Conference Session

Innovative Energy Projects

Collection

2012 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Alamgir A. Choudhury, Western Michigan University; Jorge Rodriguez P.E., Western Michigan University; Jian Peng He, Western Michigan University; Ryan Kamm; Saleem Hason Hinton; Brandon De Young

Tagged Divisions

Energy Conversion and Conservation

industrysponsored student project for design and development of a human powered transportation systemis presented. It allows a single rider to move in all types of terrain by transferring power to thedrive train through the use of a biodegradable hydraulic fluid. Besides the design criteriaspecified by the project sponsor, functionality, safety and reliability, manufacturability, and costeffectiveness are focus of this design process. Overall design objective is to minimize the weightand maximize energy efficiency of the low power hydraulic drive train. Among the innovativehuman powered transportation ideas, an upright carbon fiber configuration is adapted. Itoptimizes rider comfort, weight and provides support of all hydraulic components and drivetrain

Conference Session

Innovative Energy Projects

Collection

2012 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Robert W. Fletcher, Lawrence Technological University

Tagged Divisions

Energy Conversion and Conservation

AC 2012-4683: DESIGNING AND BUILDING COMPETITIVE HYBRIDELECTRIC RACING VEHICLES AS A VALUED TEACHING AND LEARN-ING METHOD FOR UNDERGRADUATE ENGINEERING STUDENTS: ATWO-YEAR REVIEW WITH A PROJECTION OF FUTURE PLANSDr. Robert W. Fletcher, Lawrence Technological University Robert W. Fletcher joined the faculty of the Mechanical Engineering Department at Lawrence Techno- logical University in the summer of 2003, after several years of continuous industrial research, product development and manufacturing experience. Fletcher earned his bachelor’s of science degree in chemical engineering from the University of Washington, in Seattle, Wash., a master’s of engineering in manufac- turing systems from Lawrence Technological

Conference Session

Innovative Energy Projects

Collection

2012 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Craig W. Somerton, Michigan State University

Tagged Divisions

Energy Conversion and Conservation

AC 2012-3381: A COMPUTER SIMULATION PROJECT ON UNDERGROUNDHEAT PUMPSDr. Craig W. Somerton, Michigan State University Page 25.31.1 c American Society for Engineering Education, 2012 A Computer Simulation Project on Underground Heat PumpsIntroductionGeothermal energy may be the most visibly striking of all the alternative energy sources. Theidea of capturing the energy from a geyser or even from the flowing lava of an erupting volcanois very exciting to students. However, the truth is that in the United States there is very limitedaccess to hot geothermal sources. On the other hand, the possibility exists throughout the

Conference Session

Innovative Energy Projects

Collection

2012 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Faruk Yildiz, Sam Houston State University; Keith L. Coogler, Sam Houston State University; Reg Recayi Pecen, University of Northern Iowa

Tagged Divisions

Energy Conversion and Conservation

Iowa in general. He was recognized as an Advisor of the Year Award nominee among eight other UNI faculty members in 2010-2011 academic year Leadership Award Ceremony. Pecen re- ceived a Milestone Award for outstanding mentoring of graduate students at UNI, and recognition from UNI Graduate College for acknowledging the milestone that has been achieved in successfully chair- ing 10 or more graduate student culminating projects, theses, or dissertations, in 2011 and 2005. He was also nominated for 2004 UNI Book and Supply Outstanding Teaching Award, March 2004, and nominated for 2006, and 2007 Russ Nielson Service Awards, UNI. Pecen is an Engineering Technol- ogy Editor of American Journal of Undergraduate Research

Conference Session

Innovative Energy Projects

Collection

2012 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Steven R. Walk, Old Dominion University

Tagged Divisions

Energy Conversion and Conservation

and comments on theinitial experiments, and the author‟s observations and recommendations for other instructorsattempting student-led laboratory design. The results can help shorten the laboratorydevelopment learning curve and alert faculty to common early project errors and omissions to beavoided. More significantly, the results show the value of employing student feedback duringthe laboratory development phase.Introduction and Lab ObjectivesA new course in energy conversion systems was designed to meet several developing needs: therenewed or expanding government and private interest in support of alternative energy sourceresearch and applications, and the technology and society studies requirement in the universityGeneral Education program

