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At least 1,477 records · Page 82

A Weather Analysis for Xcel Energy's 2030 Colorado Preferred Plan

The Public Service Company of Colorado (PSCo), a subsidiary of Xcel Energy (Xcel), plans to meet its target of an 80% reduction in CO 2 emissions over 2005 levels by 2030 through its Preferred Plan1,2 that includes increasing the wind and solar energy on its system, reducing coal, and adjusting the operation and dispatch of new and existing thermal generation. The objective of our analysis reported here is to identify how the PSCo generation and transmission of its Preferred Plan might operate in the face of specific weather events. We investigate weather events that currently cause stress to PSCo’s system, such as winter storms and extreme heat. In addition, we explore how the future system responds to scenarios that may be considered normal weather conditions today, but that have a large impact on wind and solar generation potential.

29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY↗

Stabilizing Single-Atom Iron Electrocatalysts for Oxygen Reduction via Ceria Confining and Trapping

Atomically dispersed Fe-N-C materials recently hold great interest in costly Pt substitution for the cathodic oxygen reduction reaction of fuel cells. However, the heat treatment involved in the materials preparation excites Fe aggregating into low activity of nanosized species rather than high activity of single-atom Fe sites. Herein we proposed a new "ceria-assisted" strategy to preferentially generate the active single-atom Fe sites in Fe-N-C materials, which involves oxidative polymerization of pyrrole, Ce 3+ and Fe 3+ adsorption, and subsequent heat treatment. Owing to its spatial confinement and strong trapping for Fe atoms, ceria can effectively suppress agglomeration of isolated Fe atoms and stabilize the Fe atoms by bonding to O in the lattice during the heat treatment, leading to a high content of atomically dispersed Fe (4.6 wt.%). Accordingly, the final catalyst showed ultrahigh ORR activity with a half-wave potential of 0.915 V and kinetic current density of 7.15 mA cm -2 at 0.9 V. When it was as assembled an anion exchange membrane fuel cell, a large maximum power density of 496 mW cm -2 was achieved.

25 ENERGY STORAGE↗

Unraveling the relationship between physicochemical properties of NiFeReOx catalysts and the correlated performance toward electrochemical oxygen evolution reaction

NiFeO x catalysts with single site Re dopants exhibit much higher active and stability toward electrochemical oxygen evolution reaction (OER) compared to traditional NiFeO x catalysts. Nevertheless, the relationship between physicochemical properties of NiFeReO x catalysts and the correlated performance toward OER is unclear, which hampers to enhance the OER performance further. Herein, we prepared a series of NiFeReO x catalysts with different physicochemical properties by treating them at different temperatures (up to 350 °C) and then evaluated their performance toward OER. Here, the results show that heat treatment can convert all metal oxidation states to higher values as well as specific surface areas, which are believed to favor real active site generation and OER activity enhancement. A decrease in activity is observed with the temperature increase at the low current range, and the smallest overpotential of 248 mV at 10 mA cm −2 is achieved with the pristine NiFeReO x catalyst. In contrast, the heat-treated samples possess smaller Tafel slopes and lower charge transfer resistance likely due to enhanced intrinsic activity (from higher oxidation states) and conductivity, which facilitate the reaction kinetics and surpass the pristine sample at a large current density. Additionally, the sample treated at 350 °C exhibits a higher activity at 1000 mA cm −2 (1.68 V vs. RHE compared to pristine sample of 1.92 V vs. RHE); however, it manifests a poorer stability compared to the pristine one due to the imbalance of reconstruction/transformations that occurred on the catalyst surface during OER operation. Our work unravels the relationship between physicochemical properties of NiFeReO x catalysts and the correlated OER performance and provides valuable insights for designing NiFeReO x catalysts with high activity and durability.

