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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 1,153 records · Page 64
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2023

ActiveBAS: A Low-cost, Scalable Control Solution for Grid-Interactive Small and Medium Sized Commercial Buildings

This project aims to develop and enhance a low-cost, highly scalable control solution for Small and Medium-Sized Commercial Buildings (SMCB), assess the business potential at multiple sites, and perform commercialization efforts. The technology can be applied to any buildings served by multiple units, with the benefits being greatest for open-spaced buildings, such as banks, retail stores, restaurants, and factories. This project aims to develop an affordable control solution for: 1) SMCB grid responsiveness, 2) reduction of GHG by changing unit operations, 3) greater reduction in utility costs, and 4) rapid adoption in the marketplace. The proposed technology will be built on a previously developed and demonstrated MPC solution. The minimal sensor requirement and less need of control expertise are the unique feature of the algorithm that leads to low capital and maintenance costs, and short installation and implementation time. These attributes contribute to low capital and maintenance costs, as well as a short installation and implementation time. However, these advantages come with a trade-off: increased difficulties and unreliability when applying traditional modeling and MPC control approaches due to limited information. This final report describes the modeling approaches developed and tested to overcome these challenges. It begins by outlining the modeling challenge posed by minimal sensor requirements, then delves into the proposed modeling approaches, which primarily involve system identification. Finally, preliminary test results for a simulation case study are presented.

24 POWER TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION↗
DOE OSTI2018

EGS Collab Project Experiment 1 Overview and Progress

Enhanced Geothermal Systems (EGS) offer the potential to extract and use large quantities of clean energy, but questions remain on reservoir creation and sustainability. The EGS Collab project, supported by the US Department of Energy’s Geothermal Technologies Office, is establishing a suite of highly monitored and well-characterized intermediate-scale (~10-20 m) field test beds along with fracture stimulation and interwell flow tests to better understand processes that control formation of effective subsurface heat exchangers. EGS Collab tests will provide a means of testing tools and concepts that could later be employed under geothermal reservoir conditions at DOE’s Frontier Observatory for Research in Geothermal Energy (FORGE) or enhanced geothermal systems. Key to the project is using numerical simulations in the experiment design and interpretation of results. Our first set of experiments is underway at the Sanford Underground Research Facility (SURF) in South Dakota. To date, stepwise stimulations have been performed at two locations, with the final stimulation connecting our injection and production wells. Numerous data have been collected and are currently being analyzed.

Enhanced Geothermal Systems, EGS Collab, Stimulati↗
DOE OSTI2020

Tuning the melting point of selected ionic liquids through adjustment of the cation’s dipole moment.

In prior research with thermally robust salts [Cassity et al., PCCP, 2017, 19, 31560] it was noted that an increase in the dipole moment of the cation generally led to a decrease in the melting point. Molecular dynamics simulations of the liquid state revealed that an increased dipole moment reduces cation-cation repulsions through dipole-dipole alignment. This was believed to reduce the liquid phase enthalpy, which would tend to lower the melting point of the IL. Here, we also test this principle by replacing hydrogen atoms with fluorine atoms at selected positions within the cation. This allows us to alter the electrostatics of the cation without substantially affecting the sterics. Furthermore, the strength of the dipole moment can be controlled by choosing different positions within the cation for replacement. We studied variants of four different parent cations paired with bistriflimide and determined their melting points, and enthalpies and entropies of fusion through DSC experiments. The decreases in the melting point were determined to be enthalpically driven. We found that the dipole moment of the cation, as determined by quantum chemical calculations, is inversely correlated with the melting point of the given compound. Molecular dynamics simulations of the crystalline and solid states of two isomers showed differences in their enthalpies of fusion that closely matched those seen experimentally. Moreover, this reduction in the enthalpy of fusion was determined to be caused by an increase in the enthalpy of the crystalline state. We provide evidence that dipole-dipole interactions between cations leads to the formation of cationic domains in the crystalline state. These cationic associations partially block favourable cation–anion interactions, which are recovered upon melting. If, however, the dipole- dipole interactions between cations is too strong they have a tendency to form glasses. This study provides a design rule for lowering the melting point of structurally similar ILs by altering their dipole moment.