Conference Session

Projects in Alternative Energy

Collection

2012 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Wagdy Mahmoud, University of the District of Columbia; Esther T. Ososanya, University of the District of Columbia; Pradeep K. Behera, University of the District of Columbia; Abiose Adebayo, University of the District of Columbia; Xueqing Song, University of the District of Columbia; Mademba Cisse, University of the District of Columbia; Ismael DJibril Boureima, University of the District of Columbia; Ashish Bhandari, University of the District of Columbia; Mekonnen Hailegiorgis, University of the District of Columbia

Tagged Divisions

Energy Conversion and Conservation

admissions to graduate school in computer engineering and wireless communications area.Mekonnen Hailegiorgis, University of the District of Columbia Mekonnen Hailegiorgis is a full-time senior civil engineering student at the civil engineering program and a Research Assistant for one year on the anaerobic digester project. His contribution include the study that was designed to get an understanding on the production of organic wastes from the hotels and restaurants and to conduct a quantitative analysis of organic waste produced from hotels and restaurants within the District of Columbia which would support the applicability of the main research project. He want to pursue a graduate program in civil and environmental

Conference Session

Projects in Alternative Energy

Collection

2012 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Ahmed H. ElSawy, Tennessee Technological University; George M. Graham P.E., Tennessee Technological University

Tagged Divisions

Energy Conversion and Conservation

and typically inexpensive; however theprocess to convert WVO into usable biodiesel is time consuming, requires a human operator torun the system, and necessitates a human to perform a chemical titration for each batch ofbiodiesel produced. Due to these requirements, a typical biodiesel processor requires muchoperator interaction which has not yet been eliminated by existing ―automated‖ systems. Groups of senior design students were engaged in the design, production, and testing of anautomated biodiesel processor. The source of the WVO for this project is the university’s foodservices and other nearby businesses. By converting this WVO to fuel for power generation, theoverall waste generated by the campus will be reduced and have a positive

Conference Session

Projects in Alternative Energy

Collection

2012 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

José Colucci Ríos P.E., University of Puerto Rico, Mayagüez; Efrain O'Neill-Carrillo, University of Puerto Rico, Mayagüez; Miriam del Rosario Fontalvo

Tagged Divisions

Energy Conversion and Conservation

Initiative (SEI) of the CIVIS project strives to contribute to thenew energy workforce development efforts at UPRM. The SEI started in 2008 to providestudents a sustainable learning context in which they could learn about sustainable energy, getmotivated with the work in the area and a obtain a global perspective of their education inengineering. Within this context students are also expected to deepen their general educationskills, since they need a holistic perspective to better grasp sustainable energy concepts. The SEIillustrates some of the educational opportunities not only in energy economics, but also in theintegration of social issues in the analysis of a sustainable future. The SEI initiative has threemain areas: 1. A module-based

Conference Session

Projects in Alternative Energy

Collection

2012 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

David H. Domermuth, Appalachian State University

Tagged Divisions

Energy Conversion and Conservation

system has sixpotential revenue streams and promises to be the best of the pyrolosis conversion techniques.Biomass, usually chipped wood, is volatilized to release the hydrocarbons as fuel gas and smoke.The current aspect of this project is the condensation of smoke/wood tar as a means of separationfrom the fuel gas. The six potential revenue products are, waste stream elimination, biocharproduction, biocrude production, heat, carbon sequestration, and fuel gas. The project focus forthis research is small scale application, home, farm, and community. The goal is the creation of aviable method of augmenting building heating while producing useful products from pyrolosis.The work is sponsored by and EPA, P3 student grant. The paper also describes

Conference Session

New Concepts for Alternative Energy Courses and Concepts

Collection

2012 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Kala Meah, York College of Pennsylvania; Phillip Barnett, York College of Pennsylvania; Paul Isaac Deysher, York College of Pennsylvania; K. Vaisakh, Andhra University

