Test Facility Research Articles

Assessing the Effect of Uneven Inlet Velocity on the 24 ft Diameter MinwaterCSP Fan Using a Unique Pressure Sensing System

An industrial-grade pressure sensing system was designed for installation on the surface of the 24 ft (7.315 m) diameter M-fan that is installed on the MinwaterCSP test facility. The facility has significant cross draft effects due to the proximity of a canal that runs underneath the centre of the facility. This canal causes disturbance of the inlet air flow distribution. Due to the constant rapid change in air velocity and direction with blade rotation, the pressure on the blade fluctuates. The velocity distribution was measured experimentally using the installed anemometers. The uneven inlet velocity distribution led to fluctuations in blade surface pressures, which were measured using the uniquely designed pressure sensing system. The measured results were compared to the results of a Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) model of the MinwaterCSP test facility. The CFD simulations consisted of two parts. Firstly a 3-dimensional representation of the facility, which was used to get the velocity distribution data and secondly a 2-dimensional airfoil simulation which was used to obtain the surface pressure distribution on the blade surface. The 3-dimensional CFD model made use of an actuator disk model to represent the effect of the fan. The experimental results showed a higher velocity and relative surface pressure distribution at locations correlating to the location of the canal. The simulation was able to replicate these distribution fluctuations. The results of the experimentally measured fan blade surface pressure at the fan suction side correlated within 9% to those of the simulation results.

Abstract 4136952: The Clinical Importance of Arrhythmia Notifications During Use of Wearable Cardioverter Defibrillator

Introduction: Wearable cardioverter defibrillators (WCDs) record continuous ECG data for the purpose of delivering treatment for lethal arrhythmias, but occasionally capture non-treatable arrhythmias that may be of clinical value. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the usefulness to health care providers (HCPs) of evaluating and reporting these other recorded ECGs and the impact on additional arrhythmia detection and clinical management decisions. Research Questions: Do clinicians find arrhythmias identified during routine WCD useful? What arrhythmias are observed? Can the identification of these arrhythmias, validation through ZOLL’s Independent Diagnostic Testing Facility (IDTF) and notification to the provider lead to changes in clinical management? Methods: A multi-center, observational study of 52 US HCPs enrolled 474 patients with commercial LifeVest prescriptions and followed them for up to 3 months. All routinely transmitted LifeVest ECG strips (corresponding to Baseline, Patient Initiated, or other automatic event recordings) during this period were analyzed by ECG technicians at the IDTF within ZOLL. These arrhythmias were reported to the HCP who completed a questionnaire assessing the utility (scored 1 to 5) and clinical impact (medication changes, tests, and procedures ordered) of these events. Results: At the conclusion of the study, 22% of patients (105/474) monitored had 112 reportable, unique arrhythmia events that were sent to 34 providers who completed questionnaires regarding report utility and clinical management decisions. A significant proportion of reports led to medication changes (40%), additional testing (32%) and procedural interventions (23%). The average usefulness of the reports was 3.63/5 with atrial fibrillation representing the most common arrhythmia, but many variations of ventricular ectopy were also captured which tended to be more clinically useful and impactful. Conclusions: WCD patients experience a high burden of actionable arrhythmias. Monitoring and reporting these arrhythmias over the course of normal wear provides additional clinical value to providers. Those arrhythmias that lead to changes to clinical management are the most useful.

Design of a Thermal Performance Test Equipment for a High-Temperature and High-Pressure Heat Exchanger in an Aero-Engine

