Engineering Papers⌕ Search

SEARCH · Engineering Papers

Results for “Program Evaluation”

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.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 109 records · Page 6
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2012

Selective stress-based microcantilever sensors for enhanced surveillance

Assessment of component aging and degradation in weapon systems remains a considerable challenge for the Integrated Stockpile Evaluation program. Analysis of weapon atmospheres can provide degradation signatures and indicate the presence of corrosive vapors. However, a critical need exists for compatible in-situ sensors to detect moisture and other gases over stockpile lifetimes. This inhibits development of both “self-aware weapons” and fully instrumented weapon test platforms that could provide in-situ data to validate high-fidelity models for gases within weapons. We developed platforms for on-demand weapon atmosphere surveillance based on static microcantilevers (SMC) and surface accoustic wave (SAW) devices coated with nanoporous metal organic frameworks (MOFs) to provide selectivity.

Allendorf, Mark D.↗
DOE OSTI2012

INL Seismic Monitoring Annual Report: January 1, 2011 - December 31, 2011

During 2011, the Idaho National Laboratory Seismic Monitoring Program evaluated 21,928 independent triggers that included earthquakes from around the world, the western United States, and local region of the Snake River Plain. Seismologists located 2,063 earthquakes and man-made blasts within and near the 161-km (or 100-mile) radius of the Idaho National Laboratory. Of these events, 16 were small-to-moderate size earthquakes ranging in magnitude (M) from 3.0 to 4.4. Within the 161-km radius, the majority of 941 earthquakes (M < 4.4) occurred in the active regions of the Basin and Range Province with only six microearthquakes occurring in the Snake River Plain. In the northern and southeastern Basin and Range, eight earthquake swarms occurred and included over 325 events. Five of the Snake River Plain earthquakes were located within and near the northern and southern ends of the Great Rift volcanic rift zone. All have anomalously deep focal depths (16 to 38 km) and waveforms indicative of fluid movement at mid- and lower-crustal levels and are a continuation of activity observed at Craters of the Moon National Monument since 2007. Since 1972, the Idaho National Laboratory has recorded 55 small-magnitude microearthquakes (M ≤ 2.2) within the eastern Snake River Plain and 25 deep microearthquakes (M ≤ 2.3) in the vicinity of Craters of the Moon National Monument.

58 GEOSCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2013

TEST REPORT #21: Compressor Calorimeter Test of R-404A Alternatives ARM-31a, D2Y-65, L-40, and R32/ R-134a (50/50)

As a contribution to the AHRI Low-GWP Alternative Refrigerants Evaluation Program (AREP), this study compares the performance of four lower-GWP alternative refrigerants, ARM-31a, D2Y-65, L-40, and R-32 + R-134a mixture, to that of refrigerant R-404A (baseline) in a scroll compressor designed for medium temperature refrigeration applications. These comparisons were carried out via compressor calorimeter tests performed on a compressor designed for refrigerant R-404A and having a nominal rated capacity of 23,500 Btu/hr. Tests were conducted over a suction dew point temperature range of -10°F to 35°F in 5°F increments and a discharge dew point temperature range of 70°F to 140°F in 10°F increments. All the tests were performed with 20°F superheat, 40°F superheat, and 65°F suction temperature. A liquid subcooling level of 10°F to 15°F was maintained for all the test conditions. However, the cooling capacities reported in this study are normalized for 0°F subcooling. The tests showed that the compressor energy efficiency ratio (EER) and cooling capacity with all four alternative refrigerants tested are higher at higher saturation suction and saturation discharge temperature and lower at lower saturation suction and saturation discharge temperature, compared to that of R-404A. Discharge temperatures of all the alternative refrigerants were higher than that of R-404A at all test conditions.

