Conference Session

Alternative Energy Source Projects

Collection

2008 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Craig Somerton, Michigan State University

Tagged Divisions

Energy Conversion and Conservation

417 Design of Alternative Energy Systems is a senior level design intensive elective course[1]. It is a project based course for which the students carry out three technical projects. In itslast offering the projects were: design of a fuel cell system, design of a wave energy system, anddesign of a solar energy system. The focus of the course is for students to use simpleengineering principles in developing predictive models for alternative energy systems. Some ofthe projects require students to develop their own calculation tool (a spreadsheet or MATLABprogram), while other projects use commercially available software, for example spreadsheetprograms from RETScreen International [2], which is managed under the leadership and ongoingfinancial

Conference Session

Learning about Electric Energy Conversion

Collection

2008 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Timothy Skvarenina, Purdue University

Tagged Divisions

Energy Conversion and Conservation

replacing the drives. Initially we approached thecompany that had donated the previous drives, but we were unable to obtain a new donation. Wethen investigated purchasing “name brand” replacement drives. Unfortunately, we found that Page 13.1341.2new drives were about $2000 apiece and software to connect them to the computers was evenmore. That was not an option, given that we have eight lab stations, so we began looking at otheralternatives.The drive we settled on is the Dura Pulse G3 drive, which ismade in China and sold by Automation Direct in the UnitedStates, and is shown in Figure 1. Since we use 208 volt, 1/3 hpmotors in our lab, we purchased

Conference Session

Novel Energy Applications in Education

Collection

2008 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Mark Schumack, University of Detroit Mercy; Mohammad Elahinia, University of Toledo; Christopher Schroeder, University of Toledo; Walter Olson, University of Toledo

Tagged Divisions

Energy Conversion and Conservation

energy. The audience for the current work includes students enrolled in thermodynamicsand fluid mechanics courses. This paper will elaborate on the objectives of the project, describemodel details, present student exercises classified according to level and course, and provide anassessment of how effective the simulation tool and associated assignments were in improvingstudent learning.Project objectives and outcomesThe project entails the development of learning materials to achieve the following objectives: 1) demonstrate how hydraulic hybrids can improve fuel economy 2) promote understanding of the thermodynamic principles behind accumulator design and IC engine performance 3) highlight the fundamental relationships

Conference Session

Investigating Fuel Cells and Alternative Fuels in the Classroom and Lab

Collection

2008 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Recayi 'Reg' Pecen; Faruk Yildiz; Kenan Baltaci, University of Northern Iowa

Tagged Divisions

Energy Conversion and Conservation

is capable of holding enough fuel to operate for four hours, and to travel 100 miles inan urban area. The maximum speed of the motorcycle is declared as 50 miles per hour 8. TheHonda is also going to offer motorcycles using fuel cells as a fuel source9-10. Similarly Hondapress release included the company’s next generation hydrogen vehicle in 200811.Measurement ChallengesFuel cell test systems make a variety of measurements that require signal conditioning before theraw signal can be digitized by the data acquisition system. An important feature for the testing offuel cell stacks is isolation. Each individual cell may generate about 1 V, and a group of cellsmay reach up to 10 V because in a PEM the membranes are stacked together to yield

Conference Session

Curricular Developments in Energy Education

Collection

2008 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Sarma Pisupati, Pennsylvania State University; Jonathan Mathews, Pennsylvania State University

Tagged Divisions

Energy Conversion and Conservation

was dressed in different outfits, placed in various situations, and he often used dialogue bubbles to stress important Page 13.436.3 Figure 1. A screen shot of interactive activity to teach heat transfer. points or elicit the students’ curiosity. The instructor also made his presencefelt by both narrating all animations and worked examples

Conference Session

Computer Applications in Energy Courses

Collection

2008 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Frank Li, Youngstown State University; Theodore Burke, Ajax Tocco; Jalal Jalali, Youngstown State University

