Computationally Efficient Parameter Sensitivity Analysis for PDE-Constrained Optimization.
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This White Paper brings together our previous studies on a Muon Collider (MC) and presents a design concept of the 6 TeV MC optics, the superconducting (SC) magnets, and a preliminary analysis of the protection system to reduce magnet radiation loads as well as particle backgrounds in the detector. The SC magnets and detector protection considerations impose strict limitations on the lattice choice, hence the design of the collider optics, magnets and Machine Detector Interface (MDI) are closely intertwined. As a first approximation we use the Interaction Region (IR) design with beta-star=3 mm, whereas for the arcs we re-scale the arc cell design of the 3 TeV MC. Traditional cos-theta coil geometry and Nb3Sn superconductor were used to provide field maps for the analysis and optimization of the arc lattice and IR design, as well as for studies of beam dynamics and magnet protection against radiation. The stress management in the coil will be needed to avoid large degradation or even damage of the brittle SC coils. In the assumed IR designs, the dipoles close to the Interaction Point (IP) and tungsten masks in each IR (to protect magnets) help reducing background particle fluxes in the detector by a substantial factor. The tungsten nozzles in the 6 to 600 cm region from the IP, assisted by the detector solenoid field, trap most of the decay electrons created close to the IP as well as most of the incoherent electron-positron pairs generated in the IP. With sophisticated tungsten, iron, concrete and borated polyethylene shielding in the MDI region, the total reduction of background loads by more than three orders of magnitude can be achieved.
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Systems, methods and apparatuses are provided for reducing peak energy demand and to smooth intermittent energy profiles from onsite variable energy sources and loads. Some embodiments use system level and device level analysis and optimization to adaptively adjust the operation of a behind the meter energy storage (BMES) to smooth out energy generation variabilities and follow a reference load signal, including at short time resolutions.
Recent efforts in separations process simulation at Argonne have expanded from the traditional focus on solvent extraction flowsheet design in order to capture process dynamics and to simulate other components, processing and systems of a used nuclear fuel reprocessing plant. For example, the Argonne Model for Universal Solvent Extraction (AMUSE) code has been enhanced to make it both more portable and more readily extensible. Moving away from a spreadsheet environment makes the addition of new species and processes simpler for the expert user, which should enable more rapid implementation of chemical models that simulate evolving processes. The dyAMUSE (dynamic AMUSE) version allows the simulation of transient behavior across an extractor. Electrochemical separations have now been modeled using spreadsheet codes that simulate the electrochemical recycle of fast reactor fuel. The user can follow the evolution of the salt, products, and waste compositions in the electro-refiner, cathode processors, and drawdown as a function of fuel batches treated. To further expand capabilities in integrating multiple unit operations, a platform for linking mathematical models representing the different operations that comprise a reprocessing facility was adapted to enable systems-level analysis and optimization of facility functions. (authors)
Recently, Paul Scherrer Institut (PSI) commenced a project on Feasibility and plausibility of innovative reactor concepts in an European electricity supply environment. The investigation in the project will be done on two reactor types: the pebble bed High-Temperature Gas-Cooled Reactor (HTGR) and Molten Salt Reactor (MSR) with the main focus being on the HTGR. Firstly, the project consists of an extensive literature study on the current status of the technology and research on the HTGR and MSR. Secondly, based on the findings from the literature survey, several topics of particular interest have been chosen for more thorough investigations. On the pebble bed HTGRs, the areas of investigation include risk assessment study, preliminary economic assessment, investigation of accident scenarios, and preliminary study on reduction of waste volumes. For both HTGR and MSR an analysis and optimization of the fuel cycle is foreseen. At the initial stage the equilibrium closed Th-U and U-Pu cycle performance will be evaluated and compared with 16 other reactor types. Later the knowledge from equilibrium study will be applied to optimize especially the MSR but also HTGR fuel cycle. At the end of the project, based on the literature survey and the results from the scoping studies, future research needs and areas of special interest will be identified for successive projects related to HTGR and MSR in PSI. (authors)
Timely and effective load shedding in power systems is critical for maintaining supply-demand balance and preventing cascading blackouts. To eliminate load shedding bias against specific regions in the system, optimization-based methods are uniquely positioned to help balance between economic and fairness considerations. However, the resulting optimization problem involves complex constraints, which can be time-consuming to solve and thus cannot meet the real-time requirements of load shedding. To tackle this challenge, in this paper we present an efficient machine learning algorithm to enable millisecond-level computation for the optimization-based load shedding problem. Numerical studies on both a 3-bus toy example and a realistic RTS-GMLC system have demonstrated the validity and efficiency of the proposed algorithm for delivering fairness-aware and real-time load shedding decisions.
This paper proposes a measurement-informed dynamic aggregation methodology in order to create equivalent representations of distribution systems that are compatible with large-scale transmission analysis. By optimizing an equivalent feeder parameters using time-series measurements of active power, reactive power, and voltage at the Point of Interconnection (POI), the approach yields simplified yet dynamically accurate equivalents. Implemented in PSCAD with models of photovoltaic–battery systems, three-phase motors, and static loads, the method employs hybrid differential evolution and bounded least-squares optimization laying the foundation for for real-time state estimation and optimized sensor placement in distribution networks.