Catalyst reconstruction↗

Magnetic Properties and Large Second-Harmonic Generation Response of a Chiral Ternary Chalcogenide: Eu 2 SiSe 4

Eu(II)-containing chalcogenides are an emerging class of materials that are of great interest due to their high optical activity and intriguing magnetism. Here, we synthesized Eu 2 SiSe 4 as red-colored single crystals and characterized its structure with single-crystal X-ray diffraction, confirming the reported chiral monoclinic P2 1 symmetry at room temperature. The crystal structure of Eu 2 SiSe 4 comprises distorted SiSe 4 tetrahedral units and charge-balancing Eu(II) cations. Here, we develop a two-step solid-state synthesis method for Eu 2 SiSe 4 and compare it to the known boron chalcogenide method. We find the second-harmonic generation (SHG) activity of polycrystalline Eu 2 SiSe 4 to be ∼7 × AgGaS 2 , placing it among the highest-known SHG-active chalcogenides. No symmetry lowering is observed down to 100 K in single-crystal X-ray diffraction, although an anomalous expansion in the b-axis lattice parameter occurs and may be correlated to lattice modes of the SiSe 4 tetrahedra. We investigate the physical properties of Eu 2 SiSe 4 using magnetometry and heat capacity measurements and find a transition to an antiferromagnetic ground state at T N ≈ 5.5 K. The low-temperature transition releases less entropy than expected, which may be due to the complex crystal electric field effects of Eu(II).

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Untapped Benefits of Porous Liquids for Gas Capture: Low-Energy Regeneration

Current liquid-phase gas capture materials incur high operational costs due to energy-intensive regeneration processes, creating an industrial need for alternative materials that retain engineering benefits while reducing energy requirements. Porous liquids (PLs), liquid-phase materials with permanent internal porosity, have emerged as promising replacements with excellent gas absorption capacity and selectivity. Despite these benefits, evaluation of regeneration in PLs remains rare. In this Perspective, we evaluate the effects of solvent interactions, mass transport, and binding site formation that control PL regeneration. While conventional regeneration methods exist in PLs, the diversity of PL compositions allows for novel regeneration processes including light irradiation via use of photosensitive azobenzene-based cages, isostatic compression to collapse internal pore structures, and localized heating via sonication for gas desorption. In conclusion, the wide variability in porous host materials that generate the internal porosity in PLs facilitates innovative low-energy regeneration pathways, positioning them as a transformative solution in separation technologies.

gas capture↗

Spin Reorientation in Antiferromagnetic Layered FePt 5 P

FePt 5 P, a substitutional variant of the anti-CeCoIn 5 structure type in the space group P4/mmm, was synthesized by a high-temperature solid-state method and structurally characterized by X-ray diffraction. FePt 5 P contains layers of FePt 12 clusters formed by magnetically active Fe and heavy Pt with strong spin-orbit coupling (SOC); the layers are separated by P atoms. The various Fe–Pt distances in FePt 12 clusters generate complex magnetic orders in FePt 5 P. According to temperature-dependent magnetic and specific heat measurements, FePt 5 P shows a stripe-type antiferromagnetic order at T N ≈ 90 K, which is also confirmed by resistivity measurements. Furthermore, a spin reorientation occurs at ~74 and ~68 K in and out of the ab plane based on the specific heat measurements. The temperature-dependent neutron powder diffraction patterns demonstrate the antiferromagnetic order in FePt 5 P, and the spins orientate up to 58.4° with respect to the c axis at 10 K. First-principles calculations of FePt 5 P show the band splitting at the Fermi level by strong SOC and the s–d hybridization between P and Fe/Pt electrons enhances the structural stability and affects the magnetic ordering.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Heliostat Aiming Strategies for Arbitrary Flux Profiles for High Temperature Gas-Based Receivers

High temperature gas-based receivers are seen as one potential path toward achieving the next generation of concentrated solar power tower systems. A key challenge associated with high temperature, high pressure heat transfer fluids is the lifetime of receiver containment materials. Achieving the desired lifetime while also designing an efficient receiver requires implementation of unique flux profiles, tailored to place high fluxes at cold fluid injection points. An aimpoint selection methodology was developed in the present study to allow user-defined flux profiles to be prescribed for a receiver. The methodology was implemented in NREL's open-source software SolarPILOT, modifying the existing “image size priority” aimpoint strategy. A case study for a tubular gas-based receiver is presented, examining the effect of various parameters on the ability to replicate the desired flux profile.