Tagged Divisions

Energy Conversion and Conservation

temperaturecontrol capabilities and minimum environmental impacts. Induction heating has been widelyapplied to industrial operations such as forging, heat-treating, soldering, hardening, and otherforms of heat transfer. As the oil shortage and global warming become imminent, many newalternating energy sources such as wind, ocean and solar requires better power management inthe energy conversion1. Engineering students should learn the impacts of their designs to theenvironment and induction heating demonstrates such practical energy conversion process. Figure 1: High frequency power supply system schematics The schematic of the induction heating system is shown as Fig. 1, the 3-phase 60 Hzregular industrial standard 480 V supply

Conference Session

Novel Energy Applications in Education

Collection

2008 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Patrick Tebbe, Minnesota State University-Mankato; Brian Weninger, Minnesota State University-Mankato; Corey Thibeault, Minnesota State University-Mankato

Tagged Divisions

Energy Conversion and Conservation

of steady state condensation with a testrun that included an occupancy that exceeded the design by 100%. After one hour a 5/10,000inch layer of water formed. Mumma also states that a 3°F (1.7°C) difference between the inletpanel temperature and space dew point temperature will require 90 minutes to 14 hours to form alayer of condensation the diameter of a human hair [1].III. STUDENT DESIGN EXPERIENCEStudents were presented with the general concept shown in Figure 1 and were given severaldesign requirements for the apparatus at the start of the project. The ability to move between class rooms (i.e. fit through standard doors) The cooling panels should be capable of multiple orientations such as horizontal and vertical

Conference Session

Computer Applications in Energy Courses

Collection

2008 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Clayton Hochstrasser, The Ohio State Univ.; Joseph Werner, The Ohio State Univ.; Donald Kasten, Ohio State University

Tagged Divisions

Energy Conversion and Conservation

just illustrating the mechanics of the solution for a specificoperating point, a number of operating points can be calculated and results displayed in anorganized fashion. Tools such as this can make the instructional process investigative in nature,by addressing what-if scenarios. Visual Basic was chosen as the software to do this developmentwork.Visual learning“Visual learning is an important method for exploiting students’ visual senses to enhancelearning and engage their interest.” 1 Though this reference focuses on underrepresented studentsin the technical fields, the concepts are applicable across the range of the student population.Ref. 1 was part of a special issue of the IEEE Computer Graphics and Applications society on“innovative

Conference Session

Novel Energy Applications in Education

Collection

2008 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Christopher Schroeder, University of Toledo; Mohammad Elahinia, University of Toledo; Walter Olson, University of Toledo; Mark Schumack, University of Detroit Mercy

Tagged Divisions

Energy Conversion and Conservation

over thesubject-based learning. The authors have identified the following attributes of the first learningmethod: (1) Learning is student-centered (2) Learning occurs in small student groups (3)Teachers are facilitators or guides (4) Problems are the organizing focus and stimulus forlearning (5) Problems are the vehicle for the development of critical problem-solving skills (6)New information is acquired through self-directed learning. More importantly, the problem-solving approach prepares the students for formulating and solving problems they have neverbeen exposed to before. The authors have observed that the willingness and the desire to learnare directly related to the students’ ability to understand how the knowledge can be utilized for

Conference Session

Solar Power, Wind Power, and Energy System Initiatives

Collection

2008 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Narciso Macia, Arizona State University; John-Paul Ishioye, Arizona State University; Brigid Dotson, University of Washington; Maria Macia, Veritas Preparatory Academy

Tagged Divisions

Energy Conversion and Conservation

Society for Engineering Education Annual Conference & Exposition Copyright @ 2008, American Society for Engineering Educationthe cooling load. Its effect has been investigated in many cases. For example Lam investigatesthe effect of surrounding buildings on producing shade [1].This paper is also used as a teaching vehicle in the senior capstone class, in which the studentsare working on a design project that includes heat gain/losses in a small greenhouse, the use ofPV modules to charge a battery and also drive a small, centrifugal pump.Thermal modelIt is important to use a model that has the ability to handle the heat storage properties of thebuilding. For instance, if the night is particularly cold, the building model

Conference Session

Computer Applications in Energy Courses

Collection

2008 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Vincent Winstead, Minnesota State University, Mankato

