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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 937 records · Page 52
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2024

Evaluation of Leak Detection Technologies for Low Global Warming Potential (GWP), Flammable Refrigerants

Current commercial refrigeration systems use refrigerants with global warming potential (GWP) values ranging from 1250 to 4000. The emergence of low GWP alternatives (GWP <150) is expected to significantly reduce direct emissions in this sector, playing a crucial role in the ongoing electrification and decarbonization initiatives. However, many of these low GWP alternatives pose a flammability risk, necessitating robust sensing solutions to ensure the reliable and safe operation of the equipment. This paper examines various sensing mechanisms suitable for potential applications in systems that employ flammable refrigerants, specifically those designated as A2L class. It provides a summary of A2L refrigerants and their properties, followed by a comprehensive review of sensor classes, covering their working principles, features, advantages, and limitations. Additionally, the article delves into key performance characteristics such as accuracy, selectivity, sensitivity, dynamic characteristics, and durability, among other properties. The article discusses areas for improvement and suggests corresponding approaches for potential sensors in facilitating the successful adoption of flammable refrigerants. Finally, this paper presents the latest findings from experimental evaluation of 5 different sensing principles in detecting the composition variation as a result of various operational conditions. Reliability and sensitivity of the sensor in responding to shifts in true composition and the resultant LFL value is also discussed.

Reshniak, Viktor↗
DOE OSTI2022

Masked fault detection for reliable low voltage cache operation

Systems, apparatuses, and methods for implementing masked fault detection for reliable low voltage cache operation are disclosed. A processor includes a cache that can operate at a relatively low voltage level to conserve power. However, at low voltage levels, the cache is more likely to suffer from bit errors. To mitigate the bit errors occurring in cache lines at low voltage levels, the cache employs a strategy to uncover masked faults during runtime accesses to data by actual software applications. For example, on the first read of a given cache line, the data of the given cache line is inverted and written back to the same data array entry. Also, the error correction bits are regenerated for the inverted data. On a second read of the given cache line, if the fault population of the given cache line changes, then the given cache line's error protection level is updated.

Ganapathy, Shrikanth↗
DOE OSTI2019

Testing of the Piezo-Actuators at High Dynamic Rate Operational Conditions

Reliability of the piezo-actuators deployed in SRF cavity tuners operated at high dynamic voltage range rate conditions can lead to a significant impact on the overall performance of the SRF linacs. We tested at FNAL piezoactuators P-844K075 that were developed at Physik Instrumente (PI) for LCLSII project. Although these actuators were developed for a CW linac we tested them at high dynamic rate inside a cryogenic/insulated vacuum environment. Results of the tests will be presented. Different modes of the piezo-actuators failure will be discussed.

43 PARTICLE ACCELERATORS↗
DOE OSTI2024

Technical Language Processing of Nuclear Power Plants Equipment Reliability Data

Operating nuclear power plants (NPPs) generate and collect large amounts of equipment reliability (ER) element data that contain information about the status of components, assets, and systems. Some of this information is in textual form where the occurrence of abnormal events or maintenance activities are described. Analyses of NPP textual data via natural language processing (NLP) methods have expanded in the last decade, and only recently the true potential of such analyses has emerged. So far, applications of NLP methods have been mostly limited to classification and prediction in order to identify the nature of the given textual element (e.g., safety or non-safety relevant). In this paper, we target a more complex problem: the automatic generation of knowledge based on a textual element in order to assist system engineers in assessing an asset’s historical health performance. The goal is to assist system engineers in the identification of anomalous behaviors, cause–effect relations between events, and their potential consequences, and to support decision-making such as the planning and scheduling of maintenance activities. “Knowledge extraction” is a very broad concept whose definition may vary depending on the application context. In our particular context, it refers to the process of examining an ER textual element to identify the systems or assets it mentions and the type of event it describes (e.g., component failure or maintenance activity). In addition, we wish to identify details such as measured quantities and temporal or cause–effect relations between events. This paper describes how ER textual data elements are first preprocessed to handle typos, acronyms, and abbreviations, then machine learning (ML) and rule-based algorithms are employed to identify physical entities (e.g., systems, assets, and components) and specific phenomena (e.g., failure or degradation). A few applications relevant from an NPP ER point of view are presented as well.

