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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 883 records · Page 49
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2022

Black-box optimization of a closed-circuit reverse osmosis system for desalination through extremum seeking control

We study the minimization of the cost function of a closed-circuit desalination reverse osmosis (CCRO) system, which is used for producing drinking water. The cost function is a trade-off between the specific energy consumption and the specific brine management cost. The extremum-seeking controller (ESC) manipulates the critical electric conductivity of the brine to minimize the cost function. Experiments were designed in which the composition of the feed salinity is increased to test the controller’s ability to converge to a new optimum. The ESC was able to shift the critical conductivity to a new optimum, which resulted in a 9% improvement in the cost function.

Chowdhury, Dhruba↗
DOE OSTI2022

Framework for Optimization, Quantification of Uncertainty and Surrogates – Updated Capabilities

This poster presents updated capabilities within the FOQUS Toolset, covering core features as well as project-based applications. Specifically, the poster highlights advancements in FOQUS integration with cloud-based clients, plugin support for machine learning tools and external simulations, sequential design of experiments, and advanced support for dynamic process models. The applications demonstrate the breadth of FOQUS predictive capabilities for chemical, energy and economic system analysis.

Paul, Brandon↗
DOE OSTI2023

Self-Driving Telescopes: Autonomous Scheduling of Astronomical Observation Campaigns with Offline Reinforcement Learning

Modern astronomical experiments are designed to achieve multiple scientific goals, from studies of galaxy evolution to cosmic acceleration. These goals require data of many different classes of night-sky objects, each of which has a particular set of observational needs. These observational needs are typically in strong competition with one another. This poses a challenging multi-objective optimization problem that remains unsolved. The effectiveness of Reinforcement Learning (RL) as a valuable paradigm for training autonomous systems has been well-demonstrated, and it may provide the basis for self-driving telescopes capable of optimizing the scheduling for astronomy campaigns. Simulated datasets containing examples of interactions between a telescope and a discrete set of sky locations on the celestial sphere can be used to train an RL model to sequentially gather data from these several locations to maximize a cumulative reward as a measure of the quality of the data gathered. We use simulated data to test and compare multiple implementations of a Deep Q-Network (DQN) for the task of optimizing the schedule of observations from the Stone Edge Observatory (SEO). We combine multiple improvements on the DQN and adjustments to the dataset, showing that DQNs can achieve an average reward of 87%+-6% of the maximum achievable reward in each state on the test set. This is the first comparison of offline RL algorithms for a particular astronomical challenge and the first open-source framework for performing such a comparison and assessment task.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗
DOE OSTI2020

An Overview of Nanomaterials for Environmental Remediation Applications

The environmental remediation capabilities of nanoparticles were reviewed and evaluated. Nanoparticles (NPs) have been used to remediate various forms of environmental contamination. Various materials, morphologies, and conditions are required to remediate different contaminants. Nanoparticles may have benefits and/or limitations compared with traditional remediation methods. New techniques are being applied to mitigate the limitations of NPs. Nanomaterials are a promising technology for the environmental remediation. NPs have been used for the remediation of aqueous and atmospheric contaminants. Nanoparticles have been used to sequester contaminants toxic to human and environmental health. Various materials, morphologies, and conditions are necessary for the remediation of different contaminants. The remediation of heavy metals is of significant concern. Contaminants may be remediated by means of sorption or reduction. The remediation capability of nanoparticles is promising due to their high surface area and reactivity. Reaction kinetics are, therefore, notably fast. These characteristics make NPs attractive for environmental remediation. Various NPs have been used as sequestering agents for environmental contaminants. NPs have been used to remediate heavy metals as well as organic contaminants. Technical Objectives: Assess viability of nanoparticles (NPs) for environmental remediation; Review benefits and limitations of NPs; Design future experiments to test remediation capabilities of NPs. Future Plans: Create NP filters for remediation - Grow Au NPs on Stainless Steel Wool: Stainless steel wool has many defects and crevices allowing the Au NPs to grow on the surface; Stainless steel wool will not react with the heavy metal contaminants tested; NPs are embedded, so they do not have to be removed from solution. Test sorption capabilities with heavy metal contaminants in aqueous solution. Benefits of Gold NPs: Corrosion/oxidation resistant; Exhibit visible/near IR plasmon resonance; Can be synthesized by solution chemistry: cost efficient and easily scalable. Surfactants: Used to lower surface energy and prevent aggregation; Sodium citrate: anionic surfactant (-); Cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB): cationic surfactant (+); Ionic surfactants create charged NPs; Charged NPs can be used to sequester ionic contaminants (eg. heavy metals)