Tagged Divisions

Energy Conversion and Conservation

AC 2012-2999: PROJECT-BASED RENEWABLE ENERGY COURSE FORUNDERGRADUATE ENGINEERING STUDENTSDr. Kala Meah, York College of Pennsylvania Kala Meah received a B.Sc. degree from Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology in 1998, a M.Sc. degree from South Dakota State University in 2003, and a Ph.D. degree from the University of Wyoming in 2007, all in electrical engineering. From 1998 to 2000, he worked for several power companies in Bangladesh. Currently, Meah is an Assistant Professor in the Electrical and Computer Engineering program, Department of Physical Sciences, York College of Pennsylvania, York, Penn., USA. His research interest includes electrical power, HVDC transmission, renewable energy, energy

Conference Session

Energy Education Courses, Labs, and Projects II

Collection

2012 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Ibraheem A. Kateeb, North Carolina A&T State University; Larry Burton, North Carolina A&T State University; Naser El-Bathy P.E., North Carolina A&T State University; Faris Abdullah Almansour, North Carolina A&T State University

Tagged Divisions

Energy Conversion and Conservation

biological and chemical sciences, systems based on biomass (trees and other agriculturalproducts) are being studied 2.Biomass is plant material burned in a boiler to drive a steam turbine to produce electricity. This systemis good for producing FIGURE 5. ENHANCED GEOTHERMAL SYSTEMS, NRELcombined heat and power (CHP) at facilities with large thermal loads. Biomass projects are best suitedto locations with abundant biomass resources (often using waste products from the forest industry oragriculture) as in Fig. 6 3. Page 25.659.9 FIGURE 6. U.S. BIOMASS RESOURCE, NRELMethane gas derived from landfills

Conference Session

Energy Education Courses, Labs, and Projects II

Collection

2012 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Hamid Arastoopour, Illinois Institute of Technology; Mohamed Shahidehpour, Illinois Institute of Technology; Joseph Clair P.E., Illinois Institute of Technology

Tagged Divisions

Energy Conversion and Conservation

capacities, Clair has attempted to bring practical, effective solutions to construction issues resulting in better building performance, more cost effective construction, and better cooperation among designers and contractors. His respect for the knowledge, skills, and contributions of all members of the construction and building operation team has allowed him to build bridges between traditionally adversarial groups, resulting in improved building performance. As part of his responsibilities at IIT, Clair serves as the implementation Project Manager for the Perfect Power/DOE smart-grid project. Page 25.714.1

Conference Session

Projects in Alternative Energy: Wind and Solar

Collection

2012 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Faruk Yildiz, Sam Houston State University; Keith L. Coogler, Sam Houston State University

Tagged Divisions

Energy Conversion and Conservation

worsening of the problems regarding global warming has made the development ofrenewable energy sources the focus of world-wide attention, one of which is solar energy and itsapplications [3-5].There have been many energy conservation attempts recently to incorporate LED lighting todecrease power consumption, increase life-span of lights, and to decrease maintenance of lights.The Department of Energy has been supporting LED projects under the program called“Gateway Demonstrations” [6-7]. One of the recent state-wide Gateway Demonstration projectshas been created for the Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art, Eugene, OR in January 2011; the“Demonstration Assessment of Light-Emitting Diode (LED) Retrofit Lamps” [8]. In this project,90W PAR38 130V narrow

Conference Session

Energy Education Courses, Labs, and Projects

Collection

2012 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Craig W. Somerton, Michigan State University

Tagged Divisions

Energy Conversion and Conservation

AC 2012-3200: INTEGRATION OF APPROPRIATE TECHNOLOGY INTOAN ALTERNATIVE ENERGY CLASSDr. Craig W. Somerton, Michigan State University Page 25.817.1 c American Society for Engineering Education, 2012 Integration of Appropriate Technology into an Alternative Energy ClassIntroductionFor eleven years the Department of Mechanical Engineering at Michigan State University hastaught a project based alternative energy course. The focus of the course is for students to usetheir background in thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, heat transfer, and electronics to performpredictive calculations for

