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High Temperature, High Pressure Equation of State: Solidification of Hydrocarbons and Measurement of Krytox Oil Using Rolling-Ball Viscometer Validation

The global consumption of oil and gas continues to rise and has led to the search and recovery of petroleum sources from reservoirs exhibiting increasingly high-temperature, high-pressure conditions. For example, ultra-deep petroleum formations found at depths of approximately 5 km or more, can exhibit pressure and temperature values as high as 240 MPa (35,000 psi) and 533 K (260°C). The hydrocarbons produced from these ultra-deep formations experience significant decreases in temperature and pressure from reservoir to platform conditions. Hence, it is highly desirable to develop accurate equation of state models (EOS) and fluid properties databases that covers the entire temperature and pressure ranges associated with this process to promote the efficient, safe, and environmentally responsible production from these reservoirs at extreme conditions. Currently available databases and EOS models are generally limited to approximately 69 MPa and do not correlate accurately when extrapolated to the extreme environments associated with ultra-deep reservoirs where temperatures can reach as high as 533 K and pressures up to 240 MPa. Despite recent exploration and production of petroleum from ultra-deep formations, there are major gaps in the databases for pure and mixture density and viscosity of hydrocarbons. These are the most important fluid properties that enable accurate booking of reserves as well as the design of size and equipment to safely bring these fluids to the platform. The overall objective of this project is to develop methodologies to provide crude oil thermodynamic and transport properties—including density, viscosity, and phase composition— at extreme temperature and pressure conditions. The knowledge of these crude oil properties reduces uncertainties associated with deep drilling and promotes safer and reliable access to domestic energy resources. This report is an extension of work reported in our first Technical Report Series (TRS) released July 31, 2012: High Temperature, High Pressure Equation of State Density Correlations and Viscosity Correlations (Tapriyal et al., 2012). New experimental data were obtained by utilizing density cell and rolling-ball viscometer (both designed by our team) rated up to 533 K and 275 MPa. This report focuses on the solidification of hydrocarbons at elevated temperatures and pressures and

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A qualitative assessment of current CCF guidance based on a review of safety system digital implementation changes with evolving technology - 148

This paper is a summary of a study performed in support of the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) to evaluate current policy on software common-cause failure (CCF). The study reported in this paper is one of several that contributed to the technical basis to inform NRC staff. The study first reviewed policies and assessment guidance as discussed in the Staff Requirements Memorandum to the Secretary of the Commission, Office of the NRC (SECY) 93-087, Policy, Technical, and Licensing Issues Pertaining to Evolutionary and Advanced Light Water Reactor (ALWR) Designs, and Branch Technical Position (BTP) 7-19, Guidance on Evaluation of Defense-in-Depth and Diversity in Digital Computer-Based Instrumentation and Control Systems, as well as Chapter 7, 'Instrumentation and Controls', in NUREG-0800, Standard Review Plan for Review of Safety Analysis Reports for Nuclear Power Plants. The study then examined instrumentation and controls (I and C) technology implementations in nuclear power plants in the light of current CCF guidance. The intent was to assess whether the current position on CCF remains appropriate given the evolutions in digital safety system implementations and, if gaps in the guidance were found, to provide recommendations as to how these gaps could be closed. The methodology adopted was to review the vendors' technology and software implementation processes for digital safety systems as technology evolved. The following three representative safety systems were selected to provide illustrative examples: - Eagle 21 was selected to represent vintage microprocessor-based technology used from the 1980's to mid-1990's, - TELEPERM XS (TXS) was selected to represent second generation microprocessor-based technology used from the mid-1990's to the 2000's, and - The advanced logic system (ALS) was selected to represent the latest trend of using technology based on field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs). Technology implementations were reviewed in light of the basic premise of the NRC in BTP 7-19 (Revision 6), that software-based or software-logic-based digital system development errors are a credible source of CCF and therefore are susceptible to CCF because identical copies of the software-based logic and architecture are present in redundant divisions of safety-related systems. BTP 7-19 categorizes firmware and logic developed from software-based development systems all under software. (authors)