For next-generation power systems, particularly aero-gas turbine engines, ultra-light and highly efficient heat exchangers are considered key enabling technologies for realizing advanced cycles. Consequently, the development of efficient and accurate aero-engine heat exchanger test equipment is essential to support future gas turbine heat exchanger advancements. This paper presents the development of a high-pressure and high-temperature (HPHT) heat exchanger test facility designed for aero-engine heat exchangers. The maximum temperature and pressure of the test facility were configured to simulate the conditions of the last-stage compressor of a large civil engine, specifically 1000 K and 5.5 MPa. These conditions were achieved using multiple electric heater systems in conjunction with an air compression system consisting of three turbo compressor units and a reciprocating compressor unit. A commissioning test was conducted using a compact tubular heat exchanger, and the results indicate that the test facility operates stably and that the measured data closely align with the predicted performance of the heat exchanger. A commissioning test of the tubular heat exchanger showed a thermal imbalance of 1.02% between the high-pressure (HP) and low-pressure (LP) lines. This level of imbalance is consistent with the ISO standard uncertainty of ±2.3% for heat dissipation. In addition, CFD simulation results indicated an average deviation of approximately 1.4% in the low-pressure outlet temperature. The close alignment between experimental and CFD results confirms the theoretical reliability of the test bench. The HPHT thermal performance test facility will be expected to serve as a critical test bed for evaluating heat exchangers for current and future gas turbine applications.

Digitalization, Management, and Synthesis of Thermal-Hydraulic Legacy Data Using the Dynamical System Scaling

A unique attribute of the nuclear industry is the extent by which designers, developers, operators, and regulators pay attention to demonstrating the safety case. Nuclear installation resiliency or safety takes overriding priority over function and performance. The preparation of the safety case heavily relies on extensive experimental campaigns that challenge the target design under a spectrum of postulated accident scenarios. For safety reasons, these experiments, typically conducted in subscale test apparatuses intended to reproduce the postulated accident scenarios and event sequences realistically, but subject to proven similarity criteria, are often referred to as scaling analyses. Since the dawn of the nuclear industry, significant resources have been committed to the construction and operation of such test facilities, and a massive amount of data has been generated. Such test data have been and are still used to validate the fundamental assumptions of nuclear power plant phenomena. As we move into the digital world, capturing this multiple decades worth of information in a transparent, easily accessible, and usable manner for the public and industry stakeholders is of paramount importance. Over the last few years, FPoliSolutions has been actively developing an enterprise digital data ontology platform (OGMA) intended to do just that. The goal is to help designers use experimental data to assess their safety case evaluation models. The platform or application programming interface (API) was designed to ontologically organize the experimental data, as well guide the user in the complex analytics associated with the interpretation and use of such test results. The OGMA API supports the user in accessing a library of sophisticated mathematical procedures for performing scaling analyses. For this purpose, the dynamical system scaling (DSS) procedure invented by Dr. Jose’ Reyes was formulated as one of the services in the digital platform. These methods have been demonstrated to provide an excelled mathematical apparatus to identify similarity criteria or quantify distortions between measured data and the target prototypical conditions. Moreover, DSS can provide a level of synthesis across separate effect tests and integral effect tests that has the promise of yielding efficiency in the evaluation code assessment activities, as setting up evaluation models that support the safety case of current and future nuclear power plants is often a daunting and expensive task.

Study on Characterization of SrO Aerosols Generated by Optimized Thermal Plasma Torch Aerosol Generator

AbstractPlasma Torch Aerosol Generation System (PTAGS) has been employed to generate nano aerosols with desirable characteristics. The operational parameters of PTAGS installed in the aerosol test facility have been optimized, and aerosols are generated using non-radioactive SrO2 powder. The current-voltage characteristics, electro-thermal efficiency and torch power are studied as a function of the flow rate of the plasma-generating gas (mixture of argon and nitrogen) and the arc current of the plasma torch. The relation of arc characteristics is determined using the Nottingham formulation. Based on this, torch parameters evolved and optimized as 20 kW power, 70% electro-thermal efficiency, 25 L min− 1 flow rate of plasma forming gas, 5 mg min− 1 powder feed rate and for 4–5 min torch operation towards the generation of SrO nano aerosols to achieve 1012 m− 3 and ~ 25 mg m− 3 for the count and mass concentration of aerosol respectively. The initial size distribution of the aerosols is in the few tens of nanometre range (10–40 nm) with a mean diameter of 26 nm (σg = 1.45). Scanning Electron Microscope and Energy dispersive X-ray analysis revealed that the morphology of nano aerosols was nearly spherical and the formation of SrO nanoparticles. A set of PTAGS operational parameters has been standardized to perform further experiments related to reactor safety analysis. PTAGS shall be tuned for aerosol generation in a large facility to achieve the characteristics equivalent to reactor accidental conditions.

