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As CubeSats are increasingly used for commercial purposes such as Earth observation, communication, and scientific research, it is essential to improve their reliability. Recent studies show that primarily insufficient functional testing on system level led to low success rates in former missions. Additionally, high-precision attitude control becomes more important for small satellites, especially in formation missions with multiple cooperating satellites. This paper introduces a unique test facility that allows for automated calibration and verification of the attitude determination and control system of fully integrated CubeSats with high accuracy. Calibration and functional testing at the system level are crucial for ensuring accurate in-orbit performance and detecting failures that may be caused by interfaces or interference with other subsystems. Testing fully integrated satellites prevents mission loss and significantly increases reliability. The automation of calibration and testing procedures improves the overall system quality, while simultaneously reducing the required verification effort, to meet the demands of the growing number of CubeSat missions. This paper presents the results of successfully performed automated system-level tests and provides a comprehensive outlook on verifying cooperative attitude control in multi-satellite formations. This contribution is significant for universities, companies, and agencies by providing an example concept and implementation of automated attitude control testing on system level with extension toward testing cooperating satellites. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A test facility dipole is being developed at LBNL, targeting a 16 T field in a 144 mm wide aperture. The magnet uses a block design, with two double-pancake coils. In order to minimize motion under the large Lorentz forces, the coils are preloaded against a thick aluminum shell and iron yoke using bladder and key technology. It is then crucial to verify that the performance of the magnet is not degraded due to strain induced on the Nb3Sn conductor during assembly, cool-down and powering. The critical current of extracted strands was measured in a varying background magnetic field and as a function of the applied longitudinal strain. Finite element analysis was used to extract the strain state inside the superconducting strands during magnet assembly and operation. This strain was then compared to the measurements to evaluate potential reversible and irreversible effects on the magnet performances. The results suggest that the magnet can reach 16 T with sufficient margin, with no irreversible degradation in the high field region.

The main approach to protect grapes against diseases involves the use of plant protection products. Understanding the quantitative amount and the distribution of these products on the vines is essential to assess the effectiveness of spray equipment and to evaluate the relationship between dosage and response when targeting pathogens. Improving the targeting of sprayers is an important lever to reduce the quantities of phytosanitary inputs applied, taking into account various cropping systems and training. For this purpose, a regularly distributed artificial canopy, adjustable in height and width was designed to mimic three grapevine growth stages for two of the most common trellised training systems encountered in France for 'wide row vineyards' (Royat cordon and Guyot, inter-row width 2.5 m). This artificial canopy was evaluated with the perspective of using it as a testing facility for classifying sprayers. Using a dye tracer, spray deposits were directly recovered after the rinsing of artificial leaves. A first series of experiments defined the most adapted sampling strategy in the canopy according to the crop stage, with the comparison of two contrasted sprayers. A second series of experiments compared the quantities of deposits obtained from both the artificial and a real vine, for several sprayers at a full growth stage and for one sprayer at three growth stages. Deposition patterns and mean deposits on both targets were found comparable, allowing a realistic perspective for the classification of spray application modalities using the artificial vine. A third series of experiments compared deposition at three crop stages on artificial and real vines for one type of sprayer. A fourth series of experiments on the artificial vineyard discriminated between three behaviour classes within 65 spraying modalities that combined sprayer types and sprayer settings (such as nozzle types). The discrimination was achieved using a PCA analysis that confirmed the soundness of the sampling strategy used. Overall, these results highlight the ability of the EvaSprayViti test facility to assess and rank the performance of vineyard sprayers. • A regularly organized 3D test facility emulates vineyards canopy deposition properties. • Spray deposition patterns were similar in vineyards and on EvaSprayViti test facility. • The test facility allows clear discrimination of sprayer configurations. • The test facility can be parametrised to emulate different growth stages. • EvaSprayViti test facility helps rank vineyard sprayer performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Österreichische Wasser- und Abfallwirtschaft is the property of Springer Nature and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Numerical simulation and related experimental research on supersonic aerodynamic heating are important contents in the development of hypersonic vehicles. The boundary layer flow and heat transfer process in the supersonic aerodynamic heating phenomenon are analyzed, and the effects of the engineering model, gas model, turbulence model, grid scale, calculation scheme, and boundary conditions in aerodynamic heating simulation on the numerical simulation are discussed from the physical point of view. This paper introduces the test equipments commonly used in the research of aerodynamic heating, such as oxygebacetylene flame ablation, radiation heater and high enthalpy wind tunnel, and their advantages and disadvantages, also discusses the similar parameters in the ground simulation test, and points out the reasons for the over high heat flow of the cold wall.