Alternative Refrigerants↗
DOE OSTI2013

Determining Remaining Useful Life of Aging Cables in Nuclear Power Plants – Interim Study FY13

The most important criterion for cable performance is its ability to withstand a design-basis accident. With nearly 1000 km of power, control, instrumentation, and other cables typically found in an NPP, it would be a significant undertaking to inspect all of the cables. Degradation of the cable jacket, electrical insulation, and other cable components is a key issue that is likely to affect the ability of the currently installed cables to operate safely and reliably for another 20 to 40 years beyond the initial operating life. The development of one or more nondestructive evaluation (NDE) techniques and supporting models that could assist in determining the remaining life expectancy of cables or their current degradation state would be of significant interest. The ability to nondestructively determine material and electrical properties of cable jackets and insulation without disturbing the cables or connections has been deemed essential. Currently, the only technique accepted by industry to measure cable elasticity (the gold standard for determining cable insulation degradation) is the indentation measurement. All other NDE techniques are used to find flaws in the cable and do not provide information to determine the current health or life expectancy. There is no single NDE technique that can satisfy all of the requirements needed for making a life-expectancy determination, but a wide range of methods have been evaluated for use in NPPs as part of a continuous evaluation program. The commonly used methods are indentation and visual inspection, but these are only suitable for easily accessible cables. Several NDE methodologies using electrical techniques are in use today for flaw detection but there are none that can predict the life of a cable. There are, however, several physical and chemical ptoperty changes in cable insulation as a result of thermal and radiation damage. In principle, these properties may be targets for advanced NDE methods to provide early warning of aging and degradation. Examples of such key indicators include changes in chemical structure, mechanical modulus, and dielectric permittivity. While some of these indicators are the basis of currently used technologies, there is a need to increase the volume of cable that may be inspected with a single measurement, and if possible, to develop techniques for in-situ inspection (i.e., while the cable is in operation). This is the focus of the present report.

22 GENERAL STUDIES OF NUCLEAR REACTORS↗
DOE OSTI2014

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

As a contribution to the AHRI Low-GWP Alternative Refrigerants Evaluation Program (AREP), this study compares the performance of lower-GWP alternative refrigerant R-32 + R-134a mixture, to that of refrigerant R-410A (baseline) in a scroll compressor designed for air-conditioning and heat pump applications. These comparisons were carried out via compressor calorimeter tests performed on a compressor designed for refrigerant R-410A and having a nominal rated capacity of 21,300 Btu/hr. Tests were conducted over a suction dew point temperature range of 10 F to 55 F in 5 F increments and a discharge dew point temperature range of 70 F to 140 F in 10 F increments. All the tests were performed with 20 F superheat, 40 F superheat, and 65 F suction temperature. A liquid subcooling level of 15 F was maintained for all the test conditions. The tests showed that the discharge temperature of the alternative refrigerant was higher than that of R-410A at all test conditions. Also, the energy efficiency ratio (EER) and cooling capacity of compressor using the alternative refrigerant were slightly lower in comparison to that of R-410A.

Alternative Refrigerants↗
DOE OSTI2015

A complexity science-based framework for global joint operations analysis to support force projection: LDRD Final Report

The military is undergoing a significant transformation as it modernizes for the information age and adapts to address an emerging asymmetric threat beyond traditional cold war era adversaries. Techniques such as traditional large-scale, joint services war gaming analysis are no longer adequate to support program evaluation activities and mission planning analysis at the enterprise level because the operating environment is evolving too quickly. New analytical capabilities are necessary to address modernization of the Department of Defense (DoD) enterprise. This presents significant opportunity to Sandia in supporting the nation at this transformational enterprise scale. Although Sandia has significant experience with engineering system of systems (SoS) and Complex Adaptive System of Systems (CASoS), significant fundamental research is required to develop modeling, simulation and analysis capabilities at the enterprise scale. This report documents an enterprise modeling framework which will enable senior level decision makers to better understand their enterprise and required future investments.

45 MILITARY TECHNOLOGY, WEAPONRY, AND NATIONAL DEF↗
DOE OSTI2015

INL Seismic Monitoring Annual Report: January 1, 2012 - December 31, 2012

During 2012, the Idaho National Laboratory Seismic Monitoring Program evaluated 17,329 independent triggers that included earthquakes from around the world, the western United States, and local region of the Snake River Plain. Seismologists located 1,460 earthquakes and man-made blasts within and near the 161-km (or 100-mile) radius of the Idaho National Laboratory. Of these earthquakes, 16 had small-to-moderate size magnitudes (M) from 3.0 to 3.6. Within the 161-km radius, the majority of 695 earthquakes (M < 3.6) occurred in the active regions of the Basin and Range Provinces adjacent to the eastern Snake River Plain. Only 11 microearthquakes occurred within the Snake River Plain, four of which occurred in Craters of the Moon National Monument. The earthquakes had magnitudes from 1.0 to 1.7 and occurred at deep depths (11-24 km). Two events with magnitudes less than 1.0 occurred within the Idaho National Laboratory boundaries and had depths less than 10 km.

