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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 1,639 records · Page 91
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2014

Quadratic partial eigenvalue assignment in large-scale stochastic dynamic systems for resilient and economic design

Failure of structural systems under dynamic loading can be prevented via active vibration control which shifts the damped natural frequencies of the systems away from the dominant range of loading spectrum. The damped natural frequencies and the dynamic load typically show significant variations in practice. A computationally efficient methodology based on quadratic partial eigenvalue assignment technique and optimization under uncertainty has been formulated in the present work that will rigorously account for these variations and result in an economic and resilient design of structures. A novel scheme based on hierarchical clustering and importance sampling is also developed in this work for accurate and efficient estimation of probability of failure to guarantee the desired resilience level of the designed system. Numerical examples are presented to illustrate the proposed methodology.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗
DOE OSTI2022

A nuclear-hydrogen hybrid energy system with large-scale storage: A study in optimal dispatch and economic performance in a real-world market

Here a study in optimal dispatch and economic analysis of a novel nuclear hybrid energy system (NHES) with large-scale hydrogen storage and a novel control scheme is conducted. The control scheme makes charge and discharge decisions by using the real-time electricity price relative to the historical price distribution. The pricing data is taken from the ERCOT Houston and West load zones with different price oscillations. Six case control studies with different levels of aggressiveness were chosen for each load zone for a total of 12 case studies. It is found that in a high price volatility load zone, a more aggressive control strategy maximizes revenue, while in a less oscillatory load zone, a moderate control strategy performs better. The NHES can store energy when the price is low and sell additional electricity when the price is high, as well as participate in the ancillary services market. Due to these advantages, the NHES can generate 10–40 million USD more revenue annually than a stand-alone nuclear plant. Due to higher costs, the NHES has a higher LCOE (81.36 USD/MWh) than a stand-alone plant (68.66 USD/MWh); however, the LCOE of the NHES is still comparable to other new forms of electricity generation. It is found that both the NHES and the stand-alone plant are not economical in the existing electricity market. Due to the extra revenue generated, the hybrid system has a positive annual cashflow whereas the stand-alone plant does not. It is found that the hybrid plant needs less cost subsidy than a stand-alone plant to become economical.

08 HYDROGEN↗
DOE OSTI2022

Flexible cryogenic air separation unit—An application for low-carbon fossil-fuel plants

In this study, the rapid integration of intermittent renewable sources into the electricity grid is driving the need for a flexible cryogenic air separation unit (ASU) coupled with a low-carbon fossil-fuel plant. However, the state-of-the-art ASU process is highly integrated and nonlinear, which can significantly restrict its ramping rate. In this work, we study the fundamental dynamics of a state-of-the-art double-column ASU, focusing on the dynamic characteristics of the highly integrated and nonlinear heat and mass transfers, and we propose basic control methods for achieving high process ramping rates. We found that the vapor–liquid countercurrent flows in the low-pressure column are critical to the cryogenic rectification of air, which governs the ramp rate of the ASU. This countercurrent flow structure is created through a complex heat integration process in the ASU. Here, this process is simplified as a countercurrent heat transfer to reduce the complexity of studying the ASU dynamics. To preserve this flow structure, the heat integration is maintained so that its heat duty follows the ASU load, using several basic controllers on the critical stream flowrates. A flow-driven dynamic ASU model is built in Aspen Plus Dynamics to capture the basic ramping dynamics. This model revealed a fundamental mismatch in the dynamics in the ASU column that causes a significant loss of O 2 product purity when ramping down the ASU and slightly increases the purity when ramping up. Based on these findings, we propose a basic control method for rapidly ramping down/up the ASU while maintaining O 2 product purity. Simulation results show the ASU basic dynamic process successfully ramps at a rate up to 10 %/min (40–100 % load) while maintaining the O 2 product purity at 95.2–95.6 mol%.