41 EE - Solar Energy Technologies Office (EE-4S)↗

Ten-moment fluid model for low-temperature magnetized plasmas

In this paper, a one-dimensional 10-moment multi-fluid plasma model is developed and applied to low-temperature magnetized plasmas. The 10-moment model solves for six anisotropic pressure terms, in addition to density and three components of fluid momentum, which allows the model to capture finite kinetic effects. The results are benchmarked against a 5-moment model, which assumes that the gas constituents follow a Maxwellian velocity distribution function (VDF), and a particle-in-cell Monte Carlo collision model that allows for arbitrary non-Maxwellian VDFs. The models are compared in a one-dimensional, low-temperature, partially magnetized plasma test case. The 10-moment results accurately reproduce the anisotropic temperature profile in low-temperature magnetized plasmas, where shear gradients exist due to the E×B drift. We discuss the mechanisms by which the anisotropic pressure can be generated in low-temperature magnetized plasmas. In addition, the importance of a self-consistent heat flux closure to the 10-moment model is studied, showing consistency with other models only when the assumptions of the underlying model are met. The 10-moment model allows for study of electron inertia effects and non-Maxwellian VDFs without the need for kinetic methods that are more computationally expensive.

Kuldinow, Derek Amur (ORCID:0000000319730196)↗

Summary of the IAEA technical meeting on plasma disruptions and their mitigation

Here we summarize the contributions presented at the IAEA technical meeting on plasma disruptions and their mitigation, held virtually, 20–23 July 2020. The meeting brought together more than 120 experts from nuclear fusion research sites worldwide to discuss experimental, theoretical and modelling work in the field of plasma disruptions with special emphasis on developing a solid basis for possible disruption mitigation strategies in ITER and next generation fusion devices. The main topics of the meeting were: (i) disruption consequences, including electromagnetic loads, heat loads, and runaway electrons; (ii) disruption prediction and avoidance, including machine learning and physics-based approaches, and control aspects; and (iii) disruption mitigation, including shattered pellet injection, alternative techniques and general aspects of disruption mitigation.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗

Three-dimensional modeling of a plasma in a strong azimuthal magnetic field

Three-dimensional magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) simulations are able to model the generation of disc-shaped plasma, driven by laser ablation from a current carrying rod in a pulsed-power machine producing azimuthal magnetic fields of 2–3 MG. The plasma at such extreme conditions is unique in that the parameter space for the plasma β and Hall parameter χ transition from below unity to greater than unity at different stages of the plasma generation. In simulations, the formation of the plasma disc in the azimuthal direction, is driven by heat flux from the laser spot and depends on the set of transport coefficients used in simulations. The most recent set of transport coefficients leads to the formation of plasma ejecta at the back end of the rod, that qualitatively matches experiments. Specifically, the cross-gradient Nernst effect, which twists magnetic field, is shown to have a large effect on the shape of the back end ejecta. In the direction along the axis of the rod there is propagation of perturbations from the disc as observed in experiments. In simulations the period of temperature perturbations is in good agreement with experimental results. Furthermore, an instability due to coupling of heat flux and the magnetic field advection provides a possible explanation for perturbation growth along the axis of the rod, and the instability growth rate is consistent with experimental results.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗

Film Cooling Performance Prediction for Air and Supercritical CO 2

The current study explores the possibility of cooling the vanes and blades of a direct-fired sCO 2 turbine using film cooling. The operating conditions of a direct-fired sCO 2 cycle and thermophysical properties of the fluid at those conditions can alter the flow field characteristics of the coolant jet and its mixing with the mainstream. Very little information is present in the literature regarding the performance of film cooling geometries employing supercritical CO 2 . The objective of this study is to estimate the resulting film cooling effectiveness while also capturing the effects of the crossflow-to-mainstream velocity ratio on the coolant jet. Herein, a computational fluid dynamic model is used to study the coolant jet exiting a cylindrical hole located on a flat plate, with the coolant fed by an internal channel. Steady-state Reynolds-averaged Navier–Stokes equations were solved along with the (shear-stress transport) SST k–ω model to provide the turbulence closure. The operating conditions for the direct-fired sCO 2 turbine are obtained using an in-house Cooled Turbine Model. Numerical predictions revealed that the crossflow effects and jet lift-off were more pronounced in the case of sCO 2 when compared to air. Spatial distribution of flow field and cooling effectiveness are presented at different operating conditions.