A flow battery cell testing facility for versatile active material characterization: Features and operations

Technological development plays a fundamental role in view of the successful realization of large Flow Battery (FB) systems. This work firstly presents the design, construction and commissioning of FB-Cell Testing Facility (FB-CTF), a bench for testing electrolytes, electrodes, membrane and cell configurations under controlled conditions. Several construction aspects related to the hydraulic system, power conditioning system, and flow battery management system are described in detail. FB-CTF has been conceived and built to accurately measure the main thermal, hydraulic, electric, and energy quantities which define the performance of FBs. A comprehensive experimental campaign has been carried out on FB-CTF to characterize some widely used electrodes and membranes for Vanadium FBs (VFBs), produced by some major manufacturers. The paper presents the developed testing protocols and the test results, specifically focusing on electrical and hydraulic characterization. In addition, a methodology using FB-CTF data in the prediction of the electric and hydraulic performance of large stacks is proposed. More generally, FB-CTF measurements can be used to address the design of industrial-scale FBs. FB-CTF can provide insights for the design of large flow battery systems, to help bridge the gap between academic research and industry.

Lateral Flow Assay for Preeclampsia Screening Using DNA Hairpins and Surface-Enhanced Raman-Active Nanoprobes Targeting hsa-miR-17-5p

Preeclampsia (PE) is a serious complication that poses risks to both mothers and their children. This condition is typically asymptomatic until the second or even third trimester, which can lead to poor outcomes and can be costly. Detection is particularly challenging in low- and middle-income countries, where a lack of centralized testing facilities coincides with high rates of PE-related maternal mortality. Variations in the levels of hsa-miR-17-5p have been identified as constituting a potential early indicator for distinguishing between individuals with PE and those without PE during the first trimester. Thus, developing a screening test to measure hsa-miR-17-5p levels would not only facilitate rapid detection in the early stages of pregnancy but also help democratize testing globally. Here, we present a proof-of-principle lateral-flow assay (LFA) designed to measure hsa-miR-17-5p levels using DNA-hairpin recognition elements for enhanced specificity and nanoprobes for sensitive surface-enhanced resonance Raman scattering (SERS) signal transduction. The theoretical limit of detection for hsa-miR-17-5p was 3.84 × 10−4 pg/µL using SERS.

ITER-relevant 600 s steady-state extraction of negative hydrogen ions at the test facility ELISE

Abstract The neutral beam heating system for the future international fusion experiment ITER will be based on RF driven ion sources delivering a large (≈1×2 m2) and homogeneous negative hydrogen or deuterium ion beam of several ten Amperes over up to several hundred seconds. The size scaling experiment ELISE (Extraction from a Large Ion Source Experiment) is an integral part of the R&D road-map towards the ITER neutral beam heating system. Recently, 90 % of the ITER target for the extracted current density was achieved in hydrogen for 600 s, increasing the pulse length over that such current densities are possible by a factor of more than ten. For ten second beam pulses the ITER target current density was achieved. These breakthrough results are made possible by a steady-state capable HV power supply together with an improved version of internal potential rods and a modified topology of the magnetic filter field.

