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At least 865 records · Page 48

Advanced X ray Astrophysics Facility-Imaging (AXAF-I) thermal analyses using Integrated Thermal Analysis System (ITAS) program

The complex geometry and stringent thermal requirements associated with the Advanced X-ray Astrophysics Facility - Imaging (AXAF-I) necessitate a detailed and accurate thermal analysis of the proposed system. A brief description of said geometry and thermal requirements is included. Among the tools considered for the aforementioned analysis is a PC-compatible version of the Integrated Thermal Analysis System (ITAS). Several bench-mark studies were performed to evaluate the capabilities of ITAS and to compare the corresponding results with those obtained using TRASYS and SINDA. Comparative studies were conducted for a typical Space Station module. Four models were developed using various combinations of the available software packages (i.e. ITAS, SINDA, and TRASYS). Orbital heating and heat transfer calculations were performed to determine the temperature distributions along the surfaces of this module. A comparison of the temperature distributions obtained for each of the four cases is presented. Results of this investigation were used to verify the different ITAS modules including those used for model generation, steady state and transient orbital heating analyses, radiative and convective heat flow analyses, and SINDA/TRASYS model translation. The results suggest that ITAS is well suited to subsequent analyses of the AXAF-I.

Ghaffarian, Benny↗

Direct Transient Analysis of a Fuze Assembly by Axisymmetric Solid Elements

A fuze assembly, which consists of three major parts, nose, collar and sleeve, was designed to survive severe transverse impact giving a maximum base acceleration of 20.000 G. It is shown that hoop failure occurred in the collar after the impact. They also showed that by bonding the collar to the nose, the collar was able to survive the same impact. To find out the effectiveness of the bonding quantitatively, axisymmetric solid elements TRAPAX and TRIAAX were used in modelling the fuze and direct transient analysis was performed. The dynamic stresses in selected elements on the bonded and unbonded collars were compared. The peak hoop stresses in the unbonded collar were found to be up to three times higher than those in the bonded collar. The NASTRAN results explained the observed hoop failure in the unbonded collar. In addition, static and eigenvalue runs were performed as checks on the models prior to the transient runs. The use of the MPCAX cards and the existence and contributors of the calculated first several nearly identical natural frequencies are addressed.

Dai, C. C.↗

Dual-pace transient heat conduction in vertically aligned carbon nanotube arrays induced by structure separation

Vertically aligned arrays of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) are attractive for a wide range of macroscopic applications which can exploit the remarkable properties of individual nanotubes. In this work, an abnormal behavior of CNT bundles in heat conduction is discovered under the transient electro-thermal characterization. The measured voltage change over the sample shows a dual-pace thermal response (DTR), which could not be fitted using a single thermal diffusivity heat transfer model. Instead, two thermal diffusivities are determined from the DTR phenomenon. Three rounds of cryogenic experiments are conducted to investigate the physics behind DTR phenomenon. It starts to emerge when the temperature is reduced to a certain level. After two rounds of cryogenic experiments, the DTR phenomenon becomes permanent from 295 K to 10 K. The nano-scale structure separation induced by the increased thermal strain leads to macroscale structure separation, which results in two parallel heat conduction paths responsible for the DTR phenomenon. By building a new parallel heat transfer model taking both the transient and steady-state electrical and thermal response into consideration, the area ratio of separated CNTs is determined. Furthermore, this result uncovers the existence of coiled morphology and nano-structure evolution of CNTs under cryogenic state and its effect on thermal and electrical transport, especially on their transient behaviors. Knowledge of the thermal transport in these CNTs arrays is important considering the fact that transient thermal response strongly affects their mechanical, optical, and electrical behaviors.

42 ENGINEERING↗

Mass flow in loop type coronal transients

Coronal transients having characteristics of a well-defined loop structure are examined, particularly with respect to temporal changes in the density and mass per unit length along the loop over periods of several days after the initial eruption. Measurements of mass distributions as a function of time are presented for eight transients, and one particular transient with a fairly simple configuration is investigated in more detail. Theoretical calculations are combined with the masses and densities derived from the observations to obtain estimates of the material flow in the transients; this flow is modeled on the assumption that magnetic forces drive and confine the loop. The flow field is found to be diverging everywhere, indicating that the density decreases in time. It is inferred that the transient legs are approximately in hydrostatic equilibrium and that most of the mass of the transient is lost from the sun during the initial phase.