22 GENERAL STUDIES OF NUCLEAR REACTORS↗

United States Nuclear Manufacturing Infrastructure Assessment

This report provides a review and assessment of the existing U.S. infrastructure capabilities to manufacture on a commercial scale, the major components and unique materials required by the various U.S. designs for advanced nuclear reactors and small modular reactors (SMRs). The approach was to compare the needs of SMRs and advanced reactors against the capability of U.S. manufacturers to ascertain gaps that could inhibit U.S. industrial support for deployment of SMRs or advanced reactors. This report focused on the reactor plant designs being developed by NuScale Power (the NuScale Power Module), TerraPower (both the Traveling Wave Reactor and the Molten Chloride Fast Reactor to a limited extent), and X-energy (the Xe-100). To gather the information, MPR visited each of these companies and selected candidate suppliers to tour their facilities and conduct in-person interviews. Information was also obtained by telephone interviews, internet research, and literature review of technical reports. The overarching conclusion from this study is that the U.S. has existing capability or can readily develop capability to support and sustain most, but not all, aspects of commercial deployment of advanced reactors and SMRs. The greatest concerns for capability gaps in the U.S. infrastructure for supply of components for SMRs and advanced reactors are associated with reactor pressure vessels, steam generators, and fuel fabrication. Foreign vendors can supply reactor pressure vessels and steam generators. Issues with fuel fabrication are associated with uranium enrichment and development of fabrication methods for the innovative fuel concepts planned for advanced reactors. The technical capabilities of U.S. manufacturers appear satisfactory with the possible exceptions noted above. However, the capacity of the existing U.S. manufacturing infrastructure may be insufficient for a high rate of construction. Manufacturers contacted as part of this study indicated a willingness to expand capacity if sufficient orders are in place. The review of U.S. infrastructure included a detailed review of capabilities in many different processes including forging, tube drawing, machining, fabrication, and testing. In addition, MPR researched the advanced manufacturing processes for additive manufacturing (i.e., 3D printing) and powder metallurgy - hot isostatic pressing. Reactor plant designers and candidate suppliers are planning to rely on traditional processes for the initial plants. If advanced manufacturing processes are developed and accepted by the nuclear industry, these processes may be used in the future. In the immediate term, ongoing research (much of which is funded by DOE) is necessary to develop and refine advanced manufacturing methods. This report includes several recommendations for DOE that will advance deployment of SMRs and advanced reactors from a manufacturing perspective and other areas identified during the course of this project.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Productive Use of Energy in African Micro-Grids: Technical and Business Considerations

Demand for electricity from small industry and businesses, which is defined as the productive use of energy (PUE), is a key success factor for micro-grids. Because of the typically low energy usage of residential customers, without linkage to and support for these energy users, micro-grids are likely to struggle to reach the critical revenue needed for financial viability. This report is a resource entrepreneurs and developers can use to understand the technical and business model challenges related to PUE in smaller micro-grids. It focuses on small agricultural processing, and small industrial and commercial loads. This report examines best practices for promoting PUE and the business models used by developers. It starts with background information and a literature review followed by a discussion of key enterprise considerations for productive use (PU) including: value chain and business case analysis, enterprise development and training, appliance financing, and developers running PU businesses. Unlike many other reports on PUE, this report is based on application specific data. The report is also unique in that it provides actual customer demographics and load profiles. This report considers PUE from both business and technical perspectives, and it considers the interests of both the micro-grid operators and the microenterprises and entrepreneurs they serve. It looks at the service levels required by different PUs and the technical characteristics and challenges of different types of PU equipment. The report also includes examples of business cases for some of the most important PU opportunities, including milling, ice making, carpentry, egg incubation, and water treatment. This report is a resource that entrepreneurs, governments, and non-governmental organizations can use to help design programs to meet their individual goals of PUE in micro-grids and economic development in rural Africa. It can also be used by developers, engineers, and other organizations designing micro-grids to inform their technical and business decisions and to improve system design, reduce risk, and increase success with adding PU loads to both new and existing micro-grids.