Tagged Divisions

Energy Conversion and Conservation

lack of detailedknowledge of the operational characteristics of the Prius battery control unit (BCU), thestudents decided to interface the modified battery pack such that the Prius vehicle was notaware of the modification (i.e. masking the change to the BCU). There are numerous Priusconversion projects across the United States in various stages of development. A searchthrough the internet yielded a similar endeavor: The CalCARS PriusPlus project [1]. Inthis conversion the stock Nickel Metal-Hydride (Ni-MH) battery pack was replaced with aLead-Acid (Pb-Acid) chemistry pack with the same pack voltage as the stock battery pack.The BCU was sent similar fractional-pack voltage measurements from the new pack asprovided by the stock pack in an effort

Conference Session

Sustainable Energy Issues in Education

Collection

2008 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Cindy Orndoff, Florida Gulf Coast University

Tagged Divisions

Energy Conversion and Conservation

90 percent of their work time indoors, costing USbusinesses about $15 billion in productivity losses annually. “By the year 2010, another 38million buildings are expected to be constructed in the U.S. bringing our country’s total to over100 million. The challenge is to build those new buildings, and renovate the older ones, in waysthat reverse these unhealthy trends.” 1 The challenge is getting the construction industry to acceptand employ greener practices. The major way to meet this challenge is to build green. Buildinggreen has endless positive results that may include preserving natural habitats, ecosystems,watersheds; protecting water and air quality; reducing waste and greenhouse gases; thus creatingbetter outdoor and indoor

Conference Session

Alternative Energy Source Projects

Collection

2008 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Peter Schubert, Packer Engineering

Tagged Divisions

Energy Conversion and Conservation

library, the student team researched the history of these devices. They foundthat plasma torches were first developed by NASA in the 1960s to simulate re-entry of spacevehicles. A plasma torch consists of a gas (either air, or combustible gasses for even highertemperatures) greatly heated by passage through a miniature bolt of lightning created byapplying a high voltage between two electrodes. Two types of torches are used in practice, theplasma cutter, which is commercially-available, and the less common plasma torch, as shown inFigure 1. Figure 1. Plasma cutter (left) and plasma torch (right). Page 13.984.3On the left of

Conference Session

Sustainable Energy Issues in Education

Collection

2008 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Barbara Utley, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University; Andrea Ludwig, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University; John Cundiff, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University; Sean McGinnis, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University

Tagged Divisions

Energy Conversion and Conservation

the course attracts students from all disciplines within theCollege of Engineering, it is challenging to teach given the variety of backgrounds, specific skillsand knowledge, and perspectives. Analysis of course assessment data and revision to the coursecontent and teaching methods are part of an on-going effort to improve this course. The Green Engineering course has lectures which present background material on the keyenvironmental and energy issues facing society. To differentiate this course from one inenvironmental science, an engineering analysis component is included with the assignment offour mini-projects which are completed by teams of not more than four students. The projectsare: 1) biomass logistics, a project to document

Conference Session

Alternative Energy Source Projects

Collection

2008 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Esther Ososanya, University of the District of Columbia; Abiose Adebayo, University of the District of Columbia; Jean-Pierre Fodjouo, University of the District of Columbia; Steven Omoijuanfo, University of the District of Columbia; Francis Ayissi, University of the District of Columbia; Tuan Ly, University of the District of Columbia; Kevin Allen, University of the District of Columbia; Mamoun Mohammed Ali, University of the District of Columbia; Gizaw Mulugeta, University of the District of Columbia; Anene Wynn, University of the District of Columbia; Dimitri Ditombi Bamba, University of the District of Columbia; Meraj Shaikh, University of the District of Columbia

Tagged Divisions

Energy Conversion and Conservation

Biomethane:There are three steps to upgrading biogas to biomethane [3]. They are: (1) removal ofhydrogen sulfide, (2) removal of moisture, and (3) removal of carbon dioxide. Thesimplest way to remove moisture is through refrigeration. H2S can be removed by avariety of processes: I. Air injected into the digester biogas holder Page 13.1210.6 II. Iron chloride added to the digester influent 5 III. Reaction with iron oxide or hydroxide (iron sponge) IV. Use of activated-carbon sieve V. Water scrubbing VI. Sodium hydroxide or