Conference Session

Energy Education Courses, Labs, and Projects

Collection

2012 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Teodora Rutar Shuman, Seattle University; Gregory Mason P.E., Seattle University

Tagged Divisions

Energy Conversion and Conservation

Conference Session

Projects in Alternative Energy: Wind and Solar

Collection

2012 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Reg Recayi Pecen, University of Northern Iowa; Faruk Yildiz, Sam Houston State University; Bekir Z. Yuksek, University of Northern Iowa; Ulan Dakeev, University of Northern Iowa; Kenan Baltaci, University of Northern Iowa

Tagged Divisions

Energy Conversion and Conservation

promoting diversity and international education at UNI. He is also a recipient of 2011 UNI C.A.R.E Sustainability Award for the recognition of applied research and development of renewable energy appli- cations at UNI and Iowa in general. He was recognized as an Advisor of the Year Award nominee among eight other UNI faculty members in 2010-2011 academic year Leadership Award Ceremony. Pecen re- ceived a Milestone Award for outstanding mentoring of graduate students at UNI, and recognition from UNI Graduate College for acknowledging the milestone that has been achieved in successfully chair- ing 10 or more graduate student culminating projects, theses, or dissertations, in 2011 and 2005. He was also nominated for 2004

Conference Session

Projects in Alternative Energy: Wind and Solar

Collection

2012 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Kamal Sarkar, University of Texas, Pan American; Robert A. Freeman, University of Texas, Pan American; Dean Schneider, Texas Engineering Experiment Station; Ken Starcher, West Texas A&M University; Pam Groce, Texas State Energy Conservation Office

Tagged Divisions

Energy Conversion and Conservation

present research interest includes engineering education, manufacturing of nanomaterials, and their diversified applications in areas like biomedical en- gineering and alternative energy. He is the Co-inventor of award-winning (including 2011 R&D 100) Forcespinning [TM] technology.Dr. Robert A. Freeman, University of Texas, Pan AmericanDr. Dean Schneider, Texas Engineering Experiment Station Dean Schneider is an Associate Director Texas Center for Applied Technology of the Texas Engineering Experiment Station (TEES). TEES is the engineering research agency for the state of Texas and is a mem- ber of the Texas A&M University System. His projects, with a combined budget of more than $5 million, provide technical

Conference Session

Projects in Alternative Energy: Wind and Solar

Collection

2012 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Elena V. Brewer, Erie Community College; Anthony P. Dalessio, Erie Community College

Tagged Divisions

Energy Conversion and Conservation

such as PV Watts calculator; Page 25.504.3work with GIS maps depicting landscape slopes or temperature levels; sizing of inverters, wires,disconnects, over-current protection devices (OCPDs) and other components of PV Systemaccording to NEC guidelines; and performing economic analysis of the PV system.Student progress is assessed based on the mixture of homework assignments, tests and finalgroup design project. The final project involves application of all learned steps and techniques todesign a viable PV System in a teamwork environment, production of project report, andpreparation of a 15-20 minute PowerPoint presentation. Table 1 presents

Conference Session

Energy Education Courses, Labs, and Projects

Collection

2012 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Donald L. Skaar, San Diego State University

Tagged Divisions

Energy Conversion and Conservation

Conference Session

Energy Education Courses, Labs, and Projects II

Collection

2012 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Reg Recayi Pecen, University of Northern Iowa; Corey Evan Eichelberger; Faruk Yildiz, Sam Houston State University

Tagged Divisions

Energy Conversion and Conservation

for his efforts on promoting diversity and international education at UNI. He is also a recipient of 2011 UNI C.A.R.E Sustainability Award for the recognition of applied research and development of renewable energy appli- cations at UNI and Iowa in general. He was recognized as an Advisor of the Year Award nominee among eight other UNI faculty members in 2010-2011 academic year Leadership Award Ceremony. Pecen re- ceived a Milestone Award for outstanding mentoring of graduate students at UNI, and recognition from UNI Graduate College for acknowledging the milestone that has been achieved in successfully chair- ing 10 or more graduate student culminating projects, theses, or dissertations, in 2011 and 2005. He

Conference Session

Energy Education Courses, Labs, and Projects

Collection

2012 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Carl J. Spezia, Southern Illinois University, Carbondale; Dwight Harold Thomas Jr.