Hybrid Testing System Development for Single Point Mooring Lines FOWT’s

Abstract To advance the development of various concepts for floating offshore wind turbines, it is imperative to have access to experimental data. These data are used in the validation of the tools for the simulation of floating turbines and also for the tuning of the models. CENER has developed a hybrid testing methodology that enhances the performance of wave basin tests for scaled models of Floating Offshore Wind Turbines (FOWTs). This approach allows us to apply forces and moments from the wind turbine to the floating platform without needing to replicate wind within the testing facility or create a complex model of the wind turbine rotor. However, when it comes to testing single point moored (SPM) platforms, a unique challenge arises. These platforms have an additional degree of freedom as they can freely rotate around the vertical axis of their mooring attachment (yaw degree of freedom). These type of platforms can present important misalignments with respect to the wind depending on the combination of wind, wave and current directions. Consequently, accurately capturing the impact of misalignment on platform dynamics, especially in yaw, is essential to assess the platform’s ability to self-align with the wind direction, a key factor known as weathervaning capacity. The X1Wind platform is an innovative floating wind system, based on a single point mooring solution with a downwind wind turbine configuration that allows it to be passively self-orientated. The concept has been extensively tested on prototypes at real sea conditions as well as on scaled models at wave basins. For the last wave basin testing campaign, X1Wind has entrusted CENER with the development of the hybrid testing methodology adapted to the requirements of SPM platforms. The testing campaign has covered different wave and wind conditions, including misalignment scenarios and has shown a good dynamic behavior of the platform on yaw. This study outlines the advancements made in the CENER Software-in-the-Loop (SiL) hybrid testing system for wave basin tests of SPM platforms. In order to correctly introduce the direction of the aerodynamic forces on the wind turbine under misaligned conditions, improvements on the software and hardware (loads actuator) of the SiL system were developed and tested. An actuator system consisting of 6 propellers was used. The numerical model that calculates the rotor aerodynamic loading were expanded to take into consideration the direction of the aerodynamic loads with respect to the platform. Additionally, the drag of the wind over the tower and other platform elements must be considered, as they can play a relevant role in the generation of the weathervaning moment. The study concludes that the use of the upgraded SiL hybrid testing system is an effective and afordable solution for the testing of scaled SPM platforms at wave basin facilities. It also summarizes the different considerations that the system has to overcome for the particularity of this type of testing application.

Development and validation of a new asphalt mixture to reduce tyre-road contact noise in interurban areas

Road transport is one of the most important sources of noise emissions having a serious impact on human health. Thus, the objective of this study is to develop an innovative asphalt mixture that decreases noise from tyre and pavement interaction on highways with average speeds of about 80 km/h. To achieve this, a series of mechanical and functional tests were conducted both in the laboratory and at the Gustave Eiffel University Accelerated Pavement Testing (APT) facility. The new experimental mixture achieves a balance between high void content and low macro-texture (wavelengths of 5–50 mm), which improves noise reduction while maintaining good mechanical performance. This is achieved thanks to its two-layer structure, with a top layer of reduced maximum aggregate size (4 mm) and a thickness suitable for optimum sound absorption. Various mechanical tests, including the particle loss test and the water sensitivity test, along with functional evaluations focusing on texture, flow resistivity and sound absorption properties, were performed. Measurements on the APT were taken at three different stages of the pavement service lifetime during the testing phase. The outcome was the production of an asphalt mixture that reduced noise up to 6.8 dB in comparison to an asphalt concrete road.

Energy performance evaluation of the ASHRAE Guideline 36 control and reinforcement learning–based control using field measurements

This study evaluates the energy performance of ASHRAE Guideline 36–compliant control (ASHRAE 36 control) and reinforcement learning (RL)–based control through experimental field tests and a simulation study. Three field tests were conducted at Oak Ridge National Laboratory’s commercial building test facility in Oak Ridge, Tennessee: a baseline with a baseline conventional control, a test with ASHRAE 36 control, and a test with RL-based control. The selected ASHRAE 36 controls were trim and respond control, as well as variable air volume (VAV) box control. We compared the measured supply air temperature of the rooftop unit, VAV box supply air temperature, and VAV box supply airflow rate across the three test cases. The field data indicated that ASHRAE 36 controls operated as specified by ASHRAE Guideline 36. Based on these data, ASHRAE 36 control achieved a 45 % reduction in hourly averaged HVAC energy consumption compared with the baseline, and RL-based control achieved a 66 % reduction. These potential annual energy savings were confirmed using a calibrated whole-building energy model. Compared with the baseline, ASHRAE 36 control reduced HVAC energy consumption by 42 %, and RL-based control achieved a 54 % reduction. Furthermore, RL-based control reduced total HVAC energy consumption by 21 % more than ASHRAE 36 control.