In recent years several novel hydraulic architectures have been proposed with the intention of significantly increasing system efficiency. Two of these architectures, Steigerung der Energieeffizienz in der Arbeitshydraulik mobiler Arbeitsmaschinen (STEAM), and the Hybrid Hydraulic-Electric Architecture (HHEA), use a system of multiple common pressure rails (CPRs) to serve the multiple degrees-of-freedom of the machine. The key difference is that STEAM throttles hydraulic power from these rails while HHEA combines electric and hydraulic power to meet actuator demands. As a throttle-less architecture, HHEA is expected to save more energy than STEAM at the expense of added complexity. Therefore, it is useful to quantify this additional energy saving. Both systems have discrete operational choices corresponding to how the CPRs are utilized for each actuator. It is necessary to determine optimal operation for each of these architectures for analysis and fair comparison. Techniques for optimal operation of the HHEA have been developed previously from the Langrange multiplier method. Applying the same optimal control method to STEAM encountered some technical challenge leading to the optimal control algorithm not being able to satisfy certain constraints. The issue is analyzed and solved by adding noise to the optimization. Using this proposed algorithm, case studies are performed to compare the energy-saving potentials of STEAM and HHEA for two sizes of excavators and a wheel-loader performing representative duty cycles. The baseline is a standard load-sensing architecture. Results show that STEAM and HHEA can reduce energy consumption between 35-65% and 50-80% respectively
A time optimal or nearly time optimal trajectory program was developed for solar electric geocentric transfer with or without attitude constraints and with an optional initial high thrust stage. The method of averaging reduces computation time. A nonsingular set of orbital elements is used. The constraints, which are those of one of the SERT-C designs, introduce complexities into the analysis and the solution yields possible discontinuous changes in thrust direction. The power degradation due to VanAllen radiation is modeled analytically. A wide range of solar cell characteristics is assumed. Effects such as oblateness and shadowing are included. The analysis and the results of many example runs are included.
Basic research on the engineering behavior of large space structures is presented. Methods of structural analysis, control, and optimization of large flexible systems are examined. Topics of investigation include the Load Correction Method (LCM) modeling technique, stabilization of flexible bodies by feedback control, mathematical refinement of analysis equations, optimization of the design of structural components, deployment dynamics, and the use of microprocessors in attitude and shape control of large space structures. Information on key personnel, budgeting, support plans and conferences is included.
This paper presents the analysis of the results of the Nuclear Measurement Program (NMP) executed during the shut-down of cycle 05/2012 of the BR2 reactor. The aim of the NMP was to determine the properties of a reactor core load with a new configuration of the control rods and to evaluate/verify the predicted numerical results by MCNPX. The methods used for the interpretation of the measurement results include combinations of an analytical method for determination of the axial relative control rod efficiency and least square techniques. (authors)
In this paper we analyze inviscid aerodynamic shape optimization problems governed by the full potential and the Euler equations in two and three dimensions. The analysis indicates that minimization of pressure dependent cost functions results in Hessians whose eigenvalue distributions are identical for the full potential and the Euler equations. However the optimization problems in two and three dimensions are inherently different. While the two dimensional optimization problems are well-posed the three dimensional ones are ill-posed. Oscillations in the shape up to the smallest scale allowed by the design space can develop in the direction perpendicular to the flow, implying that a regularization is required. A natural choice of such a regularization is derived. The analysis also gives an estimate of the Hessian's condition number which implies that the problems at hand are ill-conditioned. Infinite dimensional approximations for the Hessians are constructed and preconditioners for gradient based methods are derived from these approximate Hessians.
Optimal heat dissipation in power modules can significantly increase their power density. Removing the generated heat is critical for capturing the benefits of advanced semiconductor materials and improving the reliability of the device operation. This article proposes a design optimization method for liquid-cooled heat sinks that use a Fourier analysis-based tool and an evolutionary optimization algorithm to optimize the heat sink geometry for specified objectives. The optimized heat sink geometry is then compared with state-of-the-art solutions in literature based on finite element analysis of different designs. The proposed methodology can develop complex geometries that outperform the conventional heat sink geometries.
A theoretical analysis on crack formation and propagation was performed based on the coupling between the electrochemical process, classical elasticity, and fracture mechanics. The chemical potential of oxygen, thus oxygen partial pressure, at the oxygen electrode-electrolyte interface ( μ O 2 OE∣El ) was investigated as a function of transport properties, electrolyte thickness and operating conditions (e.g., steam concentration, constant current, and constant voltage). Our analysis shows that: a lower ionic area specific resistance (ASR), r i O E , and a higher electronic ASR ( r e O E ) of the oxygen electrode/electrolyte interface are in favor of suppressing crack formation. The μ O 2 O E ∣ E l , thus local pO 2 , are sensitive towards the operating parameters under galvanostatic or potentiostatic electrolysis. Constant current density electrolysis provides better robustness, especially at a high current density with a high steam content. While constant voltage electrolysis leads to greater variations of μ O 2 O E ∣ E l . Constant current electrolysis, however, is not suitable for an unstable oxygen electrode because μ O 2 O E ∣ E l can reach a very high value with a gradually increased r i O E . A crack may only occur under certain conditions when p O 2 T P B > p c r .