29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY↗

On-Orbit Assembly Task Definition Study

McDonnell Douglas Space Systems Company at Kennedy Space Center (MDSSC-KSC) has been tasked since November 1987 to provide support to the Space Station Evolution Working Group (EWG) based at NASA's Langley Research Center (LaRC). Work in the first year of this study included extensive data gathering and the development of study methodologies. The OEXP case studies as summarized in NASA Technical Memorandum 4075, Exploration Studies Technical Report FY 1988 Status, and NASA Document Z-2.1-002, Study Requirements Document FY 1989 Studies (SRD), define the mission scenarios and technical requirements which MSFC engineers and their contractors (Martin Marietta and Boeing) utilized in their design of exploration vehicles. LaRC selected case studies and vehicle designs upon which the study team performed processing analyses. An on-orbit SSF refurbishment crew of four dedicated to OEXP vehicle processing was baselined for all studies. In some Instances, LaRC modified the vehicle designs, launch manifests, or mission scenarios provided by MSFC to obtain specific data from the processing analyses. The results from the following case studies analyzed during 1989 are provided in this report: Phobos Gateway On-Orbit Assembly and Launch, Lunar Evolution Vehicle On-Orbit Refurbishment, and Mars Mission Vehicle On-Orbit Assembly and Launch. In addition, a concept for facility accommodations at Space Station Freedom (SSF) was developed and support equipment to be provided at the facility was defined. In support of the MSFC Launch/On-Orbit Processing (LOOP) study, LaRC asked us to assess ground and on-orbit processing Impacts resulting from launching the OEXP vehicles on several different ETO launch vehicles. Results developed by this study, Including processing tasks and times, and personnel and equipment requirements, will be entered Into the VPOD data base. VPOD will be used by LaRC to analyze future OEXP vehicles configurations, SSF facility and resource Impacts, and life cycle cost predictions.

Vargo, Rick↗

Final Technical Report: Increasing Prediction Accuracy.

PV performance models are used to quantify the value of PV plants in a given location. They combine the performance characteristics of the system, the measured or predicted irradiance and weather at a site, and the system configuration and design into a prediction of the amount of energy that will be produced by a PV system. These predictions must be as accurate as possible in order for finance charges to be minimized. Higher accuracy equals lower project risk. The Increasing Prediction Accuracy project at Sandia focuses on quantifying and reducing uncertainties in PV system performance models.

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗

Washington Clean Energy Fund: Energy Storage System Performance Test Plans and Data Requirements

This report documents the test plans, including detailed duty cycles, used in evaluating the technical performance of five energy storage systems (ESSs) sponsored by the Washington State Clean Energy Fund (CEF). These ESSs were installed at three participating utilities’ (Avista, Snohomish Public Utility District or SnoPUD, and Puget Sound Energy or PSE) designated sites. Under each test plan, a number of baseline and use case tests are defined. This report documents the test plan for each utility, including duty cycles, data and performance reporting requirements. Baseline tests defined in this report mainly focus on determining an initial or reference performance for each ESS, which may be compared with the performance at any later time to assess the state of health of the ESS. Parameter values of a given ESS obtained from baseline tests are applied for different modeling purposes and use case tests. The stored energy capacity test is the first test conducted in the baseline test program, which generates data to calculate round trip efficiency (RTE). The response time and ramp rate tests provide the time required for an ESS to change from zero to full charging/discharging rate and hence the ramp rate, which is important in understanding ESS performance for applications calling for fast response. Internal resistance testing of ESS cells is also conducted in conjunction with the response time and ramp rate tests. Finally, the baseline tests include frequency regulation (FR) and peak shaving (PS) tests based on real-world duty cycles. Upon completion of the baseline tests, use case tests are conducted at each of the storage sites with duty cycles developed to meet the site-specific criteria and conditions. The use cases are grouped according to their intended target benefits within the electric infrastructure topology (e.g., transmission versus distribution). Although an ESS may be located on the low-voltage side of a substation that provides power to a distribution feeder, a use case that addresses bulk power services could still be provided and would be grouped under the transmission or bulk-power benefits. Use cases for ESS applications deep into the distribution circuit would be categorized under the distribution system cases.