Conference Session

Curricular Developments in Energy Education

Collection

2008 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Gunnar Tamm, United States Military Academy; Ozer Arnas, United States Military Academy; Daisie Boettner, United States Military Academy; Seth Norberg, United States Military Academy

Tagged Divisions

Energy Conversion and Conservation

future leaders.Energy Use in the United StatesThe United States consumes 100 Quad (1 Quad = 1015 Btu) of energy annually, accounting forroughly one quarter of the world’s total consumption.[1] Figure 1 shows that 85% is derivedfrom fossil fuels. There is ongoing debate over how long fossil fuel reserves will last, a fewdecades to a few centuries, depending on the fuel. But this debate is trivial, because they are allfinite resources that will eventually be exhausted. The only debate is how quickly society mustreact to the inevitable end of unsustainable consumption.The public is reluctant to plan for decades or centuries ahead, because personal financial andsecurity concerns are more immediate. For successful development of energy alternatives

Conference Session

Solar Power, Wind Power, and Energy System Initiatives

Collection

2008 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Peter Mark Jansson, Rowan University; Ulrich Schwabe, Rowan University; Andrew Hak, Rowan University

Tagged Divisions

Energy Conversion and Conservation

2007 the financial team was able to reachagreement on pricing and the technical aspects of the project were started. It was at thattime that SunTechnics, a former Industrial Affiliate of Rowan University, saw a perfectrole for using the College of Engineering to assist them in the medium voltage (33kV)AC aspects of the project. Table 1 provides an overall equipment list for the project; theundergraduate and graduate engineering students were involved in analysis of the designof this system for items 4-8 in the table and responsible for specification, details andplans for items 6, 7 and 8 (which is described in greater detail in another paper by theauthors11

Conference Session

Alternative-energy Laboratory Experiences

Collection

2009 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Laura Genik, Michigan State University; Craig Somerton, Michigan State University

Tagged Divisions

Energy Conversion and Conservation

© American Society for Engineering Education, 2009 Connecting Lab Experiments to a Design ProjectIntroductionA senior level heat transfer laboratory course incorporates a major design and build projectcompetition which accounts for about 1/3 of the course. This project addresses the ABETMechanical Engineering Program Criteria that requires graduates to possess the ability to designin the thermal engineering area. The remaining 2/3 of the laboratory course consists of standardthermal engineering experiments on such topics as thermocouples, convection, and power plants.A unique feature of these standard experiments is the way in which they support the designproject. With the variety of experiments available, the students run

Conference Session

Investigating Alternative-energy Concepts

Collection

2009 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Faruk Yildiz, Sam Houston State University; Keith Coogler, Sam Houston State University; Dominick Fazarro, Sam Houston State University

Tagged Divisions

Energy Conversion and Conservation

wascategorized as high power sources. Energy from pedaled chairs (new design) and tables (newdesign), fitness equipments, collected gray water (from sinks, bath and rain), city water, andsome furniture was categorized as medium power sources. Power generation fromopening/closing of doors and cabinet drawers, floor vibrations, clocks, heat differences, etc. wascategorized as low power sources. All electrical energy collected from aforementioned sources isconsolidated and retained in storage devices (batteries) using specially designed electrical energyharvesting and conversion circuits.I. IntroductionRenewable energy today provides about 9% of the world’s energy and 8% to 10% of the U.S.needs[1]. However, in many parts of the world these percentages are

Conference Session

Solar, Wind, and Novel Energy-System Initiatives

Collection

2009 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Faruk Yildiz, Sam Houston State University

Tagged Divisions

Energy Conversion and Conservation

security camera electronic application. The components of the energy harvesting, conversion, storage and wireless camera system were investigated and chosen very carefully by the students to scavenge maximum energy. The block diagram of the overall energy harvesting and powering system is shown in Figure 1. II. Hydraulic Door Closer Mechanism Mechanical energy flow Electrical energy flow For the purpose of this experimental study, a hydraulic door closer was Hydraulic door closer rotation