This study addresses the problem of the absence of an airfield dedicated to flight tests, particularly since the need for flight tests has increased significantly with the development of the domestic aviation industry. In particular, the development of unmanned aerial vehicles, including small drones, along with the development of manned aircraft such as KF-21 “Boramae,” marine attack helicopters, and mine-sweeping helicopters, continues to increase flight test requirements. However, developers are not able to secure sufficient flight test time owing to program schedules. Accordingly, industry/academic/research/military and programrelated institutions involved in aircraft development strongly hope to establish an airfield infrastructure dedicated to flight tests. However, to secure a new airfield, several problems must be addressed, such as civil complaints in the region and securing a large budget. Accordingly, this study analyzed various measures to secure a flight test airfield in the defense sector and proposed that a flight test airfield connected to a military airport relocation project could be the most reasonable alternative for resolving regional conflicts and securing budgets.

Copyright of Aero Weaponry is the property of Aero Weaponry Editorial Office and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The 100-m X-ray Test Facility of the Institute of High Energy Physics (IHEP) was initially proposed in 2012 for the test and calibration of the X-ray detectors of the Hard X-ray Modulation Telescope (HXMT) with the capability to support future X-ray missions. The large instrument chamber connected with a long vacuum tube can accommodate the X-ray mirror, focal plane detector and other instruments. The X-ray sources are installed at the other end of the vacuum tube with a distance of 105 m, which can provide an almost parallel X-ray beam covering 0.2 ∼ 60 keV energy band. The X-ray mirror modules of the Einstein Probe (EP) and the enhanced X-ray Timing and Polarimetry mission (eXTP) and payload of the Gravitational wave high-energy Electromagnetic Counterpart All-sky Monitor (GECAM) have been tested and calibrated with this facility. It has been also used to characterize the focal plane camera and aluminum filter used on the Einstein Probe. In this paper, we will introduce the overall configuration and capability of the facility, and give a brief introduction of some calibration results performed with this facility. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper presents a brief overview of the ITER Divertor Test Facility (IDTF) located at the Efremov Institute of Electrophysical Apparatus, St. Petersburg, Russia; it describes the high heat flux tests of the plasma-facing ITER divertor components performed on the IDTF and explains the role of the divertor and the choice of tungsten as the divertor armor material. The IDTF is a unique test facility in Russia: all plasma-facing ITER divertor components pass the high heat flux tests there. The high heat flux tests consist in the thermal cycling load produced by the electron flow accelerated by the electron-beam system of the test facility and applied to the test objects placed in the IDTF vacuum chamber. The alternating cycles of heating and cooling of particular parts of the test object armor material result in its gradual wear. Further investigation of the defects occurring under the tests makes it possible to define the validity of the technology chosen for production of the plasma-facing components. In the ten years of operation (by the beginning of 2020), about 20 main test campaigns have been performed of small-scale mock-ups and full-scale prototypes of the plasma-facing ITER divertor components. Serial tests of the divertor elements to be performed within the framework of the ITER project should be the next important step of the test facility operation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The most electrical equipment could be failure during the normal operating if they are exposed to the steady magnetic field which is beyond several mT (milli tesla), especially for the component installed around the Tokamak complex. Thus, these components which need to installed in such area must be tested in advance in order to verify the immunity property of steady magnetic field. This paper introduces a test facility which can be used to test the component. The test volume is 2.1 m3, the magnetic induction is 120 mT. At last, the test results for this facility are provided, it shows that the deviation between simulation and experiment are only 1% and used for immunity test of steady magnetic field for electrical equipment.