25 ENERGY STORAGE↗

Chloride electrolyte enabled practical zinc metal battery with a near-unity Coulombic efficiency

Rechargeable aqueous zinc batteries are finding their niche in stationary storage applications where safety, cost, scalability and carbon footprint matter most. However, harnessing this reversible two-electron redox chemistry is plagued by major technical issues, notably hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) at the zinc surface, whose impacts are often not revealed under typical measurement conditions. Here we report a concentrated electrolyte design that eliminates this parasitic reaction and enables a Coulombic efficiency (CE) of 99.95% for Zn plating/stripping measured at a low current density of 0.2 mA cm -2 . With extra chloride salts and dimethyl carbonate in concentrated ZnCl 2 electrolyte, the hybrid electrolyte with a unique chemical environment features low Hammett acidity and facilitates the in situ formation of a dual-layered solid electrolyte interphase, protecting zinc anodes from HER and dendrite growth. Benefiting from the near-unity CE, the pouch cell with a VOPO 4 ·2H 2 O cathode sustains 500 deep cycles without swelling or leaking and delivers an energy density of 100 Wh kg -1 under practical conditions. Finally, our work represents a critical step forward in accelerating the market adoption of zinc batteries as an energy storage system with higher sustainability.

25 ENERGY STORAGE↗

An Overview of Non-LWR Vessel Cooling Systems for Passive Decay Heat Removal (Technical Letter Final Report)

The following report provides a technical review of various reactor vessel cooling system (VCS) concepts under consideration for decay heat removal (DHR) in non-light water advanced reactor designs. This review focuses on ex-vessel designs, including the Reactor Cavity Cooling System (RCCS), the Reactor Vessel Auxiliary Cooling System (RVACS), and hybrid iterations, using both air and water cooling to achieve their heat removal function. Based on a literature review of publicly available sources published between 1979 and 2021, a technical summary is presented detailing existing and planned VCS design options, their applicability to specific reactor type, and review of authored research and development studies. Following an assessment of the availability of data and modeling tools, an evaluation was performed analyzing their likely performance during normal, degraded, and accident conditions, including reliability, stability, and longevity. With renewed consideration of air-based DHR systems by some US vendors, there is a need to fully understand the complexities inherent to natural circulation systems, and more importantly, how they may influence safety-related heat removal functions and system performance. For DHR systems that rely on air-based mode of cooling, this entails quantification of the impacts of low flow conditions during start-up, relative elevations of inlet and outlet ducts for below-grade installations, effects of the use of multiple parallel chimneys for redundancy, and impact of weather conditions at the plant site. For systems relying on water-based mode cooling, reliance on limited coolant inventory in an event of pipe break or extended duration accident scenarios, sensitivities related to stability of boiling flow and heat transfer conditions, and quantification of full-scale structural vibrations on balance of plant structures are among the complicating factors.