Tagged Divisions

Energy Conversion and Conservation

10 8 6 4 2 0 9/19/2011 10/3/2011 10/17/2011 10/31/2011 11/14/2011 11/28/2011 12/12/2011 12/26/2011 Date Fig. 1. Homepage Views ET 332a Fall 2011Course instructors wishing to use multimedia should determine the project scope and resultingwork product and then select software tools that produce the best result with minimum additionaltraining and time investment. Instructors should experiment with various tool combinations todetermine what

Conference Session

Projects in Alternative Energy: Wind and Solar

Collection

2012 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Leonel Aguilera, University of Texas, Pan American; Jaime Ramos-Salas P.E., University of Texas, Pan American; Sanjeev Kumar, University of Texas, Pan American

Tagged Divisions

Energy Conversion and Conservation

”. ASEE Annual Conference 2001.[8] Arthur Haman, et al, “A student-centered solar photovoltaic installation project”. ASEE 2007.[9] UTPA Solar Radiation Lab link - http://www.nrel.gov/midc/utpa_srl/[10] NSF RET Grant: Research Experience for Teachers in emerging and Novel Engineering Technologies in the Rio Grande Valley. NSF Award CNS – 1132609. Page 25.1456.12

Conference Session

Energy Education Courses, Labs, and Projects II

Collection

2012 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Lynn Albers, North Carolina State University

Tagged Divisions

Energy Conversion and Conservation

project manages the NCSU MAE State Energy Internship and Fellowship Program under the direction of Dr. Stephen Terry. To date, the program has 35 interns under the mentorship of energy engineers in both the private and public sectors. When available, Albers assists with energy assessments for both the program and the Industrial Assessment Center. Page 25.1102.1 c American Society for Engineering Education, 2012 Recommending Hydrogen Fuel Cell Retrofits for Forklifts in Energy Audit Reports by Industrial Assessment CentersAbstractIndustrial Assessment Centers (IAC) are

Conference Session

Energy Education Courses, Labs, and Projects II

Collection

2012 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Frank Wicks, Union College

Tagged Divisions

Energy Conversion and Conservation

platform for senior projects andsummer research, via building and testing several prototypes, and co-authoring papers (reference4). It has also been introduced into a Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning course and asenior level Thermal and Fluid Systems design course. Along with wind, solar, coal, wood andoil, it was evaluated as an alternative to the existing central heating system that is done vianatural gas boilers and steam pipes.Bibliography1 Wicks, Frank “The Thermodynamic Theory and Design of an Ideal Fuel Burning Engine”,Proceedings of the Intersociety Energy Conversion Engineering Conference, volume 2, pp 474-481, 1991.2. Wu, Chi “Thermodynamics and Heat Powered Cycles”, Wicks Cycle pp- 401-403, NovaScience Publishers, 2007.3. Video

Conference Session

Energy Education Courses, Labs, and Projects

Collection

2012 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Gene Yeau-Jian Liao, Wayne State University

Tagged Divisions

Energy Conversion and Conservation

energy storage laboratory.The motivation of this project is to develop an interactive and computer-controlled test systemfor three different electric energy storage units that serve as a teaching-aid. This paper presents Page 25.1261.2a funded project that develops, designs, and implements an electric energy storage educationallaboratory. The laboratory is capable of demonstrating and displaying the principles,performance characteristics, and applications of electro-chemical batteries, electro-mechanicalflywheel (or flywheel battery) and supercapacitors (or ultracapacitors). The integrated systemis computerized for measurement and control hence