Anzer, U.↗

Thermal Model Performance for the James Webb Space Telescope OTIS Cryo-Vacuum Test

The James Webb Space Telescope (JWST), set to launch in mid-2020, is currently undergoing a series of system-level environmental tests to verify its workmanship and end-to-end functionality. As part of this series, the Optical Telescope Element and Integrated Science Instrument Module (OTIS) Cryo-Vacuum (CV) test, the most complex cryogenic test executed to date by NASA, has recently been completed at the Johnson Space Center's Chamber A facility. The OTIS CV test was intended as a comprehensive test of the integrated instrument and telescope systems to fully understand its optical, structural, and thermal performance within its intended flight environment. Due to its complexity, extensive pre-test planning was required to ensure payload safety and compliance with all limits and constraints. A system-level pre-test thermal model was constructed which fully captured the behavior of the payload, ground support equipment, and surrounding test chamber. This thermal model simulated both the transient cooldown to and warmup from a 20 K flight-like environment, as well as predicted the payload performance at cryo-stable conditions. The current work is an assessment of thermal model pre-test prediction performance against actual payload response during the OTIS CV test. Overall, the thermal model performed exceedingly well at predicting schedule and payload response. Looking in depth, this work examines both the benefits and shortcomings of assumptions made pre-test to simplify model execution when compared against test data. It explores in detail the role of temperature-dependent emissivities during transition to cryogenic temperatures, as well as the impact that model geometry simplifications have on tracking of critical hardware limits and constraints. This work concludes with a list of recommendations to improve the accuracy of thermal modeling for future large cryogenic tests. The insight gained from the OTIS CV test thermal modeling will benefit planning and execution for upcoming cryogenic missions.

Testing↗

Thermal Model Performance for the James Webb Space Telescope OTIS Cryo-Vacuum Test

The James Webb Space Telescope (JWST), set to launch in early 2019, is currently undergoing a series of system-level environmental tests to verify its workmanship and end-to-end functionality. As part of this series, the Optical Telescope Element and Integrated Science Instrument Module (OTIS) Cryo-Vacuum (CV) test, the most complex cryogenic test executed to date by NASA, has recently been completed at the Johnson Space Center's Chamber A facility. The OTIS CV test was intended as a comprehensive test of the integrated instrument and telescope systems to fully understand its optical, structural, and thermal performance within its intended flight environment. Due to its complexity, extensive pre-test planning was required to ensure payload safety and compliance with all limits and constraints. A system-level pre-test thermal model was constructed which fully captured the behavior of the payload, ground support equipment, and surrounding test chamber. This thermal model simulated both the transient cooldown to and warmup from a 20K flight-like environment, as well as predicted the payload performance at cryo-stable conditions. The current work is a preliminary assessment of thermal model performance against actual payload response during the OTIS CV test. It examines both the benefits and shortcomings of assumptions made pre-test to simplify model execution when compared against test data. It explores in detail the role of temperature-dependent emissivities during transition to cryogenic temperatures, as well as the impact that model geometry simplifications have on tracking of critical hardware limits and constraints. This work concludes with a list of recommendations to improve the accuracy of thermal modeling for future large cryogenic tests. It is hoped that the insight gained from the OTIS CV test thermal modeling will benefit planning and execution for upcoming cryogenic missions.

JWST↗

Thermal Model Performance for the James Webb Space Telescope OTIS Cryo-Vacuum Test

