Durability and Availability of Erasure-Coded Storage Systems with Concurrent Maintenance

This initial version of this document was written back in 2014 for the sole purpose of providing fundamentals of reliability theory as well as to identify the theoretical types of machinery for the prediction of durability/availability of erasure-coded storage systems. Since the definition of a "system" is too broad, we specifically focus on warm/cold storage systems where the data is stored in a distributed fashion across different storage units with or without continuous operation. The contents of this document are dedicated to a review of fundamentals, a few major improved stochastic models, and several contributions of my work relevant to the field. One of the contributions of this document is the introduction of the most general form of Markov models for the estimation of mean time to failure. This work was partially later published in IEEE Transactions on Reliability. Very good approximations for the closed-form solutions for this general model are also investigated. Various storage configurations under different policies are compared using such advanced models. Later in a subsequent chapter, we have also considered multi-dimensional Markov models to address detached drive-medium combinations such as those found in optical disk and tape storage systems. It is not hard to anticipate such a system structure would most likely be part of future DNA storage libraries. This work is partially published in Elsevier Reliability and System Safety. Topics that include simulation modelings for more accurate estimations are included towards the end of the document by noting the deficiencies of the simplified canonical as well as more complex Markov models, due mainly to the stationary and static nature of Markovinity. Throughout the document, we shall focus on concurrently maintained systems although the discussions will only slightly change for the systems repaired one device at a time.Comment: 58 pages, 20 figures, 9 tables. arXiv admin note: substantial text overlap with arXiv:1911.0032

Enabling technologies for sector coupling: A review on the role of heat pumps and thermal energy storage

In order to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, current and future energy systems need to be made more efficient and sustainable. This change can be accomplished by increasing the penetration of renewable energy sources and using efficient technologies in energy generation systems. One way to improve the operation of the whole energy system is through the generation and end-use sector coupling. Power-to-heat energy conversion and storage technologies, in this view, are enabling technologies that can help in balancing and improving the efficiency of both thermal and electric grids. In the present paper, a comprehensive analysis of the role of heat pumps and thermal energy storage for sector coupling is presented. The main features of the analyzed technologies are presented in the context of smart electric grid, district heating and cooling and multi-carrier energy systems, and recent findings and developments are highlighted. Finally, the technical, social, and economic challenges in the adoption of investigated technologies are discussed.This work was partially funded by the Ministerio de Ciencia, Innovación y Universidades de España (RTI2018-093849-B-C31—MCIU/AEI/FEDER, UE) and by the Ministerio de Ciencia, Innovación y Universidades—Agencia Estatal de Investigación (AEI) (RED2018-102431-T). The authors at the University of Lleida would like to thank the Catalan Government for the quality accreditation given to her research group GREiA (2017 SGR 1537). GREiA is a certified agent TECNIO in the category of technology developers from the Government of Catalonia. This work is partially supported by ICREA under the ICREA Academia program

Analysis and optimization of a heat pump system coupled to an installation of PVT panels and a seasonal storage tank on an educational building

A water-water solar-assisted heat pump (SAHP) is projected on an under construction academic building at the University of Zaragoza (Spain). It integrates a heat pump heating system with photovoltaic/thermal collectors and seasonal storage. Because of its innovative design, considerably higher performances than a conventional type air-source heat pump are expected. This paper shows the simulation of the system performed in TRNSYS, a graphically based software used to simulate the behavior of transient systems. In addition, starting from the current design of the energy system, different sensibility analysis are simulated in order to study alternative configurations of the heating system. The solar coverage of the current installation design is about 60% and the expected savings yield to a payback period of 15, 4 years. Three alternative configurations are proposed in this work, reaching up to around 98% of solar coverage. The study results show the technical and economic feasibility of the heating installation based on a solar assisted heat pump with implementation of seasonal storage in an educational building located in a middle latitude

Energy and environmental benefits of an integrated solar photovoltaic and thermal hybrid, seasonal storage and heat pump system for social housing

A facility based on a photovoltaic and thermal hybrid solar field with a seasonal storage tank coupled to a water-to-water heat pump is presented in this paper as an adequate energy supply system for a building of social homes in Zaragoza (Spain), currently under construction. Two types of complementary software have been used for the complete design, sizing, and simulation of the system. DesignBuilder was used to determine the hourly demands from the construction drawings, and TRNSYS was then implemented to dynamically simulate the whole energy system. System performance has been tested in terms of 3E aspects (energy, environmental and economic) with a few well-known key performance indicators. Results obtained by the combined use of the demand simulation software and quantification with different indicators (KPI) show that the proposed solution is suitable for this building: the calculated coverage of the domestic hot water demand is about 80%, the payback period is 8.5 years, and the installation could avoid 44, 200 kgCO2/year of global warming potential. To sum up, this paper shows how this novel, high-efficiency heating system is a good solution for social housing, owing to its low energy costs and a possible subsidization of a fraction of the high initial investment. © 2022 The Author

Solar thermal heating and cooling. A bibliography with abstracts

This bibliographic series cites and abstracts the literature and technical papers on the heating and cooling of buildings with solar thermal energy. Over 650 citations are arranged in the following categories: space heating and cooling systems; space heating and cooling models; building energy conservation; architectural considerations, thermal load computations; thermal load measurements, domestic hot water, solar and atmospheric radiation, swimming pools; and economics

Prototype solar heating and cooling systems including potable hot water

Progress is reviewed in the development, delivery, and support of two prototype solar heating and cooling systems including potable hot water. The system consisted of the following subsystems: collector, auxiliary heating, potable hot water, storage, control, transport, and government-furnished site data acquisition

Vitrification: Fundamental Principles and Its Application for Cryopreservation of Human Reproductive Cells

The fundamental understanding of cryobiology through experimentation in the 1960s, 1970s, and 1980s has led to the development of today’s vitrification technology. Although human embryo and oocyte vitrification was slow to evolve, it has become an invaluable technology in the field of reproductive medicine. The aim of this chapter is to discuss some of the underlying basic principles behind forming a metastable glass phase during rapid cooling in liquid nitrogen (LN2) and the prevention of recrystallization events upon warming. We then highlight how this understanding has led to its highly effective and reliable usage in clinical IVF. Furthermore, we describe how quality control factors (e.g., ease of use, repeatability, reliability, labeling security, and cryostorage safety) can vary between vitrification device systems, potentially influencing clinical outcomes and creating possible liability issues. An open-minded approach to continued experimentation is a necessity, especially pertaining to oocyte freeze preservation, if we are to optimize the vitrification of reproductive cells and tissue in the future

NASA Tech Briefs Index, 1977, volume 2, numbers 1-4

Announcements of new technology derived from the research and development activities of NASA are presented. Abstracts, and indexes for subject, personal author, originating center, and Tech Brief number are presented for 1977

Development of high speed power thyristor: The gate assisted turn-off thyristor

A high speed power switch with unique turn-off capability was developed. This gate-assisted turn-off thyristor was rated at 609 V and 50 A with turn-off times of 2 microsec. Twenty-two units were delivered for evaluation in a series inverter circuit. In addition, test circuits designed to relate to the series inverter application were built and demonstrated