Conference Session

Computer Applications in Energy Conversion

Collection

2009 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Faruk Yildiz, Sam Houston State University; Ayhan Zora, Deere and Company

Tagged Divisions

Energy Conversion and Conservation

harvesting (scavenging)methods, power and energy density.Typical component specifications, such as electric generator, motor, gear sets, piezoelectricelement, electronic part and storage device modules were inserted into modules to simulateenergy harvesting systems. It was expected that the proper choice of these materials woulddevelop an efficient energy harvesting device. Figure 1 shows a block diagram of the threedifferent experimental energy harvesting systems with the matching order in simulationinterface. Page 14.1329.4 Ambient Energy Sources Human Power Hydraulic

Conference Session

Solar, Wind, and Novel Energy-System Initiatives

Collection

2009 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Samuel Lakeou, University of the District of Columbia; Ben Latigo, University of the District of Columbia

Tagged Divisions

Energy Conversion and Conservation

with valuable information on the dire needs of the country, with respect towater resources. Table.1 Summarizes the extent of water supply coverage in the country.The Democratic Federal Republic of Ethiopia has 8 states or regions and 3 chartered cities asshown in Fig.1 Total area1,104,000 km2 Population (2004)~70 million Urban population 20% Rural population 80% Life expectancy 42 years GNI per capita US$100 Demographic growth rate2.2% Rural growth rate 1.8% Urban growth rate 4.0% Fig. 1. Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia (8 Regions, 3 Chartered Cities) Fig. 2 Meeting with AAU Officials and (right) Pilot Demonstration Project of AAU.Description of Type of Water

Conference Session

Sustainable-energy Education: Lessons Learned

Collection

2009 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Tom Ferguson, University of Minnesota, Duluth; Paul Weber, University of Minnesota, Duluth

Tagged Divisions

Energy Conversion and Conservation

forecasts. In additionto these results, this research will illustrate the implementation of such class projects, describecommon student strengths and weaknesses relative to energy conversion, and explain theimportance of defining appropriate prerequisites for a diversity of engineering majors.1. IntroductionEnergy touches every aspect of human behavior, spanning a spectrum of use that ranges frompowering the human body to satisfying creative and recreational needs. The complexity of itsvarious uses, forms, and means of transport is complicated further by the level of requiredinvestment, lengthy planning and implementation timelines, and public policies (includingenvironmental protection). Public awareness on energy is continuously shaped by the

Conference Session

Alternative-energy Laboratory Experiences

Collection

2009 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Anurag Srivastava, Mississippi State University; Noel Schulz, Mississippi State University

Tagged Divisions

Energy Conversion and Conservation

of 2007. Additionally, detailed modelingof a power system and an interface with a protection relay using the RTDS were demonstrated inthe “Power System Modeling and Simulation” course. Operation of a protective relay fordifferent types of faults and relay modeling were explained in this class using the hardware setup Page 14.226.3as shown in figure 1. Several students completed projects demonstrating the use of the RTDSsystem for training and educational activities.Some of the final group projects for the ‘Power system operation and control’ course, are listedhere. i. Frequency droop characteristics of a generator: Frequency management is a

Conference Session

Investigating Alternative-energy Concepts

Collection

2009 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Peter Mark Jansson, Rowan University; Ulrich Schwabe, Rowan University; Kevin Bellomo - Whitten, Rowan University; Jonathan Bucca, Rowan University

Tagged Divisions

Energy Conversion and Conservation

modules is a major factor, but only basic data for the surrounding area was found – whichdoes however give at least a small insight into its effect. Comparisons of various data were done Page 14.210.3for the months of May through September 2008, starting with the most intuitivelystraightforward correlation of ambient and module temperatures. A simple best fit confirms theassumption with R2 values ranging from .8 to .85. Figures 1&2 give example graphs of theambient and module temperatures measured at the site for the Months of May, July andSeptember