58 GEOSCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2014

Geothermal Exploration of Newberry Volcano, Oregon

Davenport Newberry (Davenport) has completed 8 years of exploration for geothermal energy on Newberry Volcano in central Oregon. Two deep exploration test wells were drilled by Davenport on the west flank of the volcano, one intersected a hydrothermal system; the other intersected isolated fractures with no hydrothermal interconnection. Both holes have bottom-hole temperatures near or above 315°C (600°F). Subsequent to deep test drilling an expanded exploration and evaluation program was initiated. These efforts have included reprocessing existing data, executing multiple geological, geophysical, geochemical programs, deep exploration test well drilling and shallow well drilling. The efforts over the last three years have been made possible through a DOE Innovative Exploration Technology (IET) Grant 109, designed to facilitate innovative geothermal exploration techniques. The combined results of the last 8 years have led to a better understanding of the history and complexity of Newberry Volcano and improved the design and interpretation of geophysical exploration techniques with regard to blind geothermal resources in volcanic terrain.

15 GEOTHERMAL ENERGY↗
DOE OSTI2014

LED Lighting in a Performing Arts Building

At the University of Florida in Gainesville, the DOE Solid-State Lighting GATEWAY program evaluated LED architectural and theatrical lighting in four academic/performance-related spaces within the Nadine McGuire Theatre + Dance Pavilion. Due to a wise choice of products and luminaire light distributions, the change brought significant quality improvements including improved controllability and color.

32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATI↗
DOE OSTI2016

Comparison of electron beam and laser beam powder bed fusion additive manufacturing process for high temperature turbine component materials

The evolving 3D printer technology is now at the point where some turbine components could be additive manufactured (AM) for both development and production purposes. However, this will require a significant evaluation program to qualify the process and components to meet current design and quality standards. The goal of the project was to begin characterization of the microstructure and mechanical properties of Nickel Alloy X (Ni-22Cr-18Fe-9Mo) test bars fabricated by powder bed fusion (PBF) AM processes that use either an electron beam (EB) or laser beam (LB) power source. The AM materials produced with the EB and LB processes displayed significant differences in microstructure and resultant mechanical properties. Accordingly, during the design analysis of AM turbine components, the specific mechanical behavior of the material produced with the selected AM process should be considered. Comparison of the mechanical properties of both the EB and LB materials to those of conventionally processed Nickel Alloy X materials indicates the subject AM materials are viable alternatives for manufacture of some turbine components.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2016

Alternative Refrigerant Evaluation for High-Ambient-Temperature Environments: R-22 and R-410A Alternatives for Rooftop Air Conditioners

The Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) High-Ambient-Temperature Evaluation Program for Low-Global Warming Potential (Low-GWP) Refrigerants aims to develop an understanding of the performance of low-GWP alternative refrigerants relative to hydrochlorofluorocarbon (HCFC) and hydrofluorocarbon (HFC) refrigerants in packaged or Rooftop Unit (RTU) air conditioners under high-ambient-temperature conditions. This final report describes the parties involved, the alternative refrigerants selection process, the test procedures, and the final results.

32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATI↗
DOE OSTI2017

The Status and Promise of Advanced M&V: An Overview of “M&V 2.0” Methods, Tools, and Applications

