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At least 1,243 records · Page 69

Developing Multiphysics, Integrated, High-Fidelity, Massively Parallel Computational Capabilities for Fusion Applications Using MOOSE

As the need for fusion as a clean, sustainable, and abundant energy source grows internationally, so does the need for multiphysics, computational tools to model, study, and predict the complex interactions between plasma, materials, and engineering processes. These tools have a crucial role to play in solving scientific and engineering challenges and accelerating fusion energy deployment. To address these needs, modeling capabilities should enable massively parallel, multiphysics, fully integrated high-fidelity simulations of fusion systems. Additional attributes, such as being open source and modular while maintaining high software quality assurance standards will maximize impact by ensuring accessibility for all and wide acceptance, rapid expansion and development, as well as reliability, efficiency, and robustness. In this paper, we describe how the Multiphysics Object-Oriented Simulation Environment (MOOSE) framework, which has a track record of success in the fission space thanks to the attributes listed above, can be leveraged in the fusion energy field. We highlight key successes of the MOOSE application in the fission space and describe how MOOSE has been and is being applied to fusion applications in the United States---e.g., Tritium Migration Analysis Program, version 8 (TMAP8), MOOSE Fusion Module, Fusion ENergy Integrated multiphys-X (FENIX)---and the United Kingdom---e.g., AURORA, Achlys, Apollo. These efforts aim to establish a suite of tools that can be further extended to accelerate fusion energy deployment.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗

Searchlight Source Code

SAND2024-01982O The Searchlight Source Code is software for creating, managing, and dismantling experiments. It also is a simple web server that mimics an online training module with scripts to automate a client. Sandia National Laboratories is a multimission laboratory managed and operated by National Technology & Engineering Solutions of Sandia, LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Honeywell International Inc., for the U.S. Department of Energy’s National Nuclear Security Administration under contract DE-NA0003525.

Robinson, Matthew↗

Methodology to Assess No Touch Audit Software Using Simulated Building Utility Data

This report describes a methodology developed for assessing the performance of no touch building audit tools and presents results for an available tool. Building audits are conducted in many commercial buildings to reduce building energy costs and improve building operation. Because the audits typically require significant input obtained by building engineers, they are usually only affordable for larger commercial building owners. In an effort to help small building and business owners gain the benefits of an audit at a lower cost, no touch building audit tools have been developed to remotely analyze a building's energy consumption.

32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATI↗

An open-source framework for balancing computational speed and fidelity in production cost models

Studies of bulk power system operations need to incorporate uncertainty and sensitivity analyses, especially around exposure to weather and climate variability and extremes, but this remains a computational modeling challenge. Commercial production cost models (PCMs) have shorter runtimes, but also important limitations (opacity, license restrictions) that do not fully support stochastic simulation. Open-source PCMs represent a potential solution. They allow for multiple, simultaneous runs in high-performance computing environments and offer flexibility in model parameterization. Yet, developers must balance computational speed (i.e. runtime) with model fidelity (i.e. accuracy). In this paper, we present Grid Operations (GO), a framework for instantiating open-source, scale-adaptive PCMs. GO allows users to search across parameter spaces to identify model versions that appropriately balance computational speed and fidelity based on experimental needs and resource limits. Results provide generalizable insights on how to navigate the fidelity and computational speed tradeoff through parameter selection. We show that models with coarser network topologies can accurately mimic market operations, sometimes better than higher-resolution models. It is thus possible to conduct large simulation experiments that characterize operational risks related to climate and weather extremes while maintaining sufficient model accuracy.

42 ENGINEERING↗

Kinetic Monte Carlo for semiconductor surface science v.1

SAND2020-14229 O This software builds on an open source Kinetic Monte Carlo library to evaluate the incorporation rate of semiconductor dopant atoms in an Atomic Precision Advanced Manufacturing (APAM) process. Sandia National Laboratories is a multimission laboratory managed and operated by National Technology & Engineering Solutions of Sandia, LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Honeywell International Inc., for the U.S. Department of Energy’s National Nuclear Security Administration under contract DE-NA0003525

Campbell, Quinn↗

An open-access simulated earthquake ground-motion database for an M7 Hayward Fault earthquake in the San Francisco Bay Region