Abstract Electric space propulsion thrusters only produce low thrust forces. For the fulfillment of a space mission this implies long thruster runtimes, and this entails long qualification times on ground. For such long testing times, a ground facility requires a vacuum chamber and a powerful pumping system which can guarantee high vacuum over extended times and under thruster gas load. DLR’s STG-ET is such a ground test facility. It has a high pumping capability for the noble gases typically used as propellants. One basic diagnostic tool is a thrust measurement device, among various other diagnostic systems required for electric propulsion testing, e.g. beam diagnostics. At DLR we operate a thrust balance developed by the company AST with a thrust measurement range of 250 mN and capable of thruster weights up to 40 kg. Adversely, it is a bulky and heavy device and all upgrades and qualification work needs to be done in a large vacuum chamber. In order to have a smaller device at hand a second thrust stand is under development at DLR. The idea is to have a light and compact balance that could also be placed in one of the smaller DLR vacuum chambers. Furthermore, the calibration is more robust and the whole device is equipped with a watercooled housing. First tests are promising and showed a resolution well below 1 mN. In this paper we give background information about the chamber, describe the basics of thrust measurement and the development of a new balance.

The present study introduces and compares several high--speed track based ground test facilities available all over the world to simulate high--speed dynamic events for selected portions of flight trajectories. The scope of performing high--speed flight--testing is addressed, which is followed by the requirements of these track based test facilities. The facilities deliver flight test articles under controlled conditions to achieve high velocity impact, acceleration, aerodynamic and other related testing for small and large test articles depending upon the requirements. Sled is designed in such a way so that it can carry the test articles like aircraft, payloads, warheads, missiles and many other ballistic systems to achieve high velocities ranging from subsonic to hypersonic by accelerating these sleds using solid rocket motors over the rail track. Such facilities provide instrumentation for large set of trial data acquisition and offline analysis for both recovery and non-recovery (impact) trials, which makes such facilities important for test, research and evaluation purposes. Here, the detailed description of test facilities, which are available in many countries such as India, United States (US), Japan, United Kingdom (UK), France, and others countries based on their technical characteristics is presented. Additionally, a brief history and introduction into basic rocket sled test facility aspects, essential technical characteristics and major features to support high--speed testing at these facilities as an accurate testing technique based on quality of construction and engineering design are also covered in this paper. Compilation of available or under development facilities is done in one place which provides the information about facilities' technological gaps. The paper concludes with an explanation of the role, major capabilities and limitations of these test facilities in the present global scenario. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the current digital era, information is a basis of some systems. In the area of information, great emphasis is also placed on its security and possibilities of use. The basis of the alarm transmission system is information about the protected object, which is transmitted to the remote center of the alarm transmission system. Operators of alarm transmission system centers should be obliged to carry out regular testing of the availability of individual transmission networks. At present, there is a trend that those tests are carried out by telephone calls between the two technicians and the time of transmission of information is measured utilizing a stopwatch. To automate this process, a test facility has been created that can simulate and record the intrusion of a protected object. Initial experimental tests have ascertained whether it is possible, with the test equipment, to generate the data necessary to assess the reliability of alarm transmission systems.