32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATI↗
DOE OSTI2020

Robust Distribution System Load Restoration With Time-Dependent Cold Load Pickup

Service restoration is one of the critical functions to enable the future self-healing distribution system. To restore the distribution system in a timely and reliable manner, the realistic system operating conditions need to be accurately characterized. Here, two main factors that have great impacts on distribution system restoration (DSR) in practice are investigated. First, cold load pickup (CLPU), generally caused by thermostatically controlled loads (TCLs), is a common phenomenon after an outage and shaped by the outage duration. However, the time-dependent behaviors of CLPU are rarely considered in literature. In this paper, the operating state evolution of TCLs after an outage is analyzed to characterize time-dependent CLPU. And the time-dependent CLPU is analytically embedded in DSR to accurately represent the actual behaviors of the restored loads. Second, it is difficult to predict loads that fluctuate during DSR due to the lack of real-time measurement data. Accordingly, a robust DSR based on the information gap decision theory (IGDT) is proposed to address this challenge, fully considering the uncertainty of CLPU. The proposed models are tested in IEEE 13-node and 123-node test feeders. Simulation results demonstrate that the time-dependent CLPU model and the uncertainty modeling of CLPU can accurately capture the actual behaviors of loads with TCLs after an outage, which greatly improves DSR decisions in practice.

24 POWER TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION↗
DOE OSTI2015

Real-Time Corrective Switching in Response to Simultaneous Contingencies

The standard optimal power flow (OPF) problem is an economic dispatch (ED) problem combined with transmission constraints, which are based on a static topology. Prior research has demonstrated that cooptimization of generation dispatch and transmission topology results in cost savings. However, the computational complexity associated with topology control (TC) has been a major deterrent to its implementation. The proposed work investigates the application of a heuristic, a greedy algorithm, to improve the computational time for the TC problem while still maintaining the ability to find quality solutions. An expression is derived, which indicates the impact on the objective for a marginal change in the state of a transmission line. This expression is used to generate a priority list with potential candidate lines for switching, which may provide huge improvements to the system. The advantage of this method is that it is a fast heuristic as compared to using mixed integer programming (MIP) to find a solution. The heuristic is tested on real-time applications such as N-1 events, N - m events (m simultaneous contingencies), and cascading events. The proposed algorithm specifically targets cases that lead to load shedding in the system and provides a quick and efficient method to restore the loads by improving the deliverability of reserves via TC. Simulation results on the IEEE 73 bus test system and the IEEE 118 bus test system suggest a significant improvement in the amount of load served to the system with TC as opposed to without TC with minimal time and computation.

Electric power systems↗
DOE OSTI2022

Simulation of CEFR neutronic start-up tests with FENNECS

This paper presents simulation results of selected Neutronic Start-up Tests of the China Experimental Fast Reactor (CEFR) obtained by the neutronics code FENNECS that have been performed within the frame of the IAEA Coordinated Research Program I31032. The Finite Element Neutronics code FENNECS is developed at GRS and solves the few-group steady-state and transient diffusion equation using a Galerkin-based finite element approach. Its main purpose is the safety assessment of Small Modular Reactors and Micro Reactors with complex geometry (e.g., rotating control drums) which gain increased interest internationally. Serpent has been applied to create reference models of the CEFR and cross-section libraries in 10 energy groups for FENNECS. Using these libraries, the following experiments have been simulated with FENNECS: net criticality, control rod integral and differential worth, void reactivity effect, subassembly exchange reactivity effects and reaction rate distribution. The obtained satisfactory agreements with the measurements represent a valuable contribution to the validation of FENNECS. (author)

21 SPECIFIC NUCLEAR REACTORS AND ASSOCIATED PLANTS↗
DOE OSTI2022

Port Impedance Measurement and Current Injection Response Analysis for PLCs

Programmable Logic Controllers (PLCs) are used to control devices throughout the power system since they have fast control capabilities and can utilize multiple types of communication interfaces. Therefore, studying and mitigating their vulnerabilities to electromagnetic pulse is important for the reliability of PLC operations. Here, in this paper, an effective impedance measurement scheme is proposed and demonstrated for three PLCs to estimate their susceptibility to an electromagnetic pulse. The equivalent non-uniform transmission line model is established to eliminate the impact of the fixture in the de-embedding process. Then different parameters of the impedance measurement setup are explored. Based on the measured impedance, the equivalent circuit is established to calculate the response of the device when subjected to the electromagnetic pulse. The voltage and current responses of different interfaces are compared utilizing the developed pulsed Current Injection (CI) method. Finally, the impedance measurement scheme is verified through testing using three measuring instruments. And the CI simulation experiments reveal the characteristics and susceptibilities of different PLCs interfaces, indicating that some protection measures are required for the reliable operation of the PLC.