Comprehensive understanding of earthquake ground motions, particularly in the near-fault region of large-magnitude events, is limited by gaps in strong-motion data. This challenge is prominent in areas with high seismic hazard but infrequent large earthquakes where data is sparse and difficult to interpret. These data limitations lead to uncertainties in the development of site-specific ground motions, which are crucial for engineering risk assessments. To address these challenges, physics-based regional-scale ground-motion simulations have been developed. With the emergence of exaflop-scale computing ecosystems, it is now possible to simulate regional earthquake processes at unprecedented fidelity and generate the large number of fault rupture realizations necessary to characterize both intra- and inter-event ground-motion variability. This article introduces a new database of simulated earthquake ground motions, created for applications in earthquake engineering, earthquake planning, and emergency response. The inaugural version of the database features simulated ground motions for a magnitude 7 Hayward Fault earthquake in the San Francisco Bay Region (SFBR), using the EarthQuake SIMulation (EQSIM) simulation framework and the Graves–Pitarka kinematic rupture model. The aim is to provide high-fidelity, spatially dense, three-component motions generated on the Department of Energy’s (DOE) newest generation of graphics processing unit (GPU)-accelerated supercomputers. These motions are being made openly available to the engineering, scientific, and disaster planning communities. In addition, this work develops protocols for the efficient dissemination of these large data sets and emphasizes community engagement to build confidence in their application. This article discusses the methodology behind the data, underlying software verification and validation, scalable data management, and a user interface for data access. The goal is to facilitate widespread use and elicit expert feedback to maximize the utility and exploitation of simulated motions. While the initial focus is on the San Francisco Region, simulations for additional regions will be added as the DOE program progresses.

Simulated ground-motion database↗

Heat pump concepts for nZEB Technology developments, design tools and testing of heat pump systems for nZEB in the USA: Country report IEA HPT Annex 40 Task 2, Task 3 and Task 4 of the USA

The IEA HPT Annex 40 "Heat pump concepts for Nearly Zero Energy Buildings" deals with the application of heat pumps as a core component of the HVAC system for Nearly or Net Zero energy buildings (nZEB). This report covers Task 2 on the system comparison and optimisation and Task 3 dedicated to the development of adapted technologies for nZEB and field monitoring results of heat pump systems in nZEB. In the US team three institutions are involved and have worked on the following projects: The Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) will summarize development activities through the field demonstration stage for several integrated heat pump (IHP) systems electric ground-source (GS-IHP) and air-source (AS-IHP) versions and an engine driven AS-IHP version. The first commercial GS-IHP product was just introduced to the market in December 2012. This work is a contribution to Task 3 of the Annex. The University of Maryland will contribute a software development project to Task 2 of the Annex. The software ThermCom evaluates occupied space thermal comfort conditions accounting for all radiative and convective heat transfer effects as well as local air properties. The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) is working on a field study effort on the NIST Net Zero Energy Residential Test Facility (NZERTF). This residential building was constructed on the NIST campus and officially opened in summer 2013. During the first year, between July 2013 and June 2014, baseline performance of the NZERTF was monitored under a simulated occupancy protocol. The house was equipped with an air-to-air heat pump which included a dedicated dehumidification operating mode. Outdoor conditions, internal loads and modes of heat pump operation were monitored. Field study results with respect to heat pump operation will be reported and recommendations on heat pump optimization for a net zero energy building will be provided. This work is a contribution to Task 3 of the Annex.

32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATI↗

TeMoto 2.0: Source Agnostic Command-to-Task Architecture Enabling Increased Autonomy in Remote Systems - 18438

Tele-operated robots provide safe means for executing tasks in hazardous environments such as underground mines, space, disaster and legacy nuclear facility decommissioning sites, etc. The desire to use these systems in increasingly complex and dynamic environments presents a variety of technical and educational challenges including (i) insufficient field knowledge of system developers, (ii) restricted data bandwidth, and (iii) insufficient operator situational awareness. Lack of field knowledge is commonly addressed by actively educating robotics engineers in the perspective areas. The Nuclear Robotics Group (NRG) at the University of Texas at Austin trains students to have the necessary skill and knowledge in both the robotic and nuclear domains. To address the second two deficiencies, the NRG has developed TeMoto: a speech and hand gesture based supervisory teleoperation software. TeMoto addresses several chronic technical issues associated with most teleoperation systems including the operator's situational awareness, communication delays and interface intuitiveness. This paper reviews recent efforts to update and extend the TeMoto architecture (TeMoto 2.0) to support more complex semi-autonomous behaviors and eliminate the unnecessary and confining concept of a human interface as a separate component from the rest of the robot's sensors and actuators. This paper outlines the key architectural changes and demonstrations using a dual-arm mobile manipulator to complete semi-autonomous tasks. (authors)

12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE W↗

Can We Practically Bring Physics-based Modeling Into Operational Analytics Tools?