42 ENGINEERING↗
DOE OSTI2021

Performance and flexibility improvements of Staged Pressurized Oxy-Combustion

Staged Pressurized Oxy-Combustion (SPOC) is a low-carbon coal combustion power technology being developed by Washington University in St. Louis (WUSTL). Oxy-combustion plants enable straightforward capture of carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) by removing most of the nitrogen in the combustion air prior to use, thereby burning fuel in near-pure oxygen instead of air, producing a flue gas containing primarily CO 2 and water. CO 2 capture at amounts > 90% is possible, often using cryogenic air separation. Oxy-combustion typically relies on flue gas recycle (FGR) to reduce the peak temperature and radiation that would otherwise occur in a fuel/oxygen only flame. SPOC reduces the peak temperatures of combustion by utilizing two or more pressurized boiler modules connected in series to produce fuel staging; hence, only a portion of the fuel is combusted in any given furnace module. This means that the thermal energy released at each stage can be captured and removed from the gases prior to subsequent stages, when more fuel is introduced. This allows the SPOC process to operate with minimal FGR, avoiding the associated efficiency losses and additional costs. Also, the process operates at an elevated gas-side pressure, reducing boiler size, enhancing heat transfer to achieve a compact boiler configuration as compared to an atmospheric-pressure boiler design, and allowing for recovery of the latent heat of the water from the flue gas at a temperature useful to the steam cycle. The resultant net efficiency of the system is over 3 percentage points greater than traditional atmospheric-pressure oxy-combustion, and 7 percentage points greater than the post combustion variant, representing a step-change improvement over first-generation capture technologies. To further develop the concept, WUSTL and the Electric Power Research Institute, Inc., organized a project with American Air Liquide, Inc., Doosan Babcock Limited, and the U.S. Department of Energy to investigate a practicable and workable boiler design. The team has identified the potential for enhanced process flexibility for controlling power generation over a wider load range than is normally available to conventional coal-fired power plants due to the staged nature of the heat release. With increasing intermittent renewable generator contribution, on-demand generators need to be highly flexible to participate in the future energy market, requiring extensive operation at reduced load. Conventional coal-fired steam generators typically face challenges in maintaining temperature control of the reheat steam and main steam at reduced loads. This results in inefficient operation, both in terms of the boiler efficiency and steam turbine heat rate. The results of this project show the SPOC process is capable of exceptional turndown, both on a stage basis and with the ability to bypass entire stages. Oxygen-supply flexibility was also investigated, as this is also a key consideration for the overall flexibility of the SPOC process given the operating constraints of conventional air separation units. A boiler design concept assessment was conducted and was focused on delivering compact and constructible design. The assessment checked appropriate tube operating metal temperatures at full load and at lower operating loads, balanced against the needs of efficient coal combustion, and the resultant slagging and ash environments. Combustion testing in the 100-kWth pressurized combustion test rig at WUSTL was carried out to validate the combustion, heat flux profiles and burnout at multiple loads. Combustion parameters investigated were flame stability, fuel burnout, ash composition, radiative heat flux, and temperature profiles. The results of these tests formed the basis of a full-scale boiler design that will encompass improvements in both efficiency and flexibility over conventional oxy-combustion processes. The air separation unit flexibility was investigated, and associated cost implications were addressed. Detailed economic assessment results for a 550 MWe net power block are also provided, allowing for a comparison against the baseline NETL oxy-combustion and post combustion capture cases.

20 FOSSIL-FUELED POWER PLANTS↗
DOE OSTI2016

A porphyrin-based metal–organic framework as a pH-responsive drug carrier

A low cytotoxic porphyrin-based metal–organic framework (MOF) PCN-221, which exhibited high PC12 cell viability via 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)−2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium (MTT) assay, was selected as an oral drug carrier. Methotrexate (MTX) was chosen as the model drug molecule which was absorbed into inner pores and channels of MOFs by diffusion. PCN-221 showed high drug loading and sustained release behavior under physiological environment without “burst effect”. The controlled pH-responsive release of drugs by PCN-221 revealed its promising application in oral drug delivery. - Graphical abstract: The porous crystals PCN-221 with pore openings (MOF) PCN-221 was prepared exhibiting low cytotoxicity. PCN-221 showed high drug Methotrexate loading and controlled pH-responsive release of Methotrexate. - Highlights: • A porphyrin-based metal–organic framework (MOF) PCN-221 was prepared showing low cytotoxicity. • PCN-221 showed high drug Methotrexate loading. • PCN-221 showed controlled pH-responsive release of Methotrexate.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2019

A Multi-level Fidelity Microgrid Testbed Model for Cybersecurity Experimentation

When experimenting with cybersecurity technologies for industrial control systems, it is often difficult to develop a realistic, self-contained model that provides an ability to easily measure the effects of cyber behavior on the associated physical system. To address this challenge, we have created and instantiated a microgrid cyber-physical model, where both the power distribution and the individual loads are under the control and authority of one entity. This enables cybersecurity experimentation where attacks against the physical system (grid and buildings) can be measured and defended from a single entities infrastructure. To achieve the appropriate levels of fidelity for cybersecurity effects, our microgrid model integrates multiple levels of simulation, hardware-in-the-loop, and virtualization. In this paper, we present how we designed and instantiated this test case model in a testbed infrastructure, our efforts to validate its operation, and an exemplary multistage attack scenario to showcase the model's utility.

