Conference Session

Energy Laboratory Development

Collection

2006 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Henry Foust, Nicholls State University

Tagged Divisions

Energy Conversion and Conservation

2006-108: DEVELOPING AN ENERGY MECHATRONICS LABORATORYHenry Foust, Nicholls State University Page 11.436.1© American Society for Engineering Education, 2006Developing an Energy Mechatronics Laboratory March 8, 2006 Abstract Oil forms a major component of U.S. energy policy and economy. It is imper-ative today to determine viable alternatives to oil (expected to be depleted withinthe next fifty years), because the infrastructure for a viable alternative will takedecades to develop. The purpose of this research is the design of a mechatronicslaboratory applied to the broad area of system analysis and control for Ocean

Conference Session

Energy Laboratory Development

Collection

2006 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

John Reisel, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee; Kevin Renken, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee

Tagged Divisions

Energy Conversion and Conservation

APPARATUSES TO BE USED IN TWO SEQUENTIAL THERMAL SCIENCE COURSESAbstractIntegration of concepts throughout a curriculum can aid in student understanding and retention ofdifficult concepts. One area that is ripe for such integration is the Thermal Sciences, whereThermodynamics, Heat Transfer, and Fluid Mechanics courses all share some common ground.In this paper, the development of experimental apparatuses, which can be used for experimentsin both Thermodynamics and Heat Transfer courses, is discussed. By having undergraduatestudents perform laboratory experiments focused on appropriate topics for each course using thesame setups, the students can relate the course materials more effectively.Four different experimental

Conference Session

Energy Laboratory Development

Collection

2006 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Patrick Tebbe, Minnesota State University-Mankato

Tagged Divisions

Energy Conversion and Conservation

. These experiments canencompass very non-linear and coupled phenomena. Subsequently, they can often be very timeconsuming to perform and difficult for the students to initially grasp. One such experiment is thestudy of a vapor compression refrigeration cycle. Adjusting one cycle parameter often induceschanges in several others. It is common for students to operate the cycle in a way which violatesstandard cycle assumptions or which can create safety hazards.For a laboratory instructor this creates three problems. First, students will take longer to performthe experiment as they struggle with the equipment. Second, students and equipment may be putat risk. Third, student comprehension and educational impact is reduced. To address theseissues the

Conference Session

Energy Laboratory Development

Collection

2006 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Philip Gerhart, University of Evansville; Andrew Gerhart, Lawrence Technological University

Tagged Divisions

Energy Conversion and Conservation

2006-681: LABORATORY-SCALE STEAM POWER PLANT STUDY -- RANKINECYCLER EFFECTIVENESS AS A LEARNING TOOL AND A COMPREHENSIVEEXPERIMENTAL ANALYSISAndrew Gerhart, Lawrence Technological University Andrew Gerhart is an assistant professor of mechanical engineering at Lawrence Technological University. He is actively involved in ASEE, the American Society of Mechanical Engineers, and the Engineering Society of Detroit. He serves as Faculty Advisor for the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics Student Chapter at LTU and is the Thermal-Fluids Laboratory Coordinator. He is on the ASME PTC committee on Air-Cooled Condensers.Philip Gerhart, University of Evansville Philip Gerhart is the Dean of

Conference Session

Trends in Energy Conversion and Conservation

Collection

2006 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Radian Belu, Wayne State University; Alexandru Belu, Wayne State University

Tagged Divisions

Energy Conversion and Conservation

established program in Alternative/Renewable Energy Technology at theCollege of Engineering, Wayne State University. The first course, Fundamentals ofRenewable Energy Sources, is also the pre-requisite for the second one, Hybrid PowerSystems (HPS) –Analysis and Design. These courses are offered in the Winter 2006 term. Thesupport system for these two courses will include course materials, remote data acquisitionmodules, and simulations/laboratory experiments1-5. The emerging technological advances inthe renewable/alternative energy and the steadily increasing applications and their use by thepower industry has instilled the critical need for engineers and technicians with technicalskills tailored to these advances and to close the competence gaps in

Conference Session

Energy Learning through Simulation and Analysis

Collection

2006 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

David McDonald, Lake Superior State University

Tagged Divisions

Energy Conversion and Conservation

an introductory the introduction of physicalmodeling in an electrical machinery course using Simulink and the SimPowerSystems software.The paper provides a brief overview of the software with basic examples, and discusses facultyconsiderations for integrating the software in a class or laboratory. The integration of simulationis a work in progress, and the paper outlines initial outcomes assessment and future plans.IntroductionEngineering professionals in education and industry are concerned about enhancing theeffectiveness and productivity of the design process through the use of simulation software. Thehigh cost of engineering development activities in industry has fostered an interest in model-based design approaches that use computer

Conference Session

Energy Curriculum Advancements

Collection

2006 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Stephen Williams, Milwaukee School of Engineering