30 DIRECT ENERGY CONVERSION↗

Study of Conduction-Cooled Superconducting Quadrupole Magnets Combined with Dipole Correctors for the ILC Main Linac

A superconducting rf (SRF) cryomodule for International Linear Collider(ILC) Main Linac equips focus/steering magnets. The magnets are "superferric" magnets with four superconducting (SC) race track coils conductively cooled from the cryomodule LHe supply pipe. The quadrupole field gradient and dipole field are 40 T/m and 0.1 T, respectively. The magnet length and iron-pole radius are 1 m and 0.045 m, respectively. It is known that dark current is generated at SRF cavities and accelerated through the following linac string. The dark current reaches and heats the SC magnets. It is estimated that the power deposition in the magnet may reach more than a few watts and temperature of the SC coils may locally reach to critical temperature of NbTi. It is important to make the magnet not reach quench with sufficient conduction cooling. We aim to realize the SC magnet which can stably operate under such condition. We plan to develop test coils made of three types of SC materials, NbTi, Nb₃Sn, and MgB₂ and study thermal characteristics and stability . We will develop a short model magnet, based on the test coil results. Here, we will present the magnet design study and the R&D plan.

43 PARTICLE ACCELERATORS↗

Progress on Demonstration of a MOOSE-Based Coupled Capability for Hot Channel Factors in Fast Reactors

Hot channel factors (HCFs) are computed values that account for the impact on predicted peak fuel, cladding, and coolant temperatures due to uncertainties in the as-built reactor’s material properties and geometry as well as uncertainties due to modeling approximations. Reduction in computed HCF values via reduction or elimination of modeling approximations may translate to significant economic savings if the reactor power can be raised due to the extra temperature margin gained. While limited historical datasets exist for sodium-cooled fast reactors (SFRs), there are no available HCF data for lead-cooled fast reactors (LFRs) outside of work generated previously within NEAMS. The computation of HCFs involves insights from reactor physics, thermal fluids and heat conduction calculations to determine how the peak temperatures respond to various uncertainties in the design. Due to the significant advantages for multi-physics coupling offered by the MOOSE framework, Griffin (MOOSE-based reactor physics code), MOOSE Heat Conduction Module, and Cardinal (MOOSE-wrapped multi-physics application which includes the NekRS thermal fluids code) are being coupled together using the MOOSE MultiApp System to develop a highfidelity multi-physics modeling capability for HCF simulations. This high-fidelity coupling workflow may also be beneficial for other fast reactor applications in the future. In previous work, Griffin and NekRS were individually assessed to ensure the necessary capabilities were in place. This work describes initial efforts to couple the codes (including folding in the MOOSE Heat Conduction Module) and determining the workflow for the perturbed calculations which will leverage the Stochastic Tools Module (STM). To our knowledge, this is the first coupling of Griffin and NekRS as well as the first exploratory use of Stochastic Tools Module for Cardinal. In this report, the neutronics code Griffin, the heat conduction solver in MOOSE, and the MOOSE-wrapped application containing NekRS (Cardinal) are linked together to demonstrate the coupled capability. Griffin and Cardinal are linked dynamically by specifying shared libraries. Different coupling hierarchies are tested for selecting the most appropriate coupling strategy. A coupling scheme is selected based on the efficiency of calculation and ease of data communication. Multiple tests are performed to choose suitable mesh structure, model configurations, scheme setup and boundary conditions to avoid loss of energy due to data interpolation between different modules or weak imposition of fluxes in finite element codes. Computational experiments are performed to study the tolerance control of each type of iteration to avoid false convergence. The coupled capability is demonstrated in both single pin and 7-pin models based on LFR materials and geometry. The study finds that the use of too large a time step size in the heat conduction module can lead to temperature oscillation even though the heat conduction equation does not have a time-derivative kernel, but only the time-dependent boundary condition. A 7-pin model without duct region achieved good convergence in the coupled calculation while a 7 pin model with duct region experienced data communication issues which need to be resolved.

22 GENERAL STUDIES OF NUCLEAR REACTORS↗

Quantifying Thermal Output of Energetic Materials (LDRD Final Report)