Conference Session

Curriculum and Facility Developments for Innovative Energy Education

Collection

2012 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Radian G. Belu, Drexel University; Irina Nicoleta Ciobanescu Husanu, Drexel University

Tagged Divisions

Energy Conversion and Conservation

AC 2012-3693: EMBEDDING RENEWABLE ENERGY AND SUSTAINABIL-ITY INTO THE ENGINEERING TECHNOLOGY CURRICULADr. Radian G. Belu, Drexel University Radian Belu is Assistant Professor within the Engineering Technology (ET) program, Drexel University, Philadelphia, USA. He is holding the second position as Research Assistant Professor at Desert Research Institute, Renewable Energy Center, Reno, Nev. Before joining to Drexel University, Belu held faculty and research positions at universities and research institutes in Romania, Canada, and the United States. He also worked for several years in industry as a project manager and senior consultant. He has taught and developed undergraduate and graduate courses in electronics

Conference Session

New Concepts for Alternative Energy Courses and Concepts

Collection

2012 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Kendrick T. Aung, Lamar University

Tagged Divisions

Energy Conversion and Conservation

for Engineering Education, 2012 Integration of System Thinking, Engineering Reasoning and Decision Making Skills in Design of Thermal Systems CourseAbstract Design of thermal system is in essence a Capstone design class for thermal andenergy systems. One of the major difficulties encountered by instructors in theseCapstone design courses is that many senior students do not have adequate preparation inapplying design skills such as critical thinking, engineering reasoning, and decisionmaking to successfully complete their design project. In this paper, the process ofintegrating system thinking, engineering reasoning and decision making skills intoDesign of Thermal Systems course is

Conference Session

New Concepts for Alternative Energy Courses and Concepts

Collection

2012 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Brandon S. Field, University of Southern Indiana; Zane W. Mitchell Jr., University of Southern Indiana

Tagged Divisions

Energy Conversion and Conservation

AC 2012-4794: INCREASING STUDENT INVOLVEMENT IN A SUSTAIN-ABILITY COURSEDr. Brandon S. Field, University of Southern Indiana Brandon Field teaches in the thermal fluids area of mechanical engineering at the University of Southern Indiana, Evansville.Dr. Zane W. Mitchell Jr., University of Southern Indiana Page 25.767.1 c American Society for Engineering Education, 2012 Increasing Student Involvement in a Sustainability CourseAbstractStudent projects that have been included as part of an engineering course for the past two yearsare described in this paper. It is a new course, which is

Conference Session

Curriculum and Facility Developments for Innovative Energy Education

Collection

2012 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Sarma V. Pisupati, Pennsylvania State University, University Park; Yaw D. Yeboah, Pennsylvania State University, University Park

Tagged Divisions

Energy Conversion and Conservation

consumption both continue to grow significantly. Also, dueto global uncertainties, energy is becoming increasingly important. The United States, forexample, increasingly relies on imported energy (32.9 % in 2006)1. Projections from DOE’s Page 25.295.2Annual Energy Outlook indicate that primary energy use in the United States will climb to 134Quadrillion Btu in 2030 from 98 in 20102. Despite increases in electricity generation efficiencies,total electricity consumption is also predicted to increase. President Obama has called for energyinitiative based on the development of clean coal technologies, renewable energy (solar, wind,geothermal, biomass etc

Conference Session

K-12 Experiences in Energy Education

Collection

2012 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Liping Guo, Northern Illinois University; Mansour Tahernezhadi, Northern Illinois University

Tagged Divisions

Energy Conversion and Conservation

of the IEEE and a member of the honor society of Phi Kappa Phi.Mansour Tahernezhadi, Northern Illinois University Page 25.1066.1 c American Society for Engineering Education, 2012 Problem-Based Learning in the Training of Middle and High School Teachers in Alternative EnergyAbstract: The Emerging Technology Institute (ETI) is a collaborative project of Northern IllinoisUniversity, Rockford Public School District, West Aurora Unit School District, Rich TownshipHigh School District, and Harlem Consolidated School District supported by the Illinois