Ashok, Aditya↗
NASA NTRS1974

Communications technology satellite - A variable conductance heat pipe application

A variable-conductance heat pipe system (VCHPS) has been designed to provide thermal control for a transmitter experiment package (TEP) to be flown on the Communications Technology Satellite. The VCHPS provides for heat rejection during TEP operation and minimizes the heat leak during power down operations. The VCHPS described features a unique method of aiding priming of arterial heat pipes and a novel approach to balancing heat pipe loads by staggering their control ranges.

Mock, P. R.↗
DOE OSTI2017

Balancing Power Absorption and Structural Loading for a Novel Fixed-Bottom Wave Energy Converter with Nonideal Power Take-Off in Regular Waves: Preprint

In this work, the net power delivered to the grid from a nonideal power take-off (PTO) is introduced followed by a review of the pseudo-spectral control theory. A power-to-load ratio, used to evaluate the pseudo-spectral controller performance, is discussed, and the results obtained from optimizing a multiterm objective function are compared against results obtained from maximizing the net output power to the grid. Simulation results are then presented for four different oscillating wave energy converter geometries to highlight the potential of combing both geometry and PTO control to maximize power while minimizing loads.

16 TIDAL AND WAVE POWER↗
NASA NTRS2010

Active Flow Control Stator With Coanda Surface

Active Flow Control increases the permissible aerodynamic loading. Curved surface near the trailing edge ("Coanda surface"): a) increases turning -> higher pressure ratio. b) controls boundary layer separation -> increased surge margin. Objective: Reduce the number of vanes or compressor stages. Constraints: 1. In a real compressor, the vane must still function entirely without blowing. 2. Maintain the flow exit angle of the reference stator despite the resulting increase in stator loading.

Guendogdu↗
DOE OSTI2012

Optimal Control of Distributed Energy Resources using Model Predictive Control

In an isolated power system (rural microgrid), Distributed Energy Resources (DERs) such as renewable energy resources (wind, solar), energy storage and demand response can be used to complement fossil fueled generators. The uncertainty and variability due to high penetration of wind makes reliable system operations and controls challenging. In this paper, an optimal control strategy is proposed to coordinate energy storage and diesel generators to maximize wind penetration while maintaining system economics and normal operation. The problem is formulated as a multi-objective optimization problem with the goals of minimizing fuel costs and changes in power output of diesel generators, minimizing costs associated with low battery life of energy storage and maintaining system frequency at the nominal operating value. Two control modes are considered for controlling the energy storage to compensate either net load variability or wind variability. Model predictive control (MPC) is used to solve the aforementioned problem and the performance is compared to an open-loop look-ahead dispatch problem. Simulation studies using high and low wind profiles, as well as, different MPC prediction horizons demonstrate the efficacy of the closed-loop MPC in compensating for uncertainties in wind and demand.

Mayhorn, Ebony T.↗
DOE OSTI2023

Power Flow Models of Grid-Forming Inverters in Unbalanced Distribution Grids

Load unbalance in electric distribution systems is unavoidable. Unbalanced load currents will lead to negative sequence (NS) voltages that may damage electric equipment. Unbalanced power flow analysis is a common tool to detect and mitigate NS voltage issues and requires accurate models of grid components. While traditional source models are available, grid-forming (GFM) inverter models are not well developed. GFM inverters implement various control strategies, which affect their power flow models. Here, in this paper, a novel GFM inverter model considering control effects is proposed. We show that for some control methods, unbalanced system loading will lead to unbalanced terminal voltages of the GFM inverters, which are modeled through an equivalent negative sequence impedance. The proposed models are initially validated using a simple test circuit. Then, they are applied in the power flow analysis on the IEEE 13-bus and 34-bus systems to demonstrate the accuracy improvement over the state-of-the-art. Using time-domain simulations as benchmarks, we show that the proposed models reduce the calculation error of negative sequence voltages by at least 25% in unbalanced distribution systems.