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2023

First-of-a-Kind Fuel-bearing Molten Chloride Irradiation Experiment

As a dozen MSR developers in the U.S. work toward an aggressive commercialization timeline, many of their fueled-salts—notably, chloride-based compositions—have never been irradiated. Licensing and operating these reactors requires an understanding of (1) the source term, radiation chemistry, and gas generation; (2) unanticipated irradiation-induced corrosion effects; and (3) the impact of burnup on thermophysical properties, all of which can be deduced through irradiation testing. Idaho National Laboratory (INL) is ideally suited to leverage its expertise in chloride salt chemistry, as well as its Neutron Radiography Reactor (NRAD) facility in the Hot Fuels Examination Facility (HFEF) at the Materials and Fuels Complex (MFC), to conduct the world’s first fuel-bearing chloride salt irradiation and fill in the knowledge gaps pertaining to salt chemistry under irradiation. Molten-salt Research Temperature-controlled Irradiation (MRTI) consists of a salt-containing capsule that is internally heated inside of a secondary containment. The experiment must rely on resistive heating to melt the salt before irradiation (to avoid the impact of radiolysis) and once the reactor is turned on and fission reactions commence in the salt, the resistive power can then be reduced. Salt-immersed thermocouples coupled to a controller allow for the heater power to be adjusted as needed to meet experimental objectives. The bulk of the experimental results will be achieved through Post-Irradiation Examination (PIE). At which point a range of different measurements are anticipated to assess the salt/plenum/wall composition, the capsule corrosion rate, and the evolution of salt properties.

11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS↗
DOE OSTI2024

01-22 HFEF-15 Cask

Technical Description – Upgrading the HFEF-15 shipping cask to allow larger format experiments includes designing, fabricating, and installing new components, updating procedures, and performing an INL-internal informal readiness assessment. Location – INL: Materials and Fuels Complex (TREAT & HFEF)

22 GENERAL STUDIES OF NUCLEAR REACTORS↗
DOE OSTI2024

Investigation of Nonflammable Electrolytes for Behind-the-Meter Storage Batteries

Behind-the-Meter Storage (BTMS) is a battery-based, stationary energy storage system that is connected to the residential or industrial customer's side of the electrical grid utility service meter. BTMS systems enable consumers to (A) economically schedule charging and usage of stored energy, (B) store and use energy from on-site generation, especially from inconstant, renewable sources like solar and wind, and (C) avoid overloading the grid during peak hours via supplementation with stored energy. BTMS battery performance requirements and general priorities differentiate from other applications, like EVs, which has prompted the development of batteries with tailored electrode and electrolyte materials. These materials prioritize low cost, avoiding critical materials; longevity, achieving 8000 cycle and 20-year shelf lives; and importantly, high safety. Nonflammable electrolytes show promise to improve safety by mitigating thermal runaway, yet often come with sacrifices to battery performance. In this presentation (1) primary categories of nonflammable electrolytes will be discussed; (2) a rational design of experiment will be presented for efficient performance evaluation of several nonflammables electrolyte in BTMS-relevant battery chemistry, Li4Ti5O12- and LiNi0.90Mn0.10O2; and (3) preliminary results will be presented.

battery↗
DOE OSTI2024

Synthesizing, Compounding, and Characterizing a Heat Labile Polyurethane Foam

ABSTRACT A need exists for a packaging foam material that can be converted from solid to gaseous degradation products at reasonably low energy levels or temperatures, such as 100O C. This paper will primarily discuss the approaches currently being used to synthesize and characterize such a material. These approaches include the incorporation of novel polyols such as azo containing diols, polycarbonate diols, and polypropylene carbonate polyols into polyurethane foams. Characterization methods include NMR, FTIR, TGA, finite element analysis, impact strength, and others. This project will be funded for a duration of three years. Year 1 focused on developing the proposed test methods and producing an initial rigid polyurethane foam. Year 2 focuses on refining the materials and test methods. If appropriate, design of experiment (doe) techniques will be used to optimize components, component levels, density and other variables to attain required final material properties (TGA weight loss, impact strength, etc.). Year 3 focuses on scaling up to larger engineering quantities. The application for this material is in load securement for transportation of low level radioactive waste materials within the US Department of Energy (DOE) complex. Foam in place process equipment and operators will be shielded using this novel method over current practice. Current practice can involve time consuming methods of load securement in low level radiation environments. This new technique would eliminate exposure time securing the load and greatly improve the As Low As Reasonably Attainable (ALARA) conditions. The objective is to progress to higher Technical Readiness Levels (TRL) and larger pilot scale quantities. This paper discusses methodologies and presents current results to date.

Kranjc, Mark D.↗
DOE OSTI2022

Preliminary MITR Design-Demonstration Element Thermal-Hydraulics and Structural Analyses

The United State High Performance Research Reactor (USHPRR) program aims to eliminate more than 200kg of High Enriched Uranium (HEU) from commerce annually by converting five U.S. high-performance research reactors and one associated critical assembly to Low Enriched Uranium (LEU) fuel using a high-density alloy of uranium-10 wt% molybdenum (U-10Mo). Massachusetts Institute of Technology Reactor (MITR) is one of five research reactors selected for this program. The objective of this report is to provide preliminary thermal-hydraulic and mechanical analyses of the hydrodynamic effects in the MITR Design Demonstration Element (DDE) under conservative approximations for the plate power distribution. This report provides details on the modeling approach and the simulation results obtained, including pressure, flow velocity, temperature, and oxide layer over the design demonstration experiment for the irradiation cycles in the Belgian Reactor (BR)-2.