Reflectivity test method of x-ray optics at the 100-m x-ray test facility

Reflectivity test method of x-ray optics at the 100-m x-ray test facility

Characterization of fuel cladding chemical interaction on a high burnup U-10Zr metallic fuel via electron energy loss spectroscopy enhanced by machine learning

Fuel cladding chemical interaction (FCCI) is one of the limiting factors for metallic fuels in nuclear application. A comprehensive analysis of chemical elements in FCCI is the basis for understanding the phenomena and developing potential mitigating strategies. The detection of low atomic number elements (Z < 11) and lanthanide fission products is challenging for energy dispersive x-ray spectroscopy (EDS). This work used scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM) based electron energy loss spectroscopy (EELS) to study the distribution of carbon and lanthanides in the FCCI region of a solid U-10Zr (wt%) fuel irradiated to 13.2 at. % burnup at fast flux testing facility. Processing the EELS data involved three major steps: 1) enhancing the signal to noise ratio by denoising the spectrum using principal component analysis methods; 2) identification of chemical elements with core energy loss edges; 3) microstructural phase segmentation based on raw EELS spectrums using the K-means clustering method. EELS analysis revealed the formation of zirconium carbide, a rind-like microstructural phase in FCCI region between fuel and cladding. This rind appeared to be intact at this burnup. The study also revealed the shift of plasmon peak between zirconium and zirconium carbide. The EELS mapping also indicated a different distribution of Ce from other lanthanide elements, such as La, Pr, and Nd, suggesting the lanthanides should be separately investigated. The use of the K-means clustering method on the EELS data of FCCI region revealed different phases, especially Fe-Ce and Zr-C, that concurred with the findings from EDS and STEM-EELS elemental mappings.

Capacitance-based mass flow rate measurement of two-phase hydrogen in a 0.5 in. tube

Mass flow rate is a critical measurement parameter when designing cryogenic hydrogen fluid systems. It is important in custody transfer applications for calculating financial obligations, fundamental fluid property research/modeling, and fluid system design applications to optimize chill down performance, maintain thermal equilibriums, and provide feedback control for pumps and valves. However, due to the large temperature differential between cryogenic fluids and the environment, there is often multiphase flow during system chilldown and steady state operation. Current available cryogenic flow measurement techniques are not equipped to deal with the complex multiphase flow inherent in cryogenic fluid systems, resulting in significant measurement errors. This mass flow measurement inaccuracy can cause financial loss, system instability, and even component failure, resulting in a strong market demand for a multiphase cryogenic mass flow meter to optimize and control sophisticated and costly cryogenic systems. This paper presents a solution in the form of a novel capacitance-based technique for measuring the multiphase mass flow rate of cryogenic hydrogen in a terrestrial environment. The device was calibrated and tested on a ½” tube multiphase hydrogen flow loop at a cryogenic hydrogen test facility. An error of ± 2 % full scale was achieved across a range of flow conditions, including transient and steady states.

Numerical Simulation of the Aerodynamics of a Scaled Free Jet Altitude Test Facility Model

Numerical Simulation of the Aerodynamics of a Scaled Free Jet Altitude Test Facility Model

Comprehensive research facility for negative ion source neutral beam injection at CRAFT: design and first operations

Abstract Neutral beam injection (NBI) has been proven as a reliable heating and current drive method for fusion plasma. For the high-energy NBI system (particle energy &gt; 150 keV) of large-scale fusion devices, the negative ion source neutral beam injection (NNBI) system is inevitable, which can obtain an acceptable neutralization efficiency (&gt; 55%). But the NNBI system is very complex and challengeable. To explore and master the key NNBI technology for future fusion reactor in China, an NNBI test facility is under development in the framework of the Comprehensive Research Facility for Fusion Technology (CRAFT). The initial goal of CRAFT NNBI facility is to achieve a 2 MW hydrogen neutral beam at the energy of 200–400 keV for lasting 100 s. In the first operations of the CRAFT NNBI facility, a negative ion source with dual RF drivers was developed and tested. By using the 50 keV accelerator, the long-pulse and high-current extractions of negative hydrogen ions have been achieved and the typical values were 55.4 keV, 7.3 A (~ 123 A/m2), 105 s and 55.0 keV, 14.7 A (~ 248 A/m2), 30 s, respectively. By using the 200 keV accelerator, the megawatt-class negative hydrogen beam has also been achieved (135.9 keV, 8.9 A, 8 s). The whole process of the gas neutralization of negative ion beam, electric removal of residual ions, and beam transport have been demonstrated experimentally.