24 POWER TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION↗
DOE OSTI2015

RivGen Controller Performance Raw Data, Igiugig, AK

Contains raw data for operations of Ocean Renewable Power Company (ORPC) RivGen Power System in Igiugig 2015 in Matlab data file format. Two data files capture the data and timestamps for data, including power in, voltage, rotation rate, and velocity. Location, Description, Format, Column 1, Date and time, MM/DD/YYYY, hh:mm:ss, Column 2, DC voltage (after DC filter), VDC, Column 3, DC current into inverters, IDC, Column 4, DC current into secondary resistive load, IDC, Column 5, Power into inverters, kW, Column 6, Power into secondary load, kW, Column 7, Frequency of single phase AC voltage from generator, Hz, Column 8, rotation rate of generator/turbine (rested at 1.1 when stationary), rad/s, Column 9, Velocity Algorithm 2, m/s, Column 10, Velocity Algorithm 3, m/s, Column 11, Rcodes for secondary load, see document "SL Controller PLC Memory", Column 12, Voltage measured between phase A and B, Vll,

16 TIDAL AND WAVE POWER↗
NASA NTRS1984

Energy Efficient Transport - Technology in hand

Technologies developed through NASA's Energy Efficient Transport Program are described. The program was charged with research in advanced aerodynamics and active controls, with the goal of increasing the fuel efficiency of transport aircraft by 15 to 20 percent. Research in aerodynamics was directed toward the development of high-aspect-ratio supercritical wings, winglets, computational design methodology, high-lift devices, propulsion airframe integration, and surface coatings. The active control portion of the program investigated Wing Load Alleviation (WLA) through the use of active controls, drag reduction, and the effect of active pitch controls on fuel consumption. It was found that applying active control functions at the beginning of the aircraft design cycle brings the best benefit, and that if active control and advanced aerodynamic airframe configurations are applied to transport aircraft design concurrently with new lightweight materials, fuel consumption can be reduced by as much as 40 percent.

Middleton, D. B.↗
DOE OSTI2017

Advanced Controls of Next Generation Offshore Wind Turbines

Advanced turbine controls and structural dampers have the potential to significantly reduce the cost of energy (CoE) for offshore wind turbines. Progress made in these two areas on a Department of Energy (DoE) funded program is reported. A lidar-assisted control strategy, with objective to reduce component loads and increase energy capture, is developed and implemented. The controller results indicate a significant reduction in the tower fatigue loads. In a parallel effort, potential of a passive and semi-active tuned-mass damper (TMD) is evaluated to mitigate fatigue and extreme loads. Simulation results with passive and semi-active TMD indicate significant load reduction for tower and substructure for both fixed-bottom and floating wind turbines.

cost of energy, COE, passive and semi-active tuned↗
DOE OSTI2022

Field Testing of a Hierarchical Model-Free Transactive Control Strategy in a Residential House

Demand response plays an important role in addressing the uncertain, intermittent, and variable nature of renewable energy sources. However, to be effective, it requires a significant amount of demand load flexibility, in which buildings are important flexible assets for electricity systems. In this regard, many transactive control tools have been developed to harness this demand flexibility. Yet, such tools are mostly simulation-based or deal with a single load, which may not be sufficient to demonstrate their effectiveness. Towards this end, this paper presents a field implementation and testing of a hierarchical model-free transactive control strategy using residential building thermostatically controlled loads. The transactive control implementation incorporates elements of virtual battery, game theory, and model-free control mechanisms. Experimental field-testing results are provided to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed transactive control strategy.

Olama, Mohammed M.↗
DOE OSTI2017

Optimal scheduling and its Lyapunov stability for advanced load-following energy plants with CO 2 capture

In this study, a two-level control methodology consisting of an upper-level scheduler and a lower-level supervisory controller is proposed for an advanced load-following energy plant with CO 2 capture. With the use of an economic objective function that considers fluctuation in electricity demand and price at the upper level, optimal scheduling of energy plant electricity production and carbon capture with respect to several carbon tax scenarios is implemented. The optimal operational profiles are then passed down to corresponding lower-level supervisory controllers designed using a methodological approach that balances control complexity with performance. Finally, it is shown how optimal carbon capture and electricity production rate profiles for an energy plant such as the integrated gasification combined cycle (IGCC) plant are affected by electricity demand and price fluctuations under different carbon tax scenarios. As a result, the paper also presents a Lyapunov stability analysis of the proposed scheme.

01 COAL, LIGNITE, AND PEAT↗
DOE OSTI2020

Time-of-Use and Demand Charge Battery Controller Using Stochastic Model Predictive Control: Preprint

Stationary batteries in residential and commercial buildings are often used to smooth customer load profiles and to lower customer electricity bills. Controllers for these battery systems should account for customer energy consumption, rate structures, and high internal battery temperatures, which can lead to reduced performance over the battery lifetime. It is important to consider the uncertainty in forecasting energy consumption and temperature, especially for customers with highly variable and uncertain loads. We propose a novel battery controller using stochastic model predictive control that accounts for these uncertainties and can handle complex rate structures, including demand charges. We show that the controller performs better than standard model predictive control when there is significant uncertainty in the forecast. We also show improvements in the performance with more accurate forecasts and with a more aggressive control strategy.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