We present the results of an LDRD project, funded by the Nuclear Deterrence IA, to develop capabilities for quantitative assessment of pyrotechnic thermal output. The thermal battery igniter is used as an exemplar system. Experimental methodologies for thermal output evaluation are demonstrated here, which can help designers and engineers better specify pyrotechnic components , provide thermal output guidelines for new formulations, and generate new metrics for assessing component performance and margin given a known failure condition. A heat-transfer analysis confirms that the dominant mode of energy transfer from the pyrotechnic output plume to the heat pellet is conduction via deposition of hot titanium particles. A simple lumped-parameter model of titanium particle heat transfer and a detailed multi-phase model of deposition heat transfer are discussed. Pyrotechnic function, as defined by "go/no-go" standoff testing of a heat pellet, is correlated with experimentally measured igniter plume temperature, titanium metal particle temperature, and energy deposition. Three high-speed thermal diagnostics were developed for this task. A three-color imaging pyrometer, acquiring 100k images per second on three color channels, is deployed for measurement of titanium particle temperatures. Complimentary measurements of the overall igniter plume emission ("color") temperature were conducted using a transmission-grating spectrograph in line-imaging mode. Heat flux and energy deposition to a cold wall at the heat-pellet location were estimated using an eroding thermocouple probe, with a frequency response of ~5 kHz. Ultimate "go/no-go" function in the igniter/heat-pellet system was correlated with quantitative thermal metrics, in particular surface energy deposition and plume color temperature. Titanium metal-particle and plume color temperatures both experience an upper bound approximated by the 3245-K boiling point of TiO 2 . Average metal-particle temperatures remained nearly constant for all standoff distances at T = 2850 K, ± 300 K, while plume color temperature and heat flux decay with standoff—suggesting that heat-pellet failure results from a drop in metal-particle flux and not particle temperature. At 50% likelihood of heat-pellet failure, peak time-resolved plume color temperatures drop well below TiO 2 boiling to ~2000 - 2200 K, near the TiO 2 melting point. Estimates of peak heat flux decline from up to 1 GW/m 2 for near-field standoffs to below 320 MW/m 2 at 50% failure likelihood.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Mitigation of Aerosol Impacts of Ash Deposition and Emissions from Coal Combustion (Final Technical Report)

This project was selected under FOA-0001989 Area of Interest (AOI) 2 – Power Plant Component Improvement. The objective of this AOI was to test and validate technologies and methodologies that can improve the efficiency, reliability, and/or flexibility of individual power plant components in existing plants. The aerosol mitigation technology comprises injection of sorbent into the boiler through injection lances using a positive-pressure blower. The injected sorbent interacts with flame-vaporized aerosolforming components produced during combustion reducing the abundance of sub-micrometer (< 1 micron) particles and fireside ash deposits in the boiler. The primary objective of this project was to validate a sorbent-based technology for mitigating fireside heat transfer surface fouling-related challenges in a full-scale coal-fired power generation facility, thereby, improving plant performance and reliability.

01 COAL, LIGNITE, AND PEAT↗

Packaged Combined Heat and Power Technology Overview and Market Profile

Combined heat and power (CHP), sometimes referred to as cogeneration, is an efficient and clean approach to generating electric power and useful thermal energy onsite from a single fuel source, offering reliable and affordable energy services to businesses and institutions. Furthermore, CHP provides a cost effective opportunity to improve the environmental footprint and resilience of industrial and commercial facilities across the United States. CHP equipment can be custom-engineered or installed as a predesigned and assembled package. A packaged CHP system is a standardized, pre-engineered system that includes all equipment, piping, wiring, and ancillary components to deliver electricity and thermal energy to a host facility with minimal onsite engineering and design time. Packaged CHP systems can be shipped as single or multiple modules with standard interconnections (e.g., fuel; electrical; thermal—hot water, steam, and/or chilled water), which simplifies installation and reduces the costs associated with the project. Most containerized or single packaged CHP system offerings range from 10 kW to 3 MW in capacity. Packaged CHP systems are extending the operating, efficiency, and emissions benefits of CHP to nontraditional markets in commercial, institutional, multifamily, light manufacturing, government, and military applications. These markets tend to be served by smaller systems (less than 5 MW) that are conducive to pre-engineered packaging and/or modularization. Many of these sectors have limited CHP experience and technical resources to adequately evaluate, install, and maintain onsite CHP systems. The introduction of packaged CHP offerings from experienced CHP Packagers and Solution Providers has accelerated CHP adoption, lowered energy costs, reduced emissions, and strengthened energy resilience in these sectors. In 2019, the US Department of Energy (DOE) launched the Packaged CHP eCatalog to promote increased acceptance of efficient, cost-effective CHP in these applications. The Packaged CHP eCatalog is a web-based, searchable platform that hosts DOE-recognized packaged CHP systems with features designed to reduce economic and performance risks for designers, developers, owners, and facility operators interested in installing CHP. DOE established the Packaged CHP Accelerator at the same time to help launch and publicize the eCatalog, and to validate project performance, cost, and installation time of CHP packages across a variety of applications. Accelerator efforts documented installed cost reductions and installation time reductions of more than 20% for packaged CHP systems over 100 kW compared with custom-engineered systems. The Packaged CHP Accelerator and eCatalog established a peer-to-peer network connecting public and private sector partners including utilities, state energy offices, and energy efficiency program administrators interested in promoting cost-effective, efficient CHP systems, Packagers, and Solution Providers. Feedback from these partners, along with input from DOE’s CHP Technical Assistance Partnerships (CHP TAPs), was critical in understanding the current market for packaged CHP technologies, stimulating investment in these technologies, and guiding future directions for packaged CHP systems and their applications. This report provides background on packaged CHP systems, an overview of their benefits, a profile of current packaged CHP installations, and a summary of future market trends; this report is intended for facility owners, project developers, engineers, policymakers, and other stakeholders looking to increase the adoption of efficient, flexible, and resilient packaged CHP systems.

