2}O{sub 4}) insulation instead of MgO, a customized sheath developed at the University of Cambridge, and finally a loose assembly thermocouple with hard-fired alumina insulation and a molybdenum sheath. The most current version of the High Temperature Irradiation Resistant Thermocouple, based on molybdenum/niobium alloys and developed at Idaho National Laboratory, was also tested. (authors)

21 SPECIFIC NUCLEAR REACTORS AND ASSOCIATED PLANTS↗
DOE OSTI2018

Membrane Accelerated Stress Test Development for Polymer Electrolyte Fuel Cell Durability Validated Using Field and Drive Cycle Testing

A combined chemical/mechanical accelerated stress test (AST) was developed for proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cells based on relative humidity cycling (RHC) between dry and saturated gases at open circuit voltage (OCV). Membrane degradation and failure were investigated using scanning electron microscopy and small- and wide-angle X-ray scattering. Changes to membrane thickness, hydrophilic domain spacing, and crystallinity were observed to be most similar between field-operated cells and OCV RHC ASTs, where local thinning and divot-type defects are the primary failure modes. While RHC in air also reproduces these failure modes, it is not aggressive enough to differentiate between different membrane types in >1,333 hours (55 days) of testing. Conversely, steady-state OCV tests result in significant ionomer morphology changes and global thinning, which do not replicate field degradation and failure modes. It is inferred that during the OCV RHC AST, the decay of the membrane's mechanical properties is accelerated such that materials can be evaluated in hundreds, instead of thousands, of hours, while replicating the degradation and failure modes of field operation; associated AST protocols are recommended as OCV RHC at 90°C for 500 hours with wet/dry cycle durations of 30s/45s and 2m/2m for automotive and bus operation, respectively.

25 ENERGY STORAGE↗
DOE OSTI2023

Cone Penetration Tests at the PacWave South Test Site

This ZIP archive contains cone penetration test data from the PacWave South Test Site. The data were collected in September 2023 aboard the ship Seacor Lee operating out of the Port of Newport, OR. The tests were performed by ConeTec using an AP van den Berg ROSON-100. The cone itself was a standard u2-type, 10 cm^2. A total of 22 soundings were performed.

16 TIDAL AND WAVE POWER↗
DOE OSTI2017

Surface Disturbances at the Punggye-ri Nuclear Test Site: Another Indicator of Nuclear Testing?

A review of available very high-resolution commercial satellite imagery (bracketing the time of North Korea’s most recent underground nuclear test on 9 September 2016 at the Punggye-ri Underground Nuclear Test Site) has led to the detection and identification of several minor surface disturbances on the southern flank of Mt. Mantap. These surface disturbances occur in the form of small landslides, either alone or together with small zones of disturbed bare rock that appear to have been vertically lofted (“spalled”) as a result of the most recent underground explosion. Typically, spall can be uniquely attributed to underground nuclear testing and is not a result of natural processes. However, given the time gap of up to three months between images (pre- and post-event), which was coincident with a period of heavy typhoon flooding in the area1, it is not possible to determine whether the small landslides were exclusively explosion induced, the consequence of heavy rainfall erosion, or some combination of the two.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