Hypersonic High Speed Strike Weapons: Design, Research and Development

Hypersonic High-Speed Strike Weapons are a part of advanced weapon technology used in military engagements, designed to travel and sustain speeds of at least Mach 5, which is five times the speed of sound. These specially designed weapons are capable of maneuvering and changing directions unpredictably. In this paper, we explore the advantages of using such weapons, the research behind them, and how their implementation could enhance military engagements. By employing this system of weapons, we can expect quick weapon system activation times and precise deployment regarding targets. This study examines the design, overview, technical aspects, feasibility, advantages, and disadvantages of deploying this weapon technology in real-time use. However, several challenges must be addressed to successfully deploy these weapons systems. The primary challenges associated with the deployment of hypersonic weapons include temperature management, propulsion technology, material science (which is critical due to the high-speed demands), safety and reliability, strategic and ethical considerations, financial and time constraints, testing facilities, and the guidance and control of these systems. Overcoming these challenges through advanced technology and innovative ideas is essential for the successful implementation of Hypersonic High-Speed Strike Weapons (HHSSW) systems. The HHSSW systems hold promise for advancing the current weapons technology that humanity possesses. With proper research and resource allocation for HHSSW systems, we can anticipate their development for applications such as asteroid or comet deflection and, if necessary, space warfare.

From operational design domain to test cases: A methodology to include harsh weather

Background To gain widespread use, assisted and automated driving (AAD) systems will have to cope with harsh weather conditions, such as rain, fog, and snow. This affects the development and testing of perception and decision-making systems. Since the weather cannot be controlled in field tests, the availability and use of virtual simulation and test facilities that can accurately reproduce harsh weather becomes vital. Test cases subjecting the system under test to harsh conditions, covering all expected weather phenomena in both typical and challenging scenarios, must be defined to evaluate all aspects of the system. Methods State-of-the-art in scenario-based and hash weather testing for AAD systems was analysed; based on the analysis, a team with diverse expertise in AAD development and testing defined a methodology for defining a set of harsh weather test cases. Results This paper proposes, and exemplifies the use of, a methodology to develop a representative set of test cases based on the defined operational design domain and use cases for an AAD system under development, considering the possibility of reproducing tests in different test environments with a focus on harsh weather. Conclusions We believe that our proposed methodology can accelerate the overall testing process and contribute to the difficult safety assurance challenges for automated vehicles.

Assessing the detection of floating plastic litter with advanced remote sensing technologies in a hydrodynamic test facility.

Remote sensing technologies have the potential to support monitoring of floating plastic litter in aquatic environments. An experimental campaign was carried out in a large-scale hydrodynamic test facility to explore the detectability of floating plastics in ocean waves, comparing and contrasting different microwave and optical remote sensing technologies. The extensive experiments revealed that detection of plastics was feasible with microwave measurement techniques using X and Ku-bands with VV polarization at a plastic threshold concentration of 1 item/m2 or 1-10g/m2. The optical measurements further revealed that spectral and polarization properties in the visible and infrared spectrum had diagnostic information unique to the floating plastics. This assessment presents a crucial step towards enabling the detection of aquatic plastics using advanced remote sensing technologies. We demonstrate that remote sensing has the potential for global targeting of plastic litter hotspots, which is needed for supporting effective clean-up efforts and scientific evidence-based policy making.

Research on Insulation Technology for Nb3Sn Layer Coil of Superconducting Conductor Testing Facility

Research on Insulation Technology for Nb3Sn Layer Coil of Superconducting Conductor Testing Facility