22 GENERAL STUDIES OF NUCLEAR REACTORS↗

Influence of Hybridization on the Capacity Value of PV and Battery Resources

Utility-scale systems that combine solar photovoltaic and battery (PV+battery) technologies are growing in popularity on the U.S. bulk power system. The business case for PV+battery systems depends on both their ability to reduce costs and their ability to generate value synergies associated with the provision of energy, capacity, and ancillary services. Capacity value can constitute a significant portion of the value PV+battery hybrids provide to the grid (e.g., through avoided or deferred capacity) and receive through revenues. Throughout this report, we define capacity value as the monetary value of a plant's contribution towards the planning reserve margin, which ultimately depends on market rules and structures. PV+battery hybrids do not always fit into current market structures because of the interactions between the PV and battery components. Unique considerations for the capacity value of PV+battery hybrids include the disparate nature of participation models for PV and battery technologies in existing market rules and the potential influence of a shared interconnection capacity; limitations imposed by a shared inverter; limited ability to charge the battery in advance of capacity events if charging must be sourced from the coupled PV; and challenges or uncertainties associated with co-optimizing the operations of the PV and battery components. Grid operators are currently considering how market structures can be modified to optimally determine the capacity value provided by PV+battery systems, and the rules of how they are integrated into markets are still being written. As with any resource, poorly designed rules could increase the cost of energy and reduce system reliability, while well-designed rules could allow markets to receive the full benefits hybrid systems can offer without overcompensating them for the services they provide. Well-designed rules for PV+battery systems must consider the unique aspects listed above, while leveraging the commonalities with existing resource types. In this report, we summarize the technical capability and market rules that influence the capacity value of PV+battery systems. We further discuss the potential tradeoffs between computational complexity and accuracy for the various ways in which grid operators can credit PV+battery systems for capacity. Finally, we describe markets for capacity, survey current wholesale market rules applying to PV+battery systems, and provide a snapshot of the current regulatory landscape for PV+battery systems.

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗

Exploring Offshore Regional Atlantic Carbon Storage and Infrastructure for Eastern USA (Supporting Communities and Industry for Mid-Atlantic Offshore Carbon Storage Hub)

This final technical report presents a summary of work completed for the project Supporting Communities and Industry for Mid-Atlantic Offshore Carbon Storage Hub (FE0032407), which has been designated EXPLORE-ACS (Exploring Potential Long-Term Offshore Regional Atlantic Carbon Storage). The project is part of the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL) funding opportunity announcement 2799 for Regional Initiatives to Accelerate Carbon Capture, Utilization, and Storage (CCUS) Deployment. The objective of the DOE 2799 program is to identify and address the challenges facing commercial deployment of carbon capture, transport, and storage in specific regions of the United States.

29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY↗

Autonomous space processor for orbital debris

This work continues to develop advanced designs toward the ultimate goal of a GETAWAY SPECIAL to demonstrate economical removal of orbital debris utilizing local resources in orbit. The fundamental technical feasibility was demonstrated last year through theoretical calculations, quantitative computer animation, a solar focal point cutter, a robotic arm design and a subscale model. During this reporting period, several improvements are made in the solar cutter, such as auto track capabilities, better quality reflectors and a more versatile framework. The major advance has been in the design, fabrication and working demonstration of a ROBOTIC ARM that has several degrees of freedom. The functions were specifically tailored for the orbital debris handling. These advances are discussed here. Also a small fraction of the resources were allocated towards research in flame augmentation in SCRAMJETS for the NASP. Here, the fundamental advance was the attainment of Mach numbers up to 0.6 in the flame zone and a vastly improved injection system; the current work is expected to achieve supersonic combustion in the laboratory and an advanced monitoring system.

Ramohalli, Kumar↗

Advanced design for orbital debris removal in support of solar system exploration

This work continues to develop advanced designs toward the ultimate goal of a Getaway Special to demonstrate economical removal of orbital debris utilizing local resources in orbit. The fundamental technical feasibility was demonstrated last year through theoretical calculations, quantitative computer animation, a solar focal point cutter, a robotic arm design, and a subscale model. During this reporting period, several improvements are made in the solar cutter, such as auto track capabilities, better quality reflectors, and a more versatile framework. The major advance has been in the design, fabrication, and working demonstration of a robotic arm that has several degrees of freedom. The functions were specifically tailored for the orbital debris handling. These advances are discussed. Also, a small fraction of the resources were allocated toward research in flame augmentation in scramjets for the NASP. Here, the fundamental advance has been the attainment of Mach numbers up to 0.6 in the flame zone and a vastly improved injection system; our current work is expected to achieve supersonic combustion in the laboratory and an advanced monitoring system.