To improve the performance of a ‘point absorber’ type wave energy converter (WEC), an additional submerged body can be deployed. The submerged body can be used to increase the equivalent excitation force on the WEC, as well as provide resonance tuning. This paper presents numerical analysis and experimental validation of a two-body point absorber type WEC using a mechanical motion rectifier (MMR) based power takeoff. The two-body point absorber consists of a floating buoy connected to a neutrally buoyant submerged body via the power-takeoff. The mechanical motion rectifier and a ball screw translate the relative heave motion of the two bodies into unidirectional rotation, which in turn spins a generator. Frequency domain analysis suggests there is an optimal submerged body mass for maximum WEC power absorption. Regular wave simulations in the time domain are compared to the results obtained in the frequency domain. While the time domain and frequency domain results predict the same optimal mass ratio, time domain analysis provides a more complex and accurate power result. To validate the time domain model, experimental wave tank testing is conducted using a 1:30 scale model WEC. The experiment shows the two-body WEC can produce twice the amount of power as the single-body WEC with same floating buoy and can be further increased by PTO design and power electronics optimization. Furthermore, wave tank testing shows the two-body WEC has a capture width ratio up to 58% at 59 kW/m and 51% at 36 kW/m.
Geometry modeling and grid generation (GMGG) have played and will continue to play an important role in computational aerosciences. During the past two decades, tremendous progress has occurred in GMGG; however, GMGG is still the biggest bottleneck to routine applications for complicated Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) and Computational Structures Mechanics (CSM) models for analysis, design, and optimization. We are still far from incorporating GMGG tools in a design and optimization environment for complicated configurations. It is still a challenging task to parameterize an existing model in today's Computer-Aided Design (CAD) systems, and the models created are not always good enough for automatic grid generation tools. Designers may believe their models are complete and accurate, but unseen imperfections (e.g., gaps, unwanted wiggles, free edges, slivers, and transition cracks) often cause problems in gridding for CSM and CFD. Despite many advances in grid generation, the process is still the most labor-intensive and time-consuming part of the computational aerosciences for analysis, design, and optimization. In an ideal design environment, a design engineer would use a parametric model to evaluate alternative designs effortlessly and optimize an existing design for a new set of design objectives and constraints. For this ideal environment to be realized, the GMGG tools must have the following characteristics: (1) be automated, (2) provide consistent geometry across all disciplines, (3) be parametric, and (4) provide sensitivity derivatives. This paper will review the status of GMGG for analysis, design, and optimization processes, and it will focus on some emerging ideas that will advance the GMGG toward the ideal design environment.
The efficiency in harvesting light energy is essential for both crop and feedstock productivity. Key targets for optimization of energy efficiency include energy capture, conversion, translocation and storage. Surprisingly little is known about the mechanisms of carbon allocation and the communication between source and sink. We surmise that regulatory networks that coordinate carbon partitioning and allocation might be control points and thus suitable for optimization by engineering. At a first step towards identifying such regulatory networks, our lab identified key players in missing steps of allocation, specifically cellular sugar uptake (SUT family, founding members identified by my team) and cellular efflux carriers (SWEET superfamily, founding members identified by my team). In plants, both classes of transporters are encoded by multigene families. We show that specific subsets of SWEETs serve critical roles in cellular sucrose efflux in the leaf for phloem loading, in seeds for seed filling, as well as in nectar section and vacuolar storage; similarly SUTs play critical roles in cellular uptake during phloem loading and seed filling. Access to the plant SWEETs provided the clues needed for identifying novel bacterial and human sugar transporters. Moreover, we found that pathogens hijack SWEETs to access the plants energy resources. In contrast to SUTs, which are predominantly proton symporters, SWEETs appear to function as facilitators, and thus must be tightly regulated to prevent spillover of carbon into cell walls. One of the key goals of this project was to identify such carriers, characterize the role of key members in carbon allocation. To decrypt the biological circuits we need novel diagnostic tools that, analogous to oscilloscopes in electrical engineering of circuit boards, allow us to quantify fluxes; here by monitoring sugars. Such probes can provide crucial information on systems properties such as metabolic impedance. To measure steady state metabolite levels with minimal invasive methods, and to develop impedance measurements in vivo, we constructed and optimized a set of probes, namely Förster Resonance Energy Transfer (FRET) nanosensors for glucose and sucrose. The probes monitor the concentration of a specific metabolite with high temporal resolution, and, since encoded genetically, can be targeted to specific cells or even specific cellular compartments and thus obtain measurements with cellular and subcellular resolution. We also developed a new platform for monitoring such sensors in vivo, the RootChip.