Tagged Divisions

Energy Conversion and Conservation

robotic vehicle. ® ®• Microprocessors – A Parallax Basic Stamp system is programmed to interface with LED’sand pushbuttons.• Digital Audio – Laptop software provided the platform for experiments in sampling audio,aliasing, filtering, special effects, MP3, etc.• Brushless DC Motor – A kit serves as the basis for this experiment where students build andtest their own motor. Each student takes home a completed motor. Student ownership of theproject is critical to engaging student interest4,5.Each week, the lecture introduces the concepts for that week’s laboratory activity. As thestudents rotate between the four professors every two weeks, they experience the professors’specialty areas, socially connect

Conference Session

Trends in Energy Conversion and Conservation

Collection

2006 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Giri Venkataramanan, University of Wisconsin-Madison; Annette Muetze, University of Wisconsin-Madison

Tagged Divisions

Energy Conversion and Conservation

evident that in the absence of a laboratory – real-world experience thelearning cycle is plainly incomplete.The ‘cone’ of learning shown in Fig. 1 illustrates the effectiveness of various domains ofexperience from a pedagogic point of view11. The activities at the bottom of the cone are said toprovide learning opportunities with higher motivational and retention levels compared to thosethat are at the top. The limited effectiveness of the ‘top heavy’ classical teaching styles withthree weekly lectures supplemented with textbook reading may be readily observed from thefigure. Course activities that are authentic, with an emphasis on real-world inspired and student-directed laboratory projects provide the best learning opportunity possible within

Conference Session

Trends in Energy Conversion and Conservation

Collection

2006 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Saeed Monemi, California State Polytechnic University-Pomona

Tagged Divisions

Energy Conversion and Conservation

in the areas of Model Integrated Computing, Diagnostics, and Fault Management Analysis. Page 11.507.1© American Society for Engineering Education, 2006 Educating our students to use advanced computer application software tools for Modeling, Design, and Simulation of Energy Distribution NetworkAbstractThis paper will present a new course organization and contents, and covers topics on educatingand teaching our students on how to use advanced computer application software in classroomand laboratory environment to learn and improve their ideas for modeling, simulation, anddesign of energy

Conference Session

Energy Learning through Simulation and Analysis

Collection

2006 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Timothy Skvarenina, Purdue University

Tagged Divisions

Energy Conversion and Conservation

. Page 11.94.1© American Society for Engineering Education, 2006 A Power Systems Analysis ProjectAbstractThis paper describes a six-week laboratory project in which students analyze a small powersystem. The analysis is done with PowerWorld and is supplemented with MatLab calculations.The students were provided information concerning a small (seven bus, two generator) powersystem. They were required to assemble all of the information into tables, both in actual valuesas well as in per unit on a common base, before beginning the analysis. Since the system wassmall, students could manually calculate Ybus and Zbus values and compare them to thePowerWorld results. Any discrepancies had to be resolved in order to get the

Conference Session

Trends in Energy Conversion and Conservation

Collection

2006 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Ryan Healey, Northeastern University; Francis Di Bella, Northeastern University

Tagged Divisions

Energy Conversion and Conservation

2006-344 Energy Conversion & Conservation Division The Description of a Capstone Project to Develop a Web-Based Energy Center for Monitoring Alternative Power Generation Systems for Thermodynamics Laboratory ExperimentsFrancis A. Di Bella, PE Director, School of Engineering TechnologyRyan E. Healey, Electrical Engineering Technology (Cl. of 2006)Northeastern University, Boston, MAABSTRACTThe recent extreme hurricane damage to the Gulf coast states and the consequentialdisruption of oil refinement emphasized the delicate balance that the United States is inwith regards to energy consumption and supply. The future of the United States or anydeveloped nation lies in a reliable

Conference Session

Energy Learning through Simulation and Analysis

Collection

2006 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Ilya Grinberg, Buffalo State College; Herbert L. Hess P.E., University of Idaho in Moscow; Frank Pietryga, University of Pittsburgh-Johnstown

Tagged Divisions

Energy Conversion and Conservation

technology students closer in terms of learning both aspects of this importanttechnique.In this paper, an assessment of learning is reported where these classes of load flow tools areused in laboratories for engineering instruction and for engineering technology instruction.Methodologies are presented for teaching load flow from both perspectives: from a basicprogramming perspective and from a holistic perspective using a high level software simulationpackage. The results are assessed and recommendations for improvement are presented.Programming perspectiveA five-bus electric power system presents a significant programming problem without becomeexcessively burdensome. In the work at hand, the power system diagrammed in Figure 1 waspresented to

Conference Session

Energy Learning through Simulation and Analysis

Collection

2006 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Robert McMasters, Virginia Military Institute; Michael Sexton, Virginia Military Institute

Tagged Divisions

Energy Conversion and Conservation

system design and optimization. Dr. Sexton holds B.S., M.S., and Ph.D. degrees in Mechanical Engineering from Virginia Tech. Page 11.809.1© American Society for Engineering Education, 2006 Interactive Computer Program for Enhancing Conductive Heat Transfer ConceptsAbstractA computer based interactive learning tool for students enrolled in the Heat and Mass Transfercourse for undergraduate students was developed. The program is based on a code developedthrough a private contract with Sandia National Laboratory for steady state and transient heatconduction in solids. The interface, which