Electric space propulsion thrusters only produce low thrust forces. For the fulfillment of a space mission this implies long thruster runtimes, and this entails long qualification times on ground. For such long testing times, a ground facility requires a vacuum chamber and a powerful pumping system which can guarantee high vacuum over extended times and under thruster gas load. DLR's STG-ET is such a ground test facility. It has a high pumping capability for the noble gases typically used as propellants. One basic diagnostic tool is a thrust measurement device, among various other diagnostic systems required for electric propulsion testing, e.g. beam diagnostics. At DLR we operate a thrust balance developed by the company AST with a thrust measurement range of 250 mN and capable of thruster weights up to 40 kg. Adversely, it is a bulky and heavy device and all upgrades and qualification work needs to be done in a large vacuum chamber. In order to have a smaller device at hand a second thrust stand is under development at DLR. The idea is to have a light and compact balance that could also be placed in one of the smaller DLR vacuum chambers. Furthermore, the calibration is more robust and the whole device is equipped with a watercooled housing. First tests are promising and showed a resolution well below 1 mN. In this paper we give background information about the chamber, describe the basics of thrust measurement and the development of a new balance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study was carried out to investigate the phytoplankton distribution in tropical waters and its implication for establishing land-based ballast water treatment technology and test facility (BWTT-TF) as per the International Maritime Organization (IMO) guidelines. Samples were collected from the Swarnamukhi estuary (SE) and coastal locations on the east and west coast of India. The maximum phytoplankton density in the size group of ≥10 and < 50 μm was recorded as 3002 cells/mL in estuarine waters and 172 cells/mL in coastal waters. Among the phytoplankton, Bacillariophyta and Pyrrophyta were observed at all locations, whereas Ochrophyta and Chlorophyta were found only at specific locations or during specific periods. According to IMO guidelines, the minimum required number of species (5) was observed at all the locations, but the minimum number of phyla (3) was not found at some locations. The IMO minimum required phytoplankton density (>1000 cells/mL) was observed only during the bloom period, whereas it was about 5–50 times lower during other periods. Taxonomic distinctness indices were used to examine the diversity beyond the conventional species count. The study found that the Buckingham Canal and Swarnamuki River upstream among the SE locations, and coastal stations of Pamanji and Tirunelveli among the coastal locations, are suitable sites to establish land-based BWTT-TF. Since the results indicate that achieving the IMO specified size group of ≥10 and < 50 μm density in tropical waters was possible only during the bloom period, culturing phytoplankton surrogates and concentrating naturally available phytoplankton are recommended as alternate methods for establishing land-based ballast water treatment technology and test facilities. • Land-based Ballast water treatment technology and test facility (BWTT-TF) are very scarce and need further development to meet the challenges. • In tropical waters, phytoplankton density of ≥10 μm and <50 μm test organisms as per the International Maritime Organization (IMO) could be obtained only during the bloom period. • Establishment of BWTT-TF are very essential to keep control of invasive harmful algal blooms and other bacterial diseases like cholera. • Raising phytoplankton surrogates and concentrating natural plankton are the alternate sources to obtain the IMO required density and taxa. • All species of Cyanophyta, and one species (Noctiluca scintillans) from Pyrrophyta were found to be < 10 μm and >50 μm size, respectively, in the current investigation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article is devoted to creation and substantiation of experimental research method of vertical differential grout pump with flowing piston mark РН 2-4, developed by researchers at Poltava National Technical Yuri Kondratyuk University. Experiments type has been substantiated, variation intervals of the studied parameters values have been determined, the preparation of the experimental sample of the grout pump for research has been described, an experimental installation for research has been designed, the measuring means have been selected, the conditions for performing the experiments have been determined. This technique enables to find the rational values for the following parameters of the solution pump when working with plaster solutions of different displacement: working body frequency movement, diameter, mass and height of lifting over the valve, the hole diameter in the valve sockets.