29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY↗

Small-scale Assessment of Simplified Ceramic Waste Form Processing

The feasibility of directly processing glass-bonded sodalite ceramic waste form materials by heating a mixture of Zeolite 4A, chloride salt, and sodium borosilicate binder glass was demonstrated by generating laboratory-scale materials. This direct processing method eliminates pre-setting the moisture content of the Zeolite 4A, eliminates the step of occluding salt in the prepared Zeolite 4A prior to processing, and can be conducted using larger particle sizes of crushed Zeolite 4A and crushed borosilicate glass than those called for in the current method. These simplifications are expected to facilitate material transfer and handling in a hot cell or controlled atmosphere environment and be more readily implemented at large scale than the current method. Most materials made to assess these simplifications were directly processed at 925 °C for two hours in an argon atmosphere glovebox, but one material was processed at 925 °C for four hours and one material was processed at 880 °C for two hours. Sodalite was generated and became microencapsulated by the binder glass in all materials. The microstructures were uniform throughout each product, were similar in all products, and were similar to the microstructures of materials made previously using the pressureless consolidation or hot isostatic pressing methods. Various formulations showed the efficiency of sodalite generation was not sensitive to the salt-to-Zeolite 4A ratio or salt-to-glass mass ratio, although a greater relative mass of glass is required to encapsulate sodalite generated from large particles of aggregated Zeolite 4A. The upper limit of salt loadings that can be effectively processed remains to be determined. The effectiveness of direct processing provided new insights into the conversion mechanism. The salt was likely dissolved into the glass that transported NaCl into the Zeolite 4A aggregates and sodalite was generated in situ as NaCl migrated from the outside of the aggregate inward. Other salt cations (e.g., potassium, strontium, cesium, and probably lithium) remain dissolved in the glass encapsulating the zeolite/sodalite domains. When the glass solidifies during cooling, small halite inclusion phases form in glass within sodalite domains and large mixed salt inclusions form in glass surrounding the sodalite due to the low solubility of chloride in the (solid) glass. Other salt cations were oxidized during processing and formed inclusions in the bulk glass (e.g., neodymium). Initial degradation tests show the dissolution behavior of directly processed CWF (SCWF) materials is similar to CWF materials made using different methods.

12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE W↗

High-Fidelity Simulations of Plasma-Assisted Oxidation of Hydrocarbon Fuels Using Nanosecond Pulsed Discharges

Next, a robust and efficient framework for simulating NSPD in multiple dimensions is developed. The reactive Navier-Stokes equations are extended to include a drift-diffusion plasma-fluid model with a local field approximation (LFA) in a finite-volume solver, which uses an adaptive mesh refinement (AMR) strategy to address the wide separation of length scales in the problem. A two-way coupling strategy is used whereby the plasma-fluid model and reactive Navier-Stokes equations are integrated simultaneously. The oxidation of ethylene/air mixtures mediated by NSPD is simulated in a pin-to-pin configuration. All phases of the plasma discharge are simulated explicitly (including streamer ignition, propagation, and connection, as well as the subsequent spark phase), along with the evolution of the plasma during the inter-pulse period. Temporally and spatially-resolved results are presented, with an emphasis on the analysis of heating and energy deposition, as well as of the evolution of the concentration of active particles generated during the NSPD and their influence on ignition.

adaptive mesh refinement↗