The James Webb Space Telescope (JWST), set to launch in early 2019, is currently undergoing a series of system-level environmental tests to verify its workmanship and end-to-end functionality. As part of this series, the Optical Telescope Element and Integrated Science Instrument Module (OTIS) Cryo-Vacuum (CV) test, the most complex cryogenic test executed to date by NASA, has recently been completed at the Johnson Space Center’s Chamber A facility. The OTIS CV test was intended as a comprehensive test of the integrated instrument and telescope systems to fully understand its optical, structural, and thermal performance within its intended flight environment. Due to its complexity, extensive pre-test planning was required to ensure payload safety and compliance with all limits and constraints. A system-level pre-test thermal model was constructed which fully captured the behavior of the payload, ground support equipment, and surrounding test chamber. This thermal model simulated both the transient cooldown to and warmup from a 20K flight-like environment, as well as predicted the payload performance at cryo-stable conditions. The current work is a preliminary assessment of thermal model performance against actual payload response during the OTIS CV test. Overall, the thermal model performed exceedingly well at predicting schedule and payload response. Looking in depth, this work examines both the benefits and shortcomings of assumptions made pre-test to simplify model execution when compared against test data. It explores in detail the role of temperature-dependent emissivities during transition to cryogenic temperatures, as well as the impact that model geometry simplifications have on tracking of critical hardware limits and constraints. This work concludes with a list of recommendations to improve the accuracy of thermal modeling for future large cryogenic tests. It is hoped that the insight gained from the OTIS CV test thermal modeling will benefit planning and execution for upcoming cryogenic missions.

Yang, Kan↗

The impact of greenhouse climate change on the energetics and hydrologic processes of mid-latitude transient eddies

Atmospheric transient eddies contribute significantly to mid-latitude energy and water vapor transports. Changes in the global climate, as induced by greenhouse enhancement, will likely alter transient eddy behavior. Unraveling all the feedbacks that occur in general circulation models (GCMs) can be difficult. The transient eddies are isolated from the feedbacks and are focused on the response of the eddies to zonal-mean climate changes that result from CO2-doubling. Using a primitive-equation spectral model, the impact of climate change on the life cycles of transient eddies is examined. Transient eddy behavior in experiments is compared with initial conditions that are given by the zonal-mean climates of the GCMs with current and doubled amounts of CO2. The smaller meridional temperature gradient in a doubled CO2 climate leads to a reduction in eddy kinetic energy, especially in the subtropics. The decrease in subtropical eddy energy is related to a substantial reduction in equatorward flux of eddy activity during the latter part of the life cycle. The reduction in equatorward energy flux alters the moisture cycle. Eddy meridional transport of water vapor is shifted slightly poleward and subtropical precipitation is reduced. The water vapor transport exhibits a relatively small change in magnitude, compared to changes in eddy energy, due to the compensating effect of higher specific humidity in the doubled-CO2 climate. An increase in high-latitude precipitation is related to the poleward shift in eddy water vapor flux. Surface evaporation amplifies climatic changes in water vapor transport and precipitation in the experiments.

Branscome, Lee E.↗

A redox model for NO oxidation, NH 3 oxidation and high temperature standard SCR over Cu-SSZ-13

A kinetic model is developed to predict the influence of temperature and hydrothermal aging on the redox of active Cu sites under standard SCR, NO oxidation and NH 3 oxidation conditions over a practically relevant fully-formulated Cu-SSZ-13 catalyst. NO 2 /N 2 production during NO/NH 3 titration of Cu II sites is utilized to identify rate parameters associated with NO-only RHC (reduction half cycle) and NH 3 -only RHC respectively. Integral N 2 formation during subsequent NO + NH 3 titration is consistent with the production of one NO 2 per two CuII sites reduced during NO-only RHC and one N 2 per six Cu II sites reduced during NH 3 -only RHC. Decreased reduction of Cu II sites by NO/NH 3 upon hydrothermal aging, along with the production of one NO 2 per two CuII sites during NO-only RHC, is accordant with the involvement of proximal ZCuOH and oxygen-bridged dimeric Cu II sites. Oxidation of partially solvated and framework coordinated ZCu (Cu I ) sites occurs in presence of O 2 , does not produce N 2 and can lead to the consumption of Brønsted acid sites. A global OHC kinetic model is developed to predict transient and integral N 2 formation during exposure of CuI sites to a mixture of NO and O 2 . The resulting redox kinetic model quantitatively predicts NO and NH 3 consumption during isothermal transient response Cu redox (TRCR) protocols, along with temperature and age dependent steady-state standard SCR and oxidation conditions. The redox model presented in this work synthesizes recent kinetic, spectroscopic and computational findings to provide a foundational description of active site redox during standard SCR, NO oxidation and NH3 oxidation over Cu-SSZ-13.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Dynamic Model of Back-to-Back Converter for System Level Phasor Simulation