Campbell, David↗

NASA software documentation standard software engineering program

The NASA Software Documentation Standard (hereinafter referred to as Standard) can be applied to the documentation of all NASA software. This Standard is limited to documentation format and content requirements. It does not mandate specific management, engineering, or assurance standards or techniques. This Standard defines the format and content of documentation for software acquisition, development, and sustaining engineering. Format requirements address where information shall be recorded and content requirements address what information shall be recorded. This Standard provides a framework to allow consistency of documentation across NASA and visibility into the completeness of project documentation. This basic framework consists of four major sections (or volumes). The Management Plan contains all planning and business aspects of a software project, including engineering and assurance planning. The Product Specification contains all technical engineering information, including software requirements and design. The Assurance and Test Procedures contains all technical assurance information, including Test, Quality Assurance (QA), and Verification and Validation (V&V). The Management, Engineering, and Assurance Reports is the library and/or listing of all project reports.

Source record↗

Gas-grain simulation facility: Aerosol and particle research in microgravity

This document reports on the proceedings of the Gas-Grain Simulation Facility (GGSF) Science Workshop which was co-hosted by NASA Ames Research Center and Desert Research Institute, University of Nevada System, and held in Las Vegas, Nevada, on May 4-6, 1992. The intent of the workshop was to bring together the science community of potential GGSF experimenters, Science Working Group and staff members, and the Phase A contractor to review the Phase A design with the science participants and to facilitate communication between the science community and the hardware developers. The purpose of this report is to document the information disseminated at the workshop, to record the participants' review of the Phase A GGSF design concept and the current science and technical requirements for the Facility, and to respond to any questions or concerns that were raised at the Workshop. Recommendations for the future based on numerous discussions with the participants are documented, as well as science presentations and poster sessions that were given at the Workshop and a summary of 21 candidate experiments.

Huntington, Judith L.↗

NASA Software Documentation Standard

The NASA Software Documentation Standard (hereinafter referred to as "Standard") is designed to support the documentation of all software developed for NASA; its goal is to provide a framework and model for recording the essential information needed throughout the development life cycle and maintenance of a software system. The NASA Software Documentation Standard can be applied to the documentation of all NASA software. The Standard is limited to documentation format and content requirements. It does not mandate specific management, engineering, or assurance standards or techniques. This Standard defines the format and content of documentation for software acquisition, development, and sustaining engineering. Format requirements address where information shall be recorded and content requirements address what information shall be recorded. This Standard provides a framework to allow consistency of documentation across NASA and visibility into the completeness of project documentation. The basic framework consists of four major sections (or volumes). The Management Plan contains all planning and business aspects of a software project, including engineering and assurance planning. The Product Specification contains all technical engineering information, including software requirements and design. The Assurance and Test Procedures contains all technical assurance information, including Test, Quality Assurance (QA), and Verification and Validation (V&V). The Management, Engineering, and Assurance Reports is the library and/or listing of all project reports.

Source record↗

SpaceWire Tiger Team Findings and Suggestions

This technical report intends to highlight the key findings and recommendations of the SpaceWire Tiger Team for the CoNNeCT project. It covers findings which are technical in nature, covering design concepts and approaches.

Ishac, Joseph A.↗

Industrial Requirements Status Report and Down-Select of Candidate Technologies

The report discusses the potential for implementing Integrated Energy Systems (IES) using advanced nuclear reactors to provide thermal and electrical energy to carbon-emitting industries while reducing their carbon footprint. Nine different industries were reviewed to determine their decarbonization potential, how nuclear power can fit in, and the carbon footprint of each. The report also identifies specific integration points and streams for most processes, including temperature and pressure requirements of integrating nuclear power with industrial processes. The report also provides insights on advanced nuclear reactors and their potential for us in IES for decarbonization. The target audience for the report is broad, but mainly addressed to the industry leads and nuclear reactor developers. The report recommends that in the short term, a few processes should be identified to continue research and investigation so that front end engineering design work can provide technical analysis for integrating nuclear heat and replacing existing carbon-emitting thermal sources. The work emphasized the significant decarbonization opportunity across each of the technologies looked at as well as how novel and useful nuclear integration is to reduce the environmental impact of these significant industries.

02 PETROLEUM↗