A theoretical justification of the design solutions for several additional functions of an apparatus for testing power semiconductors is proposed. These functions are the electromagnetic compatibility check of the apparatus's parts, the passage of impact current through the device, and the provision of test safety. The occurrence pattern of conducted interferences in the test system and the minimization of the periodic voltage component by packet modulation are evaluated. Potential negative effects of the test control of power semiconductors are noted. The test safety evaluation is carried out considering several important factors, such as the pulselike essence of impact current and voltage and their short duration. Packet modulation is recommended for limiting the number of sine-wave voltage periods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The upgraded magnet assembly of the EDIPO test facility aims at generating 15 T at 4.2 K and 85% of short sample limit in a large rectangular aperture and over a uniform field length of 1000 mm. During 2020 the design studies have concentrated on two flared-end block-coil design options with four double-pancake coils, two per pole. The coils are planned to be produced using Nb3Sn Rutherford cable with 44 × 1.1 mm diameter strands, which results in significantly larger dimensions compared to the typical cables used in accelerator magnets. Two sections of dummy superconducting cable have been produced, and dedicated tooling was developed to study the wind-ability of such high aspect ratio cable and provide input to define the geometrical parameters of the coil flared ends. This paper describes two magnet designs proposed for EDIPO focusing on the magnetic and the mechanical design. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Journal of Engineering for Thermal Energy & Power / Reneng Dongli Gongcheng is the property of Journal of Engineering for Thermal Energy & Power and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Purpose. To investigate the possible toxicity of the aquatic environment of the cooling reservoir of the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant to control and prevent pollution of its ecosystem. Methodology. During the study, a biological test method was used to determine the chronic water toxicity of the cooling reservoir using Ceriodaphnia affinis Lilljeborg (Cladocera, Crustacea) as a test object. The criterion for chronic toxicity was a statistically significant decrease in survival and fertility of the Ceriodaphnia in the experiment compared to control over the three consecutive litters for 7 days. The reliability of the differences between the control and the study was determined by the methods of variation statistics. Findings. The article presents the results of the determination of the toxicity of water in the cooling reservoir of the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant by the method of biotesting on Ceriodaphnia affinis Lilljeborg by establishing a reliable difference between survival and fertility in the control and experimental water samples. The prerequisite for studying the ecotoxicity of the aquatic environment of the investigated water body was the increased copper content in water, which was established by preliminary studies of the hydrochemical regime of the reservoir. During the experimental period, no pathological changes in the experimental daphnia were found. The conducted study allowed making a conclusion that there was no toxic effect of the aquatic environment on the biota of the cooling reservoir and the possibility of using the method of biological amelioration to ensure the stabilization of its ecosystem. Originality. The potential toxicity of the aquatic environment of the cooling reservoir of the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant was estimated in conditions of significant anthropogenic pressure and its absence was established. Practical value. The obtained data can be used in the development and justification of methods for stabilizing the ecosystems of cooling reservoirs and managing bioproductivity for the purpose of their economic development.

The International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER) high-temperature superconducting (HTS) current leads designed and manufactured by Institute of Plasma Physics of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (ASIPP), Hefei, China, are used to transmit current to the magnetic coil of the ITER device with lower heat conduction load. PF4 HTS current leads which supply pulse current for PF4 coil are the first pair of all 33 pairs series current leads, have finished its test recently. The cold test was performed in a new test facility in which the current leads were vertically installed, and a dedicated design was added to abate the gravitation produced between the two current leads. Besides the cold test facility, this article will also summarize the major test results, joint resistance, high current-sharing temperature, loss of flow accident (LOFA) time, overheating time, heat conduction loads to 5-K ends, and the consumption of 50-K mass flow. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the current digital era, information is a basis of some systems. In the area of information, great emphasis is also placed on its security and possibilities of use. The basis of the alarm transmission system is information about the protected object, which is transmitted to the remote center of the alarm transmission system. Operators of alarm transmission system centers should be obliged to carry out regular testing of the availability of individual transmission networks. At present, there is a trend that those tests are carried out by telephone calls between the two technicians and the time of transmission of information is measured utilizing a stopwatch. To automate this process, a test facility has been created that can simulate and record the intrusion of a protected object. Initial experimental tests have ascertained whether it is possible, with the test equipment, to generate the data necessary to assess the reliability of alarm transmission systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The validation process is done to ensure the performance of nuclear codes compared to experimental results and to determine the degree of reliability of codes output. The development of nuclear power plants (NPPs) designs and the need for safer power plants has led to the increasing diversity/extension of nuclear codes and, as a result, the validation process has become more complicated. In this study, single physics validation including neutronic, core thermal-hydraulics (CTH), system thermal-hydraulics (STH), fuel performance, and multi-physics validation especially coupled neutronic and thermal-hydraulics (CNTH) are discussed. An international collective effort to provide benchmark data and test facilities including core test facility (CTF), separate effect test facility (SETF), and integral test facility (ITF) accompanied with addressing challenges related to scaling issues has been made. However, validation processes may suffer from some challenges. Non-quantifiable parameters cannot be given by experimental measurements. Moreover, for measurable parameters, faulty sensors can lead to incorrect results. Neural network, especially generative deep learning, with the ability to learn the probability distribution of training data and to generate unknown patterns may be a good candidate for the challenges mentioned above, e.g., detecting faulty sensors values and estimating non-quantifiable parameters based on quantifiable ones. Therefore, the application of artificial intelligence (AI) in the validation process may lead to a reduction of the volume of experimental measurements /construction of test facilities which alone is valuable. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Superfluid cryoplant with 1 kW@2K for SHINE test facility. • Three-stage cold compressors combines with five parallel process vacuum pumps. • Helium pressure stability than ±0.15 mbar at 31 mbar for test dewar. The Shanghai high repetition rate X-ray free electron laser (XFEL) and extreme light facility (SHINE), a quasi-continuous wave hard XFEL facility, is currently under construction. In order to test all the superconducting components, assembled cryomodules and undulators, the SHINE test facility that consists of various test benches has been built. A superfluid cryoplant with 1 kW@2K was installed, commissioned, acceptance tested and turned into operation to support the cryogenic tests. The plant consists not only of a standard compressor system and cold box but also of a process vacuum system for 2 K operation. In the 2 K cryogenic system, three-stage cold compressors are firstly used to compress helium vapor at a mass flow of up to 50 g/s from 28 mbar to about 400 mbar. Afterwards, the sub-atmospheric helium is continually pressurize to the suction pressure of the warm compressors by five parallel process vacuum pumps. During the first eight months of 2 K operations, the tuning of the cold compressor regulation has been implemented to adapt the different static and dynamic heat loads. A helium pressure stability of superconducting cavities better than ±0.15 mbar at 31 mbar was achieved inside the vertical test bench with additional heating power of 160 W. In this paper, the pump down procedure and the operation results of cryogenic system at 2 K will be described. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Natural Gas Industry is the property of Natural Gas Industry Journal Agency and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

This paper presents a regression model for prediction of idler rotational resistance on belt conveyor. The advantage of the regression model is that it is created according to the real experimental measurement. Besides, the predicted model corresponds with real operational parameters, such as radial force, rotational speed and measurements, conducted via using a laboratory test facility; several criteria have been used to verify the presented regression model. Finally, by analyzing the regression model combined with influence of radical force and rotational resistance on idler rotational resistance, this paper presents an operable control ideal to achieve energy-saving. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Because thruster performance and the durability of electric propulsion differ between ground tests and space operations, it is important to evaluate the rarefied propellant flow within the vacuum test facility. Through numerical analysis for rarefied propellant flow within a vacuum chamber, results confirmed that vacuum pump arrangement and thruster location influenced the propellant flow, and that a conical target installation is somewhat useful. The average pressure within the chamber is proportional to the average distance between the thruster and the pumps. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Fusion-specific irradiation station in MYRRHA facilities is proposed. • It is a versatile irradiation facility with a fast spectrum of neutrons. • Facility is in line with the objective of increasing the TRL of fusion materials and components. One of the main objectives of the EUROfusion Roadmap to Fusion Energy during Horizon Europe is to finalize the conceptual design (thus preparing the engineering design phase) and initiate the construction of a fusion spectrum neutron source (IFMIF-DONES). The Belgian Nuclear Research Center is currently developing the MYRRHA research facilities, which include a subcritical accelerator-driven system ignited by a 600 MeV superconducting linear proton accelerator coupled to a 100 MeV proton injector. The implementation of the multipurpose fast spectrum reactor MYRRHA will proceed in phases, with phase I, covering 2019–2027, including the deployment of the 100 MeV proton accelerator and associated fusion material research facilities. The research on fusion materials on the basis of the 100 MeV proton beam and with hot cell facilities will focus on innovative materials and composites and will be fully complementary to IFMIF-DONES as well to the planned research program on using currently available nuclearized facilities such as BR2 (Belgian Research Reactor 2) and Hot Cells for mechanical, microstructural and chemical analysis. A bespoke fusion irradiation module is also foreseen on the MYRRHA reactor, the construction of which is planned in the third phase of the implementation of the project (i.e. after 2035). Provisions have been made in the core of the MYRRHA reactor to include so-called In-Pile Sections around the central core or at the central core position below the spallation target when operating in subcritical mode. In this contribution, we review the role and technical capabilities that MYRRHA facilities may provide in the framework of the European Fusion Electricity Roadmap and specifically for DEMO Engineering Design, Material's Development and enhancement of Technology Readiness Level. Aspects of education and training, being an integral part of the European nuclear fusion program, are also touched upon. Finally, the synchronization of the timelines for the implementation of MYRRHA and the EU fusion facilities are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent years, investigations on advanced technological solutions aiming to achieve high-energy performance in buildings have been carried out by research centers and universities, in accordance with the reduction in buildings’ energy consumption required by European Union. However, even if the research and design of new technological solutions makes it possible to achieve the regulatory objectives, a building’s performance during operation deviates from simulations. To deepen this topic, interesting studies have focused on testing these solutions on full-scale facilities used for real-life activities. In this context, a test facility will be built in the university campus of Politecnico di Torino (Italy). The facility has been designed to be an all-electric nearly Zero Energy Building (nZEB), where heating and cooling demand will be fulfilled by an air-source heat pump and photovoltaic generators will meet the energy demand. In this paper, the facility energy performance is evaluated through a dynamic simulation model. To improve energy self-sufficiency, the integration of lithium-ion batteries in a HVAC system is investigated and their storage size is optimized. Moreover, the facility has been divided into three units equipped with independent electric systems with the aim of estimating the benefits of local energy sharing. The simulation results clarify that the facility meets the expected energy performance, and that it is consistent with a typical European nZEB. The results also demonstrate that the local use of photovoltaic energy can be enhanced thanks to batteries and local energy sharing, achieving a greater independence from the external electrical grid. Furthermore, the analysis of the impact of the local energy sharing makes the case study of particular interest, as it represents a simplified approach to the energy community concept. Thus, the results clarify the academic potential for this facility, in terms of both research and didactic purposes.

Final energy consumption in the residential sector is increasing, even in countries with favourable climate conditions and technological capacity to promote the use of renewable resources and energy efficiency. Air conditioning systems based on absorption cycles are common solutions in solar assisted installations. In this paper, the main characteristics of the Gijón Solar Cooling Laboratory (GSCL) are summarized, showing its ability to test cooling machines with a variety of heat sources and sinks, as well as different technologies and strategies. An absorption machine with internal energy storage in LiCl salts has been tested at the GSCL, measuring power and temperatures as a function of time during several charging and discharging cycles. During the charging cycles, the operation of the machine was analysed for various hot temperatures and power values. In the discharging cycles, special attention was paid to the refrigeration capacity produced for various chilled water temperatures. The results led to coefficient of performance COP values that are in line with those expected for this technology. Satisfactory operation of the system seems difficult at activation temperatures below 75 °C. For low levels of insolation, this limitation could lead to an increase in auxiliary energy consumption.