The power system is expected to evolve rapidly with increasing deployment of power electronic interface and conditioning systems, microgrids, and hybrid AC/DC grids. Among power electronic systems, back-to-back (BTB) converters can be a powerful interface to integrate microgrids and networked microgrids. However, in system level dynamic simulations for synchronous machine dominated system with BTB converters, a detailed electromagnetic sinusoidal models is not warranted as these simulations are focused on electromechanical transients. This paper focus on developing a simple phasor model for back- to-back converters that can be easily integrated into powerflow solvers to facilitate large-scale power system simulations. The model is implemented using C++ language and integrated into GridLAB-D software as a potential new capability. The GridLAB-D phasor domain model is validated against the electromagnetic transient (EMT) simulation of the detailed switching model. Simulation results show that the phasor model successfully captures the dominant dynamics of the converters.

Mahmood, Hisham↗

Transient pattern formation in an active matter contact poisoning model

Abstract One of the most notable features in repulsive particle based active matter systems is motility-induced-phase separation (MIPS) where a dense, often crystalline phase and low density fluid coexist. Most active matter studies involve time-dependent activity; however, there are many active systems where individual particles transition from living or moving to dead or nonmotile due to lack of fuel, infection, or poisoning. Here we consider an active matter particle system at densities where MIPS does not occur. When we add a small number of infected particles that can poison other particles, rendering them nonmotile, we find a rich variety of time dependent pattern formation, including MIPS, a wetting phase, and a fragmented state formed when mobile particles plow through a nonmotile packing. We map the patterns as a function of time scaled by epidemic duration, and show that the pattern formation is robust for a wide range of poisoning rates and activity levels. We also show that pattern formation does not occur in a random death model, but requires the promotion of nucleation by contact poisoning. Our results should be relevant to biological and active matter systems where there is some form of poisoning, death, or transition to nonmotility.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

Integrated Multi-Fidelity Model and Co-Simulation Platform for Distribution System Transient and Dynamic Analysis—DistribuDyn

As inverter-based, distributed energy resources (DERs) and variable loads continue to proliferate across distribution systems, it is increasingly important to understand their impacts on system stability and reliability. However, most commercially available simulation tools for distribution planning primarily focus on steady-state and quasi-steady state analysis, offering limited capabilities to study transient and dynamic behaviors.

24 POWER TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION↗

Numerical model of a two-dimensional, non-plane transient magnetohydrodynamic flow

The equations describing two-dimensional three-component magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) transient flows are formulated for a system of spherical coordinates. With the numerical code based on Implicit Continuous Fluid Eulerian (ICE) scheme, MHD flows resulting from a sudden energy release in a stratified medium are examined. Because of the inclusion of out-of-plane components of velocity and magnetic fields, MHD transverse waves are observed in addition to fast, slow and entropy waves. Numerical results for compressible MHD shocks are found in satisfactory agreement with the theoretical predictions.

Han, S. M.↗

Time-dependent modeling of field-aligned current-generated ion transients in the polar wind

The time evolution of field-aligned current-generated transient features in the high-latitude ionosphere is investigated. Ionospheric return currents generate significant downward heavy ion flows in the topside ionosphere with peak values well exceeding 10 to the 8th sq cm/s. When the return current ceases, the polar ionosphere rapidly returns to its previous equilibrium state. During the recovery phase of the return current event, an upward propagating heavy ion transient is formed, which is mainly characterized by a relatively short O(+) upwelling event. On the other hand, the H(+) escape flux remains relatively constant (within 10-20 percent) during field-aligned current events. It is also found that upward currents generate a transient heavy ion outflow, which exceeds the ambient H(+) escape flux by a factor of 3 to 5, depending on the duration and strength of the field-aligned current event.