We present that analytics software is increasingly used to improve and maintain operational efficiency in commercial buildings. Energy managers, owners, and operators are using a diversity of commercial offerings often referred to as Energy Information Systems, Fault Detection and Diagnostic (FDD) systems, or more broadly Energy Management and Information Systems, to cost-effectively enable savings on the order of ten to twenty percent. Most of these systems use data from meters and sensors, with rule-based and/or data-driven models to characterize system and building behavior. In contrast, physics-based modeling uses first-principles and engineering models (e.g., efficiency curves) to characterize system and building behavior. Historically, these physics-based approaches have been used in the design phase of the building life cycle or in retrofit analyses. Researchers have begun exploring the benefits of integrating physics-based models with operational data analytics tools, bridging the gap between design and operations. In this paper, we detail the development and operator use of a software tool that uses hybrid data-driven and physics-based approaches to cooling plant FDD and optimization. Specifically, we describe the system architecture, models, and FDD and optimization algorithms; advantages and disadvantages with respect to purely data-driven approaches; and practical implications for scaling and replicating these techniques. Finally, we conclude with an evaluation of the future potential for such tools and future research opportunities.

29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY↗

Software and Hardware Systems in the Safety Control Systems of Nuclear Power Plants

Fundamentally new software and hardware systems for lower level automation in the safety monitoring and control systems of nuclear power plants are examined. More than a hundred software-hardware systems employing software and hardware from different manufacturers have been developed and introduced in this area. Design and functional solutions based on specific software-hardware systems are presented and comparative data on the apparatus and the use of the diversity principle are discussed.

22 GENERAL STUDIES OF NUCLEAR REACTORS↗

Utah FORGE: Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar Data from 2023 and 2024

The dataset comprises Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar (InSAR) data from the TerraSAR-X and TanDEM-X satellite missions, covering the Utah FORGE site. This data includes interferometric pairs created using GMT-SAR processing software, chosen for their short orbital separations between May 1, 2023, and June 30, 2024. Included are various data and metadata, including Digital Elevation Models, unit vectors, and correlation coefficients. The dataset is packaged in several compressed tar files and formatted in NetCDF. To utilize this dataset, users will need software capable of handling NetCDF files and tools for decompressing tar files.

15 GEOTHERMAL ENERGY↗

Laboratory demonstration of a multi-sensor unattended cylinder verification station for uranium enrichment plant safeguards

The objective of safeguards is the timely detection of the diversion of a significant quantity of nuclear materials, and safeguarding uranium enrichment plants is especially important in preventing the spread of nuclear weapons. The IAEA’s proposed Unattended Cylinder Verification Station (UCVS) for UF 6 cylinder verification would combine the operator’s accountancy scale with a nondestructive assay system such as the Passive Neutron Enrichment Meter (PNEM) and cylinder identification and surveillance systems. In this project, we built a laboratory-scale UCVS and demonstrated its capabilities using mock UF 6 cylinders. We developed a signal processing algorithm to automate the data collection and processing from four continuous, unattended sensors. The laboratory demonstration of the system showed that the software could successfully identify cylinders, snip sensor data at the appropriate points in time, determine the relevant characteristics of the cylinder contents, check for consistency among sensors, and output the cylinder data to a file. This paper describes the equipment, algorithm and software development, laboratory demonstration, and recommendations for a full-scale UCVS.

42 ENGINEERING↗

PTT System Performance Evaluation in 3-D Imaging of Calibrated Defects: Pulsed Thermal Tomography Nondestructive Examination of Additively Manufactured Reactor Materials and Components

Research activity in this project is aimed at developing pulsed thermal tomography (PTT) architecture and algorithms for in-service non-destructive examination (NDE) of additively manufactured (AM) reactor components and materials. Recent advances in AM technology could allow cost-efficient fabrication of parts for operating reactors. However, because of stringent safety requirements, long-term performance of AM reactor components needs to be investigated before AM is widely accepted. Because of the complex shapes and significant surface roughness of components due to layer-by-layer welding process in AM, conventional methods might not be useful for in-service NDE of AM components. PTT is ideally suited for in-service NDE of AM metallic components because the method is non-contact, and offers high resolution #-D imaging of material flaws. The objective of this report is to provide initial evaluate of PTT performance sin detecting calibrated flaws in reactor structural materials. Preliminary COMSOL models were developed to conduct super computing simulations of PTT. In the experimental studies, high strength Stainless Steel 316 and Inconel 718 alloys were considered, as well as lower grade Stainless Steel 304, Nickel 200, and Hastelloy C276. Specimens investigated in this report consisted of approximately 1/4in-thick plates made out of these alloys using conventional manufacturing methods. The calibrated defects were created in the form of flat bottom holes (FBH) drilled in metallic plates. The diameters of FBH's varied from 1mm to 8mm, and their depths below the plate flat surface varied between 1mm and 6mm. The size of the smallest FBH was limited to 1mm because conventional mechanic drills were used for creating the holes. PTT imaging results have shown that 1mm-diameter FBH located 1mm and 2mm below the surface were detectable. Larger size FBH were detectable at greater depth. For example, 6mm-diameter FBH could be detected at 8mm depth. Image contrast varied slightly between the specimens, with the best reconstructions obtained in SS316 and C276 plates. In addition, a 2/3in-thick Inconel 718 nozzle plate produced with additive manufacturing method was imaged with PTT. It was shown that PTT can scan through the plate in approximately 20s. Several modes of 3-D data visualization were explored, including using ImageJ and MATLAB software packages.