42 ENGINEERING↗
DOE OSTI2024

Thermal conductivity of 3D-printed block-copolymer-inspired structures

This study primarily focuses on examining the impact that geometric structure has on thermal conductivity of multi-phase constructs in different 3D-printed poly(lactic acid), PLA, samples. The investigated structures are inspired by morphologies formed by diblock copolymers: lamellae, hexagonally packed cylinders, and gyroid. This research also investigates how volume percentage and material combination influence the thermal conductivity of these structures. Further, the samples can be tailored to simulate various thermal management structures observed in practical applications, such as thermal interface materials in electronic devices. Thermal conductivity ratio is controlled using air, the least conductive material at 0.026 W/(m K), PLA at 0.136 W/(m K), and thermal paste at 5.11 W/(m K). Different models were tested against thermal conductivity measurements in order to capture the effect of material type (PLA-Air versus PLA-Thermal Paste), volume percentage, structure, and orientation. Simple, effective medium models were good predictions of thermal conductivity in lamellar structures, but it was necessary to develop models for conduction through cylindrical and gyroid structures. Finally, all results were normalized to find a universal model that is independent of structure and material. This approach provides a simple method to predict how to reduce or enhance transport properties and heat management capabilities of 3D printed objects.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2025

Thermoradiative energy conversion in infrared interband cascade InAs/GaSb/AlInSb/GaSb type-II superlattice diodes

Thermoradiative energy conversion presents a means for the direct conversion of thermal energy through radiative transfer to a cold scene. However, much of the study of thermoradiative principles has been based on theory and simulations, with only sparse reports on the experimental demonstration of the concept. This work studies thermoradiative energy conversion in InAs/GaSb/AlInSb/GaSb type-II superlattice cascade devices. The devices exhibit a cutoff wavelength of 3.2 μm at 300 K, corresponding to a bandgap of 0.39 eV. Testing under a temperature-controlled chamber and scene demonstrates a maximum power density of 2.9 mW/m2 at a cell temperature of 121 °C. It is consistent with expected values for device operation limited by Shockley–Read–Hall non-radiative recombination. This result is a significant step in providing an experimental demonstration of thermoradiative energy conversion and a means to characterize cell performance, providing a foundation for further development to achieve practical values for power generation.

Islam, Md Toriqul (ORCID:0000000249871320)↗
DOE OSTI2023

Impact of crowding on the diversity of expanding populations

Crowding effects critically impact the self-organization of densely packed cellular assemblies, such as biofilms, solid tumors, and developing tissues. When cells grow and divide, they push each other apart, remodeling the structure and extent of the population’s range. Recent work has shown that crowding has a strong impact on the strength of natural selection. However, the impact of crowding on neutral processes, which controls the fate of new variants as long as they are rare, remains unclear. Here, we quantify the genetic diversity of expanding microbial colonies and uncover signatures of crowding in the site frequency spectrum. By combining Luria–Delbrück fluctuation tests, lineage tracing in a novel microfluidic incubator, cell-based simulations, and theoretical modeling, we find that the majority of mutations arise behind the expanding frontier, giving rise to clones that are mechanically “pushed out” of the growing region by the proliferating cells in front. These excluded-volume interactions result in a clone-size distribution that solely depends on where the mutation first arose relative to the front and is characterized by a simple power law for low-frequency clones. Our model predicts that the distribution depends on a single parameter—the characteristic growth layer thickness—and hence allows estimation of the mutation rate in a variety of crowded cellular populations. Combined with previous studies on high-frequency mutations, our finding provides a unified picture of the genetic diversity in expanding populations over the whole frequency range and suggests a practical method to assess growth dynamics by sequencing populations across spatial scales.