Advanced measurement and verification (M&V) of energy efficiency savings, often referred to as M&V 2.0 or advanced M&V, is currently an object of much industry attention. Thus far, however, there has been a lack of clarity about what techniques M&V 2.0 includes, how those techniques differ from traditional approaches, what the key considerations are for their use, and what value propositions M&V 2.0 presents to different stakeholders. The objective of this paper is to provide background information and frame key discussion points related to advanced M&V. The paper identifies the benefits, methods, and requirements of advanced M&V and outlines key technical issues for applying these methods. It presents an overview of the distinguishing elements of M&V 2.0 tools and of how the industry is addressing needs for tool testing, consistency, and standardization, and it identifies opportunities for collaboration. In this paper, we consider two key features of M&V 2.0: (1) automated analytics that can provide ongoing, near-real-time savings estimates, and (2) increased data granularity in terms of frequency, volume, or end-use detail. Greater data granularity for large numbers of customers, such as that derived from comprehensive implementation of advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) systems, leads to very large data volumes. This drives interest in automated processing systems. It is worth noting, however, that automated processing can provide value even when applied to less granular data, such as monthly consumption data series. Likewise, more granular data, such as interval or end-use data, delivers value with or without automated processing, provided the processing is manageable. But it is the combination of greater data detail with automated processing that offers the greatest opportunity for value. Using M&V methods that capture load shapes together with automated processing1 can determine savings in near-real time to provide stakeholders with more timely and detailed information. This information can be used to inform ongoing building operations, provide early input on energy efficiency program design, or assess the impact of efficiency by location and time of day. Stakeholders who can make use of such information include regulators, energy efficiency program administrators, program evaluators, contractors and aggregators, building owners, the investment community, and grid planners. Although each stakeholder has its own priorities and challenges related to savings measurement and verification, the potential exists for all to draw from a single set of efficiency valuation data. Such an integrated approach could provide a base consistency across stakeholder uses.

32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATI↗
DOE OSTI2017

Low Global Warming Potential Refrigerants for Commercial Refrigeration Systems

Supermarket refrigeration systems account for approximately 50% of supermarket energy use, placing this class of equipment among the highest energy consumers in the commercial building domain. In addition, the commonly used refrigeration system in supermarket applications is the multiplex direct expansion (DX) system, which is prone to refrigerant leaks due to its long lengths of refrigerant piping. This leakage reduces the efficiency of the system and increases the impact of the system on the environment. The high Global Warming Potential (GWP) of the hydrofluorocarbon (HFC) refrigerants commonly used in these systems, coupled with the large refrigerant charge and the high refrigerant leakage rates leads to significant direct emissions of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. Environmental concerns are driving regulations for the heating, ventilating, air-conditioning and refrigeration (HVAC&R) industry towards lower GWP alternatives to HFC refrigerants. Existing lower GWP refrigerant alternatives include hydrocarbons, such as propane (R-290) and isobutane (R-600a), as well as carbon dioxide (R-744), ammonia (R-717), and R-32. In addition, new lower GWP refrigerant alternatives are currently being developed by refrigerant manufacturers, including hydrofluoro-olefin (HFO) and unsaturated hydrochlorofluorocarbon (HCFO) refrigerants. The selection of an appropriate refrigerant for a given refrigeration application should be based on several factors, including the GWP of the refrigerant, the energy consumption of the refrigeration system over its operating lifetime, and leakage of refrigerant over the system lifetime. For example, focusing on energy efficiency alone may overlook the significant environmental impact of refrigerant leakage; while focusing on GWP alone might result in lower efficiency systems that result in higher indirect impact over the equipment lifetime. Thus, the objective of this Collaborative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA) between Honeywell and the Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) is to develop a Life Cycle Climate Performance (LCCP) modeling tool for optimally designing HVAC&R equipment with lower life cycle greenhouse gas emissions, and the selection of alternative working fluids that reduce the greenhouse gas emissions of HVAC&R equipment. In addition, an experimental evaluation program is used to measure the coefficient of performance (COP) and refrigerating capacity of various refrigerant candidates, which have differing GWP values, in commercial refrigeration equipment. Through a cooperative effort between industry and government, alternative working fluids will be chosen based on maximum reduction in greenhouse gases at minimal cost impact to the consumer. This project will ultimately result in advancing the goals of reducing greenhouse gas emissions through the use of low GWP working fluids and technologies for HVAC&R and appliance equipment, resulting in cost-competitive products and systems.

32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATI↗
DOE OSTI2017

GATEWAY Demonstrations: OLED Lighting in the Offices of DeJoy, Knauf & Blood, LLP

At the offices of the accounting firm of DeJoy, Knauf & Blood, LLP in Rochester, NY, the GATEWAY program evaluated a new lighting system that incorporates a number of different OLED luminaires. Evaluation of the OLED products included efficacy performance, field measurements of panel color, flicker measurements, and staff feedback.