22 GENERAL STUDIES OF NUCLEAR REACTORS↗

SIERRA Low Mach Module: Fuego User Manual (V.4.40)

The SIERRA Low Mach Module: Fuego along with the SIERRA Participating Media Radiation Module: Syrinx, henceforth referred to as Fuego and Syrinx, respectively, are the key elements of the ASCI fire environment simulation project. The fire environment simulation project is directed at characterizing both open large-scale pool fires and building enclosure fires. Fuego represents the turbulent, buoyantly-driven incompressible flow, heat transfer, mass transfer, combustion, soot, and absorption coefficient model portion of the simulation software. Syrinx represents the participating-media thermal radiation mechanics. This project is an integral part of the SIERRA multi-mechanics software development project. Fuego depends heavily upon the core architecture developments provided by SIERRA for massively parallel computing, solution adaptivity, and mechanics coupling on unstructured grids.

42 ENGINEERING↗

SIERRA Low Mach Module: Fuego Verification Manual (V.4.54)

The SIERRA Low Mach Module: Fuego along with the SIERRA Participating Media Radiation Module: Syrinx, henceforth referred to as Fuego and Syrinx, respectively, are the key elements of the ASCI fire environment simulation project. The fire environment simulation project is directed at characterizing both open large-scale pool fires and building enclosure fires. Fuego represents the turbulent, buoyantly-driven incompressible flow, heat transfer, mass transfer, combustion, soot, and absorption coefficient model portion of the simulation software. Syrinx represents the participating-media thermal radiation mechanics. This project is an integral part of the SIERRA multi-mechanics software development project. Fuego depends heavily upon the core architecture developments provided by SIERRA for massively parallel computing, solution adaptivity, and mechanics coupling on unstructured grids.

42 ENGINEERING↗

SIERRA Low Mach Module: Fuego User Manual (V.4.54)

The SIERRA Low Mach Module: Fuego along with the SIERRA Participating Media Radiation Module: Syrinx, henceforth referred to as Fuego and Syrinx, respectively, are the key elements of the ASCI fire environment simulation project. The fire environment simulation project is directed at characterizing both open large-scale pool fires and building enclosure fires. Fuego represents the turbulent, buoyantly-driven incompressible flow, heat transfer, mass transfer, combustion, soot, and absorption coefficient model portion of the simulation software. Syrinx represents the participating-media thermal radiation mechanics. This project is an integral part of the SIERRA multi-mechanics software development project. Fuego depends heavily upon the core architecture developments provided by SIERRA for massively parallel computing, solution adaptivity, and mechanics coupling on unstructured grids.

42 ENGINEERING↗

SIERRA Low Mach Module: Fuego User Manual - Version 4.52

The SIERRA Low Mach Module: Fuego along with the SIERRA Participating Media Radiation Module: Syrinx, henceforth referred to as Fuego and Syrinx, respectively, are the key elements of the ASCI fire environment simulation project. The fire environment simulation project is directed at characterizing both open large-scale pool fires and building enclosure fires. Fuego represents the turbulent, buoyantly-driven incompressible flow, heat transfer, mass transfer, combustion, soot, and absorption coefficient model portion of the simulation software. Syrinx represents the participating-media thermal radiation mechanics. This project is an integral part of the SIERRA multi-mechanics software development project. Fuego depends heavily upon the core architecture developments provided by SIERRA for massively parallel computing, solution adaptivity, and mechanics coupling on unstructured grids.

42 ENGINEERING↗

SIERRA Low Mach Module: Fuego Theory Manual - Version 4.52

The SIERRA Low Mach Module: Fuego along with the SIERRA Participating Media Radiation Module: Syrinx, henceforth referred to as Fuego and Syrinx, respectively, are the key elements of the ASCI fire environment simulation project. The fire environment simulation project is directed at characterizing both open large-scale pool fires and building enclosure fires. Fuego represents the turbulent, buoyantly-driven incompressible flow, heat transfer, mass transfer, combustion, soot, and absorption coefficient model portion of the simulation software. Syrinx represents the participating-media thermal radiation mechanics. This project is an integral part of the SIERRA multi-mechanics software development project. Fuego depends heavily upon the core architecture developments provided by SIERRA for massively parallel computing, solution adaptivity, and mechanics coupling on unstructured grids.

42 ENGINEERING↗