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2024

Development and Experimental Validation of a Heat Transfer Model for Spilled Molten Salt Pools

A spill of radionuclide-bearing molten salt is one of the major postulated events that needs to be analyzed for liquid fluorine salt-cooled high-temperature reactor (FHR) or molten salt reactor licensing purposes. In this postulated event, radioactive source term materials (RSTMs) in the molten salt are discharged from the reactor vessel to the reactor building. The release of RSTMs from the spilled salt pool to the gas space in the reactor building is expected to be controlled by the cooling behavior of the spilled salt, including the growth and shrinkage of the solid crust on the surface of the spilled salt pool. This paper presents a simulation model for spilled salt pool heat transfer and validation efforts. The validation data come from two molten salt spill tests that were performed recently: the PELE2 test by the Rapid Experimental Laboratory of Kairos Power LLC (KP) and the Argonne salt cooling test conducted by Argonne National Laboratory. The former was a large-scale test involving kilograms of molten spilled FLiNaK salt, and the latter was a relatively smaller-scale test targeting various processes associated with a salt spill event. Both tests generated valuable data sets that can be used to assess salt cooling and validate evaluation models. This paper provides a new one-dimensional model that can simulate the cooling process of a spilled salt pool as well as the thermal responses of heat structures, such as the stainless steel liner and the concrete below the salt. The model has been implemented as part of KP-SAM code, which is a branch of the systems code SAM specific to KP FHR. In conclusion, the simulation results of the model are compared with the data of the PELE2 and Argonne tests, and reasonable agreements are observed between the model and test data.

heat transfer model↗
DOE OSTI2018

Optimizing Storage Operation for a Probabilistic Locational Marginal Pricing Forecast: Preprint

This paper explores the applicability of using dynamic programing (DP) and approximate dynamic programming (ADP) based methods for optimal dispatch of utility scale energy storage systems (ESS). In this study, the effectiveness of these approaches have been tested using the IEEE 13 node test feeder with distributed photovoltaics (PVs) and a utility scale storage system. In this work, a co-simulation based approach has been used to setup the experiment to be able to implement detailed ESS and network models. The results obtained from DP/ADP runs have been compared with three other control strategies both myopic and intelligent. Simulations results show that DP/ADP algorithms are a good candidate for optimal EES dispatch in terms of both solution quality and execution time.

25 ENERGY STORAGE↗
DOE OSTI2025

Transient Stability-Enhancing Method for Grid-Forming Inverters Under Current Limiting

The primary controller of a grid-forming (GFM) inverter governs the internal reference voltage and angle, which enables the inverter to naturally synchronize and share power with the connected grid; however, during disturbances on the grid caused by, e.g., line faults, overloading, or frequency and phase shifts, a GFM inverter can be pushed into a current-limited operation to protect the device against thermal damage. This can lead to a windup of the internal reference frequency generated by the primary controller and cause a total loss of synchronism with the grid. Here, to make the primary controller of GFM inverters more robust against transient instability, this paper proposes a method that manipulates the reference signals governed by the primary controller by introducing the concept of fictitious power. The fictitious power counteracts the integrator windup in the primary controller, which enables the current-limited inverter to conceive a stable operating point. This method is benchmarked against five state-of-the-art GFM inverter stabilization methods to evaluate its stability-enhancing performance. Full-order electromagnetic-transient simulations and experimental results of a hardware inverter test setup validate the benefits of the method to improve the transient stability of GFM inverters in the face of grid disturbances.