32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATI↗
DOE OSTI2019

Total Mercury Analysis Comparison: Deployment of Analytical Method for the Savannah River Site Liquid Waste System

A direct mercury analyzer (DMA; EPA 7473) and Cold Vapor Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy (CVAAS; EPA 245.2) have been used to analyze samples high in methylmercury and other forms of mercury with oxidation states of Hg o (elemental), Hg 1+ (mercurous), and/or Hg 2+ (mercuric) to determine analytical data equivalency for total mercury. The DMA instrument has been determined to be the preferred method based on both simulated and radioactive sample testing due to analytical results and ease of use in a radiological hood. SRNL made a number of modifications to the DMA instrument and analysis method to limit the amount of time personnel are required to work in a radiological environment. Equivalency is based on comparative statistical evaluation of the results from: spike solutions/simulants, Tank 50 samples, Mixed Analyte Performance Evaluation Program (MAPEP) samples, and Modular Caustic-Side Solvent Extraction Unit (MCU) solvent samples. SRNL performed a cross-comparison of results using CVAAS, DMA, and Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometer (ICP-MS), as well as independent analysis from an offsite laboratory (using cold vapor sample processing with atomic fluorescence detection, EPA 1631). All data were within the combined uncertainty (2σ ± 20%) of the CVAAS and DMA methods

12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE W↗
DOE OSTI2020

14 MeV DT Neutron Test Facility at the Sandia Ion Beam Laboratory

A recently completed LDRD project has provided a new facility at Sandia for testing effects of energetic neutrons on electronic components. 14 MeV neutrons are produced with a deuterium ion beam onto a thin-film tritide target. The goal of the project was to increase the neutron fluence to levels needed for radiation effects testing and qualification. This goal was achieved through two technical advances. First, a new multi-layer target concept was developed to reduce the rate of tritium loss from the target by isotope exchange, thereby reducing tritium usage and increasing target lifetime. The second advance was the construction of a new test chamber designed to maximize neutron flux at test locations. Together, these increased the available neutron fluence by several orders of magnitude. This new capability is being used in tests for Sandia nuclear weapon programs, evaluation of commercial parts such as highly-scaled CMOS SRAM lCs, and tests of new devices under development at Sandia such as lll-V HBTs, gallium nitride high-voltage diodes, and for fundamental studies of physical mechanisms of device failure.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2022

Measurements for Flattop-HEU Benchmark Reevaluation

In June 2022, high-fidelity measurements of the Flattop critical assembly were taken at the National Criticality Experiments Research Center (NCERC) at the Nevada National Security Site by a team from Los Alamos National Laboratory, Figure 1. Flattop-HEU is composed of a sphere of highly enriched uranium (HEU) surrounded by a thick spherical natural uranium (NU) reflector as shown in Figure 2 and Figure 3. These measurements were taken as part of the reevaluation of the Flattop-HEU benchmark evaluation for the International Criticality Safety Benchmark Evaluation Program (ICSBEP) Handbook. This reevaluation is being completed to update the benchmark to modern standards with significantly improved fidelity and uncertainty analysis. [1] The measurements address the largest identified uncertainties determined during a preliminary reevaluation in 2015. [2]

11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS↗
DOE OSTI2020

Data from Rossi-α and Pulsed Neutron Prompt Neutron Time Decay Measurements at the Oak Ridge Critical Experiments Facility

This report briefly describes the prompt neutron decay measurements by the Rossi-α and pulsed neutron methods performed at the Oak Ridge Critical Experiments Facility. It briefly describes the measurement equipment, the type of data, and how to access the actual data from the Laboratory Records Department at Oak Ridge National Laboratory and the International Nuclear Criticality Safety Benchmark Evaluation Program at Idaho National Laboratory. Most of the data was acquired between 1960 and 1975 with weapons-grade enriched uranium metal assemblies. It also includes measurement of these types performed at Los Alamos National Laboratory by Oak Ridge National Laboratory with the JEZEBEL and FLATTOP criticality assemblies and other plutonium metal parts. The purpose of this report is to support future mining of the data for publication of additional information that can be used to verify calculational methods and nuclear cross sections. Present calculational methods can be used to directly calculate the measured data.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