Conference Session

Design Projects in Wind and Solar Energy

Collection

2006 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Samuel Lakeou, University of the District of Columbia; Esther Ososanya, University of the District of Columbia; Ben Latigo, University of the District of Columbia; George Karanja, University of the District of Columbia; Wagdy Mahmoud, University of the District of Columbia; Wilfried Oshumare, University of the District of Columbia

Tagged Divisions

Energy Conversion and Conservation

2006-1992: DESIGN OF A LOW-COST SOLAR TRACKING PHOTO-VOLTAIC(PV) MODULE AND WIND TURBINE COMBINATION SYSTEM.Samuel Lakeou, University of the District of Columbia Samuel Lakeou received a BSEE (1974) and a MSEE (1976) from the University of Grenoble (Universite Joseph Fourier), and a PhD in Electrical Engineering from the Ecole Nationale d’Electronique et de Radioelectricite de Grenoble of the National Polytechnic Institute of Grenoble, France, in 1978. He is currently a Professor and Chairperson of the department of Electrical Engineering at UDC. He was formerly staff member at the New Products Laboratory of RCA’s Consumer Electronics Division in Indianapolis, IN (1984-86).Esther Ososanya

Conference Session

Energy Curriculum Advancements

Collection

2006 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

David Blekhman, Grand Valley State University; Ali Mohammadzadeh, Grand Valley State University

Tagged Divisions

Energy Conversion and Conservation

room for a full course on fuel cells.IntroductionIt is surprising to learn that fuel cell technology is over 165 years old, and yet it has made onlymarginal inroads in the modern power production world. William Grove, a British investigator,is generally acknowledged as the inventor of the fuel cell. However, some sources indicate that itmight have been Humphrey Davy who should be credited with this invention in 1801, almostforty years earlier3. The successful development of combustion-mechanical power-dynamotechnology in the early 1900 overshadowed any attempts to commercially develop fuel cells’direct conversion for many years to come. Most fuel cell work was done in a laboratory setting

Conference Session

Design Projects in Wind and Solar Energy

Collection

2006 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Steven Hazel, Rowan University; Peter Mark Jansson

Tagged Divisions

Energy Conversion and Conservation

,2:1, Winter 1998, pp. 6-7.[3] NJCEP Rebates http://www.njcep.com, New Jersey Clean Energy Program[4] NJCEP Solar Renewable Energy Certificates http://www.njcep.com/srec/index.html[5] NJCEP Solar Rebates through December 2005 http://www.njcep.com/html/res-installed/solar-install.html#s3[6] NJCEP Program Eligibility http://www.njcep.com/html/3_eligib_guide.html[7] Mesa Environmental Sciences[8] http://www.solarpathfinder.com, Solar Pathfinder Official Website[9] NFPA, “National Electric Code 2005”[10] Solar Radiation Data: http://www.nrel.gov, National Renewable Energy Laboratory Website as interpreted andsummarized by the New Jersey Clean Energy Program in their public presentations to consumers[11] G. A. Masters, “Renewable and Efficient

Conference Session

Energy Curriculum Advancements

Collection

2006 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Glenn Ellis, Smith College; Sarah Wodin-Schwartz, Smith College; Israel Koren, University of Massachusetts-Amherst; Baaba Andam, Smith College; C. Mani Krishna, University of Massachusetts-Amherst; C. Andras Moritz, University of Massachusetts-Amherst

Tagged Divisions

Energy Conversion and Conservation

. • Using an Architecture-Level Power Simulator. Breakdown of Energy Consumption: An important part of power-aware design is tracking down where the energy is being spent through the use of power simulators. The focus of this module is on architectural and circuit-level power simulators, like Wattch and HSpice. Page 11.803.4 • Fetch Throttling: The fetch unit in a processor may bring in instructions at a higher rate than they can be consumed by the execution unit resulting in a waste of energy. Techniques to throttle back the fetch are studied in this module, and laboratory exercises are included to

Conference Session

Energy Resources, Efficiency, and Conservation

Collection

2006 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Sarma Pisupati, Pennsylvania State University; Wendy Mahen, PennSylvania State University; Mark Deluca, Pennsylvania State University; Martin Gutowski, Pennsylvania State University

Tagged Divisions

Energy Conversion and Conservation

course was the location where they take the exams. Studentswere allowed to take quizzes and exams at home. Students who opted to come to aclassroom were given an opportunity to come to a computer laboratory at a scheduledtime to take the exams. Although the average time students took to complete was only75% of the time given, several students felt that the time provided was not enough tocomplete quizzes and exams. However, it is also important to note that no one was able toscore 100% on any exam.The students were required to do a project and prepare a webpage on their findings sothat the rest of the class members can learn their findings. This was one of the ways topresent their work to other students in an online course. Two help sessions to