Conference Session

Sustainable Education and the Environment

Collection

2009 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Elaine Scott, Seattle Pacific University; John Lindberg, Seattle Pacific University

Tagged Divisions

Energy Conversion and Conservation

AC 2009-2187: APPROPRIATE AND SUSTAINABLE ENGINEERING (ASE)CONCENTRATIONElaine Scott, Seattle Pacific UniversityJohn Lindberg, Seattle Pacific University Page 14.230.1© American Society for Engineering Education, 2009 Appropriate and Sustainable Engineering (ASE) ConcentrationIntroductionAs part of a new General Engineering (GE)program beginning Fall 2009, the Appropriate Environmentaland Sustainable Engineering (ASE) FootprintConcentration is focused on engineering at thecrossroads between stewardship to our planetand service to the poor as shown in Figure 1. Weseek to address our environmental footprint in

Conference Session

Investigating Alternative-energy Concepts

Collection

2009 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Narayanan Komerath, Georgia Institute of Technology

Tagged Divisions

Energy Conversion and Conservation

question is how to usethis opportunity to demonstrate how wellpeople can learn and integrate knowledge thatwill serve them for a lifetime.Our course is based on the idea that enabling Figure 1: High-intensity solar converter pluspublic participation is the fastest route to wind turbine. Courtesy Laura Hershberger.sustainable energy independence. For instance, Page 14.7.2a new 1GigaWatt renewable-power plant will take 10 years to go online, given the capital needs,policy issues, local permissions, environmental integration and infrastructure development. Atthe optimistic cost of $1 per installed watt7, this takes at least $1B of capital. Though

Conference Session

Alternative-energy Laboratory Experiences

Collection

2009 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Bret Bosma, California State University, Chico; Gregory Kallio, California State University, Chico

Tagged Divisions

Energy Conversion and Conservation

provided by technicalstaff in the college.The mobile photovoltaic (PV) power system consists of a typical stand-alone battery backupsetup having the necessary equipment for a remote residential setting (Figure 1). The system, asconfigured, would have application as a backup to utility supplied power where it may beunreliable. Although equipped for this use, the system provides an excellent platform forstudents to learn about PV renewable systems as well as providing sophisticated data acquisitionwhich monitors the status and performance of the system. Page 14.1022.3The power source is anRWE Schott 300 Wattphotovoltaic module with amaximum power

Conference Session

Solar, Wind, and Novel Energy-System Initiatives

Collection

2009 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Recayi 'Reg' Pecen; Jill Humston, University of Northern Iowa

Tagged Divisions

Energy Conversion and Conservation

youngstudents have probably heard the terms solar and wind power and may already have some idea ofwhat that means. Wind energy has become the least expensive renewable energy technology inexistence and has gained the interest of scientists and educators the world over. Specifically inIowa, students may have seen wind energy in action as many wind turbines are present within 50miles from Cedar Falls and Waterloo. Utilizing a mast-mounted anemometer (wind meter) and asimple relationship as shown in Equation 1 that relates the power generated by a wind-turbineand the wind parameters allows the students to directly measure wind speed and to vividly relatethis easily felt force-of-nature to electrical measurements. P = 0.5τA

Conference Session

Learning about Power Systems and Power Consumption

Collection

2009 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Mike Hay, University of Northern Iowa; Recayi 'Reg' Pecen

Tagged Divisions

Energy Conversion and Conservation

parameters which affect thelife of fluorescent lamps driven by electronic ballast3. The long-term purpose of fluorescentlighting systems is to find a correlation between lamp life and the duration of the correspondingcycle while controlling inrush current in a reasonable limit 4-7.The efficiency of electric lighting has increased significantly, since 1900. Incandescent lamps atthe time were about 1% efficient based on 4 lumens/W. By 1970, the efficiency of incandescentlamps had risen to 5% (with much of the improvement taking place between 1905 and 1910, dueto the introduction of tungsten filaments)4-5. There was not much improvement after 1930.Fluorescent lamps, introduced in the 1930s, were about 8% efficient in 1940 and 20% efficientby 1970