42 ENGINEERING↗
DOE OSTI2023

Preliminary NBSR Design-Demonstration Element Thermal-Hydraulics and Structural Analyses

1.1 OBJECTIVE The United State High Performance Research Reactor (USHPRR) program aims to eliminate more than 200kg of High Enriched Uranium (HEU) from commerce annually by converting five U.S. high-performance research reactors and one associated critical assembly to Low Enriched Uranium (LEU) fuel using a high-density alloy of uranium-10 wt% molybdenum (U-10Mo). The National Bureau of Standards Reactor (NBSR) is one of five research reactors selected for this program. The objective of this report is to provide preliminary thermal-hydraulic and mechanical analyses of the hydrodynamic effects in the NBSR Design Demonstration Element (DDE) under conservative approximations for the plate power distribution. This report provides details on the modeling approach and the simulation results obtained, including pressure, flow velocity, temperature, and oxide layer over the design demonstration experiment for the irradiation cycles in the Belgian Reactor (BR)-2.

42 ENGINEERING↗
DOE OSTI2024

MORPHOLOGICAL AND RADIATION DAMAGE INFORMED THERMAL PROPERTY PREDICTION IN SCALED GEOMETRIC DOMAINS

This proposed work has the potential to rewrite the way the nuclear industry investigates new fuel and nuclear material designs. The current rubric of nuclear material design has myriad steps in the process, and while certain physics are modeled accurately, each step must be connected in order to obtain an entire description of the process. At present, neutronic, thermal, microstructural, fission product chemistry and migration, and radiation defect analysis (hereafter referred to together as “combined analysis”) are performed, albeit separately. There is no existing method which combines these physics in an attempt to understand the natural interactions between these phenomena. Consequently, the timeline for design, fabrication, experiment, validation, and licensing can take years. A disruptive approach is required to accelerate the development of new technology. This proposed undertaking creates a validated computational framework, generating a new microscopic-to-macroscopic methodology yielding thermal property predictions for nuclear fuels and materials at an engineering spatial scale.

11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS↗
DOE OSTI2024

Empowering Scientific Innovation Through An Integrated Research Infrastructure: The Role of the Advanced Computing Ecosystem

As the landscape of computational science evolves, the Department of Energy (DOE) is reimagining the roles of its large-scale computing facilities to meet emerging research challenges. The Integrated Research Infrastructure (IRI) program aims to transform how experiments are designed, conducted, and shared, with significant impacts on all stakeholders. In response, the Oak Ridge Leadership Computing Facility (OLCF) has established the Advanced Computing Ecosystem (ACE), a strategic framework to prepare its hardware, software, and experimental capabilities for the IRI era. ACE focuses on integrating novel compute environments, orchestrating advanced workflows, and developing foundational technologies, ensuring a seamless transition to IRI while accelerating scientific discovery. This paper outlines ACE's role in advancing OLCF's mission and its impact on the future of computational science.

Widener, Patrick↗
DOE OSTI2025

A High-Precision, Fast, Robust, and Cost-Effective Muon Detector Concept for the FCC-ee

We propose a high-precision, fast, robust and cost-effective muon detector concept for an FCC-ee experiment. This design combines precision drift tubes with fast plastic scintillator strips to enable both spatial and timing measurements. The drift tubes deliver two-dimensional position measurements perpendicular to the tubes with a resolution around 100~$\mu$m. Meanwhile, the scintillator strips, read out with the wavelength-shifting fibers and silicon photomultipliers, provide fast timing information with a precision of 200~ps or better and measure the third coordinate along the tubes with a resolution of about 1~mm.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗
DOE OSTI2020

Rayleigh-Taylor Instability: A Status Review of Experimental Designs and Measurement Diagnostics

The focus of experiments and the sophistication of diagnostics employed in Rayleigh-Taylor instability (RTI) induced mixing studies have evolved considerably over the past seven decades. The first theoretical analysis by Taylor and the two-dimensional experimental results by Lewis on RTI in 1950 examined single-mode RTI using conventional imaging techniques. Over the next 70 years, several experimental designs have been used to creating an RTI unstable interface between two materials of different densities. These early experiments though innovative, were arduous to diagnose and provided little information on the internal, turbulent structure and initial conditions of the RT mixing layer. Coupled with the availability of high-fidelity diagnostics, the experiments designed and developed in the last three decades allow detailed measurements of various turbulence statistics that have allowed broadly to validate and verify late-time nonlinear models and mix-models for buoyancy-driven flows. Besides, they have provided valuable insights to solve several long-standing disagreements in the field. Herein, this review serves as an opportunity to discuss the understanding of the RTI problem and highlight valuable insights gained into the RTI driven mixing process with a focus on low to high Atwood number (> 0.1) experiments.

42 ENGINEERING↗