24 POWER TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION↗
DOE OSTI2022

NPP Simulators for Coupled Thermal and Electric Power Dispatch

The Light Water Reactor Sustainability (LWRS) program within the United States Department of Energy supports extending the operation of the U.S. commercial nuclear power plant (NPP) fleet. Within the LWRS program, the Flexible Plant Operation and Generation (FPOG) Pathway works to diversify the revenue streams of light water reactors (LWRs) by opening opportunities for the co-generation of non-electric products in addition to supplying electrical power to the grid. Recent events have added greater motivation to these efforts. For example, the recent Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) passed by the U.S. federal government offers substantial tax incentives for producing clean hydrogen, the technology readiness level of dispatchable and high-efficiency hydrogen production has dramatically increased in a short time, and societal response to world climate change is driving a transition away from fossil fuels. Producing hydrogen with maximum efficiency using nuclear power requires dispatching both electrical and thermal power from the nuclear plant to the hydrogen plant, so testing concepts of operations for combined electrical and thermal power dispatch (TPD) from an NNP to a hydrogen plant is of interest. This report documents achievement of the Light Water Reactor Sustainability (LWRS) program milestone “Install and demonstrate a vendor-developed simulator on the Human Systems Simulation Laboratory (HSS) for dispatch of LWR electrical power to a close-coupled electrolysis plant” with a due date of Dec. 22, 2022. Several factors provide motivation for this effort. Coupling the power generation deck of a nuclear power plant to a hydrogen production facility introduces new possibilities for operational transients that must be addressed. In particular, the performance of the integrated system during startup and shutdown of the hydrogen production facility, as well as offnormal conditions, need to be evaluated to ensure there are no adverse effects on the operation of the existing NPP. The concept of operations involving the NPP, the hydrogen plant, and the electric power grid must be tested using NPP simulators and operating procedures that have been modified for TPD operations. These tests must also include dynamic simulations of the coupled tertiary thermal and electric loads as well as coordinated activities with NPP operators, tertiary load operators and grid power coordinators. The report summarizes progress in developing and testing full-scope NPP simulators at the HSSL, including a generic BWR simulator from GSE Systems, Inc. and generic PWR simulator from Westinghouse. In the case of the TPD-GBWR Simulator from GSE Systems, Inc., a BWR is thermally coupled to a high temperature electrolysis (HTE) plant that produces hydrogen and oxygen from de-ionized water. The hydrogen plant is not explicitly simulated but only included as a transient heat sink. A thermal power dispatch (TPD) system transfers heat between the steam systems at the BWR and the hydrogen plant. Operational results from two versions of the modified simulator are presented. The first version uses synthetic oil as a heat transfer fluid in a closed delivery heat loop (DHL) that generates steam at the hydrogen plant. The second version uses steam as the heat transfer fluid in a delivery steam line (DSL) to provide steam to the hydrogen plant. For both versions, the estimated thermal power delivery distance is approximately one kilometer. The amount of thermal power dispatched in the simulators is 15% of the total reactor thermal power such that the simulators provide a tool to study the feasibility of coupling a BWR to industrial processes that benefit from a combination electrical and thermal power dispatch. Ongoing work within a CRADA is also developing a full-scope PWR simulator provided by Westinghouse for both thermal and electric power coupling. This simulator is based on a PWR plant with two three-loop Westinghouse reactors. Westinghouse PWRs are sufficiently similar that a simulator of a three-loop reactor is an appropriate representation for two-loop and four-loop PWR reactors. The three-loop simulator will initially be modified for close-coupling to a 100 MW HTE hydrogen production plant that will require approximately 25 MW of thermal power while operating at its maximum rated capacity. The simulator testing will include full coupling to dynamic simulations of a hydrogen production plant and a representative bulk electric grid. The simulator provided by Westinghouse is similar to the GPWR simulator that INL has already obtained from GSE Systems but has a few important added benefits. First, the Westinghouse simulator is based on digital controls and has additional screens that can be called up to show parameter trends to assist operators in decision-making. The Westinghouse simulator also has upgrades to the controls and hardware representations, such as valve actuators, that make it more realistic and flexible in terms of accurately sim

99 GENERAL AND MISCELLANEOUS↗
DOE OSTI2018

Hardware-in-the-Loop (HIL) Simulations for Smart Grid Impact Studies: Preprint

Hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) simulation is increasingly employed in power engineering as more inverter-based generation and smart appliances are connected to the electric grid. HIL techniques allow for co-simulation of analytical models with actual devices whose complex behavior is computationally inefficient or difficult to capture. It also allows for testing of the behavior of these devices under adverse conditions that only occur rarely in the field, but that are important to evaluate. An overview of how HIL simulation has been used to date is provided. This paper further proposes that HIL simulation should play an important role in evaluating new control strategies, especially at the distribution level, that are being proposed to allow for continued affordable and reliable operation of the electric grid with the introduction of these new technologies. It presents a new capability that was developed to enable evaluation of interactions between residential loads and the smart grid: smart home hardware-in-the-loop. The paper includes results from an HIL simulation that incorporates multiple technologies and controls.

24 POWER TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION↗
DOE OSTI2017

Improving Decommissioning Success using the Tool of Virtual Reality; Increasing Worker Safety and Project Schedule Stability - 17193