Gombosi, T. I.↗

SAS4A/SASSYS-1 Commercial Grade Dedication Example Report for a Generic Sodium Pool-Type Fast Reactor Application

In the U.S., a key component of the commercialization of advanced reactors is completion of a license application, which must ultimately be approved by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC). The approval of the license application by the NRC is contingent on satisfactory demonstration of the design basis and the response of the advanced reactor design to transient and accident scenarios using accepted codes and methods. This report describes the qualification and dedication requirements that the advanced reactor safety analysis system software SAS4A/SASSYS-1 are expected to need to fulfill to be used for sodium-cooled pool-type fast reactor licensing. The qualification and dedication requirements are identified through performance critical characteristics and evaluation model acceptance criteria representative of the advanced reactor design considered for licensing. This document captures, additionally, the verification process developed to demonstrate that the software fulfills the qualification and dedication requirements for a generic sodium-cooled pool-type fast reactor as part of the commercial grade dedication process. Like most software that has primarily existed in the research and development space, the most significant challenge facing SAS4A/SASSYS-1 for use in a licensing framework is the availability of a documentation basis describing the code pedigree. SAS4A/SASSYS-1 has been used for licensing of the fast flux test facility (FFTF) and the JOYO sodium-cooled fast reactor in Japan, as well as the design of the CRBR Plant. However, the historical verification and validation (V&V) activities supporting SAS4A/SASSYS-1 development do not align with modern software quality assurance (SQA) and V&V requirements. Two approaches to use of SAS4A/SASSYS-1 in a commercial licensing framework have been identified: commercial-grade dedication (CGD) and software qualification. The methods and requirements prescribed in the ASME NQA-1-2008/2009 Standard and Regulatory Guide 1.203 on the evaluation model development and assessment process (EMDAP) have been used as guidance to define the CGD and qualification processes, respectively. A qualification and dedication requirements matrix has been developed which utilizes fundamental software verification. In this process, software verification is defined as a software quality process aimed at defining software requirement specifications, developing software design documentation, and performing and documenting acceptance testing of the code against requirements. A key element of software qualification and dedication includes determination of software acceptance with respect to critical characteristics relevant to the functional requirements of the software. To assist with identification of cross-cutting transient phenomena and functional requirements, domestic SFR vendor designs have been reviewed to identify a reference SFR design. For this report, the reference design is defined as a pool-type reactor with metal alloy fuel, a liquid-metal intermediate heat transport system, and passive decay heat rejection systems. Given this reference, a series of high-level cross-cutting phenomena was identified for a general class of single-fault undercooling or reactivity insertion transients that scopes the design basis space, with the goal of assisting with prioritization of documentation development efforts for key transient models in SAS: 1) Reactivity feedback response prior to scram; 2) System-wide thermal inertia; 3) Transition in natural circulation flow regime in heat removal systems; 4) Decay heat generation; 5) Steady-state fuel characterization; 5) Clad/fuel behavior at elevated temperatures; 6) Point kinetics and decay heat; 7) Pump coastdown behavior; 8) Core flow redistribution in loss of forced convection; 9) Pool stratification. As a demonstration of CGD of SAS4A/SASSYS-1 for a sodium pool reactor, a software qualification and dedication gap analysis as it relates to code documentation has been performed. This effort leverages the framework established as part of the SAS4A/SASSYS-1 SQA Program. This CGD demonstration provides a framework that vendors can build upon to demonstrate the applicability of the SAS4A/SASSYS-1 software for licensing a sodium-cooled pool-type fast reactor.

21 SPECIFIC NUCLEAR REACTORS AND ASSOCIATED PLANTS↗

The effect of nonlinearities on the dynamic response of a large shuttle payload

The STS Centaur was designed to be a high energy upper stage for use with the Space Shuttle. Two versions were designed under development when the program was cancelled. The first version, designated G-prime, was for planetary missions. The second version, designated G, was to place spacecraft in geosynchronous orbit. As a part of the STS Centaur finite-element model verification effort, test articles of both versions were subjected to a series of static tests. In addition the Centaur G-prime test article was subjected to a series of dynamic tests including a modal survey. Both the static and dynamic tests showed that nonlinearities existed in the Centaur and its support system. The support system included flight-like latches. The nonlinearities were particularly apparent in tests that loaded the forward support structure of the Centaur. These test results were used to aid in the development of two improved finite-element models. The first was a linear model, while the second contained nonlinear elements at the boundaries. Results from both models were compared with the transient response obtained from a step-relaxation or twang test. The linear model was able to accurately match the low frequency response found in the test data. However, only the nonlinear model was able to match higher frequency response that was present in some of the test data. In addition the nonlinear model was able to predict other nonlinear behavior such as the dynamic jump that occurs in systems with nonlinear stiffness.

Sullivan, Timothy L.↗