97 MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTING↗
NASA NTRS2002

Minimum Control Requirements for Advanced Life Support Systems

Advanced control technologies are not necessary for the safe, reliable and continuous operation of Advanced Life Support (ALS) systems. ALS systems can and are adequately controlled by simple, reliable, low-level methodologies and algorithms. The automation provided by advanced control technologies is claimed to decrease system mass and necessary crew time by reducing buffer size and minimizing crew involvement. In truth, these approaches increase control system complexity without clearly demonstrating an increase in reliability across the ALS system. Unless these systems are as reliable as the hardware they control, there is no savings to be had. A baseline ALS system is presented with the minimal control system required for its continuous safe reliable operation. This baseline control system uses simple algorithms and scheduling methodologies and relies on human intervention only in the event of failure of the redundant backup equipment. This ALS system architecture is designed for reliable operation, with minimal components and minimal control system complexity. The fundamental design precept followed is "If it isn't there, it can't fail".

Boulange, Richard↗
DOE OSTI2022

Standard operating procedures for the comprehensive and reliable analysis of cannabis terpenes

Terpenes are the primary determinants of cannabis flower aroma, and ongoing research tests their potential for impacting the overall experience. Frustratingly, despite the importance of terpenes in cannabis physiology and commercial uses, literature reports vary widely regarding the major constituents of volatile blends and the concentrations of individual terpenes. Here, in this article, we provide detailed descriptions of complementary approaches that will allow researchers to determine the identity and quantity of cannabis terpenes unequivocally and reliably. These standard operating procedures will guide decisions about which method to employ to address specific analytical goals. We are including two application examples to illustrate the utility of different approaches for tackling the analysis of terpenes in cannabis flower samples.

Polito, Joshua↗
DOE OSTI2018

Open and Extensible Control & Analytics Platform for Synchrophasor Data (Final Report)

The objective of the Open and Extensible Control and Analytics (openECA) Platform for Phasor Data project was to develop an open source software platform that significantly accelerates the production, use, and ongoing development of real-time decision support tools, automated control systems, and off-line planning systems that (1) incorporate synchrophasor data and (2) enhance system reliability while enabling the North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) operating functions of reliability coordinator, transmission operator, and/or balancing authority to be executed more effectively.

99 GENERAL AND MISCELLANEOUS↗
DOE OSTI2023

An Integrated Platform for Wind Power Plant Operations: From Atmosphere to Electrons to the Grid (A2e2g)

The research objective for the Atmosphere to Electrons to the Grid (A2e2g) project was to design a platform that merges forecasting tools with aerodynamic and economic models. The value proposition is that expanding wind power plant operation to include grid services allows those plants to operate in markets for grid services as well as energy markets, increasing revenue streams for wind plant operators while contributing to reliable grid operation.

17 WIND ENERGY↗
DOE OSTI2025

System Analysis of an Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) - Solid Oxide Fuel Cell (SOFC) Hybrid Cycle

The variability of renewable energy sources poses challenges for reliable grid operation. Conventional thermal power sources, though reliable, often lack operational flexibility. Hybrid energy systems that integrate Solid Oxide Fuel cells (SOFC) with Internal Combustion Engines (ICE) offer a promising solution by achieving relatively higher efficiency and grid-following capability. This study investigates performance of a 100-kW pressurized SOFC-ICE hybrid cycle. In this configuration, unutilized SOFC fuel is used to drive the engine, with a turbocharger providing air supply and an external reformer generating syngas. System components were numerically modeled using MATLAB/SIMULINK for the SOFC and reformer, and EBSILON® for the ICE and balance of plant. Parametric studies varied fuel utilization (70-90%), reformer temperature (600 – 1000K), anode off-gas recirculation (0 – 70%), and current density (0.2 – 0.55 A/cm2). Results show that the SOFC and ICE operate as thermally independent topping and bottoming cycles, achieving peak efficiency of 62% under optimized conditions.

hybrid↗
DOE OSTI2018

openECA Platform and Analytics Alpha Test Results

The objective of the Open and Extensible Control and Analytics (openECA) Platform for Phasor Data project is to develop an open source software platform that significantly accelerates the production, use, and ongoing development of real-time decision support tools, automated control systems, and off-line planning systems that (1) incorporate high-fidelity synchrophasor data and (2) enhance system reliability while enabling the North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) operating functions of reliability coordinator, transmission operator, and/or balancing authority to be executed more effectively.

24 POWER TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION↗
DOE OSTI2017

openECA Platform and Analytics Beta Demonstration Results

The objective of the Open and Extensible Control and Analytics (openECA) Platform for Phasor Data project is to develop an open source software platform that significantly accelerates the production, use, and ongoing development of real-time decision support tools, automated control systems, and off-line planning systems that (1) incorporate high-fidelity synchrophasor data and (2) enhance system reliability while enabling the North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) operating functions of reliability coordinator, transmission operator, and/or balancing authority to be executed more effectively.

24 POWER TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION↗