operations, especially underwater, is essential. Equally essential is a precise game plan for disassembly which focuses attention on the skilled remote handling operators who must produce the results. Project success is based on clean, efficient cuts and take-aways, prepared paths for waste placement and containment, programmed return paths; and practice, practice, practice on the part of the operators. Recently, our Partner, WAK Ruackbau- und Entsorgungs- GmbH (Decommissioning and Waste Management Company) was tasked with dismantling and decommissioning the Karlsruhe Reprocessing Plant. The most difficult task in this project is the dismantling of the vitrification plant. Waelischmiller was selected to address this high-consequence project. Together, WAK and Waelischmiller determined that development of a virtual reality suite, where management and operators could create a virtual vitrification layout and subsequently map and rehearse their dismantling plan was essential. This approach, using Virtual Reality (VR) as a tool in streamlining operations and rehearsing difficult moves and cuts, will be a game changer for this and future projects. It will be a first-of-a-kind in Germany. The VR suite is contained in a room at the Karlsruhe facility with a large screen, control cabinet, simulation computer, a Waelischmiller Joyarm and Masterarm. To support the dismantling of the vitrification plant, WAK/HWM will conduct interactive feasibility studies for each dismantling step. All movements; cuts, take-aways and vessel segment insertion into transportation and disposal casks will be established, programed and practiced within virtual test suite. This allows savings in cost-intensive and complex construction of test rigs. Operating personnel can be trained in the VR suite, without taking the risk of damaging expensive remote handling equipment.While the operators are working on the operating element, they stand in front of a wide screen. Instead of a real TELBOT{sup R}, a virtual TELBOT{sup R} is moving on the screen in virtual reality. While practicing, the operators cannot damage the arm and the equipment, which is a big advantage. Moreover an interactive feasibility study can be realized without building a real test rig (mock-up). Consequently significant cost-expenses can be reduced. This paper will describe the virtual suite used by the WAK in Karlsruhe and the advantages of this new and innovative approach, which is unique in decommissioning of nuclear facilities. The viewpoint of each (WAK and HWM), and the decisions and benefits realized along the project path will be detailed in the paper. (authors)

12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE W↗
DOE OSTI2016

Development of simple band-spectral pyranometer and quantum meter using photovoltaic cells and bandpass filters

In recent years, greenhouse automatic-control, based on the measurement of solar irradiance, has been attracting attention. This control is an effective method for improving crop production. In the agricultural field, it is necessary to measure Photon Flux Density (PFD), which is an important parameter in the promotion of plant growth. In particular, the PFD of Photosynthetically Active Radiation (PAR, 400-700 nm) and Plant Biologically Active Radiation (PBAR, 300-800 nm) have been discussed in agricultural plant science. The commercial quantum meter (QM, PAR meter) can only measure Photosynthetically Photon Flux Density (PPFD) which is the integrated PFD quantity on the PAR wavelength. In this research, a band-spectral pyranometer or quantum meter using PVs with optical bandpass filters for dividing the PBAR wavelength into 100 nm bands (five independent channels) was developed. Before field testing, calibration of the instruments was carried out using a solar simulator. Next, a field test was conducted in three differing weather conditions such as clear, partly cloudy and cloudy skies. As a result, it was found that the response rate of the developed pyranometer was faster by four seconds compared with the response rate of the commercial pyranometer. Moreover, the outputs of each channel in the developed pyranometer were very similar to the integrated outputs of the commercial spectroradiometer. It was confirmed that the solar irradiance could be measured in each band separately using the developed band-spectral pyranometer. It was indicated that the developed band-spectral pyranometer could also be used as a PV band-spectral quantum meter which is obtained by converting the band irradiance into band PFD.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗
DOE OSTI2014

Analytical and experimental studies of leak location and environment characterization for the international space station

The International Space Station program is developing a robotically-operated leak locator tool to be used externally. The tool would consist of a Residual Gas Analyzer for partial pressure measurements and a full range pressure gauge for total pressure measurements. The primary application is to demonstrate the ability to detect NH{sub 3} coolant leaks in the ISS thermal control system. An analytical model of leak plume physics is presented that can account for effusive flow as well as plumes produced by sonic orifices and thruster operations. This model is used along with knowledge of typical RGA and full range gauge performance to analyze the expected instrument sensitivity to ISS leaks of various sizes and relative locations (“directionality”). The paper also presents experimental results of leak simulation testing in a large thermal vacuum chamber at NASA Goddard Space Flight Center. This test characterized instrument sensitivity as a function of leak rates ranging from 1 lb{sub m/}/yr. to about 1 lb{sub m}/day. This data may represent the first measurements collected by an RGA or ion gauge system monitoring off-axis point sources as a function of location and orientation. Test results are compared to the analytical model and used to propose strategies for on-orbit leak location and environment characterization using the proposed instrument while taking into account local ISS conditions and the effects of ram/wake flows and structural shadowing within low Earth orbit.

42 ENGINEERING↗